Abstract: A common grounding strap, comprising a strip of conductive material sized to span multiple electrical devices within a non-conductive or conductive multi-gang box, each electrical device having a conductive fastener to fasten the electrical device to the multi-gang box, and apparatus for simultaneously mounting the strip of conductive material to each electrical device to provide an integrated ground connection between the multiple electrical devices.

Abstract: A fire blanket comprises two superimposed fabric layers stitched or otherwise attached together along an array of intersecting lines to form a plurality of pockets or cells. Within the cells are disposed sealed bags made of plastics material containing a chemical compound which melts and reacts endothermically when heated, such as sodium hydrogen acetate. When the fire blanket is deployed over a fire, extinguishing action takes place by exclusion of oxygen. In addition, though, the plastics material of the bags melts or ruptures to release the melted chemical compound which permeates through the porosity of the fabric and onto the fire. The bags prevent seepage of the melted chemical compound into the fabric during conditions of high temperature transport or storage and any consequent stiffening of the fabric which would reduce its efficiency of deployment. Edge regions of the blanket may be devoid of the bags to enable the blanket to be more easily draped over the fire region.

Abstract: A casting apparatus (10) for direct chill casting metal includes a tundish (12) containing a supply of molten metal, a casting mold (14), and a starter block (44) associated with the casting mold (14). The casting mold (14) is in fluid communication with the tundish (12) through a passage (22) defined in the tundish wall. The casting mold (14) includes a header plate (24), a casting ring (26), and a feed ring (28). The header plate (24) defines an arcuate shaped opening (36) connected to the passage (22). The header plate (24) has an upstream side (38) and a downstream side (40). The casting ring (26) is connected to the downstream side (40) of the header plate (24) and defines a groove (52) proximate to the sidewall (48) of the header plate (24). The feed ring (28) is disposed in the groove.

Abstract: A composite material includes a structural carrier layer and a relatively thin metal foil layer separated by a release layer. The release layer, that may be an admixture of a metal such as nickel or chromium and a non-metal such as chromium oxide, nickel oxide, chromium phosphate or nickel phosphate, provides a peel strength for the metal foil layer from the carrier strip that is typically on the order of 0.1 pound per inch to 2 pounds per inch. This provides sufficient adhesion to prevent premature separation of the metal foil layer from the carrier layer, but easy removal of the carrier layer when desired. Typically, the metal foil layer is subsequently bonded to a dielectric and the carrier layer then removed. The metal foil layer is then imaged into circuit features in the manufacture of printed circuit boards and flexible circuits.

Abstract: A composite material includes a structural carrier layer and a relatively thin metal foil layer separated by a release layer. The release layer, that may be an admixture of a metal such as nickel or chromium and a non-metal such as chromium oxide, nickel oxide, chromium phosphate or nickel phosphate, provides a peel strength for the metal foil layer from the carrier strip that is typically on the order of 0.1 pound per inch to 2 pounds per inch. This provides sufficient adhesion to prevent premature separation of the metal foil layer from the carrier layer, but easy removal of the carrier layer when desired. Typically, the metal foil layer is subsequently bonded to a dielectric and the carrier layer then removed. The metal foil layer is then imaged into circuit features in the manufacture of printed circuit boards and flexible circuits.

Abstract: A composite material includes a structural carrier layer and a relatively thin metal foil layer separated by a release layer. The release layer, that may be an admixture of a metal such as nickel or chromium and a non-metal such as chromium oxide, nickel oxide, chromium phosphate or nickel phosphate, provides a peel strength for the metal foil layer from the carrier strip that is typically on the order of 0.1 pound per inch to 2 pounds per inch. This provides sufficient adhesion to prevent premature separation of the metal foil layer from the carrier layer, but easy removal of the carrier layer when desired. Typically, the metal foil layer is subsequently bonded to a dielectric and the carrier layer then removed. The metal foil layer is then imaged into circuit features in the manufacture of printed circuit boards and flexible circuits.

Abstract: A golfing aid for maintaining a true arc in a golf swing. Attached to the shaft of the club is a guide member which projects from the club and has on it a tip, which during the initial part of the downswing and the final part of the follow-through contacts the radial side of the leading forearm. The contact provides a positive tactile feedback to avert wrist cocking and encourages radial deviation of the wrist instead thereby encouraging the maintenance of a true arc in the downswing and follow through.

Abstract: An A-rated, aluminum alloy suitable for machining, said alloy consisting essentially of: about 4-5.75 wt. % copper, about 0.2-0.9 wt. % bismuth, about 0.12-1.0 wt. % tin, the ratio of bismuth to tin ranging from about 0.8:1 to 5:1, up to about 0.7 wt. % iron, up to about 0.4 wt. % silicon, up to about 0.3 wt. % zinc, the balance aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. On a preferred basis, this alloy contains about 4.4-5.0 wt. % copper, about 0.4-0.75 wt. % bismuth, about 0.2-0.5 wt. % tin, the ratio of bismuth to tin ranging from about 1:1 to 3:1, about 0.2 wt. % or less iron and about 0.2 wt. % or less silicon. The alloy is substantially lead-free, cadmium-free and thallium-free. There is further disclosed an improved method for making screw machine stock or wire, rod and bar product from this alloy by casting, preheating, extruding, solution heat treating, cold finishing and aging the same.

Abstract: A method of training golf swing including the steps of adjusting the position of a guide relative to a golf club so that the guide projects vertically when the club is held in an address position, a tip at a free end of the guide bears against the radius side of a leading forearm when the club is held in a back swing position, and the tip bears against the radius side of the leading forearm when the club is held in a follow through position. Repeatedly swinging the golf club between back swing and follow through positions. Correcting golf swing to ensure that at the back swing position the tip bears against the radius side of the leading forearm. Correcting golf swing to ensure that at the follow through position the tip bears against the radius side of the leading forearm. By use of the method the golf swing is trained to be within a plane and errors such as wrist cocking are detected and can be corrected.

Abstract: A modular, reversible louver and offset evaporative media housing system for evaporative air coolers primarily comprising a panel having downwardly cast louvers and a body in the shape of a truncated pyramid, contiguous with and sloping away from the louvers. The body defines an internal volume offset from the louvers for confining an evaporative media. The louvers extend between two side and one central louver rails. A shoulder defined in the interior of the body between the louvers and the internal volume offset the louvers from the evaporative media. Ribs are disposed on the interior surfaces of the bottom and sides of the body for setting the evaporative media off from the sides and bottom. An inverted trough disposed on the interior surface of the top mounts a perforated water distribution tube for supplying water. A peripheral flange extends perpendicularly from the body for adaptively securing the system to a new or existing evaporative cooling unit cabinet.

Abstract: A portable, evaporative air cooler ideal for off-road utility vehicles such as bulldozers, earth working equipment and the like. A corrosion-resistant, plastic housing comprises a rigid rectangular base and a rigid mating cover. The cover defines an air inlet, a fan intake plenum, and an air output. A fan mounted on the cover draws ambient air into the housing and outputs cooled, humidified air through an adjustable, louvered air distributor head adjustably positioned by the user. The distributor head may be coupled directly to the air output, or it may be remotely positioned with a flexible hose. The base defines a reservoir subdivided into an air admission compartment, an adjacent wick compartment, and a terminal filter compartment. Water within the reservoir partially fills all three compartments. The air admission compartment is covered by a prefilter grate that prescreens incoming particulate matter. The wick compartment seats a corrugated, absorbent wick having a plurality of air passageways.

Abstract: A worked rod extrusion product for fabricating into products having high wear resistance surfaces, the product comprised of 11 to 13.5 wt. % Si, 0.5 to 1.45 wt % Cu, 0.8 to 3 wt. % Mg, 0.5 to 2.95 wt. % Ni, max 1 wt. % Fe, max 0.1 wt. % Cr, max 0.25 wt. % Zn, the balance aluminum, incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: A highly efficient, multi-stage evaporative air cooler for either residential or commercial applications comprises an internal air pathway traversing an evaporative pad more than once. The cooler comprises an upright free-standing cabinet having an air inlet and a frontal surface through which cooled air is discharged. A rigid cage disposed internally within the cabinet comprises a rigid front plate and a separator plate which divides the cage into separate compartments. The periphery of the cage is completed by a pad support mesh, comprising a grid-like wire wall extending around and between the front plate edges and about the separator plate. An absorbent evaporative pad surrounding the cage adjoins and is supported by the pad support mesh. An internal annular boundary volume defined between the cage and the interior walls of the cabinet establishes fluid flow communication between the separate cage compartments. A fan and a blower motor assembly are secured to the separator plate within the cage.

Abstract: A putter device for use in the playing in the game of golf including an elongated shaft member having a hand gripping portion at one end and a head member for putting a golf ball at the other end. The head member being connected to the shaft at a point which is disposed forward of the center of gravity and the geometric center of the head member whereby the golf ball can be putted with improved accuracy and consistency. The toe end of the putter head may be provided with a scoop-like receptacle adapted for picking up a golf ball. The heel end portion of the head may include therein a removable weight.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to fittings used in plumbing systems, and more particularly relates to a new and improved construction for a fitting device of the type for use intermediate of and connecting water closets, sinks, baths, basins or the like with the main waste or soil pipe and with the main vent pipe. In the invention, such fitting device may be employed advantageously in new construction or in the repair of existing plumbing systems such as in re-modeling or the like. The fitting is of a unitary, one-piece construction made from a plastic material having a hollow cylindrical body with an inlet end and an outlet end. Intermediate the inlet and outlet ends, there is an integral transversely extending hub section of a generally figure-eight construction defined by an oppositely disposed pair of superposed vent and/or waste openings adapted for use as a vent and/or waste for the plumbing system.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying and/or curing cereal grains, tobacco and other materials, elements of which may be ingested by human beings, comprises a tube defining a flow passage in the inlet end of which is positioned a device for moving a pressured flow of air through said passage and in the outlet end of which is positioned and projected therefrom a means defining a combustion chamber. In connection with the combustion chamber are means arranged to deliver and ignite oil to produce a flame capped by and projected interiorly of the combustion chamber. The flame is enveloped in a pressured flow of air the impetus of which has its source in a blower embodied in an oil burner assembly mounted on the outer surface of the tube, which burner assembly provides for a pressured delivery of the oil. Means are provided to insure that the oil burner assembly and its blower are operating under pressure equal to or greater than the pressure of the air flow through said tube.

Abstract: A pressure compensated emitter device for controlling rate of water discharge in a drip irrigation emitter tube, wherein the tube is of resilient material and is partly contained within a plenum, wherein an increase pressure results in a reduction of tube diameter. The tube may contain a core of copper or other metal which will inhibit root growth in the vicinity of the discharge orifice.