Abstract: A multi-purpose yard maintenance apparatus consisting of a sickle-bar mower, a sickle-bar hedge trimmer and a garden tiller. The apparatus comprises a gasoline engine and a handle assembly having a pair of handles The apparatus further comprises a sickle-bar frame assembly having handle mounting means, sickle-bar hedge trimmer mounting means and a pair of wheels. Also included is a tiller housing assembly having handle mounting means, engine mounting means and a set of tines Finally, a sickle-bar hedge trimmer assembly having a housing, a engine mounting means, a pair of handles and a sickle-bar cutting assembly is provided to complete the components of the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved glass fiber winding apparatus including a pair of winding collets rotatably supported by a turret and separated by a movable winding shield. The collets are controllably rotated by the turret between a winding position and an unloading position. At the winding position, one collet is active for purposes of winding glass fibers, while the collet at the unloading position is inactive and the fibers wound upon that collet may be removed such that the collet is freed for future winding. The winding shield is interposed between the two collets so that debris, such as lubricants, are prevented from contaminating the inactive collet. The winding shield is configured such that it can be moved to avoid interference with the fibers during the process of moving a fully wound collet from the winding position to the unloading position. The collet moved from the unloading position is moved upon that collet.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for setting up a concrete form for the subsequent forming of a concrete member therein and for continuously supplying a concrete form with concrete. The apparatus for setting up the concrete form includes a deck brush for cleaning the deck portions of an elongated concrete form, stem brushes for cleaning the stem portions of the concrete form, nozzles for spraying pressurized lubrication fluid onto the form, strand pulling and placing devices for placing reinforcing strands in the stem portions of the concrete form, rams for depressing the strands down into the stem portions after tensioning thereof, and a deck reinforcing material dispensing system which simultaneously straightens and dispenses deck wire onto the deck portion of the concrete form.

Abstract: A cylindrical collet is provided having moveable radial components which, when expanded, form a right angle cylinder capable of winding fibers. The components are moved between the expanded and compressed states, independent of the centrifugal force exerted by rotating collet. One technique of moving the components is by use of compressed air driving a piston coupled to the components.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting up a concrete form for the subsequent forming of a concrete member therein. The apparatus for setting up the concrete form includes a deck brush for cleaning the deck portions of an elongated concrete form, stem brushes for cleaning the stem portions of the concrete form, nozzles for spraying pressurized lubrication fluid onto the form, strand pulling and placing devices for placing reinforcing strands in the stem portions of the concrete form, rams for depressing the strands down into the stem portions after tensioning thereof, and a deck reinforcing material dispensing system which simultaneously straightens and dispenses deck wire onto the deck portion of the concrete form.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically doffing a full strand package on a collet winder such as used in the manufacturing of fiberglass and the like strands. The method includes providing a rotating doffing cup (A) which includes a cylindrical cup (40) having an inflatable liner (44) carried on the inside of the cup. A robotic vehicle (10) includes a servo-linkage arm (28) which positions the doffing cup at a desired winding station along a row (14) of collet winders (B). The method includes bringing the doffing cup up to an approach position, pivoting a traverse guide (76) away from the collet, and extending the doffing cup over a full strand package (36). The rotating cup is brought up to a speed slightly greated than the speed of the rotating yarn package. The liner (44) is then inflated causing the rotating doffing cup to grip the strand. The rotating cup (A) is then retracted with the strand package.

Abstract: A continuous cutter ring or hoop having relatively thick, large-angle chisel teeth to bend and break attenuated glass fibers in a glass fiber chopping assembly is disclosed. The continuous cutter is an annular ring or hoop of steel or other hard material which is formed having an outer circumference provided with integral, regularly spaced, raised cutting teeth. The continuous cutter is secured on a suitable cutter wheel which cooperates with a second wheel having an elastomer cot around its circumference with the glass fibers to be severed passing between the continuous cutter and the elastomer cot. The cutter teeth are generally chisel-shaped and sever the glass fiber strand without cutting or destroying the elastomer cot. The integrally formed cutter teeth will not separate from the cutter ring and are not subject to being misaligned.