Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a padmount transformer using a buried support frame is provided wherein the transformer is mounted adjacent a trench about the underground cable, the frame includes a pair of telescopically extendable legs which rest on the trench bottom. Each of those legs reaches to the top of the trench and is removably attached at that upper end to one of a pair of arms that rest on the surface of the ground under where the floater pad is to be placed. A stabilizing bar is removably attached to each of the legs to secure them in a desired relative position. The position of each of these frame elements can be adjusted to permit the top of the frame to be made level. The relatively compact ground at the bottom of the trench and the surface adjacent the trench secures the frame against significant or uneven changes in vertical position over time.

Abstract: A breakaway connection device is provided which is particularly suited for use with residential electric service cables. This device is mounted between the service cable and the service pole and serves to disconnect the cable from the pole upon the application of a predetermined level of tension or force to the cable. That level of force is selected so that the service cable breaks away from the pole and de-energizes the conductive wires before the service cable would pull away from and damage the dwelling. This device includes an insulated sheath having therein two hollow wire receiving elements which are separably joined by a conductive insert, formed as a solid rod or threaded member.

Abstract: A template is provided having an expandable base portion (12) with a plurality of raised side cavities (24) to receive and retain underground cables prior to, during and after trench backfilling. The base includes a pair of slidably mounted wings (14) to assist in bridging the trench and stabilizing the base on ground adjacent the trench. A removable back member (28) is attached to the base to bridge the cavities and secure the cables therein. A guide (36) is provided for receiving a grounding rod (38) and a central opening (40) is formed in the base as a hand hold and to permit backfilling under the base when needed. In use, the base is mounted over the trench at the desired location for the padmount transformer. The cables are then secured to the base, and the trench is backfilled with the base being grounded. Afterwards, the cables are released from the base and attached to the padmount transformer.

Abstract: A fast acting and adjustable vise is disclosed herein having an elongated base movably supporting a pair of jaws adjustable between opposing holding surfaces for releasably supporting small parts or workpieces. Manually rotatable wheels are operably coupled to each jaw for independent and separate movement along a linear path and a universal mounting device adjustably supports the vise on a supporting surface. In one form, one jaw of the pair includes a finger-operated resilient clamp for selectively and rapidly positioning the clamp to a desired location on the base.

Abstract: In a pipeline through which a vehicle such as a pig is travelling, a magnetically activated detector detects the presence of the approaching pig and sends a signal to switch on a transmitter unit which supplies an alternating current to an AC coil. This generates a magnetic field for a preselected period, the flux signal being then sensed by a pair of crossed coil sensors on board the pig after which the signal is processed in a unit on-board the pig. A reference pulse is then output for recording on a tape recorder also on-board the pig. This technique enables a geographical reference of the vehicle to be fixed.

Abstract: A radio direction finding system in which the angle of arrival of radio signals incident on a group of antenna elements is determined from the relative phase or phases of the radio signals incident upon two or more of said antenna elements. One of said elements is connected to a first radio receiver, while the other elements of the group are connected in turn to a second radio receiver, successive values of relative phase between signals received by the two receivers being utlized to derive a value for the angle of arrival of a radio signal relative to the antenna elements.

Abstract: Rubber compounds are readily bonded to tire cords using a dip process in which the dip contains an alkaline aqueous dispersion of a mixture of a major amount by weight of a rubbery vinyl pyridine/styrene/butadiene copolymer and a minor amount of a lignin amine-resorcinol-formaldehyde reaction product.