Abstract: In a method of and machine for forming a non-woven bias yarn assembly comprising two superposed non-woven bias yarn sub-assemblies each yarn is transferred by a yarn transfer member from an opening it occupies in a yarn guide member to another opening in the yarn guide member in such a manner that each yarn is caused in a succession of forward transfer steps to follow the yarn preceding it from one opening to another along a non-intersecting path until the yarn at a first end opening in the path arrives at a second end opening in the path located at the opposite end of the path and the yarn at the second end opening in the path arrives at the first end opening and then in a succession of return transfer steps to follow the yarn preceding it from one opening to another along the non-intersecting path in the opposite direction until the yarn from the second end opening in the path arrives at the first end opening and the yarn from the first end opening arrives at the second end opening.

Abstract: A process for weaving using a reed having vertically aligned upper and lower reed portions with the reed portions being relatively movable in a weft direction. The process includes transferring warp yarns between the reed portions, moving the transferred warp yarns in the weft direction to define a selected array of warp yarns, and then shedding the array of warp yarns for insertion of weft yarn. A weaving loom head is also provided including a reed having vertically aligned upper and lower reed portions, a plurality of healds each releasably engagable with an individual warp yarn for moving selected warp yarns from one reed portion to the other, and a selectively operable drive mechanism for causing relative movement between the reed portions by a predetermined spacing in the weft direction. Weaves may accordingly be produced including warp threads extending parallel to and/or inclined to the fabric take-off direction. Inclination of the warp threads may be in a horizontal and/or vertical plane.

Abstract: A tool has a hollow elongated body 10 made up of a leading section 12 attachable to a tow-cable by a clevis 28, an intermediate section 14 and a trailing section 20 housing a hydraulic cylinder 24 and attachable to a main liner 30. The intermediate section includes a frusto-conical wall in two parts 16 and 18, each of 180.degree. angular extent. The ram 24 operates a wedge 22 longitudinally to move the first part 16 outwardly or inwardly transversely of the body. The parts 16, 18 are slidably trapped to the wedge by slide components projecting into grooves. The tool is pulled by the two cable into the main with the part 16 retracted. Then the part 16 is moved outwardly to burst and enlarge the main, allowing the tool to advance further after retraction of the part 16. The parts 16, 18 each have an external longitudinal rib 68, 70. The part 16 has longitudinal marginal extensions overlapping the longitudinal margins of the part 18.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled apparatus 1 for replacing main such as a gas main 2, comprising a single double acting hydraulic piston and cylinder combination 3 connected with slidable devices 4, 6 operable by the device for step-by-step movement of the apparatus through the main on alternate strokes of the combination, the devices 4 and 6 being operative in only a forward direction to slide to grip the main, the apparatus drawing a vibratable breaker device 20 (FIG. 2) or 30 (FIG. 3) through the main, the device being vibratable to precess about an axis and the device 30 being vibratable by percussive means longitudinally of the main.