Abstract: The mortar mixer paddle assembly includes a rectilinear shaft having a centrally registered longitudinal axis, a tow-end and an engine-end axially opposed from the tow-end, and a plurality of rectilinear paddle arms radially extending outwardly from the centrally registered longitudinal axis. A mechanism for entraining air into the mortar mixture and along the rectilinear shaft inside the existing polyethylene drum is provided. A mechanism for horizontally reciprocating a mortar mixture slurry along a bi-directional linear travel path parallel to the centrally registered longitudinal axis of the rectilinear shaft is provided. A mechanism for radially redirecting slow-moving mortar mixture slurry, traveling along the rectilinear shaft, upwards into faster moving arcuate travel paths rotating about the rectilinear shaft thus eliminating mortar mixture slurry build-up on the rectilinear shaft and the rectilinear paddle arms is provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes a flag display apparatus comprising a flag arm configured to support an edge of a flag and a base configured to attach to a flag pole, wherein the flag arm is secured to the base and wherein the base is configured to allow the flag arm to rotate around the flag pole. In any number of embodiments, the flag display apparatus further comprises a support ring and means for attaching the flag to the flag arm. Alternatively, a sleeve, loops or ties on a flag specially adapted for use with a flag display assembly can be used to secure the flag to the flag arm. In any number of embodiments, the flag pole fits into a mounting sleeve that is mounted onto a building or structure. The mounting sleeve can also be affixed to the ground for a vertical flag pole.

Abstract: The assembly includes frame, drum having a substantially cylindrical body with upper outlet opening covered by a grate. The drum includes a laterally disposed discharge chute and a back wall. A shaft mounted between end walls and carries a pair of arms with a center paddle and V-shaped mixing paddles are on respective arms for increasing the amount of entrained air in mixed mortar. The back wall is inclined from the vertical by no more than 15° to inhibit build up of the mortar being mixed in the drum. A three member bag splitter is affixed to the grate over the widest area of the outlet opening. A two-section cab encloses an engine and allows for access to the starter and engine controls while protecting a user. A gear drive shield medially of the cab provides user protection and protects the drive components from dust and debris.

Abstract: The assembly includes frame, drum having a substantially cylindrical body with upper outlet opening covered by a grate. The drum includes a laterally disposed discharge chute and a back wall. A shaft mounted between end walls and carries a pair of arms with a center paddle and V-shaped mixing paddles are on respective arms for increasing the amount of entrained air in mixed mortar. The back wall is inclined from the vertical by no more than 15° to inhibit build up of the mortar being mixed in the drum. A three member bag splitter is affixed to the grate over the widest area of the outlet opening. A two-section cab encloses an engine and allows for access to the starter and engine controls while protecting a user. A gear drive shield medially of the cab provides user protection and protects the drive components from dust and debris.

Abstract: A mortar mixer includes a substantially cylindrical drum having end plates supporting trunnion assemblies, with housings, having an interior space defined by an interior surface around the paddle shaft. A first seal is located adjacent the end plate and is positioned around the shaft and is mounted between the shaft and the interior surface. A second seal is spaced outwardly from the first seal and positioned around the shaft between the shaft and the affixed interior surface. The first and second seals partition a portion of the interior space to define a first chamber for carrying grease. The second seal is spaced away from a shaft bearing to partition a second portion of the interior space to define a second chamber for carrying grease which forms a positive seal to prevent contaminated grease from entering the bearing when the first chamber is purged of contaminated grease.

Abstract: A mortar mixer includes a substantially cylindrical drum having end plates supporting trunnion assemblies, with housings, having an interior space defined by an interior surface around the paddle shaft. A first seal is located adjacent the end plate and is positioned around the shaft and is mounted between the shaft and the interior surface. A second seal is spaced outwardly from the first seal and positioned around the shaft between the shaft and the affixed interior surface. The first and second seals partition a portion of the interior space to define a first chamber for carrying grease. The second seal is spaced away from a shaft bearing to partition a second portion of the interior space to define a second chamber for carrying grease which forms a positive seal to prevent contaminated grease from entering the bearing when the first chamber is purged of contaminated grease.

Abstract: A cylindrical mixing drum for mortar and similar material includes a drum body having a hollow shell with upper and lower portions and front and rear portions and an opening having front and rear portions in the upper portion and a pair of spaced substantially parallel and opposite end plates with a paddle shaft rotatably mounted between the plates. A first pair of spaced paddles is used for forcing a mix in a first direction and a second pair of paddles is used for forcing a mix in a second direction. A pair of spaced drum end scrapers are also mounted on the shaft closely adjacent the interior surface of an end wall. A pair of drum end wipers is also included for wiping another portion of the end wall. The lower portion of the drum shell is substantially cylindrical in shape from the front portion of the opening to the rear portion of the opening and the paddles are positioned on the shaft to be closely adjacent the interior surface of the drum shell as the shaft is rotated through 360°.

Abstract: A cylindrical mixing drum for mortar and similar material includes a drum body having a hollow shell with upper and lower portions and front and rear portions and an opening having front and rear portions in the upper portion and a pair of spaced substantially parallel and opposite end plates with a paddle shaft rotatably mounted between the plates. A first pair of spaced paddles is used for forcing a mix in a first direction and a second pair of paddles is used for forcing a mix in a second direction. A pair of spaced drum end scrapers are also mounted on the shaft closely adjacent the interior surface of an end wall. A pair of drum end wipers is also included for wiping another portion of the end wall. The lower portion of the drum shell is substantially cylindrical in shape from the front portion of the opening to the rear portion of the opening and the paddles are positioned on the shaft to be closely adjacent the interior surface of the drum shell as the shaft is rotated through 360°.

Abstract: A trunnion assembly for the paddle shaft of a mortar mixer including a substantially cylindrical drum having end plates includes a housing, having an interior space defined by an interior surface around the shaft. A first seal is located adjacent the end plate and is positioned around the shaft and is mounted between such shaft and the interior surface. A second seal is spaced outwardly from the first seal and positioned around the shaft between the shaft and the affixed interior surface. The first and second seals partition a portion of the interior space to define a first chamber for carrying grease. The second seal is spaced away from a shaft bearing to partition a second portion of the interior space to define a second chamber for carrying grease which forms a positive seal to prevent contaminated grease from entering the bearing when the first chamber is purged of contaminated grease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for using existing wiring or cabling in a residence or other customer premises both (a) to transmit network telecommunications to a gateway or similar device for processing, and (b) to distribute processed signals from the device to video, telephony and data receivers. The invention enables and facilitates the receipt by telephone company subscribers of high-speed digital telecommunications over twisted-wire pair cabling historically installed and used for voice telephone service. In an embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises a bidirectional transmission facility, a first diplexer, and a second diplexer; the first diplexer receives network signals and transmits them or passes them on, using the bidirectional transmission facility, to the second diplexer; and the second diplexer receives distribution signals and transmits them or passes them on, using the bidirectional transmission medium, to the first diplexer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for using existing wiring or cabling in a residence or other customer premises both (a) to transmit network telecommunications to a gateway or similar device for processing, and (b) to distribute processed signals from the device to video, telephony and data receivers. The invention enables and facilitates the receipt by telephone company subscribers of high-speed digital telecommunications over twisted-wire pair cabling historically installed and used for voice telephone service. In an embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises a bidirectional transmission facility, a first diplexer, and a second diplexer; the first diplexer receives network signals and transmits them or passes them on, using the bidirectioal transmission facility, to the second diplexer; and the second diplexer receives distribution signals and transmits them or passes them on, using the bidirectional transmission medium, to the first diplexer.

Abstract: A key for a lock of the plunger operated type in which an elongated housing has an internal axially movable plunger which releases locking elements when moved toward the open end of the housing, said key having a body with elongated fingers extending forwardly from the housing and an elongated mandrel disposed between the fingers. A finger depth limiter or spacer is disposed at the rear end of the fingers and protrudes forwardly from the foremost face of the key housing for abutting a portion of the lock to limit the distance the fingers can extend into the lock. In one embodiment of the invention an axially adjustable cap is mounted on the forward end of the housing to allow adjustment of the amount the spacer projects from the housing.In one embodiment of the invention internal structure is provided that allows the fingers to shift forwardly a predetermined distance if the forward end of the housing is removed by grinding in an effort to modify the key for use in locks with which it is not intended for use.

Abstract: A plunger operated lock in which the lock operating plunger is mounted in a plunger housing inside the lock housing and is axially movable therein. The plunger housing is spring biased to the locking position, and the plunger is spring biased to a medial position in relation to the plunger housing. To allow the plunger to move to the un-locking position, the plunger housing must be moved toward the unlocking position far enough to substantially fully compress its biasing spring, and the plunger must be moved axially in the plunger housing toward the unlocking position.

Abstract: A key for a lock of the plunger operated type in which an elongated housing has an internal axially movable plunger which releases locking elements when moved toward the open end of the housing, said key having a body with elongated fingers forwardly from the housing and an elongated mandrel disposed between the fingers. A spacer is disposed at the rear end of the fingers and protrudes forwardly from the foremost face of the key housing for abutting a portion of the lock to limit the distance the fingers can extend into the lock. The housing has a head portion which is axially adjustable in relation to the spacer to vary the amount the spacer projects forwardly from the housing.In one embodiment of the invention internal structure is provided that allows the fingers to shift forwardly a predetermined distance if the forward end of the housing is removed by grinding in an effort to modify the key for use in locks with which it is not intended for use.

Abstract: A housing for receiving a lock of the so-called "barrel-lock" type for locking the hinged cover of an electric meter box or the like. The housing comprises a support block for attachment to the meter box, and a housing hinged to the block. The housing carries a meter box cover retainer which, when the housing is in the closed condition, extends in front of the cover to prevent it from being opened. Also when the housing is in the closed condition, the housing and the support block have aligned apertures to receive a lock of the "barrel-lock" type.

Abstract: A lock and key combination in which the lock is of the plunger operated type and the key has elongated resilient fingers with a mandrel for expanding the ends of the fingers in an engagable portion of the lock plunger. The head of the lock is provided with a central recess, and the head of the key is provided with a forwardly extending spacer at the base of the fingers for entering the recess and axially positioning the ends of the fingers in relation to the engagable portion of the plunger. The structure of the interface between the lock and key allows the manufacture of locks and keys of various combinations, determined by the cross-sectional shape of the spacer and recess, and of various "levels" determined by the length of the spacer and the depth of the recess. In a lock and key of a higher "level" the spacer is longer, the recess is deeper, the resilient fingers are longer, and the engagable portion of the lock plunger is deeper in the lock housing.

Abstract: A lock of the type having an elongated housing open at the rear end with internal operating mechanism to release locking means, in which the mechanism comprises a collar which is spring biased forwardly and a locking stem mounted in the collar and spring biased rearwardly in relation thereto. The insertion of an operating tool causes movement of the stem forwardly a predetermined amount, allowing the tool to engage the collar. However, the insertion of a picking tool into the collar forces the stem forwardly in relation to the collar, a greater distance increasing the overall length of the mechanism to an extent that even when the collar is moved rearwardly as far as possible, the forward end of the stem does not move rearwardly far enough to release the locking means. In one embodiment of the invention, the end of the stem protrudes far enough that operating tools normally used for this type of lock cannot be used to open the lock.

Abstract: Lockable meter retention rings for securing electric meters in meter boxes comprise an inner ring of multiple arcuate parts wherein the inner ring has spaced-apart inwardly extending flanges for holding the electric meter in the meter box and a steel outer ring which fits over and engages with the inner ring wherein the outer ring keeps the inner ring assembled. The outer ring has a lock enclosure which, together with a portion of the inner ring, defines an opening for receiving and retaining a barrel lock, the barrel lock securing the rings together. Bayonet and screw type engagements between the inner and outer rings are disclosed, with the barrel lock preventing relative rotation of the rings necessary to disengage them. Another form of engagement has a flange of the outer ring received by the inner ring, with the barrel lock securing the outer ring to the inner ring diametrically opposite the flanged engagement.

Abstract: A frangible plug for sealing the access opening of a barrel lock, particularly such a lock installed in an electric meter box lock, the plug being so designed and installed that it cannot be removed without being destroyed, thus giving positive visible indication that the integrity of the seal has or has not been violated.

Abstract: Utility type locks have a lock body including a head and a shank, a plunger axially slidably received in the lock body, and locking balls forced outwardly from the shank or retracted within the shank depending upon the position of the plunger. A coil spring biases the plunger away from the head of the lock, and is dimensioned such that it must be fully compressed for the plunger to permit the balls to retract. The plunger face defines a shallow annular groove surrounding a center post which resists picking tools. A preload bushing surrounds the plunger with a deformable lip engaging a shoulder of the plunger. The preload bushing holds the utility lock open with the balls retracted, and application of force to the plunger deforms the lip to release the plunger.