Abstract: An electric load center having a neutral bar having an elongated body portion with a trapezoidal shaped cross-sectional area with outwardly sloping downwardly extending side walls having apertures for insertion of electrical wires and a base portion having mounting rails being adapted to form a generally T-shaped slot, and a basepan having a surface with an upwardly extending flexible snap hook for engaging the mounting rail of the T-shaped slot.

Abstract: A patient restraining device suitable for use in physiotherapy comprises a framework which in use is located at the foot of a bed. A roller is rotatably mounted on the framework, and a belt is secured to and wound around the roller. A harness is secured to the free end of the belt, and the harness is provided with cushioned straps. A length of belt is unwound from the roller to suit the particular patient, and the roller is locked in this position by a ratchet wheel and pawl spindle. The patient lies on the bed over the harness and belt so that the patients feet are adjacent the framework and the cushioned straps are wrapped around the patients legs to hold the patient. The patient restraining device allows a single physiotherapist to perform physiotherapy while the patient is prevented from moving away from the framework.

Abstract: An insulating tie strap for supporting conductor bars in a load center including an insulating support member including a center body portion defining a center axis, and two end portions. Each end portion includes a mounting pad having an opening for accepting a fastener, an elevating member for elevating the center body portion above the mounting pad and an angle member for attaching the mounting pad and the elevating member to the center body portion. The openings are offset from the center axis of the center body portion, the mounting pads are attached to the elevated members, and the elevated members are attached to the angle members and the angle members are attached to the center body portion. The mounting pads are each adapted to mount to a conductor bar such as a neutral conductor bar or a ground conductor bar.

Abstract: An electric distribution panel is constructed with an insulating base formed by extrusion. Also extruded with the base are two rows of circuit breaker mounting ledges, hook formations for each of the mounting ledges to mechanically secure circuit breakers at the load ends thereof, and channel defining formations to slidably receive neutral bars disposed outboard of each of the mounting ledges. A tie bar extends transverse to the neutral bars and provides an electrical connection therebetween. Wiring guide elements are slidably received by appropriate formations of the base and in particular the base is provided with elongated apertures to receive annular embossments of one of the wiring guides elements so as to permit expansion of the base without buckling thereof even though the mounting surface for the distribution device does not expand at the same rate as the base.

Abstract: An improved continuous hot gas surface modification process for carbon fibers is provided. The carbon fibers undergoing such processing are passed for a relatively brief residence time through a surface treatment zone to which continuously is fed nitrogen dioxide and air under conditions which have been found to produce a surprisingly effective surface modification. The resulting carbon fibers exhibit a significantly enhanced surface area and an improved ability to bond to a resinous matrix material while retaining a substantial portion of the tensile strength originally exhibited. When incorporated in a resinous matrix material, a fiber reinforced composite article of enhanced interlaminar shear strength is formed.

Abstract: An improved process for the relatively rapid thermal stabilization of a multifilamentary acrylic fibrous material in the substantial absence of filament coalescence is provided. The fibrous material is initially contacted with a solution of hydroxylamine (as described), and subsequently with a solution of ammonium permanganate, calcium permanganate, magnesium permanganate, or mixtures thereof (as described). The resulting fibrous material which possesses a chemically altered structure is heated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere until a thermally stabilized acrylic fibrous material is formed which is capable of undergoing carbonization and is non-burning when subjected to an ordinary match flame.

Abstract: A main lug is secured to a neutral bar so as to be mounted at a selected position along the length of the latter. An insulating element constituting a wireway barrier is selectively positionable on the bar along with the lug, and is held in operative position by the latter.

Abstract: The front trim of a panelboard consists of a front plate having an interior opening surrounded by a rearwardly extending lip, and a face plate having a forwardly extending lip disposed in telescoping relationship with respect to the lip of the front plate. Adjusting means are provided to move the face plate forward and rearward while the front plate and the panelboard interior remain stationary. The face plate is provided with twist-outs which are pressed forward so that during removal thereof they cannot be punched to the rear into engagement with live conductors of the panelboard interior.

Abstract: Plug-in stabs formed integrally with a bus bar for mechanically and electrically connecting with circuit breakers, or the like, are shaped so as to have mutually perpendicular contact plug-in elements on a single stab unit enabling the single stab unit to receive circuit breaker contacts that are oriented in mutually perpendicular directions. The single stab unit includes a forwardly extending stab in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bus bar and a pair of forwardly extending elongated rectangular stab sections disposed in spaced parallel planes that are perpendicular to the plane of the bus bar and parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof. Each stab section constitutes first and second stabs positioned on opposite sides of the central stab.

Abstract: A panelboard is constructed with a line terminal array in a row midway between mechanical parallel elongated support means for the circuit breaker load ends. Disposed outboard of and extending parallel to each support means is an elongated neutral bar having a plurality of load wire grips thereon. Main lugs for energizing the line terminal array are disposed at one end thereof, and at the other end thereof a connecting bar extends between the neutral bars for an electrical interconnection therebetween.

Abstract: Plastic screens having the bending modulus, thinness, toughness, strength and chemical resistance which are suitable for use in rotary screen printing processes, are described. Methods for precision fabrication of such plastic rotary printing screens, having a wall thickness of about 0.002-0.025 inch, a circumference of 8 to 78 inches and a longitudinal length of about 48-200 inches, are provided.