Abstract: Wire panels which are easily and readily adapted to any size tree or shrub root ball and which when attached together form a basket to preserve the integrity of the root ball are disclosed. The panels are formed in a criss cross configuration and are secured by rope, cord, twine or wire in a shoelace type tightening arrangement. It is also possible to preconnect several wire panels in a size corresponding to a commercial shade digger by use of an easily deforming wire link at the top and bottom of the panels. The wire panels provide the sizing flexibility to be used for any size tree or shrub root ball.

Abstract: Individual precast concrete wall units for erecting a retaining wall structure each includes a face member, a support member, and an anchor member. The support member has a front portion that is connected to the face member, either at the center of the face member or, more preferably, at a location spaced from one side edge by one-fourth the distance between one side edge and the other side edge of the face member. The anchor member is formed as two wings of unequal length that extend from a rear portion of the support member at angles of at least 90.degree., and preferably 135.degree., with respective sides of the support member. When the units are assembled in a horizontal row, spaces are left between the anchor wings of adjacent units that permit access by a power tamper to the region between the face members and the anchor members to tamp backfilled earth in this region to a required compression.

Abstract: A monolithic sealing load-bearing retaining wall is constructed using precast concrete bin-type modules stacked in rows. Each module has a front wall, a partition wall spaced from the front wall, at least two spaced apart front connecting walls extending between the front wall and the partition wall, at least two spaced apart rear connecting walls extending from the rear of the partition wall, and stabilizing means extending between the rear connecting walls. The partition wall preferably is formed integrally with the front connecting walls, which provide openings for horizontally extending reinforcing members in each row of modules. The front walls and partition walls of the stacked modules serve as forms for concrete poured in the spaces between them.

Abstract: A plastics collar for retaining a plug lid 45 in a ring 44 double seamed to can body 1, has a peripheral skirt 38 portion having on its interior surface a snap fit bead 41 for entering under the double seam 3; a planar annulus 37 extending radially inwards from the top of the skirt over the seam 3 and at least part of the ring 44 and lid 45; and an annular rib 43 extending down from the planar annulus to hold the lid in the ring. The collar may be provided with a jacking screw 39 to assist removal from interlock with the double seam 3 and progressive removal is facilitated by a radial slit or line of weakness at which the collar first parts from the can.

Abstract: Individual precast concrete wall units for erecting a retaining wall structure each include a face member, a support member, and an anchor member. The support member has a front end portion, that is connected by a hinge to one end of the face member, and a rear end portion, that is connected to one end of the anchor member, either by a tongue-and-slot arrangement or by another hinge. The wall units can be cast straight, thus simplifying the design and reducing the space occupied by the mold. The wall units can also be transported and stored in the straight condition to save space. At the job site, the units are quickly and easily folded into an open bin-like form for placement side-by-side to construct a retaining wall.

Abstract: Precast concrete modules for stacked assembly into a retaining wall have rectangular face panels and single retaining stems connected to rear faces of the face panels. Each retaining stem includes a slot or other device for receiving a stabilizing web that extends transversely between the stems of modules arranged side-by-side in a horizontal row. The single retaining stem of each module may be connected to the rear face of the module at a location spaced from one side edge of the face panel by one quarter of the distance between opposite side edge of the panel. A retaining wall assembly includes modules stacked in successive courses, with the face panels being staggered in adjacent courses to create a "brick bonded" stack, and with the retaining stems of modules in successive courses being superposed in vertical alignment.

Abstract: A method of producing an ion-exchange membrane suitable for use in an electrolytic cell in which the membrane is expanded by stretching at elevated temperature to increase the surface area per unit weight of the membrane. The membrane may be annealed at elevated temperature, and may be cooled while restrained in the expanded state. The membrane when used in an electrolytic cell remains taut and unwrinkled and leads to reduced voltage operation of the cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a latching assembly for releasably securing a vehicle seat to a vehicle body and is adapted to co-operate with two generally parallel spaced mounting bars rigidly affixed to a vehicle frame forming part of the vehicle body. The latching assembly comprises a bridge plate adapted for rigid attachment to the vehicle seat and dimensioned to span the distance separating a first and second of said two mounting bars. The bridge plate has a first connecting slot for releasable, securing engagement with the first mounting bar and a second connecting mechanism for releasable securing engagement with the second mounting bar. The first connecting means comprises an open-ended slot formed in the bridge plate and adapted for surrounding engagement with the first mounting bar so as to permit pivotal movement of the bridge plate and the attached vehicle seat about the first mounting bar.

Abstract: A cantilevered sliding gate made up of a number of panels is disclosed. The panels are joined by post-tensioning rods, carried within horizontal members of the gate and extending substantially the length of horizontal members of the gate. During gate assembly, a tensile stress is induced in the post-tensioning means, which stress is transmitted to the horizontal member as a compressive stress. The resulting stress pattern results in a stiffening effect on the gate assembly, permitting lighter-weight construction than previously possible. The gate is mounted on vertical supports for movement in a plane defined by the supports.

Abstract: An adjustable mold for casting asymmetric concrete highway divider sections includes a fixed sidewall, a movable sidewall, and two end walls. Each of the end walls is divided vertically into a first fixed panel and a second adjustable panel. The old can be set up to produce a barrier section that accommodates any difference in grade levels between the separated roadway lanes, within a preselected range, by adjusting the height of each second end panel relative to the adjacent first end panel and by adjusting the height of the movable sidewall to match the second end panels. All adjustments are made by means of simple jack screws. The end walls and the movable sidewall are mounted on hinged frames that can be swung open to facilitate removing a section casting from the mold.

Abstract: An ion-exchange membrane of a sheet of an organic polymer comprising a plurality of fixed anonic groups associated with cations which comprise an organic group, e.g. quaternary ammonium cations, a process in which the membrane sheet is expanded by dry stretching to increase the surface area per unit weight of the membrane, a process for its preparation, a process for converting the stretched membrane to one suitable for use in an electrolytic cell, and that use.

Abstract: Treating a sheet of ion-exchange membrane in order to decrease the voltage of operation of an electrolytic cell containing the membrane by swelling the membrane in a liquid medium, the extent of swelling on the anode side being greater than the extent of swelling on the cathode side, and the extent of swelling on the anode side being greater than that effected by contacting the membrane with the electrolyte to be electrolyzed.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining samples of liquids such as raw sewage from a flow line (1) comprises a tube (2) opening into a container (4) and a tube (7) connecting between a pressure medium supply (9) and the container (4). A reservoir (8) connects with the tube (7) and can be vented. By means of the controlled operation of valves the pressure medium is used to clear the tube (2) before opening of a valve (5) a controlled volume of the pressure medium is passed to the reservoir (8) to withdraw a liquid sample into the container (4), excess sample above the level of the tube (2a) is transferred back to the flow line (1), and the tube (2) is again cleared. The valves (5, 6) do not therefore have any contact with any liquid from the line (1) during their operation.

Abstract: A fixture for use in hanging large panels of the type typically found in construction projects, the fixture including an elongated shelf or tray which may be horizontally aligned on the construction project and fastened to vertical studs by nails which are selectively positioned in channels along a vertical side wall of the fixture and in the shape of inverted "T's" or "L's". After the fixture has been used to align, support and fasten large panels to the vertical structure the fixture may be conveniently removed from its supporting position.

Abstract: A technique of fitting prosthetic teeth whereby a hole is drilled and a screw compatible with the bone of the jaw bone is located within the hole. The screw is characterized by having from the head end thereof a hole into which the post which is to fit the prosthetic tooth thereto is receivable. The method then allows the post to be located for the taking of impressions and for the subsequent removal of the post for refitting after the prosthetic tooth has been prepared and has been associated with portions of said post. Ideally the post and the tooth are only fitted after a suitable healing period following the screwing of the screw. The invention also consists in apparatus and tools related to such a method.

Abstract: An adjustable mold for casting asymmetric concrete highway divider sections includes a fixed sidewall, a movable sidewall, and two end walls. Each of the end walls is divided vertically into a first fixed panel and a second adjustable panel. The old can be set up to produce a barrier section that accommodates any difference in grade levels between the separated roadway lanes, within a preselected range, by adjusting the height of each second end panel relative to the adjacent first end panel and by adjusting the height of the movable sidewall to match the second end panels. All adjustments are made by means of simple jack screws. The end walls and the movable sidewall are mounted on hinged frames that can be swung open to facilitate removing a section casting from the mold.