Abstract: A portable toilet comprising: a housing at least a portion of which defines a reservoir for holding clean flushing fluid; a toilet bowl connected to said housing for upward pivoting movement from a normal horizontal position, in which flushing fluid and body wastes may be retained therein, to a dumping position, in which the flushing fluid and body wastes may be dumped; a container disposed in the housing and connected to the toilet bowl for receiving the flushing fluid and body wastes dumped therefrom; and transfer apparatus associated with the toilet bowl and operable upon its movement to the dumping position and return to the normal position, to transfer flushing fluid from the reservoir to the toilet bowl.

Abstract: An improved oil toilet for use with an oil-based flushing fluid including a commode having a bowl portion of the wash-down type having a generally concave inner surface and a flushing manifold at the top thereof. The inner surface is in fluid communication with a trapway having a trap seal therein leading to a discharge outlet. Overflow means are provided intergral with the inner surface for returning overflow from the bowl portion back into the dishcarge outlet. A trap seal is associated with the overflow means for sealing off odors from the discharge outlet. Fluid communication is provided between the trap seal in the overflow means and the manifold for replenishing the oil in the trap of the trap seal in the overflow means.

Abstract: A valve seat of an integrated valve seat and closure member assembly is secured by waterproof sealant over the upper end of a flush valve seat portion in a flush tank, the waterproof sealant preferably constituting the sole support for the integrated assembly in the flush tank. The closure member is hingedly connected to the valve seat through a rigid frame which is partially removably telescoped by a resilient material closure portion thereby mounting the closure portion of the closure member hingedly movable downwardly toward and upwardly away from a sealing position with the valve seat. An outwardly depending C-shaped leg on the closure portion of the closure member which inwardly telescopes the closure member frame provides a lower, relatively flat, sealing surface for sealing downwardly against the valve seat in the closure member sealing position.

Abstract: A sanitary chair has a frame comprising a seat frame portion and a base frame portion. The seat portion is supported on the base portion by telescopic support means, whereby to allow adjustment of the supported height of an apertured seat of the chair. The frame structure tapers to provide an opening at the rear larger than the front of the chair, whereby a plurality of similar chairs can be stacked in line nesting one within the other.

Abstract: A buoyant swimming pool cover in the form of a flexible lightweight sheet comprising a large plurality of hollow buoyancy cells spaced apart over the sheet, there being a plurality of drain apertures distributed over the sheet in areas thereof not occupied by the buoyancy cells and serving to allow rain water to flow through the cover into the pool. Best results are achieved when the configuration of the upper surface of the cover presents depressions serving to direct into the drain apertures any water falling onto the cover. Advantageous embodiments are in the form of a lamination of at least two polymeric films at least one of which has been thermoformed to provide generally cup-shaped portions which are closed by another of the polymeric films. Since water cannot collect in any substantial quantity on the cover, the cover can be very lightweight and is always easily lifted off the water, without any dirt or debris which has collected on the cover being carried into the pool as the cover is removed.

Abstract: Rollers are rotatably affixed to the bottom of a housing. A sunken bathtub is mounted in the housing and extends from the top thereof. A pair of openings are provided in the top of the housing at opposite ends thereof. Each of a pair of shafts is positioned vertically in and extends through a corresponding one of the openings. A pair of guide devices for the shafts are provided in the housing. A support rod is affixed at its ends to the upper ends of the shafts outside the housing and is bent and extends within the bathtub. A duckboard is provided on the support rod in the bathtub. A control device in the housing is coupled to the shafts and extends from the housing for selectively raising and lowering the shafts to selectively raise and lower the duckboard via the support rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting, arranging and/or transporting non-ambulatory patients includes a mobile support and an elongated element mounted thereon. The element has three freedoms of movement relative to the support; that is, the element can be raised and lowered in a generally vertical direction, the element can be tilted about an axis extending in the direction of the elongation of the element, and the element can be inclined about an axis extending transversely of the direction of the elongation of the element. The composite movements facilitate the carrying of a patient.

Abstract: An automatically rockable crib for infants includes a crib having rollers on the bottom thereof and a crib supporting assembly. The supporting assembly has a platform stand at each corner with a transversely extending arcuate surface thereon. Electric motor means is connected to the crib and oscillates the crib on the rollers along the arcuate surfaces of the platform stands.

Abstract: An adjustable head and shoulder rest is disclosed which is intended for supporting the body while lying face down with the head turned to the right or left at forty five degrees. It is intended as well to support the user's head on an elevated plane while the user is lying on either the right or left side. A head or face rest consisting of two distinctly separate members, one being movable, providing open areas for the eyes, nose and mouth, together with movable right and left shoulder support members permitting adjustment to different body dimensions and allowing proper weight distribution, ease of breathing and body comfort.

Abstract: Wax moth larvae are removed from an enclosure infested with the same by a method wherein the enclosure is tapped with a hard object at a frequency and with a force sufficient to cause the larvae to move to the surface of the enclosure. The emerged larvae are then separated from the surface.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a hand tool of the pliers configuration having a set of crimping nests located in jaw members and having the expansion zones of the crimping nests overlap so as to permit placement of each of the nests closer to the optimum distance from the handle pivot. A visual indicator permits the operator to crimp terminals of different discrete sizes in a single one of the crimping nests and a hook member used to lock the handles in a closed position further provides discrete limits of crimping nest closure. A compression spring located in overlapping slots of the handle member provides a recessed means to rapidly open the handles when the hook member is released. Discretely sized insulation cutting edges located between the pivot and the handle free ends permits the edges to overlap one another and thus provide an almost complete cut about the wire periphery and provide a wedge to break through the uncut land of insulation.

Abstract: An improved raker claw hammer, composed of a handle, a hammerhead, and a claw, the plane of the claw being parallel to the axis of the handle, for extracting nails by inertia or by leverage. The claw, which is composed of two prongs in V-shaped configuration, has one of its prongs sharpened for cutting, chipping, or dragging wood. In the area between the prongs is a V-shaped groove for gripping nail heads for each extraction.

Abstract: A utility knife and staple remover in combination, wherein the device comprises a split housing designed to be held in the palm of the hand, whereby a slidable, spring-biased, cutter blade is disposed therein, the blade being arranged to lock in a positive manner in either an extended mode or a retracted mode wherein a coil spring causes full retraction of the blade when released from the locked, extended mode. Secured to the knife housing is a staple remover having a concave/convex, lever-aim member, whereby the staple remover can be rocked from side to side when the prongs thereof are engaged with a fixed staple to be removed from a fixture.

Abstract: A buoy for supporting a cable which is connectible with an anchor, includes at least two buoyancy chambers which can be filled with a flotation medium, one of the buoyancy chambers having a closable inlet and outlet through which fluid can be passed to vary as desired the volume of a flotation medium in the one chamber. The buoy preferably includes a system for guiding the cable and a buoyancy chamber is preferably so mounted on the cable-guiding system as to be longitudinally movable relative thereto, at least one roller assembly being mounted on the cable-guiding system, and including a plurality of freely rotatable rollers which define an opening for passage of a cable therethrough in a substantially friction free manner.

Abstract: In abstract a preferred embodiment of this invention is a slalom type water ski designed for use by at least two skiers at the same time. A pair of laterally disposed binders are provided next to each other in the central portion of the ski with a lead foot binder for one skier being provided forward of the central binders and another binder being provided rearwardly thereof for the trailing foot of the second skier.

Abstract: A multipurpose slide for supporting a human passenger during water and snow sports activities. The board has an enlongated, foam filled, seamless body of blow molded polyethylene. The top wall has formed therein a knee well to serve as a cockpit for the passenger, with the bottom of the knee well being covered with a foam pad. A strap passing through the body is used to secure the passenger to the surfboard. The bottom wall, or hull is formed such that the slide may be ridden forward, backward or maneuvered through spins or other similar maneuvers.

Abstract: A method of threading short spool pieces prepared from lined pipe and a novel device for maintaining the short spool centered in a conventional pipe threading machine is disclosed. The device enables a person skilled in the craft to cut and thread short pieces of lined pipe without injuring or destroying the pipe lining.

Abstract: A tap holder which is particularly adapted for use on a numerical-controlled machine is the subject matter herein. The tap holder includes an elongated shaft, which has a conventional tap collet on one end thereof. A tap holder body is rotatably and axially movably mounted on the shaft. The body is particularly adapted for connection to a tool holder of a numerically-controlled machine. A collar is mounted on the shaft. A pair of balanced springs is mounted on the shaft on opposed sides of the collar. Both springs are connected to the body to allow relative axial movement between the shaft and the body. A limited drive torque assembly drivingly connects the shaft to the body to drive the shaft at a torque which does not exceed a predetermined maximum amount.

Abstract: A lasting apparatus for footwear, in which a flexible tubular diaphragm shapes the footwear upper and forces it onto the insole by means of vacuum applied to the interior of the diaphragm. The last and its associated support act to seal one end of the diaphragm. Preferably, an H-shaped guide is provided to form pleats in the diaphragm as it collapses at defined positions in relation to the article being lasted.

Abstract: A floor or carpet sweeper has a hollow housing provided on its lower side with a plurality of floor-engaging wheels. The bottom of the housing is closed by means of a cover plate which is pivoted on the housing about an axis perpendicular to the forward and backward direction of travel of the housing during sweeping. This cover plate is formed with a throughgoing hole and is provided with upwardly bent tabs on which a cylindrical brush is rotatably mounted, this brush extending through the hole in the plate. In addition the ends of the brush are engageable with the wheels when the cover plate is closed on the housing so that the brush is rotatably driven by these wheels. A magnet holds the cover plate in place on the bottom of the housing and engages against an inclined surface on this cover plate. This magnet can be moved along the inclined surfaces so as to vary the height setting of the brush.

Abstract: A machine for washing vehicles such as large trucks and tractor-trailer combinations includes a triangular frame at each side of the path of the vehicle during the washing operation. Brushes rotatable about horizontal axes wash the front, top and rear of the vehicle. A first brush is mounted to be pushed upwardly by the front end of the vehicle as it moves through the apparatus and a second brush moves downwardly under its own weight in contact with the rear end of the vehicle. These brushes also engage the top of the vehicle. The first brush may be raised to clear exhaust stacks and the like, and the second brush is retained at an elevated position until the vehicle enters the apparatus sufficiently for it to be lowered onto the top. When the second brush reaches the lower end of its track after the vehicle departs, it is restored to the elevated position.

Abstract: A brush composed of slim rectangular segments hinged together at their edges with bristles protruding from the hinged edges such that when the segments are folded together accordion style the bristles stick out for brushing. Simultaneously the segments act as a backing and grip. When the segments are unfolded, oriented edge to edge, the bristles interdigitate flush against the segments leaving the entire brush thin, flat, flexible, and easily stored or carried, e.g. as in a pants pocket or purse.Furthermore, a covering can be affixed so that it covers the bristles of the brush when it is in a flat or storage mode (configuration). This covering can be very thin and flexible or segmented and hinged in such a way as to enable it to function as a handle to the brush when the brush is in the folded or brushing mode (configuration).

Abstract: There is provided a collapsible brush structure comprised of a body portion, a bristle bed movable in the longitudinal direction of the body, a plurality of bristles being set in the bristle bed, and means for moving the bristle bed between first and second positions whereby the bristles are in an erect condition and a flattened condition respectively. A feature of the structure is the provision of rotatable guide means through which the bristles pass, the guide means functioning to clean the bristles whenever they are moved from the erect condition to the flattened condition. The brush structure is a very compact one and can easily be carried in a pocket of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning chimney flues and the like having a pulley mounting structure which engages and is secured on the upper edge of a chimney flue together with a rope extending through the pulley with one end of said rope being operable from the ground level and the other end of the rope having a chimney cleaning device secured thereto. There are several embodiments of the mount for engaging the chimney flue as well as several embodiments for the chimney cleaning device. Basically the chimney cleaning device has an eyebolt secured to a metal plate with additional weights available when it is necessary to increase the over-all weight of said device. The metal plate is somewhat smaller than the inside dimensions of the flue and said metal plate has secured thereto a flexible plate which is slightly larger than the inside dimensions of the chimney flue. The flexible plate has means along the outer edges thereof for sweeping the inside of the chimney flue to remove creosote and carbon buildup therefrom.

Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly is disclosed as comprising a one-piece blade superstructure fabricated of a molded polymeric material having a curvalinear shape such that uniform wiping pressure is applied along its entire length as a result of a force being exerted at the center of the superstructure by means of an ancillary wiper arm, the superstructure being provided with a resilient windshield engaging wiper blade which is secured to the superstructure by a coextensive retainer member adapted to be secured to the superstructure by means of a plurality of longitudinally spaced retaining finger formed integrally of the superstructure.

Abstract: An eraser device comprising a thin flat rubberlike erasing material and a stiff plastic holder structure therefor, the latter having a trough shape holder bottom locking together by snap clips with an inverted trough shape front cover and an inverted trough shape rear cover so as to form a clamping front end and a rear storage space. The thin flat eraser is clamped firmly at the front end so as to eliminate requirement of exerting extra force or paying special attention to the holder in order to prevent the eraser from slipping backward in the erasing operation. Additionally, the holder structure provides a smooth surface for comfortably grasping the eraser device in the hand. As the eraser front end is worn in use, it can be easily adjusted to maintain the proper protrusion by releasing the clamp action of the front cover. Refilling of long flexible thin eraser can be easily accomplished by removal of both front and rear covers.

Abstract: A mounting device affixed to a sliding door frame supports a resilient ball in a manner whereby the ball is positionable in spaced relation with the door and the frame of the door when the door is closed thereby permitting the door to be securely closed and interposed between the door and frame when the door is open thereby preventing the door from closing, and protecting the fingers of unsuspecting people from being crushed between the door and the frame.

Abstract: A swivel caster is disclosed having a mounting plate, swivel yoke, swivel bearing, a wheel on the yoke, and structure which will locate and cammingly index the yoke and plate in a predetermined relative radial position and cammingly release the index in response to a torque force between the yoke and the plate.

Abstract: An enclosure is divided by partitions to define a narrow sinuous passageway for the passage of carcasses from an inlet to an outlet. The sinuous passageway defines adjacent aisle portions and a blower directs refrigerated air downwardly over the carcasses in one of the aisle portions. The air passes under the dividing partition into the adjacent aisle portion and the blower draws it upwardly over the carcasses in that adjacent aisle portion to rapidly freeze a crust on the carcasses during their passage from the inlet to the outlet. The method of the invention is the blowing of cold air over a carcass in one vertical direction then over the same carcass in the opposite vertical direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for implanting a sizing disc into an open unshirred end of a shirred tubular casing wherein the sizing disc is larger in diameter than the inflated unshirred end of the casing. The invention provides means for the uniform contacting and local stretching of unshirred casing that surrounds the disc as the disc advances through the unshirred end of the casing.

Abstract: An intermittent drive revolving clearer for drafting rollers that moves to avoid the motion of a top comb thereby permitting continuous cleaning of the drafting rollers resulting in high efficiency cleaning and improved yarn quality. A knife edge removes the waste material from the continuous clearer cloth without mixing the clearer waste material with the sliver, thereby permitting continuous operation of the clearer for long periods of time.

Abstract: A clamping ring and closure made of plastic material comprising a closure head integrally formed at one end of a clamping ring of U-shaped section which has a passage into which can be inserted the opposite end of the clamping ring which is in the form of a tongue. Interlocking teeth are provided on the side edges of the tongue and on the side walls of the passage. The side walls of the closure head are connected together by non-overlapping spacer webs and the sawteeth on the two side walls are disposed opposite one another at the points of attachment of the spacer webs. The locking teeth are dispoed on the tongue at an acute angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the clamping ring and at their end surfaces they extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. Along one side edge of the tongue there is formed a reinforcing strip whose inner side is provided with sawteeth while the locking teeth formed on this side edge are widened over its outer side.

Abstract: A belt and hose clip for use in underwater activity such as swimming and diving includes a base plate having a belt receiving slot and a flexible hose retaining member integrally formed with the base plate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a size reduction apparatus such as a granulator and particularly to a novel feed assembly for such a granulator whereby thin plastic sheet material may be successfully granulated at high through-put speeds. The construction includes the use of a closed chamber mounted above the granulator chamber and having a longitudinally orientated feed slot therein, directly above which a pair of nip rolls are mounted so as to enable sheet material to be fed directly into the chamber of the granulating machine towards the rotor and in a generally radial direction thereto. The device is operated while the chamber thereof is at least partly full of partially granulated material.

Abstract: The disclosed line releasing clamp receives a line in a saddle portion of the clamp, the line including a stop lug that is caught against the end of the saddle to resist the tension of the line. The saddle in turn is received in, and pivotally attached to, a clip. Upon the tension in the line exceeding a predetermined amount, the saddle slips free of the clip and pivots sufficiently to permit the stop lug to slip from the saddle, releasing the line.

Abstract: A perforated abrasive metal sheet is adapted for use instead of sandpaper in a reciprocating sander.

Abstract: A cutting insert comprised of a body of hard wear resistant material is precision indexed and held in a cut-out of a tool holder by a bridge clamp. The body has first and second opposed major surfaces, and at least one and preferably two substantially parallel precision indexing surfaces capable of precision indexing of the body in the cut-out of the tool holder. At least one and preferably two cutting edges are preferably provided at opposite end portions of the body for cutting metal. At least one and preferably two notches complementary to each other are provided in at least first major surface and adapted to rigidly hold the body in the cut-out of the tool holder with an indexing surface and the bridge clamp. Each notch has an engaging surface forming a compound angle with a major surface defined by an angle greater than about 10.degree. and less than about 30.degree., preferably less than about 20.degree., to the indexing surface, and an angle of greater than about 3.degree.

Abstract: A stiff tubular sleeve is externally coated with grit and is telescopically matingly rigidly supported by an idler roll of a continuous printing press. The sleeve and idler roll are detachably keyed together, by an internal clamping mechanism, against both relative axial and angular movements, for rotation in unison as an ink-bearing side of a previously imprinted web of paper or the like runs over the grit coating of the sleeve. Release of the clamping mechanism allows replacement of a sleeve whose grit coating has accumulated excessive ink.

Abstract: A preloaded tie rod end assembly for a motor vehicle steering system and the method for making the assembly is disclosed. The tie rod end is made by positioning first and second frangible bearings against the ball of a ball stud and enclosing the ball and bearings in first and second housings each of which has a socket part and a stem part. A plastically deformable element is also situated within the socket formed by the two socket parts. The two housings are held together under a compressive load while their abutting edges are butt welded. The imposition of this load during the welding operation causes the frangible bearings to each fracture into a plurality of self-aligning bearing pieces. The deformable element is plastically deformed by exerting a force on the ball stud whereby a portion of the preload of the joint is relieved. The preload is relieved to the extent necessary to bring the frictional resistance to rotation of the ball stud within a prescribed torque range.

Abstract: A bimetallic tube comprising a copper-base alloy and a reactive metal such as titanium, is produced by assembling concentrically a tubular member of each of such materials and interposing a layer of copper, nickel or silver between them, forming a bond between the reactive metal and the copper, nickel or silver and extruding the assembly. The bimetallic tube is useful for heat exchange purposes when corrosive fluids are involved and has better heat transfer properties than an all-reactive metal tube.

Abstract: A roller is described for applying lacquer and the like to metal sheets to be formed into metal containers. Roller comprises a magnetic cylindrical former and a cover magnetically retained on its curved outer surface. Cover has an outer layer made from a castable material which is selected from the group comprising liquid polymeric systems and liquid prepolymeric systems capable of forming macromolecular structures having elastomeric properties, and an inner layer made from a castable material which is selected from said group, which is capable of bonding with the outer layer and which has particles of iron powder dispersed therein. A method of manufacturing the cover by a centrifugal casting operation is described.

Abstract: A refurbished turbine vane and method of producing the same. Used turbine vanes are cleaned, annealed and slotted adjacent their ends, after which the cooling passages are welded closed and all cracks welded over, on both leading and trailing edges. The trailing edge, for a vane having a short chord, is built up by welding along its full length with an alloy wire, after which the slots that were cut adjacent the ends are closed, also by welding. Then the worn surfaces of the vane are built-up by a plasma spray process, using a metal powder with added silica, to a thickness as great as 30 to 40 thousandths of an inch. The built-up vane is then sintered and thereafter surface finished to conform to the original contour of the blade when new. The cooling holes are finally recut, and the vane polished as required and inspected.

Abstract: A method of refurbishing the air seal flanges of turbine blades which have become worn, comprising the steps of adding a bead of welding material to the opposite side portions and the edge portions of the flange so as to build up those areas which have been worn away, and thereafter removing controlled amounts of the built up areas so as to restore the piece to its original geometry. In the latter step, the blade is clamped in a first machine having a pair of abrasive belts and a pair of pivotally mounted pressure shoes engageable with the backs of the belts respectively, such that their abrasive surfaces can be brought into engagement with the opposite sides of the air seal flanges. Controlled quantities of the built-up flange can be removed, depending on the degree of advancement of the shoes.

Abstract: Method for explosively expanding sleeves into heat exchanger tubes disposed in a tube sheet utilizing shaped charges in conjunction welding and brazing techniques to affectuate tube modifications and repairs including the steps of shaping the sleeve, placing specially shaped inserts into the sleeves, varying the explosive charges within the inserts and varying the confinement of the explosive charge within the insert to explosively weld the sleeve to the tube, expand the sleeve to the tube, and/or expand the tube to engage the tube sheet and welding or brazing one end of the sleeve to the tube to form a seal.

Abstract: The removal of connector pins from a panel, such as a printed circuit board, in which the pin extends from the panel and is soldered to a circuit member on one or both sides of the panel, is achieved by a tool positioned over the pin and having a main body member which is held in contact with the panel surface and with an axially sliding gripping member having a split gripping portion. The gripping member is moved by a tubular member surrounding the gripping member and which, on axial movement, forces the split gripping portion of the gripping member into firm frictional contact with the pin, further axial movement of the tubular member moving the gripping member and pin axially shearing the solder joint. The tubular member is moved by a pivotally mounted handle, the reaction from the pivoting of the handle and pulling on the pin holding the tool firmly against the panel. The pin is removed without damage to the panel and a new pin can be inserted and resoldered using the remaining solder at the joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and a method of conveying, orienting, transferring and debunging empty beverage kegs. The apparatus includes a keg elevator for raising the kegs to the uppermost of a series of superposed endless conveyor belts. The tension of the latter is such that, where they face one another, they engage the periphery of each keg and urge it along the path of travel.

Abstract: A tower crane is erected from a boom assembly, first and second tower sections of different cross section, and a base in a sequence of steps in which the boom assembly is mounted on a hollow climbing section dimensioned to be received in each of the larger second tower sections and defining a cavity dimensioned to receive each of the first tower sections. One of the latter is secured on a base in upright position, and the upright section is received in the cavity of the climbing section which is then raised relative to the first section and enveloped by one of the second sections. The enveloping section is secured to the base and the raised climbing section for supporting the climbing section whereupon the first tower section may be rleased from the base, raised, and secured to the second tower section.

Abstract: A power resistor including a resistance element of metal ribbon formed into an edgewound helix, and an internal three-point support structure axially disposed within the interior of the helix. The support structure includes three insulating assemblies each having a plurality of insulators secured by longitudinal compression springs to a support bar. The support structure also includes a pair of spreaders located at opposite ends of the helix, each having three radially extending arms. Assembly of the resistor includes the steps of inserting the insulating assemblies into the interior of the helix, radially spreading the insulating assemblies against the interior of the helix, and welding the ends of the support bars to the extending arms of the spreaders.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed which is made from a plurality of electrical contacts, each of which is a resilient spring, spaced along a continuous web of insulative material which serves to locate the contacts in desired positions and provides an insulation back or cover for the contacts. The method and apparatus for making the subject laminated connector is also disclosed. The plurality of contacts are first formed from a continuous strip of metal, an insulative web is laminated to the metal contacts, and the laminated connector is bent by a continuous roller or die forming operation to desired curvilinear arcuate shapes. Discrete lengths of contacts formed together with the carrier strip are broken away or otherwise separated from the carrier strip either prior to or after the bending operation.

Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy scraps or wastes are broken into chips and converted into a cylindrical body to be extruded under a temperature suitable to produce extruded structural profiles. The method is characterized by the fact that the interior of the extruder is evacuated prior to or simultaneously with the extrusion step so as to exhaust air entrapped in the cylindrical body.