Abstract: A foldable plant support is disclosed comprising a first frame and a second opposed frame, each frame having vertical legs with support members on the legs for receiving support bars that span the vertical legs of each frame and support bars that span the distance between the first frame and the second frame. The support bars that span the distance between the first frame and the second frame are hingedly secured to the first frame and the second frame through eyelets at the ends of the support bars, the eyelets having an opening sufficiently wide in diameter so that when the frame is folded over on itself, the various support bars can move with respect to the first and second frame without bending.

Abstract: A suspension system for operable partitions providing for several degrees of lost motion freedom, wherein the suspension system comprises an overhead track, a series of discrete panels, and a pair of carriers for each panel to suspend the respective panels individually from the track for movement of the panels between the point of use and a storage area that is remote from the space being subdivided, with each panel having a trackway along its upper end mounting a pair of trolleys that are connected one each to the respective carriers for the panel, for movement of the panel in its plane relative to the carrier supporting it.

Abstract: A swinging door carries at its bottom end a pair of parallel spaced rollers which extend substantially the full width of the door and which, when the door is closed, are spring energized into rolling engagement with the bottom transverse member of a doorframe or sill for soundproofing the bottom of the door. A pair of horizontally elongated rubber strips, suspended from the door, rest on the respective rollers in order to obstruct the passage of sound above the rollers.

Abstract: A system for repairing a crack in a pane of plate glass in which a rotatable shaft extends through the glass and carries cutters on both sides for concurrently cutting an aperture therein from both sides.

Abstract: Apparatus for grinding and polishing small parts which is of the centrifugal drum polisher type, said apparatus including a stationary support, a rotor mounted on the support, and a plurality of drum containers mounted on the rotor and in frictional engagement with the stationary support so that the drum containers will rotate in response to rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of abrasive material in which (1) an abrasive mix is brought to fusion as in an electric arc furnace, (2) a relatively cold substrate is dipped into the molten material whereby a layer of solid abrasive material is quickly frozen (or plated) on the substrate, (3) the plated substrate is withdrawn from the molten material and (4) the solidified abrasive material is broken away from the substrate and collected for further processing to produce abrasive grain.

Abstract: An energy efficient skylight construction. A skylight cover is secured by a frame to a curbing comprised of an insulating core, the interior and exterior surfaces of which are covered by non-combustible shields separated along the upper and lower surfaces of the curbing by a gap which serves as a "thermal break" between the highly conductive inner and outer shields. The frame is pierced by drain openings the exterior of which are covered by a filter type material such as foam or glass fibers that is both absorbtive of moisture and resistant to the passage of air. The frame is secured to the outward portion of the curbing and includes a flange extending inward across the gap between the shields, which serves as a gutter to collect condensation which drips off the glazing.

Abstract: A roofing system is provided for large-area wide-span building structures such as natatoria, comprising an interlocking gridwork of purlins supported on beams. A portion of the structure can be provided with a track, and another portion of the structure mounted on wheels movable along the track, so that one portion of the roof may be slid open or closed by movement along the track, so as to open the interior of the building structure to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A building constructed of five prefabricated space-bounding elongated parallelepiped sections with a roof having four sides shaped substantially like a truncated pyramid with a single chimney projecting through the truncated portion and the angle of incline of the roof sides being reduced in the areas adjacent its perimeter. The sections are each constructed with like frameworks of metal beams and connected in a side-by-side relationship to form a rectangle as seen in plan. All heating and plumbing facilities are in the center section and the necessary vents therefor lead through the aforesaid chimney so that additional openings in the roof are not required. The center section also has roof supports connected to and across the upper portion of its framework of metal beams near where the chimney projects so as to be pivotable from a horizontal position for transport to a vertical position where it is secured to support the roof about the chimney.

Abstract: An improved mausoleum and the method of construction, the mausoleum including a plurality of stacked, preformed, molded fiberglass or plastic crypts, interlocked together at crypt corners by metal fastening plates bolted to fastening rods partially embedded in the end faces of each crypt. Vertical columns of crypts are supported on a concrete or other conventional foundation. Each bottom crypt in a particular vertical column includes adjustable leveling supports to accommodate for variations in the surface of the foundation. A non-load bearing supporting shell or facade of decorative masonry or other material may be used to house an entire tier of crypts. Each crypt includes one or more vertically disposed, rigid supporting structural members embedded in each crypt side wall, the support member ends forming tenons which are interlocked with vertically adjacent crypt tenons to provide increased vertical compression force loading for the stacked vertical columns of crypts.

Abstract: Several rings, having a predetermined diameter and spaced axially at predetermined intervals are joined by horizontal reinforcing bars to constitute a framework, and then a wall is provided surrounding this framework to form a substantially cylindrical structure. A floor is laid at the bottom of this structure and the openings at both ends of the structure are closed with a wall material. A gateway door is provided at one or both of the ends of the structure. Suitable interior fittings are also provided in the structure.

Abstract: A modular building construction system having (a) a series of rectangular U-shaped in vertical cross-section modules, each having only two bearing walls opposite each other and joined by a floor panel and open on top, and (b) a series of rectangular tube-shaped in vertical cross-section modules, each having only two bearing walls opposite each other and joined by both a floor panel and a ceiling panel. The tube-shaped modules are used only on the top story, and the U-shaped modules are used generally as lower units. The modules on each level are installed end to end so as to form a continuous living space in the longitudinal direction and side by side so as to form a separate series of living spaces and double walls separating the living spaces in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A building structure is disclosed which comprises a plurality of novel prefabricated joist trusses, a plurality of conventional gable trusses each associated with a different joist truss and a pair of conventional prefabricated exterior end walls together with conventional flooring, interior walls, exterior sheeting and roofing. The method of constructing such building structure is described which method includes the steps of first assembling the plurality of joist trusses on a foundation, then applying the side wall sheeting and subfloor to the joist trusses, then installing the interior walls and exterior end walls, then assembling the gable trusses with the joist trusses and finally sheeting and roofing the gable trusses, extending the roofing over the side wall sheeting if desired.

Abstract: A system devised for constructing a building from a plurality of parts which can be mass-produced at a factory and readily assembled at a construction site. This building construction system includes a plurality of vertical supports and a plurality of corresponding horizontal supports which can be rigidly connected to the vertical supports. A plurality of frame members are provided, each of which can be freely suspended in a position defined by at least one vertical support and at least one horizontal support. The frame members are held in position between such supports without being fixedly attached to the supports.

Abstract: A polygonally shaped panel or fabrication device having a depending curled locking means formed at at least one edge of the panel is disclosed herein. The locking means is contiguous to and substantially co-extensive with the edge associated therewith. The curled locking means may include a plurality of apertures randomly distributed about the circumference thereof. A plurality of the present panels are deployed to form an interlocking and interconnecting system in a free form array which can be used as a toy construction, as a display system and, preferably, in the fabrication of modular structures.

Abstract: Connectors and end caps are provided to connect adjacent roof ridge ventilator sections and to close the ends of the assembly. The connectors include a cutout, intermediate wall, an outer jacket and inner sleeve defining slots to receive the ends of adjacent ventilator sections. The end caps include a deflectable wall having a central depression and bulge. An outer end cap jacket and inner end cap sleeve define a channel to receive the end of the ventilator assembly.

Abstract: There is described a curtain wall structure comprising a metal frame provided with a compensation bar for bearing on or hanging from a projecting element fastened to the building skeleton, each metal frame also comprising members for taking over the forces due to the wind, in which said projecting element is provided with resilient means on which said compensation bar bears.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, a construction hanger for rigidly interconnecting ceiling inverted tee support members and a structural wall channel member is provided, the hanger having a generally U-shaped configuration with a body member and extending depending legs spaced to receive the channel member. The legs are bendable to engage the channel member and securely grip and support the member. In one embodiment, a generally U-shaped gripping means is provided for gripping the inverted tee support member having bendable tabs extending from a generally flat base, the tabs spaced to receive the tee support member and bendable over the flanges of the member to grip it securely. The U-shaped gripping means is pivotally attached to the body member of the hanger.

Abstract: A new method of building construction especially adapted for use in new buildings having truss rafters, and apparatus for practicing the method. Application of angle strips in locations where plasterboard ceiling panels are intended to intersect plasterboard wall panels enables durable corners to be constructed where inside partitions abut truss rafters.

Abstract: In a fabricated rigid floor deck structure assembled from a plurality of similar floor sections, a floor section is formed for engagement with an adjacent similar section to form an interlocked floor structure. Each floor section is constructed from an elongate plate having a male and a female flange each having a U-shaped cross section. The female flange has one leg depending from one edge of the plate with its other leg positioned outwardly of the one edge to define an upwardly opening channel laterally outward from the plate. The male flange has one leg depending from the opposite edge of the plate with its other leg positioned inwardly of the other edge adjacent the bottom surface of the plate. The flanges are dimensioned so that adjacent floor sections are locked together in suitable alignment by placing the male flange into the channel defined by the female flange of an adjacent aligned floor section.

Abstract: A thermally insulated masonry block includes pairs of spaced opposed side walls and web walls defining a cavity. A rectangular thermally insulative plate is disposed in the cavity and extends from one web wall to the other. The plate and side walls are spaced apart to define air cells. At least two aligned stub walls project into the cavity from the side walls to reinforce the side walls. The stub walls are of substantially the same height as the side and web walls and are spaced apart by a distance approximating the thickness of the insulative plate.

Abstract: A structural panel having a mesh sheet which is stiffened by one or a series of stiffeners each of which has a plurality of hook-like tongues which engage and retain rod portions of the mesh sheet.

Abstract: Building frame elongate structural elements are provided having at least cavity which in transverse cross section has a mouth permitting access to said cavity, defined by a pair of opposed flanges which have first portions extending toward each other across the mouth and second portions extending inwardly of the cavity from said first portions and terminating at free edges so as to leave to each side of the mouth an undercut space which is behind the first portion and laterally outside the second portion, the said second portions of the flanges being deformable. Fixing members for combining said structural elements are also provided. The fixing members and structural elements are useful in making building frames from a plurality of the structural elements.

Abstract: An insert assembly adapted to be imbedded within a concrete beam structure with portions exposed at a surface of the beam structure so as to allow equipment such as piping, conduit, cable supports and the like to be attached to the insert assembly and, thus, supported by the beam structure. The insert assembly includes a generally U-shaped channel section to which the aforementioned equipment may be secured, a plurality of pairs of anchor members attached to and extending upwardly from the channel section, and a plurality of spring members attached to and between the pairs of anchor members. In the construction of a concrete beam structure, the insert assembly is placed within and against the formwork for the concrete beam structure and an elongated reinforcing member such as a cable or rod is placed across the spring members. The reinforcing member is then placed under tension, causing the spring members to deflect downwardly whereby forces are directed downwardly toward the channel section and the formwork.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the production of a bridge girder system of prestressed concrete in sectional cantilever construction in which prefabricated sections comprising the whole superstructure cross-section formed as hollow boxes, are drawn tightly together in the longitudinal direction of the bridge to form a monolithically acting girder system, the process comprising the steps of arranging a plurality of bridge sections in succession in the longitudinal direction of the bridge, assembling said sections to form a set, said set of sections having been simultaneously prefabricated while separating the surfaces which are to be turned toward one another (in the subsequent incorporation of the individual sections in the bridge structure) by steel sheets, and then moving the sections into position individually so that they are held solely by means of the frictional connection produced by the prestressing between their contacting surfaces.

Abstract: A wrapping machine comprises a tube former for a forming a web of wrapping material into a tube with a longitudinal seal, a variable speed feeding mechanism for feeding the web continuously to the tube former, an infeed conveyor for feeding articles in succession into the tube former so that they become entubed in the tube of wrapping material, and crimping dies situated beyond the tube former which are operative to form transverse seals in the tube of wrapping material between the articles. The machine includes an adjustable modulating device for matching the speed of movement of the dies to substantially the speed of advance of the tube during formation of the transverse seals. An adjustable control mechanism is provided for so controlling the dies that they will form, by appropriate adjustment, transverse seals at either every revolution, during alternate revolutions only, or during every 3rd, 4th . . . or nth revolutions of a constant speed driving shaft.

Abstract: A method and device for imprinting indicia on a product bag in cooperation with a product bagging machine in which the imprinting operation does not hinder or interfere with an accelerated packaging operation, including the steps of first continuously moving products to be bagged along a conveying surface in a spaced and generally aligned end-to-end relationship, second inflating a product bag by an air jet in order to receive the product, third prior to filling the inflated bag shifting it laterally into contact with a printer head of an imprinter device which is disposed off to the side of the moving stream of aligned and spaced products, and fourth imprinting the inflated bag during the interval of time that the space between adjacent moving products is adjoining the imprinter device.

Abstract: An elongated web of exposed and developed photographic film is moved lengthwise and is severed at regular intervals to yield a succession of discrete sections. Related sections (e.g., those belonging to a customer) are assembled into groups of overlapping sections, and such groups are thereupon introduced into discrete envelopes. The assembling of groups takes place in a fan-shaped magazine having a plurality of separate compartments and being movable relative to belts or analogous transporting means for successive sections of the severed film so that each section enters a different compartment. When the magazine accumulates a group of related sections, the sections are expelled from the magazine by a pusher which moves them forwardly (i.e., in the same direction in which the sections were transported to enter the magazine) or sideways and into the respective envelope. The width of each compartment decreases in the direction of forward movement of sections or at right angles to such direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically applying tape to effect the closing of a carton, such tape to be placed not only across the top surface but also continuously down each end of the carton. The apparatus includes means for advancing the containers with the top flaps in folded position into an initial station where the leading end has applied to it one end of a length of tape and where the end flaps and tape are pressed into position by downwardly extending rollers. The rollers are then retracted and the carton is moved under a tape supply which tapes the top of the carton and moves the carton into a second station at which point a mechanism cuts the trailing edge of the tape to size and the carton is moved upwardly into a stacking chute having side rails which engage the taped ends of the carton insuring that they are folded into position and holding them in position while the adhesive has time to set.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for repressurizing tennis balls or other balls not being normally provided with an air fill valve and for internally sealing the same after repressurizing, which includes: a needle-like element for penetrating the skin of the ball and having a passage therethrough for the passing of a sealing medium and air into the ball, compressing the ball to create a negative pressure therein, a sealant containing member which is penetrable by the extending end of the needle element for drawing the sealant into the ball when the compressive force is released and a source of positive pressure which is attachable to the extending end of the needle element for pressure application to the interior of the ball. The sealant is in flowable condition for a period and and will flow about the internal end of the needle to form a supply about the aperture formed by the needle such that when the same is withdrawn, the sealant will flow in and over the aperture to seal the same.

Abstract: Side gusseted industrial bags are continuously (or intermittently) formed from continuous web materials, and simultaneously filled and sealed in one fast operation by the method and apparatus of this invention.

Abstract: Printing apparatus especially useful for printing on the generally horizontal upper surface of the upper uninflated bag of a stack of generally flat, uninflated bags, while an inflated bag is positioned thereabove at the top of the stack for subsequently receiving a product therein.It includes a print head having a print face, preferably horizontally positioned, and print head carrier means for moving the print head from an inoperative position to a remote printing position along a curved path, its motion being initially away from the inoperative position, preferably in a generally horizontal direction, and finally toward the printing position in a generally perpendicular, preferably vertical, direction to the upper surface of the upper, uninflated bag for printing its upper surface.There may be included bag deflecting means for deflecting the inflated bag from the printing position to expose at least a portion of the upper surface of the upper, uninflated bag for printing thereon.

Abstract: A machine for wrapping articles of substantially rectangular parallelepiped form comprises a first tumble box which partially forms a wrapper to a generally U-shaped configuration about an article, a long seam heater which cooperates with the first tumble box to complete the initial wrapping operation and seals the long seam of the wrapper, and second, third, and fourth tumble boxes which tuck and fold the ends of the wrapper inwardly against opposite end of the article and complete the wrapping operation. Each tumble box has an ejector mechanism operated by a rack and gear segment. The long seam heater has means for dumping articles therefrom when the machine stops for any reason. Package ends folds are made while the partially wrapped article is held substantially square by a tumble box. Another machine for wrapping a product which comprises individual pieces standing on edge and arranged in end-to-end relation utilizes three tumble boxes and a long seam heater.

Abstract: A tobacco harvester having a hydraulic control system for automatically and continuously controlling and maintaining the speed of a leaf defoliator assembly relative to and in proportion to the ground speed of the tobacco harvester. The hydraulic control system is adapted to continuously control the horizontal rearward speed component of the defoliating elements of a leaf defoliator assembly such that the defoliating elements move rearwardly during leaf defoliation at approximately the same speed the harvester is moving forward.To provide for continuous speed control of the defoliator assembly, the hydraulic speed control system is operative to continuously effectively sense or monitor harvester ground speed and to continuously drive the defoliator assembly in proportion to the effectively sensed or monitored ground speed.

Abstract: A spinning or twisting machine is adapted for the formation of knop yarn by a drive mechanism for the lower yarn feed rollers of the draw frame, which includes a unidirectional clutch allowing the lower feed rollers to run at a higher speed than that imparted by the drive transmission of the machine, and a further unidirectional clutch by means of which an actuator, which may be pneumatic or electric, acts periodically upon the lower feed rollers to increase the speed of the latter for preselected times and intervals to cause the formation of knops in the yarn.

Abstract: The invention relates to an open-end spinning device comprising an opening-up member (2) whereby the fibers, which are supplied in the form of a continuous sliver, are disintegrated and then introduced into a spinning turbine rotating at high speed, the yarn extracted from the turbine being discharged through an outlet tube; a funnel-shaped member is secured to the disintegrator (2) and thus rotates at the same speed.The funnel comprises a hollow element having a top securing flange which extends into the spinning chamber and which, along its central axis, has a tubular head terminating near the outlet tube.

Abstract: A system for twining and cabling pairs of elongate elements such as wire is disclosed wherein pairs of filaments are first twined by twining apparatus and then passed to a cabling device. The twining apparatus includes rearward and forward supply reels from which elongate filaments are drawn off over payoff arms under constant tension, the rear filaments being passed around the forward supply reels by flyer assemblies which twine the rear filaments about the forward filaments whereafter the twined pairs of filaments are passed to the cabling device.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for manufacture of yarn from natural- and synthetic fibres, using a pneumatic spinning technique. The method according to the present invention is directed to fibres entrained in an air jet stream introduced into the non-rotational spinning chamber containing the fibres. The air jets having been whirled into the chamber by a system of nozzles and some portion of the air jet, in which the fibres are entrained, becomes separated inside the chamber and directed to the whirl cone zone to reduce the flow rate within this whirl core. The apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention consists of a cylindrical, non-rotational spinning chamber having a cylindrical insert disposed therein at one end and peripheral air supply ducts, as well as a fibre delivery channel at the other end. The insert at the side of a yarn discharge channel inlet, incorporates the peripheral ports provided with inlet means located between the channel and the ducts.

Abstract: In manufacturing yarn inside a cylindrical, non-rotational chamber, air jets cause rotational motion to the fibers introduced into the chamber. The whirl core vacuum suction zone, i.e. on the cylindrical insert lower face and/or in the chamber outlet, where the whirl core intensification takes place, the rotating velocity of the air stream whirled into the chamber interior becomes inhibited by reducing the rotating velocity within the whirl core. The chamber is provided with peripheral ducts to supply air and also a fiber delivering channel. A cylindrical insert has a lower face that has attached thereto, restricting blades 9 arranged in the chamber outlet from the vacuum source side.

Abstract: A chime clock has a cam mounted to rotate with the clock's minute hand shaft. A cam-follower mechanism actuates striking mechanism in response to clockwise rotation of the minute hand shaft and cam. Structure is provided to prevent the cam-follower from obstructing rotation of the cam and minute hand shaft in a counterclockwise sense, as when setting the clock's minute hand by turning it backwards.

Abstract: There is provided a time setting and displaying mode control circuit for an electronic timepiece comprising first and second switches, first and second detection circuits responsive to the operative conditions of the respective first and second switches and first and second ring counters each including a plurality of shift registers and respectively connected to the first and second detection circuits to produce time setting and displaying mode signals, respectively.The content of the first ring counter is shifted in response to an output signal produced from the first detection circuit each time the first switch is depressed in the time setting mode. The content of the second ring counter is shifted in response to an output signal produced from the second detection circuit each time the second switch is depressed in the time displaying mode. When the first switch is depressed under the "hour-minute" displaying mode, the content of the first ring counter is changed to provide the "hour" setting mode.

Abstract: An electronic watch case is disclosed which comprises an inner-cover disposed within the case and switch means extending through the case. The inner-cover comprises a circular metallic member having resilient tab portions, resilient finger portions, and an aperture therein. The inner-cover is positioned with respect to the switch means and the watch batteries so that when the switch means is engaged from the exterior of the case, the batteries in the watch module are electrically coupled to associated electrical contacts. When the switch means is disengaged, it is returned to an unactuated position by the urging of one of the resilient finger portions, thereby electrically decoupling the contacts from the batteries.

Abstract: An electronic system having a chime and strike program simulating the program of a Westminster clock including an actuating source, a solid state integrated circuit and a loud speaker. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of counters for activating a frequency synthesizer and both tone switching and generating circuits thereby to generate the strike and chime program on the hour and a chime program on the other quarter hours indicative of the time throughout a 24-hour period. The chime program is sequenced by a chime matrix.

Abstract: The system has a plurality of small primary combustion chambers which lead into a larger secondary combustion chamber in order to reduce the amount of nitrous oxides produced during combustion and thus, lower, pollution. The primary combustion chambers are arrayed in a spherical pattern to eliminate the need for individual ignition devices and to provide a better mixing effect and a more uniform temperature distribution within the secondary combustion chamber.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve, particularly for use in a gas turbine engine fuel control system has an orifice with a closure member which is urged open by a pressure signal and which is urged shut by a biasing spring. The bias applied by the spring is variable by an input control lever and the response of the spring bias variation to lever movement is itself adjustable.

Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine has in flow series a low pressure pump, a filter and a high pressure pump, latter being connected to a delivery duct leading to the engine. The low pressure pump is a jet pump wherein the jet is produced by spill flow from the delivery duct. The spill flow is heated to prevent ice formation in the filter.

Abstract: A flameholder is made of inner and outer wall members spaced apart for admission of coolant therebetween, the walls having aligned holes for the admission of fuel-air mixture from the space surrounding the flameholder to the space within the flameholder and the walls being held in spaced relation to one another by flanged tubes surrounding the holes in the outer wall and extending inwardly through the aligned holes in the inner wall, the tubes having lateral flanges on the inner ends overlying the inner surface of the inner wall.

Abstract: Four embodiments of high-thrust rocket engines, each having separate propellant delivery apparatus for each propellant to be delivered to the engine thrust chamber, are illustrated herein. One engine is designed to provide a high thrust using only one fuel and one oxidizer. The other three engine embodiments are all designed to use different propellants having different densities during different portions of a rocket flight. Each of these additional engines includes the basic structure of the first. The first engine is thus not only an effective engine, but also a building block that can be easily modified to provide an engine capable of operating effectively with different propellants.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic coupling wherein the radially outermost region of the working circuit communicates with one or more radially inwardly extending channels defined by a casing which surrounds the impeller or runner element or by the casing and one of these elements. The casing has one or more openings located radially inwardly of the normal liquid level in the working circuit and in the channel or channels. These openings discharge working fluid which flows in the channel or channels radially inwardly in response to abrupt rise of fluid pressure in the working circuit as a result of abrupt change in RPM, particularly sudden acceleration of the impeller element. The outflowing fluid reduces the magnitude of transmitted torque, and the upper limit of such torque is determined by the distance between the radially outermost portion(s) of the opening(s) and the common axis of the impeller and runner elements.

Abstract: A valve device having a pressure operable valve piston, particularly for booster steering system, to selectively control pressure flow to a consumer device such as a hydraulic servomotor in order to permit use of a reserve pump in event of failure of a main pump. The valve in a neutral position combines the output of both pumps but is responsive to a first increase in the flow rate beyond a predetermined limit to shunt flow from the reserve pump to a sump. Upon further increase in the flow rate the valve piston moves to a position to also shunt part of the output from the main pump to a sump. Signal means is actuated by movement of the valve piston to apprise a vehicle driver that the steering system is operative.