Abstract: An aiming device for a firearm comprising a laying device adapted to be fitted on the firearm parallel thereto, a laser device and a power supply. The laying device has a double articulation on which the front part of the laser device is mounted, and an adjusting facility having an articulation and a vertical rod, the bottom part of the laser device being retained on the facility for movement in two directions, so that vertical and lateral drift can be adjusted for by means of two adjusting mechanisms.The power supply comprising at least one battery is for energising the laser device and is disposed therein or outside it.

Abstract: A fishing pole holder has a mounting stand and a pivotally mounted pole handle which can be adjusted to change the lever ratio as well as for balance by means of weights. A conventional reel is mounted on the stand and the line is trained over a fulcrum point near the pivot.

Abstract: An artificial fishing lure attachable to a line for bass fishing and the like having a curved barbed hook on one end for insertion in an elongated plastic worm, with the opposite end of the hook shank being coiled for sleevably receiving and retaining a reversely mounted hula skirt thereon. A flexible coiled spring is swivelly connected to the lure shank adjacent the hula skirt and is threadedly embedded in an end of and securely retains the worm on the lure when struck by a bass.

Abstract: Inexpensive, disposable pest traps for insects of all types including roaches, and for small animals such as mice and rats, are described which comprise an elongated tubular housing composed of a central tube and two end tubes assembled in axially concentric telescoped relation, the central portion of said housing being internally coated with an adhesive means for trapping said pests. The housing or a portion thereof may be sufficiently transparent or translucent to permit visual determination of whether or not the trap contains a pest or pests; said traps being disposed of as garbage or trash after use.

Abstract: An improved fly and insect trap is provided and comprises a housing and a tubular frusto conical member. The frusto conical member is open at each axial end and is removably secured to and contained within the housing so that the apex is vertically above the base of the frusto conical member. An annular capture chamber open only through the apex opening of the frusto conical portion is formed between the housing and the frusto conical member. A tray of insect bait is disposed beneath the base of the frusto conical member so that insects flying upwardly from the bait pass upwardly through the apex of the frusto conical member and into the capture chamber. The insects are unable to escape from the capture chamber and will either die within the chamber or they can be removed alive for disposal.

Abstract: A suspending and propelling means is provided to impart a "flying" action to toy figures, wherein a support clip, with means for quick attachment and detachment with respect to the back or other body part of a toy figure, is suspended on two lengths of a continuous strand extending between fixed and movable pulley members, one end of said strand being secured to the fixed pulley member, and the other end of said strand being movable with respect to said fixed pulley member and secured to one end of said support clip. From a starting position in which the supported figure is adjacent the movable pulley member, pulling on the latter causes the toy figure to "fly" toward the fixed pulley member.

Abstract: A toy camera having a housing shaped to depict a camera including a view finder, a lens, and a flash turret has an opening in the housing allowing ingress and egress into the interior of the housing. A plate representing a picture has a flat surface and is capable of fitting into the opening such that it can be inserted and retained in the housing. An ejection member is located in the housing in position to operatively interact with the plate when the plate is inserted in the housing such that upon activation by the operator of the toy the plate can be ejected from the housing. Also located within the housing is a braking member which is positioned to bear on the flat surface of the plate as the plate is ejected from the housing. The braking member effectively retards or slows down the ejection of the plate from the housing and concurrently deposits a thin film of fluid on the flat surface of the plate.

Abstract: An animated action toy in the form of a prehistoric bird comprises a hollow body having a head at one end and a tail at the opposite end adapted for use in holding the toy in the hand for manipulation thereof. A pair of flappable wings are mounted on the body for control by a trigger. A beak is formed on the head including a beak member which is movably mounted to open and close and when so activated an internal sound generator is operated to produce a cackling sound. The bird includes a pair of talons extending from the underside of the body and each includes a plurality of claws which are manually controlled for gripping and releasing external objects.

Abstract: An animated doll includes a hollow head and body formed with a wall of thin flexible material and having a face with a forward side with a mouth cavity defined therein including movable upper and lower lips. The mouth cavity is adapted to hold a quantity of food and includes a wall portion which is deflectable to expel food from the mouth between the lips simulating the action of a young child learning to eat solid food. The doll includes a first operator for moving the lips to open and close to animate chewing and a second operator for moving the inside wall of the mouth outwardly between the lips to eject or spit out food with an outward tongue thrust.

Abstract: Toys of any shape which recover their original shapes after deformation when they are heated by electrical or thermal stimulus are introduced. The deformation and shape recovery action can be repeated. The form regaining action is achieved by a special characteristics of the shape memory alloys, for example, nitinol, which change their phase and thereby change their shapes when their temperature is raised beyond their transition temperature. Toys are covered by a soft plastic to enhance the look of them.

Abstract: A motor operated walking doll which upon energization of the motor walks in a straight line for a given distance, then proceeds along a curve to turn around, then commences on a straight line to its approximate starting point whereupon the doll raises its arms, the arm raising action de-energizing the switch to the motor.

Abstract: A puppet rug that resembles a skinned animal, human, or an imaginary character. The head of which can be manipulated so as to mimic an animal, a human, or an imaginary character. The head is lined and stuffed to keep its shape when it is in use as a puppet. The body is lined, but not stuffed. It has a large surface area so that a child can play on it, sleep on it, sit on it, and wrap himself in it. It is designed to provide visual and tactile stimulation. It may be used as a toy, a puppet, or as a decorative object. It may be used in the treatment of tactually defensive children to overcome their fears of being touched. Its large surface area facilitates the development of good feelings needed to produce the treatment goal.

Abstract: A highway game has a base supporting a conveyor-like roadway belt on which a toy vehicle is mounted. The vehicle has a control mechanism mounted at one end of the base and this mechanism includes a winding device wound with a tether secured to the vehicle. The roadway belt is driven in one direction by a motor to turn the wheels of the tethered vehicle and simulate movement of the vehicle in the opposite direction. The winding device of a simplified form of the game is mounted on a transverse shaft which can be rotated manually to shift the vehicle longitudinally on the rotating roadway belt. In a preferred embodiment of the game, the control mechanism is driven by a power take-off from the motor and the winding device is slidably mounted on a control shaft which is movable to engage and disengage the device from the drive so as to achieve a similar longitudinal movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A toy motor vehicle includes a body with a front end section, a read end section and an intermediate section for slidably interconnecting the front and rear ends for movement between a retracted, adjacent, position and an expanded, spaced apart, position. Wheels are provided on the end sections for supporting the vehicle to roll over a playing surface and a manually controlled drive element is provided for selectively moving the front and rear end sections toward and away from each other between retracted and expanded positions. The intermediate section is provided with a number of sockets of distinct shape and playing pieces of matching distinct shapes in the form of animated characters adapted to be placed in particular sockets of the same shape for exposure when the front and rear end sections are moved apart to the expanded position.

Abstract: An indoor plant growing apparatus is disclosed which comprises a frame adapted to support a bed with a plant growing chamber being formed within the frame. A light fixture unit is mounted on the frame and includes means for providing light downwardly to the plants in the plant growing chamber. The apparatus may also include a vapor barrier which extends downwardly from the frame completely around the plant growing chamber to retain moisture therein. The vapor barrier provides a means for retaining moisture in the plant growing chamber to enhance the environment for the plants. The apparatus provides a plant growing area which utilizes the normally wasted space beneath a bed.

Abstract: A greenhouse includes a hollow cylinder which is revolvably mounted. The cylinder includes an opaque portion and a translucent portion and is revolved to control the amount of sunlight entering the cylinder from any given direction, and insulate the growing area when needed. Alternative embodiments include a pair of concentric cylinders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flower pot holder comprising a spun aluminium holder mounted on a vertical stand and containing water. Within the holder is an insert member suspended from the holder and carrying a flower pot. A wick dips into the water and includes a pad on the insert and on which the flower pot rests. The space between the insert member and the holder is ventilated by openings in the insert member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for air-conditioning a greenhouse or the like for the cultivation of plants, due to the solar energy which is picked up during the day, wherein isothermic containers are disposed inside the greenhouse, which contain a body of which the melting temperature is between 10.degree. and 20.degree. C., so that, during the day, when the temperature inside the greenhouse exceeds said melting temperature, said body melts, absorbing calories and cooling the atmosphere of the greenhouse and, during the night, when the temperature becomes lower than said melting temperature, said body solidifies, releasing the latent heat of solidification.

Abstract: A soil support for a plant container having a water reservoir below the support in which water-absorbent fabric in the support carries water to the soil base from the reservoir. To provide uniform watering to the soil, the fabric is provided with pathways to distribute water as evenly as possible throughout the fabric. These pathways are defined by regions of non-absorbent fabric which channel the water along the absorbent pathways. In a practical construction, interstices in the fabric are blocked, as with injection moulded plastics, to make the non-absorbent regions. Also, a main absorbent pathway, which is separated from the soil, is provided along longitudinal edges of the fabric to encourage water flow along the whole length of fabric before the water is brought into soil contact.

Abstract: A blast wheel for a rotatable centrifugal abrasive blasting device comprises a wheel having a front surface and a rear surface. A plurality of radially extending abrasive throwing blades are substantially equally spaced around the circumference of the front surface of the wheel. A vaned impeller is also on the front surface of the wheel. A ring is rigidly secured to the rear surface of the wheel. The blast wheel is a one-piece casting formed of dissimilar materials, such that the wheel, blades and impeller are formed of an abrasion-resistant material having relatively poor machinability. The ring is formed of a material having good machinability. The blast wheel is useful for projecting an abrasive, such as metal shot, against a surface to be treated.

Abstract: A roof construction for use upon a deck or pre-existing roof which includes a series of elongated coplanar roof panels assembled edge-to-edge at their ends in a line and top-to-bottom at right angles thereto juxtaposed over said roof or deck. Each roof panel comprises a thin metallic skin having a rectangular top plate with a downturned front edge along its length. Below the front edge is an assembly slot bounded by an outturned anchor plate adapted for securing to said roof. A series of snap lock stops are formed in said panel and extend into said assembly slot. The top plate has a downturned rear edge which terminates in a flexible outturned assembly plate spaced from and projecting rearwardly of the top plate. The assembly plate terminates in a reverse-turned snap lock flange which extends above said assembly plate.

Abstract: A joint for use with a geodesic dome for connecting a plurality of struts together. The joint permits dome fabrication and erection with a minimum of field bolting. A central hub is included in the joint for resisting forces transmitted to the joint by dome struts.

Abstract: A clay layer of low permeability and of a thickness of about 2 meters, depending somewhat upon the permeability, immediately covers and laterally surrounds the external concrete wall and roof structure of the nuclear reactor building, this layer extending at least down to a ground water draining or leading ground layer. Above it is a layer of gravel, sand or porous stone of relatively high permeability, typically somewhat less than a meter thick, and on top thereof an earth fill layer of less permeability than the intermediate layer is provided, which is typically 8 meters thick. The clay layer, which could also be a loam layer, prevents the emergence of radioactive materials in the event of cracking of the concrete structure by an accidental malfunction and absorbs aerosols and water-soluble fission products. The gravel layer converts the convective mass flow of the emerging materials into a diffusion flow and prevents the spreading of cracks in the covering layers.

Abstract: A staircase for use particularly in buildings with two or more floors. The method of construction includes the step of first suspending a landing frame between floors. The landing frame has at least one straight side for connection to the flight assemblies. The flight assemblies are identical in design, with the steps welded between two stringers. The flight assemblies include bars mounted to the inside of each stringer at the top and bottom to locate the flight assemblies. These bars locate and structurally support the flight assemblies between the floor and the landing.

Abstract: A bent steel insert is provided with top and bottom pairs of abutments for engaging the inside surfaces of top and bottom rows of concrete blocks to center the rows on top of each other. The preferred embodiment is made of a single strip of steel by: bending it adjacent one end at approximately a 90.degree. angle; by doubling it back upon itself to project to the opposite side of the original plane of the strip; and then bending it back again to the original plane to provide top and bottom abutments at one end. The opposite end of the strip is similarly bent to form abutments which are a mirror a image of those previously described to thereby provide pairs of top and bottom abutments for centering building blocks on top of each other.

Abstract: A tubular plastic shell, with an overlapped longitudinal seam and longitudinally extending interior pockets that form exterior ribs, encircles a wooden pole or piling in an area to be protected. A foamed adhesive between the shell and pole fills and seals the surface of the pole beneath the shell, adheres the shell, and provides a supporting cushion for the shell that inhibits cracking or puncturing from impact. Longitudinally spaced ends of the shell beyond the pockets tightly encircle the pole to prevent escape of the adhesive as it forms during application. Ribs at the overlapped seam nest into pockets to retain the shell tightly about the pole during expansion of the adhesive. Where impact or abrasion are not anticipated, the shell can be used as a carrier and mold for forming an adherent foamed sealant layer or covering about a pole and then be removed.

Abstract: A coin counter and wrapper filler comprising a body having a hollow shank receiving coins, the lower end of the shank being tapered inwardly for reception in the upper end of a cylindrical paper coin wrapper, said body having a funnel attached at its upper end, said body having visibility means so that the quantity of coins inside the tank can be read against indicia printed on the shank, and a plug having a lower end extending across and engaging the lower end of the shank, the plug having an upper end portion of resilient nature which resiliently and removably grips the lower end of the shank, whereby the plug can be removed after coin counting for permitting coins to fall into the open top of a closed coin wrapper.

Abstract: Ice cream sandwich packages, containing an ice cream block and two wafers in separate adjacent compartments of a flat flexible polymeric material wrapper comprised of overlying layers of material heat sealed together at the marginal edges thereof, to separate the two compartments and at each end thereof, are continuously formed in apparatus consisting of rotary sealing elements to seal films together around the items to be packaged and rotary cutting elements to separate individual packages.

Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles is provided. The packaging machine employs a source of packaging material in the form of a length of plain plastic tubing. The machine is relatively simple and maintenance free, employing but one station. In a previous cycle, the tubing is heat sealed along a strip extending transversely thereof at a leading edge. The strip is then advanced a predetermined distance between a movable jaw and a stationary jaw at the station and the movable jaw closes against the stationary one. At this time, an upper sealing wire is energized to seal a leading edge of the tubing which will form the next package. A knife severs the tubing below that seal and the upper edges of the severed section are engaged by clamps. The movable jaw then opens to enable an article to be dropped in the resulting pocket in the severed section. The movable jaw closes once again and a lower sealing wire seals the upper edges of the severed section, below the severed edges thereof.

Abstract: A self-propelled, walk-behind mower includes a mower blade housing provided with a discharge opening. The mower is selectively readied for operating in mulching, side discharging or bagging modes by respectively securing a cover, side discharge chute or bagging chute over the discharge opening. An electrical ignition interlock system is provided for preventing operation of the engine in the absence of the cover or one of the chutes being properly secured over the opening, the interlock further requiring a material-receiving bag to be secured in material-receiving relationship to a discharge opening of the bagging chute when the latter is installed on the mower.

Abstract: A multirow forage harvester header for cutting and conveying a row crop from a standing position in the field into a crop receiving throat of the harvester for processing. The header is provided with an improved drive means for actuating a pair of crop cutters respectively disposed adjacent the crop entries of two crop receiving and conveying passageways of the header. The drive means includes a reciprocatable rod connected between one of the cutters and a remotely located input drive and a second reciprocatable rod connected between the two cutters. The two cutters are synchronously driven by the input drive through the first and second reciprocating rods.

Abstract: A row unit for a corn harvesting header is disclosed wherein the frame of the row unit includes a box beam structure at the rear of the unit for housing the gearing necessary for driving the gathering chains and stalk rolls. This unitary row unit frame structure is mounted to the frame of the header by two pairs of Z-shaped clamp members to give a solid, stable, low cost and light weight row unit structure.

Abstract: The disclosure is of, in a mower which works over a great cutter width and comprises cutter discs or cutter drums or cutter belt pulleys or other rotary elements involved in the cutting operation, at least one device for reducing the width of the windrows comprising an endless flexible windrowing member which travels around two drums having substantially vertical axes of rotation, the first of said drums being approximately above one of said rotary elements at one extremity of the mower, the second of said drums being spaced to the rear of and nearer to the middle of the mower so that the windrowing member follows a path at an acute angle to the cutting front, at least one of said drums being driven at a speed different from that of said rotary elements so that the windrowing member impels cut fodder from a margin towards the middle of the windrow.

Abstract: A rotary blade lawn mower has a grass collecting bin secured to the deck thereof, preferably wholly within the wheelbase of the lawn mower. A squirrel tail duct transfers grass cuttings from the cutting chamber to the bin. The elbow portion of the duct hinges aside to provide access for emptying the bin. Automatic means is provided for closing the duct as the elbow portion is moved to its non-obstructing position. The arrangement is particularly suitable for relatively lightweight electrically powered walk-behind lawn mowers.

Abstract: A harvester apparatus comprising a plurality of discrete stations disposed in operative communication relative to each other on a self-propelled mobile chassis to remove plants from the earth and separate the fruit or vegetable from the stem or vine including a cutting station comprising an adjustable cutter having an adjustable positioner station disposed adjacent thereto to engage the plants and orient the plants for cutting by the cutter, a first transport station comprising a diagonally disposed conveyor having a plurality of lateral positioned cross members or retainers formed thereon disposed to receive plants from the cutter station and a feed element to direct plants from the cutter station to the first conveyor, a stripper station adjacent the first transport station to receive the plants therefrom comprising at least one pair or set of counter-rotating separator members to separate the fruit or vegetables from the vine or stem, a culling station comprising at least one movable open mesh conveyor dis

Abstract: Apparatus for rolling large bales of fodder has a wheeled frame adapted to be towed behind a farm tractor. A baling chamber has a floor with fodder conveyor chains carried in recessed channels so that only fodder engaging lugs are above the floor and the weight of the forming bale is carried by the floor. The floor pivots in the baler frame. The sides of the baling chambers are defined by rotating raddle guide discs which support the ends of raddles on baling raddle chains that define the rear, top and front of the baling chamber. The raddle guide members have circular raddle confining plates, and on the inner faces of the plates are raddle supporting flanges the diameter of which is substantially less than the diameter of the confining plates, so the raddles move outwardly for a substantial distance due to pressure of the forming bale while a relatively thick outer part of the bale is held between the confining plates of the rotating raddle guide discs.

Abstract: A machine for forming cylindrical bales of crop material such as hay in which the bale is formed between two oppositely moving endless belts. One of the belts wraps around the bale as the bale is being formed and the tensioned belt contributes to the density of the bale. A pressure roller helps support its bale and penetrates the periphery of the bale to increase its density. Crop deflector means are provided at each side of the interior of the machine so as to reduce the friction between the material and the sides of the machine and thereby prevent excessive tension on the belt and consequently excessive bale density.

Abstract: An implement for sweeping and raking having a base, a handle attached to the base, and bristles extending out of the base. Each bristle has a first portion, one end of which is engaged in the base, and a similar length, second portion bent at an angle to the first portion. The bent angle between the portions of each bristle is between about 100.degree. and 150.degree., whereby the implement operates as a broom when it is pushed away from the user and as a rake when it is pulled towards the user.

Abstract: A device for joining together two ends of a yarn in order to recreate the initial structure of the yarn comprises two heads provided with radial slots and fixed to rods which are rotatable in order to take up the yarn by means of the slots and to wind the yarn about the rods. The free ends of the yarns are untwisted and subjected to electrostatic fields created between the heads and an annular electrode. Rotating the heads in the opposite direction then causes the yarns to unwind from the rods and the fibres of the two ends of the yarn to twist together, the yarn then being released.

Abstract: Each spinning ring of a ring-frame spinning device is carried by a fluid bearing supplied with compressed air for centering and lifting the ring. The flow of compressed air is selectively interrupted or at least reduced by means of an automatic or hand-operated valve or cock in order to reduce or suppress the ring-lifting action. A braking action is thus produced on the ring as it is brought into frictional contact with a top horizontal radial surface of a ring carrier or stator. The braking action can be applied selectively to one or a number or all the rings of any ring spinning frame employed in the textile industry.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel bulkable filamentary yarn of a flat yarn-like smooth appearance, said bulkable filamentary yarn is composed essentially of a bulkable portion and an interlaced portion existing alternately along the yarn length. Upon scouring, for example, said yarn develops its latent bulkiness similar to the fullness of silk, thus a silk-like appearance as well as a silk-like hand are provided in a fabric. The yarn itself can be obtained by heat-shrinking arc-like loops protruding on the yarn surface into a straightened state parallel to the yarn while the yarn is being tensioned along its length.

Abstract: The flattened strand rope of the invention comprises wedge-shaped strands, each made up of wires wound on a core. At least a portion of the strand wires are fashioned as twisted wire groups in which the wires are sector-shaped and in contact with each other over helical surfaces. With such a structural embodiment of the flattened strand wire, use can be made of thin and, consequently, stronger and more flexible wires, thereby increasing the strength and flexibility of the rope and making for the use of the rope in the various branches of industry, including lifting mechanisms with large or small drum diameters.

Abstract: A boucle yarn is prepared by relaxed heat treatment of a precursor yarn prepared by combination of a low shrinkage filament or yarn or monofil at the back of the front roller of a spinning frame with a roving of high shrinkage fibers followed by twisting to a twist multiplier of 1.5 to 4.0. The shrinkage differential between the high shrinkage fibers and the low shrinkage fibers must be at least 20%.

Abstract: The instant specification describes an improved method for the manufacture of composite yarns having a central carrier with fibers or filaments adhered thereto. The method includes the step of using a partially oriented yarn as the carrier material and drawing or stretching the partially oriented yarn immediately prior to or as the yarn passes through an extruder to be coated with a binding material.

Abstract: A three-dimensioned crimp filament is prepared by twisting a bundle of large denier filaments into a single twist while said filaments are stretched between a freely-rotatable first roller with a peripheral groove having 10-500 mm of diameter at a grooved portion and at least one other freely-rotatable second roller in a total denier of 50,000-3,000,000 denier by means of twisting action in a subsequent double twist step, double twisting said single-twisted filaments into a double twist up to said first roller and heating the filaments thus twisted into a double twist while passing them through a tubular guide means, cooling said double-twisted filaments to effect a heat-set while maintaining the twisting action; untwisting said double-twisted filaments thus heat-set to form three-dimensioned crimp filaments, and cutting said untwisted three-dimensioned crimp filaments into stable lengths.

Abstract: A device for waxing a yarn in a spinning machine which includes an annular wax roll, and means for rotatably supporting the wax roll. The support means includes a solid cylindrical member integrally connected to the wax roll so as to project from one end of the wax roll, and a support spindle associated with the cylindrical member for allowing the integral rotation of the cylindrical member and the wax roll. The waxing device is disposed that the yarn, which travels from a supply of yarn to a yarn winding-up mechanism, contacts both the projected periphery of the cylindrical member and the one end of the wax roll. The rotation of the wax roll is caused mainly by the yarn contacting the solid cylindrical member so that the wax roll is not adversely affected by the yarn even when changes occur in the travel condition of the yarn, so that no grooves or concaved lines are formed in the end face of the wax roll.

Abstract: The thread guide arrangement for ring spinning and ring twisting machines comprises a thread guide lappet (6) and a wire-shaped thread guide eyelet (3), defining the thread balloon point, and mounted using a screw (13), which screw (13) is provided with an extension (13a) acting as a thread catching device, and which thus prevents the occurrence of multiple end breakages in a row. For easier removal of thread remnants, the extension (13a) can be smooth. The screw (13) furthermore is used for centerably mounting the thread guide eyelet (3) with respect to the spindle axis (a).

Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a tubular, multi-layered porous metal wall with pores and cavities for distribution of compressor discharge air into a combustion chamber and wherein a rigid combustor support ring connects one end of the porous wall to fixed support components of the gas turbine engine; the combustor assembly further including a porous metal transition member for joining the tubular porous metal wall to a downstream nozzle plate; the transition member including free formed side walls and top and bottom walls without substantial reduction in permeability due to forming and each of the transition walls further including a sharp radius bend at the side edge thereof defining a compressed porous metal section for connection to an adjacent sharp radius bend by means of a longitudinal seam weld along the length thereof to maximize the flow of secondary cooling air into the hot combustion gases passing from the outlet of the combustion chamber of the apparatus.

Abstract: An annular combustion chamber which has structural elements for delivery of primary air to sustain and stabilize burning and elements for admission of secondary air into the dilution zone. The primary air delivery elements intended for stabilization of burning are made so that at least two curved slotted passages are formed for tangential admission of the air into the combustion zone. The passage wall plates are concentric, being arranged so that the outer wall plate of each preceding passage is naturally the inner wall plate of the subsequent one displaced relative to the former in the downstream direction. The slotted passages have a substantially constant flow-passage along the entire annular combustion chamber periphery (length).

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting crude carbon such as coal, carbonaceous wastes and the like into valuable chemical products and/or energy. A mass of solid crude carbonaceous fuel is fed into a high temperature liquid which acts as a solvent for carbon at a temperature sufficient to carbonize the mass and by which the carbon is separated from impurities. Volatile fractions are removed from the mass which acts as a distillation column. Air, or another oxygen source, is introduced into the reactor wherein it reacts with the carbon dissolved in the liquid therein, which may preferably be iron to form a hot fuel gas. The hot fuel gas is then used to produce useful energy, generally via a stepwise procedure.