Abstract: A plurality of perforated individual seed germinating and sprout growing bags are suspended from sets of portable racks which are placed on circular tray structures. The tray structures are supported in spaced vertical relationship by an upright mast located within an enclosed housing and adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The rack sets of each tray structure are arranged about the longitudinal axis of the mast to form circular tiers. Periodically, filtered and anti-bacterially treated irrigation water is supplied to each bag at a fast enough rate to thoroughly mix the seeds located therein. Water draining from the bags is collected in a storage tank and subsequently recycled after first being filtered and purified. Once the seeds have sprouted, artificial light is provided so that substantially all the sprouts in each bag receive a uniform amount of growing light.

Abstract: Moving automated toll collector apparatus comprises a plurality of automated toll collectors, each having a large hopper presenting a large target for receiving toll coins, driven at spaced apart intervals in a path parallel to a traffic lane of a toll station. Vehicles enter the traffic lane, take a position adjacent one of the automated toll collectors, deposit the toll and depart the toll station without stopping. This improves traffic flow through toll stations and eliminates traffic backups. Control arm units including a control arm extending across the traffic lane may be positioned ahead of each automated toll collector, the control arm unit also being driven in the path along the traffic lane. The control arm units may include signs indicating the toll due and for indicating when the toll has been received. The automated toll collectors are preferably driven about the periphery of an elongated traffic island separating two traffic lanes at speeds from approximately one to ten or twelve miles an hour.

Abstract: A three dimensional topiary figure and method of making the same is disclosed. The topiary figure includes a first and second skeletal member of a predetermined compatible shape joined together to produce an assembled, unitary, three dimensional shape typically in the shape of an animal or geometric design.

Abstract: A cable release and latch for a security guard hinged to a window or the like has a spring loaded plunger swedged into an outer frame thereof. An armored cable with a flexible inner cable is connected to the spring loaded plunger and extends to a foot treadle operator and shield which may be mounted on the floor inside the opening. Sufficient length of cable is provided to allow free movement of the guard about its hinges. The security guard may thereby be quickly and easily opened without a key by stepping on the foot treadle operator. If the armored cable is severed, the spring loaded plunger advances further into the keeper which retracts the flexible cable within the armored housing to prevent the manual operation of the latch without further dismantling of the cable.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the surface cleaning of workpieces, e.g. the degreasing, scale-removal and rust removal from a metallic surface, especially so as to produce a bright, clean and relatively smooth surface to receive a coating, positions the workpiece in a fluidized bed of an abrasive, such as particle of corundum or quartz sand, and directs fine jets of gas at the surface from nozzles spaced therefrom within the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A slag removing machine includes a conveyor movable generally vertically on a parallelogram linkage. The conveyor carries steel slabs below a fixed vertical sanding belt surfacing unit. The conveyor is supported on air bags.

Abstract: An annular vibrating finishing apparatus including an annular tub mounted on a floating support. A gyrating motion-producing shaft extends upwardly through the central opening in the tub and interconnects a motor and the tub. A metal jacket surrounds the tub and forms a chamber for circulating a heated fluid around the lower, exterior section of said tub. This provides heat to the workpieces and finishing media and causes the workpieces to dry more rapidly during the finishing process.

Abstract: Wafers have material removed from them in processes such as lapping or polishing without the use of hold down adhesives to secure the wafers to a wafer mounting plate. The front side of a polymeric mounting pad on a wafer mounting plate is moistened with a liquid, the wafers are rendered shedding of that liquid and substantially free of adhesion diminishing particles and powder and are mounted on the moistened mounting pad. It is critical that the wafers shed the liquid with which the pad is moistened. The wafers are pressed firmly against the mounting pad in order to assure their continued adhesion to the pad during the material removal process. The wafer mounting plate is then mounted in the lapping, polishing or other material removal machine and the wafers lapped or polished in a normal manner. After completion of the desired material removal the wafers may be removed from the mounting pad with tweezers or by floating the wafers off the mounting pad.

Abstract: A flap-type rotary abrasive device comprising an annular array of abrasive leaves having smooth opposite side edges, and a method of fabricating the same. More particularly, a plurality of leaves of flexible material, each leaf having abrasive particles bonded to at least one face thereof, is arranged in an annular array having a central bore. End caps are provided to seal the central bore. Each end cap forms a centrally disposed aperture, the apertures orienting and making sealing contact with a holding spindle. The end cap outer edges form annular passageways around each of the side edge portions of the array adjacent to the bore, the passageways being connected by a plurality of connecting channels to the central bore.

Abstract: A device for attachment to roof beams to deflect rain water running from those beams comprising a metal or plastic deflector attachable to the beam but opened from the beam forming a trough into which rain water will run and a deflector trough in communication with the deflector to carry the water to a proper drainage point.

Abstract: An industrial noise abatement enclosure having opposed walls includes an open framework and a series of elongated acoustical panels arranged side by side and removably mounted upon the top and sides of the framework. The framework has corner posts with right angularly related connectors at their top and bottom. A plurality of pairs of vertically spaced top and bottom tubes have their ends snugly telescoped over the connectors. Coplanar spaced upturned and downturned channels are respectively mounted upon the bottom and top tubes. The panels at their ends are loosely interlocked with the channels and extend between the corner posts. The roof panels span and rest upon the top tubes. The panels are individually liftable within the channels and removable therefrom for easy access to the interior of the enclosure. Each panel is in the form of a box with a perforated inner wall. The panel faces have side flanges which are interconnected by side strips.

Abstract: A housing unit having a pair or more of mobile or modular home parts of unequal lengths and connected together and supported or piers or a foundation. A garage is in longitudinal alignment with the shorter home part and has a member of load bearing walls supported on a concrete slab and erected adjacent to respective home parts. One entire side of the housing unit is free of doors, windows or other openings and this side can have one side boundary in or immediately adjacent to the lot line to maximize the size of the remainder of the lot for open or useable space, i.e. a garden courtyard or yard. Several embodiments of the housing unit are disclosed.This invention relates to improvements in the construction of housing, and more particularly, to a housing unit made from prefabricated mobile or modular housing sections.

Abstract: A space enclosing structure, the underlying shape of which is a portion of a polyhedron comprised of a regular arrangement of regular pentagons, equilateral triangles, right angled parallelograms and rhombi. The structure permits the use of square or rectangular standardized prefabricated square or rectangular building units, such as doors, windows, solar panels, etc., without any alteration of the basic shape of the structure, as such prefabricated units may be used to replace any of the square or rectangular faces of the polyhedron. Each face other than a right angled parallelogram is abutted on each side by a right angled parallelogram. Each right angled parallelogram is abutted on two opposite sides by rhombi and on the other two sides by a pentagon and a triangle.

Abstract: A method and means for anchoring a dismountable building by means of earth penetrating members. The building includes frame members which bear upon perimeter plates having ground piercing parts. Elongated ground anchors project through openings in the perimeter plates and are secured to the plates. A flexible sheet spans the ground on which the building is erected and is pierced by the elongated anchors and the ground piercing members of the perimeter plates.The method of anchoring the building entails the steps of spreading a sheet at a desired location, advancing auger type anchors into the ground through the sheet at points indicated on the sheet, placing on the sheet at positions indicated thereon perimeter plates with openings fitting over projecting portions of the anchors and with spike portions thereof piercing the sheet and penetrating the ground, and securing the perimeter plates to the anchors.

Abstract: Extruded plastic trunking to cover, conceal, and protect cables or conduits on the surfaces of building walls, comprising a base strip with a channel groove to accommodate the conduit or cable and an overlying resilient curved cover strip arranged to make a snap fit with the base, having sloping flanks which extend close to the wall. The cover strip may be transparent and provided with a lining strip of the same pattern and color as the wall surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting floor plates above substrate comprising a supporting rod threadedly engaged with an upper female screw threaded sleeve fitted in a hole provided at a corner of the floor plate and threadedly engaged with a lower female screw threaded sleeve fitted in a center hole of a cylindrical rubber-like elastic body disposed on the substrate, said supporting rod being provided at its upper end with a slot adapted to be engaged with a driving tool and the upper threads of said supporting rod being oppositely handed to the lower threads thereof.

Abstract: An assembly for securing a one-piece flexible pane within an opening defined by a frame is disclosed. The assembly includes parallel edge channel members which receive side boundary portions of the pane by compressively gripping the boundary portions between opposed base and arch portions of the channel members. End portions of the pane are secured on a roller and/or pane guide members having ribs which are received by resilient elongated base strips mounted on the frame.

Abstract: In the flaring hole of body containing prestressed cables provided for allowing deflection of a cable, the same passes through a stack of rigid circular members avoiding distortion of the cable cross-section when leaning against the flaring wall.The cable may be provided with an anchoring head abutting againt the body allowing dismantling of the cable by removing the fixing means of this body.

Abstract: The present invention describes and claims a device for joining panels comprising first and second panel receiving means. An extrusion moulded member forming part of said first and second panel receiving means having a flange, in use, engaging around an edge of a panel and having a first groove, one edge of which is inwardly turned to constitute a lip. An extrusion moulded gripping member having a groove which receives said lip. One edge of said gripping member being arranged to abut against the inside of the first groove. A second edge of said gripping member remote from said first edge being arranged, in use, to engage the panel whereby the panel is resiliently gripped between said second edge and said flange, a second panel being retained by said second panel receiving means.

Abstract: A plurality of pultruded panels of high strength metal and/or glass fiber reinforced polyester resin are interlocked and sealed at their mating edges to provide an integral wall or roof closure member for a building. The member may have various configurations to provide greater self-supporting rigidity and may constitute the outside of a composite wall employing a smooth inner sheet with a rigid foamed plastic material filling the space between.

Abstract: Metal-foil insulation formed of a multiplicity of substantially rectangular-shaped, air-enclosing metal foils disposed laterally adjacent and above one another and provided with spacers therebetween, the metal foils being packageable in thermally displaceable relationship into panels with connecting means for maintaining the foil in packaged condition, the panels, in turn being mutually alignable with sealable joints in a plurality of coordinate directions, includes bends formed in marginal zones of at least one side of an upper and a lower side of the metal foils in the respective panels, the bends having a shape and a shape elasticity such as to be deformable by a packaging force to a spacing between mutually adjacent metal foils determined by the spacers therebetween, the metal foils packaged into the respective panels being disposed with the bends thereof substantially linearly and sealingly engaging one another.

Abstract: A system of construction blocks preferably constructed from plastic having interlocking sides, tops and bottoms which can be assembled with or without adhesive rather than mortar and which are strong, inexpensive, hollow and lightweight.

Abstract: By forming a metal stake with a "W"-shaped cross-section and knurling the edges of the stake instead of notching them, a stake is provided with superior torsional strength and the ability to support securely wire of any size or combination of sizes at any desired height or spacing.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit causes a web of closure tape material to be withdrawn from a supply reel in steps equal to the width of each closure tape required for closing the folded-over flattened mouth end of a large sack. Each tape is severed from the leading web end by a knife and engaged by a suction bar which is swung together with two welding bars onto an inclined support for the folded-over mouth end.

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping a stack of cigarette packs in a carton blank includes means for severing a blank from a supply web fed to the apparatus in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stack, vacuum suction means for holding the severed blank and rotating it until its longitudinal axis is aligned with that of the stack, and slider means for pushing the stack off of its feed conveyor, against the blank, and into the opening of a mouthpiece, whereby the blank is U-wrapped around the stack.

Abstract: Slides 12 previously filled with cigarettes are inserted into opened rectangular sleeves 11 by introducing the slides and sleeves into respective radial pockets of adjacent coaxial turrets 19, 20 of equal diameter and rotating at the same speed, and then pushing the slides into the sleeves by cam controlled rams 23. The flattened sleeves are initially fed to the underside of turret 20 and lifted by rocker 16 against suction holders 22 of the turret pockets, whereafter they are opened or erected by an overfolding and release sequence during the rotation of the turret. The slides are brought in on a linear conveyor 15, elevated into pockets 61 of a radially armed transfer apparatus 13 by a lifter 83, and thereafter tangentially delivered into the pockets of turret 19 for engagement by the fixed and pivotal pocket side walls 24, 25. The insertion of the slides into the sleeves is facilitated by four pivotal and axially movable guides 52 provided at the entry corners of each sleeve.

Abstract: In a method of automatically packing articles produced in at least two machine units and filled by means of a cartoning machine into cartons or boxes the following steps are provided: the articles are piled up in the machine units to form stacks of articles, the stacks of articles are transferred to a conveyor means operating in cycles, conveyed to the cartoning machine and finally pushed into a carton or box transversely of the direction of transport.In a preferred installation for carrying out the method a stacking device forming stacks of articles and a transverse pusher are associated with each machine unit. The machine units are interconnected by a common compartmental conveyor moved in cycles and having compartments of the length of a stack of articles. At the end of the compartmental conveyor a cartoning machine is arranged with which another transverse pusher is coordinated so as to be aligned with the compartments of the compartmental conveyor at standstill.

Abstract: Two laterally spaced groups of cigarettes 11, 12 partially encased in tinfoil wrappers 27 are discharged from a chain conveyor 26 onto a reciprocating platform 33 by entraining members 24, 25. The groups are then discharged by pushers 42 onto a folding platform 32 until they strike a movable stop 75, at which position three of the four wrapper end flaps are folded and the two groups are laterally brought together. Thereafter the merged groups are fed into the open top or mouth of a packet 10 disposed in a pocket 14 of an indexable turret 15 by pushers 64, which simultaneously fold down the fourth wrapper flap.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed recloseable container is provided in which the closure is formed from a thermoplastic ring and an independent sheet-form member which is bonded to the ring and the upper end of the container such that when the closure is removed the sheet-form member will remain integral with the ring to provide a closure useful for reclosing the container. The method of forming such a sealed container is also provided.

Abstract: An automatic meat arranging device is adapted to send meat slices sequentially cut by an automatic meat cutting machine and regularly overlappingly arrange the meat slices on a meat tray which are sent by a meat slice conveying means and meat tray conveying means.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a microfilm-inserter machine adapted for simultaneous viewing of separate microfilm frames adjacent before and after a strip cutting device and for severing and thereafter insertion of cut-sections of microfilm into microfilm into microfilm jackets. Thereby, by use of the machine, a person is able to speedily cut the frame sections exactly where desired by virtue of the two separate and adjacent viewers in series along the path of travel of feed of the microfilm.

Abstract: An arrangement for the feeding of objects to and grouping them on a base.In order to simplify handling and transport of milk packages it is frequent to use transport packages in the form of trays or the like, onto which a number of milk packages are placed in close stacking. For this purpose automatic machinery is used, which machinery automatically loads the milk packages on a transport package placed in position for loading. In order to avoid interruptions when an empty transport package has to be substituted for a filled one this invention suggests an arrangement according to which the milk packages are first collected in close stacking on a pre-loading surface. Thereafter, when the new transport package has been brought in correct position adjacent to the pre-loading surface, the collected milk packages are transferred onto the transport package.

Abstract: The opposite sides of the bottom layer of a multi-layered stack of packages have recessed portions. In apparatus for fitting a shrunk-on foil hood over the stack, a conveyor is positioned at a working station. The conveyor can be raised and lowered. After the stack is positioned at the working station, the conveyor is lowered and sets of rollers at each end of the conveyor are moved horizontally inwardly above the conveyor into the recessed portions of the stack. With the rollers within the recessed portions, the conveyor is lowered further so that the rollers contact the downwardly facing surface of the recessed portion. The relative movement of the sets of rollers and the conveyor permit the rollers to press the foil hood into closely fitting contact with the recessed portions of the stack. While the foil hood is pressed into the recessed portions, cooling air can be directed toward the stack to facilitate the shrinking action.

Abstract: Aquatic harvesting apparatus for removing waterborne vegetation from the water includes a harvesting barge with a pick-up conveyor, converging booms or pontoons pivotally connected to the barge to form a pick-up throat and a pump on the barge connected to a suction head adjacent the pick-up conveyor and in the throat to accelerate water and weed flow onto the pick-up conveyor. Discharge nozzles connected to the pump and supported adjacent the ends of the booms also induce water flow toward the pick-up throat.

Abstract: A rotary mower shielding structure is provided for utilization in bedded row crops. The shielding structure is carried at the forward edge of the mower and has uniquely shaped openings compatibly spaced for row crops. The openings are designed to guide and support the row crop as it enters the cutting chamber of the mower to assure severing of the stalk near the crest of the bed. The shielding structure depends rearwardly and guides the stalk until contact with the blade, yet terminates forwardly of the blade to avoid interference when obstacles strike the shielding structure. Rigid material forms the structure to contain the severed stalks within the cutting chamber and assure thorough shredding.

Abstract: A rotary lawn mower comprises a chassis, a prime mover mounted on the chassis, and a rotating member operatively connected with the prime mover for rotation within the chassis and having a peripheral edge. A cutting blade is movably secured to the rotating member for movement between a retracted position in which the cutting blade is positioned inwardly of the peripheral edge and an extended position in which the cutting blade extends outwardly beyond the peripheral edge. A control mechanism is connected to the chassis and movable axially of the axis of rotation of the rotating member for moving the cutting blade between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A seed corn detasseling apparatus has a mounting base extending across the front of a wheeled vehicle, and three evenly spaced parallelogram linkages are vertically adjustable by separate hydraulic cylinders. A tool bar at the front of each linkage carries two laterally adjustable detasseling heads. Each head consists of a supporting frame the front of which forms an inverted V-shaped guide; and a forwardly and downwardly extending guide frame on the supporting frame cooperates with the inverted V-guide to guide upper leaves and tassels of corn plants between a pair of positively driven longitudinal rollers which are slightly spaced at the front and converge toward the rear. The rollers have short lands and grooves, with the grooves of one roller confronting the lands of the other roller. Tassels are pulled with practically no permanent damage to the upper leaves.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprises a chassis including a grass discharge outlet, and a grass collection bag having a main body portion in which two access openings are formed is removable attached to the chassis with one of the access openings connected to the grass discharge outlet. A first panel is attached to the other access opening and is movable between an open position which permits grass clippings accumulated in the bag to be removed or dumped through the access opening, and a closed position which blocks the access opening. Second and third panels are attached to the first panel and to the main body portion of the bag on opposite sides of the access opening and are foldable upon themselves in response to movement of the first panel toward its closed position for preventing the escape of grass clippings from the side edges of the opening when the first panel is in its closed position. A closure assembly is provided for securing the first panel in its closed, or sealed, position.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprises a housing enclosing a rotary cutting blade. The housing includes a continuous sidewall having therein a side grass discharge opening and a top wall extending from the sidewall and having therein a top grass discharge opening. A deflector is located on the housing adjacent to the side discharged opening and is operative for movement between an open position permitting the escape of grass clippings through the side discharge opening and a closed position blocking the escape of grass clippings through the side discharge opening. The deflector is biased toward the open position. A grass discharge chute is detachably attached on the housing in communication with the top discharge opening. The chute includes a tab member which engages the deflector and moves the deflector from its open position to its closed position against the action of the bias during attachment of the grass discharge chute on the housing.

Abstract: An agricultural baler of monocoque construction having a fore-and-aft extending bale case, and a first rigid member connected at one end to the bale case intermediate its ends and extending away therefrom in a transverse direction, the bale case and the rigid member forming a self-supporting structure adapted to support further components thereof. A second rigid member may be provided attached at one end to the bale case.

Abstract: A twisting element placed at the outlet of a high-speed rotor of a freed-fiber spinning device is constituted by a portion of turn of helical wire which is jammed against the internal surface of an elbowed tube. The portion of helical turn is located within the elbowed section of the tube and the tube is fixed on the thread delivery orifice of the spinning device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bundle of fibrous elements, at least some of which are uneven in the thickness in the axial direction thereof, namely some of which include thick portions having a larger sectional area and thin portion having a smaller sectional area. In these fibrous elements constituting the fibrous bundle, the thick portions have, in general, a higher dyeability than the thin portions, and in the fibrous bundle, these higher dyeability portions are formed substantially randomly at a distribution ratio of at least 300 portions per 10 cm of the length of the fibrous bundle. This fibrous bundle is characterized in that it apparently resembles a fibrous bundle composed of fibrous elements uniform in the thickness and dyeability. Also a process and apparatus for manufacturing such fibrous bundles are disclosed.

Abstract: Metal cord, for reinforcing articles of an elastomeric material, such as tires, conveyor belts and so on of the single strand type, in particular made up of a plurality of 3, 4 or 5 wires, wherein the said wires are twisted together loosely, so as to result as being spaced apart from each other but in such a way that the ratio between the diameter of the circumference circumscribing the swollen cord and the diameter of the circumference circumscribing the corresponding compact cord, is comprised between 1.06 and 1.20. A thus realized cord consents for an optimum penetration of the elastomeric filler material but at the same time a tensile behavior, and in particular an elongation in the field of low values of loads applied, which does not differ in any appreciable way from that of the corresponding compact cord.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a gas turbine engine permits alternate use of different fluid fuels such as gaseous or liquid fuels without intermixing until delivery of the fuel to the combustion chamber. The nozzle provides concentric fuel delivery passages and allows for differing rates of expansion between the two passages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimally controlling a gas turbine engine utilizes feedback signals each of which is a function of a plurality of output variables. Control signals are generated and transmitted to actuators which vary engine control variables to provide a desired level of engine performance. Signals representative of rated values of a plurality of engine output variables for the selected level of engine performance are generated and are compared with signals representative of actual values of the corresponding output variables to produce difference signals. One or more of the difference signals may also be integrated. The difference signals may also be weighted relative to each other as a function of ambient conditions and/or the selected level of engine performance. A plurality of the difference signals are then utilized to generate an individual feedback signal for each of the control variables. The feedback signals are tailored to modify the corresponding control variables.

Abstract: A liquid rocket propulsion system utilizing vehicle spin forces and/or propellant tank pressure to charge a specific amount of propellant through a differential area piston to create high chamber pressure.

Abstract: In order to minimize heat rejection of exhaust gases exiting the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, and thereby reduce the level of undesirable emission products in the engine exhaust, the engine cylinder head which contains a valved exhaust outlet passage and a coolant passage separated from said exhaust passage by a wall is provided with a solid thermal insulating element disposed in said coolant passage against said wall.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission, especially for a steer drive of a propulsion and steer drive transmission, having a variable displacement pump, a fixed displacement motor, and a pump displacement control, and including a low pressure fluid source supplying the charging and lubrication systems of the hydrostatic transmission and a high pressure source. The high pressure source, in a normal range of low hydrostatic power pressure values, provides control pressure regulated in proportion to high hydrostatic power pressure to meet the pressure requirements of the pump displacement control which increase with high hydrostatic power pressure. In an abnormal and lower range of low hydrostatic pressure values, the control pressure is regulated to decrease to zero as the low hydrostatic power pressure decreases to a minimum operating pressure value.

Abstract: A master cylinder which is mainly adapted for a motorcycle and which is shortened in axial length in comparison with conventional master cylinders by eliminating a secondary cup for easy mounting on a handle-bar without interference with meters on the handle-bar.

Abstract: A two-stroke cycle turbocharged internal combustion engine is provided with a dual core after-cooler and a dual function positively driven blower which at low engine loads is connected to provide necessary charging air to the engine air intake preferably through the inlet of the turbocharger compressor. During periods of high-load operation, when the turbocharger energy is alone sufficient to provide the engine inlet charge, the blower is reconnected to direct cooling air through the aftercooler system thus lowering the temperature of the inlet charge under high-load conditions. Numerous variations and modifications of the concept are disclosed.