Abstract: A transportable floating bridge includes a bridge unit, a buoyant pontoon for supporting the bridge unit, a device carried by the pontoon for lifting and pivoting the bridge unit, a coupler for swingingly linking the bridge unit to a like pontoon supported bridge unit, and a coupling for rigidly coupling the bridge units together, whereby the floating bridge is easily formed from a plurality of bridge units regardless of whether the bridge units are located end-to-end or side-by-side after off-loading from their transport vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is an improved device for picking leaves, pine needles, and other debris from a lawn and bagging them for disposal. The device operates by the movement of a pair of wheels across the lawn, which in turn, by geared means, revolves a shaft carrying a plurality of rake-like tines or fingers. The rake-like members, on the revolving shaft, sweep and pick up leaves and other debris from a lawn and move them upward within the housing of the device. The rake-like members extend outwardly from the shaft and the ends pass through apertures in a drum. The drum is off-center in relation to the shaft of the rake-like members so that in the revolving of the mechanism the ends of the rake-like members move back and forth through the apertures in the drum. The leaves and other debris are moved and compacted into a disposal bag mounted to the upper side of the mechanism. The filled disposal bag is easily removed and replaced by an empty bag. Handle means are provided for manually pushing the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-purpose garbage disposal utensil for sweeping garbage into a garbage disposer, and for safely agitating garbage to speedup and unclog feed of garbage into a garbage disposer, and for plugging a sink drain hole above a garbage disposer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus for storing and dispensing liquid such as paint. The apparatus of the invention includes a receptacle having a reservoir for receiving and containing a substantial supply of liquid and a tray for receiving and holding a relatively thin layer of liquid. The reservoir and the tray are readily accessible to manual applicator tools such as paint rollers and pads through an opening at the top. External wall portions of the receptacle include a primary base generally parallel to the tray and serving to support the receptacle in a first operative position with the tray disposed horizontally above the primary base and above the level of the liquid in the reservoir. The receptacle also has an auxiliary base provided at least in part by external wall portions capable of supporting the receptacle securely in a second operative position in which a portion of the tray may be lowered below the level of the liquid in the reservoir.

Abstract: A hinge for the pivotable linking of a door leaf or lid to the carcass of a furniture piece having a door-related part attachable to the door leaf or lid and a supporting-wall-related part, which parts are pivotingly joined together in the manner of a four-joint hinge by two hinge links pivotingly attached to the door-related part on the one hand to the supporting-wall-related part on the other hand. The outer hinge link farther from the supporting wall is linked on the supporting wall side to a pivot piece pivotingly linked to the supporting wall-related part. The pivot piece is coupled operatively to the inner hinge link nearer the supporting wall such that the pivot axis of the outer hinge link on the supporting wall end has in the hinge-open position a minimum distance and the the hinge-closed position a maximum distance from the pivot axis of the inner hinge link at the supporting wall end thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in the method of processing bovine feet in which the feet are washed, scalded, dehoofed and depilated. After having dehoofed the feet and having removed the spurs therefrom, the boning operation or scraping operation is carried out, following which the flesh portion or the skins obtained separate from the bone portions are scalded and depilated. The invention also provides an installation for operating this method which can be automatized.

Abstract: A water outlet comprising a hollow handle with means at one end for connection to a conventional garden hose and a flanged water outlet at the other end comprising a plurality of downwardly directed axially aligned ports between opposed transversely extending flanges to selectively receive one of several accessories including a fish scaler comprising a baffle beneath the ports to divert the water laterally and about serrated edges on both sides of the baffle.

Abstract: A method of forming fiber mixtures from different kinds of fiber includes the step of removing the fiber in a plurality of passes from a plurality of stored fiber lots containing the different kinds of fiber. During each pass, fiber is removed from consecutive stored fiber lots in partial quantities that are small relative to the entire fiber quantities in the stored fiber lots. According to the method, prior to fiber removal in the first pass, the entire fiber quantity in each stored fiber lot is separately determined and from such entire fiber quantity there is determined, for each stored fiber lot, a partial quantity to be removed from each stored fiber lot during the first pass. Each partial quantity represents a proportion of the entire fiber quantity of the respective stored fiber lot. Thereafter, at least during the first pass, the determined partial quantity is removed from the respective stored fiber lot.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening textile fiber bales includes a bale opening arrangement adapted to travel parallel to the length of the apparatus along serially arranged fiber bales. The bale opening arrangement comprises a bale opening member having a plurality of opening elements for penetrating, in an opening zone, into the fiber material of the bales at an upper face thereof and a grate formed of parallel-spaced grate bars for engaging, in an operative position of the grate, the upper face of the bales. The opening elements of the opening member project in between adjoining grate bars in the opening zone. The grate bars, when viewed in their operative position, terminate in a free end in the opening zone.

Abstract: A carding plate comprising a base plate having a concave and cylindrically shaped supporting surface adapted to receive a thin metal plate, onto which a plurality of parallely arranged saw-tooth wire segments are fixed. The so formed sub-assembly is clampingly held on the supporting surface by clamping strips, which are designed to be screwed to the base plate such that they exert a pressure on opposite edges of the metal plate.

Abstract: A one-piece fastener has an upper end that is detachably secured to a first panel and a lower end that is secured to a second panel.The lower end includes a flange that is receivable in an aperture in the second panel and bears against the wall of the aperture to minimize rocking movement of the fastener relative to the second panel. A lower portion of the flange is tapered to facilitate alignment of the flange within the aperture in the second panel.

Abstract: A slide fastener comprising a pair of tapes and respective rows of slide-fastener elements individually secured to the tapes. The slide-fastener elements are each bent over an edge of the tape and welded together thermally or ultrasonically. The arms of the fastener elements are formed along their lateral surfaces or sides with grooves of increasing depth toward the respective tape and weft yarns, interwoven with the warp of the tape, are provided along the edge and are disposed in the grooves to provide torsional stability for the individual coupling elements.

Abstract: For clampingly holding a drill rod or the like, clamp apparatus that includes a mounting frame having spaced side members, a jaws holder having upwardly diverging end walls and bounding an opening for clamp jaws, longitudinally spaced jaw actuators that include piston cylinder combination having cylinders pivotally mounted on the jaw holder, and piston rods for moving jaw brackets upwardly and outwardly of one another, each bracket having an inclined leg extending into the jaw opening in slidable relationship with the adjacent end wall and into slots in the holder side walls, and side walls that have interleaving portions that maintain the brackets at substantially the same elevation relative one another while permitting the brackets moving longitudinally toward and away from one another, and a pin for releasably mounting each jaw to the respective bracket in abutting relationship to the adjacent bracket leg to move therewith, the jaws having semi-circular rod receiving recesses, the holder having oppositely

Abstract: A two-piece yarn bulking jet is automatically opened and closed for yarn stringup by means of a pneumatically operated piston connected to a rod which in turn passes through the jet body and is attached to the jet cover. The piston is powered by the same pressurized fluid supply used to supply the bulking fluid to the jet apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a monolithic capacitor adapted to be secured to a substrate by reflow soldering methods, characterized by the configuration of the capacitor causing the solder to form a compliant mechanical bond between the capacitor terminations and underlying substrate, whereby the likelihood of capacitor failure due to thermal or mechanical shock is greatly reduced. The invention further relates to a method of making a capacitor of the type described.

Abstract: Structure is provided for inwardly collapsing those portions of a needle jet defining at least the outlet end portion of the jet orifice extending therethrough and for providing the resultant smaller jet orifice with spiral grooves in its walls.

Abstract: A method for joining two plate type heat exchanger core sections, previously brazed individually in intimate heat conducting relationship. The surfaces of the two heat exchanger core sections to be joined are non-planar as a result of brazing. In the method, the two core sections are stacked with their non-planar surfaces to be joined facing toward each other with an interposed layer comprising deformable metallic members. The deformable metallic members are subjected to a shear force causing them to be displaced to conform to the non-planar surfaces, substantially increasing the area over which they are in contact with these surfaces and thereby substantially increasing the heat conduction between the core sections. Closing members are thereafter inserted around the perimeter of the intermodular layer and joined to the heat exchanger core sections with a gas metal arc welding bead.

Abstract: A fuel rod puller in the form of a collet for pulling fuel rods from a storage area into grids of a nuclear reactor fuel assembly. The rod puller moves longitudinally through the grids to a storage area where projections on the end of leaf springs grasp onto an end plug in a fuel rod. Drive apparatus then pulls the rod puller and connected fuel rod from the storage area into the fuel assembly grids. The rod puller includes an outer tube having leaf springs on one end thereof in one modification, mounted within the outer tube is a movable plunger which acts to urge the leaf springs outwardly to a position to permit passing or with the end of a end plug. Upon withdrawal of the plunger, the leaf springs move into a groove formed in the end of a fuel rod end plug, and the fuel rod subsequently is pulled into the fuel assembly grids.

Abstract: A method for the production of a composite hollow body formed of aluminum alloys and composed of two layers having differing structure. One layer of the hollow body is intended to operate in contact with a mobile surface and is produced by extruding a mixture of particles of a hypereutectic silicon alloy having fine grains and an addition product. The other layer is selected from among alloys having certain particular properties and has the structure of a cast and wrought product. The present method particularly consists of the step of joining the two layers by coextrusion on a mandrel in an inverse extrusion press. The composite hollow bodies so produced are used in the production of linings for internal combustion engines or for jacks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a liner from a formed metal closure by at least partially everting the closure so as to make the liner accessible for separation from the closure.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a solid gas and vacuum tight join between components of different physical properties using a joining element comprising a memory alloy whose memory effect gives rise to the necessary contraction or dilatation stress, in particular for the connection of a hollow body of ceramic material to a metallic object. Joins comprising a memory alloy joining element result from such process having a groove and steps and at least one further metallic or non-metallic component, in particular a hollow body.

Abstract: A method for connecting a sewer pipe to a larger pipe or manhole wherein the connection between the pipe and manhole opening is sealed by means of an elastomeric gasket or boot. A rigid ring is inserted within one end of an elastomeric boot, which has an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the opening in the manhole. The boot is inserted into the opening up to the enlarged end, a jacking device is inserted through the gasket, and a circular, stepped plate is connected to the end of the jacking device which has been inserted through the gasket so that it is positioned to engage the end of the gasket assembly having the ring inserted therein. The jacking device includes a spider element which is braced against the outer wall of the manhole, and the device is operated such that the plate is drawn toward the spider thereby pulling the gasket and ring into the opening wherein the gasket is compressed between the opening and the rigid ring so that a compressive water-tight seal is achieved.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a thin flexible grinding wheel to allow accurate cutting of kerfs therewith. A method of precision assembly of the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing semiconductor devices, comprising the steps of depositing a thin metallic film on an insulative film formed on a semiconductive substrate, and projecting said thin metallic film with ion beams bombarded from above to partially inject the metal atoms of said thin metallic film into said insulative film, thereby changing the inversion threshold voltage of the surface of said semiconductive substrate. By varying the amount of the projection ion beams and the thickness and kind of said thin metallic film, the inversion threshold voltage of said semiconductive substrate can be effectively controlled.

Abstract: Surface recombination current in GaAs devices is reduced by means of a semi-insulating, oxygen, iron or chromium doped monocrystalline layer of AlGaAs grown by MBE. The AlGaAs layer is grown on a GaAs body and is then masked. Diffusion of suitable impurities through a window in the mask converts the exposed portions of the AlGaAs layer to low resistivity and modifies the conductivity of the underlying zone of the GaAs body. The peripheral portions of the AlGaAs layer, however, remain semi-insulating and are effective to reduce the surface recombination velocity - diffusion length product by more than an order of magnitude.

Abstract: A complete stator of an electric motor is mounted into a cylindrical sheet metal housing by first mounting the stator between two facing concentric mandrels. The housing, the inner diameter of which is less than the outer diameter of the stator is heated and then mounted over the mandrels and stator. After cooling, the stator and the mandrels are secured in the housing by shrinkage tension. By a smooth rolling of the housing surfaces contacting the mandrels, the tension is released and the mandrels are withdrawn.

Abstract: An electric starting aid includes a tubular extension extending from a body, a central conductor rod supported by an insulating body in the extension. A spirally wound heating element is located in the end of the extension and has its adjacent turns insulated by a glass like substance. In making the aid electric current is passed through the element to soften the glass like substance and the end portion of the extension is then rolled to reduce its diameter.

Abstract: An assembly is provided which guards a curved portion of the guide bar tip of a chain saw in order to prevent kickback accidents. The guard assembly is attached on one side of the guide bar at a hole through the bar near the nose. It includes a plate which projects beyond the nose parallel with the plane of the guide bar. The plate has an internally threaded shaft projecting from it, allowing it to be bolted to the guide bar through the hole. A spacer between the plate and the guide bar holds the plate away from the cutting edge of the chain.

Abstract: An insulated gauge rod is disclosed which comprises a fiberglass rod secured to and extending between a pair of metal castings which are threadably mounted on the ends of metal rods which are secured to the spaced-apart railroad tracks. Each of the castings is provided with a cavity at one end thereof which receives one end of the fiberglass rod. The interior wall surface of the cavity is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart ridges defining frusto-conical shaped cavities therebetween. An epoxy material secures the fiberglass rod to the casting. The method of securing the fiberglass rod to the casting is also described.

Abstract: A gear testing machine tests toothing characteristics such as tooth profile, tooth pitch or tooth helix angle and records deviations between desired and actual values on a test piece (10) which may be a gear, a worm etc. A radial carriage (16) is mounted on radial guideways (14) and is displaceable by means of a radial drive comprising a servomotor (16a), a tachogenerator (16b) and a position transducer (16d). In addition, a tangential carriage (26) and an axial carriage (30) are controllably displaceable by respective drives analogous to the radial carriage drive. The various drives are further connected to position regulators. The desired/actual deviations can be determined from a signal of a sensor (34) and correction values of the corresponding position regulators.

Abstract: A sighting device completely devoid of any lenses for use in pistol target shooting has a one-piece elongated outer tube having at least one saddle integrally formed on the outer tube and located proximal to one of the ends of said main tube. The saddle has two holes in it passing through the saddle into the interior of the main tube which provide access into the interior of the main tube. The holes are placed on the saddle 90 degrees apart from each other. Located on the saddle over each of the holes is a turret member. A portion of each of the turret members passes through each of the holes into the interior of the main tube. Mounted within the interior of the main tube is at least one elongated inner tube. The inner tube is pivotally mounted within the main tube such that one of its ends is free to move within the interior of the main tube.

Abstract: Survey apparatus and method employs a free gyroscope for fast determination of azimuth, free gyroscope alignment being periodically corrected by a rate gyroscope which is periodically rotated for accurate azimuth determination. An accelerometer is also usable in conjunction with the gyroscopes for tilt determination. More generally, method and means is provided for calibrating (initially or periodically) an angle or position reference device.

Abstract: A hose water leveling instrument in which a thin hose is filled with liquid and has an end to which a fixable reference instrument is connected. Another end of this hose has connected to it a freely-movable reading instrument. The housing of the reference instrument has on its rear side, a mounting surface with adhesive characteristics. A contacting section next to this mounting surface has a measuring scale which is easily read from different directions. An automatically opening and closing venting valve prevents run out of this measuring liquid, and is located in the reference instrument which is permanently filled with measuring liquid. The venting valve is in the form of a plane-convex body located in a valve chamber.

Abstract: A rotating brush jar dryer is disclosed having the outer ends of the brush bristles heated by brushing across a heater element during operation. In bottling operations, prior to applying labels to the jars or bottles the outside surfaces of the jars must be dried. This is often accomplished using a cylindrical rotating brush whose bristles wipe across the surface of a series of jars as the jars are moved past the brush on a conveyor. In the present invention a heating element is positioned parallel to the rotating brush so that the bristles are heated as they brush across the heating element thereby increasing the drying effectiveness of the unit.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for supplying materials, useful for belt type continuous vacuum dryer, is provided which comprises an inner cylinder equipped with a material-supplying duct fixed onto one end thereof, a distributing chamber formed inside the cylinder and communicating with the duct and a plurality of distributing nozzles fixed thereto; an outer cylinder having the inner cylinder rotatably inserted thereinto and having a plurality of distributing nozzles provided at the opposed locations to the former distributing nozzles; a screw feeder provided in freely rotatable manner inside the distributing chamber; and a driving mechanism for rotating the outer cylinder.According to this apparatus, it is possible to supply materials on a moving belt, continuously and uniformly over the whole surface of the belt.

Abstract: A continuous sheet of paper fibers is fed to a rotatable drum, moved around the rotatable drum by the rotatable drum, and is fed from the rotatable drum at an area circumferentially spaced from the paper fiber feed-in area. The sheet is supported on the drum by a high percentage open area sheet support. The sheet support has channels for conducting hot gas from the inside of the drum against the inside surface of the sheet. The support also has means for conducting the hot gas along the inside surface of the sheet.

Abstract: A portable drying rack is provided which comprises frames of unitary construction for hanging articles and support members for supporting the rack in an upright position. The support members are pivotably attached to the frames to permit the drying rack to be collapsed for storage. The pivotable attachment between the frames and support members is accomplished by means also of unitary construction. The unitary construction employed throughout the present invention allows a light-weight drying rack to be formed utilizing inexpensive injection molded plastic. Additionally, because of the unitary construction, the number of components forming the rack is decreased over the prior art.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing athletic shoe having a foot-cushioning inner sole member to one face in which, and to at least a portion of the rim in which, is bonded an open-mesh web. The web includes elongated, interwoven stretch-resistant strands which are disposed at oblique angles relative to the shoe's long axis. These strands act as force-transmitters with respect to the sole member, and cause a localized foot-produced deformation in the member to be "distributed" to other regions in the member.

Abstract: A therapeutic shoe is disclosed wherein a sole member contains a plurality of differently sized air-tight compartments of differing compressibility so that the weight of the foot in the metatarsal and lateral regions compresses so as to form a supportive arch in the medial position. This therapeutic shoe provides supportive therapeutic aspects combined with cushioning aspects for comfort to the user. Suitable applications include the broad range of athletic uses including jogging shoes, and walking shoes as well.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved system of footwear which permits the wearer to customize the fit and aesthetics of her footwear. A substantially E shaped channel is provided along the length of, and inward of the perimeter of the sole of the assembly. The central arm of the E channel is provided with a series of lacing engagement members in the form of slots. Through selective choice and engagement of the lacings with slots, a myriad of styling and fit adjustments can be made by a wearer.

Abstract: An apparatus for digging post holes and erecting posts is disclosed. A post hole digging shovel (1) is provided with pivotably mounted gripping arms (6, 7) gripping around a post. Two recesses (12, 13) in the shovel form a seat for the post when gripped by said arms.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a firearm of a first caliber to fire cartridges of a second caliber. The regular bolt assembly of the firearm is removed and replaced with a conversion bolt assembly having a flat receiver plate which is bifurcated to provide a pair of flat rails. A bolt assembly is supported for movement along the rails, out of contact with the receiver of the firearm. The receiver plate of the conversion bolt assembly extends forwardly from a backplate which accurately locates the conversion assembly within the firearm, and the receiver plate is tilted to clear the conventional ejection port of the firearm. The conversion bolt assembly includes an automatic sear trip which enables full-automatic firing of second caliber cartridges on firearms that are so equipped, and also includes a weight for improved full-automatic operation. The disclosed embodiment is designed for use with an M-16 or AR-15 rifle.

Abstract: A firearm having interchangeable barrels and ammunition cylinders for changing the caliber of ammunition used therewith includes a plurality of ammunition cylinders and a plurality of barrels, each barrel being threadedly mountable on the firearm frame with each barrel including a longitudinal barrel extension for interfering with the mounting and revolution of the ammunition cylinders for ammunition having a larger caliber than that of the respective barrel, and the improvement therein includes alignment marks on the barrels and frame for alignment under the full threaded engagement of each barrel in the frame, a plurality of sight ribs with each sight rib corresponding to a different barrel, means for attaching each sight rib to its corresponding barrel at a predetermined location to enable each sight rib to its corresponding barrel at a predetermined location to enable each sight rib to be operatively oriented with the rear sight for aiming the firearm when each barrel is fully threadedly engaged in the fr

Abstract: Line from a conventional reel on a fly-rod proceeds to a line-guiding device, a line-tensioning device and then to a fixed, non-rotatable arbor onto which it is wound by hand. The line is free to uncoil from and axially leave said arbor during the forward cast. The line-guiding device, line-tensioning device and arbor are secured about the waist-line of a fly-fisherman so that the axis of said arbor is directed suitably forward and upward, with the line-guiding device and line-tensioning device being at suitable distances from the arbor.

Abstract: A composition useful for inhibiting adhesion and propagation of undesirable algae and/or shellfish on articles, which comprises triisobutyltin hydroxide, an arylsulfonic acid derivative and an organic solvent. The composition may further comprise a phenol substituted by an alkyl radical and a chlorine atom and/or a pyridazine derivative. A method of using the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A floating container, specially adapted to hold live bait, which is shaped like a small boat so that it can be pulled behind a fishing vessel without sinking. The container is transparent so that the bait carried therein can be seen and thus attract game fish in the surrounding water. The container is structured to provide proper aeration for the bait, yet allow access to it when needed. Closure doors are positioned to shut independently when the container is being towed.

Abstract: An animal trap comprises a base frame having an upper surface, a jaw member pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement from a cocked position to a sprung position, the jaw member having at least one horizontal bar extending transversely of the base. Spring apparatus yieldably urge the jaw member to the sprung position. A catch member is pivotally mounted on the frame also and includes a catch pawl for retentively engaging the bar of the jaw member to hold the bar in its cocked position. The catch member is pivotal away from retentive engagement with the bar to release the jaw member so that it can return to its original position. A trip member is also pivotally mounted on the base, and is engageable with the catch member to hold the catch member against the bar when the bar is in its locked position. The trip member is movable to release the catch member which in turn releases the bar and permits the jaw member to pivot to its sprung position.

Abstract: A dancing doll, with an articulated body, driven by speakers so that the dancing movements are generated by the beat and mood of the music. Movements may be generated directly from the speaker diaphragm or amplified through pivoted lever arms.

Abstract: A toy game bank which may be used an an amusement and educational apparatus for children, and a conversation piece for adults. The toy game bank includes a supporting base member which contains an interior chamber for coins, a vertical wall member which is mounted on the rear end of the supporting base member, a coin track member which is mounted on the top end of the wall member, and a funnel which is mounted on one end of the coin track member. A coin track system is formed from the bottom of the funnel and it extends through the coin track member and down across the front face of the wall member, and through a coin track block member on the supporting base member, and into the interior chamber of the supporting base member. A lever and hammer is mounted on one side of the supporting base member for propelling coins upwardly through a flight path so that they will land in the funnel and then roll through the coin track system down to the interior chamber in the supporting base member.

Abstract: A toy tethered for orbital movement and connected to one end of a cable coiled about a drum in a circular housing rotatable about one end of a hollow handle which contains a coiled torsional spring connected to said drum to yieldably resist uncoiling of said cable from said drum, the handle being held manually, and said toy having noise-generating mechanism operable as the toy is whirled about the handle through the air. One embodiment of toy comprises a toy aeroplane having a propeller supported at the front end of a shaft supported axially in the forward end of the fuselage of said aeroplane and the inner end of said shaft supporting a rotatable impeller operable against a diaphragm in said fuselage to produce a staccato-like noise resembling that of a motor.