Abstract: This invention relates to a method of bridge erection i.e., an arrangement for erecting a bridge girder. More particularly, it is concerned with an erection method, in which a bridge girder is smoothly extruded, together with a movable member, on a temporary support member which is disposed on an upper shoe until the girder reaches a position near the installation position, whereupon a coupling member for connecting the upper shoe with a sole plate which is pre-fixed to the girder, is attached to the sole plate, then in this condition the girder is again moved forward up to the installation position while pushing the end portion of the temporary support member on the upper shoe by the coupling member so as to displace the temporary support member and the movable member by the coupling member, whereby the bridge girder and the support structure are fixed in engagement with each other without the need to lift the bridge girder.

Abstract: A rocker-sliding bearing for bridges or similar structures and a method of lining the concave top side surface of a curved baseplate of a rocker-slider bearing wherein the rocker-slider bearing includes a flat top plate, an intermediate plate having a flat top side and a convex curved underside surface, a bedplate and a baseplate having a correspondingly concave curved top side surface in turn secured to the bedplate, the curved surface on the top of the baseplate including a lining of corrosion-resistant material and the curved surface of the intermediate plate including a lining with a low coefficient of friction relative to the highly corrosion-resistant material on the curved surface of the baseplate wherein the lining on the curved surface of the baseplate includes a preformed curved disc positioned on the baseplate and secured to the concave top side thereof.

Abstract: A simplified paint roller cleaning apparatus is provided wherein an existing paint roller spinner is utilized to insert a paint roller into a container of paint solvent where it is temporarily supported at the bottom against an idler roller. The idler roller spindle extends through a slot in the top of the container and a handle on the spindle permits the idler roller and spinner to be compressed together as the spinner is actuated, causing the rollers to rotate together to clean the paint roller. Then the solvent is poured out, the idler roller is tipped aside and the paint roller is dry-spun in the container to expel excess moisture.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus including, a frame containing an opening adapted to receive the vehicle to be washed, means for causing relative movement in a first direction between the frame and the vehicle, a pair of canted brushes rotatably disposed within the frame on opposite sides thereof, each of the brushes being pivoted about a vertical axis, the lower end of each of the brushes being spaced from the vertical pivot axis a distance less than that of the upper end of the brush, whereby the brushes rotate at an angle which is canted from the vertical axis, and means for biasing the opposing brushes toward each other whereby contact of the brushes with the vehicle is effected by the relative movement between the frame and vehicle against the bias.

Abstract: A street sweeping vehicle with a main broom driven by a hydraulic motor whose output shaft is axially aligned with and rigidly coupled to one end of the broom shaft. The motor housing is supported against rotation by an auxiliary housing that is also pivotally secured to the rearward end of an associated broom support arm such that the auxiliary housing is able to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the support arm, and such that the longitudinal axis of the support arm intersects the longitudinal axis of the broom shaft.

Abstract: A paint roller assembly includes three paint rollers mounted in a mutually parallel relation on a support frame. Two of the rollers are spaced from each other, and are positioned on the frame for rolling engagement with a surface to be coated with paint. A third roller is carried in rolling engagement with the other two rollers for preventing splatter of paint from the rollers, and for distributing paint between the rollers. A handle member is pivotally joined to the support frame by a friction clutch assembly for applying an adjustable frictional force to resist pivoting motion of the handle member.

Abstract: An outside mirror with a wiper is disclosed. The outside mirror includes a mirror drive motor and a wiper drive motor for a wiper. The wiper drive motor is mounted for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the mirror drive motor. The wiper is spring biased against the mirror to follow the movement thereof. As the mirror pivots about a vertical axis, a wiper guide urges the drive motor to pivot correspondingly so that the wiper follows the mirror surface. As the mirror pivots about a horizontal axis, the spring biased wiper follows the mirror to maintain the proper wiping contact with the mirror.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner which can alternately be used as a wet vacuum or a dry dust-free vacuum includes a suction head adapted to engage a surface to be vacuumed and a vacuum chamber which includes an inlet and outlet adapted to hold a quantity of liquid and solid material and liquid and other material entering the chamber through the inlet is prevented from entering the outlet. A partial vacuum is created in the chamber and a hose connecting the cleaning head and inlet creates suction in the head and transports material vacuumed from the surface to the chamber. A liquid nozzle with an outlet can be hooked up to spray liquid on the surface to be vacuumed near the suction head and liquid under pressure is supplied to the nozzle through a conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides surface maintenance equipment, such as for sweeping lawns, such equipment including a skirt structure for the debris pickup housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tube clamp, such as a weasand clamp, wherein there are means for locking the clamp in its closed position. The clamp comprises a quasi-tubular member having in its side wall a slot extending from one end of the clamp to the other, so that the clamp may be fitted to a flexible tube at a position between its opposite ends. Within the tubular member is a hinged flap adapted to press upon the flexible tube, and close it, when there is pressure to move the clamp rearwardly, the hinged flap being arranged to permit the clamp to be moved forwardly. Molded integrally with the clamp is a flexible strap having at about its free end a stud or bead which is engageable in a recess or opening provided in the outer wall of the clamp so as to thereby hold the clamp from inadvertent removal from the tube once it has been fitted in position.

Abstract: This relates to a machine for shirring tubular films such as those used for sausage casings and the like. In accordance with this disclosure, the films are continuously fed onto a mandrel where they are opened from their flat state and then are fed at a selected rate through a shirring head. The shirred casing is then gripped and advanced in a manner so as to control the density thereof and to impart a spin thereto as desired. The shirred casing, while being spun, is gripped by a pair of cooperating units and a leading portion of the shirred casing is separated at predetermined spacings into individual strands which are then fed along the mandrel individually and are compressed and doffed from the mandrel into a strand handler which then presents each strand to an end closer and thereafter deposits the closed strand on a receiving tray.

Abstract: Hides are pulled from animal carcasses in a slaughterhouse, and conveyed upwardly through a pneumatic conveyor conduit for further handling. The conduit tangentially enters a vacuum chamber which is connected to a vacuum source. The chamber has a lower discharge opening which is normally closed by a gate; however, when a hide arrives in the chamber from the conduit, the vacuum is reduced to enable the gate to open and release the hide through the discharge opening.

Abstract: A drive for a plurality of rotary components of a carding machine comprises a first gear connected to and driven by a motor, a second gear affixed to a shaft and connected slip-free to the first gear to rotate the shaft, a third gear affixed to the shaft, fourth and fifth gears connected to respective first and second rotary components of the carding machine and driven slip-free by the third gear, a sixth gear affixed to the shaft, seventh and eighth gears connected to respective third and fourth rotary components of the carding machine, an additional shaft connected to a fifth rotary component of the carding machine, a ninth gear affixed to the additional shaft; the sixth gear driving slip-free the seventh, eighth and ninth gears, a tenth gear affixed to the additional shaft; and an eleventh gear connected to a sixth rotary component of the carding machine and driven slip-free by the tenth gear.

Abstract: A hook, especially a safety load hook, with a hook body having a receiving opening for a chain link to be suspended therein. The hook body surrounds a fork head with a closure element that closes the receiving opening. The fork head is pivotally arranged on the hook body, and the closure element is held in a closure position at the free hook mouth end through the intervention of a blocking device.

Abstract: A three piece molded casket structure comprising a tub section, and head and foot lid sections. The tub section is structured so that plural tub sections can be nested one within another. The lid sections are structured so that plural lid sections can be nested one within another and, when inverted, stacked within the top tub section of a nested stack of tub sections. As many as five tub and two lid sections (enough for five complete caskets) may be stacked into a shipment package with sufficient space between the stacked tubs and lids to allow for storage of all components such as pillows, mattresses, and upholstering necessary to complete the five caskets. The stack of five is then no higher than the space now required and conventionally used to take a single casket to market. Each lid section also incorporates novel fasteners on the lid's inside face so that an upholstered interior can be easily attached to and detached from the lid.

Abstract: Device for the continuous relaxing of synthetic yarn, comprising a rotatable distributor carrying in a coordinated manner in torsional equilibrium and activated lengthwise several closed rotating rings, a relaxing oven having an outlet, the relaxing oven enclosing at least part of the rotating distributor, a fan at the outlet of the oven to invest the yarn by a current of air, fixed guides to guide coils of yarn on at least an initial tract of the closed rings, electrical resistance elements to heat gaseous fluid, a fan to force circulation of the gaseous fluid in said relaxing oven, a rack and pinion to adjust the vertical distance between centers of the closed rings, fixed guides to deform partially the coils unwinding and photoelectric cells to control the position of the reserve of yarn.

Abstract: A coil winding machine for winding a coil on a cylindrical core having peripheral slots such as the rotor core of an electric motor, particularly suitable for use in the coil winding on a core having small intersecting angle of a pair of the peripheral slots for receiving wires of the same coil. To the lower end of a rotary shaft having the flyer, attached are a former rotatable relatively to the rotary shaft and provided with a guide portion opposing to the end surface of the core, and a pair of winding frames positioned between the end surface of the core and the guide portion of the former. A pair of bending means are disposed to oppose to each other with the winding frames interposed therebetween. The bending means are movable toward and away from said winding frames and also in the up and down directions.

Abstract: Bearing components, such as cages, rings, retainers, washers, spacers and the like, are formed from flat stock strips in preference to the employment of known methods of blanking same from stock having a dimension as great or greater than the larger dimension of the end product.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is retrofitted by removing old heat exchange tubes. If there is no access passage into the shell, an access hole is cut in a wall of the shell. Modules preformed from zig-zag elements are introduced through the access passage and assembled into a tube support panel within the shell between adjacent support plates. The heat exchanger is retubed so as to support the new tubes by the existing support plates and by said panels.

Abstract: In a method for determining the machinability of a metal substrate for use in an electromechanical recording apparatus a surface of a foundation is coated with a layer of metal. The metal layer is machined such that the metalized surface of the foundation is substantially flat and smooth. After the machining step, the metal surface is inspected for depressions with a microscope using a differential interference contrast technique. The number of depressions observed is indicative of the machinability of the coated foundation.

Abstract: A two-stage method of expanding tubes into holes in tubesplates including walls of drums and headers especially in boilers using an elastomeric body which in a first stage is compressed axially in the tube and which expands radially to expand the tube beyond its elastic limit into close engagement with the hole wall. In a second stage a second elastomeric body of different dimensions is compressed axially to stress the tube and an annular zone of the tubeplate around the tube beyond their elastic limits. Problems of excessive extrusion of and damage to the elastomeric body where tolerances on tube or hole diameter produces excessive clearances are avoided even where high expansion forces are used.

Abstract: A sheath and sheath knife wherein the sheath is of rigid construction fabricated from a formed metallic liner and a leather covering.

Abstract: Apparatus for the disassembly of wooden pallets or the like is disclosed. Generally, a pallet comprises a nailed together wood structure having a plurality of parallel, spaced stringers and a plurality of slats nailed to the top and bottom faces of the stringers and extending generally transversely thereof. The apparatus of this invention comprises a frame, a table mounted on the frame for receiving a pallet to be disassembled, and a plurality of cutters, one for a respective stringer, for cutting the nails holding the slats to a respective stringer. The table with the pallet thereon is movable from a retracted position in which the pallet is clear of the nail cutters to an operative position. A pallet clamp is provided on the table for holding the pallet in position with its stringers extending parallel to the direction of movement of the table. The nail cutters are adjustably movable in transverse direction so that at least certain of the nail cutters may be aligned with respective stringers.

Abstract: Coplanar interdigitated gate and emitter contacts are accessible at the surface of a large area wafer forming a high power, high speed controlled rectifier. A pressure contact is made to the emitter contact which is raised above the level of the gate contact. The raised emitter contact is formed by a process using a novel stencil-masking technique. The process for making the raised emitter contact includes the deposition of a first aluminum layer over the full upper surface of the wafer. The aluminum is etched away from the junction between the emitter and gate layers on the upper surface of the wafer. A photoresist is then deposited over the exposed silicon between the emitter and gate metal layers and over the metallizing on the gate area. A second aluminum layer is then deposited over the full upper surface of the device including the photoresist and the exposed first layer over the emitter area and the two aluminum layers are sintered together.

Abstract: A photoflash device circuit board assembly including a dielectric substrate and at least one switching element and conductor die-stamped therein. To assure that the delicate switch is not severed by the die's cutting edge during die-stamping, a relief means (e.g., slot) is provided within the substrate so that a segment of the switch can be aligned therewith. As an alternative, it is taught to provide stepped portions within the die's cutting edge to align with preselected portions of the switch and thus prevent total severance thereof.

Abstract: A membrane switch of the type actuated by bending is manufactured from a blank of flexible sheet material. An appropriate pattern of conductors is silk-screened on first and second portions of the blank. Then an insulative spacing means is silk-screened onto the first and second portions in a symmetrical pattern. Adhesive is applied to the blank. Hinges are formed along the line of symmetry of the spacing means and the second portion of the blank is folded over the first portion along these hinges to complete the switch. The adhesive holds the folded switch together with the first portion of the blank forming the switch substrate and the second portion forming the membrane.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically inserting parallel leads of electronic components into openings in a printed circuit board having an improved lead holding and guiding assembly. The improved lead holding and guiding assembly is associated with the frame of the apparatus and includes a guiding member mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation which extends in the x-direction, i.e., in the direction of a line which is orthogonal to both of the parallel leads, and for longitudinal movement in the z-direction, i.e., in the direction which is perpendicular to the orthogonal plane which contains the orthogonally extending line. The holding and guiding assembly further includes a pair of holding members disposed at respective sides of the guiding members such that the side surfaces of the end portion of the guiding member and the respective inner side surfaces of the holding members constitute lead holding and guiding portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus intended for use in manufacturing candles of a type comprising an open container with candle wax composition, wick and wick holder. The invention is particularly related to wick advancing means and mating means in an apparatus for manufacturing such candles.

Abstract: A razor knife has an elongated housing formed of a front housing part and a rear housing part and having a longitudinally extending guide. The rear housing part is backwardly separable from the front housing part and carries a blade holder which has a seat for a razor blade and an actuator button exposed at a slot formed in the front housing part. This holder is displaceable by sliding of the actuator button from a back position with the blade wholly enclosed by the housing into a front position with a portion of the blade projecting forwardly from the housing. A tension spring inside the insert or back housing part continuously urges the holder into the back position. Interengaging formations on the operating button and the housing, however, allow the blade to be held in the outer position so long as a slight inward force is exerted on the slidable actuator button.

Abstract: A measuring system is disclosed for surveying and very accurately positioning objects with respect to a reference line. A principal use of this surveying system is for accurately aligning the electromagnets which direct a particle beam emitted from a particle accelerator. Prior art surveying systems require highly skilled surveyors. Prior art systems include, for example, optical surveying systems which are susceptible to operator reading errors, and celestial navigation-type surveying systems, with their inherent complexities. The present invention provides an automatic readout micrometer which can very accurately measure distances. The invention has a simplicity of operation which practically eliminates the possibilities of operator optical reading error, owning to the elimination of traditional optical alignments for making measurements. The invention has an extendable arm which carries a laser surveying target.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a length measuring instrument for having a housing, a scale, and a scanning unit that scans the scale includes a first mounting element for rigidly attaching one end section to the housing to a mounting surface, a flex element connected to the second end section of the housing, and a second mounting element for attaching the flex element, and thus the second end section of the housing to a mounting surface. The flex element is inelastic but flexible in the direction longitudinal with respect to the scale and serves to rigidly mount the instrument in directions transverse to the scale while allowing the housing to thermally expand or contract longitudinally.

Abstract: A calipering tool for use in a pipe and having a body and feeler means mounted with the body for engaging the surfaces of the pipe being calipered and with feelers moving in response to variations in the surface of the pipe, the improvement residing in mechanisms with the body for permitting the body of the calipering tool to be pumped in response to fluid pressure thereon into and out of the pipe for operation of the calipering tool.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and device for determining the location of a cutting tool with respect to the rotational axis of a spindle-mounted workpiece. A vacuum cup supporting a machinable sacrifical pin is secured to the workpiece at a location where the pin will project along and encompass the rotational axis of the workpiece. The pin is then machined into a cylinder. The position of the surface of the cutting tool contacting the machine cylinder is spaced from the rotational aixs of the workpiece a distance equal to the radius of the cylinder.

Abstract: A level mechanism, and a method of utilization thereof, are disclosed that provide for completely accurate angular placement of workpieces in operative association with the machine tool in a simple manner, even if the machine tool work surface is not itself level. A frame is provided having an elongated straight edge portion, a spirit level tube, a first annular member having first indicia formed thereon, and a second annular member having second indicia formed thereon. Actuators are associated with each of the annular members.

Abstract: A Yankee Dryer used in drying a web of paper or like materials in which all structural components are fabricated of weldments of steel plate and forgings and in which the outer shell is formed of a weldment of steel plates expanded to roundness and machined to final dimensions. All primary welds are subject to X-ray inspection. The dryer is of lighter weight than the usual cast iron Yankee Dryers, yet designed to withstand substantially higher steam pressure within the shell.

Abstract: Apparatus to supply steam to a paper sheet passing beneath it. The apparatus has a leading edge and a trailing edge relative to the sheet direction and comprises at least two headers, a first header being adjacent to the leading edge. There is a steam supply system means for the headers. A profiling chamber is formed between the headers and baffles which divides the profiling chamber into compartments. There is provision for a controlled supply of steam to each compartment. Outlets in the profiling chamber permit steam to be projected towards the sheet from the compartments. A further chamber is formed adjacent to the leading edge and steam can be supplied to the chamber. Outlets in the further chamber permit steam to be directed towards the sheet to form a steam curtain at the leading edge of the apparatus to prevent air being drawn under the apparatus by the sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluidized bed apparatus, comprising a vessel in which a foraminous tray separates a treatment chamber from an air chamber disposed underneath the same, and a hollow rotor which is adapted to be driven in rotation and is connected to a blower and has at least one blade, rotating in the vicinity of the foraminous tray and provided with a gas outlet opening, and which leaves free part of the surface area of the foraminous tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying fruits or other products comprises a drying unit and a connected cooling unit having conveyors therein for moving products to be dried from the cooling unit through the drying unit and then back to the cooling unit in a succession of cycles. Hot air from a heating unit is supplied to the end of the drying unit adjacent the cooling unit, and is directed through the drying unit away from the cooling unit for exhaust from the end of the drying unit remote from the cooling unit whereby, as the products being dried move through the drying unit away from the cooling unit they pass successively through air which is increasingly less hot and less dry and as said products thereafter move through the drying unit back toward the cooling unit they pass through air which is increasingly hotter and drier before reaching the cooling unit to start a new cycle.

Abstract: A rotary drum comprising a bearing ring loosely arranged on the drum shell and spacer plates arranged between the ring and the shell, a pair of elements for axially holding a spacer plate in position being provided at one end of each spacer plate, one retaining element being arranged on the drum shell and the other retaining element being arranged on the spacer plate. This construction enables the spacer plates to be readily replaced and the radial clearance to be changed without any need to loosen a retaining element fixed on the drum shell.

Abstract: A dryer for a continuously traveling web is formed by an enclosure through which the web travels, and which is formed by upper and lower chambers which are vertically separable. At least one chamber has a series of jet boxes which pneumatically hold the web against deflection. A manifold for the boxes on the side of the series facing away from the web is laterally spaced from a side wall of the chamber. A blower is horizontally offset from the manifold and is positioned between the manifold and the side wall and a conduit interconnects the blower and manifold. The offset position of the blower relative to the manifold causes the two components to overlap each other, permitting them to have adequate vertical dimensions while reducing the height they would otherwise require.

Abstract: The shoe bottom (FIG. 2) is made of a thermoplastic material and is profiled, in such a way that the upper surface thereof A shows, at its rear part, a depression A1 for the heel of the foot, that connects with the front of the shoe bottom by means of the curved lengths A2 and A3, to terminate with an ample area A4 for the sole of the foot. The lower surface B of the shoe bottom is correspondingly shaped and shows, at the rear part thereof, a flat notch B1 for the heel of the shoe and successively, an arch-shaped profile B.sub.2 and B.sub.3, the radiuses of curvature of which increase from the heel toward the sole. As a consequence, the thickness of the shoe bottom decreases gradually from the heel toward the toe. The lower surface of the shoe bottom shows, in front, a notch B.sub.4 to house an element resistant to wear, made of leather or of another appropriate material.

Abstract: An improved snowplow apparatus provided with articulated quadrilateral means permitting vertical movement of a snow clearing blade which is kept in a lowered position by a compressed gas accumulator communicating with one or two hydraulic cylinders connected between the snow clearing blade and a supporting frame therefor which is secured to a tractor. When the force exerted by said blade as it encounters an obstacle on a road exceeds the resistance of the accumulator, the pistons of the two cylinders are moved to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to a hydraulic ram for lifting the blade.

Abstract: The spoil line of a dredger is kept afloat by a series of spaced floatation elements in the form of tire carcasses, the beaded mouths of which have been spread until the distance between the edges of the mouths is greater than the radial distance from the surface defined by the mouths to the outermost surface of the carcass, the carcasses being filled with foamed plastic material. The floatation elements are strung on the spoil line whereby the spoil line passes through their centers.

Abstract: A flip-type album for protectively storing and displaying photos in an orderly sequence. The album has a pair of front and rear covers which are hinged together, the covers having a tray-like configuration such that when the front cover is superposed over the rear cover, it forms an enclosed box therewith. Each tray-like cover includes parallel side walls whose spacing substantially matches the width of the photos, a series of holes being formed at corresponding positions along the inner surfaces of these walls to define a set of bearings at each position. Supported by the bearing sets are flexible swing bars having a length greater than the width of the photos, the opposing ends of the bars being inserted in the bearing sets by first bowing the bars to shorten the distance between the ends.

Abstract: A device for causing a trolled bait to dive and thereafter to move horizontally from side to side in a rhythmic and pulsing fashion, comprising a thin generally non-flexible planar shape having a weight or a plurality of weights mounted thereon, the center of mass of the weight being positioned radially outward from the center of mass of the non-flexible planar shape and a fishing line affixing device attached at a point on the device, on a line extending from the center of mass of the planar shape through the apparent center of mass of the weights, the preferred position being at a point two thirds of the way from the center of mass of the planar shape to the center of mass of the weight, and a release device operative to cause the device cease its side to side motion upon retrieval of the trolled bait or upon the baits being struck by a fish.

Abstract: A disc of the type adapted for manual toss and glide having weighted members added to enhance flight characteristics is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the culture of algae in a liquid medium is disclosed. The medium circulates through an open trough and is exposed to an atmosphere which is temperature regulated. The nutrient content of the liquid medium is regulated to control the chemical composition growth and reproduction characteristics of the cultured algae. Before it is allowed to strike the medium, sunlight is passed through a filter to remove wavelengths which are not photosynthetically active. Heat energy can be recovered from the filter.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an endless nylon rope trained over two distally mounted sheaves which define paths spanning either side of the distally mounted sheaves and means for the continuous application of herbicide to the endless rope. The means for applying herbicide to the rope includes an immersion basin in which portions of the rope are continually pulled through a shallow level of herbicide. This is accomplished by training the endless rope onto a drive drum having at least one revolution of rope wherein the bottom of the drum is at a level below the level of the herbicide and an idler drum driven by the driven rope which again has at least one revolution or loop of wetted rope around it and which is submerged in the herbicide within the immersion basin.

Abstract: A planter formed of concrete or a similar settable material includes an upwardly extending wall having a laterally closed outer surface and an upwardly extending inner surface bounding a hollow space having an upwardly extending axis. Three equiangularly spaced projections are formed on the outer surface of the planter. The outer edge of each projection extends perpendicularly of the projection axis which extends radially outwardly from the axis of the hollow space. Between the projections, the outer surface is formed of concavely shaped circular arcs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a window latch, especially a latch for holding a slidable storm window sash in a perimeter frame assembly.