Abstract: A self-watering planter having reduced evaporative losses is disclosed. The planter includes a water reservoir having at least one sealable opening for receiving water therein, a wick and mat assembly disposed atop the reservoir, and a plant container disposed atop the absorbent mat. A portion of the wick is immersed in water contained in the reservoir to transfer water to the absorbent mat. Openings formed in the base of the plant container allow moisture from the mat to be drawn into growing media disposed within the plant container. The plant container includes a downwardly extending rim formed as part of its base which completely covers and seals the absorbent mat when the plant container is seated atop the water reservoir to prevent evaporation of moisture from the mat directly to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A dual window assembly comprises an interior window unit adapted to be mounted within an opening in a building wall and an exterior window unit adapted to be mounted on the exterior of the opening. First and Second frames of the units have respective first and second mounting flanges which are interconnected by means of connector plates.

Abstract: An insulated multiple component single plane building structure portal closure embodying as components thereof a portal closure frame with glazing frame transversely disposed parallel tracks aligned the opposite sides thereof and adapted through use of glazing frame hardware in combination therewith to slidably receive therein one or more glazing frame sashes or panels in either a vertically or horizontally operable window or door assembly wherein the respective sash or panel members thereof are displaceable from a contiguous abutting single plane configuration within the portal closure frame track structure for parallelly slidable displaced movement for opening structure inward pivotal tilting, and removal therefrom or replacement thereto, wherein the entire portal closure frame and glazing frame structures incorporate complementary to the single plane secured closure configuration thereof transverse thermal barrier connectors intermediate the building structure interior and exterior exposure surfaces thereo

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for the continuous, automatic feed of at least one jaw of a steady for supporting a workpiece, for example a shaft or crank shaft with its axis in the desired position on grinding the workpiece outer face and is more specially with respect to a process in which a workpiece freely supported between two support units, as for example two centers, is acted upon by its own sagging force, the radial force of the tool, for example a grinding wheel, and other forces produced on machining the workpiece, which may be radial or tangential with respect to the axis. The disclosure is furthermore with respect to an apparatus for undertaking the process.

Abstract: A building structure and method of making the same are disclosed wherein an inflatable form is inflated and an insulation layer of urethane foam is applied to the undersurface of the form. Hanger members are secured to the foam layer by adhesively affixing planar base portions of the hangers to the foam layer whereafter additional foam is applied to embed the hanger bases. Reinforcing mesh is secured to and supported by the hangers followed by the application of one or more layers of a cementitious material which is allowed to cure. Air pressure beneath the form is progressively increased to maintain a substantially constant uplift force on the foam. The inflatable form may be removed after curing and a protective coating applied to the outer exposed surface of urethane foam to protect it from ultraviolet degradation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inserting a damp-proof course into an existing wall of a building which comprises the insertion of an elongate sealable bag or envelope and filling same with a quick-setting waterproof material.The invention further relates to sealable bags or envelopes suitable for use in the establishment of a damp-proof course.

Abstract: A closet structure is disclosed and is installed in a building having an alcove defined by first and second side walls and a back wall of said building. The closet is defined by wall units disposed on one of each of the side walls of the alcove with the back wall remaining exposed between the wall units. Each unit is in the form of a relatively rigid self-supporting panel formed with an array of openings for receiving article supporting elements engaged in said opening. Each panel is coupled to the relevant one of the side walls with the outer surface of the panels generally vertical and the inner surface spaced from the wall.

Abstract: A line of detachably connected skid frames is laid down at a first drilling position for supporting an oil well drilling rig having a base seated on the frames with some of them extending away from opposite ends of the base. After the well has been completed, the rig is skidded along the line of frames to one or more nearby drilling locations, but for movement to a more distant drilling location, some of the skid frames then are temporarily attached to the bottom of the base and disconnected from the rest of the frames. Then wheels are attached to the opposite ends of the base, which is raised along with the attached skid frames relative to the wheels to lift the rig. After towing the wheel-supported rig over the ground to a new drilling location, it is lowered until the skid frames attached to it rest on the ground again.

Abstract: Apparatus for fireproofing an underfloor access chamber of an electrical wiring distributing floor structure. The access chamber is formed between a cellular unit and a covering layer of concrete. The access chamber has at least one inlet opening communicating with a raceway presented by the cellular unit; and an outlet opening providing access to the chamber from the space above the concrete. An unobtrusive strip of fire-resistant material, disposed within the chamber, covers substantially entirely all of the bottom portion and obstructs the inlet opening. The strip shields the upper portion of the chamber from heat transfer by convection and by radiation. Slit means formed in the strip allows passage of wiring without significantly deteriorating obstruction of the inlet opening.

Abstract: An elongate formed and punched sheet metal cornerbead, for use on outside corners, adapted to be easily cut into individual wallboard corner clips, for use on inside corners.

Abstract: A plurality of especially configured cementitious blocks arranged in a modular array with at least one planar polyurethane foam panel cast and cured in situ within the blocks to fusingly bond the blocks together and provide the modular array with an integral coextensive uninterrupted thermally insulative barrier.

Abstract: A wall is formed of large, preformed structural slabs containing horizontally extending reinforcing members. The reinforcing members are made interlocking so that adjacent slabs in the same course are locked together horizontally. The slabs are placed in the wall vertically aligned, so that the reinforcing members and locking means (which extend outside the preformed concrete slabs) of slabs of successive courses can be welded together, giving a skeleton of steel which imparts great strength and earthquake resistance to the structure. Preferably, the structure is a silo and the slabs are arcuate.

Abstract: A metal stud, intended for use where the flanges on one side will be left exposed, having such exposed side flanges formed with an overlapped sheet metal portion, including an under flange and an over flange which are spaced apart to allow a cooling air flow therebetween, wherein the under flange includes means for providing a cooling flow of air or gases at the interface of the under flange and an adjacent gypsum board, which may be a rib in the under flange or a plurality of spaced apart holes in the under flange.

Abstract: A space frame formed from a first set of beams and joints in a first plane and a second set of beams and joints in a second plane, the joints in the two planes being interconnected by diagonal tubular struts. Each strut has two shafts at opposite ends which are received, respectively, in apertures in a joint in the first plane and a joint in the second plane. Each shaft has a fastening member coupled thereto for maintaining the shaft in the aperture. Each shaft extends along the longitudinal axis of the associated tubular strut.

Abstract: Cementitious material is applied to a mortar joint by the use of a center-wire axial brush. The brush is loaded with the material, placed in contact with the joint so that the longitudinal axis of the brush lies along the length of the mortar joint, and then drawn along the length of the joint thereby to apply the material along the joint in the form of a constant-width strip having sharply defined longitudinal edges.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a plurality of containers into packages which includes a drum assembly with a plurality of jaw stations each including stretching fingers and tab devices laterally outside of the stretching fingers for associating with a forming bar at the entry region of the drum, which combination efficiently and reliably deforms the outer band of a continuously fed carrier strip to properly mate with the laterally outer surfaces of the stretching jaws.

Abstract: The invention relates to convoluting a doubled, unknotted length of thread about a clip which is closed about the gathered mouth of a tubular wrapper such as a sausage casing to form a loop by which the sausage can be hung. The clip secures the loop to the casing and the weight of the sausage merely makes a tighter grip.

Abstract: Tubular bag material is threaded downwardly between spaced support members. A garment support assembly is inserted into the tubular bag material at a level below the support members and then moved upwardly between the support members and rests on the support members. A garment is hung from the hook at the lower end of a downwardly projecting support rod extending from the garment support assembly and the tubular bag material is pulled downwardly by an operator about the garment. A bag cutting and sealing means moves into contact with the tubular bag material about the support rod to form the upper end of the bag about the garment and to cut the formed bag away from the tubular bag material. The operator then pulls the formed bag away from the tubular bag material down onto the garment.

Abstract: A refuse storage apparatus comprising a hopper having an opening, a frame mounted under the hopper cooperating with the opening to form a recess for receiving a pliable bag, and a sealer located adjacent the top of the recess for sealing at least an upper portion of the pliable bag.

Abstract: A control leader for horses is adapted to mount onto a horse's head either solely or in conjunction with a standard horse halter. The control leader includes a brow member and a crown member which encircle the horse's ears and which are interconnected at a position immediately beneath the horse's ears on opposite sides of the horse's head, and a flexible leader member which is attached to the brow and the crown members beneath the horse's ear, which leader member hangs freely therefrom so as to have a looped portion in freely hanging, spaced-apart relation to the horse's throat. The crown member is substantially rigid in a direction normal to its longitudinal axis so that it has a substantially non-deformable cross-section. This crown member is preferably formed of wire or chain.

Abstract: A horsesaddle is described providing close contact between horse and rider. The saddle comprises a saddle tree having two narrow side bars of about oval cross-section having a major axis of from about 4.2 cm to 5.8 cm length and a minor axis of from about 0.5 cm to 0.8 cm length. Padding is provided corresponding to the area of the two side bars and the padding is located below the tree. The skirt of the saddle is cut out around the position of the rider's legs and the cut out areas are inserted with bulging soft leather. A dual position billet strap is attached to a piece of webbing attached with screws to the tree. A girth with elastically mounted buckles engages the billet.

Abstract: A vehicular forage harvester has a trailer wagon pivotally connected ther with a chute operating to deliver an agricultural crop cut by the forage harvester into the trailer wagon. The chute includes a flexible section which enables the discharge end of the chute to be maintained in a position to deposit the crop into the trailer wagon when the wagon is pivotally moved relative to the forage vehicle.

Abstract: A wear strip for a reciprocating cutterbar on a crop harvesting machine is disclosed wherein the wear strip projects upwardly and forwardly from the cutterbar support bar to a position above the rear edge of the knives. This wear strip operates to hold the rear edge of the knives downwardly against the support ridge on the knife guards. This wear strip is also operable to prevent severed crop material from passing between the knife guard and the support bar of the cutterbar and, therefore, being lost from the harvesting machine. The structural shape of the disclosed wear strip also helps retard the passage of severed crop material forwardly over the front of the cutterbar.

Abstract: A device for displacing crop lying on the ground such as a side-delivery rake or tedder, has a frame supporting a row of ground-driven rake wheels each of which is movable up and down with respect to the frame. The device can be coupled to a tractor by a fastening structure that includes a frame portion passed through a central hole in one rake wheel. The frame portion connects the beam carrying the rake wheels, to a drawbar of the frame portion. By passing the frame portion through the rake wheel, the fastening structure can be of minimal dimensions reducing the damaging effect of forces applied to the fastening structure during use of the device. The rake wheels are similar to one another except the wheel with a central hole. The hole is surrounded by a circular hub rotatably mounted on fixed rollers on a structure connected to the frame.

Abstract: Device for the semiautomatic doffing of spools on cops provided with mushroom-shaped upper ends on a spindle bench in spinning with immovable closed or open flyers, characterized in that the bench upper plate has arms articulated thereto about vertical axes; the arms performing alternate angular movements in the horizontal plane with predetermined amplitude; the free end of each arm being provided with an immovable and open grip capable of penetrating into the volume of revolution of the corresponding flyer at the arrest of the spindle and coacting with the corresponding mushroom-shaped upper end of the cop following its rise to a predetermined height; a level R fixed to each pin, a rod pivotally connected to said levers to supply an alternating angular movement to the levers and means to lower the cops until there is a complete withdrawal of the spindles from the cops and the arms are rotatable in the opposite direction with respect to the previous rotation into the flyer's volume of revolution so as to take

Abstract: Slub yarns are prepared by adding 10-50% by weight 0.25 to 1 in. long bicomponent acrylic fibers having a density of about 1.0 to 1.17 g/cm.sup.3 and an equilibrium crimp reversibility of at least about 20% with staple fibers during or before carding and processing to a slub containing spun yarn in a conventional manner.

Abstract: Hydrazine thruster 30 minimizes impulse bit degradation by making the hydrazine more reactive with the catalyst 66 by using higher temperature hydrazine and smaller catalyst grain, and also concentrates the injected hydrazine in smaller catalyst volume 66 so that heat released aids decomposition of a greater quantity of injected hydrazine.

Abstract: In a one way non-return valve comprising a cylindrical duct, a cone in said duct with its apex pointing in the direction of flow and provided with a plurality of apertures, and a membrane lying on the downstream surface of the cone and clamped at the outer circumference, the membrane having a central aperture, the improvement which comprises employing a cone having an apex angle of about 140.degree. to 160.degree., the membrane comprising a disk of elastomeric material having a central circular aperture which engages the hollow cone under bias. Advantageously the apertures in the cone are a series of concentrically disposed, round or long-oval apertures, the hollow cone has an apex angle of about 154.degree. and the total area of the apertures in the cone is about twice as great as the area of the aperture in the membrane.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a hydraulically driven vehicle comprising a pair of variable displacement pumps each driven by a common engine, a pair of variable displacement motors each connected with the respective variable displacement pumps in a closed loop circuit and driven thereby, a fixed displacement charge pump driven by the engine, and a pair of shuttle valves each connected in parallel with the respective closed loop circuits and has formed therein a neutral position and two offset positions wherein in the neutral positions of the shuttle valves both the closed loop circuits are connected with each other through the shuttle valves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for generating movement and energy on the basis of the flotation of bodies, being based on the use of a receptacle provided with a valve for intake and a valve for expulsion of a determined liquid, preferably water, there being situated in the interior of the receptacles a hollow body or a body filled with a material whose density is lower than that of the said liquid but with the special feature that the distance between the two lateral contours of the receptacle and the interior body referred to is minimal and this is for the purpose that the volume of liquid necessary to cause the floating of the said interior body is also minimal, therefore, depending on the variable volume of liquid circulating through the receptacle, thanks to the said intake and expulsion valves, the floating body effects an ascending-descending movement which, by means of conventional elements interposed, is used to transform the said alternating movement into a circular movement or into any

Abstract: A remote control actuating mechanism for adjusting the angular position of an outside vehicle rearview mirror. The mechanism comprises a master control device and a slave device, each having a piston reciprocable within a cylinder. Closed hydraulic circuits connect the two devices so that when the control piston is manually moved in one direction or the other, there is a corresponding movement of the slave piston. A rack and gear connection between the slave piston and the mirror causes the mirror to be angularly adjusted in response to movement of the slave piston.A reversible electric motor drives the master piston through an overload slip clutch assembly.

Abstract: A tandem master cylinder is disclosed having primary and secondary pistons which are freely movable apart, the pistons defining one wall of respective pressure chambers connected to primary and secondary braking circuits. The ratio of the effective areas of the piston are selected to lie in the range 0.2 to 0.8 resulting in the availability of the full effective area of the primary piston upon failure of the secondary system, with substantially decreased pedal travel over that required in prior systems where the pistons are freely movable apart but are of equal effective area.

Abstract: Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other hot water sources, which comprises direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and a hydrocarbon working fluid, e.g. n-butane, in a heat transfer column, the heat transfer column being operated at or above the critical pressure of the working fluid, and the hot brine or hot water feed being at a temperature at or above the critical temperature of the working fluid. The heated working fluid exiting the top of the heat transfer column is expanded through an expander to produce work. The discharge from the expander is cooled to condense working fluid which is separated in an accumulator, from condensed water vapor present in the working fluid, and the condensed working fluid is pressurized and fed back to the heat transfer column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating a steam turbine comprising at least one resuperheater arranged between a high pressure section and a low pressure section and in which a reference-actual valve comparison of the rotational speed is performed to produce an adjustment signal derived from the reference-value actual-value difference which is delivered to a regulation valve arrangement and wherein a delayed feedback signal is derived from only one vapor pressure high pressure side measuring pressure, between the inlet valves of the high pressure section and the inlet of the resuperheater, and which at least approximately decreases to null during steady-state operation; and said signal is coupled into the regulation circuit opposite to the adjustment signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal coupling assembly between the cold fin of a cryogenic cooler and a dewar enclosed detector for use at infrared and far infrared frequencies. The coupling provides excellent thermal coupling without solid or even liquid contact between the cold finger and the detector, so that no strain or vibration is transmitted therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for operating a series compression refrigeration system are disclosed. A by-pass for circuiting refrigerant around one compressor when the compressor is not operating is provided. Additionally, a quench conduit conducts liquid refrigerant from a common line to provide a liquid refrigerant quench of the gaseous refrigerant between compressors. A control device is provided for regulating the flow of liquid refrigerant through the quench conduit.

Abstract: An improvement in a recirculating refrigeration system which includes an "economizer" compressor. The economizer compressor is in a flash gas handling sub-system which receives flash gas from the primary system at a substantially higher input pressure than the primary compressor. As a result the load on the primary system compressor is reduced. The overall effect is a more efficient system, using less power.

Abstract: Means to induce a flow of air from the interior to the exterior of a block of porous material; comprising a chamber adapted to house said block and to be maintained during an operative cycle at an air pressure less than ambient air pressure; means to locate and to grip the block within said chamber; an injector needle assembly including an injector needle adapted to penetrate the said block after it has been located by the said gripping means; and means to move the injector needle into said block to allow air to flow through the said needles into and through the said porous block.

Abstract: An apparatus for freezing confection material includes a plurality of separate mold strips which are indexed in a closely spaced single file over several longitudinally spaced, transversely extending rows of nozzles. Coolant is forced upwardly from the nozzles in single vertical jets which impinge perpendicularly against the mold strips midway between adjacent mold cups. The mold cups are arranged with their wide side faces extending in their direction of travel, and the single jets of coolant impinge upon wall portions of the mold strips which extend transversely between such opposing wide side faces. The heat exchanger for refrigerating the coolant includes a vertically super-imposed array of heat exchanger tubes that is located directly under the mold cups so that the coolant will drip from the mold cups onto the heat exchanger tubes. The coolant then cascades from upper to lower heat exchanger tubes and is refrigerated by the time it trickles into a collection housing situated below the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A tube shell ice-maker has a false bottom compartment in which trapped refrigerant gas is present to prevent ice formation around the bottom during ice-making and from which during defrosting hot gaseous refrigerant flows upwardly into the refrigerant within the tubes, the liquid remaining within the tubes, whereby delay in initiating further ice-making is minimized.

Abstract: A system for heating or cooling articles conveyed in a vertical helical path is defined by an endless conveyor belt driven at its inner edge by contact with a rotating drum and a circulating heat exchange fluid propelled horizontally onto the articles by axial flow fans rotating in a vertical plane. The system features a novel arrangement employing scroll means for confining the circulating heat exchange fluid to a substantial portion of the helical path and location of fan means such that the heat exchange fluid is propelled in push-pull manner from the discharge side of one fan means to the intake or suction side of a second fan means. In the preferred embodiment directed to refrigeration of conveyed articles, more particularly foodstuffs to be frozen, the conveyor is located within an insulating housing. Further featured novelty includes location of the driving means for the rotating drum externally of the housing and directing of refrigerant, such as liquid CO.sub.

Abstract: Freezing gel containment structure is comprised of a plurality of adjacent tubes. The tubes are secured in adjacent edgewise relationship and each is separately filled with freezing gel. The tubes are tall and narrow and are sufficiently filled so that they have some cylindrical structural strength. The containment structure comprised of the plurality of tubes is strong enough to stand.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for use in air conditioner for automobiles. The refrigeration system has a pressure reducing device disposed between a condenser and an evaporator and adapted for permitting the refrigerant to make an adiabatic expansion therethrough. The pressure reducing device includes a flow restricting and resisting means such as an orifice and a flow resisting means disposed at the upstream side of the flow restricting and resisting means. The flow resisting means are adapted to impart a resistance to the flow of refrigerant and may be constituted by a capillary tube or a constant-pressure-differential valve. Because of the resistance imparted by the flow resisting means, the dryness factor of the refrigerant at the inlet to the flow restricting and resisting means is maintained between 0 and 0.1, so that the flow rate of the refrigerant is largely affected by the characteristic of the flow restricting and resisting means.

Abstract: A sliding block coupling has a coupling head which comprises devices for arranging an ingoing, driving, and an outgoing, driven, torque-transferring member which rotate together with the coupling head, and sliding blocks arranged in a cylindrical recess situated perpendicular to the rotation axis of the coupling head so as to, in cooperation with the coupling head, transfer torque from one of said members to the other. The devices for arranging one of the two torque-transferring members comprises structure arranged in the cylindrical recess in the coupling head, this structure transferring torque between the member in question and the sliding blocks, and being extended in the longitudinal direction of the recess and, at least in the proximity of both of its ends and on opposite sides of the same, being provided with projections or recesses on which or in which the sliding blocks are arranged between that structure and the wall in the cylindrical recess.

Abstract: An improved seal (10) for use in a universal joint (11) having an elastic seal ring (23) compressed between a pair of right circularly cylindrical sleeves (24,25). The seal ring is bonded to the sleeves. The sleeves are adapted to have press-fitted relationship with association portions of the universal joint, such as the journal trunnion (12) and the bearing retainer (14). In one form, the elongated extent of the sleeves is parallel to the axis (15) of the journal trunnion (12) and in a modified form, the sleeves (124,125) extend perpendicularly thereto. In each form, a portion of one of the sleeves is disposed adjacent the inner end of the needle bearings (22,122) so as to limit axial movement thereof. The sleeves are bonded to the seal ring so as to preclude sliding movement therebetween while yet permitting limited axial play in the universal joint thereby to provide long troublefree life of the seal.

Abstract: As the carriage of a flatbed knitting machine traverses the needle bed, a lse generator which comprises a toothed disc and two cycle signallers at its circumference produces pulses in synchronism with the carriage movement and corresponding to the needle cycle for electronic control of the machine. The toothed disc has a tooth pitch which corresponds in whole number multiples with the pitch of the needles in the bed. The pulse generator may be located on the machine frame or on the carriage. In the former case the carriage can have a pick-up which entrains a chain stretched on the machine frame with the toothed disc rotatable jointly with one of the sprocket wheels for the chain. In the latter case the toothed disc, carried by the carriage may be rotated by a coupled pinion which meshes with a rack stationary on the frame and co-extensive with the traverse of the carriage. In each case the pulse generator produces synchronized control pulses without direct scanning of the needles in the bed.

Abstract: A machine and process for washing paper stock pulp and other vacuum-filterable materials includes a wash drum mounted in a tank. Two endless filter belts are trained to pass around the wash drum and through wash liquid contained in the tank. A mat of pulp is formed between the two endless filter belts and carried on the wash drum and through the tank for washing therein. Wash liquor is pulled by vacuum through the pulp mat as it travels under the drum thereby washing the pulp mat. After the pulp has been washed it is removed from between the two belts.

Abstract: A jet device for depositing fluid drops upon a moving fluid receiving medium, such as a fabric web, includes a coating head defining a fluid receiving reservoir and including an orifice plate defining a row of orifices which communicate with the fluid receiving reservoir. Fluid is supplied to the reservoir under pressure such that the fluid flows through each of the orifices and emerges therefrom as a fluid filament. The fluid filaments are stimulated to break up into jet drop streams. A charging plate of electrically conductive material defining a charging slot for charging drops formed from the fluid filaments is mounted adjacent and aligned with the coating head means such that the fluid filaments extend into the charging slot of the charging plate and break up of each of the filaments occurs within the slot.

Abstract: A turntable rotatable about a vertical axis X supports a carriage slidable thereacross; two templates, with profiles respectively conforming to those of a pair of shoes whose uppers or vamps are to be roughened along a peripheral edge folded about an insole, are part of a stack which is mounted on the carriage and is releasably coupled with a shaft journaled in an overhanging, horizontally movable beam. The shaft carries a base frame of a shoe-supporting unit with heel and toe clamps for gripping a shoe whose vamp is to be roughened and which alignedly overlies the corresponding template; this template is contacted by a feeder which is carried on the free end of a horizontally swingable arm also supporting a rotary roughening brush whereby the latter follows the motion of the feeler during translatory shifts of the carriage and 180.degree. rotations of the turntable to work the entire peripheral vamp edge of the shoe.

Abstract: A locking device with a main body member having a threaded bore therein adapted for screwing onto the axle bolt of a bicycle, a securing member for shackling the main body member to an adjacent frame member of the bicycle, and a lock device for locking the securing member to the main body member. The main body member also includes an annular collar protruding axially therefrom in radially spaced concentric relation to the axis of the threaded bore for extending concentrically over the axle nut of the bicycle.