Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus, particularly adapted to clean carpet, is disclosed. A rotatably mounted brush extends in a transverse direction substantially parallel to the floor. The apparatus has front and back ends with a plurality of foam-producing nozzles mounted to the rear of the brush, the nozzles being positioned to spray foam into the brush, so that rotation of the brush causes the foam to be brushed into the floor. Vacuum means are also included which have a downwardly directed intake extending transversely across the apparatus, the intake being positioned forward of the brush so that rearward movement of the apparatus causes the vacuum means to remove foam and released dirt from the floor.

Abstract: A bucket into which ashes and dust from a wood stove or fireplace is shoveled by a vacuum cleaner so as to prevent it blowing into the atmosphere, the bucket including a removable cover having a connection to a vacuum cleaner hose, for transferring the dust and ash from the bucket to the vacuum cleaner, and the invention, in one design thereof including a shovel connected by another hose to the bucket so that shoveled dust and ash is pulled directly therefrom into the bucket.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning nozzle consists of only two parts, i.e. a flat surface nozzle and a brush nozzle, which alternatively can be brought into contact with a work surface. The flat surface nozzle is provided with a casing for introducing of a pipe piece for the attachment of the nozzle to a suction hose, and both nozzles are lockable to each other by a locking member which is inserted between the brush nozzle and the casing.

Abstract: A portable pneumatic cleaning device for removing particulate material from crevices and channels particularly between component parts of railroad switch mechanisms, is provided which has a heavy duty nozzle including a central port and a pair of outwardly divergent side ports having axes which are coplanar with the axis of the central port for discharging a pressurized stream of air in a generally fan-shaped pattern along a surface to be cleaned when the device is connected to a pressurized air source. The device has an elongated body portion and end portions formed at an angle therewith and parallel to one another, and includes a switch for controlling the flow of air therethrough, a runner to maintain the nozzle at a spaced distance from a surface to be cleaned, and a handle to facilitate manual use of the device.

Abstract: A floor care appliance or the like is provided with vibration isolating means for its motor-fan system which includes isolation at the agitator driving motor pulley which acts against belt tension.

Abstract: A wheel is rotatably journalled in a supporting fork which is swivable about a substantially vertical axis. A disc is freely mounted over the wheel in a manner to straddle the fork substantially concentric with the vertical axis. The disc is provided with a brake shoe, centrally of its lower surface, in opposition to the surface of the wheel and the disc is movable, by a lever, operated by a pedal or manual assembly, into contact with the wheel.

Abstract: A meat tenderizing machine formed of a pair of spaced parallel surfaces moving in the same direction but with one surface moving at a speed differing from the other with teeth extending from the surfaces for engagement with the meat during passage between the surfaces whereby the meat is stretched during passage between said surfaces.

Abstract: A display and burial system wherein a base has a lid member associated therewith which is movable between closed and open viewing positions. A two-part link holds the lid member in open viewing position with one link part pivotally connected to the lid member and the other link part being releasably connectable to a frame member of the base by entry into a slot or recess therein when the link is partially collapsed. An end of the second link part engages a pin within the recess and, thereafter, the lid member is moved to fully open position and the link parts move to a straight-line relation wherein the link is locked to the pin within the recess and the lid member is securely held in open viewing position. A reversal of steps enables disconnection of the link from the base with the link retaining its connection to the lid member and being collapsible to a storage position within the lid member.

Abstract: The invention deals with the manufacture of fully segmented sabots used in he launching of subcaliber projectiles. The prior method required the machining of individual sabot segments and fitting them on to the sub-projectile. The improvement involves the casting of the sabot segments with the shimmed sub-projectile pre-positioned in a mold.

Abstract: A capacitive force transducer, particularly suited for use as a microphone or as a phonograph needle pick-up cartridge, comprises a diaphragm electrode insulatively held to a lip portion of a recess in a second electrode, thereby forming a capacitive detector. The lip structure of the second electrode structure has a capacitive face region diverging from a virtual pivot region at the lip where the diaphragm is pivotably affixed to the recessed electrode. In this manner, the quiescent capacitance is defined predominantly by the capacitance near the lip, which is relatively small and defined and the change in capacitance for a given deflection of the diaphragm is relatively large, thereby improving the sensitivity of the transducer. In the case of a phonographic pick-up cartridge, the pick-up needle is coupled to the diaphragm so that vibrations induced in the needle produce corresponding vibrations of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A piston made of an aluminum alloy has at least one piston ring groove defined by two side walls and a bottom wall. At least one preferably both side walls of the piston ring groove(s) are formed or defined by a zone, which has been hardened by an energy beam remelting process. The remelted zone may comprise alloy elements other than or more concentrated than the alloy elements comprised in the other portion of the piston, said additional alloy elements being introduced into said zone in the course of the remelting process. Each piston ring groove side wall may be formed by an individual remelted zone, or both sidewalls of a piston ring groove may be formed by the same remelted zone. The additional alloy elements may be applied in the form of a layer or a wire to the location of the surface of the piston, where subsequently a remelted zone is formed by the energy beam. The energy beam is preferably an electron beam, however, ion and laser beams may also be used.

Abstract: Method for fabricating a filter or catalytic reactor for hot exhaust gases, which includes a filter bed made from a frangible material such as steel wool or the like. The latter is confined and formed into a quasi-rigid body by application of an initial outer hardenable surface of a rigidizing material. Thereafter the preformed bed in an unconfined state, is treated to provide it with a uniform coating to a desired thickness in anticipation of being fitted into an appropriately shaped casing.

Abstract: Method of making multi-port heat exchangers wherein tubular members made of metal that does not well lend itself to being extruded into a plurality of passageways may be divided into multiple passageways by dividers inserted thereinto and adhered thereto.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a drum brake shoe comprises the steps of providing a strip of material, forming a plurality of connected blanks with the strip, bending each blank to form an arcuate surface with adjoining sides, cutting one of the blanks by serving a connecting link and trimming the one blank to form a contour for the adjoining sides. Thereafter, a friction lining is attached to the arcuate surface.

Abstract: Stacked leaded hybrid substrates and associated carrier plates are exited from a reflow solder operation onto a vibrating table. Vibration of the table sequentially advances each stacked carrier and substrate until components on the latter contact an arm that is spaced above the table. Detection of the presence of a substrate and carrier adjacent the arm causes a plunger to move transversely across the table and into contact with an edge of the substrate. Further movement of the plunger pushes an edge of the carrier into contact with spring loaded pins in the table top. The shear force created on contiguous surfaces of the substrate and carrier by the plunger and pins causes the substrate to slide off of the carrier and over the pins. If this shear force exceeds a prescribed value, the pins rotate into the table top for passing a carrier and/or substrate without damaging the latter.

Abstract: The ends of two sections of lined pipe (e.g. polyurethane lined steel pipe), in which the lining terminates a definite distance from each pipe end, are butted together, with an internal concentric sleeve spanning the unlined pipe ends and defining an annular hollow casting space at the area to be joined. The butted ends are then welded together at the joint. Thereafter a curable liquid polymer (e.g., liquid polyurethane composition) is introduced into the casting space through an opening in the unlined section of the pipe, and cured to a solid state in situ. The opening is then plugged.

Abstract: A wire harness manufactured by a new method and a new apparatus is provided. A covered wire paid out from a selected one of reels is extended in a predetermined lay-out and fixed. The thus fixed wire is cut-off from the reel. Then, another wire is paid out from another reel for arranging it in a juxtaposing relation to the previously laid-out wire and cut off from the reel. After repeating the above steps, the arranged wires are tied up to form a wire harness. There is also provided a device which puts the above method into practice, thereby reducing complicated assorting work involved in the manufacture of a wire harness. A method and a device for automatically uncovering end portions of each wire of the wire harness and attaching terminals thereto are also provided to greatly increasing the productivity.

Abstract: In a method of making a CCD imager on a semiconductor wafer, it is usual to have the imagers spaced from the outer periphery of the wafer. The method includes a sequence of steps including masking the appropriate surface of the wafer, defining openings in the mask and forming doped regions in the wafer through the opening. In accordance with this invention, the region of the semiconductor wafer adjacent the outer periphery is not doped during any doping steps. It has been found that with this method, dislocations do not nucleate and propagate into the area of the wafer where the CCD imagers are to be formed and that white spots and lines in the visual image formed from the imager are significantly reduced.

Abstract: An n-type region of a semiconductor body, such as a surface region of a bulk wafer or an epitaxial layer region grown on a wafer (12), is successfully submitted to a capacitance-voltage test using a mercury probe (11) after being subjected to a pretreatment. The pretreatment includes forming a thin oxide layer, preferably in the order of 10 to 20 Angstrom units thick, on the surface of the wafer (12), and pulsing the mercury into contact with the pretreated surface while a reverse bias voltage is applied between the mercury and the region. If a resulting reverse leakage current exceeds a desired current threshold value, the pulsing of the mercury into contact with the surface of the water (12) is repeated until a rectifying contact having a sufficiently low reverse leakage current through the mercury-to-semiconductor interface has been established.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor laser device to be used for an optical communication system. A semiconductor laser device, with a heat sink comprising a diamond, is arranged on a heat radiation stud, which also serves as part of a vessel for hermetically sealing the semiconductor laser element. The semiconductor laser element is bonded to the heat sink, using a gold alloy layer previously formed on the surface of the heat sink. The semiconductor laser element is mounted on the gold alloy layer, with the heat sink heated to a temperature lower than the eutectic point temperature of the gold alloy layer. Then, the semiconductor laser element and the heat sink in contact with it are heated up to a temperature higher than the eutectic point temperature of the gold alloy layer. The elements are then cooled, thereby the semiconductor laser element is bonded to the heat sink. Thus, the operating life characteristics of a semiconductor laser device are improved by this method of manufacturing.

Abstract: A tool for use by an operator in the field in attaching and securing a bushing assembly within an electrical connector and subsequently connecting or disconnecting the electrical connector and a terminal of an electrical apparatus to establish a connection from a remote location through the use of an insulated implement, such as a hot-stick. The tool includes an operating member with a wrenching configuration for engaging a complementary wrenching arrangement in the bushing assembly, a wrenching portion for direct wrenching of the operating member and a torque responsive device through which the insulated implement is coupled to the operating member to enable rotation of the insulated implement relative to the operating member upon exceeding a predetermined torque indicative of the appropriate seating of the electrical connector upon the terminal so that such relative rotation serves as an indication to the operator that the connection is complete.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting solder sticking between circuit elements of a partially uncured rubber-modified epoxy printed circuit board comprises exposing the board containing the circuit pattern thereon to UV radiation prior to the application of solder thereto.

Abstract: A method of fitting an electrical connector housing to an electrical contact comprises feeding a chain of connector housings linked end to end in the direction of their length towards a fitting station and, at said fitting station, effecting relative lengthwise movement between the leading housing of the chain and a contact in such a direction as to cause the leading housing to be fitted on to the contact.

Abstract: A device for opening sealed bags containing foods of various types. A lever is pivoted to one end of a base plate and carries a serrated cutter wheel which is mounted for free rotation. The base plate has a recess which receives the cutting edge of the cutter wheel when the lever is pressed toward the base plate to a cutting position. The bag is inserted between the lever and base plate and is pulled through the device such that the peripheral teeth of the cutter wheel cut or perforate the bag.

Abstract: A garden trimmer has a housing containing a motor whose output is rotatable about a motor axis and is connected to a cutter line which lies in a plane perpendicular to this axis when the output is rotated. A handle shaft extends at an acute angle to the motor axis from the housing and has an outer end provided with a Y-shaped handle having a central Y-leg fixed concentrically on the outer shaft end and a pair of Y-arms, with the legs and arms generally angularly equispaced at about 120.degree.. The handle is formed on the leg adjacent the intersection of the arms and legs with a throughgoing window in which is exposed the actuation button of an on-off switch for the motor. Thus either Y-arm of the handle can be grasped by either hand of the user, with the respective pointing or index finger engaged through the window to operate the switch, so that the tool can comfortably be used with the cutter-line plane either vertical or horizontal.

Abstract: The invention disclosed concerns a method of selecting a standard glove size. The method includes the steps of selecting a pair of two dimensional measurements which are correlated to hand volume, dividing a population of hand volumes into a predetermined number of approximately equally populated subgroup ranges, plotting two dimensional chart areas for each subgroup based upon intersections of the selected two dimensional measurements with reference to a predetermined point on the chart, and assigning one of the standard sizes to each chart area. The method further includes the steps of placing a hand on the predetermined point and plotting the intersection of the pair of two dimensional measurements for the hand to select the proper standard glove size. The chart can include areas for both left and right hands and the predetermined point can abut the web space between the middle and index fingers on the hand.

Abstract: A probe for use in measuring apparatus has a base member including a two-dimensional seat for an intermediate member which, in turn, includes a two-dimensional seat for a stylus holder. The two seats face in opposite directions so that the stylus holder can be displaced from the seated position in either of two opposite directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for relative positioning of two objects, which comprises a means with a ball provided a spherical bearing surface between two objects and a means with a cylindrical bar providing a cylindrical bearing surface between the two objects and a means with a truncated ball providing a planar bearing surface between the two objects. This device applies for example to the accurate positioning of measuring assemblies which must be frequently removed and repositioned in automatic checking machines.

Abstract: This invention relates to a perspective drawing machine and more particularly, to a machine which will keep track of a chosen vanishing point. Two machines are disclosed; one, a mechanical machine works to .+-.22.5 degrees with an error of .+-.4.7%. The second is an electronic machine that corrects for the above error and can have a much wider range. Both machines convert instantly from the left hand vanishing point to the right hand vanishing point and then to a standard drafting machine when required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the dry cooling of coke is disclosed wherein a cooling gas is routed through a coke charge by means of a distributor or manifold disposed in the bottom of a vertical cooling chamber. The gas passing upwardly through the coke charge is heated by the hot coke. A temperature sensor is provided in the discharge line for the heated gas from the coke cooling chamber, and the distribution and flow rate of the cooling gas introduced at the bottom of the chamber is controlled thereby to maintain a predetermined temperature of the discharged gas. A further embodiment includes multiple gas discharge lines located at different levels of the coke charge. Since the temperature of the gas discharged varies with the level from which the gas is withdrawn, controlled combination of the various discharge flows provides an additional means for producing and maintaining the predetermined temperature of the combined gas discharge.

Abstract: A compact and lightweight rotary heat exchanger for transferring heat from a hot gas flow to a cold gas flow has a low mass matrix in the form of a wheel. The matrix is rotated at high speed into continuous consecutive contact with the respective hot and cold flows. A fixed splitter runs along a diameter of the inner circumference of the matrix in order to segregate the flows as they pass radially across the matrix. In combination with a domestic clothes dryer, the matrix is rotated directly on the drive shaft for the dryer's blower. The matrix wheel rotates between heated dryer exhaust air and incoming room air to preheat the dryer intake air.

Abstract: A spring device for a shoe such as a skate shoe having a sole plate provided with threaded bolts for mounting wheels which includes a unitary strip of spring metal having upper and lower portions arranged in vertically spaced, parallel relationship and having a length corresponding generally to the distance between the toe and heel of the shoe, the upper and lower portions being interconnected by a rearwardly and downwardly inclined intermediate portion with apertures in the upper portion for accommodating the bolts so that with the use of nuts the upper portion may be detachably mounted on the sole plate thereby providing a spring action for movement on the ground by the wearer of the shoes.

Abstract: A sport shoe (1,30,50) is described provided with a cuff means (3,52) and means (17,57,58,70,71) responsive to forward lean coupled to said cuff means (3,52) for tightening said cuff means (3,52) about a leg enclosed thereby. In one embodiment the tightening means (17) is coupled to a cuff-mounted buckle means (10,31) for pulling cuff flap means (4,5) together with forward lean of the cuff means (5). In another embodiment a tongue member (53), in cooperation with the tightening means (57,58,70,71) pulls the cuff means (55,56) together with forward lean. In all of the embodiments forward and rearward lean dynamically adjust the fit of the cuff means (3,52) with respect to a leg enclosed thereby.

Abstract: This invention comprises an adapter for connection with a backhoe bucket, and includes a blade member having an inclined plate secured thereto to form a wedge into which the teeth of the bucket may insert, while ratchet and turnbuckle combinations connect with the adapter, extend upwardly along either side of the bucket, and are secured by means of a cross bar, or other clamping means, to the upper back side of the bucket, and when tightened assure the firm retention of the adapter upon the backhoe as during its use for tamping, slicing, grading, or other work upon the soil.

Abstract: Removable bucket wheel teeth are provided with a rectangular-in-cross section shank portion and forwardly sloped shoulder areas for insertion into a complementarily-configured socket in a bucket lip. The resulting assembly is much more rigid and wears better than prior art tooth and lip configurations and tends to fracture preferentially when overstressed.

Abstract: An improved, highly utilitarian bucket is described. The bucket incorporates two traversely spaced side walls connected by a backwall plate so as to form a generally scoop-shaped enclosure. The leading edge of the backwall is provided with a one-piece cutting-edge plate disposed between the side walls and formed with a plurality of tangs along its leading edge. The tangs are adapted to removably carry a plurality of generally flat tooth-plates. Each tooth-plate defines two oppositely disposed beveled edges. Because of the symmetric nature of the tooth-plates, they may be reversed to extend, if not double their useful life. Several embodiments of the tooth-plates are described. In addition, the bucket is particularly adaptable to serve as a mount for a easily connected back-fill blade.

Abstract: A hand operated snow thrower has an impeller with blade mounts that allow the blades to be easily removed, yet effectively retained with the blade mount. The impeller includes a rigid rotor that is rotatably driven by the snow thrower. The rotor has three blade mounts, each blade mount having a blade supporting surface. The blade supporting surface has an inner edge and an outer edge. A retainer extends over the inner edge of the supporting surface to define a channel. A slot extends from the supporting surface rearwardly into the rotor. The flexible blade that is mounted to the impeller has a flange that is received within the slot. The blade has an inner edge that is received within the channel.

Abstract: A substantially wrinkle free ironing pad of convenient dimension that can be folded without creasing and carried with luggage and can be placed on a support surface for ironing without either need for an ironing board or risk of harmful effect of heat or moisture on the said surface comprises a central layer of a heat resistant foamed polymer, a layer irreversibly adhered thereon of a highly heat reflective metallized, preferably aluminized, polyester, polyethylene, or nylon film laminate, and a cover of either cotton, a cotton blend, or a synthetic cloth coated with a heat-resistant resin to improve iron glide and scorch resistance.

Abstract: An improved firearms magazine latch mechanism having novel shape permitting the removal of a magazine without the need to manually operate a fingerpiece, but by merely grasping the magazine and pulling downwardly causes the latch mechanism to release the magazine.

Abstract: A mousetrap in which the spring-loaded trapping bail is held in the set position by a dog disposed on a tab resiliently hinged to the frame of the trap. A trip lever causes the tab to be moved away from the bail when the bait is touched, so that the dog releases the bail, which then moves under the action of a coil spring to trap the animal.

Abstract: A trap for catching and destroying small flying gnats consists of two main components, namely, top and bottom transparent chambers. The top chamber is removably mounted in a spaced relationship on the bottom chamber. The bottom wall of the top chamber is formed with a large central opening defined by an externally threaded cylindrical sleeve which is engaged within a complementary-shaped internally threaded cylindrical sleeve which surrounds a large central opening formed in the top wall of the bottom chamber. A plurality of small holes are formed in the bottom wall of the top chamber and are spaced about the large central opening. A fermenting liquid which is attractive to gnats is contained in the bottom chamber. The odor of the liquid escapes through the small holes and attracts the gnats which fly into the top chamber through the small holes where they become trapped and subsequently die and fall into the liquid in the bottom chamber.

Abstract: A toy assembly line for toy motor vehicles comprises a base having an elongated assembly line for movement of the vehicles during assembly at a plurality of spaced apart assembly stations along the line. A mechanism is provided for moving the vehicles in partially completed condition between the assembly line stations along the line and an initial assembly station at one end of the line includes a mechanism for positioning a chassis of the vehicle ready for movement along the line towards the next station.

Abstract: A greenhouse includes a cage-like supporting structure in which an endless circulating belt is guided about upper and lower deflection pulleys and adapted for accommodating developing organisms. In order to be able to set it up easily and without foundation work by avoiding as much dead volume as possible, the deflection pulleys are arranged on longitudinal carriers that extend over the total length of the greenhouse and are movably supported on the supporting structure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for decorating by selective etching of a sheet of glass or other etchable workpiece with a stream of high velocity abrasive particles that strike against a surface portion to be etched. The workpiece is supported on a stand over an opening through which abrasive particles are propelled against the workpiece. A hopper located below the opening and spaced therefrom contains a quantity of the abrasive particles and a gaseous stream is directed upwardly from the bottom of the hopper toward the opening to carry abrasive particles at relatively high velocity toward the opening. A filter is interposed in a space between the top of the hopper and the top of the stand, and is adapted to permit the passage of gas while filtering out abrasive particles entrained in the gas.

Abstract: A room dividing partition includes a plurality of upright utility modules with at least one module being movable to selectively close a span or an opening, thereby separating an area into two smaller units. The movable module comprises an upright rigid structure having a utility depth for storage or other purposes and a plurality of friction reducing rollers which engage one or more tracks positioned along the floor. In order to stabilize the module and prevent tipping, a guide rail extends between side walls of the area across the opening. A rail engaging gaff projects from the movable module with the gaff being movable along the rail when the module is moved. The module may include various storage devices such as shelves, cabinetry and self-contained furniture articles such as table or desk tops.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable wood flooring highly resistant to deterioration because of variations in environmental humidity and temperature employs individual wood fillets separated by a highly compressible synthetic foam spacer. Because the foam spacer accommodates large fillet dimensional changes, the fillets may be wider than previously used or made of less inherently dimensionally stable woods.

Abstract: A method for constructing a flush uniform wall lathing by providing wallboard fixings at given intervals for adjusting and levelling the wallboard fixing surface of the fixings with a screw, and attaching the wallboard to the wallboard fixings whereby, a lathing having a uniform surface can be easily and efficiently constructed. This method also includes forming a continuous space between a wall and wallboard suitable for injecting and filling insulating material such as foaming plastics or the like.

Abstract: A crack (12) in a concrete, cement or masonry wall (10) is repaired by injecting a fluid, liquid latex (14) into the crack (12). The exposed surface of the crack (12) is covered with a liquid, impermeable barrier (20) and then the fluid, low-viscosity, liquid latex (14) is injected through the barrier (20) into the crack (12). The liquid latex (14) subsequently cures into a solid, elastomeric state. The latex (14) substantially fills the crack and allows shifting of the wall (10) due to temperature and pressure changes or settling of the wall (10) without damaging the cured latex (14) or causing any further growth of the crack (12).

Abstract: An off-line system for handling elongated magnetic articles such as axially leaded diodes 12 includes a magnetic receiving chute 20, a blocking mechanism 45, a magnetic loading station 75 for supporting at least one tray 55 and for loading diodes 12 therein, and a drive train 115. The chute 20 receives the diodes 12 and guides such diodes downwardly to an outlet 24 and the tray 55. Over a major accessible face of the tray 55 a cover 63 is slidably removable from a second end 60. At the loading station 75, the tray 55 is disposed in an upright manner resting on the second end 60 at a first elevation with a first end 59 extending at least to the outlet 24 of chute 20. An elevating mechanism 80 applied to the end 60 elevates tray 55 to a second elevation, while the cover 63 remains at about the first elevation. A portion of tray 55 is thereby opened adjacent the first end 59 which opening abuts to and registers with the outlet 24 of chute 20.

Abstract: Flexible heat-sealable plastic bags to be filled with a fluid or loose particulate material without exposure to the atmosphere are connected to the elliptical nozzle of the filling machine by use of overlapping ellipses. A filling hole, either elliptical or circular, cut in a corner from another otherwise sealed bag will readily slip over the larger elliptical nozzle. The bag is then tightly clamped by a movable member pressing against the rear surface of the elliptical nozzle of the filling machine while the bag is filled with its material through the nozzle. The bag is subsequently heat-sealed around the hole with a heated ring, and a suction stem is inserted into the sealed-off filling hole to withdraw any residual fluid.