Abstract: Apparatus for tracing the inner periphery of an eyeglass frame lens opening and for producing a set of coordinates each of which coordinate set describes a sensed position along the traced path. The eyeglass frame is positioned on an overhead bridge and a stylus held by a stylus holding fixture engages the eyewire groove of the lens opening and is used as a guide to move the fixture along the traced path. Encoding arms are coupled to the fixture and drive respective associated rotary encoders whose outputs represent the distance each arm has moved from a first to a second sensed location along the path. A computer operates in accordance with an instruction set to generate coordinates for each of the sensed points along the traced path whereby the set of coordinates characterizes the size and shape of the lens opening.

Abstract: An improved thread measuring tool. The tool translates linear motion into rotational motion to provide the motive power for turning a thread gauge into a threaded bore in a workpiece.

Abstract: The device according to this invention comprises a casing in which turns a device designed to support and hold the wafer, the said device is fitted eccentrically with respect to its rotational pin (3) a support element 5-6 designed to hold the silicon wafer by its edges in a horizontal plane, the device assembly being mounted in stable balance with respect to the said pin.

Abstract: A pulverulent, water-soluble material is agglomerated by projecting the material in a stream through a moistening zone. Means are provided for directing an aqueous gas towards the stream of particulate material in the moistening zone so that the stream of particulate material is surrounded by and confined throughout its path of travel through the moistening chamber as particles of the particulate material are moistened and fused, and means are provided for drying the material. Means are also provided for feeding a cooling gas and/or a stream of steam adjacent to and about the periphery of the stream of material.

Abstract: A wafer is introduced into a processing chamber on a transport device. Lifting pins receive the wafer from the transport device and lower the wafer to the surface of a chuck. Clamping pins lower and hold the wafer by means of enlargements on the ends of the clamping pins. Grooves on the surface of the chuck and internal channels in the chuck are used to supply gas to the back of the wafer for temperature control.

Abstract: A shoe outsole assembly having a separate tread insert received by and bonded within a downwardly open sole cavity defined by a peripheral wall, and protruding downwardly from the cavity beyond the peripheral wall to form a ground and floor engaging member, the bottom of the insert being substantially flush with the peripheral wall at the termini of the toe and heel of the outsole.

Abstract: Footwear for infants and toddlers which allow the child's foot to relax in a natural, "barefoot" condition, i.e., without exerting substantial pressure on the toes and sides of the foot, and which facilitate the fitting of the shoe onto the foot. The shoe comprises a sole and an upper fastened to the sole for surrounding the sides and heel of the foot. The upper includes a pair of flexible side regions having a respective pair of edge regions which extend rearwardly substantially from a forward end of the toe portion of the sole in mutually spaced relationship for overlying the toe and instep regions of the foot. A tongue is fastened to the upper at its forward end and only to a side region of the upper which itself is fastened to the forward end of the toe portion of the sole so that the side edges of the tongue are unconnected to any part of the upper. The tongue extends rearwardly for covering both the toe and instep regions of the foot.

Abstract: A shoe that includes an outsole having a plurality of gripping portions, the locus of the gripping portions defining a path extending from the outermost portion of the shoe below the small toe generally toward the ball of the foot at the large toe, with the portions contacting the ground sequentially along the path as the front portion of the outsole sets down. Also disclosed in providing a shoe outsole with a plurality of channels which have a first narrow region having a first width and an adjacent region having a larger width so as to permit deformable foreign matter such as food that collects in the first region to be discharged into the second region, which is sufficiently wider than the first region as to cause discharge of the matter.

Abstract: A ski boot, particularly of the rear-entry type, with a device for securing the heel comprising an elongated element which extends transversely relatively to the longitudinal extension of the rear quarter. The elongated element is accommodated inside the rear quarter, substantially at the level of the heel of the user, and is connected with the mutually opposite longitudinal edges of the rear quarter.

Abstract: The ski boot comprises a shell to which is associated at least one quarter. An electric motor is contained in the boot and has at least a controlling portion accessible from the outside. The electric motor is electrically connected to an electric power source accommodated inside the boot and is mechanically connected with a speed reducer. The output shaft of the speed reducer is operatively associated with straps for closing the boot and/or with cables or mechanism for securing the foot inside the boot. In the controlling portion accessible from the outside, push-buttons are provided for selective actuation of the electric motor with the possibility of rotation in one direction and with the possibility of rotation in the opposite direction to vary accordingly the rotation of said output shaft.

Abstract: An improved sports boot is provided for use by snow skiers and the like, wherein the boot includes an improved boot liner interposed between a substantially rigid outer boot shell and the foot and lower leg region of a skier. The boot liner is defined by flexible sheet material extending about selected anatomical zones of the skier's foot and lower leg region to define a plurality of relatively small chambers each of relatively low vertical dimension and partially filled with a metered quantity of substantially uniform sized particulate. The boot liner further includes a plurality of small vents for restricted air passage between adjacent chambers, with one of said chambers communicating with a main air discharge tube.

Abstract: A shoe having jewelry removably attached to the heel is disclosed. The preferred attachment includes a hollow tube which is inserted into a hole in the heel. The tube has an inner helical surface for receiving an anchor. The anchor is an elongate element having flexible fingers extending radially outwardly from the element. The tips of the fingers engage the helical inner surface to secure the anchor. Attached to one end of the anchor is a piece of jewelry, or the like, for adornment of the shoe. The jewelry may be easily removed by removing the anchor from the attachment element. Other pieces of jewelry may be attached, or the hole may be covered by a cover attached to a similar anchor.

Abstract: An illuminated display assembly fits into an opening in a display board such as a sports scoreboard. The display assembly includes an indicator module containing a front panel having a plurality of light transmitting data indicating areas arranged thereon with a plurality of chambers mounted behind the front panel. Each chamber is associated with one of the data indicating areas and encloses light sources therein which illuminate the data indicating areas when energized. A light source module includes a printed circuit board having a plurality of light sources mounted thereto. When the light source module and indicator modules are assembled together, the light sources from the former project into the chambers in the latter to form a finished display.

Abstract: An electric sign is arranged to afford a readily observable visual indication of the condition of an establishment such as a retail establishment having an entrance door provided with a lock and wherein the sign includes a visual device for indicating a condition of the establishment such as "closed" or "open" together with a switch for energizing the visual device, and a control mechanism actuated in coordination with locking and unlocking of the establishment door for selectively controlling the control mechanism for energizing the visual device.

Abstract: A movable fish net buoy top, having the framework of a buoy top in association with a grid port which can be drawn up by 105 degrees, and pushed down by 75 degrees, so structured that as the top is laid on the surface of water the grid port on either side thereof will, owing to water buoyancy, be pushed up in bearing against a mortise joint catch furnished on top of the strut. When the buoy top is taken off the water surface, a mortise joint catch furnished at the bottom of the strut is deflected by 90 degrees, so as to prevent the grid port from moving downward toward either side due to gravitation, thereby preventing it from opening. To pour out the catch entrapped in the fish net, the mortise joint on top of the buoy top is turned to a setting in parallel with the surface level of the framework, and reverse the framework of the buoy top, so as to bring the grid port to open downwards along either side, so that the catch can be poured out, conveniently and effectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing appendages from seeds are described. The apparatus includes a chamber to contain the seed to be threshed. Mounted rotatively in the chamber is at least one filament spool means which, upon rotation, causes filament to be paid out and thresh the seed. Means are attached to the chamber to draw a gaseous medium through the chamber to suspend the seed with appendages in the threshing zone. After the appendages are removed, the appendage-free seed is discharged from the cylinder. The invention finds particular use in the threshing of seeds armed with appendages that are difficult or impossible to remove with existing seed threshing equipment.

Abstract: A process for accelerating dehiscence and reduction in "pull force" of fruits and nuts (in order to facilitate the mechanical harvesting process) by exposing the crops to far-red night-break lighting treatments at certain stages of fruit growth and development.

Abstract: A window assembly controls ventilation and prevents passage through the window opening. Provides hardened steel horizontal bars spaced apart vertically a distance that prevents passage. The bars are welded to hardened steel frame members. The steel assembly is anchored in the wall by resistant anchoring elements. The bars may be secured in place by other means. Glazed aluminum vents have top rails that enclose the bars and pivot upon them. Aluminum frame members enclose the steel frame members and support operator means that rotate the vents on the bars to open and close the vents. The angle of opening may be limited to prevent the vent extending beyond the wall at walkways.

Abstract: An electromagnetic sealing device comprising a flexible seal easy to replace. This device comprises on the one hand a support in the form of a trench, in which a resilient seal in the form of a channel, is disposed by simple snap fitting of its edges into two longitudinal stops of the support and, on the other hand, a knife which, by penetrating into the channel formed by the seal, compresses this latter in the space left free between the support and the knife.

Abstract: Both a grinding tool and a thimble screw alignment plate are disclosed herein that greatly facilitate the removal and reinstallation of the bottom nozzle of a fuel assembly. The grinding tool includes a base plate, a grinding motor, a grinding head, a housing for isolating the grinding motor from ambient water, and both a guide mechanism and linear drive for guiding and pushing the grinding head into abrasive contact with a screw-obstructing portion of a bottom nozzle. The screw alignment plate includes a plurality of bores registrable with the screw holes of a bottom nozzle, and a resilient sleeve mounted over each bore for receiving, retaining and aligning the threaded end of a screw with each such screw hole.

Abstract: A "dry" two sided vertical structural butt glaze system for window structures wherein a modular frame assembly is fabricated and glazed off-site. The assembly is installed in the window structure from the building interior and is provided with gasket strips which seal the exterior butt joint between adjacent panels of the frame assemblies. Exterior scaffolding and caulking operations are eliminated.

Abstract: For use in a modular decorative wall system, a decorative panel structure includes a decorative panel adhesively bonded to a backing panel of rigid expanded polystyrene, the size of the backing panel being greater than that of the decorative panel to provide the backing panel with a marginal region extending beyond at least two opposite side edges of the decorative panel. To mount to the composite panel structure on a wall, the broad heads of a plurality of tacks are first fixed to the wall so that the prongs of the tacks, the lengths of which exceed the thickness of the backing panel, project outwardly from the wall at respective locations bracketing the two opposite side edges of the decorative panel. The composite panel structure is then "hung" on the wall by pushing the marginal regions of the backing panel onto the projecting prongs until the free end regions of the latter have penetrated through the backing panel.

Abstract: A prestressing anchor is embedded in concrete in part of a concrete structural component, and after setting of the concrete, a prestressing element extending through the prestressing anchor is prestressed and held by clamping wedges disposed in a frustoconical portion of a passage running through the prestressing anchor. Thereafter, a spacer element and an associated or integral further prestressing anchor provided with clamping wedges are pulled onto the prestressing element. With the aid of screws passing through flanges of the prestressing anchors, the further prestressing anchor is held to the first prestressing anchor, the spacer element resting snugly against the end faces of the clamping wedges. The second phase of construction is then carried out, at which time the further prestressing anchor is also embedded in concrete. After setting of the concrete, the following section of the prestressing element is prestressed to about the same value as the preceding section.

Abstract: A storage facility preferably for palletized loads includes an elongate aisle along which a pallet-carrying vehicle is adapted to move. A plurality of multi-level pallet storage bays are located side-by-side along the aisle and extend laterally from the aisle for use in storing palletized loads. The levels of each storage bay are vertically aligned and are separated from each other by pallet-supporting floor sections; each bay being separated from its adjacent bay by a set of laterally spaced-apart vertically extending support members. Floor sections located between adjacent sets of vertically extending support members are removable for creating at least one laterally extending sub-aisle in communication with the elongate aisle, and the lateral spacing between at least two of the support members in a set of support members adjacent a sub-aisle provides an opening into the subaisle sufficiently large to permit removal of a pallet therethrough.

Abstract: A hopper for bulk material comprising a non-deformable skeleton supporting a deformable wall structure in such a manner through suspension members that slight movements of the wall can be taken up without scoring.

Abstract: A body member comprising either a concrete block or molded or stamped product, includes upwardly opening recesses forming an anchor seat for building elements. The recesses may extend fully from side to side and also open out the sides so that building elements can be laid horizontally therein or fully across the body member. The recesses also include a central socket for receiving an upright pillar. Embodiments of the invention may include depending foot members. Embodiments of the inventions also include structure for fastening building elements to the body member. A further embodiment employs depending projections at outer portions thereof which frictionally fit on top of a base block and stabilize the body member against lateral movement.

Abstract: A retainer clip for fastening a fragile panel into a surrounding frame comprises an integral body member which is composed of a relatively rigid material and a cushioning pad which is composed of a relatively soft material. Means are provided for mounting the cushioning pad on the body member. The cushioning pad contacts the edge portion of the panel when the body member is secured to the surrounding frame.

Abstract: A panelling system for the construction of cubicles having two upright posts, a panel connected to one of the posts by a hinge and two cross rails running between the posts. Each of the upright posts has a similar, but laterally inverted, cross-sectional shape. The posts are attached to the floor and ceiling by means of channel members and to a rear wall by means of wall brackets which also serve to support service supplies. The panels may support various items, such as W.C.'s, washbasins, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orientable architectural structure which is habitable. This revolving structure comprises an external generally spherical enclosure (1) which can rotate about its vertical axis V, and a fixed skeleton (2,3,4) housed in the space inside the enclosure. The enclosure is mounted in such a way that it is able to rotate, whereas the skeleton is fixed.

Abstract: An assembly for securing roof panels at selectable pitch angles includes an extruded ridge bar having a horizontal ledge and a horizontally extending arcuate flange which form a horizontal slot in which the roof panels are supported at the desired pitch. Horizontally extending end portions of the arcuate flange are removable to set the angle of the slot for the desired pitch. Roof support bars extending along the side edges of the roof panels are connected to the ridge bar at the selected pitch by hinge assemblies having their pivot axes coincident with the center of curvature of the arcuate flange. A header supporting the panels at the eave comprises two extruded channel members pivotally connecting one flange of each channel member. A bifurcated arcuate end portion of the other flange on one channel member straddles the arcuate end portion of the other flange on the other channel member as the channel members are rotated to set the selected roof pitch.

Abstract: A diagonal ceiling brace for ceiling suspension systems. The ceiling suspension system contains a plurality of parallel longitudinal beams and a plurality of parallel cross beams. The longitudinal beams and the cross beams are connected to each other at intersecting junctions. The diagonal ceiling brace comprises an elongated main bar having a horizontal plate formed at each end thereof. Each horizontal plate has a front edge containing a pair of surfaces defining a generally 90.degree. angle for enabling the plate to abut a junction of one of the longitudinal beams and one of the parallel cross beams. A releasable hook locks the brace to the beams at the junction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deformable seal element to seal the gap between the edge of an aperture in a building and the tail of a vehicle driven up to the latter, with aprons which are attached at the sides and at the top to a frame attached to the building, the frame being retained by stays invariable in height at the end near the building and reducible in length counter to the action of a return force, and the stays being constructed as horizontally aligned helicoidal springs which support at their ends remote from the building a support device for the aprons.

Abstract: A side weld plate for joining adjacent concrete slabs together by welding. An elongated body is provided having a body section for embedment in a concrete slab and a flange section for positioning adjacent an edge of the concrete slab. The flange surface provides upon embedment of the body section in the concrete slab, an exposed weld surface which allows for adjacent concrete slabs also having a side weld plate to be welded together.

Abstract: An intersection spacer is disclosed for use in a subceiling structure of a grid of open-ended runner beams and intersecting open-ended cross beams, the intersection spacer being generally square in horizontal cross section with inverted vertical corner edges forming four outwardly directed protrusions adapted to engage within the beam ends. A top plate on the spacer bears the weight of the ceiling. A bottom cap on the spacer carries a decorative panel. The spacer may be made of two identical mating halves. A method of assembling a subceiling with such intersection spacers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of insulating the roof of a building by a strip of vinyl stretching a sheet of vinyl material between two structural beams of a building. A plurality of such sheets of vinyl backed fiberglass insulation are fastened side-by-side to each other to cover the area desired. Purlin clips are utilized to attach to purlin structural members extending across from one of the structural beams to the other and these are placed in a series of straight lines at predetermined intervals. These purlin clips have an aperture therein so that a band of metal can be threaded through each successive ones of the clips for the purpose of supporting the bottom side of the sheets of vinyl at even intervals along the length thereof. The adjacent edges of the vinyl sheets are positioned so that they will hang down and so that it can be separated by hand to permit loose insulation, such as chopped up fiberglass insulation to be blown between the vinyl sheets.

Abstract: An arrangement for manufacturing non-pelletized packaging units which are completely surrounded with shrinking foil. The packaging units are formed by several layers of objects which are stacked on top of each other in such a way that at least two parallel recesses are formed into which support members of a lifting device can engage. The arrangement includes a single shrinking foil application device and a single shrinking device forming a combined arrangement and having a common conveyor and support track. Shaping tools of a shaping device are permanently assigned to an appropriate conveyor surface of a turning device. The shaping tools can be moved into position for shaping the shrinking foil in the recesses after a first shrinking foil has been applied and shrunk onto the stack. After turning the stack, the shaping tools are moved into a release position.

Abstract: A levelling and shifting machine and a transmitter system (1) are used, the latter being installed on a carriage parked on the track and transmitting a spreading beam in the horizontal plane for levelling and a spreading beam in the vertical plane (Fr) for shifting, these beams defining an absolute measuring base. The receivers for levelling and shifting, which are installed on a measuring carriage of the machine, are designed for self-centering relative to the line of incidence of one of the said beams or the other during each measurement. In a curve of the track (3), the vertical beam (Fr) defines a cord of this curve, and the set position of the receiver defines the current value of the pitch of the curve (fm.sub.0, fm.sub.1 etc). A computer calculates the desired value of the pitch (f.sub.0, f.sub.1 etc.) and the variation (y.sub.0, Y.sub.1 etc.) between the two values, the latter variation determining the shifting correction.

Abstract: A plunger (4) for joining an inner workpiece (7) to an outer tubular workpiece (2) is disclosed. The plunger includes an expansion element (9) which engages the inner workpiece and crimps it to the outer workpiece. The expansion element (9) is an annular cup-shaped resilient element which is mounted on a part (21) which is movable relative to a body (8) and to a bottom plate (16). The body (8) and its bottom plate (16) are provided with guide surfaces which are spaced apart to provide a space through which the expansion element may pass upon movement of member 21. The guide surfaces constrain the resilient expansion element to move into pressure applying engagement with the inner workpiece.

Abstract: This invention discloses a can packaging device that binds a plurality of cans together for easy handling and storage, and at the same time, covers the can tops for sanitary purpose. The sanitary ring packaging of the present invention is comprised of a thick plastic sheet including a plurality of substantially circular cut-outs wherein the edges of the thick plastic sheet are contoured to conform with the substantially circular cut-outs, and a thin plastic sheet superimposed on the thick plastic sheet with slack in the surface area wherein the thin plastic sheet is bonded to and clipped along the edges of the thick plastic sheet. The thick plastic sheet ties cans together which engage the substantially circular cut-outs or holes included therein in a tight and retaining relationship, while the thin plastic sheet covers the can tops.

Abstract: An automatic molten substance bagging system which can fill a molten substance such as asphalt latex into a bag in a short period of time fully automatically without operation by hand. A bag is first supplied into a carrying can on a circulating conveyor system and is inflated with air. Then, the bag is filled rapidly with a fixed volume of a molten substance and then further filled moderately with the molten substance until a predetermined weight is reached. The thus filled up bag is sealed at a mouth thereof by a sewing machine, and finally a plurality of such filled up, sealed bags are transferred onto another conveyor for further processing while their carrying cans are left on the circulating conveyor system so as to repeat such a sequence of operations for further bags.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing liquid-filled bag packages including a tube former for shaping a tube from a strip of packaging material. To introduce amounts of liquid into the end of the tube, a filling tube extends into the tube former with its outlet end having a metering valve. To supply the liquid to the filling tube, the filling tube has, on its end located at the height of the inlet opening of the tube former, a crosswise extending supply fitting, the end face of which is closed with a flexible diaphragm. To actuate the valve, a rod extending in the filling tube is pivotably connected at the height of the supply fitting with a lever, which is pivotably connected to an adjusting cylinder. For pivoting of the lever, the lever has two crosswise arms, which are pivotably connected to connecting rods, the longitudinal axes of which intersect one another in the center of the diaphragm.

Abstract: An arrangement for sliding and shrinking a hood of shrinking foil over and onto a stack formed by a number of packaging objects. The arrangement includes a vertically movable frame with shrinking devices provided in the upper region of the frame and gripping elements for grasping and pulling down the lower edge of the shrinking foil. A lifting device arranged centrically underneath the stack serves to raise the stack from a conveying device which transports the stack into and out of the arrangement according to the invention. The lifting device raises the stack so that the lower edge of the hood of shrinking foil can be shrunk onto the stack up to the region of the conveying device. Subsequently, the lifting device is lowered. The vertical distance between the gripping elements and the shrinking devices is adjustable.

Abstract: A band type strapping machine comprises a band feeding roller and a band returning roller wherein a first pressing roller is placed above the band feeding roller so as to be able to come in contact with the feeding roller, a second pressing roller is placed below the band returning roller so as to be able to come in contact with the returning roller and the band feeding roller and the band returing roller are driven in the same direction by a motor.

Abstract: A mower or similar device for cutting ground foliage or for surface conditioning is provided which has an improved deck construction that includes detachably engaged deck members that define housing areas which can substantially enclose pulley assemblies suitable for driving and being driven, the pulley assemblies being straddle-mounted by bearings or the like within said housing areas.

Abstract: A header flotation mechanism for a hay harvesting machine having a header is disclosed wherein a first flotation mechanism floatingly supports a first header section from the frame of the harvester and a second flotation mechanism floatingly suspends a second header section from the first header section. A pair of intermeshing conditioning rolls is mounted in the first header section, while a reel and a cutterbar are mounted in the second header section. The second header section is connected to the first header section by upward and lower links, the lower links having first and second stops to limit the amount of vertical movement of the second header section relative to the first header section. The header lift mechanism is operatively associated with the linkage mechanism interconnecting the frame of the harvester in the first header section and is operable to raise both header sections.

Abstract: A lawn thatcher assembly including a shaft and a plurality of blades and spacers extending therealong. The shaft has a helical surface thereon, and the blades have a matching helical opening, all of which permits the blades to be slid onto the shaft and present a final helical pattern of blade tips along the length of the shaft. The method of making the assembly is also achieved in this invention.

Abstract: A steel cord, for use in the reinforcement of resilient articles such as rubber tires, comprises a central bundle of wires surrounded by a circumferential layer of helicoidally twisted wires. In the central bundle, one can distinguish a core and a surrounding layer, the latter having the same twist pitch as the circumferential layer. In order to reduce wire migration, the wires of the central bundle show a limited number of relative position changes, between 2 and 300 per 30 cm cord length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing thread or yarn-like material by electrostatically flocking it or covering it with fibers. Grounded base or carrier threads that are provided with adhesive are moved through an electrostatic field of high voltage, where the surfaces of the carrier threads are flocked all the way around with pretreated short fibers (flock material). During the course of producing the flocked thread or yarn, selective lengths of the carrier threads are nonuniformly flocked in an irregular sequence, with the flock material, in different flock patterns.

Abstract: A method of piecing yarn in the operation of an open end rotor spinning machine that includes applying the suction that picks up the yarn end from the bobbin package for an extended predetermined length of time longer than the optimal minimum length for a normal piecing operation, with the extended suction being of a time sufficient to remove an estimated extended length of defective yarn, either determined by sensing the absence of sliver or after two or three sequential unsuccessful piecing attempts.

Abstract: A device for keeping a constant number of bobbin tubes in circulation between at least one spinning machine and at least one winding machine includes a device for circulating bobbin tubes between at least one spinning machine and at least one winding machine, a sorting device for sorting out partially wound bobbin tubes from the circulating device, and a tube input apparatus operatively connected to the sorting device including a tube magazine for introducing empty bobbin tubes into the circulating device in proportion to the number of partially wound bobbin tubes sorted out.