Abstract: In this method of abrading woven material in a washing machine, the woven material is placed in the washing machine. A predetermined amount of abrasive unaltered mature pits are added to the washing machine. The washing machine is operated in the run mode for a predetermined time. The abraded woven material and the abrasive pits are removed from the washing machine.

Abstract: A roof assembly exemplarily for use in outdoor theatrical and musical productions comprises a roof trusswork elevated by means of a plurality of telescoping legs. The legs are raised in unison so that the roof trusswork maintains the same orientation throughout a raising or lowering operation. A clamping or locking mechanism is provided for rigidifying the entire structure upon the raising thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of constructing a footing and a foundation wall thereon, and form therefore in a hardenable building material for use in a continuous, perimeter type building foundation. An improved shape for the footing and foundation wall is disclosed which allows the use of a novel formwork system, thus permitting both elements to be cast simultaneously in a monolithic arrangement. Additionally, the cast shape of the foundation system is such that the basic function of transmitting superimposed building loads to the earth is an improvement over the more traditional types of foundation systems. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, much of the formwork is expendable and is permanently left in place, being removed only where visable in the finished structure.

Abstract: A space rail (10) having two basic elements, a box structure (12) which is configured to permit installation of payload hardware and payload services hardware along its length and a deployable back structure (14) which provides stiffness to the assembly of space rails when deployed. The box structure (10) is preferably a flat rectangular frame comprising body members (12) and the back structure (14) comprises a plurality of struts (24a-d, 30) pivotally attached to the body member (14) and to each other so as to fold into a retracted deployable position and to be deployed (unfolded) by a suitable mechanism.

Abstract: A device for suppressing vibration of a structure such as buildings and bridges, including a tank, disposed in the structure, for receiving a liquid for suppressing vibration of the structure, the tank being adapted to contain such an amount of the liquid that the liquid is equal in natural period to the structure.

Abstract: The insulated window assembly includes a pair of parallel-spaced glass panes, a plurality of intersecting metallic, internal muntin bars disposed in the space between the glass panes, a plurality of intersecting, wooden, exterior muntin bars affixed on the outer surface of the exterior glass pane and a plurality of wooden intersecting interior muntin bars affixed on the outer surface of the interior glass pane. The internal muntin bars have a thickness less than the space between the glass panes. The exterior and interior muntin bars are slightly wider than the internal muntin bars and are coincidentally aligned with each other and with the internal muntin bars to give the window panel assembly the appearance of a historically correct, authentic divided lite window having individual panes separated by conventional muntin bars.

Abstract: The covering (20) for repairing worn-out steps has two unitary flanges (21, 22, 25, 29) linked together, and is made of step and scuff resistant plastic. At least the capping (21) comprises at its underside facing the step (10) an insert of press board, which has less specific weight as the plastic (23) of the covering (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A concrete filled steel tube column which includes: a steel tube connected to beams of a structure so that an axial compressive load is transferred from the beams to the steel tube; and a concrete core, disposed within the steel tube, for bearing an axial compressive load transferred from the beams via the steel tube to the concrete core. The steel tube has a plurality of prestressed tube pieces concentrically joined in series. Each of these tube pieces has an axial prestress introduced into it to counteract a stress resulting from the compressive load applied to the steel tube. With this arrangement, substantially no axial stress is induced in the steel tube. In constructing the column, a steel tube piece is erected, and beams are joined to the tube piece. An axial tensile load is applied to the tube piece so that an axial stress is induced in the tube piece. After the application of the load, concrete is charged into the tube piece.

Abstract: In a prefabricated building wall panel a rigid supporting frame is covered on one face by masonry or ceramic cladding, the cladding being held to the supporting frame by a composite fastener system comprising rigid supports underlying the cladding to carry the dead loading thereof with resilient means adhesively securing the cladding to the support frame to resist live loading thereof.

Abstract: A composite roof/roof deck assembly and method of installation wherein a roof covering of polymeric sheet material is adhered to an underlying gypsum board roof substrate with a water based polymeric adhesive. The gypsum board has a porous fibrous glass matte facing to enhance bonding between the water-based adhesive and the gypsum board.

Abstract: The invention helps to find a way for creating a ventilated space on an existing floor damaged by moisture. On this way the resulting effects from moisture are held low. The invention consists of a moulding with the form of an inverted t. Holes (2) are located for attachment of the moulding to the lower floor. The lower part of the moulding has also at right angle going passages (5). The supports (4), shaped of the moulding on the either side, are used to carry plate-type material, which between two moldings shaped the ventilated space.

Abstract: A roof tile with longitudinal flat and curved or barrel-shape sections and a wedge member mounted to the underside of the flat section, along its entire length with the exception of a portion at the front of the tile. The space defined is sufficient to cooperatively and snuggly house a part of the rear of a tile installed in front. This provides a longitudinal resting area on the flat section of the tile. A longitudinal flange member extends upwardly and outwardly from the edge of the side wall of the flat section of the tile so that it interlockingly engages with horizontally abutting tiles.

Abstract: A furniture front element like a cabinet door, of which the frame leg members are joined in mitre cut and without any screwed connection. The lengths of the leg members are infinitely adjustable and the frame filling pieces are designed as a storage means in order to be able to change the front surface of the element to the desired extent.

Abstract: A supporting rail for objects, particularly, lower ceilings, attachments and the like, comprises an elongated central rail part, and at least one elongated side rail edge extending along the central rail part and located at its one end for suspending shaped panels, boards and the like, the central rail part being provided for supporting curved objects with a plurality of formations spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction and allowing bending said central rail part, the central rail part being also provided with a plurality of through-going openings located between the formations for inserting additional elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing liquid and residue from a web of film is provided. The apparatus includes an exhaust tube having an inlet and an outlet, the web of film passing through the exhaust tube from the inlet through the outlet, the exhaust tube being under a negative pressure. Two air knives are located above the outlet of the exhaust tube, one air knife being located on a first side of the film and second air knife being located on a second side of the film, the air knives include a plurality of holes for directing a gas for removing the liquid and residue onto the web of film. The exhaust tube cooperates with the air knives to capture a portion of the removed liquid and residue.

Abstract: In a bundling method and apparatus, a relatively long article is wound on a take-up reel and is then released onto a tray in a bundling unit located immediately below the take-up reel. On the tray, the wound article is compressed into a folded and flat posture by a preser, and is then bundled with a bundling band.

Abstract: A flexible adjustable wedge of tetrahedronal structure is provided wherein four swivel-jointed arms are attached at their respective ends by pin connections. Flexible adjusting arms provide dimensional stability by interconnecting either opposing corners or opposing arms of the tetrahedronal wedge. The adjusting arms are provided with some degree of flexibility in order to allow the wedge to automatically conform its size to minor variations in the flat width of the film passing thereover. Where changes in overall size of the wedge are desired, the adjusting arms can be easily lengthened or shortened.

Abstract: A machine for the automatic protective wrapping of baggage items having different dimensions comprising conveyor belts for moving successive single baggage to an automatic bundling machine with two sealing bars disposed at right angles to each other, to adapt every individual baggage item in a heat-shrinkable plastic film in such a way to form a wrapper sealed on three sides, the fourth being contact-sealed after passage of the wrapper containing the baggage item through a tunnel-type hot-air oven in which the heat-shrinkage of the plastic film takes place with perfect adherence of it to the baggage.

Abstract: The harvesting system has a crop cutting device disposed transversely of the direction of travel of the harvesting machine. A crop combing device is disposed adjacent to and extends forwardly of the cutting device. There is provided a pneumatic arrangement for generating a bed of air moving across the combing device in the direction towards the cutting device and generally parallel to the cutting plane of the cutting device. The moving bed of air facilitates gathering of the crop and reduces grain loss. The pneumatic arrangement includes nozzles for discharging air whereby to create said bed and a delivery system for delivering air under pressure to the nozzles. The nozzles are located in the plane of the bed and the delivery system is disposed generally beneath the combing device. Also disclosed is a finger attachment for a known harvesting system of agricultural machines. The finger attachment facilitates conversion of the known harvesting system to a harvesting system according to the invention.

Abstract: A sugar cane harvester which includes a conveyor for conveying sugar cane billets and a rake assembly suspended above the billet conveyor and including a number of spaced apart prongs which engage billets on the conveyor to strip trash and leaves therefrom and level out the billets on the conveyor.

Abstract: A laying head for laying a tube containing an optical fiber onto the outer surface of an elongate support. An upstream end of the laying head provides an inlet for the support and a guide passage for guiding the tube into a chamber of the laying head. The chamber extends around the passline for an angular distance greater than that of the guide passage to allow lateral movement of the tube within the head. The tube passes from the chamber onto the surface of the support as the support exits the chamber. The chamber allows for lateral tube movement to enable the tube to be laid onto the support in spiral fashion with the tube causing the head to rotate around the support.

Abstract: Laying a transmission member into a groove extending along a support while passing around the support for more than one revolution in one direction and then in the other. The transmission member is fed from a fixed storage position, through a positioning device and to a laying device while being spaced radially from a passline for the support. A shielding tube is provided around the passline downstream from the positioning device whereby the support moves through the tube on its way to the laying head whereas the transmission member twists around the tube as it is being fed, thereby holding it separated from the support before reaching the laying head. Preferably, an alignment device upstream from the laying head aligns the transmission member axially with a guide passage in the laying head. This latter arrangement is particularly useful when the transmission member is a tube containing optical fibers.

Abstract: A cord has a core including a plurality of wires, and an outer layer including a plurality of wires and surrounding the core. The wires of the core and of the outer layer are twisted together. All the wires of the core have a diameter larger than the wires of the outer layer, thereby guaranteeing a gap between adjacent wires of the outer layer.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for producing a yarn by means of friction spinning drums, a fiber sliver is transformed into a body of fibers and transferred to a first perforated friction spinning drum of such friction spinning drums. At this first perforated friction spinning drum, the fibers are entrained by a suction air stream, produced by a suction passage located in the first perforated friction spinning drum, and are then fed into a converging space formed by and between the friction spinning drums. In this converging space the fibers are twisted into a spun yarn. The spun yarn is withdrawn by withdrawal rollers located near end faces of the friction spinning drums. The suction air stream required for entraining or catching the fibers is limited by walls forming the suction passage. The advantage of this apparatus is that the fibers are mechanically guided over the whole length of their travel path, i.e. from the body of fibers to the twisted yarn. As a result, the fibers never swim freely.

Abstract: In a fuel control system for turbine engines, it is beneficial to provide a minimum fuel signal which prevents the fuel demand of the turbine engine from being decreased below a lower limit which can cause flameout or extinction. The fuel control system of the present invention provides an electronic circuit that includes a portion which dynamically determines the minimum fuel demand of the turbine engine during operation. A circuit is provided to compare the power output of the turbine engine to a predetermined threshold magnitude. The no-load or low-load minimum fuel demand level is continually monitored until the power output of the turbine engine exceeds the predetermined threshold magnitude at which time the stored value of fuel demand is inhibited from being subsequently changed. During later operation of the turbine engine, the stored value of minimum fuel demand is provided to a most fuel bus to operate as a minimum limit of fuel demand for the turbine engine.

Abstract: An exhaust gas processing device and method are disclosed for removing particulate and other materials from hot exhaust gas while muffling operational noises produced by the system emitting the exhaust gas. The device includes first, second and third portions through which the exhaust gas is successively passed, with the first portion receiving the exhaust gas and a liquid that is vaporized to coagulate particulate matter in the gas, the second portion including filters for removing particulate material coagulated in the first portion, and a with the third portion including a liquid containing reservoir and a filter for further cleansing the gas and also heating the liquid in the reservoir, which liquid is introduced into the first portion for vaporization thereat. The device and method are particularly useful in cleaning air exhausted from an internal combustion engine that may be used, for example, to power a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An exhaust processor assembly is provided for processing a flow of combustion product supplied by a source. The processor assembly has a housing including an inlet coupled to the source for admitting combustion product into the housing. The inlet includes first and second diverging nozzles interconnected by a transition section of uniform cross-section. A diverter is positioned in the inlet for interrupting the flow of combustion product traveling through the inlet toward the substrate. The specially configured inlet and the diverter cooperate to substantially uniformly distribute the flow of combustion product introduced into the housing across the inlet face of the substrate. Such uniform distribution provides a distributed exhaust flow designed to load the substrate substantially evenly to enhance combustion product treatment efficiency of the substrate means.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a coaxially mounted pump impeller, turbine, and stator, each of which includes an outer shell, an inner shell, and vanes extending between the outer shell and the inner shell having edges which define an inlet and outlet. The pump impeller outlet is proximate to the turbine inlet, the turbine outlet is proximate to the stator inlet, and the stator outlet is proximate to the pump impeller inlet. The outer and inner shells cooperate to define outer and inner toroidal surfaces, which together define a hollow toroidal hydraulic fluid circulation path. The ratio between the axial extent and the radical extent of a section of the outer toroidal surface is less than approximately 0.9.

Abstract: An energy recovery system is disclosed for recovering energy of highly pressurized natural gas when it is depressurized prior to distribution. The system includes a processing vessel which defines a bounded volume. The vessel is partially filled with water. A shaft extends through an aperture formed in the processing vessel with the shaft reciprocally moveable through said aperture. A conduit connects the high pressure natural gas to a gas inlet disposed within the processing vessel. The inlet is disposed beneath the level of the water within the vessel. Gas flows from the inlet in a predetermined path toward the water level. An exhaust conduit connects an outlet of the processing vessel to an expansion tank. The outlet is disposed above the water level within the vessel. A lift chamber is connected to the shaft and has an opening disposed to admit gas flowing along the predetermined path. The chamber is sized for gas collected within the chamber to urge the shaft to move toward the water level.

Abstract: Vapor guard systems which prevent vapors from reaching a servomotor from a power source for the servomotor. One embodiment uses a control valve which directs such vapors to a vapor trap filter under conditions where vapor flow may be toward the servomotor, and operates to permit purging of the vapor trap filter when there is flow only away from the servomotor. Another embodiment uses an in-line vapor trap filter and a vapor trap canister, normally used to trap fuel vapors from a vehicle fuel tank, to trap fuel vapors from the power source. Both the in-line vapor trap filter and the canister are purged of adsorber vapors where the power source is operating.

Abstract: A high temperature, high pressure, four-cycle piston engine having two companion cylinders or multiple pairs of companion cylinders connected by a transfer valve or valves and working together to complete the four-cycle operation. The internal combustion of fuel and air in the ceramic cylinders is utilized as a means of producing heat and this heat is used to generate superheated steam by cyclicly injecting water into the hot power cylinders, with each power cylinder serving as a steam boiler. Ceramic pistons in the power cylinders use the power of the expanding steam to do useful work and operate to exhaust all gases after each power stroke. The engine can be adapted for both compression ignition and spark ignition operation.

Abstract: A power brake booster has booster load carrying members which are separate from the booster housings walls so that they take the load reaction from the master cylinder outside of the booster housing. This separates the differential pressure chamber wall functions and the booster load carrying member function.

Abstract: Hydraulic booster comprising a housing provided with a bore inside which there is slidably mounted two pistons each associated with a respective pressure chamber intended to be connected to a respective brake circuit; an actuating piston slidably mounted inside the bore and intended to be displaced by a brake pedal, displacement of the actuating piston being capable of causing displacement of the two pistons; and two valve mechanisms each associated with a respective brake circuit and intended to control the flow of pressurized fluid from a respective source to the brake circuit, characterized in that the two valve mechanisms are arranged parallel to the bore and are intended to be actuated simultaneously by the actuating piston.

Abstract: The positive displacement internal combustion engine has multiple stages of compression and expansion. After an initial compression, the working fluid is contained at elevated pressure and temperature. Valve controls on the initial compression can limit the thru-put of working fluid. Limiting the thru-put controls the pressure and density and as a consequence engine torque and power. A heat exchanger cools the working fluid before it enters a conventional spark ignition "combustion" cylinder. After the combustion of fuel in air in a conventional Otto or Diesel cycle the exhaust gas does further expansion in a post expansion stage. The efficiency benefits of the engine's high expansion ratio are realizable because of reductions in friction, fluid flow and heat transfer losses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus which is designed to dispense a variety of food service items such as packets of condiments, sauces, toppings, etc. The apparatus provides a receptacle in which the packets may be bulk-loaded without regard to their orientation. The packets may be mixed or matched without the necessity for loading them in magazines or other dispensing devices. An electrically-powered heat exchange means is provided to cool the apparatus.

Abstract: A two mass vibration isolator particularly suited to a linear reciprocating machine. Vibration into and out of the machine is attenuated by an isolator placed between the machine and its mounting frame. The isolator is an elastomer with a damping ratio of at least 0.1 sandwiched between two retainers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for withdrawing cryogenic liquid from a vessel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tube for withdrawing the cryogenic liquid from the vessel, a heating coil for gasifying the liquid that is withdrawn, and a heat exchanger, consisting of an inner and outer tube, that is connected to the heating coil and immersed in the cryogenic liquid. In operation, cryogenic liquid is withdrawn through the withdrawal tube and passed through the heating coil, where it is vaporized. The vapor that is produced passes through the outer tube of the heat exchanger, giving up heat to the cryogenic liquid in the vessel to thereby gasify a portion of it, to maintain head pressure within the vessel. The vapor then passes through the inner tube of the heat exchanger, and exits the apparatus.

Abstract: In an air conditioning system for vehicles which includes a compressor of a variable capacity type, a comparison is made between a compressor capacity required for an air conditioning control and a compressor capacity required for a demist control. The compressor capacity is controlled so as to be brought to greater one of the compressor capacities compared with each other. Alternatively, when it is judged that a windowpane is misted, the compressor capacity is increased and, simultaneously, the temperature of air blown into the compartment is raised. Alternatively, the compressor capacity is controlled so as to be increased within a range of a set maximum allowable capacity until the mist on the windowpane is cleared off when it is judged that the mist occurs on the windowpane.

Abstract: Refrigerator drain pan apparatus including a pair of spaced mounting brackets having longitudinal guide slots for receiving in sliding engagement the longitudinal rims of the drain pan. The brackets also have clamps for securely engaging gripper pads on the rims of the drain pan at the operating position for eliminating vibration noise. The guide slots include a rim support shelf and a parallel top panel space thereabove. Forward extending ramps guide the drain pan rims up into the guide slots. The clamps include V-shaped tabs positioned in front and back of the guide slots, which tabs extend below the plane of the top panel and engage the gripper pads in an interference fit at the operating position. The pan also has bumpers protruding from the rims to engage the front V-shaped path at the operating position of the drain pan thereby providing a stop. An upward cone in the pan bottom provides a drip area for incoming water.

Abstract: A cryogenic freezer having a thermally insulated tunnel-like enclosure with an entrance and an exit and means for conveying products being frozen therethrough. Products are contacted with liquid cryogen at a region generally near the entrance and a blower located closer to the entrance than to the exit controls flow of cryogen vapor. Upstream and downstream baffles and dampers associated with blower are linked together for complementary movement to selectively regulate the upstream and downstream flow of vapor discharged from the blower. Additional blowers circulate the cold cryogenic vapor transverse to the direction of the conveying means. The temperature of vapor leaving the region of the entrance is monitored the orientation of the baffle and damper arrangement is adjusted in accordance with the temperature monitored. The food products can be contacted by liquid nitrogen in a reservoir facilitates cleaning and retards inefficient vaporization.

Abstract: A thermally insulated enclosure (1) containing a bath (20) of liquid nitrogen. The enclosure contains a case (3) of flat shape provided with a thermal insulation (4) whose performance is lower than that (2) of the enclosure (1) and comprising, on one hand, supports (17) for supporting straws in a horizontal plane, and, on the other hand, a heater (8) for heating the lower wall (7) and/or the cover (6) of the case. Application in the freezing of animal or human embryos.

Abstract: An earring ornament is readily detachable from a wear post, which is insertable through a hole in the ear. The post is provided with a male connector on the exterior end. The earring ornament is provided with a female connector which detachably mates with the male connector to provide for a detachable earring. The wear post may be left in the ear and different ornaments attached to the male connector. If the ornament is grabbed or caught it will readily detach from the male connector of the wear post. In another embodiment the ornament is provided with a female necklace connector so that a necklace may be supported from the ear ornaments.

Abstract: A cultured colored pearl comprises a concretion of layers of pearl around the invading material which is a molded article composed predominantly of powders of waste pearls, shells, waste coral and/or shells of Crustacea.

Abstract: A stamped knitting tool for textile machines, particularly knitting machines, including a shank having at least one butt and at least one closed or open-edged free space or opening formed in the shank and filled with a heterogeneous material firmly bonded to the needle shank. The shank edges outlining the free space or opening are given an irregular profile with which the heterogeneous material is anchored in the shank in a form-locking manner. According to a preferred embodiment, the shank has two spaced solid guide portions extending between its upper and lower edges with one of the guide portions being disposed in alignment with and below the butt, and at least one narrow web portion having a maximum height of 1.1 mm connecting the two guide portions together so that the facing edges of the guide portions and an edge of the web portion or portions defines the opening in the shank.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a thin stream of fluid which intermittently strikes a target in accordance with externally supplied command data. Pressurized fluid from a manifold is passed through a relatively stiff section of tubing which is directed at the desired target. The tubing is cantilevered from the manifold, and has associated therewith a plunger which, when extended, contacts the cantilevered tube and deflects the free end of the tube. In one embodiment, the tube in its deflected position is directed at the desired target, and in its undeflected position is directed at a barrier.

Abstract: A safety lock for security pouches is provided which includes a bolt member secured at one end to a back wall of the pouch which extends inwardly across the mouth of the pouch, a front wall of the pouch having an opening therethrough to receive the bolt member, articulated opposite reinforced side walls which are adapted as inwardly extending lateral pleats between the front and back walls of the pouch and have openings to receive the bolt member extending between the front and back walls, and a rigid flap which extends from the top of the back wall and unfolds the closed mouth of the pouch and a portion of the front wall and has an opening therethrough to receive the bolt member.

Abstract: A device for making vehicles, especially two-wheelers, burglar-proof comprises locking means for a flexible securing member and a container fixed at the vehicle which has a storage room for the securing member fixed at one end in the container, at the locking means and/or the vehicle as well as an opening for the securing member from which the same protrudes in the non-used condition and through which the same is removable from the container upon use and is adapted to be drawn into the container after use. The container is provided with a driven guide/conveyor wheel for the securing member between the opening and the storage room.

Abstract: An apparatus for making helically wound interlocked flexible pipe includes a rotating head mounted for rotation about a main shaft. Two supply spools of strip material are mounted on the rear side of the rotating head, a take off guide beam assembly being used to take off flat strip material from one of the spools, and guiding it to the rotating head. The rotating head is mounted on the main shaft for rotation therewith and supports a tool head assembly including a roller forming mill for forming the strip material. The strip is guided from a point behind the rotating head to a point in front of or downstream from the rotating head along the shaft. A face plate assembly, which supports the pressure rollers for closing and interlocking the successively adjacent turns of the formed strip, is axially spaced from the tool head assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a die device for forming tube from a metal band, wherein the die comprises a long die block comprising, lengthwise and passing through it, a conduit comprising an inlet orifice of larger cross section and an outlet orifice of smaller cross section. The conduit converges from the inlet orifice towards the outlet orifice. At the level of the inlet orifice, the conduit is of a width slightly greater than that of said metal band. As the planar metal band passes through the conduit, it is formed by the interior surface, or generatrices, of the conduit into a tube of the desired configuration. Means are provided for creating tubes of differing cross-sectional shapes, such as a square, or a circular configuration. The die block is removably mounted on a carriage, which carriage is movable horizontally in front of a horizontal mandrel driven in rotation. The tube created by passage through the die block is wound around the mandrel.

Abstract: A system for trimming a can body wherein a can body is positioned within a cutting member so that the cutting member is at the location where the can body is to be trimmed. A resilient, deformable object is inserted into the can body and positioned therein so that at least a portion thereof is located radially opposite portions of the can body on each side of the cutting member. The resilient, deformable object is deformed so as to move a first part thereof against a portion of the can body to prevent longitudinal movement of the can body and then to move a second part thereof against the portion of the can body located between the cutting member and the open end of the can body in a radially outward direction so as to sever that portion from the can body.