Abstract: A cut plant watering device which allows watering of the plant (101) in a container (100) and facilitates removal of the water (102) from the container (100) is described. In particular in the combined use of a suction bulb (12) funnel (11) and tube (10) in combination is described wherein the bulb is squeezed such that water replaces air in a chamber 15 inside the bulb 12, which is then separately thrown away. The cut plant (101) can be a Christmas tree.

Abstract: A door for use in a building, which includes a door frame defining an opening, and a louver arranged in the opening of the door frame. The louver includes a plurality of slats aligned parallel to each other. Each of the slats is connected at its opposite ends to the door frame so that the slat is pivoted about an axis generally coincidental with its centerline. The door also includes an adjusting assembly for pivoting the slats, and a connecting member for connecting all the slats. The adjusting assembly includes a rotatable lug member connected to one of the slats so that the slat is pivoted when the lug member is rotated. Due to the connecting member, the slats are simultaneously pivoted in the same direction when one of the slats is pivoted.

Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle has a frame for connection with vehicle body structure, a fixed window in the frame which is substantially flush with the frame at its exterior, a sliding window moveable between open and closed positions and releasable locks for locking the sliding window in its closed position. The sliding window when moved to its open position is parallel to and behind the fixed window and when moved forward its closed position is also automatically cammed and moved outwardly so as to lie in the same plane and be flush with the fixed window.

Abstract: A releasable connection device for connecting a motor driven drive cable to a closure includes a pin attached to the closure and having a head supported by a necked down stem. A cylindrical housing member has an opening in a lateral wall thereof which receives the pin. A slide member is attached to the drive cable and is reciprocably carried by the housing member. The slide member has an open ended slot smaller than the head of the pin and receiving the necked down stem. A spring acts between the housing member and the slide member to urge the members to relative positions in which the head of the pin is captured to effect a connection between the drive cable and the closure. The spring yields upon imposition of force to permit energy absorbing limited relative movement between the members and yields further to permit withdrawal of the open ended slot of the slide member beyond the head of the pin so that the pin is released from the housing member.

Abstract: An automatic expander replacement window has a frame including left and right side member assemblies, a head member assembly and a sill member, each assembly including a frame element, an expansion element associated therewith and movable between a retracted position and an expanded position, a biasing element between and engaging the expansion element and its associated frame element and is of maximum bias where the expansion element is in its retracted position. A releasable strap holes the expansion element in the retracted position until the strap is cut, whereupon the biasing element drives the expansion element to its expanded position.

Abstract: An articulating vent window assembly is provided wherein a vent window is pivotally mounted with respect to a sealing element for adjustment between a closed and an open position. A pivot mechanism is mounted near a peripheral edge of the vent window, providing articulation of the vent window around a pivot axis in proximity and substantially parallel to one of the peripheral edges of the vent window. The articulating vent window is adjustable between a closed position and at least one discrete open position by engagement of the pivot mechanism with spaced grooves provided in a corresponding detent member. A method for pivotally mounting a vent window in a vent window sealing element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A seal for closing the gap between adjacent panels is formed from plastic sheet material having lateral attachment areas bearing adhesive bands on the opposite edges of one face. The seal area between the attachment areas constitutes a barrier web and folds between the attachment areas, defining a triple air column insulator.

Abstract: A door extension apparatus for use with a door having a bottom edge and having grooves in the bottom edge for normally receiving weather strips. The apparatus includes a first extension member for being secured to the grooves in the bottom edge of the door, the first extension member having a bottom edge, the bottom edge of the first extension member having grooves therein; and a second extension member for being secured to the grooves in the bottom edge of the first extension member.

Abstract: A sliding door frame and carriage assembly which includes a pair of upper corner connectors to clamp together the upper corners of the frame. Such connectors also serve as upper guides or glides. The assembly also includes a pair of lower corner connectors which clamp together the lower frame corners and mount wheels for rolling support of the door. Each connector fits within adjacent slots in the rails and stiles to hold the connectors securely in position, and simultaneously clamp together the associated rails and stiles. Each connector is characterized by a rail connector spanning section which spans a portion of the outside wall of the associated rail to stabilize the connector in position and, in the case of the lower connectors, better distribute the weight of the door.

Abstract: A wheel slide 20 for supporting a grinding wheel 40 is mounted on a carriage 100 which extends across a work area to engage parallel horizontal ways 61, 62 on opposite sides of the axis of rotation B of a workpiece W. The carriage 100 has ways 114, 115, 116 which support the wheel slide 20 for vertical movement toward and away from a horizontal axis B of rotation of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of shaping a nose portion 5 of an electrode 4 in an EDM apparatus comprises, providing a grinding element 9 having a peripheral groove 10 and means for effecting relative movement between the electrode 4 and the grinding element 9, and feeding the electrode 4 into the groove 10 tangentially or normally thereto so that the nose portion 5 contacts and is ground by one of the two opposed side faces of the groove 10 to impart a complementary profile to a first side face 20 of the nose portion 5.

Abstract: A method of polishing a fiber, which is particularly difficult to rotate 360 degrees in its polishing operation, comprises the steps of: bringing a thread-like polishing medium into contact with an outer peripheral portion of the fiber; and moving axially and rotatably the thread-like polishing medium relative to the outer peripheral portion of the fiber; whereby the fiber is polished with the thread-like polishing medium.

Abstract: Device for sharpening knives and other edge tools comprises an elongate abrasive honing element, typically a rotatably driven cylindrical rod formed of or coated with an abrasive and located in a housing so as to leave only a semi-diameter of the periphery exposed, the housing including sloping guide cheeks extending upwards at each end of the exposed part of the rod to determine the angle of the blade or other workpiece during at least a final part of its passage along the rod surface.

Abstract: A drill bit sharpener in combination with a hand held electric power drill having a chuck, an electric motor and a drive shaft powering the chuck. The sharpener includes an abrasive wheel supported within the hand held housing of the electric power drill for rotation about a central axis. The abrasive wheel has a cupped concave angled grinding face disposed facing the hand held housing. The housing has a single passageway parallel to and off set from the central axis. An aperture is disposed within the housing normal to and communicating with the single passageway. A first stationary pin is engaged within the aperture extending outwardly into the single passageway for engaging a first flute on a drill bit inserted through the single passageway. A second reciprocal pin extends outwardly into the single passageway, opposing the first pin, for engaging a second flute of the drill bit to secure the drill bit against rotation.

Abstract: Centrifugal treatment apparatus for mechanical treatment, e.g. grinding, polishing, cleaning and deburring of workpieces, including a workpiece receiving container, which has a mainly cylindrical casing (1) and a rotating base (2) in the form of a plate or similar, arranged coaxially thereto, whose circumferential rim abuts the cylindrical casing, the casing being removably attached to a support (3). The casing in accordance with the present invention is formed so that it can also be fixed in an inverted position with its upper rim on the support (3). In this way it is possible to use the container casing further in the inverted position after abrasion of its inner surface in the lower region, which results in the operating lifetime of the container casing being doubled or almost doubled.

Abstract: The workpiece which is moved relative to the tool is processed by a tool configured in the form of a flexible membrane. On the rearward side of the membrane, loading units are arranged with the force of each unit being individually controlled. The pressure distribution exerted by the loading units on the workpiece is varied with time in dependence upon the position of the workpiece. With the method, large optical components such as telescope mirrors and grazing-incidence optical elements for x-ray telescopes can be polished more quickly than by the heretofore known methods. Also non-rotationally symmetrical defects of the surface can be eliminated. An apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention is disclosed.

Abstract: A work wheel retainer includes a flange having an annular recess for receiving a spur gear having an inner threaded surface for threadingly engaging the threaded end of an arbor. The work wheel is sandwiched between an arbor flange and a retainer flange and the spur gear is driven along the threads of said arbor by a manually operated axle-less pinion gear. The retainer flange includes a pair of counter bores communicating with the annular recess, either of which may be used to secure the pinion gear in position for rotating the spur gear. Another embodiment for use with an internally threaded arbor includes a screw portion integrally formed with, or affixed to, the spur gear.

Abstract: A device for releasable mounting of a disk-shaped tool on a working spindle, comprises two flange members arranged to abut against the tool, supporting elements arranged to support one of the flange members against its axial displacement on the working spindle, wherein the supporting elements are releasable so as to unload the one flange member from a clamping pressure and formed as rolling bodies, arranged between the working spindle and the one flange member and displaceable transversely to their supporting direction into a deviating space.

Abstract: A method is described for hob grinding helical gearwheels by continuous diagonal hobbing using a tool in the form of a substantially involute worm whose active length is greater than the length of the working area and whose center distance from the gearwheel is changed during its feed motion in the diagonal direction from the axial and tangential directions to generate lateral crowning. The pressure angle of the right or left flanks decreases continuously from a maximum value starting at one end of the worm toward the other end, whereby the maximum pressure angle of the right flanks at one end of the worm coincides with the minimum pressure angle of the left flanks, and vice versa.

Abstract: A method of preparing porous abrasive rock for use in distressing fabric, including the steps of impregnating rocks placed in a vacuum vessel with a bleaching solution under reduced pressure, maintaining the reduced pressure for a first interval while injecting the solution beneath the rocks and then increasing the vessel pressure above ambient for a second interval prior to removal.

Abstract: A wiper guide assembly, mounted at the free end of a workpiece carrying arm, can be selectively released to position a neoprene wiper blade against a lapping surface, and retracted whereby the blade is lifted away from the lapping surface. The wiper blade is located just ahead of a workpiece supported by the arm, and between the workpiece and a source of abrasive slurry supplied to the lapping surface. When retracted, the wiper blade is spaced apart from the lapping surface to expose its associated workpiece to the abrasive slurry, permitting more rapid removal of material. When the assembly is released, the wiper blade contacts the lapping surface in a wiping engagement, to guide or divert slurry away from the workpiece, whereby the lapping surface contiguous with and about the workpiece is comparatively free of abrasive slurry.

Abstract: A buffing wheel in which the strap of ductile metal encircles and abuts the circular body member from whose peripheral edges the teeth which engage the annulus of buffing fabric extend. Each pair of successive teeth defines between them an angle having a sharp apex at their junctions with the body member. In use, the buffing wheel is rotated at a high speed so that high centrifugal tensile force is transmitting through the teeth to their junctions with the body member. This force is concentrated at the apeces formed between successive teeth. The strap absorbs the concentrated stress, in part, preventing cracks in the body member from developing, but predominantly preventing cracks, even cracks which sever the body member, which do develop from spreading and causing catastrophic failure of the ring and an explosion of a buffing assembly including the ganged buffing wheels.

Abstract: Seating for a telescoping row system or the like is mounted to a beam pivotally secured to a base anchored to the platform and riser. The beam is raised arcuately into a use position by a pneumatic bellows and is mechanically locked in the upright position to permit deenergization of the bellows. Reinflation of the bellows disengages the lock and the assembly collapses slowly against the controlled deflation of the bellows.The seat is positionable on the beam initially without fasteners to facilitate installation. In similar fashion, armrests are secured to the beam separate from the seat and adjustable along the beam to permit overall width variations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dry boat storage building comprising a floor surface having a center, a plurality of substantially vertical outer support columns disposed circumferentially around the center in spaced parallel relationship to one another and having upper and lower ends, a substantially annular boat storage rack disposed circumferentially around the center between the center and the vertical outer support columns, a plurality of elongate rafters respectively extending from a point spaced substantially vertically above the center to the upper ends of the vertical support columns and connected to the boat storage rack between the point and the upper end, a plurality of roof panels disposed over the rafters to form a continuous roof over the floor surface, and a plurality of wall panels disposed around the vertial support columns to form a substantially continuous wall around the boat storage rack.

Abstract: An extensible mast support system is depicted which utilizes a plurality of anchor points which are disposed radially distant from the base of the mast. A support bracket mounted to the mast serves to mount multiple metering sprockets and a single continuous length of cable is threaded between each anchor point and the support bracket. Strain measurement devices on each span of the cable are utilized to control the length of cable payed out during extension or retraction of the mast. A beaded cable which engages the metering sprockets is utilized to restrict variations in length between spans whereby increased strain in an individual span will not vary the length of the other spans and the mast will remain vertical.

Abstract: An elevated access floor, or pedestal floor wherein a two-cell duct element spans one or more support pedestals is disclosed. The duct element distributes two different services, such as high and low voltage wiring to various locations in the access floor area. A feeder unit having removable covers extends transversely of the duct element and serves to feed the wiring of the two services from central locations, such as a telephone closet and a power closet, to the duct elements.

Abstract: Steps are formed around the peripheries of respective floor panels, so that wiring channels are formed between the side surfaces of adjacent floor panels when said floor panels are installed. As a result, the laying of power cables and communications cables on the floor surface, which is impossible in the case of conventional free-access floors, is made possible. Furthermore, these wiring channels are covered by wiring covers, thus eliminating any indentations or projections in the floor surface and providing a flat floor surface.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a stair construction and method in which the stair includes at least one stringer assembled in situ from a plurality of stringer units, treads supported on the stringer, and a hand rail comprised of a plurality of hand rail units or sections secured together in situ. The use of modular construction, with the parts assembled in situ on a job site, enables the components to be manufactured in a factory and then shipped in convenient packages to the job site for assembly. This enables relatively complex stair designs, such as spiral and circular stairs, as well as more conventional straight stairs to be employed in construction without concern for bulky and difficult to handle packaging and shipping, or the need for skilled carpenters using special tools to construct such stairs on the job site.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved heat resistance brick, which comprises an upper board and a lower board, said upper board being made of solid polylone, said lower board being made of the mixture of wooden chips and urea by means of press molding process, said upper and lower boards being arranged to provide water outlets, and said lower board being arranged to provide well-shaped drainage canals at the bottom so as to match with said water outlets for water drainage. By means of the color change on the upper board, the bricks are arranged on the roof to provide preferred patterns to make the roof more attractive. By means of the utilization of waste material to produce lower board to reduce the manufacturing cost. By means of said arrangement to provide good heat resistance bricks for practical use.

Abstract: A venting system for allowing the escape of harmful water vapors trapped in the roof system. The system includes a roof deck forming the base of the roof system, a roofing membrane positioned over the roof deck, and a channel network positioned between said roof deck and said roofing membrane to form a plurality of venting passages below said membrane. The channel network comprises a plurality of integrally formed channel members arranged to form a grid covering the roof deck. The cross section of the channels is shaped as an inverted trough, thereby providing sufficient strength to the network's surface to support the outer roof treatment and/or to permit an installer to walk across the surface of said network without collapsing it. Roof vents pierce the roofing membrane and provide a relief passage communicating with the venting passages. Water vapor trapped beneath the roofing membrane is channeled through the venting passages to the roof vents where it evaporates into the atmosphere.

Abstract: Structural glazing systems for skylights which are designed to facilitate installation, maintenance and replacement of skylight panels from inside a host structure. The internal fastening apparatus of the structural glazing systems include multiple, open-chamber carrier beams which are interconnected in a lattice or grid configuration and are each shaped to receive a pair of parallel, spaced bottom glazing strips for receiving the bottom edges of separate glass or plastic skylight panels. Companion exterior glazing caps each carry a pair of spaced top glazing strips for seating on the top edges of the skylight panels. The exterior glazing caps are shaped to facilitate bolting to the carrier beams and securing the glass or plastic skylight panels in position between the top and bottom glazing strips.

Abstract: Improved frame assembly for doors, windows and the like is provided. The assembly includes a frame defining an opening for receiving and retaining a central panel. The frame is formed from two joined skins which may be molded in the same mold and which are provided with inwardly extending flanges having notched areas on opposite sides of the flanges such that the skins can be joined together to form a lap joint on the exterior edge and to seal a central panel in the opening. Foamable insulating material is provided as a core between the two skins with a separate sealant material provided to seal the central panel. Passage means are provided for introducing the sealant material and the insulating material.

Abstract: A ceiling runner comprised of an elongated generally U-shaped channel member having longitudinally spaced openings in its web, each with one end portion shaped and sized to confine a transversely arranged upright C-stud therein. The remainder of the opening is of such size and shape as to permit the C-stud to be initially inserted therethrough with the web of its cross-section extending longitudinally of the web of the channel member and to be thereafter twisted about its longitudinal axis to a relatively transverse position to snap into place within said end portion, the web of the channel member having a retaining tab at one side and a detent and camming surface at the opposite side of the opening to cause the C-stud to flex sufficiently to snap into said end portion and to retain the C-stud within said end portion once it has snapped into place.

Abstract: A structural member and a method of construction employing same, wherein the structural member comprises two boards held in spaced apart relationship by a pluarlity of spacers fixed at intervals between said boards and each board has a tongue along one edge and a complementary groove along the other, and wherein said structural members can be readily joined edge to edge to construct walls and partitions.

Abstract: Attachment hardware and modular furnace lining which may be secured to an interior surface of a furnace by any one of a variety of methods, e.g., welding, self-tapping screw, or to a previously secured stud or matingly configured member. In a preferred embodiment the module is formed of refractory ceramic fiber blanket portions which are retained into a modular unit by the hardware system. Each module includes hardware having support structure which passes through the layers of blanket adjacent the furnace wall. The hardware includes a collar which is movable relative to the base bar to allow adjustment of the position of the module and means to facilitate access from the hot face of the module to install it.

Abstract: A ceiling system constituted of inverted T support members arranged in a horizontal grid, wherein T members aligned in end-to-end relation are interconnected by a splice member bridging the joint between them and having a pair of horizontally spaced clips respectively projecting through openings in end portions of the webs of the interconnected T members. The splice member is a sheet element having portions bent laterally and downwardly about horizontal bending axes to form the clips, and side edges bent obliquely about vertical bending axes for bearing against the webs of the T members to cooperate with the clips in securely interlocking the splice member and the T members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for inhibiting spread of fire in buildings on fire and for protection against the effect of fire wherein heat insulating layer is applied onto the surface of movable and fixed building structures, involving the use of heat insulating materials in the joints of movable and fixed building structures wherein as heat insulating material heat-absorbent hydrophylic silica and/or aluminosilicate based adsorbent, preferably synthetic A-, X- or P-zeolite is used.

Abstract: Roofs for houses are primarily constructed off site, are disassembled and transported to the house construction site, and then reassembled, lifted onto the house shell, and nailed or otherwise affixed in place. Each roof section comprises one or more roof panels, ceiling joists, and upright supports. The roof panels include subroofing, roofing, and first joists extending along the slope of the roof, with facia and all other necessary elements to complete a roof provided. The ceiling joists have openings at both ends, and the upright supports have openings at one end with the other end beveled to engage a first joist. Dowels, which have a tapered end for ease of insertion, pin the ceiling joists to the first joist of the roof panel, and the upright supports. Sheet material, such as plywood, splices the upright supports to the first joists. Two roof sections are connected together at their apex by a ventable ridge.

Abstract: A spacer tube design is arranged to receive a snap-on cap which may be of any desired color thereby to match the surrounding structure. The spacer tube can be bent into a rectangular outline shape without the use of separate corner inserts. The snap-on cap may be capable of holding a deisiccant material. The cap may be also designed as to provide thermal and/or sound insulation between the glazing panels and/or to securely hold a decorative grill or the like in place between the glazing panels. The spacer unit may be capable of flexing in such a manner as to accommodate relative movement between the glazing units in response to fluctuations in the forces acting on the glazing panels thereby to reduce the possibility of damage occurring to the glazing unit.

Abstract: An access floor panel includes a generally rectangular pan having a bottom and sides. The pan includes peripheral flanges which define downwardly opening channels or grooves extending around the edge or periphery of the panel. A plurality of elongated, vinyl trim pieces are slidably positioned on the peripheral flanges and disposed within the downwardly opening channels. Each of the trim pieces includes a generally L-shaped slot dimensioned to receive the peripheral flange.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stretch bundler having a novel film-holding device. The bundler has a rotable ring that holds the film in a spool and as it rotates it wraps the film around the object to be wrapped or bundled. The film is held at the beginning of the process by a device that firmly holds the sides of the film and stretches these sides outwardly. The subsequent wraps of film are thereby free of any obstructions.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening dual bag sets having pressure interlocking zipper profiles along the top with pull flanges extending upwardly from the profiles and a bridging pull flange joining adjacent bag pairs, dual flange gripping means for the outer pull flanges of each of the bags riding along a rib on the bag, with the gripping means mounted on pivotal handles so that after the bags are moved forwardly, they can be pulled open for filling by manually pressing the handles together with the handles provided with a return spring.

Abstract: A package strapping machine is capable of strapping a package with an adjusted, gentle force by welding ends of a thermoplastic strap. The machine is provided with a strap-elevating member in proximity to a strap-receiving element mounted on a pivotal member. Overlapping ends of a thermoplastic strap are looped around the strap-receiving element and the package, and are then welded under the strap-receiving element. The strap-receiving element is then withdrawn from between an under surface of the package and the welded portion of the strap. The strap-elevating member elevates the welded portion of the strap, slackened due to gentle tightening, from a point below to a point above the height of the strap-receiving element, with the result that the slackened, welded portion of the strap is held above the strap-receiving element as it returns to its original position. The strap thus does not impede the movement of the strap-receiving element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a package strapping machine suitable for tying a package or bundle into a circular shape. A concave base supports the package in the circular shape. A synthetic resin tape is looped around the package and the base, and a leading end of the tape is held against a lower surface of the base by a clamping mechanism. The tape is then tightened, and the leading end of the tape is clamped together with a trailing end of the tape. These tape portions are then heated and pressed to weld them together, and thus the packae is tied in a circular shape. The concave base is then pivoted out from between the package and the tape. As the base pivots, stoppers adjacent the base contact portions of the tape to hold the tape and package in place and allow the base to be removed.

Abstract: A safety crupper comprises a brace connected with a tail hanger formed by a moulded elastomer stiffened by a support skeleton or backbone consisting of a metallic wire. The latter forms a closed loop at a junction of its ends by a deformable sleeve which has a controlled distortion strength.

Abstract: A compact, versatile lawnmower control is provided which is especially useful for holding and releasing ground drive and blade clutch cables and which allow connection and removal of the cable end without dismantling the control, allows the optional inclusion of a releasable handle lock, and allow the use of a deadman handle to release two cables at differing release distances. The preferred control includes an operating handle having a tubular body rotatably mounted within a housing; a coupling element rotatably mounted coaxially with the handle body for coupling with a deadman handle; and a holding and releasing means intercoupling the element and the body for holding the handle in a second position when the element is in the operating position and for releasing the handle for shifting to a first position when the element shifts to a relaxed position.

Abstract: A crop conditioner for crimping cut crops to enhance rapid drying. The conditioner includes two crimper roller members mounted to a frame. One roller member is radially movable with respect to the other and has a constant bias toward the stationary roller when under load. The conditioner includes a drive mechanism at each end for positive drive of both roller members from both ends. The biasing means permits independent radial motion of each end of the movable roller member.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable and rotatable moistener column for a cotton picker row unit. The moistener column includes rotating base structure permitting the column to be rotated between a normal operating position and a service position wherein access to the pad supports and moistener pads is facilitated. The rotating base includes indexing structure for firmly securing the moistener column in either the operating or the service position and for facilitating rotation of the column between positions after moving the column vertically.

Abstract: A hand held garden implement, namely a rake, contains means for cleaning its own tines of collected leaves, vegetable matter or other adhering material. The head of the rake, containing a plurality of tines, moves as a unit. This movement draws the end prongs or teeth of the tines into tubes extending throughout the length of a cleaning shield. The shield is rigidly affixed to the rake handle. The head and tines are moved longitudinally upwardly and downwardly along the rake handle by means of a hand grip conveniently located near the top of the rake handle so that an operator does not have to stoop and reach down or reverse the orientation of the rake to clean it.

Abstract: A thread comprising plural carbon fiber strands having a first twist of 80 turns/m or more and plied and twisted to give a final twist of 50 turns/m or more in the direction reverse to the first twist. The thread has a fineness of 3000 denier or less and a knot strength of 1.0 g/denier or more, and the single fibers of the carbon fiber strands constituting the thread each have a fineness of 0.7 denier or less and a loop breaking strain of 2.5% or more.