Abstract: This invention relates to a device for joining piping materials such as a piping material and a pipe coupling.The piping materials are joined together by inserting one end of a piping material into a pipe coupling having a tapered and expanded diameter portion, and by causing the joint of these piping materials where they are overlapped with each other to be plastically deformed with a pair of processing dies which are movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the piping materials.The half-die members can be kept in parallel to each other when they are moved closer to each other, thereby to provide uniform and rigid junction therebetween.

Abstract: A tool for holding a lawn mower blade in a mower during removal and replacement. The tool comprises a U-shaped bracket having a horizontal web and a pair of upstanding horizontally-spaced flanges. A bolt extends through bolt holes in the flanges at a level above the web. The web, flanges, and bolt encircle the lawn mower blade and define a space for retaining an end portion of the lawn mower blade. Alternate bolt hole arrangements in the flanges enable the bolt to be repositioned at different spacings and angles relative to the web, to accommodate lawn mower blades having different size air vanes with different angular dispositions. An elongated handle is attached to the underside of the web and is offset downwardly to clear the bottom edge of the skirt of a lawn mower housing.

Abstract: According to the invention, the surface of a blank to be shaped into a product is decorated by marking on a test blank a plurality of reference points distributed over the entire surface of the test blank which will be affected by the shaping. The test blank is then shaped into a test product and the positions of the reference points are determined. A block of decoration to be obtained on the product is formed, and the positions of the reference points on the test product are located on the block. The decoration is then converted into a plurality of pixels of each inking color, and the position of each pixel with respect to the reference points on the test product is located. A corresponding pixel position with respect to the reference points on the test blank is also determined, and a film is prepared by printing the film with each pixel of the decoration reproduced in a location corresponding to the corresponding location on the test blank. At least one blank is then decorated with the film.

Abstract: A needle removal and storage device for removing needles from hypodermic needle/syringe assemblies and automatically receiving and safely storing removed needles within the device. The device includes a storage/containment member closed at one end and proportioned to receive used needles, and a top assembly at the open end of the storage/containment member which provides an opening to receive a needle and its hub portion. The top assembly is provided with a pair of grasping members mounted to generally opposite sides of the storage/containment member at its open end. The grasping members are adapted to receive the needle hub portion of a needle/syringe assembly and grasp the hub portion when squeezed together to permit removal of the needle from the syringe.

Abstract: A light-tight cassette, and method of making same, for enclosing and dispensing a roll of photosensitive web material. The cassette comprises a folded fiberboard housing having a plurality of housing wall portions with oppositely projecting lateral edges which define opposite sides of the housing. The plurality includes two planar wall portions that extend perpendicularly to each other to respective ends thereof which are disposed in spaced alignment to provide an opening between them. Two extruded plastic light-locking members are attached to those wall portion ends, respectively, one such member extending across the opening toward the other member to form a web exit passageway therebetween. The one member includes a resiliently flexible, inwardly projecting cantilever portion that is biased toward an opposing portion of the other member, both such portions having light-locking material thereon.

Abstract: An appliance, such as a refrigerator or water heater construction, includes a first wall in surrounding spaced relationship to a second wall. An insulating and sealing device of insulation material, such as fiberglass or foamed material partially enclosed in an open-topped envelope of plastic or foil material is circumferentially located in the space between the first wall and outer wall at a preselected location within the space. The insulating and sealing device which is of a radial thickness greater than the radial width of the space is radially compressed between the first wall surface and second wall surface. An expanded foam thermal insulation material fills the space to one side of the insulating and sealing device.

Abstract: An armature core subassembly and a commutator to be assembled thereon are each centered on a common axis and rotated relative to one another until a desired angular alignment is obtained between a side edge of a commutator bar and the armature core slots. This orientation is maintained while the commutator is advanced to and pressed onto the armature shaft. A commutator placing machine is described in which a tang-oriented commutator is loaded into the nosepiece of a ram assembly and the ram assembly is rotated by a stepper motor until an edge of a commutator bar is detected at a predetermined location by an optical edge detector. Prior machines for tang-orientation and orientation by insulating gaps between commutator bars are also described.

Abstract: A tool for repairing an improperly positioned surface mounted component on the printed circuit board consisting of a body portion with a pair of legs positioned relative to the component mounting area on the printed circuit board with an included vacuum mechanism used to seize the component and reposition it against locating cams included in a pair of vertical legs.

Abstract: A tool holder useful in storage battery assembly is disclosed whose jaws are activated by an internally located piston in one of the jaws. The jaws are mounted on a multiplicity of guide rods floatingly such that when the jaws are closed a work piece will cause them to center up over the work piece despite design variations in the work piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling electrical connector components, including headers, connectors, and terminals, to circuit bearing substrates functions to align the terminal pins of a connector or header into a preferred position and install an annular solder preform onto each terminal pin. The pin alignment apparatus includes movable jaw plates the define a variable size aperture for encompassing each of a plurality of terminal pins, including terminal pins that are bent or skewed relative to an intended position. A carrier plate overlies the jaw plates and includes a plurality of cavities for receiving solder preforms to be installed over each of the terminal pins. The jaw plates are positioned over the terminal pins and moved to a closed position to align all the terminal pins, including any bent or skewed terminal pins, to an intended alignment.

Abstract: A method of making a wing pulley using a plurality of substantially identical building block segments. These building block segments are generally U-shaped with a tapering configuration from one end to the other. A predetermined number of the building block segments are welded together to form a first rigid annular subassembly and a second identical number of predetermined building block segments are also welded together to form a second rigid annular subassembly. A hub is attached to the outer end of each of the rigid annular subassemblies so that bushings or other attachments can be made for rotatably mounting the wing pulley in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A device for clipping fingernails and toenails which includes an enclosure having an open side facilitating insertion of a nail-carrying digital member, and having a nail clipper aperture therethrough on its opposite side from the open side. The enclosure has a transparent top panel having a portion configured as a magnifying lens. A retention element is secured to the inside of the enclosure at a location adjacent the nail clipper aperture. The nail clipper has a portion thereof carrying clipper jaws extended through the aperture into the enclosure, and there detachably engaged by the retainer element.

Abstract: A pipe saddle for providing a reliable connection to a pipe. The present invention uses a barb seal which embeds within the surface of the pipe to lock the pipe saddle in place and prevent leakage. The barb seal is formed from the material of the pipe saddle so that no deterioration occurs. The barb seal has an oval shape to provide better sealing capabilities. T-bolt connectors allow the device to be individually tightened on each side of the pipe while allowing the body portions of the saddle to be pivotally opened yet maintained as a single unit to allow easy implementation.

Abstract: A spoon, which comprises a sheet of plastic bags received in a bottom cap which is secured to the body thereof. Plastic bags can be drawn out of the bottom cap one by one, for wrapping up the spoon therein. A retainer ring is provided to sleeve on the handle of the spoon so as to secure a plastic bag to the spoon. Every plastic bag can be removed from the spoon each time after use, so that a new plastic bag can be used to wrap the spoon and the spoon can be repeatedly used without the need to wash.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a guide bar for the saw chain of a motor-driven chain saw and includes a base body section on which a nose assembly section for the saw chain is releasably attached. The nose assembly section is attached to the base body section by means of a releasable lock which is not destroyed in order to effect a separation of the two sections. The lock includes an eccentric cam which is rotatable about an axis transverse to the plane of the guide bar. The cam is in contact engagement with a wall of a bore in the guide bar when the cam is in the locked position.

Abstract: A first positioning rule is oriented for mounting overlying edge portions of associated plaster drywall sheets. A second rule slidably mounted to the first rule includes a series of slots for receiving a cutting tool therewithin to effect scoring and cutting of the associated drywall sheet. The slots include overlying plate members of metallic construction received within recesses of the drywall rule to avoid damage to the rule in use of a cutting tool.

Abstract: There is proposed an instrument for determining true bearing during daytime using the sun as a reference preferably for use together and as an attachment to known angular measuring instruments, such as geniometers, the instrument consisting of a shadow producing member to produce a shadow on a reference member. The shadow is to be cast at a predetermined location on the reference member when the shadow producing member is exactly aligned with the sun.

Abstract: A method is proposed for better determining the azimuth and inclination of a borehole in which a priori information regarding the magnitude of the earth's gravitational field strength, its magnetic field strength and direction are utilized to constrain the measured components of the earth's gravitational and magnetic field vectors. The constrained fit method adjusts the accelerometer and the magnetometer tri-axis measurements to optimize agreement between the measured data and the a priori magnetic and gravity field strengths and the magnetic dip angle. The adjustment that is selected is that which produces the least increase in the statistical measure .chi..sup.2.

Abstract: Inclination gauge having a reservoir filled with liquid and containing a gas bubble. The position of the gas bubble is detected by light detecting devices by which light going through the completely filled tube has a different convergent nature than light going through the tube partially filled with liquid and partially filled with gas. On the centerline of the light emitting and light detecting devices, between the reservoir and the light detecting devices, a shield is provided.

Abstract: A probe assembly for use at a test station for contacting a target on an electrical circuitry component. The probe assembly includes an elongate tubular housing with a base of insulative material rigidly supported in the housing adjacent one end thereof. An interior beam assembly connects a contact block to the base with this beam assembly including a relatively flexible cantilever beam. A relatively rigid second beam assembly extends from the contact block beyond the other end of the housing and holds a probe point for contacting the target. The probe assembly also includes an upper contact held by the housing and extending into the housing cavity toward the contact block, and a lower contact held by the housing and extending into the cavity toward the contact block. The spacing between the upper and lower contacts is greater than the height of the contact block and the surfaces of the contact block facing the contacts are conductive.

Abstract: A gauge developer has both sides of a flexible strip formed with even surfaces, and the strip itself is provided with magnetic substances or provided on one side with a coating of a magnetic sheet. Pin holder portions are recess holes formed by one surface of the strip being caved in along the thickness direction toward the other side where pins, upon insertion in the holes, are held in position by the friction of the hole walls and magnetic force from the magnetic layer, thereby allowing the pins to be maintained in position during use. Several gauge developers may be compactly placed together, one above the other, in a block form for use in gauging the contour or surface of any body having a concavoconvex surface.

Abstract: A caliper (10) for measuring the thickness of a blade edge composed of: a pair of opposed jaws (11,12) disposed for displacement relative to each other in a first direction, a sliding member (31) mounted to one of the jaws (12) for displacement relative to the one of the jaws (12) in a second direction, the second direction having a component perpendicular to the first direction, the sliding member (31) defining a stop edge between the jaws (11,12), and a guiding member (21) operatively associated with the sliding member (31) for causing the magnitude of the displacement of the sliding member (31) in the second direction to be a fixed proportion of the magnitude of relative displacement of the jaws (11,12) in the first direction.

Abstract: A system is described for producing small uniform pellets of predetermined size which are substantially free of fines from mechanically dewatered sewage sludge. The system includes a process and apparatus for mixing the dewatered sludge with previously dried, recycled particles of said sludge, drying said mixture in a thermal drier, separating a substantial portion of the dried solids from the drier off gas, clarifying said separated solids to separate the pellets of predetermined size, oversize pellets, and undersize pellets and particles, mechanically crushing the oversize pellets and admixing the crushed oversize pellets with the undersize pellets and particles, and recycling said mixture by mixing said mixture with incoming dewatered sludge to the drier.

Abstract: An outsole construction for a shoe which provides all midsole and outsole functions with a single homogeneous moldable material thorough geometry alone is disclosed. The invention employs cut-out geometry for engineering various characteristics into an outsole of a uniform, monolithic material. Such characteristics are obtained by removing material or reinforcing the material so that it functions as if it had different densities. The invention is based on the principle of minimum sufficient thickness in order to maintain the foot as close to the ground as possible.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing an iron to an ironing board includes a strap attached to the upper surface of an ironing board cover. The strap is adapted to engage the handle of an iron which is standing on its heel. In the preferred embodiment, one face of a hook-and-loop arrangement is securely attached to the top surface of an ironing board, and its complementary surface is securely attached to the underside of the ironing board cover opposite the strap.

Abstract: A pivotally adjustable ironing board including a supporting frame and first and second ironing tables which rotate separately about separate portions of a substantially horizontally disposed portion of the supporting frame. The first ironing table includes two major working surfaces arranged parallel one with the other; the second ironing table includes two major working surfaces arranged in non-parallel, non-coplanar fashion one with the other. The second ironing table includes a profiled edge portion at one end which edge is arranged to accommodate a garment and to facilitate pressing of that garment. Each ironing table employs a separate spring biased locking mechanism each of which is used to secure its respective ironing table at least generally horizontally in a position for use. The supporting frame is adjustable and includes telescoping members and a securement device which device secures the telescoping members with respect of one to the other, to establish a desired height for the ironing surfaces.

Abstract: The license plate cover prevents viewing of the license plate identifying numbers and symbols from the sides of the plate, but does not prevent viewing thereof from directly in line with the plate. The cover includes a frame adapted to overlie the plate and defining a central opening through which the plate numbers can be seen. To the frame are connected a number of spaced vanes which project outwardly thereof and obscure side viewing of the plate numbers. For this purpose, it is preferred to have the vanes parallel with each other and running from the top to the bottom of the frame across the opening, and perpendicular to the main plane of the frame. The vanes can be opaque or transparent. In the latter case, the collective effect of side viewing through the array of vanes is to obscure such viewing.

Abstract: An identification and personal information conveying device comprising: an elongate, flat, unitary, plastic member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion and having a generally planar top surface and a generally planar bottom surface and having two parallel lateral side edges comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge and having opposite first and second end edges; information receiving and displaying assembly fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the member for receiving and displaying information particular to a wearer wearing the device; attachment assembly for attaching the first end portion of the device to the second end portion of the device for providing an annular configuration for positioning the device in encompassing relationship about a wearer's limb the top surface of the member being positioned outwardly and the bottom surface of the member being positioned inwardly whereby information provided on the information receiving and display assembly is no

Abstract: A recoil pad for a shoulder gun such as a rifle or shotgun, including a body of elastomeric cushioning material to be received between the buttstock of the gun and a user'shoulder, and an insert member formed of a material harder than the elastomeric material and embedded within a recess in the back of the elastomeric body near its upper end. The pad may also include an attachment plate secured to the front of the elastomeric body. The insert member has a rear surface which engages the user's clothing at a location above an aligned rear surface of the elastomeric body, to reduce the friction at the location of the insert and facilitate sliding of the recoil pad upwardly adjacent the clothing to firing position. The elastomeric body has a portion extending upwardly in front of the harder insert to be received between that insert and the buttstock of the gun and cushion the transmission of recoil forces from the gun to the insert.

Abstract: An artificial lure has a main body, a leader with a hook, and a preserve element located between the main body and the thin rod and formed so that it does not change during throwing the lure and manipulations in water, but then in response to a setting by a fishermen allows movement of the thin rod with the hook relative to the main body to improve engagement of the hook in the fish mouth.

Abstract: An artificial fishing lure is described having a hollow transparent body formed from transparent plastic. Within the body is a sealed compartment containing an antifreezing liquid in which is suspended a multiplicity of small reflective flakes that shimmer when the lure is pulled through the water to attract fish.

Abstract: A plurality of rigid rods are centrally connected to a hub block and peripherally connected to flexible draw-strings which in turn support a net. The rods are of sufficient length to cause the hub block to be located directly above and over the center of the net and are connected to the hub block by means of any suitable type of spring. A bait spike allows placement of any bait, suitable for attracting crabs, into such a position that the bait will be located directly above and in the center of the net. A retrieval line is attached to the hub block so that upward force on the line causes the springs to partially deform which in turn allows the net to slide downward along the draw strings thereby forming a pouch in the net. This pouch allows for entrapment of the crab for retrieval of the crab fisherman.

Abstract: A method and system for purification of water for plants in a greenhouse structure. The method comprises condensing water vapor in the air in the greenhouse on the greenhouse walls, collecting the condensed water at the base of the walls and passing the collected water to the roots of the plants. To accomplish this method the system comprises a water supply for water to be purified, a mist generator for the air in the greenhouse from the water supply means and a heat source to generate heat in the greenhouse for vaporization of the mist. Cooling means are provided for the walls to cause water vapor in the air in the greenhouse to condense on the interior surfaces of the walls. The condensed water is collected and carried by conduit means to a nutrient solution reservoir for admixture with nutrient to be supplied to the roots of the plant.

Abstract: A hanger adapted for suspending a plant container or the like from a fixed support. The hanger comprises a plurality of flexible straps having upper reaches terminating in upper extremities adapted for connection to the fixed support and lower reaches terminating in lower extremities adapted for disposition adjacent the plant container, and supporters on the lower extremities of the straps for supporting the container. Each strap has an effective length defined by the distance between its upper and lower extremities. The effective length of each strap is adjustable independent of the adjustment of the other straps for varying the position of the plant with respect to the fixed support.

Abstract: In conjunction with a conventional power operated overhead door, such as a garage door, which has wire cables attached to the door for assisting in raising (opening) and lowering (closing) the door, a cam plate or dog having a toothed edge can be pivotably moved to instantaneously clamp or bind against the wire cable to stop its downward movement in the event any obstacle, such as a small child, is detected in the path of the door while it is being closed. The cam plate is biased to permit the wire cable to move in a direction to open the door.

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 spherical head. A housing member connected to the cable has an elongated slot formed in a lateral wall and receiving the spherical head of the pin. A ramp surface formed on the housing member at the end of the elongated slot furthest from the cable is engaged by the head of the pin. A spring clip mounted on the housing member has opposed spring arms which encircle the spherical head to retain the head of the pin in the elongated slot of the housing member to connect the motor driven drive element and the vehicle body closure. The spring arms yield in response to a predetermined level of forced imposed thereon by the spherical head of the pin so that the pin is ejected laterally through the opening to disconnect the drive element from the closure.

Abstract: An improved bottom offset door pivot is disclosed which comprises an elongated threshold and a door pivot body. The threshold has a keyway formed therein in a direction generally parallel to the axis of elongation of the threshold. The door pivot body has a pivot spindle projecting upwardly therefrom for pivotably mounting a lower portion of a door to the pivot body. The pivot body further has a hook formed thereon configured to mechanically hook into the keyway in the threshold. A flange formed on the lower surface of the pivot body engages a groove formed in the upper surface of the threshold. The flange is disposed relative to the pivot spindle such that when the flange engages the keyway, the pivot spindle is properly offset with respect to the threshold. In the disclosed embodiment, when the lateral edge of the pivot body abuts the vertical door jamb, the pivot spindle is properly offset with respect to the doorjamb.

Abstract: A vehicle door has a front loading glass run channel frame assembly. The glass run frame assembly is adapted to receive a vehicle window and enable movement of the same within a channel. The glass run frame assembly includes a mechanism to enable securing of the frame assembly to a flange of the vehicle door. Also, the frame assembly includes mirror trim which enables mounting of a side view mirror or the like. The frame assembly may be front loaded onto the vehicle door.

Abstract: A window adjustment apparatus is provided for use with an automotive vehicle type of window assembly of the type having an elongate guide channel defining a longitudinal axis and which mounts a window for reciprocal motion relative to a vehicle body panel such as a vehicle door, and a pivot arrangement which mounts the guide channel for pivotal movement generally about one end thereof and within the vehicle body panel in which the guide channel is located. The window adjustment apparatus includes a housing and an adjustment member having a channel-coupling portion or coupling thereof to the guide channel at a location thereon generally remotely located from the end about which the guide channel is mounted for pivotal motion.

Abstract: A side door assembly in an automobile body structure for selectively opening and closing an access opening includes a generally rectangular double-walled door panel structure having a windowpane chamber and a windowpane slot both defined therein. A windowpane is supported for movement between elevated and lowered positions through the windowpane slot such that the windowpane in the lowered position can be substantially concealed within the windowpane chamber. The side door assembly also comprises a window sash mounted on the door panel structure so as to extend above the windowpane slot. This window sash has a front sash portion, a generally horizontally extending sash portion continued from the front sash portion and a generally upright rear sash portion continued from the horizontally extending sash portion. There is also provided a bezel mounted on the door panel structure at a location rearwardly of the upright sash portion and at a level above the waist level of an individual.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus for polishing a surface of a work piece requiring high surface precision such as an optical component or a metal mold by applying a tool, in which the tool is given a rocking motion of the surface of work to be polished while the work is given a rotary motion. Besides the rotary motion of the work, the rotation and rocking motion of the tool and the movement of the tool on the surface to be polished are detected and are controlled according to the working information for the surface to be polished.

Abstract: An internal grinding apparatus having a grinding wheel attached to a spindle rotor radially and axially supported by electromagnetic bearings. Currents applied to the electromagnetic bearings are continuously controlled by a controlling system including a central processing unit during grinding work in order to adjust the longitudinal axis of the spindle rotor. The longitudinal axis of the spindle rotor is inclined and/or shifted at predetermined locations of the grinding wheel in a bore of a workpiece, thereby eliminating tapering of the long bore, and improving the cylindricality and straightness in grinding work.

Abstract: A numerically controlled internal grinding machine for grinding a workpiece by a rough grinding operation with a rough grinding wheel and a finish grinding operation with a finish grinding wheel. The grinding machine detects the load power of a motor which drives the finish grinding wheel in order to determine a compensation value to enable subsequent compensation due to wear of the rough grinding wheel. In the successive rough grinding operation, the relative position of the workpiece is compensated for according to the determined compensation value, so that the diameter of the workpiece after the rough grinding operation is maintained at a desired constant value regardless of the wear of the rough grinding wheel.

Abstract: A steady beam is focused upon a target member located on a building structure. The target member moves with the deflection of the building structure and the movement of the target is communicated to a programmed controller which responds to the movement indicated by actuating tension adjusting members which are connected to an array of elastic steel rod-like tendons disposed adjacent the structure's main support members. The tension adjusting members are caused to apply tensile force to the tendons to counter the force causing the deflection of the structure and to inhibit the effect of the force on the structure's support members, thus diminishing the extent of deflection and dampening the oscillation of the structure which is incident to the restoration of the structure to a condition of equilibrium.

Abstract: An improved gutter-downspout connection unit to be used in connecting a conventional gutter to a conventional downspout in rain water removal systems which is generally anvilar in structure comprising an upper body having first and second upper body sides and first and second end pieces with at least one of the end pieces having a smooth curvature which downwardly and inwardly converges towards the other end piece wherein the upper body sides and the end pieces adjoin each other along common edges such that the upper edges of the upper body sides and the end pieces form a common edge defining a top opening, and the lower edges of the upper body sides and the end pieces form a common edge defining a bottom opening substantially opposite the top opening, such that and debris and water contained in the conventional gutter will follow a curved path from the gutter to the downspout thereby making the gutter-downspout connection unit essentially clog-resistant.

Abstract: A brick panel wall construction is disclosed including a backing board for a brick panel which is formed of extruded plastic foam for moisture resistance and insulating. The wall construction includes a plurality of brick panels having plastic foam backing boards and a plurality of panel clips which support the backing board against the supporting structure and, when mortar is applied and cured, support the bricks which are secured to the backing boards. Each panel clip is attached at two locations, one to the backing board and the second through the backing board into the supporting structure. Further, legs extend outwardly from the panel clips into the mortar joints to provide a direct mechanical connection between the bricks mounted on the backing board and the supporting structure. These legs have retaining lips configured to create a wedge like action to provide additional support.

Abstract: An assembly of eaves fascia, comprising: a fascia board for concealing a plurality of outward ends of rafters arranged in the roof eaves of a building; an eaves soffit board, set apart under the eaves, for obstructing a view of the inside of the eaves from below, an inward end of the soffit board being fixed onto an outer wall of the building; a curtain board, caused to link the fascia board and an outward end of the soffit board, for masking a gap between the eaves and the soffit board; wherein a joint of the fascia board and the curtain board is adapted so as to enable the curtain board to move relative to and around the fascia board, whereby the curtain board can be supported even in a tilted manner by the fascia board. In addition, the above-mentioned assembly of eaves fascia is adapted to connect the curtain board with an additional curtain board so as to extend downwards.

Abstract: A laminated sheet which is useful as part of an underground drainage system for a basement is disclosed, and which includes a layer of polystyrene and at least one layer of a polyolefin laminated to one side of the polystyrene layer. The laminated sheet is molded so as to include an array of spaced apart projections extending laterally outwardly from one side of the laminated sheet thereby forming a series of drainage channels.

Abstract: A patio door system uses a metal frame attached to a door jamb. A door panel to be installed in the frame includes a metal sill member and a metal jamb member. A pair of fixed door panel adapters is provided for insertion into the panel sill member when the panel is to be used as a fixed door panel. When the door panel is to be used as a sliding panel, a pair of wheel assemblies is installed in the panel sill member, thus permitting a single panel to be adapted as either a fixed panel or as a sliding panel.

Abstract: Panels of the type used in an office panel system are provided with longitudinal grooves at the ends thereof, the grooves receiving a tube in such relationship that the tube can seat snugly in both grooves, and that the tube can rotate about its longitudinal axis. Complementary teardrop-shaped openings are provided at spaced points along the tube, each such opening having its axis in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tube. Such openings cooperate with chamfered undercut screw heads to draw the panels together and align the panels with each other in response to rotation of the tube through one-quarter turn. A crank is provided at the lower end of the tube, to rotate the tube through one-quarter turn and simultaneously conceal the crank. An alignment pin cooperates with the tube slot to hold the tube at a predetermined elevation that greatly facilitates initiation of the entrance of the screw heads into the teardrop-shaped openings.