Abstract: An automatic startup device in a carding machine includes a roll assembly for discharging the fiber web; and a web transporting arrangement situated under the roll assembly for gathering and advancing the web. The web transporting arrangement is formed of two adjoining, driven endless belts which together define a gap through which the web is discharged downwardly. The two endless belts or portions thereof are simultaneously shiftable horizontally to cause the web discharge gap to assume first and second locations spaced horizontaly from one another. There is further provided a trumpet situated under the web gathering belts. The trumpet has separable parts between which the web is introduced from the web discharge gap.

Abstract: A baby crib has a first and a second gate which are substantially planar, parallel and vertical, are spaced apart from each other and are slidingly attached to posts so as to move in a vertical direction between the bottom open position and a top closed position. A planar mattress support platform is positioned between said gates and is releasably attached to said posts being perpendicular thereto. A stop means is fixedly attached to said mattress support platform and protrudes horizontally therefrom, and keeper means is fixedly attached to said first gate in a position to engage said stop means when said gate is supported in a position intermediate said top closed position and said bottom open position.

Abstract: An adjustable bed including a multi-section mattress frame mounted on a base frame. The mattress frame includes a head section and a lower section. The lower section may include an intermediate or seat section and a leg section. A mattress support is joined to the mattress frame. The mattress support includes a plurality of wire grids joined to the sections. Each grid includes a plurality of tandemly arranged, transversely extending, generally rectangular closed loops. End portions of the loops are axially aligned and joined to lateral or side portions of the mattress frame. A plurality of parallel, longitudinally or axially extending support wires are positioned on the loops. The support wires extend generally parallel to the lateral portions or sides of the mattress frame. Ends of the support wires may be downturned and joined to an end wire.

Abstract: A device for selectively cleaning the head of a golf club or for cleaning the surface of a golf ball, including a housing having a cleaning chamber formed therein, a pair of brush members being mounted in the housing for counterrotation, each of the brush members being mounted on separate shafts that are disposed in the housing in spaced parallel relation so that the bristles of the brush members are disposed in overlapping relation with respect to each other, the head of a golf club being insertable into the chamber for location of the face of the club in engaging relation with the bristles of the brush members, the chamber having a liquid contained therein and the counterrotating movement of the brush members creating movement of the liquid in the chamber between the brush members, wherein the movement of the liquid cooperates with the movement of the brush members to effectively clean the club head as disposed therebetween, and a top member having a ball receiving tube joined thereto, the top member being

Abstract: A bumper is fixed to the frame of a dust mop so the bumper will engage stationary objects and prevent damage to the mop head on the mop frame. Dust mops are generally carried under a carrier, and the bumper is primarily needed only on the portion of the mop that extends from under the carrier; and, the bumper extends beyond the mop frame to protect the complete mop when the mop is run at an angle with respect to the direction of motion. Bumpers can be provided on each end of a mop frame. For the short reversible frame, the bumpers will be on opposite sides; for long nonreversible frames, the bumpers will be on the same side. A new mop head is attachable to the mop frame around the bumpers by having a plurality of flaps making up the top. The flaps can be fastened around the frame with the bumper in place on the frame.

Abstract: An output of a electric driven blower in a cleaner main body is controlled in response to a detection value of a pressure sensor which detects an operation condition in the cleaner main body. A change-over level setting value is provided as a control value for the sensor so as to form a judgment point for changing over a control condition of the blower. A return level setting value is provided as a control value for the sensor so as to form a judgment point for returning to a previous control condition of the blower from a changed-over condition of the blower. When the detection value of the sensor is more than the change-over level setting value, the return level setting value is set higher than the change-over setting value, thereby the output of the blower is increased, or the return level setting value is set a lower than the change-over level setting value, thereby the output of the blower is decreased.

Abstract: An arcuate baffle wall is provided within a conventional lint cleaner forward of and horizontally registered with the front side of the saw cylinder of the lint cleaner. The upper and lower extremities of the baffle wall are generally horizontally registered with the upper and lower extremities of the saw cylinder and the baffle wall is spaced generally midway between the forward periphery of the saw cylinder and the front wall section of the lint cleaner to thereby define a venturi passage for air flow at appreciably increased velocity downward over the grid bars of the lint cleaner spaced about the forward peripheral portion of the saw cylinder. The venturi passage greatly increases the velocity of air flow past the grid bars and prevents the build up of cotton lint thereon to the extent that tangential outward displacement of dirt from the saw cylinder is blocked.

Abstract: In a clip for application to a longitudinal flange for mounting components such as trim strips having a component holding block (body) from which resilient fingers projecting away from an abutment protruding from the block are formed as upright arms which project from the block and are provided at their free ends with catching projections which, when they catch onto the longitudinal flange, press the upright arms round a bending zone extending in the transverse direction thereof away from the abutment.

Abstract: A wafer lifting apparatus is comprised of guide rails (10) that are disposed on a supporting surface (22). A lifting apparatus (24) is disposed on the surface (22), having an inclined surface (26). Grooves (28) are disposed on the inclined surface and spaced apart a distance equal to that of wafers (20) in a wafer handling boat (16). The wafer handling boat (16) has the end pieces (12) and (14) urged downward into the guide rails (10) until the lowermost peripheral edges of the wafers (20) contact the grooves (28) in the inclined surface (26). When fully lowered, the rearmost ones of the wafers (20) are completely lifted out of the boat such that they are supported entirely by the grooves (28). In this manner, they can be viewed from the end of the wafer lifting apparatus. A flat finding device in the form of a flat finding cylinder (44) is also provided in an opening (38) on a supporting surface (36) for holding the boat (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the formation of an insulating material ply, e.g. in the manufacture of insulating chutes. The object is to provide a continuous insulating material ply (17) of a predetermined thickness. A primary ply (14) of surplus thickness is first sawn out of an insulating material roll (1) by rotating the insulating wool roll against the edge of a band saw, and this primary ply (14) is fed to another ply-cutting saw (16) which saws the primary ply into the final ply (17) with the predetermined thickness. The surplus from the primary ply (14) is collected on a drum (19) provided in connection with the ply-cutting saw (16) to form an intermediate storage. When the insulating material (roll) run out, the sawing of the final ply (17) is continued from the intermediate storage without interruption until the leading edge of a new opened insulating material roll (1) reaches the ply-cutting saw (16).

Abstract: A robot arrangement for mounting a sealing strip on a mounting flange comprises a robot hand supported at the end of a robot arm. The sealing strip is received by the robot hand at one position and driven through the hand to emerge at another position. Its emerging end is engaged by a spigot mounted on a pivotted finger. As the strip movement continues, this finger pivots and constrains the strip to follow a curved path around a guide roller. The robot arm then moves the robot hand towards the flange so that the now curved strip engages the flange 6. Thereafter the finger is accelerated by a motor out of engagement with the strip. The robot arm then drives the robot hand along the flange, thus laying the strip onto the flange.

Abstract: A method for fixing a nose unit having a shroud panel to the front portion of a car body. Shroud upper fixing brackets are temporarily attached to the shroud panel before various parts are mounted on the shroud panel so as to assemble the nose unit on a car assembly line. The brackets serve to fix the shroud panel to the car body. In the state of temporary attachment, the brackets are welded to the car body. Then, the shroud panel is removed from the brackets. The various parts are attached to the shroud panel so as to assemble the nose unit. The shroud panel of the nose unit is fastened to the brackets, so that the nose unit is fixed to the car body.

Abstract: Hydraulic cylinders each comprising a hollow cylinder casing, a ram, and an annular seal are assembled automatically by a mechanism that stores and feeds seals, ram and casing members into separated axial alignment and then axially moves the components together until they are assembled. A tapered mandrel protects the inner surface of the seal from abrasion as it is fitted over the end of the ram, and a tubular insert with collapsing finges guides the ram and protects the seal from abrasion by the end of the casing as the ram is fitted into the casing. An automatic cap threading machine threads a cap in the open end of the casing after the push rod has been assembled in the casing. Retractable support means are provided for certain of the components in order to permit an assembly mechanism to fit over the components and move them along an axial path.

Abstract: A coupling device which can be used as a clasp to connect the ends of chains, bracelets, necklaces or other articles of jewelry has a male component including a shank which can be inserted into the passage of a tubular or disc-shaped female component whereby the shoulders at the rear side of the front end portion of the shank engage adjacent shoulders of the female component to prevent unintentional extraction of the shank. The shank or the female component has one or more resilient sections which can be engaged and deformed by one or more stressing portions of the other component in response to rotation of at least one component relative to the other component to thus ensure that the size of the passage is temporarily increased or the dimensions of the front end portion of the shank are reduced in order to permit extraction of the shank from the female component.

Abstract: A method of repairing a defective tube in a heat exchanger of the tube-in-shell type comprises inserting a tubular sleeve into the defective tube and extending through the tube from one tubeplate to the other, and bonding the sleeve to each tubeplate. The extremities of the sleeve are preferably welded to the outer surface of the respective tubeplate. In repairing a defective tube which has one end which is bonded to a tubular tubeplate boss having a bore which is of larger diameter than the external diameter of the tube, the diameter of a poriton of the sleeve is preferably expanded to fit the bore of the tubeplate boss after insertion of the sleeve into the tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic orientation and assembly are provided. A first plurality of parts are mated with corresponding depressions or other irregularities formed in a pallet by vibrating the pallet and moving the parts thereover. A second plurality of parts are then oriented in a predetermined positional relationship with the first parts, for example matingly engaged therewith, by passing the parts over the pallet which is again vibrated, generally with different vibration parameters. The second parts may matingly engage corresponding irregularities in the first part, may be positioned and oriented by further irregularities on the pallet, or a template may be provided over the pallet with openings for positioning and orienting the second parts. The passing of parts over the pallel and vibration of the pallet may be repeated for additional parts to be assembled if desired.

Abstract: A method of making a metal racket including wrapping around a foamable material a shell of composite material, splitting each end of the shell so that two pieces are formed on each end of the shell, attaching the pieces of the shell to the throat portion of the racket, wrapping around the pieces of the shell and the throat portion with an outer layer which is made of composite material, hot-pressing the racket and the shell in order to foam the foamable material and in order to cure the shell so that the shell can be formed integral with the racket as a yoke of the racket.

Abstract: A clinch joint of the leak proof type and method and apparatus for forming several joint embodiments is disclosed. The joint retains overlapping sheets of deformable material together by simultaneously drawing nested cup-shaped cavities formed out of the plane of the sheets having a central spot and a continuous wall region extending from the spot to the cavity periphery. The region of the sheets adjacent the cavity periphery is pinched together causing the cavity walls to inwardly radially deform, securely interlocking the sheets firmly together. Alternative embodiments of the joint additionally squeeze the cavity spots together outwardly radially deforming the spot material to further interlock the nested cavities.

Abstract: Soft jaws in a powered rotary chuck of a lathe are fixedly secured in position, during shaping of the jaws to fit a piece of work, by an annular boring fixture. The fixture is located concentric with the center of rotation of the chuck. The fixture has three sets of multiple spaced threaded openings. Each set is oriented in a like spiral relative to the center of rotation. Three bolts with threaded shanks are engaged in three of the openings. The bolts have heads fitting in counterbores in the jaws. The jaws are tightened on the heads of the bolts so that the jaws can then be shaped to the pertinent dimensions of the piece of work, then the fixture can be removed, then the piece of work can be put in the jaws, and then operations can be performed on the piece of work as it is being rotated by the chuck. Bolts of different diameter heads can be used to help orient the bolts to the locations of the counterbores.

Abstract: A hand tool is provided for facilitating assembly of a fiber optic connector which includes a body, a forwardly projecting fiber ferrule and a backshell member. The tool includes a base with a forward upstanding portion for receiving and positioning the fiber ferrule and a rearward upstanding portion for receiving and positioning the connector body. The rearward upstanding portion forms a saddle for receiving the connector body, the saddle having a flat side for engaging a flat side of the connector body to prevent rotation thereof as the backshell member is threadably assembled thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for precisely positioning an integrated circuit lead frame is disclosed. This apparatus includes a positioning post that cooperates with an index hole in the lead frame, and a lower spring finger. The index hole of the lead frame is placed over the positioning post, and the opposite or bottom side of the lead frame rests on the lower spring finger. An upper spring finger is then brought down on top of the lead frame, aligning with the lower spring finger. As the two spring fingers press against the lead frame, the deflection of the two spring fingers cause the lead frame to move slightly and causes the positioning post located in the index hole to function as a mechanical stop of the deflection movement of the lead frame thereby achieving a very accurate positioning of the lead frame.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor unit with leads extending therefrom is placed on a bottom packaging tray having a die-shaped upper surface. A top lubricating type film is used over the device 10 and below a punch unit that is used to bend the leads. A process of assembling the semiconductor device on a die type package is disclosed which includes placing the semiconductor device with leads on a packaging tray with upper lead-shaped baring surfaces, placing an anti-friction film sheet over the tray and over the device with its leads extending therefrom, and actuating a punch unit disposed above the film sheet, thereby forming or bending the leads and simultaneously using the die type tray for packaging the semiconductor device.

Abstract: There are irregularities in the thicknesses, longitudinal and lateral sizes of electrical components, which cause placement errors of the electrical components on substrates. Therefore, the thickness, longitudinal and lateral sizes of the electrical component is measured during feeding the electrical component to the substrate. The irregularity of the thicknesses of the electrical components can be corrected by regulating the vertical stroke of a nozzle. The temporary values of the longitudinal and lateral sizes of the electrical component are registered in advance in a computer. When the measured values fall within the allowable range of the temporary values, the correction value of the temporary value based on the measured value is corrected, and the correction value is registered as a new reference value in the computer.

Abstract: A soldering method is provided which includes applying a solder paste onto a pad for a surface-mount component on a bottom side of a printed circuit board, applying an adhesive to a surface-mount component receiving site on the bottom side of the board, placing a surface-mount component on the bottom side so as to contact the solder paste and adhesive, and reflowing the solder while curing the applied adhesive to affix the surface-mount component to the bottom side of the board. This method also includes disposing a through-hole component on the top side of the board and mass soldering the bottom side of the printed circuit board to join the through-hole component to the board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for mounting a gate array device 12 on a printed circuit board 14. The device 12 includes at least two pin-type electrical contacts 22, 24 and a plurality of button-type contacts. A sheet of boron nitride 26 is positioned between the printed circuit 14 and the gate array device 12. The sheet of boron nitride 26 includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of electrical contacts 18 on the gate array device 12. The openings 32 in the sheet of boron nitride 26 have resilient electrical contacts 34 disposed therein. The printed circuit board 14 includes a plurality of button-type contacts 40 disposed on a surface thereof in a pattern corresponding to the button-type contacts of the gate array device 12 and the resilient electrical contacts 34.

Abstract: Circuit connections can be repaired with high accuracy and high reliability by peeling a mutually connected circuit portion to be repaired and placing a porous sheet with predetermined shape on the peeled circuit surface, impregnating the porous sheet with a peeling solution, removing the porous sheet containing unnecessary adhesive dissolved by the peeling solution, while cleaning the circuit surface contacted with the peeling solution, and reconnecting the cleaned circuit surface to a circuit surface to be connected via an adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for and method of aligning the terminals of a group of connectors in side by side abutting relationship with tooling for terminating wires to the terminals thereof. The group of connectors is placed in a track with the first connector against a stop. A plurality of vertically reciprocal guide blades are arranged adjacent the track and are moved upwardly, one at a time, the first engaging the first connector and positioning it relative to the termination tooling followed by subsequent blades engaging the other connectors. These subsequent engagements occur one at a time in sequential order with increasing distance from the stop. When all connectors are positioned by engaging guide blades, wires are terminated to the connector terminals and the guide blades moved out of engagement so that the completed connector assembly can be removed and the process repeated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a pump ring for a two-stage vacuum pump (1) with a one-piece rotor system (14) having three sections (14a, b, c), whose end sections (14a and 14c form the two pumping stages and whose middle section (14b) forms an intermediate bearing, the diameters of the bearing section (14band of the rotor section (14a) forming the forepumping stage being equal. To reduce the tolerances that occur it is proposed that two bores be made in a single set-up from one end of a substantially cylindrical workpiece, the one forming the anchor contact (51) of the forepumping stage as well as the bearing bore (12) and the other forming the anchor contact (52) of the high-vacuum stage, and that before or after these bores aremade, additional bores (11, 13) are made in order to form the pump chambers (21, 17).

Abstract: A press roll assembly having no substantial circumferential stress at operating temperature due to differential thermal expansion of the head and roller material is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly is formed from a granite roll having opposed parallel substantially planar ends compressed between steel heads; the steel heads are preferably heated to the maximum operating temperature of the press roll assembly prior to tensioning against the press roll held at ambient temperature. Preferably, there is a rectilinear interface between the heads and the roll, and preferably the heads are tensioned against the ends of the roll by tie-rods connected to the opposed heads through a plurality of longitudinal bore holes passing through the roll and heads, the bores being disposed radially outward and parallel to the axis. Upon cooling of the heads, radial compression is induced in the ends of the roll.

Abstract: A doctor bar consists of two different circular disks that are clamped or fixed in some other way on a cylindrical carrier bar. Circular disks having a smaller diameter and made from elastic material alternate with circular disks that have a larger diameter and are made of a very wear-resistant material, specifically ceramic. The difference in the outside diameter makes for one-half the groove of peripheral grooves of the doctor bar that are formed between the various circular disks.

Abstract: A knife and sheath with a locking mechanism. The knife has a blade with a tang and a handle with a channel to receive the tang. Holes in the tang and the handle align to receive a threaded post which also secures the stud of a snap fastener to the front of the handle. The sheath has a blade-enclosing section and a pouch section that encloses and frictionally holds a portion of the handle. The pouch has two arms that encircle that portion from front to rear. The pouch section carries the socket of the snap fastener, preferably on a longitudinal section on the front of the sheath, so that the knife may be secured in the sheath by simply snapping the socket to the stud, and be released by unsnapping.

Abstract: The improved bowling ball tool kit includes a tool having an elongated shaft with an expanded handle on one end and one of a number of bowling ball finger hole scrapers of differing diameters supplied by the kit. The scrapers are separately releasably attachable to the opposite end of the shaft of the tool. The scrapers are preferably formed of silicon carbide or another hard material which will readily ream, slice or abrade the plastic of a bowling ball to enlarge its finger holes. The kit also includes a connector, preferably in the form of a threaded connector bolt to releasably hold the scrapers in place by threading into the shaft end after passing through a central hole in the scraper. Each of the scrapers is frusto-conical disc and is mountable on the shaft end so that the sides of the disc taper down and away from the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knife and the method of making the same. The knife includes a blade, a blade's root end, an elongated intermediate piece and handle. The knife is made by connecting the blade including the root end, the intermediate piece and the handle to each other by gluing.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw-blade device includes: a case; a main spindle rotatably supported by the case; bearings respectively arranged in front and rear end sections of the case; upper and lower saw blades protruding forward beyond the case and supported by the bearings in such a manner as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction thereof; eccentric cams formed on the main spindle such as to be axially spaced away from and 180.degree. out-of-phase with respect to each other; connecting rods respectively having big end portions pivotably connected with the eccentric cams and small end portions extending along the saw blades toward the rear end section of the case, where they are pivotably connected with the saw blades; and laterally-curved portions formed on the blades and extending in the longitudinal direction on one side of a middle section of the main spindle.

Abstract: The telescopic sight mounting comprises a base (1) supporting telescopic sight (15) with a one-sided catch member (2) encompassing a mounting track (12) of the weapon and a springloaded clamping catch member (3), mounted to pivot in base (1), opposite catch track (2). With the help of a tension lever (11), clamping catch member (3) can be pressed against mounting track (12). Clamping catch (3) is stopped in the pressing position by passing the dead-center position between tension lever (11) and a connecting rod (8) acting on clamping catch (3). To protect against damage, telescopic sight (15) or telescopic sight mounting (2, 3) is surrounded by a cover (16, 17) fastened to telescopic sight mounting (2, 3).

Abstract: A method for determining the orientation of the axis of a borehole with respect to an earth-fixed reference coordinate system at a location in the borehole comprising the steps of: measuring two cross-borehole components or two-cross-borehole components and an axial component of the earth's gravity field at a location in the borehole; measuring two cross-borehole components of the earth's magnetic field; determining the inclination angle of the borehole axis from the gravity component measurements; determining the highside angle reference of the cross-borehole measured components of the earth's gravity and magnetic fields from the gravity component measurements; determining more than one individual estimate of the azimuthal orientation of the borehole axis from the inclination angle, the highside angle reference and the two measured cross-borehole components of the earth's magnetic field; determining an error indicative parameter for each individual estimate of the azimuthal orientation of the borehole axis;

Abstract: A pocket sized telescopic level apparatus includes a plurality of at least three telescoping tubular sections including a largest section and sequentially smaller sections, each section having an exterior diameter and a longitudinal bore with an interior diameter, and wherein the sections are of sequentially larger external diameter so that one section fits into an adjacent section and all sections are contained upon the largest section in a collapsed position. A level bubble member is disposed at an end portion of the largest section and a plurality of shims form interfaces between the end portions of adjacent sections upon extension of the apparatus. The shims are tubularly shaped and positioned between the outer wall of an end portion of one section and the inner wall of an adjacent section.

Abstract: A guide bar for use in providing a straight edge to make a metal cut, usually on steel with an oxyacetylene torch, which can be used both on flat stock and also across the open section or center web between the top and bottom plates of an I-beam.

Abstract: An eccentricity gauge and orifice plate combination which is used to determine the position of an orifice plate located in an orifice fitting serving a pipeline. In a most preferred embodiment the orifice plate is designed to replace the conventional orifice plate in a conventional orifice fitting and is provided with a hub for lengthening the orifice flow opening to accommodate and stabilize the eccentricity gauge. In a first embodiment the eccentricity gauge includes a dowel pin for insertion in the orifice flow opening, a mount which receives the dowel pin, a dial indicator device adjustably carried by the mount and having a spring-loaded contact point positioned for contact with the inside bore wall of the orifice fitting to measure the eccentricity of the contact point path as the eccentricity gauge is rotated about the orifice flow opening.

Abstract: The detection device comprises a support to be introduced concentrically into the tube, a feeler mounted on the support for movement between a position of rest in which it projects radially beyond the inner wall of the sleeve, and a position retracted inwards in relation to the wall, the feeler being resiliently biased towards its position of rest, and a sensor of the position of the feeler. The invention is used for fitting a tube of a steam generator of a pressurized-water nuclear reactor with a sleeve.

Abstract: A portable table assembly for facilitating initial alignment in mounting of a metallic printing plate to a magnetic plate cylinder includes a table having a top surface for supporting the metallic printing plate. A roller is mounted in the table and is exposed on the top surface for guiding the metallic printing plate along the top surface. The roller has an axis perpendicular to a line defined by a direction the metallic printing plate moves when mounting the metallic printing plate from the top surface onto the magnetic plate cylinder. An arcuate bracket is mounted to a bottom side of the table and supports the top surface at a tangent to the plate cylinder with an upper edge of the table resting on the plate cylinder. The bracket engages a locating cylinder having an axis substantially parallel to the magnetic plate cylinder and lying adjacent to the magnetic plate cylinder.

Abstract: A cable length measuring device, comprises guide rollers for maintaining the cable in a straight line along a given segment of a line, and two encoding wheels disposed tangentially to the straight segment cable; additional guides, the ends of which bearing against the cable are made of a wear resistant material, are provided between the guide rollers and the tangential wheel/cable contact area.

Abstract: A controlled spinning bed of particulate material such as coffee beans or the like is formed and maintained in a stationary chamber, the particulate material is mixed nd uniformly conditioned. For example, coffee beans are uniformly roasted within a relatively short time and coolded in a similar but separate chamber with or without an intermediate quench.

Abstract: This dryer system for concentrated drying of water-damaged building surfaces in typical residential and commercial constructions is temporarily attached during the drying process and is removed after the damaged area is dried. The dryer system comprises a high-volume, forced air blower attached to an air diverter selected from a variety of different diverters configured to attach to various flat surfaces or corners in a room. The blower may operate remotely from the diverter when they are connected by an air duct. The system forces dry air between partitioning studs in walls, through flutes typically found in tongue-in-groove flooring, and similarly behind ceilings. The moisture-laden air leaving the wall, floor or ceiling may be captured with a diverter and duct and dried by a dehumidifier before recirculation back through the system or the air may be ducted outside of the water-damaged area. An air heater can also be combined with the blower to enhance the drying process.

Abstract: In order to make a hair dryer available outdoors or where a general power source is not available, an LPG powered hair dryer is provided. The hair dryer comprises a main body which can receive a bottle of LPG (liquified petroleum gas), and a burner in the main body for burning the LPG. The burner flame heats a double radiant plate arrangement in front of the burner and hot air is blow from the plate arrangement by a battery powered fan motor at the rear of the housing. A gas-interrupting valve, a gas-adjusting valve, an operation switch and a thermal sensor are also provided in the housing.

Abstract: A board dryer comprises a double-sided conveyor for conveying flat boards through a dryer, the conveyor defining a flat board path and a conveyance direction in the path through the dryer. The dryer also comprises a pair of nozzle devices, which are elongate and arranged to extend laterally across the board path with respect to the conveyance direction, one above the board path and one below it, for directing respective laterally extensive air jets towards the board path from opposite sides thereof. The air jets have a backward component of direction with respect to a forward conveyance direction for facilitating board drying. The board dryer is especially useful for drying printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole portion having peripheral edges and at least one cushioning element comprising a chamber having flexible walls filled with a liquid composition, wherein the chamber includes a plurality of partitions for directing flow of liquid from one portion of the chamber to another portion of the chamber. Preferably, at least one partition is a gating means responsive to a differential in liquid pressure for enabling the flow of liquid to the chamber portion of lower liquid pressure. The cushioning element overlays the sole portion. A portion of the cushioning element extends to a peripheral edge to provide cushioning support to a foot of a wearer at the peripheral edge. Preferably the extending portion of the element has substantially transparent walls, whereby the liquid composition can be viewed.

Abstract: For excavation of a clay seabed, particularly in a coffer dam to expose a buried pipeline, a minimum of three water nozzles producing water jets and the associated effects 16, 17 and 18 are used. The nozzles are mounted on a disc 12 which can move horizontally and vertically and which rotates in a horizontal plane. The effect 18 (if operated alone) would produce a trench 22 having sloping sides. The two effects 16, 17 enable a trench having vertical sides to be cut and enable the disc 12 to be moved downwardly until obstructed by the base of the trench. The three nozzles are equiangularly spaced about the axis. The rotation of the disc 12 makes the effect of the nozzles possible.

Abstract: A snowplow deflector assembly is attachable to that type of snowplow which is mounted on the front end of a vehicle. The deflector assembly comprises a deflector member which is supported to extend over the top of the blade of the snowplow to deflect snow moving off the top of the blade, that snow being thereby substantially prevented from being thrown against the windshield of the vehicle and obstructing the view of a driver. Two embodiments of the invention are described.

Abstract: A bait threading device receives a piece of bait on a shank longitudinally mounted to a handle. The shank terminates in a distal tip, preferably canted, that receives the barb of a fish hook, and the handle has an arm member that projects outwardly therefrom and includes structure, such as a notch, to receive a portion of fishing line connected to the hook so that the hook is securely retained with the line held tautly. A piece of bait may be advanced off of the shank and onto the hook and, if necessary, the fishing line. By canting the shank end and by selecting the shank and arm lengths, the end of the shank may be aligned with the barb portion of the hook and the line may be aligned with the shaft of the hook. To this end, the shank may be adjustably mounted to the handle. Either of the shank or the arm may be detachable, and the handle provides a storage compartment for one or both.