Abstract: An ice and snow clearing device includes a brush, a heating element, a scraper and means for electrically powering the heating element. The sweeping member brushes snow or ice from the surface that is to be cleared. The scraper is connected to the rear of the brush to remove snow or ice remaining in the path of the brush. The heating element softens snow or ice remaining on the surface after operation of the brush to facilitate removal by the scraper.

Abstract: A forced hot air appliance comprises a main handle housing assemble that is generally tubular, a heater which is mounted within the main handle housing for heating air which flows therepast, a ventilator for forcing air to flow through the main handle housing, a bearing assembly which includes a generally tubular bearing sleeve, a swivel handle assembly including a head portion and a body portion, the head portion having a rear end which defines an air inlet screen and a front end which defines a circular opening through which the rear portion of the bearing sleeve extends for enabling the bearing sleeve and the main handle housing to be rotatably supported, and a submersible switch which is mounted within the swivel handle housing including a switch box and two spaced apart metallic contact which contact metallic contact rings on the bearing sleeve of the bearing assembly regardless of the rotational position of the bearing sleeve and the main handle housing relative to the head portion of the swivel handle

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying light and heat of variable intensity to a photocurable dental material. The apparatus includes a source of light, a reflector, a filter assembly, a light guide and an electrical fan. The heat is generated from the light source and is controllably directed by an arrangement of louvers with a manually adjustable lever through a passageway surrounding the light guide to the operatory site.

Abstract: An accurate, setting-protected, temperature controlled soldering iron has a control circuit including a non-adjustable replaceable resistor mounted near the junction of the handle and the tube which holds the soldering tip. When it is desired to change the temperature of the soldering tip, the handle must be disassembled from the tube to replace the non-adjustable resistor. Very accurate control of temperature at the soldering tip is maintained by the utilization of different laser trimmed resistors having extremely accurate resistances. A window is provided in the soldering handle to observe a number associated with the value of the non-adjustable replaceable resistor.

Abstract: The tool is electrically heated and has a flat working surface, essentially horseshoe shaped. The working surface is heated to between 500.degree. F. and 900.degree. F. and pressed for from 3 to 10 seconds against the ground contact surface of a horse's hoof prepared for shoeing. The contact sears the insensitive part of the hoof, the horn, to dry out the horn, seal off the capillary tubes in the tubular of the hoof and flatten any irregularities left on the surface during the preparation for shoeing. This treatment reduces the potential for hoof damage caused by moisture. The working surface is on the horseshoe shaped part which encloses an electrical heating element. The heating element is attached to a handle for the tool. In the steady state heated condition the heat radiated by the tool equals the heat produced by the heating element and no thermostatic temperature control is required.

Abstract: A plastic welder that can be held and operated with only one hand. The supply rod or filler rod can be advanced into and through the heating tip of the welder by a trigger that can be actuated by the user with the same hand in which the grip of the plastic welder is held. No air assist is required, as a device is provided for reliably avoiding overheating of the plastic welder by intermittently interrupting the electrical current feeding the heating element at times automatically determined by a temperature setting selected by the user. The heating tip is formed of a major portion of steel infiltrated with a minor portion of copper. The temperature of the heating element with the welder in inoperative condition is maintained at a predetermined level above the temperature of the heating tip when the welder is operative and in use.

Abstract: A portable branding device which uses a high current/low voltage power source such as a twelve volt tractor battery, for heat branding of livestock. The device includes a hollow body having first and second ends and a handle portion. A plurality of brand elements are detachable mounted to the second end and spaced from the second end. The branding device has an insulating panel. A plurality of legs is connected to the insulating panel for supporting the brand element. A series of terminals extend through the insulating panel and the brand element is attached to the terminals. Electrical connecting devices connect the brand element in spaced relation to the second end of the main body and a high current relay switching means, such as a solenoid switch is mounted within the main body for transmitting electricity to the brand element. A low current finger actuated switch is connected to the handle for actuating the high current relay switching means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrosurgically resectioning the soft palate of a horse includes an elongated, semi-rigid, yet forceably flexible, shaft which carries an electrical conductor over its length. The shaft has a bight at one end across which the conductor is extended as a thin wire in an exposed, cutting position. At its other end the shaft is connected to a pistol-grip switch handle. A three-position toggle switch is mounted in the handle and connected to the conductor. The toggle switch can be placed in either a coagulating or cutting mode position.In practicing the method using the described apparatus, the bight-carrying end of the shaft is inserted in one of the nasal passageways of a horse suffering from a reduction in breathing inhalation capacity as a result of a partial occlusion of the windpipe by unnatural displacement of the soft palate. An illuminating endoscope is inserted in the other nasal passageway.

Abstract: A low voltage heating element for portable tools includes a low voltage, low current light bulb wrapped with a thin layer of metal darkened on its bulb-facing surface. Apertures in the metal layer allow the light from the bulb to be utilized in addition to its heating characteristics. Rechargeable batteries are installed in the handle of the tool to power the light bulb. An electrical jack in the tool housing may be plugged into an external power source for providing power for a greater length of time. A cordless soldering iron includes a low voltage, low current light bulb affixed to the tip of a conventional soldering iron, the conventional heating element having been removed from the housing. The bulb is wrapped with a layer of metal darkened on the bulb-facing surface, and is electrically connected to rechargeable batteries mounted either in the housing of the soldering iron, or within an external pack.

Abstract: A hair styler for winding hair thereon for curling, comprising a hollow sealed tubular member made of a metallic material having good thermal conductivity and defining a heat pipe having a heat dissipating hair winding portion. The tubular member contains a charge of a working fluid vaporizable at an operating temperature of 50.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. The outer surface of the heat dissipating portion of the heat pipe is covered with an elastic hair engagement member for preventing hair slippage. The heat receiving end portion of the heat pipe is exposed so as to be adapted to receive heat from a separate external heat source having a temperature range of 50.degree. C. to 120.degree. C. Thereby hair wound around the outer surface of the heat dissipating portion of the heat pipe forming the bobbin is heated by the condensation of the vaporized working fluid within the heat pipe.

Abstract: A hand-held electrically heated tool for applying heat to an object includes an elongated metallic tubular handle open at its forward and rear ends and having a plurality of raised relatively-spaced longitudinally extending vanes formed on its the inner surface and extending between the forward and rear ends thereof. An exposed metal electrical resistance heating element forming a wire tip is mounted in an insulator disposed in the forward end of the handle in engagement with the vanes with the tip extending forwardly of the handle. A spherically concave portion of the insulator reflects heat away from the handle.

Abstract: A hand held, electronically controlled soldering instrument in which the electronic control module is placed several feet along the power cord away from the tool utilizes the power cord leads to measure the resistance of the heater element during each inflection point of the AC input power. The resistance magnitude is used to provide a signal which is a function of the temperature of the heater element. This signal, in turn, is used to control the electric current to the heater element. This arrangement thermally isolates the heater element and the sensitive electronic control circuit and also removes the heat generating circuitry from the handle of the soldering tool. The handle is further cooled by minimizing the heat flow from the heater element to the handle and by using conductors in the power cord as heat sinks to remove heat from the base end of the heater element shaft.

Abstract: A device and method for covering pilings of piers and the like includes a plastic cover or sheet which is wrapped around the piling for protecting the piling against rot, weather and wear. The plastic sheet ends overlap as they wrap around the pile. The ends are sealed and secured by a heatable strip extending between the overlapped ends of the sheet and which forms a fused plastic seam between the overlapped ends as the sheet is held tightly about the pile. A strap and a bar which presses over the heatable strip is provided for temporarily cinching the plastic sheet tightly about the pile and holding it while the heat fusing occurs.

Abstract: A combination heated air and beard comb. A plurality of unheated teeth are alternately positioned between heated teeth. Both types of teeth are cantileveredly mounted to a hollow handle having a pair of electrical wires extending therethrough and through the hollow interiors of the heated teeth to electrically heat the heated teeth. Each heated tooth includes resistance elements therein to transfer the electrical energy into heat energy. A pair of heat shields are mounted to, but spaced apart from, the comb main body creating a heat insulation barrier for gripping purposes. A plurality of slots extend transversely across each unheated tooth allowing a beard to be passed through the slots contacting the heated teeth for grooming purposes.

Abstract: A heating element for sterilely melt-cutting and welding together a pair of thermoplastic tubes transversely of the axis of the tubes includes an outer folded metal sheet, such as copper, aluminum, silver or gold, an electric resistance heating element of stainless steel or the like disposed inside the fold of the sheet and a dielectric adhesive disposed between the inner surfaces of the sheet and the resistor to insulate the resistor from the sheet and bond the structure together. The folded edge of the sheet forms the melting edge of the heating element. Vent channels within the adhesive and along at least one unfolded edge of the metal sheet are provided to vent entrapped gas from the element during heating.

Abstract: A hand-held electric soldering/desoldering tool has an elongated soldering tip secured to one end of an elongated handle in substantially coaxial alignment therewith by means of a three-point, spring loaded mechanical suspension arrangement resiliently securing the soldering tip to the handle for allowing excessive pressure applied to the handle to be taken up by the spring-loaded suspension thereby preventing such excessive pressure from being applied to a workpiece. The three-point suspension arrangement includes three support members fixed to the handle and having juxtaposed ends passing freely through aligned openings in a support plate attached to the soldering tip. Each support member has a head biased into engagement with the support plate by a coil spring surrounding the support member and disposed between the support plate and handle.

Abstract: An electric heating element for sterilely cutting and welding together a pair of thermoplastic tubes transversely of the axis of each tube includes as an outer layer a folded sheet of a metal, such as copper, aluminum, silver or gold, having a thermal conductivity of at least about 173 watts/m.degree.K at a thickness of 0.10 mm and a tensile yield strength of at least 34.times.104 kPa at a 0.10 mm thickness. A resistance heating element, preferably having a positive thermal coefficient of resistance (PTC), in the form of a resistor of stainless steel or the like is disposed inside the fold of the metal sheet and a layer of dielectric adhesive, such as an epoxy or acrylic adhesive, stable to about 260.degree. C., is disposed between the inner surfaces of the metal sheet and the resistor to insulate the resistor from the folded sheet and bond the resulting structure together. The folded edge of the metal sheet forms the melting edge of the heating element. The heating element has a thickness of from about 0.

Abstract: An induction heating process and apparatus for flameless heating of metallic dental laboratory tools, medical instruments, and the like. The induction heating coil is energized by placement of instruments within the annular zone formed by the windings of the coil, and differential light sensors are utilized to compensate for variations in ambient light levels.

Abstract: The cutting instrument of this invention is made by threading a heater assembly through a hollow cutting instrument body. A blade having a shank and a blade body including a cutting edge is secured within the hollow cutting instrument body at its shank portion such that the blade body extends from the hollow cutting instrument body. The heating assembly is secured to the blade body and to the cutting instrument body. The blade body is coated with a non-stick means.

Abstract: A box is provided with an opening in its top for receiving the blade-holding head of a safety razor with the end of the handle of the razor resting on the surface supporting the box. Means within the box directs heated air onto the head of the razor within the opening in the top of the box.

Abstract: A relatively inexpensive electric soldering iron and handle structure can be constructed so as to be relatively simple to assemble by utilizing cooperating holding elements within a tubular handle to form a holder. This holder serves to support or hold a socket adapted to support a heating element and a cord retainer in place within the handle. The holder is in turn held in place within the handle through the use of cooperating detent elements on both the holder and on the handle. The parts of the soldering handle structure are dimensioned so that the parts previously identified can be inserted as a unit into the handle through one end of the handle as the cord is withdrawn outwardly from the other end of the handle.

Abstract: A suction desoldering tool has an elongate handle, an elongate housing defining a bore therethrough and extending co-axially from one end of the handle solder, a collecting chamber in the handle, and a tubular heating bit holder. The holder is mounted in the end of the housing remote from the body and includes a body portion surrounded by an electric heating element for receiving the bit and a tubular portion of lesser wall thickness providing communication between the bit and collecting chamber. The tubular portion is surrounded by an imperforate sleeve which defines an insulating air space along the tubular portion to enable the full length of tubular portion to be maintained above the liquidus temperature for solder melted by the bit during a desoldering operation, so that the melted solder can be drawn into the collecting chamber through the bit and holder by a source of suction connected to the chamber.

Abstract: An improved thermal barrier for rigidly connecting the heater assembly to a handle assembly in a desoldering device. In a preferred embodiment, the thermal barrier includes a slotted spacer portion which is connected to the heater assembly and serves to reduce heat transferred into the thermal barrier by means of radiation, convection and reduced conductivity. The thermal barrier also includes a portion connecting the slotted spacer portions to mounting sections which are connected to the handle assembly such that an indirect path for heat conduction is established between the heater assembly and the handle assembly. In some preferred embodiments, a fin is included to increase the surface area of the thermal barrier and further transfer heat from the thermal barrier to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An electric soldering iron having an elongated handle with an electric heating element attached therein and including a removable tip member located to receive heat from the heating element and a holding member to hold the tip relative to the heating element is improved by forming said heating element as an elongated flat blade heating element having a elongated flat planar heated surface. The heating element is so located in the handle to extend outwardly from the handle. The tip member includes a body having an elongated flat planar heat transfer surface which fits against the planar heated surface of the heating element and receives heat therefrom. The tip member further includes an operative tip extending away from the remainder of the tip member. A retaining tube detachably secured at one end to the handle fits over the heating element and tip member and except for its operative tip and maintains them in a fixed relationship with respect to each other and to the handle.

Abstract: A frozen-food server comprises a scoop-shaped head of a massive light metal, e.g. aluminum, provided with a cavity in which is lodged a unit formed with an electric heater, the thermostat and electrical controls for the heater, this cavity being formed on a stem of the head which is received in a tubular handle formed by a sleeve through which an electrical conductor passes. According to the invention, a rigid insulating tubular body is interposed between this stem and the sleeve, receives the electrical connection between the heater circuit and the conductor, and also accommodates a thermally shrunk tube which seals the junction.

Abstract: A fabric repairing assembly is provided with an impact cutter which is operable by a plunger that is slidably mounted in an embracing housing. The assembly is further provided with a heater which includes a sleeve that slidably receives the said housing and wherein the housing can be moved to cause the plunger to press the heater against cloth undergoing repair.

Abstract: An electrically heated convertible tool for removing a golf club head from a shaft inserted in the hosel of both metal and wooden golf club heads includes a pair of plier-like pivotally connected opposed jaws each carrying an electric heating block. The heating blocks are disposed in opposed clamping relationship and are each provided with an arcuate recess sized to closely engage and heat the tapered hosel surface of a metal golf club head. The blocks are adjustable relative to each other to accomodate for size variations in hosels. An elongated heat exchange member having a head sized to be clamped in the arcuate recesses of the blocks and an elongated linear portion sized to be insertable into the interior of a hollow metal golf club shaft is provided to permit use of the tool to heat the hosel of a wooden club head. The tool permits heat to be applied to the hosel of the club heat to soften the cement holding the hosel to the shaft of the golf club.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing plastic and vinyl materials utilizes a heat curable repair compound and a hand tool which supplies a narrow jet of heated air. The hot air tool receives air at a constant low pressure from a regulated air supply and includes an electrical heating element which heats the air passing through it to a temperature sufficient to cure the repair compound. Damage to plastic and vinyl materials can thus be repaired by trimming the damaged area, filling the trimmed area with the heat curable compound, heating the compound with the jet of air from the tool and finally, texturing the surface by the application of graining paper to the patch.

Abstract: A curling iron includes a tubular barrel extending forwardly from a hollow handle. The barrel contains an electric heating element and is provided with a spring-biased pivotable hair holding clamp conforming to the surface of the barrel. The barrel and clamp are pivotal as a unit about 180 degrees from the extended operative position into a folded storage position within the handle through a side opening in the handle. The opening is closed by a pair of inwardly pivotable doors which are spring-biased to an outward closed position conforming to the outer surface of the handle. Pivotal movement of the barrel from its extended position causes contacts on the barrel to separate from spring contact elements fixed in the handle to disconnect the heating element from its electric power source. As the barrel and clamp are folded into the handle through the opening, the doors are pushed inwardly out of the way so that the handle may receive the barrel and clamp for storage.

Abstract: The cutting edge of a scalpel blade is heated to an elevated preselected constant operating temperature for cutting tissue with simultaneous hemostasis by radiant heating of the blade in the region along the cutting edge. Radiant energy is contained within the blade by a reflective coating over the transparent or translucent blade material. Heating along the cutting edge is provided by the disposition of a radiation-absorptive material beneath the reflective coating in the region along the cutting edge. Selective heating of regions of the cutting edge that are locally cooled by contact with tissues during surgical cutting is provided for by fabricating the radiation-absorptive element of the blade of a thermochromic material that exhibits a substantial increase in absorption coefficient for a temperature decrement within the operating temperature range.

Abstract: A hand tool for heating a workpiece includes an elongated electric heating element, a heat applying member conductively connected at one end of the heating element and in alignment therewith, and an elongated cover surrounding and spaced from the heating element. The heating element and heat applying member are connected to the cover adjacent only one end of the cover, with the connection defining the sole heat conductive path therebetween. A handle is disposed at generally right angles to the cover. A relatively wide bent bracket member, including a hair-pin shaped portion, substantially coextensive in length with the cover and disposed between the cover member and handle, connects the handle to the cover solely at the opposite end of the cover. The cover dissipates heat throughout its length and the bracket is wide enough to shield the handle from the heat dissipated by the cover. Thus the cover and bracket member shield the handle from heat generated by the heating element with the tool is in operation.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the forming of a laminated plastic such as Formica (trademark of Formica Corporation) having a decorative facing layer. A controlled heating cylindrical column of metal is provided. This cylindrical column is secured to a base which may be secured to a workbench or the like. A control apparatus is also provided which includes an "on-off" switch, a temperature indicator, a variable voltage or current control and an indicator light for determining when the apparatus is in operation.

Abstract: A low profile heat sealing iron for use in applying heat activatable tape in areas of very limited access, such as the sealing of periodic joints in air duct is disclosed. The low profile sealing iron requires only a few inches or less of clearance and has a tape guiding means that feeds the tape to the proper location for heat sealing as the iron is slid along the surface of the member on which the tape is being applied. Preferably, the iron has a handle of adjustable length which permits the sealing iron to be used on ducts measuring six to eight feet or more when the handle is extended, but having a handle only about three feet long or less for easy carrying and handling at other times. A method of using the low profile sealing iron to seal joints in air ducts is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrically heated kitchen utensil has a thermally insulated handle provided with an internal electric heating unit adapted to releasably receive and heat a kitchen device, such as a knife, spoon, scoop, dipper or spatula. The heating unit comprises a pair of spaced parallel electric heating elements defining an channel which receives the shank of the kitchen device. The kitchen device is releasably secured in the channel by interengaged teeth on the shank and a spring biased pivoted member forming the bottom of the channel. The kitchen device is released by a release push button acting on the pivoted member to disengage the teeth. A rheostat is provided to regulate the heat output of the heating elements.

Abstract: A portable electric curling iron has a hollow handle having an open end. An electrically heated hair curling member is arranged for telescopic movement between a retracted storage position within the handle and an extended use position wherein the member projects from the handle through the open end thereof. Movable electrical connector plug means are provided on the iron for connecting the electric heating means associated with the hair curling member to a power source. Means are provided for automatically moving the connector plug means between a retracted plug position wherein the plug means is substantially entirely within the handle and an extended plug position wherein the plug projects from the handle in response to the telescopic movement of the hair curling member into and out of the handle.

Abstract: A soldering iron can be constructed using a heating element structure or first part connected to a handle structure or second part through the use of connectors on these parts which are adapted to be secured together through the use of a rotary or twisting type motion. The handle structure includes a spring biased sleeve which projects from it toward the heating element structure. The heating element structure includes a metal flange which is resiliently engaged by the sleeve when the parts are connected together. This flange in effect forms a part of a tubular, metal housing used to connect a body disposed in proximity to the heating element so as to conduct heat away from the heating element and the connector on the heating element structure. The housing serves to protect the heating element structure against physical damage and is grounded through the flange and the sleeve to an appropriate grounding wire leading from the handle structure.

Abstract: A hair curling iron is arranged to have a handle with a concave portion pivotally connected to a heatable hair curling assembly including a tubular member heated by an electrical heater means and a plug for conducting electrical current to the electrical heater means. The plug is pivotally mounted on the hair curling assembly to withdraw a cavity in the hair curling assembly. The hair curling assembly is arranged to fold into the concave portion of the curling iron handle to provide a convenient package for carrying in a pocket or purse.

Abstract: The instrument includes a first handle and a first blade pivotally connected scissors-fashion with a second handle and a second blade. One of the blades is formed with a first notch for severing the tail of a pig and with a second notch for severing the navel cord of the pig. A heating unit heats the other blade in order to cauterize the tail or navel cord as an incident to the severing operation. The heating unit includes a handle which coacts with the other two handles to define a tripod for supporting the instrument in a standing position when the instrument is not in use.

Abstract: An electrically heated soldering device includes a housing having an elongated axis with an obtuse angle, an open end, a closed end and an intermediate opening. The outer dimensions of the housing are so dimensioned that the device can be held pencil-fashion with the portion of the housing between the open end and intermediate end grasped by the fingers and thumb of the hand with the portion of the housing between the intermediate opening and the closed end resting on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger. An electric heating means is substantially coaxially positioned in the housing in spaced relation thereto and is provided with a soldering tip protruding out of the housing through said open end. The open end and the intermediate opening are substantially aligned to produce a chimney-like hollow space surrounding the hot parts of the heating means which carries away excess heat generated within the housing thereby maintaining the housing comfortably cool to touch.

Abstract: In a dispenser or applicator of heat softenable material, a melt body has a generally conical melting chamber extending between an inlet and a relatively smaller outlet passage, at least one by-pass interconnected to the melting chamber by a plurality of spaced, radial bores arranged to conduct hot melt from successive outer "layers" of the material as it is being progressively softened, reduced and liquefied in the chamber for flowing to the outlet, and at least one axial auxiliary channel extending between the outlet and the smaller end of the melting chamber for conducting the central core of the last-to-be melted end portion of the material. Preferably the body has a pair of by-passes, a pair of auxiliary channels, encloses a heater, and is of configuration facilitating its economical construction in one piece.

Abstract: A gravy warming ladle has a bowl comprising a pair of concavo-convex shell-like upper and lower parts with the upper part received within and having its bottom spaced from the lower part to form a hollow cavity therebetween that tapers from a maximum size at the center to a minimum size at the edges and with the edges of the parts being united in a thin free edge. An electric heating element is disposed in a mass of asbestos heat storing insulation filling the cavity. A tubular handle is attached to a neck on the bowl formed by fitted-together semi-cylindrical projections on the upper and lower parts. Current supply wires extend through the handle and are connected to the heating element at the neck portion. Insulating blocks in the neck portion insure proper insulation of the connections between the wires and heating element.

Abstract: An electrically heated dispenser for serving frozen desserts, such as ice cream, includes a handle having an electric heating element projecting from the forward end thereof. A removable protective shield at least coextensive in length with the heating element is carried by the forward end of the handle and surrounds the heating element in spaced relation thereto. The shield is made of a material sufficiently transparent to permit visual inspection of the sanitary condition of the area within the shield including the inner surface thereof. A variety of serving implements, such as a dipper, scoop, knife, etc., are adapted to have an end selectively inserted through a front opening on the shield into heat exchange coupled relationship with the heating element.

Abstract: A portable device for melting ice and snow including a support having a heating device carried by the support together with a handle pivotally mounted on the support and switch device carried by the support for actuating the heating device and deactuating the heating device when the pivotal angular relationship between the support and the handle is changed a given degree.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting a piece of synthetic fibrous material to a desired shape is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongate heat resistive mounting structure having a shape conforming at least partially to the curvature of the desired shape. The mounting structure has an exposed face, and a resistor wire is embedded in this exposed face. Electric power is applied to the resistor wire so that the wire in the heat resistive mounting is heated to melt the synthetic fibrous material as the mounting structure is moved therethrough to cut the material to the desired shape.

Abstract: A portable electric curling iron has a hollow handle having an open end. An electrically heated hair curling member is arranged for telescopic movement between a retracted storage position within the handle and an extended use position wherein the member projects from the handle through the open end thereof. Movable electrical connector plug means are provided on the iron for connecting the electric heating means associated with the hair curling member to a power source. Means are provided for automatically moving the connector plug means between a retracted plug position wherein the plug means is substantially entirely within the handle and an extended plug position wherein the plug projects from the handle in response to the telescopic movement of the hair curling member into and out of the handle.