Abstract: A method for constructing a blast furnace, in which the blast furnace is designed to be divided into a plurality of blocks with a deck frame and other parts, and these blocks are individually assembled on the ground in a sequential order from the furnace top to the furnace bottom. The individual blocks are conveyed one after another onto a foundation, and the furnace top block is initially lifted up. In this manner, the successive blocks are lifted up in the described order and joined together at their ends to complete the blast furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for assembling micro-filter units having a barrel, a plug adapted to be inserted in the barrel, and a filter disc clamped between the barrel and the plug, which are characterized in that the filter disc is punched out and seated in the barrel in a single stroke of a punch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method particularly adapted for use in continuously setting blind rivets having elongated mandrels in suitably apertured material.

Abstract: A method for fabricating doors having spaced sheets of flexible material with cross-memebers interposed and attached between the material. Flexible material is fed intermittently from material supplies to form both sides of the door. Between each feed step the material is connected to a cross-member in a predetermined operative position, in which the cross-member abuts a movable carrier. The positioning of the cross-member in the operative position is effected by the carrier which causes vertical material feed. The feeding of flexible material and connection of each cross-member is continued until the desired door size is accomplished.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a pair of spaced conveyors for conveying upper and lower frame plates through a pair of nailing assemblies. Each nailing assembly includes a nailing gun pivotal between upper and lower positions whereby nails can be driven through the plate and into a stud disposed between the plates at positions spaced along the width of the plate. The conveyor includes a drive unit for advancing the plates through the nailing assemblies discrete distances of 1.5, 16 or 24 inches. One of the conveyors and nailing assemblies is movable laterally relative to the other conveyor and nailing assembly whereby adjustments in width of the frame undergoing fabrication is accomplished. In use, a stud is butted against retractable stops upstanding between the nailing assemblies. Upon command, clamps carried by the nailing assemblies clamp the stud and frame plates one to the other and the nailing gun automatically drives a nail through the plate into the stud.

Abstract: A clamp is attached to a drill pipe beneath the rotating head when the pipe is pulled from the well. Not only does the clamp hold the rotating head in place, but, also, a ring-like handhold is provided on the clamp for handling the pipe with the drilling head thereon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of moving a plurality of two-piece canning jar-type lids in series to a feed mechanism which will single-line the caps and maintain them in assembled position. The single-lining is arranged to approach the path of movement of a plurality of containers also moving in series on their side with their axes horizontal. The caps are brought, under gravity and at an angle, to the path of movement of the finish or neck of the jars such that the finish of the jars or containers individually engage and move the caps from the supply of caps. The caps are then retained on the finish of the jar and by reason of the movement with the jar, in a linear path, the caps are rotated and thereby threaded onto the finish of the containers.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying a filter sleeve to a continuous length of drainage tubing. The filter sleeve is gathered and packed endwise on a tubular mandrel. The mandrel is received within a dispensing canister mounted on trench-digging and drain-laying equipment between a supply of drainage tubing and a trench plow and laying boot assembly. The drainage tubing passes through the mandrel as it progresses from the supply to the laying boot which installs it in the trench, and one end of the filter sleeve is connected to the tubing whenever filter covering is desired. When so connected, the filter sleeve is continuously pulled by the tubing off the mandrel and about said tubing, through a feed controller in the form of an annular diaphragm at the exit end of the mandrel.

Abstract: Flexible plastic pipe is reeled onto a reel mounted on a truck and is temporarily laid on a field site by driving the truck along, permitting the flexible pipe to unreel. A brake on the reel puts tension on the flexible pipe as it is being unreeled. To retrieve the flexible pipe, it is cut into segments, each segment being of a shorter length than the total amount of flexible pipe reeled onto the reel. Then, each segment is reeled onto the reel with the truck stationary and the reel driven through a transmission from the truck.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling oil filter components is disclosed. The components include a spring guide element which centers a filter element when assembled within a filter canister. Invention is based on the discovery that when the spring guide element is pushed horizontally into the canister by the filter element, the leading edge of the spring guide element automatically slides up the dome shaped bottom of the canister to its proper upright position without need for manual (individual) handling. An assembly machine is also disclosed which provides feed chutes for supplying the canisters, spring guide elements, and filter elements to troughs on a conveyor belt. A stationary bar cam is provided for effecting a force vector in a direction which pushes the filter element and, in turn, the spring guide element into the canister. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed wherein the components may be assembled by centrifugal force, gravity or direct plunger action.

Abstract: Sheet material is fastened to a base by means of a tape which is extended along the sheet material. Staples are periodically and automatically driven through the sheet material into the base so as to enclose the tape, thereby fastening the tape and the sheet material to the base. The tape is in the form of a continuous strip.

Abstract: Apparatus for laminating crossties comprising means for conveying a plurality of railroad crossties in substantially mutually parallel relationship onto a lifting mechanism, said lifting mechanism being operable for simultaneously moving a plurality of the crossties into a clamping apparatus wherein the crossties are securely clamped in side-by-side relation, drill means operable for drilling transversely extending bore means through said plurality of crossties, means for inserting dowel pine through said bores for securing the plurality of crossties together in a laminated arrangement and means for removing the laminated crossties from the clamped position and from the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus operable to produce a continuous tension along at least a prescribed portion of pipeline as it is being assembled along the ocean surface and lowered to the ocean floor. The disclosed method involves the basic steps of: assembling an elongated pipeline above or adjacent to the ocean surface; placing at least a portion of the assembled pipeline under internal gas pressure to create a longitudinal tension along that portion of sufficient magnitude to prevent buckling as it is lowered to the ocean floor; and lowering the assembled pipeline onto the ocean floor. A portion of the lower section is filled with liquid to provide a gas tight seal and to prevent lateral movement of the lowered pipeline. The apparatus is comprised of a pair of inflatable bladders connected at opposite ends of a telescoping ram cylinder. This assembly is inserted into the assembled pipeline interior and is connected by a pressure tube and control lines to a barge where the pipeline is progressively assembled.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for assembling micro-filter units having a barrel, a plug adapted to be inserted in the barrel, and a filter disc clamped between the barrel and the plug, which are characterized in that the filter disc is punched out and seated in the barrel in a single stroke of a punch.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of automatically assembling a body structure of an automobile body, in which side panels are downwardly conveyed into first temporary positions over a floor panel and adjacent jig means, adjusted for proper positions relative to the jig means, moved into second temporary positions, clamped by the jig means, moved from the second temporary positions into final working positions ready to be welded to the floor panel which has been conveyed into a working position thereof, and welded to the floor panel into a unitary structure. The side panels are initially held in positions horizontally close to each other and are gradually moved toward positions horizontally spaced wider from each other as the side panels are conveyed downwardly. The apparatus and method may be modified so that not only the floor panel and the side panels by a cowl-and-dash-panel subassembly and/or a parcel shelf member are assembled together.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing a storage tank from a resilient material, such as a fiber glass reinforced plastic, in which a member is formed to a cylindrical configuration at a first location, flattened to an oblate configuration and held in said oblate configuration while transported to a second location, and then released so as to resume its cylindrical configuration, whereupon by addition of a base and a top the tank is completed. The member may be formed in sections at the first location with the sections being flattened to varying degrees so as to fit one within the other during transportation. Similarly, the top and base may be cut into sections and nested with the sections of the flattened member during transportation.

Abstract: A feeding and assembling mechanism for blanks having a bore and a pin for insertion into the bore comprising a feed means for the blank, and a feeding means for the pin, the discharge of the pin feeding means being above the discharge for the blank feeding means. Mechanism is provided to guide the pins downwardly oriented in a vertical access into a bore in the blank, and the blanks are thereafter rotated ninety degrees until the pin is on a horizontal axis. Supporting structure is then provided to support those blanks into which a pin has been inserted, and yet drop through an escapement those blanks which do not have a pin inserted. Recycling means for both the pins and blanks are provided, one form of which being a gravity recycle back into the feeder means. Specifically as shown, a double track vibratory feed or alternatively a pair of vibratory feeders are employed.

Abstract: A machine is provided, for continuously making drainage conduit of two pieces, with various mechanisms for performing forming, punching, joining, sawing and ejecting functions, as material is carried through the machine.

Abstract: A method of mounting a natural draft cooling tower having a tower mantle suspended on a central support projecting beyond the upper rim of the mantle which is clamped and tightened between a pressure ring at the upper rim of the mantle and a foundation. In order to mount the cooling tower mantle, the pressure ring lying on the ground and coaxially surrounding the central support is suspended on a lifting ring by means of a plurality of supporting cables exceeding in length the radius of the pressure ring. This lifting ring is guided on the central support, suspended on a plurality of pulling elements which are lifted by at least one lifting device detachably connected to the central support, as a mantle section corresponding to the advance of the lifting device is displayed. After the lower rim of the cooling tower mantle has been connected to the foundation, the mantle is tightened by the lifting device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for end jointing timber members such as floor or ceiling joists by means of spiked timber connector plates, using apparatus incorporating equipment to position and hold the timber and automatically feed connector plates from cassettes or magazines holding a supply of connector plates onto magnetized pressing platens which then rotate to position the connector plates to span the joint to be made before passing the spikes into the relevant timber members.