Abstract: The vehicle is operated over land which is described by a grid coordinate system having a north direction offset from geographic north. The vehicle has a pick-up to determine its heading speed along its longitudinal center line. The spin axis of a free gyro establishes a reference axis. A meridian gyro determines the angle, if any, between said reference axis and geographic north at the start of a mission. At the start of the mission a computer is supplied with information as to the starting point in said grid coordinate system, the angle between geographic north and grid north, and an estimated corrective factor (based on the type of terrain to be traversed) to be applied to the measured heading speed. The computer continuously determines, for display, the position of the vehicle in said grid system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foot rest including a foot support mounted on a square tube which surrounds and is longitudinally slidable on a rail, a bearing rigidly mounted on said square tube, a rod pivotably mounted in said bearing and extending in the direction of and disposed above said foot support, a pair of laterally spaced curved, ellipsoidal or roll-shaped pressure pads fastened to an end region of the rod remote from the bearing and a vertically adjustable pressing device mounted on the square tube between the bearing and the foot support, said pressing device being adapted to move the pressure pads towards the foot support to abut the instep of a foot.

Abstract: A photograph of an object is made on color film in a conventional manner. Then the object is back-lighted only to silhouette it and a second photograph is made using the same film. The two films are developed simultaneously so as to subject them to identical processing conditions. Using the photograph taken while the object was back-lighted, a contact exposure is made on a high contrast film to produce a negative. After development of this negative, it and the initial, front-lighted, photograph of the object are employed on a scanner to produce the color separations for printing purposes.

Abstract: A digital waveform conditioning circuit includes a noninverting amplifier stage. A source of digital information is coupled to the input of the amplifier via a series resistor. The amplifier output is coupled to a digital utilization circuit. A feedback capacitor is coupled between the amplifier input and output terminals to provide integration of unwanted input noise pulses, positive feedback during threshold transitions for fast rise and fall times, and a hold-off voltage for a specified time thereafter to prevent oscillations during said transitions.

Abstract: A three-piece package comprises a median supporting frame to which a dished base and a dished cover are latched by means of double-acting latch elements integral with the supporting structure, all three parts being preferably thermoformed plastic to provide the package in one, two, or three colors. The supporting structure may include an integral platform having one or more cavities therein to accommodate as many articles and may also support a decorative peripheral band or may comprise a frame with either an open interior with unobstructed space between the base and cover of the package or a separate platform with a cavity or cavities.

Abstract: Comminuted popped popcorn is added to the precursor mix of peanut brittle. This precursor mix is prepared in batches or in a continuous mixer. A sheeter forms a continuous ribbon of the precursor mix on a first belt conveyor where it is partially cooled. The ribbon moves about the end of that conveyor to invert it and thence onto a second belt conveyor moving in the opposite direction. At the end of the second belt conveyor the ribbon moves onto a third belt conveyor moving at a substantially greater speed than the second belt conveyor. The change in speed of the ribbon as it moves from the second to the third belt conveyor stretches the ribbon. After hardening on the third conveyor the ribbon of peanut brittle is broken by contact with a plurality of spikes projecting from a rotating drum.

Abstract: A cup-shaped receptacle is semi-surrounded by a shroud which is preferably integral with the receptacle and extends outwardly from the top thereof, then down in spaced relation to the sides of the receptacle to a plane level with or lower than the bottom of the receptacle. The rear of the shroud is open to permit access to the receptacle by the fingers of a person holding it, the rear opening being flanged to provide a shield to prevent spillage of urine upon the hand of the holder. The shroud is stiffly resilient and serves both as a shield against urine spillage and to stably support the cup upon a flat supporting surface.

Abstract: The valve of this invention connects a source of water sequentially to separate outlet connections. A piston is moved by the water pressure through a forward stroke which determines the duration of the existing connection. The duration is adjustable by a throttle (one corresponding to each connection) which regulates the speed at which fluid is discharged by the piston. At the end of the timing stroke the piston indexes itself to a new position, moving likewise two selector valve discs, one to make a new outlet connection for the water supply and one to select the corresponding throttle for timing. Also a cycle control valve opens at the end of the timing stroke to let a return spring move the piston through a return stroke.

Abstract: An arm is pivotally mounted on a support and movable between a first position at which it is relatively unstable because its center of gravity is above and close to the pivot point and a second position at which it is relatively stable because its center of gravity is well below the pivot point. The lever is mounted so that when in the first position a part thereof is in the path of the movement of the tone arm. As the tone arm contacts that part, it pushes the lever so as to displace the center of gravity across center. Thereafter, as the center of gravity descends the arm picks up the tone arm and holds it against a part of the support. In one embodiment a weight is fixed on an end of the lever. In other embodiments the weight is movable along the length of the lever, with the weight being a solid or a liquid.

Abstract: All of the components of a sump pump apparatus necessary to be in the sump are enclosed in a common case. In one embodiment, this case is of plastic and holds the motor means, the pump impeller and at least part of the water level sensors. The motor means is in a bell holding trapped air so that the water cannot reach the motor means. In one such embodiment the motor means is a single D.C. motor and in another embodiment it consists of a D.C. motor coupled by a one-way clutch to an A.C. motor which in turn is connected to the pump impeller. In each of these two embodiments, the water level sensor includes a tube having an open end in the bell to sample the air pressure in the bell and an end externally of the sump connected to a pressure actuated switch which turns on the motor means at a particular air pressure above ambient. Also within the bell is a float operated switch serving as a back-up to the air actuated switch. Using two motors, as mentioned above, the A.C.

Abstract: A plastic vessel forming a float is secured to one end of a plastic tube. The other end of the tube is fixedly mounted and intermediate the ends is a hinge section. Two mercury switches are positioned in the vessel at different angles of inclination with respect to the axis of the vessel so that as the vessel pivots about the hinge with variations in the level of the liquid upon which the vessel floats, the switches close at different positions of the float. The angle of inclination of one of the mercury switches is adjustable.

Abstract: A feed stock comprising sugar, milk solids, a significant amount of moisture, and in some instances chocolate, is raised to a temperature of about 125.degree. C. and at the same time is condensed to have a moisture content of between about 4% and 6%. This is done by moving the material upwardly in an annular column and heating the walls defining that annular column. The condensed material is maintained at its final temperature and transferred to a crystallizer. In the crystallizer it is moved downwardly and kneaded. The kneading is performed by two sets of interdigitating rods, one set being stationary and the other set moving transversely to the downward path of movement of the material. As it is being kneaded it is cooled, both by contact with refrigerated surfaces and also by a countercurrent flow of cool air. The kneading is continued until the product is crystallized and particulate. Thereafter, it is optionally dried to a moisture content of about 1%.

Abstract: A tube is mounted with the top of one end in contact with the wheel. The lower part of that tube end is aligned to contact a stop. The tube is urged toward the stop and rotated about its longitudinal axis. With the grinding wheel rotating, the contact of the top edge of the tube with the wheel breaks diamonds from the wheel. When the tube idles against the stop a precise size has been achieved.

Abstract: The walls of the plunger (piston) of the fuel metering pump are relatively thin so that, when pressurized, they expand to provide more effective sealing. A plug is then used in the bore of the plunger to reduce its volume. In one embodiment the wall thickness in the portion of the plunger between the valving openings is further reduced to increase the wall expansion, and thus sealing, adjacent the valving openings. In some embodiments, ends of the members about the plunger are provided with skirts to decrease their tendency to expand, thus improving the sealing.

Abstract: A machine for laying reinforcing mesh for concrete comprises a pair of spaced front wheels and a pair of power driven rear wheels. Several different forms of devices are provided for lifting the roll of reinforcing mesh and positioning it between the front wheels. From that position the wire is unrolled from the top of the roll and passes back under the rear wheels, thereby backbending the mesh as it is unrolled. In other embodiments not employing the front wheels, a pusher in front of the power driven wheels pushes the roll ahead of it along the ground as the latter wheels move along the mesh. In such embodiments hooks are provided on the pusher for engaging the roll in a manner such that, before unrolling, the roll may be lifted and transported to the desired location for unrolling. The safety hook is provided to the rear of the wheels to prevent the trailing edge of the non-backbended mesh from the roll from springing into the operator as the wheels move off that trailing edge.

Abstract: A highly-amplified pickoff signal responding to positional deviations of a wire-suspended gyro are fed to a torquer connected to the gyro. In response to these the torquer exerts on the gyro a torque counteracting the gyro directing torque. The pickoff signals are sampled at time internals T and an analogue-digital converter produces therefrom a timed sequence of digital signals with each digital signal being proportioned to the pickoff signal at a time of sampling. This sequence of digital signals are fed to a digital filter which produces an output signal, indicative of the deviation, in accordance with the equation:U.sub.M (nT) = U.sub.M ((n-1).multidot.T) +1/n [u.sub.m (nT) - U.sub.M ((n-N).multidot.T]wheren is a consecutive whole number,U.sub.M (jT) the average value output at the time jT,u.sub.m (jT) the digitalized measuring value at the time jT, andN a fixed whole number.

Abstract: A hollow plunger extends into the cavity of the draft gear body. The inner end of the plunger is expansible. One or more wedges are held by the body adjacent the inner end of the plunger, and shoes are positioned between the wedge(s) and the inner side of the inner end of the plunger. Spring elements positioned within the plunger are in compression between the outer end of the plunger and the shoes. When the plunger is forced into the body the shoes are wedged outwardly against the expansible portions of the plunger which in turn are forced into contact with the body. There may be one or a plurality of successive stages of wedges and shoes.

Abstract: A hub extends into the top of a pole and has a central web. A carriage bolt extends through this web with its nut exposed on the top of the web and its head below the web within the pole. The central support of the toggle rests on and engages the bolt head. This support has a base and two sides. The two sides of two arms are in juxtaposition to the support sides and are pivotally secured thereto by pins. The arms extend at an angle toward the hub and are in contact therewith to be cammed outwardly by the hub as the support is drawn toward the hub by the bolt thereby causing the distal ends of the arms to engage the pole. A spring on the support base resiliently forces the arms into contact with the hub and, prior to the bolt being drawn up, holds the arms sufficiently close together to freely slip within the end of the pole.

Abstract: A dock lift has a platform connected at each side to a frame by a scissors apparatus. At one end, a pair of crossed hydraulic cylinders connect the platform and the frame. The hydraulic connections to the cylinders are made so that a load imposed on one side of the platform imposes a load on one cylinder which cylinder in turn causes fluid pressure to be applied to the other cylinder in the sense such that the other side of the platform is drawn downwardly to aid in maintaining the platform approximately level.

Abstract: A track has spaced rails, each of which holds a plurality of clips, each clip being at a respective station. Thus, there are a pair of clips at each station. A multiple socket unit is mountable between the rails at each station or at adjacent stations. An electrical component, as for example a relay, can be plugged into each socket unit and when so plugged in is engaged by the clips which hold the component unit and the socket unit together and the combination of the two locked to the track at the station(s).