Abstract: A switchable permanent magnetic chuck including a housing which has one open end and a face plate which covers the open end of the housing. The face plate comprises a plurality of elongated magnetic pole members and a plurality of elongated non-magnetic members, both members being arranged in an alternately juxtaposed manner. The permanent magnetic chuck further included a plurality of first permanent magnets each disposed between adjacent magnetic pole members of the face plate so as to give alternately inverted magnetized directions in the transverse direction of the magnetic pole members. In the housing is enclosed a movable member which is movable in the transverse direction of the magnetic pole members, and on the movable member are disposed a plurality of second permanent magnets in a corresponding relation to the magnetic pole members.

Abstract: Multi-wire group splicing in multi-wire telephone or like distribution systems, utilizing an at least three-sided distribution module (DM), the distribution module (DM) comprising an array of bridging slots (128, 130, 132, 134) in each of its sides (120, 122, 124, 126), and an array of disc type connectors (210 or 230 or 232) for interconnection of the respective prongs (502) of conventional prong type bridging modules (BM or 500) engaging the sides of the distribution module. By use of the distribution module (DM), additional or substitute multi-wire groups can be connected into the distribution system without interruption of service, and field fabrication of splices need involve only the "building" of prong type bridging modules (BM) at the ends of wire group sections of the system, with interconnection of the sections being simply by plugging of the prong type bridging modules (BM) into the distribution module (DM).

Abstract: A winch (10) is powdered by a motor (20) mounted at one end of a drum (12) through a three-stage planetary drive train (26) disposed adjacent the opposite end of the drum (12 ). The drive train (26) includes elongate drive shaft (25) which extends longitudinally through the interior of the drum (12) toward the motor (20). A brake-clutch assembly (24), disposed within the interior of the drum (12) operably interconnects motor (20) and drive shaft (25). The brake-clutch assembly (24) automatically operates in response to the magnitude and direction of the torque being transmitted between motor (20) and drive shaft (25). In operation, the brake-clutch assembly (24) permits the drive shaft (25) to rotate relative to and power the drum (12) to reel in the loaded drum cable and then frictionally locks the drive shaft (25) to the inside diameter of the drum (12) to hold the load on the drum cable when motor (20 ) is stopped.

Abstract: In an integrated process for the recovery of alkakli metal phenates and carboxylates from aqueous solutions thereof, the aqueous solution is spray dried and the drying gas stream is contacted with an aqueous alkali metal salt solution which dissolves the particles of the alkali metal salt that were entrained in the drying gas stream. The salt-free inert gas stream is then dried, heated, and returned to the spray dryer.

Abstract: A video game system by which human viewers conduct simulated voice conversations with game characters or cartoon characters in a branching story game shown on a television screen. The characters and cartoons reply responsively with lip-sync sound to words input by viewers. Different audio and video frames are generated from data memory and video disc to provide one of several alternative replies or alternative actions at each branch point in the game, depending on which words are selected by the viewer. A menu of prompting words is displayed to inform viewers of what words they can use at each branch point. Viewers can input questions or make other remarks by pressing a button next to one of the displayed sentences which causes a recording of the displayed sentence to be played or speech synthesized in lieu of a viewer speaking it.

Abstract: Modular seating units (100) made from rotationally molded plastic which mount to a gradine (G) and join laterally, forming bench seating. Each seating unit (100) comprises two plastic pedestals, either of end configuration (12) or intermediate configuration (14), or a combination thereof, mounted by bracket means (24, 34) to a gradine (G) such as may be found in a stadium, and a plastic bench section (10), supported in a generally horizontal orientation between each pair of pedestals. The seat sections are spanned by reinforcing bars (32) which mount into channels (30) on the underside of the seat sections (10). Each seating unit (100) may include an independently mounted backrest unit (200), which comprises two mounting brackets (44) affixed to a gradine (G), or to reinforcing bars (32), supporting a rotationally molded plastic backrest section (38), by being affixed to a reinforcing bar (52) which mounts into a channel (50) in the back side of the backrest section (38).

Abstract: The main frame of the cutterhead comprises a plurality of radial spoke beams which are interconnected between a box-like hub structure and an annular box beam by which the cutterhead is mounted for rotation. Cutter mounting wells are defined by and between side wall portions of the radial spoke beams. The mined material passes rearwardly through the cutterhead via openings between adjacent radial spoke beams and open spaces in the cutter mounting wells. Cutter mounts span laterally between the side plate members and laterally brace the radial spoke beams in addition to mounting the cutters. The radial spoke beams curve rearwardly at their outer ends and connect to the annular box beam at a location spaced enough rearwardly from the front portions of the spoke beams that a room is defined within the cutterhead. Roller type cutters are installed onto and removed from the cutterhead frame from the rear side of the cutterhead.