Abstract: A wheel cover locking assembly comprises a knob in which a plastic bolt is rotatably mounted, the bolt extending through a wheel cover and engaging a nut carried on a bracket affixed to a wheel by means of lug nuts, so that rotation of the bolt locks the wheel cover on the wheel. A cam piece located inside the knob and hidden by a snap-in decorative cover can be rotated by means of a simple key to clutch and de-clutch the knob to and from the bolt. The simplified and economical construction tends to be impervious to water and dirt.

Abstract: Apparatus for sign-making using dry transfer of letters from carrier sheets allows any of a number of different character sizes and row spacings to be provided. A carrier sheet bearing characters of a desired size is positioned relative to a carriage in dependence upon whether a row to be formed contains all upper case characters, or some or all lower-case characters. The carriage is movable smoothly in a horizontal direction to allow any desired horizontal spacing of characters, but movable vertically only in discrete increments. A plurality of row spacing indicators are positionable adjacent a sign blank to afford a preview of how characters of a given size having a given spacing will appear on a sign blank.

Abstract: To enable a vehicle which can automatically track a substantially straight guidewire or the like at high speeds with prescribed dynamic characteristics to also track distinct guidewire curves with similar characteristics, an added signal which is a function of guidewire curvature and vehicle wheelbase is superimposed on the command signal derived from a tracking sensor to modify the command signal applied to a steering servo or other steering means while the vehicle negotiates a curve.

Abstract: A sighting device attachment for a chain saw allows an operator to measure desired lengths to be cut which are substantially greater than the size of the attachment, and allows adjustment to provide a wide variety of lengths.

Abstract: Electro-optical apparatus for transmitting Boolean switching signals over substantial distances includes a transmitter having a light-emitting diode operable to apply light pulses at a line frequency rate (or double a line frequency rate) to an optic fiber. A remote receiver includes a photosensor for receiving light pulses from the optic fiber, means for amplifying signals from the photosensor, an opto-isolator comprising a light-emitter and a photo-thyristor operated by said light-emitter, an electronic switch connected to energize a load device, and means responsive to said photo-thyristor for controlling the electronic switch.

Abstract: A ground vehicle guidance system for following a current-carrying guidewire provides improved steering stability over a wide range of speeds and improved immunity to inductive field anomalies by computing vehicle heading and lateral displacement using sensor signals themselves substantially insensitive to heading variations, with the sensor signals being processed to provide steering command signals having specified relationships to vehicle steering geometry, so that desired damping factors can be obtained for both forward and reverse travel. Improved vehicle speed-limiting and stopping circuits control truck operation in accordance with computed heading and lateral displacement deviations independently from each other. Steering systems are illustrated both for vehicles using steerable wheels and vehicles steered by differential drive wheel speed control.

Abstract: One end of an upper frame carrying an occupant station of a simulated vehicle is mounted on a base frame to pivot about a vertical axis, and a dummy steering wheel at the occupant station is linked to pivot the upper frame. Combined rotary and translation bearings support the other end of the upper frame on a shaft carried on the base frame to accommodate the pivotal movement about the vertical axis and also to provide a small upward pitching of the upper frame during pivoting of the upper frame in either direction from a central position, so that gravity acts to restore the upper frame and the steering wheel to centered conditions.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting wood slabs and the like comprises a plurality of spaced-apart rails each carrying an endless loop of chain routed around a respective drive sprocket and an idler roller and a plurality of further idler rollers support the upper course of the chain above the upper edges of the rails. Each chain comprises inter-linked oval links, so that the links lie in perpendicular planes, with links lying in vertical planes extending into recesses in the sprockets and idler rollers.

Abstract: Two-phase logic signals from a reversible shaft encoder or like device provide count occurrence pulses and a count direction logic signal to control incrementing and decrementing of a counting means. One count occurrence pulse is omitted each time the count direction changes to avoid errors which otherwise might result. Up counts and down counts occur at the same shaft encoder positions, and the system has high noise immunity.

Abstract: An adjustable contraceptive diaphragm includes a sheath having a rim surrounding a telescoping resilient ring. An outer ring member of generally U-shaped cross-section surrounds the rim of the sheath, and clamps against opposite sides of the sheath, and one end of the outer ring member telescopes into the other end and can be fastened at selected discrete telescoped positions.

Abstract: Provision of an auxiliary mast which is tiltable, as well as being laterally shiftable and rotatable about a vertical axis, allows loads to be handled without the top of the mast damaging previously-stored loads or limiting fork entrance into a storage rack.

Abstract: A mirror and picture placed back-to-back in a frame are pivotably attached to a wall to allow the mirror to be positioned substantially horizontally, for viewing by a person in a bed, or concealed against the wall with the picture displayed.

Abstract: Routing decisions for vehicles following current-carrying guidewires and carrying destination addresses are made at intersections of a guidewire system without the need for storing large amounts of data at the intersections by making inequality and equality comparisons of destination addresses with one or a few numbers stored at each intersection and basing routing on the results of one or a combination of two such comparisons.

Abstract: Elevations of a lift truck load carrier relative to shelves of a storage rack are accurately indicated by photosensor means on the load carrier operated by light reflected from reflectors on the storage rack. Raising and lowering the load carrier rotates the shaft of a retractable cable reel. Photosensor signals operate a clutch which connects the reel shaft to rotate a potentiometer over a limited range of heights surrounding the desired load carrier heights for each shelf in a vertical stack of shelves.

Abstract: Ultrasonic detection of early pregnancy in sows and like animals is enhanced by basing an assumption of pregnancy upon detection of a substantially echo-free animal zone of predetermined width or greater which may occur over a substantial range of animal depths, combined with detection of a distinct echo from a greater depth than the echo-free zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for securely clamping cables in rows and columns between substantially rigid bars having a plurality of slots. Flexible plastic straps having teeth along their lengths cooperate with teeth in the slots of the bars to form ratcheting locking means which allow a strap to pass in only one direction through a slot.

Abstract: In a process for purifying an aqueous liquid by flotation of suspended solids with gas bubbles produced by electrolysis between at least one pair of electrodes, at least one of said electrodes, preferably in the form of an endless belt or band, is transported in or through said liquid while said electrolysis and flotation are taking place. Bridging and fouling of the electrodes are thereby minimised.

Abstract: Tools on a lathe having an automatically indexable and translatable turret are powered and controlled by automatically driving the turret to one or more predetermined positions to automatically couple or uncouple one or more detachable power coupling devices which connect power and/or control signals to turret-carried tools while the turret is translated to perform machining operations. Means are shown for effecting flexible mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and/or pneumatic power and control signals to turret-carried devices.