Abstract: A device for preventing bridging of bulk material in the form of powder or granules during discharge from a storage container or during handling, comprising apparatus for applying a shearing force to the bulk material along an axis orthogonal to the flowpath direction axis and without appreciably compacting the bulk material.

Abstract: A deflecting load supporting apparatus comprising a base; a load receiving lever element pivotably mounted onto said base; at least one buckling element disposed in engagement with said base and said load receiving lever element so as to undergo a predetermined buckling displacement under at least a predetermined load.

Abstract: Vibrating surface apparatus comprising a base member, vibratory motion producing member, a first spring coupling the vibratory motion producing member to the base member; a first surface adapted to be vibrated; a second spring coupling said surface to the vibratory motion producing member; and a third spring coupling the surface to the base member.

Abstract: Over-center closure apparatus comprising an elongate element configured to define a central region having a first length; first and second intermediate regions arranged in a first plane having respective third and fourth lengths and being angularly disposed with respect to the central region; and first and second end regions adapted to be rotatably secured to a member and forming respective first and second vertices with the outer ends of the first and second intermediate regions and having respective fourth and fifth lengths and being disposed at an acute angle with respect to the axis joining said first and second vertices.

Abstract: A spring comprising a first member having an inner and outer end; a second member; and spacer means connecting said first member adjacent its inner end to said second member in spaced generally parallel partially overlapping disposition at rest.