Abstract: The apparatus for handling and operating on an article includes a flexible member having a working surface and at least one fluid orifice which pass through the flexible member and terminates in outlets on the working surface. The flexible member is a web made of a plurality of stacked layers. Fluid supplied to the working surface through the orifices act on articles placed in close proximity to the working surface.

Abstract: The invention is a recording system for recording and playing back information stored on an updatable optical storage medium. In the optical storage medium digital data is permanently present in the form of replicated features, and an updatable capability is provided by including an additional layer of substantially transparent magnetic recording material, The invention further includes a method for recording and playing back the information from the optical storage medium.

Abstract: A magazine storage system for storing and retrieving recording strips. The system includes a magazine, having shelves for storing the strips, and a loop-shaped drive. The strips are transported between the magazine and the drive by conduits having air jets emanating from holes therein. The system provides rapid access to large amounts of stored information.

Abstract: A loop-shaped drive and drive system for retrieving and storing information on flexible recording strips. The drive has a loop-shaped conduit having a working surface on its inner periphery. A fluid, such as air, is supplied to the conduit and emerges from an array of uniformly distributed orifices in the working surface. Fluid streams from the orifices support the recording strip above the working surface and transport it around the inner periphery of the loop-shaped conduit. As the strip travels around the loop-shaped conduit, it passes in close proximity with at least one transducer, thereby allowing the transducer(s) to read/write information on the strip.

Abstract: A device (10) for assisting in the safe setting of traps (12) is disclosed including an elongated handle (34) and a portion (36) for removable engagement with the cross bar (32) and arm (23) of the striker (16) of the trap (12). The removable engagement portion (36) includes a hook (38) for slideably receiving a length of the cross bar (32) and a finger (46) for abutting with the arm (23) at a point located on the opposite side of the striker (16) than the lip (40) of the hook (38) and in a nonlinear position relative to the connecting leg (44) of the hook (38). The device (10) may be positioned to overlie the striker (16) in its first, trapping position and then pulled outward to pull the lip (40) of the hook (38) beneath the cross bar (32) and with the finger (46) overlying the arm (23) of the striker (16). When the handle (34) is raised, the device (10) will pivot about the cross bar (32) inside of the hook (38) until the finger (46) abuts with the arm (23).

Abstract: A walking beam is located under each of the main longitudinal members of the vehicle frame and carries at each of its ends a wheel spindle journaling a wheel for ground engagement. A shock absorbing resilient member is carried between upper and lower supports connected respectively to each main longitudinal member and walking beam. A pivot member is mounted to the walking beam below the lower resilient member support and serves to define the pivot axis for each walking beam. Each pivot member is connected to the vehicle frame by a transverse pivot shaft and is braced by a longitudinally extending strut.