Abstract: Positioning apparatuses mountable to a wheelchair or other such device are disclosed. An illustrative positioning apparatus can include a base unit, a number of armatures each defining an extension of the apparatus, a number of rotatable joints adapted to permit movement of the armatures, and a platform adapted to support one or more objects. A number of actuation levers connected to the rotatable joints can be used to simultaneously unlock each of the joints in a single step, allowing the apparatus to be easily repositioned. A locking mechanism within each joint may permit one or more user-defined locking positions to be set on the joint. A temporary lock-out mechanism within each joint results in the unlocking of each joint until the armatures are rotated away from the locked position, allowing operation of the device with one hand.

Abstract: Positioning apparatuses mountable to a wheelchair or other such device are disclosed. An illustrative positioning apparatus can include a base unit, a number of armatures each defining an extension of the apparatus, a number of rotatable joints adapted to permit movement of the armatures, and a platform adapted to support one or more objects. A number of actuation levers connected to the rotatable joints can be used to simultaneously unlock each of the joints in a single step, allowing the apparatus to be easily repositioned. A locking mechanism within each joint may permit one or more user-defined locking positions to be set on the joint. A temporary lock-out mechanism within each joint results in the unlocking of each joint until the armatures are rotated away from the locked position, allowing operation of the device with one hand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new use for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Specifically, the present invention provides a new method for evaluating the aminoacylation state of tRNAs, which are useful for site-directed mutagenesis of both sidechain and backbone protein structures. Further, the present invention useful for the generation of novel peptides, polypeptides, and proteins that may be used in drug design and screening, and in the design of small molecule agonists or antagonists for receptors, enzymes and other proteins and molecules involved in various disease states. Additionally, the present invention is useful in the field of tRNA aminoacylation, particularly in the design of synthetases.

Abstract: In a glass melting furnace of the type that has a basin wherein a bath of molten glass is heated by a blanket of flame that extends over the molten bath, performance and productivity are enhanced by installing oxygen injection lances through holes that are drilled through walls of the furnace at tuck stone levels just above the top surface of the molten bath of glass in the furnace basin. The lances are thin walled tubes that each carry an adjustable flange for preventing unwanted convection and radiation through furnace wall holes that receive the lances.

Abstract: A close-off valve for suction pipes to establish communication between a source of pressure and a consumer of pressure, such as a hydraulic pump. The valve makes it possible to disconnect the consumer in a simple and reliable manner, that is without leakage of the pressure, in addition to which it allows a liquid, such as oil, in certain quantities to flow through the valve above the valve disc, when the latter assumes the position in which it closes the outlet of the valve. For this purpose the valve comprises a solenoid valve which controls a flow of pressurized air to the valve housing in order to actuate the valve disc closing off said communication. In addition, the valve is arranged with through-passage means above said disc in order to allow passage-through of a certain amount of liquid, when the valve disc is in its closing position.

Abstract: A length of envelope material adapted for being fed to an envelope-forming machine in which the material comprises a succession of envelope units in an unbroken row wound in the form of a roll with a succession of windings. Each envelope unit has a transverse fold line dividing the unit into two halves along which separated units can be respectively folded to form respective envelopes. Each envelope unit has a window opening and a transparent cover on the opening. First strings of glue are provided on each unit for joining the halves thereof together after folding along the fold line. Further strings of glue join the transparent cover to the unit. The strings of glue and the transparent cover are of respective thicknesses to form a uniform elevation at one side of the material of each unit. The diameter of the roll in which the length of material is wound corresponds to the dimensional length of each unit and the thickness of the glue strings and covers so that the roll is substantially cylindrical.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic piston pump of the kind provided with a tilting disk (22) which controls the displacements of the pistons (11). The improved pump has a compact construction and thus a low weight and it is able to operate at a very high rotational speed giving a very high output effect. These objects are achieved by providing the pump house (3) with borings (10) extending therethrough. These borings (10) house each their piston (11) and these pistons (11) are axially displaceable by means of a tilting disk (22). The inlet ends of the piston borings (10) are closed by means of a suction valve (13) of a special construction comprising for instance a washer (14) pressed into the piston boring (10). The other parts of the valve (13) are pressed against this washer (14) by the spring (12) which presses the piston (11) against the tilting disk (22).

Abstract: There is disclosed a machine for producing an item of mail essentially consisting of an enclosure and an envelope therefor. The enclosures are successively fed to a folding station of the machine by a conveyor. The folded enclosures are conveyed to an insertion station of the machine to be readied for insertion into an envelope and are then conveyed to an enveloping station of the machine. Envelope blanks are successively fed by a second conveyor to the enveloping station and wrapped in that station about enclosures, thereby forming an envelope for the enclosures. The first conveyor then feeds the envelopes with the enclosures therein successively to a sealing station; a franking station and a collecting station.