Abstract: A hydrostatic agricultural tractor has front ground wheels mounted on the frame at fixed angles parallel to each other and parallel to a center line of the frame and rear ground wheels mounted on a respective castor, with each of the front ground wheels being driven by a respective drive motor which allows variable speed in both the first and second directions such that steering of the tractor is effected by a differential in speed between the front wheels with the rear wheels following the steering in a castoring action. A pair of damper cylinders is provided each connected between a bracket on a rear axle of the frame and a lever in the castor plane of the castor so as to provide a damping force tending to restrict rotation of the respective second wheel about the respective vertical pivot axis with the damping force at a maximum value when the rear wheels are parallel to the center line in either the forward or reverse directions.

Abstract: Two common-path interferometers share a measuring cavity for measuring opposite sides of opaque test parts. Interference patterns are formed between one side of the test parts and the reference surface of a first of the two interferometers, between the other side of the test parts and the reference surface of a second of the two interferometers, and between the first and second reference surfaces. The latter measurement between the reference surfaces of the two interferometers enables the measurements of the opposite sides of the test parts to be related to each other.

Abstract: A mode-monitoring system used in connection with discrete beam frequency tunable laser provides optical feedback that can be used for adjusting the laser or for other processing associated with the use of the laser. For example, the output of a frequency tunable source for a frequency-shifting interferometer can be monitored to support the acquisition or processing of more accurate interference data. A first interferometer for taking desired measurements of optical path length differences traveled by different portions of a measuring beam can be linked to a second interferometer for taking measurements of the measuring beam itself. The additional interference data can be interpreted in accordance with the invention to provide measures of beam frequency and intensity.

Abstract: A frequency tuning system for a laser includes mode-matched lasing and feedback cavities. A reflective facet of the feedback cavity is adjustable for retroreflecting different feedback frequencies to the lasing cavity without changing a fixed length of the feedback cavity. A selection among resonant frequencies of the feedback cavity provides for tuning the laser through discrete resonant frequencies of the lasing cavity.

Abstract: A kit includes the combination of an stand-up dustpan having a length of approximately 107.5 cm and a less than full-sized broom having a length of approximately 84.8 cm. The floor cleaning kit also includes an enclosed box-shaped container shaped to define an interior cavity into which the dustpan and broom, when they are disassembled, can be disposed, the container having a length of approximately 36.8 cm, a width of approximately 32.6 cm and a depth of approximately 10.9 cm. Each of the dustpan and the broom includes a handle comprising at least two independent sections which are adapted to be coupled together. The container includes a rear panel, a front panel, a pair of side panels, a top panel and a bottom panel which together define the enclosed interior cavity. The container additionally includes a partition which at least partially subdivides the enclosed interior cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber.

Abstract: The “Quick Pull” is a household utility that was designed to be used on the end of a paper towel dispenser to eliminate the unraveling of unwanted paper towels from the roll, i.e. allowing a controlled pull by applying resistance between the paper towels and the dispenser. The “Quick Pull” is small, made of any pliable material that has total memory and is incredibly easy to use. The “Quick Pull” is not only incredibly easy to use, it is unbelievably inexpensive to make, literally a couple of pennies off of a dollar is all it takes.

Abstract: A draper header includes two side drapers each running from an outer end guide roller at a first end of the header to an inner end guide roller adjacent the discharge location of the header and a central feed draper located at the discharge location and including a front guide roller just behind the cutter bar and running to a rear guide roller in front of the feeder house of the combine harvester. An auger is located between the discharge rollers with a front edge of the flight forward of the rear end of the discharge rollers to feed the material inwardly and underneath the auger to the inlet of the feeder house. The feed draper carries cleats which are angled to the rollers in two sections converging to a central leading apex to reduce forces on the cleat as they pass over the front guide roller which is of reduced diameter to fit within a small space adjacent the cutter bar.

Abstract: A draper header includes two side drapers each running from an outer end guide roller at a first end of the header to an inner end guide roller adjacent the discharge location of the header and a central feed draper located at the discharge location and including a front guide roller just behind the cutter bar and running to a rear guide roller in front of the feeder house of the combine harvester. An auger is located between the discharge rollers with a front edge of the flight forward of the rear end of the discharge rollers to feed the material inwardly and underneath the auger to the inlet of the feeder house. The feed draper carries cleats which are angled to the rollers in two sections converging to a central leading apex to reduce forces on the cleat as they pass over the front guide roller which is of reduced diameter to fit within a small space adjacent the cutter bar.

Abstract: A kit includes the combination of an stand-up dustpan having a length of approximately 107.5 cm and a less than full-sized broom having a length of approximately 84.8 cm. The floor cleaning kit also includes an enclosed box-shaped container shaped to define an interior cavity into which the dustpan and broom, when they are disassembled, can be disposed, the container having a length of approximately 36.8 cm, a width of approximately 32.6 cm and a depth of approximately 10.9 cm. Each of the dustpan and the broom includes a handle comprising at least two independent sections which are adapted to be coupled together. The container includes a rear panel, a front panel, a pair of side panels, a top panel and a bottom panel which together define the enclosed interior cavity. The container additionally includes a partition which at least partially subdivides the enclosed interior cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber.

Abstract: A crop harvesting machine includes a crop harvesting header mounted on a transport vehicle for carrying the header across the ground with at least one upper connecting link extending from the vehicle frame to an upper frame member and two support arms each extending from a front end at the header to a rear end pivotally mounted on the vehicle frame and arranged at a height below the upper link. Each support arm has a respective float spring connected thereto at a pivot thereon forwardly of the rear end and extending therefrom to the vehicle frame for applying a lifting force on the support arm. Each support arm has a pivot connection at the rear end defined by a pivotal link connected at a forward end to the frame by a resilient bushing and at a rear end by a similar bushing to the rear end of the support arm.

Abstract: A crop conditioning apparatus includes two parallel fluted intermeshing rollers mounted for rotation about respective axes for passage of crop material therebetween and for movement of the axes in a direction to increase and decrease the spacing the rollers. The rollers and flutes are substantially rigid, such that rotation of the rollers while intermeshing without crop material therebetween and while out of synchronism causes unacceptable noisy contact between the flutes. Each roller being driven by a respective one of two motors arranged to generate substantially equal torque so as to tend to rotate the rollers at common angular velocity. A timing arrangement for maintaining the rollers in synchronism includes a gear wheel having a plurality of gear lobes thereon projecting radially outwardly therefrom on one roller and a disk parallel to the gear wheel with a plurality of rollers projecting outwardly from one face of the disk into a position between the gear lobes of the first member.

Abstract: The invention provides for canine genes indicative of toxicological responses to agents such as drugs, pharmaceutical compounds, or chemicals. Methods of identifying and isolating toxicologically relevant canine gene are disclosed. In addition, an array comprising toxicologically relevant canine genes, methods of making a canine gene array, and methods of using a canine gene array in which toxicological responses can analyzed in a rapid and efficient manner are also provided. The methods disclosed herein are also useful for discovering and obtaining novel canine genes. Primers and sequences of novel canine genes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for preventing fraudulent calling activity in a telecommunications network when an Automatic Number Identification failure (ANIF) occurs at a switch attempting to process a call within the network. When an ANIF occurs, an operator obtains information equivalent to an Automatic Number Identification (ANI) from the calling party and the system determines whether the call is of a type that would not have been restricted had the ANIF not occurred. If the call would not otherwise have been restricted had the ANIF not occurred, the system automatically assigns a blanket billing restriction to the call which only allows specific call types (such as what are deemed the safer alternate billing methods of collect or credit card) and blocks other restricted call types.

Abstract: A system for completing air-to-ground telephone calls is arranged so that a call originating from an aircraft is received in a ground station and directed to a special purpose platform disposed in the land-based telecommunications network. The platform, which may be implemented as an interactive voice response system, includes the capability to interact with the caller by (a) collecting billing information, which may be a commercial credit card or a telephone calling card, or other billing mechanism which can be initiated by a request for connection to a telephone operator; (b) validating credit cards and telephone calling cards by initiating a query and receiving a response from elements in the telecommunications network or from an external database; (c) providing auxiliary features such as block calling, free calls, speed dialing, sequence calling, etc.; and (d) depending upon the type of call involved, completing the call as either a traditional 1+long distance call, or as a 0+(e.g.

Abstract: This invention relates to the application of an audible logo to a telecommunications call, for identifying the common carrier serving that call. A call is received in an operator assistance system. After applying a calling card prompt tone and prior to connecting the call to an operator position or receiving further digits such as those for a calling card number, the operator assistance system connects an audible logo, identifying a common carrier, to the call. Advantageously, a telephone customer receives the information necessary to identify whether his/her preferred common carrier is going to be used on this call at a sufficiently early time to make it convenient to disconnect and reoriginate. This information is particularly important for calls originated away from home or office, calls that are likely to be operator assistance (0 or 0+ directory number) calls. Subsequently, the operator assistance call is processed as in the prior art.

Abstract: A cryopump having at least two temperature stages for pumping gases at their optimal temperatures. A first embodiment has a third temperature stage that is surrounded by and separated from the second temperature stage which is surrounded by and separated from the first temperature stage. Adsorbent placed on the second and third stages are operated at different temperatures to prevent gases with higher critical mobility temperatures from becoming immobilized at the entrance of pores and wells along the surface of the adsorbent. Another embodiment has at least a second stage, a temperature sensor, and a heater to maintain the second stage temperature at optimal level for the gas being pumped.

Abstract: This invention relates to the application of an audible logo to a telecommunications call, for identifying the common carrier serving that call. A call is received in an operator assistance system. After applying a calling card prompt tone and prior to connecting the call to an operator position or receiving further digits such as those for a calling card number, the operator assistance system connects an audible logo, identifying a common carrier, to the call. Advantageously, a telephone customer receives the information necessary to identify whether his/her preferred common carrier is going to be used on this call at a sufficiently early time to make it convenient to disconnect and reoriginate. This information is particularly important for calls originated away from home or office, calls that are likely to be operator assistance 0 or 0+ directory number) calls. Subsequently, the operator assistance call is processed as in the prior art.

Abstract: A cryopump which has three temperature stages for pumping gas. The third temperature stage is surrounded by and separated from the second temperature stage which is surrounded by and separated from the first temperature stage. Adsorbent placed on the second and third stage are operated at different temperatures to prevent gases with higher critical mobility temperatures from becoming immobilized at the entrance of pores and wells along the surface of the adsorbent.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a non-presubscription subaccount billing service utilized by customers on a "per call" or "as needed" basis. A calling customer initiates the service by dialing "0" plus the directory number of the called line. The local office serving the calling line recognizes the call as an operator-designated call and forwards the call along with the identification number of the calling line and the directory number of the called line to an operator system. The operator system prompts the calling line to enter additional call information. The calling customer enters a service activation code such as "15" and a two-digit subaccount billing number assigned by the customer. Receiving the service activation code and the subaccount billing number, the operator system activates the service by setting a subaccount billing indicator in an automatic message accounting record and extends the call to the called line.