Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a frame; a set of wheels supported on the frame to allow the materials handling vehicle to move across a floor surface; a rider compartment located within the frame for receiving an operator; and an operator support assembly. The operator support assembly comprises a suspended floorboard upon which the operator may stand when located within the rider compartment and an energy absorbing structure coupled to the frame and the suspended floorboard for absorbing and dissipating at least a portion of energy resulting from disturbances encountered by the vehicle as it moves across the floor surface prior to the energy portion reaching the operator standing on the suspended floorboard, the energy absorbing structure including a damping element for effecting a damping function.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a frame including a longitudinal centerline and an operator compartment; first and second front wheels coupled to the frame; a rear steer wheel assembly coupled to the frame; mast apparatus coupled to the frame and including a pair of forks; and a battery associated with the frame and having a center of gravity. The battery is preferably positioned such that the battery center of gravity is laterally offset from the longitudinal center line. A stability triangle for the vehicle is defined by a first point at the first front wheel, a second point at the second front wheel and a third point at the rear steer wheel assembly. Preferably, the stability triangle defines a scalene triangle.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a base; a carriage assembly movable relative to the base; at least one cylinder coupled to the base to effect movement of the carriage assembly relative to the base; and a hydraulic system to supply a pressurized fluid to the cylinder. The hydraulic system includes an electronically controlled valve coupled to the cylinder. The vehicle further comprises control structure to control the operation of the valve such that the valve is closed in the event of an unintended descent of a carriage assembly in excess of a commanded speed.

Abstract: A single lever hand control for multiple functions having two distinct axes of movement. In the case of a stand-up, battery powered lift truck having a mast, a carriage with forks raised and lowered on the mast, and the forks side shifted on the carriage, which also can be tilted from vertical, forward or back, the operator stands facing to the side with reference to the direction of travel of the truck. Movement of the control lever right to left from a neutral position relative to the direction the operator is facing controls the forward or reverse direction and the speed of the truck. The mast and carriage operations are controlled by the lever being pushed or pulled by the operator transversely to the direction of travel. The force required to displace the lever in one direction is less than that required in the other consistent with the large muscle groups employed to overcome the respective forces.

Abstract: A railway vehicle truck assembly comprises the following, in part: wheel sets having longitudinally spaced, transversely extending axles, and wheels mounted to the axles; transversely spaced longitudinally extending truck frames mounted to the axles; and a transversely extending bolster mounted to the truck frames. The bolster has a center bowl and opposed, elongated bolster arms extending from the center bowl. An underslung equalizer beam is located below the axles and mounted to the axle boxes. Brake beam guides are located in the equalizer spring seats which are located on the underslung equalizer beam. The equalizer beam is hot-box detector compatible so as to not interfere with the axle bearing detection scanners located alongside the railroad track.

Abstract: The present invention is an article packaging system which can be easily recycled. In one embodiment, the packaging of an article comprises a sheet member comprising a base portion and first and second end portions foldable with respect to the base portion, and a film member comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, the first and second end portions being removably attached to the first and second end portions of the sheet member, respectively. More particularly, the first and second end portions of the film member comprise a pocket adapted to engage with the first and second end portions of the sheet material, respectively. In operation, the film member and the sheet member may be separated from each other after use for recycling.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for compensating for wheel wear to maintain a constant car floor height above the railroad track where the compensating shim is at all times attached to the railway truck. The method comprises generally the steps of providing a wheel wear compensating shim that, when not being used, is removably attached to the underside of the bearing housing or other suitable location, lifting of the side frame away from the primary suspension, disposing the compensating shim between the side frame and the primary suspension, and finally lowering the side frame back onto the shim and primary suspension. The railway truck can thus be shimmed for wheel wear at any location where the side frame and accompanying car body can be lifted without the need to take the railcar to a retrofit service shop.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a metered amount of aerosolized medication and/or for measuring breathing function includes a casing that defines a cavity, a first or discharge opening from which a subject inhales from the cavity or exhales into the cavity, a second or air opening through which air enters the cavity, and a third opening in fluid communication with the cavity between the first and second openings. The casing also defines an open pocket for receiving a pressurized canister and a fourth or medication opening through which the contents of the canister discharge into the cavity of the casing. A pressure transducer in fluid communication with the third opening senses the pressure of breath moving through the cavity. Alternatively, a fan and photocell assembly may replace the pressure transducer and sense the flow of gas through the cavity.

Abstract: A device for cleaning, polishing or sanding having a treatment head that linearly reciprocates a pad or brush with a purely translational motion. The treatment head has a driven shaft with a crank at a free end connected through a link to a sliding block. The sliding motion of the block is confined in rails fixed on opposite sides of the driven shaft. A mechanism is provided for connecting the driven shaft to an output shaft of an electric motor.

Abstract: An improved mounting bracket for supporting a disc brake actuator assembly on a railcar truck, the mounting bracket being a cast metal bracket designed to bolt onto a portion of the truck frame, the bracket being generally H-shaped in cross section along a major portion of its length with the "H" being generally disposed horizontally so that the two sides of the H comprise upper and lower substantially solid horizontal walls.

Abstract: A scheduling system and method for use with training systems. The exemplary embodiment of the scheduler is incorporated into an aircrew training system for a military aircraft. A training system for training aircrews involves the use of academic media such as classrooms, training devices such as ground-based flight simulation trainers, and training flights in the air. In addition, it involves a computer network having terminals located at a central site, a plurality of training sites, and other remote sites. The computer data base is located at a central site, and the training facilities are located at training sites. Typically, computer terminals are connected together in a computer network by both dedicated and dial-up telephone lines, and typically the network may employ Intel 80386 machines running UNIX V, release 3.2. The scheduler of the present invention comprises an integrated system of hardware and software which is integrated into the already existing training system.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a spirometer controls the temperature and moisture content of the gas which it receives and accurately measures the flow rates of gas it receives and discharges. This apparatus includes a housing with an opening through which it receives and discharges the gas. This housing contains a piston which engages the inner surface of the housing to form a gas receiving chamber within the housing. The piston lies in sliding engagement in the housing and a user may move it to increase or decrease the volume of the chamber and pull gas into the chamber through the opening or force gas out of the chamber. A heating element disposed proximate the chamber heats the gas which the chamber receives; and a gas moisturizing element disposed in the housing adds moisture to the gas moving into the chamber and out of the chamber through the housing opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, teaches a technique, and provides apparatus eminently useful for the installation/removal, from a remote and protected location, of nozzle dams onto and from nozzle holddown rings within the channel heads of certain steam generators, including the types typically used in conjunction with the operation of pressurized hot-water nuclear power plants.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and a method for use in conjunction with a service wherein a called telephone customer receives a display of the number of a calling telephone customer. In conjunction with this service, customers are offered a class of service and/or an option to dial a privacy request wherein their telephone number will not be displayed to the called telephone customer. In accordance with this invention, the customers are offered a class of service wherein they will receive calls only from telephone customers willing to have their telephone number displayed. If a call is made from a caller who does not wish to have his number displayed to a called customer who will not accept calls from customers unwilling to identify themselves, the caller is given a special announcement; in response to this announcement if the caller keys a special privacy override code then the call is completed with the caller's number displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, teaches a technique, and provides apparatus eminently useful for the installation/removal, from a remote and protected location, of nozzle dams onto and from nozzle holddown rings within the channel heads of certain steam generators, including the types typically used in conjunction with the operation of pressurized hot-water nuclear power plants.

Abstract: A spirometer for measuring breathing functions of a human subject includes a housing and a hollow elongate body with a first opening through which the subject inhales or exhales, a second opening through which the breath enters the elongate body when the subject inhales or discharges from the body when the subject exhales, and a third opening disposed between said first and second openings. The spirometer also includes a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the third opening of the elongate body. This transducer measures the pressure of the breath moving through the elongate body. A plug member disposed proximate the second opening of the elongate body closes a predetermined portion of the second opening when the rate of flow of the breath through the elongate body reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, teaches a technique, and provides apparatus eminently useful for the installation/removal, from a remote and protected location, of nozzle dams onto and from nozzle holddown rings within the channel heads of certain steam generators, including the types typically used in conjunction with the operation of pressurized hot-water nuclear power plants.