Abstract: First and second tractors are connected by a coupling device in a first row, and a third tractor is disposed in substantially parallel relation thereto in a juxtaposed second row. An implement assembly is connected to one of the first and second tractors and to the third tractor for moving material obliquely away from the normal longitudinal direction of working movement of the tractors. Preferably, a second implement assembly is connected to the other one of the first and second tractors and to the third tractor for similar operation when the triple tractor assembly travels in a reverse direction as a unit.

Abstract: A power hammer having an elongated hammer element disposed in a tubular housing for reciprocating motion therein and having a cylindrical cam concentrically mounted with respect to the tubular housing for displacing the hammer element against the force of a compression spring. When a point in the cam profile is reached which drops off abruptly, the hammer element is driven against an anvil member also disposed in the tubular housing. The cam is adapted to be driven by either an electric motor or another suitable source of rotational power.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorbing method for protecting the drill bit and drill pipe in rotary earth drilling comprising the steps of slidably moving an anvil connected to a drilling bit in a casing in response to increased down weight on the drill bit and sequentially transmitting further increases in the down weight and shocks from the anvil to a plurality of independently operating hydraulic pistons slidably mounted within the casing when down weight on the drill bit exceeds increasing predetermined amounts to activate the pistons in sequence. The drilling fluid within the casing is transmitted to first pressure areas on the anvil and the plurality of pistons and the drilling fluid is passed through the drilling bit to provide a pressure drop and then communicated to second pressure areas on the plurality of pistons.

Abstract: Scale with a computing device and a digital display, in particular for commercial applications, said scale having logical and computing means for selection of one measuring range out of at least two measuring ranges in function of the weight of the goods on its platform, the smallest display units of each range being at least in a ratio 1:2, and further logical and computing means for selection in function of the weight of the higest load that may be displayed.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for the terminal drive of the track of a tracked vehicle, especially a tank or like military vehicle, comprises a final-drive assembly which is received in an opening of the hull of the vehicle with all-around clearance and means bridging the housing of this drive assembly and the hull for elastically supporting the drive assembly with limited freedom of movement thereof transverse to its axis.

Abstract: A tractor having two power units supported on respective frame portions which are pivotably connected in tandem, each power unit operatively connected to its respective fore or after axle which respectively mounts four or six wheels. The frame portions supporting the power units are joined between the fore and aft axles by vertical and horizontal solid steel pivotable shafts so as to be pivotable within limits about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tractor. Hydraulic piston and cylinder units extending from one power unit to the other on either side of the vertical pivotable shaft provide steering from controls located in a cabin suspended by an inverted "U" structure included in the frame of the after power unit. Both power units are provided with large capacity fuel tanks which extend transversely above each set of wheels and have a configuration whereby they function as fenders or mudguards.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion and re-generative braking arrangement providing multi-mode operation with an engine and/or energy storage flywheel coupled to an automatic transmission. An electronic control has driver-selectable control programs offering maximum economy, or enhanced accelerating power, or extra power. A novel clutch protects against flywheel over-speeding and full engine braking is provided when the flywheel is overcharged.

Abstract: An acceleration warning system for motor driven vehicles. The system includes speed measuring apparatus providing an output to a differentiating circuit for determining the rate of change of vehicle acceleration, and means responsive to a predetermined output of the differentiating circuit for indicating when the acceleration of the vehicle is beyond a predetermined rate. The system may also include control means for automatically limiting the acceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A well logging instrument is attached at its first end to a well logging cable and is connected at its second end through a flex joint to a shaft section which through another flex joint is connected at its lower end to a centralizing section. As the well logging instrument traverses an earth borehole, the lower centralizer section maintains the guide nose of the centralizer section away from the ledges encountered along the borehole walls and a shaft flexibly connected between the well logging instrument and the centralizer section ties the gravity decentralized logging instrument to the lower centralizing section and steers the lower guide nose away from the ledges which are encountered.

Abstract: A vertical sleeve secured to a side of a structure on which a man is working receives and supports the lower end portion of a pole that has a much longer inclined upper portion so that its upper end will be directly above a point spaced laterally from the sleeve. A safety line suspended from the upper end of the pole is connected to a safety belt worn by the workman and is long enough to permit him to work close to the sleeve. The pole is rotatable in the sleeve to allow its upper end to be moved in an arc around the sleeve to increase the size of the area in which the man can work.

Abstract: A scaffold device comprising a wheeled frame means including a front axle assembly and a rear axle assembly which are pivotally interconnected about a horizontal axis whereby either of the axle assemblies may be pivoted or rotated relative to the other. A first post is pivotally connected at its lower end to the front axle assembly and extends downwardly therefrom. A telescoping support is pivotally connected at its lower end to the front axle assembly and extends upwardly to a pivotal connection with the first post to permit the first post to be vertically positioned regardless of the attitude of the front axle assembly. A second post is pivotally secured at its lower end to the rear axle assembly and extends upwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A curved roll having spools rotatable about an axle on bearings lubricates the bearings with an annular body of liquid lubricant formed on the interior of the spools as they rotate. A pair of scoops located at opposite ends of the axle and facing in opposite rotational directions recirculate lubricant from the annulus through a flow path exterior to the roll and which includes a filter, a flow control device, pressure and flow gauges and a valve for adding and draining the lubricant from the system. The lubricant in the annulus is distributed uniformly along the roll by level control scoops that are each positioned in a compartment defined by an adjacent pair of bearings, the axle and the spools. Excess liquid in one compartment is skimmed by the associated up-take scoop and directed to lubricant reservoir; whereas in a compartment having insufficient lubricant, an oppositely directed drain scoop receives oil from the reservoir.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a pair of brake pads adapted to frictionally engage on opposite sides thereof a disc rotating with an associated wheel to be braked. A piston and cylinder assembly responsive to applied braking fluid pressure actuates the brake pads. A guide operatively interposed between the cylinder and a torque receiving member direct the cylinder for braking movement normal to the brake disc by operation of pins sliding within bosses formed on opposite sides of the cylinder.

Abstract: A brake retractor assembly in which the automatic adjustment apparatus includes a slitted drag tube and a ball carried by an adjusting pin engageable with the tube. The ball is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the tube so that as the brake wears the ball is pulled through the tube causing progressive expansion of the tube and thereby providing the necessary adjustment for wear. Increased resistance to movement of the ball is created on the ends of the drag tube by a "V" notch with a disappearing taper, a flange, or a high friction inner surface of the tube.

Abstract: A disc brake used in a car wherein a friction pad is urged onto the disc surface to restrain the movement of the disc, which disc brake, for facitating the mounting of the friction pad, is provided with (1) a backing plate of the friction pad having a notch sandwiched by two projection portions, an upper, and a lower which is smaller than the upper in projected length, on opposite upper end corners of the pad for being fitted into by a guide rail formed on a stationary member in order to allow the friction pad to slidably move in a normal direction to the disc surface; (2) a guide rail having a recess on one part thereof for allowing the lower projection portion formed smaller on the lower side of the notch to pass in a normal direction to the guide rail but not allowing the upper projection portion formed larger on the upper side of the notch to pass in the same direction; and (3) an anti-rattle spring comprising a flat body portion, an upper holding down pawl, a flange portion extending perpendicularly from

Abstract: A clutch unit for selectively drivingly connecting driving and driven shafts, the unit comprising, a first plurality of discs connected with one of the shafts and a second plurality of discs connected with the other of the shafts, the first and second plurality of discs being interleaved and being movable toward and away from one another to drivingly connect the driving and driven shafts, selective of the discs being fabricated of circumferentially arranged disc segments whereby the diameter of the discs (and hence the capacity of the clutch unit), may be increased significantly as compared to existing and prior known clutch units of the same general type.

Abstract: Coin-operated apparatus for dispensing suntan lotion or the like comprising a selectively actuatable air compressor which directs an air stream through a first nozzle opening in a spray head across a second nozzle opening to aspirate lotion through the latter and atomize such lotion into a fine spray mist. The spray head is connected to the compressor and to a lotion tank by respective extensible flexible hoses such that the head may be moved over the exposed portions of a user's body to deposit a film of lotion thereof. A time delay relay turns off the compressor after a preselected adjustable dispensing period.

Abstract: A side mover wheel for conveyors used during operation of the conveyor so that the conveyor can be moved laterally at the delivery end in a manner independent of the movement of the receiving end. The invention overcomes the problem of re-positioning a receiving vehicle beneath the delivery end of a conveyor as the receiving end of the conveyor sweeps across the face of the supply pile of any particulate material which is to be transferred to the vehicle. The conveyor has a supporting structure for supporting a central portion of the conveyor. The aforementioned wheel is vertically adjustable and is located directly below the central portion. A lowering device is mounted on the supporting structure and is able to lower the wheel to a first position where the wheel engages the ground and to lift the wheel to a second position above the ground. The axis of the wheel is disposed in a vertical plane parallel to the length of the conveyor.

Abstract: An arrangement using C-shaped track having inwardly directed flanges and mounted upon a rotatable base is provided such that objects conveyed in the track can be separated, fixed in position, rotated or indexed, and recombined in the track.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for positioning fruit of the drupe type in which the fruit is conveyed along a vertically elongated path from a receiving station upward along the path and then downward along the path to a discharge station with the positioning apparatus being operative to urge the fruit to a predetermined orientation during both the upward and downward portions of travel from the receiving station to the discharge station.

Abstract: A pusher bar transfer mechanism supporting the pusher bar on a suspension capable of oscillation in mutually perpendicular planes and guided to move the pusher bar in a transfer of a row of articles with a component of motion parallel to the row and a component transverse thereto in the transfer direction.

Abstract: A belt-type conveyor having an endless belt supported on a pair of spaced end rollers. The upper reach of the belt is adapted to have articles supported thereon for transporting thereof. A drive system is interconnected to both end rollers to simultaneously rotatably drive same, which end rollers in turn drive the belt. This drive system permits the upper reach of the belt to be maintained relatively free of tension so that the upper reach will readily conform to a guide structure which is positioned thereunder for slidably supporting same. The conveyor is particularly suitable for use as an inclined conveyor to permit lifting of articles on the upper belt reach, which upper reach can be bent upwardly from a horizontal position without requiring top guide rails or other hold-down devices.

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of like modules each module including a plurality of links having an upper conveying surface and providing axial passageways into which the teeth of a conveyor comb extend. A plurality of dogs are integrally formed with the links of each module upwardly extending above the conveying surface and disposed along a transverse axis of the modules.

Abstract: A multi-celled container carrier constructed providing a pair of rows of article holding cells to either side of the central panel separating the carrier into two lateral compartments, with the central panel being formed of a pair of foldably connecting panels, and having a pair of aligned apertures for forming the hand-gripping means for the carrier. A blank formed for this carrier incorporates the pair of central forming panels, having side or end panels connecting to each side edge thereof, and with side walls and bottom walls connecting therewith for forming each compartment to either side of the central panel. Dividers are provided within each compartment, connecting with the connecting flaps forming each compartment, for segregating each compartment into cellular segments.

Abstract: A sheet of material having a height greater than the vertical wickability thereof when a bottom edge is in a liquid medium, said sheet being folded one or more times to lessen the effective height of the sheet and providing complete wickability for the entire height of the folded sheet. The sheet in multiples may be in the form of a rolled web, a stack, a folded stack, or in other forms, and is used to provide moistened towelettes.

Abstract: A plurality of expandable bags are serially connected lengthwise in roll form. Each bag is of substantially long length and has an expandable gusset near one end thereof and traversely of the length. The gusset end of each bag is respectively connected to the filling or open end of the next bag by perforated or weakened structure. Various modifications of the position of the opening are incorporated. Also, the bags are rolled into serial form in a compact package for distribution and use with the gusset and opening portions of each bag being rolled inwardly to the inside of the roll, or outwardly to the outside of the roll. The method of making these serially connected bags in roll form is also included.

Abstract: A magazine for storing electronic components comprising a magazine body and a cover, said magazine body having a plurality of longitudinal receiving grooves formed in parallel with one another on its upside, one end of each of said receiving grooves being open and the other end thereof being closed to prevent the received electronic components from falling out of the magazine, said cover being adapted to overspread the open end of the grooves and the upside of said magazine.

Abstract: A package is formed from paperboard for displaying an elongate generally cylindrical article such as a flashlight or the like. The package presents a trough-like structure which cradles the article. Abutment means formed in the package prevent movement of the article. A holding member retains the article against the package.

Abstract: A multi-section feeder-serializer subsystem uses blocking gates controlled by sensors responsive to the quantity of components in the various sections to produce a single-file progression of components from a bulk supply of components. A slotted track conveys a single file progression of components to a testing station where opposed bifurcated jaws grasp a single selected component from the progression and perform tests on the selected component. An orienting station coupled to the output of the testing station by a second slotted track employs mechanical fingers to rotate selected components either plus or minus 90 degrees about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A headboard and footboard are removably attached to a vertical multiply-slotted standard by means of keys to form a display unit. (These standards may be part of the display structure already mounted in a store). A number of panels are slideably mounted for independent travel back and forth within the confines of the headboard and footboard to reveal merchandise hung on the panels for display in a store. Means are provided to support the panels from the bottom, so that the sides and top of the display do not bear much weight. The panels and associated hardware can be individually moved forward or backward within the display to allow more or less space between two panels or to accommodate additional panels. When the panels are in the desired positions, they can be locked to prevent unwanted forward and back travel, but to allow panels to slide from side to side.Improved keys are utilized which lock to vertical standards.

Abstract: Antipendulation cranes and apparatus for overcoming the undesirable effects of cargo pendulation are set forth along with variations of such cranes for transferring cargo under more desirable conditions. The cranes include the normal booms and associated apparatus including the normal hoist lines extending in a substantially vertical direction from the end portion of the booms. At the lower end portion of the hoist lines a hook member or other cargo engaging apparatus is provided for the purpose of lifting and lowering cargo. Located between the end portion of the boom of the antipendulation cranes and lower end of the portion of the hoist lines is an apparatus that permits the major portion of the boom hoist lines to remain in substantially a vertical plane to prevent pendulation of the cargo. Other crane apparatus and methods related to the cranes are also presented.

Abstract: A work vehicle having a work arm assembly mounted for horizontal oscillation on a swivel platform. The arm assembly and the swivel platform are actuated by separate hydraulic actuators. The two actuators are connected in parallel with one another to a control valve via a circuit selection valve. The arrangement enables the swivel platform and the arm assembly to move in the same direction by operating the control valve.

Abstract: A film cassette opener in which a film take-up spool in the cassette is forced in its axial direction out of the cassette. The opener has two jaws clasping the sides of the cassette and an ejection bar reciprocally movable in an axial direction with respect to the cassette. One end of the bar thrusts against the film take-up spool to cause one end cover of the cassette to be thrust away forcing the take-up spool with film out of the cassette.

Abstract: A coated bottle comprising a bottle having an inner and an outer coating is disclosed. The inner coating applied to the external surface thereof is prepared from non-tacky composite powder particles which are made up of powder particles which have surface deposited thereon comparatively smaller solid particles which are hard and non-tacky. The tacky powder particles comprise a mixture of a thermoplatic elastomer, a specifically defined melt flow modifier, and an adhesion promoter. The smaller, hard particles comprise a specifically defined melt flow modifier which has a glass transition temperature of at least about 20.degree. C. The first coating is applied to the bottle, preferably by electrostatic spraying techniques, and the bottle with the particles is baked to form a smooth coating. An outer coating comprising certain particularly defined synthetic resins, particularly acrylic polymers, is then applied and the coated bottle is again baked until a smooth second coat is formed.

Abstract: A child-resistant medicine vial, or the like consisting of a container and a cap therefor. The container has a hollow body and a tubular neck and the cap has a disc-like top and two concentric depending skirts. The inner skirt is adapted to be inserted into the open end of the container neck. The container has an outwardly extending annular flange which is spaced below the open end of the neck. The outer cap skirt is relatively flexible and extends telescopingly over the open end of the container, the bottom edge of the skirt reaching down into contact with or at least close to the flange. At least one upwardly extending ramp on the flange is engageable by a lug on the lower margin of the outer cap skirt. When the outer cap skirt is not stressed, the lug lies radially outside of the circular path defined by the ramp.

Abstract: A knock-down container comprising four interlocked side panels and a panel-supporting pallet. Each side panel has opposing end regions which extend beyond the outwardly-facing surfaces of adjacent interlocked panels. Cleats attached to the inwardly-facing surfaces of each end region abut the outwardly-facing surfaces of adjacent panels to brace adjacent panels against an outwardly-directed force. The interlocked panels are supported on pallet skids which extend outwardly from two opposite edges of a pallet base.

Abstract: A stackable loading platform having a bottom with a plurality of feet. A plurality of supports are respectively located at the feet and are detachably arranged therein. A plurality of side walls are arranged between and detachably engage the respective adjacent supports. The side walls, in the corner regions of their upper edges, are positively connected to the supports. The supports are selectively movable in the longitudinal direction thereof away from the bottom for removing the supports from the platform. In the region of the feet, rigid stops are associated with the platform for securing the lower portion of the side walls against inward movements.

Abstract: A thermo-insulated drinking cup covered by a detachable lid; the lid having a depressed top area and an orifice. A valve closing said orifice is actuated by a rotating thumb-controlled lever. The lever is effective when rotated in either direction in order to accommodate right-handed or left-handed handling of the cup.

Abstract: A closure including a rigid thermoplastic member with a horizontally extending first portion occupying a major portion of the cross-sectional area within the loading aperture which is surrounded by the loading member of the hopper car, a second portion extending upwardly from the first portion which is inwardly adjacent of the interior of the loading member and a third portion extending outwardly from the second portion and overlaying the top of the loading member and underlaying the hatch cover of the hopper car when the hatch cover is in its closed position. Also a flexible plastic member overlaying the rigid thermoplastic member and the loading member and underlaying the hatch cover when the hatch cover is in its closed position.

Abstract: A container has means hingedly supporting a reversible band which surrounds the container near the mouth of the container. The hinged support for the band is engaged to that side edge of the band which is closest to the mouth of the container. The opposite side edge of the band has hook means associated therewith for interfitting rib means projecting outwardly from the skirt of a closure. The interfit between the container band and the closure rib is accomplished by swinging the band upwardly about its hinged edge connection to the container, whereupon the band is reversed in the sense that the inside face of the band initially closest to the container is turned outwardly from the container as the initially outside face of the band is turned inwardly toward the container, such reversal occurring as the band swings upwardly about its hinged connection to the container.

Abstract: A paint container has the mouth of its can below and inwardly of its rim and terminating in a bead and its cover formed with an upwardly opening marginal channel. The mouth and the outer wall of the channel include portions providing a continuous seal and a releasable interlock when the channel is seated in the mouth and the cover pressed into its closed position.

Abstract: In a cardboard blank for a gas-tight and liquid-tight folding box, especially one printed externally, carrying on the cardboard surface which is to be the inside of the box a full-surface layer of heat-sealable plastic, the improvement which comprises an additional plastic layer positioned between the full-surface plastic layer and the cardboard, the additional layer being provided only over portions of the surface including the seam areas, the thickness of the full-surface plastic layer together with the local additional plastic layer being sufficient for tight, hot-sealed seams. The additional layer can be hot melt printed onto the cardboard, before application of the full-surface layer, at the same time the cardboard is printed and/or die cut. By providing the additional layer only in critical areas such as seams or fold lines, a thinner full-surface layer can be provided with an overall economy of plastic.

Abstract: A circuit and system is presented for controlling operation of a cell or hopper for dispensing controlled quantities of similarly shaped but different small articles. Copending patent application Ser. No. 533,255 filed on Dec. 16, 1974, by Hurst et al., discloses an article dispensing system providing a plurality of rotatable dispensing hoppers or cells each for dispensing during rotation a different article, specifically a drug tablet or capsule; the number to be dispensed being freely selectable. The present invention provides a modification of such system permitting a single cell to dispense several different items without fear of intermixing items. Pursuant thereto, a cell is filled with more articles than required and the system put into operation. The circuitry for each cell terminates dispensing of an article when the selected number of articles have been delivered to a dispensing chute.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine which selectively delivers a cold stored canned food such as canned coffee, juice, soup and so on as it is or canned food after being heated by an induction heating coil.

Abstract: A unit for weighing and dispensing portions of hot, fried, potato chips, comprises a casing in which are disposed a receptacle for receiving a supply of the chips, and a dispensing chamber opening into said receptacle and into which hot chips are fed by a vibrator unit coupled to a bottom wall of the receptacle, a heating element for maintaining chips hot while in the receptacle and in the dispensing chamber, the bottom wall of the receptacle being inclined upwardly in the direction of the dispensing chamber for allowing hot frying oil or fat to drain away in the opposite direction and into a collector, a weighing platform disposed inside the dispensing chamber and being hinged to a movable weighing support disposed outside the dispensing chamber and guided for vertical linear movement, the weighing platform being retained in a position to receive the hot chips and being released to permit it to hinge downwardly and discharge the hot chips therefrom in response to a predetermined amount of linear movement of

Abstract: The strip is positioned by a positioner hanging from a pivot lever which is turned by a pinion driven follower shaft being journalled in an adjustment lever. That lever is journalled on a shaft with a meshing pinion and turning over particular angles. The adjustment lever is held for adjusting the angular orientation of the shafts to each other, either through spring bias engaging an adjustable stop, by a detent member, or by a rotating cam.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a source of pressurized carbonated beverage which is connected to a dispensing valve by a line extending through a refrigerated bath. In the bath, the line includes a thin-wall high-density polyethylene tubing portion having a wall thickness in the range of 0.018 to 0.028, preferably 0.025 inch, and a density in the range of 0.945 to 0.965, preferably between 0.95 and 0.96.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for discharging a flowing fluid into which a desired amount of an additive liquid has been inserted includes a container for the additive liquid which may be removed from a dispenser body. The container is normally positively biased to a closed condition to prevent escape of the additive liquid. Opening of the container is effected upon establishment of a predetermined minimum pressure by the flowing fluid in the dispenser body. Additive liquid is forced from the container into the flowing fluid by a metered amount of flowing fluid inserted into the container to cause a flexible pressure member to force the additive liquid from the container. Opening of the container is not achieved until after the pressure member is exerting a force on the additive liquid.

Abstract: A feeder for particulate solid material uses a metering rotor for continuously metering the feed rate. A continuous groove around the rotor is formed between axially spaced lands, and the rotor is oriented for rotating around a horizontal axis. The material is continuously dropped onto an upper region of the rotor at a rate substantially greater than the metering rate of the feeder for continuously overfilling the groove with material. A scraper extends over the groove between the lands in the upper region for scraping away excess material to give the material remaining in the groove a predetermined and continuous shape as the rotor turns. An output conveyor continuously receives material falling from the groove as the material turns with the rotor past the upper region.

Abstract: A hand held electric caulking gun wherein a caulk-driving piston is forced through the caulk-retaining receptacle of the gun in a manner to force caulking from the gun with considerable force and at a continuous easy-to-control flow. The gun includes a clutch for drivably disengaging the drive source from the piston should the reacting force against the caulk driving end of the piston exceed a predetermined value and a releasing device for allowing the piston to be disengaged of its drive linkage for allowing manual movement of the piston through the gun.