Abstract: A flexible joint accommodates relative horizontal motion between the main pipeline of a center pivot irrigation machine and a swing span without unduly stressing the spans. The flexible joint has a spindle mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in a socket at the outer end of the main pipeline section. The spindle has a horizontal pivot shaft mounting an arm assembly for rotation about the shaft. The opposite end of the arm assembly carries a second pivot shaft pivotally mounting a link. The swing span is attached to the link. A brake is provided to limit coasting of the swing span.

Abstract: An applicator for installing pre-insulated crimp connectors on the bare ends of electrical wires has a body with a straight-through passageway which permits loading a single connector in the applicator with a pulse of pressurized air. The connector is propelled by the air pulse from a supply station through a flexible hose into and almost all the way through the applicator. A flexible retainer prevents the connector from exiting the applicator under the influence of the air pulse. After the connector is stopped by the retainer a pair of indentors close on the connector and hold it in a ready position, waiting for a user to insert the wires to be connected and issue a command to crimp the connector. Upon receipt of such command the indentors apply a crimping force to the connector and advance it past the retainer.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of storing hydrogen gas within an enclosed metal hydride container that is isolated from an apparatus which uses hydrogen gas, including a constricted opening having a valve to selectively open or close the hydrogen gas communication between the hydrogen storage container and the apparatus using the hydrogen. The hydrogen storage material within the hydrogen storage container comprises mixture of metal hydride particles with interspersed water adsorbing particles, such as silica gel dessicant. Optionally included within the hydrogen gas communication between the storage and use may be a filter for filtering out oxygen and water vapor molecules from the hydrogen stream passing into the metal hydride particles, and may comprise a coating on each of the hydrogen absorbing metal hydride particles disposed within the hydrogen storage chamber.

Abstract: A method of molding a composite plastic article having a cylindrical transverse cross section. The method includes the steps of forming an inner core of a cylindrical transverse cross section having a longitudinally extending hub, an outer wall surrounding the hub and ribs extending between the hub and the outer wall. A plurality of openings are formed extending through the outer wall with the openings accessible between the hub and the outer wall. A soft, resilient plastic is injection molded through only one of the plurality of openings to form an outer covering on the outer wall and to fill the other openings which extend through the outer wall.

Abstract: For a plug-in connector with a metal shield with fastening means for fastening to a fastening surface, it is proposed, for the conductive connection of the metal shield to the fastening surface, that an approximately T-shaped, electrically conductive fastening part be inserted in the flanges of the plug-in connector, and that cut-out tongues on the metal shield be stamped under the upper region/head of the fastening part in such a way that the latter is, on the one hand held, and on the other hand, pressed against the cut-out tongues when the plug-in connector is bolted on.

Abstract: For a unilaterally contacting contact spring for electric connectors, it is proposed to influence the contact force of the spring limb by means of an adjusting spring which acts upon the spring limb. As a result, a high contact pressure is already achieved upon slight deflection of the spring limb and, upon maximum deflection, the characteristic curve of the spring presents a flatter shape so that the contact force does not assume excessively high values.

Abstract: A resistor of SMD (Surface Mounted Device) construction includes a film of a resistive alloy as a resistive track on two electrically separated carrier plate elements of copper, which are constructed as contact elements solderable to the terminals of a printed circuit board to thereby ensure good heat dissipation into a printed circuit board. In order to manufacture such resistors, a resistive film sufficient for a plurality of individual resistors is adhered to but electrically isolated from a large copper plate and the laminate formed thereby is split into the individual resistors after producing the individual resistive tracks and their electrical connections to the copper plate and after producing gaps between the plate elements for each track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-destructive ultrasonic inspection in which a plurality of integrated circuits or other electronic components laid out in a fixed pattern on a liquid-permeable tray are moved along an inspection path through a scanning station. In the scanning station the electronic components are repetitively scanned by an ultrasonic beam from a transmitter/receiver moving rapidly back and forth across the inspection path; an ultrasonic coupling liquid (usually water) continuously flows along the beam path; the coupling liquid also flows along the surfaces of the electronic components opposite the beam path. The tray of electronic components is air dried as it emerges from the scanning station. Both reflected and "through" ultrasonic signals can be collected to disclose any anomalies present in the electronic components. A screen may be used to assure retention of the electronic components in the desired pattern on a tray.

Abstract: A mechanical end face seal of the non-contacting type includes a primary seal ring having a back section, a seal face section and a middle section between the seal face and the back sections, each primary ring section having a radial dimension, defined as the difference between the outermost radius and the innermost radius of said respective section, the radial dimension of the back section being in a ratio relative to said middle section of between about 1.8 to about 2.8, and more preferably of between about 1.9 to about 2.5, and most preferably about 2.0 to about 2.3. Additionally, the mating seal ring includes grooves extending from one seal ring circumference toward the other and terminating adjacent a dam at a radius R.sub.g, it is beneficial to have the boundary between the grooves and the dam have a radius R.sub.g slightly larger or smaller, within about 10%, than the outer radius of the middle section.

Abstract: In an electronic blood pressure measurement device which is arranged to extract pulse waves from the measured cuff pressure, a pulse wave pattern is generated from the pulse wave amplitude and pulse wave interval data and this pulse wave pattern is compared with reference patterns to classify the pattern in order to accurately obtain biological information other than the blood pressure. Blood pressure amplitudes PA(i) are computed from the measured cuff pressures C(i) and a pulse wave pattern is generated (35) on the basis of this pulse wave amplitude data and this pulse wave pattern is classified into a plurality of reference patterns (37) according to reference patterns or reference values (36). Here, the reference patterns or reference values are set as hemodynamic references based on dynamic characteristics of the blood vessel or cardiac output characteristics.

Abstract: A gasket for railroad car manways or hatches is mounted on the top of a loading nozzle. The gasket is a ring having an inverted J-shaped cross section. It is held in position by a long down leg and a short leg. The legs are joined by a bail. The junction between the outside surfaces of the bail and down leg has a chamfer to avoid interference with a closed manway cover. Chevrons are formed on the upper surface of the bail. A flexible loop engages a bolt bracket on the loading nozzle to prevent dislodging of the gasket during opening of the cover.

Abstract: A stabilizer for a steer axle air ride suspension of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame having longitudinally extending beams, a pair of spring beams each pivotally attached at its forward end to one of the frame beams by a pivot pin and an air spring interposed between each of the frame and spring beams. The pivot pins lie on a common axis. The stabilizer includes a somewhat U-shaped torsion bar having side portions connected by a cross portion. The distal ends of the side portions of the U-shaped torsion bar are pivotally attached to the pivot pins and the cross portion is rotatably connected to the axle. Isolators are installed at the pivotal attachments of the distal ends of the side portions of the U-shaped bar to the pivot pins and at the rotatable connections of the cross portion to the axle.

Abstract: A composite handle for a household appliance having a hollow metal core and an outer covering of a thermoplastic which covering may be soft or hard. The hollow metal core includes a hollow tubular center portion and flattened, channel-shaped legs and feet extending from opposite ends of the center portion. The thermoplastic outer covering forms a relatively thin coating on the front face of the tubular center portion of the core and thicker coatings on the rear face of the tubular center portion of the core and the front face of the legs and feet.