Abstract: A procedure for the selection of the moveable hooks of a shed-forming mechanism (7) of a Jacquard type loom comprising at least one catch (9) displaced by a knife (10) between an upper dead point position, in which, or in the proximity of which, the hook may be immobilized by a selector device (15, 16), and a lower dead point position, characterized by exerting on the hook, either in its upper dead point position or in its proximity, a force tending to bring the hook to its lower dead point position. The device comprises elastic stops (20-23) for the hook (9) in its upper dead point position.

Abstract: A handle unit for shopping trolley formed of a molded material comprising a central housing having hand grip portions extending from either side thereof and wherein a front face of the housing includes an information panel adapted to provide information to a user and wherein the housing includes electronically operated equipment including a bar-code reader which may be connected to an electronically operated display screen.

Abstract: A conducting housing (to be closed by a lid) for a coaxial cable distribution network has a common port and one of an aerial or pedestal port. A motherboard carries an RF circuit and a transfer switch. In one setting of the transfer switch the RF circuit connects a coaxial pin at the common port with a coaxial pin at the pedestal port. In the other setting the common port pin is connected to the aerial port pin. When the aerial port is used on a rectangular housing, a transmission line forms part of the RF circuit between the motherboard and the aerial port. The transmission is preferably a central conductor spaced over most of its length by air from an outer conductor in the form of an inverted U enclosing the central conductor on three sides. Preferably a ground plane on the back of the motherboard connects to the transmission line outer conductor to provide a path entry in the housing at both ends for ground currents generated by signals in the RF path.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for limiting the production of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x) during the combustion of a fossil fuel (e.g. natural gas, fuel oil and coal) in a cyclone type boiler includes the injection of water into the secondary air supply. The water is quickly vaporized into steam as the temperature rises, simultaneously cooling the surrounding air predominately as a result of the latent heat of vaporization, thus reducing the quantity of heat contained within the combustion air delivered to the flame. To avoid quenching combustion, substantially all of the water is vaporized into steam prior to exiting the cyclone section. For natural gas and fuel oil, preferably about 2.5 to 10.0 gallons of water are injected per 100 lbs of fuel. Water is injected through existing ports originally provided in cyclone boilers either for use as secondary air calibration ports or as oil deslagging system ports.

Abstract: A portable basketball return device which includes arms that hold a net which is adapted to surround an existing basketball hoop thus enabling the device to catch a ball that passes through or adjacent to the hoop to be redirected toward a shooter.

Abstract: A conducting housing for use in a coaxial cable distribution system is of larger length than width and defines an RF signal path therein. A part of the RF signal path is the inner conductor of inner and outer approximately co-extensive conductors. The inner conductor except near its ends has only air separating it from the outer conductor. The outer conductor will usually be of a U-shape lying, in section, on three sides of the central conductor. The outer conductor may be structually combined with an insulating plate supporting the remainder of the RF circuit.

Abstract: An ankle prosthesis comprising a tibial plate interacting with an intermediary element in order to constitute the articular surface of said prosthesis, while the intermediary element interacts with an astragalar plate secured to the astragalus, characterized by the fact that it comprises an articular surface (5) that is constituted on the intermediary element (3) by a cylindrical section (35) whose generant (36) is concave on the frontal plane and on the tibial plate (4), having a radius (r) whose center is located at the tibia, following a shape complementing that of the intermediary element (3) in order to achieve a precise interaction.

Abstract: A method for a preferably ambulatory measuring and registration of at least one parameter in relation to the bilirubin presence in a measuring region in the gastrointestinal tract of a patient to determine the bilirubin presence in the region. The method is characterized in that the bilirubin presence determination is made in relation to the pH-value of the fluids in the region. The invention relates also to a system for performing the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording light reflecting and shadowed areas of a three-dimensional object which is conveyed relative to a detector wherein the object is alternately illuminated from a plurality of different directions utilizing flashes of light which are synchronized with respect to the scan frequency of the detector whereby the recorded information may be utilized to determine the dimensions of the object.

Abstract: An auxiliary wheel assembly for temporarily supporting one side of a trailer frame wherein the assembly includes a wheel carried by a strut which is vertically adjustable relative to a support tube. The assembly also includes clamping elements for securing the tube to and directly beneath the frame without interfering with the structural integrity of the frame.

Abstract: An angle guide instrument having particular utility for handrail installation which includes a body portion having an outer arcuate edge and first and second arms which are pivotable with respect to the body and are used in conjunction with levels mounted to the body for determining angles for purposes of cutting sections of handrail. In a preferred embodiment the arms include extensions which are profiled so as to be cooperatively seated with a section of handrail.

Abstract: An auxiliary step for a stirrup associated with a saddle wherein the auxiliary step is mounted so as to be pivotable from a first position generally adjacent to the stirrup to a second position spaced below the stirrup to thereby assist a rider in mounting the saddle. In a preferred embodiment, the step is positively urged to the first or raised position adjacent to the stirrup when not being used to assist the rider in mounting.

Abstract: A board usually resembling a PCB or a PWB mounts a display element, whose appearance in a viewing direction is controlled by the sense of magnetization of a core which extends through a bore in the board. A conducting coil formed on the surface of said board is located so that current in said coil will magnetize the core.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for forming aluminide diffusion coatings containing reactive elements on metal substrates such as iron, nickel or cobalt based alloys for protection against high temperature oxidation or corrosive environments. The process includes depositing a mixed metal coating containing aluminum and at least one reactive element onto the metal substrate and heat treating the coated substrate to induce interdiffusion of elements between the substrate and the deposited metal coating. In one aspect of the invention, the reactive element is yttrium and the metal coating is deposited by ion plating yttrium-aluminum by thermal evaporation from a yttrium-aluminum source. The coated substrate is heat treated between 500.degree.-1200.degree. C. to form a reactive element modified-aluminide diffusion coating having a thin outer Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 coating formed thereon.