Abstract: A workpiece handling device including a rotatable ring-like member having a series of workpiece holders spaced thereabout. Upon one partial rotation of the ring one workpiece is transferred from a receiving location to a work station while simultaneously a second workpiece is transferred from the work station to a discharge location.

Abstract: A compartmented bicycle seat padding adapted to be secured to a bicycle seat having depressions formed therein and wherein said padding is enclosed by an outer leather-like exterior and the compartments of said padding receives a formable, stable, dilatant or thixotropic padding material of said padding such as polybutadiene.

Abstract: A production facility has spaced production lines. A storage arrangement is located in the space between the production lines. Lift vehicles, movable on rails and turntables, are used to transfer articles from the production lines to an area of the storage arrangement. Stacker cranes are also used in the storage arrangement.

Abstract: A paste container having a base and a cover. These parts are equipped with fulcra points to tiltably open the container while the cover is temporarily held to the base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for blocking an ophthalmic lens blank by means of a vacuum. The lens blank rests on the chuck and forms an air pocket or cavity therebetween which is evacuated by means of a vacuum pump. After evacuation, an elastic plug is inserted in an aperture in the chuck by atmospheric pressure to maintain the vacuum. The lens is disengaged from the chuck by peeling the plug back and thereby releasing the vacuum.

Abstract: A device for collecting materials in bulk inside a tank, preferably a rotating tank, comprising a discoid element rotatably mounted on the inner wall adjacent the charging mouth, and provided with a plurality of ribs or ridges destined to contact the material introduced into the tank, so as to facilitate the filling of the tank and to reduce appreciably the friction between the contacting parts.

Abstract: A device for removing a cylindrical ignition lock bolt from a chamber formed in the steering column housing of the type wherein the lock bolt has extending therefrom a radially biased detent engaging a recess formed in the lock chamber wherein the device urges a pair of elongated shims to depress the detent from its engaging position to facilitate the withdrawal of the lock bolt from the chamber.

Abstract: A diversity combiner for RF signal receiving systems of the type in which a plurality of identical or substantially identical receivers each obtains an input signal from a different antenna location in response to receipt of a common RF wave and provides an audio output signal derived from the input signal and further provides a DC control signal related to noise characteristics on the incoming signal. The combiner includes a plurality of transistorized differential amplifier channels, and a plurality of transistorized summing amplifier channels connected respectively to the differential amplifier channels. The DC control signals from the various receivers are applied respectively to the differential amplifier channels, which in turn control the conductivity of the summing amplifier channels and the extent to which respective audio signals from the receivers applied to the latter channels are passed by those channels for combination into a single output signal.

Abstract: A hydraulic system and latching mechanism for a cab tiltably mounted to the chassis of a vehicle. The cab is normally disposed over the engine of the vehicle and is pivotally attached to the chassis at its forward end for movement through 90.degree.. The cab is powered by an air-motor-actuated hydraulic pump which energizes lifting cylinders disposed between the chassis and cab. When the system is energized, a hydraulically actuated latch is released prior to commencement of the tilting movement of the cab. A direction-control valve is employed which, when in the neutral or closed position, utilizes the pressures generated in the hydraulic system by the weight of the tilted cab in certain positions to assist the valve in sealing the reservoir port in the valve against leakage thereby preventing the cab from creeping.

Abstract: A process for continuously and simultaneously extracting liquids from coal, gasifying the carbon to carbon monoxide and utilizing the carbon monoxide for the direct reduction of iron ore. The process is carried out by continuously conveying a mixture of iron ore, coal and oil in a moving solids bed through a single reactor tower, divided into a plurality of contiguous, communicating treatment zones.

Abstract: A balustrade of great length comprised of first elements secured to a series of posts along the path the balustrade is to follow, said elements having interengaging components with plastic rail members spanning the distance between posts and said rail members having their adjacent ends spaced from one another.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a predetermined alignment of a running web and more particularly maintaining the alignment of the belt of an endless conveyor comprising an idler spool over which the web or belt passes and which is laterally movable relative to its supporting framework. Means are provided for lifting one end of the idler spool and lowering the other in response to the lateral shifting of the belt and spool from a predetermined aligned position to cause the spool and the belt to again seek the predetermined aligned position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for blocking an ophthalmic lens blank by means of a vacuum. The lens blank rests on the chuck and forms an air pocket or cavity therebetween which is evacuated by means of a vacuum pump. After evacuation, an elastic plug is inserted in an aperture in the chuck by atmospheric pressure to maintain the vacuum. The lens is disengaged from the chuck by peeling the plug back and thereby releasing the vacuum.

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a cylindrical housing comprised of an annular intermediate member and a pair of end plates, one on each side of the annular member, and defining an enclosed, generally cylindrical, rotor chamber. A shaft is journaled in the end plates and extends through the chamber. A rotor is fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith in the rotor chamber. The rotor chamber is concentric with the housing, while the rotor and shaft are concentric and eccentrically disposed relative to the chamber and housing. Pivoted vane elements are mounted on the periphery of the rotor and are biased into engagement with the annular wall of the rotor chamber and sequentially form intake, compression, combustion and exhaust chambers between the rotor and the annular wall. The vanes include resilient elements having bent-back portions which engage the annular wall to provide seals between the sequentially formed chambers.

Abstract: Vehicle loading and unloading apparatus comprising a longitudinally extensible element having pallet load supporting rollers and ground-engaging rollers. Power drive means moves the extensible element under restrained pallet loads, spaced from the supporting floor by supporting beams or pallet feet, to wedge the loads upwardly and off of its supporting means. With the loads supported on the load supporting rollers, the extensible element is retracted to remove the entire load from the vehicle. In loading, loads are placed on the rollers and the extensible element is extended into the vehicle. The load is then restrained while the frame is withdrawn from beneath the loads, as a wedge would be withdrawn, to allow the loads to rest on supporting means within the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel engages a gear which drives a multistage cam which actuates a system of hydraulic valves and pistons. A pressure-sensitive spool valve detects when the hydraulic pressure in the brake system exceeds the value which causes the wheel to enter the skid mode. The hydraulic pressure from the brake system passes through the pressure-sensitive valve to the system of hydraulic valves and pistons operated by the cam. The outlet of the hydraulic valve and piston system goes to the brake cylinder in the wheel. During the skid mode, a valve in the hydraulic valve and piston system closes and a cam action on one of the pistons in the system causes a pumping pressure to be applied to the brake cylinder. This anti-skid device further includes two fail-safe features to protect against system failure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugal pump having a housing, an input and an output port, and a driven impeller. Surrounding the impeller is a turbine means which serves to retrieve at least part of the kinetic energy imparted by the impeller to the pumping medium. The energy retrieved by the turbine means can be used to apply additional power to a prior auxiliary stage, an after auxiliary stage, or back to the original impeller itself. In this manner, the turbine retrieves kinetic energy which might otherwise be wasted and, therefore, the turbine improves the overall efficiency of the pump. Stationary flanges at the discharge end of the pump jacket serve to convert the remaining curvilinear motion of the water column into a non-revolving column of water. The stationary flanges also help to avoid a drop in the operating pressure at the discharge end of the jacket.

Abstract: A mechanical squeegee apparatus directed for use with and mounted on a stencil screen printing device. The apparatus includes a longitudinal support bar and a lateral support bar which is mounted for movement along the longitudinal bar and which extends transversely thereof and over said screen. A squeegee is mounted on the lateral bar for free movement along its length and for substantially free rotational movement relative to the lateral bar on an axis vertical and perpendicular to that of the lateral bar. The free lateral movement and the substantially free rotational movement allows the squeegee to be used to sweep ink from the side edges of the screen toward the center without the use of an intermediary device such as a hand-held card or scraper.

Abstract: A process is described for forming highly dense, metal briquettes of reduced size which are suitable for direct melting in an electric induction furnace. A finely divided metal ore concentrate is intermixed with a finely divided carbonaceous reductant thermosetting binder having a low volatile content consisting essentially of 1 to 20% of either coal tar pitch or gilsonite. The intermixture is then compressed to form compressed, compact briquettes ranging in size from two or more inches in diameter to two or more inches in height. The compact briquettes are then heated in a first step at a temperature ranging from approximately 350.degree. to 550.degree.F. in order to caramelize the reductant binder to form tough, handleable, hard briquettes. The briquettes are then further heated in a second step to a temperature ranging from 1,900.degree. to approximately 2,200.degree.F.

Abstract: An open-cycle air-conditioner for compressing and expanding gas with heat rejection for cold production and more particularly to improved means for carrying out thermodynamic cycles in open cycle systems using an internal, stationary, porous body as a thermal capacitor.