Abstract: A number of solar energy converter assemblies are carried by a support frame which is mounted for independent rotation about a horizontal and a vertical axis. Sensors detect the position of the sun; and control circuitry positions the support frame in elevation and azimuth so that the converter assemblies track and face the sun whenever the sun incident energy is greater than a threshold level of about 25 percent of normal. Each converter assembly includes a solar cell and a multiangular conical concentrator shell for collecting, concentrating and directing incident solar energy onto the solar cell. The converter assemblies, the support frame and its mount, and the drive mechanism for the support frame are all located within a transparent stationary housing or enclosure, which provides complete environmental protection for all elements mounted within the enclosure.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a rimmed base having support wheels. A pair of supports extend upwardly from the base; and a handle is pivotally connected to the uprights for movement between a use position in which the handle may be used for pushing the apparatus, and a dumping position in which the handle is rotated approximately 180.degree. about a horizontal axis to lift the container and disengage it from the base to a raised position in which it is free to be rotated for dumping the contents of the container. The handle includes a pair of depending extension members pivotally connected to the container at approximately the vertical and horizontal midpoints of the container to facilitate emptying the contents.

Abstract: A centrifugal impeller for use in a combination centrifugal-turbine pump capable of pumping liquids at or near the boiling point thereof with suction heads not greater than about one foot and wherein the entrance portion of the centrifugal impeller includes one or more of vane inserts removably mounted therein, with adjacent ones of the inserts having vanes that are aligned with each other to define liquid-feeding spiral vanes that extend through the plurality of inserts.

Abstract: In a telescoping seating system having a number of rows which may be moved between an extended or use position and a retracted or storage position, chairs or other seating is mounted on stanchions which are pivotally mounted to the rear of the deck in each row. The stanchions are pivoted to an upright position when the system is extended for use and folded to a horizontal position when the system is retracted for storage by means of an actuator mechanism mounted to the forward portion of the next higher row and operative in response to relative movement between adjacent rows. In this manner, the height of the seats is independent of the rise of the system for more comfortable seating. A torsion rod assembly is mounted beneath the seating to counterbalance at least some of the weight of the seating in the storage position. Locking members engage the stanchions in the use position to secure the seating in the raised position.

Abstract: A control system for selectively communicating a plurality of sensors with associated remote control devices includes a Master Synchronizer, a transmitter for each sensor and a receiver for each control device. A single signal line is connected to all transmitters and receivers, and a single synchronization line couples the Master Synchronizer to all transmitters and receivers. The Master Synchronizer generates a time frame signal which has a reset portion for resetting all transmitters and receivers synchronously at the start of each frame, and a periodic portion which determines the time slots for each frame and which decrements counters in all transmitters and receivers synchronously. A time division multiplex system is used to communicate each transmitter with one or more associated receivers during a predetermined time slot of a periodic time frame determined by the Master Synchronizer.

Abstract: An humidistat has an element movable in response to ambient relative humidity operatively connected to a core of a linearly variable differential transformer for moving the core. The core is supported within a body portion of the transformer for minimal friction of movement relative to the body portion. The body portion has a primary winding and two secondary windings. An oscillator excites the primary winding to provide output signals from the secondary windings proportioned to movement of the core in the body portion and, therefore, indicative of the relative humidity sensed by the element.

Abstract: A controller at a monitor location generates interrogate signals which are transmitted over a telephone line to a transmitting unit associated with a plurality of underground gasoline storage tanks. The transmitting unit responds to the interrogate signals to selectively couple pressure sensing lines to a pressure sensing transducer. Each line extends into a different one of the storage tanks and provides a pressure which is proportional to the depth of the liquid in the corresponding tank. As each line is coupled to the transducer in sequence, the transducer provides an output voltage corresponding to the sensed pressure. The output voltage controls a transmitter of the transmitting unit which generates an audio signal related in frequency to the sensed pressure, and the frequency signal is transmitted over the telephone line to the controller which detects and decodes the frequency signal and controls a display unit to provide a visual display of the liquid level in the selected tank.

Abstract: Folded signatures of lightweight stock are fed in a direction parallel to the backbone of the signatures and deposited in sets of predetermined number and in shingled relation onto a main conveyor moving transverse to the direction of feed from the supply stack. The main conveyor deposits the signatures on the top of a stack in the hopper of a gathering machine. The height of the stack in the hopper is sensed, and this is used to control feeding from the supply stack. Preferably, the supply stack is held in a hopper with the signatures resting on a second or supply conveyor which extends upwardly and outwardly from the main conveyor so that adjacent loading machines can be nested to reduce space requirements.

Abstract: A power operated copyholder is disclosed wherein a face plate, on which one or more copy sheets containing matter to be copied by a typist is mounted, moves upwardly one or more lines at a time while being viewed and copied by the typist. An adjustable line guide remains stationery with respect to the copy matter, and movement of the face plate is controlled by the typist either by hand or by a foot pedal. Spring activated paper holders are provided which are adjustable to suit the width of the copy matter being copied. Tension on the line guide may also be adjusted for the amount of paper being used and is adjustable also for a proper light angle. A novel form of adjustment is also provided for the purpose of adjusting the angle of the face plate with respect to a vertical plane, for the comfort of the typist.

Abstract: A dual wheel attachment assembly for tractors has a number of brackets or lugs welded to the inner surface of the dual wheel. The primary tractor wheel is provided with eye-nuts for receiving bolt fasteners used to connect the brackets of the dual wheel. The spacing of brackets on the dual wheel rim is different than the spacing of attaching locations on the tractor wheel so that the bolt fasteners are angularly offset relative to a line parallel to the axis of the axle. Members are included to permit such angular offset of the bolt fasteners relative to the brackets by providing a first surface curved about a radial line passing through the axis of the drive shaft so that the bolt fastener may be angularly adjusted over a continuous range in aligning it between the bracket and the desired attaching location on the tractor wheel. A second curved surface permits each fastener to adjust in a radial direction to accommodate to wheels having eye-nuts placed at different spacings.

Abstract: A unitary molded frame structure having a recessed back edge to receive a poster board or picture and a pair of duplicate slotted clamping members which slideably engage at least a pair of hook-like protrusions on the frame back and snap-engage over the edges of the poster board to hold it firmly within the frame. The clamping members provide multiple attaching means for hanging the frame at the desired attitude from a wall surface. Once assembled, the clamping means are recessed within the back of the frame against the back of the poster or a cardboard back-up sheet in a hidden position and the weight of the assembly in at least one hanging attitude biases the cooperating slot-protuberance combination into tighter engagement. The frame and clamping members are molded in a common mold with the clamping members co-planar within the inner opening of the frame and oriented and spaced in such a manner that they are readily broken out and are ready for assembly with the frame to hold a picture.

Abstract: A sealable container includes a pleated bag with a stiffener member attached adjacent but spaced from its mouth so that items may be placed in the bag, the pleats folded to close it, and the upper portion folded over the stiffener to seal it. A back is drawn about the folded upper portion and connected to the stiffener to seal the bag. The stiffener also provides a handle for carrying.

Abstract: A manual mechanism for resetting a rotatable member to its initial position is disclosed which provides for rotation of 360.degree. or more, rotates in one direction only, and can be simply locked and unlocked for periodic use. In one embodiment the resetting mechanism is applied to cumulative demand registers on watt hour meters.