Abstract: A system for use in monitoring a plurality of amusement game devices is disclosed wherein individually identifiable attending personnel are employed to verify a predetermined game condition. The system is adapted for use with a computer and includes an interface unit connected to the computer and to a plurality of coupler units which are individually mounted on and interconnected with game devices. Each of the coupler units is adapted to receive a portable device for identifying individually each of the attending personnel. In the system illustrated in the drawings, that device is a transponder that locks into the coupler unit and provides informational responses to interrogation by the interface unit which sequentially polls or addresses each of the transponders.

Abstract: An indicating apparatus for enabling a motor car driver to read the crankcase oil level by depressing a diaphragm forming part of an indicating unit. The diaphragm then opens and closes connections between a measuring tube reaching down into the crankcase oil and the indicating unit in such a manner as to reproduce the crankcase oil level in an indicating tube forming part of the indicating unit, regardless of pressure and temperature variations of the crankcase oil and ambient air.

Abstract: Polyamide resins of fatty acids are prepared by reacting polymeric fatty acids, an alkylene diamine, monoaminoalcohol and a chain stopping agent which includes a particular branched chain monocarboxylic fatty acid which is liquid at room temperature. The use of this particular chain stopping agent provides polyamide resins which are resistant to gelling during storage.

Abstract: A reclining chair is provided with a shiftable chair chassis which travels from a rearward, upright sitting position along a supporting base to a forward position from which the chair may be reclined without striking the wall behind the chair. The chair chassis is normally locked against recline from its rearward, upright sitting position but may be released by the extension of the footrest, which also unlocks the chair chassis for forward travel. Preferably, the chair chassis is mounted upon a downwardly and forwardly inclined track on the chair base so that the weight of the seated occupant is sufficient to shift the chair chassis forwardly on the base upon release of the lock, while counterbalancing means actuated by the forward movement of the chair chassis returns the chair to its rearward position when the occupant rises from the chair.

Abstract: Peptides have been synthesized which influence the secretion of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland of mammalians, including humans. Some of the peptides promote the release of gonadotropins, while other peptides inhibit the release.

Abstract: A method of making a nuclear fuel element for a fission reactor. A solid body of an alloy of zirconium and nuclear fuel metal is exposed to hydrogen at an elevated temperature to hydride the zirconium. The hydrided alloy is exposed to oxygen at a lower temperature to form a continuous oxide layer about its exterior surface and is employed in a gastight container as a fuel element. The hydrided alloy may be exposed to oxygen at a temperature of at least about 300.degree. C. prior to its enclosure in the container, or the hydrided alloy may be enclosed in the container together with a quantity of an oxygen-providing material, such as CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2 O, sufficient to oxidize its exterior surface when the fuel element is raised to an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A system for supporting a plurality of reflective surfaces in an arrangement for reflecting the rays emitted from a source of energy and converging the reflected rays to concentrate the heating effect thereof at a receptor, whereby a plurality of pairs of long tension members extend under tension between firmly anchored support members. Reflecting elements are supported by the pairs of tension members and each of the pairs is disposed to reflect the radiation from substantially all of the reflecting elements to the receptor.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for electrically sweeping particles from a gaseous effluent are disclosed which are particularly efficient in removing small as well as large particles. A voltage is applied across two electrodes in such a way that a strong electric field can be generated between them. A source of ions is provided by bombardment of the effluent gas stream with electrons. A strong electric field established between the electrodes creates at least one region of ions having only one polarity and moves these ions towards the oppositely charged electrode. In the region having ions of one sign, these ions rapidly charge the particles, especially small sized particles because of the strong electric field. The charged particles are moved by the field and deposited on the oppositely charged collection electrode where they agglomerate in preparation for collection and disposal.

Abstract: Apparatus for packing rows of flat articles, such as side-seamed folding carton blanks, in a box. A flat table top is provided with a cavity in the packing region which receives interchangeable inserts. Sets of rear abutment fingers and front compression fingers are mounted for vertical movement between hidden retracted positions and operative raised positions protruding through apertures in an insert. When the operator slides a first row of blanks to the packing region, a switch in the table surface causes a moveable wall to be extended and the rear fingers to rise. Another switch near the rear fingers causes a modular drive mechanism to extend the front fingers and then move them longitudinally to compress the row of articles. A nozzle blows a stream of air across the insert to hold a divider in place against the edge of the compressed row. A second row is then arranged against the next set of rear fingers and the divider, as a second set of front fingers extend and then compress the second row.

Abstract: A rotary drum air separation system separates mixed solid materials into a light fraction and a heavy fraction with substantially no stagnation of material in the air drum. It further provides for processing high volume urban solid waste without first size reducing the waste. The system separates such waste into a light fraction, substantially free of glass and ready for composting or for use as a source of energy in the form of heat or combustible gas from pyrolysis, a heavy fraction, and a glass-rich fraction from the heavy fraction, all in a high volume operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for electrically sweeping particles from a gaseous effluent are disclosed which offer improved efficiency in removing particles of all sizes. A voltage is applied across two electrodes in such a way that a strong electric field can be generated between them. Ions of one sign enter the effluent gas stream from a thermionic ion emitter. A strong electric field is established between the electrodes to move the ions towards the oppositely charged electrode. These ions of one sign rapidly charge the particles because of the strong electric field. The charged particles are moved by the field and deposited on the oppositely charged collection electrode where they agglomerate in preparation for collection and disposal.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel element loading system is described which conveys a plurality of fuel rods to longitudinal passages in fuel elements. Conveyor means successively position the fuel rods above the longitudinal passages in axial alignment therewith and adapter means guide the fuel rods from the conveyor means into the longitudinal passages. The fuel elements are vibrated to cause the fuel rods to fall into the longitudinal passages through the adapter means.

Abstract: A dasher is described for whipping fluid food products in a chamber. In this embodiment the dasher includes axially spaced frame members supported in the chamber and at least two cages mounted between the frame members. At least one of the cages is radially displaced from a longitudinal axis of the chamber. At least one of the cages is rotatable with respect to one of the other cages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fabrication process of a metallic structure made of sheets welded one onto the other and enclosing an internal space. A scaffolding is erected in this internal space and comprises a vertical tower and collapsible passageways extending radially from said tower. When the structure is substantially terminated, the passageways are collapsed and the scaffolding is withdrawn from said space through an aperture provided at the upper part of the structure.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel element assembling method and apparatus is preferably operable under programmed control unit to receive fuel rods from storage, arrange them into axially aligned stacks of closely monitored length, and transfer the stacks of fuel rods to a loading device for insertion into longitudinal passages in the fuel elements. In order to handle large numbers of one or more classifications of fuel rods or other cylindrical parts, the assembling apparatus includes at least two feed troughs each formed by a pair of screw members with a movable table having a plurality of stacking troughs for alignment with the feed troughs and with a conveyor for delivering the stacks to the loading device, the fuel rods being moved along the stacking troughs upon a fluid cushion.

Abstract: An identification card system is disclosed which comprises a plastic card blank of a size and thickness that is commercially used for credit card purposes and which may have the identity of the person, company or the like to whom it is issued embossed thereon as well as art work and information identifying the issuing organization. Moreover, the identification card may have a magnetic stripe for providing magnetically encoded information thereon if desired. The identification card embodying the present invention includes one or more members applied during or subsequently of the fabrication of the card blank, which members have an omnidirectionally rectilinear bar binary coded information label applied to either the front or backside of the card. A transparent coating is provided to smooth the transition from the card surface to the surface of the label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing pressure pots having a rim with bayonet cams on its undersurface includes a spinning operation to fold over the rim and to simultaneously form the bayonet cams. More specifically, the pot is held inside a chuck having an annular cam profile facing the underside of the rim and spinning rollers engage the upper face of the rim and fold over the rim increasing its thickness and forcing the metal in the rim to comform to the cam profile. The rim is confined on its radially outward side by an axially shiftable retaining ring and is confined on its radially inward side by a counterholder cylinder. After folding over of the rim, the upper face of the rim is formed by machining or the like which may remove the metal between adjacent bayonet cams.

Abstract: A hand-held driver tool is disclosed for holding and aligning the axis of elongated fastener with another axis such as the axis of the tool or such as an axis through a pair of apertures in upper and lower belt fastener plates and an aperture in an underlying anvil support means. The preferred driver tool comprises a housing means with an elongated bore within one end of which there is received an expandable chuck means and within the other end of which there is slidably received a driver means. An elongated fastener such as a rivet-nail is inserted within the bore and into the chuck for being driven into a piece such as a belt upon an impact force being applied to the driver. A cone-shaped end on the lower end of the tool is inserted into a cavity in the belt fastener and a cooperating flange abuts the belt fastener to align coaxially the apertures and the axis of the elongated rivet-nail assembly.

Abstract: An inexpensive safety belt buckle of relatively small size and lightweight, yet capable of meeting the legal requirements of safety, is disclosed. The buckle includes a latch plate attached to one portion of the safety belt or structural member for insertion with reduced effort into a buckle body attached to another portion of the safety belt or structural member. The length of the buckle is foreshortened by a bent latch lever pivotally mounted on the buckle body and biased for engagement with the latch plate to prevent withdrawal of the latch plate from the buckle body. The height of the buckle is reduced by pivoting the latch lever downward to a release position which is below the plane generally defined by an upper surface of the base plate. The buckle is readily assembled without expanding the side flanges of the base member.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rods are manufactured utilizing a graphite flour-pitch matrix formulation containing an additive. The matrix formulation has a decreased viscosity at fabrication temperatures which permits manufacture of the fuel rods with lower fabrication pressures. Also, the matrix formulation does not cause the fuel rod to adhere or bond to the fuel element during heat treatment of the fuel rod in the fuel element. The nuclear fuel rods are suitable for use in high temperature gas cooled nuclear reactors.