Abstract: A portable tree seat has a main bracket, a seat portion pivotally connected to the main bracket, and a support brace for supporting the seat portion in an unfolded operative configuration wherein it is in a generally horizontal attitude. The support brace includes a positive stop and a spring that cooperate to automatically locate the support brace in a position for engaging the main bracket when the tree seat is unfolded. The tree seat further includes a rod so located on the seat portion that a rope tied thereto is tightened to maximum tension on the vertical support when the seat portion is lowered from a raised position to the unfolded operative configuration.

Abstract: A cardiac pacemaker has a pacing pulse generator whose rate is adjusted as a function of the cardiac output requirements of the body that are commensurate with the activity of the individual. The length of the ventricular preejection period (PEP) is governed by body hormones as well as direct nerve action upon the heart in relation to stress. The PEP is determined by marking occurrence of the onset of a natural ECG signal or artificial pacing pulse, whichever is first to occur in a heart cycle, and detecting left or right ventricular ejection by a pressure or flow pulse in the arterial system or a volume change in the right ventricle. The length of time between the onset of a natural or artificial stimulus and onset of ventricular ejection is the PEP. An electric signal that depends on the PEP is used to regulate the pulse generator rate and escape mechanisms in any of the conventional pacing modes including the AAI, VVI, DVI, VDD and DDD modes.

Abstract: A digital data processing system wherein large amounts of digital data are transferred from a source that is coupled to the internal bus of a host CPU to a data receiving device by cooperation between the host CPU and a microprocessor. A multiplexer has one of its input ports coupled to the host bus and its output port coupled by way of what is called a non-real-time bus to one or more devices that may be destinations for large amounts of data and need to be under at least periodic or non-real-time control by the microprocessor. Another bus, called a real-time bus, couples the microprocessor to another input port of the multiplexer. All digital devices that require real-time control by the microprocessor are coupled to the real-time bus. For data transfer, the microprocessor causes the multiplexer to couple the host bus to the non-real-time bus at which time the processor suspends control over the non-real-time devices but maintains control over the devices coupled to the real-time bus.

Abstract: An improvement to a cam lock mechanism suitable for use in a wide variety of rope and belt tightening apparatus including boat anchor systems and tree seats and climbing aids to insure the positive engagement of the cam locking device employs a transverse rib which substantially spans the rope receiving gap between the ears on the cam wheel bracket.

Abstract: A tree saw uses a flexible sapling or tree limb as a handle extension to permit a person to cut tree branches beyond his normal reach. The tree saw comprises a foldable saw having a pair of swingable rings mounted to the back of the saw handle. A fulcrum is secured to the handle back surface intermediate the rings. The limb is inserted through the rings and over the fulcrum. The limb is bent into a concave shape. One of the rings is swung along the limb as far as possible. When the limb is released, its natural elasticity tends to straighten it and thereby force it into tight and rigid connection with the rings and fulcrum.

Abstract: A mobile storage system has improved safety features on the movable carriages. The safety features include an anti tip mechanism having dual plate for cooperating with respective channels fastened to the rails. The dual plates and channel design prevents disengagement of the plates from the channels if a carriage should lurch to one side. An adjustable safety stop limits carriage end travel to selected locations along the rails. A locking mechanism temporarily locks the carriages in desired locations. The locking mechanism includes a rack that is adjustably positionable along the rails and that is also reversible to meet any locking requirement.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in grabbing a refuse container such that the container can be emptied into a refuse collection truck. The grabbing apparatus includes a pair of opposed articulated grabbing arms which have the capability of securely grabbing containers of substantially different sizes without crushing or otherwise damaging those containers.

Abstract: A heating system employing a heat pump utilizes heat from the cows in a dairy barn as a low grade source of heat to heat a residence. A closed loop circulation system between a heat exchanger in a house and the heat exchanger in the barn employs a water-based heat transfer fluid. This eliminates the need for long refrigerant lines running between the house and the barn. The heat exchangers in the residence convert the barn heat to Freon and transfer heat from the Freon to the residence. The house heat exchangers are divided into two sections connected in parallel to improve heat transfer and overall efficiency and reduce pressure losses.

Abstract: The tool holder of a machine for cutting a supply of insulated electrical conductor into discrete lengths employs a standard cutting blade. The standard blade serves as the outer boundary of the tool holder and of the remainder of the machine, thereby assuring that the cut lengths can pass to the next processing station without striking any component and thereby become disoriented. Use of the standard cutting blades is accomplished by employing conventional fasteners to retain the blade on the tool holder. The cutting blade is located in the tool holder by a slotted member and blade shank end locator.

Abstract: A voltage signal proportional to the brightness of an x-ray image is derived. In a mA loop the ratio of a reference voltage to brightness is determined. If the brightness ratio does not equal 1 it causes the x-ray tube current controller to adjust current (mA) to eliminate the error. A command proportionate to the ratio is stored until the next image frame. In a kV loop a ratio of the last mA command and a set limit for mA is taken. This error ratio is multiplied by the brightness ratio to provide a kV control ratio indicative of how much of the brightness error the kV loop is obliged to correct. The kV control ratio is corrected for nonlinearity between kV change and brightness change and the resulting command is used to adjust the kV applied to the x-ray tube anode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a molten metal sampler made from cast mold halves which are preassembled in a paperboard sleeve which is filled with sand-resin mix, which is then baked. The sampler is provided with windows on one sample cavity which are provided with metal plates which form the sides for sample mold and provide smooth sides for the sample. Various thickness plates can be employed to fit within the windows. The sampler is also provided with a bath thermocouple and a liquidus arrest thermocouple. The sample formed has a thick disc portion suitable for spectrographic analysis and a wafer portion suitable for punching for gas analysis.

Abstract: A die set for assembling badges and buttons includes a punch and two dies. The badge shell and artwork are loaded onto the first die. The punch descends during a loading stroke to load the shell and artwork therein by friction. The second die is positioned under the punch, and the punch descends during an assembly stroke. The punch includes a block attached to the assembly machine ram and a spring loaded punch ring. The second die has a base a spring loaded crimp ring. The punch ring abuts the crimp ring during the assembly stroke. The punch block descends further, but the punch ring remains stationary against the crimp ring springs. The shell and artwork are thus partially pushed out of the punch and into the second die. Continued downward punch block motion overcomes the crimp ring springs and causes both the punch ring and crimp ring to move downwardly together, thereby pushing the shell and artwork over the badge back.

Abstract: An elastic tie-down comprises as inelastic rope having enlargements thereon that are captured by an elastic sleeve. The elastic sleeve is shorter than the spacing between the rope enlargements. Pulling the rope ends causes the rope enlargements to bear against the sleeve ends and stretch the sleeve. The rope ends are provided with hooks. The length between the hooks is adjustable without affecting the elastic properties of the tie-down by a clip that slidably receives the standing end of one of the rope ends extending from the sleeve. The clip also secures the rope end, thereby creating an adjustable sized loop in the rope. A hook is slidably received over the rope in the loop. Sliding the clip along the rope standing end varies the size of the loop and thereby alters the length between the two hooks independently of the tension in the elastic sleeve.

Abstract: A modular floor for manual storage systems consists of floor modules joined to create a longitudinal path of any desired length for supporting a wheeled carriage for movement therealong. Each floor module comprises a pair of parallel rails that are independently vertically adjustable by means of leveling screws in transverse rail supporting beams. The ends of the rails are notched and tongue and grooved to provide vertical and horizontal alignment of the ends of adjoining rails. The modular floor includes sturdy and neat ramps extending transversely on each side thereof. The invention further includes an anti-tip device composed of plates secured to the carriages and having lips that slide along and cooperate with a member fixed to the modular floor to prevent the carriages from tipping in the direction of longitudinal movement.

Abstract: A low profile safety floor for electrically powered mobile storage systems includes one or more elongated panels that span the building floor between the system rails. To each end of the panels are mounted a pair of leaf springs and a safety switch. The panels are supported above the rails by means of the leaf springs. When a person steps onto the safety floor, the panel is deflected downwardly so that a safety switch is actuated. Positive stops limit the approach of the panel toward the rails. Switch actuation deenergizes the electric motor drive powering the carriages. To prevent panel sag, the panels are manufactured as wood and steel laminates. To further inhibit sagging, the panels are forced into a permanently upwardly convex shape at manufacture.

Abstract: A method of constructing a floor for concrete buildings or similar structures is disclosed, wherein a precast reinforced concrete slab is placed on and between at least two steel or concrete beams or girders and then a ready mixed concrete is poured as cast-in-place concrete and cured thereon to form the floor intergal with said precast concrete slab.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the compaction of refuse in a refuse collection truck, and for controlling the operation of an ejection panel of the refuse collection truck, so as to provide for uniform compression of refuse in the truck. A hydraulic cylinder supports the ejection panel, and a combination sequence-relief valve is provided to vent hydraulic fluid from the cylinder when the fluid pressure output of the hydraulic pump exceeds a predetermined pressure and when the fluid pressure in the packing cylinder exceeds a selected pressure.

Abstract: A marker device that clips onto a page, for example, has a spring between proximal ends of a pair of similar congruent leaves so as to spread the proximal ends away from each other and press corresponding opposite distal ends toward each other. One leaf has graduations on it constituting part of a scale or ruler. A third flat straight leaf is connected to one of the pair of spring-biased leaves in such manner that the third leaf can slide and extend or contract relative to the one leaf. The third leaf has graduations that form a continuous measuring scale in conjunction with the graduations on the one leaf when the third leaf is fully extended.

Abstract: A glue applying device for a labeling machine equipped with a roller rotating about a vertical axis while a mass of glue is fed to one side. A glue scraper blade is mounted for swinging about a vertical axis into a position where the blade edge wipes off the mass of glue and leaves a film of glue on the roller. A lever extends radially from the blade axis. A micrometer adjustment screw is threaded through a pivoting arm for its tip to act on the lever. The screw has a turning knob in which a graduated thickness indicating dial is rotatable. A block is mounted to the arm and it has a bore through which the adjustment screw passes. There is an index mark on the block next to the dial. A compression spring in the bore holds the knob against self rotation. When the screw is turned to its limit against the lever, the dial is turned in the knob until the zero mark on the dial scale aligns with the index mark.