Abstract: A machine adapted to be towed by a tractor and powered by the PTO and hydraulic power system of the tractor for transporting, processing and blending two different types of roughage of substantial size and weight into a desired ratio for a more efficient and economical nutritional balance and better palatability as well as dispensing the ratio to livestock. This improved machine is characterized by two independently hydraulically driven floor chains that are each capable of carrying a large bale (or bales) of roughage through a series of vertically aligned shredders at different rates of speed. This produces a blend of differing types of roughage consistent with the desired nutritional component considered most economical and efficient for the particular livestock being fed. The processed ration is dropped onto a conveyor chain and immediately delivered into feed bunks for livestock consumption. The shredders and conveyor chain are mechanically driven.

Abstract: A robotic system for processing a plurality of products, the system including a plurality of units arranged to sequentially receive the products and each having a work station for effecting a specific operation on the products; and a robotic device associated with each unit and operable to sequentially obtain the products from a preceding unit, to transport the products to the work station of its associated unit and to transport the products from the associated work station to a position accessible to a robotic device of a succeeding unit.

Abstract: A dissolution testing system including a base; a plurality of vessels mounted on the base; an agitation mechanism for agitating a liquid content of the vessels; and a head supported above each of the vessels and operable to automatically inject a liquid media into the vessel.

Abstract: A portable humidifier including a base defining a reservoir for liquid; a humidification mechanism for drawing moisture from the reservoir and discharging the moisture into the environment; and a tank removably supported by the base and having an outlet communicating with the reservoir; the tank having a bottom wall, a top wall, a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall joining one edge of the front wall and one edge of the back wall, and a second side wall joining another edge of the front wall and another edge of the back wall; and wherein the front wall defines a substantially vertical first groove extending substantially parallel to and adjacent to the one edge of the front wall and a substantially vertical second groove extending substantially parallel to and adjacent to the another edge of the front wall; and the back wall defines a substantially parallel third groove extending substantially parallel to and adjacent to the one edge of the back wall, and a substantially vertical fourth groove extendin

Abstract: A measuring device including a gage having a dial, a pointer associated with the dial, and an actuator stem operatively coupled to the pointer; and a coupling mechanism having a connector portion detachably secured to the actuator stem; and a receiver portion defining a recess having first and second longitudinally extending, transversely spaced apart and parallel support surfaces. Also included is a probe pin disposed in the recess, the probe pin being longitudinally aligned with and supported by the first and second support surfaces; and a retainer mechanism exerting on the probe pin a force directed toward the first and second support surfaces. The coupling mechanism permits use of the gage with diametric gage pins selected from commercially available sets of such pins.

Abstract: A support apparatus for a fluid dispenser having a container with a body portion, a neck portion defining an opening and a flange; and a fluid pump mechanism for withdrawing fluid from the container. Included in the apparatus is a housing for mounting on an upright planar surface; the housing defining a guide, and a support surface for receiving the flange to removably support the container; a latch; and a retainer shaped and arranged for reciprocating movement on the guide between open and closed positions and in a first direction relative to the housing and for reciprocating movement in a second direction different than the first direction and between the closed position and a latched position. The retainer, in its open position, allows removal of the container from the housing, in its closed position, prevents removal, and, in its latched position, is prevented from movement in the first direction by the latch. The retainer discourages unauthorized removal of the container from the support apparatus.

Abstract: A method for detecting in a human test subject the presence of a harmful level of a chemical-biological agent, the method including the steps of administering a given dose of a predetermined chemical-biological agent to a control subject; extracting control EMG signals from the control subject; processing the control EMG signals to determine given parameters thereof; and storing data obtained in the processing step. The above steps are repeated for a plurality of other control subjects and the resultant data are used to determine the given dose of the predetermined chemical-biological agent a standard range of the given parameters. All of the above steps are repeated with each of a plurality of different sized chemical-biological doses of the predetermined chemical-biological agent and all resultant data are used to determine a normative range of the given parameters for each of the plurality of different sized chemical-biological doses.

Abstract: Magnets (20) are separated by ferromagnetic plates (21) from an inner surface of a brake drum (13) made of steel and secured to a rotational shaft (4). When the rotating brake drum (13) crosses magnetic flux generated by the magnets (20), a braking force caused by eddy currents is produced in the brake drum (13). An annular body (41) formed of a good conductor such as copper is fastened adjacent to at least one side surface of the brake drum (13) in a position axially spaced from the plates (21).

Abstract: A circuit board standoff including a body for disposition between first and second boards so as to maintain a predetermined minimum spacing between substantially parallel facing inner surfaces thereof; the body having at one end a first abutment surface for engaging an inner surface portion of the first board and at an opposite end a second abutment surface for engaging an inner surface portion of the second board. A longitudinal axis of the body is aligned with the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface. Extending from the first abutment surface is a first latch shaped and arranged to project through an opening in the first board and into latching engagement therewith and extending from the second abutment surface is a second latch shaped and arranged to project through an opening in the second board and into latching engagement therewith.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a brake drum connected to a rotational shaft; an annular member formed of a ferromagnetic material; a guide frame for supporting the annular member in a position within said spaced from an inner surface of the brake drum; and a cylindrical body defining an uninterrupted wall between the inner surface of the brake drum and the annular member; at least portions of the cylindrical body disposed directly between the inner surface of the brake drum and outer surfaces of the permanent magnets being formed from a magnetically permeable material.

Abstract: A portable humidifier having a base defining a boiler cavity; an evaporation mechanism for inducing evaporation of liquid within the boiler cavity; and a liquid supply including a contractible and expandible vessel having an outlet communicating with the boiler cavity and providing restricted liquid flow between the vessel and the cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a filter change indicator that is operable in various orientations of the device incorporating it. For example, the filter change indicator is operable when the device is positioned in either the upright or sideways position. The device incorporating the filter change indicator can be any air moving device which incorporates a cleanable or replaceable filter. The filter change indicator includes a transparent viewing window and a tubulation. The viewing window displays a visible signal when the filter needs changing. The visible signal can be a float retained in the tubulation. The tubulation is a hollow transparent tube which forms an incline plane within the housing. The tubulation includes a first end, a second end and a step. The first end is in fluid communication with an air flow path through the tubulation, and this air flow path is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A high security fence and post assembly including a T-section post for installation in the ground and having an elongated, upwardly extending first plate portion defining a front surface and a rear surface and an elongated second plate portion projecting transversely from a longitudinally extending section of the rear surface.

Abstract: A flood flow modulator system including a dam positioned across a watercourse so as to restrict water flow therein and thereby create a retained water body; the dam having an upstream surface facing the water body, an oppositely directed downstream surface, and a top surface joining the upstream and downstream surfaces. Defined by the dam is a slot having substantially vertical side surfaces and a substantially horizontal bottom surface. A gate is pivotally mounted in the slot for movement between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position; the gate being U-shaped in section and having a front wall with edges disposed adjacent to the side and bottom surfaces so as to substantially close the slot when in the closed position, and sidewalls projecting transversely from the front wall toward the water body and each closely adjacent to a different one of the side surfaces.

Abstract: An optical system including a stage for supporting a material to be observed and mounted for rotation on a given axis, a Dove prism mounted for rotation on the given axis and having an optical axis aligned therewith, a drive mechanism, a prism coupling mechanism coupled between the drive mechanism and the prism, and a stage coupling mechanism coupled between the drive mechanism and the stage. The prism coupling mechanism rotates the prism on the given axis and the stage coupling mechanism rotates the stage on the given axis.

Abstract: A grommet strip manufacturing apparatus including a supply mechanism for feeding a grommet strip; a feed mechanism for feeding a cushion strip; and a guide for joining the moving grommet and cushion strips into a composite strip so as to provide longitudinally aligned engagement between an engagement surface of the grommet strip and a contact surface of the cushion strip. Also included is a dispenser for dispensing an adhesive between the engagement surface of the grommet strip and the contact surface of the cushion strip; a compression assembly for maintaining, for a given length of the composite strip, compression between the engagement and contact surfaces; and a take up mechanism for receiving from the compression assembly the composite strip.

Abstract: An aquaculture system including an upper support for disposition at the surface of a water body of an aquaculture farm; a cage having a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion, the side wall portion having an upper edge secured to the upper support so as to project below the surface of the water body and the side wall portion being formed out of vertically contractible, non-buoyant mesh; and a lower support disposed between a bottom edge of the side wall portion and an outer edge of the bottom wall portion.

Abstract: A poultry breeder flooring system including a plurality of spaced apart and substantially parallel wire mesh channel defining beams, a wire mesh floor supported on the channel defining beams and a fastener mechanism interconnecting the floor and the channel defining means. The wire mesh floor and beam assembly provides an improved surface to space ratio which reduces dung collection and thereby enhances egg production.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new pole mounted revolving air circulating fan for inducing air movement within an air mass by use of a rotating impeller which simultaneously revolves around a vertical axis. The pole mounted revolving air circulating fan comprises a telescoping support pole extending substantially vertically upwardly from a mounting floor surface to a mounting ceiling surface, the ends of the support pole frictionally engaging the mounting surfaces. A fan, comprising a rotary air impeller coupled to an electric motor through a drive shaft, is revolvedly mounted on the vertical support pole. A generally cylindrical motor housing encloses the motor and the motor power supply leads. A blade guard, constructed of wire rods forming a substantially annularly shaped wire cage, encloses the impeller to prevent injury from contact therewith. The guard has a central hole through the back wherethrough the front end of the motor housing extends.