Abstract: A sealing assembly, suitable for sealing between two relatively-slidable parts, includes a sealing ring which is housed in an annular groove in one of the parts, which is formed with two circumferential lip portions and which is formed with a circumferential landed portion disposed between those portions. Elastomeric energizing means, also in the grooves and in engagement with the sealing ring, urges the lip portions into fluid sealing engagement with the other of the parts. The landed portion is, under conditions of low fluid pressure upon the assembly, free from fluid sealing engagement with the other part but, under conditions of high fluid pressure upon the assembly, is caused to come into fluid sealing engagement with the other part to supplement the sealing by the lip portions and to share with those portions contact stresses arising on relative movement of the two parts under high applied fluid pressure.

Abstract: An adjustable arch support used for the laying of brickwork, lamination of timber beams, or other similar uses which incorporates a flexible band supported by a number of telescopic struts from a central hub. The shape of the arch is determined by adjustment of the struts, bending the band to the desired configuration.The band incorporates at least one lockable hinge allowing the band to be set either to an even curve or to a discontinuous curve having a peak at the hinge for the formation of Gothic arches, etc.

Abstract: A process for the chromatographic separation of nucleic acid using a chromatographic carrier material is described in which the surface of the carrier material is specially modified.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable post for a tripod (1) for a film or television camera wherein a pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly (4) is used as a vertically adjustable element. In order to obtain uniform camera support over the whole range of adjustment of the pneumatic assembly (4), the piston rod (12) of the pneumatic assembly (4) is frusto conical. The piston rod (12) is sealed against the cylinder (14) of the pneumatic assembly (4) by means of a radially resilient seal (15) which adapts to the varying diameter of the piston rod (12).

Abstract: A device for growing plants at an abnormal growth rate in a container (9), which has entirely or partially perforated walls and an aperture in the growing direction of the plant, has the shape of a pouch with at least one stiffening strap (10). The container (9) is surrounded by a guide member (1) having a guide frame (2) adapted to the curve of the stiffening strap (10) adjusted therein and having at the upper end an annular lip (3) in the aperture of which said container (9) is fitted. In the aperture of the annular lip (3) can be inserted a clamping ring (13) by which the upper edge of the container (9) is clamped between said ring and the inner wall of the annular lip (3).

Abstract: A liquid filtered cartridge comprising a hollow cylindrical body with top and bottom bulkheads closing top and bottom ends, respectively, thereof. The body has a plurality of peripheral input openings into the top chamber for the introduction of liquid and further includes a plurality of space inwardly facing peripheral ridges on the inner surface for preventing laminar flow of the liquid therethrough adjacent the inner walls of the body. Intermediate bulkheads having passageways therethrough are spaced between the top and bottom bulkheads and divide the liquid filter cartridge into chambers and a granular absorbent material is disposed within one of the chambers. Filter means are disposed within the other chambers and prevent the flow of granular material out of the chamber containing the granular material.

Abstract: An improved transducer of a cantilevered beam type wherein a force to be measured is applied perpendicularly to the end of the beam through the joint and the improved joint comprises a self-aligning first roller bearing having an axially aligned center bore and a cylindrical outer surface. A cylindrical inner member is carried by the end of the beam while a cylindrical outer member is provided having cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. The cylindrical inner surface is of a diameter to be a sliding fit about the outer surface of the first roller bearing and has parallel, spaced, inward facing ridges thereon of a spacing greater than the width of the first roller bearing. A biasing device urges the first roller bearing toward a neutral position. A second roller bearing having a center bore with a radius larger than the radius of the cylindrical outer surface of the cylindrical outer member is disposed concentrically thereabout in alignment with the first roller bearing.

Abstract: A weight-lifting apparatus, for reducing the amount of back injuries, having a chest platform to which thigh supports and telescoping adjustment and locking devices are pivotally connected. The unconnected ends of the thigh supports and the telescoping adjustment and locking devices being connected to one another enabling the thigh supports to pivot relative to the platform and lock the thigh support adjustment at any desired location. The apparatus is further provided with a strapping member to secure the apparatus to the chest/abdomen portion of a weightlifter.

Abstract: A picture scanning and recording method in obtaining picture signals by photoelectrically scanning sequentially an original picture applied onto an original picture drum by a scanning head moving in the axial direction of the original picture drum, wherein the scanning head is maintained onto a focus-matching position on the surface of an original picture film by minutely moving said scanning head in the direction intersecting at right angles with a scanning light point on the original picture drum according to variation of substantial distance between the film surface of the original picture and a pick-up lens of the scanning head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for an array (1) of photo diodes arranged in a matrix, which are integrated onto the same semi-conductor substrate (4) as a picture processor (3) connected to the photo diodes. The picture processor (3) is of a type allowing parallel signal processing, such as a picture transformation of the picture signals coming from the photo diodes. The characteristic of the invention is that the device includes a digital circuit (17) of combinatorial or sequential type connected to the processor (3). This is arranged on said substrate and designed to determine the number and/or the position and/or the sum of positions of the picture elements which the photo diodes (1) and the picture processor (3) have established to fulfil a digital criterion.

Abstract: A downhole drill bit drive apparatus comprises a tubular housing adapted to be secured to the downhole end of a drill string, a mandrel concentrically disposed within the housing and having one end adapted to be secured to a downhole rotary drive and an other end adapted to be secured to a drill bit, the housing and the mandrel defining a fluid flow passage for transmitting drilling fluid to a drill bit secured to the mandrel, bearing assembly disposed between the housing and the mandrel for permitting rotation of the mandrel within the housing and transmitting axial and radial loads between the housing and the mandrel, a first seal at one end of the bearing assembly defining one end of a bearing chamber for housing the bearing assembly and a lubricating fluid for lubricating the bearing assembly and being operable to seal the chamber from the fluid flow passage and maintain the pressure in the flow passage and in the chamber substantially at equilibrium, and a second seal at the other end of the bearing asse

Abstract: A pallet assembly is disclosed for use in simultaneous transfer of four preheated plastic preforms from an oven, through a blow mold where they are blown into bottles to a location where the bottles are discharged. The pallet has a base (shuttle) on which is mounted a plurality of pilot bushings for locating the pallet relative to the blow mold and other locations; four (one of each preform) preform registering means (locating and support assemblies), each to vertically locate and horizontally center each preform.

Abstract: An exterior mirror for a vehicle comprises a base member adapted to be mounted on the vehicle body, first pivotal engagement means mounted on an arm secured to the base member so as to project laterally from the vehicle body, a housing for a reflective member having second pivotal engagement means, and resilient means for urging the first and second pivotal engagement means into engagement with one another so that the housing is pivotally movable relative to the base member about a first pivot axis.

Abstract: A diesel engine (1) drives an axle (4) through a continuously-variable-ratio transmission (3), e.g. of the toroidal race rolling friction type. A flywheel system (5) is coupled to the input of the transmission (3) by reduction gearing (8, 9). Sprag clutches (2, 6) ensure that the transmission selects whichever is the faster of the engine or the flywheel, and a multiplate clutch (7) parallel with the flywheel sprag clutch (6) is engaged for regenerative braking. Parasitic losses during flywheel drive are reduced by operating the flywheel in a referred speed range coinciding with the engine speed range.

Abstract: A profile consisting of two sections (1, 2) joined together. One section (1) is an open hollow section with an inner contour which is uniform with and somewhat bigger than the outer contour of the other section (2) and where the opening (4) is arranged so that two identical profiles can be telescoped into each other. According to the invention the other section (2) is solid or a closed hollow section. The opening (4) of the open hollow section (1), has a width which is somewhat bigger than the wall thickness of the hollow section (1) in an area (5), which is situated on the opposite side relative to the opening (4) of the connection (3) between the sections (1, 2). Thus, it is achieved that the open hollow sections (1) of the profiles substantially, completely surround the other sections (2) of the profiles, respectively, when two identical profiles are telescoped into each other.

Abstract: An original divided in a plurality of regions is photoelectrically scanned and its reproduction is then recorded. Signals from a plurality of photodetectors arranged to detect each desired common region of the original in accordance with a signal representing its corresponding scanning position and its corresponding signal stored in advance in a memory device are selectively switched over and output to the recording side in accordance with sequential scanning of the plurality of regions in the original. The above method assures high productivity without need for special skill or expensive facilities.