Abstract: A dry placer mining machine and a belt assembly for use therewith. The machine concentrates metallic constituents from a gravel mix by fluidizing the mix with air which passes upwardly through the belt assembly, and moving the fluidized mix over the belt and applying an electrostatic charge thereto. The belt assembly is made up of a composite fabric belt member and a plurality of riffle members which extend transversely across this. The composite fabric belt member is constructed of non-conductive materials so as to minimize dissipation of the electrostatic charge, and this is made up of a finely woven cloth top layer, a reticulated foam middle layer, and a coarse mesh lower layer. The riffle members, in turn, are provided with insulation for preventing the electrostatic charge from being conducted away from the fabric belt member. The belt assembly is driven over the open upper end of a plenum chamber, and air pressure is supplied to this through a blower and ducting.

Abstract: A supersonic aircraft having highly swept subsonic leading edge portions of the wings provided with boundary layer control suction slots. When the airplane is operating at high angles of attack under circumstances where noise is objectionable, air is drawn in through the suction strips to alleviate separated air flow and substantially eliminate (or at least alleviate) vortices that would otherwise develop over the upper wing surface. This improves the L/D ratio and permits the engines to be at a lower power setting, thus alleviating noise. There are shown a double delta planform configuration, and an arrow plan form configuration. Also, the boundary layer control suction can be used in conjunction with laminar flow control suction.

Abstract: The specification describes a controller apparatus for a DC motor and a lamp having a filament electrically connected in parallel with the DC motor, comprising: (a) an output driver circuit for generating a DC power signal, where the DC power signal energizes the DC motor; (b) an AC signal generating circuit for generating an AC power signal; and a high frequency coupling transformer for so adding the AC power signal to the DC power signal that the AC power signal energizes the filament. Preferably, the controller also comprises: (a) a switching circuit for periodically preventing the DC power signal from controlling the DC motor; (b) a speed sensing circuit for determining a speed of the locomotive by measuring a back EMF signal generated by the DC motor during the time that the switching means prevents the DC power signal from controlling the DC motor; and (c) an error correcting circuit for correcting the DC power signal based on the speed of the locomotive.

Abstract: An improvement in a multiple intensifier system having two intensifier units with reciprocating piston assemblies to supply very high pressure water. When one of the piston assemblies travels faster than the other, so that these reached an end stroke position at the same time, there can be an abrupt pressure drop. To alleviate this, a first embodiment isolates the compensator control lines of the pumps of the two intensifier units so as to maximize volumetric flow rates during such pressure drops to give the slower moving piston assembly a boost at the beginning of its subsequent stroke. Another embodiment provides an accumulator in the fluid control line for the compensators, and a further embodiment provides a pressure reference supply pump to alleviate pressure variations in the fluid control line.

Abstract: A strut supported framework for mounting directly to the back side of posters and other works of art which holds the paper skin of the poster taut. The framework is composed of elongated semi-ridged, strut members bonded to adjustable low tack adhesive tape. Strut members can be easily cut to fit the back side perimeter of most any standard sized posters. The strut members are stabilized by plastic like, adhesive bonded corner support braces positioned over the right angles formed by the framework. The framework parts include four frame members and four corner support braces. The frame members are slit from a simi-ridged foamboard like material. The corner support braces are die-cut shaped pieces of plastic like material. Both the frame struts and the corner support braces are bonded to one side of a double sided, pressure sensitive, adhesive tape with a release liner protecting the revere side of the adhesive tape.

Abstract: Methods for promoting the survivability and growth of seeds and seedlings which employ a fertilizer or a synergistic combination of a fertilizer and a moisture absorbing polymer which furnishes a reservoir of the moisture needed for plant growth and also provides a growth medium for soil bacteria relied upon to break down and release nitrogen from the fertilizer molecules. Systems for delivering these formulations and for verifying the delivery of the material.

Abstract: Carts for transporting doors, sheets of plywood and dry wall, narrow crates, mirrors, and other large, awkward-to-handle and perhaps fragile articles of similar configurations in a horizontal orientation which allows the object to be freely manipulated through a doorway or other opening. The article is automatically and securely clamped between cooperating fixed and displaceable jaws in the process of loading it into the cart; and the article is thereafter automatically released from the jaws when it is lifted upwardly to remove it from the cart. An easily removable handle makes the cart easy to manipulate and, at the same time, permits it to easily be broken down for storage, shipment, etc. Front and rear, leglike stops limit fore-and-aft tilting of the door cart and thereby facilitate the loading of materials into the cart.

Abstract: An ultra high pressure sterilizing apparatus and method comprising a cylinder and plunger assembly that operates on a power compression stroke where material to be sterilized is alternately pressurized and depressurized in the cylinder chamber. The cylinder and plunger assembly also moves on a discharge and intake stroke where material that has been sterilized through pressurizing and depressurizing cycles is removed from the chamber through selectively operable valve means, and a fresh quantity of material to be sterilized is moved into the cylinder chamber for another set of pressurizing and depressurizing cycles.

Abstract: A thermal insulating shipping container having an elongate rectangular box-like configuration, made up of panels, each having an evacuated area therein. Each panel comprises inner and outer panel sections each having inner and outer skins and a honeycomb core. Standoff units in the evacuated area resist compression loads exerted on the inner and outer panel sections, and a radiation shield is positioned in the evacuated area.

Abstract: A hand held apparatus for stamping ink images on paper, comprising a handle, which is substantially transparent, a printing die, which is able to bold ink on a printing surface thereof, and an attachment means by which said printing die is able to be detachably attached to the handle. The printing surface comprises a resilient, opaque substance, such as natural rubber.

Abstract: A method for applying a spray texture material to a wall surface utilizing an aerosol container for the texture material, along with discharge tubes through which the material is dispensed. By using tubes of different cross-sectional area, the spray patterns of the material can be made with smaller and larger particle size within more precisely controlled limits.

Abstract: A device for conditioning a liquid fuel flowing therethrough. There is a casing with fuel inlet and outlet ports, and at least one insert within the casing which defines passages through which the fuel must pass in streams. The insert contains one or more trace metal elements which are added to the fuel as the fuel flows over the surface of the insert. The insert may be made of an amalgam, and the trace elements may include tin, mercury, lead, and antimony, which may be desirable to add to the liquid fuel. The insert may be formed with a longitudinally extending hub portion from which fins portions extend radially, and the casing may be tubular so that the fuel streams are constrained to the passages formed between the fins. There may also be a magnet mounted in the casing for conditioning the fuel passing therethrough.

Abstract: Emergency deceleration warning devices which may also be manually activated to provide a warning in situations where abnormal deceleration is not involved. The disclosed devices are self-contained units which include: (1) a flasher which is highly visible, even in bright daylight; (2) a circuit for turning the flasher on and off; and (3) a simple, enclosed decelerometer for enabling the flasher-operating circuit when a vehicle equipped with the warning device is decelerated at an abnormal rate.

Abstract: The basketball rim assembly of the present invention basically comprises: (a) a rim portion; (b) a mounting portion adapted to be attached to a backboard; and (c) bolts for detachably attaching the rim portion to the mounting portion. Preferably, one or more first bolts are provided which extend through holes in the rim portion and which are attached to the mounting portion and one or more second bolts are provided which extend through holes in the mounting portion and which are attached to the rim portion.

Abstract: Computer-based systems and methods for managing data. These systems and methods take advantage of a unique model which: increases speed and flexibility; eliminates the need for a complex data manipulation language, data or application dependent software, and separate structuring tools such as pointers, lists, and indexes; and automatically creates among the data relationships which may or may not have been apparent to a user or the designer. Salient, unique features of the systems and methods are their capabilities for providing: a generic data structure consisting of two generic data elements and a generic data set array, indentured data set relationships, inversion of data set relationships, dynamic reorganization of data sets, control over the data relationships that can be established, global linking of data sets, and automatic connection projection.

Abstract: A rigid hull boat made up of detachable bow and stern sections. These are joined at abutting transverse bulkheads: male locking lugs project from the bulkhead of the bow section, and these are received in corresponding recesses in the bulkhead of the stern section. The upper edges of the bulkheads are held together by a channel member through which bolts are passed. The interlocking elements eliminate side-to-side movement between the two bulkheads, and also prevent them from spreading apart at the bottom. There are also bevels around the edges of the two sections which guide the locking members into engagement. The bow section nests within the stern section for storage. If desired, the two sections can be used as independent craft, and in some embodiments, the bow section may be inverted and mounted atop the stern section to provide an enclosed cartop carrier.

Abstract: A snowboard binding assembly comprising a fixed jaw to engage one side of a boot, and a slide jaw assembly to engage an opposite of the boot. An operating lever positions a slide jaw housing in a locking mode where the slide jaw assembly is fixed in locking engagement with the boot, an intermediate step-in position where the slide jaw housing can move laterally to a release position, and a disengaging position where the slide jaw housing is either positively moved to the release position or can readily be moved to the release position in opposition to the spring. In one preferred embodiment, a locking finger is mounted to a rotatable shaft connected to the positioning lever, and a cam finger causing movement of the slide jaw housing is mounted to the cam member.