Abstract: A lifting device for lifting and transferring a load, said device having a rigid carrier arm and transfer means for lateral movement of said carrier arm. Said transfer means includes two symmetrically disposed transfer assemblies each having a link member pivotably connected at a separate end of the carrier arm, a lever pivotably connected at one end to the associated link member, said lever being pivotably supported at its other end. Said transfer means also includes drive means and transmission means for simultaneous pivoting the levers in opposite directions thereby moving and transferring the carrier arm in its lateral direction.

Abstract: A sprinkler-sealing device has a control member which can be coupled to a manually used operating rod system to activate a sealing element intended to seal the nozzle opening of a sprinkler against water. A housing is provided comprising recesses and guides to take up and position the control member and the sealing element. A pair of stops is located at the front side of said housing for approximative alignment of the housing with the sprinkler to be sealed. Spring-loaded gripping members are connected moveably with the housing for releasable connection of the housing to said sprinkler.

Abstract: An electronic fuel injection control includes a main control circuit which controls fuel flow to the engine by controlling the duration of pulses applied to fuel valves. In addition there is a transient fuel varying control including a differentiating circuit which differentiates the signal from a throttle position transducer. This differentiator controls a variable frequency clock which forms part of the main fuel control so that the pulse duration is lengthened or shortened for a given value of the engine parameter which controls the main fuel control according to the rate of increase or decrease of the throttle position signal.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a blistered, crystallizable glass material in a rotary kiln with simultaneous utilization of mineral-containing waste products, particularly fly ash, slag, and ashes from power works and refuse disposal plants, and sludge from water-purification plants.

Abstract: An adjustable distribution valve comprises a body defining first and second axially-aligned branches and a third branch extending laterally thereof, substantially in the form of a T. A plug element is fitted in the passage formed by the axially-aligned branches and is movable therewithin. The plug element is bounded by a cylindrical surface of diameter equal to the diameter of the passage, and two opposed concave surfaces which intersect the cylindrical surface at a point substantially halfway along the plug element and at opposite ends of the plug element at positions which are diametrically opposite said point.

Abstract: A toilet seat incorporating two pairs of moldings of which:(a) the first pair consists of two ridges of reciprocally symmetric form, each of them taking an elongated configuration with slight curvature of internal concavity and of variable contour;(b) the second pair of moldings, also reciprocally symmetric, also takes a curvature of irregular non-angular shape having its forward ends projected slightly toward the middle and joined at their posterior ends to the internal rim of the toilet seat;(c) the said pairs of moldings are located on the toilet seat, the first pair of moldings being located at the extreme parallel curves of the toilet seat and the second pair of moldings at the inner rear portion of the toilet seat directed toward the front at both sides of the rear center thereof.

Abstract: An electric vehicle traction motor control circuit includes an armature current control and a separate field current control. The armature current control includes an armature current demand signal generator, a difference amplifier comparing the demand signal with a signal from an armature current transducer. This amplifier drives an armature current switching regulator including a Schmitt trigger. The field current control is arranged to provide a fixed field current normally, which is weakened when the actual armature current fails to reach its demand value.

Abstract: A tarpaulin cover system for use in trucks eliminates the need for usual side tracks for guiding the tarpaulin supporting rods. The rods are instead guided by flexible means such as cables which are simultaneously used for driving the front edge of the tarpaulin when unfolding or folding same. The invention substantially enhances the operative reliability of the device, reduces costs thereof and simplifies its installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for opening and closing an inwardly opening door of a pressurized steam peeler which, in operation, is rotated on trunnions. The device consists basically of an operating arm and means for moving the arm all of which are mounted external of the vessel.

Abstract: A method of producing a lead-acid battery capable of activation by the addition of electrolyte thereto, comprises the steps of:starting with a battery container accommodating at least one pack of battery plate grids having insulating separators interposed between adjacent grids, each of said grids carrying the lead-acid battery paste required to produce a positive or a negative battery plate after conversion of the paste into the active material of the plate. With the grids immersed in an aqueous solution of sulphuric acid, an electric current is passed between the grids so that the solution rises to a temperature in excess of 180.degree. F. but not greater than 210.degree. F., the passage of the electric current converting the paste on the grids to the active material of the plates.

Abstract: An optical element for use in optical transmission comprising one or more optical fibers provided with an essentially tight-fitting coating and a strength member provided with an essentially tight-fitting coating of the same material, each of said coatings having an essentially circular cross-section, wherein the coating or coatings on the optical fibers are firmly connected with the coating on the strength member by connection means of the same material, and whose thickness is substantially smaller than the diameter of the coatings and where further the fiber or fibers are given a curve or wave shaped course. The connection means can be a continuous or locally broken fin and the coating can be applied commonly or separately around the fibers. Optical transmission means comprising such optical elements are described.

Abstract: A control circuit for an electric vehicle traction motor having separate armature and field windings, includes an armature winding current control, a braking contact which is in series with the armature winding and which is closed or opened in accordance with whether motoring or braking is required, an alternative path being provided for motor current during braking, reversing switch means connected in circuit with the field winding, a field current control and logic circuit means arranged to operate during a change for braking mode to motoring mode so as sequentially to reverse said reversing switch means when the field current is below a predetermined level, commence field current flow in the required direction for motoring and then close the brake contact whereby any residual magnetism in the field structure is reversed before the brake contact is closed.

Abstract: A screw-nut screw coupling comprises a tubular element provided with an internal helical groove and an elongate member, formed by a preloaded spring having an external helical groove machined thereon. The tubular element is coupled to the elongate member by means of a number of balls mounted for rolling along an helical path defined by said helical grooves and forming a portion of an endless path for said balls to roll therealong. The tubular element is formed by at least two co-axial tubular sleeves rigidly connected to one another, one of said sleeves being arranged outside the other and being provided with groove means defining a portion of said endless path.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming and mounting in position wire arch supports for low level cultivation tunnels comprising in combination: a support chassis provided with or adapted to be coupled to drive means for displacing the apparatus in a given direction and rate; arch forming means carried by the chassis for forming arch supports from arch wire blanks; and arch displacing means carried by the chassis for imparting to each arch a displacement having a first component of the given rate and being directed opposite to the given direction and substantially normally to the plane of the arch and a second component directed downwardly and in the plane of the arch.

Abstract: A screw-nut screw transmission coupling in which a tubular outer innerly-grooved sleeve and an inner outerly-grooved elongate member are coupled to define a plurality of endless ducts for circulation of a plurality of ball bearings; each said endless duct being formed by two adjacent turns of a helical duct defined by said outer sleeve and said inner elongate member, and a return duct extending through a respective through bore provided through said sleeve and straddling said two adjacent turns, said return duct being defined by a cavity provided in a plate fixed to the outer surface of said sleeve and closing said through bore.

Abstract: An off-shore underwater observatory comprising a lower, submerged observation gallery fitted with at least one observation window and having a ceiling with an opening through which the observation gallery is accessible, and a body of water on top of the gallery such that the combined weight of the structure and the water exceeds the buoyancy. An annular skirt may depend from the ceiling in extension of said opening to a level which is below the head level of a person standing in the gallery, the upper edge(s) of the window(s) not exceeding the lower edge of said skirt.

Abstract: A wash-house fitting including a trough which is able to be combined with a washing appliance preferably a washing machine. A pair of pipes run between the trough and the washing appliance, one of these pipes being arranged such that water, such as soapy water, initially in the washing appliance can be passed through that pipe to the trough through an aperture in the base or walls of the trough for later return to the washing appliance. The other pipe is arranged such that another liquid such as rinse water may be transferred from the washing appliance to a drainage system.

Abstract: An internal combustion ignition system includes a switching transistor, an ignition transformer, a ballast resistor and a current sensing resistor. The primary winding of the transformer, and these two resistors are in series with the collector emitter path of the switching transistor across a supply. A sensing transistor has its base-emitter across the current sensing resistor and its collector connected to control a by-pass transistor with its collector-emitter across the ballast resistor. The transistor is on whenever the current in the sensing resistor is below a set level, thereby allowing a rapid current build up when the switching transistor is switched on.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of prestressing reinforcing tendons in concrete products manufactured in separable moulds in a production line wherein the tendons are prestressed in a first product mould, a product is moulded in the first mould, a subsequent mould is then placed in series with the first mould, the reinforcing tendons are then prestressed between a point at the head of the production line and a previously moulded product.

Abstract: The invention provides a vibration sensing device which is used in safety and security equipment. The device is effectively an electrical switch and includes a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive plates each having an annular track formed by a hole. An electrically conductive bar is mounted between the plates on the tracks. On sensing a vibration the bar will resonate lifting off the tracks thus making and breaking the electrical circuit between the plates.