Abstract: A transit system employing multiple modes of operation. The system includes a guideway having a portion over which a vehicle traverses from one location to another, the traverse portion having a longitudinally-extending slot formed generally centrally therewithin. The guideway also includes an entry ramp which directs a traction drive wheel stem to centrally position the vehicle on the guideway. The system also includes a vehicle which is configured for travel over both a roadway and the guideway. The vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of motive wheels. The chassis mounts a stem for pivoting between an upper, retracted position and a lower, extended position. The stem mounts, at its lower end, a traction drive wheel which engages an undersurface of the guideway to accomplish movement of the vehicle during the guideway mode of operation.

Abstract: An attachment to an existing sweep of a seeding device is provided for additional dispensing of fertilizer. A protection tooth on the leading face of the attachment can be placed at a desired depth of its lower, free end to selectively adjust the level at which the fertilizer is deposited.

Abstract: A conveyor for supporting live fowl to be inoculated, iseminated, debeaked, or to have another operation performed on them. The conveyor includes a base, a pair of spindles mounted to the base, one at each of opposite ends, and a generally horizontally-disposed moving conveyor surface supported by the base. The conveyor surface is defined by an endless web encircling the spindles and is intended to receive thereon fowl which are to have an operation performed on them. The conveyor also includes apparatus for holding each bird in a defined position on the conveyor surface, including a pair of elongated, generally-parallel members spaced upward from the conveyor surface to define a slot therebetween. The elongated members are disposed such that the vertical distance between them can be varied.

Abstract: A granular material treating device. Included are a housing having an input end and an output end and a porous conveyor belt disposed within the housing so that a generally horizontally-disposed run of the belt extends between the input and the output ends of the housing. The belt is configured to be driven to convey granular material, positioned to a desired depth on the belt, from the input end to the output end of the housing. The device also includes a nozzle disposed beneath the run of the belt extending from the input end to the output end of the housing. The nozzle is oriented to blow a gas, at a pressure greater than ambient gas in the housing, upwardly through the belt run. A spout within the granular material is, thereby, created to effect stirring. Finally, the device includes a stave which extends downwardly into the granular material as it is conveyed along the belt.

Abstract: A method for employment in securing together wood components whcih are intended to be mated one to another. The method includes a first step of forming slots in engaged surfaces of the wood components, the slots being registered one with another when the components are at intended relative positions. Consequently, the slots are, when the components are engaged in such a manner, aligned along an axis. An attachment fitting is provided to effect the securing function. Such a fitting would, typically, include an elongated spanning member having a central portion and first and second distal portions. Each distal portion carries a resilient barb, the barb extending outwardly and toward the central portion of the spanning member. In effecting securement of the wood components, the components are disengaged from one another, and the first distal portion of the attachment device is inserted into the slot of one of the wood components.

Abstract: Locking apparatus for securing in a closed disposition a sliding door panel defined, in part, by a jamb-engaging stile which, when the panel is in a closed disposition, is received within a channel defined by frame members defining the jamb. The apparatus includes one or more locking bosses which are received within the channel defined by the frame members. The boss, or bosses, are recessed so that, when the panel is in an open disposition, they do not protrude out of the channel beyond the frame members which define the jamb. Further, the apparatus includes means carried by the jamb-engaging stile for capturing one or more of the locking bosses when the panel is in a closed disposition. Such capture apparatus precludes opening lateral movement of the door panel from its closed disposition.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a sliding door for horizontal movement in a frame which has an upwardly-extending upper track and an upwardly-extending lower track which comprises a horizontally-elongated rib defining a generally vertically-oriented plane. The apparatus includes a sliding door panel which includes upper and lower generally horizontal rail members. Means are provided to mount the sliding door panel to the upper track for horizontal movement along the track. The apparatus also includes an extruded elongated element suspended from the lower generally-horizontal rail member of the sliding door panel. The elongated element is disposed for free reciprocating vertical movement relative to the lower generally-horizontal rail member. The elongated element is provided with a length substantially the full length of the sliding door panel. The element is also provided with a slot which is formed in a bottom surface of the element.

Abstract: A game card for playing rounders or bingo. The game card comprises a matrix having a plurality of polygons interfitted to define a multiplicity of intersections formed by adjacent angular portions of contiguous polygons. Each angular portion of a polygon carries a number or a blank with no number. Alternatively, the game card may also be used for promotional purposes by covering the intersections and numbers surrounding the intersections with a removable opaque coating.

Abstract: An improved multi-layer wrap for keeping a beverage container cool is made by first forming a jacket assembly having inner and outer pockets. An insulating blanket is inserted into the outer pocket of the jacket assembly through an entrance opening thereto. A first part of a hook and pile fastener is then secured to the outer pocket covering the entrance opening to completely and permanently enclose the insulating blanket in the outer pocket. The other part of the fastener is secured to the other end of the jacket assembly on the other face to allow the ends to be connected together after the wrap is placed around the container. The inner pocket has an open end for removably receiving a blanket containing a heat absorbing material.

Abstract: A bracket, sold in kits of two or four, is used with a cross-member and four legs for constructing a sawhorse. The bracket includes an upper end having a slot for receiving the cross-member and abutment flanges against which the legs may be placed for holding the legs in an angled position relative to the cross-member. The legs are pivotally secured to the bracket for swinging between a collapsed non-assembled position and the angled assembled position. Inclined raised ridges on the bracket surround slots which receive fasteners that extend into the legs. The ridges and the heads of the fasteners cooperate to lock the legs to the brackets by wedging the fastener heads against the ridges as the legs are swung into their assembled position.

Abstract: A device to be employed for moving scaffolding assemblies. The device includes a pair of substantially parallel sleeves intended to receive the tines of a forklift. Support members are affixed to, and project substantially perpendicular from, the sleeves. The support members are telescoping in configuration and include downwardly projecting hooks attached at ends opposite points of attachment of the support members to the sleeves. An interconnecting support member is also provided. Such an interconnecting support member is substantially parallel to the telescoping support members and rigidly attached to the sleeves adjacent the forklift side of the device in order to maintain the sleeves at a defined, desired distance.

Abstract: The apparatus (10) includes a metering tube (18) and a sight tube (22) intersecting the metering tube (18). Fluid communication between a bore (68) formed axially in the sight tube (22) and a passage (38) in the metering tube (18) is provided through an orifice (64). Flow through the meter (10) is regulated by a valve member (40) which moves in passage (38) and across the orifice (64). The bore (68) in the sight tube (22) is tapered upwardly and outwardly, and a flow sensitive element (72) rises and lowers within the bore, depending upon the flow induced. As the element (72) rises, an annular space (86) defined between the inner wall of the bore (68) and the determinant diameter (74) of the flow sensitive element (72) increases to define an annulus having a greater area than when the flow sensitive element (72) is in a lower position.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect assembly for interconnecting a lead of an integrated circuit device to a terminal spaced at a distance from a corresponding lead of the integrated circuit. The assembly includes a housing which is, typically, positioned between the lead of the integrated circuit and the corresponding terminal. The housing includes at least one slot which extends through the thickness thereof. Each of first and second opposed surfaces of the housing has formed therein a trough which is positioned at a location proximate the integrated circuit lead and the spaced terminal corresponding to the integrated circuit lead, respectively. A rigid first element is received in the trough formed in the first surface, and the rigid element extends across any slots in which one or more contacts are received. A generally planar contact is received within each of the one or more of the slots.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clip for fastening a rail of a railway on a rail support comprising: a spring clip forming a device for fastening or clamping the rail on a rail support, constituted by a clip made of elastic metal having a first end and a second end and presenting successively, from the first end, a first section forming a substantially rectilinear arm, a second section forming a substantially 180.degree. bend, a third section, a fourth section forming a substantially 180.degree.

Abstract: An ice block press device (10). The press (10) includes a compression chamber (12) into which raw ice particles (20) are fed through an opening (82). A ram (16) is employed to urge ice particles (20) deposited through an input chute (18), through the opening (82) into the compression chamber (12). The ram (16) cyclically reciprocates to push the particles (20) into the chamber (12). As additional amounts of raw ice are urged into the chamber (12), a compacted volume of accumulated ice begins to extend through the opening (82) outside the chamber (12). When this occurs, the ram (16) is precluded from achieving its fully extended position. Upon sensing this condition, a knife (80) is driven to cut the block to a uniform length.

Abstract: A vessel is provided and comprises a closed fluid container. A pressure type product delivery structure passes through sealed opening in said vessel, terminating in the bottom interior region of vessel. Upper region of the vessel is provided with an opening to admit and empty water. The water opening is fitted with a tight fitting closure (cap). Upper region of the vessel is provided with a spout which generally forms an opening in and duct from the upper region of vessel. Using this product conditioning unit, pressurized product is conditioned (heated and moisturized) by direct contact with water.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprising a foot receiving plate, a pivoting support and a base. The foot receiving plate includes a strap for the user's foot, a ball joint adjacent and on the bottom of its heel end for securing the foot receiving plate to the pivoting support, and a spring connecting the toe end of the foot receiving plate to the pivoting support. The ball joint permits the foot receiving plate to pivot laterally and transversely with respect to the pivoting support, and the spring biases the foot receiving plate towards the pivoting support. Additionally, a removable ball below the toe end of the foot receiving plate allows for radial pivoting. The pivoting support is pivotably mounted via a hinge to the base beneath the toe end of the foot receiving plate, thereby permitting the foot receiving plate and pivoting support to pivot away from the base.

Abstract: A device (10) for holding a sheet-like item during, for example, a folding operation. The device (10) includes a finger (46) having an engagement surface (74) defined by an engagement portion (60) of the finger (46). A jaw (76) is eccentrically mounted for rotation between a position in engagement with the surface (74) and a position wherein the jaw (76) is spaced from the surface (74). The jaw (76) is biased toward the engagement position.

Abstract: An emergency lighting system having a motor drive assembly (34) for the automatic lowering of a battery-powered emergency lamp (12), when normal power to a primary lighting system is lost, from a concealed position behind a ceiling (11), and returning the lamp (12) to its original position when normal power is restored. Included in the assembly (34) are gears including a motor driven gear (36) and a crank arm driving gear (38). The presence of a normal electric current to the primary lighting system powers the motor drive assembly (34) to return and maintain the emergency lighting system in its concealed position. Interruption of normal electric power automatically results in driving of the emergency power system from its concealed position to an extended position for use, as a result of crank driving gear (38) being rotated in a direction opposite that in which it is rotated for return of the emergency system to the normal concealed position.

Abstract: A device for removing coatings from granular materials such as hull-encased meats of grains. The device includes a housing within which is journaled a rotatably disposed drum. A wall is also mounted within the housing, the wall angling downwardly and being spaced at a distance from an outer surface of the drum to define a processing space therebetween. Typically, the processing space narrows downwardly within the housing. The drum is disposed for rotation so that any material fed into the housing through a hopper mounted on the top thereof will be drawn along the drum surface into the processing space. The processing space narrows sufficiently so that an abrasion is effected upon the material as it is deposited within the processing space because of the relative movement of the outer surface of the drum and the downwardly extending wall.