Abstract: Disclosed in a differential operational amplifier for use with a proximity type pick up. It has a common mode rejection input circuit comprising a diode and transistor connected to each input as well as diodes connected across the amplifier differential inputs. Common mode signals are clamped at the input to both protect the amplifier and prevent false transitions at the output.

Abstract: An improved valve system for obtaining access to a container of fluid. In a container of fluid, and particularly a keg for beer, a valve assembly receiving member or keg neck extends from the top of the container. A sealing mechanism is provided to secure the valve assembly in sealed relationship with the keg neck and to allow access to the fluid contained by actuation of the valves. More specifically, the valve neck has a groove in its inner surface to receive a resilient retainer ring which maintains the valve assembly in place. In addition, a safety feature is provided to prevent inadvertent expulsion of the valve assembly should the retainer ring be dislodged while the keg is pressurized. A siphon tube extends from the valve assembly to a position adjacent the bottom of the keg when the valve is secured within the keg neck.

Abstract: There is provided a fastener for forming lap-type joints wherein a sheet metal plate has a plurality of teeth projecting in a substantially perpendicular direction from both sides of the plate. On one side of the plate the teeth are in rows of single teeth and on the opposite side of the plate the teeth are in rows of pairs of teeth. The ends of the single teeth are such that upon movement into a nailable member the teeth remain substantially perpendicular to the plate, while the ends of the paired teeth upon movement into a nailable surface are displaceable from the perpendicular direction and accomplishing a clenching between adjacent paired teeth. The paired teeth are of smaller cross-sectional area than the single teeth and may be placed into relatively fragile or thin material to provide secure fastening thereof to a more substantial material, e.g. wooden studs and the like.

Abstract: A store arrangement including a combination, self-service and service establishment having a central portion with a display structure and a service counter. Shopping aisles are located on substantially all sides of the central portion to provide access to the central portion from substantially all points in the store. The central portion is configured to provide services for the patron as well as check-out items purchased.

Abstract: A control system capable of selectively providing one of a plurality of control signals with each signal corresponding to a particular predesignated function. The output signals from the control system are generated in response to constant voltage input signals. The system includes an input circuit and a control circuit. The input circuit is coupled to the control circuit through a single transmission line over which a constant level voltage is transmitted. The voltage level of the input signal which is transmitted is selected from among a plurality of predetermined levels in dependence upon the control function to be achieved. The control circuit, in turn, receives the input signals and in response thereto will activate one of a plurality of switches for providing a corresponding output signal which serves to enable an appropriate control function.

Abstract: The derrick barge comprises a pair of laterally spaced elongated hulls having a plurality of upstanding columns spaced therealong supporting a working platform and a heavy duty derrick or crane in spaced relation above the hulls. The hulls buoyantly support the vessel including its deck load in the floating condition with the hulls having freeboard. The hulls have ballast compartments to submerge the hulls and portions of the stabilizing columns to a distance of approximately one-half the effective height of the stabilizing columns to maintain the vessel in a semisubmerged floating condition with the platform and derrick elevated above the waterline. However, the vessel also may be ballasted or deballasted to submerge or emerge to a greater or lesser extent from the semisubmerged condition such that the distance between the mean water surface and either the underside of the deck or top side of the hull is not less than 0.75 of the mean wave height.

Abstract: A non-irritating antiseptic composition is disclosed. The composition of this invention comprises a combination of magnesium and iodine formulated from Magnesium Usta, resublimated iodine and iodine crystals and powder, which composition is stable in a closed container and suitable for topical application. The composition of this invention may be used alone, or as a bandage impregnate, or may be incorporated in a pharmaceutical or cosmetic vehicle as a general antiseptic, disinfectant, or germicidal agent.

Abstract: A process for isolating and purifying taste bud receptor material for screening and evaluating tastants is described. The process includes surgically excising a plurality of circumvallate papillae, coring said papillae to remove the central mucous gland from each, followed by exposing the taste bud bearing epithelial portion thereof. The buds are preferably exposed by swelling in a hypotonic medium followed by subjecting said buds to about 900 psi in a nitrogen bomb. The swelled buds are then subjected to a gentle, selective homogenization to extrude taste bud receptor material therefrom without substantial destruction of surrounding epithelial tissue. The extruded material is then isolated by filtering and purified by subjecting the filtrate to differential centrifugation to isolate a receptor containing membrane enriched fraction.

Abstract: An improved upright open front refrigerated display cabinet having primary and secondary air flow conduits, in which air flow directing means are provided for selectively drawing ambient air into the secondary air band conduit during a defrost cycle and for substantially preventing ambient air from entering the secondary conduit during a refrigeration cycle and for directing the flow of air through the secondary conduit in a first direction during the refrigeration cycle and in a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction, during the defrost cycle. Fans are provided in each of the primary and secondary conduits; the direction of air flow in the primary conduit remains constant at all times, during both refrigeration and defrost cycles.

Abstract: A pair of pipe ends are first prepared prior to welding to provide highly accurate guide surfaces. Secondly, a welding torch carriage arrangement is provided which engages the exterior surfaces of the abutting pipe ends to be welded, which carriage is guided around the circumference of the pipe ends in conjunction with the guide surfaces provided thereon. Thirdly, a back-up band arrangement is provided interiorly of the joint to be welded.An expandable band is employed to provide a mold on the interior of the joint into which the weld puddle is flowed which may be made of any appropriate material, but preferably is copper. The back-up band is carried on a set of rounding jacks which engage the facing pipe ends and exert a circumferentially uniform radial force on the pipes. This serves to round the ends equally and bring them into coaxial alignment with each other in the vicinity of the joint. The back-up band bridges the joint and expands to form a closed or semi-sealed chamber around the joint.

Abstract: A treatment to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis consisting of topical application of a cream, ointment or lotion containing, as the principal active ingredient, one or more 6-substituted nicotinamides and or 2-substituted pyrazinamides is disclosed. The therapeutic composition may include a single member of the above active ingredients present in a total amount of from 0.01 to 5 percent by weight of the total composition, or a plurality thereof present in a preferred concentration range of from 0.02 to 2 percent by weight of the total composition. Topical application of the therapeutic composition in a cream, ointment, or a water or alcohol solution has been found to achieve from substantial to complete remissions of psoriasis in humans.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bird call particularly adapted for use by hunters in calling ducks. It has a tapered or slanted mouthpiece so that the call may be held in a vertical downward direction with the callers head almost perfectly erect. In this way, the flight of most birds may be watched as the caller is actually using the call. A tongue with a flared groove in the device reduces back pressure and moisture build up in the call.

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coupling assembly particularly adapted for underwater use, having a pair of coupling members, one of which is mounted on a relatively rigid structure, and a sleeve mounted over the first coupling member for relative axial and rotational movement. The sleeve is guided by a single or double J slot between axially extended locking and axially retracted unlocking positions. In the locking position, a cammed surface on the inside of the sleeve engages a ball and socket arrangement on the coupling members to prevent the coupling members from becoming unlocked; in the axially retracted unlocking position, the cammed surface of the sleeve is moved away from the ball and socket arrangement to permit free radial movement of the ball out of the socket and relative axial movement of the coupling members into and out of coupling engagement with each other. The sleeve is lockable in the axially extended locking position to provide a positive lock.

Abstract: The building construction disclosed employs precast elongated T-shaped elements (Tees) and/or modifications thereof. Vertical tiers or ranks of Tees are erected in side by side spaced relation one to the other. The stems of the Tees form opposite side walls of internal cells with the flanges of the Tees forming floors and ceilings. When employed, modified or half Tees are disposed in side by side relation and superposed one over the other to form vertically aligned hallways and elevator lobbies. An elevator tower is provided by a pair of modified Tees disposed on their ends to form a vertically extending channel with their stems attached to the elevator lobby Channels. The Tees are secured by welding, post tensioning devices or both. Several variations in construction employing the aforementioned construction elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid dispensing system for dispensing fluid from a container under pressure. An automatically variable restrictor is disposed in the fluid line between the container and the faucet whereby a constant predetermined flow rate is provided at the faucet. In one form hereof, the containers are serially connected one to the other with the restrictor placed between the last container and the faucet. In another form hereof, series/parallel arrangements are provided wherein sets of serially connected containers are coupled in parallel one to the other with the last container of each set being fluid connected to the common faucet. A restrictor is placed in each set of serially connected containers between the last container and the parallel connection with the faucet whereby a constant flow rate through each parallel connected set of containers is obtained and equal to the number of sets of parallel connected containers divided by the desired flow rate through the common faucet.

Abstract: A system for sensing derailment of a remotely controlled engine including a switch integrated with a dead man control circuit for the engine to automatically stop the engine upon activation of the switch. The switch further includes a deformable copper pipe having a brass rod within the pipe but electrically insulated therefrom. The copper pipe with the brass rod, each having a terminal electrically connected to the circuit, is placed between rails in a rail yard. When the engine derails the wheels of the engine or some other part of the train press the copper pipe in communication with the brass rod thereby activating the switch and shutting down the engine.

Abstract: A carpenter's level extendable preferably from a length of 24 inches to a length of 48 inches in six-inch increments is described. The level includes an I-beam shaped base section with right and left extension members slidably mounted thereon. Said extension members engage either side of the base at tracks formed by the side extensions of the I. The extension sections are independently movable relative to the base and to each other, and a locking mechanism is carried by each extension section to lock said section against lateral movement in a predetermined extension position. Each extension section carries a conventional tubular spirit level vial in an aperture and a third vial is centrally located in an aperture through the base section. Each extension section and the base section also has apertures therethrough spaced on, for example, six-inch centers for visible observation of each vial whether the members are extended or collapsed.

Abstract: Oxidizable contaminants in waters, such as feed waters and waste waters wherein they are present in relatively large or small proportions, are removed therefrom by alternating current electrolysis in an electrolytic cell containing catalyst-containing particles, the catalyst of which is an oxidation catalyst such as MnO.sub.2, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, or PbO.sub.2. The process and apparatus of the invention are especially useful for the removal of difficultly oxidizable impurities, such as phenol, from dilute aqueous solutions or dispersions. Included within the invention is the improved removal of such impurities by sequential treatments in accordance with the described processes.

Abstract: A board game is disclosed whereby play advances by frustrating an opponent's progress through creating a series of intersection traffic jams on intersecting, defined pathways. The game arrangement includes a rectangular foldable board having a playing surface with printed indicia thereon, said indicia defining a centrally disposed circle with radial pathways extending from the center thereof through said circle and terminating at lateral pathways disposed adjacent opposite ends of said board and parallel thereto. Said circular, radial, and lateral pathways are segmented, and intersections thereof marked. Each player must move a total of preferably twelve shuttles across the board with movement dictated by alternate throws of a pair of dice. Players' shuttles enter the pathways at three marked points at one end of the board and must exit at a single point at the opposite end thereof.

Abstract: A force take-off device which is particularly suitable for use in a brake actuating device for a pedal driven vehicle comprising inner and outer rotatable elements having a formation between said elements which has engaged and disengaged conditions, said condition being determined by the direction of rotation of one of said rotatable elements.