Abstract: A device for automatically supplying reels to a utilizer machine, in which a support element for a reel is movable between the output of a reel magazine and an unwinding spindle disposed on the utilizer machine and is provided with actuator means which is operable to actuate locking means carried by the unwinding spindle, by contact therewith, to lock each reel in succession thereon.

Abstract: An inorganic filler component for use in resin-based direct dental filling materials comprises fumed or submicron silica which has been silane treated and coated with a thin coating of an active polymerizable monomer of the type used as the binder in making the composition. The use of such a submicron material permits the total filler loading of the composition to be increased substantially, thereby increasing both the compressive and diametrical tensile strength of the cured material as well as improving its polishability and resistance to wear, and reducing its susceptibility to water absorption.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrotreating a metal strip and employing an electrode roll having a metallic outer surface covered by a porous mesh layer composed of electrically non-conductive material and fixedly secured to the outer surface of the electrode roll.

Abstract: There is disclosed a shrimp processing machine which includes a new and improved cam arrangement for splitting the shrimp shells open to thereby expose the sand vein of the shrimp to facilitate the deveining of the shrimp and ultimate separation of the shrimp meat from the shrimp shells. The machine includes a plurality of processing stations including a cutting station for cutting the shrimp lengthwise through the shrimp shells along the shrimp sand veins and an adjacent deveining station for removing the sand vein of the shrimp. A carrier means transfers the shrimp through the processing stations and includes cam actuated clamp means for gripping the shrimp shells. A cam means disposed between the cutting and deveining stations is arranged to controllably act upon the clamp means of the carrier to cause an increase in the grip pressure on the shrimp by the clamp means after the shrimp have been cut for splitting the shrimp shells open to thereby expose the sand vein of the shrimp to the deveining stations.

Abstract: An assembly of a bearing unit with inner and outer members and rolling elements between them and a universal joint member, with a retaining element which has been deformed to hold the members together and removal of which to permit dismantling of the assembly leaves at least one of the members undamaged and fit for further service. Torque transmission between the members may be by way of tapered splines.

Abstract: A tennis ball conforming to the 1968 regulation of the International Federation of Lawn Tennis comprises a hollow elastic core and an improved cover bonded to the core by an adhesive mixture. The cover has a specific weight less than 0.22 g/cm.sup.3 and includes a proportion of relatively thick monofilament fibers such that the percentage-weighted average denier size of all fibers in the cover is at least 18. The cover improves the playing characteristics and the effective life of the ball.

Abstract: A dilation device for dilating or blocking vessels and other body cavities with a catheter having an expandable element. The expandable element is a balloon-type dilation element having a pressure volume relationship which is non-linear. A pressure source is provided which supplies a pulsating pressure to the expandable element for alternating expansion and contraction of said element.

Abstract: A multi-stage hot water heating apparatus provided with a burner utilizing combustible fuel. The apparatus has two or more tanks juxtaposed to each other and having a containment shell. One or more of said tanks having a hollow annular construction provided with a central flue opening. The tanks are arranged in conjunction with the containment shell to define a serial flow path for the passage of hot combustion gases to obtain maximum extraction of heat from the hot gases. The exhausted gases are vented through a stack connected through an imperforate coupler to the flue opening of one of the hollow annular tanks. Means are provided to space the tanks concentrically to each other to define a series of horizontal and annular plenums to form a substantial portion of the flow path.

Abstract: A handgun holding device having a baseplate and a pair of angle brackets rigidly mounted on the baseplate to rigidly engage opposite sides of the handgun's handgrip to maintain the handgun in position during cleaning or repair while allowing ready access to all regions of the handgun. Other preferred embodiments include handgun holding devices having lateral support brackets for rigidly engaging opposite sides of the handgrip, and barrel supports mounted to the baseplate to supportably engage the handgun's barrel.

Abstract: Two novel trifluoromethyl-substituted chromogenic crown ethers are disclosed, 4'-(2",6"-dinitro-4" trifluoromethylphenyl) aminobenzo-15-crown-5 and 4'-(2",4"-dinitro-6"-trifluoromethylphenyl) aminobenzo-15-crown-5. These compounds are useful as reagents for the extraction and spectrophotometric determination of potassium in the presence of sodium. The compounds, their methods of manufacture, and methods of utilizing the compounds for the analysis of potassium are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A sewing machine is described comprising a mechanism arranged to convert movement signals generated by a decoder unit into movements of a feed dog for the fabric with the main characteristic of the machine being that said mechanism comprises a plurality of levers; a selector unit which is controlled by the decoder unit and selects one of said levers, to place this latter in a working position; a member angularly coupled to a control shaft for the dog and angularly positionable in a predetermined angular position by the selected lever; and a dragging element controlled by said decoder unit and arranged to move the member from its predetermined angular position towards an angular reference position.

Abstract: Ion exchange resins can be prepared by co-polymerizing a major amount (>88 mol %) of non-ionic acrylic monomer, such as methyl methacrylate, with a minor amount (3 to 12 mol %) of an ionogenous monomer such as methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride or 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid. The resultant anion-conductive or cation conductive membranes exhibit low swelling in water and high ion-transference numbers. The membranes may be applied as coatings on neural prosthesis electrodes.

Abstract: There are described compounds of formula I ##STR1## in which X is --CN, --CONH.sub.2, --CSNH.sub.2, ##STR2## or --CO.sub.2 R.sub.3, R is H or alkyl C 1 to 8,R.sub.1 and R.sub.3, which may be the same or different, are each alkyl C 1 to 8, andR.sub.2 is H or alkanoyl C 2 to 8,and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof.There are also described processes for producing the compounds, and pharmaceutical, e.g. immunoregulant, compositions containing them.

Abstract: A toggle bolt assembly has a solid toggle head which is threadedly mounted on a cylindrical helical coil spring coaxially attached to the end of a threaded bolt, the coils of the spring having an outer diameter and a pitch which correspond substantially to those of the threads of the bolt, so that the spring forms a flexible extension of the threads of the bolt. With the toggle head mounted on the spring near the free end thereof, the spring can easily be bent to position the toggle head adjacent the bolt and substantially parallel thereto, thus permitting the entire assembly to be passed through an opening in the member in which it is to be installed. As soon as the toggle head has passed entirely through the hole, the resiliency of the spring causes it to straighten out, thus positioning the toggle head across the opening on the blind side of the hole.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible carrier for transporting items of luggage, and the like, including an elongated base member having wheels at the outer ends thereof for supporting the carrier for movement over a support surface. A plurality of laterally spaced sockets are provided in the base member for receiving the lower ends of laterally spaced, upwardly extending frame portions. Spring clips having detents thereon extend through openings in the lower ends of the frame portions and secure the frame portions in the sockets. The frame portions are in sections which telescope within each other to collapse the carrier. The frame portions are held in extended positions either by an auxiliary frame member which spreads the sections or by a spring clip. One or more support frame members, which are pivotally mounted on the base member for movement between operative and inoperative positions, support items to be transported on the carrier.

Abstract: An indexing conveyor system wherein a feed conveyor section receives items, which are rapidly dispensed from a source thereof, and transports the items, one behind the other, on a plurality of endless belts to a pivotal conveyor section. A counter counts the items moving on the pivotal conveyor section and effects rapid pivotal movement of the pivotal conveyor section when a predetermined number of items have been counted. The distal end of the pivotal conveyor section pivots between positions aligned first with one and then the other of a pair of elongated receiving conveyor sections arranged in tiers and each having a plurality of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced endless belts. A guard conveyor section closely overlies the pivotal conveyor section, is movable in unison therewith, and prevents items from being thrown off of the pivotal conveyor section when the latter pivots between its respective positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for braking an aircraft taxiing on the ground. According to the invention, if an abnormality such as hydroplaning or bursting of a non-braked wheel is detected, the speed most representative of the real speed of the aircraft with respect to the ground is memorized. This memorized speed is regularly reduced to allow braking for the whole duration of the disturbance, avoiding locking or elimination of braking of the wheels of the main landing gear. The invention is more particularly applicable to the braking of wide-body aircraft.