Abstract: A dispenser for viscous fluids such as plastisol inks includes a frame, a plunger mechanism having a plunger that is adapted to engage a container containing the fluid, and a drive mechanism for vertically advancing the plunger into the container. The plunger includes a central opening attached to a hose for dispensing the fluid in the desired quantities.

Abstract: An insulating construction form consisting of a pair of spaced apart panels and a plurality of ties is applied to the building of structural walls. The tie members include pairs of resilient retainer arms, which define a series of adjacent receptacles. A reinforcing bar is typically inserted into the receptacles and its displacement therefrom is inhibited by abutment surfaces. Markings are positioned on each panel to guide the attachment of a cladding. In one aspect, the construction form serves for the formation of a corner, wherein a vertical rod is positioned for the attachment of the cladding. In another aspect, the panels includ a plurality of openings made at the time of manufacture.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump has a pair of inlets each with a pair of outlets. The inlets and outlets are arranged to balance the forces on the motor. The flow from the outlets of each pair may be combined to maximize flow or separated to reduce power consumption by recirculating the flow from the outlet to the inlet.

Abstract: A transport assembly for transporting an object axially along a rail of a ladder. The assembly comprises a platform for supporting the object at a selected axial position. A coupling mechanism is employed to slidably connect the platform to the rail. The coupling mechanism includes a locking mechanism and a connector for connecting the coupling mechanism to the platform. Axial displacement of the object along the rail is such that the locking mechanism permits relative axial displacement of the assembly with respect to the rail in a first direction, and inhibits the relative axial displacement in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a pair of correspondents C,S to permit the exchange of information therebetween, each of the correspondents having a respective private key, e, d and a public key, Qu, and Qs derived from a generator element of a group and a respective ones of the private keys e,d, the method comprising the steps of: a first of the correspondents C generating a session value x; the first correspondent generating a private value t, a public value derived from the private value t and the generator and a shared secret value derived from the private value t and the public key Qs of the second correspondent; the second correspondent generating a challenge value y and transmitting the challenge value y to the first correspondent; the first correspondent in response thereto computing a value h by applying a function H to the challenge value y, the session value x, the public value an of the first correspondent; the first correspondent signing the value h utilizing the private key e; the first correspondent

Abstract: A ladle is equipped with properly positioned side and bottom injectors for enhanced steel decarburization in a vacuum tank degasser. To facilitate the circulation of liquid steel in the tank the bottom injectors are positioned in a common segment in order to create a single loop of liquid flow. To enlarge the surface area exposed to vacuum, and to increase the active surface area, supplementary gas flow is provided by side injectors located at the upper sidewall. The active surface area is enhanced by breaking bubbles released from side injectors.

Abstract: A multiple-acting powder metal press is disclosed for making green form double helical gear compacts. The press has inner and outer lower punches, and an upper, outer punch. The upper and lower outer punches have left hand and right hand external helical profiles as chosen to produce a desired helical gear. The punches co-operate with left hand and right hand helical dies carried by the press about the punches. The helical faces require that the dies rotate relative to the punches during operation. A cam and roller mechanism may drive this rotation. The compact forming process commences with an open position in which powder is introduced to a vacant lower die cavity. The upper portions of the press advance downward to close the cavity. All parts of the press except the lower inner, or transfer, punch then move downward at the same speed to transfer powder to the extremities of the cavity. When transfer is complete both lower punches may be stopped, while the upper punches continue to advance.

Abstract: A railing component has a tubular metal body with a non-uniform cross section. The body is formed by hydroforming and has a coating applied to the exterior. A pattern is applied to the coating to simulate a wood grain. The interior of the tubular body is filled with foam and plugs are provided at opposite ends for connection to other railing components.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of branched graft polymers comprises acylating a first polymer and grafting thereto a second polymer, the second polymer having reactive groups capable of being bound to the acyl groups on the first polymer. The acylation and grafting steps can be repeated to produce graft polymers having a dendritic architecture. The invention also provides polymers produced by the above process, which may be simple branched (comb) polymers, or dendritic polymers.

Abstract: An assistive device for persons with an injured or disabled leg includes a main body comprising a crutch to which is pivotally attached a supporting structure. To assist the person in walking, the device can be used as crutch in the known manner, and the supporting structure is maintained in the same plane as the crutch. When the person wishes to be seated, one end of the device is placed on the seat adjacent the person and the supporting structure of the device is pivoted out of the plane of the crutch to provide a support for the opposite end.

Abstract: This apparatus comprises a rigid half circular headclamp, three fixation pins to firmly secure the clamp to the patient's skull, a connector to firmly secure the clamp to a surgical table on which the patient rests, an articulate arm including clampable joints, secured to the headclamp in one of several possible positions and a double chuck secured to the distal end of the articulated arm. The double chuck has two ball collets arranged in side by side cavities in the chuck body, and two locking screws for each ball collet. A first locking screw releasably locks the ball collet in a selected orientation, a second separate locking screw releasably locks in an adjusted axial position an elongated instrument inserted through said collet. The first and second locking screws are actuated independently of each other. A computer guided probe and a large number of surgical instruments can be slidably inserted within the ball collets and locked in an adjusted axial position and in a selected orientation.

Abstract: A conveyor system for accurate weighing of a material where all system components are integrated as a single unit and are mounted on either a first or a second frame portion. A trailer hitch and a pair of wheels mounted on the first frame portion provide a portability feature of the conveyor system. The conveyor system consists of the first portion of the frame adjustable to a true horizontal orientation and the second frame portion is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the first frame portion. A continuous conveyor belt is disposed around the second frame portion and is supported by a series of support roller assemblies on the upper portion of the belt, and by a series of return rollers on the lower portion of the belt. The upper and lower portions of the conveyor belt travel in opposite directions with respect to one another around the second frame portion during operation of the conveyor system. A hydraulic drive system is mounted on the first frame portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a concrete building panel comprising a slab having top and bottom flanges and side flanges generally defining a box, and a plurality of ribs extending between the top and bottom flanges and being parallel to the side flanges. The panels of the invention can be used to form the walls, floor or roof of a building.

Abstract: While acquiring a tomographic image, the position of patient's head is continuously measured and recorded. For this purpose, several cameras (5) are arranged at the tomograph (1). They measure the position of a reference device (4), which is mounted to the teeth of the patient's upper jaw. Infrared-diodes are arranged on the reference device (4), the position of which is recorded by the cameras (5). This allows to measure the movements of the patient and to compensate for them when generating the tomographic image.

Abstract: A device for controlling the conveyance of particulate material on a conveyor belt comprises a frame with an endless belt attached thereto. The apparatus is positioned above the conveyor belt and in frictional contact therewith whereby the motion of the conveyor results in motion of the endless belt on the apparatus. The particulate material thereby is passes between the endless belt and the conveyor belt and any bouncing movement of such material is prevented. Use of the present invention on conventional conveyor belts controls the dispersion of the particulate material carried thereon and allows for the speed of the conveyor to be increased. The present invention is suitable for use with a conveyor apparatus used with a truck and commonly known as a “stone slinger”.

Abstract: A hydroelectirc generator assembly for use in footwear includes a pair of fluid filled sacs contained in the sole of the footwear. The sacs are connected by conduits whereby, when the footwear is used for walking, fluid is transferred between the sacs, via the conduits. A turbine positioned between the conduits is rotated by the moving fluid thereby resulting in the generation of electricity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for visualizing internal images of an anatomical body. Internal images of the body are acquired by an ultrasound imaging transducer. The position and orientation of the ultrasound imaging transducer is tracked in a frame of reference by a spatial determinator. The position of the images in the frame of reference is determined by calibrating the ultrasound imaging transducer to produce a vector position of the images with respect to a fixed point on the transducer. This vector position can than be added to the position and orientation of the fixed point of the transducer in the frame of reference determined by the spatial determinator. The position and orientation of a medical instrument used on the patient are also tracked in the frame of reference by spatial determinators. The position and orientation of the instrument is mapped onto the position and orientation of the images.

Abstract: A hook for suspending from a support, such as a rod or wire, a retractable roof covering such as that used for greenhouses, comprises a generally C-shaped body including a pin for engaging the covering, a cavity for retaining the rod or wire, an opening for the cavity, and a means for locking the pin opposite of the opening.

Abstract: A composition for treating materials contaminated with hydrocarbon compounds comprises a protein component, a bulking agent and a microbial culture capable of metabolizing the hydrocarbon contaminants. The composition is mixed with the contaminated material and absorbs or adsorbs the contaminants thereby preventing leaching of same into the environment. The microbial culture allows for biodegradation of the contaminant thereby removing any environmental risk associated with the contaminated material. The protein component and bulking agent are preferably organic in nature and the microbial culture may be indigenous to the protein material. The invention also provides a method of treating hydrocarbon-contaminated material using a composition as described above. The invention is particularly suited for treating contaminated drill cuttings.

Abstract: A pre-stretch wrapping device consisting of a base, a pre-stretch station, a vertical drive, and a rotatable load causes a pre-stretched web to become wrapped around the load under controlled tension. The pre-stretch station comprises a pair of pre-stretch rollers located on a pivotal frame, a spring which opposes the pivotal movement of the frame relative to the base, a roller motor, and a sensor located between the frame and the base. The sensor monitors relative movement of the frame from the base and a controller in response to signals from the sensor controls the operation of the roller motor.