Abstract: A lane barrier system comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected modules adapted to be transferred on a roadway. Each adjacent pair of modules are pivotally connected together by hinge connections to permit the modules to pivot relative to each other about a vertical pivot axis. A pivot control connected to at least one of the hinge connections permits the pivot axis to move between the modules whereby the modules are capable of elongating or contracting to assume a composite varied length. The pivot control further functions to fix the position of the pivot axis between the modules to rigidify the lane barrier system longitudinally and to place it in tension when lateral loads are imposed thereon, such as when impacted by a road vehicle. The ability of the lane barrier system to elongate or contract is advantageous when the system is picked-up by a transfer vehicle for relocation on a roadway and when the system is positioned at various radii on a curved roadway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to perovskite mixed metal catalysts useful for the selective oxidation of ammonia to nitric oxide. In one aspect, the invention relates to a perovskite mixed metal catalyst of the general formula: ABO.sub.3 wherein:A is selected from alkali, alkaline earth, rare earth, lanthanide activide metals or mixtures thereof; andB is selected from an element or a combination of elements selected from Groups IB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB or VIII of the Periodic Table. Preferably, the perovskite phase for each catalyst has an equilibrium oxygen partial pressure at 1000.degree. C. of at least (about) 10.sup.-15 bar. A preferred embodiment is a catalyst wherein A is selected from lanthanum, strontium or mixtures thereof, and B is selected from cobalt, nickel, copper manganese or mixtures thereof. A method of preparing the selective perovskite catalyst is disclosed as are details of the process for the oxidation of ammonia to nitric oxide.

Abstract: A compact portable locking device designed primarily to be utilized in conjunction with coats, bicycles, skis and the like is disclosed. The device takes the form of a housing having two or more internal chambers. The housing has an upper hollow engaging cap portion and a lower complementary body portion where the cap portion and body portion together form the internal hollow volume having two or more chambers. One chamber includes the locking mechanism, a receptacle cavity which is accessible within the internal chamber or at a point through the housing, and an active locking element. A flexible securing member having one end permanently affixed to the lock unit within the chamber and the other end of the member having a pin which is adapted to enter the receptacle cavity of the lock unit and to interlock thereon. The second internal chamber is useful as a storage chamber for the flexible securing member when the lock is not in use.

Abstract: An elongated member having one arcuate shaped edge and on the opposite side a straight edge may be used to plant vegetative matter on a bank or hill. The elongated member is curved into a semi-circle and held in place by spikes so that a planting hole may be formed on the uphill side thereof.

Abstract: The healing of wounds is promoted by contacting the wound surfaces with a suspension of collagen and a glycosaminoglycan that is chemotactic for fibroblasts and/or endothelial cells. Typical glycosaminoglycans that exhibit the desired chemotaxis are heparin, heparan sulfate, and alginate. Two or more glycosaminoglycans can be present in the suspensions. Collagen is present in the suspension in the order of 7-10 mg/ml; while the glycosaminoglycan is present in such lower concentrations, e.g. 250-350 .mu./ml. Application of the collagen/glycosaminoglycan suspension to open wounds greatly increases the rate of healing.

Abstract: Apparatus for ionizing air molecules to suppress electrostatic charges in a room or for other purposes includes internal feedback which maintains a desired rate of ion production in the presence of electrode deterioration or other effects which could otherwise alter ion output. Production of air ions of a given polarity results in a ground return flow of electrical charges of opposite polarity from the high voltage generator at a rate corresponding to the rate of air ion output. The ground return current is monitored to produce an electrical feedback signal. A control circuit causes the high voltage generator to apply higher voltage to the electrode when the feedback signal decreases and to apply lower voltage to the electrode when the feedback signal increases. Such self-regulation of each individual electrode in systems having an array of electrodes that are otherwise jointly controlled acts to maintain a desired ratio of positive and negative ions in a room as well as a desired total ion concentration.

Abstract: A lane barrier system comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected modules adapted to be transferred on a roadway. Each module has sidewalls that taper upwardly and inwardly to intersect a T-shaped upper portion having undercut surfaces extending laterally outwardly from a central vertical axis of the module and past critical impact points on the module. The sidewalls and undercut surfaces are configured to aid in the precise deflection, guidance and "capturing" of the bumper of a passenger vehicle or light duty truck when the bumper impacts the module to prevent the vehicle from catapulting over the system. A reinforcement assembly is encased within a concrete casting of each module. Each adjacent pair of modules are pivotally connected together to permit them to elongate or contract to assume a composite varied length different than a normal, nominal length when a load is imposed thereon and to automatically return to their nominal length when the load is removed.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing solid snack foods and the like comprises a closed container defining a chamber adapted to be at least partially filled with a snack food. A measuring cup is mounted on the container for receiving a measured quantity of the snack food. A dispensing tray is pivotally mounted on the measuring cup to normally close an open bottom thereof and is moveable to an open position for discharging the measured quantity of foodstuff. An elongated screw is mounted in the container, between the chamber and measuring cup, and is adapted to be manually turned to convey the measured quantity of foodstuff into the measuring cup.

Abstract: A specimen collection apparatus particularly useful for urine samples. The apparatus includes a container or beaker and a screw on self-locking top that cannot be removed without damage to the top of the beaker.

Abstract: A hyperacuity testing method is suitably programmed for quantitatively measuring metamorphopsia of a patient's visual system, detecting and measuring metamorphopsia behind a media opacity, such as cataract, and detecting and measuring smaller amounts of metamorphopsia and other visual distortions than previously possible. The method comprises displaying at least two spaced and fixed first spots on a screen, along with a movable second spot. A patient is instructed to selectively move the second spot relative to the fixed first spots whereby the clinician is enabled to comparatively record separation distances and displacement of the second spot relative to the first spots.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging the thread (14) of a worm (13) from the teeth (17) of a worm gear (16). The worm (13) is mounted in a carrier block (47), disposed in a cavity (39) of a housing (12), from translatory movement towards and away from the worm gear. Springs (52) normally bias the worm away from engagement with the worm gear, while air pressure (34) is used to force the worm towards and into engagement with the worm gear. The cavity (39) and block (47) are tapered to prevent binding during movement of the block, and a spur gear drive is used to drive the worm (13) by motor (22), with the spur gears (18) and (19) being in mesh at all times during movement of the block (47).

Abstract: A microfilm aperture and handling machine has punched card reading and punching means, single means capable of both scanning and plotting microfilm images, a photographic developer station for developing plotted images, and control means enabling selective operation to read existing data carried by a card or to create data on a previously blank card. The machine integrates functions normally found only in separate machines. The single scanner/plotter means scans a microfilm image from the central axis of a cylindrical platen. The developer station injects chemicals into a chamber of which the microfilm emulsion area forms one wall by peripheral clamping.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an improved method for rapidly forming a decorative container for use as a covering for a similarly shaped object, which method comprises:(a) providing a thin sheet of metallized thermoplastic heat shrinkage polymer material;(b) optionally imprinting a design or other matter upon the sheet of polymer;(c) optionally cutting said sheet to the dimensions approximating the dimensions of the base and side walls of said object;(d) placing the sheet over a heated form having a temperature of between about 80.degree. and 110.degree. C.(e) placing a complementary heated form also having a temperature of between about 80.degree. and 110.degree. C.(f) fitting the heated forms of substep (d) and (e) together having the thermoplastic sheet therebetween;(g) maintaining the temperature of between about 80.degree. and 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A packaging system comprises a rolled-up bag generally assuming a spiraled configuration and defining an inflatable chamber therein adapted to be at least partially filled with a filler medium, such as pressurized air. A pouch is secured on the bag for retaining an article within the confines thereof. The bag is adapted to be pre-placed within a closeable box and the article then placed in the pouch, or, alternatively, the article can be placed in the bag, the bag rolled-up and then placed in the box. The bag is then inflated to at least substantially encapsulate and support the pouch and article within rolled-up portions of the bag.

Abstract: Inclined telescopic booms actuated and regulated from the ground with detachable rungs forming a level track between the telescopic booms. A two-stacked load carrier, both stages on crawler type endless tracks, wherein the lower stage of the load carrier spans multiple rungs and is supported by the rungs, and is operable independent of the rungs. The chassis on the lower load carrier is comprised of two sections which are adjustable horizontally. The upper stage of the load carrier upon which cargo is hauled operates so that it can move independently on the ground, ride peggyback on the lower stage and then move independently through a window or similar opening on into the interior of a building. The load carrier and the telescopic booms are raised and lowered by a cable which is guided and supported by an overhead clamp which can be attached to the window frame of a building, to a construction platform, or to a shelf such as in a wharehouse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integral flexible elastic support member for securely gripping an orthopedic device such as a cast on a leg or for attaching an artificial leg to the residual lower limb of a human being having at least one above the knee amputation. The supporting member includes an adjustable body encircling portion having free ends which have attachment means, for detachably connecting the free ends together, and at least one integrally formed flexible cylindrical elastic sleeve portion descending downwardly from the body encircling portion to grip and provide support for at least one artificial leg. Optionally, the orthopedic member additionally includes a V-shaped adductor panel on the surface of the device to assist in positioning and with control of forces. Optionally, the supporting member also includes an opening within the adductor panel region to assist in the management of the forces. VELCRO.RTM.

Abstract: A cryogenic thermometer using molecular luminescence determines temperature. A sensor material is used which is capable of emitting radiant energy from a spin multiplet when excited, the excited state being characterized by a large zero field splitting (ZFS), and in which two of the sublevels split by the ZFS are radiative in the visible or near infrared region and are optically resolvable from each other. Spin-lattice relaxation rates between the sublevels are much larger than the sublevel decay rates to other states in order that their populations remain close to thermal equilibrium during optical pumping. The relative intensity of the two bands of radiation is determined and the temperature calculated therefrom. Xanthione (XS) dissolved in n-hexane may be used as a sensor material in the optimum range of 3 to 10K, with estimated precision varying between 0.4 mK and 3.0 mK within this range.

Abstract: A composite structure comprises at least one ply comprising approximately parallel unidirected twines comprising helically-configured matrix-impregnated continuous strands of filament reinforcements to provide a flanged composite cantilever spring which serves as the principal constituent of a coupling structure. An interior ply of a coupling structure body member comprises unidirected longitudinal twines configured at a body member extremity to provide a flange member connected to a cantilever spring. An exterior ply is disposed transversely of and superimposed upon the interior ply to provide the cantilever spring hinge line. The composite cantilever spring can be constructed to deflect about either a straight or curved hinge line. A preferred tubular form of the coupling structure comprises at least one end configured as a polygonal array of flanged cantilever springs which serve as the socket end of a spring-lock coupling used to connect mating flanged spigot-end structures.

Abstract: A vapor recovery nozzle is connected to a fuel hose and to a vapor recovery hose. A ball and socket connection attaches each hose to the nozzle to permit the nozzle to swivel.

Abstract: A composite structure comprises at least one ply comprising approximately parallel unidirected twines comprising helically-configured matrix-impregnated continuous strands of filament reinforcements to provide a flanged composite cantilever spring which serves as the principal constituent of a coupling structure. An interior ply of a coupling structure body member comprises unidirected longitudinal twines configured at a body member extremity to provide a flange member connected to a cantilever spring. An exterior ply is disposed transversely of and superimposed upon the interior ply to provide the cantilever spring hinge line. The composite cantilever spring can be constructed to deflect about either a straight or curved hinge line. A preferred tubular form of the coupling structure comprises at least one end configured as a polygonal array of flanged cantilever springs which serve as the socket end of a spring-lock coupling used to connect mating flanged spigot-end structures.