Abstract: A flexural spring support for a vibratory apparatus comprises a substantially stationary first member, a second member disposed opposite and spaced from said first member and intended to undergo translating motion in a plane, and a plurality of elongated flexural springs coupling said members to one another. Each spring is provided at its ends with a respective flange, the underside of which is in forced engagement with the surface of the associated member. Adjustable fastening means cause the engagement pressure to be of such magnitude as to prevent relative motion between the flange and member surface when said first member undergoes motion, thereby substantially eliminating fretting corrosion previously manifest at the springs. In addition, each spring is configured to form a clamped clamped constant strain tapered beam.

Abstract: Polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as methyl methacrylate can be initiated in solutions containing monomer and a special non-polymeric initiator with intense ultrasound. The number average molecular weight of the poly(methyl methacrylate) that forms is about 300,000 gmol.sup.-1 as compared with polystyrene standards. The conversion of the polymerization is about 50% for poly(methyl methacrylate). Variations of the polymerization rate with time and the amount of the initiator are explained by a simple reaction mechanism.

Abstract: A cable truss system for providing support for underground drifts in geologic structure in a first stage from anchor members secured in the geologic structure for leaving end portions in the drift to which a first system of supports are secured to engage on the geologic structure disturbed by the drift formation, and cable truss members connected to the first system of supports for establishing a second stage of support for the geologic structure disturbed by the drift formation.

Abstract: A flexural spring support for a vibratory apparatus comprises a unitary metal body which includes a substantially stationary member, an oppositely disposed spaced member intended to move in a plane, and a plurality of flexural spring beams coupling the members to one another. Each flexural spring beam is constructed as a substantially constant strain tapered beam.

Abstract: An apparatus (110) is provided for cutting the skin (S) of a piece of fruit (F) so it can be peeled off, and making a core cut (C) through the middle of the fruit. A base plate (112) has an upper surface for supporting a piece of fruit in a position in which it can be cut and cored. An inner cutting blade (120) and an outer cutting blade (122) are movable from a first position above the piece of the fruit toward the cutting board. These blades are coaxially aligned with each other. The outer blade is a circular blade which cuts through the skin of the fruit so it can be peeled off. Peel cutting blades (162) extend outwardly from the outer blade to slice the peel so that it may be removed. The peel cutting blades and outer blade are removably secured to apparatus for simple changing of the blades. A handle mechanism is used to simultaneously move the blades.

Abstract: A computer based book manufacturing, distributing and retailing system for the high speed reproduction of a single copy of a book is disclosed. The system is especially adapted for direct consumer sales since the manufacture of a selected book can take place at the point of sale. A master module includes a computer having a database of books to be selected, the books preferably being stored in a digital book-description format. Upon selection of a particular book from the database, a single copy of the book (including the text and a color cover) is printed by means of high speed raster printing engines. The system includes a binder for binding the text pages and the cover into a book.

Abstract: A modular cushion comprising a shaped base which has a flat rear portion and a raised front portion with angularly directed valleys and a raised pommel to direct weight to the thighs and in combination with a resilient pad positioned on the flat portion of the base to relieve pressure on the ischial and trochanters and in combination with a cover having a non-skid undersurface and a portion of the top being two-way stretchable. The resilient pad may be of inflatable cells having a pyramidal shape with a flattened top. A U-shaped restraining member may be positioned at the front of the base with upwardly projecting sides to retain the legs of the user.

Abstract: A poultry feeder (10) comprising a generally vertically disposed feed tube (18) adapted to be installed on a generally horizontal feed conveyor tube (14) for receiving feed from the feed conveyor tube. The feed tube has an upper portion (26) fixed with respect to the feed conveyor tube and a lower portion (27) movable axially with respect to the upper portion between an extended position (as shown in FIG. 5) and a collapsed position (FIG. 6). A feed pan (23) is disposed below the bottom end of the feed tube for receiving feed.

Abstract: A linear actuator of the present invention includes a hollow drive tube. A slip clutch having front and rear camming surfaces is housed in the tube for rotation about an longitudinal axis. The slip clutch is axially fixed in the tube by a shoe. The slip clutch threadably receives a threaded shaft which is connected to a gear motor to be driven thereby. The shaft has stop nuts at either end, each of which has a camming surface which mates with a respective camming surface of the slip clutch. When the shaft is rotated by the motor, it rotates in the slip clutch. The slip clutch frictionally engages the drive tube, via the shoe, so that the tube will move linearly. When the slip clutch is engaged by one of the stop nuts, the slip clutch will free wheel in the tube and the tube will cease its linear movement. The slip clutch will continue to rotate in the tube till the motor is stopped or its direction is reversed.

Abstract: A compact antifriction bearing fits around a journal at the end of an axle for a rail car. The journal extends from an intervening section of the axle, and the intervening section in turn projects from a still larger main section, there being fillets where the sections merge. A backing ring fits against the fillet at the end of the journal, while an end cap fits over the opposite end of the journal. The bearing includes two cones which are clamped between the end cap and backing ring, a double cup surrounding the cones, and tapered rollers arranged in two rows between raceways on the cones and on the cup. The ends of the bearing are closed by seals which are fitted to the cup and cone. The thicker intervening section of the axle is extended in comparison to its counterparts on traditional axles, and the backing ring extends axially along the journal generally no further than the location at which the fillet emerges from the main body of the journal.

Abstract: A cable bolt mine roof crib for support and stabilization of roof rocks employing a series of cable bolts and/or cable members through a cribbing frame for actively supporting the roof and area surrounding an underground opening. The support imposes a restraint on geologic movement of the roof by the placement of rock anchors on the ends of cables at depth through the rock mass. The anchor portions of the cable bolts are placed beyond the zone of failure that would normally take place around an underground opening. The roof crib provides a bearing area for the roof rock which limits deformation and offers support by suspension to maintain interlock of rock fragments of the roof of the underground opening. The strength and length of cable bolts can be adjusted to fit initial tectonic load conditions and subsequent loads placed upon the opening by adjacent mining.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for easy and reliable manufacture of a silencer constructed with a multi-perforated inner tube and an outer tube, between which a sound-absorbing material such as glass wool, etc. is filled in, without use of a binding agent, etc. The invention is also directed to provide an apparatus for use in the manufacture of such silencer.

Abstract: A package for protecting objects, such as cans of hazardous material, during shipment includes a box and inserts located at opposite ends of the box. Each insert includes a pad of honeycomb and a wrap surrounding the pad. The pad along one of its facer sheets is cut to define a region where the honeycomb is crushed and the facer sheet is depressed so as to provide a pocket in the pad. The wrap for that insert has an opening which aligns with the pocket. The ends of the object fit through the openings in the wraps and into the pockets of the pads. Thus, the crushed honeycomb of the pads serves as cushions which confine the object axially within the box, whereas the wraps confine the object laterally within the box. The pads extend into the corners of the box, but the wraps do not, so that impacts delivered to the corners are absorbed by the pads and are not transmitted through the wraps.

Abstract: In a rotary earth drill in which sockets are welded to and spaced around a head and drill bits are removably mounted in the sockets, the sockets having a surface exposed to abrasion when the drill is rotated in the earth, a shield in the form of a shroud or jacket is provided, removably mounted on the socket, and extending around the otherwise exposed surface of the socket to protect the socket surface from abrasion. When the shield itself becomes worn, it can easily be removed, in much the way in which the bits are removed, and replaced. In order to accommodate the weld by which the socket is secured to the drill head, the shield is provided with a slot, open at at least one end. The slot is wide enough to permit side edges defining the slot to straddle the weld.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for controlling the current profile (P2) in a single or polyphase SRM (M) during the active portion of a phase. Switches (S1, S2) are closed during an active portion of a phase to direct current flow into a winding (W). A Hall effect sensor (14) and other sensors are used to sense various operating parameters of the SRM. A PWM signal generator (16), or microprocessor (20) is responsive to the sensor inputs to provide PWM operating signals (G2) to at least one of the switches to control current flow to the winding. The operating signals modulate the switch(es) for switch operation to be controlled as a function of the signal characteristics of the operating signals. This allows the current supply to the winding to be in accordance with the current profile. According to the profile, current flow is initially rapidly increased from zero to a peak value (I.sub.p ') when the phase becomes active. The current is then allowed to decrease from this peak to a second and lesser value (I.sub.

Abstract: A seal for a bearing having a rotating outer race and fixed inner race, closes the annular space between the two races and further excites a sensor which delivers a signal that reflects the angular velocity of the outer race. The seal has outer and inner cases and elastomeric sealing elements bonded to the cases. The outer race fits into a bore that opens out of the outer race and its seal element contacts the inner case along the inner race. The inner case fits over the inner race and its seal element is directed outwardly toward the outer case and outer race. In addition, the seal has an encoder ring which is secured to the outer case and presents a radial wall containing disruptions which excite the sensor when the disruptions move past the sensor as the encoder ring rotates with the outer race.

Abstract: A system (10) for friend-or-foe identification (IFF) comprises an interrogator unit (18) carried on a first platform (T1) for generating and transmitting a laser beam. A control unit (22) selectively directs the transmitted laser beam toward a second platform (T2). A coding/decoding unit (28) encodes an IFF interrogator message with which a portion of the transmitted laser beam is modulated. A laser reflector (30) carried on the second platform receives the coded laser beam. The reflector is a normally passive reflector which is activated by receipt of the transmitted laser beam. The reflector responds to the IFF message contained in the received laser beam by modulating the unmodulated portion of the transmitted laser beam. This newly modulated portion of the laser beam is reflected back toward the first platform. The coding/encoding unit decodes on the first platform receives and the response, and determines if it corresponds to a predetermined response which identifies the second platform as a "friend".