Abstract: A silo bin is adapted for receiving lightweight articles such as empty bottles. The floor of each chamber has a selectively operable shutter or aperture allowing the lightweight articles to be released into the next lowest bin such that the articles are not crushed by their own weight. The height of each chamber is predetermined so that the lightweight articles will not be damaged when piled in a heap in each chamber. A conveyor may be provided beneath the silo bin for carrying away discharged containers.

Abstract: A bi-directional retainer for removably securing accessories such as a seat or a back rest to a wheelchair frame. The retainer includes a base mountable on a frame member and a slide mounted on the base for movement between two spaced operating positions. It also includes a spring disposed between the slide and the base providing an over the center action which urges the slide to remain in a selected operating position.

Abstract: An improved torsion type rear suspension system for a snowmobile. The suspension includes a pair of rails movable with respect to the snowmobile body and a pair of torsion springs disposed between the body and the rails for biasing the suspension toward its extended position. Also included is a cam block having a contoured cam surface which engages a leg of the torsion spring at a variable point of contact. As the suspension moves from the extended to the collapsed position, the effective length of the spring leg is reduced, resulting in a nonlinear change in spring force as a function of deflection. The cam block may be adjusted with respect to the suspension rails with an eccentric to permit additional adjustment of the spring force function to compensate for varying terrain, vehicle speed, and operator weight.

Abstract: An adjustable unit for the unscrambling and lined up delivery of empty containers (A) has a plurality of compartments (6) connected to a first rotary structure (7) to receive containers (A) in a lying position. The compartments (6) have an open bottom delimited by arrangements (11 and 12) for supporting the open end (A1) of the container (A) in the vicinity of the leading and trailing sides. A plurality of discharge chutes (8) associated with each structure (7) below each compartment (6) receives the containers (A) as they fall, and to thus transfer them in an upright position and in a lined up arrangement onto another equipment. A supporting stationary floor (9) is interposed between the compartments (6) and said chutes (8), with a discharge gap (10) for supporting the open end (A1) of the container (A) in the vicinity of said leading side of the compartment (6).

Abstract: A controllable vortex generator for reducing aerodynamic drag when vortex generation is not desired. The vortex generator includes a fin having a fixed forward portion and an aft portion which is movable between deflected and undeflected positions. At least a portion of the fin is formed of a memory shape alloy. The fin is attached to a base mountable to a surface such as the wing skin of an aircraft. An electrical resistance heating element is bonded to the fin and a controllable source of electric power is connected to the element. When the fin is heated by the element to a temperature equal to or greater than the transformation temperature of the alloy, the movable portion of the fin will move from a deflected position to an undeflected position, thereby reducing drag caused by the vortex generator.

Abstract: An integrated cabinet door and drawer handle and lock provides a front piece having apertures for receipt of a cabinet door or drawer lock and a human hand. Optionally, a wire pull handle can be provided. A backing plate having a transverse lip thereon is adapted for telescoping interaction with the front piece. A cabinet door or drawer having a portion cut out therefrom for receipt of the integrated handle and lock is clamped between the front piece and backing plate such as by screws. Multiple locks can be incorporated into the integrated structure.