Abstract: The invention relates to a collapsible shelter comprising a cloth of supple, sheet-like material and of at least one frame for stretching the sheet-like material, said frame being provided with at least one hub and with rods having high bending strength, said rods being hingably connected to the hub, in a plane perpendicular to the hub, and being hingable relative to the hub beyond a dead center, at least a number of said rods being connected at their free ends with the sheet-like material. The shelter includes a pull cord which is secured at one of its ends to the material and is positioned through a cord eyelet mounted at the free end of the rod so that the material can be pulled outward from the hub toward the free end of the rod, with the other end of the cord being releasably secured in a clamp located on the rod between the eyelet and the hub.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in connection with a telecommunication between a local telephone and a remote telephone, which are capable of detecting whether one of the parties to the communication has attempted to initiate a three-way, i.e., conference, call by using a hook-flash signal. The apparatus includes a low pass filter for passing energy having frequencies below about 500 Hz, and an energy detector for detecting a specific electrical energy pulse characteristic of the hook-flash having passed through the low pass filter. The existence of the hook-flash is confirmed by digital signal processing equipment which identifies a rapid drop-off in energy also characteristic of the hook-flash signal. Optionally, the hook-flash may be further confirmed by including software for cooperating with the energy detector to ascertain whether sound has occurred in the telecommunication during a predetermined period following the first hook-flash signal.

Abstract: A simple, efficient apparatus for deploying non-metallic tubing in an oil and gas well comprising a suspension system including one or more continuous support members attached to at least one bottom portion of the tubing and attached to the well head in a manner to alleviate the load which would otherwise be borne by the upper portion of the tubing. Additional guides or centralizers are used periodically along the length of the tubing to reduce helical wrapping of the suspension which could cause compressive forces resulting in tubing failure or collapse.

Abstract: A process for the separation and purification of fat-containing waste water including the step of adding an effective flocculating and oxidizing amount of a composition including:10-30% acetic acid5-20% peracetic acid15-25% hydrogen peroxide1-10% phosphoric acidbal. waterThe process may also include the addition of ferrous sulfate or other source of ionic iron to accelerate the action of the peracetic acid composition.

Abstract: A coupling device or "quick coupler" which permits the rapid connecting and disconnecting of implements to an earth-working device having a hoe boom comprising at least one primary lifting arm fitted for a hinge pin and a "curling linkage" mechanism having either two idler links and a power link, or a single part functioning as an idler link interacting with a power link, either alternative being powered by hydraulic cylinder(s) and fitted for a link pin. The quick coupler has a housing, which can be temporarily attached to the hoe boom using the hinge and link pins or can be built into the hoe boom itself, and which contains a connection for attaching the coupling device to a variety of implements. The effective operating distance or range of motion of the connector can be adjusted so that the coupler can be used with various implements having different center line distances between the hinge and link pins.

Abstract: A method is provided for the stabilization and control of the two-phase flow of hot fluid containing water issuing from the top of an upwardly rising conduit or riser of a horizontal oil-production well. The fluid enters the bottom of the riser at a temperature higher than the saturation temperature of water at the conditions prevailing at the top of the riser. A first mass rate flow controller is coupled to a mass rate flow detector at the top of the well for controlling mass flow at a substantially constant rate over a short time interval. Signals indicative of the optimal flow rate for the process are input to a second controller. The second controller adjusts the mass flow rate setpoint of the first controller. The second controller has a time constant significantly longer than that of the first controller.

Abstract: License management systems and methods allow licenses for a computer program to be available for use at each of a plurality of nodes of a network. If a valid license file at a local node contains an unexpired, available license, a license manager at the local node permits the computer program to be executed at the requesting local node. If no such license is available in a valid license file at such local node, the license manager searches the other nodes for a valid license file containing an unexpired, available license. In one embodiment, if an unexpired available license is located in a valid license file at a second (or "remote") node, the license manager transfers such license to the local node, and assigns and encrypts a unique identification to such transferred license. The original record of the transferred license is modified by erasing it from the license file at the remote node so that the transferred license is no longer available there.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective cytotoxic amount of: ##STR1## Wherein R represents Ac or H; R' represents: ##STR2## OH; and R" represents: ##STR3## these new compounds demonstrate surprising tubulin binding activity and cytotoxicity.

Abstract: A vaccine for the prophylaxis of dermatophyte infection in animals, such as horses and guinea pigs, comprising a suspension of two strains of killed T. equinum in an effective amount combined with an adjuvant. The vaccine of the invention contains advantages over prior art dermatophyte vaccines in that it reduces the risk of infection in inoculated animals and persons utilizing the vaccine and provides cross-immunity to dermatophytes other than T. equinum.

Abstract: A vaccine for the prophylaxis of dermatophyte infection in animals, such as guinea pigs, cats, rabbits, horses and lambs comprising a suspension of killed T. equinum, T. mentagrophytes (var. granulare), M. canis and M. gypseum in an effective amount combined with an adjuvant. The vaccine of the invention contains advantages over prior art dermatophyte vaccines in that it reduces the risk of infection in inoculated animals and persons utilizing the vaccine and provides cross-immunity.

Abstract: Open frame, inverted-T-shaped trusses are provided between self-supporting clarifier units to support the units in liquid having solids therein flowing in a clarifier basin. In a first embodiment, each truss has three pipes which form part of a longitudinally extending base. A longitudinal spine extends up from the base to a fourth pipe which directly supports an outlet trough. Spaced supports extend transversely to form three-sided corners which receive an end of a clarifier unit. A bar extends between the spaced supports to hold the units in the corners. In a second embodiment, the truss is provided with a closed spine which serves as a head barrier at an inlet end of the basin.

Abstract: A gas-fired construction heater which meets the applicable ANSI Standard and operates to supply heated air separately from products of combustion. The products of combustion are permitted to contain no more than a specified percent of carbon monoxide when uncontrolled heater operating conditions are within predetermined ranges. The uncontrolled operating conditions include variations in input rate and supply voltage. A combustion chamber produces the products of combustion and has primary and secondary combustion zones. A heat exchanger receives the products of combustion and transfers heat therefrom to fresh air to be heated. The chamber and the heat exchanger define a tertiary combustion zone. Inlets supply a separate natural combustion draft to each of the primary and tertiary combustion zones. The inlets include a first and a third fixed-area inlet for respectively supplying the separate natural drafts to the primary and tertiary combustion zones.

Abstract: An economical method for converting a compression type refrigeration system designed for the use of R-12 refrigerant, comprising an evaporator, a compressor rated for R-12, a condenser, and a receiver, to the use of R-22 refrigerant without replacing the compressor or other major pieces of equipment. The retrofit comprises the installation of a pressure regulator in the suction line to the compressor and the balancing of the regulator to the operating limitations of the compressor motor; the installation of a line into the body of the compressor sufficient to inject liquid refrigerant into the compressor for cooling purposes; and the attachment of a desuperheating control to the refrigerant injection line to control the amount of refrigerant injected based upon the temperature inside the compressor. In many embodiments it is also advisable to install a pressure regulator at the outlet of the evaporator to maintain design temperature in the evaporator.

Abstract: A plate working machine comprising a metal plate supporting table (1), a pair of rails (2, 3) extending along the sides of the table (1), a driven support means (4) for travel along the rails (2, 3), said support means comprising a spaced pair of support beams (5, 6) extending from one rail (2) to the other (3) and joined at either end by cross members (7, 8). A drilling assembly (9) is mounted on tracks (10, 11) mounted on the beams (5, 6) and a plasma profiling head (12) is carried by the drilling assembly (9) and extends over the beam (6) and downwardly towards a position adjacent the table (1).

Abstract: Torsional stress of a cyclist's leg is minimized by providing spaced limit surfaces on opposing parts of a cycle pedal and a shoe cleat that are designed for step-in, twist-out engagement. Floating adjusters, in the form of threaded rods, are rotated to select the effective width of spaces between the spaced limit surfaces. The full width of the space allows full floating rotation of the cleat relative to the pedal, whereas adjustment of the rods selects smaller floating rotating of the cleat relative to the pedal. The spaced limit surfaces and the rods are provided in LOOK and SAMPSON types of step-in, twist-out pedals.

Abstract: Electrodynamic separation of non-ferromagnetic, free-flowing materials, in which at least one component of the material to be processed is electrically conductive, whereby such material is caused to free-fall into a region of space permeated by time and space varying magnetic fields which induce eddy currents in the electrically conductive particles which produce forces on such particles that result in substantially different free-fall trajectory than that of nonconductive particles. Conductive particles are separated on the basis of mass, electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility. The time and space varying magnetic fields are generated by a plurality of permanent magnets or electromagnets attached to a rotor assembly such that the polarity of adjacent magnets is caused to reverse so that rotation of the rotor assembly generates magnetic fields which may vary in time and space to the maximum extent.

Abstract: A hub for providing an articulating interconnection between the ends of tent frame struts, comprising a base member and a cap member rotatably interconnected by a common axis of rotation to form an encasement having a plurality of interior cavities equally spaced radially from the common axis, a like plurality of elongated windows each having top and side framing portions and a sill, each in communication with one of the cavities, a like plurality of radial slots in the base member in respective communication with one of the said windows and a like plurality of sockets, each having a spherical terminating end portion and disposed in each of said cavities.

Abstract: An auxiliary burner provides supplemental thermal energy to a vehicle having a room and domestic water to be heated. The auxiliary burner operates efficiently at a rated thermal output when it is operated for at least the duration of a minimum operational cycle. A reservoir contains heat transfer liquid having a selected thermal energy storage capacity, measured by the amount of thermal energy required to heat the liquid from a minimum to a maximum operating temperature. The heat transfer liquid receives heat from the auxiliary burner. The thermal energy storage capacity is selected so that the auxiliary burner must operate at its rated thermal output for at least the duration of the minimum desired operational cycle to provide the selected thermal energy storage capacity to the reservoir.

Abstract: A knife for skinning and cutting animal carcasses or the like having a blade and a handle inclined relative to the blade with upper and lower handle portions located on opposite sides of a blade portion and a rearwardly inclined skinning slot on the blade.

Abstract: A bicycle pedal is mounted on a spindle secured to a crank arm. A pedal platform has a stepped upper surface. A cycling shoe is provided with a cleat section extending under the ball area of the cyclist's foot. The cleat section is provided with a stepped surface that is complementary with the stepped surface of the pedal. These complementary stepped surfaces include risers and steps that interlock or matingly engage when the shoe is pressed downwardly onto the pedal. When the risers of the shoe and the pedal matingly engage, they permit rearward and downward thrust of the shoe against the pedal to rotate the crank arm in the customary direction for driving a chain of the bicycle. Apertures provided in the pedal between the risers permit debris from the stepped surface of the shoe to fall through the pedal and not interfere with the mating engagement of the pedal with the shoe.