Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of a specific immune serum by immunizing IAP in animals other than humans and absorbing the thus obtained serum with normal human serum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control mechanism for multi-speed bicycles in which operation of both the front and rear derailleurs is performed by a single lever.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting the surface layer of a body of liquid, e.g. a layer of oil on water comprises a first member defining a central passage which is upwardly open and is arranged in use with the opening at the level of the interface between the surface layer of liquid and the underlying layer, and a second member which defines with the first member an annular passage surrounding the central passage and provided with vanes which form the rotor of an axial pump when the two members are rotated about the axis of the central passage. This rotation causes the layer of liquid underlying the surface layer to be drawn towards the apparatus and downwardly through the annular passage to draw the surface layer of liquid into the central passage. Liquid in the central passage is pumped therefrom to a reservoir.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacement of the human knee joint, having separate femoral and tibial components which after implantation are freely relatively rotatable about a proximal-distal axis and are hingedly connected about a transverse axis posterior of the axis of rotational movement.

Abstract: A frame is provided which includes vertically adjustable main support arms for receiving a bar bell prior to exercising. The support arms include a unique combined brace and camming feature for guiding the bar clear of the support arms during exercising. The frame includes adjustable side frames which provide auxiliary safety support for a bar bell should an exerciser be unable to return the bar bell to the main support arms following exercising.

Abstract: An hydraulic pressure converter comprises a differential piston which works in a stepped bore in a housing. A pressure space is defined in the housing at the end of a portion of the piston which is of smaller area so that reciprocation of the piston in the bore causes hydraulic fluid to be drawn into the pressure space through a first one-way valve and then pumped to an outlet through a second one-way valve. Reciprocation of the piston is accomplished by subjecting the piston to pressure from a pump to move the piston in a first direction away from a stop face and against the force in a compression spring so that hydraulic fluid is drawn into the pressure space. A valve assembly is operative to reduce the force urging the piston in the first direction when the displacement attains a predetermined value whereafter the spring is operative to urge the piston in a second opposite direction to force fluid to the outlet from the pressure space.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a spring operated re-wind mechanism such, for example, as those used with pull cord type engine starters.

Abstract: In a vehicle disc brake of the single sided sliding reaction caliper type the drag on the friction pad assemblies is taken by a drag-taking member. The caliper is slidably mounted for movement relative to the disc on a guide in the form of a single pin which is located on the same side of the disc as that on which an actuator for the brake is located.

Abstract: In an hydraulic anti-skid braking system a pump having a liquid throughput which is adapted to increase with the rotational speed of the wheel is arranged to control operation of a modulator valve assembly for relieving the pressure supplied to the brake when the deceleration of a wheel exceeds a predetermined value. A sensing device for sensing the deceleration of wheel operates a control valve assembly which is provided to control the supply of operating fluid from the pump output to the modulator valve assembly.

Abstract: Cup handles made from clay have their seams removed by the handle being pushed along a passage of appropriate cross-section in a sponge. The sponge is washed after use by the introduction of water into the passage and by squeezing the sponge. The invention provides for the outer surface of the sponge to be treated all over to render it at least substantially impermeable to water. In use, when the sponge is squeezed, water is expelled only from the passage, and thus the uncontrolled flow of water encountered with sponges having permeable outer surfaces is avoided. Rigid plates may cover those parallel faces of the sponge into which the ends of the passage open, the plates having slots aligned with the ends of the passage. The sponges may be incorporated in a handle de-seaming machine operating cyclically.

Abstract: An anti-lock brake control system for a vehicle with braked wheels comprises a sensor to produce a signal proportional to the deceleration/acceleration of the braked wheel, a deceleration sensing switch to respond to the deceleration/acceleration signal by producing a brake pressure release pulse when deceleration of the wheel exceeds a predetermined threshold level, a charge storage device which is adapted so that it charges in a predetermined progressive manner while the brake pressure release pulse is produced and discharges at a predetermined decay rate, a comparator that compares the potential on the charge storage device with a reference potential and produces an extension brake pressure release pulse according to their relative values, and apparatus to vary one of said potentials in a manner dependent on acceleration of the wheel above a preset acceleration threshold so that the extension brake pressure release pulse is terminated by increasing wheel acceleration.

Abstract: This disclosure is of a surgically implantable prosthesis which is particularly intended for use as a replacement for a dysfunctional wrist joint.

Abstract: Disclosed is a urokinase preparation for oral administration which is effective for remedy of thrombosis such as cerebral thrombosis and cardiac infarction. This preparation comprises urokinase and, incorporated therein, an enzyme inhibitor.

Abstract: In a tandem servo booster provided with a pair of ties extending through the housing and diaphragm assemblies for transmitting braking reaction forces from the master cylinder housing directly to the vehicle bulkhead, the ties are tubular and are provided with axially spaced ports to provide fluid communication between pairs of alternate booster chambers. In another construction both ties provide fluid communication between the same two booster chambers, and the other two chambers are connected together by a tubular member which is secured to the diaphragm support plate of the front diaphragm assembly and extends rearwardly through a partition wall of the housing positioned axially between the two diaphragm assemblies.

Abstract: A descaling slurry is applied to a surface of an elongated metal strip from a nozzle array while the strip is moving in the direction of its length. The nozzle array is positioned in spaced relation to the strip surface and extends transversely to the strip at an acute angle so that the individual slurry streams emanating from the nozzles do not intersect and strike the strip in a line at the same acute angle as the nozzle array. The nozzles of the array are directed toward the strip surface at an acute spray angle in the direction of movement of the strip.

Abstract: A fixture for use in bonding friction linings to platforms of brake shoes comprises an arcuate support against which the lining and the platform are compressed together by a spring assembly acting on the web of the shoe. The fixture preferably accommodates two opposed shoes simultaneously, with the shoes being urged apart by a single spring assembly to urge the linings into engagement with a single loop of this flexible metal band constituting the support.

Abstract: Mechanical handling equipment comprises a lift truck and a self powered pallet truck which is lifted into a trailer, etc. to be loaded by the lift truck with the load. The pallet truck is then remotely controlled by the lift truck driver to position the load at a desired location in the trailer.

Abstract: A vehicle drum brake has a shoe mounted on a back plate, one end of the shoe engaging an actuator and the other end engaging an abutment. To avoid the use of a fluid pressure control valve to vary the braking effort of the brake in dependence upon vehicle loading, the abutment is in the form of a roller which engages an arcuate member on the shoe, the roller being movable laterally of the shoe to vary the braking effort for a given actuating force. The roller may be connected to a pivoted lever which is rotatably mounted in the back plate and which is connected to a sprung part of the vehicle by a linkage. Movement of the sprung part due to changes in vehicle loading rotates the lever and moves the roller.

Abstract: A rail clip assembly comprises a body for overlying a portion of a rail and for overlying an adjacent portion of a rail support means, the body having a first surface for abutment with a lateral face of the rail and an aperture for receiving means for securing the body to the rail support means, the aperture being elongate in a direction inclined at an acute angle to the direction of extent of the rail, and securing means including a first securing member for overlying the body and having an aperture therein for alignment with the aperture in the body and for receiving a second securing member which extends therethrough and through the elongate aperture in the body, the first securing member having a surface which in use abuts a second surface of the body in all positions of the body relative to the securing means for transmitting laterally directed forces applied by the rail to the body from the body to the first securing member, the second surface of the body extending in a plane inclined to the rail suppor

Abstract: A system for the automated analysis of large numbers of liquid samples, in which a multiplicity of sample tubes are loaded in racks into a cassette and the loaded cassette is transferred from station to station, with operations of sample insertion, dilution, reagent addition and withdrawal for filtering being performed at successive stations. At each station there is a separate processing module adapted to receive the cassette, each module including the apparatus necessary for performing one of the abovementioned operations on each individual sample tube when it is located at a particular operational location in the cassette. Each module also has members for shifting the racks in the cassette in such manner that all tubes pass through the operational location in turn while strictly maintaining the same order of sequence throughout the operations.