Abstract: Straight sections of track each having a drive tube are coupled together by a curved track section. Between the tracks at the curved section, there is provided a series of drive shafts whose ends are not aligned with the ends of the drive shafts in the straight track sections. Driverless trucks are provided with at least two drive wheels for frictional contact with drive shafts in the straight track sections and a discrete drive wheel for cooperation with the drive shafts in the curved track section.

Abstract: The conveyor track of a conveyor system is provided with an access way so that persons or vehicles may traverse the tracks without interfering with movement of driverless vehicles along the conveyor. A shuttle is suspended from above and supported for reciprocatory movement across a gap in the track. The vehicles traverse the gap by way of the shuttle.

Abstract: A cover at one end of a rod member is pivotably connected to one end of a bracket by a pin. The bracket and cover are U-shaped in transverse section. A portion of the cover overlies a portion of the bracket in all positions of the cover. The cover is journaled on bosses on the bracket and circumscribes the pin.

Abstract: A driverless vehicle for riding on a track has a drive wheel driven by a drive tube. The drive wheel is coupled to a substrate which in turn is coupled to the deck so that a portion of the load is transmitted to the drive wheel and the remainder of the load is transmitted through a separate substrate to the support wheels.

Abstract: A digital electronic organ mixture system comprises a pair of digital organs operatively connected in parallel to the same keyboard or keyboards. The keys are grouped into regions of adjacent keys. In one of the parallel organ systems, the frequency numbers ascend along the keyboard corresponding to the notes associated with the keys. In the other parallel organ system, the frequency numbers are weighted by preselected factors, the factor being the same for each keyboard region, and the factor for each successive region along the keyboard being lower than the factor for the immediately preceding region. Activation of a key along the keyboard produces a pitch series comprising a note produced by the unweighted frequency numbers in one organ system and a second note produced by the weighted frequency numbers in the other organ system. The pitch series breaks back at each successive keyboard region in accordance with the weighting factor for that region.

Abstract: A self-supporting steel tower for power supply lines at a voltage from 230 to 1000 KV is substantially a tri-dimensional truss structure having a trunk-of-pyramid shape with a triangular cross-section, in particular in the form of an isosceles right triangle. The tower side corresponding to the hypotenuse of the triangle is directed vertically and the other two sides corresponding to the cathetuses are slightly sloping, whereby the tower is tapered upward.

Abstract: The housing of a wheeled trailer has a discrete bottom rail-scuff plate along the bottom end of each side wall. Each scuff plate is coupled to the bottom wall of the housing and extends upwardly from the floor surface for a height of at least eight inches. The upper end portion of each scuff plate supports the lower ends of inner and outer panels of the side wall whereby the inner surface of the bottom rail acts as a scuff plate to protect the inner panels from being scuffed by the load or lift trucks for handling the load.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a rotatable stirrer assembly for maintaining microcarrier beads in suspension in a cell culture. The stirrer assembly includes at least one blade radially disposed with respect to the vessel axis and connected to the assembly adjacent a magnet member for rotation therewith about said axis.

Abstract: A driverless vehicle has an inverted U-shaped body with the bight being a horizontal load supporting surface. A pair of wheels is supported by each leg of the body. A friction drive wheel for contact with a drive shaft is supported by the body. An accumulation bumper is provided adjacent a front end of the body and a cam is supported adjacent the rear end of the body.

Abstract: A multiple inlet multiple outlet rotary plug valve includes a valve body having two sets of ports at different elevations. Each set of ports includes three ports one of which is an inlet. A cylindrical plug is disposed within a cylindrical bore of the valve body. The plug has a discrete passage for each set of ports. Each plug port is dimensioned so that flow from an inlet can be directed to each outlet of its set in one position of the plug.

Abstract: In an optical beam-doubling and image-rotating device, beam splitting means are provided for creating a first and a second image of an optical target in conjunction with means for rotating the light-ray family associated with the second image yielding a second image which has been rotated axially through a defined angle with respect to the first image, in further conjunction with additional beam splitting means so disposed as to combine the first and rotated second images so that they may be visually compared under the conditions of a specifically defined relative angular displacement. The disclosed use is in measuring the sphericity of the cornea of the eye during ophthalmic surgery.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump having a discharge at its upper end is self-primed under the combined effect of gravity and suction. The suction is created by a discontinuity of flow in the pumping chamber at a recirculation passage. The passage is sufficiently large so that it deaerates priming liquid while providing sufficient liquid to prevent a short circuit of gas from the outlet to the inlet.

Abstract: A driverless vehicle has at least one drive wheel for cooperation with a drive tube. The vehicle has two actuators coupled to the drive wheel for rotating the drive wheel to an accumulation position. Each actuator can be selectively rendered inoperative. The vehicle can be propelled by way of the drive wheel and drive tube in opposite directions along a track with either end of the vehicle being the front end.

Abstract: A sealing ring firmly grips a movable piston, performs the normal sealing function, and when pressure is released on the piston the sealing ring pulls back on the piston so as to retract the piston. The sealing ring is designed so as to fit in a conventional seal or "O" ring groove without any modification of the groove.

Abstract: Novel compounds are prepared by reacting essential or semi-essential amino acids with nitrogen-free analogues thereof, particularly alpha-keto and/or alpha-hydroxy analogues. The mixed salt reaction products are precursors of essential and semi-essential amino acids in the body, and mixtures of the salts are useful in the treatment of renal and hepatic disorders characterized by protein intolerance leading to deficiencies of various essential and semi-essential amino acids in the body. They may also be useful in the treatment of nitrogen wasting disorders and protein malnutrition. The novel compounds are generally far more palatable and soluble in aqueous solutions than the individual essential or semi-essential amino acids, nitrogen-free analogues thereof, or simple mixtures of these.

Abstract: The selector pin for a tow truck is comprised of first and second tubes aligned end to end with a spring confined within the tubes and under tension to maintain the tubes in end-to-end alignment, while permitting one tube to pivot relative to the other tube through an arc up to 90.degree..

Abstract: Preprinted cards, coupons, and the like are attached at spaced locations to a high speed moving web by an applicator drum. An assembly is moveable as a unit relative to a frame in a direction toward and away from the applicator drum. The assembly includes a feed roll for feeding a web in the form of a strip of connected cards, a motor for driving said feed roll, a burst wheel, a glue applicator, and a guide for guiding the strip of cards.

Abstract: A post member and a rail member are joined together by a short hollow fitting. The fitting has a head shaped to mate with one of said members. A fitting is welded to each of the members.

Abstract: A key actuated locking bolt is provided for use with first and second frame members of the window or door type having overlapping portions when in a closed position. A bolt and plug are connected together and integral in one piece for selective removal from a housing bolted to an interior side face of one of the overlapping portions. The bolt is substantially longer than the plug and adapted to extend through aligned holes in the overlapping frame portions. Key operated tumbler means are associated with the plug to facilitate rotation of the plug and bolt relative to the housing between locked and unlocked positions.