Abstract: The present invention provides a machine and method wherein envelopes are removed from a supply hopper, one by one; transmitted to a cutting station wherein one edge of the envelope optionally may be severed; the envelope then being transmitted to a processing station at which the envelope is opened and held open by suction cups, for removal or insertion of contents by an operator. The envelope is thereafter transmitted to a detector station and then to a recovery station and then to a point of discharge. The dwell time of the envelope at the processing station may be adjusted as desired by the operator.

Abstract: A monitor for use with a multiple row seed planter including a hopper for holding a supply of seeds, a plurality of conduits for carrying seeds to corresponding planting rows, a variable speed rotatable drum for receiving seeds from the hopper and delivering seeds to the conduits, a variable pressure air blower for supplying pressurized air to the hopper and drum to facilitate the seed delivery and a voltage supply source from a tractor or other vehicle pulling the planter. The monitor includes a plurality of sensors for providing a plurality of electrical signals corresponding to the above-mentioned planter functions.

Abstract: Artificial dentures, and a method and apparatus for preparing them are disclosed. After a dentition base plate is prepared, a temporary integral strip of gum tissue and supported teeth elements is temporarily fixed to the base plate. The assembly is then locked in a jig, the temporary tooth/gum strip is removed, and a permanent tooth/tissue strip is installed on the base plate in a position providing proper appearance and proper bite relationship with mating dentition. A jig for retaining the base plate in a given location is also provided.

Abstract: A line protector for protecting telephone lines and the like from over-voltage or over-current conditions includes a primary arrester element and a secondary arrester element that provides back-up protection upon a fail open of the primary arrester element. The primary arrester comprises a gas tube having spaced electrodes to form an arc gap therebetween. The secondary arrester includes a pair of electrodes axially aligned with the gas tube and separated by an insulating spacer to provide an air gap therebetween. The air gap of the secondary arrester is maintained at a predetermined spacing such that the breakdown voltage thereof is greater than the rated breakdown voltage across the arc gap of the gas tube but less than the breakdown voltage across said arc gap should the gas tube fail open as by being vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A variable impedance circuit is included between the antenna and the RF amplifier stage of a radio receiver portion of a transceiver and is responsive to a phase-inverted and amplified AGC signal to automatically protect the receiver from breaking down or otherwise malfunctioning when it receives an over-input or excessive input signal level. When the input signal level to the receiver is at the typical operating level, the circuit provides a substantially infinite impedance to ground so as not to interfere with signal transmission from the antenna to the input stage and the successive stages.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally joining a cover or lid member with a base or housing member, or the like. The cover member includes a pair of coaxial and inwardly facing rod-like pivot members which are axially spaced apart and project from the lid or cover member. The base or container member includes a receptacle arrangement, including an elongate locking slot and a pair of arcuate grooves formed at either end, the grooves generally defining segments of a tubular hinge knuckle for receiving the rod-like pivot members. A locking member is employed to maintain the cover in articulate assembly, said locking member comprises a base or frame segment slidably insertable in the elongate locking slot, and having a pair of fingers extending outwardly of opposite sides of the base or frame segment, each said finger having arcuate inner surface portions defining generally segments of a tubular hinge knuckle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fastener assembly including a fastener or screw member having a head portion and an externally threaded body portion, and an improved novel washer design pre-assembled thereon and held in captive relation by the external thread form. The washer member comprises a frusto-conical body section which includes surfaces converging in a direction away from the fastener drive head, in contrast to the normal accepted practice of employing washer which surfaces converge toward the drive head. From this reversal of design numerous manufacturing and operational advantages result, most particularly when the washer includes a plurality of axially extending teeth disposed radially about the convex face thereof. When the assembly is engaged with a nut or a workpiece to clamp or join structural elements, the fastener head portion will bear directly over the teeth of the washer member urging them into biting engagement with the adjacent surface regardless of the degree of final assembly.

Abstract: A battery charging system includes a pair of alternators having rectified outputs which are connected in parallel. The field currents of the respective alternators are controlled by respective oscillatory switching circuits which are responsive to rectified output voltages from the respective alternators. Each respective switching circuit is coupled to an output voltage sensing circuit of the other alternator, so that oscillatory switching of one switching circuit causes oscillatory switching of the other switching circuit.

Abstract: A light fitting for underwater use is of reduced size and is structured to provide easy and ready replacement of the fitting lamp. The fitting includes a housing, a disc-shaped backing plate mounted to the housing and a lens sealingly connected to the backing plate and forming therewith an enclosed chamber. A gland housing is sealingly connected in the backing plate and forms an enclosed chamber opening. An electrical connector which supports the fitting lamp is dimensioned for passing through the gland housing and is connectable to electrical power for powering the lamp by a cable which also extends into the gland housing. A seal bushing surrounds the cable within the gland housing and provides a tight seal between the cable and gland housing when acted upon by a nut which also surrounds the cable and which threadingly engages the gland housing. Ready removal of the lamp for replacement is provided by removing the nut from the gland housing and pulling the cable and the lamp through the gland housing.

Abstract: A device for applying a dental brace bracket includes a handle, one or more blades attached to the handle for holding the bracket, a resilient member such as a spring for urging the bracket and bonding agent against the tooth, a heating element attached to the handle and adjacent the holding blades and resilient members for heating the bonding material and means for controlling the temperature and the duration of the heating element.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle is selectively adaptable for carrying either bulk materials or general freight loads. The vehicle comprises a trailer including a suspension comprising at least one axle with wheels attached thereto and a platform mounted upon the suspension to be carried by the axle and wheels. At least one opening is formed in the platform and a closure or cover is provided for selectively covering or exposing the opening. A framework is mounted upon the platform and a collapsible container is attached to the platform. A hopper or a slope pan is mounted below the opening to define a bottom of the container and to permit unloading of bulk materials. The container is selectively erectable for attachment to the framework and is adapted to carry bulk materials when so erected. The container may also be collapsed and stored within the hopper under the closure so that the platform may be used to carry general freight loads.

Abstract: A closed-center brake system and brake valve are disclosed. A closed-center variable displacement pressure compensated pump delivers fluid pressure to a valve inlet which carries a normally closed check valve. When a valve operating rod is partially withdrawn from the valve, the check valve opens to admit fluid to a valve chamber; fluid pressure and flow are directed from the chamber to ports leading to a vehicle left-hand brake and a vehicle right-hand brake. Should fluid pressure be lost in upstream portions of the system, further pulling action on the valve rod will collapse the chamber and manually deliver pressurized fluid to the brakes. Another brake valve outlet port, located just downstream of the inlet check valve, provides for delivery of pressure compensated fluid back to the pump to cause the pump to operate with desired characteristics.

Abstract: A starter motor of the pre-engaged type has a stator, a rotor, a rotor shaft and a pinion assembly mounted on the rotor shaft for rotation therewith and axial movement relative thereto into and out of an operative position. A solenoid is mounted in a casing of the motor and includes a coil and a plunger assembly. The plunger assembly includes a spring biased plunger carrying a plate having a slot therein. A nylon moulding is mounted in the slot and biased by a spring against an end of the slot remote from the plunger. The nylon moulding itself has a pair of slots therein which receive respective ends of a bifurcated lever. The lever is pivoted intermediate its ends and is provided with a yoke connection with the pinion assembly. The bifurcated form of the lever and the slots in the nylon moulding reduce wear of the lever in service.

Abstract: A wireless seed detecting and monitoring apparatus includes one or more transmitter units mounted at the seed planter and a receiver unit mounted in a monitor console located at a remote location. Seeds being planted produce a signal which modulates an r-f transmitted signal during the planting operation. A receiver is responsive to the r-f transmitted signal and detects the modulated signal information corresponding to seeds being planted. This detected signal is then delivered to monitoring circuitry to indicate the operation of the seed planter.

Abstract: Improvements in a check valve are disclosed. The check valve contemplated is of the type used to halt fluid flow in a fluid-carrying pipe system, and comprises an annular seat adapted to be mounted in the fluid line, a head-mounting yoke, and a head carried by the yoke and adapted to slide axially into and out of fluid-sealing engagement with the seat. One improvement comprises a pair of valve sleeves extending, respectively, axially upstream and downstream of the valve seat; each valve has a mouth adapted for mating connection with adjacent fluid-carrying pipe structure. Each sleeve terminates adjacent the valve seat in a diagonal flange formation, and a clamp including a V-shaped collar fits over the sleeve flanges so as to urge the sleeves toward the valve seat and toward one another. A gasket having a U-shaped cross section provides a fluid-tight seal between the sleeves and seat.

Abstract: A dividing conveyor system is disclosed for directing articles such as milk bottles traveling along a stem conveyor to either a first or second branch conveyor. The divider conveyor system includes a diverter assembly disposed over the intersection point of the stem, first and second branch conveyors, and a diverter positioner for locating the diverter in an appropriate position to divert articles from the stem conveyor to either of the branch conveyors. A first branch sensor is located near the first branch conveyor and downstream of the conveyor intersection point, and a second sensor is correspondingly located near the second conveyor and downstream of the conveyor intersection point. Appropriate switching circuitry includes logic elements to divert articles from the stem conveyor to a branch conveyor at which the associated branch sensor has sensed the absence of articles on that branch conveyor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a wire clamp assembly which includes a screw member and washer or clamping member in mounted relation on the screw member, and adapted to provide a terminal assembly for a terminal block or the like. The washer or clamping member comprises a generally rectangular plate-like washer having a central aperture, engageable by the screw member to be advanced downwardly for clamping a wire or wires against the surface of a terminal member. The surface of the washer member facing the terminal member surface includes two pairs of opposed ramps spaced apart from the central aperture and extending downwardly and diverging outwardly toward the outer periphery of the washer member. The same or undersurface of the washer further includes downwardly sloping corners defining sloping edge portions, for biting engagement with the wire to establish and maintain, together with the ramps, electrical and mechanical connection between the wire and the terminal member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a valve comprised of a valve body defining a cavity with inlet and outlet port means opening to and leading from said valve cavity. A plug member is rotatably disposed in said valve cavity and spaced from the bottom wall thereof to define a valve chamber, with the outlet port means leading from said chamber. The plug member includes an end segment disposed in said valve cavity and provided with a pair of concave, axial elongate surface portions opening to the end face of said segment, with said concave portions being separated by convexed surface portions. The concaved surface portion cooperates with the inner wall surface of the cavity to define a pair of relatively movable channels which can be placed in communication with the inlet port means to interconnect said inlet ports with the valve chamber. The segment of the plug disposed in said valve cavity is constructed from a resilient material, and of a slightly larger diameter than the valve cavity.

Abstract: A brake system is disclosed which comprises a primary fluid power brake subsystem and a secondary or back-up brake subsystem. The primary brake system is of the "power brake" type, and includes a power brake valve having a housing defining an elongate bore. A bi-ended rod extends through the housing end wall to be slid between spaced apart first, second and third positions. That end of the rod which is inside the housing is affixed to a reaction piston. The reaction piston cooperates with an annular piston, also carried within the bore, to have fluid flow through the valve and raise fluid pressure within a collapsible chamber defined by the bore. When the rod is partially pulled out of the valve housing, this high pressure fluid is directed to vehicle brakes to cause primary braking action. Should the primary system fail in some respect, rod pull-out action operates to energize a secondary or back-up brake system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming cured polyethylene insulation about high voltage cables by applying uncured polyethylene around a core of the cable. The polyethylene is heated, cured and then cooled to room temperature in a pressurized nitrogen gas atmosphere. In one form the molding apparatus comprises first and second mold forms which define a cavity and which include means for heating the mold halves to the polyethylene curing temperature. Means is also provided to introduce the pressurized nitrogen into the cavity and for subjecting cable portions that extend beyond the mold to pressurized nitrogen until such cable portions are sufficiently cooled to prevent their deformation under pressure, to prevent the oxidation of polyethylene and/or to prevent the formation of voids or enclosures.