Abstract: There is disclosed a carrier for a multiplicity of articles such as boxes, cans or other containers and comprising a flattened tube of plastic sheet material which is transversely slit partially therethrough at successive locations to present successive sections thereof to be unfolded to provide interconnected annular sections or rings for encircling the articles.

Abstract: A multiphase full-wave rectifier assembly comprises positive and negative plates and an electrically insulating body which are stacked together in spaced apart relationship. The positive and negative plates carry first and second sets of three power diodes respectively while the electrically insulating body has three recesses therein. A field diode is mounted in each recess and a respective electrical connector connects one terminal of each field diode with a respective terminal of one of the power diodes in each of the first and second sets. A common electrical connector mounted on the body serves to interconnect the other terminals of the field diodes and also has portions which engage against the bodies of the field diodes to hold the latter in their respective recesses. The common connector is secured to the electrically insulating body by means of rivets which are disposed adjacent the diode-engaging portion of the common connector.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis comprises cooperating femoral and tibial components and a coupling which is arranged to make a hinged connection therebetween. Interdisposed hinge knuckles and a cooperating pintle define a lateral-medial pivot axis that is located posteriorly of the intersection between the intermedullary femoral and tibial axes. A pair of transverse confronting plateaus transmit vertical load forces between the elements of the prosthesis. A proximal-distal axle and a cooperating tubular bearing afford rotational motion, and this motion is limited by a stop system, which system is also arranged to permit restricted distraction.

Abstract: An aerosol carbonator is provided for charging a fluid, such as an alcohol-based fluid, with a carbon dioxide propellant for later placement in aerosol-style valved cans. The aerosol carbonator comprises a vertically elongated vessel having inlet means at the vessel top, an evaporative cooler in the vessel mediate portion, and a sump and fluid outlet means at the vessel bottom. Recirculating means are provided for returning to the carbonator vessel fluid amounts in excess of those fluid amounts required to be fed into down-stream filler devices to satisfy the source of variable fluid demand in the devices.

Abstract: A film dryer is provided primarily for use in the graphic arts in which relatively large sheets of film must be processed and dried. A part of input rollers is of sufficiently hard rubber as to squeegee off most of the surface moisture which drops into a drip pan where it may be emptied. Subsequent guide rollers are of short axial extent and spaced apart. Air jets are slightly warmed and blow generally toward one another and against the surface of the film, and back toward the entrance, whereby to carry moisture back into the area of the drip tray for collection. O-rings or other resilient guides are positioned over suitable supporting structure to prevent the film from wrapping up about the various rollers.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a trailer for carrying military tanks and convertible for carrying general cargo. The carrier is provided with a floor which has the rear portion raised about a front pivot for loading of tanks, which rear floor portion then is lowered about said front pivot to carrying position in order that the carrier might be stable with a tank in place and in order that the carrier and tank together might provide a low profile. A removable floor bolts in place for the carrying of general cargo.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve actuator includes at least one piston mounted for reciprocating movement in a cylinder for bidirectionally rotating a valve shaft mounted in the housing. A resilient spring member is held in compression between one side of the piston and an end wall of the cylinder for yieldably urging the piston to rotate the shaft in one direction, in the absence of a sufficient opposing hydraulic pressure. A hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor selectively drives the piston against the force of the spring member for rotating the valve shaft in the opposite direction. An electric solenoid operated valve is connected with the cylinder at either side of the piston, to provide a selectively openable path for hydraulic fluid, by-passing the pump to relieve the pressure applied thereby.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided with separate groups of leads extending to opposite margins and a plurality of individual terminal clips or elements preassembled with and permanently secured to the leads for facilitating assembly of the display in an end product such as a clock, meter or other instrument.

Abstract: An earth-working and fluid distribution apparatus is disclosed including a plow having a frame and a shank connected thereto. The apparatus further includes a, shovel for breaking the earth and creating a furrow connectable to the shank, a fluid supply source attachable to the plow frame, fluid distribution means connectable to the plow shank and having connecting means to the fluid supply means, means for suppressing the soil connectable to the plow shank to seal the fluid into the soil following the distribution of the fluid, and means connectable to the plow shank for removing weeds during the plowing operation.

Abstract: The invention provides for the retreading of tires in which the tire casing is stressed by fluid pressure inside the casing so that the casing is in a stressed condition when a new tread is applied thereto. The tire casing is stressed by positioning it on a rim and providing fluid pressure in the cavity between the rim and the casing with or without employing an expandible tube in the cavity.

Abstract: A combination fluid power disc brake and one-way clutch unit is offered. An inner shaft is journalled in a stationary housing, and an outer shaft is journalled upon the inner shaft. A one-way clutch between the shafts causes the inner and outer shafts to rotate together as a unit when the inner shaft is rotated in one direction, but permits the inner shaft to rotate independently of the outer shaft when the inner shaft is rotated in the opposite direction. A disc brake assembly operates upon the outer shaft to selectively retard its rotation. The disc brake assembly is of a failsafe design, and permits outer shaft rotation when a positive hydraulic pressure is applied to the unit. If pressure is lost or removed, the brake is activated, and outer shaft rotation is halted.

Abstract: A surge arrester for providing overvoltage protection for communications lines and the like comprises a pair of electrodes having opposed faces to define the arc gap therebetween. The opposed faces include a pair of facing annular, concentric ridges, a valley opening radially inside of the annular ridges and an annular space or opening radially outside of the annular ridges. The valley opening and annular opening extend axially of the ridges to provide a maximum of relief or cavity space for particles that erupt from the electrodes during discharge regardless of the polarity of the electrodes. The cavity space is used for venting erupted particles away from the arc gap.

Abstract: A screw tube assembly is disclosed for use in a screw jack or the like. The screw tube assembly comprises a hollow tube member in one end of which is formed a recess so as to reduce the tube member wall thickness. Into this recess an annular bushing is inserted. A tip portion of the recessed tube wall is crimped over the received bushing outer end to lock the bushing in the tube against axial movement. A chordal portion of the bushing and overlying tube is then displaced radially outwardly to form an external tube assembly key and to lock the bushing in the tube member against rotational motion.

Abstract: A perforated filing strip is provided and has a self-adhesive strip thereon for attachment to a document to be filed. The perforations in the filing strip receive locating pins or the like for filing. The perforations are on an outer part of the strip and the self-adhesive strip is on the inner part of the filing strip, the inner and outer parts being defined from each other by a fold line.

Abstract: Heavy lifting gear for upending large heavy loads, comprising a crane for lifting one end of the load and a carriage for supporting the other end of the load, the carriage consisting of two bogies which can move along a track under the control of a stepping hydraulic ram. Each bogie has a bearing pivot and a frame attached to the lower end of the load with two co-operating bearing bosses, one at the lower corner and one at the center line of the load. During the first part of the lifting movement, the load rocks on the corner pivot and before it reaches the vertical the bearing elements on the center line engage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel dispensing unit and system for the controlled, metered dispensing of one or more liquid products. The unit which serves to provide an important part of the system is designed for use with an arrangement wherein pressurized liquid products are delivered to the unit for controlled, metered dispensing. The unit is characterized primarily by the employment of metering chambers defined partially by flexible diaphragms. In conjunction with each said chamber, there are provided an inlet and outlet passage arrangement and a valve arrangement for controlling the supply and discharge of liquid product from said metering chamber. The unit includes a selectively operable control arrangement provided for opening and closing the valving arrangement, and also alternately pressurizing and venting the metering chamber diaphram with respect to a pressurized medium.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pill dispenser having a base member with a plurality of compartments formed therein for holding pills, a cover member rotatably supported on the base member in superposed relation to said compartments and having a pill exit opening alignable with a compartment to dispense a pill contained therein. The dispenser further includes locking arrangement having a releasable actuator member operable to free the cover member for rotation relative to the base member. The pill dispenser also may include an indexing calendar or dating member rotatably attached to the base member with markings corresponding to the pill compartments.

Abstract: A valve for hot melt adhesives is provided with a spring pressed piston urged open by adhesive pressure. A nozzle on the valve has an outlet channel of predetermined volume. Upon termination of fluid pressure the piston retracts through a volume less than the predetermined nozzle outlet channel volume to suck back a limited amount of adhesive to prevent dripping of adhesives.

Abstract: A semi-disassemblable toy vehicle is disclosed and claimed. In general, the vehicle includes a body having a hinged, openable hood and a hinged, openable trunk lid. When the toy user opens the trunk lid, a trunk compartment recess is disclosed, in which a tool box is carried. Within the tool box are a number of wrenches and a screwdriver. After obtaining the tools to work on the vehicle, the playing child can open the hood. Under the hood is an engine compartment recess, in which are an engine, a radiator and a battery representation. Battery caps and a radiator cap can be moved between open and closed positions by applying the appropriate manual dexterity. The wrenches can be used to tighten and loosen spark plug representations carried by the engine. The screwdriver can be used to loosen and tighten an air filter carried atop the engine. While these parts can be loosened, they cannot be entirely removed, thereby obviating the well known propensity of children to loose toy parts.

Abstract: An analysis instrument for measuring selected constituents present in a sample of a material such as a bulk commodity includes a test cell to receive the sample. The test cell comprises a capacitor whose electrical properties are modified in accordance with the dielectric constant of the sample, which dielectric constant is a function of the contents of the sample. A hopper is mounted above the test cell for holding a quantity of the commodity to be tested and doors forming a bottom of the hopper are selectively openable to introduce the material from the hopper into the test cell. A strike off mechanism is provided for striking off the sample level with the top of the test cell to assure a constant volume of sample material therein. Weight and temperature sensors are provided for measuring the weight and temperature of the sample. An unloading mechanism is provided for rotating the test cell to remove the sample therefrom upon completion of the measurements.