Abstract: A computer controlled system is provided for regulating the flow of coal into a railway car or the like. The coal flows into the car through a loading chute. When the total weight in the car reaches the desired weight as determined by spaced platform scales, the computer control shuts off the flow by actuating the flow gate. The difference in the weight of the front and rear car trucks is noted and the inclination of the loading chute is regulated up or down by the computer control through operation of a hydraulic cylinder. If the chute is raised, the height of the coal within the car is raised and with all factors the same, the front of the car will be loaded more. As the chute is lowered, the height of the coal that can enter the car will be less and, thus, a shift of the weight to the back of the car can be effected. In accordance with the computer reading for each car, the position of the chute can be regulated for each following car of the same size and height.

Abstract: A fluid shear coupling apparatus includes a driving member comprising a rotor mounted to a shaft and defining several annular ridges and grooves. A driven member including a bearing housing is mounted to the shaft. A cover secured at the perimeter to the bearing housing has a disc-shaped portion defining several annular ridges and grooves positioned complementary with the ridges and grooves of the rotor. A shear fluid therebetween provides variable coupling according to the proportion of fluid in the reservoir vis a vis the working chamber defined by the complementary grooves and ridges. A temperature responsive valve cooperates with a modulation ramp encasing the valve end to provide a fluid control orifice which varies in size and radial location in response to temperature, thereby providing temperature modulation of the amount of shear fluid in the working chamber, and consequently, the degree of coupling.

Abstract: A local oscillator null circuit and method for use in tuning a wideband, heterodyne receiver relatively close to zero frequency without experiencing excessive feedthrough from a local oscillator to an associated IF stage in the receiver. The local oscillator is connected to circuit means for generating a derivative signal proportional to the local oscillator signal and shifted in phase with respect thereto by a desired amount determined by the phase difference between the local oscillator signal and the signal in the mixer output spectrum which is at the local oscillator frequency. The null circuit combines the derivative signal with the mixer output signal proportionally to produce a null at the local oscillator frequency.

Abstract: A grid assembly for converting electrical energy to heat and then dissipating same. A plurality of parallel grid members include outwardly extending legs received in holes provided on mutually facing surfaces on polyester glass insulator members. The grid members are arranged in a continuous serpentine path from an input to an output terminal. The grid members are of sheet metal construction with the cylindrical legs formed by a radiused sheet metal configured leg portion of one grid member positioned adjacent an identical configured and mutually opposed leg portion of an adjacent grid member. The main body of each grid member extends from the legs through a flat portion and then through a diverging end portion spacing the main bodies of the grid members apart. In an alternate embodiment, the grid members are arranged with different lengths to provide a particular sized and configured grid assembly.

Abstract: A waterfront structure including a plurality of structure segments each containing a plurality of business units, the structure segments being arranged in a U-shaped configuration and fronting and overlying a portion of a body of water. The free ends of the U-shaped structure are spanned by a connecting walkway. Each structure segment defines dual pathway segments therethrough forming dual pathways providing access between each of the business units. A portion of the waterfront structure is configured to resemble a ship docked at said waterfront structure.

Abstract: An automatic belt retractor mounted within a boot having belt retraction locking means mounted within the boot to lockingly but releasably engage the belt to counterbalance the spring bias retraction of the retractor spool. The belt locking means includes a base member with a tongue disposed toward the belt and a moveable member slideably received by the base member also with a tongue disposed toward the belt, the belt being disposed between the base and moveable members. Such members define a belt locking position when their respective tongues are aligned to arrest the belt therebetween, preventing the retractor from cinching up the belt upon repeated momentary loosenings of the tension upon the belt. Concurrently, such moveable member's rigid rod engages the retractor's rotatable cam plate and is operable to rotate such cam plate manually to lock the retractor during all times when the belt locking means are engaged.

Abstract: A direct acting valve assembly including a valve body and a guide tube attached thereto. An insert is secured within the guide tube and includes a central aperture and at least one filtering aperture. The valve body includes an annular surface between an annular inlet and a centrally located outlet, and an annular seal is positioned in a central recess in the bottom of the insert and adjacent the annular surface to provide a fluid tight seal therebetween. The guide tube receives a closure member which has one end tapered to a point positionable through the central aperture of the insert and adjacent the annular seal. A spring and solenoid combination is operable to move the closure member between a first position displaced from the annular seal and opening the valve and a second position adjacent the annular seal and sealing the central passageway.

Abstract: A support housing for a fluid-dispensing container that includes a pump for delivery of the fluid from the container. The container has a specifically contoured D-shaped neck portion flange which mounts to the support housing which has a receiving flange adapted to hold the neck portion flange. The housing also includes a front housing portion that is deformable and able to snap on and off of a back housing portion.

Abstract: A container for holding food. The container includes cylindrical side walls fixedly mounted atop a bottom wall. A externally threaded post is rotatably and removably mounted atop the bottom wall and is in meshing engagement with a horizontally extending food supporting wall which sealingly engages the interior surface of the side walls. The top end of the threaded post is reduced in configuration and keyed to receive an external tool to facilitate the rotation of the post allowing the food supporting wall to be moved upwardly maintaining the food level adjacent the top of the container as food is withdrawn therefrom. A second tool removably mounted to the top end of the post allows the post and food supporting wall to be pulled upwardly and removed from the container.

Abstract: A grid assembly for converting electrical energy to heat and then dissipating same. A plurality of parallel grid members include outwardly extending legs received in holes provided on mutually facing surfaces on polyester glass insulator members. The grid members are arranged in a continuous serpentine path from an input to an output terminal. The grid members are of sheet metal construction with the cylindrical legs formed by a radiused sheet metal configured leg portion of one grid member positioned adjacent an identical configured and mutually opposed leg portion of an adjacent grid member. The main body of each grid member extends from the legs through a flat portion and then through a diverging end portion spacing the main bodies of the grid members apart. In an alternate embodiment, the grid members are arranged with different lengths to provide a particular sized and configured grid assembly.

Abstract: A row crop cultivator for use in farming which includes a pair of weeding disks associated with each cultivator unit of which a plurality is ganged together in series. Each weeding disk is bearingly supported by a vertical shaft which is received by a cross bar in a manner which permits the shaft associated with the weeding disk to be adjusted as to depth and angular orientation. Such changes in the vertical shaft for the weeding disks are directly transferred to the weeding disk itself. Disposed adjacent the uppermost point of the shaft is a degree gauge plate and adjacent thereto is a depth gauge structured out of angle iron. As the farmer makes adjustments as to angular orientation and depth of one weeding disk, he need not be concerned with the specific values until the optimum depth and angular orientation have been found for the particular field being cultivated.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for percutaneous catheterization of a blood vessel permitting use of a small gauge needle is shown. A 22 gauge needle is used for making the initial entry into the blood vessel. A wire guide is then introduced into the blood vessel through the introducer needle, the needle then being withdrawn. A catheter and an inner cannula are passed in unison over the wire guide, through the skin and into the blood vessel. The cannula is provided with a tapered tip which extends through the distal opening of the catheter, thereby providing a diametrical transition between the small wire guide and the relatively larger catheter, resulting in a minimum of trauma during insertion. Once the catheter is in place, the inner cannula and wire guide are withdrawn, leaving the catheter in place with a relatively large distal opening, thereby promoting good fluid flow characteristics of the catheter.

Abstract: A felted paper loudspeaker diaphragm in which the felted paper of the annular supporting flange is thinner, and of lesser density and higher compliance than the cone body. The supporting flange is permeated with a high compliance elastomer which provides most of the tensile strength of the supporting flange.

Abstract: A foamed polystyrene beverage container cooler. In one embodiment an annular wall is nestably received between a base and lid each of which defines a cylindrical inner cavity to receive a half barrel size beverage container. The outlet of the container extends centrally through an aperture located in the top wall of the lid locating the container concentrically with respect to the cylindrical inner surface of the cooler allowing ice to circumferentially surround the container. A skirt and rim mating combination between the annular wall and the lid and between the annular wall and the base secure the components together. In an alternate embodiment, a cooler to receive a pony keg includes a base and lid each of which has an annular wall defining a cavity sized to allow ice to surround the keg. The keg outlet extends through an aperture in the lid locating the keg concentrically with respect to the interior surface of the cooler.

Abstract: A poultry vaccinator for use in brooding houses having multiple layered rows of cages for high volume vaccination. The vaccinator apparatus includes a plurality of atomizer nozzles disposed at multiple elevations on a collapsible stand pipe assembly. A single reservoir provides a common source for vaccination liquid for each of the atomizer nozzles. Calibration orifices located in the liquid lines to each of the atomizer nozzles provide pressure compensation for elevational differences of the nozzles. Thereby producing a uniform particle size aerosol out of the nozzles regardless of nozzle elevation.