Abstract: An improved apparatus is operable to stack signatures having one edge portion which is thicker than other edge portions of the signatures. The apparatus compensates for the thickness of the one edge portion by flattening the one edge portion and offsetting successive layers in a stack of signatures. The apparatus includes a platform which receives the signatures in an initial orientation. This platform is rotated about a vertical axis to offset a first group of signatures from their initial orientation. The signatures subsequently received on the platform have a relatively thick edge portion offset from the first group of signatures. After a retractable apparatus has been extended over the top of a group of signatures, the platform is raised to press the signatures against the retractable apparatus and thereby flatten the signatures.

Abstract: Lock for a safety belt, with a belt lock into which an insertion tab can be inserted and can be locked by a locking latch, as well as with a pushbutton which can be shifted parallel to the insertion path of the insertion tab against a spring force, and through the operation of which the locking latch can be moved against the force of a compression spring from a locking position into the opening position. A spring tab which is clamped on one side and is arranged substantially parallel to the shifting path of the pushbutton is provided as the compression spring. The pressure of the spring decreases when the pushbutton is shifted into the opening position, as the effective spring length between the clamping point and the point of attach of the force becomes larger.

Abstract: Lock for safety belts with a belt lock and an insertion tab which can be detented at a latch, which latch can be moved transversely to the insertion direction when the insertion tab is inserted, preferably by the latter itself into the open position against a spring force. The latch can be brought out of detent engagement with the insertion tab by a manual pressure member. A run-up bevel is provided at the abutting edges of the latch and the insertion tab. The latch can be moved into the unlatched position only in part by the pressure member and ultimately by the insertion tab itself. The run-up bevel is at the abutting edge of the insertion tab cooperating with the latch with the height of the contact area for the latch smaller than the thickness of the insertion tab.

Abstract: A rotary valve for controlling fluid to a power assistance device of a steering gear. A rotor 6 is mounted in the bore 5 of a relatively rotatable sleeve 3 so that displacement of control regions 12 to 15 on the rotor relative to ports 42 to 45 controls fluid flow through two pairs of supply ports 38 to 41. Of the eight ports in the sleeve and rotor assembly two pressure ports 42 and 43 are circumferentially spaced in the sleeve bore and disposed alternately with respect to two low pressure return ports 44 and 45 to be controlled one by each of the four control regions to direct fluid to the power assistance device 26 (for actuation of that device to assist in a steering manoeuvre which imparts the relative displacement between the sleeve and rotor). Each of the return ports 44, 45 is formed by a slot 50 which extends axially in the sleeve bore to open into a radially extending end face of the sleeve and therethrough be in constant communication with a fluid return chamber in the valve.

Abstract: An improved fastener has a head section and an axially extending shank section. A thread convolution is disposed in a coaxial relationship with the head and shank sections. An improved holding action against rotational and axial movement of the fastener relative to a metal base member is promoted by a plurality of radially extending wedge-shaped compression ramps. The compression ramps are disposed on the head section and slope radially and axially inwardly toward the shank section. The compression ramps are effective to force metal of the base member into an annular groove which circumscribes and undercuts at least a portion of the shank section. The metal which is received in the undercut portion of the groove is effective to hold the fastener against being pushed or pulled axially outwardly from the base member. The compression ramps also force the metal of the base member radially inwardly against corners formed on the shank section of the fastener to hold the fastener against rotation.

Abstract: An end release type of buckle for safety belt harness in vehicles and a method of assembly wherein a channel shaped elongate chassis transversely supports a latch and a latch blocking element, the latter pivotal at one end and biased toward blocking the latch. A closure plate biased to follow insertion and removal of a buckle tongue is reciprocably mounted for longitudinal movement to the web of the chassis. A release slider is provided which reciprocates to remove the blocker against its bias and to depress or open the latch. A tubular case encloses and detentably assembles the chassis and operably guides the release slider while supporting the operating bias applying elements. A cup-like cover is pressed longitudinally over the case and is detentably located and secured to said case. When not in use the latch is held open by the closure plate. When a tongue is pressed into the buckle the closure plate retreats from blocking the entry slot and the latch obeys the bias to lock.

Abstract: New and useful stacking apparatus in which a stacker can form a stream of signatures into a stack, and also associate an end board with one end of the stack. Moreover, the stacker is associated with a clamping mechanism which, when it moves over to the stacker to clamp a stack of signatures, also brings an end board and deposits an end board on the stacker for association with a succeeding stack. The stacker has a main member which moves along a path between a stack receiving position and an end board receiving position. As the main member moves from the end board receiving position, the intermediate member moves out of its way. The stacker also has an interceptor for initiating formation of a stack and a unique way of transferring the partially formed stack from the interceptor to the main member.

Abstract: A joint is formed by positioning a connector within channel members to be joined which has a rotatable eccentric with different length radii to engage the lateral edges of the channels, and rotation of the eccentric causes its longer length side to engage the channel edges first, bringing the channel members tightly together as they are fastened.

Abstract: A publication, capable of being read in a manner similar to a magazine, is formed of a single rectangular sheet of material. A plurality of creases in the sheet of material cooperate to define first and second series of panels. The sheet is folded along a longitudinal crease so that the two series of panels face in opposite directions. The sheet is then folded along transverse creases to form a series of accordion of zig-zag folds. When publication is in a closed condition, it can be opened by turning the top panel in the same manner as in which the cover of a magazine is turned to open the magazine. The panels on the viewer's right are then sequentially turned to sequentially expose pairs of panels until the panels are again stacked with the panel which was originally on the bottom of the stack disposed at the top of the stack. The stack is then openable from the closed condition in the same manner as which a magazine is opened. A poster or additional indicia may be on the back sides of the panels.

Abstract: Sheet material handling apparatus comprising a transfer vehicle movable along a guide track between a stack pickup position and a stack discharge position. The transfer vehicle has a clamping mechanism for clamping a stack of signatures at the stack pickup position and for removing the stack of signatures from the stack pickup position. The clamping mechanism is adapted to maintain clamping engagement with the stack of signatures as the transfer vehicle is moved along the guide track away from the stack pickup position and to the stack delivery position, and the clamping mechanism is releasable from the stack of signatures at the stack delivery position.

Abstract: A drainage system for draining water away from a building having a horizontal base and walls extending vertically from the base. The drainage system includes first drain means located in a first trench provided in the ground beneath the base inside the perimeter thereof. The first trench extends around the perimeter of the base and inside of the vertically extending walls. Second drain means is located in a second trench provided in the ground adjacent the ground surface and adjacent the perimeter of the horizontal base. The second trench extends around the perimeter of the horizontal base and outside of the vertically extending walls. A gravel filling is provided in the first and second trenches and covers at least partially the first and second drain tiles.

Abstract: The valve rotator comprises a body to be attached to and rotatable with the valve. The body has at least one groove therein extending partially around said valve stem. Shiftable means is disposed within the groove. A collar receives the valve spring biasing force and encircles the valve stem adjacent the body. The body and the collar are movable in axial and rotational directions relative to each other. A pair of spring washers encircles the valve stem and is interposed between the collar and the shiftable means. One of the spring washers has a portion bearing on the shiftable means and another portion bearing on the body when the valve is closed. The other of the spring washers acts between the collar and the another portion of the one spring washer and has a first portion which overlies the another portion of the one spring washer when the valve is closed and a second portion spaced at least in part from the one spring washer when the valve is closed.

Abstract: An improved palletizing apparatus sequentially loads a plurality of layers of bundles of newspapers onto a pallet. The apparatus includes a layer position and sheet hold down assembly which (1) indicates the level of the uppermost layer of bundles in a stack of bundles on a pallet and (2) holds down pages of the newspaper at the top of the bundles. During operation of the palletizing apparatus, a layer of bundles is moved onto a retractable floor disposed above a pallet. The floor is then opened and the layer of bundles is dropped onto the pallet. An elevator is then operated to lower the pallet. The layer position and sheet hold down assembly indicates when the upper layer of bundles has been moved a predetermined distance beneath the floor so that the floor can close without interference with the stack of bundles. The layer position and sheet hold down assembly includes a frame which engages the top of the layer of bundles and a linkage which maintains the frame in a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for indicating and correcting misregister of plural overlapping images produced by a multicolor press. A register indicia (FIG. 3) is used comprising two overlapping sets of parallel lines (R and C), each set being formed in a known position relative to a corresponding one of the images whereby the positional relationship between the sets of lines varies with the positional relationship of the images. The extent of overlap of the sets of lines is dependent upon displacement of the sets of lines in a direction transverse to the lines, whereby the percentage of nonprint area in the register indicia is dependent upon register of the overlapping images in that transverse direction. The percentage of nonprint area is detected by illuminating the register indicia area and measuring the extent to which the area reflects the light. The resulting signal is used to control the register adjustment mechanisms of the multicolor press.

Abstract: A process of calibrating an ultrasensitive noble gas leak detector using a radioactive alpha source, such as americium 241, comprising accumulating helium molecules from the radioactive alpha source in an enclosed volume for a specified period of time, permitting the helium molecules to enter a vacuum chamber, and obtaining a gas detection measurement to calibrate the detector for the sensitivity of the system.

Abstract: An improved handle for towing a person, such as a water skier, has a configuration which matches the natural shape of the grip of human hands as they hold the handle. The handle includes an upwardly and forwardly sloping lower section which is engaged by one hand of the skier. An upper section of the handle also slopes upwardly and forwardly and is engaged by the other hand of the skier. The upper and lower sections of the handle are interconnected by a connector section which extends rearwardly from an upper end of the lower section of the handle to the lower end of the upper section of the handle. This results in the upper and lower sections of the handle being offset so that the hands of the skier are disposed with the palm of one hand on a first side of the handle and a palm of the other hand on the opposite side of the handle.

Abstract: With contactor bodies formed of spirally wound up corrugated panels providing ducts in the region of the corrugation profiles which are alternately filled with waste water and air, there is a problem to completely fill the ducts and to provide a continuous flow through the ducts in a body of simple and rigid construction.In order to solve this problem, the corrugation profiles of at least one corrugated panel (3', 3") are inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the axis (XX) of the contactor body. Thereby, the disadvantages of the known, mechanically unstable constructions comprising a tube bundle are avoided and an intensive flow of waste water and air within the ducts is achieved. Advantageously, the corrugation profiles of winding layers arranged radially above each other or axially beneath each other comprise different inclination angles (a', a"), especially angles which are opened contrary to each other.

Abstract: Automatically locking belt roll-up device for safety belts, especially for motor vehicles, with a belt shaft which is rotatably supported in a roll-up device housing. The belt shaft has ratchet teeth and is under the action of a rewinding spring. A spring-loaded pawl is automatically locked with the ratchet teeth by force of the spring after the belt is put on. The pawl is additionally under the action of a delay device, which is released only after a predetermined time phase for effecting the locking process.

Abstract: A journalling structure for seat belt retractors and especially pawl bars thereof and comprising sockets in which raised arcuate portions are provided in thrust relation to the ends of stub shafts in minimization of friction under end thrust circumstances and where similar radial load bearing surfaces engage the flat surfaces of the stub shafts providing axial poising of the shafts and minimization of friction. The sockets are molded plastic and may be integrally formed in frame and saddle construction.

Abstract: Location-representative signals are communicated to vehicles (12, 14, 16) by modifying existing traffic detector stations of the type utilizing an inductive coil (20) embedded in the roadway (22). Circuitry (44-52) is provided for generating a carrier signal modulated in accordance with a modulating signal representative of the location of an associated traffic detector station. A transformer (56) couples the modulated carrier signal into the existing inductive coil such that the coil establishes a magnetic field above the roadway which is modulated by the location representative signals. The vehicles have inductive coils (70) mounted thereon for sensing the modulated magnetic fields, and circuitry (72, 74, 76) for extracting the location-representative signals therefrom. The location-representative signals may then be, e.g., automatically transmitted to a central dispatching station (18).