Abstract: This invention provides a method of altering the affinity of an antibody for the antigen to which it is directed which comprises introducing into the variable region of the antibody a carbohydrate recognition site under conditions such that a carbohydrate binds to the site and thus attaches to the antibody. This invention also provides a method of modifying the carbohydrate content of an antibody which comprises deleting from a constant region of the antibody a carbohydrate recognition site which naturally occurs in such constant region of such antibody. Antibodies, e.g., monoclonal antibodies and human monoclonal antibodies, diagnostic test kits, DNA encoding antibodies, therapeutic agents, and methods for detecting the presence of a substance in a sample, and for recovering and purifying a substance from a sample are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved actuating mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the actuating mechanism (15) is comprised of a split housing (16), a gear transfer system (18) enclosed in the housing, a threaded barrel (19) extending from the housing, a screw rod (20) threaded for movement through the barrel, an end plate (21) mounted to the housing opposite the barrel, the transfer system communicating with a driver input (22) and the barrel, whereby rotation of the transfer system will cause rotation of the barrel and axial movement of the screw rod through the barrel. The transfer system comprises beveled ring (23) and pinion (24) gears. The driver input comprises a square recess set in the pinion gear. The driver input may be adapted for operation with either a pneumatic driver or a manual driver. The housing is filled with grease and the barrel and housing are adapted to be greased by means of a conventional grease gun. The end plate and screw rod include clevis end connections (28, 32).

Abstract: A humidifier pad with multiple layers of slit and expanded paper laminated together. At least one, and in some preferred embodiments, up to half of the paper layers comprise substantially nonwicking paper and the remaining layers comprise highly absorbent wicking paper. Wick type humidifier pads are particularly useful in humidifiers wherein the lower portion of the pad is submerged in a reservoir of water. The upper portion of the pad, exposed to a flow of air to be humidified, is supplied with water due to the high rate of capillary rise featured by the wicking paper layers. Including non-wicking layers wetted by the wicking layers provide an output capacity comparable to conventionally constructed pads which include all wicking paper layers and an attendant saving of the cost of materials.

Abstract: An improved J-hook (20) includes an eye portion (21) having a circular transverse cross-section; an arcuate hook portion (22) having a circular transverse cross-section; a shank portion (23) arranged between the eye and hook portions and having an oval-shaped transverse cross-section; a first transitional portion (24) between the eye and shank portions and having a transverse cross-section in smooth continuous transition from the circular transverse cross-section of the eye portion to the oval-shaped transverse cross-section of the shank portion; and a second transitional portion (25) between the shank and hook portions and having a transverse cross-section in smooth continuous transition from the oval-shaped transverse cross-section of the shank portion to the circular transverse cross-section of the hook portion. The improved J-hook is drop-forged of "MT-10" steel, and exhibits a markedly-improved strength-to-weight ratio.

Abstract: A control device is mounted in association with a hook suspended by a chain from an electrically operated hoist and includes a hand grip fitted with control switches controlling lowering and raising movements of the hook and a mounting device for removably mounting the hand grip horizontally adjacent the hook and for vertical movement therewith.

Abstract: An overload prevention clutch assembly features input and output members connected by a coupling member, which is resiliently deformable under the control of threaded fasteners to vary the torque which may be transmitted between the input and output members across the coupling member. The fasteners serve to mount the coupling member on the output member, whereupon the coupling and output members cooperate to mount the input member in assembled relationship therewith.

Abstract: A camera mount device for mounting a camera on a tripod has pivot members which enable a camera to be rotated about one or more axes without being lifted and has a stop member which provides quick engagement and disengagement with rotating member to enable the camera to be accurately and rigidly positioned very quickly.

Abstract: Odor-absorbing articles of clothing particularly useful for hunting big game animals wherein the clothing incorporates an intermediate odor-absorbing layer or sheet of material comprising non-woven synthetic fibers impregnated with activated carbon powdered particles. The relatively low cost odor-absorbing sheet possesses a flexible, readily pliant characteristic which permits its incorporation into an article of hunting clothing to preserve the required comfort to the wearer. The odor-absorbing sheet includes a binder which upon drying, adheres the carbon particles to the synthetic fibers without causing the sheet to become stiff and unpliant. The preferred activated carbon loading is about 100 to 200 weight percent of the weight of the non-woven sheet material.

Abstract: A conveyor system particularly adapted for feeding vehicle tires to a shredder mechanism includes telescopic conveyor sections supported to removably, adjustably position an outlet end of a first conveyor section relative to an inlet opening of the shredder mechanism and to adjustably position an inlet end of a second conveyor section at a convenient elevation for tire loading purposes.

Abstract: A helmet including a camouflage band retaining system for retaining an elastic camouflage band about the upper portion of a helmet dome. The elastic camouflage band is useful for holding camouflage elements against the outer surface of the dome. The camouflage band retaining system includes a plurality of straps attached to and spaced about the helmet and engaged with the elastic camouflage band so as to prevent the elastic camouflage band from sliding away from the rim, over the upper portion of the helmet and off of the helmet. A method for retaining an elastic camouflage band about a helmet is also disclosed and includes the steps of attaching a plurality of straps to the helmet so that the straps are spaced about the helmet and engaging the straps with the elastic camouflage band so as to prevent the elastic camouflage band from sliding away from the rim, over the upper portion of the helmet, and off of the helmet.

Abstract: A method of removing human associated scents from articles of hunting clothing prior to wearing such articles during a hunting interval for big game animals includes placing such articles of hunting clothing in close association with a sheet of material impregnated with activated carbon within an air impervious resealable container prior to hunting. The clothing remains in the container overnight, or at least for a time sufficient to permit the human associated scent emanating from the clothing to be adsorbed by the activated carbon impregnated in the sheet of material placed in close association with the clothing. The articles of clothing may then be removed from the container and sheet of material and worn during the next hunting interval significantly diminishing an additional source of human associated scents which may be detected and thus alarm a big game animal. After the hunting interval is completed, the hunting clothing may be again deodorized in the same manner prior to the next time of use.

Abstract: A lever operated tool, such as a chain hoist, is provided with a free wheel mechanism allowing a lift wheel to be selectively disconnected relative to a driving gear in response to rotations of a manual control knob. The knob controls sliding movement of a driven gear mounted for rotation with the lift wheel between first and second positions in which it is engaged with and removed from engagement with the driving gear.

Abstract: A J-hook designed for use in towing vehicles is forged of micro-alloy steel and has a T-shaped cross-section throughout a load bearing portion thereof and an enlarged tip. The disclosed J-hook is much stronger than prior art towing J-hooks without significant increase in overall weight.

Abstract: An air lifting and balancing unit including a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a ball screw affixed to the piston, a ball nut mounted for rotation on the ball screw, a drum mounted on the ball nut, a chain driven by the drum, and centrifugally actuated brakes mounted on the drum for stopping rotation of the drum when the drum exceeds a predetermined acceleration either due to a loss of load or to a loss of air pressure applied to the piston, and a pneumatic circuit in communication with the cylinder for providing air pressure thereto which applies a force on the piston which is at a substantially constant incremental value in opposition to the force exerted by the load applied to the piston through the chain and the drum and the ball screw regardless of variations in said air pressure to thereby cause the speed of the chain to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: A flail chain connector is provided which may be applied to an existing wood debarking apparatus or machinery for cutting vegetation. The connector is provided with integral fasteners for removable attachment of a length of flail chain to a powered rotary shaft, The connector may be removably engaged with the flail chain by moving a rink in the flail chain and one integral fastener to a first relative position and thereafter moving the link and fastener into a second relative position. The connector may be disengaged from the flail chain by relative movement of the link and fastener from the second position to the first position, and finally to the disengaged position. The connector may be removably engaged to the shaft by a second fastener through relative movements to a first and second relative positions.

Abstract: An air lifting and balancing unit including a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a ball screw affixed to the piston, a ball nut mounted for rotation on the ball screw, a drum mounted on the ball nut, a chain driven by the drum, and centrifugally actuated brakes mounted on the drum for stopping rotation of the drum when the drum exceeds a predetermined acceleration either due to a loss of load or to a loss of air pressure applied to the piston, and a pneumatic circuit in communication with the cylinder for providing air pressure thereto which applies a force on the piston which is at a substantially constant incremental value in opposition to the force exerted by the load applied to the piston through the chain and the drum and the ball screw regardless of variations in said air pressure to thereby cause the speed of the chain to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: An air lifting and balancing unit including a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a ball screw affixed to the piston, a ball nut mounted for rotation on the ball screw, a drum mounted on the ball nut, a chain driven by the drum, and centrifugally actuated brakes mounted on the drum for stopping rotation of the drum when the drum exceeds a predetermined acceleration either due to a loss of load or to a loss of air pressure applied to the piston, and a pneumatic circuit in communication with the cylinder for providing air pressure thereto which applies a force on the piston which is at a substantially constant incremental value in opposition to the force exerted by the load applied to the piston through the chain and the drum and the ball screw regardless of variations in said air pressure to thereby cause the speed of the chain to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: An improved hoisting device, such as a hook, shackle, ring, link, or the like, includes indicia for determining deformation damage to the device from overstressing. The indicia includes components which assume a predetermined geometrical configuration, such as a line segment co-linearly aligned with another line segment or dot, as the device is in an unstressed and undeformed state, and which do not assume the predetermined configuration if the device have been damaged from over-stressing. The indicia also includes cooperating components for dynamically indicating the magnitude of stressing relative to the maximum design stress of the device. The indicia is adapted for both close proximity and remote stressing determinations.

Abstract: An air lifting and balancing unit including a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a ball screw affixed to the piston, a ball nut mounted for rotation on the ball screw, a drum mounted on the ball nut, a chain driven by the drum, and centrifugally actuated brakes mounted on the drum for stopping rotation of the drum when the drum exceeds a predetermined acceleration either due to a loss of load or to a loss of air pressure applied to the piston, and a pneumatic circuit in communication with the cylinder for providing air pressure thereto which applies a force on the piston which is at a substantially constant incremental value in opposition to the force exerted by the load applied to the piston through the chain and the drum and the ball screw regardless of variations in said air pressure to thereby cause the speed of the chain to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: A card assembly permits xerographic printing of information cards, such as identification or authorization cards. The card assembly comprises a carrier sheet having a cavity. An information card is detachably bonded within the cavity. The foregoing card assembly can be passed through any conventional xerographic printer so that the information card can be printed with high quality xerographic print. The card assembly may be forwarded to the designated cardholder as an attractive package. Furthermore, a xerographic printer or other apparatus is provided with a magnetic encoder which is adapted to encode a magnetic strip situated on the card assembly passing through the xerographic printer or apparatus. Finally, a bar code may be disposed on the card assembly for encoding information regarding the card assembly and/or information card. The magnetic strip may be encoded in accordance with information decoded from the bar code.