Abstract: An apparatus for sorting plastics material handles for cardboard boxes or the like containers. The handles include a main, elongate portion with a lug at each end extending on either side of the plane of said elongate portion and subtending an acute angle at one side of the handle. A housing defining a reservoir portion for receiving a supply of randomly disposed handles includes a circulatory or rotary support and drive therefor, supporting one or more carrier rods which are displaceable through the reservoir portion. The carrier rods are each of a diameter to engage between the main elongate portion of the handle and the portion of the lug defining an acute angle (45.degree.) therewith. The handles are picked up by said carrier rods and are transported by the carrier rods only on one side thereof for further processing. Aligning plates remove the sorted handles in alignment and supply them for subsequent handling and processing.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for mounting a visor rod to a vehicle includes a housing with a keyed aperture within a cylindrical portion for receiving a visor rod end therein. The rod end includes a keyed torque fitting having a radially extending flat with the housing including a recess holding a spring which extends radially inwardly for engaging the flat of the torque fitting when the rod is inserted into the housing for holding the rod end in the housing.

Abstract: The ambient broadband radio frequency field strength from broadcast stations is monitored (FIG. 4) by periodic sampling (50, 52). A warning indication is provided if the field strength drops significantly. Drops in such field strength have been correlated empirically with the occurrence of seismic activity, usually several days later. Thus the indication serves as an early warning of an impending earthquake. In one preferred embodiment, a broadband, horizontal, very long monopole antenna (40) was connected to a rectifying and smoothing circuit (FIG. 3) to provide a dc output proportional to the ambient rf field. This voltage is digitized (50), and using a suitably-programmed computer (52), the digital version of the field strength signal is sampled once per minute (78). A cumulative or running average of the minute samples is calculated (80) and held. Once per hour the latest running average is stored (84) and a standard deviation (SD) of the last 24 hourly stored running averages is calculated (88).

Abstract: A dual operational mode vehicle detection and collision avoidance apparatus is disclosed characterized by use of a single active or passive acoustic ranging device mounted for azimuth directional movement relative the vehicle to automatically detect the presence and direction of objects in the vicinity of the vehicle. Signals generated by the ranging device are time processed along with azimuth directional signals to generate an output utilized to provide both an audio and visual display of distance and direction of the detected object from the vehicle. In a first operational mode, i.e. a surveillance mode, the acoustic ranging device is sequentially positioned in a left, center and right azimuth directional position to selectively indicate the presence of objects in the individual azimuth direction. In a second operational mode, i.e.

Abstract: A pressure garment has a transparent exterior panel with a pair of lower sections adapted to be operatively positioned around the legs of the wearer, and with an upper section adapted to be positioned around the abdomen of the wearer. Transparent inner panels cooperate with each of the exterior panel sections to define pressure chambers therebetween. A pressurized gas such as for example compressed air, is introduced into the pressure chambers in order to inflate the same and apply pressure to the wearer's body.

Abstract: An apparatus for piercing a container and draining fluid therefrom wherein a vertically movable container holder is provided with an inclined receiving portion having front and rear surfaces with the front surface being elevated with respect to the rear surface. The rear surface includes an opening for receiving a stationary piercing member having a piercing fluid receiving and fluid discharge end. The piercing end is beveled and includes a leading and a trailing edge. The rear surface of the vertically removable container holder includes an opening for receiving the piercing fluid receiving end of the stationary piercing member. The vertically movable container holder opening includes a positioning means adjacent thereto for positioning the bottom of the container with relation to the stationary piercing member. The vertically movable container holder further includes a piercing member guide tube connected at the opening and depending from the rear surface thereof.

Abstract: A ladder comprises a ladder portion having stiles and rungs, a platform at the upper end of the ladder portion, support stays hinged to the rear end of the platform, and a safety rail also hinged to the rear end of the platform, and that invention is characterized in that the safety rail can occupy one of two positions, and when in its retracted position it projects forwardly of the platform thereby inhibiting use of the platform.

Abstract: A modular unit 10 for constructing structural supports comprises an elongate member 12 and a link 14 extending laterally from the member. Castellations 28 are provided around a rim 26 at either end of the member so that the elongate members of similar units can be mated together. The link is made up of two struts 16 and 18 which are offset to one side of the elongate member and a flange 20 with bolt holes 22 is provided at the end of the link. Thus the links of two similar units can be bolted end to end to form a basic unit for use in constructing structural supports. Such a basic unit has two elongate members which are substantially parallel to each other and held apart and connected by the links. The invention also extends to an integral basic unit having such a configuration.

Abstract: A model railroad crossing bell and flasher employs spaced photocell detectors along the model railroad track. A comparator receives the photocell detector output signals and upon detecting a train shadow provides power to a first oscillator which actuates a pair of light emitting diodes in alternate sequence. Simultaneously, the first oscillator provides power to a second oscillator of a different frequency than the first oscillator. The second oscillator attenuates the first oscillator output signal to create a ringing sound through a loud speaker.

Abstract: A surgical clip applying device having a main body, a clip magazine coupled to the exterior of the main body for holding a plurality of clips, clip deforming jaws coupled to the main body for receiving and deforming clips, a clip feed blade for moving clips from the clip magazine to the deforming jaws, and a spring activated actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes handle portions, a ratchet member connected to the handle portions, a spring connected to the main body and the ratchet member, along with a latch adapted to engage the ratchet member. By movement of one of the handle portions with respect to the other handle portion energy is stored in the spring and retained therein via engagement of the latch with the ratchet member. In operation, a slight movement of one of the handle portions with respect to the other handle portion disengages the latch from the ratchet member so that the energy stored in the spring is converted into rapid forward movement of the clip feed blade.

Abstract: A tamper resistant reciprocal cylinder lock comprising mutually engageable structures on the lock sleeve and bolt keeper having the capacity to increase the resistance of the lock sleeve forward portion from disengagement with the lock sleeve inner portion when the lock and keeper mechanism in a locked position are under physical attack.

Abstract: An electromechanical machine is disclosed which comprises a field producing assembly mounted in a housing so as to define an air gap circumferentially disposed about an axis of rotation. The field assembly is structured to produce a distribution of magnetic flux in the air gap having P periodic extremes of flux density about the axis. An armature is positioned in the air gap, and mounted so that the armature and field assembly are rotatable relative to each other. The armature has a circular array of C non-overlapping coils on each of its front and back faces, the coils on one face being angularly offset from the coils on the other face and each having the same arcuate extent, smaller than 360 degrees divided by P.

Abstract: A dual-stream envelope feeding attachment for a sheet feeding printing press comprising a register bar centrally located in the feed path of the press between oppositely reciprocating joggers moving the envelopes into lateral registration against opposite sides of the register bar. The register bar can be assembled in a removable unit with a pair of oppositely disposed sheet riders urging the fed envelopes into contact with conveyor means on the press proximate to opposite sides of the register bar. A separator plate, having a thickness greater than the lateral width of the register bar, is mounted in alignment with the register bar on a stack feeder for initially positioning pairs of envelopes on the conveyor laterally separated from the register bar in preparation for registration thereto by the joggers.

Abstract: A screw (22) having the circumference of its head (23) toothed like a pinion firmly holds the cylindrical shank of a rotary tool in position in a slotted sleeve (17). A rack (25) on the front end of the hollow cylindrical spindle (24) meshes with the pinion or head (23) of the screw (22). The retraction or advance of the rack (25) is effected by a grooved ring (20) through screws (35,36) whose cylindrical heads are engaged in two helical guide slots provided in a nosepiece (19) and which are anchored in a pusher ring (28) indirectly applied against the rear face of the hollow cylindrical spindle (24).

Abstract: Conventional endotracheal tubes are provided with improved proximal end connector units by which the endo tubes may be attached to breathing equipment or like fluid flow devices in a manner that mitigates interference with operations being performed on patients intubated with the endo tubes, such units comprising a straight, rigid, cylindrical distal end portion, a straight, rigid, cylindrical proximal end portion, a central tubular portion joining the distal end portion to the proximal end portion, the central tubular portion being bendable in an arc of at least 180.degree.

Abstract: A game of skill is playable by several remote participants in conjunction with a live event, for example, a football game which is being observed by the participants on their television receivers. In the participant's remote location, a game console receives various game instructions and scoring information including the snap time, for example, of a football play via an FM subcarrier channel. Part of the data of this channel provides lockout information to prevent a play from being entered after the ball has been snapped. Scoring at the remote location is provided by a memory table at the remote location in association with degree of difficulty data which is transmitted via the FM system. In addition, a verification code or anti-cheating technique is provided by the use of several counters which are randomly started by counter start signals also transmitted over the FM system.

Abstract: A portable door lock has a relatively-thin sheet-metal locking strap that fits between the door and the jamb. The strap has a fixed bolt on one end that is received in the recessed keeper in the jamb, with the door in the open position. The door is closed over the strap; and a locking dog pivotably mounted on the other end of the strap, is pivoted towards the door such that the dog partially overlaps the strap, and such that the outer face of the dog engages the inner side of the door, thereby preventing the door from being opened from the outside. The outer face of the dog may be arcuately formed to accommodate different door thicknesses within a given range, and the outer arcuate face may have a frictional layer for non-slip purposes and to prevent any marring of the door finish. A retainer may be provided over the dog and the strap to retain the portable door lock in its locking position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds, vitamin supplements, diet pills, and methods for making the same. The vitamin supplements include one or more phytosterol esters, such as esters of sitosterol or stigmasterol, and/or one or more novel substituted fructose compounds. The diet pills within the scope of the invention include antitrypsin, and may be combined with the vitamin supplements to provide diet vitamin supplements.

Abstract: A catalytic stove is provided comprising a mixing chamber having one end adapted to receive a fuel can and an opposite end provided with a diffuser. A plate provided with a grid of between 200 and 400 openings per square inch extends across the exit end of the diffuser. A catalytic surface is coated on the exit portion of the plate. The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium and iridium.