Abstract: A railway signal mast assembly including a signal mast and one or more signal light support arms for supporting a railway signal light on the mast includes a collapsible worker support cage attached to the signal mast proximate each set of signal light support arms to allow a worker to access the signal light mounted thereon for purposes of installation and maintenance. Each worker support cage includes a worker support platform and at least one side rail each pivotally attached to the signal mast and pivotal between stowed and use positions.

Abstract: A vital proximity detection mechanism and method for reliably determining and communicating the position of a railroad switch point relative to a normal fixed track and a reverse fixed track, wherein the mechanism includes substantial component redundancy and fault-checking features and otherwise meets promulgated safety standards for vital componentry. The mechanism includes an RF transmitter and remote status indicator unit to allow for remote adjustments of proximity sensors while monitoring the effects of such adjustments.

Abstract: A device and method for mounting a tire (20) on a wheel (22) wherein the wheel is secured to a mounting table (48) and the tire is secured between the fingers (62) of a pivot arm (54). The pivot arm swings the tire into a position over the wheel wherein a sector of the tire beads (30 and 32) are laterally opposite the radial perimeter surface (38) of the wheel. The pivot arm is then advanced toward the mounting table so that the sector of the tire beads (30 and 32) contacts the radial perimeter surface (38) that is defined between the flanges (42 and 44) of the wheel (22). A button arm (66) advances toward the wheel (22) in an axial direction to cause a second sector of the tire beads (30 and 32) to pass over one of the wheel flanges (42 or 44) and position the tire beads within the second sector within a well (40) that is defined between the flanges (42 and 44) of the tire (22). The pivot arm then releases the tire and the button arm retracts from the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing, drying, and/or otherwise cleaning or processing flexible, substantially planar sheets is provided. The apparatus includes a guiding means for receiving at least one sheet and guiding the sheet through the apparatus; a plurality of rollers which rotate to move the at least one sheet through the apparatus and provide tension to the sheet for processing; and one or more cleaning stations or processing chambers for processing (such as washing, rinsing, and drying) the at least one tensioned sheet. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for cleaning reusable tier sheets used to separate layers of stacked articles.

Abstract: A micromachined accelerometer includes two capacitors comprising a pair of fixed capacitor electrodes and an intermediate movable proof mass serving as a common electrode which is displaced under acceleration to differentially vary the capacitances. A circuit holds the common electrode at a bias voltage and a switching circuit rapidly alternating between two phases separately connects the fixed electrodes to a main reference voltage and to ground during a first phase and to a common intermediate voltage during a second phase. A charge amplifier senses capacitance changes due to acceleration to produce an output voltage and an attenuating amplifier responsive to the output voltage produces the common intermediate voltage. A compensation servo circuit responsive to the output voltage generates the bias voltage which controls an electrostatic balancing force which is applied to the proof mass during the first phase to maintain the proof mass near a rest position.

Abstract: A coating and brazing technique for the manufacture of an assembly of metallic components for use in the fuel system of an internal combustion engine. A layer of corrosion resistant material is deposited on the interior of the various metallic components. The components are brazed together using a brazing compound having satisfactory corrosion resistance, and which has a melting temperature below that of the coating material. The interior of the assembly is thereby provided with a completely continuous layer of corrosion resistant material.

Abstract: Container cleaning apparatus including an endless conveyor to transport the containers being cleaned through the apparatus. The container cleaning apparatus uses both high and low pressure liquid to clean the containers. The high pressure liquid is projected on the containers in a pattern that cleans the containers but does not hinder their progress on the conveyor. An agitating system is also provided that agitates the cleaned containers in a vertical direction to assist in removing liquid and drying the containers. The containers are also subjected to an air blast as they are being agitated that assists in causing evaporation of the liquid on the containers.

Abstract: A motorcycle trailer with two independently suspended wheels has a frame comprised of front and rear U-shaped members. The legs of the rear one project forward between the rearwardly projecting legs of the front one and are secured at their front ends to the bight portion of the front one. To the rear end of each leg of the front member is fixed an upright support having at its upper end a pivotal connection to the top of a vertical element of an L-shaped wheel carrying arm. A horizontal element of that arm projects rearward from the bottom of the vertical element, in laterally inwardly offset relation to it. A wheel axle fixed to the rear of the horizontal element projects laterally outwardly from it to dispose the wheel in rearward alignment with the pivotal connection. A coiled tension spring and a cylinder-type shock damper are connected between the vertical element and the leg of the front member.

Abstract: Container transport apparatus for transporting containers such as plastic bottles and the like which are subject to damage without damaging the containers. The container transport apparatus includes container guiding members for guiding containers such as plastic bottles through a bottle rinser or the like and elongated endless belt members for contacting the sides of the containers to move the containers along the path of the container guiding members. The container transport apparatus eliminates the problems associated with conventional bottle rinsers and the like when used with non-rigid bottles.

Abstract: A quad-gate demodulator circuit for capacitive transducers in which analog gate devices replace the diodes of a prior art diode-quad bridge circuit. This improvement eliminates the temperature and ratiometricity errors associated with the diode-quad circuit.

Abstract: A magnetic particle apparatus having spaced relatively movable members with magnetic particles positioned therebetween and electromagnetic field producing mechanism to generate a magnetic field between the relatively movable members through the magnetic particles to establish coupling therebetween, the improvements to such apparatus being embodied in an improved cast iron construction for many parts of the subject apparatus, a more efficient safer apparatus, improved apparatus for circulating cooling air through and closely adjacent to the heat producing components to dissipate heat generated while providing support for the drive cylinder and maintaining the magnetic particles in their most advantageous positions, an improved magnetic gap construction which minimizes flux leakage and increases operating efficiency, including a saturable bridge which enables use of a bobbin of one-piece construction without shunting out flux, and the present construction includes structural members arranged to form a circuitou

Abstract: The replaceable striking plate, which has a leading impact face, extends between opposite rotor rings of a disintegrating mill, and provides the basis of an impact system. The leading impact face extends rearwardly from its inner edge toward its outer edge at an angle with respect to a radius substantially within the range of fifteen (15) degrees to thirty (30) degrees for the major portion of its radial height, and extends relatively forwardly to its outer edge for a minor portion of its radial height. The major impact face portion has sufficient radial height so that a slug of particles striking the face will all impact on that face without some particles over-shooting the top and thereby missing impact. A clean face surface is provided for the impact of each succeeding "slug or ribbon sheet" of particles as they strike the face. A portion of the new slug does not impact onto a bed of old particles still remaining on the impact face from a previous slug.

Abstract: An A-frame home includes interconnected roof panels. The joint connection is at the apex of the abutting upper panel edges which includes abutting vertically disposed surfaces. Aligned horizontal slots are formed in the vertical surfaces and connect with enlarged cavities. The slots and cavities form an I-shaped passageway. An I-shaped connecting element is slidably positioned in the I-shaped passageway for locking the panels together. The upper edges of the panels are horizontal and flat while the top portion of the vertical abutting faces are slightly spaced apart to receive a rib extending downwardly from a cap. The rib includes laterally extending teeth for gripping the adjacent groove surfaces. A pair of shoulders oppositely disposed relatively to the rib extend downwardly from the cap for engagement with the top horizontal surface of the panels and downwardly extending flanges are provided on the outer edges of the cap wings and the flanges extend downwardly along the outer panel surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and monitoring the tension on a web or strand as it extends and/or moves over and around a roll including a support assembly for supporting at least one end of the roll, said support assembly including a bridge structure having spaced connected bridge portions aligned with the roll on opposite sides of the axis thereof, a mounting member attached to anchor one end of the bridge structure in fixed position, a diaphragm member attached to the opposite end of the bridge structure, a mounting structure for attaching the diaphragm member to the roll, at least two and preferably four strain sensitive gage members attached to one of said spaced connected bridge portions, and a bridge type electric circuit including circuit connections to said strain sensitivie gage members.