Abstract: In a device for reducing spring tension in a belt strap, particularly in a belt retractor for safety belts in motor vehicles, comprising a winding shaft and a return spring secured in a housing, the device including means for producing a force acting against the tension of the spring, the means being couplable with the winding shaft through a coupling means, the improvement comprising a spring housing mounted so as to be freely rotatable on the shaft, a pivot bearing of a wheel rotatably disposed on the spring housing, the wheel being in driving arrangement through the coupling means with the winding shaft and with the retractor housing, and a release member operable for releasing the coupling means.

Abstract: A center support member for a tiltable swivelling grading blade on an earthmoving machine which prevents the occurence of internal stresses in the blade generated by tilting of the blade is in the form of a ball and socket joint attached to the center rear of the blade and to a carrier frame on the machine. A shaft slidable in a sleeved mounting carries the ball portion of the joint at one end and the other end of the shaft is spring urged towards the blade by spring means in the sleeved mounting. Stop means in the sleeved mounting limit the stroke of the shaft. Additionally, a piston engaged by the spring means in a chamber in the sleeved mounting is arranged to force lubricant through a feed line to the shaft in response to axial movement of the shaft.

Abstract: In a hydroelectric facility, a vertically mounted rotatable shaft is connected to a motor-generator and carries a pump-turbine with a supplying pump disposed below and immersed in water, the supplying pump disengaging from the shaft when the pump-turbine is driving the motor-generator and engaging the shaft when the motor-generator is driving the pump-turbine and supplying pump, thereby providing a two-stage pumping mode and a single-stage generating mode.

Abstract: An active dried bakers' yeast is prepared with a dry matter content of at least 85% by weight, a protein content (%N.times.6.25) of 45 to 60% based on dry matter and an activity value of 420 to 600, when determined according to test method B.sup.2 as defined in the specification. The yeast has the advantages that it can be added as such to the flour prior to dough-making without preliminary soaking, and it is capable of better gas production than active dried yeasts hitherto available.

Abstract: In an extrusion coating process of the flow-stretch type in which a ribbon of an aqueous gelatin coating composition is extruded through an elongated orifice onto a moving support and becomes stretched and attenuated in thickness between the orifice and support, at least one visco-elasticity enhancing agent is added to the coating composition in sufficient amount as to disproportionately increase the elasticity of the composition compared to its viscosity so as to render the composition stretchable at viscosities which are substantially reduced compared to what would otherwise be necessary for flow-stretch coatability.

Abstract: A proteinaceous material such as gelatin is hardened by treatment with an aqueous solution of a partial hydrolysis product of cyanuric chloride that has been buffered with a water-soluble borate, e.g. sodium metaborate, potassium metaborate or ammonium metaborate.The proteinaceous material can be a proteinaceous coating such as a photographic silver halide emulsion layer, a backing layer, a protective layer, a filter layer or any other photographic auxiliary layer.

Abstract: An exercise projectile of the discarding sabot type and having a projectile body consisting of at least two parts which, after traversing a predetermined trajectory, are separated from one another and are provided with first and second connecting means for keeping these parts interconnected prior to firing and during the predetermined trajectory, respectively, and with disconnecting means for rendering the connecting means inoperative at least at or near the predetermined trajectory. The first connecting means comprise means cooperating with the sabot, like collars engaging in grooves of the sabot. The second connecting means are of the type activated by the firing of the projectile, e.g. of pneumatic type, like gas pressure interlocking means which, during the predetermined trajectory, are kept under a gas pressure derived from the firing gas pressure and are reduced during the predetermined trajectory by suitable means, like leakage ducts.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel (1-arylcycloalkylmethyl) isothiocyanates, having biocidal, more particularly, fungicidal, bactericidal and insecticidal properties.

Abstract: A work driver chuck having face and actuator plates interconnected by the pivot shafts of work holding cam jaws carried by and journaled for rotative movement in the face plate. Although normally centered on the rotational axis of the chuck, the assembly of plates and jaws is released for limited universal free floating movement during the actual work clamping operation to compensate for eccentricity of or surface irregularities in the workpiece. The actuator plate is slidable relative to the face plate and is operative as it moves to turn the jaws angularly into or out of engagement with the work.

Abstract: A propelling head for the pneumatic propelling of a multifilament tow, e.g., for use in the filling of textile or network bags, hoses, sacks, or bed cover channels for padding or insulating purposes, has a rear end through which the tow enters and a front end through which the tow is propelled by means of air injected into the head in such a manner as to produce a flow of air directed towards and out of the front end. Behind the zone of injection of air the head is closed with the exception of a tow engaging hole which fits closely around the tow entering the head to prevent or reduce the escape of air through the rear end of the head.

Abstract: A seed drill has a frame, a transverse hopper and a series of triple disc coulters mounted on the frame below the hopper. The coulters are each mounted on the frame by a parallelogram linkage which maintains the proper relative positions of the front and rear discs of the coulters at different penetration depths and permits the maximum transport height of the coulters.

Abstract: Abrasion marks by dry-friction and the tendency of producing pressure-scratches in photographic materials is reduced by incorporating in the gelatin silver halide emulsion layers polymeric compounds containing recurring units with semicarbazone or alkoxy carbonyl hydrazone groups in the side-chains. These recurring units are represented by one of the formulae: ##STR1## wherein: A is a single bond or --CONH-alkylene-, --COO-alkylene-, or phenylene,B is a single bond or alkylene,R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sup.2 is hydrogen, phenyl or lower alkyl (1-4 C),R.sup.3 is --NH--COOR or ##STR2## wherein R is lower alkyl (1-4 C) and each of R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 is hydrogen or lower alkyl (1-4 C).

Abstract: A process is provided for applying a coating of film-forming material to an acid-etchable metal without the use of electricity wherein the metal is immersed in an aqueous dispersion of a film-forming material cationically dispersed in water which also contains the carboxylic acid radical derived from acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or an oligomer thereof, and the resulting wet coating is dried on the surface of the metal.

Abstract: A process for the metallization of a substrate and the product formed thereby. An extremely thin (substantially less than the wavelength of light) coat of metallic particles is deposited on a transfer agent. A thin coat of varnish is applied to either the substrate or the transfer agent, the substrate and the transfer agent are laminated together and the varnish is cured. The metallic particles will become absorbed within the varnish and the substrate and transfer agent are then separated. The substrate is provided with a highly polished specular metallic finish.

Abstract: A harvester having means for reducing its width for transport has a crop gathering table, and a harvester body portion connected to the gathering table by a vertical pivot. The harvester body portion can be swung about the pivot axis from a longitudinal working position to a transverse transport position to reduce the width of the harvester for transport.

Abstract: A speaker system comprises an enclosure and at least one speaker mounted therein. The enclosure includes at least one duct connecting the interior of the enclosure directly with the outer air at the front thereof. Each duct is confined at least at one side by a member extending substantially normal to and running substantially the width of the front of the enclosure. The member has its front and/or rear edge rounded so that the cross-sectional dimension of the opening of the duct at the respective edge is greater than that of the central section of the duct.

Abstract: A coating of a film-forming material is applied without electricity to a metal by immersing the metal in an aqueous dispersion which contains a film-forming material cationically dispersed in a cationic dispersion which contains a carboxylic acid radical capable of reacting with metal ions obtained by etching the metal to form a negatively charged complex in the dispersion.

Abstract: An elongated carrier or holder 11, in the form of an elongated, hollow channel profile, is screwed to the frame 2 of the printing machine. The carrier 11 is formed with a long slot 15 through which clamping bolts 17, 18, attached to clamping plates 16 internally of the channel 11, can pass. The clamping bolts clamp individual supports 19 to the channel, adjustable longitudinally of the machine and up and down since the slot is wider than the side of the bolts, the supports each carrying a synchronous motor 27, and a gear train 26, 24 meshing with gear 23 attached to the adjustment screws 7. A stop 28 prevents excessive travel. The connecting cable for the motors is located within the channel.