Abstract: This print assembly comprises a carousel element having circumferentially a plurality of support elements supporting each a stack of magnetic cards to be printed magnetically and in clear, actuators drivingly connected to and rotating the carousel element for positioning one of the support elements at a magnetizing device for the cards, a clear printing device for the cards arranged downstream of the magnetizing device, transport members transporting the picked up cards from the support elements to the magnetizing and the clear printing device, and a selector arranged downstream of the printing device for separating the validly printed cards from the void ones.

Abstract: A mechanically-expandable instrument (bougie), especially useful for treating diseases in the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder, comprises an adjustable-speed driving unit (20) and a probe (22) composed of two rods (64) and (66) pivotally connected together at one end thereof and attached to output sliders (54, 56) of the driving unit at their other ends. Each of the rods (64) and (66) has a semicircular cross section so that in an assembled state the probe has a complete circular cross section. Reciprocations of the sliders cause expansions and contractions of the probe, thereby to stretch urethral constrictions in the radial direction and to subject the urethra and its surrounding tissue to massaging and vibrational actions which are extremely efficient for treating diseases of the urethra and the neck of the urinary bladder. Other embodiments of the rod employ cams, wedges, and threaded means for creating radial expansions and contractions of the probe.

Abstract: A blade assembly for the cutting edge of a scraper pan type earth mover includes a fixed blade having forward and downwardly projecting cutting teeth and a moveable blade also having cutting teeth, the moveable blade overlying the fixed blade, and power means for reciprocating the moveable blade in a transverse direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for receiving sheets from a sheet stacker, separating them into bundles, and removing the bundles from the discharge area of the sheet stacking apparatus. The apparatus includes a frame, a rotatable receiving means mounted on the frame, means for separating the bundles of sheets being received, and means for rotating the rotatable receiving means. The receiving means may include a plurality of sheet receiving chambers, each chamber having an elevator which may be lowered in the respective chamber. The apparatus also has means for raising each elevator. The separating means accumulates the sheets being received from the sheet stacker while the receiving means is being rotated.

Abstract: A blueprint copy collating apparatus for use with a blueprint copying machine comprising a plurality of blueprint receiving bins which are adapted for vertical movement relative to a support frame. A conveyor means is provided for transporting blueprint copies to the blueprint receiving bins and a drive means provided for raising and lowering the bins relative to the conveyor according to a predetermined sequence which is determined by a control circuit and corresponds to user selection. A vibrator table is secured to the apparatus for aligning sets of blueprint copies which are removed from individual bins subsequent to completion of the sorting or stacking function.

Abstract: A printing mechanism is provided with a rotary cutter mounted on a printing trolley to enable a recording medium or document to be cut as the printing trolley moves during a printing operation. The recording medium is supported by a platen which has a counteracting edge cooperating with the rotary cutter and a control mechanism operates to actuate the rotary cutter between an active position for cutting and a lifted inactive position with a spring operating to apply a spring force against the rotary cutter tending to urge it against the counteracting edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing money orders at a plurality of retail establishments is provided, including one or more data collector devices connected to a host device. Preferably, each of the money order dispensers include a digital processor for controlling the overall operation thereof, a keyboard for entering transaction data to request the printing of a money order, a display for displaying the transaction data, and a dot matrix printer for printing the requested money order. Each dispenser further includes an electrically-eraseable programmable read only memory (E.sup.2 PROM) for storing a security inhibit printing code, this code being automatically changed to prevent actuation of the printer when the security of the dispenser is comprised.

Abstract: A hydraulic bucket-compactor assembly for a backhoe is disclosed which enables the operator of the backhoe to place and compact material with the backhoe eliminating the need for an extra piece of equipment for compaction. The bucket-compactor is attached to the dipper stick of the backhoe, and is controlled from the cab of the backhoe. A vibrating compactor has its drive unit positioned within the bucket and a leg extending from the drive unit through an opening in the bucket heel wall. A compactor is attached to the leg exterior of the bucket.

Abstract: An improved sheet gripper system disposed on the impression cylinder of a printing press having regular sheet grippers mounted on a gripper shaft on the impression cylinder with additional grippers provided in the spaces between the regular grippers, which spaces are intended for cooperating transfer grippers, the additional grippers being adapted to retract into a gripper channel and extend out into the gripper plane only in one zone of the movement of the impression cylinder in which the between-gripper spaces are freed of the cooperating transfer grippers so that the front edge of a sheet is held by both the regular grippers, as it passes through the printing zone, and the additional grippers and the tension to which the printing material is subjected is greatly reduced, and the registry and print quality are improved.

Abstract: In a folder with at least one folding blade cylinder cooperating with a folding jaw cylinder, and with a guide mechanism which is located at each outlet wedge situated after the folding place in the direction of rotation of the respective cylinders cooperating in the folding process, extends over the entire length of the cylinder, and guides the parts of the sheets lying, after the folding place, on the circumferential section of the folding blade cylinder and being taken therefrom in the folding process, a long life of the guide mechanism as well as careful handling of the signatures to receive a cross fold can be guaranteed by the guide mechanism being equipped with a middle part which is so supported that it can turn freely around an axis parallel to the cylinder and has an approximately cylindrical surface, and with stationary connecting parts which join the said middle part laterally and have a surface contour cutting about tangentially into the surface of the middle part.

Abstract: A device for moving offset plates from a stack of such plates to a fixing device by grasping a plurality of offset plates having positioning engagement holes from a stack and moving them through a print-through device to a fixing device utilizing a transport mechanism having positioning pins to receive the engagement holes of the offset plates and to release them when the offset plates have completed the desired movement.

Abstract: An improved single stage snowthrower (2) includes an open front portion (14) having a rotatable impeller (30) contained therein. Impeller (30) contains at least one outwardly extending paddle (32) having a complex curved shape. Paddle (32) includes a central snowthrowing section (34) which is curved forwardly from its midpoint to each side thereof to be concave with this central section (34) extending over at least the middle 50 percent of the entire paddle's length. Two end sections (36) fill out the remaining length of paddle (32) and are shaped to function as augers for moving a relatively small volume of snow inwardly onto the central snowthrowing section (34). Improved impeller (30) can be used with an inverted funnel-shaped collecting chamber (22) located in the rear wall (18) of front portion (14) of snowthrower (2). Collecting chamber (22) is sized and shaped to approximate the size and shape of the inwardly tapered stream which is thrown off central section (34).

Abstract: A snow shaping means intended to be towed e.g. behind a vehicle and consisting of a cylindrical snow compacting means mounted in a frame and having track shaping elements on its periphery. Now that the so-called diagonal style has been introduced in skiing, track grooves as well as smooth spots are needed on a ski trail. As taught by the invention, the track shaping elements consist of parts disposed loosely on the periphery of the cylindrical drum and movable between an upper position and a lower position, and which in their lower position shape the track grooves.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved trenching bucket for use with trenching equipment such as backhoes, wherein the side plates of the bucket are adjustable so that trenches can be formed with walls at various slopes.

Abstract: A device for turning over book leaves is disclosed, which comprises a book holder for supporting a book in an open state, a movable unit disposed above the book holder and capable of vertical and horizontal movement, and a turn-over roller and a pinch member both mounted in said movable unit. The turn-over roller is brought into contact with the page of the book to be turned over with the movement of the movable unit. Then it is rotated toward the book seam to cause a plurality of book leaves including a leaf to be turned over to be turned up in between it and the pinch member. Then it is rotated in the opposite direction to release the turned-up leaves other than the leaf to be turned over. The remaining leaf to be turned over is moved with the movement of the movable unit toward the book seam to effect the turn-over.

Abstract: A skeleton wheel for a printing press has a pair of reel assemblies, one mounted axially along each of the leading and trailing edges of an opening extending the full axial width of the wheel, and to which the ends of an anti-smear fabric web are attached. Each reel assembly includes an axially extending roller which is non-rotatably mounted to the wheel yet permitted limited axial movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for interfolding webs, including two clusters of vacuum rolls, each in a generally hexagonal arrangement, each cluster having spaced apart web cutoff means and interfolding means, the vacuum rolls being arranged to develop four equal length paths between the cutoff means and the interfolding means, the apparatus being equipped with vacuum switching means to sequentially change paths of travel of the webs.

Abstract: A soft terrain earth digging machine, especially for the clearing and dredging of ponds, swamps or canals, of a type consisting of a bearing structure fitted with a central and lateral stabilizers and equipped with at least one earth digging device such as shovel, this device being controlled from a pilot cabin mounted on the bearing structure, wherein the central stabilizer is secured to a control carriage moving between two side rails of bearing structure, at least two support devices such as wheels or walking legs being mounted on telescopic arms ensuring the displacement control of these devices.

Abstract: A rotary printing press comprising a matrix mounted on a matrix cylinder, at least one inking roller and a counterpressure cylinder. The press includes flexible members and pneumatic cylinders operative between supports for the cylinders and rollers, which are arranged to compensate for variations in thicknesses of the matrix and/or the paper.

Abstract: A quick-action plate clamping mechanism for a plate cylinder of a printing press consists of a pressure strip disposed axially in a recess along the gap in the plate cylinder wherein the recess extends behind the plane of the rear gap wall and parallel thereto, the pressure strip being displaceable in the gap by means of an eccentric bolt which is disposed outside the cylinder center plane parallel to the clamp screws in the rear clamping bar and with specially formed recesses in the pressure strip and corresponding projections on a co-acting member being provided which are respectively situated opposite the clamp screws and supported by compression springs thereby enabling a uniform parallel clamping movement to be carried out in the direction of the rear clamping bar.