Abstract: A multiple element color-corrected doubly telecentric lens and imaging system useful for imaging multiwell plates is described. The lens contains a biconvex field lens element L1, a positive meniscus lens element L2, concave toward the incident light side, a double-Gauss lens element group, a positive meniscus lens element L10, convex toward the incident light, a positive meniscus lens element L11, convex toward the incident light, and a plano concave field flattener lens element L12, concave toward the incident light side. The lens is very sensitive, and can be used to image scintillation proximity assays in multiwell plates.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary systems, devices and methods for manipulating and handling multi-well plates. In one exemplary embodiment, a system is provided which comprises a robot having a base member and at least one arm. The arm includes a grasping mechanism which is adapted to grasp the plate. Further, the grasping mechanism is configured to receive the plate in a repeatable and known location such that the location of each well relative to the grasping mechanism is known by the robot.

Abstract: A multiple element color-corrected doubly telecentric lens and imaging system useful for imaging multiwell plates is described. The lens contains a biconvex field lens element L1, a positive meniscus lens element L2, concave toward the incident light side, a double-Gauss lens element group, a positive meniscus lens element L10, convex toward the incident light, a positive meniscus lens element L11, convex toward the incident light, and a plano concave field flattener lens element L12, concave toward the incident light side. The lens is very sensitive, and can be used to image scintillation proximity assays in multiwell plates.

Abstract: A bale loading system comprising a bale carrier and a method for loading, transporting, and unloading large bales of agricultural material. The bales can be either round or rectangular bales. The bale carrier is towed to a bale in a field. The bale is positioned in a bale loading mechanism and securely clamped. The bale is lifted, rotated, and placed on the bale carrier such that a flat surface of the bale rests on the bale carrier. A plurality of bales can be loaded onto the bale carrier. After the bale carrier is loaded, the bale loader is transported to a bale storage location where the bales are unloaded. The bales are unloaded such that a bound surface of an unloaded bale faces skyward, and such that an unbound surface of a bale faces an unbound surface of a previously unloaded bale.

Abstract: A learning apparatus for use with a computer comprising a set of tactile flash cards, each individual card having a tactilely perceptible pattern embossed on a surface of the card and two electrically connected contacts at a unique set of discrete spaced positions on the card with a preselected correspondence between the tactilely perceptible pattern on the surface of the card and the selected positions of the contacts, and a tactile flash card reader capable of sensing the positions of the contacts on a card and controlling the computer.

Abstract: A cervical brace has a cervical anterior base (16) with an anterior distal neck-chin plate (1, 27) and a posterior-distal neck-chin plate (9, 28) that are extended over designedly wide areas of a user's shoulders (22) and joined together to provide broad-base support for an anterior-proximal neck-chin plate (2) and an inclined posterior-proximal neck-chin plate (10) with which cervical vertebrae (25) are held desirably in place from the cervical anterior base. A rigid thoracic bar (5) is extended adjustably upward from a chest plate (6) that is strapped to the user. Designedly cushioned and washable pads (3, 4, 7, 11, 12) are detachably fastened to the neck-chin plates and the chest plate. A selectively neck supporting method employs an incline action against a reciprocally inclined back of a person's head by forcing a front portion and a rear portion of the cervical anterior base together to provide a highly weight-supportive base on a broad portion of the person's shoulder area simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for aligning multiple image layers to form a composite image in which the individual single color images are aligned by systems of at least one registration hole which is round and permits no movement of the film.

Abstract: A weight bearing strut assembly is capable of supporting the human frame in the act of walking and further enables a leg to which it is strapped to bend in a normal manner as the leg is brought forward during each step, and to lock when the leg is straightened as necessary to shift weight thereupon. The strut assembly includes a braking mechanism activated as load is placed upon the strut assembly, and an urging mechanism which is activated when the load is removed, and the strut assembly is bent but moving toward the straight leg attitude. Under these conditions, the urging mechanism drives the strut assembly quickly into a co-linear arrangement so as to assure that the strut assembly is ready to take a compressive load.

Abstract: An efficient method for compressing audio and other sampled data signals without loss, or with a controlled amount of loss, is described. The compression apparatus contains a subset selector, an approximator, an adder, two derivative encoders, a header encoder, and a compressed block formatter. The decompression apparatus contains a compressed block parser, a header decoder, two integration decoders, an approximator, and an adder. The compressor first divides each block of input samples into a first subset and a second subset. The approximator uses the first subset samples to approximate the second subset samples. An error signal is created by subtracting the approximated second subset samples from the actual second subset samples. The first subset samples and error signal are separately encoded by the derivative encoders, which select the signal's derivative that requires the least amount of storage for a block floating point representation.

Abstract: A special configured rehabilitating quadcane implement providing major advancements in the art; including: a.) positive vertical incremental adjustment of staff height to suit user; b.) the staff is readily rotatable 180.degree., so as to facilitate both left and right hand usage; c.) during final stages of rehib-recovery the cane-staff may be extracted from the quadleged-base spider via provision of a special safety-lock turn-flap device, enabling monocane use; d.) each of the quadlegs are independently adjustable as to ground-spread, thereby accommodating different stability requirements of patients. Most of the adjustments are provided via a well known spring-tensioned button-detent indexing device, whereby detent-holes are staged at regular intervals. Moreover, the adjustable quadlegged-base enables the user to align the leading edges of the two frontal-legs, so that the cane staff rocks forward exactly inline with the direction of walking.

Abstract: A braille learning apparatus for use with a computer comprising a set of tactile flash cards, each individual card having a pattern of braille dots embossed on a surface of the card and two electrically connected contacts at a unique set of discrete spaced positions on the card with a preselected correspondence between the pattern of braille dots on the surface of the card and the selected positions of the contacts, and a tactile flash card reader capable of sensing the positions of the contacts on a card.

Abstract: A convoluted foam pad adapted to be positioned on a bed in a supporting relationship to a patient is provided. The pad has a head and a foot supporting section, each in the form of a convoluted, checker board pattern of rows of peaks separated by depressions. A torso supporting section, located between the head and foot supporting sections, comprises substantially parallel ribs separated by substantially parallel valleys.

Abstract: A convoluted foam pad adapted to be positioned on a bed in a supporting relationship to a patient is provided. The pad has a head and a foot supporting section, each in the form of a convoluted, checker board pattern of rows of peaks separated by depressions. A torso supporting section, located between the head and foot supporting sections, comprises substantially parallel ribs separated by substantially parallel valleys.

Abstract: A portable support for a scaffold comprising first and second wheeled support members which are adapted to be placed on the building roof. The support members are interconnected by length adjustable braces to enable the distance between the support members to be varied. Handrails are also provided on the wheeled support members which extend therebetween to enable the entire assembly to be easily moved as a unit. The first support member has a plurality of upstanding posts secured thereto for selectively vertically receiving one end of an elongated scaffold support arm. The second support member has a pair of posts secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom for receiving the scaffold support arm therebetween. The scaffold support arm is also length adjustable to enable the distance between the support members to be varied.

Abstract: A portable support for a scaffold comprising first and second wheeled support members which are adapted to be placed on the building roof. The first support member has a pair of upstanding posts secured thereto for selectively vertically receiving one end of an elongated scaffold support arm. A plurality of weights are removably mounted on spaced-apart upstanding rods. The second support member has a pair of posts secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom for receiving the scaffold support arm therebetween. The scaffold support arm is selectively vertically positioned between the upstanding posts on the second table by means of a bolt extending therethrough. The outer end of the scaffold support arm has the scaffold operatively secured thereto.

Abstract: The invention is substituted 2,6-dinitroaniline compounds and preemergence herbicidal methods and compositions employing the substituted 2,6-dinitroaniline compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain novel substituted 2,6-dinitroaniline compounds which are useful herbicides.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a hydrant coupling device including a pressure control valve which, due to its portability, may be connected to any one of a plurality of hydrants to regulate the flow of liquid therefrom, and additionally including a pit valve which is interlocked with the pressure control valve body to prevent the spilling of liquid if the control valve is accidentally forced loose from the pit valve.