Abstract: A self-balancing boom apparatus includes a vertical support post, a boom pivotally mounted to the support post, and a spring which produces a force along a force axis to counteract gravitational forces on the boom. A spring force coupling mechanism couples the spring force to the boom at a point between the pivot axis and the distal end of the boom. The spring force coupling mechanism is constructed and arranged for vertical movement on the support post, causing the spring force to vary as the boom is pivoted. The force coupling mechanism includes a pair of horizontally extending cam members engaged by a pair of rollers which are attached to the boom and moved to vary the distance between the force axis and the point of application of the force inversely with variation in the spring force as the boom is pivoted.

Abstract: A pouring spout for a container, particularly for decantation by pouring, of a liquid phase from the container and formed with a fluid passageway having a screen disposed therein for the removal of solids from the liquid being poured from the container. A vent is provided in the pouring spout to facilitate pressure equalization to minimize or eliminate ebullition.

Abstract: A modular fluid spraying system including: at least one container for the fluid or fluids to be sprayed the container being fluid plug connectable to at least one fluid pumping which is in turn fluid plug connectable to at least one boom section, the boom section carrying fluid supply connections and being fluid plug connectable to other boom sections and to at least one sprayhead assembly detachably securable to the said boom section or sections; and at least one electronic data processing circuit electrically plug-connectable to the system and pre-set so as to regulate at least one electrically responsive operating parameter of the system when the system is connected to a source of electrical power in use; whereby various numbers of containers and/or various numbers of boom sections may be added or subtracted to the system to achieve a desired combination of fluid delivery and spray area.

Abstract: A method for picking closely spaced rows of plants using a harvesting machine having spindle-type picking heads; a method of modifying a conventional harvesting machine to harvest closely spaced rows of plants; and a harvesting machine having spindle-type picking heads for harvesting closely spaced rows of plants.

Abstract: A float positioning assembly for servo actuated proportional control valves which increases the percentage of available pilot pressure for use during normal "raise" and "lower" modes of operation thereby saving energy. The float positioning assembly is connected to one end of a proportional control valve housing in axial alignment with a slidable valve spool. It includes a differential piston which is positioned between a centering spring assembly and an end member. The centering spring assembly includes a support member which is fixed at one end to the axially slidable control valve spool. A centering spring surrounds the support member, and it is mounted between a fixed collar and a slidable collar. When the valve spool is displaced for a "lower" mode of operation, the support member slidably moves through the slidable collar, and the centering spring is slightly compressed between the fixed and slidable collars.

Abstract: An agricultural chemical sprayer is disclosed using special pre-coded machine-readable chemical containers which, when attached for use, become an integral part of an automatic spray control system. The pre-coded data derived from a given container effectively prevents unauthorized and unsafe container refilling operations and, at the same time, automatically provides optimum control over the spray application rate (pump operation and/or electrostatic voltage), prevents mixing of incompatible spray solutions, prescribes proper spray system flushing procedures, and at all times after filling maintains an irreversible account of the available liquid remaining in the container. Provisions are made for monitoring the condition and/or operation of each spray nozzle and special connectors are provided for effecting optimum liquid and electrical circuit connections in such a system.

Abstract: A container for the electrostatic spraying of liquids, especially pesticides, having an integral conductive spray nozzle formed from two concentric tubes in which axial ribs and grooves between the tubes provide a liquid pathway to the nozzle mouth. Air is bled into the container in use through an extended pathway provided by a helical thread on the surface of a bung in the upper end of the inner tube.

Abstract: A needle shield is provided for a needle holding assembly, such as a blood collection assembly, which reduces the possibility of contamination to the user by providing a radially positioned guidance groove at the entry of the shield for easy guidance of the used needle point back into the shield.

Abstract: A method and apparatus by which video signals can be converted to digitized values and stored in memory. Means are provided for continuous digitization of successive images which may be stored in computer memory in real time. Additionally, means are provided for compression of adjacent picture elements to produce a spacially compressed image which takes up less memory space. Also disclosed are means for compressing successive frames so as to produce a temporally compressed image.

Abstract: A survey data collecting system includes a booklet having front and back covers and a plurality of intermediate pages. The back cover is perforated to form a negotiable check, the face of which is on the outer surface of the back cover. The inner surface of the check has several columns of spaces thereon for indicating answers to questions which are written on the intermediate leaves and on the remaining portion of the back cover. The intermediate leaves decrease in width so that each succeeding leaf covers one less column of spaces than the preceding one.

Abstract: A gamma ray scintillation camera generating (X,Y) spatial coordinate and Z energy signals relative to detected radiation events. The system provides for calibration of the camera Z signal response as a function of camera face location. In addition, the camera signals are converted to their digital equivalents subsequent to which the apparent coordinate locations of detected events as determined by the camera are corrected to their true spatial coordinates based upon correction information stored in the system.

Abstract: A paint can collar comprising a generally circular body having a lower lip portion for engagement with the rim of a paint can, an intermediate portion resting upon the top of the paint can, and an upper lip portion outwardly and upwardly projecting from the intermediate portion so that any spilled paint will return into the paint can. The lower lip portion also includes a plurality of tabs to maintain the paint can collar in engagement with the inner rim of the paint can. The body is designed to have a variable diameter to fit various size paint cans. The upper lip portion may also include a pair of bisymmetrical indentations so that the handle of the paint can may be moved into a functional position for carrying the paint can without removing the paint can collar.

Abstract: A chimney cleaning system which can be operated from the ground and which does not require the user to climb a ladder to the top of the chimney includes a cleaning head constructed of a number of sections of iron or like material connected together by support members of length appropriate to the particular interior dimensions of the chimney to be cleaned and suspended by a chain or cable from a tubular support member which is adapted to align the cleaning head within the chimney or flue and to provide a guide for the cable to the ground for ready access by the user without the need for pulleys. An anti-down draft cap may be mounted at the end of the tubular support member immediately above the chimney opening to enhance the operation of the chimney system. The anti-down draft cap mounts to a support means on the end of the tubular support member. The tubular support member is mounted to the outside of the chimney by stainless steel bands or the like.

Abstract: A quick release starting device for internal combustion engines having a rotary crankshaft is shown. The device includes a case, a sliding shaft vertically disposed within the case, and a compression spring mounted about the shaft inside the case. An exchangeable socket is mounted on the lower end of the shaft to engage the engine crankshaft. Downward pressure on the sliding shaft compresses the spring and engages the socket. When the engine starts and pressure is removed from the shaft, the spring tension is released thereby assisting the operator in disengaging the socket from the crankshaft.

Abstract: A composite rotary tool including a working surface extending from the leading end of the tool for forming a hole in the material being worked, and at least one cutter positioned beyond the active working surface for removing a small amount of material from an edge of a formed hole during the period of the forward and reverse strokes of the tool. The cutter may perform its function during a normal complete cycle of the tool operation.

Abstract: An acoustic liner for attenuating noise comprises a backing face and a perforated facing sheet arranged over and spaced from the backing face, the perforated facing sheet being on non-uniform porosity in the direction of noise propagation.

Abstract: An acoustic liner for attenuating noise comprises a backing face and a perforated facing sheet arranged over and spaced from the backing face, the perforated facing sheet being on non-uniform thickness in the direction of noise propagation.

Abstract: A gamma ray scintillation camera generating (X,Y) spatial coordinate and Z energy signals relative to detected radiation events. The system provides for calibration of the camera Z signal response as a function of camera face location. In addition, the camera signals are converted to their digital equivalents subsequent to which the apparent coordinate locations of detected events as determined by the camera are corrected to their true spatial coordinates based upon correction information stored in the system.

Abstract: A liquid-vapor separation device and method, including a generally horizontally-disposed arcuate passageway which interconnects the outlet of the tube side of a heater component of an evaporator to a condensor or subsequent effect heater. A floor plate is disposed in the arcuate passageway in spaced-away relation from the side walls thereof so as to permit drainage of liquid collected on the interior walls of the passageway into a liquid-collecting section which is provided with a suitable drain for removal of the thus-collected liquid. The floor plate is of sufficient size to minimize re-entrainment of the collected liquid. Adjacent the outlet end of the device anti-swirl baffles are provided to eliminate turbulence in the vapor adjacent such outlet end.

Abstract: A gamma ray scintillation camera generating (X,Y) spatial coordinate and Z energy signals relative to detected radiation events. The camera signals are converted to their digital equivalents subsequent to which the apparent coordinate locations of detected events as determined by the camera are corrected to their true spatial coordinates based upon correction information stored in the system. In addition to spatial coordinate correction, the system provides for calibration of the camera Z signal response as a function of camera face location.