Abstract: The present invention includes a single joystick for the simultaneous control of three spool valves for use on a construction machine. A first portion of the joystick is moved in a first direction which causes a cam to selectively depress a first pair of plungers to control the first spool valve. Movement of the first portion in the second direction causes the cam to selectively depress a second pair of plungers thereby controlling the movement of the second spool valve. A handle of a second portion of the joystick rotates about an axis causing a plate to rotate in a corresponding manner. The corresponding rotation of the plate causes a link member to rotate about the axis causing a pair of lugs to selectively depress a third pair of plungers to control the third spool valve. The mechanism for depressing the third plungers works independently of the position of the first portion so that the control of the third spool valve is independent of the control of the first and second spool valves.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle, such as the type commonly known as a tractor, includes a chassis (11), a front axle (18) and a rear axle (40) suspended from the chassis (11) by a rear axle suspension (42-45). The rear axle suspension is preferably non-reactive, and preferably self-leveling. Further, a towing assembly (60) is secured to the rear axle by which a plow may be towed.

Abstract: This specification concerns signal processing apparatus for processing line synchronization pulses in a line synchronization signal that define an analog video signal line period. The apparatus comprises a phase locked loop (40) for generating a clock signal of a frequency that is a multiple of the line synchronization signal frequency. The phase locked loop (40) comprises a counter (100) for dividing the clock signal by said multiple. The apparatus further comprises logic (110,50) for resetting the counter (100) upon detection of a spurious pulse introducing a time interval into the line synchronization signal of less than the line period of the video signal. The apparatus is particularly useful in image processing systems for digitizing analog video signals that have been replayed via a conventional, domestic video tape player, and therefore may comprise spurious line sync pulses introduced by playback head skip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support mechanism that may be installed onto a conventional bed to assist a person into and out of a bed. The support mechanism comprises a tubular support member formed with a pair of vertical and substantially parallel legs, each of which is adapted to fasten to the vertical extending portion of a side rail. The support mechanism may further comprise a clamp which is adapted to connect one of the legs to the bed post.

Abstract: Signal processing apparatus comprises a chrominance subsampler (10) for sampling the U and V components of a PAL video signal in response to an enable signal. A counter (30) responsive to the horizontal synchronization component of the PAL video signal generates the enable signal upon detection of a predetermined number of horizontal synchronization pulses. Logic (60,70,80) responsive to the vertical synchronization component of the PAL video signal resets and disables the counter (30) upon detection of a vertical synchronization pulse. Logic (50,60,70,80) restarts the counter (30) from a reset state upon detection of a predetermined polarity in the V component of the PAL video signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support mechanism that may be installed onto a conventional bed and/or a hospital bed frame to assist a person into and out of a bed. The support mechanism comprises a tubular support member formed with a pair of vertical and substantially parallel legs, each of which is adapted to fasten to the bed frame.

Abstract: A container for material contaminated with a toxic substance or a radionuclide has a base with recesses. A highly absorbent cementitious material is disposed in the recesses for absorbing any liquid in the container. The cementitious material is made by mixing together a sodium bentonite clay slurry and a cement slurry at a water/solids ratio of about 1.5/1. Subsequent heating of the mixture removes capillary water without substantially dehydrating any hydrated cement.

Abstract: A herbicidal composition comprising a herbicidal cyclohexane dione of partial structure (I): ##STR1## and a surfactant having terminal hydroxy groups in which the hydroxy groups have been replaced by organic blocking groups.

Abstract: An inexpensive and easy to use coupling for connecting one end of a corrugated flexible hose to a meter or distributor outlet, or to another hose on an implement such as an air drill or seeder. Two generally semi-cylindrical portions are molded as a single unit with integral hinge and locking structure. The inner surface of the cylindrical member is corrugated to correspond to the corrugations on the flexible hose, and an end portion of the coupling device includes an annular groove which mates with a flange on the outlet. The locking structure automatically latches as the semi-cylindrical portions are closed around the hose and the flange.

Abstract: A drive direction selection system for a vehicle transmission including a source of electrical power, a first circuit for supplying an electrical signal from the source to a forward drive direction engagement means and a second circuit for supplying an electrical signal from the source to a reverse drive direction engagement means. Forward and reverse drive direction selection pedals are provided which when depressed close forward and reverse direction selector switches in the first and second circuits respectively. First interlock means are arranged to break the first circuit on closing of the reverse direction selector switch and to maintain the first circuit broken until both switches are again simultaneously in their open condition. Second interlock means are arranged to break the second circuit on closing of the forward direction selector switch and to maintain the second circuit broken until both switches are again simultaneously in their open condition.

Abstract: A lockable control lever arrangement in which a pivotally mounted control lever (10) is provided with linkages (12,13,16,17,18,19) for connecting the control lever with one or more functions to be controlled. A locking device (60) is provided for locking the lever in a given position.The locking device includes a first locking formation (23,24) operatively connected with each of the linkages, a locking member (20,21,22) having a second locking formation (21a,22a) engageable with the first locking formation to lock the control lever (10) in the given position, and a manually operable operating means (26,27,28,29) for moving the locking member to bring the first and second formations into engagement to lock the control lever.The control lever arrangement is particularly applicable to the operation of hydraulic valves which control the loaders and diggers of industrial tractors.

Abstract: A heated ceiling fan comprising a plurality of blades with heating means in each of the blades.

Abstract: A secondary zinc electrode, for example, for a nickel/zinc cell has an electrically conductive support onto each major surface of which is pressed an active zinc material. A grid structure defining a plurality of compartments is pressed into the material on each major surface of the support so as to separate the active material into a plurality of physically separate areas. Such an arrangement mitigates the shape change problem to which secondary zinc electrodes are prone in service.

Abstract: A pressed, secondary zinc electrode has dispersed therein particulate carbon in an amount between 1 and 50% by weight of the total weight of zinc and carbon and an organic binder in an amount between 0.5 and 10% by weight of the total weight of zinc and carbon.

Abstract: A twin control lever arrangement for the control of three functions such as hydraulic valves. The arrangement includes a first control lever (10) mounted on a first mounting means (12) for pivoting about first (A) and second (B) perpendicular axes to operate first and second functions respectively and a second control lever (13) mounted on a second mounting means (15) for pivoting about a third axis (C) aligned with the first axis (A) and a fourth axis (D) parallel to the second axis (B). Pivoting of the second lever (13) about the third axis (C) operates the third function and a link member (32) extends generally perpendicularly to the two control levers (10,13) to operatively connect the levers by way of pivotal connections at both ends of the link member so that the two levers pivot together about the second and fourth axes to allow either lever to operate the second function.

Abstract: A method of producing a nickel electrode comprising a current collector and active material pressed into physical and electrical contact with the current collector. The active material comprises nickel hydroxide, an organic binder, a conductive diluent and a cobalt compound, the cobalt compound having been precipitated from a cobalt-containing solution in contact with the already-formed nickel hydroxide.

Abstract: A bipolar system comprises a plurality of flexible, conductive electrode strips assembled into a stack with porous, flexible, insulating separator strips being interposed between adjacent electrode strips. Each electrode strip at the exterior of the stack is provided on its innermost surface with electrochemically active material, and the or each electrode strip in the interior of the stack is provided on each of its opposite major surfaces with electrochemically active material. Sealing means is provided around the ends and lowermost edges of the electrode strips.The stack of electrode strips and separator strips is folded into a serpentine configuration and then mounted in a generally rectangular battery box such that the serpentine configuration winds back and forth between opposite walls of the box with electrochemically active material of opposite polarity on an adjacent strip.

Abstract: A shift register latch circuit (FIG. 1) comprised of a polarity hold latch 1 connected to a set/reset latch 2. The latches can be clocked with separate non-overlapping clock trains (+A, +B and +C) so that automatically generated test patterns can be applied to a scan input S to test the circuit. This conforms to the so-called Level Sensitive Scan Design (LSSD) rules. During system operation, the shift register latch circuit operates as a `D` type edge trigger by connecting the clock input +B of the set/reset latch 2 to the clock -C supplied to the polarity hold latch 1. By connecting a number of shift register latches together a Johnson counter can be formed and by clocking all latches with a single oscillator, a series of non-overlapping clock trains can be produced. Implementations of the shift register latch in AND circuits or AND OR INVERT circuits are described.

Abstract: An improved air freshener gel which is substantially syneresis-free comprising in an aqueous system from 0.5-10% by weight of CMC, 0.01-10% by weight perfume, a source of trivalent cations selected from chromic ion, aluminum ion or mixtures sufficient to produce a weight ratio of CMC to effective weight of trivalent cation of 1:0.01 to 1:0.1 and water.