Abstract: A relatively simple and inexpensive apparatus for testing at least the air brakes of trailers includes a portable air-brake governing or actuation system and a hand-held control pendent, operating off an independent compressed air supply. Without the coupling of, and connections with, a tractor, the air brakes of a trailer can be applied and released, and held in a charged mode for a period of time during which any loss of air pressure can be monitored. Using the apparatus a single person can conduct the entire air brake test process, including applying and releasing the brakes while simultaneously visually and manually inspecting the brakes.

Abstract: A testing device for conducting the Initial Terminal Inspection of the air brake system of a made-up train includes a first valve assembly for at least charging and applying the brakes through the test device operable from the location at which the device is coupled between the train brake pipe and a supply of compressed air, and it also includes a second valve assembly for releasing the brakes actuated by receipt of a remotely-transmitted signal. The Initial Terminal Inspection requires that the brakes of a train be inspected in both their applied and their released positions. A testing device is normally connected to the train brake pipe at the locomotive end. The inspection of the brakes in their applied position requires the inspector to walk the length of the train, usually from the locomotive end to the far end of the train. This can be a distance of a half mile or a mile or more.

Abstract: A packaging system for retaining an article therein is provided. The packaging system comprises a first flat sheet member foldable into a first container portion and a second flat sheet member foldable into a second container portion. The second container portion is moveable to a position adjacent the first container portion. The packaging system further comprises a first open area within the first container portion and a second open area within the second container portion. A retention mechanism releasably retains the article within the first container portion wherein the first open area and the second open area substantially surround the article.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor formed by a series of self propelled pallets (18) running on a track (20), with non-contacting proximity detectors (24A, 24B) located on the front and rear of each pallet (18), and an on board control circuit (26) causing deenergization of the drive motor (22) when a stopped pallet (18) is detected ahead, or when barrier members (28, 30) are positioned ahead. Slow down, stopping and reversing of the drive may be controlled by side mounted photo detector switches (40A, 40B, 52A, 52B) activated by photo emitter devices (42A, 42B, 54A, 54B) mounted along the path of the pallets (18). A bilevel feed and return track (20A, 20B) may be traversed by the pallets (18), reversed to be driven in either direction, and either the forward or rear proximity switch (24A or 24B) activated by the control circuit (26) depending on the direction of travel of the car.

Abstract: A measuring device (60) measures the value (t) of a chosen parameter (thickness) of what has been lifted by a lifting assembly (40) from a stack of sheets (1) of material and allows the lifted material to be moved from the stack when the value is in a predetermined relationship to a reference value (T). One (45a) of a plurality of selectively releasable members (45) on the lifting assembly (40) is moveable in two horizontal directions to locate a sheet attached to the one releaseable member (45a) against locating pins (5, 6) on the work table (3) of the punch press (4). The entire system may be operated automatically by a controller (90).

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) is disclosed comprised of a plurality of vehicles (12), propelled about a guide track (14) by a D.C. motor (54) and battery (52), featuring an on-board control (40) in which signals from fore and aft and side mounted photosensors (32,34,36,38) are processed by a microprocessor (42), to generate control signals for pulse width modulated control of the power to the D.C. motor (54). The control signals are applied to a motor driver circuit (50), including an H-bridge of MOSFET switching components (Q1,Q2 A ramping or progressive variation of the power applied to the motor (54) is carried out to provide gradual acceleration or deceleration, and the fore and aft photo-detectors (32,34) are triggered by the approach of another vehicle (12) at a substantial distance, to accommodate the distance required for gradual deceleration when the vehicles (12) are being queued at points along the track (14).

Abstract: A new game is disclosed, involving substantially the same rules as American football (e.g., NFL or NCAA) except that kicks or passes into the end zone may be deflected back onto the playing field as a playable ball by a rebounding assembly that surrounds the goalposts. Upon an attempted field goal, an errant kick will result in the ball hitting the rebounding assembly instead of passing between the vertical uprights of the goalpost. The reflected ball can be caught before it hits the ground by only players of the team defending the goal. Once caught, the defending team may advance the ball toward the opposite goal in accordance with the normal rules of American football. If the ball reflected off of the rebounding assembly hits the ground before it is caught by a player of the team defending the goal, the ball is free for players of either team to advance.

Abstract: Self propelled pallet vehicles (12a) are guided along a track network (10) by downwardly projecting guide pins (350, 352) carried by each pallet vehicle (12) which engage slots (354, 358) in the track network and steer the pallet vehicle (12) along the track network (10). The track network has main (20) and branch (22) track sections, and selective delivery of the vehicles to various destinations along the track network (10) is achieved by controlling the position of the guide pins (350, 352) between alternate rotated raised and lowered positions. In the lowered position the guide pins (350, 352) interact with the track network (10) to guide the pallet vehicle (12) into a branch section (20) of the track. In the raised position, the guide pins (350, 352) cause continued movement of the vehicle (12) along the main track section (22) and past a junction (38). The guide pin position may be controlled by a photoemitter (364) at the junction (38), or by various other alternatives.

Abstract: A measuring device (60) measures the value (t) of a chosen parameter (thickness) of what has been lifted by a lifting assembly (40) from a stack of sheets (1) of material and allows the lifted material to be moved from the stack when the value is in a predetermined relationship to a reference value (T). One (45a) of a plurality of selectively releasable members (45) on the lifting assembly (40) is moveable in two horizontal directions to locate a sheet attached to the one releaseable members (45a) against locating pins (5, 6) on the work table (3) of the punch press (4). The entire system may be operated automatically by a controller (90).