Abstract: A system and method for balancing database transaction request distribution between various hosts in a multiprocessor transaction processing system is provided. The transaction processing system includes a database and multiple host processors each coupled to at least one database transaction request unit. Database transaction requests sent from the host processors are collectively entered into a commonly-accessible load balancing queue. Each database transaction request is accompanied by a source identifier that identifies the database transaction request unit which initiated the corresponding database transaction request. The queued database transaction requests from the load balancing queue are processed by currently-available host processors, regardless of which host processor initiated the database transaction request.

Abstract: A tremelo effect unit and a stringed instrument incorporating a tremelo effect unit include a pivotal support which, in use, secures at least one string of a stringed instrument under tension. The tremelo effect unit can include a resilient biassing element, typically in the form of a compression spring, which pivotally urges the support against the tension of the string. The resilient biassing element is arranged to act in a direction substantially opposite to a direction in which the instrument string extends.

Abstract: Electrostatic transducers (10, 100) for generating and/or sensing percussion waves have an internal rigid unitary element comprising an insulating sleeve (17, 117), an electrode backplate (21, 121) situated within the sleeve (17, 117), and a dielectric layer (22, 122) which secures the electrode backplate (21, 121) within the sleeve (17, 117). The dielectric layer (22, 122) is a generally continuous layer and has support fingers (24, 124) protruding outwardly away from the electrode backplate (21, 121) for supporting an electrode diaphragm (26, 126), preferably a durable metal foil. The electrode diaphragm (26, 126) may be hermetically sealed to a housing (111), which encloses the unitary element so that the transducers (10, 100) are better suited for harsh, extreme high/low temperature, and/or extreme high/low pressure environments. Furthermore, the interior region (32, 132) of the transducer (10, 100) can be evacuated via a throughway (31, 131) so that the transducer power can be increased.

Abstract: Electrostatic transducers (10, 100) for generating and/or sensing percussion waves have an internal rigid unitary element comprising an insulating sleeve (17, 117), an electrode backplate (21, 121) situated within the sleeve (17, 117), and a dielectric layer (22, 122) which secures the electrode backplate (21, 121) within the sleeve (17, 117). The dielectric layer (22, 122) is a generally continuous layer and has support fingers (24, 124) protruding outwardly away from the electrode backplate (21, 121) for supporting an electrode diaphragm (26, 126), preferably a durable metal foil. The electrode diaphragm (26, 126) may be hermetically sealed to a housing (111), which encloses the unitary element so that the transducers (10, 100) are better suited for harsh, extreme high/low temperature, and/or extreme high/low pressure environments. Furthermore, the interior region (32, 132) of the transducer (10, 100) can be evacuated via a throughway (31, 131) so that the transducer power can be increased.

Abstract: A radiator assembly for a locomotive is provided. The locomotive has an engine for driving the locomotive and a cooling water system for circulating cooling water through the engine to operatively control the temperature of the engine, the assembly including a radiator in fluid communication with the cooling system and a fan which selectively draws air through the radiator and into the inlet of the fan. The radiator assembly also includes a shutter for selectively controlling the drawn air flow through the radiator and a control system operatively attached to the shutter for actuating the shutter to control the drawn air flow in dependence on a determined control temperature. The control assembly is also operatively attached to the fan to select and set the speed of the fan in dependence on the determined control temperature.

Abstract: A machine for "bleed cutting" a sheet (1) into a plurality of pieces (2) and collating them by the method described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,121 has upper and lower pairs of slitting rollers in both the first series (12) and the second series (17) of slitting rollers, and transfer devices (201, 201') are provided within each path of pieces leaving the second series (17) of slitting rollers, with side gaps between the transfer devices within adjacent piece paths, and with end gaps between the second series (17) of slitting rollers and the transfer devices (201, 201'), whereby narrow side and end strips (101, 102) and tiny squares (103) formed by the pairs of lines (6) of cut by the second series (17) of slitting rollers across the pairs of lines (3) cut by the first series (12) of slitting rollers can fall away before the cut pieces (2) arrive at the transverse feed means (29).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist in the manufacture of a medicament for the primary and secondary prevention of infarction.

Abstract: A device for forming a rolled rim at the unrimmed mouth of the body of a container having a body which is fabricated from a sheet of an expanded thermoplastic material, the device including a first member with a first annular rim-forming surface, and a second member which is reciprocable relative to the first member. The second member has a second annular rim-forming surface which forms a generally closed rim-forming chamber with the first annular rim-forming surface when the second member is in a first position relative to the first member, the second member being reciprocable to a second position in which the first annular surface and the second annular surface are separated to permit the withdrawal of a container with a rolled rim at the mouth from the first member.

Abstract: A two-piece nestable cup-like container comprising a continuous side wall having an open upper end and includes a recessed bottom. The side wall is formed from a single double ended sheet of a heat-shrinkable thermoplastic material. The ends of the sheet are joined to one another along a liquid-tight seam. The side wall extends downwardly from a point near the open mouth of the upper end of the container to a point near the bottom and is thereafter folded at its lower edge upwardly to form a double wall portion and a radially inwardly extending annular portion that underlies a separate bottom member that is sealingly joined to the radially inwardly extending portion on the bottom edge of the side wall. In accordance with the method and apparatus, a sleeve made from the sheet by joining the ends is heat shrunk on a mandrel and the free edge at the lower portion of the side wall is caused to shrink inwardly.

Abstract: A device for forming a rolled rim at the unrimmed mouth of the body of a container having a body which is fabricated from a sheet of an expanded thermoplastic material, the device including a first member with a first annular rim-forming surface, and a second member which is reciprocable relative to the first member. The second member has a second annular rim-forming surface which forms a generally closed rim-forming chamber with the first annular rim-forming surface when the second member is in a first position relative to the first member, the second member being reciprocable to a second position in which the first annular surface and the second annular surface are separated to permit the withdrawal of a container with a rolled rim at the mouth from the first member.

Abstract: An easily decorative/redecorative switch and receptacle wallplate comprising a baseplate with retaining lip to be attached to the switch/receptacle by screws, a decor plate, decor, transparent shield and outer frame all of which are attached to the baseplate with a trim frame around the perimeter of the entire assembly with a lip on either side enclosing the baseplate lip and the edges of the decor plate, decor, transparent shield and over frame. The trim frame is easily removable for the changing of the decor.

Abstract: A vacuum drum for carrying a label held to its surface by vacuum past an adhesive applying roll to a position where the label will touch a container and the container will be rolled along the drum surface to thereby apply the label about the container. The drum is provided with a circumferential series of vacuum ports that extend through its outer surface. The vacuum to the ports is fed through passages in a bottom support plate for the drum and the passages all communicate with a stationary vacuum chamber in a collector ring which is held against the inner surface of the drum supporting plate. The collector ring vacuum chamber extends about the axis of the ring for about 180.degree. and at one end thereof serves to close off the passages to the drum in radial succession as the label is transferred to the container. Each passage, after being shut off from the vacuum, is vented.

Abstract: A universal hot air nozzle and seal bar with adjustable cam for use on an apparatus for forming and assembling tubular thermoplastic sleeves. The apparatus has a circumferentially movable turret with a plurality of mandrels forming work stations thereon. At the work stations each mandrel has a nozzle and seal bar and the sleeve is wrapped around the coacting mandrel with the vertical edges of the sleeve being disposed in overlapping relation with heat being applied by a stationary heat nozzle to the overlapped edges in coaction with a stationary seal bar being subsequently advanced to the heated overlapped edges with preselected pressure to heat-seal such edges together. The improvement includes cam-actuated telescoping mounting means in the form of a slidable telescoping shaft within a slidable telescoping shaft upon which the seal bar is mounted enabling the seal bar to selectively contact the sleeve with preselected pressure.

Abstract: A method and machine for cutting a sheet (1) into a plurality of pieces (2) and collating them first forms a plurality of slits (3) parallel to one pair of edges (4), and ending short of the other pair of edges (5), next cuts along a plurality of lines (6) parallel to that other pair of edges (5), and with two lines (6) intersecting the ends of the slits (3), then feeds the pieces (2) in the lengthwise direction of the two strips (7) left beyond the cut ends of the slits (3) and allows the two strips (7) to fall away, allows the pieces (D, H, M, R, V, Z) at one end of the rows perpendicular to the direction of feed to drop to a lower level, superimposes a transverse feed on the remaining pieces (2) towards the dropped pieces (D, H, M, R, V, Z), whereby they are dropped in order to form batches (9), and finally allows the batches (9) to fall successively on to a substantially stationary support (33) to form a stack (10) of the pieces (2) in definite order.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a superposed collated assemblage of sheet material on a conveyor, wherein the individual sheets are transported from sources of supply along angled paths intersecting the conveyor, and result in the deposit of the sheets on top of each other and on the conveyor in the desired collated condition as noted.

Abstract: A cabinet for an electronic apparatus comprises a housing adapted to provide an upright operating position for conventional bench or floor use, and a substantially horizontal operating position for overhead use. The housing includes a control and display panel which is preferably sloped to facilitate user convenience in either operating position. A portion of the housing adjacent the panel is built up to provide an integral handle and means for shading the display from the glare of overhead lights. A detachable hinged cover is provided to protect the control and display panel. Such cover may include accessory items and may provide storage area therefor.

Abstract: A lightweight stand that attaches to the bottom of a portable electronic instrument, such as an oscilloscope. Used in one assembled form to support the instrument at a convenient, working height and attitude, the stand can be dismantled easily and reassembled in compact, self-contained form for transit or storage.

Abstract: An anti-oxidation coating, particularly for the exposed peripheral regions of graphite brake discs for aircraft, comprises a layer of silicon on the surface of the graphite, a layer of nickel overlying the silicon layer and a layer of chromium overlying the nickel layer. The silicon layer is suitably formed by flame-spraying followed by arc-melting, and the nickel and chromium layers by electroplating.