Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a post-style poultry house to a clear span style poultry house. The apparatus includes a truss assembly including a center truss section adapted to be mounted to the roof beams and first and second outer truss sections adapted to be secured to the center truss section. The trusses are installed without the removal of the roof and without removal of the drinker and feeder equipment of the existing post-style poultry house. In installing the trusses, first the center sections of the trusses are attached to the roof beams and then the upper ends of the outer sections are attached to the center sections. Then the lower ends of the outer sections of the trusses are secured to the poultry house footers. Once the truss sections are all secured to each other and secured to the footers, the posts are cut away and removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a post-style poultry house to a clear span style poultry house. The apparatus includes a truss assembly including a center truss section adapted to be mounted to the roof beams and first and second outer truss sections adapted to be secured to the center truss section. The out truss sections each comprise substantially upright portions and an inclined portion extending therefrom. The trusses are installed without the removal of the roof or beams of the existing post-style poultry house. In installing the trusses, first the center sections of the trusses are attached to the roof beams and then the upper ends of the outer sections are attached to the center sections. Then the lower ends of the outer sections of the trusses are secured to the poultry house footers. Once the truss sections are all secured to each other and secured to the footers, the posts are cut away and removed.

Abstract: A shaking water bath suitable for laboratory use comprises a wheeled trolley 12 driven with a reciprocating movement along a linear path between guides 30, 30 by a drive mechanism which includes an eccentric rotary drive member 34 and connecting arm 36. The apparatus is contained in a water tank 16 and the trolley 12 supports a removable tray 14 for carrying receptacles containing the material to be agitated. In one position of the tray 14 complementary abutment elements 50, 52 located respectively on the tray and on the trolley interengage to prevent lateral displacement of the tray. Upon turning the tray 14 through 180.degree. and refitting on the trolley these abutment elements 50, 52 no longer interengage to prevent lateral movement, but a drive pin 56 on the tray then engages with a drive socket 58 in the drive mechanism to cause the tray 14 to be driven with an additional component of motion at right angles to the longitudinal direction of reciprocating movement of the trolley 12.

Abstract: A device for maintaining the temperature of a body at a desired value comprises a thermo-electric heat pump sandwiched between a thermally conductive member and a heat sink. The heat sink is maintained at a substantially constant temperature above the ambient temperature by an electrical heating element. This arrangement reduces the effect of changes in ambient temperature and enables the heat pump to work across a substantially constant temperature differential.