Abstract: Method and apparatus for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a media. The method includes the steps of selecting a two or more motion picture scenes. Each of the motion picture scenes is an identifiable portion of the motion picture distinct from every other portion of the motion picture. Once the scenes have been identified, two or more sequences can be defined within each of the motion picture scenes such that each sequence includes two or more frames. For example, the motion picture can have three scenes, each divided into twenty eight sequences, with each of the sequences containing 12 frames. Once the scenes and sequences have been selected, the method at least one of the sequences from each scene is marked to define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern on the media.

Abstract: The removable seats system includes a number of vertically movable platforms (32) supported spacedly over ground by a ground-resting platform support and displacement device which engages the platforms and which positions the platforms in a horizontally successively adjacent although slightly horizontally spaced configuration so as to define a small horizontal gap between each two successive platforms, the platform support and displacement means further allowing selective independent vertical displacement of the platforms, the removable seats system further including a number of seat elements each associated to a coresponding platform and each including:- a row of seats (44) including at least one seat (46); and- a seat supporting structure (48) carried by a platform and supporting the row of seats.

Abstract: Control panels of a simulated complex system are displayed as a texture mask over a three-dimensional visual representation of an environment in which the complex system is operating. The three-dimensional visual representation is displayed in an inactive window to a user practicing or training on the simulated system. An active window underlying the visual display is used to track user inputs to the control panels. Smart graphics translate the user inputs into data elements that are sent to a full-scope simulation, and simulation conditions are returned and used to update the display of the control panels and the visual representation of the environment.

Abstract: The push actuator has a fixed base which rotatably carries a selectively rotatable rotor. A horizontal band has a lower portion stacked in a helical pattern and has an upper portion engaged by the upper portion of a vertical band, to form a telescopic column. The lower portion of the vertical band is stacked in a spiral, separately from the horizontal band, the horizontal band is supported on the rotor with a helical ball support track along which a number of balls can roll and slide, to allow substantially frictionless rotation of the rotor member while the horizontal band remains rotatably stationary. A ball re-circulation unit allows the balls to circulate between the top of the track and the bottom of the track.

Abstract: A one piece modular automatic lift gate comprising a lift stump, a lifting arm, at least one stanchion, a slab, a control box set inside a stanchion to house mechanical, electric and electronic components.

Abstract: The system selectively moves articles into and out of a number of loading areas. The system has mutually transverse longitudinal and lateral axes defining longitudinal and lateral directions, respectively, and comprises a carriage movable along variable longitudinal distances in the longitudinal direction, with the carriage having full longitudinal movement capability throughout the loading areas and being capable of depositing and retrieving an article at any point in the longitudinal direction. The carriage is movable also along a continuous range of variable lateral distances in the lateral direction, with the variable lateral distances being determined by an article having any lateral position along the continuous range of lateral distances. The carriage can selectively engage and release the article at a predetermined lateral position.

Abstract: A conveyor conveys palletized articles to a loading dock. A bogie movable along rails between different loading docks, supports an independently movable carriage, which may roll out of the bogie once the latter reaches a desired loading dock. The carriage then loads with a forklift provided on the carriage, the articles from the conveyor into a semi-trailer located at the loading dock. The carriage is provided with a linkage pivotally installed on its main frame, the linkage carrying four lateral guide wheels which protrude laterally beyond all other structural elements of the carriage. The linkage integrally links the guide wheels into a common pivotal displacement, with the guide wheels remaining symmetrically disposed relative to the carriage frame. A hydraulic piston biases the guide wheels towards an outer limit position at all times, and the guide wheels are forcibly pivotable, against the bias of the piston, towards an inner limit position.

Abstract: A storage rack is loaded and unloaded from the top with pallets carrying articles to be stored in and retrieved from the rack. The rack consists of a series of spaced columns arranged in parallel rows defining wells accessible from the top; the columns have vertically spaced, upwardly facing sets of steps protruding to an equal extent towards the centre of the wells. A crane is horizontally movable over the rack and stoppable above a selected well; it has a hoisting block which can be lowered between and guided by the columns of the selected well; a pair of hooks are pivoted to the hoisting block for movement towards and away from each other between opened and closed position; a pair of Z-shaped pallet holding beams adapted to carry a series of pallets aligned in end to end relation are suspended from the hooks and clear the steps when in closed position.

Abstract: A pair of spaced, parallel beams are designed to hold a group of aligned, contiguous article carrying pallets. Each beam has a web of uniform width with a lower, inturned flange to extend under the side edges of the aligned pallets and an upper outturned flange to be picked up by the pivoted jaws of a crane. These jaws together with a pusher/puller carriage are mounted on a long frame suspended from the crane which travels across one face of a rack in which pairs of parallel tracks are arranged in a grid. The pair of jaws, carrying the beams or pallet holders are closed to position the latter under the sides of a group of aligned, contiguous, article carrying pallets assembled at a pick-up station. The pallet carrying holders are aligned by the crane with any selected pair of tracks. One end of the frame latches to the rack and the pusher-puller carriage latches to one end of the pallet holders and pushes the same and their load off the jaws and onto the tracks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tray for carrying a plurality of pallets loaded with several concrete blocks. The tray is a rectangular frame defining an upper surface, front and rear ends and upwardly-projecting flanges at both front and rear ends. The tray is adapted to receive the loaded pallets on its upper surface between the flanges. The invention further relates to a system adapted to carry the loaded tray through a block curing kiln. The kiln is composed of a plurality of longitudinal cells, as is already known, and the pallet-loaded trays are inserted in a consecutive linear abutment fashion in the cells. The relatively high flanges of each tray thus abut on one another, which prevents the overlapping of the trays, and thus prevents the damaging in this way of the concrete blocks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roller assembly of the type comprising a roller body provided with opposed ends, a shaft, a bearing having an inner portion and an outer portion and a casing for housing the bearing and a portion of the shaft. The casing has an exterior contacting a corresponding portion of the interior of the roller body and an interior contacting the outer portion of the bearing. The second part of the roller assembly is made of a cured material filling a gap existing between the exterior of the first part of the casing and the interior of the roller body. The material has been introduced in said gap in a fluid state and cured "in situ" without any shrinkage. The roller body according to the invention is more resistant and easier to manufacture. Also disclosed is an efficient method for manufacturing the roller assembly.

Abstract: This telescopic tube is formed of a first and of a second continuous bands wound in a spiral and in a helix, respectively, with the turns of each band lying flat against each other in the retracted position of the tube. The turns of the respective bands are normal to one another. To extend the tube, the turns of the first band are spaced from each other, and the turns of the second band are inserted between the spaced turns of the first band, so as to act as spacers for the latter turns. A mechanism is described to cause extension and retraction of the tube which is mainly used as a push actuator.

Abstract: A platform lift mechanism for theaters, concert halls, etc. The lift device is a module or modules formed of four segments telescopically, vertically extendable or retractable relative to each other, except for a fixed base segment. The platform is secured to the uppermost segment. The second segment carries a rotatable nut adapted to raise and lower an elongated complementary screw secured at its upper end to the third segment. When four modules are used, a synchronizing chain is provided to actuate all modules synchronously. A brake and a motor are provided, either for each module or for all of them. A motor control is also provided.

Abstract: A pneumatically or hydraulically operated clutch brake assembly for coupling a load to a motor is disclosed.

Abstract: An obstacle detector is disclosed, being designed to automatically brake a descending or ascending load suspended on at least two spaced cables, should an obstacle be encountered in the path of the load. The detector comprises at least two winch drums and a rotatable horizontal rod having at least two laterally-spaced levers projecting radially therefrom and inclined on opposite sides of the rod. One end of each cable is secured to a drum, passes through a pulley supporting the load and is secured to a corresponding lever at its other end. A change in the tension of one of the cables, due to an obstacle, results in a small rotation of the rod, thus activating an electric sensing device which effectively shuts down the motor driving the winch drums.

Abstract: A suspension system for a person under a ceiling is disclosed, consisting of a false ceiling composed of a plurality of spaced-apart tiles each of a regular geometric shape. Slots are thus defined between the tiles. The latter is also downwardly spaced from the regular roof or ceiling and is rigidly secured thereto, thereby defining a space between the tiles and the roof. At least one pair of stilts is used in combination with the ceiling. Each stilt is adapted to move in the slots and is provided with a suspension flange at its upper end and a foot support at its lower end, thereby enabling a user to "walk" under the ceiling.

Abstract: A battens system for raising and lowering sceneries or similar loads on a stage is disclosed. The system comprises a series of support members adapted to be secured to the joists of a ceiling, an elongated winch drum made up of several sections interconnected by universal joints and supported in horizontal position by said support members, each winch drum section being provided over part of its length with a helical groove on which a cable for supporting the load is wound. Each support member carries bearing wheels engaging the helical grooves for rotatably supporting the winch drum and for causing its axial displacement at each turn by a distance equal to the pitch of the cable wound or unwound from the winch drum, such that the load will not be laterally shifted when being raised or lowered. The shaft of a reversible hydraulic motor is secured to an end of the winch drum, whereby the hydraulic motor moves with the winch drum in its axial movement.

Abstract: There is disclosed a disc brake for a fluid-operated motor; the brake includes a disc keyed to the output shaft of the motor and sandwiched between non-rotatable plates which are spring-biased to disc braking position. The flexible conduit, which feeds the fluid to the motor, extends between the two plates. When fluid in the conduit is not pressurized, the conduit is flattened and the brake is in braking position, but the brake is released as soon as the fluid is pressurized within the conduit, since the latter takes its normally cylindrical shape and separates the two plates.

Abstract: A cement block splitter is disclosed.

Abstract: A battens system for raising and lowering sceneries or other loads on a stage is disclosed. The system comprises a support, a roller upon which at least one cable supporting a scenery is wound, a bearing assembly secured to the support for rotatably mounting the roller and including inclined bearings for longitudinally moving such roller at each turn by a distance equal to the pitch of the cable wound on or unwound from the roller, and a drive for rotating such roller.