Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting standing trees to bolt length logs in which a tree-severing unit is mounted on a vehicle having an upright mast assembly extending upwardly from the severing unit. Tree-gripping and feeding assemblies are mounted on the mast and are operable to grip a severed tree and drive it downwardly. A tree cutoff unit is located below the gripping and feeding assemblies and is positioned above the severing unit a predetermined distance corresponding to the bolt length. Tree-delivery assemblies support and drive a severed tree rearwardly into engagement with the cutoff unit to first remove a bolt log from the lower end of the severed tree. The gripping and feeding assemblies are then operated to drive the remainder of the tree downwardly past a tree cutoff means on the mast assembly which cuts additional bolt length logs from the lower end of the tree. A conveyor removes the logs to a storage area on the vehicle.

Abstract: An acoustical-reflective ceiling panel for directing incident light from a remotely positioned light source toward a selected area and for attenuating ambient noise. The panel includes a plurality of pyramidal reflector units arranged in an array of rows and columns and a plurality of acoustical holes which trap the ambient noise to thereby reduce the noise level in the vicinity of the panel. The pyramidal reflector units each have reflective surfaces facing in different directions and are located in staggered rows in which the pyramidal reflector units in alternate rows form the columns. Light emitted from a light source positioned laterally with respect to the pyramidal reflector units is reflected off those reflective surfaces that face the light source onto the selected surface area.

Abstract: Side cover members positionable along the base of a movable wall panel for concealing a utility space below the lower edge of the wall panel in which electrical and telephone cables are disposed. Each side cover member consists of a main body having sections that are formed of yieldable material. The cover members are arranged end to end along the base of the wall panel with the yieldable end sections of adjacent cover members being positioned in a juxtaposed relationship with each other. The yieldable end sections enable the cables to be extended from the utility space between adjacent end sections whereby only the portions of the yieldable end sections in close proximity to the cables are deformed.

Abstract: An energy distribution system comprising elongated support members housing power and communication lines and being arranged end to end on a floor along the primary walls of an enclosed area such as a room in an office building. Each support member includes an upright wall member to which a pair of vertically-spaced upper and lower support portions are mounted in a cantilevered arrangement to extend horizontally in one direction from the upright wall member. The support portions define a pair of utility spaces, an upper utility space being provided between the support portions and a lower utility space being provided below the lower support portion wherein the utility spaces house the electrical and communication lines. A secondary wall panel is positioned on the support members to cover and conceal the primary walls.

Abstract: An energy supply system for transmitting electrical energy in a space divider system comprised of a plurality of upright wall panels arranged end-to-end on a floor. The energy supply system includes a compartment located adjacent to the lower edge of each wall panel and extending longitudinally between the upright ends of the wall panel. A flat cable unit comprised of a plurality of flat side-by-side conductors embedded in an insulating medium having a rectangular cross sectional configuration is disposed in the compartment and extends between the ends of the wall panel. The flat cable unit includes a pair of connector asemblies connected to the conductors at opposite ends of the flat cable unit and disposed adjacent the lower edge of the wall panel near its upright ends enabling the connection of the flat cable unit to a similar flat cable unit associated with an adjacent wall panel.

Abstract: An electrical supply system for use in a space divider system comprised of a plurality of upright wall panels arranged end to end to form a work station. Each wall panel is supported by depending legs in a position in which the lower edge of the panel is spaced above the floor. The energy supply system comprises a plurality of raceway sections containing electrical conductors and disposed below the panels adjacent their lower edges so as to provide an essentially unbroken appearance between the panels and the raceway sections. The lower edges of the raceway sections are located a predetermined distance above the floor to establish a clearance between the raceway sections and the floor where communications lines can be located. Side cover members are positioned on the floor along the lower edges of the raceway sections to conceal the clearance below the raceway sections.

Abstract: A down flow material handling system consisting of an upright box-like container, a generally L-shape frame having an upright portion on which the upper end of the container is suspended and a generally horizontal base portion which extends underneath the container, and a transport cart. The container has an inlet opening at its upper end and a discharge door at its lower end which is hingedly mounted on the container rear wall and is releasably maintained in a closed position by the base portion of the L-shape frame. The cart is operable to remove the container from a wall support on which it is normally hung, move the container to a discharge location, and support the container during pivotal movement thereof to a discharge position in which the discharge door is clear of the L-shape frame and moves downwardly to an open position under the weight of the contents of the container.

Abstract: A combination light fixture and acoustic conditioner assembly particularly useful in modular room enclosures wherein the ceiling is spaced above the enclosure walls. The invention provides for indirect lighting means and means for masking external sounds in the vicinity of the light fixture assembly. The assembly includes a reflector positioned so that light and sound waves contacting the reflector are dispersed in a plurality of directions due to the concavity of the reflector and undulations therein and eventually contact the ceiling where they are further reflected and spread. Dispersion of sound waves in this manner provides a pleasant, unintelligible sound which masks external sounds that might otherwise distract occupants of the modular room enclosures.

Abstract: A caster consisting of a caster body having lateral body portions on which flexible roller belts of closed loop shape are slidably supported. The lateral body portions are configured so that the portions of the belts in engagement with the under sides of the lateral body portions are in close proximity to each other while the portions of the tracks in engagement with the upper sides of the lateral body portions are spaced apart to accommodate an upright pintle for attaching the caster to an article.

Abstract: A caster adapted for use in hygienic environments consisting of a caster body rotatably supporting a caster wheel and having an upright bore which receives a spindle member to provide for the rotation of the caster body with respect to the spindle member. A spindle-locking mechanism is positioned within the bore and is movable between a release position enabling rotation of the caster body with respect to the spindle member and a lock position in which the caster body is maintained in a fixed position relative to the spindle member.

Abstract: A caster including a pair of diametrically opposed rollers having axes of rotation which are angled with respect to the supporting surface on which the caster travels. During movement of the caster, the rollers exert opposing transversely-directed forces on the caster thereby enabling the caster to be moved in its directed path without the creation of forces on the caster by the rollers which would tend to deflect the caster from its path.

Abstract: A wall mounted storage locker comprising an upright hollow body having rear, side, top, and bottom walls, and upper and lower front wall panels that are removably mounted on the body. Each of the front wall panels has side flanges which overlap the body side walls and are spring urged by the resiliency of the panel material toward the side walls. Coacting stop shoulders are formed on portions of the panels and on the body side walls, the shoulders being engageable in positions of the panel flanges sprung toward the side walls, so as to releasably retain the panels on the body.

Abstract: Steering apparatus for a trailer vehicle is disclosed providing preselected turning characteristics for the vehicle. A pair of wheel assemblies are mounted at the front of the vehicle and are each pivotal about an associated vertical axis. A tie member having a plate with a longitudinal slot formed therein extends between and connects the front wheel assemblies to provide for the simultaneous pivoting of the front wheel assemblies. A tow bar is pivotally connected to the vehicle between the front wheel assemblies and is provided with a pin that extends into the slot in the plate. During pivoting, the pin is displaced both transversely and longitudinally of the vehicle, but since the pin slides in the slot only the transverse component of displacement of the tow bar is transferred to the tie member.

Abstract: A system for storing and transporting flat board-like elements of predetermined thickness, such as printed circuit boards, comprising a rack for storing and transporting the boards and apparatus for feeding boards to and removing boards from the rack. The rack comprises a plurality of upright partition members mounted on a frame in a uniformly spaced relation so as to define a plurality of side-by-side stalls each of a width adequate to accommodate a board-like element in an upright storage position. Supports associated with the partitions support a plurality of board-like elements in the stalls so that the rack can be moved without the board-like elements falling off. The elements are edgewise accessible in the stalls and a pivoted body member is on the rack in a novel manner which enables it to function as a ratcheting apparatus movable successively from stall to stall for the purpose of moving the elements therein in directions to facilitate removal thereof from the stall.

Abstract: Masking sound generating apparatus for use in a conventional room enclosure occupied by adult persons of average range of heights comprising a hollow enclosure having a top opening and a side opening, a speaker mounted inside the enclosure intermediate the top opening and the side opening and facing outwardly from the apparatus through the top opening, and a circuit in the enclosure operable to develop an electric signal which is converted to an audible sound signal emitted by the speaker. Modulation means are incorporated into the circuit to cyclically vary the amplitude of the sound signal which provides the masking sound signal with a pleasant, natural sound characteristic. The sound generating apparatus is located in the room at a height intermediate the head of a standing adult person and the ceiling, and is positioned so that the speaker faces in an upwardly direction to direct sound signals toward the ceiling.

Abstract: A pallet supporting a plurality of containers in which small workpieces can be stored. The pallet consists of a base having supporting legs and an upright container supporting wall. Horizontally extending rails are arranged on the wall in vertically spaced pairs and the containers are slidably suspended on the rails so that they can readily be unloaded from the pallet. A security cover is provided which can be mounted on the pallet so as to enclose the containers supported thereon. The pallet of this invention is incorporated into a material handling system which includes a plurality of transport carts adapted to be hitched together for movement of a plurality of pallets between locations. Each transport cart is provided with spaced apart leg wells on which the pallet is placed and an access space is thereby provided beneath the base of the pallet to facilitate the placement and removal of the pallet on the transport cart.

Abstract: A power track system for conveying and distributing electrical energy in a movable office unit having free standing walls. The system includes a plurality of track sections, each of which has a passageway in which an electrical cable is disposed. Connectors, joined to the cable, are secured at each end of the track section so that similar track sections can be connected together. The track sections are positioned on the floor under the free standing walls which secure the track sections in their positions. Outlets are provided at predetermined points along the track sections to enable connection of electrically operated devices to the cable.

Abstract: A wiring system for delivering electrical energy from a remote location to another location such as an office module through a laminated floor construction which includes a floor, a floor covering above the floor and a subcovering positioned between the floor and the floor covering. The subcovering is of predetermined thickness and a groove is formed in the subcovering which extends all the way or substantially through the subcovering and extends between the two locations. An electrical cable unit comprising a plurality of conductors and an insulator sheath surrounding the conductors is disposed in the groove and is of a thickness such that the outer surface of the cable is flush with the top surface of the subcovering so that a smooth top surface is provided on which the floor covering is placed.

Abstract: A record keeping and tagging system made possible by a machine readable tag implanted in an animal by a tagging gun. The tag comprises a portion which is both visually readable and machine readable, and a portion which includes barbs or spring-biased tines which lock it to the animal. The tagging gun comprises cocking means for moving the tag-like article into a firing position, releasing means for releasing the article from the cocking means, means for firing the article, and triggering means for activating the cocking means and releasing means in sequence by applying a force in a single direction. An information retrieval station features a chute with compressible sides and a weighing and measuring platform, and a machine reader which is automatically positioned with respect to the tag when the animal triggers a photoelectric sensing device, so as to read out the information coded therein while the animal is weighed and/or measured.