Abstract: Window sashes such as double hung sashes often are assembled with a counterbalancing mechanism to facilitate the opening and closing of the window. When the sashes are made from vinyl, the counterbalancing of the window is commonly achieved by the use of a pair of coil springs, one mounted within a channel in the sash on either side of the window. A programmable motorized hand tool is used to apply tension quickly to each of the springs thereby improving production rates and quality control while reducing the risks of repetitive motion injury to the person using the hand tool. A programmable stepper controller drives the motor and controls the functions of the hand tool such as the speed and direction of rotation, the number of revolutions and the start-up and operating torques.

Abstract: A tool handle includes a polygonal first end and a rectangular second end adapted to engage with a tool bit. The first end has a plurality of spaced first arcuate corner sections. The second end has a plurality of spaced second arcuate corner sections. Each first arcuate corner section of the first end is connected via a skew connecting face to an associated arcuate corner section of the second end. A skew recessed area is formed between each two adjacent said connecting faces.

Abstract: A method of cutting food products into uniform thickness slices using a rotary cutting wheel fitted with radially extending, circumferentially spaced, tensioned and forwardly pitched bevel sharpened cutter blades rotating in a cutter plane and extending between a central hub and an annular rim and wherein the blades produce a first velocity of advancement of unsliced food product across the cutting plane for each revolution of the cutting wheel and a given slice thickness during slicing of food product advanced through the cutting plane. The method includes fitting an appropriate number of blades to the rotary cutting wheel to produce the given slice thickness of food products at the operation rotational velocity of the cutting wheel and rotating the cutting wheel at an operational rotational velocity to produce the first velocity of advancement of unsliced food products through the cutting plane of the cutting wheel.

Abstract: An adjustable rip fence for a machine tool has a fence which is movable with respect to the cutting tool due to a rack and pinion. The rail assembly supporting the fence include a pair of stationary rails which are secure to the machine tool. A movable rail telescopically engages each stationary rail and the movement of each rail is accomplished by the rotation of a pair of pinion gears each of which engages a respective rack on the movable rails. The simultaneous rotation of the pinion gears is the result of both pinion gears being secured to a common pinion shaft which is rotatably secured to the machine tool. The telescoping nature of the rails allows for adjustment of the fence beyond the working surface of the machine tool.

Abstract: A vegetable cutting device incorporating a turntable for placement thereon of the vegetables to be cut and chopped. The device includes a cutting board having a cutting board top surface and an aperture formed in a center thereof, a turntable having a shaft integrally formed perpendicularly to a center of a bottom surface, the shaft being receivable within the aperture, a cutting tool mounted upon the cutting board top surface and a basket having a perforated bottom shelf, the basket being hingedly attachable to the cutting board. In a stored position, the cutting board rests upon a top surface of the basket and the turntable and cutting tool are receivable within the basket.

Abstract: A table saw includes a base having one or more tracks secured on top. A seat is secured on one end of the tracks. A plate is slidably engaged on the tracks and detachably secured to the tracks. A saw device is secured to the bottom of the plate and includes a saw blade extended upward beyond the plate. A bar is secured on the seat, and a guide is selectively secured on the seat and the plate for guiding the work pieces to move across the saw blade. A board is slidably engaged on the seat and the plate for moving the work piece across the saw blade.

Abstract: A device for shortening translucent double-walled plate material (20) which shortens the plate material with a substantially rectilinear cut. The plate material comprises two basically parallel synthetic plates (21, 22) which are separated from each other at a basically constant distance by a number of parallel dividing walls, enclosing a number of elongated channels (24). To avoid too much pressure on the plate material, when it is shortened, and to avoid too large an amount of chips and too much electrostatic charging of the plate material the device comprises two rotating knives (4, 5) to work into the plate material (20) from both sides. The rotating knives in accordance with the invention, have been placed slantwise behind each other and their combined penetration equals at least the thickness of the plate material (20) ensuring a complete cut through the plate material.

Abstract: A punch press includes a pair of disc-shaped tool holders rotatably mounted on supporting portions, one of the holders carrying a plurality of punch tools, and the other holder carrying a plurality of die tools which cooperate with the punch tools in order to punch a workpiece. A striker is attached to a vertically movable ram, wherein the striker is movable to a position into which desired punch and die tools attached to the pair of tool holders are indexed in order to change direction of the tools by rotating the pair of tool holders.

Abstract: A cutting device for strip stock includes a stationary blade and a motor-driven, movable blade that continuously contacts against the stationary blade, constituting a point of support. Two other points of support for the movable blade are equally spaced from the cutting edge of the blade and from the sides of the blade. The other two supporting points also function as blade drive points for moving the blade in a reciprocating manner. The drive points are connected to an output shaft of the motor through a gear assembly. A pair of ball bearings on each side of the blade, which are laterally spaced from each other on each respective side of the blade, cooperate with the blade to achieve a very low friction for the device during operation.

Abstract: A knife and a knife holder for a cutting wheel are disclosed for a food product slicing apparatus. The knife has a gauging surface, a cutting edge and a second edge located opposite to the cutting edge, the second edge extending obliquely with respect to the cutting edge such that the knife has a generally triangular configuration. A plurality of such knives are mounted between a hub and a rim of the cutting wheel such that the knives extend generally radially from the hub and wherein the second edge and gauging surface form a juncture, which extends substantially parallel to the cutting edge of an adjacent knife blade to form a gate opening, the thickness of the gate opening accurately controlling the thickness of the sliced food product. A knife holder for use with a separate blade is disclosed, the holder formed to provide the desired gauging surface defining a gate opening when assembled to a cutting wheel with other knife holders.

Abstract: A slitter-and-hole-punch and quick change adapter combination fits a bag machine or the like for punching holes and slits in a web of film material. A hole punch and a slitter blade are unitarily formed on a base member. Left and right resilient arms extend from distal to proximal, and have free ends that project proximally of the base member. The quick adapter can be an extruded block with a T-channel formed on a lower side with a passage or gap to accommodate the hole punch and the slitter blade. The T-channel has inwardly directed flanges that create side recesses to accommodate the resilient arms of the slitter-and-hole-punch. The side recesses have cooperating hollows to receive detents of the associated resilient arm. The slitter-and-hole-punch can be slid in and out of the T-slot, and when slid in, the detents on the resilient arms keep it in position. The slitter-and-hole-punch can be changed out in a few seconds by hand. The slitter-and-hole-punch units can be color coded, e.g., for gap size.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator being divided into a first spring brake chamber and a second spring brake chamber by a diaphragm extending across the actuator. A pressure plate is provided in the first spring brake chamber and rests on the diaphragm. A power spring is positioned between the spring brake chamber housing and the pressure plate to urge the pressure plate toward the bottom of the actuator housing. Pressurized air is supplied to the second spring brake chamber to hold the power spring in a compressed state. A normally closed one-way check valve extends through the pressure plate and the diaphragm to provide for temporary fluid communication between the first spring brake chamber and the second spring brake chamber upon the exhausting of pressurized air from the second spring brake chamber to thereby prevent the creation of a vacuum in the first spring brake chamber that might retard the application rate of the spring brake actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic multiposition valve, in particular a valve for selecting the steering modes of vehicles with multi-axle steering, having one or more position-seat valves (31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43), which have at least two switching positions and which communicate via lines for the hydraulic medium with one another and with a number of controlled connections (A, B, C, D; L, R) in such a manner that the desired switching positions of the multiposition valve (13) can be selected by the actuation of the seat valves (31-43); and having an actuating arrangement (29) for actuating the seat valves (31-43); the actuating arrangement (29) can be locked in detent fashion in the switching positions of the multiposition valve (13).

Abstract: A system for deforming or actuating an elastomeric structure is described. he system includes a plurality of tubes joined to the elastomeric structure. The tubes extend in the direction of a desired strain to be applied to the elastomeric structure and are constrained from circumferential expansion. When a pressurized fluid is applied to the tubes, the tubes deform causing a like deformation of the elastomeric structure.

Abstract: A cylinder tube is formed in an integrated manner on a base with a support rib intervening therebetween. A slider is displaced in accordance with a displacement action of a piston which is slidable in the cylinder tube. Since the cylinder tube is supported by the support rib, there is no fear of warpage even when the cylinder tube is lengthy. Therefore, the displacement range of the slider is enlarged.

Abstract: A device in an end wall (3) of a pressure fluid cylinder (1) of the kind including a cylinder tube (2), which is provided with a longitudinal slot and having a transfer means for transferring a movement from a moveable piston (11) inside the cylinder through the slot, and which is sealed by at least an inner (4) sealing band, wherein the device is arranged for fastening the end of the sealing band (4) in the cylinder end wall (3). The invention is distinguished by the end wall (3) being provided with an axially extending recess (5), which includes a first portion (9) adapted for axial reception of the inner sealing band and a second portion (10) for axial reception of a screw (6), said screw being adapted to engage with part of its thread a sealing band (4) which is inserted into the recess (5).

Abstract: A positive displacement pump is provided having a housing, a plurality of pistons and an eccentric drive element rotatably mounted about an axis on the housing. A rigid compression member connected to each of the pistons is reciprocatably moveable with the pistons relative to the housing. At least one tension member is provided, connected between each of the pistons and the eccentric drive element at a point displaced from the axis. The tension member is permanently maintained in tension so as to continuously exert force radially inwardly on each of the pistons and to cause each of the pistons to continuously exert radially inward force on the compression member to permanently maintain the compression member in compression. The plurality of pistons preferably includes one or more pairs of pistons with each piston of the pair linked together by the compression element and reciprocates each in synchronism and 180.degree. out of phase with the other.

Abstract: A beverage brewer (20) with a dispenser valve (34) for passing brewing liquid from a supply (30) under control by a programmable dispenser cycle dispenser valve controller (36) to intermittently pass the liquid to a uniform flow dispenser head (38) during preselected duty portions (92) of a plurality of control periods (CP1-CP20, FIG. 5B) in order to independently control the total quantity dispensed and the duration of the dispense period (88). The uniform flow dispenser head (38) has a closed body with a perforated bottom (64) that is intermittently filled with brewing liquid during the duty portion selected for each of the control periods to provide a uniform vertical spray across an open top of a uniform ingredient holder (24) within which is held a cylindrically shaped layer of beverage ingredient (70) in order to achieve uniform contact of the brewing liquid with all the beverage ingredient.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming and baking food particles into a unified, shaped product, e.g., shaped like pizza, has heated top and bottom plates, the mating faces of which have recesses and protrusions for molding the desired shaped product. The bottom plate is in two parts that are abutted together when food particles are deposited thereon and during a baking period with the top plate placed thereon. After raising the top plate, the two bottom parts are moved apart to release the baked, shaped product. Cooked pasta, such as spaghetti, can be formed into a pizza-like shell.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for mechanically removing the core of fruits and vegetables. The device is designed to be used on a vertical or horizontal hand press. The device has an upper collar member having a centrally located threaded aperture therein for attachment to the hand press and has a connection to a lower collar member upon which the cylindrical coring blade is attached by use of an adjustment screw. The coring blade has a cross member located internally which passes across its inner bore and also an alternative embodiment is disclosed having cutting teeth for cutting into the fruit or vegetable which cutting teeth are located in the cylindrical wall at one distal end of the coring blade.

Abstract: A press machine includes a frame, a first crankshaft rotated by a driving source, a second crankshaft connected with a slide, and a connection mechanism provided with a pair of levers connected with each other so as to carry out their bending-stretching motion as the first crankshaft is rotated. One lever has a first pivot and is connected, through the first pivot, with a position adjusting device for adjusting the position of the first pivot in the vertical or horizontal direction. The other lever has a second pivot and is connected, through the second pivot, with the eccentric shaft portion of the second crankshaft. The slide is connected with other eccentric shaft portion of the second crankshaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for decorating articles has at least one article carrier which is movable along a transport path through treatment stations and which is connected to a vacuum source at least over a portion of the transport path for holding an article in the article carrier by the vacuum. A stationary vacuum duct is arranged along at least a portion of the transport path, to make a connection between the vacuum source and the article carrier. At least one vacuum conduit in the article carrier is connected to the vacuum duct by way of a connecting conduit which is connected to the vacuum conduit in the article carrier and which is moved along the transport path. The vacuum duct is provided with an opening for the passage of the vacuum to the connecting conduit, the opening being movable along the vacuum duct.

Abstract: A thermal printer for printing onto circular objects includes a housing that mounts a platen and a carrier for the circular object, and a separate removable and latchable carriage carrying the printhead and positionable on the housing to retain the printhead in a fixed location. The carrier for the circular object is driven relative to the printhead while printing takes place. The platen, carrier and circular object are urged against the printhead as the carrier moves. An actuator is used for moving the platen and carrier with a variable force to vary the force of the circular object against the printhead so that the force is increased when the length of the line of printing increases to span the circular object.

Abstract: A process of fabricating weather resistant signage by screen printing indicia on a UV-treated impregnated polyester protective film using a Cellosolve acetate-based ink. The resulting sign is extremely resistant to solar UV, thus preserving the indicia brightness and clarity for a very long period of time even under the most extreme conditions. The screen printing process of the preferred embodiment comprises the steps of first preparing a film image, then preparing a fabric mesh ranging from 125 to 230 mesh for black and white images and ranging from 355 to 425 mesh for halftone color images. The fabric mesh is attached to a stencil and the film image is attached to the stencil. The combination is placed into a vacuum frame for exposure to high intensity light, after which the stencil is washed with pressurized water, dried by fan, taped and touched up for pinholes or other blemishes.

Abstract: A web of paper is printed with selective non-variable information and vastly different variable information on portions of the paper web which are ultimately separated into discrete documents. At least one ion deposition print unit and a number of flexographic print units are utilized, as well as a data source containing at least the variable information, and first and second computers. Data is read from the data source with the first computer and in response to the read data the ion deposition print unit is controlled with the first computer to print variable information on the paper web. Form lag commands are provided from the first computer to the second computer. In response to the lag commands the flexographic print units are independently controlled by the second computer to operatively engage and disengage the paper web and thereby print non-variable information from at least one of the flexographic units on each discrete document portion of the paper web.

Abstract: A cylinder sleeve for all offset web-fed rotary printing machine comprising a carrier sleeve having a joint location and about which is arranged at least one compressible layer, also having a joint location. Another layer of non-expandable material may be used on top of or within the compressible layer. The non-expandable layer may also have a joint location. A seamless outer layer is provided and disposed about the compressible layer and the non-expandable layer, if so provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular blanket which comprises a main blanket section having at least a portion coming into contact with a printing-made web and a remaining blanket section other than the main blanket section. The remaining blanket section has a thickness thinner than the thickness of the main blanket section. Thus, even if inks or paper particles are attached to a web absent area on a circumferential surface of the tubular blanket, it is possible to eliminate the influence from the attachment of inks or paper particles, and to make the web cut-off hard to occur, so that the interference with the use of the tubular blanket is preventable, thereby enhancing the economy and the working efficiency.

Abstract: A printer having a system to manage the output path of wet printed media is disclosed. In such a system, the wet printed media are held for a time before being ejected into an output tray to avoid the smearing of the wet print markings made on the media. The system achieves this holding time by causing the wet printed media to travel an additional distance over movable ramps before being ejected. In addition, the movements of the ramps are synchronized with the various operations in the printing cycle of the printer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for cleaning a printing plate for fabricating an alignment film in which the printing plate is dipped into an internal container filled with a solvent and a predetermined vibration is transmitted to the printing plate so as to remove a polyimide remaining at the printing plate. In addition, the printing plate is loaded into a heater tank and baked at a high temperature with an injected gas, to thereby completely remove solvent residuals at the printing plate, completely cleaning the printing plate and preventing solvent residuals from solidifying.

Abstract: A missile severance device for severing a structural surface member of a body is constructed of a pair of plate members separated by a collapsible liner member ring. An explosive charge is contained with the volume defined by the pair of plate members and the liner member ring. One of the plate members includes a booster explosive charge that serves to detonate the explosive charge so as to collapse the liner member ring and create a directed jet toward the structural surface member intended to be cut.

Abstract: Rock and other hard materials, such as concrete, are fragmented by a controlled small-charge blasting process. A cartridge containing an explosive charge is inserted at the bottom of a hole drilled in the rock. The explosive charge is configured to provide the desired pressure in the hole bottom, including, if desired, a strong shock spike at the hole bottom to enhance microfracturing. The cartridge is held in place or stemmed by a massive stemming bar of high-strength material such as steel which blocks the flow of gas up the drill hole except for a small leak path between the stemming bar and the drill hole walls. The cartridge incorporates additional internal volume designed to control the application of pressure in the bottom hole volume by the detonating explosive.

Abstract: An expansion projectile (1) with a projectile body (2) forms a central arbor (3) at its end face and a collar (4) coaxially surrounding the arbor (3), where the collar (4) has an outer shape (6) tapering towards the free collar edge (5), and between collar (4) and arbor (3) there is provided a cavity (7) open towards the front. In order to achieve a monobloc projectile free from lead with a high efficiency and a wide range of applications in an economic way, the arbor (3) consists of shaft (31) and tip (32) the collar (4) touches the arbor (3) at least in the transition area (33) between shaft (31) and tip (32), and the arbor (3) protrudes at least up to the axial height of the collar edge (5).

Abstract: A track cleaning system mounted on a railcar and comprising track rail cleaning nozzles, leaf removal nozzles and third rail cleaning nozzles. Each of the nozzles may provide a fan-shaped spray pattern diverging to either side of a central axis and having a major axis. For each track rail nozzle, the central axis may be perpendicular to a horizontal top rail surface and the major axis may be perpendicular to the rail surface centerline. For each leaf nozzle, the central axis may be directly downwardly from the horizontal and the major axis may be parallel to an elongated spray bar on which one or more leaf nozzles are mounted. For each third rail nozzle, the central axis may be directed downwardly from the horizontal and the major axis may be positioned vertically. The third rail nozzles may be mounted to the rear of the leaf nozzles to aid in leaf removal. Main water valves are remotely actuated by air to release high pressure water to corresponding sets of nozzles.

Abstract: A Type E railway freight car coupler having an expanded gathering range is achieved by attaching or forming an extension wing extending diagonally outward from an outer end of the gathering arm to thereby provide an extension to the angled gathering surface. The extension wing can either be cast as one piece directly with the coupler, or cast separately and welded onto the coupler.

Abstract: A railway car side bearing includes a lower housing member, an upper housing member spaced apart from the lower housing member, and an elastomeric spring member interposed between the upper and lower housing members that buckles upon application of vertical loading to provide a spring rate that softens within a range of compressive loads. The upper and lower housing members cooperate with each other to allow for relative vertical movement therebetween, but restrain lateral and rotational movement therebetween. The elastomeric spring member has a first set of spring rates when subjected to axial loads within a first range. However, when the side bearing is subjected to axial loads within an second range, the elastomeric spring member buckles and exhibits a second set of substantially softer spring rates.

Abstract: A light weight gondola car having side walls constructed of a plurality of upper and lower sheets with a longitudinal stiffener being formed from lower portions of the upper and lower sheets. A bolster transition stake joins the side sheet, top chord, bolster web, and side sill for increased strength. The load from the truck assemblies is transmitted to the car body through load carriers. Diagonal truss members strengthened the end panels. The body frame is connected to the center sill with a reinforcement plate. The center sill and draft sills are interconnected by a tie plate.

Abstract: A molded single unit laboratory vertically integrated service and storage system may be affixed to a laboratory work surface area. The unit includes a plurality of supporting struts with each strut having a foundation securable to the laboratory work surface area or to another unit. The unit includes a shelf member having an outer edge with a lip portion which is in horizontal alignment with the outer surfaces of a plurality of foundations to abate lodging of the unit shelf member storage surface completely against a permanent wall, or the like.

Abstract: A new display shelf for resting objects on the top of a water bottle on a water cooler. The inventive device includes a platform designed for resting on the top of an inverted water bottle on a water cooler. The upper surface the platform has a lip upwardly extending therefrom along the outer perimeter of the platform. A number of stabilizing arms are downwardly depending from the lower surface of the platform. The stabilizing arms are designed for positioning adjacent the side of an inverted water bottle on which the platform is resting.

Abstract: In a laptop table adapted to be mounted on a steering wheel, a basic body has at one end spaced hooks forming a support structure for supporting the base body on the steering wheel and a table is mounted on the base body so as to be height adjustable and pivot structure are provided for pivotally supporting the table on the base body and locking it in a particular angular pivot position with respect to the base body.

Abstract: A keyboard positioning system, either alone or in combination with other computer aids, which is ergonomic in design and allows for height adjustments to accommodate operators of different anatomical sizes, yet presets the angle of palm rest and angle of keyboard tray to a wrist neutral position to ensure the proper positioning of the operator's hands, wrist and fingers to greatly lessen or eliminate stress and strain injuries.

Abstract: A lightweight pallet especially for holding payloads in a spacecraft has a sandwich construction with a core grid of longitudinal carrier beams and cross-connectors mounted between a top flat sheet metal plate and a bottom flat sheet metal plate and a bottom sheet metal plate. A cross-beam is secured to the front end and to the rear end of the pallet. The cross-beams carry journal pins for mounting the pallets to respective yokes in the cargo bay of a spacecraft. The cover plates are provided with cut-outs forming square or rectangular holes with rounded corners. Hole patterns or threaded holes are provided for the connection of junction plates and payloads to the pallet. The junction plates are secured where the longitudinal beams and the cross-connectors meet. At least one of the two laterally outer longitudinal beams has a recess for the recessed mounting of payload supply unit such as a power supply. The recess is then closed again by a plate capable of taking up shear stress.

Abstract: The table has a table top portion (A) intended for use as a working surface and a table top portion (B) intended for use as an additional supporting surface. The two table top portions (A,B) are adjustable in height conjointly or separately. The vertical member for supporting the table top comprises at least two tubular members arranged one into the other so as to be axially movable relative to each other, drive means adapted to impart an axial motion to the movable tubular members, and control means arranged so as to permit a conjoint height-adjustment of the two table top portions (A,B) or a separate height-adjustment of one of the two table top portions (A,B) relative to the other.

Abstract: A needle incineration apparatus for disposing of hypodermic needles comprises an insertion aperture (26) through which a needle to be destroyed may be introduced into the apparatus, two electrodes separated by a gap that is aligned with the insertion aperture (26), and a power supply for applying a voltage across the electrodes to destroy needles introduced through the insertion aperture (26) into the gap to contact the two electrodes. In accordance with the invention, the apparatus is formed of a main housing (10) and a disposable cartridge (20) separable from the main housing (10), the power supply being disposed within the main housing (10), the insertion aperture (26) being formed in a wall of the cartridge (20) and the electrodes being disposed in the cartridge (20) within a permanently closed compartment for storing debris resulting from the destruction of the needles.

Abstract: An air nozzle for introducing secondary air into a furnace and including a housing provided with an inlet at one end thereof for receiving air and an outlet at the other end thereof for discharging the air. A damper is disposed in the housing in the path of the air for splitting the flow of the air into two flow streams which extend to different areas of the furnace and is adapted for pivotal movement in the housing to vary the amount of air flow in each of the streams and the discharge angle of one of the streams.

Abstract: A method of operating a pulverized coal-firing furnace so as to achieve no more than a predetermined variation in the instantaneous vertical velocities of the flow exiting a combustion chamber of the furnace is provided. The method includes, in one variation thereof, providing a series of lower compartments for introducing therethrough one of air, fuel, and air and fuel into the combustion chamber. At least one upper compartment is disposed above the topmost compartment of the series of lower compartments at a relative disposition to the topmost compartment in a spacing range between a contiguous disposition to a more spaced disposition which is no more than twice the average spacing between any given compartment and an adjacent compartment.

Abstract: Method for the combustion of vanadium-containing fuels that makes use of the extremely high reactivity of the vanadium-containing fuels for combustion in a dust furnace. To avoid disadvantageous slag caking in a combustion area and in particular in the vicinity of the feed nozzles, e.g. for the pulverized fuel-air mixture and for combustion air, in a dust furnace, a top burner is placed in a roof of a combustion area and at least open dust nozzel is so positioned for the supply of the pulverized fuel-air mixture that a return flow of liquid slag particles to the top burner is prevented.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for applying anhydrous ammonia fertilizer to soil, a soil penetrating knife produces a substantially continuous elongated furrow in the soil for receipt of the anhydrous ammonia; a dispensing tube associated with the knife dispenses liquid anhydrous ammonia continuously into the furrow and second tube associated with the knife continuously dispenses a spray of an absorbent liquid into the furrow for absorbing liquid and gaseous anhydrous ammonia to thereby reduce evaporative loss of anhydrous ammonia from the soil.

Abstract: The wheel arms of a planter row unit are mounted to the row unit frame for independent pivotal motion. The ends of a saddle link are received in sockets formed on gauge wheel arms; and a yoke (or ring-shaped link) pivotally mounted to the frame engages a central saddle bearing surface on the saddle link. The wheel arms, saddle link and yoke are constructed and arranged such that when one gauge wheel raises when it encounters an obstruction, the other lowers and the frame raises by about one-half the distance which the first gauge wheel is raised.

Abstract: An in-line seed treating unit is provided for an air seeding implement to coat seeds carried by a flow of air through a product distribution line before being planted into the ground. The in-line seed treating unit includes a cylindrical housing having input and outlet ends located at opposing axial ends of the cylindrical housing to provide a generally linear overall flow path for the seed entrained air flow through the product distribution line. A baffle formed as a spiral flighting with an open center portion is disposed within the cylindrical housing to induce the air flow and entrained seeds in a spiral flow path along the housing axis and, thereby pushing the entrained seeds outwardly toward the inner wall of the housing. The seed treatment material is injected through an injection port located a distance less than one flighting pitch of the baffle from the beginning of the flighting so that the seed treatment material is dispersed within the air flow to coat the entrained seeds.

Abstract: A work-sheet feed apparatus in which an X carriage is coupled integrally with a coupling member. A rear end portion of a holder support is coupled to the coupling merber via a coupling mechanism that supports the holder support pivotally about an axis parallel to the X direction, while a work-sheet holding frame that holds a work sheet is attached only at one side thereof to a frame holder secured to the holder support.