Abstract:
A machine (400) particularly adapted for dispensing light items (407) packaged in pliable pouches or packets having a machine graspable crowned carrier (415). The items are propelled in a queue (401) through a tubular cartridge along a C-shaped track (409) having a ratcheting mechanism to be individually dispensed. The heads of the package carriers (415) are propelled by the alternating back-and forth motion (408,480) of a crenelated drive rack (410) successively pushing a sled (405) at the rear of the package queue. A self-engaging brake impedes backward movements of the sled and packages during a return stroke of the drive rack. The brake is disengaged by rearward movement of a weight (492) on a swing arm (490) so that the sled can be manually moved.
Abstract:
A machine particularly adapted for dispensing light items packaged in pliable pouches or packets having a machine graspable crowned carrier. The items are propelled in a queue through a tubular cartridge along a track having a ratcheting mechanism to be individually dispensed. A motorized reciprocation bolt engages the mechanism at the back of the cartridge. Multiple cartridges can be grouped together in an expandable array using an interlocking bar and T system to form a removable magazine. Each cartridge can be selectively addressed and activated by its dedicated motorized bolt. In a preferred embodiment of the ratcheting mechanism, the heads of the package carriers are held within a C-shaped track and propelled by the alternating back-and forth motion of a crenelated drive rack successively pushing a sled at the rear of the package queue. A self-engaging brake impedes backward movements of the sled and packages during a return stroke of the drive rack. A coupler is provided for conveniently transferring a batch of products temporarily mounted on a storage and transportation rail directly onto the ratcheting mechanism from the back of a vending machine.
Abstract:
A method for centralized mass processing of substitutable, good-holding magazines used in conjunction with computer-controlled vending machines. A memory-chip-mounting smart-card is used, not only to enter into the machines the magazine location and price of the various goods, but also to carry a sales transaction record of the replaced magazine, thus avoiding the need for magazine locking mechanisms and other security measures.
Abstract:
A machine particularly adapted for dispensing light items packaged in symmetrical, frustum-shaped container. The items are propelled through a tubular cartridge and individually ejected by a flow of air generated by a blower under control of a toggling dual-gate mechanism at the dispensing end of the cartridge. The dual-gate mechanism of a removable magazine grouping a number of cartridges can be selectively addressed and activated by means of a solenoid-driven cross-bar assembly.
Abstract:
A continuous length of reinforced plastic ribbon rod is wound on a reel and replaces a conventional oil well sucker rod formed of long sections of steel rods. The reinforced plastic has a high modulus of elasticity, is sufficiently stiff for use in pumping, and has enough flexibility to be wound onto a reel or drum. The reel of ribbon rod is positioned above oil well tubing and the ribbon rod, with an oil pump attached to its free end, is fed into the tubing and lowered to the bottom of the well. The ribbon rod is secured to a surface pumping means, and reciprocating motion is transmitted to the oil pump through the ribbon rod.
Abstract:
A building element useful in constructing plastic boat hulls and methods of making the element. The building element includes a plurality of glass fibers in the form of roving which are substantially parallel to each other, a resin binding the glass fibers together, and a plastic sheet covering one or both sides.The building element may be continuously made by passing a plurality of strands of glass fiber roving through a perforated guide plate into a trough of resin formed by the bight of a pair of rollers, feeding a plastic sheet over each roller into said bight to protect the rollers from the resin and to form a sandwich structure with the resin impregnated strands of roving being enclosed within the plastic sheets, and cutting across the plastic sheets and resin impregnated glass strands at a desired angle to form a stamp element.The building element may also be made by passing glass fiber roving through a resin pot and winding the roving around a drum which is covered by a polyethylene sheet. When the roving has reached the desired thickness, the building element is formed by cutting across the sheet and fibers and removing it from the drum.To build a boat hull, the building element is placed in a mold with the plastic cover sheet up, rollers are pressed against the outer surface of the dry plastic sheet to press the air out of the resin impregnated glass fibers and to press the fibers into good contact with a preceding layer in the mold, and the plastic sheet is removed. A succeeding building element has its fibers running at an angle to the fibers of the previous element. Light-weight blocks may be used to build up the thickness of the boat hull.
Abstract:
A device, for grasping a limp body, such as a paraplegic or a quadriplegic patient (19), and transferring the body to another location or moving it into a different position, comprises two pivotally connected sections (12,13), one positioned to grasp the torso portion (18), the other the pelvic one (17). The sections can be kept in line with each other or pivoted toward each other to place the patient in a seated position. Each section comprises an upper frame (14) from the opposite longitudinal edges of which extends a pair of articulated grasping members positioned to move astride the torso or pelvis of the patient. The members include series of transversal cantles which can be directed to curl inwardly toward each other and securely enwrap and grab the load. The frame and the supported patient can then be hoisted, moved and deposited into a supine or seating position. Each member includes a series of successively hinged segments tilted by pulling cables.
Abstract:
A method for centralized mass processing of substitutable, good-holding magazines used in conjunction with computer-controlled vending machines. A memory-chip-mounting smart-card is used, not only to enter into the machines the magazine location and price of the various goods, but also to carry a sales transaction record of the replaced magazine, thus avoiding the need for magazine locking mechanisms and other security measures.