Abstract: An amusement device for selectively interchanging or transferring coded pieces from one storage element to a second adjacent storage element is disclosed. The two storage elements are connected to each other for relative rotation. The coded pieces are transferred by aligning one or more storage space or cavity containing a coded piece, in one storage element with like storage spaces or cavities in the adjacent storage element and inverting the device. The storage cavities are configured to allow a prearranged relationship between coded pieces upon rotational alignment of storage cavities lying on the same radius from the axis of rotation. Self-contained games and multiple puzzle configurations are achievable by sequential rotation, alignment and inversion of storage cavities.

Abstract: A lock for a storm window, a catch of the lock being adapted to fit within a track along which a positionable window slides to a closed position. Spring biased latches on the positionable window are automatically biased by the catch away from the track and received by a recess in the catch, which recess retains the latch and prevents movement of the positionable window.

Abstract: Stack handling apparatus includes an input delivery section having two spaced apart conveyor segments operatively arranged to move equidistantly with respect to a centerline between the two conveyor segments. A stack formation section receives articles conveyed in a serial stream from the input delivery section and includes a carriage having a blade apparatus which is maintained at a generally constant predetermined angle as the carriage is transported in a closed loop transport movement path. Articles are assembled into batches on the blade apparatus, and each batch is transferred to door gate apparatus by relative linear movement. The door gate apparatus releases the batch for linear free fall movement to a turntable mechanism of a stack delivery section. The turntable mechanism alternately rotates 180.degree. after the receipt of each batch. Longitudinally extendable hydraulic assemblies are eccentrically connected to rotate the turntable mechanism.

Abstract: An electrode for use in electrochemical reactions such as electrochemical stripping analysis comprises a plurality of generally parallelly oriented and laterally spatially displaced electrically conductive fibers which are separated and held in a core by electrically insulating bonding material which substantially completely fills the lateral spaces between the fibers. The fibers, preferably carbon fibers, have a crystallographic structure of a plurality of maximum electrical conducting planes extending generally parallel to the fiber. The bonding material is substantially electrically insulating and may be a polyester or epoxy resin.

Abstract: A portfolio for an attache case or the like includes a front panel assembly defined by a portfolio frame and a backing panel. The portfolio frame is preferably formed from a single piece of molded material, such as plastic, having flexible but semirigid characteristics. A peripheral margin structure of the portfolio frame defines an interior opening through the frame, and the backing panel covers the interior opening. Article retention means extend from the peripheral margin structure into the interior opening. The article retention means cooperate with the backing panel to retain articles therebetween. The backing panel is attached to the portfolio frame preferably by ultrasonically deforming projections from the frame over openings in the panel. A pocket structure of the portfolio is preferably sewn to rearward extending skirt portions of the peripheral margin structure of the frame.

Abstract: An angularly adjustable ski deck is selectively downwardly or upwardly inclinable. A stand is pivotally connected to a frame, which frame rotatably supports a pair of belt rollers at either end thereof along a line transverse to the length of said frame. An endless belt is mounted around the two rollers, and is adapted to be moved in a single direction against the movement of a skier. A pair of slide tracks are formed within the belt to simulate a cross-country skiing path. Ski-on and ski-off ramps are provided at either end of the ski deck.

Abstract: Puzzles, including both two dimensional and three dimensional versions, are comprised of movable segmented segments on a base. In various embodiments the base is a sphere. The segmented sections form geometric figures and each geometric figure has a common segmented section with another geometric figure. In the two-dimensional version the geometric figure is in the form of a circle. In the three-dimensional versions the geometric figure is in the form of a sphere; a square, with the segmented sections forming a cube; a triangle, with the segmented sections forming tetrahedron; or a pentagon, with the segmented sections forming a dodecahedron.

Abstract: An electronic measuring device utilizes multiple different transducers for supplying signals exhibiting predetermined and typically nonlinear relationships to the multiple input variables sensed by the transducers. The measuring device includes a microcomputer containing stored linearizing information therein relating to the predetermined nonlinear relationship of the signals supplied by the transducers and the variables sensed by the transducers. The microcomputer linearizes each of the signals supplied by the transducers and thereby obtains highly accurate signals indicative of the variables sensed. Depending upon the ultimate determination to be obtained by the device, the linearized signals representative of the input variables may be employed in a polynomial equation calculation conducted by the computer to obtain the output determination.

Abstract: A power wrench includes a relatively flat elongated housing with an output shaft at one end operatively connected to one end of a drive segment lever arm whose opposite end is connected to a hydraulic cylinder mounted transverse to the lever arm. The hydraulic cylinder is connected through hydraulic lines to an external reservoir which is subject to variable hydraulic pressures through a power source. A valve alternately admits hydraulic fluid to opposite ends of the cylinder causing the cylinder to reciprocate which in turn oscillates the aforementioned opposite end of the lever arm to unidirectionally rotate the output shaft.

Abstract: A control system prevents electrical overloads in an aircraft of the type in which electrical loads are automatically connected to an electrical supply bus when the wing flaps are extended. The control system determines the maximum capability of the electrical generators for generating electricity and determines the wing flap position. Because electrical load is related to the wing flap position in this type of aircraft, the control system automatically correlates the wing flap position to electrical load. The control system operatively disconnects electrical load from the supply bus, or prevents energization of additional electrical load, when it determines that the maximum power generating capacity of the operative electrical generators will be exceeded by the automatic connection of the electrical load upon extension of the wing flaps.A test circuit apparatus is used for checking proper operation of the control system.

Abstract: A syringe device has a hollow tubular body that receives a resilient sealing member rotatably connected to a hollow plunger. A vacuum pump is connected through a flexible tube to the hollow plunger to thereby withdraw blood using the vacuum created. Once in the syringe body, blood is automatically exposed to an anti-coagulant stored within the syringe body. The anti-coagulant is in flake form and premanufactured from a heparin solution which is allowed to evaporate on a non-stick surface.

Abstract: An electro-optical device mounted over a conveyed stream of articles for sensing the passage of each article by projecting a single spot of light onto the articles and measuring the reflectance of that spot from two different angles. The measured reflectance values are fed to an electronic comparator which produces an output signal when one reflectance value exceeds the other by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A primary fuel-air mixture is dispersed into an airstream flowing through a venturi to achieve a desired final fuel-air mixture. The flow of air through the venturi is operatively controlled by a throttle valve means which includes a tube member having a fuel dispersing end positioned generally within a constricted portion of the venturi. Movement of the throttle tube selectively positions the fuel dispersing end in a spaced apart relationship with the constructed portion of the venturi and regulates the quantity of fuel and air flowing into an engine. The primary fuel-air mixture is supplied to a hollow interior portion of the throttle tube, and is dispersed uniformly from the fuel dispersing end of the throttle tube into the airstream. The quantity of primary fuel-air mixture dispersed is related to the quantity of air flowing through the venturi.

Abstract: A guidance apparatus for controlling universal coupling movement of a tripod head includes control or guiding means operatively connected to the head of the tripod and extending therefrom to contact the upper torso of the individual using the tripod independently of the individual's hands. The individual's upper torso movement controls the universal movement of the tripod head. The guidance means preferably includes a guidance arm having a portion for contacting the shoulder front of the individual and a portion extending beneath the shoulder and between the upper arm and the upper torso. The portion extending between the upper arm and the upper torso is conveniently gripped by pressing the upper arm on the guidance means against the upper torso during movement of the upper body in controlling the tripod head.

Abstract: Means for emitting high-pressure jets of fluid such as water, and mechanical rock breaking wheels, are positioned on a rotary drill bit for cooperatively cutting an axially extending bore hole through earth material. A center core opening is cut into the drill face material of the bore hole by a jet of fluid crossing the axis of the bore hole at an acute angle. The material of the drill face annularly surrounding the center core opening is removed by cutting concentric slots in the material and by applying radially inward directed force for breaking each ring defined by the slots cut. At any given axial position or level, the slots are cut and the rings are broken in sequence from the radially innermost position to the radially outermost position of the bore hole.

Abstract: A digital thermometer uses a microprocessor computer containing stored information relating to the response characteristics of a transducer to supply a measurement of temperature. The transducer is preferably a thermistor whose resistance varies in a predetermined and nonlinear relation to its temperature. The microprocessor computer includes a read-only memory which has been preprogrammed with piece-wise linearized information approximating the nonlinear relation of resistance and temperature of the thermistor. A current source develops a voltage across the thermistor which is related to the temperature of the thermistor. The voltage across the thermistor is converted into a digital signal, and the digital signal is related to the piece-wise linearized information stored. The temperature equivalent is calculated from a first order algebraic equation determined by the relationship of the digital signal to the stored information.

Abstract: An elongated inflatable tubular housing is provided including front and rear wall portions. The front wall portion is constructed of solar radiation transparent material and a panel of solar radiation absorbing material is mounted in the housing and extends between opposite sides thereof dividing the interior of the housing into front and rear compartments between the panel and the front and rear walls, respectively. Air inlet structure is operative to introduce air to be heated into the front compartment at one end of the housing, air pass structure is provided and operative to pass air from the front compartment into the rear compartment at the other end of the housing and air outlet structure is provided and operative to exhaust heated air from the rear compartment. The air inlet structure and air outlet structure include structures for conveying air from the interior of an enclosure to be heated into the front chamber and from the rear chamber back into the enclosure to be heated.

Abstract: An ice forming plate member pivots upon formation of a slab of ice of predetermined weight thereon and upon pivoting, a switch senses the pivoting and controls a refrigeration system for harvesting the ice slab by conducting heat to the ice forming plate member to release the slab of ice formed. Biasing means counterweight the ice forming plate member to prevent pivoting prior to the formation of an ice slab of predetermined weight, with the weight being approximately correlated with the thickness of the ice slab. Two or more ice forming plate members may be mechanically connected in parallel for forming two ice slabs approximately simultaneously. Heat for defrosting the two ice slabs is supplied at different rates to the two ice forming plate members to release one of the ice slabs at a different time than the other ice slab is released.