Abstract: A wall panel consisting of two laminar units each including a core layer of particulate, sintered, aluminum oxide, a perforated metal shell enveloping the layer, and a continuous mass consisting essentially of elastomeric material enveloping the shell and extending into the layer through the perforations of the shell. The mass bonds the particles in the layer to each other and to the shell, and the two masses constitute a unitary body connecting the shells in a position in which the core layer of one unit projects beyond the core layer of the other unit so as to define a rabbet. Two such panels may engage each other in a rabbet joint in which the projecting core layer parts are spacedly superimposed on each other to provide a burglar resistant connection between the panels which themselves are difficult to penetrate by burglar's tools.

Abstract: The pan assembly of a top-loading balance consists of a base attached to a pan carrier for joint movement in a vertically extending direction relative to a support on which the carrier is mounted. A sensible signal is generated in response to the presence of an object to be weighed on the pan assembly which, according to the invention, includes a cover spacedly superposed on the base and having a horizontally extending, exposed top face for receiving the object. One or more compensating weights are releasably interposed between the cover and base in weight transmitting relationship, the cover, the weights, and the base being closely similar in configuration when viewed from above and releasably secured to each other by interengaged projections and recesses.

Abstract: A ski is equipped with a binding alternatively suitable for cross country skiing and downhill skiing. A base plate is normally secured to the top face of the ski runner and a detent projects rearward from the plate. The front end of a boot carrier is pivoted to the corresponding end of the base plate so that its rear end can swing toward and away from a downhill skiing position near the base plate. A latch engages two transversely spaced, longitudinal guides on the carrier for movement toward and away from a position of engagement with the detent in which the engaged latch and detent prevent the carrier from swinging upward from the downhill skiing position as is necessary in cross country skiing.

Abstract: A saw arrangement in which a panel to be cut is backed in an upright position by a frame and is supported by a lower edge rest includes a vertically extending carrier bar horizontally sweeping the working area defined by the backing frame and the edge rest, a carriage vertically movable on the carrier bar, and a sawing device movable on the carriage transversely to the working plane. Operating elements for so moving the carrier bar, the carriage, and the sawing device may be connected individually to a central drive unit by means of a single motion transmitting element and individual controls for drivingly connecting the motion transmitting element to the carrier, the carriage, and the sawing device.

Abstract: A solar collector panel absorbing incident solar energy at a high rate while radiating only a small portion of the absorbed energy comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy as a continuous metallic substrate carrying an anodized oxide layer not substantially thicker than 1 .mu.. The exposed anodized surface is formed with a multiplicity of pores receiving nickel rods of microscopic dimensions which project from the oxide surface. When the pores are spaced apart 0.1 to 1 .mu. and have a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 .mu., the nickel rods being dimensioned correspondingly, the panel has the desired properties.

Abstract: A housing for an electric plug or the like is formed with an axial bore which tapers toward an inlet opening. A pressure member received in the bore for movement toward and away from the inlet opening in conforming engagement with the housing has a face which radially approaches a counter face in the bore for clamping a cable therebetween during axial movement of the pressure member toward the inlet opening. A tubular clamping member, substantially coaxial with the bore of the housing, carries threads matingly engaging threads on the pressure member about the axis. An abutment of the clamping member engages an external rim portion of the housing about the inlet opening and limits threaded movement of the clamping member inward of the bore, whereby the pressure member is moved axially toward the inlet opening, and a cable passing through the tubular clamping member into the bore of the housing is clamped between the face of the pressure member and the counter face.

Abstract: A clamping device for a dental tool consists of a tubular body whose bore has two coaxially cylindrical, terminal portions and a reduced, slightly eccentric, cylindrical, central portion. A clamping sleeve is conformingly rotatable in one of the terminal portions. Its slightly eccentric bore is of uniform cross section equal to that of the central portion of the body. The sleeve can be turned in the body between a position in which the bore of the sleeve and the central bore portion of the body member are aligned for insertion of a dental tool, and another position in which they clamp the tool.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of salts of alkylenediaminecarboxylic acids of the formula ##STR1## such as N-isononanoyl-ethylenediamine-N, N'-diacetic acid are effective coolants and lubricants for the machining and other working of metals and inhibit the corrosion of ferrous metals. The salts are biodegradable.

Abstract: The invention concerns the cleaning of the granulate filter bed material of a gas filter. The granulate material is contained in the spaces between two or more gas-permeable walls. The walls are designed as vertical tubes which may be cylindrical or consist of two cones with their bases together. The crude gas passes transversely through these walls from an outer chamber into an inner chamber from where it is led away as purified gas. A transfer pipe runs from the bottom of the filter bed to the top. A current of conveyor air is forced through the transfer pipe so that it carries the granulate material from the bottom to the top of the filter bed. At the top of the filter bed the conveyor air escapes through a gas-permeable hood while the granulate material falls into the space(s) between the gas-permeable walls, passes down between the walls and eventually reaches the bottom of the filter bed again.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp fires more quickly at low temperature and its service life is lengthened if the input terminals of a full-wave rectifier are connected to the lamp electrodes and a resistor and capacitor are connected in parallel circuit between the output terminals of the rectifier. The voltage pulses applied to the electrodes prior to firing are reduced in peak amplitude and broadened by the improved circuit.

Abstract: A drunkometer in which the rate of airflow toward an alcohol vapor sensing device in an input channel is sensed mechanically or electrically, and a resulting flow signal is integrated. The direction of airflow in the input channel is also sensed either by photoelectric means or by a negative-temperature-coefficient resistance and an error signal is furnished if the direction of flow corresponds to inhaled breath. A validity signal signifying that the measured value is a value representative of the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream is furnished if the integrated signal representing the total exhaled air volume exceeds a predetermined minimum value before an error signal is furnished.

Abstract: .alpha., .omega.-BIS-[5-(DIHYDROXYALKYL) AMINOCARBONYL-3-HYDROXYACYL-AMINO-2,4,6-TRIIODO-BENZOYL-AMINO]-OXAALKANE COMPOUNDS OF THE FORMULA ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is ##STR2## R and R' are hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.2 is dihydroxyalkyl having 3 or 4 carbon atoms,N is 2 or 3,M is an integer between 1 and 5, andN(m+1) is an integer between 4 and 12,Are readily soluble in water to yield injectable radiopaque contrast compositions which are well tolerated and stable. The compounds are prepared in good yields by reacting a reactive derivative of a 5-(di-hydroxyalkyl)aminocarbonyl-3-acyloxyacylamino-2,4,6-triiodo-benzoic acid with an .alpha.,.omega.-diamino-oxaalkane of the formulaR--NH--C.sub.n H.sub.2n --(O--C.sub.n H.sub.2n)--NH--R.

Abstract: Objects are packed in respective receptacles in a unitary body of sheet material having orifices open in a common direction. An annular edge portion of the body envelops the orifices and one or more rib portions of the body separate each orifice from each other orifice. A cover of sheet material is superimposed in a vacuum chamber on the edge portion and the orifices and sealed gastight to the edge portion. When the body with the sealed cover is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the cover is pressed by the air against the rib portions and may be sealed thereto. The sealing die employed in this process need only clamp the edge portion of the sheet material body against a suitable backing die.

Abstract: A metallic valve member having an annular, tapering sealing face makes practically line contact along a circle with a valve seat whose frustoconical inner portion is a sheet metal element having a rounded edge directed substantially at right angles toward the sealing face. An axial closing force applied to the valve member produces a much higher sealing force holding the edge of the seat engaged with the sealing face of the valve member.

Abstract: The individual cardboard box blanks of strings of blanks connected by scored, frangible bridge portions are separated by stacking the multiple blanks, clamping the stack of leading individual blanks to a vibratory support and the stack of the remainder of the blanks to a stationary feed table in such a position that the connecting bridge portions are free to flex and ultimately break when the support is oscillated about a position in which the blank-carrying surfaces of the support and of the table are spacedly aligned in a common plane.

Abstract: A plurality of individual control units transmits control signals, each to a corresponding controllable object. The control signals from the different units are arranged in a predetermined sequence, each control unit having a self-address which signifies its position in the sequence. The self-address is stored in the unit and transmitted in the control signal. Each unit has a receiver receiving the control signals from the other units and deriving an external address signal therefrom. The external address signal presets an address counter. After termination of the received control signal, pulses are added to the address counter until its counting output is equal to the self-address of the unit. The unit then transmits its control signal, but only if no new control signal is being received. Since the self-addresses increase as the position in the sequence increases, the presetting of the address counter causes units having a lower self-address than the preset number to be blocked.

Abstract: A single weighing pan of a top-loading balance is mounted on a vertically movable carrier spindle which transmits the weight of the pan and of a load thereon to an electromechanical transducer. Shock damage to the transducer is prevented by two superposed, star-shaped leaf springs connecting the pan to the spindle and jointly with the spindle, constituting a parallelogram linkage which prevents tilting of the pan under an eccentric load.

Abstract: Hepatitis associated antigen (HAA) in human blood serum is precipitated on HAA-specific antibodies immobilized on the inner wall of a plastic tube. A solution of HAA-specific antibodies tagged with fluorescein is held in contact with the deposited antigens until a portion of the antibodies from the solution is affixed to the antigens. The residual, tagged antibodies in the solution are exposed to a light pulse, and the resulting fluorescence is measured as an inverse indication of HAA in the blood serum.

Abstract: In each cycle of a sequence of repetitive cycles a longitudinal section of an elongated, continuous piece of material spaced from the free end of the piece is draped about an arcuate face of a mandrel by a bending tool moving about the axis of curvature of the mandrel face, and the free end of the piece is thereby engaged with the arcuate face of another mandrel and secured to the other mandrel, whereupon the section draped over the first mandrel is cut. The central portion of the blank severed thereby from the continuous piece is draped over the second mandrel bent into a ring, the curvature of the leading and trailing blank portion, being due to previous draping over the first mandrel.

Abstract: A ventilating cap essentially consisting of an inner frame and a shell having the shape of an inverted cup and dimensioned to envelop the frame. The frame includes a hat band extending in a closed loop about an axis and ribs attached to the band in circumferentially spaced relationship. The ribs extend from the band in a common axial direction and converge toward the axis. Respective portions of the ribs remote from the band and adjacent to the axis are fastened to each other. The rim portion of the shell is releasably fastened to the outer face of the head band in spaced relationship so as to define an annular ventilating gap, and an opening in the shell aligned with the fastened portions of the ribs may be obstructed at least in part by a larger disc releasably fastened to the ribs.