Abstract: A connector for optic fibres includes mechanism to bias the optic fiber forwardly so that a firm "light tight" connection is possible. A rigid end portion of an optic fiber cable extends slidably forward through a plug and is biased forwardly by a helical spring. The spring acts between a bearing of a housing an a bearing on the rigid end portion of the cable. The housing and the plug are connected firmly together by means of snap fastening between them.

Abstract: A gas powered, pressureless steam cooker has a connector tube for ingress of steam into the cooking compartment so that entry of a low temperature, wet steam can be minimized. The connector tube has a small diameter to constrain the entry of steam into the cooker compartment until it has reached a minimum velocity. A water reservoir is located alongside the oven compartment to the rear of the cooker and an integrated heat exchange tube and firebox are located in the tank. This tube is generally U-shaped, a lower horizontal leg opening at a mouth outside the water reservoir. An inshot burner fires into the lower horizontal leg and combustion gas flow through the U tube giving up heat to water in the reservoir. Additional heat exchange surface may be provided by channels through an upper leg of the U-tube from side to side. Flow of combustion gases may be optimized by the shape of the U-tube and at least a deflecting surface between a vertical web of the U and the upper leg of the U.

Abstract: A rope clamp is provided which is suitable either for use to hang adjustably an article suspended by a rope, or to act as an adjustable tie down. The clamp has a clamping rope channel between a pair of parallel plates. Clamping ribs are located in the rope channel to grip the rope frictionally and to narrow the channel towards its base. One plate of the pair narrows towards one end to leave exposed parts of an inner face on the other plate. Guide to maintain the rope in the rope channel are located on the exposed parts.

Abstract: A building system and/or an erected building is based on a kit of parts including portable, prefabricated wall sections of a width of 4 feet and a height dependent on the room height desired. The sections include a metal frame having parallel members to be vertical in the erected building. These members are provided with a thermal break along their length. The thermal break may also serve as a water resistant connector between sections. Sections are aligned with abutting side edges to form walls of the building. Parallel abutting vertical members of adjacent sections form composite load bearing members for roof trusses which may be spaced apart by the width of a wall section. A hinged template for interior partitions may be provided which can be folded for transport. Ceiling panels may be connected to roof trusses through an adjustable linkage so that compensation for movement of the roof trusses is possible.

Abstract: Active elements are described which modify the heating of foodstuffs and other microwave-heatable loads and which are responsive to changes of load dielectric properties with temperature or as a result of changes of state, composition or density during heating, to the presence of absence of loads, and to the presence or absence of adjacent dielectric materials. The active elements, which may be looped slots or strips, are constituted so as to be or become resonant or non-resonant during microwave heating of the load in response to the presence or absence of the load or the presence or absence of adjacent dielectric material. The elements conveniently may be constructed of electroconductive metal or artificial dielectric material.

Abstract: A process for forming a specific length of extruded thermoplastics material trim strip for automobiles includes the step of extruding the strip directly onto an endless carrier belt moving at a speed matching the emergence speed of the extrudate. The extrudate, therefore, is less subject to stresses causing unpredictable length changes on cooling. It is therefore possible to predetermine the cooled, matured, final lengths of strip and to provide moulded end portions on-line.

Abstract: Active elements are described which modify the heating of foodstuffs and other microwave-heatable loads and which are responsive to changes of load dielectric properties with temperature or as a result of changes of state, composition or density during heating, to the presence of absence of loads, and to the presence or absence of adjacent dielectric materials. The active elements, which may be looped slots or strips, are constituted so as to be or become resonant or non-resonant during microwave heating of the load in response to the presence or absence of the load or the presence or absence of adjacent dielectric material. The elements conveniently may be constructed of electroconductive metal or artificial dielectric material.

Abstract: A continuous composter is provided with self contained aeration zones so that air circulation is confined to any one zone to avoid transmission of bacteria through a composting tunnel. An inlet fan and an exhaust fan are provided for each zone and suction through the exhaust fan is provide stronger than inlet pressure so that gases do not percolate through the tunnel. Similarly water and leachate are removed from the system without contact with downstream composting garbage. Any recirculation of gas or leachate takes place only in the zone from which it has come.

Abstract: A window unit configured to be removably mounted in an operative position in a motor vehicle having a half door and a soft roof structure disposed above the half door. The window unit comprises a rigid, transparent window panel and a surrounding frame of flexible material. A lower portion of the surrounding frame is configured to be releasably attached to an upper portion of the half door of the motor vehicle. An upper portion of the surrounding frame is configured to be releasably attached to a side edge of the soft roof structure of the motor vehicle. A window frame is mounted within a window-receiving opening formed through the surrounding frame. The window frame has a window track provided therein. The window panel is mounted within the window frame and has an outer peripheral edge thereof received in the window track. The surrounding frame has an inner portion extending around the window-receiving opening. The inner portion is devoid of openings.

Abstract: Apparatus for making decorative fringes and/or tassels comprises a base having parallel support grooves for a set of combs to support the combs in two parallel rows with their teeth upstanding. Yarn may be looped around and between the teeth to form strands of fringe or tassel. The strands may be secured with adhesive and the loops may be removed from the teeth. The longer loops may be cut if desired.

Abstract: A router bit has a bearing guide which does not rotate with the bit. The router bit has a downwardly directed axial tip which engages and rotates in a bearing socket of a bearing guide plate having a straight edge to abut the work being cut. Because the guide does note rotate with the router bit there may be less danger of the guide gouging or marking the work.

Abstract: A chainless drive winch is provided having a cable cylinder meshing with an orthogonal, cylindrical reduction gearing member. The reduction gearing member may be driven by, for example, an electric motor. A brake is provided operable only when the reduction gearing member is rotated is a direction to lower a load. Limit switches may be provided which are adjustable to alter the distance between them. A trigger finger moving between the limit switches is driven from the cable cylinder. The cable cylinder may be provided with a generally parallel roller to hold turns of cable on the cylinder. The roller may be independently biased at each end so that, when cable is partially unwound from the cylinder, the bias of the roller is enhanced on the remaining turns.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated, linearly sliding shutter is provided for a light source emanating from a fiber optic light guide, used for example, in a variable display such as those providing information to motorists on highways. For such a display a plurality of shutters in an array is provided with individual shutters being operable under computer control to occlude or allow passage of light in a predetermined pattern. The shutter may include a base unit having bores to hold the end of the fiber optic guide and control electromagnetic coils, and a shutter unit having a slide movable into and out of the path of light from the guide. The shutter unit may be sealed against entry of dust and dirt.

Abstract: A connector for connecting electrical signal transmitting cable to a corresponding jack of audio or video equipment has a jack engaging socket having spring loaded gripping means for a jack member. The spring loaded gripping means comprise a number of parallel segments bowed inwardly from an inner wall of the socket. These segments are biassed outwardly when the socket is force fitted over a corresponding jack member. There may be a large number of segments. Preferably the segments are angled to the axial direction of the connector.

Abstract: A light beam such a laser beam is used to scan the surface of an egg for flaws such as pin holes, cracks, thinned shell regions, etc. The light beam is vibrated with a rocking/rotating movement to describe a closed curve such as a circle, ellipse or an ellipse so narrow that it is effectively a straight line. The utilization of such a light beam allows identification of types of flaws due to the character of the progression of light emanating from the egg. The invention includes apparatus for rotating the egg about its longitudinal axis in the path of the beam or beams. The apparatus also includes apparatus for forming the vibrating beam such as mirrors vibrated by out of phase electro-magnetic vibration or piezo electric actuators.

Abstract: Belt weatherstrip moulding for motor vehicles or other motor vehicle trim may be made of separate inner and outer components. The inner component may be a base component which is extruded in a flexible material such as an elastomeric material which may be rubber or rubbery materials and which partially envelops an elongate core which is rigid with respect to the extruded material. Preferably the core is aluminum or less preferably stainless steel, galvanized steel or zinc coated steel or it may be a rigid thermoplastic material. The elongate core has an exposed face for attachment to the outer moulding. The outer component is an outer decorative skin and is an injection moulding, preferably polyurethane, although other plastics material may be used. The inner and outer mouldings are adhered together through double sided adhesive tape.