Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a maximum value storage sensor when detecting the maximum strain by generating an invariable electrical resistance change correlative to the strain of the detection object in a conductive body having a plurality of conductive elements. The maximum value storage sensor of the present invention has; a conductive body having a circuit which gives correlative resistance changes corresponding to the sequential cutoff of a plurality of conductive elements each having a given electrical resistance arrayed in parallel; a cutting means for cutting the conductive elements of the conductive body; and a structure for allowing one of the conductive bodies and the cutting means to move relatively to each other.

Abstract: A temperature resistant material consisting of fiber-reinforced glass and fiber-reinforced ceramics, respectively, is described as asbestos substitute in devices for handling hot glass, glass ceramics and ceramics objects.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a cutaneous, ocular, or mucosal pathological condition which is associated with an immune response in a human or other mammal, that includes topical application of an effective amount of buspirone or a buspirone derivative or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, optionally in a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier for topical application.

Abstract: A method for preparing mimics of a wide variety of drugs and other biologically active molecules using molecular imprinting techniques, and the mimics produced thereby, is disclosed. Specifically, the mimic is designed by: (i) polymerization of functional monomers around a known drug or biologically active molecule (the template) that exhibits a desired activity; (ii) removal of the template molecule; and then (iii) polymerization of a second class of monomers in the void left by the template, to provide a new organic molecule which exhibits one or more desired properties which are similar to that of the template.

Abstract: A warning system comprises a receiver adapted to receive and recognize a coded signal, and upon reception and recognition thereof to generate a warning signal; and a transmitter selectively actuable to transmit a coded signal receivable and recognizable by the receiver and including a monitor for monitoring the presence of an extraneous signal originating from another transmitter, the transmitter delaying transmission of the coded signal upon detection of the extraneous signal.

Abstract: Novel polyacrylic acid resins are prepared by polymerizing a monomer selected from the group consisting of H.sub.2 C.dbd.CHCO.sub.2 X, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CO.sub.2 X, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CHCO.sub.2 X, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CO.sub.2 X, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CHCOX, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CHCOX, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 COX, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 COX, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CHCSO.sub.v X, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CHCSO.sub.v X, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CSO.sub.v X, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CSO.sub.v X, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CHCON(R.sup.3).sub.2, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CHCON(R.sup.3).sub.2, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CON(R.sup.3).sub.2, OR HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CON(R.sup.3).sub.2, or a combination thereof, in the presence of at least 10% by weight of reaction components of an aromatic sulfonic acid or its salt, wherein:R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, aromatic, aralkyl or alkaryl moiety of C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 ;R.sup.

Abstract: Automated tracking devices for counting, sorting, weighing, and containing articles, such as sponges that contain fluids from patients undergoing surgery. Devices according to the present invention employ a suspended container for receiving and sorting the articles. The cumulative weight of the container contents is sensed accurately and registered reliably after an appropriate settling period via a load cell structure which is aimed at eliminating bending moments and non-vertical force components imposed by the container and its contents. Automatic sensing of the presence of the container allows continuous, rather than solely end-point, fluid monitoring during the surgical procedures and allows this monitoring to continue as successive containers are changed during an operation. Appropriate warnings occur after a predetermined number of articles have been introduced into the container, in order to indicate that a container change is due.

Abstract: Novel poly(arylester-carbonate)s of the formula ##STR1## are disclosed, as well a process for preparing such poly(arylester-carbonate)s.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the cryogenic purification of gaseous mixtures is provided. The apparatus comprises a heat-insulated hermetically sealed vessel which contains liquid hydrogen. Immersed within the liquid hydrogen are a number of serially connected cartridges which contain chips of a thermally conductive mixture. A mixture of neon and helium is input into the apparatus. The neon freezes, while the helium passes through the apparatus in a gaseous state. The resulting neon is allowed to thaw into a liquid or gaseous form and is highly pure.

Abstract: A support assembly for a roadside or traffic signpost includes a mounting socket cylinder (13) fixed in the ground for receiving a support post (12) therein. A resilient support means in the form of a pair of O-rings (16) is interposable between the post and the mounting cylinder. A reinforcing collar (15) prevents deformation of adjacent (1 to 11) portions of the mounting cylinder and the post.

Abstract: Lathes for working brake rotors and other components as desired. The lathes employ a pivoting carriage which mounts the tool for working, cutting, finishing or otherwise having a desired effect on the workpiece. Control of carriage positioning is accomplished preferably using a feedscrew or other desired linkage which is connected, directly or indirectly, to the carriage and to the frame of the lathe (other mechanisms or linkages may also be used). Such lathes may also employ a slide carriage for working brake drums, which carriage is preferably located on the side of the lathe opposite the pivoting carriage. The slide carriage may be easily removed and sold as a separate unit to allow a number of options for buyers.

Abstract: A double-walled aerosol spray container includes a hollow outer jacket and a flexible bag therein. A substance to be sprayed is held in the bag, while a propellant is charged into a space outside of the bag and within the jacket. The construction of the aerosol spray container helps ensure that the bag does not slip off during manufacture or use thereof. The bag includes a flange about its open end, and the flange abuts an inwardly projecting engagement ridge formed on a corresponding part of the jacket, preferably with an annular packing therebetween. The bag has a storage section that is thinner than the flange, and is easily deflatable or deformable. The aerosol spray container also includes a housing in which a spray valve mechanism is incorporated. The housing includes an inner frame that is inserted into the open end of the bag so that the bag is securely held between the jacket and the housing.

Abstract: A smoke detection and alarm system including one or more low cost battery operated smoke alarms fitted with internal non-rechargeable standby batteries, a reactive primary power supply derived from mains supply, and connecting means for connecting the reactive power supply to each of the system's smoke alarms, the system being characterized in that said reactive primary power supply comprises: means for providing a DC supply of slightly higher than the smoke alarm standby battery voltage; and means for detecting the higher than quiescent current supplied by the reactive power supply when any of the smoke alarms connected as part of the system is in alarm or in self-test mode; and means of lowering the DC supply voltage made available to power the system's smoke alarms when a higher than quiescent current is detected; and said smoke alarms comprise: means by which all the current required under quiescent condition, with primary power available, is supplied by the reactive primary power supply; and means by whi

Abstract: A home automation system comprises a number of sub-systems for controlling various aspects of a house, such as a security sub-system, an HVAC sub-system, a lighting control sub-system, and an entertainment sub-system. The network comprises a host computer connected through a host interface to a plurality of nodes. The network is in a free form topology and employ asynchronous communication. The host computer polls each node on the network to determine system configuration and to perform a diagnostic check on the system. The messages that are transmitted between the nodes are comprised of a source address, a destination address that uniquely identifies the location of each piece of hardware on the system, a message type field, and a data length segment. Each hardware device has a mirror image software object in the host computer to which messages are directed. The user interfaces for the various sub-systems share a common interfacing method whereby use of the system is greatly simplified.

Abstract: A device for determining from one or more different directions the geometrical pattern of a mark being randomly shaped in three dimensions and being embedded in a transparent material and securely fixed to an object. A radiation source is designed to emit radiation to a matrix of radiation detectors. The object is placed with the mark in the path of the radiation for projecting a silhouette of the mark onto the matrix of radiation detectors by the radiation sources.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing which includes a carrier and a plurality of bearing pads circumferentially spaced about the carrier. The carrier is formed with a series of circumferentially spaced groups of pad support openings. Each group of pad support openings includes two or more pad support openings each of which is capable of supporting a pad, but only one of which supports a pad at any one time. The carrier is designed such that the openings formed therein are supported as sets of supports such that each group of openings includes one opening of each set of openings. The carrier supports the openings such that the support of each opening within each set is substantially identical to that of the other openings in its set, but different than the support of the openings of other sets such that each set of bearing pad openings is adapted to support bearing pads for a distinct characteristic deflection.

Abstract: As a device used to paint a pattern such as a band, stripe or streak on the surface of an elongate and thin base material continuously supplied, a painting device is composed of at least a painting groove provided across the moving direction of the base material continuously supplied and having an opening formed along its both ends with a width wider than the width of the above-described base material in a manner not to be closed by the base material, a primary pipe communicated with the painted groove and a secondary pipe linked with the primary pipe, so that different kinds of paints are filled into the painting groove through the primary and secondary pipes to paint a pattern such as a band, stripe or streak over the whole surface of the base material in motion.

Abstract: Discs for devices such as automatic swimming pool cleaners are disclosed. The discs incorporate one or more flutes, or raised areas (arched protrusions), extending generally radially from adjacent their central portions to their peripheries. The peripheries themselves, moreover, may include upturned areas (lips) between flutes, and both the discs and footpad may include ramped segments facilitating movement over obstacles extending from swimming pool surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical distribution system for skirting boards having an extruded housing which houses a conductor assembly so as to form a longitudinally extending access channel in which, at any location, a connector plug can be inserted. The conductor assembly has a number of slots in opposite faces and in which in one face bus conductors are located. The width of the slots decrease when the conductor assembly is bent so that the distribution system does not have to be cut at wall corners. The connector plug is rotated through 90 degrees to establish electrical contact.

Abstract: A runout compensator is provided that angulates a face surface by adjusting two members whose mating surfaces have been machined to slant relative to the central axis of each member. A first member has a shaft over which slides the second member so that the mating surfaces of each member come into and are maintained in contact. Rotating the second member about the shaft of the first member varies the angulation of a face surface. Correctly adjusting the runout compensator, which is attached to a lathe, and a load plate assembly providing biasing to hold the workpiece between itself and the runout compensator, allows the workpiece to be firmly held in the angled position needed to compensate for the runout in the workpiece as the workpiece is turned upon a lathe.