Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for carrying the method are disclosed which provide for selection by the user of a surface used as a reference in the detection of an intrusion. This is achieved by periodically projecting pulses of acoustical energy from a source towards a reference surface and detecting the reflection of such pulses of acoustical energy at a receiver and providing a first indication or signal representative of the reflected pulses. A second indication or signal is generated which is adjustable and representative of the time elapsed between the projection of a pulse of acoustical energy from the source and the reception at the receiver of the pulse of acoustical energy when reflected from the selected reference surface. The variations between the first and second indications are detected and compared and an alarm is generated when a variation is detected in the indications.

Abstract: A battery terminal harness for connection with a predetermined polarity to the dissimilar terminals of a battery is provided with insulating cover means for preventing inadvertent short-term reverse polarity contact between the battery terminals and the connectors of the harness. Fastening means are provided for securing the cover means to a support member, the fastening means including aligned openings in a tab to the cover member and the support member and securing means passing through the aligned openings.

Abstract: A hair dryer is provided having a first cup-shaped plastic housing with an air inlet and generally tangentially directed outlet to be connected to a hose coupling and thence to a soft bonnet on the head of the user. A sheet metal plate provides a motor and other internal components on one side and a fan on the opposite side with the fan directing air through the outlet. A second plastic cup-shaped housing is provided facing the first and the housing are secured together with the plate between them, the hair dryer having a controlled air heater in the outlet. To this general overall arrangement an improvement comprises a heater formed in the shape of a cone in at least one plane of the outlet and secured to a mounting plate covering the outlet such that, with the housing, the mounting plate and housing form the outlet duct which is faired to form a substantial rectangular-to-round outlet path.

Abstract: Alarm devices are provided with circuit means for permitting interconnection of the alarm devices into an alarm system in which each of the powered alarm devices continually senses for an adverse condition, such as smoke in a smoke detection alarm system, and in which all of the powered alarm devices signal an alarm in response to the sensing of an adverse condition by any one of the powered alarm devices.

Abstract: An accessory cooking container for toaster/ovens comprises a pan and a cover, the pan having a generally rectangular flat bottom surrounded by upstanding sidewalls and a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the tops of the sidewalls. A lip bounds the perimeter of the peripheral flange. In one embodiment, the cover comprises a flat top surrounded by downwardly extending sidewalls and a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the bottom edges of the sidewalls. The flange is sized to be accommodated within the lip of the bottom, wherein the cover is restrained from sliding off the bottom. The flange of the pan defines a slot through which the flange of the cover may be gripped to remove the cover. The cover is optionally provided with a heat-resistant glass window having high transmissivity to infrared energy mounted in an opening in the top thereof.

Abstract: A fluid spray nozzle of the massaging type for selectively producing pulsating and nonpulsating streams is provided with axially adjustable valve sealing arrangements for selectively opening and closing inlet ports. The axial flow directing and sealing means provides positive shut-off characteristics even after the various elements have been subjected to substantial wear.

Abstract: A toaster/oven accessory pan sized to cook small food items (eggs, etc.) comprises a flat major panel, integral upstanding sidewalls, a peripheral flange extending from and surrounding the sidewalls, and two handles integral with the peripheral flange and defining a slot opening for receiving the tines of a fork to lift and carry the pan. The bottoms of the fork tines engage a tab of the handle partially defining the slot opening, the tops of the fork tines engage a downstruck stiffening bead formed in the peripheral flange adjacent the slot opening and the ends of the tines abut a sidewall juxtaposed the handle. The peripheral flange is provided with grooves extending about two opposed corners and beads extending about the remaining two opposed corners, and a second identical toaster/oven accessory pan can be inverted and nest on the first pan as a cover, and in particular, the beads and grooves nest.

Abstract: In a steam iron having a connected handle with a steam control thereon, a fill opening to an interior water tank, a ported soleplate having a steam generating boiler with a coverplate thereover forming steam distribution passages and with a water sight gauge connected to the tank, an improvement is provided in the gauge of an opening in the top of the tank within the confines of the handle and disposed in the opening is a closed top vertically directed tube extending through the opening so that it extends both into the tank and into the handle and is sealed to the tank preventing leakage. An aperture is provided through the tube inside the tank in the upper portion thereof for venting the tube inside the tank and a window is provided in the handle and is sized to extend along part of the tube and including the top. Float structure is disposed in the tube with the float being covered by the window when the tank is empty.

Abstract: In a home bag sealer of an integral molded and elongated box housing having an opening for supporting a roll of bag material with a rear pivoted lid on the housing to close the opening and, with a heater along the opening operative on lid closing to seal a selected size bag, there is provided an improvement in the lid assembly of a wall at each end of the opening with a bearing aperture in each wall adjacent the opening at the pivot axis. A flat wall encloses the remaining surface of the housing around the opening and an elongated slot is provided in the flat wall adjacent and parallel to each end wall opposite the opening.

Abstract: In a food processor with a power base and lid-covered bowl, a cutting disc is rotated by a shaft extending into and terminating in the bowl, and structure is provided to reverse the shaft rotation on selection. In this general arrangement, an improvement is provided in the cutting disc comprising a first cutting member on the disc surface facing in the direction of the selected shaft rotation and a second cutting member is provided on the same disc surface facing opposite the first cutting member with the cutting members being substantially diametrically opposite for dynamic balance. The cutting members are preferably on different levels on the disc surface with slanted ramps connecting the levels. The arrangement is such that one of the cutting members performs a cutting operation when the disc is rotated in one direction while the other member is rendered inoperative and, on shaft reversal, the other member performs the cutting operation while the one member becomes inoperative.

Abstract: In a lightweight steam iron with a soleplate and means to selectively deliver water for steam distribution and having a first plastic plate above the soleplate coextensive therewith and a skirt portion around the plastic plate with a second plastic housing having a handle and sealingly supported by the plate whereby the skirt and housing form internal water tank walls and also enclose other iron operating components. A water gauge is supplied for the iron and an improvement on the gauge in this combination includes an entirely integral elongated rectangular niche or cut-out with back, bottom and sides, so the niche forms one of the housing edges parallel to the handle. The niche has spaced apertures in its back side facing outwardly of the iron and connecting with the interior of the tank top.

Abstract: A control device includes a housing having a serpentinely disposed channel and a cover, secured to the housing, which converts the channel into an ultrasonic waveguide. One end of the waveguide is bounded by a stationary reflector and the other end of the waveguide communicates with a bore which holds a piezoelectric device matched to the waveguide so as to provide therein, when actuated, a propagating transverse wave in the ultrasonic frequency range. The cover includes three elongated slots, each of which slidably supports a different reflector unit. Each unit has a reflector extending into the waveguide and can be positioned anywhere along its corresponding slot. Actuation of the piezoelectric transducer by an electrical pulse causes an ultrasonic pulse to propagate down the waveguide and parts thereof are reflected back to the transducer where an electrical group of pulse signals are caused to appear.

Abstract: A lightweight plastic electrolytic steam iron has a soleplate with steam distributing means therefrom and a casing of electrically non-conducting material forming the walls of an internal water tank coextensive with and extending over the soleplate. Spaced electrodes are supported in the rear of the tank to generate steam from the water therein and an insulated steam conduit extends from the soleplate upwardly into the tank to direct saturated steam from the tank through the steam distributing means to the surface being ironed. To this general combination, an improvement for minimizing condensation of moisture on the soleplate adds a thin chamber disposed between the tank and the soleplate and parallel and coextensive with them to separate the tank and soleplate over substantially their entire facing surfaces.