Abstract: A ski brake assembly mountable on a ski for impeding movement of the ski down a slope when the ski is detached from a skier's boot, the ski having a longitudinal axis, a top surface and a bottom surface. A pedal is operably attached to a pivot shaft, and is movable between a skiing position wherein the ski brake is in the non-braking position and a release position wherein the braking arm is in the braking position. The pedal and pivot shaft are operable to rotate the braking arm toward the axis of the ski as the pedal is moved toward the skiing position by the engagement of surfaces on the pedal and the pivot shaft, to rotate the pivot shaft about part of the pedal.

Abstract: A method for forming carbon-carbon composites consists of impregnating structures with carbon-forming precursor compounds comprising multi-functional benzoxazine compounds. The impregnated structures are pyrolyzed to form carbonaceous char which serves to fill the interstices in the structure, thus densifying the composites. The process of impregnation and pyrolysis is repeated as many times as required to obtain the composite density desired. Unusually high char yields are produced by multi-functional benzoxazine compounds in which benzoxazine are joined to each other through a bridge characterized by having conjugated unsaturation associated therewith. A number of preferred compounds providing unexpectedly high yields of char are shown, enabling the desired densification to be achieved with a minimum number of impregnation and pyrolysis cycles, thereby reducing the costs of forming the composites.

Abstract: A lid assembly for attachment to a decanter for varying the overall height of the decanter comprising a mounting sleeve which is attachable to the open upper end of the decanter and a lid dimensioned to be attached to the mounting sleeve. The sleeve includes an opening extending therethrough communicating with the interior of the decanter, and at least one column of vertically aligned, horizontally oriented slots. Each of the slots has a side communicating with the opening through the sleeve. A recess is formed in the sleeve adjacent the column of slots, the recess being in communication with the opening through the sleeve and communicating with each of the slots. The lid is dimensioned to be telescopically received within the opening in the sleeve and be rotatable within the sleeve.

Abstract: An archery bow arrow rest having a pivotal support arm biased to support an arrow on its free end. At right angles to its free end, the support arm has a fixed end positioned in, and attached to a bushing. The bushing passes through and is rotatable in a mounting bracket connecting the arrow rest to the bow. The bushing is also encircled by an arm-biasing coil spring, one end of which is anchored to the bracket, and the other end to a torque-controlling knob adjustably attachable to the bushing. The knob encircles the spring, thereby enclosing and protecting it from dirt. In a preferred embodiment, the free end of the support arm has a circular member attached to it on which the arrows are placed, and which provides quiet, low-friction launches of arrows. Through its gradual rotation, the member distributes arrow-induced wear on the member evenly over its surface.

Abstract: A part for a ski binding comprising a carriage slidably attached to a base plate. One end of the base plate is fastened to the ski with fasteners, while its other end rests freely on the bottom of a U-shaped clamp, also fastened to the ski with fasteners. Attachment of the carriage to the base plate is accomplished by carriage structural features that retain the carriage in the clamp, and further carriage structural features that prevent the carriage from being vertically disengaged from the part of the base plate adjacent to the base plate's fastened end. However, such features allow the carriage to be moved horizontally back and forth relative to the base plate along the longitudinal axis of the ski. The ski binding part disclosed prevents a substantial amount of the vertical forces ordinarily experienced during skiing from being transmitted to the ski through the base plate, allowing the base plate to be made of lightweight construction.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying and indicating the content of document canisters such as those used to hold supplies of documents in Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), includes a canister (10) holding a stack of documents (30) and having a face plate (24). Face plate (24) includes a plurality of buttonholes (26). Spring loaded buttons (25) are distributed among buttonholes (26); the arrangement of said buttons representing items of data such as ownership of the canister, canister serial number, and document information such as the type, denomination, amount, and character of the documents in the canister. In operating position, canister (10) is located in an ATM in contact with a picker mechanism (100) which removes documents, one at a time from the canister. The picker mechanism incorporates a switch plate (126) which is adjacent to face plate (24) when canister (10) and picker mechanism (100) are in operating position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of connecting a ceramic material to another material. According to the present method as ceramic material porous material is used that prior to making a connection it is gradually compacted from the contact surface with the greatest density at the contact surface, wherein on the contact surface of the porous material a mixture of titanium hydride (TiH.sub.2) and quartz flour (SiO.sub.2) is applied. Then the so treated porous ceramic material is heated to 1200.degree.-1800.degree. C. during 1-40 hours. Finally the so compacted porous ceramic material in a manner known per se is connected to the other material. Preferably the treated porous ceramic material is heated to 1300.degree.-1500.degree. C. during 10-20 hours. Advantageously the weight proportion of TiH.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2 in the mixture is 95:5 to 5:95 and preferably 35:65 to 65:35.

Abstract: An electric coffee maker comprised of a housing, having structure defining a carafe receiving position and support means disposed above the carafe receiving position. A filter/brew funnel dimensioned to be supported by the support means above the carafe receiving position is provided to receive brewing particulate and brewing water. The filter/brew funnel includes an outlet port and valve means operable to pen and close the outlet port. The valve means include a valve, a valve lever supporting the valve, which lever is movable between a first position wherein the valve closes the outlet port and a second position wherein the valve is disposed away from the outlet port, and biasing means for biasing the valve lever toward the first position. An elongated actuator is pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal axis to the housing.

Abstract: A process for converting liquid triglycerides into solid triglycerides by means of random transesterifications achieved through the use of catalytically active combinations comprising the reaction product of mixtures of dihydric and trihydric alcohols with mixtures of alkali metal hydroxides, and with ketones. The catalytically active materials can be employed in directed transesterifications in which the transesterification reaction mixture is subjected to a series of heating and cooling cycles during which higher melting fats are formed and precipitated from solution, causing an equilibrium shift that results in the formation and precipitation of still additional higher melting fats. An especially desirable catalytically active combination comprises the reaction product of 1, 2 propanediol, 1, 3 propanediol and glycerol, with sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, and in a preferred embodiment, the reaction product is combined with acetone to form the catalytically active combination.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system comprising: a pair of terminals; an overhead cylindrical tube connecting the terminals; a captive carrier for passage through the tube, the carrier having an internal cavity for carrying articles and removable caps at the distal ends thereof enclosing the cavity; a carrier receiver enclosed within each of the terminals for receiving the carrier, the carrier receiver being operable to reciprocally move the carrier axially along a pre-determined axis which is angularly movable relative to the tube; and a cap removing assembly in each of the terminals operable to remove a cap from one end of the carrier to permit access to the carrier cavity and to replace the cap to permit transfer of the carrier through the tube.

Abstract: A process for making polyimide sheet molding compounds which involves the preparation of a polyimide precursor solution of adjusted viscosity that includes a mixture of high and low boiling alcohols, and which also includes monomeric reactants including a diester of an aromatic dianhydride, an aromatic diamine, a monoester of norbornene dianhydride, the reactants being present in a relative molar ratio selected to yield a polyimide having a desired molecular weight. The solution, which further contains particular amounts of staple reinforcing fibers is deposited as a sheet between two carrier film layers and is partially dried to remove the low boiling alcohols.

Abstract: A micropower electronic motion detector including a sensing element and a source element for measuring the magnitude and direction of the relative motion of the sensing element with respect to the source element. Electronic apparatus for nulling the output signal of the detector and of other electronic sensing apparatus in its initial or static state is also disclosed. The detector may be used in a safety ski binding to measure the forces being exerted on a skier's leg so that a binding release or non-release decision may be made.

Abstract: A process for preparing foamed polymer blends of thermoplastic polymers with elastomeric polymers comprises mixing the elastomeric polymers with a chemical blowing agent and compounding additives. The mixture is then combined with a thermoplastic polymer to form a blend, and thereafter mixed with a curing system and a blowing agent activator. The curable composition thus prepared can subsequently be blown in either a one or two-step process. The two-step process entails partially curing the elastomer in the composition at a lower temperature, and then blowing the composition at a higher temperature. The one-step process involves (a) heating the composition to the higher temperature initially, thereby initiating curing, and after an activating induction period of the blowing agent, producing blowing; or (b) curing and blowing the composition by extruding it through an extruder.

Abstract: An arresting device for gripping a cylindrical portion of an object having a hook member and a latch member which are operable to interact with each other to grip the object and hold it in a predetermined position. The device is operable to automatically release the object when such object is resupported.

Abstract: A noise making device for creating selective clapping sounds comprised of a pair of section halves of molded plastic construction, each section including a handle portion and an elongated flat blade portion extending therefrom together with locking elements for joining the section halves together along a planar mating surface, which locking elements are provided internally to define a smooth handle portion.

Abstract: A device for slitting a metallic foil which is continuously fed along a path comprising a support base having an elongated guide formed therein, the guide defining a generally linear guide path, and the support base being positionable adjacent the foil path and a blade holder dimensioned to be received within the guide and be movable along the guide path, the blade holder dimensioned to hold a cutting blade having a linear cutting surface wherein the linear cutting surface is oriented generally parallel to the guide path; and a reversible drive member secured to the base operable to reciprocally move the blade holder along the guide path at a controllable rate of speed.