Abstract: A stand-by power supply for preventing interruption of power to a communication unit, has a first connector for electrically connecting to the unit, a second connector for electrically connecting to and disconnecting from a main battery, an auxiliary battery, and a circuit electrically connected to the first and second connectors and the auxiliary battery for applying the main battery across the load, and responsive to the disconnecting of the main battery from the second connector to apply the auxiliary battery across the first connector.

Abstract: Non-woven, bias laid fabrics, where the various fabric layers are held together by external means, such as stitching, and wherein, preferably, at least two of the layers are formed at an angle of from 30.degree. to 150.degree. relative to the long axis of the fabric, are formed by directing at least two pluralities of yarns back and forth across the width of the forming fabric, to be wrapped around or mounted on a series of needles formed on a moving conveyor, one conveyor being placed on either side and moving in the direction of the long axis of the fabric. Speed of movement of the yarns can be determined by the speed of movement of the mechanism for the machine operated to hold the various fabric layers together; preferably said machine mechanism moves more slowly near the ends of each cycle, so that yarn carriers are similarly slowed at either end of the forming fabric width, aiding in making successive courses of yarn lie parallel to each other without the necessity for extra equipment.

Abstract: An agraffe or staple-shaped element for osteosynthesis intended for fixing the focus of an osteotomy while awaiting consolidation of web from which issue two lateral arms having pointed ends adapted to penetrate in the bone. The web of the agraffe comprises two parts inclined with respect to each other and forming an outwardly open obtuse angle. Each of the lateral arms of the agraffe presents, near its zone of join with the web, fins projecting from the front faces of this arms, such fins reinforcing the anchoring of the agraffe in the zone.

Abstract: Apparatus for splicing of sheets, particularly the last sheet of a package feeding a printing device with the first sheet of the next following package. A splicing head is used for applying a length of self-adhesive tape across adjacent edges of the two sheets and for pressing the two sheets into position, by cutting them according to the manner in which the splicing is to be carried out.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of control for a device such as a vacuum cleaner or a central vacuum cleaner comprising a central machinery and a pipe or a pipe system connecting the central machinery with a working point.

Abstract: A hand held, self contained electronic spelling machine which has various pattern matching functions including the spelling validation function. Under user control, a spelling validation can be overridden and the normal spelling check routine provides the user with all possible words for which the valid input word might be deemed a misspelling. Under user control, a place indicia at one or more predetermined locations in an input word provides an exact matrix check of the input word against every word in the dictionary with the place indicia as variables. Under operator control, a prefix ending indicia permits a match of a given prefix against every word in the dictionary with the same set of initial letters. A single word is displayed at a time on a single line display. Scrolling keys permit the operator to scroll through the set of words found in each matching function.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exercise device including a compression member having a pair of opposed bearing surfaces. A pair of elastic, elongated tension members are connected to opposed surfaces of the compression member, and a pair of strap members are connected to one another by the pair of tension members. The strap members loop over the bearing surfaces so that a pair of opposed limbs of the user can be inserted within the strap members and against the bearing surfaces. When the user's limbs exert inwardly directed compressive forces against the bearing surfaces, the compression member produces outwardly directed resistive forces in reaction to the inwardly directed forces exerted by the limbs. When the user's limbs exert outwardly directed forces on the strap members, the tension members stretch and in turn produce inwardly directed resistive forces in reaction to the outwardly directed forces exerted by the limbs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved means of connecting the end of a bimetal blade, from which the bimetal flexes, to a planar member of a thermostatic switch. The bimetal blade, in response to temperature changes of the ambient, flexes to alternately establish circuit closed and open conditions of the switch. In a preferred embodiment, the planar member is a contact strip that overlies the basewall of a non-conducting case. The attachment provided by the present invention increases the cyclical life expectancy of the bimetal blade by locating a preloaded weld button against the one attached end of the bimetal blade in a press fit wherein a pressure, exerted by the weld button, prevents movement of the bimetal blade. A weld penetrates the planar member, the bimetal blade and the weld button to prevent relaxation of the pressure. In the connection of the present invention, the blade is held in place essentially by the pressure exerted by the weld button rather than by the weld itself.

Abstract: The present invention provides a breast form that is adapted to be located within a pocket formed by a cover flap connected to the cup of a brassiere. In a preferred embodiment the breast form includes a body member having an outer protruding surface that terminates in a base edge that is configured to fit against the juncture of the cup and the cover flap. The body member has a chamber that is spaced from the base edge. A weighted member, located within this chamber, is thus also spaced from the base edge to produce a moment in the brassiere cup that is resolved as a tensile force in a strap of the brassiere. The wearer experiences this tensile force as that produced by a breast form, located within the cup of the brassiere, that weighs more than the combined weight of the body member and the weighted member.

Abstract: A quick packing, facilitating transport and display in large-scale distribution outlets, for products such as flue-brushes for cleaning square-, rectangular-or circular-section flues, comprises two rigid side elements, made of material such as corrugated cardboard or other synthetic material, of rectangular form of which the width is at least equal to the largest dimension of said products. The bottom of the packing, connected to the two side elements, is provided with two side flaps of sufficient height, automatically cooperating, by adequate folding means, with the two side elements, becoming perpendicular thereto. The assembly thus formed is in the form of a trough adapted to ensure lateral holding of the products. In the top of the packing it comprises means for rapidly assembling the side elements previously brought "edge to edge", as well as a cut-out on each of the side elements to form a handle for transporting purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a double ended key ring that includes a pair of key holders for retaining a set of keys. The key holders are movably connected to a central housing and are biased to retract into a pair of seats located at the ends of the housing to prevent the removal of the keys from the key holders. When the key holders are pulled away from the housing, the keys may then be removed from the key holders.The biasing mechanism for the key holders is located entirely within the housing. To this end the housing includes a central passageway that has a narrow bore, at one end, to preferably slidably receive a spring loaded lock pin that projects through the bore and is connected to one of the key holders. In order to permit the spring loaded lock pin and key holder to be assembled, the other end of the bore remains open until closed by a bushing. The bushing includes a tubular sidewall and an endwall having another narrow bore.

Abstract: An educational appliance is disclosed for teaching children handwriting skills. The appliance includes a tablet which supports a sheet-like member having an inscribable surface. A clutch having an upright spindle is mounted to the tablet. The clutch includes a ratchet mechanism which is oriented to permit rotation of the spindle only in a counterclockwise direction. A transparent disc is removably mounted to the spindle for rotation therewith. The disc includes at least one aperture adapted to receive the pointed end of a writing implement. The operation is such that the writing implement inscribes a circle on the sheet that is sandwiched between the support surface of the tablet and the disc, during rotation of the disc about its axis of rotation, thereby instilling a habit in the child of drawing circles in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a thermostatic switch having a calibrated operating temperature range that is defined by a calibrated actuation temperature and a calibrated reset temperature. In accordance with this method a snap action thermostatic switch is provided having a bimetal blade with a snap acting depression. The blade is formed to have a range of actuation temperatures above the desired actuation temperature and a range of reset temperatures below the desired reset temperature. The actuation temperature is calibrated in a heated temperature environment that has an initial temperature that is equal to the desired actuation temperature by a fulcrum-like calibration projection. The reset temperature is then calibrated in the heated temperature environment, after the temperature has been lowered to equal the desired reset temperature.

Abstract: A supporting assembly (10) for supporting panels such as soffit panels (11) comprises a supporting beam (20) which may span between spaced supports (13) and (15) and having opposed location means (22) thereon in which the adjacent edges of a pair of panels (11) may be engaged for support thereby. The location means (22) may be spaced apart to permit air to flow therethrough from one side of the panels to the other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a base plate that forms an insole for an orthotic foot brace. The base plate has a graph inscribed on one of its surfaces. It includes first and second coordinate markings to define positions for attaching podiatric appliances to the base plate. The foot of the patient can be placed against the base plate on the graph and a traced outline can be formed of the foot. After attachment of the podiatric appliance at positions defined by the coordinates and prescribed by a health care provider, the base plate can be cut to the outline of the foot to form the insole of the orthotic foot brace.

Abstract: In connection with an individual container, which can be assembled with a pre-determined number of additional individual containers to form a multiple storage container, in particular a multiple filing box, it is proposed to subdivide each individual container into one front wall portion and one rear wall portion which are interconnected by links in such a manner that opening and closing kinematics similar to those of a parallelogram guide are obtained for each individual container, and that fixing means are provided on the respective rear and front faces of each individual container for connecting it safely, but detachably, to the associated rear or front face of the adjoining individual container whereby a multiple filing box is obtained that can be opened and closed in concertina-like mannner. The multiple filing box is composed of individual containers which form the transport and/or sales packing of the goods (CD disk, data storage means, or the like) accommodated in each individual container.

Abstract: A device is described for indicating the number of doses dispensed from an aerosol container (2, 102) having an outlet valve member (4, 104) movable relative to the body of the container to dispense its contents in measured doses. Relative movement between the aerosol container body and the outlet member are detected by a ratchet wheel (14, 114) and ratchet driving member (11A, 111) which move with the body and outlet member respectively or vice versa. The ratchet wheel may in turn drive an indicating member in the form of a linear rack (20, 119, 120) or rotatable wheel (116).