Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust, journal or combined radial and thrust bearing which may be mounted within a sealed housing assembly which can be, for example, be used to replace rolling element bearings. The bearing can be designed for mounting to either the shaft or housing. If mounted for rotation with the shaft, the bearing pads move relative to a smooth support surface. The bearing includes a bearing pad structure that may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to optimize formation of a converging wedge for hydrodynamic operation, equalization of load on the bearing pads in thrust bearings and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The bearing pad may be formed so as to contact the shaft in the installed state and to deflect under fluid film pressure. The pad is separated from the support member by a support structure which includes one or more beam-like members. The support structure preferably includes a primary support portion, a secondary support portion and a tertiary support portion.

Abstract: A multi-portion label is provided which avoids the need for carbon paper type duplication. The label can therefore be printed on a single sheet of label material, using a laser printer or the like, instead of relying on impact printers or hand printing. The label includes a main portion which is fixed into place on a package surface or the like. The first portion is contiguous with a second portion which is characteristically folded under the first portion when the label is fixed in place. The first and second portions are, for example, manually separable, whereby the second portion can be withdrawn from underneath the first portion, and can serve as a proof of delivery receipt, or the like.

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: 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: 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: 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 lens driving device comprising a permanent magnet fixed on one side of the lens barrel, the N and S poles of the magnet being arranged in the direction of the optical axis of the lens, a cylindrical moving coil concentric with and covering the cylindrical permanent magnet, a lens unit which is driven by the cylindrical moving coil under a focus control circuit from an image signal, and a position sensor that detects the lens position and provides feed back to the focus control circuit.

Abstract: A foldable container comprising a floor (11), a roof (10), and at least two side-walls (12-15). Each one of the side walls (12-15) is connected with the floor (11) through link members (27) forming a connection between the edge side (20) of the floor and the lower edge side of respective side wall (12-15). The link members allow on one hand turning the wall between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and on the other hand displacing the wall in its own plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric circuit for measuring the length of a shock absorber unit of a vehicle, comprising: a coil with windings which are fitted around the shock absorber unit, of which a casing of electrically conducting material connected to a part of the wheel suspension of the vehicle is axially movable relative to the coil when there is a change of length of the shock absorber unit as a result of a change in the force absorbed by the wheel suspension; an oscillator connected to the coil, for exciting the coil with an excitation signal of a predetermined frequency; and processing means which are connected to the coil and are designed for determining the value of a relation between the voltage across the coil and the current through the coil, which value is a measure of the length of the shock absorber unit.

Abstract: A weir flap for use in a swimming pool skimmer opening is disclosed. The weir flap includes a buoyant body that is pivotally mounted at a lower end in the opening. The body includes a through slot having an inlet opening in a front face of the body and an outlet opening in either a rear face or an upper edge of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for debarking logs individually with the aid of high-pressure water jets. The spray nozzles are intended to spray water in focused jets against the log at the same time as the log moves past the spray nozzles. The invention is characterized by a ring (22) through which the log is intended to be fed, in that units (42, 46, 46') are mounted on the inside of the ring, uniformly distributed about the periphery of the said ring, which units are intended to bear against the surface of the log passing through the ring, in that a spray nozzle (40) is arranged in each such unit, which spray nozzle is made to maintain an essentially constant distance from the surface of the log by means of the fact that the unit bears against the surface of the log, this distance lying within a range of distance from the surface of the log which is optimal for debarking.

Abstract: A fluid-dampened support for a bearing such as a tilt pad bearing or a rolling element bearing such as a ball bearing, needle bearing, roller bearing and the like. The fluid dampened support includes a network of closely spaced beams which act as structural springs which support the outer race of the roller bearing for movement in any direction. The spring rate or constant of these structural springs can be caused to change after a selected amount of deflection. The amount of deflection needed to cause the change in spring rate can be adjusted to suit the particular application. A liquid is provided in the spaces between the beams to dampen movement of the pads. The damping rate can be made to change with movement of the pads. The structure and space between the beams is designed so as to provide virtually any reasonable damping characteristics.

Abstract: An object is to provide practical silver plating technique, high-speed silver plating technique and silver strike plating technique which have, respectively, substantially the same performance as cyanide baths without use of any toxic cyanide. A hydantoin compound of the following general formula is contained as a complex-forming agent ##STR1## [wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.3 and R.sub.5 independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1-5 carbon atoms, an aryl group or an alcohol].

Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent lamp or an intelligent contact terminal for a lamp, which can be used in a lighting system comprising a plurality of individually controlled lamps linked in a common power-supply circuit and an operation control device for transmitting a desired operation control signal to electronic control elements, associated with the lamp or the contact terminal and reacting or failing to react selectively to various control signals. Together with the lamp or its contact terminal, said electronic control elements provide a single replaceable component which, on the basis of a message included in the operation control signal, identifies itself to serve as an appropriate lamp. In addition, the electronic control elements monitor the condition of itself and that of the lamp and, if necessary, produce a fault indication.

Abstract: Foot retainer (11) has a pair of flexible PVC straps (14) and (15) joined at their upper ends to form headpiece (19). Batten (21) is connected to headpiece (19) and base (26). Headpiece (19) rotates between a prone position and an upstanding position. The retention assembly is biased to its upstanding position by an elasticized tensioner (22). The base (26) is bonded to the back face of a velcro-like surface for attachment to a surfboard. In an upstanding attitude batten (21) is inclined upwardly at an acute angle to base (26) to form a jaw into which straps (14) and (15) can move under the sideways action of a rider's foot. This action against straps (14) and (15) causes headpiece (19) to pivot and move downward to partially envelop the upper area of the foot which is thus retained by the assembly.

Abstract: A reclinable motorcycle backrest having a sun-shielding saddle cover mounted on a motorcycle cargo rack, includes a support bracket, a backrest assembly, and a pivotal rod tying the other two pieces together. Stored in the backrest assembly is a roll of sun-proof shielding cloth functioning as a motorcycle saddle cover sheet which is extractable from a retraction compartment by cranking a crank bar alongside the assembly. The backrest may be erected in an up-right position when used in carrying passengers or may be reclined forward with its cover sheet extended out to cover the saddle so that the saddle stays cool even when in strong sun.