Abstract: A reduction and reversing gear for marine propulsion systems making use of the clutch case of a conventional reduction and reversing gear of a type having an input shaft mounted on an upper part of the clutch case, an output shaft extending in parallel with the input shaft and mounted on a lower part of the clutch case, a multiple disc clutch carried by the input shaft, a small gear rotatably carried by the input shaft and adapted to be connected to and disconnected from the latter by the multiple disc clutch, and a large gear carried by the output shaft and engaging the small gear. A planetary gear type reduction gear is disposed in the space around the output shaft and below the multiple disc clutch to make an efficient use of that space, thereby to provide an additional reduction stage between the large gear and the output shaft.

Abstract: In drawing glass fiber from a glass melting furnace to form a multiplicity of filaments which are first divided and formed into a plurality of strands which are then wound on a single spindle to form a plurality of square-ended packages thereon, the strands are shifted to a front waste take-up portion of the spindle by means of a guide which is moved from the rear end to the front end of the spindle across the paths of movements of the strands when the packages are fully wound, to enable the fully wound spindle to be replaced by a new spindle without interrupting the drawing of glass fiber. The spacing between the spindle and the path of travel of the guide and the speed of travel of the guide are set at a low level and a high level respectively which are sufficient to ensure at least loose portions of the strands, which are produced when they drop into the groove between the adjacent packages, to be immediately wound on the peripheral surface of the adjacent package.

Abstract: A power transmission device for enabling each of a plurality of separate tools having a respective operating gear and an associated power-transmitting wire connected thereto, to be selectively coupled to a main drive gear. The device includes a housing in which the operating gears and a like plurality of associated gear shifting units are spaced circumferentially about the centrally located main drive gear. Each gear shifting unit includes a stationary tubular column, a non-rotatable but axially displaceable and upwardly spring-biased tubular rod which rotatably supports the associated operating gear at its top end and extends co-axially through the column, and a sleeve freely rotatable about and axially movable with the rod within the column.

Abstract: A vehicle tire with tractive elements for positive engagement with the ground surface is disclosed. The tire carcass has a tread including raised features. Means for positively linking tractive elements positioned radially outwardly of the tread to the raised features of the tread are provided in the form of a flexible but substantially inextensible belt positioned radially outwardly of the tread, and retainer elements positioned radially inwardly of the belt, the tractive elements being positioned radially outwardly of the belt and being releasably attached to the retainer elements for clamping the belt tightly therebetween. Inflation pressure within the carcass expands its crown region to maintain the belt in a taut condition. The retainer elements are sectionally constructed to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the tire.

Abstract: A knife apparatus comprises an elongated handle member formed with a groove of a C-like cross-section, a slide unit disposed longitudinally slidably within the groove, and a blade slidably disposed in the groove and having a base portion connected to the slide unit. Locking member is provided for the slider unit and adapted to mesh with a tooth train formed in at least one longitudinal edge of the groove, to thereby immobilize the slide unit and hence the blade relative to the handle. A manipulator plate having a cam groove is disposed on the slide unit over the locking member to control the locking member, whereby the slide unit is moved between the locked and the released positions under the control of the manipulator plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is the improvements in whitening apparatus for producing strongly glossy white rice without using any gloss additive. The improved apparatus wherein: friction between half-finished white rice grains which have been moistened while being supplied to a whitening chamber of the apparatus is caused by the rotation of a whitening roll axially disposed in a perforated bran-removing and whitening cylinder, said roll and said cylinder are defining therebetween said whitening chamber, whereby the surfaces of grains are fully cleaned of bran which is constantly discharged through the perforated wall of said cylinder, thereby enabling to expose hard portions of white rice grains devoid of bran. The ratio between the length and diameter of said cylinder experimentally substantiated for best results may be between 2:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: In dyeing keratinous fibres, such as wool, by impregnating the fibres with aqueous compositions containing dyes, followed by storage in the moist condition, a higher level of fixation, enabling heavier shades to be obtained with cheaper dyes, can be achieved by raising the temperature of the stored fibres by means of radio frequency heating. The storage temperature is preferably between 40.degree. and 80.degree. C., which usually requires about 0.05 kw hour/kg fibres. Acid, milling, chrome and premetallized dyes can be used, as well as reactive dyes and substantive optical brighteners. The fibres are cuttled into an insulated plastics material cart located between a pair of electrodes in an r.f. chamber. One electrode is fixed and the other is adjustable so that the r.f. load acting on the fibres may be set at a desired value.

Abstract: A trolley runs along a railway track and a member on it strikes railway clips and removes them from rail-securing positions. The clips are of a kind having a first portion substantially parallel to the rail and driven into a projection beside the rail, a second portion bearing downwardly on the rail flange and a third portion, further from the rail than the first portion, bearing downwardly on an unyielding surface.