Abstract: A reprographic camera is described having a table for an original subject, an objective and an image frame. One of these parts is fixed and the others are relatively movable to produce variable scale images or reproductions of the original. The movable parts are coupled via a transmission member which gradually changes the ratio of the lengths of their displacements throughout their ranges of movement.

Abstract: A brake valve is disclosed, which is provided with an enlarged chamber, at one end of which is slidably disposed an annular piston. A reaction piston is carried on a valve rod; the reaction piston radially extends so as to cover the annular piston. When the reaction piston moves toward the annular piston, flow of fluid through the valve is restricted and then halted. Mating beveled conical surfaces are provided on the annular piston and the reaction piston to provide a mutual centering and seating action as the reaction piston is moved toward the annular piston. Belleville washer elements are stacked in opposed array on the valve rod for resiliently urging the reaction piston into engagement with the annular piston, and for inhibiting mechanical shocks from being transmitted from the valve rod to the reaction piston, and vice versa. Conical fluid flow stop members regulate the flow of fluid from the valve chamber to downstream brake elements.

Abstract: An analysis instrument for measuring the quantity of a constituent present in a sample of a material comprises a housing having a sample receptacle mounted therein to receive a sample of the material. A filter assembly is mounted in the housing including a plurality of filter elements for passing a corresponding plurality of predetermined frequencies of radiant energy. A motor is provided for selectively providing relative movement between the sample receptacle and filter assembly so as to place individual ones of the filter elements into registry with the sample receptacle. A radiant energy source is mounted within the housing to direct radiant energy onto the surface of the sample through selected ones of the filter elements as each moves into registry therewith, to provide reflected radiant energy at the predetermined frequency of each of the selected filter elements. A sensor is mounted to receive the reflected radiant energy and provide electrical signals corresponding thereto.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for dispensing feed and water for livestock which includes a container arranged to receive the feed and water and is adapted to permit access to the feed and the water by the livestock for consumption. The system further includes a feed delivery means for dispensing feed into the container and water dispensing means for dispensing water into the container means. The water dispensing means includes a delivery portion extending into the container which houses a water level sensor. A control means is arranged to actuate the feed delivery means to dispense a controlled amount of feed into the container and is also arranged to actuate the water dispensing means to dispense water into the container through the delivery portion after actuation of the feed delivery means.

Abstract: A monitor for detecting the relative velocity between a moving body or surface and a fixed body or surface includes a sensor having an actuator member, such as a wheel having magnetic pole pieces embedded therein and mounted for rotation proportional to the relative velocity between the two bodies or surfaces, and a pick-up member such as a coil or inductor, mounted adjacent the actuator for producing an electrical signal in response thereto. An electric circuit is connected to the pick-up member to receive the electrical signals therefrom and produce a plurality of indication signals in response thereto, including indication signals corresponding to the relative velocity being at or below one or more predetermined levels. The monitor also includes a plurality of indicators connected to the circuit and responsive to the indication signals therefrom, such as lights or audible alarms.

Abstract: A contact lens disinfector unit (10) includes a housing, heating means (20) within the housing and arranged to heat the contact lens case (21) and the contact lenses therein to a disinfecting temperature and for terminating the application of heat thereafter to allow the contact lenses to cool, and temperature indicating means (30) that includes a partially opaque viewing window (17) formed in the housing, a movable member (36) having a substantially planar surface (37) which includes temperature indicia corresponding to a "HOT" condition of the lens case, and a bi-metallic member (32) responsive to the temperature of the heating means (20) for moving the movable member planar surface toward and away from window (17) to indicate the "HOT" condition or a condition where the lens case is cool enough for handling.

Abstract: A soundboard for pianos is provided which is of laminated construction, comprising three plies. The top and bottom plies are of equal thickness and lie in planes parallel to one another. The grains of these plies are also parallel to one another. The center ply is of greater thickness than the sum of the outer plies, but of less thickness than twice the sum of the two outer plies. The grain of the center or core ply is at right angles to the grains of the two outer plies.

Abstract: A surge voltage arrester utilizes for surge protection a varistor of the zinc oxide type between a line terminal and a ground terminal. The varistor is of a type that has a resistance which decreases as increasing voltage is applied thereacross. With increasing temperature the leakage current through the varistor increases at a given voltage. At a critical temperature and voltage condition, the varistor is subject to a thermal runaway condition which would cause the varistor to fail expelling hot particles. To avoid this failure condition, a fail-safe mechanism is provided which connects the line terminal to the ground terminal by-passing the varistor when there is an overcurrent condition on the line that results in heating of the varistor.

Abstract: A microwave seed sensor produces an output signal in response to the passage of each seed through a seed planting tube or conduit forming a path of travel for seeds, as in a seed planting machine. The microwave seed sensor comprises a housing of predetermined dimensions defining a waveguide for supporting propagation of a standing wave pattern of predetermined order at a predetermined microwave frequency. The housing includes a tubular portion for receiving the seed conduit, so that the seed conduit and waveguide intersect to define a seed viewing area where the path of travel in the conduit is in registry with the waveguide. This seed viewing area is of predetermined dimension in the direction of the path of travel of seeds through the conduit for resolution of individual seeds by the microwave seed sensor so that seeds may be counted.

Abstract: A system is provided for developing a gating signal when a radio-frequency signal receiver is tuned to the center-frequency of a selected radio-frequency signal. The system comprises circuit means for tuning the receiver to a plurality of frequencies within a range of frequencies which includes the selected signal and for producing an intermediate frequency signal corresponding to the frequency to which the receiver is tuned. A frequency discriminator is coupled to the circuit means and is tuned to a predetermined frequency, with the frequency discriminator being responsive to the intermediate frequency signal for developing an output signal having a DC component which varies systematically in accordance with the deviation of the intermediate frequency signal from said predetermined frequency.

Abstract: Biosynthetic polymeric compositions containing polyacrylate polymer, humectants such as glycerol, proteinaceous material such as gelatin, and water are prepared. The compositions are suitable for treatment of burns or other wounds and may be applied directly or in the form of a prepared film. The film may include a strengthening nylon mesh matrix.

Abstract: A unit (10) for disinfecting contact lenses includes a housing, heating means (20) arranged to heat a contact lens case (21) and the contact lenses therein and means (30) for indicating the temperature condition (HOT or COLD) of the lens case. The temperature indicating means includes a viewing window (17) formed in the housing, a prismatic lens (38) within the housing and behind the viewing window, and pivotally mounted indicia (39) behind the prismatic lens that indicates if the lens case is cool enough to handle following the disinfecting heating cycle.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for use in a fluid bed furnace or the like of the type which includes a bed comprising a quantity of particles, which bed fluidizes in response to the flow of heated gases upwardly therethrough and a burner for burning a supplied fuel and providing the fluid bed with a sufficient gas mixture flow at an elevated temperature for heating and fluidizing the fluid bed.

Abstract: A contact lens disinfector unit (10) includes a housing, heating means arranged to heat the contact lenses and the associated lens case (21) to a disinfecting temperature and for thereafter terminating the application of heat to allow the contact lenses to cool, and temperature indicating means (30) for indicating if the lens case is cool enough for safe handling. The temperature indicating means includes a viewing window (17) having opaque portions (38) and transparent portions (37). The transparent portions are arranged to define a temperature indicia. The temperature indicator also includes a plate (35) which has indicia thereon corresponding to the temperature indicia and a surrounding opaque background. The plate is slidable with respect to the viewing window between two positions, one of which indicates that the lens case is too hot to handle, and the other of which indicates that the lens case is cool enough to handle.

Abstract: A surge voltage arrester assembly comprises a primary gas tube surge arrester and an air gap secondary arrester that provides surge protection should the gas tube become vented to atmosphere. The secondary arrester has the air gap defined by a rim of one of the gas tube electrodes and a metallic cup into which the gas tube is positioned. In a three element version of the invention wherein the gas tube has two line electrodes and a ground electrode, metallic cups are provided at opposite ends of the gas tube to cooperate with the ground electrode for forming secondary air gaps for each line electrodes. An O-ring and a sealing compound seals each secondary air gap against the entrance of contaminants.

Abstract: Planting apparatus including a supporting frame adapted to be connected to a tractor or similar vehicle; a seed hopper mounted on the supporting frame for containing a supply of seeds, and seed metering mechanism spaced beneath the discharge outlet of the seed hopper for controlling the movement of the seeds discharged from the hopper on the ground. A magnetic seed treating device is disposed in the path of seeds discharged from the hopper for causing the seeds to pass through a magnetic field to magnetically treat the seeds as the seeds are planted.

Abstract: An improved fluid bed furnace which includes a new and improved pilot light assembly and which is of the type having a fluid bed comprising material which fluidizes upon being subjected to a flow of gas mixture therethrough and a burner for burning a fuel mixture for providing the flow of gas mixture at an elevated temperature through the fluid bed material for fluidizing and agitating the fluid bed material. The pilot light assembly includes an ignition means for providing a pilot flame, pilot flame confining means for directing the pilot flame into the furnace fluid bed above the fluidizable material for causing the pilot flame to ignite the burner fuel mixture, and pilot flame detecting means for sensing the presence of the pilot flame and enabling the supply of the fuel mixture to the burner.

Abstract: A seed planting apparatus comprises a mobile planting machine to be connected to a tractor or similar vehicle, and having a seed hopper for containing a supply of seeds to be planted. A seed outlet on the hopper feeds a seed dispensing apparatus for delivering seeds to the ground to be planted. A microwave seed sensing apparatus is disposed in a path of travel for seeds discharged from the hopper for detecting the seeds and producing an observable indication to the operator of the presence of seeds in the path of travel. The seed planting apparatus may also include magnetic seed treatment apparatus. The microwave sensing apparatus may therefore be connected in a control circuit for actuating the magnetic field in response to the presence of seeds and for producing an indication to an operator of the passage of seeds.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lock mechanism that has been designed to take up a minimum amount of space and thus be accommodatable in a relatively shallow structure. Said lock mechanism includes a pivotally mounted latch bolt, a deadlock member associated with said latch bolt, with biasing means urging said deadlock member to a locking position. To control the operation of the deadlock member there is provided a deadlock trigger and a deadlock position lever providing an operational connection between said trigger and the deadlock member. A primary operating lever as provided comprised of a first pivotally mounted arm portion and a second arm portion integral therewith and connected with the latch bolt by a loss motion connection. The pivot axis for said latch bolt, said primary operating lever and said deadlock member are disposed parallel to and adjacent the front plate of the casing structure, thereby enabling the lock mechanism to be accommodated and to function within a shallow casing structure.

Abstract: Two contraction-expansion pieces each have one end thereof connected to a base plate secured to a main body containing therein an opening and the other end thereof connected to a base plate secured to a lid serving to open and close the opening of the main body. The two contraction-expansion pieces which are each provided with a constricted, flexible elbow portion are pivotally fastened independently of each other and arranged in a mutually crossing state. Consequently, the two contraction-expansion pieces and the two base plates jointly form a pantographic mechanism. When the lid which is locked to the main body to keep the opening in its closed state while holding the pantographic mechanism in its folded state is released from the main body, the pantographic mechanism automatically expands and the lid is consequently brought to a completely opened state.