Abstract: This device comprises a v-shaped cavity in a planar semiconductor substrate having a substantially thin-walled v-shaped cantilever beam inset therein. The beam is movable in directions normal to and laterally of the plane of the substrate, whereby acceleration is sensed in both of these directions. A planar substrate of n-type silicon is arranged with the major face oriented in the (100) plane. A v-shaped groove is anisotropically etched in the substrate and capacitor electrode regions are diffused into the sloping walls. An epitaxial layer is grown over this substrate, and over that a layer of insulation is added. A layer of conductive material is laid down on the insulation to define an electrode. The substrate is again subjected to an anisotropic etchant for cutting the epitaxial layer from under the cantilever beam formed of the insulating layer and the conducting layer.

Abstract: An angular accelerometer that has a high coupling factor, temperature stability and can function at low frequencies. The accelerometer is provided with a cylinder of Terfenol (Tb.sub.0.27 Dy.sub.0.73 F.sub.2) positioned in a conducting non-ferromagnetic hollow cylinder having a ferromagnetic base and a ferromagnetic lid. The cylinder of Terfenol is compressed between the ferromagnetic lid and base with the compression adjusted for maximum magnetomechanical coupling and strength. Permanent magnets are also positioned in the hollow cylinder to provide magnetic bias to the Terfenol cylinder. When the accelerometer undergoes an angular acceleration about its cylindrical axis a voltage will appear between the center and the ends of the Terfenol cylinder. By measuring the voltage, the angular (rotational) acceleration of the accelerometer about its cylindrical axis may be determined.

Abstract: A test procedure and test apparatus is described for measuring the degradation in the physical integrity of a structural part by measuring the rate of decay of the amplitude of vibration of the part after it has been set into vibration at its free resonant frequency mode. The presence of invisible imperfections in the part such as may occur as a result of metal fatigue or from the development of tiny flaws or cracks will cause an increase in the rate of decay of the amplitude of vibration of the part. By making periodic measurements of the rate of decay of a structural part which is used in a critical highly stressed application subject to vibration such as a jet engine mount, the periodic degradation due to fatigue can be determined and the part is removed from service at a safe period before the degradation reaches an unsafe limit.

Abstract: A pressure sensor and sensing method, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure responsive element movable corresponding to a pressure to be measured and a means for detecting movement of the pressure responsive element. The movement detecting element comprises two parts of switch means movable to and fro with respect to each other, and a substantially constant oscillation is applied to one part so that movement of the pressure responsive element alters a threshold value which is applied to the substantially constant oscillation in order to produce a varying pulse signal.

Abstract: A differential pressure transmitter has a pressure receiving portion and a sensor portion which are constituted from separate parts separably jointed with each other. The sensor portion includes a semiconductor sensor having one side formed with a resistance pattern and the other side which has a thick-walled peripheral portion and a thick-walled central portion. The semiconductor sensor is incorporated in the sensor portion as being supported at the thick-walled peripheral portion thereof. The pressure receiving portion includes seal diaphragms disposed on both sides of the pressure receiving portion and a central diaphragm disposed therein. The semiconductor sensor is arranged such that the side thereof carrying the resistance pattern faces the pressure receiving portion.

Abstract: A flowmeter comprises a chamber having a rotational symmetry about an axis, provided with a tangential fluid inlet and an axial outlet. The outlet and inlet means cooperate for generating a vortex upon circulation of fluid through the chamber; a speed detector comprises at least one transmitting thermo-element and one receiving thermo-element angularly spaced about the said axis and located in a zone where the circumferential speed of the vortex is proportional to the flow rate.

Abstract: A sensing probe for monitoring working forces in compressive elements such as found in presses and other machine tools. The probe has an elongated configuration which allows it to be mounted at a point remote from its load sensing end and enables it to be conveniently used with a plurality of like probe units in relatively confined spaces. A wedge profile of its sensing end permits the probe to be preloaded in compression for an increase in accuracy and reliability.

Abstract: An apparatus for sampling hot gas from a chamber includes a sample probe surrounded by a heating jacket, leading directly to a heated analyzer. The heating of the analyzer and the probe is separately controlled. A filter is provided within the probe.

Abstract: A ball nut and screw assembly is provided with a molded internal return system for a train of balls drivingly interconnecting the nut and screw. A ball nut with an internal crossover is used as a master mold to produce an imprint mold which positively profiles the helical groove and the cross of the master mold. The imprint mold is positioned in a blank nut and a thermal set resin is supplied to radial openings formed in the blank nut which subsequently hardens into a plug with an internal crossover channel like that of the master mold.

Abstract: A crankshaft with a laminated counterweight. The counterweight comprises a plurality of substantially flat plates, each of which has a first and a second shaft mounting hole therethrough, and at least one depression on one side and a boss on the other side. The plates are identical and are pressed together so that the bosses enter the depressions. Shafts are pressed into the aligned first and second holes, and an integral fully aligned torque resistant counterweight and crankshaft results.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a workpiece to a machine is provided which may be driven by either a handcrank or an electric motor. The handcrank and the motor are each coupled to the apparatus by a clutch. The clutch for the handcrank is spring biased to a disengaged condition. A selector lever for engaging the clutch associated with the motor and for actuating the motor is also provided. The selector lever and the handcrank are oriented such that only one of them may be in driving relationship with the apparatus at any one given time.

Abstract: An automotive drive system is disclosed including a continuously variable drive system including input and output pulleys and a belt intercoupling the pulleys, a hydrodynamic device, a forward-reverse gear set, a reduction gear set and a differential assembly where the elements are mounted along two axes. The hydrodynamic device, forward-reverse gear set and the input pulley of the continuously variable drive system are mounted along the first axis. The output pulley, the reduction gear set and the differential assembly are mounted along the second axis which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the axle shafts. The reduction gear set includes both a high-speed and a high-torque gear train, and the high-torque gear train is an integral element of the final drive differential. The hydrodynamic device includes a lock-up clutch for direct drive through the hydrodynamic device at operating road speeds.

Abstract: A canopy cutting device, for machining canopies and the like in constricted spaces, including a housing having a base plate, a bearing mounted on the housing, a support for retaining the axis of the bearing in a desired position, a ring gear carriage mounted on the bearing for rotation about the bearing, a cutting tool mounted on the carriage, a pinion gear mounted for rotation on the housing and engageable with the ring gear, a drive shaft connected to the pinion gear, and a feed device for advancing the cutting tool along the axis during rotation of the ring gear thereby permitting removal of a canopy or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for periodically feeding a rod-like workpiece into a severing machine for severing predetermined lengths in a cutting plane during cutting steps alternating with feeding steps. There are provided openable and closable clamping jaws for grasping the workpiece adjacent the cutting plane during each cutting step and openable and closable feed jaws for grasping the workpiece at a predetermined distance upstream of the cutting plane as viewed in the direction of feed and advancing the workpiece through the cutting plane by a distance corresponding to the desired length to be cut. The feed jaws are, subsequent to the feeding step and the closing of the clamping jaws, but prior to the completion of the cutting step, opened and moved away from the cutting plane by an extent that corresponds to the subsequent feed stroke and are thereafter closed again to grasp the workpiece anew.

Abstract: A band sawing machine has an endless saw blade entrained over two saw pulleys and two blade guides. Lateral displacements of the saw blade to an equilibrium position, as occur during a sawing operation, are countered by a corrective tilt of a planar front face on one or both of the blade guides. The saw blade, by means of tensioning, is constantly pressed against the front face, or faces of the blade guides.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated food slicer comprising a base plate having a receptacle mounted thereon for receiving the food to be sliced therein and having one open end and one end closed by a cutting grid assembly, a piston member extending through the open end of the receptacle and reciprocally disposed therein for movement alternately toward and away from the cutting grid assembly for urging the food through the grid, a hydraulic cylinder operably connected with the piston for action thereof, a fluid source in communication with the cylinder for supplying fluid power thereto, and a reciprocal foot lever operably connected with the fluid source for selectively applying the fluid to the cylinder during operation of the food slicer.

Abstract: A chain saw stand with means to anchor a chain saw on a top surface thereof with the chain saw blade extending in front of the stand. A pair of pivotally mounted levers are provided which are connected by resilient connecting means. The top lever is disposed generally parallel with and slightly above the chain saw blade and is actuated by the log to be cut by the chain saw. Upon pressure from the log on the top lever, a second lever is pivoted to actuate the chain saw throttle trigger. The resilient connection between the levers permits the lever actuated by the log to continue pivoting until the cutting operation is complete.

Abstract: A musical apparatus including a novel combination by which a musician may control the output of a musical synthesizer, while playing his own musical instrument in a normal manner. The musical synthesizer may be pre-programmed for many unusual and exciting tonal effects--such as harmonics, dissonances, parallel tracking, electronic sounds, etc. Broadly speaking, the present invention associates individual tone switches with respective tone control elements of the musical instrument. When the instrument is played, its tone-control elements function to "set" the associated tone switches to an active setting that completes associated tone circuits, so that corresponding electric tone signals are produced for application to the musical synthesizer.

Abstract: A tone source apparatus for an electronic musical instrument includes a sequentially addressable memory storing a plurality of waveform segment defining instructions, each instruction including a component representative of the amplitude variation, the time duration and the direction of change of the associated waveform segment. Output means comprising an adder-subtractor circuit and a latch is operated for accumulatively processing the stored amplitude variation representative components for producing a stepped output signal whose direction of slope is determined by the stored direction component. Control means interposed between the memory and the output means is selectively operable for modifying the stored amplitude variation components coupled to the output means for imparting a sinusoidal inflection to the stepped output signal.

Abstract: An electric piano has a complete player actuated piano voice of which harmonics are basically controlled by a tuning fork that is struck by the piano key. The piano is also provided with an electronically generated voice of which harmonics are electronically generated. To better enable the two voices to be played simultaneously by striking a single piano key, the amplitude envelope of the electromechanically generated piano voice is imposed upon the electronically generated voice which is gated and amplitude modulated so as to be heard in precise synchronization with a piano note produced by the instrument player. Linearity of modulation is extended to low piano voice amplitudes by use of modulating and gating diodes in oppositely poled feedback paths of an operational amplifier.

Abstract: A detuning control circuit is provided for producing a pitch variation effect in an electronic musical instrument. The instrument includes at least one integrated circuit tone generator chip having at least one tone generator and a detuning circuit responsive to a predetermined detuning control signal for detuning the signals produced by the tone generator. The detuning control circuit comprises a detuning control signalling circuit for producing a predetermined detuning control signal and for selectively applying the predetermined detuning control signal to the detuning circuit of the tone generator chip so as to produce a predetermined pitch variation effect.

Abstract: A keyboard operated electronic musical instrument in which a number of tone generators are assigned to actuated keyswitches. When a keyswitch is actuated, a tone generator is assigned with a musical waveshape selected from a library of waveshapes which are ordered in a predetermined arrangement. The assignment of waveshapes is made in a priority order according to the musical frequencies associated with the actuated keyswitches so that a chorus effect is obtained in which each note of a group of simultaneous notes has its own tone color. The assignment of waveshapes is made in an adaptive manner so that the melody line retains its own distinctive sound even when the number of notes played simultaneously on a keyboard changes. Vibrato effects can selectively be applied to any of the set of waveshapes.

Abstract: In a pedal steel guitar a plurality of pivotally interconnected levers, selectively moved by the pedals, are connected with the quitar string ends opposite the neck end of the guitar for effecting string pitch changes. Vertically movable posts, each supporting a pulley over which the respective string is entrained, are disposed adjacent the neck end of the guitar for positioning the upper surface of all the strings in a common plane.

Abstract: A harmonica has a reed plate with a plurality of reeds overlying slots in the plate. The reed plate is mounted in a chamber of a housing, and the harmonica is played by forcing air from the player's mouth through passages in the housing and past the reeds. If a reed becomes separated from the plate, it is trapped in the chamber. This prevents a separated reed from travelling along the passages into the mouth of the player and possibly injuring the player.

Abstract: A anti-detonation safety device for use in a bulk handling system transporting explosive powder. The device comprises spaced inlet and outlet members and, disposed therebetween, a plurality of interconnected planar panels defining a cruciform chamber, the wings of which each include a top panel, operable in response to an increase of the pressure in the chamber, to provide for venting the same.

Abstract: A tandem rocket launcher is provided by mounting plural rockets in an elongated launch tube with associated guide and launch equipment for each rocket. A conical shield is placed between the rockets which deflects exhaust gases generated by firing the forward rocket away from the rearward rocket. The shield is then removed by firing of the subsequent rocket or pivoting of two halves of the deflector away from the path of travel of the subsequent rocket.

Abstract: A feature of this invention is the provision of a Gatling type gun having a reduced diameter main cam provided by a rear dwell increment of angular rotation of the rotor which in turn is provided by a feed system wherein the bolt comes forward out of rear dwell after the round is placed upon the face of the gun bolt but before the round is centered on the face of the gun bolt. This is accomplished by permitting controlled longitudinal motion of the round while it is still being provided with transverse motion by the sprocket.

Abstract: A circuit for hydrostatically operable devices, especially hydraulic dredges, with at least two working circuits each of which comprises a plurality of hydraulic cylinders and/or hydraulic motors as well as a hydraulic pump while, depending on the requirement, the delivery of the pertaining hydraulic pump is conveyed to each hydraulic cylinder or hydraulic motor and while by means of a plurality of tie lines the deliveries of the remaining hydraulic pumps are selectively conveyed to one of two or more selected hydraulic cylinders or hydraulic motors. The deliveries of the hydraulic pumps flow to the tank after having passed through the control valves associated with the hydraulic cylinders and controlling each of the hydraulic pumps.

Abstract: An oscillator actuated hydraulic impulse of the type including a spool valve actuated by an alternating signal from an oscillator to switch the hydraulic pressure in a double acting cylinder in order to cause reciprocating motion of a piston which strikes a boring tool. The hydraulic impulse device further includes a means for controlling the transition from the impulse stroke to the return stroke of the piston. In some embodiments, the hydraulic impulse device may further include a means for varying the duration of the impulse stroke and the return stroke of the piston.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic motor assembly which includes a hydraulic servomotor operable in either direction with a control valve. When the motor is operated in a selected direction, as distinguished from the return direction, it is desired that external forces acting on linkage connected to the piston of the hydraulic motor do not alter the speed of the piston. The control valve has two operating positions and two sets of supply and return passages which facilitate operation of the servomotor in either direction. A brake valve between one of the servomotor ports and the control valve has a scanning port which scans or senses the downstream pressure of either of the control valve supply passages, depending on the control position of the control valve.

Abstract: A linearly driven rotary actuator has a tool or implement attached to the end of the output shaft. Various fluid lines are provided to drive the tool or implement as required. To prevent twisting and wrapping of fluid lines around the actuator, a rotary fluid coupling is provided as an integral part of the actuator housing.

Abstract: A ventilator for use on a conduit having an upwardly open mouth has a generally toroidal annular flow body surrounding the conduit immediately below the mouth thereof. This body has an outer wall having an outwardly convex lower portion spaced outwardly from the conduit and an upper portion extending generally asymptotically upward and inwardly from the lower portion to the conduit and joining the conduit substantially at the mouth. Air flow is induced over the body to create a low-pressure zone at the mouth by providing a horizontal deflector disk suspended above the mouth and having an outer periphery extending outwardly beyond the mouth so as to define with this mouth an annular gap having a flow cross section greater than that of the mouth. The disk may be combined with a fan that generates a downwardly flaring air stream that moves downwardly around the periphery of the disk and across the gap.

Abstract: An improved grill containing a solid grill plate. Grooves disposed in the grill plate retain juices from the food cooked thereupon to enhance the flavor of the food. The edges of the grill plate curve downwardly allowing excess grease and juice to run off the surface of the plate. A drip tray funnels the runoff grease to a refuse compartment. A collar supports the grill plate and a housing supports the collar and a heating source. Holes in the housing allow air to enter and be warmed by the heating source. The hot air escapes through a space between the collar and the housing.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus for printing fabrics with a screen printing process, of the type provided with a plurality of printing screens which can be lowered and raised with respect to garment support means. Said support means comprise a plurality of forms mounted at intervals on a conveyor means which is stepwise advanceable so as to bring each form in succession opposite each printing screen.

Abstract: Mechanical interference between a cast explosive material and a casing prnts rotation of the cast explosive material during machining thereof and improves symmetry and performance of the shaped-charge warhead. The cast explosive material may be keyed to the casing by flowing portions of the explosive material into a plurality of cavities in the casing before curing. Alternatively, pins may extend inward from the casing into the explosive material which surrounds them when cast and resists relative motion therebetween when cured. Alternatively, the explosive material may be pre-cast into an appropriate shape, cured and pressed into the casing. Protuberances to fit into holes in the casing or indentations to fit over pins extending into the casing may be formed on the pre-cast explosive. Engagement between the protuberances or indentations and the holes or pins respectively is attained when the explosive material is pressed into the casing.

Abstract: A subcaliber missile to be launched from a barrel, in order to serve as a carrier for satellite missiles of other ejectable bodies, has an envelope divided into two half-shells of tapering configuration which are articulated to the missile bottom and are held together by a missile head and by internal partitions separating the ejectable bodies from one another. When the missile is in flight, the ejection of the head by the detonation of a charge exerts a backward reaction force upon the envelope, causing its load to move forward therein whereby the partitions are disengaged from the two half-shells and allow them to flip apart. The half-shells are provided with slots for a recessed tail-wing assembly and with back fins which, like the missile bottom, conform to the caliber of the barrel.

Abstract: The rail displacement device, suspended from the chassis of the machine, is composed of a support (8) for lifting hooks (17) for the rails, which support is articulated in an all-azimuth articulation in a joint (11), and of a support (13) with roller wheels (18) for the shifting of the rails, which support is articulated to the hook support.The two lifting hooks (17) are mounted in transversely adjustable position on a girder (9) of the hook support, which girder is connected to the chassis of the machine by two lifting jacks (20).The two shifting roller wheels (18) are mounted in fixed positions on a girder (14) of the roller wheel support which girder is connected to the chassis of the machine by two shifting jacks (21).These two girders are connected by two spacing-adjustment jacks (22).This device is suitable for tamping-leveling-straightening machines, for the open track and switch gear.

Abstract: A rail bogie air suspension for a convertible rail-highway semi-trailer using an invaginating air bag secured between an upper air chamber member affixed to the underside of the rear frame of a vehicle and a load support leg assembly, a bumper carried by said upper air chamber member, a plate and shaft assembly spring urged towards said bumper and a pneumatically operable pin supporting said plate and shaft assembly whereby, when air is vented from the bag, air pressure is simultaneously provided which acts on a member that retracts the pin and allows the bumper plate and shaft assembly to move past the pin under the weight of the vehicle to allow the entire assembly to fully retract for the proper elevated stored position of the bogie during the highway mode.

Abstract: In a convertible rail-highway semi-trailer a mechanism for lifting and retaining a rail wheel-set axle unit or bogie in an elevated stored position in the highway mode when the highway wheels engage the ground. The mechanism includes hooks pre-set to engage the bogie when the body has been lowered and to retain the bogie as the body rises when the air springs of the highway wheel-set axle unit are inflated to convert from the rail to highway mode. The mechanism also includes a device to keep the hooks disengaged from the rail bogie when the air springs of the rail bogie are inflated and the flanged railroad wheels engage the tracks and the highway wheels are in an elevated inoperative position. The mechanism is also provided with a valve device to prevent inflation of the rail bogie air springs when the latter is in its elevated stored position.

Abstract: A bolster for use in a railroad car truck has spring seat areas at the outer ends and a generally central section intermediate the spring seat areas and generally of substantially greater depth than the spring seat areas. A vertical reinforcing rib extends from the central section into the spring seat areas. The central section has slanted bottom walls which merge with the bottom walls of the spring seat areas. The spring seat areas and central section are subject to loading in opposite vertical directions thereby creating areas of localized bending stress at the junction of the spring seat bottom walls and the central section slanted bottom walls. The improvement of the present invention is specific to means for reducing such localized bending stress and includes vertical reinforcing rib means extending from the spring seat areas into the central section and being positioned on opposite sides of the vertical reinforcing rib.

Abstract: A hopper discharge unit for attachment to the bottom of a hopper has upright side and sloping end walls all terminating in horizontally inwardly directed flanges defining between them a rectangular outlet opening, with the side walls extended rearwardly beyond the sloping rear end wall to form a support for a sliding gate, which is perforated along its sides to form racks engaged by pinions on a transverse operating shaft journaled in the side wall extensions above the gate. To provide a tight seal the flange on the rear end wall is spaced above the side wall flanges to overlie the gate and a second longitudinal flange co-planar with the rear end wall flange is similarly spaced above the side wall flanges to overlie and cover the rack perforations in the gate when the gate is closed.

Abstract: A rack system for vertical storage of sheet stock having structural provisions permitting it to be transported on the forks of a lift truck while loaded. The system is constructed of simple structural shapes and a minimum of fabrication operations, with a resulting savings in manufacturing cost and assured durability.

Abstract: A material treating apparatus, such as an incinerator, incorporating an auger having an internal air supply system and an internal heat transfer mechanism. The incinerator includes a cylindrical combustion chamber containing a rotatable auger, and waste material is fed to one end of the combustion chamber and is conveyed through the chamber by the auger, while ash and non-combustible residue are discharged from the opposite end of the chamber. The auger is composed of a tubular shaft which carries a hollow spiral flight. Air is introduced into the downstream end of the shaft and flows through the hollow flight and is discharged through outlet ports in the periphery of the flight into the combustion chamber. To cool the auger, water flows within internal passages in the hollow flight. The flight is formed with a forward wall facing downstream and a rear wall which is spaced from the forward wall to define a central air passage.

Abstract: A digging and planting machine is provided having a tubular digging and planting tool mounted on a vehicle travelling along the ground surface, and at least one sensing and signalling means for sensing the resistance of the ground to penetration by the digging tip of the tool, thus gauging the condition of the ground, and detecting obstacles to such penetration, so as to ensure that the digging tip provides and a plant is fed to a planting hole of the desired depth, when ground condition is suitable, and, when ground condition is not suitable, that new digging attempts continue to be made at closely-spaced intervals as the vehicle travels over the ground until a planting hole of the desired depth is dug, so as to plant as many plants as close together as desired per unit area.

Abstract: An arrangement for indicating to an operator whether a selected stitch length is within, below or above a preferred range for a selected pattern in a multiple pattern sewing machine includes a slide contact board and a group of slide contacts connected to a stitch length selection lever. The different patterns are grouped in accordance with preferred stitch length ranges, each group having associated therewith one of the slide contacts on the lever. The slide contact board is arranged to define the preferred ranges so that for each of the pattern groups, a circuit is completed to energize a low LED if the selected stitch length is below the preferred range; to energize an in-range LED if the selected stitch length is within the preferred range; and to energize the high LED if the selected stitch length is above the preferred range.

Abstract: A tension spring concentric with the presser bar pulls the presser foot down against the work. The spring is threaded onto two holders, each of which fits around the presser bar. The first holder is attached to the presser bar near its upper end but the second allows the presser bar to slide within it. The second holder is slidably attached to a bracket and controlled by a presser bar pressure regulating cam to slide up and down in the bracket and thereby change the tension in the spring to exert a controlled force on the presser foot. The first holder is also slidably mounted in the bracket, and is controlled by a lever that has a lifting cam linked to the first holder. When the lever is lifted, the first holder is lifted to raise the presser bar and presser foot away from the work. This extends the spring, which urges the presser foot back down against the work as soon as the lever is lowered.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the passage of workpiece ends through a sewing machine. The device includes a photosensitive apparatus adapted to produce a signal in response to the passage of the workpiece ends past the end of a fiber optic light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing the operator of a marine vessel with an alarm when when a malfunction occurs in the steering system of the vessel. The apparatus utilizes a closed loop simulator to simulate the rudder position, and a comparison of the simulated rudder position to the actual rudder activates the alarm when a predetermined threshold value has been exceeded. Appropriate time delays during which the alarm is disabled make the apparatus adaptable for use with steering systems having a steering gear which has rate inconstancy, and a shaping circuit makes the apparatus adaptable for use with steering systems having a steering gear which has static positional nonlinearity.

Abstract: A rudder assembly for marine craft wherein the main rudder carries one or more fins pivotable as well as lockable in relation to it, wherein the actuating and control devices for the fin are integrated with the rudder assembly.

Abstract: A pair of marine floats are interconnected end-to-end by a pair of tubular conduits embedded in the floats along opposite sides thereof. The conduits extend from one float to the other and their ends are connected to respective junction boxes embedded in the floats. The conduits pass through respective resilient cushions positioned between the floats to allow the floats to pivot with respect to each other. The tension in the conduits increases as the floats pivot, and this increase in tension is compensated for by resiliently securing the conduits to the junction boxes so that the conduits can move axially with respect to the junction boxes. The junction boxes may be secured to reinforcing bars embedded in the floats, particularly where a conduit extends from only one side of the junction box. Conventional utility conductors are routed through the conduits which may be connected to utility outlets mounted on the junction boxes.