Abstract: A kaleidoscope utilizing birefringent material in the form of shaped pieces in a liquid with the pieces passing between sheets of polarizing material where the container holding the pieces and liquid is in the form of a tube or tubes, or is flat and elongated, or consists of circular plates held together by a ring, and the container can be inverted or rotated. The shaped pieces will have a higher or lower density than the liquid in which they are immersed, or may be a mixture of both densities and both rise and fall in the container.

Abstract: A cargo clamp for a van, the van having cargo space defined by a floor, upwardly extending sidewalls and a roof. The cargo clamp comprises a transverse track that extends between the sidewalls below the roof and is supported below the roof and is held in place by side rails on each side. A clamp is attached to the track and is movable along the side rails between the sidewalls. The clamp also includes a downwardly extending brace that engages and restrains sheet material that is positioned on edge in the cargo space. The clamp includes a handle and bolt for engagement in a threaded hole for securing the clamp to the track at a selected position.

Abstract: A cargo clamp for a van, the van having cargo space defined by a floor, upwardly extending sidewalls and a roof. The cargo clamp comprises a transverse track that extends between the sidewalls below the roof and is supported below the roof and is held in place by side rails on each side. A clamp is attached to the track and is movable along the side rails between the sidewalls. The clamp also includes a downwardly extending brace that engages and restrains sheet material that is positioned on edge in the cargo space. The clamp includes a handle and bolt for engagement in a threaded hole for securing the clamp to the track at a selected position.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake system for vehicles, particularly light rail vehicles, includes at least one brake actuator for engaging the brake by means of a group of springs and disengaging the brake by hydraulic pressure. The system comprises an electric drive motor and pump for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuator, and a safety valve and solenoid valves for controlling the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the actuator. An accumulator is connected to the electric drive motor and pump for delivering the pressurized hydraulic fluid via valves and restriction for adjusting the pressure in the accumulator to a value substantially inversely proportional to the load of the vehicle. It is connected to the actuator by shuttle valves controlled by the pressure of the accumulator when the control safety valve and solenoid valves are actuated to relieve hydraulic fluid from the actuator.

Abstract: A device to control and protect the operating mechanisms of vertical slats for window blinds, contained in a box (1) in which there is a pinion consisting of outer (4) and inner (3) members. The outer member (4) has a partial set of vertical gear teeth and is limited in its rotation at the bottom end of the box. The inner member (3) supports the slat and goes through the outer member, extending above into an orifice (14) in the cover (9) of box (1). It is provided with a projection (3') that limits its rotation inside cover (9) by interacting with projection (23). The two members of the pinion are connected at the top by a tab that corresponds to a notch. The cover 9 can have play with reference to a flexible intermediate wall (24) inside the box.

Abstract: A lockable steering structure suitable for the front wheels of a baby cart for children including a grooved block slideable upon T shaped rails attached to both a support frame and a wheel mount so that in a locked position the block engages both rails, so locking the wheel mount to the support frame, and in an unlocked position the block engages only one rail. The block is secured in the unlocked position by a stud which is snap engageable with a recess on the block.

Abstract: A round rim umbrella where the rim members and their connecting hinges form a hoop without pointed projections with a center shaft construction involving a center rod within a hollow shaft and a sliding member fixed to the center rod through a slot in the hollow shaft. The strut structure is such as to allow the canopy to fold upward so that two bare rim pivotal connections act as tips of a walking stick without damage to the fabric of the umbrella.

Abstract: An umbrella without a center post supporting structure with a continuous lazy tong structure around the periphery of the canopy with the lazy tong structure connected on one side along its periphery to a supporting arm pivotally connected at its opposite end to a composite handle. The composite handle includes a substantially U shaped arm with one end pivotally connected to the supporting arm, a first slide connected to the grasping handle and at least partially slidable in the U shaped arm, a second slide pivotally connected to the first slide and slidable in the U shaped arm, a lower block firmly attached at the bottom of the U shaped arm and slidable on the first slide, an upper block slidable on the U shaped arm and connected to the lazy tong structure, and stops on the first and second slides on opposite sides of the upper block and on the side of the U shaped arm between the blocks.

Abstract: A magnetic brake for braking the line spool of a fishing reel with magnetic braking automatically adjusted in dependence upon the speed of rotation of the line spool. A magnetic support for magnets is rotatable in one direction by the reactive force of the braking torque on the magnet support and in the opposite direction by an adjustable spring load. The reactive force of the braking torque tends to displace the magnet support in a direction to move the magnet poles away from a surface rotating together with the line spool, while the spring load tends to displace the magnet support in the opposite direction to decrease the distance between pole ends and the rotating surface moving with the line spool. Inclined camming grooves in one embodiment move along a guide pin to cause the rotating action of the magnet support to move the support in an axial direction.

Abstract: A multipurpose timing light which comprises a timing light, a tachometer and a flashlight housed in a gun shaped plastic shell which in appearance is similar to the prevailing timing gun and in addition has a flashlight underneath the gun barrel and a tachometer in the rear part of the gun. This device provides illumination for the timing operation and repair work, and indicates engine speed as well as its primary function of adjusting ignition timing.

Abstract: A fishing reel comprising a frame, a line spool rotatably and releasably mounted in the frame and an induction-type magnetic brake for braking the fishing reel during casting is disclosed, in which a number of permanent magnets are mounted on a support which is easily releasably fixed to one end of the frame and encloses an opening therein, and in which the pole support is easily removable together with the magnet poles as a unit for uncovering said opening, and said opening is of a sufficient dimension to permit withdrawal of the line spool through the uncovered opening. In the preferred embodiment, the magnet support also forms a support for one end of a spindle which supports the line spool in the reel frame.

Abstract: A seed-sowing element intended to be mounted on a drill of the pneumatic type having a turbine, a general low pressure conduit circuit and a seed-sowing element, with the seed-sowing element comprising a low pressure assembly for recovering excess seeds including a first flap inserted in a low pressure conduit connected to a supply chamber for a disk, a second flap between the outlet of a hopper and the supply chamber, and a third flap positioned in a suction cover adjacent to the disk, the flaps being connected to an operating-cycle control assembly, itself controlled by a datum point set up on the ground and marking the plots to be sown.

Abstract: An ultrasonic oscillation device adapted for use in surgical operations includes, for the purpose of producing ultrasonic vibrations of an amplitude and power capable of exhibiting a satisfactory tissue shattering capacity in a wide field of living tissues, an ultrasonic oscillation section having a power amplifier circuit for adjusting the amplitude of its output without any difference in phase between the output and a feedback signal, and a starting impulse reducing circuit for reducing the impulse due to a transient current upon the starting of oscillation. Also, an ultrasonic transducer includes an electrostriction type transducer and a horn, and the horn forming a scalpel portion is provided with a suction opening adapted for irrigating an affected part operated on and its surrounding, floating shattered cellular pieces and sucking and removing the floating cellular pieces.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a disk shaped shut-off flap located in the passage of a main body. The shut-off flap is mounted such to a rocking shaft that the flap can be lifted off its seat during one phase of movement of the rocking shaft and may be rotated into an open position during a further phase of movement of the rocking shaft. The operating means comprises a linear drive in the shape of a control rod including a control groove. A follower and driving means engages the control groove and the shut-off flap. Accordingly the shut-off flap is guided for above lift off and rotating movements. This linear drive allows an impeccable sealing between the inner space of the shut-off apparatus and the environment.

Abstract: A chain saw safety-brake system including a pivotable member, and a screw located in side-by-side relation to the pivotable member and having a brake band connected thereto at one end. The screw can be operated from outside of the chain saw to adjust the length of the brake band. The pivotable member and the screw are assembled with a lock lever for locking a clutch drum and contained in a casing to provide a packaged unit.

Abstract: A level-wind mechanism for fishing reels using a line-laying element having two parts normally reciprocable by means of a slide operated by a hand crank via a transmission. The two parts are disengageable and reengageable relative to said slide by rotation of the latter in one or the other direction on a guide. The slide is rotatable in a direction for disengagement from said line-laying element by means of said slide guide by rotation of the latter by means of an operating member which also is adapted to disengage the line spool during casting so that said level-wind mechanism and said line spool are disengaged by one and the same disengagement operation.

Abstract: A high-sensitivity device for measuring the mutual level differentials among a certain number of reading locations, the device comprising a plurality of containers, one for each reading location, mutually connected at the bottom ends by a piping opening into a balancing tank which holds a liquid mass. Each container is equipped in its interior with a float which is held spaced apart from the container walls by flexible retaining members, a level-differential sensitive transducer being mounted in correspondence with the walls. The apparatus further comprises a device for measuring the signals delivered by the transducers.

Abstract: An induction-type magnetic brake for braking the line of a fishing reel during casting is disclosed, in which a number of permanent magnets are supported by an annular support which is carried in a coaxial position relative to the axis of rotation of the line spool near the outer side of one end wall of the line spool, and in which each permanent magnet is supported by the annular support such that one pole face of the magnet faces the spool end wall, the distance between the pole face and the end wall being adjustable by axial adjustment of the permanent magnet by means of a knob readily accessible on the outer side of the fishing reel.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for the disengagement of the line spool in relation to a transmission driven by a crank by means of a manually actuable operating member, and for automatic reengagement of the line spool and the transmission by means of the crank on rotation thereof for retrieval of the line on the line spool.

Abstract: A sensor pin carrier (34) is disposed in a housing (20) and rests on a support member (26) by way of a bearing which is arranged all around a central longitudinal axis (40), and the sensor pin carrier is designed for securing at least one sensor pin (38). The sensor pin carrier (34) is attached in the middle of an elastic disc (30) disposed vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis (40) and secured at its outer edge in the housing (20). At least one electric switch (56) is associated with the sensor pin carrier (34) to generate a signal upon deflections of the sensor pin (38).