Abstract: A semi-automatic crocheting tool has a chassis including a yarn-receiving assembly with a hook, a needle normally spaced from the hook, and means for selectively engaging and disengaging the needle from the hook. The tool has a counting feature which automatically counts the number of times the needle engages the hook, and thus keeps an accurate record of the number of stitches completed. Additionally, a manual counting device facilitates multiplying the maximum number of stitches up to which the automatic device can count, or, in the alternative, allows for both the number of stitches and the numbers of rows of stitches to be recorded.

Abstract: A pressure gauge comprising a rigid housing in which a gauge member is located whose interior is subjected to the pressure to be measured. The housing includes a pressure equalizing device in the form of a cup-shaped resilient membrane or a resilient bellows which is subjected to the interior pressure of the housing on the one side and to the ambient pressure on the other side. Furthermore, a closure element which can be blown out is snapped into position in an opening in said housing. The pressure equalizing device is secured to said closure element and is supported by it, thereby simplifying the installation of said pressure equalizing device in the housing.

Abstract: A pelletizer of the type of an underwater cutter has its die surface composed of a surface of rotation, e.g., a right circular cylinder, a frustum of a cone, etc., whereby plastic resin materials fed from an extruder under pressure to the outside of the die wall are forced to extrude through a number of die nozzles drilled in the wall of the die to be cut into pellets by a cutter which is rotating in front of the die surface and provided with a plurality of cutter blades the outer edge of each of which is disposed in parallel with the die surface leaving a definite, uniform gap therefrom.

Abstract: A toy aircraft system with an aircraft powered by an electrically driven propeller and motor mounted in the aircraft which, in turn, is mounted on a boom which can rotate about a central point and move up and down in response to changes of the vertical position of the aircraft. The motor receives its electrical energy through the boom which consists of two side-by-side slim wires or rods, one of which is rotatable about its axis to tilt the aircraft forward and backward to guide the direction of flight of the aircraft.

Abstract: A digital control system is provided for regulating the position and velocity of a load. Within the control system, both commanded and actual motion of the load are represented by a bi-directional pulse train in which each pulse represents an increment of movement, so that the pulse repetition rate represents the speed of the load. A bi-directional pulse generator is provided in which the polarity and repetition rate of the output signal are dependent respectively on the sign and magnitude of the differential pulse accumulation between the commanded and actual motion signals. In one embodiment, a pulse-actuated incremental stepping motor is used to move the load, so that the bi-directional pulse train from the pulse generator can be applied directly to the stepping motor through a pulse conditioner, and is also fed back through a single feedback connection as the actual motion signal.

Abstract: The within improved innoculator is of the type that causes the injection of medication without a skin-penetrating needle, relying instead on a skin-penetrating jet produced by the force of a released compression spring, wherein the improvement resides in a mechanical device for effectively loading the spring of the innoculator.

Abstract: A swash plate type compressor to provide reciprocation of cylindrical guide members arranged around a driving shaft axis and a corresponding number of pistons respectively connected to the cylindrical guide members with lubricating means arranged in compartments to prevent leakage of lubricant to the pistons.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer, measuring capillary joined to a mercury storage tank by means of an internal passageway, is provided with a shut-off device for selectively blocking and opening the passageway. The shut-off device has a valve housing including a valve chamber which intersects the passageway and which terminates internally in a valve seat. A locking piece is mounted inside the valve chamber for rectilinear movement, with respect to the valve seat, from a closed position in engagement with the valve seat wherein the passageway is blocked, to an open position removed from the valve seat wherein the passage is open. The locking piece is biased in its open position by means of a spring arrangement, and a lever arrangement including a detenting mechanism is provided to move the locking piece to its closed position and to releasably lock it there.

Abstract: A pad mounted well logging measuring device provides a determination of permeable and impermeable zones in a subsurface earth formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the illumination of optical examination devices adapted to be connected to the distal end of a light conducting cable connected at its near end to a source of light, which apparatus permits control of illumination of the distal end of the cable. The apparatus includes a housing connected to the distal end of the cable and adapted to receive optical examination devices. A filter support mounts a plurality of filters within the housing for selective movement in and out of the path of light eminating from the distal end of the cable. The filter support is moved by operating a positioning control on the housing which is mechanically coupled to the filter support. In operation, the optical examination device is mounted to the housing which serves as a handle for it, and the illumination of the device is selected by operating the positioning control with the same hand that holds the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a plastic food material into bodies having an arcuate top and a flat bottom. The apparatus includes a cylindrical nozzle body for receiving the food material from a pressurized source. In the periphery of the nozzle body is included a food material forming orifice having a plane lower bounding surface contiguous thereto which lies within the nozzle body in a plane inclined downward towards the exterior of the nozzle body. A cutter sleeve is mounted on the nozzle body and moved relative to it to selectively cover and uncover the orifice. The apparatus imparts a curved contour to the top of the pressurized food material escaping from the orifice, while the inclined plane lower bounding surface imparts a flat bottom to the material.

Abstract: A controlled atmosphere package for retarding the ripening rate of tomatoes is formed from a gas permeable film which allows the tomatoes to convert the package atmosphere to an environment containing 0 to 10 vol.% carbon dioxide and 2.5 to 10 vol.% oxygen. The package contains chemical agents capable of absorbing moisture and carbon dioxide from the package environment so as to prevent mold growth or injury to the tomatoes.

Abstract: A colander is mounted within a stackable base adapted to rest on a surface and to support the colander above the surface. The base includes a top wall, which receives and retains the colander, and supporting legs with the colander disposed between them. These legs are shaped to permit a paired colander and base to be stacked within other paired colanders and bases.

Abstract: A printing ink which rapidly dries under the influence of heat, in particular from infra-red radiation, and which is composed of:A non-polar solvent,A modified phenol- or cresol formaldehyde resin,A crosslinkable unsaturated polyester,A peroxide catalyst for said polyester, andA pigment.

Abstract: A system for automatically stopping a multi-channel tape player after completion of recording of information on a selected channel of a multi-channel tape.

Abstract: A disposable valve, including a body having a plurality of ports and a core which is telescoped in the body and is rotated therein to provide connections between various ports, is provided with an improved arrangement for rotatably securing the core in the body and for halting its rotation at predetermined positions. The core is provided at one end with a splined bore, and is rotatably secured within the body by means of a fastener having a threaded shaft portion designed to be press-fitted into the splined bore. The body includes a boss which protrudes from it at one end, and the core includes a protruding member positioned to engage the corners of the boss so that the rotation of the core is halted. Both the boss and protruding member are encircled by a skirt formed on either the body or core to protect them from physical damage.

Abstract: An alloy comprising silver plus one or more additives taken from the class consisting of gold, platinum, osmium, iridium, palladium, ruthenium and rhodium is disclosed. Each additive metal is present in an amount of from 0 to 1% by weight of the alloy. The total amount of additive is at least 0.05% by weight of the alloy. A method of making permanent electrical connections using the alloy is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel adhesive material comprising a plastic foam having at least a surface layer of open cells in which the surface layer of cells contains a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition formed by applying the adhesive to the foam, while the foam is maintained under pressure sufficient to cause the cell walls of the surface layer of cells to be exposed and be relatively flat so as to receive the adhesive. Upon the release of pressure, the cellular structure returns to its normal state and does not exhibit a tacky surface but will adhere to itself upon the application of pressure sufficient to expose the adhesive-containing cell walls.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus is provided for an optical examination device secured to a hand grip at the distal end of a light-conducting cable which is connected at its near end to a projector. The mounting apparatus includes a lower mount for supporting the cable receiving end of the hand grip, which mount has a slit in it to permit passage of the cable, and an upper mount which serves as a holding device for either the other end of the hand grip or the optical examination device secured thereto. A sensing device is provided in the upper mount to turn off the light source which illuminates the cable when the hand grip is placed in the mounting apparatus and to turn the source on when the hand grip is removed from the mounting apparatus.

Abstract: A kit is provided for constructing model buildings. The kit includes modular blocks, which are interlocked to form a roof and structral walls corresponding to the outer shell of the building, and also includes construction brackets which are abutted in side-by-side alignment at the top edge of a structural wall to form a supporting ledge. Such ledges are used to form setbacks and overhangs in the building structure and for supporting the roof. Each bracket includes a generally horizontal main wall with bounding inner and outer edges and two lateral edges each extending between the inner and outer edges. At each of the inner and outer edges, the bracket is provided with lower and upper connectors. The lower connector is designed to secure the bracket to the top edge of a structural wall disposed below the bracket, and the upper connector is designed to secure the lower edge of a structural wall disposed above the bracket.