Abstract: A miniature toy vehicle powered by a single battery operated motor that, through a shiftable transmission, drives the vehicle in a low speed, four-wheel drive mode or in a high speed, two-wheel drive mode. When the motor is in the off position, the transmission is disengaged from the wheels so that the vehicle can free wheel.

Abstract: A memory request arbitrator is provided for selecting one of a plurality of requesting devices, such as microprocessors, which may make a request to access a memory device common to the plurality of requestors. Requests from the devices are applied in common as a portion of an address to a read only memory, a priority sequencer providing another portion of the address. The read only memory provides a selection signal to the selected requestor. The priority sequencer is periodically updated to thereby change the priority of requestors such that priority is given to each of the requestors over time. The priority sequencer may be temporarily disabled to thereby allow a requestor a "back-to-back" memory access for a multi-cycle memory instruction. Finally, the initial state of the request lines is checked upon system start up to determine whether any of the request lines are unused. Only those request lines associated with presently operating requestors are able to provide request signals to the read only memory.

Abstract: A dry type discharge liquid extraction apparatus is provided with a fluid collection chamber, a coupling for introducing a vacuum into the fluid collection chamber, and a pressure control valve for regulating the flow of air from the collection chamber to the coupling. Also provided is a one-way check valve between the fluid collection chamber and the pressure control valve and a vacuum pressure stabilizing valve which is vented to atmosphere and interposed between the pressure control valve and the coupling for selectively passing air at atmospheric pressure to stabilize the introduced vacuum.

Abstract: A toy figure having a head with an elongated neck and skull, and a body having an orifice for slideably receiving the neck so that the neck can extend from and retract within the body. The outward movement of the neck is limited by a stop member and guided by a tab and slot. The skull has a heavy portion which is eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis of the neck.

Abstract: In this pick-up sweeper, the dirt distributing device (8) is formed by a rotary disk (21) whose axis is substantially vertical and by means (22) for rotating the disk. To improve the filling of the truck (7) the disk (21) may be driven selectively in one or other direction of rotation. Furthermore, the disk (21) is mounted on a support (22) which is itself pivotably mounted about a horizontal axis (23; 27) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pick-up sweeper, and actuating means (26) are connected to said support for causing this latter and the disk (21) to pivot about said horizontal axis.

Abstract: An oil lubrication system, especially for knitting machines includes a plurality of electromagnetically driven piston pumps, one of which is assigned to each individual lubrication site operated by and exciting current pulses of adjustable pulse-recurrence frequency. Each piston pump has a scanning device which produces a receipt pulse during the working stroke when the pump piston reaches its end position. The current pulse and receipt pulse are applied to a monitoring device which provides an output signal if the receipt pulse is not applied within a certain time after the current pulse. An indicator light flashes at each current pulse and switches to a permanent signal when an output signal is produced. An oil storage vessel feeding the pumps can be provided with a filling state monitor when produces an electrical oil deficiency signal when the oil level falls below a predetermined minimum. Both the oil deficiency signal and the output signal are applied to a disconnecting unit which stops the machine.

Abstract: The invention provides a flexible off shore platform comprising a base fi to the sea bed by means of a foundation and supporting a flexible column extending over almost the whole height of the platform and at the top of which is located a stabilizer connected by a short column to the deck of the platform; the flexibility of the column allows a basic natural bending period greater than that of the largest waves and always greater than 25 seconds.

Abstract: A gas sensing apparatus is adapted to detect the presence of a gas of interest in air in very small quantities and to provide a rapid alarm or other indication in response to the presence of such gas. The apparatus incorporates a gas sensing composition which changes its electrical resistance more dramatically than previously possible in response to the presence of the gas and electronic circuitry designed to sense and evaluate the patterns of resistance change during the first approximately 30 seconds after exposure to gas and to accurately estimate gas concentration based on such initial resistance variations. The system also looks at overall change in sensor resistance to detect gradually increasing gas levels. A preferred method of manufacturing the sensor and a sensor configuration particularly suited to the early detection of gas levels are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, methods for processing well logging data comprises deriving measurements of a plurality of earth formations parameters and combining these measurements in a new manner to enable interpretation of shales and shaly sand type formations. More particularly, measurements of a plurality of the hydrogen index, bulk density, radially deep and shallow resistivity, spontaneous potential, acoustic travel time and natural formation radioactivity content are made and combined in a manner to produce data useful in evaluating shales and shaly sand type formations.

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, methods for processing well logging data comprises deriving measurements of a plurality of earth formations parameters and combining these measurements in a new manner to enable interpretation of shales and shaly sand type formations. More particularly, measurements of a plurality of the hydrogen index, bulk density, radially deep and shallow resistivity, spontaneous potential, acoustic travel time and natural formation radioactivity content are made and combined in a manner to produce data useful in evaluating shales and shaly sand type formations.

Abstract: A novel chemical dispenser for dispensing a predetermined volume of a chemical solution into a body of liquid, such as water in a toilet tank, in response to a change in the level of that liquid comprises (1) a container which holds the solid chemicals to be dispensed, (2) an air vent extending from the top of the container, (3) a siphon which enters the container at a point located below the top of the container and has a U-shaped bend extending above the top of the container but below the top of the air vent, and (4) a specially designed fluid communication means between the siphon and the container, which reduces or eliminates the possibility that any gas bubbles evolved by the solid chemical in the dispenser will become entrapped in the siphon and impede its normal operation.

Abstract: A disposable test package for testing the proper functioning of a steam sterilizer is formed with a test sheet adapted to change color in response to the presence of steam under preselected sterilization conditions. The sheet is surrounded by disposable nonwoven porous material, above and below, forming a core region around the test sheet having desired height and porosity parameters and a shell region around the core having different height and porosity parameters which are adapted to permit the test pack to simulate a Bowie and Dick challenge pack for the testing of steam sterilizers.

Abstract: The risk of surgical injury to the eye during implantation of an intraocular lens is reduced by pre-positioning either all or a major portion of the lens assembly in the anterior chamber of the eye prior to extraction of the cataract.

Abstract: A novel chemical dispenser for dispensing a predetermined volume of a chemical solution into a body of liquid, such as water in a toilet tank, in response to a change in the level of the liquid comprises a container which holds the solid chemicals to be dispensed, an air vent extending from the top of the container, and a siphon which enters the container through a deck located below the top of the container and has a U-shaped bend extending above the top of the container but below the top of the air vent. The dispenser structure provides substantial isolation of the chemical solution in the dispenser from the surrounding tank water between flushes without the presence of any isolating air bubbles and also provides a color change signal indicating when the solid chemical within the dispenser is depleted.