Abstract: A panel display having one or more magnetically responsive changeable indicia and magnetic controls for changing the display of each indicia, desired ones of the indicia being selected and stabilized by rotation or translation of control magnets. The indicia elements are pivotally supported and contain elongated magnets magnetized across their thickness rather than longitudinally, the elongated magnets being centered within the indicia elements along the pivotal axis. Each indicia element is paired with an adjacent movable control magnet which occupies at least two positions for purposes of exercising control of the display. The display is particularly intended for presenting pin fall information and cumulative frame-by-frame scores in the game of bowling.

Abstract: A method and device by which sexual emission in the male can be delayed or alternatively prevented during sexual activity. The method is based on the physiological fact that a preliminary to ejaculation is a drawing up of the scrotum and an ascent of the testicles. Hence, obstructing such ascent of the testicles delays ejaculation or even prevents it. The device is an annulus-forming member applicable solely around the neck of the scrotum, the annulus formed being of a size barring passage of the testicles so as to obstruct their ascent. The member does not cause pain or discomfort, and does not encumber sexual activity. Further, the annulus formed is easily released and the member removed entirely, if desired, by either party to influence timing of ejaculation readily. The device is useful for treatment of male premature ejaculation as well as treatment, in some cases, of frigidity in the female.

Abstract: A trash container of molded type having a generally rectangular opening and provided with four ears, one at each corner, to support a bag liner with minimal interference during filling and removal. The liner is preferably one of the high-strength plastic bags having incorporated handles, which bags are currently given free-of-charge to grocery store customers for transport of their purchases. In particular, the ears are intended to have the handles looped around them such that the bag's sides hug the container walls, thus assuring that all refuse is captured within the liner bag. To this end, a tip of each ear protrudes beyond and above a rim around the opening, requiring the handles to be stretched over them, and a notch in the exterior of each ear near the container corner lies well below the rim, causing the bag's edges outside the handle area also to be held in desired relation to the walls.

Abstract: A mode converter for a distance measuring device having a sonic delay line with a permanent magnet movable along same, the converter having a free-standing magnetostrictive armature with one end attached to the delay line and the other end terminating dampinglessly within the usual coil. The armature length and shape are such that the longitudinal stress wave initiated by an electrical pulse in the coil strengthens the mechanical pulse applied to the delay line.

Abstract: A low-cost, essentially self-contained microwave earth station having a reflector dish together with the microwave sensing/emitting elements embedded in a rigid, low density and low thermal conductivity plastic foam. At least the sides and back of the unit may be encased in a fiberglass-resin shell. Shielding for terrestrial interference also may be present. For a receive-only station, a low noise amplifier together with frequency conversion and channel selection (or all-channel transmission) to circuits may also be embedded in the foam. The only connections to such a receive-only unit are a line from a d-c source of power for supplying the required operating voltages to the electronics, and a coaxial cable supplying the selected one of the received information signals to the TV display or other device utilizing those signals. Preferably, a single coaxial line with the dual function of information output and d-c power input is employed.

Abstract: Conforming a layer of porous sheet material having a three-dimensionally patterned exterior surface, the material being applied directly on a smooth base member made of plastic, metal, glass, etc., and then applying a coating of a hard-enable film-forming liquid in an amount just sufficient to cover the "hills" of the patterned material and seal its pores, but not to fill the "valleys" of the material when hardened. As a result, contours of the pattern are not obscured. The desired pattern may be the inherent weave (interlaced threads) of a textile or an ornamental design embossed in a non-woven material, or the like. Penetration of the film-forming liquid through the pores and into the interface between the fabric and base member partially adheres the fabric to that member upon application of the liquid, an adherence only completed upon hardening, so that interim adjustment in positioning is provided.

Abstract: A simplified, symmetrical encoding apparatus of the acoustic rod type with polarized output signals, e.g., where key-actuated strikers impact an acoustic bar having a number of differently-shaped tabs on the bar, the impact giving rise to divergent acoustic waves sensed by a transducer at each end of the bar. Providing paired sets of a non-polarizing tab and oppositely-oriented raked (polarizing) tabs in mirror image form at desired locations on right and left halves of the bar, preferably with a first tab located at the bar's midpoint, facilitates distinguishing between impacts on the different tabs.

Abstract: Power supply sensing circuitry comprises a first comparator for determining whether the power supply potential voltage exceeds by a predetermined amount the voltage required to operate a data processing system connected to the power supply potential, and a second comparator for determining whether the power supply potential is at least the voltage required to operate the connected data processing system.

Abstract: An electronic typewriter comprising keys 12a and an electronic control system 26 for causing a print wheel 16 to print corresponding characters at successive horizontal positions. A register 86B stores and continuously updates its storage of the last plurality of characters printed. When an error is made, the typist can backspace to the error, automatically recall the incorrect character from the register and erase it by restriking that character via a correction ribbon 28. Actuating a halfspace mode key 24 advances the print wheel's horizontal position by one-half the ordinary space, thereby moving out of normal registration to permit inserting extra characters. Upon such actuation of the halfspace key, the register's contents are cleared so that characters entered in normal registration cannot be used while the print wheel is in an offset location. Characters typed while in halfspace mode are stored in the usual manner.

Abstract: A typewriter has a Keyboard (12), including a Tab Set Key (22), a Tab Clear Key (24), and a Tab Actuating Key (26). Operation of the tab set key stores stop positions of the Carrier (18) with respect to the typewriter's Platen (14). Shallow depression of the tab actuating key causes the carrier to move forward (right) to the next tab stop position. A first deep depression of the tab actuating key establishes a Reverse Tab Mode causing the carrier to move backward (left) to the nearest preceding tab stop position and causing the platen to rotate (index) so as to position the Printing Element (16) one line down on the paper, thereby to facilitate typing the next line of single column material without effecting a carrier return and forward movement of the carrier to the beginning of the column.

Abstract: Deflector at top of toasting chamber enhances flow of cooling air in a space between the outer cover of a toaster and the inner wall of a "double wall" structure by projection inward relative to the top opening in the toaster cover.

Abstract: Polarity of transducer signals is controlled in encoding apparatus of the acoustic rod type, e.g. where key-actuated strikers impact an acoustic bar having a transducer at each end of the bar, the impact giving rise to divergent acoustic waves. The wave fronts of these acoustic waves are sensed by the transducers, the output signals of which are used to produce codes corresponding to the actuated key. By varying the shape of the bar at each point of impact, the polarity of the wave fronts can be controlled so as to distinguish the operation of adjacent strikers and thus provide correspondingly coded outputs or can be combined with elapsed time sensing systems to afford more reliable encoding even in the presence of lot-to-lot differences in the bar material's acoustic wave properties--differences aggravated by temperature changes.

Abstract: Encoding apparatus for a business machine includes a resilient striker for inducing diverging sound waves within a rod by impact with it at a given location. Transducers positioned along the rod on each side of the striker and at unequal distances from it, convert the sound wave fronts into a first and a second output signal having a predetermined time interval between them which is dependent upon the location of impact with the rod. The transducers are connected to a logic unit which includes an oscillator-driven binary counter. The first output signal starts the counter and subsequent arrival of the second output signal determines the elapsed time, the counter output at that instant being a binary code value usable for any desired purpose: control, display, etc.

Abstract: An overtemperature protector for an appliance having an electrical heating element includes a fixed contact, a movable contact carried by a spring blade and settable into engagement with the fixed contact to complete the energizing circuit to the heating element by stressing the spring blade, and a torsion spring having an arm engageable with the spring blade to hold the contacts in engagement against the stress bias of the spring blade. A fusible pin retains the arm of the torsion spring in engagement with the spring blade, thus locking the contacts closed. Excessive heat in the appliance causes the pin to soften, thereby allowing the torsion spring to shear the pin and release the movable contact to open the heating element energizing circuit.

Abstract: An overtemperature protector for an appliance having an electrical heating element, the overtemperature protector being formed basically of just a spring blade positionable to bring a contact on the surface of the blade into circuit-energizing engagement with a fixed contact, and an insulator-capped fusible pin retaining the blade in that position. Excessive heat in the appliance softens the pin, allowing the spring blade force on the insulator cap to shear the pin and interrupt the circuit. The overtemperature protector is preferably incorporated in a thermostatic control, the fixed contact being supported on a lateral extension projecting from one circuit element of the thermostat assembly and the spring blade being supported within the assembly with an insulating spacer separating it from the thermostat element having the lateral extension. The spring blade is preferably sickle-shaped for compactness despite having a long length for low force to minimize effects of creep of the fusible pin.

Abstract: Pump chambers usable in beverage makers, for example, have a liquid-contacting heated surface provided with abrupt discontinuities--e.g. sharp edges or corners--to promote flaking-off of mineral deposits. These edges may be fins of rectangular or triangular cross-section.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus in which strikers actuated by the keys of a keyboard, for example, impact selected ones of a group of parallel bars (equivalent to sonic delay lines) at points substantially equally distant from single transducers located on each bar. A timer controls transfer of data signals--the transducer output of the bars--to a display, a printer, etc. The transfer includes storage in a multibit electronic latch.

Abstract: Electrophotographic members prepared by coating a paper or film with a slurry of photoconductive metal-compound particles, e.g., zinc oxide particles, dispersed in a liquid vehicle containing a solution of resinous binder having carboxyl groups. Viscosity of the coating slurry is controlled and/or stabilized by incorporating into the slurry a viscosity stabilizing agent comprising a chelate precursor which forms with the binder a chelating agent having the property of complexing metal ions, e.g., zinc ions, by formation of a ring structure incorporating the metal ion. Suitable viscosity stabilizing agents include: ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and its salts.

Abstract: A simple, low-cost U-shaped hook termination for enclosed resistance elements useful in household appliances. The termination is particularly useful with a releasable contact shaped to enter the enclosure end. The effects of out-of-squareness of the end can also be minimized.

Abstract: A machine for simultaneously making typewritten and magnetic records, for editing magnetic records, and for automatically making typewritten copies of the magnetic record. A magnetic memory (a disc, say) is driven by the motor in the typewriter with the drive arrangement having a flywheel for reducing variations in memory speed, and a writing and reading transducer head is moved concomitantly with line feed of the printed record. The magnetic recording medium has concentric (or parallel) storage tracks so that each line appearing on the printed record is separately recorded in a different storage track of the memory to provide for easy editing and allow a simplified system for recording and playback.