Abstract: Disclosed is an external prosthesis with a magnetically transmissive/receptive layer for use with an internal prosthesis attachable to the stump of a residual limb. The external prosthesis comprises a synthetic body member having a concave socket formed at an end thereof. The socket is sized to receive the stump of a residual limb with an internal prosthesis installed. The socket has disposed on its concave external surface a magnetically transmissive/receptive layer. Magnetic attraction between the magnetically transmissive/receptive layer and the magnetically attractive internal prosthesis will ensure a secure and non-slip installation of the external prosthesis on the residual limb of the user.

Abstract: A tilting angle detector detects a tilting angle of the power rollers which perform the transmission operation of a toroidal type infinitely variable transmission. Based on the detecting signal and a command value signal from command value selecting means for selecting a command value of the transmission ratio, control means controls the power rollers to tilt. In this control, correction means corrects at least one of the detecting signal of the tilting angle detector and the command value signal of the command value selecting means so that a relationship of the transmission ratio with respect to the tilting angle becomes linear, and thus the gain at each transmission ratio is made equal.

Abstract: A line launcher for launching a line spool provided with a length of line thereon toward a devised target comprising: a projectile or propelling means, generally a blank cartridge chamberable into a conventional marine flare pistol; a tubular housing with the line spool container therein; a lead ballasted end cap; a bored fore end cap; and an air spaced within the housing. One end of the line projects from the housing through the bored end cap and may be secure to a heavier line. Upon launching the device by discharge of the pistol, the line continuously uncoils from the line spool until it reaches the point of impact. A secure line is then provided between the point of impact and the securing point.

Abstract: By operating a Z direction position adjustment mechanism by a driving motor, a Z table movable in the X and Y directions can be moved in a Z direction while maintaining its horizontal condition. Vibrations caused in the Z table when the Z table is moved at a high speed in the X and Y directions are damped by vibration damping means provided between the Z table and a base bed fixed to a coarse adjustment table which is mounted on a base and driven in the X and Y directions. Improvement in the accuracy of positioning in the X and Y directions is achieved, as well as a vibration damping effect. A chuck holding member is formed on the table to hold a chuck by suction which in turn holds a mounted member by suction, thereby making the exchange of the chuck easy and preserving the parallelism of the upper surface of the chuck.

Abstract: A working fluid passage supplying a fixed flow rate is divided into passages so that a flow rate ratio between the two passages is varied by a variable orifice valve based on a detection signal of a physical quantity factor which varies depending on travelling and steering conditions of the vehicle. The working fluid from one of the two passages is supplied to a steering assisting force generating mechanism through a changeover valve which changes over the passages in accordance with a direction of steering torque acting on the input shaft steering the vehicle, to generate the steering assisting force. The working fluid from the other passage is supplied to a steering reaction force generating mechanism through the changeover valve, and by generating the steering reaction force to the input shaft, the steering force is controlled to an adequate condition corresponding to the physical quantity factor.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a stone column in the ground is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pair of concentric tubes (2,3) the inner one (2) of which is open at both ends, and at or near its lower end may be connected to the outer tube (3) by an outwardly extending wall portion (4). A driving plate (14) is attached at or close to the upper end of one of said inner and outer tubes, so as to extend around said one tube, so that the apparatus may be driven into or against the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the lower portion of the inner tube (2), the outwardly extending wall portion (4) and the lower portion of the outer tube (3) together define a cavity comprising an upper, relatively narrow portion (7) and a lower, relatively wide portion (9). A method of forming a stone column using the apparatus is also disclosed. After driving the apparatus into the ground, it is withdrawn in stages, after each of which a compacting force is applied in order to consolidate the stone column.

Abstract: A turbo compressor mounted upon a hollow box-like housing is provided with a noise suppressor which includes a rectangular open ended box-like structure suspended from the housing by flexible walled tubes which constitute an air inlet and an air outlet to the housing through which air flows to prevent heat build up within the housing. The suppressor walls are lined with a sound absorbent material which, combined with the non-rigid suspension of the suppressor from the housing and the non-linear air entrance and exit paths to and from the housing, suppresses sound generated by flow of high pressure air from the compressor into the housing through a shaft bearing. Noise generated by the flow of air into the compressor inlet is reduced by blocking the inlet with a block of porous foamed plastic material which also functions as an inlet filter.

Abstract: A laser interferometer wherein a laser beam emitted from a laser device at a fixed position impinges on an optical lens mounted on a movable member, and interference fringes are produced on a semitransparent mirror formed at an end of the optical lens opposite to the laser device. The interference fringes on the semitransparent mirror are converted to electrical signals by a photoelectric transducer including a bundle of optical fibers arranged along concentric circles and photodiodes located opposed to the end surface of the bundle of optical fibers. Based on the electrical signals from the photoelectric transducer, the number of the interference fringes passing by and the direction of movement of the interference fringes are detected to determine a relative distance between the laser device and the optical lens.

Abstract: A spot welding electrode and method of assembling the same. The electrode includes a cap having a hollow cavity with an open bottom end and a closed tip. A plurality of circumferentially spaced fins are formed interiorally in the cap and extend inward from the side wall of the cap. The upper ends of the fin meet and have a spherical domed shape. The bottom ends of the fins are spaced from the bottom end of the cap to form a coolant flow path within the electrode. A shoulder is formed on the bottom wall of the electrode and mates with and is joined to a complimentary formed shoulder on the upper end of a shank to mount the cap to the shank.

Abstract: A voice generating device has n input signal lines (wherein n denotes an integer of 2 or more), each of which receives an input signal, an n output signal lines, each of which generates an output signal corresponding to each of the input signals, and a preferential selection circuit which selects any one of said input signals according to a predetermined priority ranking commencing from the first to nth in order. The voice generating device successively scans each of the output signal lines one after another and generates a voice message corresponding to only the highest priority output signal.

Abstract: A manually operated convertible top structure for vehicles having a pivotal tonneau mounted rearward of the passenger compartment. The convertible top structure includes a pair of spaced rigid side rails which are interconnected by a plurality of spaced, transversely extending crossbows to form a frame work over which a flexible folding top is disposed. A pair of rear rails extending in a substantially upright orientation are pivotally mounted to the vehicle at one end and are connected by a control linkage to the side rails. The rearmost crossbow is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket attached to the vehicle. The side rails are pivotally connected to the frontmost crossbows for outward lateral movement as the top structure is lowered. An over-center lock formed of first and second links is pivotally connected between the rear rails and the rearmost crossbow for positively locking the rearmost crossbow on the tonneau when the convertible top structure is in its raised position.

Abstract: A spool valve for changing transmission ratio for a toroidal type infinitely variable transmission is composed of, a valve housing tightly attached to a fixed member and leaving internal fluid passages, a spool is disposed in the housing and is slidable in an axial direction so as to confront with the various fluid passages to control the supply of pressurized fluid, and a cam follower made as a discrete member from the spool is disposed between the spool and a cam face to reduce the amount of displacement of the spool. The relative position of the spool with respect to the fluid passages is changed by a transmission ratio setting means to prevent the valve housing itself from displacing during the transmission ratio controlling operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable hot beverage brewer comprised of three sections which bend along fold lines. One section further comprises a vertical fold line through its center. A filter is provided in registry with the inner faces of the three sections. Before use, the device folds flat. In use, it is opened into a triangular configuration which may be set on top of a mug or other container. Coffee, for example, is placed on the filter and hot water poured therethrough.

Abstract: A locating and latch down assembly device for a removable vehicle roof panel and a roof panel provided with such a device are disclosed. A tapering finger connector is mounted on the center of the rear edge of the roof panel and extends outwardly and inwardly therefrom. The tapering finger connector has a detent formed on a bottom face thereof which extends through the width. A tapering slot connector adapted to receive the finger connector is formed in the center of a rear edge of opening in the roof. A cylinder is mounted on the bottom face of the slot connector and extends laterally therethrough. The cylinder is adapted to engage the detent when the finger connector is inserted into the slot connector, thereby serving to align and latch the connectors to each other and the panel to the vehicle. The tapering slot connector may be formed in a roll bar extending along the rear edge of the roof opening.

Abstract: An antimicrobial sanitizing composition concentrate suitable for use in food preparation and handling equipment and capable of being diluted with a major amount of diluent and the resulting aqueous use solution. The concentrate containing:(a) a dicarboxylic acid having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon moiety having two carbon atoms; R' is a substituted or unsubstituted n-alkyl or n-alkenyl moeity having between about 6 and about 12 carbon atoms, and R" is a functional group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alcohols, amines and sulfates;(b) a solubilizer;(c) an acid capable of yielding a pH below about 5.0 upon dilution of the concentrate to a use solution; and(d) a diluent.

Abstract: An expansible object includes a body simulating in shape an animate object, such as an insect. The body has an access port formed in the center portion thereof and an internal pouch which extends substantially traversely over the inside of the body. A plurality of small objects are retained within the pouch, and a closure device is affixed to the access port for sealably retaining items contained within the pouch. In use, the expansible object may serve as a plaything, as an educational tool, as a storage device, or as a fashion accessory for retaining various items which are used in day-to-day living. The object, also, may include an illumination system for illuminating the interior thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a separable key holder comprising a holder body in which a pin is fitted on either side, each pin being provided with a ring-shaped element for the accommodation of keys. The holder body consists of two portions to be detachably coupled to each other, each of the portions carrying one of the pins. The two portions of the holder body are coupled to one another by a snap connection which can be released by an axial displacement of one of said pins in the respective portion of the holder body.

Abstract: A roof, or a portion of a roof, resiliently securable to a sub-structure (4) of a building, the roof or roof portion comprising:a panel (1);a strip (2) which is overlapped by and supports the panel (1) on at least a portion of the edge regions (3) thereof; andan intermediate layer (10) of a resilient sealing material which spaces the panel (1) from the strip (2) such that the panel (1) is capable of relative movement with respect to the strip (2) while sealing the panel (1) with respect to the strip (2).A method of providing a building with such a roof is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microphone senses a sound generated by the user clapping his hands and converts the sound into an electric signal which is applied to a flip-flop circuit to set the latter. The output of the flip-flop circuit is supplied through a time constant circuit to a drive and control circuit for operating a sound generating device having a reproducing stylus and a recorded disk. A reset signal producing circuit is provided to produce a reset signal for the flip-flop circuit when a second sound is sensed by the microphone within a predetermined time period set by the time constant circuit, thereby stopping the operation of the sound generating device.