Abstract: A buffer system for TV receivers includes a cyclic storage device connectible to the demodulation circuits for continuously storing the audio and video signals last outputted thereby only over a predetemined time interval, enabling the viewer to jump-back to see a preceding portion of the TV broadcasts. In one described embodiment, the viewer normally sees the broadcasts in a real-time manner but may depress a button to see the broadcasts in a delayed-time manner via the cyclic storage device. In a second described embodiment, the viewer normally sees the broadcasts in a real-time manner, may depress a button to freeze a part of the broadcast in another storage device, and may later depress another button to play back the portion frozen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring temperature by subjecting, to the temperature to be measured, a light-transmissive body of a material whose dimensions change in response to temperature, directing first rays of light from a light source through a first path including a predetermined distance of travel through the light-transmissive body, simultaneously directing second rays of light from the light source through a second path, parallel to the first path and of a linear length equal to that of the first path, but not including the predetermined distance of travel through the light transmissive body, and measuring the change in phases between the first and second light rays at the ends of the first and second paths, to thereby provide a measurement of the temperature to which the light-transmissive body was subjected.

Abstract: A method of processing a file of recorded color separation values of color elements for use in preparing polychromatic printing plates in order to reduce or eliminate defects caused by misregistration by printing, includes the steps (a) defining a pluralitY of predetermined color types; (b) identifying the color pairs where there is a change in color between adjacent color elements; and (c) for each color pair, determining whether or not to make a frame according to first predetermined criteria based on specific combination of color types in the pair, and then according to second predetermined criteria based on the difference in luminance between corresponding color separations in the respective pair For those color pairs in which a frame is to be generated, the location of the frame is determined according to third predetermined criteria based on specific combinations of color types in the pair, and then according to fourth predetermined criteria based on the sum of the luminances of each color in the color

Abstract: A static, sector-type water sprinkler producing a variable-sector water-distribution pattern includes an outlet opening in the form of a helical slot having an effective length around the circumference of its housing which may be varied for preselecting the sector angle of the water distribution around the sprinkler, and a blocking member engageable with the inner surface of the housing on opposite sides of the slot to preselect the portion thereof to be unblocked and thereby the sector angle of the water distribution around the sprinkler.

Abstract: A panel includes a planar face layer formed by continuous extrusion, and a plurality of ribs extending longitudinally of the face layer and also formed by continuous extrusion. The ribs are hollow and have a height at least five times the thickness of the planar face layer. The ribs rigidify the panels in the transverse direction, and end caps are applied transversely to rigidify it in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A medication administering device includes a housing introducible into a body cavity and of a material insoluble in the body cavity fluids, but formed with an opening covered by a material which is soluble in body cavity fluids. A diaphragm divides the interior of the housing into a medication chamber including the opening, and a control chamber. An electrolytic cell in the control chamber generates a gas when electrical current is passed therethrough to deliver medication from the medication chamber through the opening into the body cavity at a rate controlled by the electrical current.

Abstract: A spring member includes a planar strip of elastic material formed with a plurality of spirally-extending slits at spaced locations to define a plurality of spirally-extending elements integrally formed with the strip. The spirally-extending elements are pressed out of the plane of the strip to produce a plurality of helically-extending springs integrally formed with the strip, each spring decreasing in diameter from the strip to the outer end of the spring. Also described is the use of such spring members in toothbrushes and keyboards. Further described are methods of making such a spring member and making brush heads including such spring members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exposing a substrate of relatively large surface area to radiation according to a predetermined pattern recorded on a mask, particularly useful in applying a painted border to an automobile windshield, includes the steps of progressively recording the predetermined pattern on a mask in the form of a continuous strip, and moving the radiation source to progressively scan the surface of the substrate with radiation, while at the same time moving the continuous strip mask relative to the radiation source, such that portions of the pattern on the continuous strip mask progressively become aligned with their corresponding portions of the substrate as the substrate is progressively scanned by the radiation source.

Abstract: An aircraft cabin construction includes a cart-storage compartment in the space between the ceiling of the passenger compartment and the upper fuselage wall for storing food-serving wheeled carts; and an elevator having a platform and a drive for lowering the carts from the cart-storage compartment to the deck of the passenger compartment, and for raising the carts from the deck to the cart-storage compartment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting deviation of an examined surface from a reference plane, by: generating first and second beams of radiation, directing the first beam along a first fixed path and focussing it at a first spot on the examined surface, directing the second beam along a second fixed path intersecting the first path at a point in the reference plane and focussing the second beam to a second spot on the examined surface, and detecting the deviation of the centers of the first and second spots with respect to the intersection point in the reference plane to provide an indication of the deviation of the examined surface from the reference plane.

Abstract: A dental flosser unit for flossing teeth includes a filament of high tensile strength terminating in thickened portions at its opposite ends. In the same described embodiments, each thickened end portion includes a ferrule enclosing and crimped to the respective filament end, and a plastic body enclosing the ferrule and the respective filament end. The filament preferably includes a plurality of threads of high tensile strength coated with a low-friction material. In another described embodiment, a plastic material is injection-molded onto each end of the filament at a temperature greater than 280.degree. C. to melt the coating and to bond directly to the threads. A further embodiment is described in which the thickened end portion is constituted of a two-part bead having complementary socket and plug formations for firmly clamping the filament.

Abstract: A watch includes an annular member, such as a bracelet, viewable graduation markings around its circumference graduated according to time; a pointer member on the circumference of the annular member and viewable with the graduation markings; and a drive for effecting relative movement between the pointer and the graduation markings at a predetermined uniform velocity such that the pointer indicates the time according to its location relative to the graduation markings on the circumference of the annular member.

Abstract: A projectile propelling system includes a gun barrel filled with a gaseous propulsive mixture, a projectile having a front cone wall and a rear cone wall, and a driver for initially propelling the projectile in the gun barrel to an initial velocity above the detonation velocity of the gaseous propulsive mixture to produce a shock wave at the front cone wall followed by a detonation wave resulting from the reflection of the shock wave inside the barrel, which detonation wave is applied to the rear cone wall to increase the velocity of the projectile. The front cone wall and rear cone wall of the projectile are such as to create a "mach stem" in the form of a disc normal to the longitudinal axis of the projectile, of sufficiently high pressure and temperature to ensure ignition of the gaseous propulsive mixture.

Abstract: A fog generator includes a reservoir for a liquid to be atomized, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed in spaced relation to each other in the reservoir so as to be submerged within the liquid therein, a gas inlet duct extending through the reservoir, and a dome-shaped deflector overlying, and of larger diameter than, the gas inlet duct to deflect the gas flowing through the duct back towards the reservor to pick up liquid atomized by the transducers.

Abstract: A method of measuring the distance of an examined surface from a reference plane, by: (a) directing a parallel beam of radiation along a first optical path in which the parallel beam is focussed as a spot on the examined surface and reflected therefrom; (b) converting the reflected beam to a parallel beam; (c) directing a part of the reflected parallel beam through a second optical path in which the spot is focussed on a surface of a first detector located such that the position of the spot on the first detector includes both drawback errors caused by variations in reflectivity, scattering, and/or interference in the examined surface; and a plane displacement error, representing the distance between the plane of the examined surface and the reference plane; (d) directing another part of the reflected parallel beam through a third optical path in which the spot is focussed on a surface of a second detector located such that the position of the spot on the second detector includes only the drawback errors; (e)

Abstract: A method and apparatus for concentrating the heat energy of a laser beam by directing the laser beam to an optical device, such as a planar mirror, located at a first focal point of a reflector having a curved surface approximating that of an ellipsoid. The optical device redirects the laser beam to the curved surface of the reflector which reflects and focusses it to a second focal point of the reflector. The optical device is driven to cause the laser beam to successively scan different portions of the curved surface of the reflector while the latter surface reflects the laser beam substantially to the second focal point where the object to be heated is located.

Abstract: A drip irrigation emitter includes an elastomeric membrane formed on one side with a recess having a flat bottom to define a thin wall section of substantially smaller thickness than the remainder of the elastomeric membrane, and with a flow-restrictor orifice centrally through the thin wall section and of much smaller cross-sectional area than that of the recess to produce a pressure drop in the fluid flowing therethrough to the emitter outlet opening. The membrane is deformable to enlarge or restrict the flow to the outlet opening in response to changes in the inlet pressure to thereby regulate the flow through the outlet opening.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle includes a frame having a pair of foot treadles mounted in side-by-side relation and depressible with respect to the frame; an overrunning clutch for each of the foot treadles and having a drive member coupled to its respective foot treadle and a driven member coupled to the drive wheel; and a planetary gear assembly for each of the overrunning clutches for coupling the drive member to the respective foot treadle such as to multiply, by a factor of at least two, the displacement of the clutch driven member by its respective foot treadle.

Abstract: An electrical actuator for actuating a valve or other device includes an electrical motor rotating a rotary member and centrifugal body. The centrifugal body is mounted to the rotary member and is biased to normally assume an inner position with respect to the rotary axis of the rotary member, and to move to an outer position by centrifugal force when the rotary member rotates. An actuator pin is normally biased to a non-actuating position but is movable to an actuating position, to actuate a valve or other device, when the centrifugal body is moved to its outer position by centrifugal force upon the rotation of the rotary member by the electric motor.

Abstract: An FM receiver includes an FM discriminator having a comparator for converting the FM signal to a series of discrete square-wave pulses all of the same amplitude and of a repetition rate varying with the frequency of the FM signals; and an integrator circuit which integrates the series of monopolar square-wave pulses to produce an output signal having an amplitude varying with the repetition rate of the square-wave pulses. Also described are FM stero systems including the above FM discriminator in its audio channels.