Abstract: A people entertainment method provides a sound-emissive, tear-resistant sheet of material, bends that sound-emissive sheet of material into a loop and attaches that loop to a handle. Users may then hold the handle and shake that handle and thereby the loop intensively to excite the bent sheet into sound emission. Streamer elements may be connected to the handle which is shook intensively to excite the bent sheet into sound emission accompanied by shaking streamer elements. There further may be provided on the sound-emissive, tear-resistant sheet of material, a message visually perceptible by people being entertained and related to an aspect of the practiced people entertainment. People's attention may then be drawn to that message by exciting the bent sheet into sound emission through the shaking of the handle and thereby of the loop on which the message is provided.

Abstract: A differential pressure transducer has a first pressure chamber, defined by a first chip having a reduced-thickness first pressure-sensitive diaphragm on one side of that pressure chamber, and a second chip having a reduced-thickness second pressure-sensitive diaphragm on another side of that pressure chamber. A first pressure port communicates with that first diaphragm on a side opposite the first pressure chamber and a second pressure port is coupled to the first pressure chamber. A second pressure chamber is on a side of the second diaphragm opposite the first pressure chamber. Sensors are at the first diaphragm for measuring differential pressure between said first and second ports and at the second diaphragm for measuring differential pressure between said first and second pressure chambers. An aperture may extend through one of the chips in a region spaced from its pressure-sensitive diaphragm, which may therethrough be coupled to the second pressure port.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cartridge is adapted for use in a magnetic tape cassette in lieu of a tape supply reel, such cassette also having a takeup reel for use of that cassette, after reception of the cartridge therein, in apparatus designed to receive magnetic tape in a two-reel-type cassette for transducing magnetic signals relative thereto. A single reel for the tape is in the cartridge, and a tape coupling device is on the magnetic tape at the cartridge for connection of the magnetic tape from the cartridge to the takeup reel. A coupling is on the cassette for interconnection of the magnetic tape from the cartridge via the coupling device to the takeup reel upon insertion of the cartridge loaded with the magnetic tape into the cassette in lieu of a tape supply reel.

Abstract: In order to render honeycomb tables with apertured table leaves clean-room compatible, sealing sheets are provided with projections corresponding in number and location to apertures in the table leaves and projecting into cells of honeycomb cores for a distance being several times smaller than the depth of such cores. These sealing sheets and their projections seal the honeycomb cells against the table leaf apertures inside the table leaves. Debris and lubricant residues accumulate inside these projections during provision of the table leaf apertures and are removed through these apertures preparatory to use of each honeycomb table in a clean room. The apertures are structured for receiving fasteners for attaching objects to the honeycomb tables. A load-bearing sealing structure may be molded from a sealing sheet or may otherwise be provided with cavities situated like the above mentioned projections.

Abstract: A neutral density filter is made by providing a substrate including a volume absorber having a first density and having an uneven first attenuation characteristic, and providing for a substantially constant attenuation of light by depositing on a backside of the volume absorber a thin-film attenuator having light reflective properties attenuated by the volume attenuator, having a second density and a second attenuation characteristic substantially complementing the first attenuation characteristic to provide the neutral density filter with a substantially constant attenuation at a density substantially equal to the first and second densities. The volume absorber and thin film attenuator are positioned so that incoming light first traverses the volume absorber and then the thin-film attenuator. An antireflection coating may be deposited on a front side of the volume absorber.

Abstract: An electronic equipment rack including a horizontal frame member and a vertical frame member is braced against earthquake damage by means of a metal gusset having a first leg fitting against the horizontal frame member to extend along part of that horizontal frame member, a second leg fitting against the vertical frame member for a first part of that second leg to extend along part of that vertical frame member, a third leg spaced from and extending in parallel to a second part of the second leg, and a fourth leg extending between the second and third legs to abut against another part of the vertical frame member. Solid metal is carried from the vertical frame member to the horizontal frame member by intimately connecting the gusset to the vertical and horizontal frame members.

Abstract: Isolating a load from a source of vibrations includes detecting vibrations from that source, and controlling a displacement transducer stage with these detected vibrations through a feedforward loop. Isolation is increased with a resilient mount between the displacement transducer stage and the load. Residual movements of the load may be detected and the displacement transducer stage may additionally be controlled with these detected residual movements through a feedback loop.

Abstract: Monitoring an electric power distribution circuit having a rated load capacity includes continually sensing an intensity of electric power supplied through that circuit. In response to that sensing a first signal indicating when electric power is supplied through that circuit at a predetermined maximum current usage below rated load capacity is provided. A second signal indicating a safe loading condition is provided when the sensed intensity is substantially below that maximum current usage. A third signal is provided when the mentioned intensity is at a value between the safe loading condition and the maximum current usage.

Abstract: An interconnection of a first tape with a second tape has a first joint permitting angular movement of the first tape relative to a remainder of the interconnection about a first axis, and a second joint permitting angular movement of the second tape relative to a further remainder of the interconnection about a second axis parallel to the first axis. A stabilizing member is between the first and second joints. The interconnection is rendered disconnectable along the first axis extending through the first joint.

Abstract: A baffle for a tubular structure of at least two pairs of spaced tubes comprises a first baffle sheet having two portions curved in accommodation of spaced tubes in one of the pairs, and a second baffle sheet having another two portions curved in accommodation of spaced tubes in the other of the pairs when said baffle is inserted in between these two pairs of spaced tubes. These first and second baffle sheets are structurally interconnected and biased away from each other for self-clamping retention between the two pairs of spaced tubes. The first and second baffle sheets preferably are spaced from each other for their clearing corresponding spaced tubes when they are moved toward each other against the above menbtioned bias for an insertion in between the pairs of spaced tubes.

Abstract: A theft-resistant fastener system includes a rotatable wrench adapted to engage a head portion of a fastener and to rotate that fastener and head portion about a fastener axis. The wrench and fastener jointly have at least three ball-and-socket joints distributed about the fastener axis. Each of these ball-and-socket joints has a ball in the wrench and a socket in the head portion of the fastener, with each socket being provided with a circular cross-section about a socket axis extending at an acute angle to the fastener axis. The wrench has a releasable actuator for pressing the balls into the sockets preparatory to and during rotation of the wrench about the fastener axis. The head portion of the fastener is prevented from clearing the balls, when the actuator presses these balls into the sockets, by providing that head portion at each socket with an overhang extending over part of the ball in that socket.

Abstract: Data records provided by thermal recording heads, including a plurality of clocked heating elements, are controlled in density by continually storing for each of such heating elements a present moment recording datum and further recording data including a one-clock-interval-old recording datum and a two-clock-interval-old recording datum for the particular heating element, and by continually generating for each heating element from the present moment recording datum to be recorded a first dot recording energization quantum and for each of the further dot recording data having been printed a dot recording energization pause and for each blank value of such further dot recording data a further dot recording energization quantum.

Abstract: Tubs are supplied with hot water through a water circulation system including a pump, an elongate electric flow-through heater, a water filter and piping connecting that pump, elongate flow-through heater and water filter in series in that water circulation system. The pump, elongate flow-through heater and piping are arranged in a horizontal plane so that water flow passages in that piping, in the elongate flow-through heater and in the pump are intersected by that horizontal plane extending along directions of water flow in the mentioned water flow passages. The pump may be provided with a water inlet and a water outlet both lying in the same horizontal plane as the elongate flow-through heater and piping. The pump also may be provided with an axis of rotation, and even with an electric drive motor, extending in that horizontal plane. The elongate flow-through heater may be provided with an elongate structure molded of an electrically insulating synthetic resin for housing an electric heating element.

Abstract: This magnetic tape cassette system is usable in video and other tape cassette recorders, playback machines or other apparatus designed to receive magnetic tape from a two-reel-type cassette for transducing signals relative thereto. The tape has a first tape coupling device and is loaded into a one-reel-type cartridge. The cassette has a takeup reel which has attached thereto a second tape coupling device interconnectable with the first tape coupling device. The cassette has a space for receiving the loaded cartridge in lieu of a tape supply reel and for interconnection of the first and second tape coupling devices upon insertion of the loaded cartridge into that cassette space.

Abstract: When selecting a coordinate grid pattern within which to record data on a chart, a line of such grid pattern is selected as a reference line recordable by one of the elements of a recording head. A reference level corresponding to that reference line is provided. One heating element is ranked in terms of position across the thermal recording head. A discrepancy in ranking between that one heating element and a heating element of the recording head with which the reference level is recorded on the chart is noted. A shifting in ranking pursuant to such a noted discrepancy is effected until the heating element with which the reference level is recorded and the above mentioned one heating element with which the reference line of the grid pattern is recorded have become identical.

Abstract: Information is recorded with one or more elongate thermal recording heads on a recording medium advancing at least intermittently on a recording medium support. Such recording head or heads are being pressed against the recording medium at the recording medium support by at least two biasing devices spaced along such elongate thermal recording head or heads. These two biasing devices are balanced relative to each other opposite the elongate thermal recording head or heads, as seen from the recording medium support. Different characteristics of the biasing devices are thus compensated opposite the elongate thermal recording head or heads, as seen from said recording medium support. Forces acting at one end of an elongate thermal recording head, or acting on one of the recording heads, against either of the biasing devices are transmitted via both biasing devices to an opposite end of that elongate thermal recording head or to the other of two elongate thermal recording heads.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a plug having an elongate prong releasably received in a hollow receptacle and retained for electrical contact by a retainer. An improvement of that electrical contact is achieved by tensioning the prong in the receptacle against the retainer. A spring may be tensioned for that purpose in the receptacle between that receptacle and the prong.

Abstract: An outdoor heating appliance includes a top structure having a top surface, a stationary airfoil, and exhaust openings for flue products. The operation of the heating appliance is rendered wind resistant by generating with the stationary airfoil, in a region above the top surface and in repsonse to wind, an air pressure lower than an air pressure of that wind, and by locating the exhaust openings in that region, whereby the flue products are exhausted from the outdoor heating appliance by the wind. An inlet opening may be provided below the top surface at the airfoil for receiving part of the wind, in order to sustain combustion and generate inside the heating appliance positive pressure toward the exhaust openings by guiding air from the received part of the wind through a channel to a burner in the heating appliance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining susceptibility of a material to a field, such as magnetic susceptibility, provide an elastic support for a sample of that material, and an electric tunneling current through a gap between an electrode and that elastic support. That gap is varied with a magnetic or other field applied to the sample on the elastic support to effect corresponding tunneling current variations or variations in an electrical property of the gap. Magnetic susceptibility of the sample, or other susceptibility of the sample to the applied field, is determined in response to these variations.

Abstract: An aim assistance light beam is provided for a firearm having a barrel and a movable fore-end assembly for loading shells and actuating a firearm action. A lamp and reflector throws that light beam upon electric energization of a lamp in the lamp and reflector assembly. A battery housing for mounting that lamp and reflector assembly is below the barrel and is in the form of a hand grip for manual actuation of the fore-end assembly. That battery housing is mounted on the fore-end assembly for manual actuation of the fore-end assembly with that battery housing which also contains the battery for electrically energizing the lamp.