Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reading information from a record with the aid of a plurality of electrically controlled light gates illuminate the light gates with light of a first intensity above zero light intensity and precondition the light gates to subsequent opening in response to electric control signals by electrically biasing the light gates to an initially open condition wherein the gates pass light from the illumination at an intensity above zero light intensity and below a second intensity lower than the first intensity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing a length of web push the web from such length into a coiled form, whereby adhesion tends to develop between turns of the web in the coiled form, effectively limiting attainable minimum web coil diameter. According to the invention, such adhesion is broken up at least intermittently and web is continued to be pushed into the coiled form to reduce the web coil diameter and accommodate the entire length of web in the coiled form. The mentioned breaking up may include changing static friction between turns of the web to dynamic friction and/or shaking the turns of the web at least intermittently. Where a curved recipient is employed for prompting the web into a coiled form, an electromagnetic vibrator having a plunger acting on the curved recipient at least intermittently may be employed. An aspect of the invention imposes on the web a curl assisting coiling thereof in a housing.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprises a tiltably mounted container having a liquid permeable filter bottom, a wall opposite such bottom, and an inverted neck extending inwardly from that opposite wall. A power shaft extends through the inverted neck into the container and carries a mixing implement in the container. A guide bearing for the power shaft is located in the inverted neck. A drive for the mixing implement is supported on the container wall opposite the filter bottom for driving the power shaft. A lifting mechanism connected to said power shaft is also supported by that opposite wall for axially displacing the power shaft and mixing implement in said container. A support bearing at one side of the container and the frame has an apertured part rotatable with the tiltable container. Conduits are conducted through the apertured part for angular movement with the container, thereby avoiding a tangling of lines.

Abstract: Bidirectional tape drive systems have first and second tape drive capstans and first and second tape drives for rotating, respectively, the first and second tape drive capstans. The first capstan is angularly movable relative to the first capstan drive and a first elastic coupling restrains relative angular movement between the first capstan and the first capstan drive. Similarly, the second capstan is angularly movable relative to the second capstan drive and a second elastic coupling restrains relative angular movement between the second capstan and the second capstan drive. In this manner, tape tension is maintained above zero when the bidirectional tape drive changes directions, and excessive tension upon application of the tape assembly to the tape drive is avoided, while tape slack upon removal of the tape assembly from the tape drive is automatically taken up.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for guiding an advancing tape in either one of two opposite directions employ a hollow tape guide member, a post through such hollow tape guide member, a sleeve around such post inside the hollow tape guide member, and a tape guide surface at an end of the tape guide member peripherally thereof and at an angle thereto. A fulcrum extends circumferentially around the post at a predetermined location offset in a direction away from the tape guide surface from a central location corresponding to a longitudinal center line of the tape, for supporting the sleeve for omnidirectional tilting motion relative to a plane intersecting the post at the predetermined location. The hollow tape guide member is mounted on the sleeve with spaced bearings located at opposite sides of the mentioned plane, for rotation about the post and tilting motion with the sleeve.

Abstract: A shift lever handle structure and equipping method operates with a shift lever having on top thereof a shift range selector having pneumatic lines connected thereto. A handle for the shift lever extends above the shift range selector across thereof. This handle is provided with a bent stem having an elongate foot facing away from a midportion of the elongate handle. This elongate foot is oriented parallel to the shift lever and such parallel foot is attached to a side of the shift lever below the shift range selector, with the handle then extending above the shift range selector across thereof, as desired, and the pneumatic lines remaining intact.

Abstract: Apparatus for milling building blocks comprise a first arrangement for milling said blocks at a first side thereof, and a second arrangement for milling said blocks at a second side thereof. Apparatus are located between the mentioned first and second arrangements for accelerating the blocks after their milling at the first side. Apparatus further are located between one of the mentioned first and second arrangements and the accelerating apparatus, for turning the blocks for their milling at a second side thereof by 180.degree. about an axis extending parallel to the direction of transportation of the blocks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for driving a tape relative to a slant track recording scanner or other surface employ an electric motor or a capstan rotating in a first sense of rotation for an advancement of the tape. The advancing tape is tensioned into engagement with the surface. The motor is selectively decelerated to stop the tensioned tape. In practice, this could bind the tape to the particular surface, rendering subsequent tape advancement difficult. The disclosed invention thus slackens the tensioned tape from the surface by rotating the motor or the capstan in a second sense of rotation opposite to the mentioned first sense of rotation upon deceleration of the motor or capstan. The back EMF of the decelerating motor may be utilized for this purpose. The electric motor or capstan is stopped upon slackening of the tape from the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-contained apparatus used for constant pressure sampling of gaseous beverages especially during fermentation.The apparatus is provided with a tripod (3) and grip frame (15) with a stand for the sampling container (20) and for an inert gas bottle.In the upper part, a distribution-head has two inlet-taps (23 and 24), a pressure-tap (35), and a closing member with an injection cannula (21).Moreover, the apparatus comprises between the distribution-head (16) and the pressure-tap (35) an element (38) for adjusting the flow of the evacuating system, being operated by the pressure-tap.

Abstract: A panel grooving apparatus has a table for supporting a panel at a working level. A rail extends along a side of the table and a working assembly is mobile on that rail. The working assembly is selectively immobilized in various grooving positions by stops movable and selectively arrestable along the rail and engageable by part of said working assembly. The panel is releasably retained on the table by movable peripheral elements thereon. In a simplified embodiment, the working table may be reduced to a ruler on which a shoe of a rectilinear guide slides.

Abstract: A shaped hollow building block suitable for lining bank slopes at the ground water level has a face wall in the form of a shield standing perpendicularly to a base wall, includes on both sides a margin projecting relative to side walls and has a height greater than that of the side walls. The side walls and the base wall jointly form an elongate trough in a direction normal to the face wall. The shaped block includes two compartments separated by a transverse wall extending parallel to the face wall in the trough and includes reinforcing walls projecting outwardly from the side walls. A building block for walls which are laid in courses without mortar and can be stabilized by planting, has a face wall, two domed side walls, and a base wall having rounded transition sections to the face wall and to the side walls.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for releasably retaining any one of several tubular objects of different lengths between first and second retention members provide a rod insertable into any one of said tubular objects and a carriage slidable along that rod. The lengths of the rods are grouped into a plurality of different ranges of lengths. Stepped adjustment of the position of the carriage and second retention member to any of the ranges of lengths is provided for by means of a bayonet joint arrangement having as many distinct first bayonet joint portions as there are ranges of length, and having a second bayonet joint portion common to and interfitting with each of said first bayonet joint portions and being connected to the carriage. The first and second retention members are supported on the rod and on the carriage, respectively.

Abstract: A stress distribution plate, such as a diaphragm for a pressure transducer, has a central plane and a neutral stress plane. According to the invention, the neutral stress plane is displaced from the central plane, providing for a mechanical advantage or amplification in the operation of the stress plate or transducer. The stress plate or diaphragm may be provided with a lacunose surface region or with a predetermined and preferably symmetrical pattern of mesas and recesses for a displacement of the neutral stress plane relative to the central plane.

Abstract: A liquid reservoir has a rectangular shell in which crossed first and second partitions form first, second, third and fourth rectangular liquid chambers. The partitions are impervious between the first and fourth chambers and apertured between the first and second, second and third, and third and fourth chambers. Liquid flows serially through the first, second, third and fourth chambers via the apertured partitions and such flowing liquid is subjected to a heat exchange in the first, second, third and fourth chambers.

Abstract: A diaphragm and a first tubular member are combined into a one-piece transducer diaphragm element by electron beam welding. The first tubular member is formed as a first heat sink contacting one major surface of the diaphragm. A second tubular member is provided as a second heat sink in contact with the opposite major surface of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is sandwiched between the first and second tubular members into a composite structure laterally delimited by the peripheries of the diaphragm and the first and second tubular members. Ends of the first and second tubular members and a peripheral portion of the diaphragm are welded with an electron beam into a fillet-type welding joint monolitically unifying the diaphragm and first and second tubular members. Heat is axially removed from the diaphragm through the mentioned first and second heat sinks during the electron beam welding.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for handling a compatible solution relative to a circulatory system of a living organism employ a recipient device having a circular cavity tending to retain gas bubbles. A pocket communicating with an opening for injecting the compatible solution is provided in the circular cavity. A unidirectional jet of the injected solution is formed by blocking flow of the injected solution at a closed end of the pocket, thereby forming a pressure head in the pocket. The injected solution is then ejected through an outlet of the pocket and is swept in a swirling motion along a boundary of the cavity, thereby wiping gas bubbles from such boundary, for bleeding to atmosphere.

Abstract: A device (1) for holding X-ray film (2) during the taking of radiographs of patients' teeth with X-rays emanating from a cone (13) of an X-ray source has a bite wing (3) extending in a horizontal center plane perpendicularly to an X-ray film plane, for retention of the device by patients' teeth. An X-ray film holder is carried by the bite wing for retaining X-ray film centered relative to the horizontal center plane and alternatively vertically offset from that horizontal center plane. A guide rod (5) is connected laterally to the bite wing and extends in the horizontal center plane perpendicularly away from the X-ray plane, for guidance of X-ray cone. An aiming rod (7) extends in a vertical center plane of the centered and the vertically offset X-ray film. A transverse rod (6) extends in the horizontal center plane from the guide rod to the aiming rod, for mounting that aiming rod (7) at a distance from the bite wing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transporting a sheet first toward and then along a registration edge provide a support for the sheet having a sheet support surface adjacent the registration edge and a first drive wheel rotatable about a first axis for driving the sheet on the support surface. A second drive wheel rotatable about a second axis extending at right angles to the support surface is provided at the first drive wheel. Such first wheel is initially positioned at an angle to the registration edge and is rotated with the second wheel through a third wheel about the first axis, with the sheet being brought into peripheral engagement with the first drive wheel to transport the sheet on its support surface to the registration edge. The third wheel with the first wheel is then swiveled about the second axis and about the second wheel, toward parallel relationship with the registration edge.

Abstract: A hollow-cylindrical member, such as a reel, is releasably retained on a rotatable hub against forces tending to loosen the reel. To this end, a plurality of locking keys are inserted into corresponding axial slots in the reel at the inside thereof. These locking keys are first driven up corresponding ramps on the hub into engagement with the inside of the reel at corresponding slots. After such engagement, and during rotation of the hub and reel, the locking keys are continously biased or further urged into their corresponding slots in order to inhibit any looseness between the releasably retained reel and the rotating hub. By way of example, tape reels of large size and mass may thus be securely retained against strong inertial forces occasioned particularly during rapid reversals of the reel rotation as occurring, for instance, in modern instrumentation tape recording and data processing machines.