Abstract: A hose coupling or pipe connection (10) has detachable parts (20, 22) which are releasably locked together by two U-shaped cotter pins or locking staples (18) in accordance with the invention, the cotter pins or locking staples being of laminated form and comprising two or more joined-together leaves or plies (26, 28).

Abstract: An article and method for its manufacture are described. The article is preferably a ladle used in the manufacture of metals and receives molten metal for further chemical processing in the ladle or for transportation. the ladle is transparent to a wide range of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths which allows the metal to be heated or stirred by induction without heating the ladle itself. The ladle is made of glass fibers and an inorganic cement, and this provides strength along with high temperature resistance. The article is manufactured by winding glass fiber around a mandrel, the glass fiber having an inorganic cement adhered to it. In one technique, the cement is provided on the fiber as an aqueous slurry, and the product is allowed to air cure after winding. In a second technique, the cement is adhered to the fiber by electrostatic attraction.

Abstract: A control signal synchronized to a digital video signal to be processed and defining the position of a rectilinear line (51,52,53,54) relatively to the image frame (50) is generated by providing an initial value corresponding to the perpendicular distance of the origin (0) of the scanning point of the video raster from the line (51,52,53,54) and incrementing or decrementing this value during movement of the scanning point in accordance with the rates of change of this distance in the horizontal and vertical directions. By logically combining the signals corresponding to a plurality of lines (52,52,53,54) a further signal is obtained which is "true" when the scanning point is within a geometric figure defined by the lines. This signal can provide a "key" signal controlling the display within the figure of image information to be combined with the video signal.

Abstract: An electric resistance welding method for welding zinc plated steel plates is disclosed. The zinc plated steel plates having at least one surface covered with a plating layer composed of mainly zinc can be welded by the present invention efficiently while overlapping said plating layers, because a material for increasing the resistance between the zinc plated steel plates is employed in the present invention, and it is either spreaded, coated or bonded on the surface of said plating layers to be joined beforehand. Thus, the electric resistance of zinc plated steel plates can be performed by a lower electric current in a shorter time without deteriorating the anti-corrosion property of zinc plated steel plates, because the electric resistance between the steel plates has been increased by such a material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the preparation of multicolor, multidensity and/or multithermoplastic foam and products composed thereof. Heat-plastified foamable gels of a thermoplastic resin or resins containing blowing agents are combined and extruded simultaneously through the same orifice of a die and expanded into a foam.The color, density and/or thermoplastic resin of the secondary foamed gel or gels can form a multitude of patterns or shapes that include waves, diagonals, stripes and/or continuous coverage over the entire surface of the primary foamed gel. These patterns or shapes can be on the surface and/or within the cross-section of the primary foamed gel.

Abstract: A gas cooking appliance for cooking chow mein, pan cakes or the like on a hot plate mounted thereon, which cooking appliance includes a pulse combustion burner installed within an internal compartment of the appliance and having a combustion chamber coupled with a bottom portion of the hot plate to take place pulse combustion of a mixture of gaseous fuel and air supplied thereinto, wherein the hot plate is in the form of a thick metallic plate formed therein with a tailpipe passage which is connected at one end thereof to an exhaust port of the combustion chamber and extends outwardly through the metallic plate to permit the flow of combustion products discharged therethrough from said combustion chamber.

Abstract: A video image processing system for generating so-called "multi-freeze" digital video effects comprises a frame store (14) within which an image signal can be stored for application to a combining circuit (4) together with a background image signal (1) providing a background against which a trail of frozen images is to be displayed. The trail of images is derived by recycling images stored in the memory (14) through a further combining circuit (19) wherein the stored image is combined with incoming image signals applied to both combining means (4,19). Decay and patterning of the frozen images can be effected by circuits (24,25) for attenuating and profiling the key signals accompanying the image signals.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a fixed holder and an orientable holder. The fixed holder is mounted to a cutting drum, and the orientable holder receives a cutting bit which may either be a forward attack bit or a conical bit. Orientation of the bit is accomplished by alignment of the orientable holder with respect to the fixed holder and by alignment of the bit with respect to the orientable holder. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed holder includes a block and liner, and the liner may assume either of two positions with respect to the block. The orientable holder includes passages and grooves for allowing a spray jet and hose to be received in the orientable holder to spray liquid on the cutting bit. The cutting surface of the bit includes two separate cutting tips, and the bit may be oriented to engage either tip with the material to be cut.

Abstract: A vehicle usable in the air, on water, or on ground is described. Outer wing portions are connected to a central portion by a mechanism which allows the outer wing portions to pivot about first axes for placing the outer wing portions in stored positions. The outer wing portions are also rotatable about a second axis for placing them in positions whereby they are useful as sails for driving the vehicle without the use of an engine. The wheels are capable of being pivoted to non-positions.

Abstract: A safety platform for a ladder comprises a foot platform which engages a lower rung of the ladder and brackets for being secured to an upper rung of the ladder to support the platform. A locking means is provided on the foot platform for securely engaging a lower rung of the ladder to prevent movement of the foot platform. Arcuate elements which engage an upper rung of the ladder are provided with set screws for clamping them to the upper rung also to provide stability for the foot platform.

Abstract: Stainless steels possessing a superior cold workability and hot workability, which are yet economical. The stainless steels comprise not more than 0.04% carbon, not more than 0.60% silicon, 2.2-3.8% manganese, 2.5-4.0% copper, 6-8% nickel, 17-19% chromium, and the remainder being iron together with impurities. And, not more than 0.002% sulfur is decreased to provide stainless steels which possess superior corrosion resistance, and not more than 0.010% nitrogen are decreased in the stainless steels as required.

Abstract: A boot for a foreleg of a horse is used in the treatment of injuries in the horse's leg. The boot includes an envelope of leather which is wrapped about the leg and secured by straps. The envelope has a flap which forms a pocket for receiving a strengthening spline. A variety of splines are provided to allow various stiffnesses to be used in the treatment of the injury.

Abstract: A process for ion nitriding aluminum material which comprises the steps of placing an object of aluminum or aluminum alloy for treatment in a closed vessel; evacuating residual oxygen gas from said closed vessel; charging said closed vessel with a heating gas and inducing discharges in said closed vessel, thereby heating the surface of the object for treatment to a prescribed nitriding temperature; charging said closed vessel with a surface-roughening gas composed of a rare gas and 5-2000 ppm of a gas containing at least one element of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon, and roughening the surface of the object for treatment by means of glow discharges or ion beams in the atmosphere of said surface roughening gas; and charging said closed vessel with a nitriding gas and simultaneously inducing glow discharges in said closed vessel, thereby forming a nitride layer on the surface of the object for treatment.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring concentration of a dissolved substance are disclosed. In accordance with the method, measurements are made with two instruments having different permeability characteristics to obtain two readings, and these readings are corrected in accordance with a pre-determined relationship. The apparatus provides an electrochemical cell wherein a common anode is surrounded by closely-spaced cathodes. The cathodes are in at least two groups, wherein the first group has a first response characteristic to the dissolved substance and the second group has a second response characteristic. In the preferred embodiment, the two characterisitcs are produced by providing different distances between a substance-selective membrane and respective cathodes. In one embodiment, the cathodes are annular and surround the anode at different radii, while in another embodiment the cathodes are discrete and are spaced from the anode by equal distances.

Abstract: A sharpening stone holding device is for supporting a plurality of sharpening stones. The device is adjustable for holding stones of different lengths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved cap for swimming pool coping of the type incorporating a bead retainer for a circumscribing bead of a pool cover. The cap comprises a longitudinally extending body having securing means to releasably secure the cap to the coping. A groove longitudinally extends in the front of the cap for releasably securing the pool cover bead and means on the entrance to the groove for releasably retaining therein a plug strip whereby water and debris are blocked from entering the groove. The groove may alternatively releasably receive the bead of the pool cover, or hold therein a plug a strip means or a strip light means, the latter preferably made of fibre optic cable to light the periphery of the pool for safety at night.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooking food in a convention oven having a conveyor includes a ventless exhaust system in which a fan pulls heated air through a filter system including an aluminum filter, an electrostatic precipitator and a charcoal filter. Cleaned air may be recirculated within the building space in which the oven is located.