Abstract: A composite protective rim for protecting a game paddle and the participants utilizing the game paddle is provided. The protective rim is for a game paddle having a handle and a blade for surrounding at least a portion of the periphery of the blade. The protective rim is comprised of a metal element having a projection extending therefrom to effect anchoring of the metal element to the blade portion of the paddle and a resilient bumper bonded to the metal element along the lengthwise extent thereof.

Abstract: A liquid crystal digital display electronic wristwatch wherein the digital display is driven at the same potential as the remaining elements comprising the electronic wristwatch is provided. The electronic wristwatch includes an oscillator circuit for producing a high frequency time standard signal and a divider circuit for producing low frequency timekeeping signals in response to the high frequency time standard signal. A decoder circuit produces decoded signals representative of present time in response to the timekeeping signals and a driver circuit in response to the decoded signals being applied thereto drives the liquid crystal digital display. A DC power source is adapted to produce and apply a predetermined potential to at least said oscillator circuit, divider circuit, decoder circuit and driver circuit and thereby operate said respective circuits having said predetermined potential applied thereto at the same potential.

Abstract: The efficiency of conversion of coal in the coal-gasification process is increased by pre-treatment of the coal to increase the fluid-permeability thereof. The reagent used for increasing the coal permeability is recoverable in high yield. Pre-treatment of bituminous coal by this process makes it possible to gasify coals of this rank effectively, such coals previously having been gasifiable only at low conversion efficiencies. Pre-treatment with a permeability-enhancing reagent is also useful as a step in the process of dissolving coal.

Abstract: The extent of lysis or red blood cells treated with a test solution containing a known or suspected agglutinating factor, and preferably with a lipid, serves for blood typing and cross matching, and, in addition for the detection and semi-quantitation of tumor factors and of viruses including myxoviruses (influenza, mumps) and adenoviruses (herpes), and of antibodies to such viruses. The method involves as one step the agglutination of erythrocytes (RBC) as well as lysis. Consequently, it is useful for detecting agglutinating factors. An apparatus for carrying out the method automatically is described.

Abstract: A charging circuit for charging a DC cell is provided. A supply circuit produces a charging current at a first selected value and a current gating circuit is disposed intermediate the DC cell and the supply circuit for selectively applying the charging current produced by the supply circuit to the DC cell. A control circuit is coupled to the DC cell and to the gating circuit, the control circuit being adapted to detect when the cell is charged to a predetermined maximum voltage, and in response thereto control the gating circuit to prevent the charging current from being supplied to the DC cell. The control circuit is further adapted in response to a drop in the voltage of the cell to a second predetermined level, to control the gating circuit and thereby permit a charging current of a second value reduced with respect to said first value to be applied to the DC cell.

Abstract: An on the fly optical card reader is provided for reading a card or badge bearing a predetermined number of digits of identifying data spaced in one direction along the card or badge. A guide mechanism guides the displacement of the card past an essentially slot-shaped optical sensing arrangement extending transversely relative to the path of the card and consisting of a light source on one side of the card and a plurality of light detectors on the other side of the card. A correspondingly slotted spring member biases portions of the card on opposite sides of said optical sensing arrangement in the direction of said light detectors. The device is adapted for temporary storage of the output of he optical sensing arrangement and transmission thereof upon detection of the proper passage of the card past the sensor.

Abstract: A toy aircraft flight simulator which may also be used to simulate combat flight situations. The device simulates directional and velocity changes of aircraft flight, aircraft firing at targets on the ground, anti-aircraft ground fire, and a complete "shooting down" of the aircraft.The flight simulator includes a display screen and a rotating drum which may be displaced axially having a translucent screen on its periphery. A light source movably mounted within the drum operates to project an aerial landscape image onto the display screen. A unitary control operates both the axial displacement of the drum and the movement of the light source.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having detecting and control circuitry for preventing a digital display from being driven by a DC energizing signal is provided. The detecting and controlling circuitry is coupled intermediate the decoder circuitry and driving circuitry in an electronic timepiece digital display arrangement and detects the presence or absence of an intermediate frequency signal being produced by the timekeeping circuitry and applied to the driver circuitry to effect AC driving of the digital display. In response to detecting the absence of an intermediate frequency signal applied to the driver circuitry, the detecting and controlling circuit prevents the decoder circuitry from applying to the driver circuitry decoded timekeeping signals for effecting driving of the digital display, and thereby prevents inadvertent DC driving of the digital display.

Abstract: Mufflers suitable for use with automobile engines include a main body closed at the forward and rear ends thereof by forward and rear end plates, an inlet pipe leading into the main body through an aperture in the forward end plate and an outlet pipe leading out of the main body through the rear end plate. Features in accordance with the present invention contributing to muffling of engine sound are a flared end on the upstream end of the outlet pipe, a porous covering of heat-resistant material over the downstream end of the inlet pipe, short-circuit holes in at least one of the pipes, a porous partition separating the interior of the main body into forward and rear chambers, and selected ratios of the lengths of the portions of the inlet and outlet pipes within the main body.

Abstract: An array of mirrors is positionable around the lens of a camera for use in combination with flash so that the illumination provided by the array is essentially parallel to and proximate a line from said lens to selected subject matter. This makes it possible to take photographs through an orifice such as the body orifices. The array is collapsible into planar form so that it can be stored in an envelope when not in use.

Abstract: A collapsible rocking toy is provided having a body portion constructed from a single blank of material folded in the shape of an inverted V and having arcuate lower ends. A base panel secured to the lower ends of the body panel is foldable upwardly along its centerline so that when the body portion is folded, the base panel will foldably nest within the body panel. The body portion includes an integral seat formed by score lines and has means for releasably securing a headpiece, tailpiece and strap.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece calendar circuit whereby the display of at least the date is automatically effected during both leap years and non-leap years is provided. The electronic timepiece calendar circuitry includes a date counter that is indexed by a count of one from a count of one to at least 31 and thereafter is returned to a count of one to begin counting the dates of the next month. A month counter is provided for being indexed by one through a count of one to at least 12 each time the date counter is returned to a count of one and further is adapted to produce a signal representative of the count thereof. A control circuit is provided for receiving the month signal produced by the month counter and in response thereto returns the count of the day counter to one when the count of the month counter is two and the date counter is changed from 28 to 29 or from 30 to 31 depending on whether a leap year signal is applied thereto.

Abstract: A waterproof watch case construction depends on gaskets alone for waterproofing and is free of cement. The construction is such that a broken crystal can be readily replaced, and the watch case itself can be of any shape, including square, ovoid and hexagonal, as well as circular. The watch crystal is located positively by means of a bezel and a ring which compress a gasket both axially and radially against the watch crystal.

Abstract: The operating life of an electrochromic display cell is greatly lengthened by incorporating a buffer in the electrochromic solution. The buffer prevents local changes in pH which are shown to be responsible for termination of the operability of electrochromic display cells after a limited number of display cycles.

Abstract: A garment hanger of the type having a garment carrying body, and a hook member which includes a member or portion contiguous the hanger body, the contiguous member serves to mount an indicia carrying tab. The hanger body, hook member and tab mounting member or portion may be molded in one piece. The indicia carrying tab is visible when a garment is hung on the hanger to disclose information about or relating to the garment to prospective purchasers, stock persons and others. The indicia carrying tab is removable and changeable, as desired.

Abstract: A horn loudspeaker construction wherein an integrated sound chamber and horn assembly is provided by two uniquely configured members that form a highly efficient horn loudspeaker capable of being utilized within a four-inch type electrical box. The horn loudspeaker includes a sound chamber for receiving a magnetic loudspeaker driving assembly and diaphragm. The sound chamber also includes a sound opening having a predetermined acoustic orientation. A first horn stage has a first opening acoustically coupled to the sound opening and is characterized by a flare rate that expands as the first horn stage extends away from the sound opening. The first stage includes an acoustical orientation at the output end that is at least 90.degree. disposed from the acoustical orientation of the sound opening.

Abstract: A one-piece lamp shade construction that is capable of being manufactured in a wide variety of styles. The lamp shade has a circumferential framework of wire mesh or perforated sheet stock and a layer of plastic forming the body of the shade. The plastic is molded from the inside of the pre-formed framework and extends through the openings in the framework thereby joining the framework to the plastic body. The invention is concerned with the lamp shade construction and method.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having circuitry for automatically adjusting the time rate by comparing same to a randomly selected reference, is provided. A timing rate circuit includes an oscillator for producing a high frequency time standard signal and a divider for producing a low frequency timekeeping signal. The divider includes a plurality of series-connected divider stages, each divider stage being adapted to produce an intermediate frequency signal. A counter is provided for receiving the low frequency timekeeping signal and producing an elapsed time signal representative of time counted thereby. The instant invention is particularly characterized by an error counter coupled to one of the divider stages for receiving an intermediate frequency signal produced thereby for a randomly selected reference period.

Abstract: A stitch shortening and tacking assembly for use in a sewing machine is provided. The shortening and tacking assembly is particularly suited for use with a sewing machine wherein a fabric is advanced between a presser foot and a platen disposed in a first feeding position by a reciprocating feeder that is synchronized with respect to a rib and sewing needle. The sewing needle is synchronized with respect to the feeder and rib to stitch the fabric after the web has been advanced by the feeder. The platen is adapted to be displaced from the feed position to a stitch shortening position whereby the web is advanced through a shorter interval between sewing operations to thereby shorten the length of each stitch effected thereby. The platen is further adapted to be displaced from the stitch shortening position to a stitch tacking position whereby a portion of the platen is biased against the presser foot to thereby prevent the fabric from being advanced between sewing operations.

Abstract: At least one screw means provided with an angular stepped neck by certain distance from the bearing surface of a screw head thereof is fastened firmly onto a metal plate having at least one opening of a shape corresponding to that of the stepped neck through the opening at the surface of a receiving means having at least one hole bored therethrough to insert a screw body of the screw means thereinto by pressing the stepped neck and the receiving means against each other to cause the stepped neck and the opening to be deformed plastically so that the metal plate is tightly clamped between the deformed stepped neck and the screw head to form the fastened assembly of the metal plate and the screw means.When fastening a plurality of screw means onto the metal plate, a receiving means having a plurality of holes corresponding to the screw bodies respectively is used for upsetting operation.