Abstract: An apparatus provides a signal for operating a display device to display combined video and graphics images in plural, selectable scene formats. The apparatus permits selection of a scene format containing an image and has respective sources providing video and graphics image signals. Based upon a selected scene format and the graphics image signal, the apparatus determines when, during display of the scene, an image is to be displayed, and selects from the video and graphics image signals to provide a display signal whose characteristics are based upon the selected image signal. The selectable formats include one displaying a video image alone, one displaying a graphics image superimposed on a video image, one including a graphics image embedded in a predetermined background, and one corresponding to a uniform foreground which curtains an image behind it.

Abstract: A denture includes an upper and lower row of teeth, with a continuous chewing bar embedded along the buccal cusps of at least part of the lower row. Insert members are embedded in the opposed occlusal faces of teeth in the upper row, and are shaped to form arches or indents against which the chewing bar travels on articulation of the denture to create a scissors action.

Abstract: A geothermal turbine for converting the energy of two-phase geothermal fluids to rotary power includes a housing having a generally cylindrical rotor chamber with a circular manifold, and a plurality of peripheral nozzles for communicating fluid to the rotor chamber, and a rotor mounted coaxially within the chamber incuding a plurality of converging overlapping blades mounted around a central hub and positioned within the rotor for engagement by fluid from the nozzles.

Abstract: A bistatic VHF Doppler radar is utilized to detect and track one or more intruders crossing a large annular ring surveilance zone surrounding a central high security installation. A central omni-directional transmitter radiates the surveillance zone with a continuous wave (CW) signal. Predetermined ones of a plurality of receiver antennas circumferentially spaced around the surveillance zone receive a portion of the signal which is reflected by an intruder crossing the surveillance zone and a portion of the signal which is directly radiated from the transmitter antenna. The reflected signal portion may be received by antenna arrays each of which is controlled to form a null in its pattern toward the transmitter antenna to overcome direct signal overload. The direct signal portion may be received by stub antennas. Each antenna array and each stub antenna is connected to a separate channel of a dual channel receiver.

Abstract: A beverage container cooler comprises an outer container and an inner container co-axially mounted within the outer container for receiving a single beverage container such as a bererage containing can in a sleeve-like fashion. The spacing between the opposed inner and outer surfaces of the containers comprises a coolant chamber for receiving ice, for example, to keep the beverage in the container cool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying continuous output power from at least one of two sources of input power. A rectifier circuit rectifies an AC current from an AC power source into a DC current. A first sensing circuit respectively provides first and second control signals in response to the input voltage provided by the AC power source. The first control signal is provided when the AC power source voltage is within a predetermined voltage range. The second control signal is provided when the AC power source voltage is outside the predetermined voltage range so as to inhibit the rectification of the AC current. An inverter circuit converts a DC current from a DC power source into an AC current which is then rectified into a DC current. A second sensing current, responsive to the first and second control signals, generates a third control signal which controls the magnitude of the output of the inverter circuit.

Abstract: A pump for applying pre-mixed cement, and similar mud-like flowable materials, employs power driven oppositely reciprocating pistons sliding in a pair of cylinders for pumping action. A control manifold, having a single cement discharge outlet, interconnects combined suction and discharge outlets of each pump cylinder with a cement supply hopper manifold inlet. Two manifold pump response chambers, and a single discharge chamber in flow communication with one another within the manifold, together with associated valving within each chamber, provides for unidirectional flow of cement under pressure from the manifold discharge outlet solely in response to the movement of the pistons within the pump cylinders. The pump response chamber valves have adjustable valve openings so that the pump may be employed with flowable materials of varying viscosity.

Abstract: An electronic thermostat utilizing a switched power supply which operates either from a voltage appearing across an open circuit at a heater or air conditioner activation circuit (de-energized state) or from a current flowing in the activation circuit upon short circuiting (energized state) of the activation circuit. The power supply provides an uninterrupted source of power to the electronic thermostat which controls the source of input power to the power supply in addition to the state of the activation circuit. The electronic circuit implements a piecewise linear, with hysteresis loop discontinuity, control function.

Abstract: A shoe insert device comprises a pad of cushioning material having a forward portion for cushioning the forefoot of a user and a rearward arched portion which is thickened and shaped to conform substantially to the arch of a user's foot. The rearward portion terminates short of the heel region of the foot.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning or repairing the screw threads on studs, bolts and the like comprises inner and outer relatively slidable sleeve members and a series of die elements rockably mounted between the sleeve members adjacent one end or mouth of the tool so as to be urged by relative sliding movement between the members in opposite directions between the expanded position and a contracted position in which inwardly facing thread cutting teeth on the die elements are urged into a thread engaging position with a threaded member inserted into the mouth of the tool.

Abstract: A suspended-ceiling framework defining a skeletal support for ceiling panels in an elevator cab includes a right angle bracket with which to hang a section of framing rail from an elevator roof or other support structure. The bracket defines a horizontally-extending slot into which an outwardly-extending lug on the framing rail fits to enable the framing rail to be hooked onto and supported by the bracket, the lug including a downwardly-extending portion that just fits through the slot. A retaining clip mounted with one screw on the bracket after the lug is inserted extends into the slot to bear against and retain the lug in predetermined alignment as well as block removal.

Abstract: A pressure compensating flow control device includes a generally elongated, collapsible tubular body of flexible material such as silicone rubber having a teardrop shaped inlet orifice for extending into a high pressure supply line, an outlet end for distributing a flow of liquid with the inlet orifice and tubular body collapsible in response to pressure to maintain a generally predetermined uniform flow rate over a predetermined pressure range. The inlet end of the tubular member tapers down to a reduced teardrop inlet orifice with the outlet opening in one embodiment comprising a crescent shaped slit in the wall of the tube.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor device providing long term signal stability through a structure and relation of components effective to provide substantially uniform current flux at all points across a working electrode and a counter electrode of a three electrode system within an electrolyte container having a hydrophobic membrane permeable to a selected component to be measured and accessible to a fluid to be monitored.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling flip-flop hold and set-scan operations responds to one state of a HOLD/PASS signal by blocking the provision of a flip-flop CLOCK signal to one or more flip-flops which are to conduct a holding operation. The circuit responds to the pass state of the HOLD/PASS signal by permitting the flip-flop clock to be provided to the control flip-flops so that they can conduct shift or pass operations.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted passive synthetic aperture system for locating sources of electromagnetic radiation having a given wavelength .lambda.. The system includes first and second receiving antennas, a phase sensitive receiver and a signal processor. The first and second antennas are mounted to a vehicle and spaced apart from each other in the principle direction of motion associated with the vehicle. The first and second antennas respectively provide first and second received signals in response to a wavefront of electromagnetic radiation having the given wavelength .lambda.. The phase sensitive receiver is coupled to the first and second antennas and responds to the first and second received signals by providing a phase difference signal that indicates a phase difference .phi. between the wavefronts of the radiation of the given wavelength received by the respective first and second antennas when the received radiation is radiated spherically from its source. The speed of the vehicle also is measured.

Abstract: Stereo views of a scene are reflected by plano mirrors onto a concave mirror. The plano mirrors are positioned to cause the reflected light from the concave mirror to converge on and cross the optical axis. The concave mirror focuses real images in planar registration in front of the concave mirror and on the optical axis. When viewed from beyond the real images an observer sees a separate stereo view in each eye which combine to provide a 3-D picture.

Abstract: A sliding door having a safety light beam which travels with and ahead of a closing door. Interruption of the safety light beam by an object in the path of the closing door activates a door control to stop or reverse the closure of the door. A stationary transmitter projects a beam of pulsed infrared light to a convex mirror mounted on the door. The mirror reflects the projected beam ahead of the closing door in a direction transverse to the direction of closure. In one embodiment a plurality of receiver assemblies with overlapping receiving sectors monitor the door closure path and sense the presence of the moving safety beam. Interruption of the safety light beam is detected in a control unit connected to a unit which controls a motor that moves the door. In another embodiment, plane mirrors positioned on an arm mounted on, and projecting ahead of the door, establish and reflect safety beams to corresponding receiver assemblies.

Abstract: A boat trailer having a pair of spaced guide roller assemblies between which the bow of a boat is located upon boat retrieval. Each guide roller assembly comprises a base member secured to the trailer chassis, a post which can pivot in a generally fore-and-aft direction, a spring which urges the post to an upstanding position, a rocker arm which can pivot in a general transverse direction on the upper end of the post, and a pair of rollers which engage the boat undersurface and help to centralize it as the boat is retrieved from the water and onto the trailer.

Abstract: A ladder comprises a ladder portion having stiles and rungs, a platform at the upper end of the ladder portion, support stays hinged to the rear end of the platform, and a safety rail also hinged to the rear end of the platform, and that invention is characterized in that the safety rail can occupy one of two positions, and when in its retracted position it projects forwardly of the platform thereby inhibiting use of the platform.