Abstract: A joint between two optical fibres comprises two cylindrical rods positioned with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel on a support device of such a form that the cylindrical rods are constrained to lie in tangential contact with one another to define between them an interstitial space, the two rods and the support device forming a sub-assembly; two optical fibres aligned in the interstitial space defined by the two rods so that the end faces of the optical fibres substantially abut; an elongate holding member positioned over the ends of the optical fibres aligned in the interstitial space to cover the interstitial space over at least a part of its length; and over the elongate holding member there is applied at least one resilient spring clip which so engages the sub-assembly that the elongate holding member is urged towards the two rods to secure the optical fibres with their end faces substantially abutting in the interstitital space between the two rods.

Abstract: A control valve bank is provided having a working section and an inlet section wherein inlet fluid from a pump is proportionally metered at the inlet of each valve section so that the input volume to each work port is generally uniform regardless of pressure variations.

Abstract: The specification discloses a single point mooring and fender suitable for large ocean going vessels. A dolphin is embraced by two fender bars in crossing relationship and having at least one resilient yielding member to resist spreading.

Abstract: A dumbell structure is provided particularly adapted for aerobic and related extended-type exercises comprising an elongate body member having a soft, resilient central hand portion, a threaded end at each end of said hand portion, a pair of removable weights threaded on said threaded ends, and an adjustable hand engaging means engaged at each end of said hand portion extending outwardly transversely to the hand portion and then generally parallel thereto to pass around the back of the hand between the knuckles and wrist of a user.

Abstract: In lightweight fabricated equipment of an overhead electric traction system, (e.g. section insulators and neutral sections), comprising at least one tension insulator mechanically connected between and electrically insulating from one another two elongate metal members, in at least one mechanical connection between the tension insulator and elongate metal member, an insulating end part of the tension insulator and an end part of the elongate metal member overlap and are interconnected by separate securing bolts. The undersurfaces of the end parts of the tension insulator and elongate metal member constitute a smooth running surface.

Abstract: An improved doctoring knife for drum dryers and flakers of the type in which a product is deposited on a rotating drum and removed by action of the doctoring knife against the drum is disclosed. The improved doctoring knife is comprised of a series of knife blocks each having a cutting edge wherein the knife blocks are positioned adjacent to one another so that when the cutting edge of the knife block contacts the drum its bottom face will be in a plane substantially tangent to the line defined when the cutting edge contacts the drum. When a cutting edge is damaged the knife block containing the damaged edge can be removed and reground while undamaged knife blocks remain in position.

Abstract: A cover for a luggage case, embodying decorative side panels of simulated multi-laminar construction. Portions of the periphery of the principal sheet of covering material are cut away and decorative strips fastened in overlying outwardly projecting relation to the cutaway portions to complete the outer contour of the principal sheet. The edge of a surrounding strip is attached, as by stitching, to the outer peripheral edge of the combined principal sheet and decorative strips. After securing the overlapping ends by stitching together, the surrounding strip is readily disposed at a right angle for attachment to the shell of the luggage case.

Abstract: A variable displacement fluid pump system is provided having a pressure and flow compensated control system with constant torque and viscosity sensing over-ride acting on the control system.

Abstract: A method for retaining a hearing aid in place on a person includes providing a harness having a plurality of transverse straps, a connecting longitudinal strap, a chip strap and at least one ear cover. The hearing aid is positioned within or adjacent to the person's ear or ears and the harness is placed over the head with the ear cover or covers overlying the hearing aid or aids. The chin strap is secured so as to urge the ear cover or covers into intimate overlying relationship with the hearing aid or hearing aids so as to resist undesired movement of the hearing aid out of the desired position. The hearing aid harness preferably has a plurality of transverse strap members and a connecting longitudinal strap member which are adapted to assumed relative spaced positions on the head of the user. One or more ear covers are provided and a chin strap which is preferably adjustable serves to secure the assembly on the user's head with the ear covers in intimate relationship with the hearing aids.

Abstract: The tension head comprises essentially a sleeve with a threaded bore having opposed keyways extending therethrough. In those keyways is supported a U-shaped stop member. When the sleeve is turned up on the end of the bolt protruding from the hole until that end abuts the cross piece of the stop member, rotation of the sleeve rotates the bolt. When the inner end of the bolt is bonded to the rock, further rotation of the sleeve causes the stop member to break or deform. The lower end of the bolt pushes the deformed stop member or its fragments out through the bottom of the sleeve along the keyways.

Abstract: The stand-to-stand transmission ratios between the working sizing passes at the entry end of a rolling block for rolling bars, rods or wire are fixed but are different from one another. This enables an entire range of finished workpiece cross sections to be obtained from a given first pass workpiece entry cross-sectional area, merely by omitting one or more of the working stands and shifting other working stands from one location to another and by changing only the stands of the finishing sizing passes at the delivery end of the block.

Abstract: Kaolin (clay) platelets in water are flocculated with an acid (pH 3.0) to form "structured agglomerates", which are stabilized by reacting with an urea-formaldehyde prepolymer. The urea-formaldehyde prepolymer forms polymeric agglomerated particles when it comes in contact with the catalytic, acidic kaolin "structured agglomerates." The urea-formaldehyde polymeric agglomerated particles cause adhesion or stabilizing of the structured kaolin agglomerates to form a three-dimensional network of "open structure" with a large number of microvoids (pores). The urea-formaldehyde polymer in the stabilized product varies from 5 to 95% by weight based on the total weight of the final product.The size of the primary particles of the urea-formaldehyde polymer is from 0.1 to 0.7.mu. (micron). The size of the kaolin platelets is from 0.1 to 10.mu. (microns). The structured agglomerates of kaolin-urea-formaldehyde possess a size ranging from 0.25 to 40.mu. (microns).

Abstract: A mining machine assembly includes bit supports having primary and secondary cutter bits secured thereto. The bit supports may take the form of bit holders. A drum member may have a plurality of bit holders secured thereto. At least some of the bit holders have two cutter bits secured thereto. A primary cutter bit and a secondary cutter bit are secured to such cutter bit holders. The primary and secondary cutter bits are so positioned as to travel in substantially the same orbital path upon rotation of the cutter drum. The primary cutter bit projects radially outwardly farther than the secondary bit.

Abstract: A method of producing stained glass effects and objects produced thereby are provided wherein a clear glass or plastic object has adhered on one surface a string outline of art work being produced and colored stain within areas defined by said string to produce a multi-colored art work product.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for fastening replaceable earth engaging tools such as rotary hoe blades or trench digger teeth in which the shaft of the tool fits within a recess in the bracket and a spring biased pin is arranged to pass through both the shaft and the bracket at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of the shaft. This arrangement does away with the need to use bolts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing ingot mold caps is provided in which a shaped opening in a chill element is lined with a preformed refractory fiber pad and metal is cast in the lined opening around a cored staple.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump is provided having a housing, a pump chamber in said housing, a pumping impeller in said pump chamber, a rotatable shaft extending through said housing into said chamber carrying said impeller, a packing box in said housing surrounding the rotatable shaft adjacent the pump chamber, a rotatable sleeve removably fixed on said shaft extending from said impeller through said packing box and rotating with said shaft, a stationary sleeve in said housing extending from said packing box to a point adjacent said impeller and surrounding a portion of said rotatable sleeve between said packing box and impeller, packing means in said packing box surrounding said rotatable sleeve, said packing box being surrounded by a liquid being pumped by said impeller over a major portion of its outer surface, and a continuous pressure lubricant source connected to said packing box supplying continuous lubrication between the rotatable sleeve and stationary sleeve.

Abstract: A method for potentiometric detection of hydrogen peroxide including providing an electrolytic cell having a working electrode and a reference electrode. The working electrode is composed of a hydrogen peroxide sensitive material and also is employed as a support for an oxidase enzyme. Introducing a hydrogen peroxide releasing substance into the cell and releasing the hydrogen peroxide by effecting interaction with the enzyme. Developing in said cell an electrical potential which is a function of the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide and measuring the electrical potential of the cell. The method may be employed as a quantitative glucose detector by employing as the enzyme or enzymes glucose oxidase with or without catalase.Apparatus for potentiometric determination of hydrogen peroxide includes a cell containing an electrolyte, a working electrode and a reference electrode. An electrometer is operatively associated with the electrodes.

Abstract: Vehicle headlights that rotate in accordance with movement of the vehicle's steering system are disclosed. The rotatable lights are portable and suited for attachment on a variety of vehicles. The lights are rotated by means of small DC motors wired to a mechanical linkage mounted on the vehicle's steering column. The amount of rotation is determined by potentiometers mounted on the mechanical linkage and the DC motors. A logic circuit is also disclosed for use in conjunction with the device to enable each unit to be readily used on vehicles having different steering ratios.