Abstract: A display device includes a single meter which can be selectively employed as a signal meter indicating a strength level of a received radio wave and an output level meter indicating an output level of an amplifier. The display device is so designed that the meter is automatically caused to operate as the signal meter when a person touches the tuning knob of a tuner section, otherwise the meter operates as the output level meter. A switch may be provided to restrict the meter function to that of the signal meter regardless of a person's touching of the tuning knob.

Abstract: An air cleaner for an engine of a snow mobile provided with an endless vehicle track driven by the engine, includes an air cleaner main body comprising a duct extending longitudinally of the snow mobile and disposed on a floor covering of the endless vehicle track. The air cleaner main body is connected at its forward end to a carburetor for the engine and includes a rearward portion formed with a plurality of air inlet apertures. A riders' seat is mounted on the rear portion of the air cleaner main body and includes a shock-absorbing member for enclosing the air inlet apertures and an outer cover member for covering the shock-absorbing member. The shock-absorbing member serves concurrently as a cleaning element of the air cleaner, and at least one air intake port is formed in the outer cover of the seat at its rear end or one or both of its sides. The air cleaner main body is formed with an increased volume section which serves as a muffler for silencing engine intake noises.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for use as a game or as a device for demonstrating the laws of probability comprises a container, apparatus for ejecting a ball into the container, structure generally closing the bottom of the container but provided with a plurality of openings each of diameter greater than the diameter of the ball, receiving apparatus for receiving a ball passing through any one of the openings, structure dividing the receiving means into a plurality of zones corresponding in number to the plurality of openings and respective structure for conducting a ball passing through a respective one of the openings to a respective one of the zones.

Abstract: A cold sterilizer comprises a tray for containing a sterilant and instruments to be sterilized, a lid fitting over the tray, a timer for measuring the period for which the instruments are to be contained in the sterilant to effect sterilization and means for resetting the timer to its original setting for a sterilization upon lifting the lid from the tray during the sterilization. The sterilizer may further comprise means for locking the lid onto the tray and means operatively connecting the timer to the locking means so that the locking means is locked while the timer is timing a sterilization and the locking means unlocks when the period for which the timer is set has expired. There may also be provided means for manually overriding the timer and unlocking the locking means during a sterilization and for thereupon resetting the timer to its original setting for the sterilization.

Abstract: A cassette tape recorder includes operating buttons for controlling the functions of the tape recorder, a cassette ejection button for exposing a cassette accommodating section having a cover, and an arresting member interlocked with the operating buttons and ejection buttons. The arresting member selectively hinders the operation of the ejection button when any of the operating buttons is pushed to put the tape recorder in a tape running mode and the operation of the operating buttons when the cassette accommodating section is exposed, thereby providing a foolproof mechanism for the cassette tape recorder.

Abstract: A scouring device comprising a stationary housing having a motor therein, an electrical connector extending from the motor for connection to a power source, a flexible drive shaft extending from the housing and at a first end of the shaft connected to the motor, a mobile housing connected to a second end of the shaft, the mobile housing having a first member mounted therein and fixed to the shaft and adapted to rotate therewith and a second member mounted therein and axially spaced from the first member and in alignment with the first member, a spring biasing the second member to a position removed from the first member, and complementary connection structure on the first and second members adapted to interconnect with each other, whereby to transmit rotation of the flexible shaft to the second member.

Abstract: An improved article for preparing critical surfaces, in particular for polishing, comprises means including a surface carrying a polishing abrasive of an average particle size less than 10 microns carried on a polymer matrix which has at least one of the following properties, microporosity, hydrophilicity and weak bonding to the polishing abrasive.

Abstract: In the combination of a spring driven motor having a winding shaft which rotates less than one complete revolution during the unwinding of the motor from a fully wound condition, escapement means for permitting the motor to unwind at a controlled rate and a bell to be struck immediately proximate to completion of unwinding of the motor, there is provided an improved bell actuating mechanism.

Abstract: A safety device for use in combination with a bicycle wheel having a hub, a rim and spokes connecting the hub to the rim is provided. The safety device comprises safety light means and means for powering the safety light. The safety light means comprises socket means for receiving an electric light bulb, a housing for containing the socket means and light bulb, the housing having light transmissive side walls, and means for clamping the housing to the spokes of the wheel with the light transmissive side walls facing laterally away from the wheel. The means for powering the safety light comprises a housing for receiving at least one dry cell battery, means for clamping the battery housing to the hub, respective electrically conductive means attached to the housing for contacting the respective poles of the battery and means for electrically connecting the battery in series with the socket means.

Abstract: A surgical retractor of the invention comprises a shaft, an arm connected to one end of the shaft and a blade connected to the arm. The shaft and the arm lie in the same plane. The blade has a portion extending perpendicularly to the aforementioned plane. The axis of a portion of the shaft including the other end thereof is perpendicular to and laterally offset from the aforementioned portion of the blade. The last mentioned end of the shaft is substantially spaced from the plane of the aforementioned blade portion.

Abstract: An automatic machine is provided for partially filling a cylindrical vial having one open end with a liquid, inserting a plug into the open end and fitting a cap onto the open end. The machine includes two turrets. Each of the turrets has a plurality of notches in the periphery thereof, the notches each being sized and shaped for receiving a respective one of the vials in an orientation with the open end of the vial directed upwardly. A filling station for partially filling the vials with a liquid is associated with the first turret. The vials automatically transfer from the first turret to the second turret. Respective stations for plugging and capping the vials are associated with the second turret.

Abstract: A surgical retractor according to the invention comprises a straight shaft, a blade and means for pivotally connecting the blade to the shaft with the blade oriented perpendicularly to the shaft and being free to turn about an axis perpendicular to the shaft. The retractor may further comprise means for telescopically adjusting the length of the shaft and releasably fixing the shaft at the adjusted length. A sole may be formed on the free extremity of the blade most remote from the pivotal connection, the sole being symmetrically formed on the blade and defining surfaces in planes perpendicular to the turning axis of the blade, the surfaces extending equally beyond the thickness of the blade in opposite directions.

Abstract: A foldable multi-purpose cart is provided in which two rectangular frames on which webbing is supported are hingedly connected together. The hinge means include means for locking the hinge means when the cart is fully opened with the frames being angularly displaced from each other by about 180.degree.. Two respective pairs of wheels are rotatably mounted at the corners of the respective frames remote from the hinged connection of the frames. One of the frames is sufficiently smaller than the other in the dimension normal to the hinging axis to permit the frames to be folded together, without mutual interference of the respective pairs of wheels, into superposed relationship by relative rotation of the frames toward each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the efficiency of combustion in an internal combustion engine having a fuel atomizing means, an intake to the combustion chambers and a battery powered electrical ignition system comprises at least one screen inserted between the fuel atomizing means and the intake for contacting fuel which has been atomized by the fuel atomizing means, electrical means powered by the battery for heating the screen sufficiently to vaporize atomized fuel in contact therewith and means for adjusting the power supplied to the heating means by the battery in response to the operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine comprises a housing, porous matter contained in the housing, means for injecting fuel into the housing and onto the porous matter to effect completion of vaporization of the fuel, means for admitting air into the housing to form a mixture with the vaporized fuel and means for conducting the mixture out of the housing for combustion in the engine. Preferably, means are provided for transferring heat from the exhaust gases of the engine to the housing and the porous matter and to the fuel before the fuel is injected into the housing.

Abstract: A system covering an area of ground for adverse conditioning web-footed aquatic birds against roosting in the area comprises an array of elongated members each sufficiently thin that a web-footed aquatic bird cannot roost upon an individual member and each sufficiently spaced in substantially horizontal planes from adjacent elongated members that a web-footed aquatic bird cannot roost simultaneously upon a plurality of the members, the array being sufficiently closely spaced to the ground at the aforementioned area to prevent the birds from alighting directly into the area.

Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine comprises a housing, porous matter contained in the housing, means for injecting fuel into the housing and onto the porous matter to effect completion of vaporization of the fuel, means for admitting air into the housing to form a mixture with the vaporized fuel and means for conducting the mixture out of the housing for combustion in the engine. Preferably, means are provided for transferring heat from the exhaust gases of the engine to the housing and the porous matter.

Abstract: A process for preparing .beta.-bourbonene which comprises irradiating internally or externally an essential oil containing germacrene D, such as ylang-ylang oil, cananga oil, the essential oil of Solidago altissima L., the essential oil of Solidago gigantea Aiton var. leiophylla Fern., with the light of low pressure or high pressure mercury lamp to obtain .beta.-bourbonene.

Abstract: Apparatus for die cutting sheets of die cuttable material comprises endless conveyor means, a plurality of platens sequentially mounted on the conveyor means, a respective cutting die mounted on each of the platens, storage means for retaining a plurality of sheets of die cuttable material in a stack, means for removing a respective one of the sheets from the bottom of the stack and positioning the sheet on the cutting die of a respective one of the platens as the platens are continuously, non-reversingly conveyed by the conveyor means and means for pressing the sheet onto the cutting die sufficiently to cause the die to cut through the sheet as the platens are continuously, non-reversingly conveyed by the conveyor means.