Abstract: A catapult toy includes a base plate, a mounting platform swivelably mounted on the base plate, a pair of arches positioned in a side-by-side relationship on the mounting platform at one end thereof to define an arching guide therebetween, a pivot arm pivotally mounted between the arches to move generally in a vertical plane in the arching guide, a cup disposed on the free end of the pivot arm for carrying a projectile, and a stop element attachable to the arches to bridge the arching guide at various locations therealong and thereby serve to stop upward movement of the pivot arm. Also included are a pair of upright standards mounted on the mounting platform on each side of the vertical plane in which the pivot arm moves, and an elastic band mounted on the upright standards to extend therebetween underneath the pivot arm. Finally, a latch is provided to hold the pivot arm in a latched position in which the arm is stretching or biasing the elastic band.

Abstract: A system for transcribing musical notations onto paper as corresponding notes are played on a piano includes a housing disposable on the piano above the keyboard to produce electrical signals representing the piano keys which are depressed, and a typewriter adapted to type musical notations representing notes onto paper rolled onto a cylindrical, rotatable platen of the typewriter. Also included is a type key actuating device disposable on the typewriter above the type keys and responsive to the electrical signals for depressing type keys corresponding to the musical notes represented by the signals. The type key actuating device includes a plurality of solenoids, each coupled to a different one of the type keys for depressing the key when energized by one of the signals.

Abstract: A portable mixer includes a generally cylindrical housing open at one end thereof, and a mixer blade disposed to rotate within the housing. Located at the other end of the housing is a driven pulley coupled by a belt to a drive pulley mounted on a motor. The driven pulley is coupled through the end of the housing to the mixer blade so that when the driven pulley is rotated, the mixer blade is caused to rotate. The mixer blade includes an elongate, generally flat member which is disposed to rotate in a plane defined by the opening in the housing so that when the housing is placed upon a flat surface, the elongate member rotates just above the surface.

Abstract: An insulated tent comprising an externally supported inner tent and an outer fabric wherein the outer fabric comprises interchangeable end sections, door sections and a roof section. The outer fabric is supported by the tent support structure at the top and by conventional means at the bottom. Various combinations may be utilized attaching the outer door sections including flys, canopies and the like to the edges of the outer roof and end sections. Modular systems containing an insulated pavilion and insulated room modules are also included.

Abstract: A power supply system includes a plurality of batteries or banks of batteries for supplying direct current to a load, a plurality of switching devices each coupling a different one of the batteries to the load and each responsive to an energizing signal for conducting current from the respective battery to the load, and control apparatus for successively energizing each of the switching devices one at a time so that each battery provides current to the load only for a short period of time after which another battery supplies the current, etc. The time during which each switching device is energized is selected to maximize the life of the batteries.

Abstract: A graphic recording system for use with a multiple channel underwater sonar system. The recording system includes a plurality of memories, each for storing information received over a different channel of the sonar system. One or more channels may carry side scan sonar information, while another may carry sub-bottom sonar information, etc. The information from the channels is received and stored in the memories simultaneously. The recording system further includes a graphic line recorder which is responsive to the receipt of a sequence of signals for producing on chart paper a line trace representation of the signals. A control unit controls the storage of information in and retrieval of information from the memories and application of the information to the graphic line recorder in such a manner that the information may be applied to the recorder in various sequences and at various rates.

Abstract: A post designed for sign or guide marker use having sufficient longitudinal rigidity to withstand a force driving it into the ground and sufficient elasticity to permit nondestructive deformation upon impact by a moving object, with subsequent restoration to an original, upright position. Various construction materials and/or structural configurations are disclosed for obtaining this dual character without incurring high production and material costs.

Abstract: Structure for combining at one location smoke detection circuitry and wall or ceiling lamp apparatus. The structure includes a housing formed with a bottom wall and side walls and having an opening at the top thereof. The bottom wall has an opening centrally located therein. Also included is a lamp socket disposed in the housing so that the socket opening may receive the base of a lamp bulb through the opening in the bottom wall. Smoke detection circuitry is also disposed in the housing about the lamp socket. The circuitry includes an audible sound producing mechanism and a detector element responsive to the presence of smoke thereat for causing the sound producing mechanism to produce audible sound. The circuitry is powered alternatively by a rechargeable battery or by the current supplied to the lamp bulb.

Abstract: A noninvasive, continuous monitoring device for measuring intraocular pressure without interference with vision or normal activity of the patient. A miniature, planar-faced pressure transducer is fixed in a protruding section of a compliant hydrogel ring which has been tooled to conform to the spherical surface of the sclera. The hydrogel ring is placed noninvasively under the eyelids within the conjunctival cul-de-sac, the transducer being located in the lower temperal quadrant. Applanation of the sclera against the planar surface of the transducer results as a consequence of pressure from the separated tissues. Intraocular pressure readings are based on the variations in resistance in the strain gage elements of the transducer caused by the applied stress to the transducer diaphragm. Data is transmitted through connecting wires to a telemetry unit which transmits the data to a receiver-transcriber console.

Abstract: Grinding apparatus for grinding grain and the like includes a pair of mutually facing grinding discs, a first of which has an opening centrally located therein, and a second of which has a support shaft extending from the center of the grinding face thereof through the opening of the first disc for mounting on the drive shaft of a motor. The first disc is fixedly mounted on support structure while the second disc is rotatable with rotation of the motor drive shaft. Included with the support shaft is biasing apparatus for urging the support shaft and second disc outwardly of the motor drive shaft against a bearing member disposed on the support structure. Each of the grinding discs includes a plurality of teeth extending radially inwardly toward the center of the disc, and a plurality of channels formed in the front face of the discs in a cross-hatched pattern.

Abstract: A self extinguishing fire pit designed to fit flush with or extend above a level surface consisting of three basic parts including a wall, a rim which fits about the top of the wall, and a lid which is adapted to fit into the rim which serves to extinguish any flame or fire which has been kindled within the wall. Other attachments and/or modifications are also described.

Abstract: Metals are transported throughout mammalian tissues and across the placental barrier to the foeti by the use of a synergistic mixture comprising an effective dosage of a metal proteinate and at least one beta-chlorovinyl dialkyl phosphate.

Abstract: A pyroelectric infrared radiation detection system includes a high density solid state pyroelectric detector array for detecting infrared radiation impinging thereon and for producing signals representing the detected radiation, apparatus for readout of the signals from the detector array, and an optical chopper for successively interrupting the radiation impinging on the detector array. In some applications, an integrating device for integrating the signals produced by the detector array would also be included. The optical chopper interrupts or chops the infrared radiation at a relatively high rate to reduce thermal diffusion in the detector array and thereby improve the spatial resolution. In low radiation intensity applications, signals which might otherwise be lost due to the fast chopping are recovered by providing electronic integration or accumulation of the signals produced by the detector array.

Abstract: In a refuse compaction and ejection system for location adjacent to a wall, truck cab, or other body which would restrict vertical angular movement due to lack of free space therebetween, a body slide-lift mechanism for shifting the refuse storage compartment rearward in combination with vertical movement to adjust the level of refuse ejection to a desired height. The refuse storage compartment containing the appropriate compaction and ejection components is rotatably affixed at its forward end to a support base by means of a slotted flange-pin assembly. A support-base-mounted hydraulic cylinder oriented along the length of and attached to the floor of the storage compartment provides the power to reciprocate the compartment from its horizontal, adjacent location to its extended, elevated ejection level.

Abstract: In a refuse compaction/ejection system, an improved ejection door having a lower hinged member which reduces the degree of door extension required to obtain an effective open discharge path and a catch-lock means for guiding and retaining the hinged member into closed configuration when the door is in the unextended position. The lower door member is hinged to an upper member which travels a fixed upward path during ejection operations. As the hinged member is carried upward by the upper member, the lower lip of the lower member is withdrawn from the catch-lock means, permitting rotation in an axial rearward direction about the hinge due to the force of discharging refuse. With the refuse ejected, the hinged member returns to its nonrotated natural position, causing the lip of the lower hinged member to catch in rearwardly extending catch-lock means upon the retraction cycle.

Abstract: A machine for harvesting crops which grow as stalks or spears such as asparagus includes a frame supported by wheels to enable moving the frame along the ground, a stalk sensing mechanism for sensing stalks of a predetermined height, and a cutting and stalk grasping mechanism which is rotated into a cutting position adjacent each stalk sensed by the sensing mechanism. When the cutting and grasping mechanism reaches the cutting position, holding plates or pads move to secure the stalk therebetween and then a cutting element cuts the stalk below ground level. The operation of securing the stalk between the holding pads also serves to align the cutting element for cutting the stalk. The holding pads then elevate the stalk and ultimately spread apart above a stalk conveyor mechanism to allow the stalk to drop onto the conveyor. The stalk is then carried by the conveyor mechanism to a holding bin where it is deposited along with other stalks in a uniform orientation.

Abstract: Fire simulating apparatus includes a random number generator, a digital-to-analog converter for converting the output of the random number generator to an analog signal, a lamp coupled to a power source, a switching device coupled in series with the lamp and power source, and a control circuit for controlling the conductivity of the switching device in accordance with the magnitude of the analog signal.

Abstract: An intake/exhaust system adapted for use in rotary engines having a rotatable cylinder block with a plurality of cylinders radially arranged in the block. A plurality of passages are defined in the cylinder block to extend between the cylinders and a plurality of cylinder ports for enabling communication with the cylinders. The cylinder ports are arranged to travel in a circular path as the cylinder block is rotated. Also included are a plurality of poppet valves, each positioned in a different one of the passages to allow or inhibit communication between each of the cylinder ports and the corresponding cylinder. Manifold apparatus includes an intake port and an exhaust port spaced apart and positioned adjacent to the path traversed by the cylinder ports such that the intake port and exhaust port are each aligned with successive ones of the cylinder ports as the cylinder unit is rotated.

Abstract: A post designed for sign post or guide marker use that will yield on impact and that will resume substantially its original configuration after the impact force has been removed. The post is formed as a single member, but with formed longitudinal shear planes to allow it to split along such shear planes upon impact, thereby reducing the tendency of the post to shear transversely. Correspondingly shaped caps and restrainers may be used during placement of the posts and to insure cohesiveness after shearing has occurred.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode disposed on one side of and in contact with the membrane wherein the anode includes a substrate coated with lead dioxide and formed with one or more grooves therein, a cathode including a body of sintered nickel disposed on the other side of and in contact with the membrane, and a support structure corrugated on a surface portion thereof with such surface portion being in contact with the body of sintered nickel to maintain the body in contact with the membrane. With this construction, water may be supplied to the grooves in the anode to ultimately cause a reaction at the interface of the membrane and the cathode to product hydrogen gas.