Abstract: A rotary exerciser including a frame assembly having an upper and a lower sleeves and a polished stem connected to middle sections of the sleeves to form an I-shaped pattern. Each sleeve is formed with two axial slots on two sides. Two locating sleeves are fitted around the stem and locked by locating screws. The exerciser further includes left and right M-shaped members each of which is composed of first and second opposite solid members each having a 90 degrees bight section. An end of the solid member is formed with radial thread hole and inserted into the upper and lower sleeve and adjustably locked in the axial slot thereof. The bight sections of the solid members are connected by an inward arched tube to define an open portion. Two ring-like grips are rotatably disposed in the open portions. Several weights are fitted around the stem, whereby a user can grip the handles of the grips with both hands to push forward, lift, obliquely push and revolve the exerciser.

Abstract: A power source check apparatus of a camera capable of using one of different type of batteries or battery packs detects the type of the power source used, and checks residual capacity of the power source by measuring the terminal voltage of the power source while applying suitable dummy load current in accordance with the detected type of the power source. The type of the power source is detected on the basis of any one of open circuit terminal voltage, appearance, or data code provided therein.

Abstract: Metal-matrix composites and methods for producing these composites are provided. The manufacturing methods include providing a ceramic preform having a uniform distribution of ceramic particles sintered to one another. The particles include an average particle size of no greater than about 3 microns, and at least one half of the volume of the preform is occupied by porosity. The preform is then disposed into a mold and contacted by molten metal. The molten metal is then forced into the pores of the preform and permitted to solidify to form a solid metal-matrix composite. This composite is machinable with a high-speed steel (HSS) bit for greater than about 1 minute without excessive wear occurring to the bit. This invention preferably employs metal-matrixes including Al, Li, Be, Pb, He, Au, Sn, Mg, Ti, Cu, and Zn. Preferred ceramics include oxides, borides, nitrides, carbides, carbon, or a mixture thereof. Inert gas pressures of less than about 3,000 psi can be used to easily infiltrate the preforms.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube construction includes an elongated kink resistant flexible tubular member having distal and proximal ends with a curved portion therebetween. The tubular member defines a major passageway or airway and a relatively small cuff inflating lumen which is parallel to the major passageway and disposed in the wall of the tubular member. The cuff inflating lumen is positioned within a portion of the wall which is subjected to tension as the tubular member is bent as opposed to being positioned in that portion of the wall which is under compression. In addition, the portion of the wall adjacent to the lumen is thicker than the wall in other portions of the tube so that the tube is less likely to kink or collapse during intubation of a patient. The endotracheal tube includes a beveled tip and is constructed and arranged so that the beveled tip can be rotated by twisting a portion of the tube which extends out of a patient's mouth or nose without kinking or collapsing the tube.

Abstract: An operating portion cover for covering an operating portion of a cover-sheathed endoscope is provided with a finger putting portion to which a finger of the operator can be put in order to operate a movable operating member such as a bending operation knob inside of the operating portion cover. The operator can easily operate the movable member by putting a finger to this operating finger putting portion.

Abstract: A hatch assembly includes a first frame member having a generally J-shaped cross-section with a longitudinal extending or upright position and a generally parallel lip portion which is separated from the longitudinal portion by a horizontal section or riser. The assembly also includes a second frame member rotatably fixed to the first frame member. The second frame member includes a pair of elastomer seals fixed thereto so that a first of the seals engages the longitudinal portion of the J-shaped frame while the second seal engages the lip. The second frame member also includes a vent or small opening between the seals and a cavity for receiving any airborne water which passes through the vent. This vent is also constructed and arranged to drain air our of the cabin. In addition, the hatch assembly includes a hidden counterweight.

Abstract: A continuously monitored battery operated power supply for maritime applications includes four batteries which form a parallel connected pair of banks in which the cells in each bank are series connected to each other. A Wheatstone bridge circuit connects a midpoint between the plurality of cells in the first bank of battery cells and a midpoint between the plurality of cells in the second bank of batteries. The circuit also includes a volt meter for indicating a voltage change due to the degeneration of a cell when the voltage change exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A water soluble chemical composition for use as a soil stabilizer, conditer and structuring agent includes a dispersing agent such as a polyanionic sulfonated urea-melamine formaldehyde condensate, an aggregating agent such as a non-ionic water soluble urea-formaldehyde condensate having relative weight average molecular weights between 400 to 10,000 and polydispersity between 2.5 to 10, and a basic salt like di-sodium tetra borate and/or a neutral salt like sodium chloride and a nitrogen potassium or phosphorous containing compound such as potassium nitrate, phosphoric acid, potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate and the like, wherein the ratio of urea-formaldehyde to sulfonated urea-melamine-formaldehyde is between 0.2:1 to 2.0:1 and the final solid contents of this composition is between 1-15%. These compositions are then sprayed on top of sand or soil with conventional equipment and will impart significant improvements in their mechanical properties and their erosion resistance to water and wind.

Abstract: Proposed is a low-cost method for the preparation of a wire-formed crystal of silicon having a diameter of 1 mm or smaller, in which a vertically held starting rod of silicon is melted at one end portion by high-frequency induction heating, a seed crystal is brought into contact with the molten portion and then the seed crystal and the starting silicon rod are pulled apart in the vertical direction at a controlled velocity with a controlled high-frequency power input so that the melt of silicon drawn by the seed crystal is solidified and crystallized into the form of a wire.

Abstract: Proposed is a ceramic-based electrostatic chuck with built-in heater used in high-temperature processing of a semiconductor silicon wafer, which is capable of exhibiting excellent electrostatic attracting force even at a temperature at which conventional ceramic-based electrostatic chucks cannot exhibit high attracting force.

Abstract: An improvement is proposed for a frame-supported pellicle used for dust-proof protection of a photomask in the photolithographic patterning work in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. In view of the problem that, when a frame-supported pellicle having the other end surface of the frame coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and temporarily protected by attaching a releasable protective sheet of a plastic resin prepared by die punching is handled or transported as packaged, subsequent occurrence of dust particles is more or less unavoidable from the rugged die-punched sections, the die-punched peripheries of the protective sheet is subjected to a smoothening treatment by locally dissolving with an organic solvent, by locally melting at a temperature higher than the melting point of the plastic resin or by coating with a coating composition so that the protective sheet is absolutely not responsible for the subsequent formation of dust particles.

Abstract: A horizontal ball return mechanism for propelling a bowling ball from one end of a bowling alley to the other includes a generally horizontal track with compression and decompression sections and a generally flat horizontal section therebetween. Two pulleys and an endless belt move a bowling ball along the track. The compression, decompression and a flat horizontal section lift a bowling ball upwardly against the belt, maintain the belt under compression as the ball moves along the generally flat section and lowers the ball before it passes under a second of the pulleys.

Abstract: A bowling pin for use with an automatic scorer includes a wood core and an ionomer cladding having an outer surface which surrounds the standing portion of the pin. The pin includes a first fluorescent coating on the outer surface in a preselected area, preferably in the neck portion of the pin. This first fluorescent coating emits a relatively high level of visible light when subjected to ultraviolet light. A second fluorescent coating, which is colorless under ambient light, covers the standing portion of the pin, including the first fluorescent coating and emits a relatively low level of visible light, i.e., the moonglow effect. The second coating also allows the relatively high-intensity visible light which is emitted from the first fluorescent coating to pass therethrough for detection by an automatic scorer.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for a combination weigher or the like includes an elongated trough having inlet and outlet ends and a pair of upwardly extending and outwardly flared side walls. The conveyor also includes a pair of ramps for lifting and slowing a flow of particulate material as it is conveyed along the length of the conveyor. A first of the ramps includes a relatively flat base portion and two sloping side portions that converge at the apex of a V-shaped end portion to bias the flowing material toward the center of the trough. A second ramp has a relatively flat portion and further slows the flow of material so that it drops off of the outlet end of the conveyor in a mere trickle.

Abstract: A bowling alley return mechanism includes a horizontal ball return disposed between two adjacent lanes, a pair of side walls which define a chamber and a ball door or opening in one of the side walls. A generally crescent-shaped concave pivotally mounted cradle is disposed within the chamber and adjacent to the opening for receiving a bowling ball thereon. The mechanism also includes an optical sensor which is responsive to a portion of the bowling ball when the bowling ball is on the cradle. A bell crank and linkage rotates the cradle in response to a signal from the sensor. The mechanism also includes an exit door and a releasable locking assembly of the pin and groove type which prevents any flying pins from passing through the exit door. The locking assembly is responsive to an upper portion of a bowling ball when the ball is moved by the cradle to unlock the exit door and allow the ball to pass therethrough and into the horizontal ball return for propulsion to the opposite end of the alley.

Abstract: A bowling alley ball return and storage rack includes an infeed track and a pair of parallel generally horizontal storage racks disposed on opposite sides of the infeed track. An S-shaped member acts as a stop for directing a first bowling ball to a first of the storage racks and for positioning the ball therein so that a subsequently returned ball will be deflected by the first ball into the opposite storage rack. The ball return and storage rack includes an infeed track which is generally parallel to and forms a part of the storage racks. This infeed track has a slight downward slope of about 1.degree. from horizontal to bring the bowling balls toward the opposite end thereof. The storage racks also include inner and outer rails, i.e., metallic tubular members which are covered with a nylon 6 coating.

Abstract: An auto throttle system for FAYDEC equipped aircraft includes a remote friction element which is separated from a pilot's console. The system also includes an auto throttle control and a manual throttle control which are mechanically coupled through the friction element. The friction element provides the "feel" of a cable operated throttle system and allows a pilot to manually override the auto throttle without a significant change in the torque required to advance or retard the throttle. The system also includes a servo motor, gear drive and shaft with the friction element disposed on the shaft. A mechanical coupling connects the shaft and the manual control so that any changes caused by the auto throttle cause a corresponding change in a pilot's manual throttle control.

Abstract: A removable light controlling blind assembly for a marine vessel or the like includes two generally circular superimposed panels. Each of those panels has a plurality of translucent horizontal strips printed thereon and a plurality of alternating light transmitting strips separating the translucent strips. The two panels are movable in a linear direction to bring the strips into registration with one another. A flexible gasket is also provided and includes a groove for positioning the blind assembly in a port or hatch in the vessel.

Abstract: An endoscopic puncture needle including a flexible outer sheath, a flexible inner sheath advanceably and retreatably inserted through the outer sheath, and a needle element formed at the distal end of the inner sheath, in which the inner sheath is made of a metallic pipe.