Abstract: The invention relates to a novel toy which is releasably fastened to a desired part of the user's body, e.g. about the waist or about the thigh of a user via a belt member. Preferably the belt member is adjustable and supports a plurality of padded or cushioned bell members, via a plurality of support straps and protective covering, adjacent a desired portion of the thighs of the user so that the bell members may be bounced into the air, by the user's thigh, to assist the user with developing his/her eye and thigh coordination and/or improve the rhythm of the user. The bell members may have different shapes and/or sizes so that each bell member will generate a unique sound when struck and bounced in the air thereby allowing the user to play music and develop rhythm. The invention also relates to a method of using the bounceable bell toy.

Abstract: A system for shifting gears in a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission in which a single gearshifting element, in the form of a connecting rod (1), is moveable in a direction parallel to the rotational axis (33) of the transmission (T) gears (31). A plurality of individually actuatable coupling mechanisms (4, 4', 4', 18), upon actuation, selectively couple corresponding gearshifting levers (12, 12') with the connecting rod. The gearshifting levers (12, 12') are, in turn, operably connected to gearshifting sleeves (30, 30') of the transmission (T). When a coupling mechanism is individually activated, the corresponding gearshifting lever is pivoted by the connecting rod (1) for selectively engaging or disengaging a corresponding gear of the transmission, via the corresponding gearshifting sleeve (30, 30').

Abstract: A novel game which asks the contestants facts concerning their lives. The contestants, excluding the present dealer, record their respective answer, to each posed question, on an answer tablet using a writing instrument. Once each contestant, excluding the present dealer, has responded to the posed question, the tablets are placed face down in a reading area. Thereafter, the reader shuffles and then reads each answer aloud to one of the contestants (the dealer) who attempts to match each read answer with the contestant providing that answer. In the event that the dealer correctly matches the answer with the contestant, the betting chips wagered on that question by that contestant are awarded to the contestant (the dealer) who made the correct match.

Abstract: An electronic data security apparatus for providing adequate protection against adverse external conditions. The apparatus includes an enclosure having a connector interface, an internal control unit contained within the enclosure, data storage devices contained within the enclosure connected to the internal control unit, and an external control unit connected to the internal control unit. The apparatus is capable of sensing adverse external conditions such as fire, water and theft and secure the data storage devices by automatically disconnecting from the external control unit, closing and locking itself off from the outside environment thereby to protect the data storage devices from memory loss.

Abstract: An edging strip of relatively shallow construction is provided which is characterized by an interlocking mechanism comprising a housing strip (2) which is "U" shaped, one sidewall (17) of which is higher than the other sidewall (18) by an amount substantially equal to or greater than the thickness of the floorcovering, and an insert strip (3) which is "L" shaped, the horizontal limb (19) being adapted to fit within the housing strip groove (20) with its upper surface level with or higher than the housing sidewall (18) with its vertical limb (22) adjacent the housing sidewall (17) and of equal height. Co-operating projections (24) and mating recesses (25) are provided in the insert and housing strips which lie in a horizontal plane. Preferably, the housing sidewall (17) is inclined so as to flex and thereby facilitate fixing the insert strip by pressing down along its length to snap fit into the housing strip (2).

Abstract: In an automatic performing system, when the track is changed to one having a different loop bar number, the bar to be reproduced next is easily determined by first dividing the number of bars accumulated from the start of accompaniment by the loop bar number stored in the sequence track. Based on the remainder resulting from the division, the number of beats is determined and the present pointer is set. In the automatic performing system, by comparing the data at the next address with the part designation data, it is determined whether the read out data belongs to the designated part or not. Therefore, the accompaniment data corresponding to the designated part data can be read out and reproduced.

Abstract: A supported conductive network (SCN), which can be flexible or rigid, can have self-aligning conductors which connect with corresponding conductors of other networks. The conductive network can be fabricated into densely packed contact clusters for use as electrical interconnectors or circuits. The methods and apparatus for making the conductive network involve forming a sheet of conductive material into ridges and troughs one of which defines the conductive network and the other of which is waste material and then mechanically removing the waste material. The conductive network thus formed is supported by a dielectric layer.

Abstract: A syringe (10) comprising a glass container (11) having a closed bottom end and containing a liquid drug (12). The container is sealed by an axially slidable plug/plunger/valve assembly (17) provided with a slot (19) defined by two mutually engaged sealing lips and coupled to a rod (22) centered within a body (13) coupled to the container (11). The rod comprises an axial channel (23) with one end cut off along a plane perpendicular to its axis to enable a needle (15) to be operably connected to the contents (12) of the container (11) by parting the lips of the slot (19). Said rod is further provided with an assembly for coupling same to said plug (17) when the container has been driven into the body (13).

Abstract: The invention concerns a control system for operating a drive assembly of a ship. The system consists of an engine (1), a transmission (3) and an adjustable clutch (4) for forward and reverse motions. A control station (15), a control lever (27) and a control electronics (15) are provided for adjusting the direction of motion and the speed of the ship. In order to influence the reaction of the ship when changing direction, several reversing aids are provided according to the invention. The pilot can use the reversing aids by actuating a selection key (24) located on the control station.

Abstract: A method and device for effecting a fast but smooth deceleration or stopping of trains controlled under the automatic train control (ATC) system. Under ATC, a permitted maximum velocity is provided as an "ATC condition" to activate the brake system of the train if that velocity is exceeded. When it is necessary to alter the velocity of a train, a control center specifies a feeder section to have the ATC condition to be altered. Next, a substation corresponding to the specified feeder section is provided with notice about the alteration of the ATC condition. The notice includes the impending reduction of velocity. In response, the substation decelerates the train without using the ATC brake system provided on the train. When the train has been sufficiently slowed down such that the alteration of the ATC condition will not result in activation of the ATC brake system, the alteration of the ATC condition is then effected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intermediary circuit between a low voltage logic circuit and a high voltage output stage in standard CMOS technology. The output stage (20) is comprised of two transistors, respectively with N channel and P channel, achieved according to a standard CMOS technology. The intermediary circuit is comprised of a voltage level translator (21) coupled between an input logic circuit SL and said output stage (20). The voltage level translator (21) is achieved according to a standard CMOS technology and is comprised of at lest two similar base blocks forming voltage mirrors interconnected in a cross-configuration. Said circuit is used to control transducers, plasma screens and electromechanical actuators.

Abstract: A security system controls two sliding (or other) doors 6 and 7 to allow only one door to be opened at a time. A pivoted bolt 13 is pushed by a mechanical link 16 into the opening-path of the door 6 when a lever 15 that abuts the leading-edge of the other door 7 pivots back upon opening movement of that door. A corresponding mechanism includes a link 26 which couples a pivoted bolt 23 to a lever 25 that abuts the door 6, such that the bolt 23 blocks opening of the door 7 when the door 6 begins to open. The mechanical links 16 and 26 may be replaced by hydraulic links.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved block control for controlling a train safely and efficiently along a railway system. The apparatus includes a mechanism for designating a train route, a mechanism for assigning a feeder section along the designated train route to a desired substation, a mechanism for locking an assigned feeder section to a desired substation and for preventing unlocking of that assignment until predetermined conditions are met, a mechanism for designating a traveling direction of the train along the assigned feeder section, and a mechanism for controlling operation of the train along a designated control route. The invention also relates to a mechanism for enlarging a control route, a mechanism for unlocking the assigned feeder sections and substations, a mechanism for checking a determined control route, a mechanism for changing the borders of a feeder section, and a mechanism for selectively communicating received data to the correct substation to facilitate control of the train.

Abstract: The invention concerns a suction-controlled vane-cell pump whose pumped flow does not increase further above a determined speed but remains practically constant. Radially movable vanes (4), arranged in a rotor (2), form working chambers (12). Between the vanes (4) the rotor (2) has control slots (21) which cooperate with several outlets (22 or 22A) of a front plate (5) located in a pressure zone. The control slots (21) and the outlets (22 or 22A) are dimensioned so that a reflux of oil under pressure can be avoided from a higher-pressure working chamber (12) into a lower-pressure working chamber. The outlets (22 and 22A) are closed by a valve (24) with movable tongues (25, 25A). During the opening stroke, the tongues (25, 25A) rest on a supporting body (26). Suction openings (13 and 13A) communicate with a suction chamber (14) through throttle bores (31, 31A) in order to limit the suction current. Wear due to cavitation can be avoided by the invention.

Abstract: A child safety seat for use in a vehicle, comprising a seat body (10), and two S-shaped coupling arms (36, 38), each of which is pivotally mounted at one end (46, 48) to the seat body (10) below the front thereof and has a front releasable fastener (58, 60) on its other end (54, 56) for attachment to a front anchorage unit located below the front edge of a vehicle seat (18). The coupling arm (36, 38) is so shaped that an intermediate portion (40, 42) thereof is located in front of both ends (46, 48; 54, 56) thereof when the front releasable fastener (58, 60) is engaged with the front anchorage unit, so as to extend round the front edge of the vehicle seat (18).

Abstract: A device for securing a wheel of a wheeled vehicle to a transport vehicle. The device has a wheel receiving channel pivotably attached to a frame and a locking apparatus. The locking apparatus automatically releasably locks the channel to the frame when the wheel of the vehicle is driven into the channel. The device is also removably slidably mounted within a brace which in turn is mounted to the transport vehicle such that the device may be easily removed from the transport vehicle.

Abstract: A method for recovering a synthetic waste material contaminated with other materials, particularly waste optical disks, wherein the loose, uncrushed waste is chemically treated by impregnating said other materials with a chemical solution which attacks these materials but is substantially neutral for the synthetic material, and mechanically treated by tumbling said waste in a sealed rotary drum to dislodge the contaminated and chemically attacked materials from said synthetic material.

Abstract: A gear box mounting for a motor vehicle has a first member adapted to be mounted with respect to the vehicle gear box and a second member adapted to be connected to a sub-frame. The first and second members are interconnected by resilient elements inclined towards one another in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in order to provide vertical and lateral compliance of the gear box relative to the sub-frame. Buffering elements are provided between the first member and the second member and between the first member and the sub-frame to provide progressive buffering in the vertical upward and downward directions.