Abstract: A tensioned helical wire for use as a displacement sensor. The sensor made of high strength piano wire is attached at its ends to two anchors which in turn are attached to or are a part of the object or objects to be tested. In the preferred embodiment the sensor has straight ends which are attached to two small anchor blocks. These blocks are then attached to the test object. The displacement range and sensitivity of the sensor can be controlled by the initial geometry selected. If an initial tension applied is small, the sensor has a very large response range that is about fifty times that of a straight wire sensor. If a large initial tension is applied, the helical shape approaches that of a straight sensor and has a displacement range only a few times that of a straight wire sensor. If the sensor has a large displacement range, the sensitivity is much less than that of a straight wire sensor and if the sensor has a small range the sensitivity is comparable to that of the straight wire sensor.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a refrigerant tube in coil form leading from the output side of a compressor and a water tube in coil form tapped from a source of water to be heated, the tubes being coiled together so that each coil of the water tube is interposed between a coil of said refrigerant tube, and vice-versa. Inner and outer cylindrical sleeves are disposed within and around the coiled tubes thereby defining an annulus which enhances the heat transfer from said refrigerant tube to the water tube. A housing surrounds said coiled tubes and said sleeves, and sealed end caps are provided at each end of the exchanger.

Abstract: A screw, particularly an extruder screw for rubber or plastics materials, comprising a plurality of hollow screw components juxtaposed in end-to-end relation, a coupling sleeve disposed over the or each joint between two adjacent screw components, each end of each screw component which is joined to another screw component having axially extending external splines on an external face thereof and the or each coupling sleeve having axially extending internal splines on an internal face thereof to engage with the external splines on the ends of the screw components to secure the screw components and the coupling sleeve or sleeves against relative rotation, and means, preferably a bolt coupling end members of the screw, to secure the screw components and coupling sleeve or sleeves against relative axial movement.

Abstract: An improved light-transmissive building element useful for walls, ceilings, roofs, windows, or the like consists of at least two light-transmitting flat sheets, such as panels, panes, and the like, which, together with a suitable frame, define a hollow space in which sound- and heat-insulating means are arranged. A number of transparent, static flat sheets, such as foils of plastic or elastically tensioned, flexible, thin plastic panels which may be coated with light-transmissive metal layers or the like are inserted in said hollow space at a small distance from each other.

Abstract: A device for checking the level of a liquid in a tank, for example a car fuel tank, has an electrical resistance probe partly immersed in the liquid and energized with a constant current. The voltage across the probe at switching on is stored and used as a reference for comparing with the increased voltage after the element has been heated to a value dependent on the length of resistor cooled by the liquid.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus, for simultaneously cooking a number of products, each a filling between two slices of bread buttered on their outer faces and toasted, has two oppositely arranged but otherwise similar cooking units mounted in frames, the lower one fixed, the upper one hinged to the lower. Each unit is a metal casting with a face plate and a series of hot plates, each with a rim extending from the face plate and with a peripheral cutting bead, and a concavity within the rim. The cooking units are simultaneously heated by electric heating elements on their reverse faces, and when the upper one is brought down onto the lower one, in the hot plates of which the products to be cooked are placed, the cutting beads of corresponding hot plates of upper and lower units coact to cut through the bread slices to trim excess, and to seal the edges of the slices together.

Abstract: An air release valve, used in a system containing liquid with gas above it, has a float chamber connected to the system and containing a float which normally closes a primary orifice leading through a vertically movable spring-loaded piston to an upper chamber. When the piston is raised by gas pressure in the float chamber to open the primary orifice, a seal pad, spring-mounted above the piston, closes a secondary orifice from the top chamber to atmosphere until the increased pressure in the top chamber moves the piston down to open the secondary orifice. When liquid entering the float chamber causes the float to rise, closing the primary orifice and lifting the piston, the seal pad closes the secondary orifice, trapped gas lowers the liquid and float, and the primary orifice opens.

Abstract: A process for the production of glucose from cellulose containing raw material by steam treatment at a temperature from 160.degree. to 230.degree. C. for from 2 minutes to 4 hours followed by lixiviation with aqueous alkali and acid or enzymatic hydrolysis of fibrinous residue.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming sheets of foamed synthetic plastics material, comprising a screw extruder, a nozzle head having an extrusion passage therein and a nozzle core positioned in the extrusion passage so as to form an annular nozzle, a cooled calibrating mandrel of a diameter larger than that of the annular nozzle, disposed downstream of the screw extruder having regard to the direction of extrusion and mounted on a stand, blowing means for applying internal pressure to an extruded tube between the annular nozzle and the calibrating mandrel to expand the extruded tube to the diameter of the calibrating mandrel, cutting apparatus for cutting open the increased-diameter cooled foamed plastics tube and apparatus for laying out flat the cut-open tube, wherein the nozzle core is rigidly connected to the stand of the calibrating mandrel and is connected to the inner wall of the extrusion passage by a single web aligned with the cutting apparatus whereby weakened and marked regions of the laid-flat cut-open tube are

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the diffusive resistance of plant stomata includes a cup adapted to be sealingly clamped to a plant leaf being tested to define an enclosed air volume in the cap adjacent the surface of the leaf. A humidity sensor in the cup provides a signal indicative of the humidity of the air in the cup. Control means are provided to receive the output signal from the humidity sensor and are operative to start a counter at a lower set humidity value and to stop the counter at an upper set humidity value thereby to time the rise in humidity between the lower and upper values. Drying means for drying the air within the cup down to a value below the lower set humidity value after each measurement cycle are provided. The control means are adjustable to vary the lower or upper set humidity value and to vary the difference between the lower and upper set humidity values.

Abstract: This invention provides a pipe tapping band of the type formed in two halves adapted to be clamped about a pipe to be tapped, one band half having an internally threaded integral ferrule to receive conventional pipe tapping means, a recess in the inner surface of the tapping band around the ferrule aperture, said recess arranged to receive and locate an apertured resilient seal between the tapping band and the outer surface of the pipe about an aperture formed therein and with said seal having peripheral lips arranged to provide sealing engagement with the tapping band and the outer surface of the pipe about the aperture therein.

Abstract: A physiotherapy table for treatment of cystic fibrosis and other illnesses has a top consisting of two top sections connected hingedly end to end by adjustable joints which may be releasably locked to hold the two top sections in a number of different angular relationships, each top section being supported in individually vertically adjustable manner by an end frame to which the top section is pivoted and braced by an adjustable stay, the stays, end frames and top sections being foldable to compact form for transport.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the protection of blank areas of sheet metal otherwise coated with layers of synthetic materials, lacquers, foils or the like, wherein apparatus is provided for covering the blank areas with tape or cord by temporarily moving a means for applying the tapes or cords towards, along and away from the sheet material and, if desired, pressing the same on and/or drying the same on the sheet metal.

Abstract: An african violet named Ohio having strong and upright flower stems which support 7-12 red-purple flowers on each stem, with the flowers having 5-15 petals. The flowers have a semi-double appearance when several petals appear above the main petals. The plant is compact and fast growing, and has dark green, velvety leaves.

Abstract: An african violet known by the cultivar name North Carolina and having sturdy, upright flower stems, with 10-12 single red-purple flowers on each stem; non-dropping flowers, and vigorous and compact growth habit.

Abstract: An african violet referred to by the cultivar name Michigan having dark green foliage and generally pink flowers which are non-dropping and have excellent color retention. The flowers are carried on short peduncles on straight and upright stems. The plant has a vigorous, compact and fast growing habit, with the first flash of flowers appearing 8-10 weeks after potting.

Abstract: There is disclosed a target range and mechanisms for use on those target ranges.The mechanisms comprise a trolley for use in shooting ranges wherein the trolley is constructed and arranged to be movable backwards and forwards along a track and including a target moving mechanism adapted, in use, to carry a target and to move the target from an operative shooting position to an inoperative shooting position and wherein the target moving mechanism is adapted to move the target such that in use, the width of the trolley and target across the direction of intended movement of the trolley when the target is in the inoperative shooting position is not substantially greater than the width of the trolley and target across the direction of intended movement of the trolley when the target is in the operative shooting position.

Abstract: An African violet named Minnesota having large star-shaped, non-dropping red-purple flowers, strong upright flower stems, with 5-7 flowers on each stem and 10-12 stems on each plant, dark green leaves, and vigorous growth habit.

Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant with flat decorative capitulum which is a sport of the cultivar Firebrand (unpatented), being distiguished from the parent cultivar by its dark yellow ray floret color.

Abstract: A standard capitulum type of chrysanthemum plant which is a sport of the non-commercial cultivar Arcade, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,659, granted Nov. 26, 1974; Brocade being distinguished from the parent cultivar by its medium to dark yellow ray floret color, taller plant height, larger flower size, and longer flowering response period.