Abstract: A method for providing set price and/or variable price betting by operating on a pool of bets and ensuring that the total amount to be paid out on an outcome does not exceed the total amount available. The method includes the steps of: initialising all parameters and variables. The set price(s) is determined for none, one or more of the possible outcomes; and a representation of each set price is produced. For each set price bet on an outcome; the set price is assigned to each set price bet, and a record of the bet is produced including the set price in that record. A variable price(s) is determined for none, one or more of the possible outcomes by operating on the pool of bets for each such outcome by: i) dividing the pool of bets amongst the number of results on which dividends must be paid; ii) diminishing to allow for commission; iii) diminishing to allow for the amounts reserved to be paid out on set price bets on that outcome; iv) dividing amongst the amounts bet at a variable price on that outcome.

Abstract: A method and product to replace asbestos in brake pads and other molded friction materials. Conductive fibers and non-conductive fibers, both of small diameter and an average length less than two inches (5 cm), are mixed together in predetermined ratio to facilitate uniform suspension of friction materials in a moldable mixture. Steel, copper, or brass are preferred for the conductive fibers; aramid and acrylic resins are preferred for the non-conductive fibers.

Abstract: A signal cable is provided with a first signal line and second signal line which are respectively connected between a first signal device and a second signal device and are constructed so as to transmit appointed signals, wherein the second signal line is a constant potential line and connects the first shielding line to the second signal line at the same potential at the first signal device side and simultaneously connects the second shielding line to the second signal line at the same potential at the second signal device side.

Abstract: A flush valve has a body with an inlet and an outlet and a passage connected therebetween. There is a valve seat at one end of the passage and a valve assembly is positioned to close upon the valve seat. The valve assembly includes a diaphragm positioned to control the flow of water through the passage, a guide member attached to the underside of the diaphragm and positioned within the passage, and a refill ring attached to the exterior of the guide member. The refill ring has a discontinuous outer wall which includes a plurality of spaced wall segments extending toward the flush valve passage and providing yielding frictional resistance to movement of the valve assembly relative to the passage to thereby dampen vibrations of the valve assembly during closing portions of the flush valve operating cycle.

Abstract: A switch has a carrier sheet with electrodes formed on an internal side thereof to form switch contacts. An armature is held in slidable contact with the internal side of the carrier and the electrodes by a magnet disposed on the external surface of the carrier. The magnet is carried in a knob mounted on the external side of the membrane carrier for rotary, linear or complex motion. When a user manipulates the knob the magnet drags the armature either into or out of shorting relation with the electrodes. A magnetic detent gear can be incorporated to provide tactile feedback. A pushbutton version of the switch can be made with a pivotable armature normally held spaced from electrodes on the substrate by a magnet. A membrane and spacer may be added to protect and seal the electrodes and armature.

Abstract: The combination of a water filter and a display for indication of the water filter condition includes an electrical circuit connected to the display and responsive to use of the water filter. The circuit includes a microcontroller, a timer connected to the microcontroller and providing timing signals thereto, and a switch connected to the microcontroller and responsive to the flow of water from the filter to cause the microcontroller to process the timing signals. The microcontroller is programmed to utilize the timing signals to provide an electrical signal to the display indicative of filter condition.

Abstract: A clock signal source is described for providing three mutually independent clock signals to three processing sub-systems of a triplicated data processing system. The source comprises a master reference oscillator 10, a slave reference oscillator 12 phase locked to the master oscillator 10 and three mutually independent clock circuits 14a to 14c. Each of the clock phase circuits 14 is phase locked to the output signal of the reference oscillator 10 when it is functioning correctly, or to the slave reference oscillator 12 if a malfunction is detected in the master reference oscillator 10.

Abstract: A pressure flush tank for toilets is formed and adapted to be located within a toilet enclosure and is preferably formed of a non-metallic material such as plastic. The pressure flush tank has an essentially rectangular vertical cross section and an essentially rectangular horizontal cross section, with the tank including an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. There is a peripheral projection on the lower surface of the upper housing portion and a peripheral recess along a facing surface of the lower housing portion, with the projection being positioned within and ultrasonically welded to the recess. Each of the housing portions has side walls and end walls, with each housing portion having reinforcing interior walls extending between opposing side walls to provide strength and rigidity for the pressure flush tank.

Abstract: A pouch making machine has a pin conveyor which receives finished pouches from a knife and transfers them to a cartoner where they are stacked in a carton in a continuous motion. The cartoner indexes the carton after entry of each pouch, or group of pouches, so that an empty portion of the carton is aligned with the pin conveyor's discharge path to receive the next pouches released from the conveyor. When a carton is full the cartoner executes a long move to discharge the filled carton and position a succeeding carton for receipt of the next pouches. The cartons are held with the bottom wall angled or tilted from both the horizontal and vertical so that during filling pouches in the carton are neither standing on edge nor piled in a vertical stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gun for appreciation, which is constructed by machining some parts thereof so that the same can not be used as a real gun, and comprises a barrel having a chamber for generating a propulsion force of a bullet and a bullet passing bore formed so that a bullet is caused to pass through, and a frame equipped with a supporting section for supporting and fixing said barrel, wherein an opening is drilled at a wall of said barrel, for example, said chamber, a metallic rod is inserted into said bullet passing bore, and said barrel and said metallic rod are fixed at said opening.

Abstract: A railroad crossing gate electrical control system for moving a crossing gate in up and down directions also provides for raising the gate counterweights in a failure mode. The control system includes an electric motor having a plurality of electromagnet poles and an armature rotating inside of the poles, with armature movement controlling gate movement. There is a motor and snub relay having contacts connected to the armature and the motor poles. A terminal board has movable contacts which are connected to the motor and snub relay and to a relay coil for moving the contacts of the snub relay. A source of power is connected to the terminal board. The movable terminal board contacts control the application of power to the motor and snub relay coil and the motor and snub relay contacts for operating the motor to cause up and down gate movement. There is a maintenance relay having a coil connected through a normally open switch to the source of power.

Abstract: A rail car truck damping system includes a bolster with a bolster pocket having an interior slanted wall, a side frame having a column wear resistant surface facing said pocket and a friction wedge positioned within the pocket. The wedge has a body with an area of contact facing the bolster pocket slanted wall which is formed by a pair of spaced planar generally parallel surfaces with a recess therebetween. The bolster pocket slanted wall has an elongated outward extension aligned with the wedge recess and extending therein, with the extension functioning to resist lateral movement of the wedge within the bolster pocket. The wedge body has an area of contact facing the side frame column wear resistant surface which is formed by a pair of spaced planar generally parallel surfaces with a recess therebetween.

Abstract: A method of making a composite plastic knob including the steps of forming a plastic core having a front wall of a generally uniform thickness with an integral discernible window portion formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall and with the window having a thickness less than the generally uniform thickness of the front wall; positioning an anvil in the core in supporting engagement with the window portion of the fin and injection molding an outer covering of an opaque plastic of a contrasting color over the front wall of the core except for the window portion of the fin thereof. The knob includes a plastic core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness and an integral portion of a window formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall. The window is thinner than the front wall of the core.

Abstract: A bridge plate assembly for use in moving vehicles between rail cars for loading and unloading has sufficient length to span the space between adjacent rail cars and has sufficient width to accommodate vehicles of varying wheelbase. The plate assembly includes two relatively movable telescoping load bearing members, each of which includes a plurality of spaced tubular members and a support member at each end of each plate member joining the tubular members together.

Abstract: Selenium bearing copper-nickel, corrosion resistant and gall resistant castable alloy, particularly for food processing machine parts, with the following weight percentage range:Ni=10-40Zn=2-6Sn=2-7Se=1-4Bi=0-3Fe=0-3P=0-0.

Abstract: A trim panel for use in automotive trim applications is made from a laminate of a thermoformable support layer and an A-side layer made of vinyl or cloth or similar material. The laminate is thermoformed to impart permanently the contour of a rigid substrate to which the panel will be attached. The support layer retains the desired contour without the use of other materials. Process controls are applied allowing thermoforming of parts to automotive precision.