Abstract: A method and apparatus for shoreline reclamation which includes the deployment of groyne structures including supporting stanchions to which are mounted at least one porous and pliable screen material wherein the screen is formed of biodegradable materials.

Abstract: A device for securing brackets on an upright member wherein the upright member includes two spaced flanges having ends bent inwardly to form curved end portions defining an opening therebetween. Each curved end portion includes a series of notches forming a rack over the length of the upright member. At least one bracket is provided which includes opposite end spaced retaining members which cooperate with the curved end portions, the notches and the continuous opening of the upright to retain the at least one bracket to the upright member.

Abstract: A debris collection pan for cleaning machines which is in such a shape and/or constructed of materials such that, as the leading edge thereof slides on a floor and encounters an obstacle, the pan bends upwardly so that the edge in contact with the floor returns to its original position. In one embodiment, the pan for floor cleaning machines has a generally triangular shape, with two sides consisting of arcs which join at an elastic point.

Abstract: Automatic discovery of qualitative and quantitative patterns inherent in data sets is accomplished by use of a unified framework which employs adjusted residual analysis in statistics to test the significance of the pattern candidates generated from data sets. This framework consists of a search engine for different order patterns, a mechanism to avoid exhaustive search by eliminating impossible pattern candidates, an attributed hypergraph (AHG) based knowledge representation language and an inference engine which measures the weight of evidence of each pattern for classification and prediction. If a pattern candidate passes the statistical significance test of adjusted residual, it is regarded as a pattern and represented by an attributed hyperedge in AHG. In the task of classification and/or prediction, the weights of evidence are calculated and compared to draw the conclusion.

Abstract: Controllers for regulating fluid flow, and especially flow of liquid in supply lines, each of which include a valve assembly which is slidably positioned in a bore extending transverse to a fluid passageway extending through the body of the controller. Each controller includes a shaped memory alloy spring which is mounted so as to be in heat exchange relationship with fluid flowing therethrough. Each spring is mounted adjacent a stem of a valve and is operable when heated to a predetermined activation temperature to shift the valve assembly to at least partially close the fluid passageway. In some embodiments, the valve assembly is manually operable at temperatures below the activation temperature to regulate flow through the controllers. In other embodiments, the valve assembly is automatically shifted to open the fluid passageway through the body of the controller when temperatures decrease below the activation temperature.

Abstract: A device for sublimating a decoration on a surface of an object including at least one elastic membrane retained by sealing elements and capable of elastic deformation in all directions when the device is placed under vacuum.

Abstract: A collar for selectively connecting and disconnecting twines and harness cords in a jacquard harness mechansim for a weaving loom. The collar includes a socket element having at least one elastically deformable chuck with jaws for engaging a prong of a male element inserted within the socket element. The male element includes a shuttle which is moveable along a rod which extends from the prong to an intermediate portion of the male element which aligns the male element with the socket element. The shuttle separates the jaws of the at least one elastically deformable chuck during relative axial movement of the male element with respect to the socket element to permit the prong of the male element to be inserted into or withdrawn from engagement with the socket element.

Abstract: A convertible baby walker and baby gym comprising a pair of spaced-apart side frames supported on wheels. A cross-piece extends between the side frames and is extensible to adjust the spacing between the frames. The cross-piece is elevated above the side frames and serves to suspend playthings when the apparatus is in the baby gym configuration. The cross-piece is repositioned to extend adjacent a forward pair of wheels associated with the side frames to brace the side frames when the apparatus is in the baby walker configuration.

Abstract: A compact and portable bath bench which is mounted on a frame supported by a pair of foldable brackets which engage an outer side wall of a bathtub. The frame is stabilized by a foldable leg assembly which extends from the frame to the bottom of the bathtub. A seat may be supported on the bench by a moveable carriage so that an individual may be seated adjacent the side wall of the bathtub and thereafter moved centrally thereof.

Abstract: Between a rocking lever controlled by a striking pin of a cartridge and a resiliently loaded actuation knob of an alarm micro-switch, there is interposed an arm mounted on a pivot which pivot is spaced from the movement axis of the knob with result that the knob is engaged by the arm virtually without any mutual lateral sliding therebetween.

Abstract: A gateway device for controlling the admission of telephone calls from a telephone line to a telecommunication station which includes a telephone call identification device; a micro controller operatively connectable to the telephone line through the telephone call identification device and to a telecommunication station on the telephone line, the micro controller being programmable to accept in memory a list of telephone call identification data and also having in memory instructions to summarily act on a telephone call identified by the call identification device that is included in the telephone call identification data; a command station for the micro controller; a device for two-way, radio-link connecting the micro controller and the command station to transmit information in the call identification device not summarily acted on as stated to the command station for visual display and for transmitting control commands from the command station to the micro controller, the command station having a visual di

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a split bridge sports racket having a frame with a rim and a handle, the rim being formed with string tunnels through which the string extends to form an impact surface, the handle having a Y configuration, the arms of which merge with the rim to define a bridge section of the rim that extends between the ends of the arms of the Y configuration, the bridge having a discontinuity, the free ends of the bridge at the discontinuity articulating with a bridge insert to reduce player arm stress in use. The improvement resides in providing a bridge having a length to accommodate at least four central longitudinal string tunnels of the racket with each central longitudinal string tunnel extending in the same direction as their respective longitudinal strings through the said bridge and wherein a support plug is mounted within the hollow of each of the free ends of the bridge to limit the movement of the free ends during play and prevent cracking of the frame from use.

Abstract: A changeable sign comprises an enclosed outer housing and inner changeable number display areas. The number display areas are comprised of vertically spaced sections, each including a plurality of rotatable horizontal flaps. The flaps are rotated by motors which may be controlled on-site or remotely using telephone, pager or radio remote controllers. Different arrangements of number displays may be provided to display the time, temperature, single digit numbers, multiple digit numbers and decimals as well as other characters. The sign has a compact construction and is weather resistant.

Abstract: An on-line ultrasonic sensor for monitoring and sensing failure in a cutting tool insert. The preferred embodiment of the sensor includes a piezoelectric film of aluminum nitride (AlN) deposited onto a tool insert or tool insert seat with the AlN film electrically connected to a signal generator and detection circuitry. A voltage pulse is applied to the AlN film to generate ultrasonic signal pulses in the AlN film which are transmitted through a tool insert to the vicinity of the cutting edge of the tool insert during use. Back-reflected ultrasonic signals from the edge of the tool insert induce a voltage signal in the piezoelectric film which is analysed and compared to signals characteristic of undamaged tool inserts. Temperature increases, wear and various types of tool failure can be readily detected during use of the insert with the sensor.

Abstract: A display element has a disk which rotates on an axis to show its bright or dark side in the viewing direction. When the bright side is showing the disk allows passage of light from an LED. When the dark side is showing the disk masks the light from the LED. Preferably, an opaque shroud surrounds the LED and projects a short distance forwardly thereof to help define the cone in which light from the LED may be viewed in ON position. A side wall or said element projects forwardly of the rotation axis to mask the escape of light on that side transverse to the viewing direction. A second side wall may be placed on the other side for the same purpose or the adjacent element may provide the second wall.

Abstract: A process for imprinting viewing fields on a cover glass is disclosed. First, the cover glass is annealed. A grid is then placed on the annealed cover glass. The grid has small openings which define the viewing fields. The annealed cover glass with a grid thereon is then coated with a thin film of an inert metal which can adhere to glass. The thin film is applied by way of a high vacuum coating method or a sputtering method. The grid is then removed from the coated cover glass. The coated cover glass is particularly useful in the preparation of microscope slides of filters having asbestos fibers or the like deposited thereon. A portion of the filter, which is smaller than the cover glass, is cut. The cut portion of the filter is placed onto either the coated cover glass or the microscope slide to form a filter combination. The filter combination is then cleared with a clearing solution. The filter combination is then fixed to the microscope slide or cover glass by means of a fixative.

Abstract: A tibial prosthesis including a disk made out of a plastic material, of which a bottom surface is provided with fastening means for the interlocking with a metal ring which reinforces the disk.

Abstract: Filtering bags manufactured with materials selected to withstand specific conditions of service which include labels made of materials resistant to such conditions of service which have markings resistant to such conditions of service for the life of the filter bags. The labels are preferably incorporated in the filtering bags so as not to form filtering zones.

Abstract: A terminal assembly for a CATV RF circuit is located on a circuit board with a slot open towards a port through which projects a coaxial cable pin. The board is located below the pin and the slot allows travel of the board vertically therepast. A conducting blade connected to RF circuitry on the board projects over and parallel to the pin and a yoke, slidable on the blade, slides from a retracted position where the board may be lifted past the pin and an extended position, where it encircles the pin and blade and clamps them together.