Abstract: A fan having a rectangular frame including a bottom wall, two side walls, and a top wall, and a motor-driven impeller supported within the frame for causing air to move through the frame in an axial direction. The frame has at least one, and preferably two, stabilizing feet moveable between an extended position, in which each foot projects axially beyond the contour of the fan frame, and a retracted position, in which the foot does not project axially beyond the contour of the fan frame. Resilient elements, such as springs, constantly urge the stabilizing feet toward their extended positions. The stabilizing feet may be pivotally mounted on the fan frame, and stops are provided against which each foot abuts when the foot is in its extended position.

Abstract: A toy ball having a solid body of foam plastic material and a noisemaker completely embedded within the foam plastic body. The noise maker includes a hollow rigid housing, which may be formed of a hard plastic, and a marble within the housing free to roll around therein so as to create a clattering sound when the ball is shaken, thrown, and caught. The internal surface of the housing has inwardly-projecting ridges to enhance the clatter produced as the marble, which may be a steel ball, rolls around within the housing. The foam plastic body of the ball is made in a mold cavity having the shape of the ball to be produced. While the mold is open, the noisemaker is resiliently suspended along the centerline of the mold cavity so that the center of the noisemaker substantially coincides with the midpoint of the mold cavity centerline. Plastic material is placed within the mold cavity, the mold is closed, and the plastic foam expands to fill the mold cavity, at the same time completely surrounding the noisemaker.

Abstract: A sound synthesizer which may be associated with a personal computer and including apparatus for employing the output of a noise generator which is cataloged to provide a multiplicity of waveforms and apparatus for receiving the multiplicity of waveforms and creating therefrom desired sound signals, thus providing a synthesized sound output.

Abstract: A speed and direction indicator for ships having at least one rudder propeller, or pump jet, and preferably several such devices for determining the direction of the ship and its speed in the selected direction. An optical display is provided in the area occupied by the ship operator, on which display are shown the angle which is formed between the direction of force and a reference direction, and the strength of the thrust, independently of the operating state of the rudder propeller(s) or the pump jet(s).

Abstract: A valve including a valve member having two different stable positions, and a valve operator for shifting the valve member between its two stable positions and holding the valve member in those positions. The valve operator includes a shuttle moveable between two extreme positions corresponding to the two stable positions, respectively, of the valve member. A first spring urges the shuttle toward one of its extreme positions and a second spring, stronger than the first spring, urges the shuttle toward the other of its extreme positions, these movements of the shuttle being transmitted to the valve member. A device, such as an electric solenoid, selectively renders the second spring ineffective with respect to the shuttle, so that when the second spring is ineffective the first spring causes the valve member to assume one of its stable positions, and when the second spring is not ineffective, the second spring causes the valve member to assume the other of its stable positions.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has wet and dry modes. In dry mode, air containing dust is passed through a multi-stage filter including adjacent subchambers containing a liquid for removing microscopic dust from the incoming air. The liquid is prevented from being exhausted from the vacuum cleaner with the exhausted air and is returned to the subchambers. In wet mode, a float and float guide cause a difference in pressure when the vacuum cleaner is filled with liquid. The pressure difference is sensed to actuate an electric circuit breaker to prevent overflow.

Abstract: The present innovation pertains to a device with which containers, in which water collects in an unintentional manner, are automatically drained. An outer housing (2, 3), which can be inserted into the bottom of the container, is subdivided by a web (8a) into two chambers, one of which is connected to the interior of the container, and the other of which is connected to the surroundings of the container. The web encloses an opening (20) which connects the two chambers when a valve member (14) has moved away from a seat (8b) enclosing the opening. If the valve member rests on the seat, the chambers are separated from one another, and the interior space of the container is not in connection with the surroundings of the container. The movement of the valve member is controlled by the water level in the chamber which is in connection with the interior space of the container.

Abstract: A valve having a valve body formed with a chamber with which a plurality of ports in the valve body communicate. At least one of the ports is adapted for connection to a source of pressurized fluid. A rocker valve member is pivotally mounted within the chamber and swings between two extreme positions in which it closes and opens at least one of the ports. A diaphragm within the chamber extends from the periphery of the rocker valve member and the margin of the diaphragm is secured in the valve body. All the ports in the valve body face one side of the diaphragm. An operator, for swinging the rocker valve member between its extreme positions, engages the rocker valve member on the side of the diaphragm opposite the side facing the ports, so that the diaphragm serves to isolate the ports from the operator.

Abstract: A probe system for removable attachment to a patient in which the probe containing light emitter and detector elements is separable from a fastener for securing the probe to the skin of a patient to enable the fastener to be discarded and the probe reused. Apertures in the fastener complementary to the probe housings enable secure stabilization of the probe system on the skin and maintain a fixed relationship between the light emitter and detector elements.

Abstract: A lens and method of fabrication thereof for improving reading vision while maintaining normal vision wherein the diopter power of the lens varies inversely with the radius of the lens.