Abstract: A special effects system for simulating physical sensations in an audience during the presentation of a motion picture. Relatively high intensity, very low frequency random noise is acoustically coupled to a theater space to produce psychological and physiological sensations, much as earthquake movements, in the audience. The special effects are controlled by a control sub-channel which is either frequency multiplexed onto a conventional optical audio track or, in a magnetic stripe film format, the control sub-channel is placed on an accompanying optical track. The presence and amplitude of two control frequencies in the sub-channel are detected and logically combined, providing four separate digital function control signals and two analog control signals which are variable in amplitude.

Abstract: A portable dynamic advertising display system comprising an endless display path formed by an assembly of communicating track sections, adjustable supports including cross supports carrying the display path and drive means carried by one of the cross supports. A plurality of advertising signs are dependingly carried below the display path by roller assemblies carried along a guide rail disposed within the display path. The roller assemblies are connected to and carry an endless drive belt which moves the roller assemblies and dependent signs about the display path. The system is adapted for assembly and disassembly by a minimum of personnel and readily disassembled, transported and reassembled at a new site.

Abstract: A portable vacuum and pressure liquid tank used primarily for the skimming, removal and transfer of industrial waste liquids. A motor-driven pump supplies either super-atmospheric air pressure or a vacuum to the interior of the tank. When the tank interior is connected to vacuum, waste liquid is drawn into the tank. Pressurizing the interior of the tank forces the waste liquid out of the tank. Filling and draining of the tank may be controlled solely by valves.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical pulse generator for generating a train of high voltage pulses for spark ignition of multi-chamber, internal combustion engines operated at high speeds. The pulse generator comprises rotatable means mounted on the output shaft of the engine, typically on the dampener of the engine with cooperative pulse generating means carried on the engine housing adjacent the output shaft and responsive to the rotation thereof to generate the train of voltage pulses. In its preferred embodiment the pulse generating means comprises a coil winding which is mounted on a bracket secured to the engine with magnetic field generating means, such as a permanent magnet, to establish a magnetic circuit through the interior of the coil and magnetic flux means carried by the rotatable means mounted on the output shaft of the engine to generate a timed change in the magnetic flux of the magnetic circuit, thereby generating a train of induced voltage pulses in the coil windings.

Abstract: A tubular member which is ideally suited as a drive shaft for transmitting power from an engine to a remote station such as the drive shaft for a helicopter tail rotor or a remotely mounted propeller or rotor and a method of fabricating said member. The tubular member has a cylindrical body portion and at least one conical end portion with an integral, radial flange upstanding therefrom. The wall of the tubular member is composed of a plastic having embedded therein at least one layer of continuous filaments of fibrous reinforcing material with each layer of such material comprising two adjacent thicknesses of filaments. The filaments are in parallel alignment in each thickness and in diagonal orientation between thicknesses at a first helix angle in the cylindrical body portion and at a second, greater helix angle, in the conical end portion.

Abstract: An electronic torque wrench including a strain measuring bridge circuit disposed to measure the bending strain of the handle thereof, a NAND gate circuit connected to alternately excite the bridge according to the switching state thereof, a differential circuit connected to receive the bridge balance signal, an integrator connected to integrate a selected polarity output signal from said differential circuit, a clock-driven counter connected to be inhibited for a predetermined time interval following each time the integrating circuit output signal changes polarity providing selected binary level output signals to switch the NAND gate circuit according to the state thereof and a logical switching circuit connected to the selected binary level output signals of said counter for alternatively connecting either the output signal from the differential circuit or a fixed reference signal to the integrator.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printed circuit board test fixture which comprises a housing, a pair of parallel, opposed platens with press means associated with at least one of the platens. One of the platens supports a printed circuit board and the other supports a plurality of spring-biased, probe contact units positioned at predetermined locations to make contact to selected points of the printed circuit board when the platens are pressed into registration. When the contact units are carried in a removeable probe head which is one of a plurality of interchangeable probe heads, the test fixture can support an interface connector in substantially parallel alignment to the platens and the probe head bears interface contact members which are moved into mating connection with opposite interface contact members carried by the interface connector.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the manufacture of golf clubs of the iron type having the capability of imparting better loft and directional stability to golf balls. This capability results from the manufacture of the golf irons with desirably low centers of gravity and a generally symmetrical weight distribution about the striking face. The method of manufacture comprises casting a head having a hozel, neck and body dependent thereon and providing the body with an open cavity in its face that extends from at least one edge thereof across a substantial portion of the face and to a first depth therein. Faceplate land grooves are formed along opposite edges of the cavity. A sheet metal plate having a thickness approximately equal to the depth of these grooves is formed with exterior dimensions to seat in the opposite land grooves of the cavity and is placed in the land grooves thereby closing the face to the cavity.

Abstract: A device for separating dissolved or entrained gas from a liquid and particularly for separating dissolved or entrained air from oil used in hydraulic systems or as electrical insulation. Contaminated oil, containing dissolved or entrained gas, is introduced into a degassing chamber where the gas is removed in a relatively low pressure atmosphere. The oil, with at least part of the gas removed is withdrawn from the chamber through a cycling valve which automatically closes when the oil in the chamber reaches a low level at the end of a degassing phase. After the cycling valve closes, the degassing chamber begins to fill with oil, and the rising oil level operates as a piston to expell the previously separated gas through a vent. When the oil completely fills the chamber, the vent closes and pressure within the chamber rises until a predetermined pressure is reached. The cycling valve then opens automatically, allowing the oil to again be withdrawn.

Abstract: A telltale device for perishable products including a layer of temperature sensitive material having a clearly defined melting point and an indicator layer separated by a diffusion barrier formed of natural and synthetic gels which permits diffusion of the temperature sensitive material through the barrier at a controlled rate for contact with the indicator after a prescribed period of time at or above the melting point of the material. The temperature sensitive material and diffusion rate of the barrier are selected so that the device, when affixed to a product, visually indicates if the product has been held at or above its deterioration temperature for sufficient period to affect the quality of the product.

Abstract: Means to manually or power focus the adjustable lens unit of the projector. The power adjustment can be made irrespective of the position of the adjustable lens unit and safety features are incorporated which prevent locking and possible damage to the adjustment means when the limit of adjustment of the lens unit in a given direction has been reached.

Abstract: A prosthesis that replaces the articulating surfaces of the knee joint with mechanical devices which are designed to reproduce its function. A portion of the lower end of the femur is removed and replaced by a cap while the upper tibia is cut off and replaced by a tibial plateau. The articulating surface of the patella is modified to permit fixation of a third component which articulates with a groove in the anterior part of the femoral cap.

Abstract: There is disclosed a timer for use with a turn signal electrical circuit of a vehicle such as an automobile. The timer includes an audio or visual alarm to indicate to the operator of the vehicle when the turn signals have been actuated for an excessively prolonged period such as caused by failure to cancel the signal after completion of a turn. The timing circuit of the timer employs a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) with a charging capacitor, which receives a pulsed input from the turn signal circuit, in the triggering circuit of the SCR and in a holding circuit to the SCR to sustain the alarm for several periods of pulsed input from the turn signal circuit. The timer includes a capacitor discharge circuit activated by the brake switch of the vehicle to deactivate the timer when the brake pedal is depressed to avoid premature alarm activation when the vehicle is delayed from turning by traffic or a traffic signal.

Abstract: The device is an air driven piston in a cylinder driving a pump. A shuttle valve is provided to control the admission of air under pressure to, and exhaust from the cylinder. The shuttle valve is a double ended piston operating in coaxial bores with a stem part of smaller diameter between the ends. The air passes to the cylinder through the bore around the intermediate part of the double ended shuttle valve. The piston at one end of the shuttle valve has greater area exposed to pressure than the area of the piston on the other end of the valve. The shuttle valve is operated by one or more pilot valves that are actuated by the main piston. The shuttle valve is shifted by controlling the pressures acting on the parts of the pistons having exposed areas of different sizes.

Abstract: A footrest adapted to be removably mounted in the foot receiving area beneath the top of a desk. The footrest comprises an upper tubular member and a lower tubular member which are slidably connected to each other at one end. Their opposite ends have means for engaging the floor and the underside of the desk top. The tubular members are resiliently urged apart from each other by an internally mounted coil spring to hold the footrest in a vertical position. A foot support member is pivotally connected to the lower tubular member for movement between a horizontal use position and a vertical storage position. It may also be rotated to a position behind the lower tubular member.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced plastic article of manufacture having a multi-chambered, cellular structure with an outer shell having a fluid foil shape with a leading edge having a smooth radius of curvature and a trailing edge [noncircular]cross section over a substantial portion of its length and containing therein an inner shell which extends between at least two opposite interior walls of said outer shell thereby defining at least two chambers within said article, the walls of said shells being composed of a plastic having embedded therein at least on layer of a continuous roving of a fibrous reinforcement material, said at least one layer comprising two adjacent thicknesses of said roving with the rovings being in parallel alignment in each thickness and the rovings being in parallel alignment in each thickness and in diagonal orientation between thicknesses and with the rovings in the outer shell being continuous and unbroken over the leading edge of said foil shape.

Abstract: There is disclosed a band saw which can be utilized as a stationary or as a portable tool. The saw is principally designed for portable use with its table in a saw-supporting position, resting on the work, although it can also be utilized in combination with a bench support as a stationary band saw with its table in a work-supporting position. The weight and bulk of the saw are minimal, as necessary for its portable uses, by utilization of a universal adjustment mechanism providing fixed adjustability of the tension and tracking of the saw blade. The saw frame and table are preferably of cast metal to permit simple assembly into a rigid, lightweight tool that is free of frequent maintenance and adjustment. The saw is preferably provided in combination with a bench support for mounting the saw on a work table to provide a stationary band saw.

Abstract: A method for determining the maximum and minimum lung pressure during the breathing cycle of a patient undergoing positive pressure breathing therapy by utilizing a respiration system which includes a console with a gas supply and control unit located at a substantial distance from the patient, and a transfer unit in proximity to the patient. The delivery hose from the transfer unit to the patient is very short and of relatively small volume, so that a pressure sensor located in the transfer unit can monitor the system pressure at a point which has a relatively low volume spacial separation from the patient's lungs.

Abstract: A cover for covering elbows or angles in tubular conduits formed in the shape of a convoluted sheet of material such as polyethelene, and shaped to form a first stable configuration state fitting part way around the object to be covered. Opposite ends of the cover are caused to encircle the selected portion of the object in a second stable configuration state. In other embodiments, the cover has an integral part thereof, coupling ribs, adhesive, a tongue-in-sleeve or belt-in-loop arrangement or other coupling means or combinations of coupling means by which two opposite ends of the cover are coupled together around an object.

Abstract: There is disclosed a detachable lock mechanism which can be installed on automotive-type cooling fans having a conventional fan clutch connection between the fan and the fan drive shaft. The lock mechanism functions by providing a positive mechanical lock between the drive shaft and the cooling fan, thereby bypassing the drive clutch and its function. The locking mechanism provides a desirable positive lock to insure maximum fan speed when operating a vehicle in low gears and low forward speeds. The device is of particular value for off-road service of recreational vehicles and the like which are often operated for extended periods in low gears, conducive to overheating. In these applications, the operation of the fan clutch is detrimental to adequate engine cooling and a mechanical locking mechanism thereby serves a useful function in avoiding overheating of these vehicles.