Abstract: A cermet composition useful in the form of a thin-film as a strain gage consists of 65%-70% by weight chromium, 18%-32% by weight silicon monoxide, and 3%-12% by weight nickel, deposited by vacuum evaporation. After initial deposition, vacuum annealing is accomplished, or, if a more positive TCR and TSS is required, the annealing can be repeated at a higher temperature.

Abstract: A tool box constructed of sheetlike metal includes a lower compartment which is the major containing part and within which the tools and other materials are received, and a cover which pivotally is received thereon. The upper edges of the lower compartment are formed into a rolled edge which both adds strength to the wall and provides safety against accidental cutting or other injury to the user. In fabrication, the lower compartment is formed from two sheetlike members, the first member having what will be its upper edges rolled into a generally cylindrical form and then the member is shaped to provide a front panel and two end panels. The second member is formed by bending a rectangular sheet into an L-shape, providing the bottom and rear walls for the containing part of the chest. The rear wall of the lower chamber has its upper edge rolled with a substantial gap provided which is received onto a similarly rolled edge of the cover to provide a pivotal hinge for the cover.

Abstract: A hollow lightweight housing is provided, adapted for ready location on a horizontal surface such as a counter top adjacent a stove or oven. A set of food information bearing cards are carried by a rotatable assembly mounted within the housing, enabling selective presentation of any one of the cards to the ready view of the user. Mounted on a generally horizontal wall of the housing is the pushbutton portion of a digital calculator, the display of which is closely located to the cards when located for viewing so that information taken from the cards may be quickly and easily inserted in the calculator with readout being also readily available for comparison to the information on the cards. Also mounted on the same horizontal housing wall, immediately adjacent the calculator pushbuttons, are timing control switches permitting control of the calculator display as both an output display and a digital time readout.

Abstract: A gravity positioned detent is moved into obstructing relation to the end of a slidable latch member when the luggage case is wrong-side-up, preventing operation of the latch mechanism and opening of the case. When oriented right-side-up, the detent is moved out of the way, allowing full operation of the latch mechanism and opening of the case.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided having coiled tubing and radiating fins about which hot flue gases for the cooking equipment circulate to heat a medium passing therethrough. Temperature control valves are selectively adjustable to pass the heated water along either of two sets of conduits for heating makeup air or heating water for use in the facility, respectively. These temperature control valves are set so that when the ambient room temperature is less than 70.degree. F., the medium heated by the flue gases is passed through a second heat exchanger which intercepts incoming air to warm it before its admission in the building. When the temperature exceeds 70.degree. F., the valves automatically switch to direct the heated medium to a third exchanger for heating tap water. A bypass arrangement recirculates the heat carrying medium through the primary heat exchanger until it achieves a predetermined temperature to prevent condensation.

Abstract: Powdered material such as insecticide or the like is moved from a hopper by the combined effect of gravity, vibration and induction of a rotary blower for distribution as a gas-powder suspension. The element for vibrating the powder is driven by the blower to induce vibrations in the material along a plurality of different directions. Alternate versions include a canister of material removably located in the hopper, and a container that replaces the hopper and is removably secured to the apparatus.

Abstract: A device for releasably fastening objects such as chairs together in spaced-apart relationship comprises a pair of complementary U-shaped gripping means hingedly connected to one another at one end of the device, means for releasably interlocking the device at the other end thereof, and means for maintaining objects in spaced-apart relationship when the gripping means of the device are interengaged.

Abstract: A magnetic field probe is supported within a hollow base at one end by a resilient spring element and at its other end by a member adjustable to move the probe transversely of the axis defined by the probe ends. The spring element biases the probe in a direction transversely of the probe axis.

Abstract: The force which is to act upon the tooth depends only on the field strength of an applied magnetic field, upon the length and number of the electrical conductors through which the magnetic field passes and upon the current flowing through the conductors. The rigid medium can alter its position relative to the examination head without current added to the area of constant field intensity altering the force. In this manner, it is also possible to achieve good examination results even without complicated, troublesome and expensive creation of a fixed point by means of a mouth insert. The head of the test subject is held still by means of a head or chin support. The transducer head can be alternatively retained in a support or even by hand. With the aid of an electronic function generator, any desired time function for the force acting on the tooth, regardless of whether a sinusoidal, rectangular, stepped or sawtooth increase in force is desired is produced.

Abstract: A spring action portable centrifugal casting machine having a castor arm freely pivotable at a centrally balanced point has a horizontal pivotable extension arm attached thereto, and a crucible and flask entirely enclosed within a portable shield mounted on said extension arm.

Abstract: Compensating magnets are located on the article being tested which are adjustable to provide a range of magnetic moments. In a first version, each compensating magnet consists of an annular permanent magnet received on a rod-like element positioned on the surface of the article, which magnet is adjustable with respect to the article surface. In a second version, the magnet is located at a fixed spacing with respect to the article surface and a shunt is adjustable to vary the compensating field.

Abstract: The painters' palette includes a molded plastic body having an area on the bottom surface provided with adhesive for securing the palette to the surface on which it rests.

Abstract: A plurality of cables to be prestressed and made a part of the final concrete slab, each have their ends secured within a plate with the overall arrangement of wires or cables being of a geometry substantially that of the desired final structural unit. A pair of lever bars pivotally related at their ends are connected to the plates such that when pivoted into straight line relation, the plate securing the ends of the cables are separated from one another, placing the wires in tension. The entire set of stressed cables and lever bars is lifted as a unit and placed onto a horizontal surface having upstanding means received through openings in the plates. Adjustment screws secure the plates to the upstanding means on the horizontal surface, after which the lever bars are removed. Concrete is poured over the tension cables, forming the structural slab, after which on setting up, the end plates are removed from the wires, leaving the prestressed concrete slab with implanted tension wires.

Abstract: A caplike member is received onto a container for including a supply of materials to be sprayed onto lawns, shrubs and the like. A swivel nut mounted on the caplike member interconnects with, say, a water hose. A rotatable drumlike body on the caplike member has a pair of inserts with different sized bores passing therethrough, and which bores or passages are selectively positionable in alignment with a feed opening connected to inlet water, which tube lower end has a single proportion balance control orifice. The insert openings have lateral communication channels opening into a feed tube that extends into the container. A nozzle is rotatably affixed to the drumlike body and is individually adjustable to select any one of several exit openings which form different spray patterns. A further aspect is the provision of a hand operable valving device which directs inlet water into the container as a pressurized jet for initial mixing with the spray materials.