Abstract: A flexible heating element comprises at least two flexible electrical conductors spaced apart by a PTC material, an amorphous highly conductive rubber compatible with the PTC material and adhered to each conductor being interposed between the PTC material and each conductor whereby in use current passes from one conductor to another through the PTC material via the highly conductive rubber. The conductors are spaced sufficiently close to one another to ensure that when energised the PTC material heats substantially uniformly without exhibiting a significant temperature gradient between the conductors and that any abnormal temperature increase increases the temperature of all the PTC material between the conductors in the region of the abnormal temperature increase. The arrangement is such that in use the contact resistance between the conductors and the PTC material is reduced by the amorphous highly conductive rubber interposed therebetween.

Abstract: An electronic temperature control circuit for regulating the soleplate temperature of an electrically heated pressing iron is located in the handle and supporting structure of the iron. The electronic circuit includes a thyristor controlling energization of the soleplate heater and tending to emit heat. The thyristor is mounted to a heat dissipating cooling plate located within a leakproof cavity in the supporting structure remotely from the other electronic components of the control circuit tending to be adversely affected by heat. The cooling plate and thyristor are mounted on a detachable wall closing the cavity and shaped to provide a resting stand which allows the iron to be rested flatly on a horizontal surface without the soleplate contacting the surface.

Abstract: Ice cube making apparatus of the type having a vertically disposed evaporator plate with a lattice structure on side thereof in which cubes are formed as water runs down the plate. The ice making cycle is controlled by a timer which is actuated by a pressure responsive switch in the refrigerant line and, upon timing out of the ice forming portion of the cycle, hot gas is delivered to the evaporator to detach the ice slab from the evaporator plate and a mechanical harvest plunger applies a uniform force to the ice slab to overcome capillary forces retaining said ice slab on the evaporator plate.

Abstract: A multiplexer for an ultrasonic ranging device for a vehicle having a resettable digital counter is disclosed herein. The digital counter receives a plurality of pulses from an oscillator and provides a counter output signal indicative of the stored count of the number of pulses. A plurality of logic gates are connected to the digital counter for control thereby. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are connected to the logic gates, the logic gates sequentially energizing the transducers in response to the stored count in the digital counter.

Abstract: In a portable freezer for preparation of sherbet, ice cream, and other frozen confections, of a type comprising a stationary bucket, which has an open top and is adapted to hold ice, salt, and brine, a removable can, which is adapted to hold confections being frozen, and which is seated within the bucket so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis, a removable head, which comprises horizontal arms bridging the open top of the bucket and a cover covering the can and its contents, a motor, which is arranged to rotate the can within the bucket about said vertical axis in one rotational sense, and a dasher, which is mounted within the can and beneath the cover so as to remain relatively stationary as the can is rotated, an improvement is disclosed wherein the dasher is journalled so as to be rotatable about said vertical axis, wherein the dasher is restrained by resilient means permitting a range of limited rotation of the dasher about said vertical axis and biasing the dasher so as to oppose such rotation of the

Abstract: A coffeemaker in which heated water infuses coffee grounds held in a basket, includes a spreader, which is associated with the basket, and which is adjustable so as to enable relative proportions of the water bypassing and not bypassing the grounds to be adjusted. None of the water bypasses the grounds at one selected position, for four dry measures of coffee grounds and four liquid measures of heated water, whereas a small portion of the water bypasses the grounds at another selected position, for more dry measures of coffee grounds and more liquid measures of heated water.

Abstract: A magnetic tachometer sensor for a motor control circuit having a motor driven interrupter wheel in proximity thereto supplies a motor speed signal to a frequency to voltage converter. The frequency to voltage converter produces a DC signal proportional to the speed of the interrupter wheel. The DC signal is compared to a user selected reference voltage in an error amplifier, thereby producing an error signal. The error signal is supplied to an output comparator which also receives a sawtooth timing reference signal in synchronism with power supply alternating current. The output comparator switches to trigger a triac into conduction when the sawtooth signal voltage exceeds the error voltage, thereby providing highly accurate timing of the switching point of the triac. The triac is arranged to provide a phase angle speed control for an electric motor used in a household appliance.

Abstract: An ultrasonic ranging device for use in a vehicle having a high frequency oscillator supplying continuous sine wave signals to a power amplifier through a first gate controlled by a timer. A second gate controlled by the timer supplies an amplified sine wave signal from the power amplifier to a piezoelectric transducer mounted on an exterior portion of a vehicle. The transducer produces a series of repeated ultrasonic pulses and receives echoes from nearby objects converting the echoes into electrical return signals. A receiver amplifies the return signals and supplies them to a coincidence gate, which is enabled for relatively short time intervals by a timer. The coincidence gate supplies an output signal to an indicator when the return signal is detected during the interval that the gate is enabled.

Abstract: In food-mixing apparatus comprising a driving unit and an arm, a latching and pivoting mechanism is adapted to be latched automatically so as to prevent relative movement of the arm and a console of the driving unit upon pivotal movement of the arm either to a lowered position or a raised position, and so as to prevent relative movement of the arm and the console, except for pivotal movement of the arm, upon pivotal movement of the arm to a pivotal position therebetween. The mechanism is adapted to be unlatched manually so as to permit pivotal movement of the arm from any pivotal position, and so as to permit the arm to be removed from the console upon further movement of the arm from the raised position.