Abstract: A method of determining the health condition of a living creature comprises the steps of detecting a selected physiological characteristic, e.g. the conductivity of the skin, of the living creature at a statistically significant plurality of measuring points distributed over a defined body portion of the living creature, determining, e.g. by means of a computer, the statistical distribution of the measured values and comparing the statistical distribution of the measured values to a reference statistical distribution of the selected physiological characteristic. The said reference statistical distribution is a logarithmic distribution which is determined according to the calculating methods of statistics by means of the computer directly from the measured values obtained for the individual tested living creature. The invention for the first time permits a reliable indication as to overall health condition of a human or animal.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor. Such motor includes a support (2), a stator (S2, S3) fixed to the support (2), piezoelectric means (10) adapted to be electrically excited so as to induce a vibratory motion in the stator (S2, S3), a rotor (R2, R3) mounted for rotation relative to the support (2), such rotor including a body on which transmission means (36) are arranged and adapted to transmit the vibratory motion of the stator (S2, S3) to the rotor (R2, R3) and in order to drive such rotor in rotation, and elastic support means (79) for the rotor on the stator, characterized in that the body of the rotor is formed by a structure (D2, D3) which is elastically deformable, at least in the direction of the stator, and which at least in part forms the support means (79). The invention is applied, for example, to a timepiece.

Abstract: A gate for a lamp which is particularly suited for illuminating rectangular objects comprises a holding element defining a light-passage opening which can be mounted on the lamp. Four gate wings are mounted on the holding element about the light-passage opening for defining a gate opening having substantially the approximate shape of an even-leg, or isosceles, trapezoid.

Abstract: A pager receiver for receiving radio broadcast message signals including call signal information and message information comprises a receiver (3) for receiving and demodulating coded message signals, a memory (5) for memorizing the message information, a coded message signal decoder (4) for selectively furnishing message information to the memory (5) and function control circuitry (8) capable of furnishing control signals to the memory and of receiving therefrom message information stored therein. The memory (5) comprises internal processing circuitry for controlling the reception of message information coming from the decoder (4) so that the selected message information furnished by the decoder (4) may be stored in the memory without the necessity of having control available from a micro-computer or processor outside such memory which thus becomes, in a manner of speaking, "intelligent". The receiver may be applied to pagers incorporated in wrist-watches.

Abstract: An adjustable crutch (10) includes upper and lower assemblies (12, 14) which are slidably interconnected with one another is constructed of hollow aluminum pipes, or tubing, (16, 18, 42, 44) interconnected by glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members (20, 22, 54). Walls of the hollow aluminum tubing extend into annular cavities (26) formed in the glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members, with molded-in bosses, or plugs, (28) of glass or fiber-reinforced nylon material extending into bores of the aluminum tubing. A hand grip support (54) has shear pins (64) for selectively engaging holes (66) in upper shafts (16, 18). A hand grip (68) on the hand grip support is laterally offset and the upper shafts are separated by at least 5 inches. The hand grip defines a holding notch (78) for interconnecting two crutches so that they can be easily held by one hand while only one of the crutches is used. A foam arm cushion (32) has a convex top edge (34) and concave side surfaces (36a, 36b ).

Abstract: An adjustable crutch (10) includes upper and lower assemblies (12, 14) which are slidably interconnected with one another is constructed of hollow aluminum pipes, or tubing, (16, 18, 42, 44) interconnected by glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members (20, 22, 54). Walls of the hollow aluminum tubing extend into annular cavities (26) formed in the glass or fiber-reinforced nylon members, with molded-in bosses, or plugs, (28) of glass or fiber-reinforced nylon material extending into bores of the aluminum tubing. A hand grip support (54) has shear pins (64) for selectively engaging holes (66) in upper shafts (16, 18). A hand grip (68) on the hand grip support is laterally offset and the upper shafts are separated by at least 5 inches. The hand grip defines a holding notch (78) for interconnecting two crutches so that they can be easily held by one hand while only one of the crutches is used. A foam arm cushion (32) has a convex top edge (34) and concave side surfaces (36a, 36b ).

Abstract: A process for making windowed form, fill and seal bags (70) for containing perishable and/or nonperishable goods involves linearly conveying an endless strip of paper-like material (12) through an adhesive application station (14) which applies adhesive to an adhesive side (18) of the endless strip of paper-like material throughout, with the exception of a window area (34) on each individual bag form (36a, b, c, etc.) making up the endless strip. The endless strip is then conveyed through a synchronized window-blanking station (44) which cuts a window blank (54) from each window area so as to form a window opening (50) therein. The adhesive side is then adhered to a transparent plastic heat-sealable film (58). Side edge margins (32) are slit from the endless strip of paper material to leave a composite endless form (10) for, in turn, making the flexible windowed, form, fill and seal bags (70) for containing perishable and/or nonperishable goods. To make these bags, the individual bag forms (36a, b, c, etc.

Abstract: A vortex gasket for automotive exhaust system, preferably used with a special flange having a conical seal surface, is formed by spirally overlaying a metal hoop (2) of flat strip, and an inorganic filler (3) of tape form, and annularly spot welding a winding start portion (2a) and a winding end portion (2b) of the hoop (2) to itself. The tape form of the inorganic filler is wider than the flat strip of the metal hoop so that edges of the inorganic filler form seal contact surfaces spaced beyond edges of the metal hoop. When an external force is applied in the axial direction, slipping occurs between the hoop (2) and the filler (3), and the gasket is telescopically deformed in the axial direction, so that the seal contact surfaces 1a, 1b, at sides of the gasket, are formed in a conical shape.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for removing a small sized sample from a very large tanker container. The tank is closed, a valve is mounted in the deck which closes the tank, and the present apparatus attaches to that valve. This defines an open and close passage into the tank. A sample container on a measured steel tape is lowered through the passage into the tank and retrieves a measured sample. Sample container is removed outside the tank in a sample transfer mechanism. The sample transfer mechanism incorporates a container filling head or assembly which features a pair of needles which penetrate the septum on the mouth of a half liter or liter container which can be carried to a test facility after filling. Two needles are used, one to introduce the liquid into the container and the other to vent the container fumes or any over flow, and the vented fumes and over flow are directed to a charcoal carbon filled filter.

Abstract: A crutch tip assembly (12) includes a crutch tip base (14) with a laterally protruding lip (28) adjacent a base bottom surface (26) and a resilient boot (16) having the shape of a rocker. The boot defines a mounting cavity (36) for snugly receiving the base bottom surface and the lip for holding the boot on the base. The boot has a sole with a bottom surface (39) for contacting the ground and a top surface (46) in the cavity directed towards the base bottom surface. Protruding portions are positioned between the base bottom surface and the sole top surface for providing resilient cushioning between the sole top surface and the base bottom surface. Sidewall cavities (84) are located around the perimeter of the boot allowing for lateral compression and reexpansion.

Abstract: The method applies to a receptacle-closing carousel that includes a rotary platform fitted with receptacle holding members and associated with a receptacle insertion member and with a receptacle extraction member. The method consists in cantilevering out a length of heat-sealable strip in the receptacle insertion direction over a sector of the platform that extends between the receptacle extraction member and the receptacle insertion member, relative to the direction of rotation of the platform.

Abstract: A bending process including both preliminary and following steps takes place in one apparatus. A plastic pipe (6) is heated to a temperature in which it can be plastically deformed. The heated pipe is thereafter shoved into a pipe-shaped bending channel (27) of a bending tool, with the bending tool comprising two dies (9,10), each respectively defining a groove (14,13) which together form the bending channel. Finally, a cooling agent is allowed to flow through the bent pipe which is still in the bending tool. The thusly cooled pipe is removed from the bending tool after the dies are separated from one another. The apparatus to bend the plastic pipe comprises heating, bending, and cooling stations (1,2,3). The heating station comprises two heating fixtures, and the cooling station comprises a supply line (21,22) with a coupling joint (20) which can be coupled to an end of the pipe.

Abstract: A momentary electrical switch includes fixed contacts fixed relative to a switch housing and slidable contacts located within the housing. A contact operating mechanism includes a manual control knob, slide element and a support attached to the slide for supporting the slidable contacts, the contact operating mechanism being movable axially in a first direction against a compression spring when the knob is pulled. An interlock element extends beyond the periphery of the slide to engage the casing to prevent movement of the contact operating mechanism when the knob is pulled. A spring biased interlock release stem is moved axially in an opposing second direction by pressing on a pushbutton to disengage the interlock element from the casing. The movable switch contacts are moved in the first direction relative to the fixed contacts only by concurrently pressing in one direction on the pushbutton while pulling on the knob in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A two-level detector for an electrically conductive liquid having a common electrode serving as a potential reference and situated at a low level, a high electrode situated at a high level, and a low electrode situated at the low level, the electrodes being connected by conductors to electronic apparatus for detecting the liquid at said two levels by means of currents flowing through the liquid. The high and low electrodes are made of metals that have different electrode potentials. A first conductor and a second conductor interconnect the electrodes to constitute an electrical primary cell that is short-circuited when both electrodes are simultaneously in contact with the liquid. The second conductor is extended to connect the electrode assembly to a signal terminal of the electronic apparatus. The common electrode is made of a metal whose electrode potential is different by about 0.

Abstract: A document support (10) comprises an elastic cord (12) arranged in the shape of an endless loop (11), two elongated, tubular, high-friction spreaders (14a and b) through which the endless loop slidably extends, and a plurality of squeeze-type spring clips (16, 18) slidably and rotatably mounted on the endless loop. The document support is used by elastically expanding the endless loop, placing the high-friction spreaders on opposite edges (42) of an object (such as a seat back (38)) with the endless loop surrounding the stationary object and the spring clips positioned on a working side (47) of the stationary object, and allowing the elastic cord of the endless loop to elastically contract onto the stationary object. Documents are selectively attached to the squeeze-type spring clips by a person positioned on the working side of the stationary object.

Abstract: A control device for an asynchronous motor (2), notably intended for the drive system of an electric vehicle, comprises electric supply source (10) able to produce an AC supply voltage whose frequency (FAL) and amplitude (UAL) may be adjusted independently of one another. For a given frequency of the supply voltage, the amplitude of the voltage is able to vary between a minimum value and a maximum value, the difference between the frequency of rotation of the turning magnetic field in the vicinity of the rotor and the frequency of rotation of the rotor being maintained substantially constant as long as the amplitude of the supply voltage is less than the maximum value. Once the maximum value has been reached, the torque on the shaft of motor (2) is increased by increasing the slip.

Abstract: The closing and clamping lever for a ski boot comprises a substantially perimetral structural casing (10a,12a,13a) which is provided on at least the sides of the body (10b,12b,13b) of its components, which is made of plastic. A couple of transverse portions (27,28) are also provided. The casing is for example made of metal or an engineering polymer. In this latter case it may be manufactured integrally with the body (10b,12b,13b) of the lever components.

Abstract: By embedding blocks of resilient material, where necessary reinforced, in the toe-piece and heel of the sole of a ski-boot, so that their upper surfaces make contact with a counter-sole made of rigid material internally covering the bottom of the shell and with the bottom of the wedge contained inside the shell, the responsiveness and the accuracy of transmission of the movements from the limb and foot of the skier to the ski remain unaffected, while the muscular fatigue affecting the limbs and back of the skier is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A card comprising an electronic element (2) and a coil (42) having its ends directly coupled to the electronic element are encased in a binding material (10). A positioning structure (46) for the electronic element is located in a layer (38) formed by the binding material.

Abstract: Under the control of a microprocessor first and second motors alternately drive first and second ends of a shear bar for adjusting the position of the shear bar relative to cutter head. The shear bar is adjusted so that it is substantially parallel to the cutter head even though the cutter head and shear bar may not be parallel at the time the adjustment is initiated. A knock sensor is provided for sensing impacts between the cutter head and shear bar, the knock sensor output signal being converted to a digital value for controlling the adjusting sequence. A knocker is provided for inducing vibrations in the shear bar to thereby test the operability of the knock sensor and its output circuitry. The sensitivity of the adjustment system to the output of the knock sensor is set automatically before an adjustment sequence begins to account for variations in the knock sensor, its output circuitry, and "noise" vibrations induced in the shear bar by normal machine operation.