Abstract: A four-cycle internal combustion engine having a piston reciprocably movable within a cylinder, a crankshaft, a rod connecting the piston to the crankshaft and means arranged between the rod and the crankshaft to vary the stroke of the piston, said means for varying the stroke comprising an internal gear, an external gear and an eccentric member, characterized in that the eccentric distance of the crankpin, the radius of the pitch circle of the external gear and the radius of the pitch circle of the internal gear are in the ratio of one to two to three.

Abstract: A purifier for filtering and purifying a fluid, such as water, comprises a pressure vessel for holding a purifying element for filtering and purifying the fluid, the pressure vessel having inlet and outlet members for introducing the fluid into the pressure vessel and for removing the fluid from the pressure vessel. A first end cap closes a first opening in the housing of the pressure vessel, and a sealing member located between the first end cap and the housing of the pressure vessel seals between the first end cap and the housing. A first removable retaining yoke extends between the housing and the first end cap for securing the first end cap to the housing. Level compensating support members are provided for supporting the pressure vessel above a surface on which the purifier rests in a secure, non-wobbling manner. Optionally, a by-pass channel and a by-pass valve are provided to cause the fluid to by-pass the purifying element, when filtered/purified fluid is not desired.

Abstract: A journal bearing having a working surface for contacting a shaft, and channels provided on the working surface and being configured to collect lubricant and redirect lubricant across the bearing working surface. A method for lubricating a bearing assembly is provided where lubricant is delivered to the working surface of the bearing, the lubricant is collected on the surface and directed to areas of the bearing surface which are in need of lubricant to provide an even coverage of lubrication across a bearing working surface.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use in a glass bending machine comprises a base bracket, a bending roller rotatably mounted on said base bracket, the bending roller having a three-piece construction comprises a central hub having an annular outer surface, opposed side surfaces, and a central axis of rotation; a collar fixed to each side surface of said central hub, the collars having an annular outer surface, inner and outer side surfaces, and a central axis of rotation; the collars comprising a material and shape which resists scratching glass, the collars being spaced apart with a center section of the hub between them to allow the roller to be driven individually by a friction member whereby the friction member is adapted to run on the center section of the roller to rotate the roller, and a glass sheet is adapted to run on the larger collars and not be scratched by the center section.

Abstract: A butterfly valve and associated controls for controlling the flow of water from a large diameter fire hose to the inlet of a fire pump is disclosed. The valve is installed between the suction tube and the suction tube extension of a midship mounted fire pump on a fire truck in a location such that the valve is positioned behind the pump operator panel. A pressure relief valve and an air bleed are mounted on the body of the valve.

Abstract: A single-hand apparatus for opening and closing the cap of a microcentrifuge tube. The apparatus comprises an elongate base having means on one end for mounting the base on a laboratory ring stand and means on the other end of the base for allowing a technician to hold the microcentrifuge tube in one hand and to open and close the cap without requiring a second hand.

Abstract: A control valve actuated by a low-pressure/low-flow-rate control fluid. The valve housing has a control-fluid channel, a second-fluid channel, and a piston which is movable between open positions and a closed limit position. The valve has a piston head seat located intermediate the control-fluid channel. The seat has a shape which compliments the piston head so that the control fluid can flow through the control-fluid channel when the piston is in an open position. The valve has a piston stem seat located intermediate the second-fluid channel. The piston stem seat has a shape which compliments the free end of the piston stem so that a fluid seal is formed in the second-fluid channel when the piston is in the closed limit position and so that a second fluid may flow through the second-fluid channel when the piston is in an open position.

Abstract: A package for a trash bag rod which is flexible and resilient for opening a trash bag and for forming a hoop shape for holding the trash bag open while it is being filled with fallen leaves, lawn clippings, and other trash, comprises a trash bag rod which is normally straight but which is wound into a coil that springs back toward straight position when released from the coil, an enclosure holding the trash bag rod in coiled position with at least one end portion of the rod being held in straight position to form a straight end portion of the rod within the enclosure, whereby after the coiled rod is released from the enclosure the straight end portion is more easily threaded through a perimeter portion of the open end of a trash bag than a rod with a curved end portion. The method includes preforming a series of openings around the top perimeter portion of the trash bag.

Abstract: The invention concerns a steering roller having a fork with two legs being spaced apart and a cover, including a brake shoe actuated by a spring loaded pin acting in conjunction with a Bowden cable.

Abstract: A dry film coating composition for forming a coating suspension for film coating pharmaceuticals, food, confectionery forms, agricultural seeds, and the like, comprises (1) a primary film former, the primary film former comprising low bloom strength gelatin, or hydroxyethyl cellulose, or a combination thereof, and (2) a secondary film former, or a plasticizer, or a surfactant, or a glidant, or a suspension aid, or a colorant, or a flavorant, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention concerns binders for ceramic materials, in particular water soluble sugars and sugar alcohols.

Abstract: A microporous membrane is described comprising at least two layers, wherein each layer is characterized by nodes interconnected by fibrils, the layers are bonded by means of plastic flow at temperatures below the melting point of either membrane material, and the pore architecture is formed in situ by an expansion process. A stratified microporous membrane is produced wherein the pore architecture of each layer may be discretely controlled. The article is useful for filtration and medical applications where a pore size gradient is required.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable, hair-growth stimulator fixed to and disguised within a fashion hat. The scalp stimulator includes a vibrator capable of being powered by a portable direct current power source. Agitators are connected to the vibrator and are immersed within a vibration medium which is contained in a pliable bladder. The stimulator can be worn inconspicuously by a patient with great freedom as to time, manner, and place.

Abstract: A composition and method for altering the appearance of teeth, including whitening or otherwise colorizing teeth, to cover discolorations and stains, or to provide a fashionable color on the tooth which can be selectively removed, the composition comprising a lac based compound solubilized for applying on the surface of a tooth, and a method including selecting the color to be applied, preparing the colorized compound to be applied to a tooth, exposing the tooth to be covered, applying a colorized compound to the enamel surface of the tooth, and allowing the compound to dry on the tooth, and selectively removing the compound from the tooth.

Abstract: A control valve actuated by a low-pressure/low-flow-rate control fluid. The valve housing has a control-fluid channel, a second-fluid channel, and a piston which is movable between open positions and a closed limit position. The valve has a piston head seat located intermediate the control-fluid channel. The seat has a shape which compliments the piston head so that the control fluid can flow through the control-fluid channel when the piston is in an open position. The valve has a piston stem seat located intermediate the second-fluid channel. The piston stem seat has a shape which compliments the free end of the piston stem so that a fluid seal is formed in the second-fluid channel when the piston is in the closed limit position and so that a second fluid may flow through the second-fluid channel when the piston is in an open position.

Abstract: A copying sheet comprising a printing film made of a synthetic resin film and a base film made of a foamed polyester resin film releasably adhering to the printing film, the printing film having formed on the front surface thereof a matting material layer and an antistatic agent layer, the matting material layer including silica having the average particle size of less than 5 microns and having a thickness of 0.5 to 10 microns for the purpose of fixing the powders of towner, the base film having formed on the back surface thereof a matting material layer and an antistatic agent layer, the matting material layer including silica having the average particle size of 3 to 10 microns and having the thickness of 7 to 15 microns for the purpose of preventing copying sheets from being sent out of a copier as two or more sheeting being superposed.

Abstract: A product made by the process for powder coating selected portions of a substrate comprises the steps of electrostatically applying a controlled thickness of a powder to an entire surface of a transfer member to form a powder coating thereon, the powder having a gel point, the temperature at which the powder turns into a gel, heating a substrate to a temperature above the gel point of the powder, pressing the heated substrate against the powder coating of the transfer member to melt the powder coating on the transfer member and cause the melted powder to stick to the substrate and coat selected portions of the substrate, and polymerizing and curing the coated portions of the substrate to fix the melted powder to the substrate.

Abstract: A combination tie-down and locking device for a motorcycle having a plurality of forks. The device has a cut-resistant shackle for clamping around the fork of the motorcycle, a flexible, cut-resistant tie-down strap having one end securely fixed to the shackle, a quick-connect chain link for tensioning the strap and releasably connecting the free end of the strap to a trailer, and a lock for releasably locking the free end of the strap to a trailer. A method of tying down and locking a motorcycle to a trailer includes the steps of providing a pair of combination tie-down and locking devices, tightening the devices on each of the forks of the motorcycle, locking the device on each of the forks of the motorcycle, tensioning the tie-down strap and connecting the free end of the tie down strap to the trailer, and locking the free end of the tie down strap to the trailer.