Abstract: A pedal for a pedal driven apparatus, such as a bicycle, moped, or the like, includes a flexible, pliable, strap as of nylon webbing which passes twice over the pedal forming a double loop configuration for strapping the foot of the operator to the pedal. A leaf spring, preferably disposed within the nylon webbing arches over the pedal, generally parallel to its axis of revolution, for holding the loops of the strap in an arched configuration over the pedal to facilitate entry of the operator' s foot. A slideable locking fastener permits the operator to tighten the straps over the foot while pedalling. A holder holds the two straps in side-by-side relation while permitting the strap to slide therethrough for adjustment of the loop size. A gripping member is carried on the loose end of the strap to facilitate pulling thereon. Velcro fasteners are associated with the loose end of the strap and the holder for fastening the loose end of the strap to the holder after the adjustment has been made.

Abstract: Output coherent infrared radiation is obtained in a continuously tunable band from 1.4 microns to 25 microns and longer wavelengths. The 1.06 micron output of a Nd:YAG laser, or a harmonic thereof, is difference mixed in a nonlinear crystal, as of LiIO.sub.3 or LiNbO.sub.3 with a synchronously pumped output of a tunable dye laser oscillator to produce a first tunable output over the range of 0.7 micron to 5.0 microns. The output of the crystal mixer is amplified or difference mixed in a second nonlinear crystal mixer with the 1.06 pump output to produce an output tunable over the range of 1.4 microns to 25 microns and longer wavelengths. Suitable second crystal mixers comprise LiNbO.sub.3 for the range of 1.4 to 4.4 microns and operable as an amplifier in the range of 1.4 microns to 2.1 microns, and as a difference mixer in the range of 2.1 to 4.4 microns, AgGaS.sub.

Abstract: In the thermal gas pressure gauge, a foil heater has a heater surface disposed in gas communication with the gas to be measured and the heater surface is thermally cycled at first and second reference frequencies to produce cyclical heating of the gaseous material adjacent the heating element. A directional microphone is disposed facing the heating element to derive signals of an amplitude determined by the amplitude of the cyclical heating effect of the gaseous material at the first and second reference frequencies. The detected signals are synchronously detected to produce a pair of dc outputs indicative of pressure in two respective pressure regimes. In an overlap pressure regime the two dc outputs are converted to digital signals which are correlated with pairs of values tabled in a read only memory for reading out a digital signal indicative of the pressure. In a low pressure regime from approximately 10.sup.

Abstract: In a corner roller tool for rolling mud laden applied tape into a corner dry wall seam, a pair of tandem rollers are provided for rolling the creased tape into the corner seam and for squeezing out excess mud from beneath the tape. The rollers each comprise a wheel having a tread portion of generally V-shaped radial cross section. The included angle .theta. between the opposed faces of the V-shaped tread portion is approximately 90.degree. for pressing the tape into firm engagement with the side walls of the corner seam. The corner roller wheels are carried from a frame which is pivotably coupled to a elongated handle. The handle is pivotable in at least two orthogonal directions to facilitate rolling of the tape into the corner seam when the operator can not face directly into the seam. The corner roller wheel are free to move laterally on their respective axles to facilitate tracking of imperfect seams. The included angle between the tread face portions of the two wheels are preferably larger than 90.

Abstract: A high power single mode laser is disclosed which includes a Q-switch for switching the laser on in two stages: firstly, to a relatively high loss level just above threshold where it is held to permit a train of relaxation oscillator spikes to be established and then it is switched to a second stage in which the Q-switch is in a lossless state to allow the resonant mode within the laser to build up to maximum power. An optical detector monitors the resonant optical radiation level within the optical resonator and produces an output signal for each of the relaxation spikes. A trigger circuit, responsive to the detected oscillator spikes, triggers the Q-switch so as to switch it to the second or lossless state upon receipt of the second or any other subsequent relaxation oscillator spike, whereby single longitudinal mode operation of the laser is enhanced.

Abstract: An improved halftone dot screen for use in reproduction of continuous-tone graphic images is disclosed. The screen comprises a two-dimensional matrix of cells (dots) each cell having a common pattern of transmittance to radiation utilized in the reproduction process. The common pattern of transmittance for each cell is characterized by a finite number of different discrete transmittance level patterns. In a preferred embodiment, these patterns include portions arranged along the respective sides of a parallelogram. In one preferred embodiment, the discrete transmittance level patterns comprise an array of concentric parallelograms. Each parallelogram has a plurality of dot portions arranged along the sides of the parallelogram. The sides of the parallelogram patterns are preferably disposed at a substantial angle to the horizontal to reduce moire and rosette pattern effects and to simplify the reproduction process.

Abstract: A thermally insulative buoyant swimming pool cover floats on the surface of the pool for covering the pool and for retaining the heat within the pool. Sinking means, such as weights or a mechanical pull-down structure, is secured to the pool cover along certain predetermined action lines such as fold lines. In one embodiment, an inflatable and deflatable bladder is coupled to the weights. The bladder is dimensioned relative to the weights such that when inflated it overcomes the negative buoyancy of the weights to retain the pool cover in the fully covered position. However, when the bladder is deflated, the weights overcome the positive buoyancy of the cover along the certain fold lines causing the cover to be at least partially pulled below the surface of the pool and folded while at the same time being retracted against one of the side walls of the pool. Pool water is circulated over or through channels of the pool cover to provide solar heating.

Abstract: In a rear wheel suspension system for a model racing car, the motor, rear axle and rear wheels are all supported from a supporting platform which is spring mounted to the chassis via the intermediary of a pair of springs, preferably coil springs, disposed in laterally spaced positions on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the chassis. A third point of attachment between the supporting platform and the chassis is provided at a point longitudinally spaced from the pair of mounting springs. The suspension system is so arranged as to permit a relative twisting action between the mounting platform and the main portion of the chassis so as to permit twisting or rotation of the supporting platform about both the longitudinal axis of the chassis and an axis transverse to the chassis, whereby independent suspension of the wheels is obtained relative to the chassis for improved stability and traction.

Abstract: A meniscus lens is disclosed for use in high power light beam applications, such as in the optics of a high power laser where the laser beam intensity is in excess of one megawatt per square centimeter. The meniscus lens is designed such that light rays reflected from the lens are divergent so that no back focal points are created by the lens. In this manner, undesired dielectric breakdowns and damage to optical components and the like are avoided due to reflected back focal points. In one embodiment of the present invention, the output mirror of a high power laser is deposited upon the convex face of a meniscus lens, such lens being designed to avoid back focal points, whereby the construction of the output mirror is greatly simplified.

Abstract: In a composite horticultural system, a lower worm culture container contains a worm culture medium for growing worms and converting manure to worm casting type top soil. The top soil is used in a plant growing container mounted above the worm culture container. The environment over the plant growing medium is controlled by an environmental control means comprising a frame with replaceable panels. One set of panels comprises a sheet of translucent material for permitting sun light to pass therethrough and for retaining the heat within the plant growing container, whereas a second set of replacement panels comprises a slat arrangement for shading the plants and for passage therethrough of air for controlling the temperature within the plant growing container.

Abstract: Solid state dual leaf spring transducers are fabricated by batch photolithographic etching techniques from a monocystalline nonmetallic material, such as silicon. Each leaf spring structure includes a leaf spring portion surrounded by a support structure defined by an intervening region of the wafer disposed between adjacent leaf spring structures etched into the wafer. A pair of such leaf spring structures with their respective surrounding support structures are joined together in mutually opposed relation to form a composite dual leaf spring transducer structure of the type wherein a pair of leaf spring structures are mechanically coupled together in axially spaced relation along an axis of sensitivity for equal displacement along said axis of sensitivity in response to displacement of either one of the spring structures relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A kitchen cabinet is disclosed which includes a pivot support for supporting a plurality of kitchen cabinet shelves so that the shelves may pivot about a horizontal axis outwardly and downwardly toward the user to an access position for gaining access to the shelves. The shelves are returned to the storage position by pivoting the shelves back up into the storage position. A pivotable and foldable door having upper and lower panels is pivotably supported from the ceiling. The door is actuated by means of mechanical linkages interconnecting the shelving and the door. As the shelving is pivoted from the storage position into the access position, the door, which covers the front side of the shelving, is pivoted upwardly and away from the shelving to permit access thereto. The lower section of the door includes a linkage for folding the lower panel up toward the underside of the upper panel.

Abstract: A hand operated dry wall taping machine includes an elongated tubular body, to be held by the operator, having a tape applicator head portion at the end thereof adjacent the seam being taped. A supply roll of tape is carried from the tubular body. The applicator head includes a dry wall cement dispensing box through which the dry wall tape is fed. Cement is dispensed onto the side of the tape which is to face the wall being taped. A rotary tape shear is disposed up-tape from the cement dispensing box. A thumb actuated pneumatically operated cylinder actuates the rotary shear at the end of the seam being taped and advances a short length of tape through the cement dispensing box in readiness to commence taping of the next seam. A whisker valve in an air line is actuated by the pneumatically operated cylinder for delivering a momentary blast of air into the cement dispensing box for feeding mud onto the advanced leading end of the sheared tape.

Abstract: A return ball toy wherein a resilient hand-held ball is tethered at the end of an elastic tape, the other end of which is attached to the wrist of a player. The tape is affixed to the ball by passing the tape through a first hole in the ball from one side of the ball so that a free end of the tape extends beyond the hole on the opposite side of the ball. The free end is then looped and passed through a second hole in the ball from the opposite side of the ball. This forms a tight friction bond between the tape and the resilient interior of the ball.By utilizing a tape elastic material, the tape can be comfortably tied around the wrist without the need for a separate more elaborate wrist band.

Abstract: A hand-operated dry wall taping machine includes an elongated tubular main body portion, to be held by the operator, with a tape applicator head at the end adjacent the seam being taped. A supply reel of tape is carried from the tubular body. The applicator head includes a dry wall cement dispenser box, through which the dry wall tape is fed. Cement is dispensed onto the side of the tape which is to face the wall being taped. A rotary tape shear is disposed up-tape from the cement dispensing box. A hand actuated pneumatically operated cylinder actuates the rotary shear at the end of the seam being taped and advances a short length of tape through the cement dispensing box in readiness to commence taping of the next seam.

Abstract: In a fuel economy measuring circuit a first train of pulses having a rate which is a function of the velocity of the vehicle or of the fuel consumption rate is fed into one input terminal of an up-down counter for causing the counter to count up or down as the case may be. A second train of pulses having a pulse rate which is a function of the fuel consumption of the vehicle per unit time or velocity of the vehicle is fed into one input of a rate multiplier for multiplication with the output of the up-down counter to derive a product output train of pulses having a pulse rate which is a function of the product of the output signal of the counter and the other input. The output pulse train of the rate multiplier is fed to the other input terminal of the up-down counter.

Abstract: In a gas detector circuit a semiconductive detector, such as a Taguchi detector, is disposed in gas communication with the gas to be detected. The detector has a sensing resistor incorporated therein with a value of resistance that changes in accordance with the concentration of the gas constituent being detected. This type of detector provides an output signal with a temperature dependence caused by the temperature coefficient of the resistance of the resistive detector with a negative sign. The temperature dependent output signal derived from the detector is fed to one input of a differential amplifier for comparison against a second input to derive an output signal which is fed to an alarm and/or meter and/or recorder. A feedback signal portion of the output of the differential amplifier is fed back to the second input of the differential amplifier, as a feedback component of the second input, via the intermediary of a gain control resistor.