Abstract: A water sport, fitness, exercise, life preserver, and therapy device (8) including a shortpant design with a flotation waist band (1) , and with an adjustable belt (3) to which flotation modules (10) are attached at various positions around the waist. Pockets (6A) for receiving flotation modules are distributed over the surface of the shortpant. Other material, for example, cups each with an adjustable opening, is arranged to provide adjustable resistance to motion through the water, and the belt has means to attach a tether which the user can exercise by moving to extend the tether. The shortpant is secured to the user via the belt (3) or via suspenders.

Abstract: Process for the production of phase-pure highly reactive lead metal niobates of perovskite structure corresponding to the general formula Pb.sub.3 Me(II)Nb.sub.2 O.sub.9 or Pb.sub.2 Me(III)NbO.sub.6, where Me.dbd.Mg, Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Mn, Cd, Cu and/or Zn, in which perovskite intermediates are formed from corresponding salt solutions, separated off, dried and calcined at temperatures of 500 to 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: A shape memory effect actuated diaphragmatic anti-scald valve, including a valve housing having a fluid flow path therethrough and including a pilot chamber. There is a first valve seat within the housing and a second valve seat within the housing and downstream from said first valve seat. A pilot valve is located within the chamber of the valve housing for preventing fluid flow through the chamber in which the pilot valve element is located when the SME valve is in its normal flow position and a first valve element is retained seated on the first valve seat by the pilot valve. There are means for controlling the open and closed positions of the pilot valve depending upon the temperature of the fluid flowing through the SME valve.

Abstract: Colored corundum composite with a matrix of .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, as formed by sol-gel process ending in sintering and size reduction steps with addition of oxide pigments (or precursors of such oxide pigments, formable to the oxide pigment in sinter heating) added to the sol before full gelation thereof.

Abstract: Roller skates having a shoe or boot supported by a central support beam. The boot has an inside and outside corresponding to the inside and the outside of a user's foot to which it is designed to be removably attached. Each skate also has a first and second group of wheels in longitudinal alignment with the roller skate and in rotatable alignment with each other. The boot and groups of wheels are connected to a support structure. The first group of wheels is rotatably attached to the support structure and disposed to the outside thereof. The second group of wheels is rotatably attached to the support structure and disposed to the inside thereof. A first span between the most distant of the wheels of the first group of wheels is less than a second span between the most distant of the wheels of the second group of wheels. There are also brake means for slowing and stopping the roller skate when a user desires.

Abstract: A rotating scan device for use with magnetic storage media, including a rotor, multiple magnetic transducers on the rotor with suitable gaps and orientations for writing or reading electronically modulated signals directly to or from magnetic storage media. The transducers scan in a helical fashion and include video and audio heads. There are means on the rotor for receiving and amplifying the signals read by the magnetic transducers. The rotor has means on it for transferring the amplified read signals from the rotating device. The rotor also has means for receiving write signals, as well as means for driving the magnetic transducers with the write signals. Means are provided for transferring power to the amplifying, transferring, receiving and driving means. Analog switch means are located on the rotor for connecting one of the multiple video head signals to the transferring means, and the analog switch means has a control input.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical tool (10, FIG. 1 ) with a single moveable inner tip (22), and a fixed outer tip (12) pivotably interacting via an integral essentially-hourglass-form pivot extension of both walls of the outer tip and an engaging channel (24) of the inner tip(s), articulated by a link with an integral stud and also realizable as with dual moveable inner tips (22A, 22B/FIG. 6 ), pivotably interacting with respective end-to-end adjacent essentially-hourglass-form sections of a pivot that is an integral extension of the outer tip.

Abstract: A video cassette recorder and taping system is disclosed in which two video cassette decks are included within a single housing. Selection switches are provided so that a prerecorded tape may be displayed from a tape located in one video cassette unit deck while one of a plurality of inputs is being recorded on another video tape located in the second video cassette unit deck.

Abstract: Improved solvent extraction recovery of tantalum and niobium oxides from an acid solution of raw materials containing such oxides wherein the charged organic solvent [e.g., MIBK] is washed out (a) with 8-16N sulfuric acid and then (b) with water or dilute HF. This avoids the use of a second mineral acid addition after digestion by HF of raw materials (and avoids problems attendant to use a second mineral acid).

Abstract: A videocassette deck and taping system includes two videocassette decks therefor (A and B) included within a single housing utilizing a common power supply, tuner, controls, and switching and control circuitry to enable simultaneous multiple functions using both decks and to also enable tape to tape duplication (dubbing) in a manner avoiding degradation of video information content, as well as additional function selection.

Abstract: Sintered composite abrasive material useful in abrasives (grinding wheels, abrasive discs and paper, etc.) and cutting tools, comprising an .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 matrix of sub-micron crystallite size made by sol-gel processing with a dispersed phase therein of mechanically resistant material, preferably essentially isotropic grains, added directly to the sol or gel stage of matrix formation.

Abstract: The metal-values bearing slags of metallothermic processes are separated from metal melts and then fully reduced electrothermally with carbon to form a new metal melt. Slag removed from the new metal melt is essentially free of said metal values.

Abstract: Fluorine content of tantalum and niobium hydroxides is reduced to under 0.5 weight % by washing such hydroxide precipitates (as obtained by HF digestion and solvent extraction) with dilute ammonia (1 to 10%) and then water in two washing stages. The first washing stage includes a partial neutralization and the used wash water of the second stage is advantageously recycled, after adjustment of its ammonia concentration, for use as the first stage washing liquid.

Abstract: Cobalt-bound diamond tool (e.g. for cutting, drilling polishing) composite materials comprising diamond particles in uniform matrix of cobalt-boron alloy with 1-5 weight percent and uniform, stable and controllable matrix hardness of about 200 to 650 HB.sub.30.

Abstract: A flexible airfoil section for a wing or a blade comprising a streamlined shape and an elastic structure whose stiffness distribution along its chord and span is tailored to provide a desirable cambered shape with proportional increases in camber with increases in lift, mounted to a supporting structure such that the airfoil sections are free to pivot about axes near their leading and trailing edges. In operation, the foil derives much of its lift from elastic bending deformation of its flexible shape, thereby achieving a higher lift than a symmetric foil at the same angle of attack while postponing the onset of flow separation and stall and, for operation in water, of ventilation and cavitation.

Abstract: A dual deck video cassette recorder, having first and second video decks in a common housing. Each deck has a plurality of heads and both of the decks can playback, and at least one of the decks can record. A switch arrangement is connected to both decks to provide for selective connections of video and audio signals between, and from the inputs to and outputs from, the two decks. A sensor detects the angular position of the heads of each deck to assure they are in phase prior to initiating recording. A mechanism corrects the angular position of the heads of at least one of the decks to assure the heads of each will be in the same angular phase prior to initiating recording. A circuit detects a copy protection signal on a tape in one deck during vertical blanking and the signal is located and timed so that it will not interfere with normal operation of the video signals, to produce a quality picture on a TV monitor or place information onto tape in one deck which provides a quality picture.

Abstract: A contact element of unitary construction, the contact element including a plurality of contact element mating portions which are connected via serpentine portions. The contact element being used in connector modules and providing both electrical connection and mechanical retention.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical tool (10) with an inner tip (22) and outer tip (12) pivotably interacting via an integral pivot (20) extension of the outer tip and an engaging groove (24) of the inner tip, articulated by a link (26) with an integral stud (30).

Abstract: MCrAlY composite material with platinum and/or rhodium alloying elements as 5-15 wt. % thereof and containing included particles of carbides vanadium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, chromium, molybdenum and/or tungsten and/or mixtures thereof, enhancing the corrosion- and wear-resistance of such materials at high temperatures.