Abstract: A stacking, pivoting, wall storage unit with removable storage containers, shelves, and the like comprising a vertical mounting member adapted for mounting to a wall or the like. A vertical connecting member is hingedly carried by the mounting member for pivoting about a vertical axis through at least 90.degree.. The connecting member includes a plurality of vertically disposed shear trap channels each having a pair of opposed planar members with the hook portion of hook and loop fastening material on inward facing surfaces. The planar members are adapted to releasably receive the loop portion of hook and loop fastening material therebetween and maintain it in shear. A plurality of stacking members each having a vertical fin member extending therefrom and having the loop portion of hook and loop fastening material on parallel outward facing surfaces of the outer edge thereof are provided for releasable attachment to the vertical connecting member by fastening the fins in the shear trap channels.

Abstract: Beverage preparing and dispensing apparatus, in which powdered ingredients are pre-placed on the bottom of a drinking vessel (14). The feed conduit (32,34) through which liquid is dispensed is caused to move as the liquid is dispensed, so as to agitate the ingredient and facilitate their dissolution and/or suspension in the liquid. Thus, a moving jet of liquid (68,69') is caused to sweep over the bottom of the drinking vessel in a substantially circular path, without leaving dead zones in which the ingredients are unaffected by the jet and thus might remain undissolved on the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing organic substances from a substrate, including ultraviolet lamps provided above a horizontal hot plate on which a substrate is placed; an ozone blow-off pipe which blows ozone downward, provided at a position appropriately distant from the surface of the hot plate on which the substrate is placed, the ozone blow-off pipe being so arranged as to be reciprocated relative and parallel to the surface of the hot plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting regions to be trimmed on an original picture in a photographing printer which produces a trimmed reproduction picture image comprises a base on which a projecting lens for projecting the original picture on the surface of a photosensitive material and a TV camera for photographing the original picture are disposed so that they may be alternately exchanged their position to be set on a position aligning with an optical axis of a light source, a monitor which displays the original picture image photographed by the TV camera and an indicating means which indicates a configuration showing substantially the same region as that of to be trimmed by a trimming mask frame in overlapped manner with said picture image on the monitor.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a housing mounted on a base member by means of a ball-and-socket joint comprising a socket formed in the base member and a convex member attached to the housing. The socket comprises the concave inner surface of a hollow part-spherical member. An arm has a concave surface formed on one end and adapted to engage with the convex outer surface of the part-spherical member. Resilient means are arranged to bias the arm towards the convex member so as to urge the concave surface on the arm against the convex outer surface of the part-spherical member and to urge the concave inner surface of the part-spherical member against the convex member, and release means on the other end of the arm are operable to reduce the friction resisting movement of the housing relative to the base member about the part-spherical member. Operation of the release means thus enables the orientation of the housing relative to the base member to be adjusted with relatively little effort.

Abstract: A spring apparatus for a positive engagement clutch in which a sliding sleeve is forced into and out of locked engagement with a drive shaft by a spring mechanism. The spring mechanism includes a shift fork containing sliding blocks which engages with a peripheral groove on the sliding sleeve, a prestressing lever, and a spring guide. The spring guide interconnects the shift fork and the prestressing lever. The prestressing lever is capable of being locked in an engaged position in which the spring is compressed until the sliding sleeve engages with the drive shaft, and a disengaged position in which the spring is relaxed and a rigid connection occurs.

Abstract: In electrochemical flow through sensors comprising at least one cell for the passage of a fluid for analysis therethrough, the method of optimizing the flow pattern and signal-to-noise ratio comprising the steps of loading the cell under high pressure with a first fluid which will set to a solid material; before the solid material solidifies, causing a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid to flow through the cell at low pressure to find the optimum flow path therethrough; and, with the immiscible fluid in the cell, allowing the first fluid to solidify. Bandspreading is improved because any offset, junctions, or potential traps that would induce drag or trapping effects on a test fluid flowing through the cell are reduced in size and/or number and/or eliminated. The signal-to-noise is improved as the result of filling spaces in the cell that may contribute to noise but do not contribute significantly to useful signal because of their location relative to the optimum flow path.

Abstract: An opening roof for a motor vehicle comprises a frame mounted in an opening in a vehicle roof. A trim member is attached to the bottom of the frame and has an outwardly projecting flap which covers the adjacent edge of the vehicle roof trim. A portion of the frame projects below the vehicle and carries first and second protuberances on side surfaces facing towards and away from the opening respectively. The trim member has first and second side walls which abut against respective side surfaces of the frame. The first side wall has a latching formation shaped to engage with the first protuberance and the second side wall has first and second spaced complementary formations each shaped to engage with the second protuberance whereby a free end of the flap is disposed at a first distance below the top of the frame when the first complementary formation is engaged with the second proturberance and at a second distance below the top of the frame when the second complementary formation is so engaged.

Abstract: In a shock and vibration isolation system wherein a device having a top, bottom, sides, front and back is mounted on moving isolators between and in spaced relationship to top and bottom members, front operable locking apparatus for releasably holding the device in place against vertical, lateral and longitudinal movement during shipping. A top releasable locking assembly is disposed between the top member and the device and a bottom releasable locking assembly is disposed between the bottom member and the device. Each releasable locking assembly includes a first pivot bar pivotally mounted to the adjacent member and extending perpendicular to and between the sides of the device. An operating arm is attached to one end of the first pivot bar at right angles thereto and disposed so as to pivot in a plane close adjacent and parallel to the side of the device at the end between a first position lying along the adjacent member and a second position angularly disposed with respect to the adjacent member.

Abstract: The production of fire resistant articles is described comprising a normally combustible carrier element having applied thereto sodium silicate which is heat foamable to produce a further element capable of resisting the passage of fire and/or heat therethrough in the event the article is exposed to fire and/or heat. In a typical embodiment the articles comprise corrugated container-wall structures, in which the sodium silicate layer serves as the fire and/or heat barrier, laminating adhesive, and provides structural strength.

Abstract: A probing apparatus is used to measure electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device formed on a wafer. The apparatus includes means for holding the wafer in a vertical or slightly leaned position on a frame, a contact needle, three-directional drive means for holding the needle on the frame movably both vertically and horizontally along the device-bearing surface of the wafer and for bringing the needle into releasable contact with a desired portion of the device-bearing surface of the wafer, and a microscope provided in such a way that the tip of the needle is seen substantially at the center of the field of view, said microscope being movable together with the needle along the device-bearing surface of the wafer.

Abstract: An adjustable bent sub for use in directional drilling in earth formations comprises a first body member having a first body portion defining a first primary axis and a second body portion defining a first secondary axis disposed at a first offset angle with respect to the first primary axis, a second body member having a first body portion defining a second primary axis and a second body portion defining a second secondary axis disposed at a second offset angle with respect to the first primary axis, the second body member being adapted to be secured to the first body member such that the first secondary axis and the second primary axis are coaxial and define a common axis and the second body member is rotatable about the common axis. A device is provided for non-rotatably coupling the second body member to the first body member in predetermined angular relation about the common axis so as to provide a predetermined angular relationship between the first primary axis and the second secondary axis.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus for driving a neon display tube or the like. The tube, containing an ionizable gas, has only a single cathode element at one end in contact with the gas. A power source connected to ionize the gas and cause illumination thereof wherein the power source is connected to the single cathode element and produces alternating voltage referenced to ground potential and of sufficient frequency to cause the gas to ionize through the natural surrounding capacitance between the ionized gas and ground potential. In the preferred embodiment, the power source produces an increasing voltage ramp output whereby the ionization of the gas in the tube moves as a localized ionization along the tube in a direction away from the single cathode element.

Abstract: During the various phases of fabrication of cables, tubes or similar products, it is necessary to load them onto spools. In certain cases, the winding must be particularly carefully done and have only close-packed windings, without overlap. The process and the device described bring a solution to the problem in the form of a feedback-control of the position of the winding guide. This control is realized such as to maintain the tightening-angle constant, that is the angle formed by the product at its loading-point referred to the preceeding turn, taking in consideration the irregularities of the real helix angle and the effect of the flanges of the loading spool.

Abstract: A prefilled ampoule-syringe including an ampoule body having a smaller inner dimension than the body and a stopper means associated with an external capsule for closing the ampoule. The stopper is provided with an internal conduit having at least one transverse branch opening into a longitudinal branch between the interior of the capsule body and a needle-holding tip. The capsule is arranged for actual movement from a position within the neck where it is in a closed position to an open injection position within the ampoule body. When the capsule is in the position in the neck of the ampoule, the contents of the ampoule are in contact only with the walls of the ampoule and the inner surface of the stopper which faces into the neck. When the stopper is moved to injection position, the contents of the ampoule pass through the transverse passage and down the longitudinal passage to the needle holding tip for injection into a patient.

Abstract: An exterior mirror for a vehicle comprises a base member attached to the vehicle body, first pivotal engagement means mounted on an arm secured to the base member so as to project laterally in the opposite direction to the mounting face, a housing for a reflective member having second pivotal engagement means. Resilient means extend between a point on the base member which is nearer to the mounting face than the pivot axis and a chain comprising a first link and a second link. The first link is pivotally attached to the base member at one end and pivotally attached to the second link at the other end, the resilient means being pivotally attached to an intermediate point on the second link. A cam surface on the second link is urged by the resilient means into engagement with a projection on the base member located between the pivot axis and the point of connection of the first link to the base member.

Abstract: A fluid-pressure-operable actuator system, for operating an aerodynamic control surface, including an actuator comprising a casing, piston and output member. Annular sealing means carried by the piston sealingly engages with the casing while annular sealing means disposed in an aperture through which the output member extends sealingly engages that member. Bearing means circumferentially flank the sealing means of the piston and/or the aperture and include parts of readily- and locally-deformable material, respectively in relatively-slidable load-bearing engagement with the casing and/or the output member. In the event that damage is sustained by the surface of the actuator engaged by the sealing means the bearing means is sufficiently deformed as to permit relative movement of the casing and output member to continue under the power of at least one other actuator associated with said control surface.

Abstract: A steerable wheel suspension system comprising: a hub suspended from the vehicle body by a spring and damper strut system, a steering arm extending outwards and forwards from a steering rack positioned relatively low down and behind the engine to a ball joint on the hub, a first linkage arm extending outwards and rearwards from a forwardly mounted bush on the vehicle body to a ball joint on the hub, and a second linkage arm extending outwardly and forwardly from a hinge pivot on the vehicle body to a pivot joint on the first linkage arm, the arrangement being such that during rearward compliance of the hub, e.g. during braking, the second linkage arm constrains the pivot and hence the ball joint to move along an arc which is matched with an arc along which the ball joint is constrained to move by the steering arm and so reduce or eliminate induced steer during rearward compliance.