Abstract: An image focusing apparatus for microfiche film readers and other optical systems has a lens holding apparatus which rests on a transparent or glass plate, a rotatable lens adjusting assembly in the lens holding apparatus, a shaft slidably and pivotally connected to the lens adjusting assembly, a knob on the shaft, and a shaft holder which fixes the position of the shaft with respect to the reader. The lens holding apparatus is universally mounted to the frame of the reader to enable the lens holding apparatus to move freely in response to changes in the angular disposition of the glass plate with respect to the horizontal plane. The lens adjusting assembly has an eccentric finger which translates the rotating motion of the knob and shaft into a vertical force, which moves the lens. The lens adjusting assembly has a barrel, a socket in the barrel and key slots along the socket. The shaft has a partially-spherical end and keys which slidably and pivotally fit into the socket and key slots.

Abstract: A therapeutic heating pad which is not hot to the touch provides substantial infrared radiation to a user. Accordingly it can be used for extended periods without feeling uncomfortable to the skin, while imparting deep therapeutic heat to the user. The heating pad is comprised of a radiant heat generating layer having a plane surface comprising means for radiating heat evenly from its surface, a pair of flexible electrically insulating and radiation permeable layers located adjacent and covering opposite sides of the layer, a thermal insulation layer disposed against and covering one of the electrically insulating layers, a radiation reflective layer disposed against and covering the outside surface of the thermal insulation layer, and a sealed radiation permeable envelope enclosing the entire heater.

Abstract: A personal appliance comprises a vacuum chamber and a steam-generating chamber. Steam is applied to an area of human skin for a period which is long enough to open pores, melt any wax-like substances within the pores, and otherwise cause the skin to be cleaned. Thereafter, a mild suction is applied to the steamed area. In some instances the suction may be applied in a pulsating manner to massage the skin.

Abstract: A handsaw has a main blade and an auxiliary cutting blade with specialized fingers. The cutting blade is held tautly between two points disposed on opposite ends of the main blade. Interlocking teeth prevent the two blades from springing apart without interfering with the tautness of the cutting blade. The vertical projection of the cross section of the two blades is the same as the vertical projection of one blade alone, so that the two combined saw blades easily follow their own kerf.

Abstract: A fishing lure has a two-piece body which is hinged together at a central region, with the hinge being vertically oriented. The hinge has enough play to enable slight twisting motion in the tail region. The lure floats upright when the hooks rest upon the bottom. One embodiment simulates a dying fish. The lure sinks away from its attached line in order to reduce snagged lines.

Abstract: A charge-sensitive switch is described sensitive to the adjacency of, or transfer of charge from a person, for controlling lamps, appliances, motors, etc. The switch contains an over-current sensor for detecting excess load current, and takes action to shut off the current. It can also switch successive loads, as would be required in a tri-light lamp. The input sensitivity of the switch is adjustable so as to be able to switch in the presence of an adjacent charge, as would be required for proximity detection in a burglar alarm.

Abstract: A serial-parallel converter converts serial mode 8-bit words, delivered from a plurality of primary digital multiplx highways into parallel mode 8-bit words and multiplexes the 8-bit words to form a signal for a supermultiplex highway. The converter comprises eight parallel-write, serial-read input shift registers and seven serial-write, serial-read output shift registers. The write inputs of the output shift registers are respectively connected to the serial output of the input shift registers having the same rank. The serial read outputs of the output shift registers deliver a serial output of the eighth input shift register to the supermultiplex highway. All of the input shift registers comprise eight stages. The output shift registers have decreasing numbers of stages from 7 down to 1. The writing operation, into input shift registers, and shifting operation through all registers are controlled by a single 8-stage shift register.

Abstract: Separate portions of an image are identified as distinct areas, each of which is identified by a code. Coded signals representing lines extending in one direction across the image are read out of a first store under the control of clocking signals in serial form at a given clock rate to expand or compress the image in one direction. The signals are fed out via an averaging circuit which improves the picture definition and they are fed into a second store. The signals are then read out of the second store in serial form and under the control of clock pulses via a second averaging circuit which improves the picture definition by scanning in lines extending in a second direction to compress or expand the image in a second dimension.

Abstract: A continually operating automatic sludge suction unit for use in withdrawing sludge from the bottom of a primarily rectangular or square basin. The unit is controlled for zigzag movement on the surface of liquid in the basin by means of cables and cable guides, and a pump suspended in a cable from a float included in the unit automatically follows any irregularities at the bottom of the basin. A counterweight is included for ensuring smooth movement of the unit on said surface.

Abstract: An anchor base for integral plastic structures includes an articulated series of lever arms joined together in at least one joint by means of a living hinge in order to establish a preferred point of articulation. The leverage is such that, as a first pair of the lever arms are squeezed together to insert them into a mounting hole in a chassis, a second pair of lever arms, for giving lateral support, are initially pulled down. As the anchor base penetrates the mounting hole, the entire lever system pivots while lateral support levers are pushed up to spread the first pair of arms. Shoulders on the first pair of arms are forced under the lower side of the chassis, in order to capture the anchor base and to resist its removal. If the first pair of arms are thereafter squeezed together below the underside of the chassis, it is easy to remove the anchor base.

Abstract: Compositions of fluorinated glasses are disclosed which result from the ternary composition of ZrF.sub.4 or HfF.sub.4, BaF.sub.2 and ThF.sub.4 or UF.sub.4, each component being within a specified range of composition indices, the indices for the separate components totalling unity.

Abstract: A molded article capable of floatably supporting a human body, which comprises a seamless fluid-containing structure having a predetermined shape, and a supporting framework or the like to laterally support the structure so that one surface of it may be used as a floatable support, said article being manufactured by a mold and molding process wherein said mold has a small hatch or other small opening for providing access to the mold interior. Said mold is rotated and heated at predeterminedd rates and under predetermined conditions until said mold interior is evenly coated with plastic, the plastic is thereafter cured, and the finished product is then removed from the mold through the hatch.

Abstract: A pair of V block centers, for being used with a conventional V block, in order to support and center any rectangular stock upon the V block, while being machined; the pair of V block centers each consisting of an elongated rectangular bar, which has one of its longitudinal corners cut out to form an inside square corner, in which a rectangular work piece is positioned, an opposite longitudinal corner of the bar being cut off at a forty-five degree angle, in order to rest against the angular face of the conventional V block, the V block centers thus supporting the work therebetween, while a conventional V block clamp then holds the work secure therein.

Abstract: European 30-channel PCM multiplex systems and Anglo-Saxon 24-channel PCM multiplex systems are both standardized in accordance with CCITT recommendations. However they have different nominal binary rates. The connection equipment, according to this invention, provides for connecting a plurality of European PCM multiplex systems with a plurality of Anglo-Saxon PCM multiplex systems. Multiplex words are stored in parallel word memories for two-way transmission in forward and backward directions. Inside the equipment, parallel word write and read operations are performed at predetermined times, corresponding to some selected Anglo-Saxon PCM multiplex system bit times. Write and read parallel word memory addresses are determined by means of a control memory that is read in synchronism with Anglo-Saxon PCM multiplex system bit rate.More generally the equipment enables different types of PCM multiplex networks to be interconnected.

Abstract: A seismograph pickup for use at the bottom of the sea, comprises a detector, a frame, detachable ballast, and a sealed and water-tight container mounted on the frame. The container floats for bringing the pickup to the surface when the ballast is detached. The detector is outside the container so that it may be deposited on the sea bed. The detector is connected to the container by means of an electric transmission cable and a mooring cable. The container includes a power source and means for recording signals delivered by the detector. The invention is also concerned with means for supporting the detector on the frame and for unhooking it when the detector is released.

Abstract: A first part of the inventive instrument comprises an insertion and removal device in the form of a catheter which may be inserted through the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus into the stomach. The catheter includes an outer sheath which protects the human body while a tool extending coaxially through an inner sheath is being manipulated. The tool includes a remotely operated pair of tweezers for holding or releasing a loop on insertion or seizing and holding the loop on removal of the second part of the inventive instrument. The second part of the instrument comprises a tube for implantation in the small intestine. While it is so implanted, the tube prevents food from being there absorbed by the body. The tube may be used to treat obesity or alcoholism, or to cover an ulcer and give it an opportunity to heal without exposure to digesting food.

Abstract: A press comprises a pressure roller of relatively large diameter cooperating with a plurality of satellite rollers, the material to be pressed passing between the pressure roller on the one hand and the plurality of satellite rollers on the other hand, each satellite roller having a lateral surface presenting a series of circular grooves, the bottom of the grooves being partially or completely empty to allow the squeezed-out liquid to pass.

Abstract: An acoustic direction finder which identifies and displays bearing of an underwater received signal without the requirement of scanning the ambient space. The output signals of hydrophones at the ends of a pair of orthogonally located dipoles are applied to differential amplifiers to provide orthogonal dipole response characteristics, and an in-phase sum of the signal at the center of the dipoles is obtained. The differential amplifier output signals are integrated and the resultant signals are applied to individual multiplying means with the sum signal whereby a pair of X and Y coordinate deflection signals are obtained, which are applied to a display device.