Abstract: A photoelectric circuit is provided with a differential amplifier having two inputs. First and second photosensitive elements and resistors are connected in parallel to each of the two inputs of the differential amplifier, respectively. A second amplifier is provided with its input coupled in parallel to a third resistor and a third photosensitive element. The output of the second amplifier is applied as a bias voltage to each of the three photosensitive elements in parallel.

Abstract: An incremental photoelectric measuring device is described including a measuring scale having a line grid and a scanning plate having a line grid, wherein the grid spacings of the two line grids are unequal such that one is an integral multiple of the other. Preferably the scale is provided with the coarser, less expensive to manufacture, line grid and the scanning plate is provided with the finer line grid. In this case the resolution of the measuring device is governed by the fine line grid of the scanning plate which can readily be changed to alter the resolution of the device. Two preferred separations between the scale and the scanning plate are described, which separations provide refraction doubling of the coarser line grid and enhanced spatial precision, respectively.

Abstract: A guiding apparatus for guiding and positioning a scanning unit in a longitudinal measuring device is disclosed wherein the measuring device includes a measuring scale, a driving unit for connecting the device to an object whose position is to be measured, and first and second guide surfaces for guiding the scanning unit along the scale. In the preferred embodiment the guiding apparatus comprises a flexible coupling rod or wire which connects the scanning unit to the driving unit in a flexible manner while maintaining a constant spacing therebetween and first and second springs which bias the scanning unit into contact with the first and second guide surfaces, respectively. Improved guiding and positioning are obtained by separating the coupling function from the guiding function and by using separate springs to bias the scanning unit against the two guide surfaces.

Abstract: A temperature-responsive valve for controlling the flow of fluid comprises a housing having a chamber therein, an inlet port communicating with said outlet port communicating with said chamber and a temperature deflectable partition. When the temperature of the fluid transmitted to said partition reaches a first predetermined value, the deflectable partition snaps to restrict with its surface the flow of fluid into said outlet port and remains in that position until the temperature of said fluid transmitted to said partition reaches a second predetermined value. The deflectable partition then snaps to permit the full flow of fluid into said outlet port. The temperature-responsive valve is especially useful in showers for protecting users from discomfort or scalding in the event the temperature of the shower water rises above the desired value.

Abstract: An in-line assembly machine is disclosed which is capable of commonly actuating tooling associated with the machine at a plurality of work stations. The machine includes a camshaft with a plurality of cams fixed thereto. Upper and lower elongated tool plates are also included. These elongated tool plates are reciprocated by first and second lifting rods, respectively, which are driven by the cams via followers. The rotation of the camshaft thus causes the upper and lower elongated tool plates to reciprocate, thereby commonly actuating tooling to perform operations on parts to be assembled.

Abstract: A filter element adapted to be precoated with a filter medium, having a porous tubular core, and a means supporting the filter medium precoat including a discontinuously slotted sheet arranged concentrically about the tubular core. Each of the slots has an elongated configuration, and provides an absolute particle retention ability of less than 50 microns while reducing gas entrapment in the filter element.According to an additional embodiment of the invention, the filter element includes a porous tubular core, a means for supporting the filter medium precoat terminating a distance from an end of the tubular core so that a relatively low bubble pressure element section is defined, and a discontinuously slotted sheet means positioned over the relatively low bubble point pressure element section and sealed to the precoat support means.

Abstract: An electronically controlled braking system is disclosed and includes a brake servo valve for controlling brake pressure in response to an electrical brake actuating signal having a value which is controlled by a brake command circuit and a skid control circuit. The brake command circuit provides a brake command signal which is representative of the brake pressure determined by an operator or by an automatic braking system. The brake command signal is modified as a function of the skid control circuit output to provide the electrical brake actuating signal which is supplied to a valve driver for actuating the brake control coil of the brake servo valve.

Abstract: A roll type display sign for a pump is disclosed having an upper bracket mounted to slide across an upper edge of a frame surrounding a pump face. A spring biased roller is mounted to the upper bracket and a display sheet is mounted to the roller such that the sheet is movable between a retracted position, in which the display sheet is wrapped around the roller, and an extended position, in which the display sheet extends across and substantially parallel to a portion of the pump face. The sign also includes a lower bracket mounted to a lower frame edge. This lower bracket is provided with three hooks spaced across the length of the lower edge which engage a loop member mounted to a cross bar attached to an edge of the display sheet. By sliding the upper bracket into an appropriate position and hooking the loop defining member about an appropriate one of the three hooks, the display sheet can be positioned over any one of three portions of the pump face.

Abstract: A security system for use with a coin container and a coin-processing machine having improved tamper-proof features. The system includes key means in a machine housing which engages with lock means associated with the container. Relative rotation of the lock with respect to the key positively locks the container, to protect coins in the container from pilferage. High-strength mounting means join the key stem to the housing so that the key stem is firmly fixed from rotation which would otherwise override the security of the system.

Abstract: An inertial barrier system for attenuating the energy of errant vehicles. The system includes module means defining a frangible container having a generally inverted U-shaped configuration with an opened and enlarged upper portion and a closed lower portion. The upper and lower container portions receive a continuous mass of dispersible energy-attenuating material, and maintain the center of gravity of the mass above the lower portion of the container. This lower portion also defines a central void of substantial volume, for receiving a portion of the dispersible mass during the initial impact of the module means by an errant vehicle. Cover means are provided to close the module.

Abstract: An improved method of everting a knitted sleeve-like portion of wearing apparel or the like, such as a hose precursor before the toe end is stitched, which includes drawing such sleeve over the free end of a cylindrical mounting tube and over and past a turning ring on said tube, which turning ring prevents the following end of the sleeve from sliding back towards the tube's free end when the drawing motion is reversed, pulling the leading end of the sleeve back over the sleeve towards the tube's free end. The simple drawing motion and reversal thereof not only everts the sleeve but positions the leading end free about the tube's free end, in position for stitching when the leading end is the toe end of a sock or other hose. Also provided is an apparatus for use in this method.

Abstract: A power train infinitely variable from substantially 1:1 ratio to a very high ratio, employing a pair of planetary gear assemblies, each including a sun gear, a ring gear and a planetary carrier having at least one planetary gear operatively connecting the associated ring and sun gears, the planetary gear assemblies having different gear ratios, both planetary assemblies having their sun gears rotatable by a driving member, a driven member operatively connected to the planetary carrier of the assembly of higher ratio, the ring gears being constructed for rotation as a unit, and the planetary carrier of the assembly of lower ratio being variably connectible with the driving member, whereby the overall ratio between driving and driven members is variable in dependence upon the relative speed of the driving member and the planetary carrier of the lower ratio assembly.

Abstract: In a dual conduit drill pipe section having concentric inner and outer tubes, a plurality of centering lugs are provided which are disposed between the inner and outer tubes and include bearing surfaces which are adapted to reduce the friction and wear associated with the movement of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube. The inner tube is secured to the outer tube at one point along each pipe section by a heat meltable adhesive which bonds an anchor ring which is secured to the inner tube to a shoulder defined in the inner surface of the outer tube.

Abstract: An adjustable table is described having three support structures arranged symmetrically around the perimeter of the table. Each support structure is supported on a base by means of a two dimensional joint, such as a leaf spring, having an axis of rotation tangential to a circle centered at a central point of the table. Each support structure supports the table by means of a three dimensional joint such as a ball in socket joint. Each support structure includes a threaded spindle and a rotatable threaded bolt for adjusting the separation between the table and the base.

Abstract: An improved height measuring instrument includes a hollow profile support member measuring a scale mounted to the support member, and a relatively flexible guide member which is adjustably mounted to the support member by means of a plurality of threaded fasteners which can be used to push or pull the guide member to correct measurement errors. A measurement carriage is guided along the guide member. This carriage bears an intermediate member onto which is mounted both a sensor and a reading unit arranged to scan the scale. A spring parallelogram including a pair of opposed, parallel plate springs connects the intermediate member to the carriage to provide a substantially constant measuring force. An apparatus is disclosed for altering the spring constant of the parallelogram to compensate for the proper weight of the intermediate member, the reading unit, and the sensor.

Abstract: A panel mounted switch consisting of two complementary side sections housing the switch components that include a plunger-type actuator carrying two movable switch blades and a series of fixed terminals. The switch blades being yieldably connected to the actuator whereby they are free to rock about their longitudinal axis upon engagement with certain of said fixed terminals, thereby achieving a self-cleaning, wiping switching contact.

Abstract: A self-lighting cigarette is disclosed having a protective or preventive cap enclosing the lip end of the cigarette to prevent the inhalation of the irritating fumes produced by the ignition means. Also disclosed is a means for attaching the self-lighting device to the preventive cap to prevent premature removal of the preventive cap.