Abstract: An instantaneous or step by step display mechanism for a time-keeper, including a constantly rotating driving wheel, a toothed wheel fixed to a first indication disc, a ratchet wheel also fixed to the indication disc, and a lever pivoted at one end, and carrying a dog engaging with the ratchet wheel, and an intermediate toothed wheel, at the other end. The intermediate wheel meshes with both the driving and indication disc wheels and when in use constantly runs up the indication disc wheel, carrying its end of the lever with it until the dog frees one tooth of the ratchet wheel, whereupon the lever falls back, advancing the display by one figure. The stem of the watch, when pulled, disengages the dog from the ratchet wheel and allows correction of the display, forwards or backwards. Minute, hour or date wheels may be provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an alignment device for use between a tube socket and a weight-bearing element of an artificial limb in which a desired angular relationship set by jacking screws and maintained by a controlled degree of friction between concentric part-spherical surfaces is maintainable despite the unlocking of clamping screws applying force between the said surfaces.

Abstract: This etui or case for jewelry adopts exteriorly the shape of a "pamela" or woman's hat with large hat brim and with its bottom cavity closed horizontally by a wall, the case comprising two portions: one constituted by a large upwardly and downwardly bent brim surrounding the central wall, and upon which leans a lined plaque for placing a jewel, this plaque being limited by a small vertical railing surrounding it, and this plaque being provided wth a hook which passes through the lining and serves to fix a finger ring therein, maintaining it inclined, said hat brim having exteriorly a half hinge; the other portion corresponds to the crown of the hat and has the shape of a hemispherical shell having at one side the other half of the hinge to be coupled with the one of the hat brim to form an articulation, this hemispherical shell carrying a hat band placed in such a way that it overlaps the mouth and serves to cover the joining line between the crown and the brim of the hat.

Abstract: A rotary piston machine which has a substantially annular working space, which is divided by bars or the like dividing elements into a plurality of sealed chambers, the volumes of which are periodically changed. The bars or the like dividing elements are carried by two coaxial drums or pistons, which perform a differential rotational movement. The differential gear for the pistons comprises a bevel gear assembly, which comprises four bevel wheels, which mesh with each other. Two of said bevel wheels are coaxial with said pistons. The other two of said bevel wheels are centered on an axis which is at right angles to the axis of the pistons. The differential gear assembly also comprises an epicyclic gear or planet wheel assembly. One of said rotary pistons is operatively coupled by a shaft to one of said coaxial bevel wheels, and the other of said coaxial bevel wheels is freely rotatable relative to said shaft but is operatively coupled to the other of said rotary pistons.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve having a valve member which is urged away from a cooperating seat by the combined pressures at the valve inlet and outlet and urged towards the seat by fluid pressure prevailing in a chamber which is connected to the valve inlet or outlet, respectively, dependent upon whether an order signal requires the valve to close or to open. Connection between said chamber and the valve inlet and outlet is controlled by an auxiliary valve which in turn is actuated through pressure transmitting lines connected to the inlet and outlet via a switch valve actuated by the order signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a multi-ply fabric or clothing material unit such as a shirt cuff or the like. A continuous strip of material is fed to a stitching head, and precut fabric pieces are placed on the strip at a positioning station in end to end relation to each other. The continuous strip conveys the fabric pieces through the apparatus. A side edge of each fabric piece is folded around a side edge of the strip by a folder and the folded piece is stitched to the strip by the stitching head. The continuous strip can be fed and stitched continuously or intermittently. The strip with the pieces stitched to it is fed to a cutter where the strip is cut into individual pieces along the ends of the fabric pieces. The cutter is actuated in response to sensing an end edge of a fabric piece sewn to the strip. Feed of the strip at the cutter is arrested by a blocking mechanism including a slip clutch, ratchet wheel, and pawl which blocks the feed so cutting occurs while the strip is stationary.

Abstract: In a method of processing fuel shale to produce energy and cement clinker at the same time, oil shale and/or coal shale are disintegrated, homogenized and activated in a pin beater mill or vibrating mill. The effect of the treatment is monitored by X-ray microanalysis and the treatment is automatically controlled. The admixtures required for the production of a cement having the desired quality are added simultaneously at controlled rates. The thus treated material is then burnt in a boiler plant, preferably at combustion temperatures up to 1400.degree.C and with simultaneous sintering, whereby ash and/or slag is formed which contains at least 60% cement clinker. Said cement clinker is separated from the residual ash and slag and in an impact-type mill is disintegrated in such a manner that each clinker particle is subjected to 3-8 impacts within a time of preferably less than 0.

Abstract: A system for continuously providing direct readouts of horsepower and efficiency of a rotating shaft, which includes a husk assembly associated with the shaft and providing electrical signals proportional to shaft torque, a tachometer for providing electrical signals proportional to shaft rotational speed, electrical circuitry for electronically multiplying the torque signals by the RPM signals to determine shaft horsepower, and a dividing network for dividing the shaft horsepower signal into an electrical signal representing the rate of fuel consumption to provide a continuous indication of instantaneous system efficiency.

Abstract: Tube ends are engaged in passage openings of tube plates and protrude above collars surrounding said passage openings. The larger sides of the tube ends are folded back and rolled about said collars. Part of the tube walls under said passage openings is enlarged.

Abstract: Equine footwear according to the invention comprises a split ring of a configuration corresponding to the peripheral outline of a hoof of an ungulate animal with the split disposed at the rear or heel portion thereof. The ring in cross section constitutes an acute angle with a lower flange disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal for fitting beneath the generally concave bottom of the hoof, and an upwardly extending flange for surrounding the outer wall of the hoof so that the device constitutes the equivalent of a slipper. The footwear is made of a material having some pliancy or flexibility such as a soft metal but preferably of a plastics material so that it can conform to the particular hoof to which it is applied and permit expansion and contraction of the hoof during movement of the animal. The opposed ends of the ring may be adjustably and releasably secured together to accommodate adjustment and replacement.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling the tolerance of the skin of individual persons to ultra-violet radiation to be determined, including a source of UV radiation and a mask having apertures for allowing UV radiation of different intensities to be applied to the skin of a person being tested.

Abstract: A disc brake comprises a fluid pressure-operated actuator for urging two pressure plates carrying friction pads to opposite faces of a disc. In the actuator a piston movable in a housing is detachably engaged with a draw-bar which acts on one of the pressure plates, the housing acting directly on the second pressure plate. A seal between the housing and the draw-bar contacts an enlarged portion of the draw-bar. A screw-driver slot is provided to prevent the draw-bar from rotating.

Abstract: In a casting apparatus using a mould which comprises a horizontal series of identical mould parts and presents at least one casting cavity at each joint between successive mould parts, the mould is advanced stepwise on a guideway including a driving section having a reciprocating support plate with apertures to periodically supply compressed air to reduce the friction between the plate and the mould sufficiently to neutralize the driving effect of the plate.

Abstract: A snap or toggle switch having two sets of fixed contacts with a bridge normally resting across one pair of contacts but traversing toggle-fashion to the other pair of contacts when an actuating member is depressed. Toggle springs extend from the actuating member to the bridge, both the said member and bridge being flat and extending at right angles to one another. The actuating member operates a lever which forcibly separates fused contacts.

Abstract: A device for maintaining constant the amplitude of the oscillation of an electro-magnetically driven balance wheel of a timepiece, whereby a first voltage is generated of an amplitude proportional to the amplitude of oscillation of the wheel. This is compared with a reference voltage and a signal is derived corresponding in amplitude and sign with the difference. This signal is then used to control the application of driving pulses to the balance wheel. The said driving pulses are preferably much shorter than one half-period of the balance wheel.

Abstract: In an automatic mold part producing apparatus having a mold chamber which is filled with mold forming material that subsequently is compressed between a pair of opposite end walls, the mold forming material is forced into said mold chamber by means of pressurized air, the pressure of which is gradually or stepwise increased during the chamber filling operation, for the purpose of achieving uniform compactness or density of the mold forming material throughout the height of the mold chamber.

Abstract: This invention concerns an oscillator for time measurement, comprising a resonator the oscillation of which is maintained by at least one part reciprocated by electrostatic forces relative to at least one electrode connected to a direct voltage source, said part being periodically charged by contact with the electrode, or electrodes comprising an elastically deformable contact making member whose elastic deformation energy is much less when in contact with an electrode than the motional energy of the resonator.

Abstract: The flanges of the heat-exchanger comprise at two ends thereof lugs or connecting members delimiting a transverse fold extended by a tongue up to the tube plates. The ends of the tubes are positioned in the tube plates and the tongue is fixed to the tube plate. The assembled heat exchanger is then submitted to brazing.

Abstract: A foundry equipment comprises at least one guiding track element on which a number of identical mould parts are successively piled together in a position in which their greatest dimension is horizontal. After the formation of the mould, the guiding track element with the mould thereon is tilted about 90.degree. around a horizontal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the mould, thus bringing the mould into a position in which it is ready for the pouring operation.

Abstract: In an actuator assembly for an hydraulic braking system the effective volume of a chamber through which hydraulic fluid under pressure is supplied to a wheel brake is adapted to be varied between a minimum and a maximum value by movement of a piston assembly working in a bore in communication with the chamber. An actuator piston having first and second different faces of different areas normally holds the piston assembly in a position in which the effective volume of the chamber is at a minimum until equal hydraulic pressures are applied to the areas of the actuator piston to cause the actuator piston to retract and permit the piston assembly to be withdrawn whereby the effective volume of the chamber is increased.