Abstract: Blade-sharpening apparatus includes a blade holder that is axially and pivotably movable on an upright post, to enable controlled manual movement of a clamped blade in contact with a sharpening stone supported on an underlying base. The means by which the clamping head is mounted permits adjustment of declination, for producing the desired blade-edge angle, and it permits pivoting of the head for maintaining optimal contact between the blade and the surface of the stone.

Abstract: Pieces of thermal insulating molded rubber are configured to conform to under-sink piping, so as to provide protection against burn injury from contact with hot surfaces. The pieces are telescopically and interengaged with one another at selected relative orientations, to cooperatively enclose a P-trap assembly, and the piece covering the J-bend is formed with a protrusion to accommodate clean-out structure provided thereon.

Abstract: A device for circumscribing selectively both circles and also ellipses of variable proportions includes a housing in which is rotatably mounted an armature. The armature is constrained to move on two axes disposed at right angles to one another, so as to enable elliptical shapes to be generated. One such axis is provided by a rectilinear channel in the base of the device, in which is engaged a follower operatively attached to the armature; the other axis is provided by a rectilinear slot formed through the cover of the device. A hub is engaged in the cover slot and is assembled with the armature; it can be moved to any selected position along a rectilinear axis of the armature without disassembly, and can be secured in position by tightening of a clamping mechanism. In one position the axes of rotation of the hub and the armature are aligned, to thereby cause the device to circumscribe a circle; in other positions the axes are offset, thereby conditioning the device for circumscribing ellipses.

Abstract: A mechanic's creeper is provided with a surrounding skirt that serves to deflect tools and other objects lying on the floor, thereby maintaining them accessible to the mechanic.

Abstract: A one-piece body of thermal insulation comprises a first component having valve-covering and pipe-covering portions, and a second, perpendicular component for covering the water-supply tube. An integral cover component on the forward end of the valve-covering portion is displaceable for access to the valve handle, and can be secured in its closed position.

Abstract: A signalling device to be worn on the person includes an emergency button (2) which triggers an internal transmitter to transmit an encoded identification signal followed by audio signals derived from sounds picked up by a microphone (3). The transmitted signals are picked up by a control box (21) containing a radio receiver which encodes the signals and commands an alarm box (24) to send out an audible and/or visual warning. Such warnings alternate with periods in which the alarm box broadcasts sounds picked up by the microphone (3).

Abstract: A radiant heater for a glass ceramic top cooking appliance includes a base of thermal and electrical insulating material and at least first and second heating elements arranged such that at least the first heating element provided in a first heating zone is adjacent to at least the second heating element provided in a second heating zone, the first heating element comprising a bright radiating element. A peripheral wall of thermal insulating material surrounds the heating elements and a dividing wall is arranged between the first and second heating elements and extends to a height substantially the same as that of the peripheral wall. A plurality of passages communicates between the first and second heating zones and is disposed in the region of the base of the dividing wall such that, when the bright radiating element is energized, light from the bright radiating element laterally illuminates the second heating zone through the passages.

Abstract: The structure serves to support any of various elements and objects, normally for translational movement. It is effectively divided, by pivot points on an intermedial axis, into two opposite portions of equal mass, thus affording to the structure immunization against translational forces transmitted through those points. The opposite portions also have their centers of gravity remotely located, so as to generate a counteracting torque in response to moments of rotational inertia transmitted through the pivot points. Integrally formed planar pieces are assembled to provide contiguous elongate elements and an interposed connecting web element, a plurality of which web elements produce a flexure joint in the structure.

Abstract: A filter unit of an automatic screw machine employs a filter element that rotates relative to, and in contact with, a brush element. Foreign matter is thereby automatically dislodged and ejected from the filter element.

Abstract: A multi-part composition is provided which is suitable for use as an adhesive, a potting compound, a coating or a sealant. It consists of a polymerizable acrylate formulation and an activating formulation, the latter usually comprising an amine-aldehyde condensation product diluted with a liquid vinyl ether; liquid epoxides may also be included as diluents in the activating formulation.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater is made by providing a base of microporous thermal and electrical insulation material having formed in a surface thereof at least one groove. The groove includes transverse webs of the microporous insulation material spaced apart along the length of the groove. An elongate electrically conductive strip is provided to serve as a heating element and is located edgewise into the groove and is urged into the webs so as to embed and secure the conductive strip in the webs.

Abstract: The stand is collapsible to a compact configuration by virtue of utilizing foot members that pivot and slide on the associated leg members. A tandem version of the stand enables the support of two guitars or other instruments, an extensible post serves to engage the neck of the instrument, and an elliptical end-cap is mounted rotatably on one of the legs to enable facile leveling of the stand.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater for use in a smooth top cooker includes a base of electrical and thermal insulating material and two heating elements supported on the base. One of the heating elements is energisable independently of the other element, for example to permit the heater to be adapted to different size cooking utensils. A peripheral wall of thermal insulating material extends laterally around the heating elements and a dividing wall is arranged between the heating elements such that, in use, separate and distinct heating zones are formed on the smooth top of the cooker. The dividing wall is received in the base of electrical and thermal insulating material and is retained in the base by friction. The dividing wall may additionally be constructed and arranged as a barrier effectively only to thermal convection currents generated in the heater.

Abstract: A system for washing parts utilizing a circulated, heated liquid includes a master unit and at least one auxiliary unit. The master unit has a tank for heating the washing liquid, and has a pump for circulating the liquid through the chamber of the enclosure. The auxiliary unit is devoid of such a tank, but has means for making connections necessary to enable circulation of the liquid heated in the tank of the master unit through the chamber of the auxiliary unit enclosure.

Abstract: A multiplicity of one-piece flexure plates are assembled in pairs to provide a support system on which a retroreflector may be mounted for reciprocal motion. Combined with balance bodies, the flexure plates provide a support system having portions that are dynamically and statically balanced with one another, irrespective of orientation, so as to thereby immunize the unit against extraneous forces. The motion transfer assembly is especially adapted for use to support a moving retroreflector in a two-arm interferometer that may further include a beamsplitter assembly constructed from a one-piece, integrally formed body, the body having convergent, optically flat planar surfaces of specular reflectance, and means for adjustably mounting a beamsplitter therein. The spectrometer is of modular construction, and employs an integrated clocking sub-assembly as well as a light-weight voice-coil motor.