Abstract: A drive apparatus including a driving section and a driven section interconnected by a flexible belt which passes over pulley members respectively associated with each of the driving and driven sections. At least one of the driving and driven sections comprises a housing, a central shaft section mounted for rotation within the housing, the central shaft section having a gear assembly provided on a central portion thereof for rotation therewith, and first flange means provided on at least one of the end portions thereof. At least one lateral shaft section is provided having a pulley member mounted thereon for rotation therewith, the lateral shaft section having second flange means provided on one of its end portions. The lateral shaft section is removably connected to the central shaft section by means of connector elements interconnecting said first and second flange means.

Abstract: A lubricating composition having self oil-releasing properties comprising polypropylene having a low melt index and a synthetic lubricating oil based on one or more neopentylpolyol esters, the acid residues of which on the average, have a relatively short chain, which composition can be shaped into and behaves as a mechanical component.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring the depth of a periodontal pocket cavity including a probe needle, a needle holder and a handle, has a hinge construction whereby the needle with the needle holder is pivotable relative to the handle against the action of a bias spring which has a flat spring characteristic within the restricted pivoting range of the hinge.

Abstract: In order to machine skew surfaces, adjacent cylindrical shaping rollers in adjacent relation are each freely mounted for rotation on roller support frames which are each capable of relative backward or forward longitudinal displacement under the action of a numerical control system. An abrasive belt which is applied against a portion of the periphery of the set of shaping rollers assumes during this portion of travel a configuration corresponding to the instantaneous envelope curve of the transverse cross-sections of the rollers and thus constitutes a tool which provides a variable profile for abrasive machining operations.

Abstract: In a magnetic bearing system, wherein the gap between relatively moveable elements is controlled by variation of magnetic force therebetween, light is directed from one of the members onto the other member, and reflected back, the reflected light being converted to an electrical signal. The magnetic force between the members is controlled as a direct function of the magnitude of the reflected light. The optical system may include optical fibers for directing the light, and markings may also be provided on the other member to enable determination of relative speed between the members in a further transducing system.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system, apparatus and staple wherein a resilient staple has a relaxed closed configuration, is expanded into an open crescent shape, and finally is allowed to return to its closed configuration while simultaneously piercing and drawing together adjacent edges of an open incision or wound. The stapling apparatus contains a plurality of staples and includes projections which engage and secure each staple to the apparatus until its closure to tissue is complete and separation from the apparatus is desired. Further mechanism is provided to control the staple as it closes and optionally to re-open a closed or partially closed staple.

Abstract: A hair dryer having a quartz glass tube heater to produce radiant heat has a shock mount sub-assembly to resist breakage of the tube when the hairdryer is subjected to drop tests or other selected concussions. The shock mounts include spring members which are flexible and resilient relative to the housing and furthermore have resilient engagement with the tube to allow slight but controlled movement of the tube without breakage regardless of the direction of impact or orientation of the hairdryer when dropped. An internal blower for creating an air flow through this quartz tube heater hairdryer may be included as a safety feature to prevent overheating and to provide nominal air flow for conventional type drying.

Abstract: A cage for a rolling bearing is formed of a plurality of cage parts. One of the cage parts is comb shaped, having axially extending cross-pieces adapted to be engaged by another cage piece, which may be a ring. Axially extending projections with enlarged ends are provided on the cage ring, at the inner circumference thereof, engaging correspondingly shaped recesses in the other cage part, thereby to enable snapping of the cage parts together. Recesses or projections are provided on the end of each cross-piece of the comb-shaped part, for engaging corresponding projections or recesses in the side ring of the cage, thereby to stabilize the cage in the circumferential and radial directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing access to an electrically controlled service for perdetermined periods of time employs a dual magnetically striped record medium encoded in a CRB format with data indicative of the periods of time during which access is to be provided. The data is read by a reader and stored in a processor having an internal clock and a comparator for comparing the instantaneous time output of the clock with the predetermined time period data encoded on the record medium for enabling a security device only when the instantaneous time is within the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A universal joint is provided with an outer ring and has a socket, an inner ring accommodated in the socket, and a set of flatted balls accommodated in groove-like ball races. The ball races are formed in the surface of the socket and in the surface of the inner ring, respectively, to transmit rotation from one ring to the other ring, wherein a ball with its flat face can freely cooperate with a curved surface of a race.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing limited access to broadcast television programming in a CATV System wherein each television subscriber is provided with a converter for converting broadcast television signals into signals suitable for reception and display by a conventional television receiver and means for disabling the converter from producing TV compatible signals selectively activated by a switching device. A magnetic card reader reads the data on a program card inserted by the subscriber and compares it with a reference data record stored in a memory to determine if the program card is valid for the program sought to be viewed. If the card is valid a timer is actuated to cause the switching device to enable reception of the broadcast program while obliterating the data on the program card so that the card cannot be reused. The reference data record may be variable with time so that a program card will only be effective for enabling program viewing during a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A ball bearing wherein each holder has only one oval-shaped race and a plate-like bearing surface member formed as a gutter-like circulating bearing surface conforming to the oval shape with four ball holders situated in the housing such that the bearing surface members run obliquely outward toward one another so that the straight race sections for the balls absorbing the load at one edge and the other straight race sections at the other edge run essentially along the ribs of two rectangular parallelpipeds having different cross-sectional dimensions.

Abstract: A sliding bearing for transmitting radial and axial forces, having an inner and an outer bushing, one of the bushings being provided on both faces thereof with flanges projecting radially against the other bushing, which flanges at least partially embrace the faces of the other bushing thus fixing the other bushing therebetween, and a sliding annular insert having a U-shaped cross-section of antifriction material arranged between said bushings, and having annular projections extending axially outward to embrace the flanges on the associated bushing.

Abstract: A naso-gastric tube stabilizer device having a base part, a harness for releasably holding the device on a patient's head, and a spring member secured for releasably securing to the device an exposed section of a naso-gastric tube extending out of the patient's nostril.