Abstract: A programmable apparatus for automatically stripping insulation from a wire end being conveyed by a wire conveyor, thereby leaving a portion of exposed conductor. This apparatus includes an insulation cutting mechanism for transversely cutting the insulation. The cutting mechanism includes opposed blades having facing cutting surfaces, at least one of those blades being movable toward the other by a blade closure device. To effect stripping, the cutting mechanism is moved away from the wire end after the cut is made. The apparatus includes a stepper motor for adjusting for the size of the wire and the thickness of the insulation. Another stepper motor is provided to control the length of the stripped portion. As the cutting mechanism is moved, a blade holder holds the cutting blades in position. A slider rod is connected to the holder and slidably engaged in a support frame connected to the conveyor.

Abstract: A calling device and a motion toy for using the calling device are disclosed. The motion toy comprises a body frame having a machine frame inside thereof. Foreleg frames, hind leg frames, and a tail frame are rotataly mounted on the body frame. A nose frame is mounted for back and forth movement on the main frame. A first driving gear is rotatably mounted in the machine frame to actuate the foreleg and hind leg frames. A second driving gear is rotatably mounted in the machine frame to actuate the tail and nose frames. A changeover gear is mounted on the machine for rotation about an axis and sliding movement along the axis for alternate engagement with either the first or the second driving gear. A motor is operatively connected to drive the changeover gear. The calling device of the motion toy includes a calling gear having teeth thereon rotatably mounted on the machine frame.

Abstract: A drain bolt wherein a recess is formed at the end of a male-threaded portion of a bolt body, and a sinker portion of a synthetic resin magnet is embedded in the recess of the bolt body so that a projecting portion of the magnet is projected from the end of the male-threaded portion of the bolt body. The projecting portion of the synthetic resin magnet is larger in diameter than the sinker portion. A plurality of grooves are formed on the side of the projecting portion of the synthetic resin magnet along its length.

Abstract: A head device of a tape player equipped with an autoreverse mechanism in which a head is shifted in the widthwise direction of a magnetic tape at the time of reverse mode so as to be shifted from the forward track to the reverse track. A head driving body having a forward supporting surface which supports at a forward position a head supporting body which is movably provided in the widthwise direction of the magnetic tape and having a reverse supporting surface which supports it at a reverse position is provided, and an adjusting screw which is in contact with the forward supporting surface of the head driving body and an adjusting screw which is in contact with the reverse supporting surface are provided in one of supporting body bearing portions of the head supporting body.

Abstract: A loop circuit method and apparatus for dredging a first area water and in which the water being used to transport the solid material (the dredging water) is continuously routed around in a loop and used repeatedly to convey the solid material from the first area to a second, solids collecting area. The loop circuit may be either quasi-closed or completely closed depending on where the returning dredge water is discharged at the first area. An improved dredge head which may be operated by a diver and in which the returning dredge water is discharged adjacent the nozzle and acts to stir up the material in that location. Alternatively, the returning dredge water can be discharged directly in the nozzle of the dredge head and acts to help convey the material picked up by the nozzle, and this constitutes a completely closed circuit.

Abstract: A riding mower chassis frame comprises a pair of identical beams extending along the chassis at its opposite sides. A one-piece channel-shaped member bridges the beams near the rear of the chassis to give the frame rigidity, provide for laterally swingable connection to the frame of a rear axle on which steerable wheels are mounted, and serve as a pan in which movable weights are carried. A platform mounted on the rear of the frame, for carrying interchangeable accessories, is swingable to and from a horizontal load carrying position about a transverse axis at the rear of the frame. An automatically engaging releasable latch on the platform cooperates with another frame member that bridges across the beams.

Abstract: In the glass washer of this invention, a linear conveyor carries glasses successively through a prewash, a detergent wash and a germicidal rinse. Once discharged from rinsing nozzles, rinsing liquid is collected in a prewash tank from which it is pumped exclusively to other nozzles that provide the prewash. Detergent solution discharged from washing nozzles is collected in a wash tank and recycled back to the washing nozzles. Hot water and detergent chemical are fed into the wash tank at predetermined rates whenever the machine operates, to provide a makeup detergent solution and some overflow from the wash tank to the prewash tank. Novel screening means ensure against entry of foreign matter into the nozzles. Novel control means cause the machine to operate with its conveyor almost always fully loaded, for economical utilization of water, chemicals and current.

Abstract: A large manually operated leak-proof corrosion-proof low-cost shut-off or stop valve for handling high pressure refrigerant liquid and/or gases is disclosed. The valve comprises a valve body formed of two sheet metal hemispheres electron-welded to the periphery of a circular metal valve plate which has an aperture therethrough. Hollow cylindrical metal tubes entend into circular holes formed in the hemispheres and are electron-welded to the hemispheres along the edge of the circular holes. One tube on each hemisphere serves for fluid flow. Another internally and externally threaded tube on one hemisphere serves as valve sleeve through which a manually rotatable and axially shiftable externally threaded valve spindle extends. The inner end of the valve spindle is secured to a valve disc which cooperates with the aperture in the valve plate. In the method, components to be welded together are assembled and rotated with respect to a stationary electron welding beam.

Abstract: A method for controlling the environmental conditions in the proximity of vegetation or crops in the cultivation of plants is described in which use is made of protective sheets comprising a large number of microperforations having each a protruded rim, said microperforations having a diameter between 50 and 2000 .mu.m and being present in a density of between 25 and 40000 microperforations per cm.sup.2. The invention also relates to plastics sheeting for use in said method and to a protective device for use in a greenhouse provided with such sheeting.

Abstract: An underground tank having a leak detection mechanism, wherein a narrow gap is provided between an inner tank in which a liquid is to be contained and an outer tank covering the inner tank, a conduit is opened into the gap and a float is provided in the conduit, so that a leak of tank can be detected from the position of the float. A thin sheet is wound on the outside surface of the inner tank so that the narrow gap is defined between the inner tank and the outer tank.

Abstract: A dispenser for paste-like products consists of a dispensing head (1) and a cartridge (2) containing the paste-like product. The cartridge has its lower end closed by a follower piston slideable along the interior wall surface of the cartridge under action of the exterior atmosphere. In the dispensing head, a pumping device with a pump chamber is provided. An inlet-check valve is provided for prevention of backflow of paste-like material entering the pump chamber through a passage from the interior of the cartridge. At least one part of the inlet-check valve, for instance, a valve seat thereof or, for instance, all parts of the inlet-check valve, namely, a valve seat and a closure member, are provided on an upper cover wall of the cartridge as part of the cartridge. The cartridge is releasably connectable to the dispensing head. After exhaustion of its contents, the cartridge may be detached from the dispensing head and replaced by a filled cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for checking the supercooling of a monocrystal during its formation.There is a continuous measurement of the potential difference between one point of the forming crystal and one point of a solid part of the material separated from the liquid by a reference interface differing from the solidification front. This potential difference makes is possible to determine the temperature deviation due to the supercooling at the solidification front and the dopant concentration of the crystal being formed.

Abstract: An animal motion toy wherein a toy body modeled in the form of an animal has movable arm frames on both sides, movable leg frames on both sides, an openable mouth portion, and a built-in sounding member. The arm frames are rotated by a first crankshaft incorporated in the toy body and the mouth portion is opened and closed and the sounding member makes a sound by a second crankshaft incorporated in the toy body. The leg frames are moved by a third crankshaft incorporated in the toy body. A gear changeover mechanism is connected to a motor which is turned on when a microphone provided in the toy body receives a sound generated by an external signal. The gear changeover mechanism is operative to drive either said first and second crankshafts or said third crankshaft.

Abstract: A horizontal vibrating multi-deck screen apparatus for separating different sizes of materials of generally the same type. The apparatus includes a first or upper screening basket and a second or lower screening basket. The upper screening basket has a feed chute at one end and a discharge chute at the opposite end. Each screening basket has at least one screen deck thereon for conveying and screening material. The two baskets are connected by a spring-type coupling system, including coil springs and fiberglass leaf springs. The two baskets together are supported by known types of support spring systems installed between the upper basket only and a base frame. Hence each basket constitutes one mass and each spring system one spring of a two-mass two-spring system. A pair of shaker motors mounted directly, one on each side, on the lower basket inputs a straight-line sinusoidal exciting force to the system. The exciting force and the spring forces are transmitted to both baskets and induce vibrations.

Abstract: The outdoor alerting and warning device of this invention comprises numerous electronic drivers and an axially shallow drum-shaped resonance chamber having an inside diameter equal to a whole-number multiple of one-quarter of the wavelength of a sound wave of predetermined frequency. The drivers are mounted on the exterior of the resonance chamber, on its peripheral portion at regular circumferential intervals around it, with their ports opening into its interior. A coaxial outlet port in one end wall of the resonance chamber, having an area of between one-half and two times the total of driver port areas, opens into the throat of a horn; or each end wall may have such an outlet port, each opening into a horn throat.

Abstract: A golf club putter with an aid for putting on an inclined green includes a head presenting a longitudinally extending top surface visible to the golfer when in use with the surface having ball position striking markers spaced apart longitudinally from each other. The markers include: a first curved line identifying one ball striking location adjacent the club handle which curves inwardly toward the golfer to indicate to the golfer that the ball, when struck at the one location, will curve in the direction shown by the first curved line; and a second curved line on the top surface located adjacent the outer end of the putter head longitudinally spaced from the first curve and curving outwardly away from the golfer to identify another ball striking location to indicate to the golfer that the ball, when struck at the other ball striking location, will curve in the direction shown by the second curved line.

Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing the yield from a raw board, having defects randomly located therein, and for cutting the raw board optimally into product boards of predetermined specification, thereby cutting out any defects. The apparatus includes an adjustable fence located at a defect detection station, oriented along a path and movable transversely to the path. Located at the station are laser lines for temporarily forming lines lengthwise on the raw board. These laser lines cooperate with the fence to determine clear and full widths of the raw board. Also disclosed is a method for using the apparatus for optimizing the yield of the raw board. The clear width and full width information is transmitted to a computer while any waste portion is cut off and as all defects between the laser lines are being marked by an operator. In the meantime, the computer calculates an optimum solution for product to be cut from the board.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods use a portable submersible pump to mix and fluidize waste material (sludge, liquid and floating crust) in a septic tank, to then pump it into a truck-mounted holding tank to recirculate it in the holding tank during transport, and to discharge it at a disposal site. The apparatus comprises a truck-mounted holding tank having tank inlet and outlet ports, a portable hydraulically driven submersible pump detachably mounted on the truck, and a truck-mounted motor-driven hydraulic pump for operating the portable pump. Hydraulic fluid supply lines, wound on a truck-mounted reel, are connected between the hydraulic pump and the portable pump motor. A waste hose is wound on a truck-mounted reel, several hose sections are detachably mounted on the truck, and a portable, multi-position, manually-operable selector valve is detachably mounted on the truck. In operation, the portable pump is disposed alongside or in the septic tank and pumps a stream of pressurized fluid from the septic tank.

Abstract: A charging method of an electrostatic image developer which makes it possible to electrically charge an insulating one-component developer or a two-component developer consisting of a toner and a carrier to a desired charged state and which comprises introducing the developer into a charging space between a pair of sheet-like charging members opposing each other in which space an alternating field is formed, and oscillating the developer by means of the alternating field for charging it. A developing method of a non-contact or contact system which develops the electrostatic image by use of the developer charged electrically by the above-mentioned charging method.

Abstract: A magnet catch wherein a magnet assembly is installed in a case from the front opening in such a way that it can be moved back and forth, an adjust cam is secured to an adjust spindle rotatably mounted to one side portion of the case and disposed in a direction perpendicular to that in which the magnet assembly advances and retracts, a cam groove is formed on the adjust cam in such a manner that the cam groove radius from the adjust spindle as the rotating center continuously changes, and a cam pin projecting from the magnet assembly is engaged with the cam groove.