Abstract: A chair having a tiltable back which is vertically adjustable into selected vertical positions. The adjustment mechanism includes rack and gear members which are selectively engagable to lock the back in selected vertical positions. The rack member is secured to a support column and the gear member is secured to the back. The back height adjustment mechanism permits the back to tilt about a first axis and to pivot about a second axis, to release the rack and gear members for vertically repositioning the chair back. When the bottom edge of the chair back is pulled forward, the gear teeth of the cooperating rack and gear members are disconnected thereby enabling vertical movement of the chair back. Upon release of the bottom edge of the chair back, a bias spring urges the rack members together to hold the chair back in the selected vertical position.

Abstract: A bake time display system for use on a food cooking oven which includes a drive motor and a food conveyor for transporting food through the oven. The bake time display includes a speed transducer which is directly coupled to the oven's motor and conveyor to provide an accurate indication of conveyor speed. A preprogrammed microprocessor computing circuit is connected to receive the signal from the speed transducer and is programmed to compute therefrom the average baking time of an article of food passing through the oven. In one mode of operation, the system displays the average baking time only when the average baking time differs from a preset baking time by a predetermined limit and may be manually conditioned to display average baking time continuously when the baking time is being adjusted.

Abstract: A lamp holder for attachment to a stepladder comprising a plurality of tapered tubes of different lengths integrally joined at their top ends so that a plurality of lamps can be held by the tubes at selected heights. A clamp is connected at one end thereof to the joined tubes and is detachably connected at the other end thereof to the stepladder at a preselected orientation so that the tubes are generally vertically disposed.

Abstract: A slidegate assembly is provided for use with a ladle wherein at least one of the slidegates has a recess countersunk about an opening in its surface in sliding engagement with the other slidegate, and has an insert made of a refractory material sprayed in the recess by a plasma gun device. The insert has an opening aligned with the opening in the slidegate, and is substantially coplanar with the sliding surface. In the closed position, the insert closes the opening of the other slidegate. The refractory material applied by the liquid stabilized plasma gun device provides an extremely hard insert that is highly resistant to the temperatures and erosive effects of various molten melts and to the abrasive effects caused by multiple shifts of the assembly during pouring operations. A method is provided for producing slidegates for the assembly.

Abstract: A carriers for electrophotographic development which comprises essentially a disintegrated powder of granules consisting essentially of the compound represented by the formula(MO).sub.X (Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3).sub.Yin which M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Li, Zn, Cd, Cu, Co, and Mg, and X (mol)/Y (mol).ltoreq.0.85.

Abstract: A compressed air propulsion system is provided to be adapted for use with a vehicle, and comprises a transaxle mechanism adapted to be mounted to and driven by the vehicle wheels, and an air compressor coupled to the output shaft of the transaxle mechanism to be driven thereby. The air compressor supplies a flow of compressed air to an air distributor system connected to the vehicle engine. The air distributor system comprises a plurality of solenoids connected to the air lines leading to the engine cylinders, and a respective plurality of microswitches are electrically connected to the solenoids to sequentially operate the solenoids for sequentially supplying compressed air to the engine cylinders. The microswitches are sequentially actuated mechanically by a rotor secured to the distributor shaft, which is coupled to the vehicle crankshaft. An accelerator is also provided for controllably varying the flow rate of compressed air to the air distributor system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering the solenoid drive during playback in a reproducing piano to prevent double hammer strikes. The key is depressed by a solenoid under constant velocity until the point of let-off, and the velocity is then increased to accelerate the continued movement of the key and action so that the hammer rebounding from the string will fall without rebounding from the action against the string a second time. In a preferred embodiment, a microprocessor evaluates the key velocity drive value, and if the velocity called for is above a predetermined level, then no boost is applied to the solenoid.

Abstract: A hydraulic lifting mechanism for an article of furniture comprising a pair of sealed chambers interconnected with a hollow conduit and containing hydraulic fluid. One of the chambers is expandable and comprises flexible walls in the form of a rolling diaphragm. The second chamber contains a pressurized gas in addition to a hydraulic fluid. The expandable chamber is located in the supporting base of the article of furniture. A two speed valve is included in the interconnecting conduit for allowing fluid transfer between the chambers at a first rate in one direction and at a second rate in the other direction. As fluid is transferred to the expandable chamber, a support column will be forced upwardly by the expanding chamber at a fast rate and when the fluid transfers from the expandable chamber to the second chamber the support column will move downwardly at a second rate of speed slower than the first rate.

Abstract: A hydraulic lifting mechanism for an article of furniture including a refrigerant containing reservoir. The mechanism includes a flexible bag having a variable volume and fixed volume reservoir including a diaphragm for dividing the reservoir into two chambers. The first chamber contains hydraulic liquid and the second chamber contains a compressed two phase working fluid. The hydraulic liquid may be transferred between the flexible bag and the first chamber. A control valve mechanism is included in the flexible conduit which connects the flexible bag with the first chamber. The mechanism may be used in combination with a chair to provide an adjustable height control for the seat of the chair or in combination with other articles of furniture.

Abstract: A food preparation oven for baking foods which require less heat energy input into a first surface than into a second surface such as pizzas. A radiant panel is provided which is heated by means of hot air and which is positioned to heat one surface of the food product by radiant heat energy. The second surface of the food product is heated by means of a flow of hot air. The air is heated in a heating chamber and recirculated by means of a fan. The food product is supported on a conveyor belt and travels through the food preparation oven while it is being baked.

Abstract: A cathode support for use in a liquid plasma stabilized plasma burner to support and guide the cathode element comprising a generally circular plate containing a generally circular shaped aperture therein. A multi-segment flexible cylinder defines a central bore. The cylinder is flexibly mounted to the plate so that the bore is generally coaxially aligned with the aperture in the plate. The cylinder is axially spaced apart from the plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for straightening warped doors of a residential type includes an elongate member anchored at opposite ends to the top and bottom section of the warped door. Means are provided for adjusting the length of the elongate member to create tension along the length of the door. Spaced pressure blocks slidably maintained along the elongate member rotate about the axis of the elongate member for selectively pressing against the warped surface of the door. Contact of the spaced pressure block means with the door increases tension on the elongate member which in turn exerts increased force against the spaced pressure block means and provides maximum efficiency for straightening the door.

Abstract: A position responsive switch apparatus comprising a housing and a mounting assembly secured within the housing. The mounting assembly includes a pair of oppositely disposed spaced-apart walls. Each of the walls has an aperture contained therein which are in general axial alignment. An elongate switch extends through the apertures and is transversely supported by the mounting assembly so that the switch may move in a generally longitudinally axial direction within the confines of the mounting assembly. The switch may be in one of two preselectd conditions. The switch moves from one condition to the other condition in response to an opposing directional displacement of the switch. A retaining element is carried on the switch intermediate of the apertures. The retaining element is of a greater dimension than the apertures so that the walls moveably retain the switch within the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A surgical implant for fixation of the human spinal column in the treatment of scoliosis, particular in very young children. The device comprises a pair of elongate bars which are rigidly connected together to form a generally rectangular appliance, and wherein the lower portion of the device is slidably connected to the upper portion so that the device is capable of extension and contraction in the longitudinal direction. In the particular embodiment disclosed, the lower fixation element is formed as a pair of sleeves connected together by a cross member with the free end portions of the bars slidably received within the sleeves thereby permitting the aforementioned longitudinal extension. The device is implanted on the posterior side of the spinal column with the bars and sleeves wired to individual vertebrae to thereby stabilize the spinal column and prevent it from reassuming the prior scoliotic curve.

Abstract: The double-sided plier with parts including a pair of handle bars, a body, a T member slideable relative to the body member, in which the T member has portions confronting a straight upper edge of the body and therebetween the stripping cutter and the terminal pressing member are mounted with respect to the two sides of the transverse section of the T member, their functions can be effected when operating the handle bars. The body is formed with notches extended inwardly from two side thereof, a fixed tool member and a movable tool member associated therewith are provided with shearing surfaces pressing surfaces which extend across the notches respectively, the fixed tool member and the movable tool member are mounted in a manner that they can be driven by the handle bars with a pivoting motion to cutting wires or pressing either isolated or bare terminals of wires.

Abstract: A vacuum device comprised of a base portion and a top portion with an expandable means, connecting the base and top portions, for moving between a contracted position and an expanded position. The expandable means and the base and top portions define a chamber therebetween. A vacuum means is mounted to the top portion for sucking debris into the chamber. Support means, which is attached to the base and top portions and passes through the chamber, selectively maintains the expandable member in its expanded position.

Abstract: A multilayered corrugated roofing which comprises a corrugated heat proof substrate and an overlaying layer formed of a coherent substance constituted of dolomite, magnesite, white cement and water. Serpentine or calcite may also be incorporated with the above constituents. Either roasted or unroasted dolomite or magnesite can be used.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing porous, irregularly-shaped particles having high surface areas and a particle made thereby is disclosed wherein small grains of a material are adhered together to form larger particles of porous, irregularly shaped form having high surface areas. Thereafter, the larger particles are injected into the effluent of a liquid stabilized plasma gun device to fuse together the individual grains forming each larger particle, thereby increasing the adherence of the individual grains, while maintaining the porous, irregularly-shaped properties thereof.