Abstract: The commercial production of DHF (Deformed Helix Ferroelectric) cells, in particular DHF color display cells, has scarcely become established to date. This is in particular because the DHF cells required for this purpose and based on the known prior art have short switching times and a good angular range of view but relatively high voltages and currents are required for their operation. Moreover, for the production of a DHF cell, the liquid crystal mixture must additionally be oriented or formatted by means of an electric field. The present invention relates to a ferroelectric display cell which does not have these disadvantages and in particular is distinguished by the fact thatthe display is dark at U=0 and bright at .vertline.U.vertline.>0,the current-voltage hysteresis characteristic has two maxima of equal size,the birefringence .DELTA.n in the field-free state is greater than that in the saturated state andthe saturation voltage is relatively low even with very small spontaneous polarization P.sub.

Abstract: In the fabrication of an integrated circuit, undesirable bird's beak pull back due to damage caused during ion implantation is alleviated by means of rapid thermal annealing step prior to chemical etching.

Abstract: A shoe having a resilient strap running from under the forefoot to a rigid heal counter is provided. The shoe is constructed such that a fulcrum is provided under the strap so as to create a windlass effect during the normal walking cycle. This effect results in providing added support for the longitudinal medial arch of the wearer of the shoe.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion into and expansion of a soft bag or backpack has a relatively flat foldable member comprising three parallel fold lines forming four panels. A rubber band is connected across two of the panels so as to urge the member to fold along the fold lines therebetween. The bag is caused to be expanded by the apparatus when the rubber bands urge the member to fold into an expanded state when the bag is removed from its carton. One panel of the device is of the size and shape of a major face of the bag and is provided with a large hinged flap which, when in the expanded state is caused to form a structure having a triangular cross section.

Abstract: An inta-oral device for viewing the oral cavity comprises a handle having a tube extending therefrom for insertion into the oral cavity to be viewed; an optical system within the tube; a video camera within the handle and illuminating means for illuminating the cavity; and a removable, rigid, sterilizable sheath completely enclosing the tube and illuminating means to prevent their exposure to the oral cavity. The optical means provides a non-reversed image to appear on a video screen.

Abstract: A drumstick, such as a conventional solid wooden drumstick has a plastic conformal cap affixed over the striking tip of the drumstick. The cap is provided with a shallow circumferential groove and a hard, rigid impact ring affixed within the groove, the surface of the ring extending above the surface of the cap so that the ring impacts the precussion instrument used with the drumstick.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion into and expansion of a soft bag or backpack has a relatively flat foldable member comprising four parallel fold lines forming five panels. A rubber band is connected across each end panel and the panel adjacent thereto so as to urge the member to fold along the fold lines therebetween. The bag is caused to be expanded by the apparatus when the rubber bands cause the member to fold in a position to form a pair of gable-like structures which force the sides of the bag outwardly while the center section of the member rests against a major surface of the bag. The apparatus may be retained in the bag in a flat state for shipping.

Abstract: A method of coating ceramic powders, e.g. Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, with a sintering aid and of utilizing such coated powders to form green and sintered ceramic bodies is described. The method comprises treating a dispersion of the powder with a solution of a sintering aid forming compound at a pH such that the zeta potential of the ceramic powder is of opposite charge with respect to the sintering aid in solution such that the sintering aid forming material is chemisorbed as a uniform monomolecular layer on the surface of the ceramic powder.

Abstract: A drumstick, such as a conventional solid wooden drumstick has a plastic conformal cap affixed over the striking tip of the drumstick. The cap is provided with a shallow circumferential groove and a metallic ring is affixed within the groove, the surface of the ring extending above the surface of the cap so that the ring impacts the percussion instrument used with the drumstick.

Abstract: A method of coating ceramic powders, e.g. Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, with a sintering aid and of utilizing such coated powders to form green and sintered ceramic bodies comprises treating a dispersion of the powder with a solution of a sintering aid forming compound at a pH such that the zeta potential of the ceramic powder is of opposite charge with respect to the sintering aid in solution such that the sintering aid forming material is chemisorbed as a uniform monomolecular layer on the surface of the ceramic powder.

Abstract: A portable, stable motorless rope-climbing exercise machine comprises a stable support frame, a plurality of rope pulleys and rope guides mounted on the frame, an endless rope extending around the pulleys and guides to form a path which includes a vertically extending rope climbing portion, and hydraulic braking assembly coupled to the pulley system for controlling the rate of movement of the rope based upon the weight of the user when said user is climbing the rope.

Abstract: An aquarium water purification system comprises a porous or slotted platform raised from the bottom of the aquarium. A low density foam member having land areas and openings therein is affixed to the bottom of the platform. The foam member promotes bacterial retention and growth thereon of waste metabolizing bacteria. Means are also provided to circulate the water from the aquarium through the foam member and through an external filter.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system for selectively dispensing a plurality of different liquids includes a separate reservoir for each of the fluids, and a separate nozzle for dispensing each of the fluids. A separate hydraulic dispensing system having a cylinder containing a piston is connected to each reservoir and nozzle for removing fluid from each reservoir and feed the liquid to the respective nozzle. A single hydraulic operation system including a cylinder containing a piston is connected to each dispensing cylinder to selectevely operate the piston in each dispensing cylinder. The piston in the operating cylinder is operated by an electric motor having a threaded shaft, a nut on the threaded shaft and a drive arm of the nut. The drive arm is connected to the piston in the operating cylinder to move the piston a selected distance and thereby dispense a selected amount of liquid from a selected nozzle. Alternatively, the drive arm on the nut can be connected directly to the piston in the dispensing system.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser for selectively dispensing a plurality of different liquids includes a separate reservoir for each of the fluids, and a separate nozzle for dispensing each of the fluids. A separate hydraulic dispensing system having a cylinder containing a piston is connected to each reservoir and nozzle for removing fluid from each reservoir and feed the liquid to the respective nozzle. A single hydraulic operating system including a cylinder containing a piston is connected to each dispensing cylinder to selectively operate the piston in each dispensing cylinder. The piston in the operating cylinder is operated by an electric motor having a threaded shaft, a nut on the threaded shaft and a drive arm on the nut. The drive arm is connected to the piston in the operating cylinder to move the piston a selected distance and thereby dispense a selected amount of liquid from a selected nozzle. Alternatively, the drive arm on the nut can be connected directly to the piston in the dispensing system.

Abstract: An electrooptic or optical parametric device comprises a noncrystalline second order optically nonlinear element and means for providing an optical input to and an optical output from said element wherein said element comprises an organic molecule having second order optical susceptibility incorporated in a directionally oriented manner in an optically clear glassy polymer. When said device is employed in an electrooptic mode it includes means for applying an electric field and/or optical input to said element for altering an optical property thereof.

Abstract: A system for compensating for changes in lateral forces exerted on a car's wheels during a turn comprises a device for sensing a change in the lateral forces. A second device is coupled to both a sensing device and the car's chassis which second device is responsive to the sensing device and acts to shift the relative cross-weight of the vehicle to tend to equalize the forces over the wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus coupled to an electroless copper plating bath for analyzing controlling, on-line, the primary constituents of the bath is described. The apparatus detects and controls not only the copper concentration of the bath by optical means, but the concentrations of hydroxyl ion, formaldehyde reducing agent and cyanide ion as well.

Abstract: A stable, portable utility cart particularly suited for doing "on-site" minor auto repairs has a frame with a pair of wheels on an axle about 1/3 from the rear of the cart and mounted on a lower shelf are batteries and a generator. An upper shelf is adapted to contain at least one tool box. The cart also contains a compressor and a reel and air hose, which may be mounted on a pivotally mounted storage member.

Abstract: The addition of a low viscosity (2 to 100 centipoise) polysiloxane such as olydimethylsiloxane to a two-part heat curable polysiloxane system substantially eliminates the formation of bubbles when such system is employed as a potting compound for encapsulating devices such as electronic devices.

Abstract: In an electronic device assembly comprising at least one circuit element an encapsulant therefor, wherein the encapsulant comprises a silicone resin characterized in that subsequent to the curing of said encapsulant, the resin is coated with a fine inorganic powder such as fumed or fused silica which essentially eliminates static charge and tackiness of the surface.