Abstract: A meter interface unit for interconnecting utility meter reading apparatus to a telephone line to allow the automatic reading of utility usage at the telephone central office in response to an interrogation signal from the telephone central office. The meter interface unit converts meter reading signals to alternating signals for transmission to the telephone central office when a subscriber's telephone is on-hook. The unit also encodes a subscriber or customer identification signal which is transmitted with utility usage data to eliminate the need of any manual reading of the utility meter at the customer's premises. The meter interface unit is powered over the telephone line.

Abstract: An improved fish tank employing largely opaque walls with a window which may be of a magnifying or non-magnifying type, but provides a center of attention for viewing fish within the tank. The view within the tank presents the appearance of looking into the natural domain of the fish by reason of the opaque surrounding walls. The walls themselves are of flexible material such as vinyl plastic and backed by reinforcement to provide rigidity. The backing on all sides except the window may be finished or covered with attractive material to convert the fish tank into an attractive piece of furniture, for example, a wall divider.

Abstract: A champagne bottle opener designed to dislodge an overhanging top of closure of the type commonly used to close champagne or sparkling wine bottles. The device includes a handle and a bifurcated working area having a prying surface designed to engage the overhanging edge of the closure and deflect it sideward to begin its removal. In one embodiment the bifurcated working area includes a pair of arms which are spaced a distance greater than the bottle neck diameter and less than the diameter of the wire retaining ring around the neck of a champagne bottle. In another embodiment a single angular arm forms with the handle a recess for receiving the bottle neck. In still another embodiment the arms are bent to conform with the upper surface of the ring of the bottle. In normal use, the sideward movement of the cork is sufficient to cause its dislodgement from its sealed position and it may be easily removed manually or it may pop off in a controlled and predictable manner.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for aiding the hair stylist in ascertaining a subject's true facial characteristics and their inter-relationship. The method includes the steps of taking precise significant measurements, determining ratios of related measurements, and comparing the ratios with similar standard ratios. Deviations from standard ratios are noted and the appropriate recommendation for correcting the measured assymetry given. The apparatus includes a digital computer for making the calculations and comparisons as well as storage of standard data and recommendations.

Abstract: A holster which comprises a holster body having on its inner face a fastener part which constitutes the pivot axis for the holster body. A rigid plate surrounds the fastener part and includes a number of detents in a circular array. A belt loop assembly includes a pair of snap fasteners to allow the belt loop to be opened and closed to encircle a section of the wearer's belt. The snap fasteners themselves have one part secured to a rigid plate which includes a circular array of mating detents. The rigid plate of the belt loop includes the mating fastener part for the mating fastener part affixed to the holster body. The fastener holding the holster body to the belt loop is preferably a T nut on the holster body and a mating screw at the belt loop.The T nut and screw provide a central pivot for the holster body with respect to the belt loop and the mating detent parts, one on the holster body and one on the belt loop providing the adjustment feature.

Abstract: This is an automatic direction finder comprising a separately located first and second sensor means for receiving a first and second representation signal from a remote electromagnetic signal source, an error correction loop means connected to the first and second sensor means for nulling the second representation signal in the second sensor means, and an indicator means responsive to the error correction loop means for computing and displaying an off-boresight direction of the electromagnetic signal when the second representation signal is substantially nulled at the second sensor means.

Abstract: A game timing device for simultaneously timing events for two players comprising clock means for counting the time of two different eventsa pair of start switches, each for initiating the operation of the clock means for counting one of the two different events and for interrupting the count of the other of the two different events;display means coupled to the clock means for displaying the time for each of the two events;reset switch means for resetting the clock means to a predetermined initial value;advancing switch means for advancing the clock means at a faster than normal rate;counter means coupled to the respective ones of the pair of switches for counting the number of operations of respective ones of the pair of start switches; andmeans coupling the clock means to the display means for normally displaying time in one set of units and means responsive to a predetermined time count by the clock means for displaying the time count in shorter units of time.

Abstract: A molded plastic assembly for sliding screen closures employing a body made up of two separate parts which embrace the frame of a sliding screen closure and including an integral deflectable latching finger having an end portion which acts as a stop and which may be locked or unlocked by mere finger pressure against the deformable locking finger in order to engage or disengage from the door frame. The handle assembly employs the resilient characteristics of the material from which it is produced to provide the deflectable latching finger.

Abstract: A new circuit for giving audible indication to an operator of sound recording equipment impending distortion of audio-signals. The circuit includes a predistortion circuit which introduces distortion into a monitor circuit at a predetermined level below saturation and distortion of the primary channel thus allowing the operator to adjust the gain in the primary channel to avoid distortion on the channel as finally recorded. The invention employs a clipping circuit and amplifier in a branch channel from the principal signal channel. The branch channel including its distortion circuitry is set at a predetermined level with respect to the distortion in the primary channel. A visual indication of distortion is also available in the form of an L.E.D. display.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a video display on a television receiver or equivalent from two channels of audio. The audio channels are fed through two banks of audio filters to separate the audio into descrete frequency bands. In the preferred embodiment, sixty-four filters per bank are used. Each set of frequency bands is mixed electrically to produce a third set of signals which are a function of the difference in phase or amplitude of the original two. These three sets of audio signals are then rectified to produce dc levels and are used sequentially, as red, green and blue inputs to produce a color display. The sequence is determined by a digital apparatus which provides that, in the basic configuration the horizontal position of each dot on the raster corresponds to a particular frequency, the color and intensity of each dot being a function of input audio amplitude and the relative phase or amplitude of the input audio channels.

Abstract: An improved elongated blade or blade spar comprises successive low-pitch circumferentially wrapped convolutions of a synthetic resin impregnated tape having elongated cut glass and substantially parallel and equal length filaments wherein successive convolutions are overlapped approximately 50% and wherein the axis of the elongated strands lie at an angle of less than 30.degree. from the elongated spar axis. Preferably, resin impregnated filamentary strands are circumferentially wrapped around the mandrel substantially parallel with the direction of the tape wrap between selected tape layers. The improved blade spar mandrel wrapping apparatus includes a split ring support for the mandrel and through which the mandrel extends. The support ring halves may be separated, moved and rejoined during the mandrel wrapping process.

Abstract: A basically metal frame coffee table or stacked shelves or the like employing a plurality of tubes of circular, square or other regular shape joining at intersections by an improved corner member. The improved corner member is preferably die cast in a single piece including a pair of arms which define connectors for two adjoining tubes and an orthogonal opening to receive a leg. The corner member includes an integral support for holding a shelf. The integral support conceals a fastening member employed to hold the leg in place. Each of the arms define at least one recess at a predetermined distance outward from the corner and located in intimate contact relationship with the frame tubing whereby the tubes may be assembled to the corners merely by staking the underside of the frame to deform the tube locally into the recess of the corner member and thereby produce a fixed permanent frame.

Abstract: A clam-shape handle for carrying bottles by their necks. The handle is pivotable outward to a narrow angular range which exceeds the maximum neck diameter of the bottle type to be carried. When opened to that angular range and slipped over the neck of a bottle it may be closed on the bottle with broad area contact. A "J" shaped locking member holds the two handle parts together by thumb pressure.

Abstract: An improved camp lantern comprising a spool fuel/air valve with OFF, START and RUN modes of operation is described. The spool valve is contained within a cylindrical valve chamber having fuel and air inlets and an outlet port leading to the lantern generator. The spool valve shaft also comprises a ramp contacting a cam follower for driving a rod and orifice cleaning needle. The needle enters and clears the generator orifice when the valve is in the OFF position. Thus, operating the valve in normal use also automatically clears the generator orifice. In addition to the operating convenience of this valve assembly, the parts count is low and the parts are easily machinable, making this lantern valve assembly reliable and economically producable in commercial quantities.

Abstract: A multichannel coherent receiver employing multiple delay lines in series or a tapped delay line into which a received signal band is introduced. The signal band at each tap or increment of delay is mixed with individual related frequencies and the product from the mixers summed and further mixed with the output of a swept oscillator. The composite delayed signal band is introduced into a bank of dispersive filters followed by means for deriving in-phase and quadrature components. Signals contained within the signal band may then be detected resulting in coherent channelization, improved frequency resolution and full time coverage sampling.