Abstract: A multi-diameter centering probe having a spherical outer surface portion for insertion into a hole whose spacing from another hole is to measured. The member is formed of a one-piece construction for attachment to an automatic reversing dial test indicator when the measurement is to be taken from a relatively high friction measuring device, such as a vernier, dial, or electronic height gage. The probe can be attached directly to relatively low friction measuring devices, such as air-bearing height gages or measuring machines. A preferred embodiment of the member uses a number of integral, substantially hemispherical sections integral with each other and extending longitudinally of the central axis of the body so that the smallest section is at one end of the body and the largest section is at the opposite end of the body, the sections of intermediate diameter being between the two end sections.

Abstract: A fluid actuated power device which includes a reciprocal cylinder rotatably mounted on a central, tubular shaft for back-and-forth movement along the shaft between a pair of end support members. The cylinder has first and second sets of spiral grooves on its outer surface, the first set of spiral grooves being in mesh with the spiral teeth of a first ratchet gear and the second set of spiral grooves being in mesh with the spiral teeth of a second ratchet gear, the ratchet gears being carried by a cylindrical body fixed relative to the shaft. The ratchet gears permit the cylinder to rotate only in one direction relative to and about the shaft as the cylinder moves back and forth along the length of the shaft. The cylinder is coupled by spline means to a gear assembly which, in turn, is connected to a rotatable second shaft, the latter serving as a power takeoff means which can be connected to external work-producing apparatus.

Abstract: A light display made from a plurality of optical fibers. The fibers are secured to a tube and extend outwardly therefrom, the tube being mounted for reciprocation about an axis extending through the tube and longitudinally of the fibers. In one embodiment, the tube has an arm extending laterally therefrom and a rod coupled to the outer periphery of a rotatable member causes the arm to move back and forth along a curved path to reciprocate the tube and thereby the fibers as the member rotates in one direction. In a second embodiment of the light display, the tube is carried by one of a pair of relatively shiftable members each having a coil thereon so that a voltage applied to the coil of the other member will induce a voltage in the coil of the one member to thereby cause reciprocation of the one member relative to the other member about an axis through the members due to the alternating current "hum" responsive to the inductive coupling between the coils.

Abstract: A holder for a blade of a saber saw unit, wherein the blade is of the type provided with a pair of opposed side marginal edges and a notch in at least one side marginal edge near the rear end of the blade. The holder includes a support having a slot for receiving the blade and projecting means shiftably mounted on the support near one side margin of the slot for movement across the same and into the notch of the blade when the blade is in the slot to releasably hold the blade in the slot. Bias means holds the projection means in an operative position in the notch of the blade in the slot. A number of embodiments of the holder are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding film strips of the type having a plurality of miniaturized film images carried thereon, wherein the apparatus is to be used with an optical system which illuminates and projects the images on an enlarged scale so that they can be viewed on a projection screen. The apparatus includes a rotary film holder or cassette having a number of concentric cylindrical segments defining a pair of coaxial cylinders, the segments being provided with grooves to permit insertion of a plurality of film strips in the cassette. The inner segments are longer than the outer segments so that portions of the radially outermost edges of the film strips are exposed and the outer edge of a selected film strip can be engaged by an edge drive wheel to permit the selected film strip to be moved partially out of and to be returned to the cassette.

Abstract: A mount for a TV to position the same for movement about a horizontal axis to allow the viewing orientation of the picture tube of the TV to be changed. One embodiment of the mount utilizes a pair of spaced rings having bracket means to mount a TV therewithin. A fastener, such as a flexible belt, secures the TV to the bracket means. The rings are then mounted on rotatable shafts for rocking the same and thereby the TV about a horizontal axis. Other embodiments include a mount capable of being suspended from a ceiling, a mount for a TV console, and a mount movable over a floor.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for handling and reading any one of a number of film strips, each having a number of segments with each segment containing a plurality of information-containing, high-reduction image frames. The film strips are housed in a cassette which is movable with respect to a fixed reference to align a desired film strip with a reading station disposed across the optical path of an optical system. A film strip is moved out of the cassette by a force applied to one of its side edges. Control information carried by each film strip is sensed as the film strip moves out of the cassette and the sensed information is used to control the distance through which the film strip moves so that a particular segment thereof will stop at the reading station. The optical system is moved relative to the reading system so that the optical path of the optical system is selectively alignable with a particular image frame of the film strip removed from the cassette.

Abstract: A crystal of a semiconductor material has an electrically conducting loom assembly embedded therein, whereby the crystal and loom assembly define a unit which converts light or other electromagnetic radiation into an electrical current for flow to an external electrical circuit. The loom assembly has a plurality of electrodes coated with another semiconductor material so that the semiconductor materials define a plurality of n-p junctions within the crystal. Radiation absorbed by the crystal will liberate electrons which will flow across the junctions and along electrical paths formed in the loom assembly to conductor means which can be connected to an external electrical circuit. The loom assembly comprises a plurality of very small loom units comprised of pairs of spaced electrodes, one of the electrodes of each loom unit having a coating of a semiconductor material in contact with the semiconductor material of the crystal.

Abstract: A siphoning water closet incorporating a toilet bowl having a first flushable reservoir for liquid wastes and a second flushable reservoir for solid wastes, the reservoirs being separately flushable so as to expend less flushing water and to expel less disposable sewage than conventional single flush siphoning water closets.

Abstract: An improved fishing rod holder comprised of a support having a bar pivotally mounted thereon for movement between two positions. The bar has a tube near one end thereof for receiving the butt end of a fishing rod and a U-shaped clip near the other end for receiving an adjacent portion of the fishing rod. When the bar is in one position, the fishing rod is inclined and when the bar is in the other position, the fishing rod is almost vertical. One or more springs bias the bar toward the other position. A latch releasably holds the bar in the one position and a solenoid coupled with the latch releases the latch and allows the bar to move quickly from the one position to the other position. A pivotal arm coupled with the switch in the circuit of the solenoid triggers the solenoid when the line on the fishing rod increases in tension. A lock is used to lock the bar in the one position for carrying purposes.

Abstract: A disk drive unit having a housing provided with an upper region, a lower region, and a central region between the upper and lower regions. The upper region contains one or more rotatable memory disks, and the central region communicates with the upper region and contains a drive motor, the upper and central regions being closed to the atmosphere. The disks are coupled to a rotatable hub in the upper region and the hub has an improved jam screw for securing it to one end of the drive shaft of the drive motor so that the disks can be rotated at high speeds. One or more read-write heads can be used with each disk, respectively, and a linear motor coupled with each head moves the latter radially of the corresponding disk in accordance with control signals applied to the linear motor.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of disposing of trash comprised of a wide variety of constituents including garbage, metals, glass, plastic and other scrap materials, wherein the trash is directed into an incinerator and subjected to high temperatures to reduce the trash in a manner to permit part of the effluent from the incinerator to be processed for recovery of chemicals therein and to permit all residues to be collected, separated out and further processed as desired. In processing the effluent to retrieve the chemicals therein, chemicals from seawater, brine wells or salt is utilized to combine with the effluent to effect the isolation of a plurality of chemicals derivable from the trash. The chemicals can be stored for subsequent use. Electrical energy, hydrogen and steam can be generated by the burning of the trash in the incinerator.

Abstract: A novel cryogenic liquid composition comprising liquid methane and/or natural gas and an effective gelling amount of a gelling agent therefor, comprising finely divided ice particles or finely divided methyl alcohol particles.