Abstract: A system for extracting useful energy from sea currents. A pair of drag inducing devices is disposed in the sea current, and connected by cables to a windlass at a location upstream of the drag devices. Each drag device has a selectably variable drag resistance in the sea current, and the drag devices are controlled so as to reciprocate toward and away from the upstream location. The reciprocating movement of the drag devices is converted into rotary motion by the windlass, and the rotary motion is used to perform useful work.

Abstract: An acoustic distance measuring device using a predetermined frequency shift keyed bit pattern as the acoustic signal transmitted and received. A phase lock loop detector is provided. Variations in lag from the time required for the loop to lock are eliminated and the remainder of the FSK bit sequence is detected and accumulated in response to changes in the phase detector output. Preferably the FSK bit sequence is generated via radio frequency transmitter from a first location and reproduced and transmitted acoustically from a second station back to the first station.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved, self-contained and portable machine adapted to efficiently spray viscous sealing fluids, which may contain suspended solid matter, onto an unprotected surface. For example, especially suitable for spraying coal tar pitch emulsions containing sand onto asphalt surfaces. Said machine comprising a mobile frame supporting a reservoir tank, having a mechanical agitation therein, and a fluid spraying means coupled by an improved fluid pumping assembly which includes a plurality of selectively controlled valves and attached conduits which direct the fluid through a pump and filter to and from the tank and spray means as desired.

Abstract: A cassette, apparatus, and method for obtaining selected segments of magnetic tape for storage or other purposes from a length of magnetic tape upon which information is recorded by a conventional cassette recorder. The cassette has means for removing a take-up reel and a selected segment of the magnetic tape attached to the take-up reel from the casette while at the same time retaining the supply reel in operational position within the cassette. The apparatus includes means for positioning a second take-up reel relative to the cassette; tape positioning means for positioning a selected segment of the tape in a clamping position between the second take-up reel and a finger extending from the take-up reel, and means for clamping the segment of tape to the second take-up reel.

Abstract: A control panel for systems or processes, equipped with relatively shadow-free back illumination. The control panel includes a display panel, and a backing panel mounted behind the display panel to receive and support display interactive devices such as indicating devices or control devices. The display interactive devices may be equipped with magnetic bases for mounting on a steel backing panel. A source of back-lighting illumination is disposed behind the backing panel, and perforations in the backing panel allow the illumination to strike the rear of the display panel for relatively shadow-free back lighting.

Abstract: An interface for connecting a PBX line (18) to a central office trunk (15) and for providing a supervisory signal (28) and accepting PBX hook switch and dial pulse inputs (30), being readily adaptable to ground start trunks and loop start trunks. A pair of transistor switches (55, 56) sharing a common base drive (57) is biased by a differential bias means (59, 60, 61) to operate a ground start isolated switch (32, 35) and an isolated loop closing switch (36, 37). The supervisory signal is controlled by a comparator (45) which senses grounding of central office tip (16) to establish the supervisory signal and is subsequently responsive only to the presence of current in the central office loop detected by a relay (65) buried in a coupling transformer.

Abstract: A self supporting shrinking mandrel including an actuator with a plurality of legs, each terminated by a cross member. The legs and cross members are inserted into grooves of a plurality of support members. The grooves and cross members cooperate to hold the support members in place making the entire mandrel self supporting. The actuator is tapered in cross section along the longitudinal axis which causes a positive shrinking action as the support members are drawn toward the longitudinal axis when the actuator is withdrawn from the combination.

Abstract: A trim molding including an integral elongate member of a flexible material formed so as to have a base portion to be attached to a surface, such as the surface of an automobile body at the edge of a vinyl covering, a cover portion for hiding the base portion and the fasteners securing the base portion to the surface, and a hinge portion permitting the cover portion to be folded to a position covering the base portion. The base portion can include an integral snap receiving recess so that a snap means formed in the cover portion can be snapped onto the base portion when the cover portion is folded in to a closed position.

Abstract: A sterilization apparatus and method according to which articles are sterilized by subjecting them to an ultrasonic/heat activated disinfectant liquid in the presence of heat and ultrasonic vibrations. The preferred disinfectant liquid includes a quaternary ammonium compound and a surfactant at a pH of 12. Treatment according to the invention results in the killing of vegetated bacteria, fungi, viruses and spores.

Abstract: A stationary railroad rerailing apparatus for rerailing derailed cars while the train is moving, including V-shaped centering rails between the track rails, an inclined pad of a cushioning, penetrable material, such as asphalt-aggregate material, for raising the derailed car, rigid wedges outside the track rails for cooperating with the inclined pad to raise the derailed car wheels above the level of the track rails, and platform members outside the track rails for carrying the wheels of the derailed car above the level of the track rails until they are shifted by the centering rails over the track rails and into a rerailed position. The novel pad material allows the derailed car to be guided and replaced into proper position in a controlled manner.

Abstract: Poultry gizzards are washed down an inclined inspection table toward a worker standing at a pair of peeler rolls. The worker visually inspects each gizzard and removes those gizzards needing additional peeling to a repeel hopper and removes those gizzards that do not need additional peeling to a discharge hopper. The gizzards moved to the repeel hopper are washed to one end portion of the peeler rolls and are moved along the rotating peeler rolls and peeled. After peeling, the worker removes the gizzards from the peeler rolls and places them in the discharge hopper.

Abstract: The ticket dispenser includes lower and upper overlying support plates which define a ticket material passageway therebetween. A reel support is mounted on one end and cutting apparatus are mounted on the other end of the support plates. A feed slot is formed in the upper support plate and a feed pawl reciprocates in the feed slot. A feed pawl cam urges the feed pawl downwardly into engagement with the ticket material in the passageway as the feed pawl moves toward the cutting apparatus, and urges the feed pawl upwardly away from the ticket material as the feed pawl moves away from the cutting apparatus. As the feed pawl reaches the end of its feeding stroke, the cutting apparatus cuts off the portion of the ticket material that has been pushed beyond the cutting means, and feed out apparatus pulls additional ticket material from the reel.

Abstract: An improved scraping tool particularly suited for scraping ice from an automobile windshield is formed from a shell member 10 having two pairs of blades (20, 21) disposed longitudinally along the shell. One blade (21) from each pair is straight and disposed transversely across the shell (10) while the other blade (20) from each pair is arcuate in shape and spaced apart from the first blade at the center portions and joined at the distal ends (48, 48').

Abstract: The garment presser bag assembly includes an inner bag of woven nylon material open at its lower end and defining at its upper end neck and arm openings. An outer bag of net-like material also includes an open lower end and neck and arm openings at its upper end, with the two bags being connected together about their respective neck and arm openings, leaving the lower end of the outer bag movable with respect to the inner bag. An expandable ring element is movable along the length of the outer bag so as to constrict the expansion of the bags when inflated.

Abstract: A recording system for recording dictation originating at a plurality of dictate stations with a plurality of recorders and which provides for communication and monitoring functions between the dictate stations and a central control unit. In addition, the recording system provides for communication and monitoring functions between the central control unit and a plurality of transcriber stations at which the transcribing of dictation from a plurality of recorders is occurring. The monitoring functions include the monitoring of dictation being recorded by a selected recorder and of dictation being transcribed from a selected recorder and the communication functions include communication between a selected dictate station or a selected transcriber station and the central control unit.

Abstract: An improved simulated stained glass article including pieces of textured plastic joined together by a plastic adhesive to form a realistic simulation of leaded stained glass. The article is made by cutting pieces of the textured plastic conforming to elements of a pattern, placing the pieces on a second plastic sheet, to which the textured plastic pieces removably adhere, to form the complete pattern, depositing a water-based plastic leading adhesive in the form of a bead overlapping adjacent pieces of the textured plastic, allowing the adhesive to set, and selectively removing the second plastic sheet. A craft kit for making articles according to the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing input electrical signals, for processing the electrical signals to provide digital information, and for recording the processed electrical signals so that they may be retrieved from the system and the information recorded digitally visually presented by the system. The system is particularly well adapted for use with a multiple station dictation system in which the digital information embodied in the processed electrical signals includes the station from which a particular piece of dictation originated and the identification of the person who dictated it, the recorder upon which the dictation was recorded, information relating to the chronological order in which the dictation has been completed, and the length of the dictation. The system further provides means for recording this information on the tape at the end of each piece of dictation and for storing this information in a central storage.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for a padlock so as to preclude line-of-sight access to the padlock. The enclosure comprises a box shaped housing which includes an access opening formed in one wall and a shackle opening formed diagonally opposite the access opening in another wall of the housing. A rigid inner partition protrudes perpendicularly from the wall in which the access opening is formed, so as to block the line of sight between the access opening and the body portion of a padlock positioned with its shackle extending through the shackle opening.