Abstract: A trigger handle assembly for a reclining chair which is movable between an end-limiting upright position to an end-limiting fully-reclined position. The handle assembly is operative for affirmatively forwardly driving the linkage system for the chair only as the latter is moved from its initial upright position to an intermediate chair position which is between the two end-limiting chair positions. The body weight of a seated user is then utilized to move the chair from the intermediate chair position to the fully-reclined position without the aid of the handle assembly. The handle assembly disengages from the linkage system when the chair reaches the intermediate position. A handle for the handle assembly is freely returnable by gravity to its initial position.

Abstract: An exercising device which relies on a pneumatic resistance element, and in which on alternate strokes air is inducted or expelled. Inner and outer telescoping cylindrical tubes are provided with handles on their outer ends for manipulating the device, by exerting force in tension, to rectilinearly expand the length of the device, and in compression, to rectilinearly contract the length of the device. A flexible resilient washer mounted at the inner end of the inner tube slidably and sealingly engages the inner surface of the outer tube. Oppositely acting check valves are provided together with respective throttling means at the outer end of the outer tube adjacent its handle. The throttling means, typically consisting of a selectively rotatable multiply apertured outer sleeve, selectively connects the check valves to the outer atmosphere, with one check valve permitting only ingress of air into the outer tube and the other check valve only permitting air egress.

Abstract: Recorded features on a recording medium have inter-feature pauses which must be reliably detected in order to control the selective replay of the features. Certain noise signals located within an inter-feature pause complicate the detection of the latter. These noise signals include low-frequency signals which have high voltage levels at playback speed, and middle- and high-frequency signals which have high voltage levels at fast forward or rewind speed. These high voltage levels of the noise signals could be mistaken for audio signals. A signal-processing circuit filters the noise signals from the audio signals. A control circuit changes the impedance of the signal-processing circuit such that the signals are filtered according to a first predetermined filter characteristic when the recording medium advances at playback speed, and according to a different second predetermined filter characteristic when the recording medium advances at fast forward or rewind speed.

Abstract: A marine obstacle avoidance system for and method of alerting a helmsman of a marine vehicle to the danger of maritime collision with floating and/or submerged objects. The system includes an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and an alarm. The transmitter transmits an incident light beam towards the waterline, whereupon a reflected light beam and a refracted lightbeam are generated. An obstacle in the path of either the incident and/or reflected and/or refracted beams is detected by reflecting the light back towards the receiver which, in turn, sounds the alarm.

Abstract: Apparatus for connection over a telephone line to a remote data bank has provision for displaying a `page` of information received in digital form from the data bank in response to a request for that page being signalled by the apparatus to the data bank identifying the required `page`. To enable the apparatus to be connected to a particular data bank and to signal the identity of a required `page`, the apparatus has a keyboard for operation by the user. Furthermore the apparatus has an electrically-alterable memory for storing the telephone number of several remote data banks and the identity of frequently required `pages`, the information stored by this memory being accessed and utilized by operation of the keyboard on a "short-code" signalling basis.

Abstract: An end fitting for a flexible metallic conduit comprises a tubular body having an external thread to enable the body to be screwed into an end of a conduit, a tubular sleeve having an external thread to enable the end fitting to be threadedly mounted on a support, and a rotary tubular collar threadedly mounted on a stationary projection of one-piece with the body. The collar has an inner circumferential tapered surface which bounds a wedge-shaped annular space with the externally threaded end of the body. The conduit is received in wedged, moisture-resistant engagement in the space. A stressed O-ring seal between the sleeve and the stationary projection provides another moisture-resistant seal.

Abstract: Recorded features on a recording medium have inter-feature pauses between features and intra-feature pauses during features. In order to selectively replay the recorded features, the inter-feature pauses must be detected and reliably distinguished from the intra-feature pauses. An information signal indicative of the time duration of each pause is generated, and a tape speed signal indicative of the speed of the recording medium is generated throughout advancement of the latter. A decision time period is initially established as the standard for distinguishing between inter-feature and intra-feature pauses. The decision period is updated in response to changes in the advancement speed of the recording medium. The time duration of each pause is compared with the time duration of the updated decision period for generating an output control signal which controls the selective replay capability of the recording/reproduction system.

Abstract: A timer adapted to toy applications, and in particular for use in conjunction with toy ride-on vehicles is provided. The timer includes a spring-driven mechanical motor manually windable to at least a predetermined time duration state and a manually displaceable mechanical switch for the selective stopping and starting of the mechanical motor for the measurement of elapsed time.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a deflection coil comprising a capacitor (3) in series with the coil (2), a circuit (1) which drives a saw-tooth waveform current through the coil and capacitor, and a switchable resonant circuit (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) which generates across the capacitor a saw-tooth waveform voltage equal and opposite to the voltage drop attributable to a resistive component (4) of the capacitor/coil series circuit, thereby to effect loss correction.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a monolithic LED array, in particular a matrix array, in which portions of the array are electrically isolated from one another by channels cut or etched through the slice of n-type material, the channels are filled with a glass frit which is bonded to the semiconductor material on each side of the channel, to give a robust construction. A suspension of glass particles in a liquid medium is introduced into the channels, then the liquid is removed and the glass powder is sintered. The glass suspension may be introduced into the channels by spreading or spinning over the surface of the slice, or by electrophoretic deposition and/or capillary action.

Abstract: A harmony authorization detector (HAD) synthesizer electronically generates single audible musical notes in harmony with single original aural notes of a melody as the melody is played on an instrument by a single player. Thus the HAD functions as, in effect, a second instrument electronically operational in harmony with a manually played lead instrument. The HAD synthesizer is particularly useful with guitars although not so limited. When a lead electronic guitar is used in a solo situation playing one original note at a time, the HAD synthesizer will, for each string on each position of the guitar and with the aid of a group of tone decoders, electronically detect the single fundamental note played by the guitarist and will authorize the emission of a preset, predetermined electronically generated synthesized single harmony note e.g. a third, fifth, seventh, etc. based on the fundamental of the single note played by the lead guitarist.

Abstract: Acids are recovered from their aqueous solution by an extraction process comprising a first extraction stage at which the aqueous solution is contacted with a water-immiscible extractant comprising a water-immiscible organic solvent and, dissolved therein, at least one secondary or tertiary amine in which the aggregate number of carbon atoms is at least 20; and a back-extraction stage in which the organic extract, separated from the original aqueous solution, is stripped with an aqueous liquid at a temperature which is higher by at least 20.degree. C. than the temperature of the first extraction stage. The stripped extractant can be recycled to the first extraction stage for making the process continuous, and if so recycled, is cooled on its way to the extraction stage. A preferred field of application is the recovery of organic acids produced by fermentation from the fermentation broth, e.g. citric acid.

Abstract: A thermally-insulating, non-flammable, air-permeable insulation for installation in the field, for example, in closed cavities between the walls of a house. A multitude of individually preformed, foamed plastic particles are initially entrained in a carrier stream, and thereupon drenched with a settable film-forming, non-flammable, liquid substance, such as a sodium silicate solution. The liquid substance sets to form a film which covers and adheres the particles to one another to form a thermally-insulating dense structural aggregate mass having structural integrity, resistance to fire, and venting capability. A method of making and installing the insulation, and a preferred apparatus therefor, are disclosed.

Abstract: A toy having a transparent hollow outer shell is formed in the shape of a surface of revolution with an axis of symmetry and contains an object visible through said shell. The object is clear of the inner surface of the shell. A flexible elastic band having spaced points of connection to the shell and located on said axis of symmetry is fixed to and supports the object between said connection points. The object's center of gravity is below said band. Rolling of the shell about its axis twists the band as the center of gravity of the object remains below the band. When the band has stored up enough energy, it untwists and spins the object first in one direction and then reversely.

Abstract: An elongated rectilinear tool for formation of a threaded hole in ductile metal by the coining or flowing of the metal. The tool typically is employed to form through threaded holes in a piece of ductile metal, and features a working end having a boring tip or drill point and a spade section having a flat shank with grooves in its lateral edges. The spade section holds the drill point and extends back a short distance from the working end. The diameter of the tool then enlarges slightly at a small inclined section which is followed by a longer coining tap section. The coining (flowing) of metal forms a thread on the previously smooth wall of the drilled hole, with peaks or crests, and roots. The lateral grooving of the spade section tracks, i.e. fits, into the fully formed threading as the present tool is screwed out.