Abstract: A process and system to machine and in particular to grind eyeglass lenses, with at least one machining tool, a grinding disk, a rotatable holder for an eyeglass lens blank, a unit to control machining in accordance with predetermined optical values and/or a predetermined circumferential contour of the eyeglass lens, a CNC-controlled handling unit for exactly positioned insertion of an eyeglass lens blank in the holder, a control unit for the handling unit, and an input device for the decentration values for the predetermined circumferential contour in reference to the optical axis of the eyeglass lens. The utilization of the handling unit eliminates the difficult and time-consuming manual centering of the eyeglass lens blank. Multiple eyeglass lens grinding machines can be loaded by the handling unit.

Abstract: A connector is provided for joining hollow elongate frame members, such as tubes, to a support structure such as an other tube. The connector has a base portion with inner and outer faces, the inner face being shaped to conform to the shape of the adjacent surface of the support structure. The connector has at least one spreading mechanism extending outwardly from the base portion and having external transverse dimensions enabling it to be inserted into an end of the elongated frame member. This mechanism has parallel first and second arms located adjacent to each other. A screw is located in a threaded hole extending transversely through the first arm. This screw can be used to push against the second arm and thereby spread the arms apart. The base portion can have a hole formed therein to receive an elongate fastener used to connect it to the support structure. In a preferred embodiment, the second arm is divided into two parallel prongs separated by a narrow slit.

Abstract: A volume sensing device for determining the volume of liquid present in a standard plastic disposable pipette during a pipetting operation, which operation can be an aspiration or dispensing of liquid. The device comprises a cylinder made of hard synthetic material into which a disposable pipette is lowered at a predetermined velocity. The pipette which is being lowered into the cylinder holds an amount of liquid the volume of which the volume sensing device approximately determines. A pair of metal rings are coaxially mounted near the top end of the plastic cylinder. The pair of metal rings are preferably mounted in mating machined recesses of the plastic cylinder. This pair of metal rings is separated from each other by a small gap which forms the dielectric material of a capacitative circuit when the upper ring is connected to one portion of this circuit and the lower ring is connected to an other portion of the capacitative circuit.

Abstract: A disposable syringe comprising two slidably collapsible cylindrical portions. The first cylindrical portion forms part of a standard disposable syringe which has been slightly altered to include one or more integral protrusions. The second cylindrical portion is slidably movable along the first cylindrical portion from an extended position in which it completely envelopes the needle portion of the disposable syringe to a retracted position in which the needle is fully exposed. Means are provided on the two cylindrical portions to prevent the retraction of the second cylindrical portion after the disposable syringe has been used so as to prevent any reuse of the disposable syringe.

Abstract: A releasable, modular, multi-use fastener which has a post unit of non-circular cross-section which is rigidly secured to a vehicle. The post unit has a frusto-pyramidically shaped top portion in which an axially disposed a cavity is adapted to receive the widened portion of a locking bayonet. A catch unit having a cavity, which is matingly shaped relative to the post unit, can be mounted on the post unit via a lateral opening. The top wall of the catch unit has a blind bore in which the locking bayonet is slidably mounted. A member can be attached to the vehicle by extending the post unit through an opening in the member and then laterally positioning the catch unit on the post unit in such a way that the lower, widened portion of the locking bayonet can be slidably inserted into the cavity in the pyramidically-shaped top portion of the post unit.

Abstract: A process, a block or sucker, and an apparatus for machining the edge and optionally the optical surfaces of eyeglass lenses. The block or sucker is of circular shape and has a diameter which, at least in some areas, extends beyond the dimensions of the finished outline of the eyeglass lens. The block or sucker is attached to one major surface of the eyeglass lens blank during the machining operation. The block or sucker is inserted in a holder of a device for machining the edge of the eyeglass lens blank. The edge of the eyeglass lens is machined in accordance with the prescribed outline. The block or sucker may be machined at least in certain areas down to the outline of the eyeglass lens itself, whereafter the block of sucker is detached from the completely machined eyeglass lens and disposed of. Prior to edging the eyeglass blank, the optical surface may also be machined using the same block or sucker.

Abstract: System for grinding eyeglass lenses with at least one grinding disk, a rotatable holder for an eyeglass lens blank, a device to control the grinding process in accordance with pre-determined optical values and/or a predeterminable outline of a glass lens, a CNC controlled manipulator to insert an eyeglass lens blank in the holder in an exact position, and an input device for the decentration values for the predetermined outline in reference to the optical center of the eyeglass lens. The utilization of the manipulator eliminates the difficult and time-consuming centering of the eyeglass lens blank by hand so that a plurality of eyeglass lens grinding machines can be loaded by a single manipulator.

Abstract: A device is provided that permits admission of air or water to one or more molds. It includes at least two three-way valves that move together between a position admitting and exhausting air, a position admitting and exhausting water, and a position blocking all ports.

Abstract: A training device is capable of simulating for a person being trained by the device the motion of a slalom or "wedeln" skiing. The device includes at least two rotating disks which are operatively connected to each other and rotate in opposite directions. The disks function as platforms for supporting a skier who is being trained by the device. The person being trained changes his or her position by jumping or stepping rhythmically from one platform to the other in simulation of wedeln and/or slalom and or wider downhill ski turns on parallel skis.

Abstract: A process, a block or sucker, and an apparatus for machining the edge and optionally the optical surfaces of eyeglass lenses. The block or sucker is of circular shape and has a diameter which, at least in some areas, extends beyond the dimensions of the finished outline of the eyeglass lens. The block or sucker is attached to one major surface of the eyeglass lens blank during the machining operation. The block or sucker is inserted in a holder of a device for machining the edge of the eyeglass lens blank. The edge of the eyeglass lens is machined in accordance with the prescribed outline. The block or sucker may be machined at least in certain areas down to the outline of the eyeglass lens itself, whereafter the block of sucker is detached from the completely machined eyeglass lens and disposed of. Prior to edging the eyeglass blank, the optical surface may also be machined using the same block or sucker.

Abstract: Face shock absorber for extracting core-collecting pipes used for the drilling of solid mineral resources, which is incorporated in the drilling unit above the rock-breaking tool. It comprises a housing, the opposite ends of which are connected to a top and a bottom adapter, respectively. The top adapter is threadably connected to the top of the housing, the bottom end of which is provided with face fingers which interdigitate with the face fingers of the bottom adapter, formed in its top end. The bottom adapter is connected via an internal thread in the bottom end to a rock breaking tool inside the housing there are disposed external spring rings and internal spring rings which form a cylindrical spring pack, the top end of which is in contact with the top adapter, while its bottom end is in contact with the top face of a spacing sleeve, which is seated on the top face of a carrying collar forming part of the bottom adapter.

Abstract: A scent and audio point of sale display unit having a housing of a parallepiped shape, in which a prerecorded tape player and scent-emitting mechanism are mounted. The tape player and scent-emitting mechanism are connected to an electric power source, for example, a battery, and can be activated or deactivated simultaneously by depressing a push button mounted on the front face of the unit. Alternatively, a photocell which coacts with a light source can be used to activate the tape player and scent-emitting mechanism which then automatically deactivates itself. A loudspeaker and scent-emitting porthole are also mounted on the front face of the unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the controlled local, non-invasive electrostimulation of human and animal tissues. The device includes a pulse generator 1 generating DC pulses of adjustable frequency and amplitude and two electrodes to be applied to the tissue. One electrode is a large-surface electrode to be fixedly applied to the body, and the other electrode is a multipoint electrode having a plurality of point electrodes provided in a support and electrically isolated from each other, which are designed to be simultaneously and fixedly applied to the treated region and are sequentially provided with DC pulses from the pulse generator by means of switching means, each switching position corresponding to one point electrode or a predetermined group of point electrodes.The device is optimally suited for the automatic and home application of electrostimulation, particularly for the therapy of chronic diseases of the locomotor system.

Abstract: An automated pipetting system for performing programmed pipetting procedures on an array of fluid containing test tubes, vials or wells. The system includes a frame which is placed above a horizontal table which holds the array. The frame is equipped with a pair of X-axis guide shafts and a pair of X-axis helical screw shafts. A subframe which is mounted on the X-axis guide shafts is equipped with a pair of Y-axis guide shafts and a Y-axis helical screw shaft. A carriage is mounted on the Y-axis guide shafts and at least one row of probes is mounted on the carriage. A Z-axis drive independently drives the probes in a Z-axis direction relative to the array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the optional removal of packages in the longitudinal or transverse direction onto a conveyor belt of the packing machine, the packages being continuously guided automatically both in their removal in the longitudinal direction and in their removal in the transverse direction by means of a rotary device and an oblique track roller guide system which is provided with an adjustable guide deflector by which guide rollers of a steering gear of the rotary device are automatically guided. By adjusting the guide deflector parallel or obliquely to the direction of travel of the packages, they can be removed in the longitudinal direction or, after being turned through an angle of 90 degrees, in the transverse direction onto a conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for centrifugal hydromechanical cleaning and polishing has a working cylinder filled with a working medium which is a mixture of working bodies and working fluid. The cylinder is closed by a left and a right cover. The covers are provided with sleeves through which a billet to be cleaned can pass. In the axis of the cylinder there is fixed a perforated pipe which is connected to a feed pump. The left cover is provided with a hole for charging the cylinder with a working medium, which is hermetically closed with a cap. The working cylinder is seated on supporting rolls and is rotated on its axis. In an alternative embodiment of the apparatus, bearing units are pressed-in eccentrically in both covers and billets are positioned in the bearing units and rotated by a transmission mechanism. In both embodiments, as the cylinder rotates, centrifugal forces cause the working bodies to envelop the billets and abrade them. Products of abrasion washed away by circulating working fluid.

Abstract: A peripheral control device applicable in robotics for control of educational robots operated by stepper motors performs reliably positioning tasks of a great number of steps with a great number of axes controlled with different velocity and realizes, by means of digital inputs and outputs, a reliable connection with the technological equipment with minimum participation of the microprocessor which controls it. The device is controlled by a microprocessor and contains a buffer for addresses, a second buffer for control signals, a bidirectional buffer for data, a decoder, a register for digital inputs, a second register for digital outputs, a third register for availabilities, a fourth register for directions, a fifth register for movements, and a sixth register for the control of a programmable counter. The programmable counter sets the rotation velocities of the stepper motors.

Abstract: A needle picker releasing device in a circular knitting machine for the production of hosiery goods performs releasing of pickers from a non-operative into an operative position by kinematic action of an electromagnet moving a blocking device. The electromagnet may be operated by a microswitch contacting a cam. The blocking device may be a double armed lever arranged between the electromagnet and the picker, one arm of the lever being engagable with the picker so as to block the motion of the picker and another arm of the lever being engageable by the electromagnet, movement of the other arm being obtained in one direction by the electromagnetic when energized and in another direction by spring means.