Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided with a built-in timed electric power saver and with photoelectric switching for high-pressure mercury vapor, metallic vapor and sodium vapor lamps. The electronic ballast with the built-in timed saver and photoelectric switching for high-pressure mercury vapor, metallic vapor and sodium lamps includes an electronic circuit having as a principle the obtaining of an increase in the frequency of the electric power distribution network. This increase is accomplished by means of a switching that results in a current limiting electronic device, which also is able to incorporate a timed electric power saver, the utilization of a single equipment for various lamp lower ratings, a photo-sensitive element for control of the lamp switching in accordance with the lighting level of the installation site and an ignitor for lamps requiring a voltage higher than the rated one.

Abstract: A tie-tipping apparatus is provided for the sewing and finishing of tie t and the use of same through the use of properly modified and integrated sewing machines. The apparatus includes a base and a cover, each of similar form to the tie tip. The fabrics to be sewn are positioned between the base and the cover and, by the use of a lever system, instruments of friction are shifted, properly placed on the cover, which pull the upper fabric and take it to assume a configuration which allows for the sewing through an appropriate sewing slot. The tie-tipping apparatus permits an easier positioning of the fabrics, and the possibility to regulate the sewing rim in a different way along the sides of the tip and along the flanks and the possibility of use in an automated work circuit.

Abstract: A reaction beam disc brake with sliding pins is provided for vehicles, wherein the disc brake eliminates the residual torque, and sensibly reduces the manufacturing stages. The compression effort of the pads on the disc occurs at the piston central line and at the same plane of the sliding and reaction pins. The disc brake includes a piston (1), a removable inner pad (3), a beam shape outer pad (4), two sliding pins (5), a carrier (2) and four springs to move away the pads (3)(4), which are mounted on the sliding pins (5).

Abstract: An athletic glove especially adapted for handling a basketball includes a palm layer and a top layer sewn together at their lateral edges to provide a substantially partially thumbless, fingertipless, wristless, four fingered glove body construction having the outer surface of the palm layer being covered by a plurality of rubberized protruding friction elements having a hemispherical shape substantially the same size and shape as protruding elements upon the surface of a basketball. The palm layer and the top layer are made of a spandex type material adapted to stretch and closely conform to the anatomy of the hand of a wearer of the basketball glove. The glove resists rotation and reversal of direction of a moving basketball approaching and contacting the hand of a basketball player. The glove also dampens impact, so that the basketball has less of a tendency to jump out of the hands of a player during a fast moving basketball game.

Abstract: Electroplating is carried out in a nickel plating bath in which are dispersed active carbon particles supporting at least one platinum metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, iridium, and palladium, thereby forming on an electrode substrate a nickel electrode active layer containing platinum metal-supporting active carbon particles and having such active carbon particles attached to a surface layer thereof, and thus producing a cathode exhibiting a high electrode activity and capable of stably sustaining a low hydrogen overvoltage for a long period of time.

Abstract: A package dispenser for garments, such as latex surgical gloves is provided with an inner glove shape, which constricts the palms of a plurality of expandable, elastic gloves placed within each other, and forces the fingers of the gloves to expand and conform to a proper expanded position for insertion therein of the hand of a user into the innermost exposed glove of the plurality of gloves. The package sequentially dispenses one or more elastic expandable gloves, such as latex gloves. When a vacuum is drawn, the gloves are maintained in an open, expanded state, wherein the user loosely inserts a hand into the innermost glove of the plurality of gloves, breaks an air seal by pulling a tab, thus allowing air to leak in around the innermost glove, so that the glove snaps over the hand of the user in a tight fitting manner.

Abstract: A plant tender delivers light to the foliage and water and nutrients to the roots of a plant growing in a container and embedded in an anchoring medium contained in the container. The plant tender has an armature positioned adjacent to the plant and formed with a conduit for electrical power. A reservoir is provided in physical contact with the container, armature or anchoring medium. The reservoir supplies water and nutrients to the roots. An artificial light source is supported by the armature and irradiates the foliage. A controller establishes a duty cycle of the light source and controls both the duty cycle and the delivery of water and nutrients. In certain embodiments, the positions of the plants and lights can be adjusted, and fish are grown in symbiotic relation to the plants.

Abstract: Pneumatic vacuum lift elevator, in which the vertical shaft is a tube with smooth interior surface, preferably cylindrical, with straight axle, and the transport cab or vehicle moving inside such tube is a piston with vertical movement, with minimum play inside the tube, equipped with air suction devices at the upper end of the tube, capable of causing a sufficient pressure differential to displace such piston in controlled ascending and descending movement; completed with an air entry or intake in the lower end of the tube, and the access doors with which the tube is equipped, and which are hermetically closed on the various stopping levels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a collar for a cat, which is releasable if the collar is caught on a dangerous protrusion, such as a tree branch or fence portion, thereby preventing accidental choking of the cat. The collar includes a receptacle buckle with an interior rounded tongue snap portion engageable with a corresponding rounded forked element. The rounded forked element is adapted to receive the rounded tongue snap portion to lock the buckle in place upon the neck of the cat. The forked element of the collar is separated from the receptacle when the cat exerts above normal tensional forces upon the collar, such as when trying to free itself from an obstruction caught in the collar.

Abstract: A system is provided for the protection of luggage, based on the application by thermic effects of a polyethylene retractile material around the luggage in order to obtain an external protection against damage produced by possible improper handling. It includes an oven having top, lateral and bottom walls and inside the oven a set of electric resistances, a fan, a thermostat and on the front side a curtain made of an insulating material covering the entrance to oven. The system presents a horizontal conveyor to introduce the luggage into the oven or taking it out. The conveyor is provided with a proximity detector and the system has an electric board to command and control all automatic functions of the system. The ceiling, bottom and lateral walls of the oven are built by means of a structure with a double layer of metal plates and between them an insulating material is placed, the thickness of this being bigger in the ceiling than in the lateral walls and in the lateral walls bigger than in the bottom wall.