Abstract: Set of five game dice, the faces of which have the reproduction of six symbols in scale similar to those of standard playing-cards; on the various dice the symbols have with respect to the faces the same arrangement, but a different combination of five different suits, except for the symbols of extreme value, which in each die are of the same suit, but different for each of the five dice.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed which comprises a plurality of cylinders split into first and second groups, means responsive to engine low load conditions for cutting off flow of fuel and fresh air to the second group of cylinders, an exhaust passage provided at its downstream end with a catalyzer, a partition extending through the exhaust passage to the vicinity of the catalyzer to divide the exhaust passage into two passages, one connecting with the first group of cylinders, the other connecting with the second group of cylinders, an EGR passage bypassing the second group of cylinders for exhaust gas recirculation, and an EGR valve provided in the EGR passage and adapted to open the same in response to engine low load conditions.

Abstract: A porous thermoplastic sheet is formed by adding a material to a polymer latex to passivate the aqueous phase of the latex. An additional material of a preselected particle size, corresponding to the desired pore size of the final product is then added. The latex composition is gelled and is then formed into a sheet. The sheet is dried and cured or sintered and the solubles are extracted therefrom with a solvent. A preferred polymer latex is PTFE.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for providing electric connections to an assembly of a plural number of electrically operating instruments which are to be mounted jointly in a predetermined position on a panel structure like an instrument panel of a motor vehicle. The connector assembly employs a printed wiring plate common to the respective electric instruments, the printed wiring plate having foil terminals aligned on opposite sides of an aperture which receives foot portions of terminal elements of a mating member which is engageable with a complementary mating member on the part of the electric instrument assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a Josephson-effect superconductive junction.The method is characterised in that a superconductive refractory material is applied as a thin and uniform deposit to an insulating substrate, the deposit is defined to give it the form of a bridge between two studs of greater width than the said bridge, and in that the junction at very low temperature is subjected to at least one current pulse, the intensity and duration of which have a value dependent upon the required critical Josephson current.A particular application of the invention is the production of a magnetometer.

Abstract: Two shiftable bus bar unit point sections are simultaneously shifted to allow one of the sections to align with a stationary bus bar unit point section. A coupler slides on the stationary point section toward the just aligned one of the shiftable point sections to couple the same with the stationary point section. The shifting of the shiftable point sections and the sliding of the coupler are controlled by an operating mechanism which employs a cam. A holding device covers sealingly the electrically dangerous exposed end of the other of the shiftable point sections.

Abstract: An improved multipiece roof finisher, mounted over a roof and both side pillars of a vehicle, is disclosed. The finisher is divided into three parts: a center finisher over the roof, and two side finishers which cover the side pillars. The center finisher is connected to the side finishers by connecting means.

Abstract: A fan assembly, which includes a centrifugal-type fan wheel mounted for rotation in, e.g., a scroll-like fan casing or a tubular fan casing is provided with a retractable fan inlet funnel which may be selectively positioned relative to the fan wheel between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the inlet funnel axially overlaps the inlet side of the fan wheel with substantially all the inlet air being directed into the fan wheel. In the retracted position, the inlet funnel is spaced away from the fan wheel to permit a portion of the fan wheel outlet air to recirculate to the inlet side of the fan wheel. Fan performance characteristics including the static pressure, the volume flow rate, the selection of a stable air flow operating point, and the fan wheel power requirements are conveniently and advantageously controlled by adjusting the inlet funnel position.

Abstract: A threaded lid for closing the opening in a pump housing having a body portion and a gripping formation defined by a ridge on the body portion having a central portion and projections extending beyond the central portion. A juncture between the central portion and each of the projections varies gradually from a rounded angle at one terminus of the juncture to a gently sloping ramp at the other terminus of the juncture, so that a simple elongated tool such as a stick may be placed between the projections of the gripping formation and rotated to loosen the lid, but not to tighten it. Furthermore, the mildly curved S-shape provides surfaces which conform to the hand to enable substantial manual loosening force to be applied comfortably to the lid, whereas the surfaces of the gripping formation engaged by the hand to tighten the lid are not conducive to the application of a substantial amount of manual force.

Abstract: An electromagnetic filter of the type provided with a magnetizable packing and placed in the water circuit of a nuclear reactor is cleaned by a method which first consists in isolating the filter from the circuit, then subjecting it to a series of washing and draining-off cycles. The washing operation consists in withdrawing a fraction of water from the circuit and introducing it substantially at the temperature and pressure of withdrawal and under such conditions as to impart turbulent flow to the water within the packing. The draining-off operation consists in discharging the wash water contained in the filter.

Abstract: A lightweight collapsible ladder which may be secured to a structure. The ladder includes two parallel uprights which are connected to one another by a plurality of pivotally mounted rungs, and is movable from a closed position in which the uprights abut one another to an open position in which the uprights are apart and the rungs are horizontal. Support devices are provided for supporting the ladder in its open position. A locking device is mounted on the ladder for holding the ladder in its closed position. The rungs are arranged in two adjacent vertical planes, every other rung located in one of the vertical planes and alternate rungs positioned in the other vertical plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test sample container for measuring the biological activity of cells, bacteria, or micro-organisms in a test sample by radiometric techniques. The container is suited for use with automated laboratory equipment and provides greatly improved measurement efficiency over prior designs. In one embodiment, the test sample container includes a serum vial adapted to contain a quantity of a test sample and a radionuclide-labeled nutrient media. A micro-tube, which contains a mixture of a gas absorber and a scintillation compound, is positioned above the surface of the sample/media mix by a split-skirt stopper that also serves to seal the serum vial. The gas metabolized or otherwise evolved by the micro-organisms in the test sample is absorbed by the absorber in the micro-tube causing the scintillation compound to emit light flashes at a rate proportional to the quantity of radioactive gas absorbed.

Abstract: A method of reducing the chemical oxygen demand or requirement of water and waste water charged with oxidizable substances, by continuous catalytic oxidation. There is used as a promoter excited, dissociated and/or at least partially ionized gases and/or gas mixtures in a quantity such that there are formed a sufficient number of free radicals which initiate the oxidation and also continuously regenerate or reactivate the consumed catalyst. The method is especially useful for producing potable or drinkable water.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices for measuring the azimuth and the slope of drilling line. These devices comprise, in a container 1, a gyroscope 5 having two principal axes of sensitivity X--X and Y--Y and an accelerometer 12 having two principal axes of sensitivity parallel to those of the gyroscope 5; this gyroscope 5 is connected to a circuit to determine the component of the Earth's rotation vector along the axis of the drilling line.

Abstract: An improved footrest on a surf-type single ski has a plurality of skid-resistant, generally L-shaped members, one positioned in front and the other behind the center line of the ski for receiving the feet of the skier in a readily removable relationship, preferably normal to the transverse axis of the ski. The ski member includes a longitudinal axis, a narrow width, a generally planar intermediate portion, a front portion extending mildly upwardly and inwardly from the intermediate portion to a front end, the intermediate portion and the front portion having a substantially rectangular cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis. The foot receiving L-shaped members include a plurality of recesses along the length thereof for accommodating snow and serving to clean the boot of the user. In an alternative embodiment, a ski of the type described has a metallic plate base member for sking on sand. An improved handle member may be provided.

Abstract: A photosensitive material for electrophotography which comprises a conductive support and two or more superimposed photosensitive layers where each layer comprises photoconductive powder and a binder, the particle size of the photoconductive powder in an upper layer being greater than that in a lower layer. Both high photosensitivity and high resistance to electrical impact are imparted to the photosensitive material.

Abstract: There is provided a fluid flow control unit adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure. The unit comprises a housing having an input port and an output port and a body suspended in said housing by means of a diaphragm dividing said housing into an input chamber and an output chamber wherein said body is movable in relation to said ports under the influence of the fluid pressure differential between said input chamber and said output chamber for variably restricting said output port under the displacement of said body toward said output port. There is further provided resilient means for biasing said body toward said input port and at least one passageway formed in said body and passing therethrough for fluid communication between said input and output chambers via said body, the dimensions of which passageway remain unchanged during operation.

Abstract: A flow restriction between the control chamber of the expansion valve of the anti-skid device and the pump of the device prevents the expansion valve from moving as soon as the spool valve arrangement which opens the fail safe pressure transmission path and closes the normal path. The expansion chamber of the expansion valve is thus, in the case of pump failure, isolated from the pressure reservoir like effect of the pressure stored in the wheel cylinder(s) and the conduit between the skid device and the wheel cylinder(s) and therefore does not move as far before pressure equalization occurs across the expansion valve as in the case when a normal anti-skid operation is performed and the pressure in the wheel cylinder and the conduit is fully received in the expansion chamber. A switch incorporated in the anti-skid device is closed only when the expansion valve moves beyond the position assumed during pump failure.

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic drive system in accordance with the present invention provides an energy efficient system that produces a variable drive "effect" without the use of traction drives or variable displacement hydraulics. The system includes an engine powered hydraulic pump adapted to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic accumulator and through a propulsion control valve to hydraulic wheel-motor and vehicle speed-control circuits. The valve, when in a forward thrust position, delivers hydraulic fluid in unrestricted flow at full system pressure from the accumulator and the hydraulic pump to the wheel-motors to accelerate the vehicle in the forward direction to a predetermined upper speed-limit, e.g. 55 mph (88.5 kmh). When this upper speed-limit is attained, the speed regulating circuit shifts the propulsion valve to a neutral position to separate the flow of hydraulic fluid to the wheel-motors.

Abstract: A fabric manipulating device for use with a knitting machine of the type having a flat needle bed containing a plurality of equi-spaced knitting needles tricked into the bed includes a carrier that is mounted on the bed for sliding, needle-by-needle movement along the bed to effect loop manipulation. A cam-controlled linking needle is mounted on the carrier in the plane of the knitting needle in opposing relationship thereto for movement to and from the knitting needles to effect the intended knitted loop linking manipulation. A cam-controlled positioning member and loop restricting member, operating in timed relationship with a cam-controlled loop expanding mechanism and stationary loop contacting surfaces, orients and expands a knitted loop retained on the stem of a knitting needle opposing the linking needle to permit the linking needle to enter the expanded loop while a cam-controlled actuator causes the knitting needle to knock-over the loop onto the linking needle.