Abstract: A reciprocating preferably transparent break guard is disclosed for use in connection with a reciprocating machine, such as a bending machine. Adjustable switching means are operatively associated with the machine for controlling the actuation of a hydraulic piston connected to a frame for the guard. When the machine is in its upper position for receiving a workpiece, the switching means causes the piston to be actuated to maintain the guard in its upper position free from interference with the break. When the machine is actuated and starts its downward stroke, the switching means actuates a solenoid to release the piston causing the guard to drop smartly in front of the break thereby preventing the operator from accidentally inserting hands or fingers into the break of the machine. In its lowered position, the machine again actuates the switching means to operate the piston to raise the guard to its upper position.

Abstract: A part of an engine air-fuel mixture is admitted from the intake passageway into a space and is burned to produce combustion gases for sensing the air-fuel ratio of the admitted air-fuel mixture and for controlling the air-fuel ratio of an engine air-fuel mixture in accordance with the sensed air-fuel ratio and exhaust gases resulting from the combustion gases are fed into the intake passageway.

Abstract: A storage bin is disclosed for storing a flowable material such as an agricultural commodity in a water-impermeable environment which is particularly suited for the storage of grain. The bin includes a liquid impervious, preferably cone-shaped, integral liner supported substantially and entirely by a cavity in the ground adjacent to and beneath the liner. A foundation, which includes a footing supported by the ground adjacent the footing, is located relative to the liner so that an upper lip portion of the liner is secured to the footing. An above ground storage portion of the bin is directly secured to the footing so that the bin construction eliminates the cost of material in steel hopper bottom and concrete hopper bottom bins. A hopper for receiving material and directing it to an unloading auger within the bin is located at the apex portion of the inverted cone-shaped liner. A method of constructing a storage bin of the type described is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite switch device mounted to the steering shaft of an automobile and integrally provided with several switches such as a turn indication switch, a lighting switch, and a wiper and washer switch, wherein one end of each contact plate in each of the switches is folded to form a rectangular portion used as a terminal to be directly connected to a coupler connected to an electric power source, without using complex lead wires and crimpers.

Abstract: A method of extracting uranium oxide from a solution of one or more uranium compounds, e.g. leach liquors, comprising subjecting the solution to electrolysis utilizing a high current density, e.g. 500 to 4000 amp/m.sup.2, whereby uranium oxide is formed at the cathode which is recovered. The method is particularly suited to a continuous process using a rotating cathode cell.

Abstract: In a window lock operating device comprising an L-shaped handle member having a short arm connected to rotatable lock operating shaft and a long arm serving as a grip, a tiltable lever is provided in said short arm and is urged by a spring toward a position in which one end of the lever engages a retaining notch in a bearing member to be firmly secured on the window. A push rod that is displaceable in the long arm of the handle member may be operated to tilt the lever out of engagement with the notch against the force of the spring.

Abstract: Solar radiations having longer wavelengths than those which are useful for plant development are selectively absorbed by an optical filter formed by two transparent walls which constitute at least part of the roofing structure of a greenhouse or "lean-to" frame and by a heat-transporting fluid which is circulated between the walls in a closed-circuit system. The heat absorbed is removed and stored in a separate reservoir, then recovered at night by pumping and circulating the fluid so as to maintain a predetermined minimum temperature within the greenhouse.

Abstract: A wet-niche type lamp for providing underwater illumination in a swimming pool or the like includes an over-temperature protection circuit which interrupts the supply of electrical energy to the lamp when the level of the cooling water surrounding the lamp drops below a predetermined level. The circuit includes thermistor mounted in an heat exchange relationship with the surrounding water so that heat energy generated in the thermistor, as a consequence of the current flow through it, is normally transferred to the surrounding water. Should the level of the surrounding water drop below that of the thermistor, the thermistor heat energy quickly evaporates any remaining water film on the exterior surface of the thermistor to allow its temperature to rise. The control circuit, in response to the temperature increase, interrupts the flow of electrical energy to the lamp to prevent over-temperature operation.

Abstract: A chain saw is movably mounted on a frame for enabling the chain saw blade to move in a substantially straight-line path relative to the frame. The frame includes a bed for supporting a length of wood within the straight-line path of the saw blade. The saw blade is biased toward one side of the length of wood and a foot treadle is connected to the saw for overcoming the bias and moving the saw blade along the straight-line path to the other side of the length of wood.

Abstract: Low temperature steel alloys having a high toughness and hardness, consisting essentially of from 0.20 to 0.30 wt % of carbon, from 1.20 to 2.00 wt % of silicon, from 0.30 to 0.80 wt % of manganese, from 1.70 to 2.40 wt % of nickel, from 2.50 to 3.50 wt % of chromium, from 0.30 to 0.55 wt % of molybdenum, and the balance essentially iron.

Abstract: A semi-wide angle objective lens in accordance with the present invention comprises five groups of six lens elements including a front group and a rear group in which the front group has a first group which includes a single positive meniscus lens L.sub.1 with its convex surface directed toward the object side, a second group which includes a single negative meniscus lens L.sub.2 with its convex surface directed toward the object side, and a third group which includes a single positive meniscus lens L.sub.3 with its convex surface directed toward the object side; and in which the rear group has a fourth group which includes both a negative lens L.sub.4 with its front concave surface having a large curvature directed toward the object side and a positive lens L.sub.5 with its rear convex surface having a large curvature directed toward an image side with the fourth group lenses cemented together or arranged with an extremely small air space therebetween, and a fifth group which includes a positive lens L.sub.

Abstract: A high-quality pressure switch comprising a member moving according to pressure applied and a moving contact piece to act as a switch. The member has an end portion contained in a switch case to engage with said moving contact piece and remain in touch with a spring bearing and further a flanged portion contacting a stopper built in said switch case when a spring incorporated in said spring bearing is compressed by the end portion actuated by the travel of the member moving in a direction of a switch chamber when subjected to pressure. The moving contact is fitted with a moving contact on one end thereof and has the other end secured to a terminal elastically and in a freely movable condition to swing and move the moving contact piece pivoting on the end against the resilient force of spring according to the travel of said member, whereby said moving contact is separated from a fixed contact to switch off.

Abstract: A method for bonding a layer of porous polymeric material to a rigid implantable portion of a prosthetic device, which includes the steps of (a) forming a substrate by coating the implantable portion with material which is chemically compatible with the porous polymeric material and which has a melt viscosity and/or melting temperature lower than that of the porous polymeric material, (b) covering the substrate with a porous polymeric material in powder form capable of forming said porous polymeric layer for forming a composite coating on the implantable portion, and (c) heating the substrate and porous polymeric material to a temperature high enough to cause the substrate material to flow into the adjacent pores and low enough so that the porous material will maintain its shape so that the porous layer will be bonded to the substrate and the outer pores will be open to accommodate tissue ingrowth, and an apparatus formed by said method.

Abstract: An articulating coupling for connecting two wheeled vehicles includes a pivot connection and a tilt mechanism. The pivot connection is provided between the two vehicles so that they can turn relative to each other in the horizontal plane and be selectively turned relative to each other. The tilt mechanism includes a horizontal pivot connection between the two vehicles so that vertical movement of at least a portion of one vehicle adjacent to the horizontal pivot connection will move a portion of the other vehicle adjacent to the pivot connection in the same direction and cause the other vehicle to pivot about the axis of its wheels.

Abstract: A fishing lure includes a hook, a swivel, a line portion connected between the hook and swivel and a length of flexible tubing at least 7" long around the line portion and portion of the hook connected to the line portion. The hook includes a barbed end projecting from the tubing, the tubing being cut to form an elongated helix with essentially no space between adjacent coils of the helix. A camouflage such as feathers project from the hook end of the tubing.

Abstract: A logarithmic amplifier comprising a common-emitter type transistor amplifier circuit with an emitter resistor and a collector load. A bias voltage is applied to the base of the transistor through a diode so that the overall input-output transfer characteristic of the amplifier exhibits a logarithmic characteristic for a relatively wide range of input signals. A cascade connection of several of the basic amplifier circuits enlarges the dynamic range over which a logarithmic transfer characteristic is achieved.

Abstract: In a large size receptacle, e.g. for a mixture of liquid and solid manure, the peripheral wall comprises a circular series of reinforced concrete slabs having a plain external surface and presenting, at each vertical joint between successive slabs, groove shaped recesses or notches for receiving circumferentially extending pre-stressing wires.

Abstract: A chimney cowl has a vertically-spaced series of five annular vanes centered on a common vertical axis. The vanes are carried by three supports equi-spaced around the inner peripheries of the vanes, the supports mounting co-axially with said vanes and between the uppermost vane and the vane immediately subjacent thereto a device providing upper and lower aerofoils. The uppermost and lowermost vanes are parallel and are of frusto-conical shape and the three intermediate vanes are parallel and are normal to the vertical axis of the vanes. The upper aerofoil is a wall of conical shape parallel to the uppermost vane and the lower aerofoil is a wall of inverted conical shape seating within and secured to the wall of the upper aerofoil. Means for clamping the cowl in position in a chimney outlet is provided.

Abstract: A D.C. amplifier for low-level currents includes an input stage having first and second cascode mounted transistors and a bis circuit adapted to maintain the base and collector potentials of the first transistor very close to each other over a predetermined temperature range. The amplifier is particularly suited for use in a flame detection device and, in addition, may include a protection circuit for the base-emitter junction of the first transistor.