Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle similar to a bicycle has a frame comprising four pivotably interconnected frame members of which the lower one is provided with a bearing for a sprocket wheel of a chain drive. A crank arm is connected to the sprocket wheel and cooperates with a connecting rod pivotably connected to the upper frame member carrying a saddle. Pedals are mounted on the lower frame member or the front frame member, the latter guiding the steering handle and the front wheel fork. The driving torque is achieved by alternatively shifting the weight between the saddle and the pedals. The saddle moves up and down reciprocally to the pedals and the steering handle forth and back giving the illusion of riding on horseback. The same structural principle is suitable also for a home-trainer.

Abstract: A filter assembly for particle-in-gas filtration comprises ducts leading to a filter housing which is removable from the ducts and is provided with covers to prevent egress of material from the housing during transport. Covers may be also provided for the ducts. The surfaces of the duct cover and housing cover which are exposed to the environment when the housing is removed may be shielded while gas is passed through the assembly to minimize the exposure of the surfaces to the gas passing through the assembly.

Abstract: Support devices for the shanks of skier's legs wherein levers on opposite sides of and parallel to the shank are pivoted about an axis at ankle height and secured to the shank just beneath the knee by a flexible strap. Two rods are pivoted to the lever arrangement on each side. In the case of a single lever the rods are pivoted above and below the lever axis. For parallel levers one rod is pivoted above the axis of one lever and the other rod below the axis of the other lever. In each case the rods pass through a resilient compressible block. When the shank swings forward a stop on one rod compresses the block, while the other rod moves freely in the opposite direction. When the shank swings backward the roles of the rods are reversed.

Abstract: A disposable skin conducting electrode assembly and electrode is disclosed for use on a patient wherein the electrode assembly comprises a gel pad, an electrode and an adhesive pad. The electrode is a thin conductive wire having a non-linear configuration such that the electrode extends across a width of skin substantially greater than the width of the wire. In one particular embodiment, the wire is in a saw-toothed configuration. The gel pad covers one side of the conductive wire, and the adhesive pad covers not only the other side of the conductive wire but the gel pad as well. The adhesive pad is used to hold the electrode assembly to the skin of the patient. A lead wire, connected at one end to the conductive wire, is provided to connect the electrode assembly to a suitable source of electric impulses. The electrode assembly may be used where any electrode is usable but has particular application for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or as a post-operative electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting windings in a stator or the like includes a collecting tool having collecting lamellae disposed in a ring, an aligning star piece, and means for moving the aligning star piece from a retracted position to an alignment position between the lamellae. The apparatus also includes means for moving a stator sheet packet having an aperture therethrough into position with the aperture adjacent the free ends of the lamellae. In accordance with the invention, the apparatus includes means for moving the aligning star piece from its retracted position through the aperture in the sheet packet and then into its alignment position to align the stator sheet packet and the ring of lamellae. The apparatus has many advantages over conventional devices in which the aligning star piece is first aligned with the ring of lamellae and in which the stator sheet packet is subsequently applied and aligned.

Abstract: A shaft seal incorporates a casing formed with a stepped bore both diameters of which are greater than the diameter of the shaft fitted to the bore. A bearing sleeve fitting the shaft is located in the smaller diameter portion of the bore. A seal-carrying ring held captive within the larger diameter portion of the bore is formed to support at each end a sealing ring in contact with the shaft and a sealing ring located between the outer surface of the ring and the casing.

Abstract: In a continuous casting plant comprising a fixed frame, a table, and a mold supported by said table, a mold rocking device comprising at least one first bell-crank lever keyed at its apex to a first shaft rotatably journalled by said fixed frame, said first lever being pivotably connected at one end to one side of said table; at least one second bell-crank lever keyed at its apex to a second shaft, parallel to said first shaft, rotatably journalled by said fixed frame, said second lever being connected, in a slidable and pivotable manner, at one end to the side of said table opposite to the one to which the said first lever is pivotably connected; the second end of said second bell-crank lever being connected to a rocking device; and means for transmitting the said rocking movement from said second bell-crank lever to the second end of said first bell-crank lever.

Abstract: A furnace is disclosed for extracting metals of relatively high volatility from compounds containing oxides of metals. The furnace provides uniform heating for the oxides in solid block form together with temperature and pressure control so that the dross does not melt. The furnace includes a lower portion having an insulated lining, an upper bell shaped portion joined to the lower portion to form an enclosed sealed chamber, the upper portion forming a condensation surface for metals, means for extracting heat from the upper portion, and means for controlling pressure within the sealed chamber. The improvement comprises an electrical heating conductor within the lower portion spaced apart from the insulated lining, the heating conductor having spaces to hold the compounds in a solid compressed form and transfer substantially uniform heat to the compounds in the spaces.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electrically assisted pneumatic train braking system. In a normal emergency/service pneumatic braking system a pneumatic pressure change must propagate along the train braking system from car to car. The present system includes two valves which are connected to each end of the brake pipe of each car, the first is responsive to a pressure change in the brake pipe to produce an electrical signal and the second being responsive to the electrical signal to produce a pressure change in the brake pipe. Thus, the propagation time for the whole braking system is reduced to little more than that for the total length of the couplings between cars.

Abstract: A self-sealing catheter apparatus and method are disclosed which are broadly useful in medical surgery and particularly to perform cholangiography or in connection with perfusion of the coronary arteries during open heart surgery. The catheter provides means for sealing a duct and introducing dye into the duct once the catheter has been placed inside of the duct. An inflatable balloon sleeve and adjacent reservoir are mounted near the distal end of the catheter. The distal end of the catheter is inserted into the duct until the reservoir contacts the outer wall of the duct and the balloon sleeve is thus located inside of the duct. Then, the reservoir is depressed forcing the fluid contained therein to inflate the balloon sleeve. The inflated balloon sleeve not only seals the duct against the passage of fluids therethrough, but also holds the catheter in place inside of the duct. The dye is then introduced into the duct via the catheter lumen.

Abstract: A paint roller tool is disclosed on which a paint roller is placed for painting walls, ceilings and the like. Attached to the handle of the paint roller tool is a hand grip which forms an angle of between 35.degree. and 65.degree. with the handle. The hand grip slopes away from the paint roller so that the paint roller tool is easily and comfortably held by a user.

Abstract: An abrasive sheet is disclosed which can be hand held or used with known abrasive devices, has longer abrasive life than existing abrasive sheets and has a novel attachment arrangement onto an abrasive support member. The abrasive sheet has abrasive material coated on one surface and a layer of resilient open-celled flexible foam on the other surface. The abrasive sheet may be used with a support member having a support surface with a multitude of fastening protuberances projecting from the support surface. The abrasive sheet is detachably fastened to the support member by pressing the layer of resilient open-celled foam against the support surface to have the protuberances enter and grip the open-celled foam.

Abstract: A method of producing pneumatic brake actuator rods in which a spigot is provided at one end for mounting a pressure plate and a thread is provided on the output end, the body of the rod around the root of the spigot being under cut and thereafter upset by roll-swaging or other means to produce a flange for supporting the rod against the pressure plate so that the rod can be of generally substantially reduced diameter in relation to that used for many years hitherto.

Abstract: A dental alloy powder containing silver, tin and copper and, optionally, other alloying metals which has been rendered spherical by a heat treatment to melt at least a surface stratum of the particles of the alloy, followed by cooling.

Abstract: In the production of nuclear fuel pellets consisting essentially of oxides of uranium, or mixtures of these oxides with oxides of thorium or plutonium, by granulating the oxide powder, pressing the granulated powder into compacts and sintering the compacts, niobium pentoxide is added to the oxide power in sufficient quantity to encourage grain growth in the oxide compact during sintering and the sintering and other process parameters are adjusted so that no impurities are trapped in the sintering pellets which would prevent a high matrix density and grain size being obtained.Adjustment and control of the oxygen potential of the sintering atmosphere is proposed.

Abstract: Visual display apparatus for ground-based craft flight simulation apparatus using a raster scan display for viewing by the trainee pilot and providing an image comprising a target or other craft, together with cloud extending to the simulated horizon. The cloud image part has repetitively patterned features and is displayed in correct perspective, according to the simulated flight position relatively thereto, for providing speed and altitude cues. This part of the image is provided by digital means, a single cycle of the repetitive pattern being held in a digital store and perspective being computed continuously. The whole apparatus includes three generators providing respectively sky, horizon and patterned cloud surface all controlled by a general purpose computer receiving flight data from the simulator flight computer. Outputs from the three generators are selected appropriately during the raster scan of the display and also appropriately combined with a high-definition image of the target or other craft.

Abstract: The device comprises means for applying a DC voltage U as a function of the voltage taken from the terminals of a fuse between a fixed electrode and a movable electrode forming together a capacitor. The movable electrode is urged towards the fixed electrode by an electret fast to the latter and in the opposite direction by a magnet and by the voltage U. As soon as this voltage exceeds a threshold corresponding to the rupture of the fuse, the movable electrode swings over and closes a switch for warning purposes.

Abstract: A golf swing simulator device comprises a handle (10) or a mounting therefor, rotatably (axis 34) mounted to a crank (22) which is in turn rotatably (axis 28) connected (30) via hinged (36) interconnecting elements (21,23) to the outer end of an adjustable arm (20), the inner end of which is rotatably connected (axis 26) to a first part (16) of a mounting for the device. The first part (16) angularly adjustably mounted to a second part (14) which is in turn vertically adjustably mounted to a fixed support (12). This provides three rotational modes A,B,C to enable the golf swing to be simulated using the handle (10); and four adjustments D, E, F, G to determine the standing height, plane of swing, radius of swing and lie angle respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission system is provided which comprises, in combination, a vehicle transmission and an electronic control system for converting input signals thereto related to operating conditions of the transmission to output control signals for the transmission in accordance with a predetermined set of criteria.

Abstract: A gunning refractory of the mean particle diameter in the range 1-10 mm, characterized in that a molten liquid of pitch having softening point higher than 100.degree. C. is mixed with refractory inorganic fine particles where the proportion to the total weight is in the range 5-85% by weight, and thereafter the mixture is hardened.