Abstract: A flapper-type gas valve automatically closable by accelerations characteristic of earthquakes. The arm is held up in the "valve open" position by a magnet attracting a soft ferromagnetic armature. The armature can be displaced to release the flapper to close the valve, either by seismic accelerations or manually by novel magnetic means--the latter for testing or for non-seismic emergencies. The latter employ movable permanent magnets or electromagnets. Additional magnets are provided to hold the valve closed. Indicating means on the flapper shaft can be viewed through a window to see the valve status--open or closed. The electromagnetic modification provides remote status indication via a magnetically-actuated switch.

Abstract: An acceleration-responsive magnetic device for closing a valve or operating a switch or the like in response to a disturbance such as an earthquake. A pendulum operates to increase the length of a magnetic path, releasing a magnetic element to perform the desired actuation.

Abstract: A safey shutoff valve for insertion into a gas line or other fluid line, that closes in response to an electrical input pulse or to a seismic disturbance. A pivoted flapper arm is held in the open position by a permanent magnet embedded in it. When the magnetic attractive force is reduced enough, the arm swings down by gravity into the closed position and a primary flapper seal element seals the valve seat. Line pressure keeps it closed. The magnetic holding force may be reduced by means of an opposing electromagnet or by the mechanical displacement of a ferromagnetic ball. The valve is manually reset by turning a reset shaft to raise the flapper arm to the open position. The reset shaft also raises a secondary flapper to uncover a small bypass tube to bleed off any residual line pressure; this bypass is automatically closed when the valve closes. No standby power is required.

Abstract: A seismometer system which provides readouts of the time integral (Cumulative Absolute Velocity or CAV) of the acceleration time history of an earthquake. CAV is found to be a measure of the structural damage potential of an earthquake. Three triaxial low frequency acceleration sensors are connected into a digital computer system. Each sensor has a capacitive pickoff, whose capacitances determines the length of an electrical pulse; the pulse gates high-frequency clock cycles into a counter. The counts are summed to give the time integral. A microprocessor provides for periodic re-zeroing and other calibration functions, and for the actuation of alarms, relays and electrical pulses for utility shutoff and the like at predetermined levels of CAV. The acceleration time history of the earthquake is stored in the memory for later retrieval if desired. The whole system is contained in a small inexpensive package.

Abstract: A stereo microphone that delivers "Right" and "Left" output signals from the sound field at a single point in space. A small, light, ball-like sound-sensing element is loosely suspended so that it is free to move in any direction in a plane. Directional components of its displacements are sensed and translated into electrical analog signals, which are then processed to provide separate stereo outputs. The sound-sensing element may be suspended on an optical fiber and its displacements sensed by a quad photodetector, whose four outputs are added and subtracted in certain combinations to derive the stereo outputs.

Abstract: A low-noise (low "rumble") segmented bearing for high-fidelity phonograph turntables and the like. In a preferred belt-driven form, the bearing consists of four small, spaced polyurethane pads disposed so that the tension of the belt keeps the shaft in contact with all of them. A fifth pad supports the end of the shaft. The bearing is immersed in lubricant.

Abstract: An electro-optical instrument means for measuring the relative angle of roll about an optical axis extending between a sending unit and a receiving unit. The measurement is independent of relative displacements in pitch and yaw within the dimensional limits of the apparatus. The sending unit comprises a pair of light sources behind respective apertures in a mask and differently modulated. The apertures are imaged onto a divided photodetector on the receiving unit. Each half of the detector receives modulated light from both sources. The differently-modulated photocurrents are separated electrically, and the roll angle computed from the ratios of the separated components. These ratios are unaffected by relative displacements of the two units in pitch and yaw.

Abstract: A device for recording directly the strain or distortion of a structural space as caused by an earthquake. Two similar light, flat rigid A-frame-like members are attached to points near the floor and ceiling, e.g., of a room, with their apex portions facing each other and overlapping. A displacement recorder is mounted in the overlap region. Earthquake distortion or strain in buildings occurs commonly as relative lateral displacement between a floor and a ceiling; the A-frame members transmit such displacement directly to the recorder. The installation may lie flat against a wall and be enclosed by a shallow cover.

Abstract: A mechanical seismic instrument for recording relative horizontal displacements between the base and foundation of base-isolated buildings or other large structures during earthquakes. A rigid tripod-like arm is connected to the base of the structure; on the other end of the arm is a marking stylus. A record plate is connected to the foundation. When base and foundation move relative to one another, the stylus scribes a record trace on the record plate. Arm and record plate are mounted respectively on mounting plates which are connected and covered by a flexible enclosure. Timing marks on the record trace may be made by striking devices which tap against the shank of the stylus.

Abstract: A three-axis scratch-recording accelerograph of the type installed in large structures to record peak magnitudes of earthquake or like motion. Hard styli coupled to seismometer elements scratch or engrave record lines on small stationary metallic record plates, which are suitably coated. No standby power is required and the records are resistant to heat, liquids, and mechanical damage. The instrument embodies various improvements over that in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,504 respecting the reed spring suspension of the proof mass; transit clamping; the magnifying lever system; and electrical status indication.

Abstract: A tone arm for a phonograph pickup having a bifilar flexible ligament suspension for vertical and lateral displacement. The suspension takes the place of the more usual pivots, and employs a pair of thin flexible ligaments or fibers in a skewed convergent torsional bifilar configuration. The lower ends of the two ligaments are attached to a basal element, which may be shaped as a disc, connected to and lying below the arm itself. The flexibility of the ligaments confers freedom to the arm for angular displacement in the vertical and horizontal planes, but the skew prevents linear displacement along the direction of its length. The basal element is preferably immersed in a container of viscous liquid to damp movement of the arm.

Abstract: A releasable hook assembly for use on a trapeze-type harness worn in the sport of sailboarding. A cord or line from the boom passes through the hook to reduce strain on the sailor's arms. The hook extends outward from a base plate which is supported over the sailor's chest by the harness, and is pivoted to swing outward to release the boom line. A latching engagement of the base portion of the hook to a hole in the base plate prevents such swinging or rotation until the line tension becomes great enough to overcome the force of a leaf spring to disengage the latch. The tension required is adjustable.

Abstract: An anti-theft tether in the form of a steel cable with a novel clip on one or both ends which fits the edge of a car door or window, and cannot be readily removed when the door or window is closed. The outer part of the tether is run through or around an object to be carried on the top of the car, such as a sailboard, a surfboard, or skis. One form of clip is made of thin, hard sheet metal, such as steel, and fits over the edge of the window glass. Another form of clip is flexible, preferably in the form of a short length of flat steel wire braid with an enlargement on one end. This is inserted between the car door and the door jamb, and the door closed and locked.

Abstract: An improved fusing fluid or protectively coating solder-plated printed circuit conductors while they are heated to fuse the solder. Certain prior fusing fluids tend to pull away from portions of the molten solder surface, leaving them unprotected from oxidation. The improved fluid contains a small percentage of phenothiazine or a homologue, which promote complete wetting of the solder surface without causing the foaming and cleaning difficulties associated with surfactants.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding a small router head along either straight paths or arcs of circles, for cutting sheet metal printing plates to desired outlines. The operator may guide the router over the same path several times, successively increasing the depth of cut until it is cut through. In the preferred form for cutting along straight lines, a guide rod is supported between two offset heads that attach to the work by suction cups. A short square-section mounting bar rides in a ball bushing along the guide rod. A router head assembly clamps detachably to the bar. For cutting arcs of circles a pair of radius rods is carried adjustably in a rotatable center head that attaches to the workpiece with a suction cup. A second mounting bar connects the free ends of the radius rods; the same router assembly may be detached and clamped to this bar.

Abstract: An anti-theft alarm system for movable objects, particularly motorcycles, and actuated by mechanical disturbance, e.g., by using tools on a vehicle, moving it off its stand, or operating it. The primary disturbance sensors are steel balls or the like in small compartments inside which they are free to roll. Impacts of one or more balls against compartment walls generate pulses of high-frequency sound and vibration, which are in turn sensed by an adjacent high-frequency microphone or vibration pickup. The output of this transducer is then amplified and suitably processed to energize a horn or other alarm device.

Abstract: A shallow cabinet attachable to the surface of a wall and resembling a framed picture when closed, and suitable for storing small objects of value such as jewelry. The cabinet comprises a pair of shallow box-like elements; a first element or wall box is attachable to the surface of a wall with its open side facing outward, and a second, cover-like element is hinged to the wall box element and disposed to cover and conceal it when swung closed. The outer face or panel of the cover-like box element may be ornamented by a picture or the like, or may be covered by a mirror. The vertical interior surfaces of both elements are preferably lined with cork board or like material covered with felt or velvet, to accept pins or hooks on which, e.g., bracelets and necklaces may be hung.

Abstract: This is an improvement in the subject of my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,812, and relates to an apparatus installable on a bicycle or other vehicle to enable the rider to drink water or other liquid while riding and without distracting his attention. A flexible drinking tube is retained on an improved retracting reel mechanism in a housing preferably attached to the upper horizontal frame member of a bicycle. The tube is continuous, with no rotary joints. The fixed inner end of the flexible tube is connected to a rigid or semi-rigid supply tube which extends into a water bottle mounted separately from the reel housing. In the improved retracting reel mechanism, the flexible drinking tube passes around two spaced sheaves. One sheave is guided for displacement in translation against the urging of a tension spring. When the rider pulls out the mouthpiece end of the drinking tube, this sheave moves linearly in the manner of a block-and-tackle to a degree, e.g., half the extension of the drinking tube.

Abstract: A seismic instrument or accelerograph for recording the spectra of strong earthquake shocks or the like, having a series of mechanically-resonant recording units which trace or "scratch" linear records with styli on metallic record plates. No electrical or other power source is needed to make the records, so that the instrument may stand by for many years without attention. The case has, typically, about sixteen separate compartments with a recording unit installed in each. Each unit has a different natural (resonant) frequency, in the range between about 1 to 32 Hz. The record plates are all alike, except for keying or locating grooves, and all the recording units are made to have about the same sensitivity in terms of stylus deflection per unit acceleration. A problem addressed here is that in any simple linear mass-spring system, the static sag (deflection of the mass at 1 g) is inherently related to the natural frequency by an inverse square law.

Abstract: A diaper-changing aid for infants or retarded children, comprising a base which supports a vertical barrier of mesh, netting or other soft yieldable material which extends across the baby's chest. The barrier keeps the baby's hands out of the way and occupied. It is preferably stretched across an arch-shaped frame, with elastic fastened along the middle portion of the lower edge of the netting. One side of the arch is pivoted or hinged to the base, so that it can be swung up. The baby is then laid down on the base and the arch swung down and its opposite end fastened down by a suitable catch device. The elastic extends across the baby's chest. The diapering process may then proceed on the lower side of the barrier. Toys may be hung from the arch. Adjustable ankle straps may be provided at the lower portion of the base. The base may be made of a solid sheet of composition board or the like with padding on top.