Abstract: In an electrical switch including a housing and a button in which the button, by means of a manual depression thereof in a single direction is movable relative to the housing between two positions and during this movement causes a snap spring inserted in the button to slip from a first extreme position to a second one, the snap spring is set up or interlocked between two bearings or seats provided in opposite walls of the housing. The central part of the snap spring is arranged in a bridge member which carries resilient contact fingers. The bridge member is further arranged with a two-sided clearance in a recess provided in the button. The switch overcomes the problems of microphonic noise generated by any movement between the button and the housing and reduces considerably the contact resistances at the contact points due to a scrabing movement between the metal parts establishing the electrical connections.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for recovering bitumen from tar sands and the like in which the tar sand is mechanically dislodged from the formation in which it is deposited and in which a solvent for the bitumen is mixed with the mined material to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen and thereby facilitate the transfer of the mined material to an operation where the bitumen is separated from solid components of the tar sand.

Abstract: A detector to detect angular positions of a rotatable magnet, i.e., a magnetic compass, having one or more flux-sensitive components, namely Hall-elements. The detector includes a substantially flat and circular carrying body to be mounted on the top or bottom of a compass. On the carrying body the Hall-elements are mounted parallel to and close to the flat surface and positioned on diameters perpendicular to axes of symmetry of the flat surface. The carrying body can be rotatably fastened on the compass case and locked in desired predetermined positions.

Abstract: A process for preparing infusions of aromatic substances such as coffee and tea comprising the steps of confining a predetermined mass of discrete particles of said substance in a closed water permeable supporting and filtering container of predetermined dimensions, and repeatedly submerging said container with the substance therein within a predetermined volume of hot water, the relationship of the container dimensions and the mass being such that when the container is submerged in hot water the thickness of the mass therein is maintained less than a predetermined critical thickness of irreversible self-compactness, the repeated submerging and withdrawing of the container effecting repeated admission and drainage of hot water from the container thereby promoting successive states of decompaction and reversible compactness of the particles in the confined mass, until a desired degree of concentration of the infusion is attained in the body of water, and containers for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A method of making golf balls wherein an elastomeric spherical core is formed with a series of narrow shallow surface channels each lying on great circles passing through opposite pole areas, and similar hemispherical cover shells are compression molded upon the core and joined along a transverse seam lying in a plane that intersects all of the great circles, preferably at about 90.degree..

Abstract: Fastener tools having a rotatable output member to which a fastener engageable component can be attached, a motor for rotating the output member, and a transducer for measuring the torques to which fasteners are tightened by the tool.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions containing 2 or more chloride salts, selected from KCl, NaCl, MgCl.sub.2 and CaCl.sub.2, are injected into meats to enhance tenderness. Concentration of the compounds ranges from 0.3 molar to 2.0 molar when KCl and NaCl are used and from 0.05 molar to 0.6 molar when MgCl.sub.2 and CaCl.sub.2 are used. Injection amounts range from 2% to 10% of the weight of the meat being treated.

Abstract: A method of fire fighting wherein open ended nozzle units are mounted in high rise or like building walls so that fluid conduits may be coupled from outside the room or space containing a fire within the building. This provides a special building structure wherein opposite ends of nozzle units may be accessible from different rooms, and the nozzle units are tubular bodies containing internally formed insert tubes defining the fluid flow pattern.

Abstract: A coupling having male and female coupling members, at least one coupling lever pivotally mounted on the female coupling member and having a cam portion engageable in a groove in the male coupling member for releaseably coupling the male and female coupling members together, and at least one safety locking device for locking the coupling lever against accidental displacement from its coupling position. The safety locking device includes a reciprocally mounted locking pin or member, a spring for biasing the locking pin to a locking position where it overlies the coupling lever in its coupling position to block movement of the coupling lever to its uncoupling position, and a manually manipulatable lever member engaging the locking pin and pivotal to retract the locking pin to a lock-release position.

Abstract: A monorail mountain coaster for recreational transportation along an inclined path on a hill or mountain comprising a channel disposed on and spaced from the path, a chassis frame moveable along the channel, a coaster shell resiliently mounted on the chassis frame, riding wheels rotatably mounted on the chassis frame and engaged with the channel for movement of the frame along the channel, retainer wheels rotatably mounted to the frame disposed about and engaged with the channel to retain the frame on the channel and a brake pivotally mounted to the frame and engageable with the channel to stop the movement of the frame on the channel. The channel is suspended above the inclined path on, for example, the side of a hill, by suspension brackets which securely prevent the channel from moving. The frame with pivotally mounted shell is then allowed to roll along the channel on its wheels and provide entertaining and recreational transportation along the path.

Abstract: A handcart for retrieving tennis balls lying on a ground or floor surface and comprising a wheeled support structure adapted to be wheeled along said surface, a ball collection receptacle supported on said structure at approximately waist level about said surface, and means supported on said structure for picking up balls lying on said surface and depositing the picked-up balls in said receptacle.

Abstract: An improved two way side dump bucket attachment for an otherwise conventional front end loader having an arrangement for conventional bucket movement longitudinally of the loader. Unlatching of the bucket and lateral movement of the bucket to a selected side are accomplished simultaneously by activation of a single control.

Abstract: An improved regulator intended primarily for use as the essential component of a SCUBA system and being a single hose, two stage regulator incorporating a novel valve subassembly in the second stage in the form of a unique main diaphragm valve and a pilot valve assembly.

Abstract: A screwless wire terminal for electric conductors, consisting of a plate-shaped contact against which the conductors are pressed by means of a leaf spring of particular shape. The leaf spring has a U- and a T-shaped part, the stem of the latter starting at the inside of the U-shaped part. The two differently shaped spring parts lie at each side of the plate-shaped contact which has an aperture, the stem of the T-shaped part passing therethrough. Sharp spring edges at the T cross-piece engage the conductors thereby preventing conductor pull-out.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for a two-way information link, where a first one of two units or both units are intended to transmit an interrogation signal to the second unit, and the second unit is capable to transmit a response to the first unit.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating the symptoms of psoriasis consisting of topical application of a solution, gel, lotion, cream or ointment containing as a principal active ingredient one or more retinoyl compounds is disclosed. The active ingredient consists of one or more compounds which are retinoyl esters of a hydroxy acid, a hydroxy amide, or a hydroxy acid ester, or a retinoyl carbamic or thiocarbamic acid derivative. The composition of this invention may include a single member of the above active ingredients present in a total amount of from 0.01 to 5% by weight of the total composition, or a plurality thereof present in a preferred concentration of from 0.02 to 2% by weight of the total composition.

Abstract: Cooking utensils for both stovetop and oven cookery. They are primarily intended to be used in conjunction with a disposable bag to produce cooked comestibles of superior quality and to eliminate the cleaning appurtenant to the use of conventional cooking vessels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid dispensing system for dispensing fluid from a container under pressure. An automatically variable restrictor is disposed in the fluid line between the container and the faucet whereby a constant predetermined flow rate is provided at the faucet. In one form hereof, the containers are serially connected one to the other with the restrictor placed between the last container and the faucet. In another form hereof, series/parallel arrangements are provided wherein sets of serially connected containers are coupled in parallel one to the other with the last container of each set being fluid connected to the common faucet. A restrictor is placed in each set of serially connected containers between the last container and the parallel connection with the faucet whereby a constant flow rate through each parallel connected set of containers is obtained and equal to the number of sets of parallel connected containers divided by the desired flow rate through the common faucet.

Abstract: A stamp book vending machine wherein a motor driven slidable plate extracts a book from the bottom of a vertical stack and at the same time actuates a counter and discharges accumulated coins into a collection box, an independent arrangement being provided for selectively discharging accumulated coins into an externally open coin return pocket without dispensing a stamp book.

Abstract: A plural channel amplitude modulated frequency division multiplexed station carrier system wherein the receivers of the subscriber and central office channel terminal circuits are each equipped with a bandpass filter which is tuned to the carrier frequency to be received and with a circuit for synchronously detecting the carrier signal to which the bandpass filter is tuned. In the subscriber channel terminal circuits the bandpass filters are of the first order type, and in the central office channel terminal circuits the order of each bandpass filter is no greater than two.