Abstract: An improved smoke detector incorporating means for verifying the detector's smoke sensitivity limits, such verification means including means for positively positioning various light reflecting surfaces to provide predetermined light reflection onto light sensing means to create simulated smoke levels.

Abstract: An improved automatic rearview mirror system which is particularly adapted for use with automotive vehicles and which may be utilized as a fully integrated inside/outside rearview mirror system or as an inside or an outside rearview mirror system. The system includes a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal applied thereto, and the system also includes improved means operable to apply an electrical signal to the variable reflectance member to vary the reflectivity of such member as a function of sensed ambient light and sensed glare causing light.

Abstract: An improved automotive vehicle wheel cover lock for releasably anchoring a wheel cover to a wheel lug stud, the improved wheel cover lock including a flexible cable having an annular terminal defining an opening adapted to receive the wheel lug stud. A locking housing is provided which defines an axially extending bore open at each end and having an internally threaded section at one end thereof and an enlarged section at the opposite end thereof. In addition, the housing defines a pair of aligned passageways which communicate with the enlarged section of the bore and are adapted to receive the cable, and a locking screw is provided which threadably engages the internally threaded section of the body and bears against the cable to deflect the cable within the elastic limits thereof into locking engagement with the edge portions of the housing that define the aligned passageways.

Abstract: An improved bullet trap effective to stop and retain bullets fired from a firearm and enabling the recovery of such bullets in a reuseable condition. The bullet trap includes an elongate tubular housing defining a chamber open at each end, and a pair of cover assemblies are provided which are releasably secured to the opposite end portions of the housing, the cover assemblies each including a membrane formed of a material easily penetrated by a bullet fired from a firearm. The chamber defined by the housing is loosely filled with a relatively low density filler material in the form of particles effective to stop and retain bullets fired therein without significant deformation of the bullets. The bullet trap also includes a basket incorporating an open mesh screen which enables removal of bullets from the trap without requiring removal of the filler material therefrom.

Abstract: A utility usage data and event data acquisition system effective to acquire input serial data messages representing the amount of consumed utility services and/or binary event data from one or several external sources having differing drive signal requirements, the system also being effective to reformat the input data and append an identification code and an error detection code to the acquired data, and thereafter transmit messages comprising the identification code, the acquired data, the error detection code and other control information to a central location through the agency of coaxial cables, public switched telephone networks or other transmission facilities utilizing data terminals which accept serial binary messages at logic level voltages. Data message transmission is initiated either at random times by an algorithm within the control program of a microprocessor incorporated in the system or from an externally applied command signal.

Abstract: An improved photoelectric smoke detector and alarm system which may be incorporated in a single station, completely self-contained unitary structure, or which may be incorporated in a multi-station detector system that is capable of self-contained operation but which can also be interconnected with other detectors whereby when any one detector's alarm sounds, all of the other alarms automatically sound in the other interconnected structures, the improved smoke detector and alarm system including a piezoceramic electrically activatable alarm, an illuminating circuit including a gallium aluminum arsenide light emitting diode, and a smoke sensing circuit including a pair of identical photoelectric cells formed on the same substrate with the photoelectric cells mounted in proximity to the light emitting diode whereby light emanating from the light emitting diode impinges upon one of the dual photoelectric cells at all times and impinges upon the other of the dual photoelectric cells to change the conductivity of

Abstract: An adjustable jig incorporating combined magnetic and mechanical means for adjustably mounting the jig on a workpiece support whereby the jig may be utilized to locate and maintain the correct positional relationship between components of work during assembly and manufacture thereof.

Abstract: An electronic water heater thermostat system for controlling the heating of water in residential and commercial water heaters, the system incorporating improved circuitry for controlling the water temperature set point and hysteresis and enabling the use of low cost, low tolerance potentiometers providing a precision voltage ratio for use in the system circuitry.

Abstract: An arrow support, sight and guide for supporting, aiming and guiding arrows from an archery bow and enabling rapid shooting of arrows of various shaft diameters with increased accuracy, the arrow support, sight and guide including a body defining an internal passageway that is open at each end. A plurality of angularly spaced ribs carried by the body project into the passageway and terminate at substantially flat support surfaces which extend longitudinally of the passageway and which are adapted to engage tangentially the periphery of a cylindrical shaft of an arrow. In one embodiment of the invention, one of the support surfaces is adjustable relative to the longitudinal axis of the passageway while in other embodiments of the invention, all of the support surfaces are fixed. A plurality of sighting pins are carried by the body, the sighting pins being adjustable for applicable range distances and windage.

Abstract: An electronic control system for automatic rearview mirrors for automotive vehicles, the control system being effective to detect and compare the relative brightness of light forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle and respond automatically to annoying glare from the rear of the vehicle and move a reflective element from a full reflective mode to a partial reflective mode and thereafter automatically return the reflective element to a full reflective mode after the source of the annoying glare is removed, the glare threshhold being determined as a function of the ambient light level, of a long, smoothed time average of the ambient light level, of a short smoothed time average of the glare producing light level, and of the recent activity of the mirror.

Abstract: A shutoff valve for the downspouts of fuel trucks or tankers, the shutoff valve being installed at the inlet of a downspout and serving to seal off the inlet of the downspout until such time as overflow fuel or other liquids can be safely drained off from an overflow liquid well provided at the top of the tank. The valve includes manually actuatable means for opening the valve and also includes means for automatically closing the valve in the event of a fire.

Abstract: An adjustable jig incorporating combined magnetic and mechanical means for adjustably mounting the jig on a workpiece support whereby the jig may be utilized to locate and maintain the correct positional relationship between components of work during assembly and manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A clutch brake particularly adapted for use with heavy duty automotive vehicle clutches, the clutch brake including an annular base comprised of a pair of initially separate sections incorporating radial interlocking teeth which permit the clutch brake to be assembled and installed on the driven shaft of the clutch without requiring disassembly of such driven shaft.

Abstract: A utility usage data and event data acquisition system effective to acquire input serial data messages representing the amount of consumed utility services and/or binary event data from one or several external sources having differing drive signal requirements, the system also being effective to reformat the input data and append an identification code and an error detection code to the acquired data, and thereafter transmit messages comprising the identification code, the acquired data, the error detection code and other control information to a central location through the agency of coaxial cables, public switched telephone networks or other transmission facilities utilizing data terminals which accept serial binary messages at logic level voltages. Data message transmission is initiated either at random times by an algorithm within the control program of a microprocessor incorporated in the system or from an externally applied command signal.

Abstract: An improved inside rearview mirror for automotive vehicles, the mirror including a reflective element having a full reflectance mode and a partial reflectance mode, and also incorporating improved means including a conveniently situated, manually actuatable electrical switch for indexing the reflective element successively between the full reflective and partial reflective modes each time the switch is actuated.

Abstract: A dual photoelectric cell assembly incorporating a unitary dual element photoelectric cell having first and second light sensing areas, the assembly also including a plurality of light reflecting surfaces. The dual element photoelectric cell and the reflecting surfaces are potted in transparent potting compound in a transparent housing whereby light emanating from a first direction is reflected onto the first light sensing area of the dual element photoelectric cell and light emanating from a second direction is reflected onto the second light sensing area of the dual element photoelectric cell.

Abstract: A dispenser for perforated bathroom tissue and the like, said dispenser including a housing defining a generally cubical chamber adapted to receive a roll of tissue, and a cover pivotally connected to the housing, the cover including a support member and a tension member mounted on said housing for combined pivotal and translatory movement between a dispensing position in which the support member and the tension member cooperate to define a dispensing guide path therebetween and a loading position in which the support member and the tension member define a loading slot having a relatively wide cross sectional area permitting easy insertion of a leader portion of the roll of tissue therethrough.

Abstract: An improved wood splitting tool which incorporates improved multiple wedge means adapted to engage the wood with successively increasing wedge angles and decreasing area contact whereby the efficiency of the wood splitting tool is increased and wood of various varieties and sizes may be split with a minimum of force.

Abstract: An alignment adapter and support particularly adapted for use with heavy duty jacks, the adapter and support including improved means for aligning and supporting relatively heavy and/or unwieldy components, such as automotive vehicle transmissions, differentials, torque converters and other heavy and/or unwieldy components, and enabling precise alignment of such components with mating components to facilitate installation thereof.

Abstract: An improved inside rearview mirror particularly adapted for use with automotive vehicles, the mirror incorporating improved means for detecting and comparing the relative brightness of light forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle and improved means responding automatically to annoying glare from the rear of the vehicle to move a reflective element from a full reflective mode to a partial reflective mode and also automatically return the reflective element to a full reflective mode after the source of the annoying glare is removed.