Abstract: A linear mechanical variator or stepless variable speed drive of the type wherein the transmission ratio between two members or shafts is varied by increasing or reducing the center distance between a radial discs unit of the variator associated with one of said shafts, and a roller crown unit of the variator, associated with the other of said shafts, the rollers being interposed between the discs.

Abstract: A tool rack providing a pair of transversely spaced tool receiving recesses defined by transversely aligned tool supporting walls; a spring mounted between the walls in position for engagement by a tool inserted in the recesses with the spring positioned to engage a midportion of the tool between the walls and to be resiliently deflected away from the walls to resiliently hold the tool in a three-point support. The walls are preferably inclined to the direction of resilient deflection of the spring and in the direction of increasing the spring deflection upon removal of the tool from the recess.

Abstract: A joint sealant composition that is compatible with Portland cement and with asphalt including, on a weight basis, from 57% to 75% of an aromatic petroleum tar boiling between 220.degree. C. and 650.degree. C., from 5% to 18% of an oil-soluble ground rubber, from 10% to 17% of inorganic filler, and from 3% to 6.5% PVC with the combined weight of PVC not exceeding 23% of the composition.

Abstract: A rotating pad support structure for a floor buffing machine adapted to secure and mount in contact with a floor to be buffed and to rotationally drive a flexible circular floor buffing pad. The structure comprises a drive disc which is normally supported and driven in a horizontal plane and the buffing pad is mounted on the underside of the disc so as to present the bottom working face of the pad to the floor. The disc is specially structured to provide an effective floor buffing area of the pad confined to a peripheral annulus not exceeding about 40% of the area of the pad face.

Abstract: A side mirror for vehicles, with two mirrors arranged at a given angle to each other, of which the first, larger mirror is the normal side mirror and the second, smaller, additional mirror is intended to encompass the blind spot.

Abstract: A device for lifting a cover plate, the cover plate having a hole therein with opposed beveled surfaces, preferably at the center of gravity of the plate, which device includes a lifting element having an eye extended above laterally expanded, beveled portions, the beveled portions being slightly shallower than the thickness of the plate and of dimensions adapted to correspond in size and angle with the beveled surfaces of the plate.

Abstract: A cold setting molding material which includes sand and a polyurethane binder with the polyol portion of the polyurethane reaction mixture containing a tertiary amino group and phenolic hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the level of solution in a plant container of a hydroponic irrigation system is disclosed. The valve includes a chamber having a top wall with an opening for the passage of liquid therethrough and having an inlet port below the top wall. Hydroponic irrigation solution is pumped into the container by way of the inlet port. A closure member within the chamber is moveable into a position blocking the flow of liquid through the opening by a lost-motion connection to a float and is held in its blocking position, so long as the pump continues to operate, by the pressure of the liquid in the chamber.

Abstract: Cold-setting, polyurethane-based molding material binder for producing molds and cones comprising phenolic polyol and a polyisocyanate characterized in that the polyol is dissolved in a polar high boiling solvent which has a Hansen hydrogen bonding solubility parameter of at least 3.5.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the resonant frequency of an optical interferometer cavity having a part having a dimension defining the resonant frequency. An electrical conductor adapted for connection to a source of electrical potential is mounted on and mechanically secured to the part of the cavity which has the dimension defining the resonant frequency. The electrical conductor provides a conduction path substantially parallel to the frequency defining dimension of the aforementioned cavity part and has a coefficient of thermal expansion. Mechanical force is transmitted to the aforementioned cavity part as a function of electrothermally induced change in the length of the electrical conductor, thus causing a change in the resonant frequency of the cavity.

Abstract: An electrical shock free submersible, remote control switch assembly for controlling the operation of electrically powered apparatus used with swimming pools, spas and the like is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a permanent magnet actuated reed switch mounted in a battery powered, low voltage electrical circuit. The low voltage circuit, in turn, is optically coupled by an opto-isolator to a relay circuit, which is used to open and close the high voltage circuit powering the electrical pumps, lights, blowers, etc. at the pool or spa.

Abstract: A device for determining the annual solar exposure of a site which includes a wide angle viewer and a transparent screen having the paths of the sun at various times of year drawn on it, and with the viewer and screen fixed with respect to each other so that when one looks from north toward south through the viewer the paths of the sun at various times of the year are superimposed on the site being investigated.

Abstract: A transfer stool for use with and carrying by a wheelchair is disclosed. The transfer stool includes a relatively narrow seat, a plurality of legs foldably secured to the seat for movement to and from a collapsed condition and an extended condition, wheels rotatably mounted to the legs, and a mounting structure for carrying of the transfer stool by the wheelchair in a collapsed condition, preferably in the same location as the conventional armrest structure of the wheelchair. In order to deploy the stool, the user slides the collapsed transfer stool forwardly from its stored position along the side of the chair, rotates the stool to a horizontal position, and extends the legs of the stool. The user can then shift from the chair to the stool, raise the folding back of the stool and move the stool independently of the chair to afford access to areas having relatively narrow passageways that would not accommodate a conventional wheelchair.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the determination of the standard tensile yield point in which the extension of a test body is monitored, comprises determining in the course of continuous extension within the elastic limit, the ratio of the instantaneous extension and the associated load, storing this ratio and in the course of further continuous extension the ratios of a given residual extension as well as that of the instantaneous extension and the instantaneous load are determined, the stored ratio value is summed with the ratio of the given residual extension and the instantaneous load, and the thus obtained sum is compared with the ratio of the instantaneous load whereby the instantaneous load at which the compared values become substantially equal gives the tensile yield stress at the given residual.

Abstract: For slat conveyors in which transverse slats are supported on closed loop carrying straps which circulate in the conveying direction, there is the need to removably secure the slats to the conveying straps. Fixing means which allow the slat to be removable, such as nut and bolt pairs hitherto have been impractical due to the inaccessibility in the use of the lower one of the pair, i.e. from below the conveying strap (once it is installed in the conveyor). By now forming the nut as a threaded nipple embedded in the conveying strap the need for access to the nut is obviated. The nipple receives a fixing screw passed through the slat. The nipple is arranged to be rotationally locked relative to the strap, optionally by ribs. A pair of nipples and a tooth for engagement with a tooth-engaging-roller, may be formed integrally by injection moulding techniques and self-tapping screws may be employed.

Abstract: A method for welding ferrous alloys to aluminum alloys or refractory metals includes the step of coating the portion of the ferrous alloy to be welded with an intermediate metal compound or element such as gold alloy or silver. An accelerated particle beam is directed at the area to be welded, and is defocused so that approximately one third of the beam energy falls on higher melting point metal, while the remainder of the beam energy is directed to the portion of the lower melting point material adjacent to the weld line and subsequently melting it. The intermediate metal compound or element dissolves in the metal alloy having the lower melting point. As the melted alloy solidifies, the intermediate compound or element precipitates out of solution and diffuses to the interface of the alloy having the higher melting point. The diffused layer bonds to the higher melting point metal, to effect a metallurgical bond.

Abstract: An ocular fixation device for mounting on an ophthalmological examination instrument used for examining the eyes of a patient comprises a pair of light emitters mounted for individual left and right eye viewing by the patient. The light emitters are connected to an electric circuit which enables an examiner to selectively, individually energize the light emitters, thus fixing the patient's gaze as required for certain examination and treatment procedures.