Abstract: Guides to facilitate color grading of faceted gemstones such as rubies and sapphires. Each guide has a series of simulated standards thereon representing a range of grades for a particular class of colored stones and serving as reference points for comparing an unknown therewith in a standardized lighting environment. The guide is constituted by a strip of reflective metal, foil or metallized film sandwiched between a back panel and a top panel having a row of port holes therein, each exposing a reflective zone on the strip. The zone is embossed to create a radial array of wedge-shaped segments, each of which is serrated to define a series of prism-like steps that run from the apex to the base of the segment to provide a pattern simulating the reflective properties of a step-cut faceted stone. Interposed between each zone and its associated hole is a planar optical filter whose coloration is such that in combination with the underlying reflective zone, it creates a respective color grade in the range thereof.

Abstract: A flow regulating carburetor having a movable control element operating within the throat of a venturi air passage, the element being automatically displaced to vary the effective size of the throat as a function of the mass-volume of the air stream flowing through the passage. This produces a velocity-pressure differential acting automatically to regulate the quantity of fuel induced through a fuel tube communicating with the throat and intermingling with the air stream to provide a ratio of air-to-fuel representing the optimum value for the prevailing condition of engine speed and load throughout the entire engine operating range, thereby effecting a marked improvement in fuel economy and reducing the emission of pollutants.

Abstract: A wrist-borne launcher for a toy vehicle having a road-engaging flywheel mounted on an axle, one end of which extends through the bearing of a false wheel and terminates in a male coupler coaxial with a ring on the outer hub thereof. When not in use, the vehicle is held on a platform having a battery compartment, the platform being provided at its underside with a wrist-engaging cuff. Wires from the battery compartment pass through an arm cantilevered from the platform to reach over the hand of the player. The wires are connected to an electric motor housed in a power box supported at the free end of the arm, a depressible switch being connected in series with the motor. The shaft of the motor terminates in a female coupler coaxially disposed within a cylindrical socket formed in the side of the box corresponding to the underside of the platform, a switch actuator being interposed between the female coupler and the rim of the socket.

Abstract: An electro-inertial precipitator unit for removing particulate contaminants from a gaseous stream passing through a collector tube having a discharge electrode coaxially disposed therein to establish an electrostatic field between the electrode and a downwardly-flowing liquid film on the inner surface of the tube. The gaseous stream is introduced tangentially into an upper inlet section of the tube to impart a swirling motion thereto, the liquid being supplied to an annular inlet slot just below the gas inlet section. Because of the centrifugal force generated by the cyclonic motion, the particles in the gaseous stream are urged to migrate toward the liquid film, this migration being further promoted by the electrostatic force acting on the particles which are charged with ions in the field. To avoid wetting of the inlet section, thereby causing dust to deposit thereon, this inlet section is provided with a hydrophobic surface in the region above the inlet slot.

Abstract: An identification technique for micro-organisms in which a dilute solution of a culture medium containing an unknown micro-organism has added thereto an emissive agent such as a radioactive amino acid to produce a mix of emissive products that depends on the metabolic mechanism of the micro-organism. After a predetermined incubation period, the reaction is arrested and the solution layered onto a gel plate where it is subjected to electrophoresis. The plate is then autoradiographed by exposing the gel to a sensitive photographic film for a period sufficient to produce thereon a characteristic band pattern functioning as an identifier for the micro-organism. Identification may be effected by comparing the identifier for the unknown with a collection of identifiers for known micro-organisms to find a match with one of these known identifiers.

Abstract: An enhanced grease usable with high-speed bearings and in other applications involving severe operating conditions where standard greases normally give rise to overheating, excessive wear and failure of the parts being lubricated within a relatively short operating period. The enhanced grease has two major components--the first being a hybrid lubricant constituted by a stable suspension of sub-micronic PTFE particles in an oil carrier; the second component acting as a gelling agent for the first component and being in the form of a standard grease composed of a thickener dispersed in a lubricating oil. The ratio, by volume, of the two components is such that the resultant semi-solid gel has thixotropic properties and exceptional lubricating characteristics.

Abstract: A technique for enhancing the mechanical, thermal or other properties of an open-cell synthetic plastic foam body by injecting filler particles into the cells thereof. The filler particles, which may take the form of micro-spheres of glass, metal powers or other additives, depending on the property to be enhanced, are fed into a pressurized stream of air which is projected at high velocity to fluidize the particles. The stream is directed toward the surface of the body to cause the particles carried thereby to impregnate the cells.

Abstract: A stretchable textile heat-exchange jacket which wraps about and conforms to a limb, an arm or other body member and functions therapeutically to heat or cool the member. The jacket is formed by a sheet of elastic fabric material having threaded therein an array of flexible plastic pipes whose respective ends are coupled to an inlet fluid distributor and an outlet fluid collector. The sheet is provided at its opposing sides with complementary fabric fastener components to releasably hold the jacket securely in place on the body member even when the member is flexed. Fluid at a controlled temperature from a pressurized fluid source is fed into the inlet distributor, the fluid from the outlet collector being returned to the source for recirculation through the pipes.

Abstract: A multi-channel transparent jacket to accommodate microfilm strips having a given thickness. The jacket is constituted by top and bottom rectangular panels of flexible synthetic plastic material and plastic ribs formed in situ along parallel lines between the panels and integrally bonded thereto to maintain the panels in spaced relation and to define open-ended channels whose width is substantially equal to the width of the strips. The thickness of the ribs is substantially equal to that of the strips whereby when the strips are held within the channels.

Abstract: A collapsible tow cart for transporting a load of beach items over sandy terrain to a beach site. The cart whose structure, save for the wheels, is fabricated of light weight metal tubing, has three basic components: the first of which is a rectangular main frame having parallel sides and upturned ends to define a carrying bed for the beach items. Perpendicular to the main frame and attached to the front thereof in a T-formation are the parallel sides of a rectangular cross frame whose down-turned ends are V-shaped. The apexes of these ends lie below the main frame and are joined by a transverse axle. Mounted on this axle in the open region between the ends of the cross frame and the sides of the main frame are two identical balls which function as cart wheels.

Abstract: An aroma-dispensing cartridge and holder assembly attachable to an air vent in the interior of an automobile. When activated, the assembly functions to diffuse an aromatic vapor into the forced air stream emitted through the vent into the interior. The assembly is constituted by a holder provided with an array of parallel slots and a replaceable cartridge which is telescoped therein. The cartridge contains a porous pad impregnated with a liquid scent and includes a like array of slots. The inserted cartridge is axially shiftable relative to the holder from an inactive position in which the holder and cartridge slots are out of registration to effectively seal the pad, to an active position in which the slots lie in registration, as a consequence of which the forced air stream from the vent passes through the porous pad to volatilize the liquid scent.

Abstract: A player for a pre-recorded sound magnetic tape package in a cartridge or a cassette format in which each package is united with a three-dimensional character thematically related to the recording and animated thereby. The character is provided with eye and mouth openings covered by translucent elements. Housed in the character are light guides extending from the eye and mouth elements to a common optical inlet. When the package is inserted in the player to effect actuation thereof, the character is then at an erect position thereabove and the optical inlet is then in registration with a light outlet on the player behind which is a light bulb connected to the audio output thereof. As the recorded sound is reproduced, the light emitted by the bulb is modulated in accordance therewith. The resultant light pulses are conveyed by the guides to the eye and mouth elements to impart animation to the character in synchronism with the reproduced sound.

Abstract: A remotely-controlled toy vehicle having a steering mechanism and driven by a dc motor selectively connected to a battery by a multi-position switch in a polarity which causes forward or reverse movement. Remote control is effected by a handset having first and second master diaphragm chambers linked through a flexible pneumatic line to first and second slave diaphragm chambers in the vehicle, one slave being operatively coupled to the steering mechanism and the other to the motor control switch. The handset is provided with a torsion bar having a handle, the bar being both swingable from side to side and also being rotatable. The bar is so coupled to the diaphragms of the master chambers whereby when the player swings the bar toward the left or right, this movement is pneumatically transmitted to the steering mechanism of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to turn toward the left or right.

Abstract: A method for the identification of microorganisms comprises adding to a sample containing an unknown microorganism an emissive agent such as a radioactive amino acid to produce a mix of emissive products that depends on the metabolic mechanism of the microorganism. After incubation, the reaction is arrested and the emissive products are separated, as by electrophoresis on a gel plate. The plate may then be autoradiographed by exposure to a photographic film to produce on the latter a characteristic band pattern functioning as an identifier for the microorganism. Identification can be effected by comparing the identifier for the unknown with a collection of identifiers for known microorganisms to find a match with one of these known identifiers. The comparison may be carried out by scanning the unknown identifier to produce a signal which is compared with signals representing known identifiers stored in a computer.

Abstract: A gas-fueled cigarette lighter having front and rear walls defined by plates which are joined together by a plurality of ribs to resist pressure produced by the gas, wherein the lighter has a flat ultra-thin format which lends itself to insertion between the inner and outer wrappers of a standard cigarette pack so that the smoker is never at a loss for a light and the inserted lighter functions as a stiffener to prevent crushing of the pack. The lighter is constituted by a card-like body having a shallow reservoir therein filled with liquified gas. Fitting into a corner cut-out in the body is a lighter assembly whose thickness is not greater than that of the body. The assembly includes a valve-controlled nozzle coupled to the reservoir and an adjacent thumb wheel against which a flint is pressed such that when the wheel is turned it abrades the flint to generate sparks that ignite vapor emitted from the nozzle.

Abstract: An articulated optical arm adapted to optically link an endoscopic telescope to a viewing station through a series of mechanically interhinged and optically intercoupled arm sections, the last arm in the series being coupled to a terminal eyepiece through an image-erecting barrel which is rotatable by a barrel rotator to correct for image displacement. Associated with the endoscope are surgical instruments for performing an operation at the surgical site viewed by the endoscope. In order to make it possible for a surgeon while manipulating the instrument with his hands to rotate the barrel to maintain an erect image, the barrel rotator includes a bi-directional motor controlled by a foot-operated switch.

Abstract: A public access network operating in conjunction with existing telecommunication lines to permit a caller holding a machine-readable credit card to make calls from any local station included in the network without having to deposit coins and without human intervention. The network is constituted by a master control central linked to a group of satellites installed at different locations, such as airport terminals. At every installation, the satellite acts as a hub for many local telephone stations each provided with a standard telephone set and a card reader adapted to scan the caller's credit card to derive therefrom a digital signal identifying the card, its number and expiration date. This signal from an originating local station is transmitted through the associated satellite to a verification processor at the central to test the card number against a stored table of invalid numbers and in other respects to determine the acceptability of the card.