Abstract: A multiplexer for an ultrasonic ranging device for a vehicle having a resettable digital counter is disclosed herein. The digital counter receives a plurality of pulses from an oscillator and provides a counter output signal indicative of the stored count of the number of pulses. A plurality of logic gates are connected to the digital counter for control thereby. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are connected to the logic gates, the logic gates sequentially energizing the transducers in response to the stored count in the digital counter.

Abstract: In a portable freezer for preparation of sherbet, ice cream, and other frozen confections, of a type comprising a stationary bucket, which has an open top and is adapted to hold ice, salt, and brine, a removable can, which is adapted to hold confections being frozen, and which is seated within the bucket so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis, a removable head, which comprises horizontal arms bridging the open top of the bucket and a cover covering the can and its contents, a motor, which is arranged to rotate the can within the bucket about said vertical axis in one rotational sense, and a dasher, which is mounted within the can and beneath the cover so as to remain relatively stationary as the can is rotated, an improvement is disclosed wherein the dasher is journalled so as to be rotatable about said vertical axis, wherein the dasher is restrained by resilient means permitting a range of limited rotation of the dasher about said vertical axis and biasing the dasher so as to oppose such rotation of the

Abstract: A coffeemaker in which heated water infuses coffee grounds held in a basket, includes a spreader, which is associated with the basket, and which is adjustable so as to enable relative proportions of the water bypassing and not bypassing the grounds to be adjusted. None of the water bypasses the grounds at one selected position, for four dry measures of coffee grounds and four liquid measures of heated water, whereas a small portion of the water bypasses the grounds at another selected position, for more dry measures of coffee grounds and more liquid measures of heated water.

Abstract: A magnetic tachometer sensor for a motor control circuit having a motor driven interrupter wheel in proximity thereto supplies a motor speed signal to a frequency to voltage converter. The frequency to voltage converter produces a DC signal proportional to the speed of the interrupter wheel. The DC signal is compared to a user selected reference voltage in an error amplifier, thereby producing an error signal. The error signal is supplied to an output comparator which also receives a sawtooth timing reference signal in synchronism with power supply alternating current. The output comparator switches to trigger a triac into conduction when the sawtooth signal voltage exceeds the error voltage, thereby providing highly accurate timing of the switching point of the triac. The triac is arranged to provide a phase angle speed control for an electric motor used in a household appliance.

Abstract: In food-mixing apparatus comprising a driving unit and an arm, a latching and pivoting mechanism is adapted to be latched automatically so as to prevent relative movement of the arm and a console of the driving unit upon pivotal movement of the arm either to a lowered position or a raised position, and so as to prevent relative movement of the arm and the console, except for pivotal movement of the arm, upon pivotal movement of the arm to a pivotal position therebetween. The mechanism is adapted to be unlatched manually so as to permit pivotal movement of the arm from any pivotal position, and so as to permit the arm to be removed from the console upon further movement of the arm from the raised position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic ranging device for use in a vehicle having a high frequency oscillator supplying continuous sine wave signals to a power amplifier through a first gate controlled by a timer. A second gate controlled by the timer supplies an amplified sine wave signal from the power amplifier to a piezoelectric transducer mounted on an exterior portion of a vehicle. The transducer produces a series of repeated ultrasonic pulses and receives echoes from nearby objects converting the echoes into electrical return signals. A receiver amplifies the return signals and supplies them to a coincidence gate, which is enabled for relatively short time intervals by a timer. The coincidence gate supplies an output signal to an indicator when the return signal is detected during the interval that the gate is enabled.

Abstract: A filter, which may be used to filter particles of resin as well as protect against sudden loss of resin from an effluent discharged from an ion-exchange column, a first plate mounted between a flanged end of a first branch and a flanged end of a pipe, a second plate mounted between a blind flange and a flanged end of a second branch, and a perforated tube fitted through said branches so as to leave an annular space around the perforated tube. A first end of the perforated tube is threaded into a threaded aperture in the first plate to provide for manufacturing tolerances. A second end of the perforated tube is received by an annular groove on one face of the second plate to provide for a particle-tight seal, and the annular groove circumscribes a larger aperture in the second plate. A flanged end of a third branch is mounted to a flanged end of another pipe. A transparent sight may be provided at a fourth branch.

Abstract: In a mower equipped with a grasscatcher, the grasscatcher is attached easily by means projecting upwardly from a deck of the mower, means being integral to a rigid portion of the grasscatcher and embracing the projecting means when the grasscatcher is mounted to the deck, and a block which cooperates with an upper lip on the rigid portion so as to restrain the grasscatcher from being detached unintentionally from the deck if the grasscatcher happens to be bumped from beneath, but so as to enable the grasscatcher to be detached easily.

Abstract: In an apparatus for thermal treatment of semiconductors in a treating gas, a cylindrical plug extends into a treating tube so as to substantially fill the treating tube, as far as the cylindrical plug extends into the treating tube, except for a clearance provided around the cylindrical plug, between the cylindrical plug and the treating tube, whereby formation of convection currents in the treating gas is prevented. The cylindrical plug may be separate from a sealing closure, integral with the sealing closure, or integral with the treating tube. If integral with the treating tube, the cylindrical plug has a tubular portion and a bottom portion, which plugs the tubular portion but is removable.