Abstract: A phase-locked digital synthesizer comprises a voltage-controlled oscillator (6) supplying a frequency divider (7) the output of which is fed to a phase-sensitive detector (9) also receiving an input from a reference oscillator (10). The output of the detector (9) is fed back by a feedback loop to the voltage-controlled oscillator (6) to achieve phase-locking. The divider (7) receives an input from a logic circuit (8) to control the division ratio of the divider (7), the logic circuit being prompted by a control signal which is also used to select one of a plurality of loop filters (12,13) connected for selectable use in the feedback loop from the detector (9) to the voltage controlled oscillator (6), the selected loop filter being appropriate to the prompted division ratio. Other embodiments include compensating means to correct a loop phase error arising from a change in the division ratio.

Abstract: Laminate and method for protecting books using same. The laminate comprises a stiff rectangular sheet adhered through a pressure sensitive adhesive to a thin flexible transparent rectangular sheet, which is of the same height as but wider than the stiff sheet. The two sheets are juxtaposed so that 3 edges of each mutually coincide. The flexible sheet has a flexible rectangular side portion or extension to which the stiff sheet is not adhered. The stiff sheet is preferably of the same dimension as the book to be covered. To protect a book, one applies successively two laminates of preferred size so that each sheet is adhered to the outside of one book cover; and each flexible extension is adhered to the spine and the adjacent portion of the opposite cover. The back cover is preferably covered first. The laminates are cut to size when necessary. The spine and portions of each cover of a protected book have a two-ply covering, and the remaining portions of the book covers have one-ply coverings.

Abstract: Clear, transparent, single phase blends of polycarbonate and a polyalkyl methacrylate in which the alkyl radical contains from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and in which the polycarbonate and the polyalkyl methacrylate are miscible in all proportions are obtained. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the preferred polyalkyl methacrylate. These blends may be prepared by dissolving the two polymers in a mutual solvent having a boiling point of at least about 30.degree. C. and evaporating the solvent at a temperature of from about 30.degree. C. to the boiling point of the solvent. The preferred evaporation temperatures are from about 45.degree. C. to the boiling point of the solvent. This is in contrast to presently known PC/PMMA blends, which are miscible only when the content is nearly all PC or nearly all PMMA. Preferred blends according to this invention contain from 10 to 80 percent by weight of PC and conversely 90 to 20 percent by weight of PMMA. The single phase blends are moldable and transparent.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions are shown made from mixtures of EPDM and halogenated butyl rubber compounds. The mixture may either be dissolved in solvents and applied as adhesive solutions, or they may be incorporated with tackifiers and formed into adhesive tapes. The compositions are particularly useful in adhering strips of EPDM membrane roofing to each other; however, they may also be used as protective coatings and linings.

Abstract: An electrical resistance heater comprises a planar structure having a plurality of elements arranged in parallel side-by-side relationship. Each element comprises a casing containing a resistance heating wire which is embedded in a matrix of a material of good thermal conductivity. The casing has an upwardly radiating surface provided with a series of convolutions of which the re-entrant portions communicate with openings extending through the heater.

Abstract: A stool upholstered with a protective stool cover, and related objects are shown. The cover comprises a seat encapsulating, cover material, the lower edge of which is attached to a seat pan covering, shaped wall profile which protects against inadvertant, cover material damaging impact against the seat pan. The profile also eliminates the discernment of outlines of the edge of the interface between the seat pan and the cushioning material through the covering material. The profile includes a flange section adapted for attachment to the lower side of the seat pan, which extends at substantially right angles from one end of the seat pan edge covering collar section, as well as a seam section adapted for sewn attachment to the covering material. The seam section is offset and extends from the other end of the collar section, parallel and adjacent to a line of extension therefrom.

Abstract: A tension springs separation device for use in a system for automatically mounting tension springs to a seat frame of a seat for an automobile. In the separation device, there are provided two narrow portions in a feed passage in a part feeder, each of which has a width permitting only one tension spring to pass therethrough in the longitudinal direction, and there are provided two projected ramp portions each of which has a level difference slightly larger than the outside of the tension spring, whereby a large number of tension springs loaded into the part feeder can be sent out one by one sequentially.

Abstract: A height adjusting device is disclosed which adjusts the height of a seat cushion of an automotive seat in the vertical direction. In the height adjusting device, a seat cushion frame is mounted to one end of a bell crank rotatably supported by an upper rail of a seat adjuster, a connecting rod is connected to the other end of the bell crank, there is formed in the free end portion of the connecting rod a rack portion intermeshable with a pinion gear cooperatively connected with an operation knob, and the rack portion is grasped by and between the pinion gear and a rotary roller mounted to the upper rail.

Abstract: A semitrailer is described which is capable of conversion between a general freight carrying mode, and an automobile carrying mode. The floor of the semitrailer, which forms a lower tier, is fabricated in a discontinuous shape comprising from the rear end to the front end of the semitrailer an angled section, a drop section, and a horizontal section, the angled section extending downward at an angle whose vertex is located at the rear end of the semitrailer. An upper tier is formed by track supporting members mounted on each sidewall of the trailer which can be pivoted downward from a storage position adjacent to the sidewall, to a horizontal position where the components of the members are connected to form a continuous supporting structure.In the automobile carrying mode the track supporting members are deployed in their horizontal position, thereby permitting automobiles to be placed thereon in an upper storage tier.

Abstract: In a disc brake of the spreading type, angular movement of the pressure plates to apply the brake is effected by a brake-applying member which co-operates with at least one of the balls comprising a rolling actuator body and located in complementary opposed recess in the two plates. The member may comprise a wedge disposed between a pair of balls and radially displaceable to separate the balls. Alternatively the balls may be received in openings in the inner ends of a pair of toggle links, or in a fitting or other member which can be withdrawn from the brake in a radial direction. In another construction a ball is received in an opening in a bell-crank lever of which one arm reacts against one of the pressure plates.

Abstract: An irrigation channel gate uses flexible members which once released use the power of water flow to open and shut the gate. When flow in the channel is desired both an upstream gate and downstream gate are open. To stop flow the upstream gate is released. To reset the gates the down stream gate is closed and the upstream gate is opened. Opening of the downstream gate permits flow again. The gates essentially comprise a main member hinged on a horizontal axis at the base of the channel and flexible side pieces to connect the main member to a central frame.

Abstract: A servo-assisted master cylinder assembly for a vehicle hydraulic braking system has a tandem master cylinder with primary and secondary pistons operative to pressurise primary and secondary pressure spaces for primary and secondary brake circuits. A servo chamber is defined behind the primary piston, and pressurisation of the servo chamber from a source of pressure fluid is controlled by a valve in response to an input force applied to the primary piston. The valve comprises a spool operated solely by pressure in the primary space and a bias force from servo pressure in a bias chamber and a spring. The secondary piston has a smaller effective area than the primary piston, so that the pistons are in abutment in their retracted positions. To reduce pedal travel, one of the brakes of the primary circuit can be supplied from the servo chamber instead of the primary pressure space.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying a strong elastic sleeve on an article. Especially if the elastic sleeve is very strong and the article is somewhat fragile. It is intended for the container industry, but may have other uses.

Abstract: A painter's aid has a carrier for one or more paint brushes, the carrier being connected to the handle by an adjustable clamp which allows the orientation of the carrier to the handle to be carried about two axis.

Abstract: A seat suspension device for use in an automotive seat which comprises a pair of right and left X-shaped links for connecting a lower frame with an upper frame and a torsion bar journaled to the pivotally-connected portions of the two X-shaped links. The torsion bar includes two ends, with one end thereof being engaged with one of the X-shaped links and the other end engaged with the other X-shaped link, so that the upper frame can be supported resiliently relative to the lower frame.

Abstract: A structure of a lumbar support portion of a seat back of an automotive seat is disclosed. In a cushion member formed of foam material or in the portion thereof corresponding to the lumbar support portion, there is provided a block member embedded when the cushion member is formed by a mold. The block member comprises an impreganted portion where a foam solution for forming the cushion member is impregnated when the cushion member is foamed and is hardened afterwards, and a soft non-impregnated portion where the cushion member forming foam solution is not impregnated. A body pressure distribution is obtained in which the pressure in the impregnated portion is the greatest and the remaining pressures existing upwardly and downwardly of the greatest pressure are gradually decreased as they recede from the impregnated portion, resulting in the improved tuning of the seat.

Abstract: Novel self-reinforced polymer composites of a base polymer with a melt processable liquid crystal polymer are prepared according to this invention. The base polymer is a flexible chain polymer, e.g. a conventional thermoplastic. Polycarbonate is a particularly suitable base polymer. The liquid crystal polymer is melt processable, that is, it has a melting point and exhibits anisotropic properties in the melt phase. Wholly aromatic copolyesters are particularly suitable. Mixing is carried out at a temperature at which both the base polymer and the liquid crystal are melt processable, i.e., at a temperature at which the base polymer flows readily and the liquid crystal polymer is above its melting point. The products of this invention comprise about 2 to 20 percent by weight of liquid crystal polymer, which is in the form of essentially unidirectionally oriented continuous fibers primarily in the range of about 1 to 10 micrometers in diameter, distributed in a matrix of the base polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a roller rocker arm comprising a rocker arm body having a rocking center hole through which a rocker shaft is inserted and adapted to be rockably supported to the rocker shaft; a pair of forked projections projecting from the rocker arm body in a direction perpendicular to a tangent of a circle about a rocking center axis of the rocker arm body; a pair of pin holes formed through the pair of forked projections; a hollow roller pin inserted into the pair of pin holes and fixed between the pair of forked projections; a cam follower roller through which the roller pin is inserted; a plurality of needle rollers interposed between the cam follower roller and the roller pin for rotatably supporting the cam follower roller to the roller pin in such a manner as to extend in parallel one another in a longitudinal direction of the roller pin; a pair of disk-like spacers rotatably supported to the roller pin and interposed between ends of the needle rollers and the projections; and an adjuster mounte

Abstract: A lock is adapted for use within a box, container or fastening wherein the lock makes the box, container or fastening freely openable for a first opening, but locked after once opened and reclosed. The lock shown in a preferred embodiment is adapted to fit within a standard rural mailbox of the type approved for use by the U.S. Postal Service wherein an inner lock box is formed within the standard mailbox by a front hinged plate operable in conjunction with movement of the front door of the mailbox and a curved top releaseable by complete closure of the mailbox door wherein such inner lock box front plate and top remain in the completely spread and open position when the mailbox is first opened (presumably by the mailman) and wherein the inner lock box front plate and top are in the closed and locked position upon the second opening of the mailbox such that a key is required to re-open the inner lock box.

Abstract: A prestressing anchor is embedded in concrete in part of a concrete structural component, and after setting of the concrete, a prestressing element extending through the prestressing anchor is prestressed and held by clamping wedges disposed in a frustoconical portion of a passage running through the prestressing anchor. Thereafter, a spacer element and an associated or integral further prestressing anchor provided with clamping wedges are pulled onto the prestressing element. With the aid of screws passing through flanges of the prestressing anchors, the further prestressing anchor is held to the first prestressing anchor, the spacer element resting snugly against the end faces of the clamping wedges. The second phase of construction is then carried out, at which time the further prestressing anchor is also embedded in concrete. After setting of the concrete, the following section of the prestressing element is prestressed to about the same value as the preceding section.