Abstract: Fibrous compounds having a ratio of length to diameter of at least 10 of the formula MO.TiO.sub.2 wherein M is a bivalent metal and processes for preparing these compounds are described. Preferably M is selected from the group consisting of barium, strontium, calcium, magnesium, cobalt, lead, zinc, beryllium, and cadmium. The processes for preparing the compounds utilize fibrous potassium titanate hydrates or fibrous titanium dioxide hydrates both having a ratio of length to diameter of at least 10 as the starting material to prepare the compounds.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring and/or supervising the output power of an induction motor comprising means for generating a first voltage signal proportional to the synchronous speed of the motor, means for generating a second voltage signal proportional to the actual speed of the motor in operation and means responsive to the first and second voltage signals for generating a third voltage signal proportional to the difference between the first and second voltage signals. The third voltage signal is applied to a meter for providing a continuous indication of the output power of the motor.

Abstract: A rack primarily adapted for connection to the inside curved wall of a van for carrying skis and the like. The rack includes a pair of brackets permanently connectable to the wall of the van and being sufficiently flexible to be curved to follow the contour thereof. A plurality of cradle members are connectable to the brackets, each cradle member being designed to lock to the adjacent vertically-spaced cradle members for added strength and support and to dampen vibrations. The cradle members are made from a flexible material to allow for slight adjustments in spacing therebetween as the brackets curve. The cradle members support the skis with an angular orientation to allow the bindings to overlap and also to hold the skis away from the wall of the van to keep the bindings and tips from striking the van wall.

Abstract: A rod gland assembly comprising a rod gland core made from a rigid material and adapted to be positioned in a cylinder, between the cylinder bore and a piston rod, and a multiple function seal/wiper/piston cushion element molded from a flexible material on the rod gland core, the multiple function element including a rod seal, a bore seal, a piston cushion, and a wiper/scraper.

Abstract: In an air blower of the type including a housing having an air inlet and a motor and a fan positioned in the housing, there is disclosed an improvement wherein the housing has first and second outlets and a pivotable plate for selectively sealing either of the outlets so that a single blower can be used to drive two different air flow systems. The housing also has a mechanical device for controlling the rate of air flow into the outlets.

Abstract: An ear probe for use in closed-loop caloric irrigation including a manifold and balloon, the manifold conducting fluid flow into and out of the balloon concentrically, the balloon being a one-piece, elongate, cylindrical member formed from an elastic material and having open and closed ends and sections of different diameters and thicknesses. One section is inflatable, having a small diameter and a minimum thickness to permit insertion into the ear canal and inflation into contact with the inner ear. Another section has a relatively large outside diameter and a substantial thickness so as to contact the exterior ear and limit movement of the balloon into the ear canal. An intermediate section has a relatively small diameter to permit insertion into the ear canal and an increased thickness to prevent inflation thereof, the intermediate section providing a return flow channel for fluid conducted through the balloon.

Abstract: A system for supporting a plurality of conduits above another in parallel, spaced-apart relationship including a base unit for supporting the bottom conduit, the base unit comprising a base and a U-shaped member having an open end for receiving the bottom conduit and supporting same, and an intermediate unit including first and second U-shaped members, the open ends of which extend in opposite directions whereby an intermediate unit can be pushed down onto one conduit and positioned to support another conduit thereabove. By continuing this process, multiple conduits can be supported and spaced one above another. Each unit includes matching interlocking means attached to opposite sides thereof whereby adjacent units may be interconnected to support multiple columns of conduits with a desired horizontal spacing.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in precision photographic documentation including a stationary platform for supporting a subject in the center thereof, a turntable mounted relative to the platform for rotation about an axis aligned with the center thereof, a vertical post mounted adjacent one side edge of the turntable for rotation around the platform, a camera mounting means and a camera being positioned on the vertical post for taking pictures of the subject as the turntable rotates around the platform, and a vertical photographic backdrop mounted on an opposite side edge of the turntable for rotation therewith.

Abstract: An elastomeric resilient ring spring for use in an annular elastomeric boot generally of a U-cup configuration having an exposed annular groove which is generally x-shaped, the ring spring being generally +-shaped including four lobes, first and second opposed lobes extending parallel to the plane of the ring spring and third and fourth opposed lobes extending perpendicular to the plane of the ring spring. The dimensions of the ring spring are approximately the same as those of the groove whereby rotation of the ring spring about its ring axis through an angle of 45.degree. permits mating of the ring spring into the groove in the boot. Such a ring spring may be molded in a conventional mold in a far simpler manner than conventional x-shaped ring springs.

Abstract: An elongate, generally cylindrical, hollow cotton roll for use with metal or plastic aspirators or suction tubes for keeping an area dry in medicine and dentistry. The roll has an inner layer of an open mesh fabric which receives the end of the aspirator, a layer of cotton or synthetic roving surrounding the fabric layer, and a layer of braided yarn surrounding the roving to retain same. Also disclosed is a machine for manufacturing such a cotton roll in a continuous length.

Abstract: A handle for a vibratory massage unit of the type including an applicator head which translates laterally in a circular motion upon rotation of a drive shaft. The handle solves the problem of excessive vibration by providing static and dynamic balancing of the moving parts so as to prevent operator fatigue. A pair of offset bearings provide the transition from pure rotational motion to translational motion and an oppositely offset counterweight provides the static and dynamic balancing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a tape player/recorder for retrieving and playing prerecorded selections recorded thereon at spaced locations. According to the method and apparatus, the tape is played, a number indicative of tape position is generated, the tape position numbers indicative of the start and stop points for each selection recorded on the tape are stored in a memory, and the stored start and stop numbers for each selection are subsequently recorded on the tape whereby the tape may be removed from the player/recorder and subsequently reinserted into the same or another player/recorder. When a tape is inserted into a player/recorder, the start and stop numbers are read from the tape and stored in the memory whereupon the stored numbers may be utilized for locating selections on the tape to be played.

Abstract: A pickup for an electrical musical instrument of the stringed type including first and second pickup assemblies, each pickup assembly including a plurality of metallic, unmagnetized pole pieces operatively associated with the strings of the instrument, the pole pieces being aligned in parallel, spaced-apart relationship, generally perpendicular to the plane of the strings, first ends of all of the pole pieces being closely adjacent to the plane of the strings, second ends of all of the pole pieces being flat and planar.

Abstract: A piston comprising a core molded from a rigid thermoplastic material and a seal element molded on the core from a flexible thermoplastic material to form a unitary assembly.

Abstract: A process for preparing dielectric or semiconductive films which have densely packed structures. In a process comprising spreading a powdery ceramic material suspended in a binder and solvent on to a base plate to form a thin layer and subjecting the layer to firing, the improvement being provisionally firing the thin layer to remove the binder and solvent, cooling the resulting thin layer, covering the thin layer with an organic film, compressing the thin layer and the film to densely pack the thin layer and to adhere the thin layer to the film, prior to the firing.