Abstract: A vehicle includes a variable displacement fluid pump and a variable displacement hydrostatic motor for driving the tracks of the vehicle. An auxiliary reversible motor may be actuated in one and the other directions to provide steering of the vehicle through planetary drives associated with the tracks of the vehicle.

Abstract: An anti-rattle mechanism for automatically and releasably latching a door hinged to a vehicle body is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a cylindrical pin carried by a first mounting member which pin is compressively captured against an abutment surface on a second mounting member by a cam hook member pivotally carried by the second mounting member. The compressive capture of the cylindrical pin against the abutment surface by the cam hook member to provide automatic latching and anti-rattle features is described. A specific embodiment including minimum moving parts and providing for one-handed operation is disclosed.

Abstract: A floatable cover for use with an outdoor pool containing liquid which substantially prevents liquid evaporation and heat loss. The cover edges include a channel which extends along the edges, and means for admitting liquid into the channel, such as orifices, so that the liquid-filled channel increases resistance to wind lift. A method of manufacture for the cover is disclosed.

Abstract: A scriber-compass comprises a pair of first and second arms pivotally connected together at first ends thereof and a threaded rod, having a thumb nut threadably mounted thereon, adapted to selectively pivot the arms relative to each other to set the linear distance between second ends of the arms. A calibrated scale is formed on the rod to visually indicate such linear distance which coincides with the radius of a circle to be scribed on a work piece. A scibing point is formed on the second end of the first arm whereas an automatic punch is mounted on the second end of the second arm for automatically punching a centering hole upon depression of the punch against the workpiece and release of a spring-loaded impact member.

Abstract: A vehicle frame has first and second members having adjustably telescoping channel portions securable by bolts disposed in selected combinations of holes provided in the channel portions for providing a total vehicle frame of a chosen length and wheelbase. Adjacent portions of the respective members define portions of a battery compartment which varies with the size of the vehicle frame to accommodate the power requirements thereof. Channel shaped spacers join facing portions of the members for increased strength of the resulting frame.A rear axle mounting assembly is adjustably mounted on the rear member for independent adjustment of the wheelbase.A second embodiment has front and rear members secured by a selected nestable spacer member having an adjustable axle mounting for independent adjustment of the vehicle frame and wheelbase.

Abstract: A brush which presses against the commutator of a machine has secured thereto a resilient spring contact element, and as the brush wears, movement thereof causes physical engagement of the resilient spring contact element with another contact element to complete a current path. The latter contact element is secured to a yoke which surrounds the commutator.

Abstract: Spaced-apart light sources, a screen and means for restricting light from each source to separate eyes of each observer cause perception of a seemingly solid or three-dimensional shadow of an object or objects. The shadow is detached from the object and does not necessarily appear to be in the plane of the screen but may be perceived as floating in space in front of the observers. The seemingly solid shadows of objects including active human performers or even an observer may be caused to appear to be within the context of a previously filmed 3D still or motion picture scene. The system may be used for purposes additional to creating unique entertainment effects.

Abstract: A window shade apparatus for an automobile or the like may be fitted to a sun visor thereof, and in one embodiment the shade thereof may be raised and lowered through releasing of a brake system acting on the roller thereof. In another embodiment, an electrical switch may be actuated to drive a reversible electric motor in one and the other direction to raise and lower the shade of the apparatus.

Abstract: A holder for the assembly of a conventional flame cutting torch tip (14) which provides release of the tip, and can include water cooling (42-44) of the tip during machine cutting operations. Although such tips often become fouled, the prior art has not provided sufficiently quick release for replacement purposes. The tip is held in abutment against the torch by a plurality of cam (48) actuated clamping followers (56) which wedge against the shoulder (68) of the conventional flame cutting tip when the holder is in a clamping position. The cam is operated by rotating a spring-biased (26) actuating member, preferably a circumferential ring (22), the ring being rotatable between a clamping position and a releasing position, and normally being biased by said spring into the clamping position.

Abstract: A compact chlorine generation device generates chlorine and usually ozone. The device is water cooled. A power transformer has a housing thereabout in heat conductive contact therewith. A highly heat conductive metal frame is attached in direct efficient heat conductive relation with the housing. The frame has a conduit therethrough generally adjacent to the housing. A metal block has a semi-conductor power rectifier held in a cavity therein and in thermal contact therewith. The block is attached in direct heat conductive relation with the frame. A coolant is flowed through the conduit thereby cooling the transformer and the rectifier. A chlorine generating electric cell has an anode and a cathode which are connected to the respective DC output poles of the rectifier. The coolant which exits the conduit is led to the cell wherein it serves as the electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an improvement in a lift truck having a mast assembly, a frame and tilt motor apparatus for tilting the mast assembly forwardly and rearwardly relative to the frame. Particularly the invention is concerned with a lateral support device for the mast assembly. The lateral support device comprises a pair of guides each affixed to a lateral outer surface of the mast assembly and a pair of bearing devices affixed to the frame, each in position to slidably receive a respective one of the guides on operation of the tilt motor apparatus to tilt a top portion of the mast assembly rearwardly to thereby bearingly hold the mast assembly snugly between the pair of bearing devices whereby during movement of the lift truck lateral motion of the mast assembly is restricted when the guides are held between the bearing devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder bleach composition comprising a plurality of particles wherein substantially each of the particles comprises soda ash and sufficient sodium percarbonate to provide about 1 to 6 weight percent available oxygen content. The bleach composition is made by contacting particulate soda ash, either anhydrous sodium carbonate or sodium carbonate monohydrate, with sufficient of a spray of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, the contacting being at a temperature from about 35.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C. to provide the aforedescribed bleach composition. The powder bleach composition is recovered from the contacting step once sufficient reaction has occurred to provide sufficient sodium percarbonate so that the bleach composition has from about 1 to about 6 weight percent available oxygen and a remainder which comprises soda ash and minor additives.

Abstract: A group of relatively low molecular weight polypeptides having from 3 to 10 amino acids block the allergic response. These "blocking" polypeptides have amino acid sequences corresponding to amino acid sequences appearing in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th domains of the epsilon chain of IgE. Specific active "blocking" polypeptides are disclosed and the synthesis and use thereof are described.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an injection mold for making a plastic impedance measurement module having a generally flat metal grid imbedded in the plastic thereof with a plurality of pairs of electrodes upstanding generally perpendicularly from said grid, one pair into each of a plurality of chambers, said electrodes being uncoated by said plastic. The mold comprises a first mold half having a first generally flat recessed portion defining top surface of a base of the module and a plurality of channels extending from the first portion into the first mold half defining the plurality of chambers and including a plurality of pairs of spaced apart slots extending from the base into the first mold half, one of the pairs of slots extending into each of the chambers for accepting and preventing coating of the electrodes.

Abstract: A portable biofeedback device for monitoring electric signals produced by muscle activity is disclosed. Electrodes attached to the skin of the person being monitored couple muscle signals to a preamplifier which amplifies the signal and does preliminary filtering of unwanted frequency components in this signal. Further high and low pass filtering and amplification is then performed such that only signals in a certain frequency range are amplified. Sensitivity control is added to enable the level of detected muscle activity to be selectively set. Both visual and audio feedback is generated from the filtered and amplified signal for use by the person being monitored. The visual feedback includes easy to read visual indicators, including an overrange indicator and underrange indicator, for displaying the varying levels of muscle activity.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a linear voltage divider network including a plurality of equal series resistance elements for generating a first output voltage as a function of the state of a plurality of tone select keys. This first voltage is converted to a second voltage which selectively varies exponentially as a function of the selected tone. The second voltage is compared with a ramp generator output to set and reset a latch which generates an audio frequency signal thereby. The audio frequency signal is coupled to an octave generator controlled by octave select keys for outputting the tone in a selected octave for output as sound via a speaker. Sharp and flat keys are also provided to cause the first voltage to vary in a way which emulates the functioning of a standard keyboard.

Abstract: A tray convertable to a picture frame designed specifically for the display of a plurality of baseball cards, photographs, or the like is disclosed. Included is a frame portion including top, bottom, and side struts and one or more vertical and horizontal struts, such that window openings are defined within the frame portion thereby. Inserts are removably or permanently formed in one or more said window openings by means for affixing said inserts to adjacent struts. Elongated slots are further defined for each window opening so that a card or the like can be seated therein in front of said inserts, or when said inserts have been removed.

Abstract: An automatic pool cleaner apparatus is disclosed including an elongated flexible conduit adapted to be connected at one end to a source of water under pressure and adapted to be connected at its other end to the rear of a body portion, said body portion having a plurality of water jet openings further defined on the rear thereof and positioned in a symmetrical relationship about the center line axis of said body portion, such that water discharged therefrom is directed to the rear substantially axially along the direction of said conduit, and further including means for maintaining said body portion in a submerged state, and means for causing said body to be oriented during its movements a substantial portion of the time in positions adjacent to the wall and bottom surfaces of said pool.

Abstract: An engine valve, reciprocally mounted in an engine, comprises a hollow stem having a head secured thereon and an annular face defined on the head adapted to engage an annular seat defined on an insert secured in the engine. A first tube is disposed in the stem to define a first passage therethrough and a fluted second tube is disposed between the stem and the first tube to define a plurality of second passages therethrough. A lower end of the first tube is open whereas a lower end of the second tube is closed by a cap whereby a coolant, such as oil, may be circulated through the first and second passages. A plurality of third passages are defined between the second tube and the stem to communicate with a chamber defined in the head of the valve, adapted to contain a vaporizable liquid coolant, such as water, therein. The insert has an annular passage defined therearound for circulating water about the seat and face for cooling purposes.

Abstract: An eyeglass temple has an ear engaging end portion arranged to fit within the cymba concha and includes load bearing points for engaging the underside of the crus antihelicus and the upper surface of the crus helicus for preventing downward rotation of the eyeglass about the ear, or forward motion of the eyeglasses.