Abstract: A microphone which uses noise-adaptive automatic output level control in speech recording. An input amplifier cooperates with a voltage doubler to form an automatic gain control. A diode and capacitor circuit provides for envelope detection of the signal which is then differentiated, amplified and detected to result in a DC control signal. This control signal is applied to an output amplifier which functions as a three pole Chebyshev filter in which a reduction of gain dampens one pole of the filter causing the response to drop off, so that the signal appearing at the output of the microphone has a substantially high speech-to-noise ratio. The output signal appears at a constant level where it may then be acted upon by the automatic gain control of an associated tape recorder connected to the microphone.

Abstract: Decorative lighting control is effected by a waveform generator which employs an up-down counter that is alternately stepped in up and down directions. Each time the counter reaches either the maximum or minimum count, it is loaded with a count value representing the width of a pulse to be generated and the direction of the count is changed. A source of the count value is provided by utilizing another up-down counter. The width modulated pulses which result are used to control lighting devices.

Abstract: A G.R.P. roofing panel is stiffened by longitudinal beams on its underside and is designed to span one pitch of a pitched roof from eaves to ridge. It has an outer skin and an inner impervious liner spaced therefrom and supported on the stiffening beams so as to form a tunnel open at both ends and extending from the vicinity of the eaves to the line of the roof ridge, where vents to atmosphere are provided in the outer skin. Air is convected upwards through the tunnel due to the heating of the outer skin by radiation from the sun, and a damper controls this flow of air. It can be arranged to operate differentially on air flowing in from outside the building and air flowing in from the roof space through a port in the liner. At the line of the ridge the liner meets and is sealed to the corresponding liner of a counterpart panel on the opposite pitch of the roof so as to maintain the integrity of the convection air circuit in each section of the roof.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus in which two casings are connected together each housing a coiled measuring means adapted for being selectively un-coiled and withdrawn from the casing or recoiled and retracted into the casing. A sighting device is provided on one of the casings to sight a target. The sighting means includes a level for determining when the sighting device is sighting along a horizontal line and a second level is provided to indicate when the casings are also appropriately arranged relative to a vertical line perpendicular to the first said horizontal line. Triggers are provided for the two coiled measuring devices and a brake is provided for each of the measuring devices. A digital display is employed and a counting circuit is provided for indicating the amount of measuring means which is uncoiled from the two respective casings. An alarm is provided to indicate when the unwound measuring devices are off line relative to the sighting device.

Abstract: A closeable fish net comprising a frame including a U-shaped portion beneath which a container is suspended and defines with the frame an opening for entry of fish into the container. A cover is slidably supported by the U-shaped portion for movement between a retracted position in which the opening for the fish is open and an extended position in which the opening is closed. An actuator rod is coupled to the cover to move the same between the retracted and extended positions and a finger-engageable portion is provided on the end of the actuator rod.

Abstract: A joint for connecting first and second pipes, each including spaced inner and outer pipe members and a foam material filling the space between the inner and outer pipe members. The inner pipe members of the two pipes are adapted for conveying a fluid medium, the inner pipe member of the first pipe having a flared female end and the inner pipe member of the second pipe having a male end sealably inserted in the female end. The foam material in the second pipe is provided with a recess in which the first pipe extends so that the foam material in said first pipe confronts the foam material in the second pipe. The outer pipe member of the first pipe has an annular groove therein which faces outwardly and a coupling in the form of a separate tubular member secured to the second pipe or a thickened portion integral with the second pipe surrounds the outer pipe member of the first pipe and has an annular groove therein which faces inwardly and is in registry with the annular groove in the outer pipe member.

Abstract: A display apparatus is provided comprising a plurality of spaced lights with reflectors operatively associated with the lights which are isolated from one another. A circuit is provided for actuating the lights for selected periods of time to create an appearance of sequencing. Shaped lenses having the form of alphabetic characters or the like are associated with the lights and are illuminated thereby to achieve a desired effect. The reflectors and seperators associated therewith are connected together in a monolithic structure. The reflectors are asymmetrically formed in the case of asymmetrically shaped alphabetic characters in order to direct the light most appropriately through the shaped lenses. Sequencing is provided by the use of a binary counter, the output of which selectively actuates the lights.

Abstract: A method for making decorative concrete blocks which have inlays and which are especially suitable for use as floor or patio tiles. The method involves two steps in which concrete with two different degrees of wetness is employed. As an initial step, a first form, which is configured to define the desired inlaid pattern, is placed on a support. The form is filled with a first charge of concrete, which has the lesser of the two degrees of wetness and is preferably colored, to produce a pattern for the inlay. Thereafter, the concrete in the first form is compacted whereafter the form is removed without delay and the material is allowed to harden. In a further step, a second form, which is configured and dimensioned to surround the concrete inlay pattern, is placed on the support. A charge of concrete with a greater degree of wetness is then poured into the second form until it produces a layer which surrounds the concrete inlay pattern.

Abstract: A trap particularly designed for snails and slugs is provided which includes a housing having multiple doorways to permit ready entry by the snails and slugs, which doorways are closable to permit easy disposal and shipment. The housing has a cover which provides an overhang over the doorways so as to prevent water entry from sprinklers or rain as well as to provide an inviting hiding place for snails and slugs. A pesticide is disposed in the housing as well as a dry bait attractant, the latter of which is activated by water from a water reservoir provided in the cover.

Abstract: Three handcuffs are connected in series by a pair of chains. These chains are connected to the handcuffs by eyes which are connected to the respective heads of the handcuffs and by an additional eye which is connected to the pivot of the centrally located handcuff. With the handcuffs extended, two of the handcuffs are adapted to assume coplanar relationship and the other handcuff is located in an offset parallel plane.

Abstract: Tile construction for a swimming pool comprising an elongated tubular member having a longitudinal channel therein which can be filled with insulation material. The tubular member can have further separate channels with a plurality of orifices extending into the further channels and opening externally of the member. The orifices provide communication between the further channels and the exterior of the tubular member. The tubular member has a flat outer surface and the orifices open in the vicinity of the flat outer surface. A plurality of tubular members can be used to form the wall or bottom of the pool or a deck for the pool. The tubular member can have flanges with additional channels therein isolated from the other channels and which may or may not be provided with orifices for fluid flow. The tubular member can be constructed from a transparent resin material and the additional channels can have a liquid crystal coating for changing color with temperature change.

Abstract: A solar panel component is provided which has a liquid passage formed by a plurality of perimetral sections connected together to form the passage. At least one fin is provided in extension of one of the sections and monolithically related thereto to optimize heat exchange between the fin and related section. In one embodiment there are two perimetral sections with the fins being in extension thereof in coplanar relationship. The liquid passage may be of circular cross-section or of many other forms such as rectangular, saw-toothed, trapezoidal, polygonal and semicircular. In some embodiments of the invention, one of the sections is part of a flat sheet of heat conductor material. In another embodiment of the invention, a passage forming section for a further liquid passage is provided connected to the fin of the first liquid passage formed as indicated above.

Abstract: A cosmetic pencil sharpener comprising a sharpener unit having a body of rectangular configuration embraced within a casing composed of upper and lower members separably engageable with one another and with the sharpener unit. A chip collector chamber is formed within the interior of the casing to receive shavings removed from the pencil during sharpening thereof. The upper and lower members have coextensive, elongate, cut-out portions, extending along mutually perpendicular sides to cooperatively define an L-shaped opening through which a portion of one of the sides and the front end of the body of the sharpener unit is exposed. In the exposed portion of the front end of the sharpener unit is an aperture leading to a bore in which the pencil to be sharpened is inserted.

Abstract: A keyboard operated controller for controlling a plurality of lighting devices has a memory which includes a plurality of addressed multiposition registers wherein the positions store control indicia for the respective lighting devices. A finger-operated keyboard generates addresses which select the registers to control the states of the lighting devices. There is also provided means for loading the control indicia into the registers via another keyboard.

Abstract: A three-wheeled, motor-driven, pedal-started vehicle which comprises a tubular frame supporting the wheels in triangular relationship. A seat is provided on the frame covering a trunk or receptacle relative to which the seat is pivotable in order to uncover the trunk or receptacle. A motor and pedal arrangement is provided on the frame for driving one of the wheels. A kickstand is provided to elevate this wheel selectively from the ground to facilitate the starting of the vehicle without the need for driving the weight of the same. A demountable canopy is detachably connected to the tubular frame and provides a transparent shield for the driver of the vehicle. The seat is such as to be able to accommodate the driver and at least one passenger in side by side relationship. A steering arrangement is provided having a jog therein to accommodate the offset relationship of the driver to the central axis of the vehicle when a passenger is accommodated.

Abstract: An improved hemostatic agent is made by treating collagen or collagen-like substance to render the surface charge thereof effectively more positive. The thusly modified substance is employed to control or terminate bleeding.

Abstract: A universal arm board for hand and forearm fixation is provided for exposing part of the forearm at the wrist for the attachment of electrodes for stimulating the ulnar nerve. The palm of the person being tested rests on the arm board and is fixed in position by a lock assuring immobility of the palm and fingers and leaving free only movement of the thumb which is positioned in a thumb ring. The wrist is immobilized by a belt with a Velcro lock leaving free the exposed part of the palmar side of the forearm at the wrist for ulnar nerve stimulation. The proximal part of the forearm rests on a foam arm protector and is immobilized by a belt with a Velcro lock. A force-transducer positioner is attached to the arm board. The positioner allows adjustments to any position required by the anatomical differences of the thumb-hand angle and allows changes in the resting tension of the adductor pollicis muscle.

Abstract: An edible isolated soy protein composition characterized by free flowing characteristics, easy dispersibility in liquids and absence of objectionable taste. The composition is prepared by coating particles of the soy protein with particles of silicon dioxide and mixing the coated particles with ammoniated glycyrrhiza.

Abstract: A pet accessory is provided for use with a commode which rests on top of a conventional commode and is held thereon by downward protrusions which prevent horizontal displacement. The accessory has a trap door arrangement which can be controllably operated for purposes of discharging waste material. Encircling the trap door arrangement is a perforated tube into which water is fed via an electromagnetic valve for purposes of flushing the aforesaid waste material into the commode. The trap door arrangement is controlled automatically by a sensing device which senses that a pet has been on and departed from the trap door arrangement. This sensing device is in the form of a light source and photoelectric cell combination which also controls the electromagnetic valve. A ramp is provided for access to the pet accessory.

Abstract: Tile construction for a swimming pool comprising an elongated tubular extruded member having a longitudinal channel therein, and provided with a plurality of orifices extending into the channel and opening externally of the member. The orifices provide communication between the channel and the exterior of the tubular member. The tubular member has a flat outer surface and the orifices open in the vicinity of the flat outer surface. The tubular member can extend lengthwise along the pool so as to form a lane. A plurality of adjacent parallel lanes can be provided for racing purposes. A pump is connected to the channel for circulating overflow water back into the pool via the channel and the orifices in the tubular member. A plurality of tubular members can be used to form the wall or bottom of the pool or a deck for the pool for receiving overflow water to recirculate the water back to the pool.