Abstract: A changeable printed alphanumeric display module is disclosed for displaying one character at a time in a viewing window. Each tape of a set of tapes is printed on both front and back surfaces with character segments and is connected between a driving roller and a driven roller in a manner to display one front surface segment and one back surface segment at a time. The tape segments which carry the respective character segments are progressively longer from one end of the tape to the other and the set of tape segments which are displayed together in the window all bear different character segments of the same character so that an entire character is displayed. All tapes in the set are driven in unison to successively present the character segments of each tape in registry with respective window segments.

Abstract: A propulsion unit for driving water craft, particularly those of the floating lounge type, is disclosed as including a fin made from a flexible material with a first end formed to define a foil into which the lower end of an oscillatory drive member projects downwardly in a fixedly secured relationship and with a second flexible fin end that extends from the foil end to provide a flapping movement through the water upon oscillation of the drive member in order to propel the water craft. Movement of the drive member through the water is facilitated by the foil shape of the first fin end which is also more rigid than the second flexible end so as to increase the moment arm about the drive member where the flexible flapping movement is concentrated. Flexible sheet plastic is preferably used to form the fin with a folding operation at a score line to define the foil shape.

Abstract: A retention system is disclosed for securing back and/or cushion seat components (14,16) to a seat frame (12) by a releasable retainer (20). Latches (18,22) are also used to secure both the seat back and cushion in the preferred embodiment. The back is secured to the frame by the latches and is engaged by the cushion such that securement of the cushion by the retainer maintains both the cushion and the back in place on the frame. Each latch includes a latch member (34,80) and a keeper surface that are engaged by relative movement between the associated seat component and the frame so as to provide the latched condition. The retainer includes a retainer member (44) having an intermediate bight section (46) secured to the frame and a pair of deflectable latch legs (48) extending in opposite directions from the bight section. A pair of keepers (50) on the seat cushion are engaged by the deflectable latch legs to secure the cushion to the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for demonstrating and recording an image of a surface of arbitrary shape and orientation within a body based on a set of tomographic records taken from a radiographic examination of the body. The tomographic records are overlaid on one another in superimposed relation, and then laterally shifted in concert with one another to bring into virtual focus a continuous succession of laminar images through the depth of the body. As the image of each successive body plane or lamina comes into focus, that part of the image that represents the intersection of the arbitrary surface with the imaged body plane or lamina is selected by masking out the remainder of the focused image. As the focusing progresses through the depth of the body, the entire arbitrary plane is demonstrated, and may be recorded by electronic or photographic means.

Abstract: An outside mounted vehicle mirror assembly including a unitary mirror head supporting bracket rotatable between a storage position generally parallel to the vehicle side wall and another position generally normal to the vehicle side wall and further wherein the mirror head is supported upon the unitary bracket for movement between inboard and outboard rearward viewing positions.

Abstract: A hair roller, as disclosed herein, comprises a system of components for drying or curling a hank of hair. The roller comprises a desiccating material and a heat source in an arrangement for regulating heat flow to the hair and for controlling water vapor. Preferably, a tubular body of granular desiccant is employed with a heat storage core within the body. A cover over the body of desiccant provides a desirable outer surface and exhibits properties conducive to efficient water vapor transport and heat transfer. Additionally, a curler cap is provided with properties of thermal insulation and water vapor permeability for enhancing the performance of the roller in curling and drying of the hair.

Abstract: A control circuit for an air-spring shock absorber controls pressurization or depressurization of the air chamber of the shock absorber in response to the output signal condition of a level sensor. The control circuit includes a first signal path that conditions the operation of an air pump for pressurizing the air chamber, and a second signal path that conditions the operation of an exhaust valve for depressurizing the air chamber. A timing circuit delays the enablement of the air pump and exhaust valve until the level sensor output signal condition associated with the actuation of the pump or valve has existed for a minimum predetermined time period. The timing circuit includes an R-C time delay circuit with an instant reset to avoid cumulative signal build-up. The control circuit is comprised of a set of digital logic gates which are preferably implemented by standard integrated circuit chips.

Abstract: A wiper drive assembly (20) disclosed is particularly adaptable for use with angularly skewed vision blocks (22) of an armored car. A hollow guide (28) of the assembly includes elongated first and second guide portions (30,32) that are adapted to extend alongside the vision blocks and which receive respective first and second wiper supports (70,104). Each wiper support has an extension that projects through a slot in the associated guide portion so as to allow mounting of the arm of an associated wiper (24,26). One of the wiper supports has its extension provided with a slidable connection (86) to a continuous drive loop which is preferably in the form of a chain (34) received by a pair of sprocket type sheaves (36,38). Driving of one of the sheaves moves the chain so as to drive the first wiper support (70) in a reciprocal manner.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention there is provided a petri dish comprising a container for the growth of microorganism cultures and a lid for the container to prevent the entrance of contaminants, each of the container and lid having a radially outwardly extending flange, these flanges and the container and lid being so shaped and dimensioned as to enable easy manual removal and reapplication of the lid to the container with the use of only one hand by the person tending to the petri dish thereby leaving the other hand free to administer the microorganism specimen and other ingredients to the dish.

Abstract: A multi-spindle, biaxial turning machine having means for independent tool offset in either of the axes of tool movement. The turning machine includes a slide assembly comprising a compound slide movable in a first direction with respect to the spindle axes of rotation, a cross slide mounted in sliding relation on the compound slide and movable in a direction transverse to the spindle axes of rotation, and first and second auxiliary slides, each of the auxiliary slides mounted in sliding relation to the cross slide and carrying respective first and second tool holders movable in mutually transverse directions. The compound slide, cross slide, and auxiliary slides each have associated with them drive means, which in the preferred form include a servo-drive motor and associated ball screw drive. A motion sensor is associated with each of the drive means.

Abstract: A safety closure and container assembly including a container, cap and combined spring and sealing member. Retention nibs are formed on the inner surface of the skirt of the cap, and a spring and sealing member has a radially projecting flange that engages the retention nibs to prevent separation of the spring and sealing member from the cap. Cap and container locking elements are formed respectively on the inner surface of the skirt of the cap and the outer surface of the mouth of the container. The cap and container locking elements are engageable with and disengageable from each other by combined axial and rotary motion of the cap relative to the container. The spring and sealing member biases the cap and container locking elements toward locked engagement with each other when the cap is applied to the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a seal between layers of thermoplastic coated paperboard or the like wherein there are different numbers of layers and varying thicknesses at different locations within the area to be sealed. The apparatus includes an anvil having a work surface for engaging one outer surface of the layers and a horn that vibrates at a predetermined frequency when energized. The horn has a work surface that opposes the work surface of said anvil.

Abstract: A dispensing package for containing a plurality of individual dosages of pills, capsules, tablets and the like that can be selectively removed one dose at a time. A cover portion for the package is made up of an outer layer of paperboard or the like with an inner layer of rupturable metal foil or the like bonded to one surface. Disc-shaped punch-out lids are cut into the paperboard layer and are held in position by the foil. A container portion is bonded to the foil and includes a sheet of flexible plastic material formed with a plurality of pockets or blisters. One of the lids overlies each of the pockets and a single dose of pills or the like is contained in each of the pockets. The paperboard layer has high strength and stiffness relative to the foil. Consequently, by collapsing one of the pockets against the cover portion, the portion of the foil attached to the associated lid ruptures and separates from the cover portion with the lid so that the pill is pressed through the opening uncovered by the lid.

Abstract: A composite structure comprising a layer of initially resilient foam material having open and connected cells one portion of which is impregnated with a first polymerizable resin system and another portion of which is impregnated with a second polymerizable resin system and which resin systems are concurrently polymerized while maintaining the resilient foam layer under compression whereby each polymerized resin is disposed as a continuous and rigid resin phase throughout respectively adjacent portions of said foam material.

Abstract: A phonograph record cleaner having a pair of soft pile covered projections extending downwardly from a cleaner body with a still brush and a soft brush also extending downwardly between the projections. During cleaning of a record, the cleaner is oriented so that the stiffer brush precedes the softer brush, and the pile covered projections properly locate the ends of the brush bristles relative to the record surface. The stiffer bristles are longer than the softer bristles, while the softer bristles of the shorter length are more densely packed than the stiffer bristles. Indicia on the cleaner body allows the cleaner to be hand held and properly oriented during use. Both of the brushes project downwardly through openings in a hollow lower member of the cleaner body and have retainers that limit the downward movement through the openings.

Abstract: The machine disclosed includes apparatus for splining thin-walled sleeves of power transmission members that are mounted on a toothed mandrel between a pair of toothed dies by an automatic loader which also removes the members from the mandrel after the splining. Loading and unloading members of the loader are moved axially along the axis of mandrel rotation by associated actuating cylinders to move members to be splined from an indexer onto the mandrel and to move the members after splining from the mandrel back to the indexer. Clamping surfaces on the end of the mandrel and a rotatable clamp of the loading member position the sleeve of a member being splined over the mandrel teeth. The unloading member is received within a central opening of the mandrel and has an annular centering surface that properly locates the member being splined.

Abstract: A tooth forming machine disclosed provides high production output and accurately controlled tooth forming due to the provision of equal displacement hydraulic cylinders which reciprocate die racks on upper and lower base portions connected by a base connecting portion and preloaded deflection control connections. Each cylinder includes a hollow housing, a slidable piston received within the housing, a hollow connecting rod secured to the slidable piston and projecting outwardly from the housing, and a stationary piston received within the hollow rod while allowing movement of the slidable piston. An annular pull chamber and a push chamber of the same cross-sectional area are defined by the cylinder components and alternately fed pressurized hydraulic fluid from a closed loop pump system while fluid from the other chamber is returned to the pump system in order to extend or retract the cylinder and thereby move the associated die rack in one direction or the other.

Abstract: A warning indicator disclosed is secured to a pneumatic tire valve to sense tire pressure and emit an audible signal when the tire pressure goes below a predetermined value. A connector of the indicator is initially threaded onto the tire valve and a cap thereof is subsequently threaded onto the connector. The connector includes a valve opener that opens the tire valve so that pressurized tire air flows to a pressure sensing valve which prevents air flow to the cap when normal tire pressures are sensed. A valve element of the pressure sensing valve moves into and out of engagement with a valve seat and is engaged by the first end of a valve actuator that also has a second end projecting toward the cap. The cap includes a housing with a spring that biases an actuating member into engagement with the second end of the actuator so as to move the valve element out of engagement with the valve seat when low tire air pressure is present.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention there is provided a method for manufacturing a reaction bonded silicon carbide body by heating, in a vacuum or an inert atmosphere, to at least the melting temperature of elemental silicon, a porous compact consisting essentially of a substantially uniform mixture of silicon carbide grain and finely divided carbon while said compact is in intimate surface-to-surface contact with a mixture of finely divided elemental silicon and a small amount of finely divided, uniformly distributed carbon, such silicon-carbon mixture preferably also being in the form of a compact.

Abstract: Polyurethane foam is used in a three-piece vehicle wheel as a load bearing and load transmitting structural element. The rim of the wheel, an inner wheel disc, and an outer decorative wheel disc are bonded together by the polyurethane foam. The rim includes an interlock lip to interlock the rim with the inner disc and an interlock lip that interlocks the rim with the outer decorative disc. The wheel can be manufactured by placing the rim, inner disc, and outer disc in a die and injecting the polyurethane foam composition into the interconnected volume enclosed and defined by those wheel components. The foam curing process then occurs in situ. Alternatively, the rim, inner disc, and outer disc can be adhesively bonded to a preformed polyurethane foam member. The resultant vehicle wheel, manufactured by either process, is characterized by high strength, light weight, and a decorative appearance.