Abstract: An universal frame centering, holding and measuring device for use by an optician to transcribe and check a distance interpupillary distance a reading interpupillary distance, a segment height measured onto a customer, directly and precisely on a set of lenses mounted on a frame. The device comprises a base having a longitudinal axis, on which the frame may be positioned in flat position. A central pin supporting a vertical cylinder having such diameter as to fit within the bridge of the frame, projects from the base. A frame holder is slidably mounted onto the base. The frame holder is movable along the longitudinal axis of the base and comprises a vertical front wall extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the base.

Abstract: A soldering iron bit is heated by an electrical heating element including a resistive element consisting of granular boron carbide packed in a quartz tube embedded in a piece of copper. A first power lead is electrically connected to the boron carbide at one end of the quartz tube. This first power lead passes through and is electrically insulated from the piece of copper. The second power lead is electrically connected to the boron carbide at the other end of the quartz tube, either directly or via the piece of copper. In use, connection of the first and second leads to an electrical power source causes the resistive element to generate heat in a very fast manner and to transmit this heat to the piece of copper. The piece of copper may be connected to or constitute the soldering bit and can be provided with a built-in thermostat comprising a meltable salt inserted in a hole provided in the piece of copper.

Abstract: A snowblower is disclosed wherein use is made of one vertically disposed endless snow conveying belt to which are secured transverse snow scraper members. The forward strand of the belt is made to travel downward, the scraper members digging into the snow to drive it at the rear of the belt where the scraper members of the upwardly moving rearward strand drive the snow through a conventional outlet arrangement including an elongated opening extending the full width of the casing top wall. The snowblower may make use of a single endless snow conveying belt with scrapers cooperating with the back wall of the casing or else use is made of two snow conveying belts, with appropriate snow scrapers, travelling in opposite directions and forming a snow discharge channel between them wherein the snow is powerfully driven upward through the top wall opening having an appropriate chute for guiding the snow being discharged.

Abstract: A structural member for mounting in a groove formed along a panel of a cabinet. This member has a base with a central dividing wall projecting from its top face and a pair of lateral wings converging, at 45.degree., from the side edges of the base, toward the central wall and terminating short of the central wall. The base, the central wall and the wings define a pair of outwardly open cavities each having a generally right angle trapezoidal contour in cross-section and extending along the base. A securing wall projects from the bottom face of the base and has tangs formed on lateral faces, these tangs being turned toward the bottom face of the base.

Abstract: Load-hauling tandem combination formed of a motor driven truck releasably hitched to a wheel-mounted trailer which is self-propelled and self-steerable when unhitched from the truck. A lifting mechanism is provided on the trailer for mounting and removing a container or the like load box on and from its chassis.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle comprising headlights, an ignition switch, and an electric energy storage battery, there is provided a device for automatically turning on and off the headlights. A first and a second comparators responsive to two different reference voltages and to the voltage V present between the terminals of the battery determine whether the voltage V has an amplitude located within a predetermined range of voltage amplitudes. An electronic switch interposed between the battery and the headlights is controlled by the outputs of the first and second comparators to turn the headlights on when the amplitude of the voltage V is located within the predetermined range, and to turn the headlights off when the voltage V is outside of this range. The device is connected to the battery so that it operates only when the ignition switch is closed. The device is also connected in parallel with the normal, manually operated lighting switch so as to allow normal operation of the headlights through the latter switch.

Abstract: A method and an equipment for the detection of a mechanical abnormality or injury in the lumbar spine of a patient and for the identification of this abnormality or injury as being of the compression or torsion type. In a first step, any variation of the lumbar curve of the patient is measured using a combined visual and an electromyographic (EMG) technique. Then, any discrepancy or assymetry is detected in said measured variation of lumbar curve. In practice, the absence of any variation or the detection of any discrepancy or assymetry in the case where a variation is measured, is indicative of the presence of a mechanical abnormality or injury of the lumbar spine of the patient, and of the nature of this particular abnormality or injury.

Abstract: A metal melting installation in which a movable carrier has a kiln door fixed at its front end for closing an entrance opening of the kiln and a crucible provided forwardly of the door so as to lodge in the kiln when the entrance opening is closed. A drive means for closing the carrier comprises: an electric motor in a control circuit that also includes a limit switch mounted adjacent the kiln entrance opening; a chain and sprocket gear for moving the carrier; a damper device interconnecting the drive shaft of the motor and one sprocket wheel of the gear for allowing it to keep on rotating to dissipate accumulated momentum energy when the motor is de-energized, a push button being provided on the carrier for contacting the limit switch to thus cut off the electric circuit and deenergize the motor when the door on the carrier closes the kiln opening.

Abstract: An obstetrical instrument for rupturing in a safe and easy manner the foetal membranes of a pregnant woman in order to release the amniotic fluid contained in these membranes. The instrument comprises an elongated tubular member preferably made of a semi-rigid plastic material, which member is adapted to be inserted into the woman's vagina until its front end is in contact with the foetal membranes to be ruptured. A piston manually actuatable by a rod extending outwardly of the tubular member through the rear end thereof is movably mounted inside this member to create, when actuated, a vacuum sufficient to draw to a certain extent the foetal membranes inside this tubular member. Piercing pins are provided inside the tubular member for rupturing the foetal membranes when these membranes are so drawn inside the member on actuation of the piston with the rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing an ornament for gift wrapping purposes and the like. The ornament has a basic member with a plurality of radially disposed conical elements, and these basic members may be combined to produce spheroidal or hemispheroidal ornaments having a plurality of radial cones or spikes. In the method, a flat circular blank is formed with a plurality of radially disposed leaves. The leaves are wrapped around a conical form and adhesively secured to form one of the basic members. The apparatus includes a winder for wrapping the leaves around the conical form and positioning means for holding the blank and locating each leaf on the form to be wrapped into a conical element by the winder.

Abstract: A vertical rotary post in a silo is formed with a transverse passage across and into which a stop sleeve is fixed. A chain, for loosening compacted material in the silo, extends freely through the passage. The chain has a ring, at one end, which extends into the passage but is stopped by the stop sleeve.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring the fibre orientation anisotropy in a fibrous structure such as a sheet of paper or a textile. According to this method, a linearly polarized, far infrared laser beam is directed towards one side of the fibrous structure whose fibre orientation anisotropy is to be measured. The incident energy of the laser beam is measured before this beam traverses the fibrous structure, and its transmitted energy is measured on the other side of the fibrous structure. The transmission coefficient T of the laser beam is determined in at least two different orientations of the polarization plane of the beam with respect to the fibrous structure, this coefficient T being the ratio of the transmitted-to-incident energies. This coefficient T varies exponentially with the basis weight of the fibrous structure and the ratio .alpha.