Abstract: An electronic system for the purpose of generating special effects in both color TV and color motion pictures is disclosed. A luminance key amplifier determines the average strength of matrixed red, blue and green video signals from a foreground camera and compares the average with a reference value. Areas of the foreground image that cause the average strength of the color signals to exceed the reference value, such as white, cause the luminance key system to key the green, blue and red signals from a background source such as a camera to an encoder, a video tape recording system or a film recording system. When the average strength of the red, blue and green signals from the foreground camera is less than the reference value, such as black or gray, the luminance key amplifier responds by passing the color signals from the foreground camera only to the encoder, video tape recording system or film recording system.

Abstract: A safety interlock system for automotive vehicles and like devices which have an electrically-operable component forming part of the engine of said vehicle or like device. The safety interlock system comprises a plurality latches in the form of integrated circuits which can only be operated in pre-established sequence with a pre-established code of indicia. When the latches are opened pursuant to the pre-established code with inputs in proper sequence from a plurality of manually operable input switches, the interlock system will be enabled thereby permitting operation of the electrically operable component and hence said engine. Suitable forms of time delays are provided to enable operation of said engine by others for pre-established time delay periods and controlled delay conditions.

Abstract: A liquor dispensing apparatus for automatically moving liquor from its bottle to a hand held nozzle to facilitate the preparation of drink, the dispensing apparatus including a pump which is simply constructed, relatively inexpensive and highly reliable. The pump includes a glass cylinder to allow inspection and preventive maintenance, two one way valves, solenoid actuation of the piston and an adjustment element for precisely controlling the amount of liquor pumped with each stroke of piston. The pump is held together by a bracket which allows quick disassembly and assembly of the pump without the need for tools.

Abstract: Labile coenzymes, such as reduced nicotinamide-adenide dinucleotide (NADH.sub.2), are stabilized by forming a composition of the coenzyme with an organic solvent such as 1,2 propanediol in the presence of at least 1% by volume of a solid, inert hygroscopic agent such as 10% by volume of a molecular sieve material. The stabilized composition contains less than 0.5% water, shows excellent shelf life and a container in which the composition is stored may be repeatedly opened for use without degradation of the labile coenzyme such as the labile NADH.sub.2.

Abstract: An adapter system for a stringed musical instrument having a tuning key and a string connected to the tuning key for adjusting the pitch of sound rendered by striking the string attached to said key. A limit stop is operatively mounted on the instrument along with a,rotational stop mounted on the key for interacting with the limit stop to confine the rotational movement of the tuning key to a certain predetermined arc. The limit stop can be adjusted to selectively change the angular arc. An internal adapter cylinder is operatively mounted on the shaft of the tuning key where the tuning key shaft is of a non-circular configuration. An upper cylinder and a lower cylinder are operatively mounted with respect to the internal adapter cylinder. The adapter cylinder is provided with a recess which accommodates a cylindrical insert used when the tuning key is not provided with a shoulder portion.

Abstract: An improved cable hoist apparatus having a drive sheave, a tensioning sheave, a pressure inducing chain and a brake system including a set of gears, linkage and brake actuating means. The linkage includes means for disengaging the gears under extreme operating conditions without loosening the chain from around the cable. An improved shaft assembly prevents binding and a solenoid actuated primary brake is manually operated.

Abstract: A seal comprising a spring having an enlarged diameter base mounted in the heel of a seal casing to enable flared arms extending forwardly from the base to freely exert by cantilever action an outwardly directed spring bias against the casing while the spring is retained by its base in the casing.

Abstract: A transducer diaphragm comprising a diaphragm plate with a predetermined pattern of recesses and mesas formed by a chemical etching method to change and/or isolate the expansion and contraction areas of the plate under pressure. In the illustrated embodiment, the pattern includes a central depression on the rearward face including peripheral cutouts extending outwardly from the central depression to receive a strain gauge, thereby positioning the location of the maximum compression amplitude of the diaphragm to be under the gauge.

Abstract: A transparent frusto-conical protective cover for a wedding cake, or other articles on a support member, the cover having a body portion comprising upstanding upwardly convergent walls. The walls overlap and are removably fastened at their edges. The bottom edge of the cover abuts the support member a distance from the outer edge of the cake or article so that the object is enclosed within the conical member.

Abstract: A laminated wooden rack structure forming multiple vertically layered storage bays extending longitudinally along an access aisle. The floor of each storage bay is supported by a pair of upright columns having beams sandwiched therebetween and stabilized at their junction by upper and lower blocks. In one embodiment, the lower block has a portion extending beyond the edges of the columns, and a gusset overlies said portion of the lower block and the adjacent portion of the beam.

Abstract: Reinforced plastic tapered tubular rod products and the method and apparatus for producing the same. Tapered steel mandrels of desired length and cross-sectional shape are connected in endwise alignment to form a continuously moving mandrel structure. The mandrels each have an enlarged head and a tapered nose at the opposite end thereof so that the nose extends into a recess formed in the enlarged head of the next proceeding mandrel. These mandrels are fed through a multiplicity of winding wheels in which filament containing strands issued from spools on the wheels are helically wound upon the mandrels. The winding wheels are individually programmable so that the geometry of the reinforcement can be varied ply by ply to obtain the desired longitudinal thickness and the desired torsional stiffness in the end product.

Abstract: A demountable modular construction unit forming a walk-through display area. The wall and ceiling portions are connected by a cantilever member to eliminate vertical ceiling supports along the front and end peripheral boundaries. The modular units can be combined together in back-to-back or face-to-face or end-to-end relationships to form different combinations of display areas. The individual units are detachable into their component parts.

Abstract: A three element disposable apparatus for dental cast articulation made of plastic or the like comprising a pair of pivotally attached cup members having grid means for removably mounting plaster casts thereon. A vertical guide pin is lockable in the upper cup member to determine its front displacement from the lower cup member.The inexpensive construction of this articulator makes it possible for each patient case to have its own new articulator.

Abstract: A hair curling device having an oven with a plurality of downwardly tapered heating chambers for receiving one or more hair curling irons. A clamp is pivotally mounted on the insulated handle of the curling iron so that the forward end of the clamp can be moved from an open position displaced from the forward heat conductive end of a forwardly tapered cone to a closed position abutting the cone throughout its length. A stop member on the forward end of the cone facilitates the retention of the hair during the curling process. The heating chamber has an open ended bore to enable the stop member to pass therethrough.

Abstract: Disintegrator and separator apparatus and method, having a pulverizing chamber with a rotary impeller therein for imparting acceleration to raw material received through an inlet. The impeller includes a pair of spaced apart discs having a plurality of blades connected between the discs at their outer edge, with a drive shaft connected to only one of the discs, leaving the middle of the pulverizing compartment open. A peripheral impact surface in the pulverizing chamber has a portion of its inside wall facing radially inwardly and aligned in the direction of rotation of the blades. One embodiment includes a plurality of overlapping peripheral impact blades which include an outlet passage between each pair of adjacent plates; a second embodiment includes a peripheral impact ring having outlet slots therethrough; and a third embodiment includes a peripheral impact ring having a concave inner surface, with outlet passages adjacent both sides thereof around the circumference of the ring.

Abstract: A rotary cutting device primarily used for the cutting of vegetation and which includes an outer housing having a motor mounted within the housing. A bobbin assembly which stores a selected amount of a filament permits dispensing of the filament through a hollow drive shaft which is rotated by the motor. The lower end of the filament serves as a rotating cutting element. The bobbin assembly is capable of being shifted axially with respect to the drive shaft in order to dispense a selected amount of the filament when shifted to a lower position and which also prevents locking action of the filament against unauthorized withdrawal when the bobbin assembly is normally biased to its upper position. The rotary cutting device also includes an outwardly flaring lower skirt section which is provided with a recess having a balancing element such as a liquid or semi-liquid material contained therein for balance against both static and dynamic imbalance created by the rotary action.

Abstract: A holder having a wide usage for holding plastic, cloth or paper against a surface. The holder is made of extruded plastic and includes a leg portion, a bowed base and a head portion for bearing against a surface. An arm may also be included for easily pivoting the head portion away from the surface. The holder may be used to restrain a water bed liner, curtains, valances, ruffles and paper memos for example. In addition, the holder may be placed back to back with another holder to form a clothespin type device.

Abstract: A multi-fluid dispensing apparatus having a plurality of conduits which terminate at a flat surface. A reciprocally movable piston valve having a flat surface which is large enough to abut the conduit terminal flat surface for closing all of the conduits and is movable within the housing between open and closed (abutting) positions. The flat surface of the piston valve includes a discharge for directing liquid against an interior wall to slow flow rate. A variation of the piston valve includes a circumferential slot whereby gas may be sucked into the liquid stream and to promote mixing.

Abstract: Apparatus for variably positioning and securing car radio units and the like, including a mounting shaft securable on a front chassis plate in a number of different positions spaced horizontally, vertically and diagonally from each other. A bracket member has an opening to receive the shaft and a plurality of legs extend therefrom for insertion into different sets of alignment holes on the front chassis plate.

Abstract: A cover for car radios and the like, having manually detachable components. A mounting frame formed by side walls is removably detachable at its rearward edge to the chassis of the radio; a front face plate is removably connected to the forward edge of the mounting frame; and, a flexible strip is removably inserted in a slot in the face plate.