Abstract: Weighing apparatus including variable capacitance load sensing means, a capacitance detection circuit, an analog to digital convertor and microcomputer control means is automatically verified for accurate operation. The capacitance detection circuit is provided with a computer controlled verification switch by which the value of a parameter, such as resistance in an attenuation circuit, can be changed. Automatic verification of correct operation is obtained by periodically, with no weight on the scale, obtaining a first weight reading, operating the verification switch to change the parameter and obtaining a second weight reading. The difference between the two readings is a verification value and is compared to a stored verification value obtained in the same manner during calibration and stored for later use. If the difference between the obtained and stored verification values exceeds an allowable limit, the scale may be disabled from further weighing.

Abstract: A digital scale compensated for creep by first obtaining and storing a mathematical representation of creep as a function of time for the particular scale. The current "creep state" of the scale is continually calculated, stored and used to correct the current weight indication for creep. The current creep state is obtained by calculating the increment of creep since the previous determination of creep state and combining it with the stored previous creep state.

Abstract: A sling assembly for a rifle, shotgun, or similar firearm consists of a butt portion (1) of the stock of a rifle, a rear or first multi-directional swivel (3) which is pivotally attached between the toe and the heel of the same butt portion of the stock of the firearm, a fore-end portion (2) of the stock of the same firearm, a front or second multi-directional swivel (4) which is pivotally attached to one of the two sides of said fore-end portion (2) of the same firearm stock, and connected to the rear of the first multi-directional swivel (3) and the front or second multi-directional swivel (4) is a sling or strap (5) whose length is adjustable. A firearm equipped with this sling assembly can be carried conveniently in various ready-to-fire and well balanced positions without tiring the arms of the person carrying the firearm and can be fired quickly with considerable accuracy since the first swivel (3) guides the butt (1) to the correct point of the shoulder.

Abstract: Load cells incorporating one or more gaged beams as the load sensing elements are compensated for off-center loading in the longitudinal and/or lateral directions. The load cell may also include one or more flexure arms extending parallel to the beam. The relative position of the gages and the neutral axis of the beam is made such that the gages produce a correctible response to off-set loading by positioning the gages and/or physically altering the beam. Preferably, conventional or special strain gages are mounted upon the beam(s) to produce a correctible response by the gages by rotating and/or displacing them with respect to the longitudinal axis of the beam. Resistors are then connected to certain of the strain gages to compensate for off-center loading. The strain gages are advantageously placed all on one side of a beam but may be placed on opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: A brush wear monitor system for dynamoelectric machines includes a sensor imbedded in a brush to provide a signal indicating a predetermined amount of brush wear. The brush wear signal is provided through an isolation network to an indicator circuit. The indicator circuit includes a first indicating lamp which is illuminated in the absence of a signal from the brush wear sensor to indicate normal operation and a second indicator lamp which is illuminated only in response to receipt of a brush wear signal from the sensor. Upon receipt of a signal the first indicator lamp is extinguished and the second indicator lamp is illuminated. A manually operated test switch is provided to check the operation of the indicator circuit.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail for use in fractures of the left or right femur includes a body having a head, an intermediate portion and a distal tip. Transverse openings are provided in the body near the distal tip and in the head for receiving locking screws. One opening in the head has its axis within the femoral neck and another opening has its axis generally transverse thereto. The nail head has a seat with a transverse locating slot for securing a screw insertion tool in a fixed angular position in which a screw guide on the tool is aligned with one of the screw receiving openings.

Abstract: A scale plate with one or more load cell structures formed integrally therewith. Each load cell includes a flexure beam with strain sensing means mounted thereon and a fixed end merging with the plate. A support member has a free end and another end that is fixed to and merges with the other end of the beam. The load is applied between the plate and the support member. The support member permits the point of load application to be selected for improved output response of the load cell. A second flexure beam may be provided to counter any torsion effects on the first mentioned beam. The beam and support member are formed by cutting slots in the scale plate.

Abstract: This invention provides a tongue press that can be switchably adapted to both external and internal tongue press holder. The tongue press can be embodied in various types such as the type covering the whole surface area of the tongue and the type covering one half or one side of the tongue and is also featured by a reticulate structure so as to alleviate the malaise of the patient applied with the device while eliminating slip of the tongue due to saliva, etc., in use of the device. The invention allows the selective use of any desired type of tongue press according to the patient and the purpose of use. Owing to the flexiblity provided by the reticulate structure, a single tongue press according to this invention can be used for many patients differing in size and shape of the tongue. Also, the production cost of the tongue press can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved scale arrangement comprising three or more load cells which are compensated for both lateral and longitudinal displacement of the load on the scale platter or platform and to a method of accurately compensating the scale so that the output of the scale is independent of the position of the weight on the scale. Only two strain gages are provided for each load cell which gages are connected in a single bridge circuit. Compensating resistor networks are connected to at least certain of the strain gages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hull of a vessel such as a tanker. The hull is basically composed of three hemispheres, at least of two of the hemispheres having an equal diameter, the three hemispheres being connected to one another such that the lines connecting the center of the hemisphere located at the bow side to the centers of the two hemispheres of the equal diameter constitute two sides of an equilateral triangle. With this hull construction, it is possible to obtain the maximum internal volume with minimized outer surface area, while attaining a superior steering and running performance.

Abstract: Water-resistant weighing apparatus comprising a load cell having a plate, one or more beams with fixed ends connected to the plate and strain sensing means on the beams. A platter is supported by the beams for receiving a load applied between the plate and the beam. The platter encloses the top and sides of the load cell and a shield is connected to the bottom of the platter and encloses the bottom of the load cell. A gasket is provided to seal the interface between the platter and the shield. A plurality of feet are provided for contact with a support surface. Bushings extend through the shield and connect the plate to the feet and sealing boots are provided to seal the openings in the shield for the bushings. The shield may include a vent to expose the load cell to atmospheric pressure and a sub-base plate may be provided to deflect moisture from the bottom of the shield and the vent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a filler opening of a drum into alignment with a filler. A wheel on the end of a probe driven by a pneumatic motor is moved in a circular path on the surface of the drum and falls into and is captured by the filler opening. The probe continues to move, rotating the drum and the filler opening toward alignment with the filler. Alignment between the probe and filler is sensed and used to reverse the direction of movement of the probe, causing it to withdraw from the filler opening.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and improved single beam load cells which are compensated for both longitudinal and lateral displacement of the load; to new and improved scale arrangements incorporating such load cells; and to methods of compensating such single beam load cells. In one embodiment of the invention strain gages are attached to only one side of the beam and the beam is honed or filed to compensate for both longitudinal and lateral displacement of the load. In another embodiment of the invention strain gages are placed on both sides of the single beam and the strain gages are placed on the beam at a slight angle from the longitudinal axis of the beam. In this embodiment the beam may be honed to compensate for both lateral and longitudinal displacement of the load.

Abstract: The upper and lower ends of numbers of curved cooling pipes are rotatably supported in the variable-type bubble water cooling apparatus according to the present invention. The cooling water is supplied to the pipes. The diameter of enveloping circle formed by these curved cooling pipes at a determined horizontal position is varied by relatively rotating the upper and lower support members of pipes. Thus, as the diameter of bubble passing portion of the apparatus can freely be varied, bubbles of variety of sizes can be produced by a single apparatus. Also, the cooling effects and positions are constant and the produced bubble has no unevenness of its thickness.

Abstract: A force measuring device comprising a load receiving platform supported by a multiple bending parallelogram beam type load cell is provided with a plurality of electrical strain gages. Strain gage elements mounted on one of the beams are displaced toward one side of the beam and strain gage elements mounted on the other beam are displaced toward the other side of the other beam. An appropriate resistor network is connected to at least one strain gage on one or both of the beams to correct for either longitudinal or transverse displacement of the load on the platform. To correct for both transverse and longitudinal displacement of the load a resistor network is connected to each of three of the strain gages. Suitable procedures for determining the values of the resistor networks in combination with the above structure are included.

Abstract: A circuit breaker has contacts which are engageable as a result of manual operation of a toggle mechanism causing the circuit breaker to close and open when the toggle is in an erect and collapsed condition, respectively. Subsequent opening of the circuit breaker is accomplished by either manual operation or automatic due to a current responsive latch within the toggle mechanism. As a result of a unique movable contact biasing arrangement, more uniform pressure is obtained between the contacts and a wiping action of the contacts is obtained during closing. The movable contact is mounted on a contact member pivoted at its center on a solid pin mounted in the breaker case through an elongated aperture in the contact member. The elongated aperture allows for a limited degree of movement of the contact member transverse to the pivot pin. It is this limited transverse movement which increases the tolerance range by providing overtravel of the movable contact and wiping action of the contacts.

Abstract: A continuously operating standby A-C power system which uses a single loop responsive to the system's input and output A-C voltages, the voltage of the battery included in the standby portion of the supply and the amplitude and frequency of the input A-C voltage for controlling the phase relationship between the input and output voltages. When the input A-C voltage is acceptable in both amplitude and frequency, the loop is closed. When the voltage becomes unacceptable, the loop opens. When the voltage returns to acceptability after a period of nonacceptability, circuitry is included in the system for slowly closing the loop.

Abstract: A circuit breaker has contacts engageable as a result of manual operation of a toggle mechanism causing the circuit breaker to close and open when the toggle is in an erect and collapsed condition, respectively. A push-off spring is used to bias a moveable contact away from a stationary contact to accelerate movement of the moveable contact during opening of the circuit breaker. Minimal manual effort is required to close the circuit breaker while providing greatly increased pressure for accelerating opening of the circuit breaker through use of a unique push-off spring which provides a first, lower, degree of resistance to closing of the contacts during the initial operation of the circuit breaker while providing a second, higher, degree of resistance to closing of the contacts after the initial operation. Manual closing of the circuit breaker is unimpeded by the second, higher, degree of resistance after the initial operation of the breaker.