Abstract: A variable power lens includes a pair of optical membranes, each of which has a periphery and at least one of which is flexible. A frame is provided for holding the membranes with their peripheries in juxtaposition such that the surface of the membranes and their peripheries define a predetermined volume which is filled with refractive fluid. A control operatively associated with the frame selectively imposes forces on the periphery of the membranes which vary the fluid pressure in the volume. The membrane and the frame are constructed and arranged so that the surfaces of the membranes vary in a substantially spherical manner in response to changes in pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A patient table for computerized tomographic (CT) scanners located at the rear of the CT gantry to assure more room for CT operators at the front of the gantry. The patient table works in co-operation with a trolley means having a slightly inclined table top holding a stretcher carrying the patient. The stretcher and the patient table include locking means for locking the stretcher to the patient table to enable removing the trolley means from the front of the gantry after the stretcher is locked to the patient table to provide more room at the front of the gantry.

Abstract: A safety binding comprises a fixed body and two independent wings which are laterally pivotable on a stationary member. An anti-friction plate can be pivotably mounted around a fixed axis and comprises two openings which respectively receive two arms which are affixed to two independently movable wings. The abutments or arms limit the extent of movement of the anti-friction plate, and insure its automatic recentering.

Abstract: A safety binding for a ski includes a jaw for holding the sole of a ski boot, the jaw being movable at least transversely with respect to the axis of the ski. The jaw is held in its normal position by an elastic member which returns it into its normal position after transverse movement. The jaw is associated with a pedal positioned under the end of the sole of the ski boot. This pedal includes a support member movable with respect to the ski as well as to the jaw.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for preventing the scattering of ejected molded articles in a plastic forming. The scattering prevention device includes screens made of a synthetic resin film and disposed at both sides of molds mounted on a fixed die plate and a movable die plate and inside a space defined by tie bars in such a manner that the molds can be covered, and magnetic assemblies coupled to the two lateral ends of each of the screens for fixing the screen to the molds or die plates. The synthetic resin film screens are mounted on the molds or the die plates only by the use of the magnetic assemblies. Each of the screen follows the clamping of the mold, and is contracted and folded. It is extended when it follows the opening of the movable mold.

Abstract: A half-tone reproduction of an object on a recording medium is produced using gray level values contained in the cells of an object matrix representative of the object. An actuatable marking device is operatively associated with and displaceable relative to the recording medium for printing a dot thereon at an exposure point determined by the location of the marking device at which the latter is actuated. A representation of the coordinates of the marking device is obtained, and converted to modular coordinates representative of the coordinates of the exposure point on a mesh of a fictitious of half-tone screen having a predetermined angular orientation relative to the print medium. A threshold screen value is computed from the modular coordinates, and a gray level value is obtained from the cell of the object matrix closest to the coordinates of the exposure point.

Abstract: In an electrostatic paint spraying installation or the like, a high-tension voltage generator comprises a voltage rectifier-multiplier in a mobile subsystem and a grounding connection in a fixed subsystem. A conductive wire connects an input terminal of the voltage rectifier-multiplier to the grounding connection. When the high-tension voltage generator operates, a high-frequency alternating current residual signal injected into this conductive wire is sensed and measured. The measured value is compared against a reference value that may be variable. The high-tension voltage generator is disabled if the difference between the measured value and the reference value reaches or crosses a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A justification system for use in an electrophotographic printer. The justification system comprises a detector which detects pulses occuring at intervals each covering a segment of a continuous form. A counter coupled to the detector counts the number of main scannings over the surface of a photoconductive drum during the time to feed each segment, as confirmed in the detector. The counted value is compared with a reference value by a differential arithmetic unit, the output of which is fed to a speed control to control the feed speed of the continuous form. This compensates for the fluctuations in printing positions of each segment due to systematic errors such, as expansion of the continuous form.

Abstract: A ski boot including a rigid shell base and a cuff journalled to the shell base. A manipulation lever for adjusting the fit of the boot, the manipulation lever being positioned at an upper zone of the shell base. At least one flexion element having a space for receiving the manipulation lever, the flexion element being associated with an upper surface of the shell base and cooperating with the cuff. The flexion element being mounted transversely to a longitudinal axis of the boot and being adapted to extend over at least a portion of the periphery of the foot of a skier using the boot over a zone extending along the flexion fold of the instep of the skier. The cuff having a lower edge adapted to cooperate with an upper surface of the shell base via at least one flexion element, the flexion element being in continuous supporting contact with the lowered cuff edge at least along the longitudinal axis of the boot. An internal foot tightening apparatus for adjusting the fit of the boot.

Abstract: A CT scanner comprises a static gantry member and a rotatable member mounted on the gantry member for rotation about a central axis. A stationary power supply is associated with the gantry member for supplying power to an x-ray tube mounted on the rotatable member. An inductive coupling is responsive to the power supply for transmitting electrical power to the x-ray tube from the gantry member. The x-ray tube is operable in response to the transmitted power for producing x-ray beams passing through the central axis.

Abstract: Cross country ski comprising an upper longitudinal rib having a generally vertical trapezoid cross section. The longitudinal rib has at least two superimposed layers extending to form the upper base, and two sides of the trapezoid.

Abstract: In a zoom lens system having front and rear groups of lenses movable in an optical axis direction, an apparatus is provided for preventing internal reflection. The apparatus comprises a movable antireflection member which is located at the rear of the rear group of lenses to intercept harmfull light which would otherwise be incident upon a film plane. The antireflection member movable along the optical axis direction of the lens system, in association with the movement of the rear group of lens.

Abstract: A ski boot having a shell base and an upper. The upper includes a front cuff and a rear spoiler which are independently pivoted on the shell base. The rear spoiler is mounted in such a manner as to allow two types of movement. The rear spoiler can rotate to a rearward, open position to provide a large opening for insertion of a foot. The rear spoiler can also move in a substantially vertical direction so that, when it is tightened to the front cuff, the upper can rotate as a monoblock assembly around the pivot for the front cuff.

Abstract: A boot liner, preferably for use with a ski boot of the rear-entry type, including an exterior envelope and an interior sock, having an injection cavity therebetween. Within the injection cavity, a filling product is designed to be injected for retaining the foot of the skier within the boot liner and within the ski boot within which it is adapted to be used. The exterior envelope and the interior sock are sealed along a lower peripheral edge defining a sole portion of the boot liner. The peripheral edge is engageable within a peripheral groove in the internal wall of the exterior envelope to thereby seal the injection cavity from the sole portion of the boot liner to thereby prevent the filling product from flowing beneath the sole of the foot positioned within the boot liner. The injection cavity is defined by respective surfaces of the external envelope and the interior sock.

Abstract: An apparatus for boring a laminated plate includes a table having a first surface on which a laminated plate may be placed for boring and an opposing second surface, the table defining at least one passage therethrough; a supporting pad for urging a laminated plate to be bored towards the first surface of the table; and a cutter for boring a laminated plate to be bored, the cutter operable to bore in a direction generally opposite to the direction that the supporting pad urges and through the passage defined by the table. Further according to the present invention, the cutter includes a knife edge, a pivotal mechanism adapted to be pivoted about its axial center line, and a stepping mechanism for moving the knife edge in one direction and unsuccessively further in a second direction so that successively deeper boring may be performed.

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus including an immovable cylinder secured to a camera body, a cam ring which is associated with the immovable cylinder to rotate and move in the optical axis directions and which is provided on its outer periphery with a circumferential groove or projection, a thrust member having a projection or groove which is engaged by the groove or the projection of the cam ring. The thrust member is capable of moving together with the cam ring in the optical axis direction and rotating relative to the cam ring. The apparatus also includes an adjustment fixing device for moving the thrust member in the optical axis directions to fix the thrust member to the immovable cylinder at a desired position.

Abstract: A "step-in" binding for cross-country skis. The binding includes a latching element, directly biased into an attachment position, which is pivotably mounted to a stirrup element, which is pivotable mounted to a linkage element, the linkage element being indirectly biased to the attachment position. These three elements are associated with a biasing assembly to create an over-center device to urge the latching element toward the attachment position. The binding can be arranged so that the over-center device is bi-stable to thereby urge the latching element toward a release position. In one form of the invention, the front portion of the ski boot is supported for rotation on a journal surface of the binding which coincides with the axis of rotation of the linkage element to provide a less complex and relatively light-weight assembly.

Abstract: To form lead or lead alloy terminals on cables comprising an insulative sheath and an aluminum core, the appropriate length of the core is bared and a metal part is fixed to the bared core. The terminal is then cast over this metal part. The metal part is compatible externally with the lead or the lead alloy forming the terminal and is compatible internally with the aluminum core. No high-resistivity substance is formed between any component layers of the resulting assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging an article such as, for example, a chocolate bar or other food product. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a conveyor system including a portion which leads the articles to a rotary inverter subsequent to an apparatus which folds a wrapper partially around the article. The inverter turns the article over to have the lower surface of the article face upwardly for having the final folds of the wrapper to be folded against the lower surface. The wrapper is preferably made from thermosealable material. Around the periphery of the inverter are workstations which preheat the thermosealable wrapper; apply pressure to cool the wrapper thereby sealing it; and fold the wrapper to create an extra flap with lateral folds projecting from the article. Downstream of the inverter is a workstation which seals the lateral folds, by heating, applying pressure to them, and cooling them. The lateral folds are supported from above during sealing by a support and guidance device.

Abstract: A bulk storage silo including a slanted floor opening into a discharge chute provided in the foundation of the silo wherein the floor is covered by a deck composed of a plurality of plates connected to vibrators arranged in a predetermined pattern which, when activated, causes the residual amount of grain which cannot be removed by gravity to flow into the discharge chute.