Abstract: An integrated building control system which includes a digital, time-multiplexed, multi-channel voice/data bus for conducting voice and data, a local operating network bus for conducting communication and control processor protocol signals, a CO-RES bus having sets of tip and ring lines for conducting analog voice and data signals, a line card unit having a line card communication and control processor, the line card unit coupled to the CO-RES bus, to a set of central office lines and to a corresponding set of resident telephone lines, and operative to activate switches so as to couple selected ones of the CO and resident telephone lines to the CO-RES bus, a line interface unit having a line interface communication and control processor, the line interface unit coupled to the CO-RES Bus and to the voice/data bus, and operative to provide digital signal processing capabilities, a digital interface unit having a digital interface communication and control processor, the digital interface unit coupled to the voi

Abstract: A kicking tee for holding a football in an upright position for kicking, comprises first, second and third legs having respective first and second end portions. The first and second legs first end portions are secured together to form an inverted "V" in a substantially vertical plane with the first and second legs second end portions engaging the ground. The third leg first end portion is secured to the first and second legs first end portions such that the third leg is disposed substantially horizontally when the third leg second end portion engages the tip of the football.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling the flow of coolant in an automotive cooling system comprises a centrally apertured disc forming a valve seat; a saddle member supported on the disc and straddling the aperture; a valve member positioned between the saddle and the disc; a spring biasing the valve member into engagement with the seat; a thermally responsive element for opening the valve against the spring in response to a predetermined temperature rise of the coolant; and a plurality of tabs formed in the disc and concentrically surrounding the valve seat adapted to rupture and deflect in response to a predetermined system pressure rise to form fluid passages bypassing the valve, the tabs being defined by score or cut lines extending partly around each tab.

Abstract: Method of producing a paint or other plastic resinous material or product which on application to a surface imparts the surface with a tanned skin or leather-like appearance. The method includes incorporating into a paint or a plastic resin fluid a granular non-flocculating resin-plastic-compatible leather powder having a specific gravity of about 0.38 to about 0.5 g/cc. The leather powder is produced from tanned skin and/or leather chips and/or strips which have been steam heated a period of time sufficient to permit the chips and/or strips to swell and simultaneously cause the naturally occurring twisted and tangled collagen fibers therein to shrinkk and to automatically loosen and become less twisted and less tangled which upon pulverization produces a powder including relatively smooth granules having lubricity and relatively non-fibrous.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compressed gas cartridge actuator assembly having an elongated main body with side by side wells. A pair of compressed gas cartridges are positioned in the wells to face in opposite directions. Each end of the elongated body has a lever and a piercing pin for selective actuation of one of the cartridges.

Abstract: A robot device is provided, particularly for scaling vertical surfaces, comprising a frame structure 1 having four sides 2 to 5, preferably in a rectangular configuration, adjacent ends of each of the sides 2 to 5 being pivotally coupled together by pivots 6. Each of the side members 2 to 5 is provided with suction devices 7 associated with the pivots 6 thereof and a linear actuator 9 is provided between two adjacent sides which is sequentially controlled by a microprocessor to sequentially change the configuration of the frame structure 1 to effect travelling movement of the robot device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming seals, such as composite seals in rubber/metal or other materials, includes supplying a raw elastomeric mixture in the form of a suitably shaped extrusion, and optionally a metal or other material insert, to respective loading and a possibly metal or other material insert are supplied to respective loading stations of a transfer machine; the machine is provided with a plurality of carriers each composed of at least two pivoted leaves joined in book-like fashion and each carrying a respective mould half, respective spring presses movable on the machine together with the said carriers, and cam means for holding the said carriers open at the loading stations; after cleaning of the mould halves and spraying of the upper mould half with a release agent a said insert is deposited between the mould halves by means of manipulators able to self-center themselves with respect to each carrier and then a blank of raw mixture obtained by slicing the extrusion is deposited between the mould

Abstract: A dielectric test device formed on a substrate which includes a conductive ground plane layer formed over the substrate, a dielectric layer over the ground plane layer and a short and long conductive strip overlying the dielectric layer. Each of the long and short strips extends between common input and output conductive pads and are substantially identical in all respects except for length. Measurement of the interference pattern at the output node resulting from an input signal of a single frequency applied to the input node as frequency is varied over the gigahertz range allows the calculation of effective dielectric constant, propagation velocity as a function of frequency and attenuation.

Abstract: The invention provides a photographic studio light reflecting apparatus which is low cost, portable and easily adjustable to provide a wide range of lighting effects. The apparatus comprises first and second laterally spaced apart vertically side wall pairs, each pair having stationary and movable side wall panels. The apparatus also has a horizontal top wall panel supported on and extending between the stationary side wall panels. All the panels have inwardly facing diffused light reflecting surfaces to reflect light from conventional studio lights onto the subject. The movable panels are clear of the top wall panel to permit relative movement therebetween to vary lighting effects.

Abstract: The differential comprises a drive input element, two output cam members each rotatable about a common axis, each cam member having a single angular cam surface thereon of undulating form arranged such that the cam surfaces on the cam members converge towards each other and a plurality of cam followers. The followers have cam engaging end surfaces for imparting drive from the input element to the output cam members. Relative contro-rotation of the output cam members causes the cam followers to slide axially. The cam followers are elongate in direction of the common axis and are slidably supported throughout virtually their entire length by the drive input element. The followers may be arranged closely adjacent each other to provide a degree of mutual support.

Abstract: A fishing lure comprising an elongated spoon portion and a flexible tail portion mounted on the spoon portion. The spoon portion includes a longitudinal slot extending from an intermediate part to one end thereof. A plurality of teeth are located along the edges of the spoon portion forming the longitudinal slot. A fish hook is mounted on one face of the spoon portion and extends in overlying relation, and centrally disposed with respect to the longitudinal slot. The tail portion includes a tubular member in sleeved engagement with the fish hook, and held in fixed relation thereto by barbs on the fish hook. The tail portion further includes a part which extends partially through the longitudinal slot and is retained by the teeth along the edges of the spoon portion forming the longitudinal slot.

Abstract: An elongated building block has spaced apart inner and outer faces and top and bottom faces and complementary end portions with openings therein. The openings of the block are disposed on a straight longitudinal axis and clearance is located adjacent the longitudinal axis and a central portion of the inner face of the block. When horizontal rows of similar blocks are stacked one upon the other, end portions of the blocks in one row are positioned above central portions of blocks in an adjacent row, so the joints between the blocks are staggered. Generally vertical connecting rods pass through aligned openings to connect alternate rows of the blocks together. Clearance in alternate rows of blocks exposes intermediate portions of the connecting rods. When used as an embankment retaining wall, generally horizontal tie back rods embedded in the embankment connect with the exposed intermediate portions of the connecting rods passing between alternate rows of blocks.

Abstract: A fibre optic switch which includes an actuator reversibly movable between at least two switch positions, an actuator position detector and a single optical fibre path connected between the actuator and the actuator position detector. A beam splitter is provided to couple light from a light source into the fibre so as to travel towards the actuator. A filter is selectably insertable into the path of light emanating from an end of the fibre at the actuator and a retro-reflector reflects the filtered light back to the fibre. The reflected light is directed by the beam splitter towards the actuator position detector.

Abstract: In order to render harmless the aerosol laden smoke stream which results from the operation of medical lasers in or on mammalian bodies, the stream is moved in a closed circuit maintained at negative pressure. The circuit includes a container of sterilizing fluid to retain and destroy the larger aerosol particles and downstream of that container a chamber having an oxygen enriched atmosphere which is heated to a temperature sufficient to incinerate the remaining aerosol particles which are too small to filter. The thus purified stream is then cooled and released to ambient.

Abstract: A device is shown that is adapted to be placed on the strings in the head of a tennis racket adjacent a bowed or displaced string in the woven pattern of strings, which device can be manually manipulated to move the string back to its a correct position in the woven pattern. The string straightener is constructed to automatically adjust itself to be fitted to any conventional woven string pattern in the usual form of tennis rackets.

Abstract: A wash station comprises a sink and a faucet. A source of water and a source of soap are provided. An electrically operated valve is interposed between the water source and the faucet for selectively supplying water thereto, and a pump and valve are interposed between the soap source and the faucet for selectively supplying soap thereto. An electrically operated roll towel dispenser is disposed proximate the sink. A first infrared sensor is operably associated with the sink for determining the presence of a user. A control mechanism is operatively associated with the valves, the pump, the roll towel dispenser and the sensor for causing water and soap to be selectively supplied to the faucet and for thereafter causing a length of roll towel to be dispensed.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus includes an outer member with a central opening. An inner member is within the opening of the outer member. There are two sets of bearings between the outer member and the inner member for permitting relative rotation therebetween about an axis. The two sets of bearings are spaced apart along the axis, each having an inner race and an outer race. The inner races are slidably mounted on the inner member. A portion of the outer member is disposed between the outer races so as to hold the outer races a first distance apart and so the inner races are held a second distance apart when the inner member and outer member are unloaded. Each of the sets of bearings transfers from the inner member to the outer member those forces acting along the axis which are directed towards the other set of bearings only. There is a spacer disposed between the inner races.

Abstract: An overflow level controller for a bathtub is provided with an adapter ring to facilitate connection with a conventional bathtub fixture base, and includes a housing with a removable covering. Rotation of the housing adjusts the overflow level of the bathtub.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflatable life belt of light weight, compact construction which is normally worn around the waist or hips of the individual, the size of which does not interfere with the activities of the individual while on board the ship, thereby rendering it feasible to use at all times without discomfort or in any way hindering normal physical activities. The belt encircles the body and is detachably engaged therewith by suitable belt means, the belt comprising two buoyancy sections of similar size which are folded one on top the other for sake of compactness. Each section of the belt includes a closed chamber; at least one of the chambers is automatically inflatable by suitable means such as a compressed gas cartridge mounted on the belt. The other closed chamber may be similarly inflated independently of the first chamber, or, alternatively, may be filled with an inherently buoyant material, such as foam, to render the life belt operative as soon as the individual enters the water.