Abstract: A plastic lens shaper and finisher has a bed to which a first frame is mounted for reciprocation along the first axis. A second frame is mounted to the bed for reciprocation along the second axis generally transverse to the first axis. A third frame is secured to the bed adjacent said first and second frames. Displacement devices are operably connected to each of the first and second frames causing reciprocation thereof. A motor is mounted to the first frame and has a rotary cutter secured to the distal end thereof for cutting the blank. A second motor is mounted to the second frame and includes a first blank holding portion at one end and a first pattern holding portion at the other end. The second frame includes a portion carrying the second blank holding portion and a cylinder and piston assembly for driving the second portion for clamping and releasing the blank.

Abstract: The method of controlling a velocity dependent factor of strip material being processed in a mill includes the steps of simultaneously determining the apparent velocity of material prior to, between and subsequent to spaced apart work rolls. Input slip is determined by comparing the apparent input velocity with the apparent work roll velocity, and output slip is determined by comparing the apparent output velocity with the apparent work roll velocity. A velocity dependent factor is calculated in response to a comparison of input slip and output slip. The calculated factor is compared with a previously calculated factor and a derived factor is calculated when the calculated factor exceeds the previously calculated factor by more than the selected amount and an adaptive factor used to calculate the derived factor is calculated when the calculated factor does not exceed the previously calculated factor by the selected amount.

Abstract: A catch device is described of the type in which a fork element is thrust by a striker pin during closure of the door of a vehicle to rotate to come into snap engagement with a catch element operable to lock it in a closure position; its principal characteristic lies in the fact that it is provided with a supplementary spring pivotally attached eccentrically at one end to the fork element and at the other end to an attachment point fixed with respect to this latter, in such a way that the initial rotation of the fork element causes an eccentric elastic reaction of the spring which forces the fork element to complete its rotation with a reduced door-closing movement so as to reduce the door closure force.

Abstract: 2-way and 3-way catalyst compositions comprising tin(IV) oxide (SnO.sub.2) and chromium(VI) oxide (CrO.sub.3) are disclosed for use in catalytic converters for vehicle exhaust gas systems, such catalyst compositions being effective in the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons, and in the catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides contained in the vehicle exhaust.

Abstract: The process for securing a machine tool bed to a base includes the steps of providing a base having a horizontally disposed first surface wherein a plurality of cooperating grooves are disposed. A selected quantity of hardenable grout material is deposited into the grooves. A bed has a second surface from which a plurality of tongues extend, and each tongue has side surfaces which are relatively rougher than the associated distal surface. The bed is horizontally positioned above the base so that each tongue is received in an associated groove and each distal surface is spaced from the associated underlying groove, thereby causing the grout material to rise by an amount insufficient to contact the second surface. The bed is maintained spaced above the base until the grout material has hardened and thereby binds each side surface but not the associated distal surface to the base.

Abstract: A multi-hull sailing craft has a pair of essentially aligned parallel interconnecting air foil shaped hulls. Each hull has a vertical flat outwardly curved inner side surface for generating lift and terminating at a lower edge which defines the keel line. The outer side terminates at its lower edge along a chine line. A flat bottom planing surface extends between the chine and the keel, and is downwardly inclined at a substantial dead rise angle to produce both a substantial dynamic buoyant force for moving the hull upwardly and onto the bow wave, and for supplying a lateral force to supplement the lifting force generating along the inner surface. The resulting intersection of the three surfaces producing a keel line which has a convex curvature in both the horizontal and vertical plane.

Abstract: The invention provides a master controller to store and call up on command a plurality of setups for numerous satellites. An antenna is directed to a desired satellite, the polarization of the feed horn is changed to that of the signal to be received and a receiver or receivers are switched to the proper band, C or Ku. A transponder is selected as are audio and/or video frequencies, half or full transponder modes in the Ku band, and video reverse. The setup is recalled by an operator or by a timer which can call or set up at prescribed periodic intervals or on a one-time basis. An operator can change one or more parameters of a specific setup.

Abstract: A rotary cutting member for use with lawn mowers and the like includes a continuous rim having at least three stepped openings at different elevations relative to the ground for securing at least three flexible cutting filaments to the rim, thereby providing at least three cutting planes when the rotary member is rotating.

Abstract: An improved fuel package comprising fuel pieces, a combustible moisture proof container for holding the fuel pieces in a specific shape, and combustible binder/starter composition for binding together some of the fuel pieces into a stack within the container to promote combustion of the fuel pieces when the container is ignited.The invention is also directed toward a method of making the fuel package and hermetically sealing it.

Abstract: An internally air cooled brake disc assembly of the invention is manufactured by casting in small pieces to eliminate problems associated with casting large discs with integral air cooling passages. The assembly has a main disc member and a plurality of disc segments secured to the main disc member. The disc segments are separate entities and can expand and contract independently of each other, thus reducing distortion from thermal effects. Assembled outer surfaces of each disc segment are generally flat and provide an annular surface to be swept by brake pads. Inner surface of each disc segment has a plurality of ridges and at least one groove which spaces apart the ridges. The ridges contact the main disc member so that at least one passage is formed between the disc segment and the disc member to receive a flow of cooling air. When the disc segments are secured on each side of the main disc member, the disc assembly has a plurality of cooling passages on each side of the main disc member.

Abstract: A distance detecting apparatus has a transmitter for transmitting a cyclic output signal. The transmitter is digitally controlled to adjust the frequency of the output signal in relatively small increments through a band of frequencies. A receiver receives a cyclic reflected signal and has an adjustable center frequency of response. There is a device for adjusting the center frequency of response to correspond to the frequency of the output signal. The apparatus may have digital control for controlling the power level of the output signal. There may be a digital control for the gain of the receiver. The apparatus may also include a transducer for converting electrical signals to ultrasonic signals and include controls for adjusting the frequency of the output signal according to requirements of the transducer.

Abstract: A high-temperature reactor with a reactor core containing fuel elements crossed by a cooling gas circuit comprises a malfunction filter for filtering metal fission products discharged from the fuel elements in the event of core overheating. The filter is mounted in the cooling gas circuit outside the reactor core and consists of a carbon which is incompletely graphitized, or is not graphitized at all.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a book-binding comprises the steps of providing a book-binding sheet, providing a length of hot-melt strip material, orienting a portion of the material relative to the sheet, securing the portion to the sheet, and severing the secured portion from the remaining length.

Abstract: A DC to DC power supply including an energy transferring snubber circuit produces a changing magnetic flux by opening and closing a switching element to interrupt current flow in a first inductor. A current is induced in a second inductor in response to the changing magnetic flux. A first capacitor is charged with a current due to a first potential appearing across the switching element when the switching element is opened. The current induced in the second inductor and the current from the first capacitor is conducted to the load when the switching element is closed. A snubber circuit minimizes the first potential appearing across the switching element while transferring energy to the load.

Abstract: An anti-lash adjuster for compression relief brakes on internal-combustion engines. The anti-lash adjuster has a slave piston adapted to contact the valve-actuating mechanism for the exhaust valves. The slave piston has a predetermined surface area and a retracting spring which biases the slave piston to a retracted position. A forward bias unit is provided to assist oil under engine-oil pressure in overcoming the retracting force to bias the slave piston to an extended position. The forward bias unit only assists the engine-oil pressure in overcoming the retracting force over a limited distance. The distance may be selected to keep the exhaust valves open throughout brake operations or only to take up the lash during brake operation or to take up part of the lash. A master piston is provided to further open the valves during portions of brake operation. There is means, such as an aperture extending through the slave piston, to prevent the slave piston from moving away from the forward bias unit.

Abstract: A method for preparing large cast iron dies for use in pressing the sheet-metal components of vehicle bodies is described; this method results in improved pressing performance, such as extended life and, in particular, drastic reduction in rejects and stoppages due to seizure; its main characteristic consists of subjecting to induction hardening treatment those die regions most subject to operational wear.

Abstract: A hand held light source probe for use with a transillumination apparatus for tumor detection having a housing with a handle, light source, light skill and air circulating means.

Abstract: A power trimmer including a handle, a housing, a gas operated engine, a plurality of wheels, and a cutting blade. The housing includes a front wheel mounting member, a rear wheel mounting member, and a cutting blade mounting member. The cutting blade mounting member is offset from the front and rear wheel mounting members. A passageway extends along the upper surface of the cutting blade mounting member. The first end of the passageway is positioned adjacent the exhaust port of the gas operated engine. The second end abuts the rear wheel mounting member. The passageway directs the exhaust fumes from the gas operated engine underneath the housing thereby significantly reducing the noise of the invention. Further, harmful exhaust fumes are directed away from the operator. The cutting blade mounting member includes fixed and removable sections. The removable section can be secured to either side of the fixed section. Thus, an operator can trim from both sides of the power trimmer.

Abstract: A self-photography booth comprises a booth having a first end portion for a person to be photographed and a spaced and aligned opposite second end portion. A camera is operably associated with the second end portion and includes a selectively operable film advance system for advancing a length of film having a plurality of frames through the camera in a sequential manner and a shutter button for selectively exposing a frame of the film with an image of the person. A video camera is operatively associated with the second end portion and with the camera for receiving the image of the person perceived by the camera. A video display is operably associated with the video camera and with the second end portion for displaying the perceived image.

Abstract: A fire stopping apparatus includes a metal casing having two side walls with co-extensive openings and an annular outer wall extending between the side walls outwardly from the openings, forming an inwardly open, annular channel. The casing has mounts for connecting the apparatus to a building structure. There is an intumescent material within the channel. A resilient gasket extends from the casing and has an annular inner wall extending inwardly beyond the intumescent material.