Abstract: An apparatus for providing information, for example, tourist information, comprising a sound reproducing device which can receive a prerecorded tape, such as a cassette, having informative touring information for a specific location, the apparatus being manually energizable and being shut off at predetermined points by the tape. The tape can have numbers thereon viewable by the operator and for indicating the road exit or location.

Abstract: A constant voltage, constant frequency, uninterruptible a.c. power supply having a line voltage regulator, a rectifier-inverter with an emergency battery power supply and a transfer switch for selectively connecting the line voltage regulator and rectifier-inverter to a load. Under normal conditions, the line voltage regulator and rectifier inverter derive their operating power from the power line and are both connected to the load. If the fault detection system detects a power line fault, it causes the transfer switch to disconnect the line voltage regulator from the load and the rectifier-inverter supplies power to the load from the emergency battery power supply. If the fault detection system detects a rectifier-inverter fault, it causes the transfer switch to disconnect the rectifier-inverter from the load. A synchronization control system regulates the phase of the rectifier-inverter.

Abstract: A building panel comprises a rectangular substantially flat block of foam material having a plurality of parallel grooves in the inner face thereof. A plurality of similar panels are assembled in edge-to-edge relationship to form a wall and a spacer is received within the aligned grooves of a plurality of building panels. A second wall spaced from the first wall is formed of a similar plurality of panels and the spacer member is received within the opposed grooves of the inner faces of both walls so that a space is formed between the walls. Opposed blocks in the walls are clamped together to align the walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the thickness of filter cake on a filter by using the difference in pressure between the inside of the filter apparatus and the inside of a hollow body spaced from a filter element to provide a signal of measurement.

Abstract: A Bourdon tube sensing element for a fluid-filled temperature gauge is made by inserting strips of silicone rubber into a partially flattened tube, especially one of beryllium copper, which is shaped on a fixture or mandrel. The shaped tube is subjected to a heat treatment during which the silicone rubber expands and deforms the tube. After heat treatment, the tube is cooled retaining its shape and the silicone rubber contracts from the inner surface of the tube to form a small passage between the silicone rubber and the tube so that the pressure of the fluid may be uniformly applied to the interior walls of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for the edge heating of sickle blades having a pair of magazines for retaining a vertical stack of blades therein, a pair of heat-treating stations located inwardly of the magazines and a discharge chute between the stations. A guide and rod assembly is reciprocated by an eccentric between two positions for feeding a blade from a magazine to a heat-treating station and removing the treated blade from the heat-treating station to discharge the blade into a discharge chute.

Abstract: Orthopedic extension apparatus having a lower part and a swingable carrier pivotally mounted thereon, spaced fastening means for holding the patient at spaced parts to which tension is to be applied, the carrier being connected to a fastening means at a point spaced from the pivot, the carrier receiving the legs of the patient which can exert force thereon to apply tension between the spaced fastening means.

Abstract: The roof of the heating chamber in a refractory furnace is made of refractory or brick with vertical holes therein and a number of hooks or holding means are suspended in these holes. The hooks project into the heating chamber and an electrical heating element means is suspended on the hooks. In order to remove the heating elements, a plastic bag is used which has its open edge fastened to the top surface of the furnace to enclose an opening in the furnace through which the heating element and the bricks or holding means to which the heating element is attached can be withdrawn. The bag is of sufficient size to enclose the entire assembly when withdrawn from the furnace. The parts are arranged so that another element can be placed in the furnace by another bag so that gaseous contents of the furnace are kept in the furnace.

Abstract: An anti-skid chain having horizontal links and at least one vertical shackle having arms surrounding the horizontal link and firmly connected thereto.

Abstract: A material heat treating system having a plurality of integral quench furnaces and means to convey material to be treated thereto in a selected pattern operated by controllers into which selected patterns of treatment are fed. The controllers feed signals to a selected furnace to control operation thereof in a selected manner and also provide signals to control movement to, from and through the system in accordance with a selected program.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and process for detecting changes in the density of a gas wherein the gas to be measured is introduced into a closed casing at the rotary axis of a hollow disc wheel rotating within the casing. The disc wheel is provided with a plurality of radial vanes and the gas is centrifuged by the rotating disc. A Pitot tube positioned at the periphery of the disc measures the force exerted by the centrifuged gas to ascertain its mass which is then compared with a reference pressure.

Abstract: The roof of an elongated heating chamber of a refractory walled industrial furnace includes a plurality of transverse rafters which are spaced along the chamber, and each rafter is formed of a pair of arch bricks and an arch key brick between the inner ends thereof. A plurality of longitudinally extending roof bricks are supported between successive rafters by the means of notches in the ends of the roof bricks which rest upon horizontal surfaces defined on the central portion of each rafter.

Abstract: A self-regulating device for controlling the flow of water from a conduit open end into a reservoir or wet marshland and to an outside body of water, such as tidal water, which includes a gate pivotally mounted at its bottom edge so as to be pivotable upwardly to close the conduit end. A rod is pivotally connected to the upper edge of the gate and extends upwardly through a slotted bracket, and a float is mounted on the upper portion of the rod above the bracket. As the level of the tidal water rises, the float will rise and move the gate into the closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a series of matched sets of parts for a chain system, each set including a chain link of round-section bar, a connecting member and a lockable retainer pin for retaining the link in engagement in a slot in the connecting member. The invention provides that in order to ensure that links and connecting members which are incompatible in strength cannot be joined together, the bar diameters of the chain links, the widths of the slots in the connecting members, the internal widths of the links and the diameters of the retaining pins are varied stepwise from size to size from one matched set to the next in the series.

Abstract: A valve arrangement having a disc which is tapered in cross section from the center to the periphery so that upon impact closure with the seat, deformation of the disc will absorb impact energy. The valve arrangement can consist of two check valves in back-to-back relation, the valve discs being swingable relative to the seats therefor, one of the valves being held in an open position and released upon abnormal conditions so that it can close.

Abstract: A line isolation monitor for detecting faults of lines isolated from ground in which a constant current generator generates an electrical signal having one or more frequencies near the power line frequency and applies the electrical signal to the power lines. A signal sensor detects the generated electrical signal on the power line and a discriminator determines the effect of the phase angle of the impedance from each of the power lines conductors to ground and the effect of the relative magnitudes of each of the conductors impedance to ground to detect a fault. A threshold circuit generates an alarm signal if the current flow is above a predetermined level, to energize audible and visible alarms.

Abstract: A mounting strap for mounting an electrical wiring device, such as a switch, having apertures at both ends for receiving mounting screws. The apertures have resilient lips which engage the threaded portion of the screws to prevent the free movement thereof. The mounting strap is adapted to fit on a mounting box with the electrical wiring device located within the mounting box.

Abstract: A vertical centrifugal is provided with an imperforate basket and a center feedcone which discharges the feed stream at the bottom of the basket through a plurality of discharge tubes extending radially from the lower portion of the feedcone. Within the feedcone are provided a plurality of substantially vertically extended vanes for accelerating the liquid feed stream.

Abstract: A solar heat collector including a panel coated with oxygen-deficient PbO.sub.2, such as .alpha.-PbO.sub.2 or .beta.-PbO.sub.2, heat being absorbable thereby and transferable to a liquid for operation heating or cooling systems.

Abstract: A pressure leaf filter with a pair of sluicing assemblies oscillatable independently of each other to spray sluicing fluid on said leaf elements to remove filter cake. The sluice arms can have fixed or rotatable nozzles. A control means is provided to energize electric or fluid operated motors at predetermined times so that the sprays of the nozzles do not interfere with each other.