Abstract: Creep/recovery tests of a small sample are carried out on a conventional testing machine with vertical compression capabilities using an additional spring which allows the drive system of the testing machine to apply the force to the small sample substantially instantaneously and then to maintain that force substantially constant as required for a creep/recovery test. The addition of the spring allows the drive system to be halted at the predetermined required force with high accuracy. The spring is selected to have a large deformation relative to the deformation of the sample during the creep period so that the force is maintained substantially constant irrespective of the creep deformation of the sample. For the first time this arrangement allows creep/recovery tests of small samples such as seeds to be carried out.

Abstract: A motivational product is provided in the form of a chart which has a plurality of rectangles defining consecutive days for daily motivational effect upon the user. Each rectangle is associated with a label which carries either an "action" for the day or a "thought" for the day. The combination of a thought which requires to be philosophically considered by the user together with a daily action to be physically undertaken by the user is particularly motivational in character. The labels can be applied onto the rectangles on the daily basis to modify an illustration covering the chart from an initial characteristic to a modified characteristic which encourages the user to complete the task over the cycle of days defined by the rectangles provided.

Abstract: A ventilator for providing low pressure air for assisting the breathing of an imfirm patient includes a pump with a cylindrical chamber having a vane mounted within the chamber for sweeping the inside surface of the chamber in a pumping action. The pump is double-acting. Ports to the pump are located in a wedge-shaped divider member permanently mounted within the chamber and extending from the chamber to a shaft driving the vane. Valves for the ducts extending from the ports to respective inlets and outlets are mounted exteriorly of the wedge-shaped dividing member. The pump can therefore have lower volume and the shaft is directly driven providing high efficiency and simple adjustment of the volume supplied to the patient.

Abstract: A check-relief valve for use in a hydraulic circuit comprises a channel through a valve body which is divided by a central annular restriction into two portions. On each side of the restrictor is provided a valve seat which cooperates with a spherical ball to close off flow in a direction toward the restriction. At the outer end of each portion of the channel is provided a perforated plate which prevents the ball from restricting flow when the ball is forced against the plate. Either the ball or the restrictor is formed of a resilient deformable material which can be deformed when the pressure in the fluid exceeds a predetermined maximum in which case the ball is forced through the restriction to the opposite portion of the channel. The check valve is used in a system of a swather for moving one of the draper assemblies longitudinally of the frame of the swather and simultaneously reversing the direction of rotation of the drive to the draper.

Abstract: A centrifugal bowl is intermittently cleaned of concentrate by a scoop which projects into the bowl and is indexed in a direction axially of the bowl and moved radially of the bowl to enter each in turn of a plurality of annular grooves formed on the bowl surface. The fluidized material in the groove enters the scoop and is extracted from the scoop by suction.

Abstract: A device for cutting flexible tubing includes a support member attached to a wall surface in fixed stationary position. The support member has a shelf projecting horizontally therefrom across which the tubing to be cut is laid. An adjustable end abutment member locates the end face of the tube as it lies across the shelf. A blade which has pointed end projects forwardly from the support member above the shelf and has a sharpened edge facing upwardly away from the shelf. In operation the user manually grasps the tubing on either side of the self and pushes the tubing rearwardly across the shelf toward the support member so that it engages the blade which punctures the tubing. With the tubing held in position against the shelf, an abutment surface on the support member and the end abutment member, the tubing is manually rotated to provide a cut lying exactly in a plane at right angles to the axis of the tubing.

Abstract: A system for detection of tampering with a utility meter provides not only an indication that tampering has occurred but also sufficient information to enable an estimation of actual consumption to be made as opposed to the tampered metered consumption. The device includes a plurality of tampering sensors sensing tilt, electric field, magnetic field, temperature, sound, reverse rotation of a moving element and excessive difference between metered consumption and an approximate actual consumption. The device also measures the movement of the moving element. These sensed signals are recorded in sequential time periods of for example eight hours so that an analysis can be made on a daily basis to provide an accurate pattern of consumption as opposed to the tampered meter consumption pattern.

Abstract: A window unit is provided for reducing heat loss through the window while at the same time providing a desirable inflow of prewarmed ventilation air to maintain interior air quality and thermal comfort. The window unit comprises an outer window frame and a sash frame designed to support an inner dual pane sealed window unit together with a separate outer single pane thus providing a triple pane action. The sash frame is also modified to provide a slot at the lower edge for entry of exterior air into a channel defined between the outer pane and the outer surface of the sealed window unit. The building is maintained at reduced pressure to cause air to flow in a laminar action along the channel toward a slot above the top of the sealed window unit so that heat escaping from the outer pane of the sealed window unit is carried by the laminar air flow back through the upper slot and into the interior of the building.

Abstract: A lottery type game includes a plurality of indicia which can be exposed to reveal a winning or losing line and has a central indicium covered by scratchable ink and two other indicia covered by an ink which is normally opaque at room temperature but which becomes transparent on heating. The game can be used for the packaging of heatable food products or for other promotions relating to heating equipment.

Abstract: A drop box transmission is especially suited for use in heavy equipment of the four-wheel drive, bi-directional Type 1, that is capable of being driven in opposite directions with equal speed and power ranges. The transmission has a four shaft drop from an input shaft carrying high and low range gears alternatively driving a second shaft positioned below the input shaft. A series of gears mounted rotatably on the second shaft are in constant mesh with compatible gears on a third shaft below the second shaft. The second shaft gears are selectively and alternatively engaged with the second shaft to be driven by it. Each of these gears is in constant mesh with a corresponding gear rotating with a third shaft below the second shaft. The third shaft drives a drive gear meshing with a forward drive gear on a fourth, output shaft below the third shaft and also drives a gear on a reversing counter shaft carrying a second gear meshing with a reverse drive gear also carried on the fourth shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a modified wheel structure including an outer rim rotating upon an inner member formed substantially as a hollow cylindrical drum on an outer surface of which the rim is mounted on bearings provided between the outer surface and the inner surface of the rim. A suspension arm from the vehicle frame projects from the vehicle frame into the hollow drum for pivotal movement of the wheel relative to the suspension arm about a horizontal axis which lies substantially in the vertical central plane of the wheel. In a steering system, the suspension arm connects with a cap mounted on a post at the bottom of the inner member with a hydraulic motor driving rotation of the inner member relative to the cap for a steering action. The drive system to the wheel is transmitted through an open inner face of the drum through a hole in an outer face of the drum to a drive disc mounted on the outer face and communicating radially outwardly to the outwardly facing edge of the rim member.

Abstract: A display ornament for attachment for example to the window of an automobile includes a sheet of foam of the thickness of the order of 1/2 inch which is cut in the form of a circle or a football shape. The foam sheet is attached to a window by a suction cup of the type having a head on one side, a short shank and a frusto-conical suction member. The thickness of the foam cooperates with the suction cup member to countersink the suction cup within the body of the foam material so that when attached to the window the front surface of the foam material is drawn tight against the window surface. Both surfaces of the foam can carry a suitable logo for advertising or display purposes.

Abstract: An exercising device comprises a simple flat board arrangement with a transverse rib across the underside defining a single pivot axis about which the board can pivot in a forward to rearward direction. The board is sized to receive the feet of the user and carries on the underside adjacent the rear edge a pair of resilient stop members and at the forward edge a carrying handle. A separate handle piece can stand up from the upper surface for manual assistance of the rocking action.

Abstract: Designed for use primarily with needles carrying radioactive material in which the syringe is inserted into a radiation shield, the device includes a freestanding support having a planar shield on the upper end of a stem extending upwardly from a base. A central aperture through the shield and into the stem includes an upstanding portion having a chamfered outer end. The lower end of the radiation shield surrounding the syringe includes an inwardly tapered or chamfered bore so that self centering takes place as the syringe and needle is inserted into the stem. The device also allows one handed insertion of the syringe and needle into the sheath which is in the bore of the stem leaving the other hand free to attend or support the patient. If held by the stem in the other hand, the shield prevents the needle from engaging the hand or fingers of the operator as the needle is reinserted into the sheath.

Abstract: A spacer for separating panes of glass in a sealed window unit is formed of a thermosetting resin reinforced longitudinally with continuously extending glass fibres. A layer of a foil material is introduced into the part during the pultrusion process so that the foil is embedded within the part and defines a moisture impermeable layer in the outer wall of the part. The foil can be carried into the part on a layer of paper or polyester which combines with the resin in a bonding action.

Abstract: A gravity latch for a swinging gates such as a corral gate or a gate on a box stall. The latch has a barrel and keeper mounted on the gate and a gate post. They are both rectangular metal tubes and inclined downwardly from the barrel to the gate at an angle of 45.degree.. The barrel and keeper have parallel rows of fastener openings through them to enable the fastening of the barrel and keeper to gates and posts of various types, including wooden and steel corral gates. A bolt for the latch is in the form of a source metal tube that slides along the barrel and the keeper. In the latched condition, it is completely enclosed within the barrel and keeper to prevent opening of the gate by an animal.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring a communications cable for moisture penetration. A line signal generator is connected to a metal armour layer of the cable to apply a line signal to the armour. Changes in the line signal current are monitored to detect the condition of the cable. Moisture penetration can be monitored throughout the length of the cable. The armour layer is maintained at a negative potential with respective ground. This provides an additional cathodic protection to the cable.

Abstract: A container for storing a wet paint roller comprises a cylindrical sleeve with two end caps closing the sleeve to form a cylindrical container. The sleeve at one end has a short slot extending axially of the sleeve and a cooperating slot is provided in the end cap to align with the slot on the sleeve. In the method of use, the wet paint roller including the textile surface and the handle are both inserted into the container with the portion of the handle which extends from the axial rod passing through the slot in the sleeve and the slot in the end cap thus containing the whole of the paint covered part within the container and leaving the handle exposed outside the container.

Abstract: Room light, especially fluorescent lighting is corrected to provide a green-magenta balance comparable to that of natural sunlight by measuring the green-magenta balance of the lighting within the room and applying a filter to each light source to bring the balance to the desired level. This ameliorates the detrimental physiological effects of an unnatural light spectrum in a workspace.

Abstract: A heat exchanger core is formed by a plurality of stacked plates which are rectangular so as to define two fluid paths at right angles passing between alternate ones of the plates. The core is constructed by defining walls extending at right angles from the side edges of one of the plates and an inturned flange at the extremity of each wall. The inturned flange cooperates with a slot defined by a pair of folded portions of the next adjacent sheet so that the core is assembled by sliding two opposed slots along the cooperating flanges of the next adjacent sheet. A corner member has projections from the edges of a pair of right angle strips which projections extend into the core alternately into one fluid path and the next adjacent fluid path. Side support members similarly include a flat strip and projections into the fluid paths of the core.