Abstract: A dartboard safety surround for receiving badly-aimed darts which narrowly miss the dartboard comprises an annular element of an elastomeric material such as, for example, a polyether urethane elastomer, which is dense enough to hold darts piercing the element and which resiliently grips the periphery of the dartboard. The rear face of the annular element defines a recess which is occupied by a filler having a density less than the elastomer of the annular element.

Abstract: A fence railing end connector formed of a strip of sheet metal. A wave or kink is formed intermediate the ends of the connector, the wave forming a ledge to support a railing end. The strip is first attached at its mid portion to an end of the railing, the strip ends then attached as by nailing to an upright fence post.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having a hub which carries an outer inertia ring coupled thereto by an elastomer. Supplemental damping is added to the system via the use of dry friction. A broad frequency range of effectiveness is provided by designed non-linearity of the device made possible by the dry friction. A greater broadening of the frequency range of effectiveness is made possible by utilizing a plurality of inertia masses carried by the hub, all mounted on the same elastomer. Elastomeric compression is utilized to spring-load the friction surfaces, providing a series-parallel, elastomer viscous-dry friction damping medium. In multiple mass application the concept of mass interaction is utilized to further determine the dynamic performance of the damper.

Abstract: The invention provides a microwave feeder or applicator, that is to say a resonant chamber for coupling to a source of microwaves, arranged for the microwave treatment of a sample of material, comprising two main conductive walls extending parallel to a common axial direction and each having two projections and a central part joining the two projections, the projections of the two walls facing one another in pairs whereas the central parts of the two walls likewise face one another and define a region in which there is a local increase in the distance between the two main walls; a first conductive end wall forming a short-circuit and extending in a plane forming a cross-section of the main walls; a second conductive end wall forming a second short-circuit extending in a plane forming a cross-section of the main walls, and a coupling means for supplying microwave energy to the feeder, the dimensions of the cavity formed by the main end walls being arranged so that the cavity resonates almost exclusively in the

Abstract: A photographic processing machine has a plurality of rollers for transporting the photographic materials through a processing bath. According to this invention, alternate ones of adjacent rollers are provided with a flexible casing subject to internal hydraulic pressure. The flexible casing is formed of a textile fabric. The fabric encased rollers each have openings through their walls, the film treating bath liquid fed under pressure to the interior of each roller and then through the wall openings. The flexible textile casing thereby expands, to produce squeezing force on the photographic material being processed as the material passes between a rigid roller and its associated textile encased roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to rating monitoring devices.A first circuit emits a pulse for each centiliter (cl) of fuel consumed by a vehicle. A second input circuit emits a pulse for each meter travelled, the pulses being accumulated in a count meter. A store circuit stores a certain number of values previously contained in the count meter at the moment of the preceding pulses of cl consumed. Information about the mean distance travelled per 10 cl of fuel is obtained by producing the difference between the content of the count meter or that if the first register in a register battery, and the content of the last register of the battery. A divider allows this information to be converted into mean consumption per 100 km, this consumption being displayed in a display device.This invention finds application, in particular, to car.

Abstract: Self-propelled vehicle with articulated arms able to move in a tube or in a laminar space defined between two approximately parallel surfaces. It comprises a body equipped with at least one driving and guide wheel which bears on a surface on which the vehicle moves and at least two pivoting arms articulated on the body and terminated by bearing members which slide or roll on a surface facing and opposite to the first surface. It also comprises a device which transmits a pivoting torque to the arms in such a way that said arms bear on said opposite surface and by reaction apply the driving wheel against the first surface. A particular application is to the inspection of pipes within a nuclear installation in a radioactive atmosphere.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring coupled to a hub by an elastomer member. The inertia ring is formed of two axially spaced ring parts. Each ring part carries an annular groove. A radially extending disc locking element (in the form of a flat washer) carries an axially extending key, the ends of the key being deformed towards a radially extending position by pushing the two ring parts together, the deformed key ends thus holding the two ring parts in assembly. The disc locking element also is compressed and thus exerts an axial force urging the two ring parts apart. In an embodiment, the disc locking element carries a second axially extending key, radially spaced from the first key and is similarly deformed into a second annular groove. In still another embodiment, one inertia ring part carries an integral, axially extending locking key. This key is received by a complementary annular groove in the other ring part, the disc locking element being optionally omitted.

Abstract: A sheet metal construction for a fan spider. The spider arms each carry an integral rib running centrally along the arm and each rib is flat on its upper surface to mount a fan blade. The novelty of the invention resides in canting forwardly the spider arms. Such canting reduces certain stresses in the fan, thereby reducing cost of manufacture.

Abstract: A fluid damped, non-rotating bearing construction for a high speed rotating shaft. A sleeve surrounds the shaft on which are mounted the impeller and compressor wheels, such as in a turbocharger. The sleeve is held against rotation and against significant axial movement by a longitudinally split, hollow metal pin. The sleeve functions as both a radial bearing and a thrust bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for treating bulk material in batches in a container having a revolving shovel mechanism rotatably mounted therein and ball-like striking elements moved by the shovel mechanism, wherein heat is supplied to or removed from the bulk material and/or the bulk material is dried and the striking elements are added to the bulk material for the duration of the treatment. The ball-like striking elements having a substantially higher specific gravity than the bulk material and a diameter of at least twice the smallest distance between the shovel tools of the shovel mechanism and the container wall. The shovel tools each having a forwardly extending portion which is curved. The curved portion imparts a resultant of tangential and radial motions to the ball striking elements when contacted thereby.

Abstract: A bearing carrier for high speed rotating machinery, such as a turbocharger, wherein lubricant is supplied under pressure and is drained by gravity. The primary feature is the forming of the bearing housing with a very large drain chamber which is obstructed only by a lubricant supply boss supporting a central housing portion in which a sleeve bearing is resiliantly mounted. Lubricant exiting from the ends of the sleeve bearing is flung circumferentially away from the rotating components and drains naturally to a lower portion of the drain chamber where it flows through a drain passage port without re-entering the rotating components or piston ring seal area. The drain port is so positioned with respect to the lubricant drain chamber and there is provided a dam around the seal area at the axial end of the lubricant drain chamber whereby the machinery may be selectively positioned with the shaft horizontal, within 10.degree.

Abstract: A device for the local treatment of a patient by acupuncture or auriculotherapy. Instead of needles, a treatment head is approached the body of the patient. It includes an infra-red laser diode being excitable recurrently and in a controlled manner. The recurrence frequency is selectable among a plurality of discrete frequencies, each of which may be finely adjusted.

Abstract: Polymetallic nodules are collected by means of a plurality of self-propelled vehicles which move upwards and downwards between the sea floor and a surface platform under the action of excess ballast which is partially and progressively released as the vehicle approaches the bottom. The vehicles are propelled along the sea floor by means of at least two supporting units each having at least one helical propulsion fin, the remainder of the ballast being released in order to return the vehicles upwards for docking, unloading and energy-recharging in the surface platform.

Abstract: A cassette, cartridge, box or magazine for storing and projecting transparencies or slides as well as a viewer or projector, the cassette and the viewer or projector matching each other. Said cassette having two compartments for stacks of slides and a structure connecting said compartments and being provided with a passage for moving the slides one by one from the bottom of one compartment to the other compartment and preferably from the top of the last named compartment to the first named compartment through a second passage. The connecting structure being adapted for attachment to a projector or viewer with a slide in said passage being arranged between a light source and a focussing lens. The viewer or projector being provided with means for pushing the slides one by one from one compartment through the passage into the other compartment.

Abstract: A multi-speed temperature responsive fan clutch having a planetary gear unit disposed between the drive pulley and an output shaft with there being a low speed clutch and a high speed clutch, both actuated by a temperature responsive device. There is also a speed responsive clutch locking the output shaft to the pulley at low speeds.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper of the type having an inertia ring secured to a hub, the hub being coupled to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. Elastomer members are sandwiched between the hub and a two-piece inertia ring. The improvement of this invention includes a radially outwardly extending tongue, a portion of which is sandwiched by two elastomer members. The elastomer members are preformed so as to assume an L-shape in half-axial cross-section, the members being adhesively bonded to the hub and to the inertia ring.

Abstract: A circulating pump, particularly for the liquid cooling metal of the core of a fast neutron reactor, comprising a non-removable assembly permanently disposed in the vessel containing the liquid metal, constituted by a suction channel, a diffuser and at least one delivery pipe, wherein the non-removable assembly is suspended on a supporting structure which is immobilized relative to the core.

Abstract: A first part formed of hard metal to be joined to a second part of soft or malleable metal has an end portion of reduced diameter which is machined in the junction zone between the normal portion and the end portion of the first part in such a manner that the junction profile is a surface of revolution about the axis of the assembly and forms a groove. The junction surface is defined by a first portion of conical surface having a vertex directed towards the first part and by a second portion of conical surface directed towards the first part, the junction between the two portions of conical surface being formed by a beaded edge. The two parts are placed in a press in order to insert the edge of the second part into the groove of the second part.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous drying and/or granulating of loose material. Loose material is conveyed through a drying/treating horizontal container by the action of a gas stream, the gas conveying force being opposed by a lesser, mechanical force derived from mixing tools within the container.