Abstract: A power supply system for supplying electrical energy at an I.S. level to an electrical machine e.g. of a mineral mining machine, comprises two low speed generators A and B mechanically coupled together at coupling 3 and rotatable by means of a drive shaft 2, the mechanical input at the drive shaft 2 producing a separate, isolated electrical output at each of the generators A and B, the output from a first generator A being fed to an I.S. barrier 10, whereby an I.S. power supply is made available to power a first circuit 4, the output from the second generator B being fed to a non-I.S. supply circuit 8, and an I.S. coupling device 7 between the I.S. circuit 4 and the non-I.S. circuit 8, to achieve electrical and physical segregation of the circuits 4 and 8.

Abstract: A method of accurately measuring volume of gas flowing through a conduit as a result of differential pressure of the gas within the conduit is disclosed. The method comprises determining flow of the gas through the conduit, and terminating flow of the gas through the conduit when the differential pressure is a preselected value. The gas flow and the resulting determination of gas volume are preferably referenced to standard temperature and pressure. Also disclosed is an apparatus for effecting the method.

Abstract: A throw-away plastic mouthpiece of low cost and producing a pressure differential upon inhalation is substituted for the rotary turbine and electronics mouthpiece of a known Spirocare respiratory therapy apparatus. The pressure differential is converted to a voltage by a pressure-to-voltage transducer, which voltage is highly amplified by a drift free amplifier. The amplifield voltage is applied to an adapter electronic circuit which produces a succession of negative going pairs of pulses exactly simulating the pulses from the Spirocare mouthpiece. The amplifier and adapter circuitry fit within the cavity provided in the Spirocare apparatus for storage of the mouthpiece, thereby adapting the Spirocare apparatus for use with an inexpensive, throw-away mouthpiece which need not be sterilized, and which is cheap to replace in the event of breakage.

Abstract: There is disclosed screw adapted to fasten two or more juxtaposed workpieces which comprises a threaded shank defining an axis and a major thread diameter. A drilling tip is provided which extends from the shank and includes a pair of cutting edges. Material removing extensions are formed continuously with the cutting edges and serve to extend the cutting edge in the radially outward direction at least as far as the radially outermost extent of the major thread diameter. The extensions are frangible and will fracture when a material of predetermined hardness is encountered. As such the fastener is adapted for drilling a first, enlarged bore in a first workpiece of relatively soft material, and a second smaller bore in a second workpiece of a harder material, such as metal, or the like.

Abstract: Adjusting mechanism is provided for the brakes of a highway trailer. A brake lever is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder and carries a worm gear which is mounted for turning with the lever, and also independently of the lever. The worm gear is splined for non-rotatable reception of a brake shaft. A saddle pinned to the lever carries a tapered worm which meshes with the worm gear. The worm gear is axially split, and the two halves thereof are forced axially away from one another by the worm under load into engagement with surfaces fixed relative to the lever for frictionally fixing said gear relative to said lever. The tapered worm also wedges the periphery of the gear into frictional engagement with a surrounding part of the lever. The worm is turnable to adjust the rotational position of the gear and hence of the brake shaft when not under load, and the worm is lockable in adjusted position.

Abstract: A fastener has a first plate-like base portion provided with an upright portion united by a hinge portion to an L-shaped portion terminating in a second plate-like base portion. The second plate-like base portion can be turned about the hinge portion to be locked in contact with a surface of the upright portion on the side opposite the hinge portion.

Abstract: A snap hook comprises a base member having a J-shaped hook and a flexible member, and a slider mounted on the base member for movement in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base member to open and close the J-shaped hook, wherein the hook is normally held closed by the slider biased by the flexible member, and when the slider is depressed with a ring or the like, the slider is moved inwardly to open the hook so that the ring or the like can be hooked.

Abstract: A medical electrode comprises a flat, resilient, electrically non-conductive backing member; a flat sensor element applied to one surface of the backing member and positioned for leaving a portion of this one surface exposed about a major portion of the periphery of the sensor element; and an electrically conductive coating applied to selected areas of the exposed surface of the sensing element.

Abstract: Equipment for making a wire strand is characterised by the following features; an elongate track (12); a clamp (14) at one, leading end of the track rotatable about an axis parallel to the track; an anchor frame (15) at the other trailing end of the track having rotatable tensioning spaced anchorages (16) for wires (17) extending parallel to the track; a trolley (18) movable along the track (12) and carrying adjacent the leading end a rotatable closing die (19) having an aperture (20) of cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the strand (11), and adjacent the trailing end a grouper plate (21) having spaced wire guide apertures (22) corresponding to the anchorages (16) on the anchor frame (15), there also being on the trolley (18) intermediate the closing die (19) and the grouper plate (21) a lay plate (23) having wire guide apertures (24) with spacings intermediate the spacing of the guide apertures (22) in the grouper plate ( 21) and the closeness in the closing die (19); a first drive arrangeme

Abstract: A conveyor system for delivering feed to a plurality of animal cages arranged in rows said system comprises an endless conduit extending along a conduit run past at least one of the rows of cages and through a feed trough disposed adjacent the faces of the row of cages. An elongate, continuous, endless material moving element extends through the endless conduit run and is longitudinally movable therethrough, and a driver element advances the endless material moving element along and through the conduit run. The material moving element comprises an elongate helical member defining a longitudinal helix axis and bendable about this axis for following the endless conduit run. Cooperating structure on the driver element and on the helical member rotates the helical member about the helix axis thereof while simultaneously axially advancing the helical member along and through the conduit run.

Abstract: There is disclosed a secured door knob and escutcheon assembly, wherein the assembly is protected against tampering and unauthorized removal from either side of a door, when said door is in the closed position. The assembly includes a knob arrangement having mounting means which includes a bearing sleeve that is threadably engaged with a mounting plate affixed to the door. Rotation of said bearing sleeve is precluded by an apertured escutcheon plate through which said bearing sleeve is engaged. The bearing sleeve and escutcheon aperture have complementary flats or non-round surfaces such that when the escutcheon is in place rotation of the bearing sleeve is precluded. Further, the escutcheon plate is held in place by holding means that can only be released when the door is opened. In the disclosed embodiment the holding means is a key cylinder engaged through a second aperture in the escutcheon plate and fixed in place by a set screw mounted in the edge face of the door.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding livestock comprises a pan accessible to the livestock for feeding therefrom, a container for holding a quantity of feed comprising dry powdered feed material and a mixing chamber. A dispensing mechanism dispenses measured increments of the feed to the mixing chamber and a control valve is coupled with a water supply line for dispensing measured increments of water to the mixing chamber. A mixer is selectively operable for mixing the water with the feed to produce a fluid feed mixture for delivery into the pan.

Abstract: A headband electrode system comprises an elongate flexible band, a center electrode coupled to a central portion of the band and a pair of temporal electrodes coupled with the band, one to either side of the center electrode. A pivotal mounting arrangement is provided for each of the temporal electrodes for pivotal movement relative to the band for positioning the temporal electrodes for predetermined placement relative to the center electrode.

Abstract: The odometer in particular for a cycle comprises a case 1 containing a micro-processor connected to a movement sensor associated with a wheel of the cycle, a display for the items of information and at least one control key relating to the display of the items of information processed by the micro-processor. The control key is constituted by at least one part of the upper side of the cover 3 of the case 1, which cover is pivotally mounted on the bottom 2 of the case and it includes devices for emitting sound signals respectively corresponding to the nature of the magnitudes appearing in the display devices and seen through a window 12 of the case.

Abstract: A plastic rivet consisting of rivet body comprised of a flanged head and a leg member extending from the bottom of the head, the rivet body having an axial hole extending through its entire length, and a pin which when inserted into the through-hole, expands the leg member. The leg member of the rivet body is provided with a movable leg which is deflected outward when the pin is inserted into the through-hole of the rivet body so as, for example, to catch and hold a pair of plates through which the rivet body has been passed between the head of the rivet body and the deflected movable leg. Pushing the pin further into the rivet body causes the deflected movable leg to return to its normal position, whereby the fastening action of the rivet is released.

Abstract: A self-clinching fastener of the type for connection to a workpiece comprising sheet material, includes a head and a shank, with a groove formed in the shank, with the head being embeddable in the sheet material to displace material thereof into the groove to form a mechanical interlock between the material of the sheet material and the fastener. The head includes a plurality of radially disposed projections extending axially outwardly of an undersurface thereof and intermediate the undersurface and the groove. These projections each include an axially facing recess therein, such that the material of the workpiece being displaced will flow into the groove and the recesses in the projections, to lock the fastener to the workpiece. The shank may also include an extruding portion to resize an aperture in the sheet material, prior to the deforming of said sheet material by said head.

Abstract: An appliance for disinfecting contact lenses utilizes a disinfecting solution, such as hydrogen peroxide, that liberates a gas during disinfecting action. The appliance has a container body with a removable cap that provides a sealed chamber except for a vent opening through the cap. A hydrophobic membrane filter is disposed across said vent opening and is substantially impermeable to the disinfecting solution but permeable to the liberated gas.

Abstract: In a mesh roller for a lithographic printing press a nitride layer is formed into all of an external surface of the mesh roller including recesses (cells) for metering amount of ink, so that the volume of the recesses is not reduced before subsequent plating. Thereafter, in case that copper is plated on the nitride surface of the recesses, reduction of the volume of the recess in minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the speed of a box within a housing being moved to its open position comprises using a first arm having one end thereof pivotally attached to the housing and a second arm having one end thereof pivotally attached to the box, with the respective other ends attached pivotally to each other, coupling a rotary damper means to one of the pivotally attached portions of the first and second arms, and actuating the rotary damper means in moving the box from its accommodated position to its open position to afford a damping force to the movement of the box to its open position.