Abstract: A tapered-transparent acrylic plate has advertising or the like applied to front or back surfaces. The thick end of the plate has openings to receive illumination sources. Incandescent sub-miniature lamps are mounted to a circuit board and are closely coupled to the openings in the plate. The lamps and tapered plate provide uniform illumination of the advertising. The tapered plate and circuit board are retained in a plastic channel which is secured to a base. The channel has ventilation means for the cool operation of the display. The display is powered by a remote transformer which operates the lamps at a level below the design voltage of the lamps. Operating lifetime is significantly increased.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an N-acyl tauride comprising reacting an aliphatic or alicyclic carboxylic acid having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms with a taurine salt having the formula:HNR.sub.1 --CHR.sub.2 --CHR.sub.3 --SO.sub.3 Mwherein R.sub.1 is H or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbon radical; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently H, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 hydrocarbon radical; M is a salt forming radical selected from the group consisting of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals; in a substantially inert atmosphere in the presence of an alkali metal borohydride, wherein the alkali metal is selected from the group of sodium, potassium, lithium and ammonium to produce a reaction product containing N-acyl tauride.

Abstract: An automated actuator is fabricated in kit form and adapted to be assembled and disassembled for use with sliding doors, windows or other similar panels. The actuator includes a support column which is adjustable to be braced at the existing door jamb at either side of the door frame to move the panel. Mounting of the actuator does not require the surrounding frame or wall structure to be structurally altered. Circuitry for the actuator ceases the sliding movement of the door when the door meets resistance, such as by a child or animal in the path of the door, and re-tests for the resistance to determine whether the door should continue along the intended path.

Abstract: A gas generator for air bags is provided which includes a first outer shell and a second outer shell, each having a circular part and an outer wall formed along the outer periphery of the circular part. A gas generating device is installed in the hollow portion formed within the outer shells. Openings for communicating the hollow portion with an air bag are provided. A plurality of concentric wall members axially extending from the circular part of the first outer shell and a plurality of concentric wall members axially extending from the circular part of the second outer shell, located at positions corresponding to the outer wall members of the first outer shell define circumferential chambers within the gas generator. Gaps are formed between terminal end surfaces of opposing outer wall members whereby gases produced by the gas generating device on receiving impacts flow through the generator and are introduced into the air bag to protect a passenger from impacts.

Abstract: A wagering system for accepting wagers over the telephone comprising: (a) automatic call director means (ACD) for receiving incoming calls from subscribers who wish to wager on the system; b) voice responsive means (wagering VRU) connected thereto for receiving the incoming calls routed from the ACD, and for playing a series of recorded audio messages requesting subscriber wager information to be input via telecommunication means; and (c) host processor means having storage means and being connected to the wagering VRU for receiving the subscriber wager information, storing it in a master subscriber wager file in the storage means, and assigning an associated ticket number to the wager.

Abstract: A pipe support clamp includes a pair of like outer hinged rigid metal wire rings spaced apart for mounting about the ends of two pipe sections to be joined together. The rings include two pivotable semicircular sections joined at the lower ends by a hinge. Inner semicircular rings are secured to the outer rings by radial spacers. The inner rings are adapted to fit closely about and hold the ends of the two pipe sections. A pair of turnbuckles at the other ends of the outer rings secure the pivotable semicircular sections together when the clamp is moved from an open to a closed position. A coupling device for permanently securing and sealing the pipe ends can then be mounted around the ends within the spaced apart rings. The support clamp is then removed.

Abstract: A retrofittable filterless drain separator has an outer housing with a spherical section and an inner holding area including an inner spherical segment which is positioned and spaced apart from the spherical section of the outer housing. The separator includes vane in an inlet portion thereof which serves to direct passing liquids against an inner spherical centripetal separator so that the flow path of all liquids together with any entrained solids in the flow path is directed along a curved path which forces separation of particulate material from the liquid. A passage in the centripetal separator section allows liquid to pass through and out of the drain while retaining the solid or particulate matter in the centripetal separator. A component allowing access disposed in the spherical section of the outer housing permits easy access to the internal surface of the centripetal separator to facilitate the removal of any entrapped solid or particulate matter.

Abstract: A luminaire fixture is provided which evenly illuminates shelves positioned along an aisle. The luminaire fixture includes a reflector generally having the shape of a flattened, elongated V. The outer edges of the V are bent to extend horizontal for a distance and then bend down forming a 270.degree. angle with the horizontal portion forming two end walls. Positioned below the reflector, near the end walls, are fluorescent lamps. Positioned directly above the point of the V is another light source for providing upward to provide an upward illumination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permitting animal pests to exit a structure but preventing such animal pests from returning into the structure is provided. The apparatus includes a cylindrical tunnel having a door within the tunnel biased to extend across the opening of the tunnel in a closed position. Animals may travel in one direction through the tunnel by pushing the door up against its bias. However, the animals are prevented from returning through the tunnel in the opposite direction by the biased tunnel door. The tunnel may be attached to cover a hole in a structure by attaching the tunnel to a cover and attaching the cover to the structure. The tunnel of the present invention may be formed from a wire mesh by a method including forming the wire mesh into a cylindrical shape and attaching a wire mesh door within the wire mesh tunnel.

Abstract: A recyclable, flexible filter element comprising a tubular, outer braided jacket supported by a helical spring. The bottom of the tube of the jacket is turned inside the helical spring and is sealed by a removable fastening device which is inserted into the bottom of the helical spring to engage the spring through the thickness of the braided jacket. The top of the outer braided jacket is fastened and sealed to a flange and washer assembly which also contains the top of the internal support spring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning stud affecting apparatus comprising: sequentially positioning a plurality of flange cover sectors about the flange of a nuclear pressure vessel; rotating each flange cover sector until the entire flange is covered by said flange cover sectors; moving a caddy containing stud affecting tools including stud tensioners and stud drive tools into a position adjacent a point on the flange of the nuclear reactor pressure vessel; moving apparatus sector vessels containing stud affecting apparatus to a point on the flange of the nuclear pressure vessel and positioning them on a specific flange cover sector; rotating all flange cover sectors to bring another flange cover sector into registration with the caddy; sequentially moving the apparatus sectors onto each flange cover sector by rotating the flange cover sectors; and actuating the stud affecting tools to perform the appropriate function to tension or untension the studs and/or to remove and/or to insert studs into the pressur

Abstract: An improved testing structure is provided in a flashlight (or lantern) provided with an electrical continuity tester. The flashlight or lantern has an insulated body and a flashlight (or lantern) bulb and batteries in primary series circuit. The testing structure, which is formed in the flashlight (or lantern) body, includes a testing series circuit, which is electrically-coupled to the primary series circuit, and a testing site. The testing site includes a pair of converging, sloping, facing walls, separated by a floor, the floor being provided with a pair of spaced-apart channels. Two electrically-conductive strips of specifically-defined structure and orientation are provided within the testing site to repose within the pair of spaced-apart channels. The strips may be resiliently urged into coincident relationship with the walls of the channels.

Abstract: A humidity sensing device comprising a solid electrolyte evidencing proton conductivity includes a composite comprising HZr.sub.2 P.sub.3 O.sub.12 /ZrP.sub.2 O.sub.7. The humidity sensing device is operative over a temperature range from 350.degree.-600.degree. C.

Abstract: To provide a separating membrane of a polyion complex having excellent separation factor, permeation rate and performance stability and being used in separating a mixture of water and an organic substance in accordance with the separating membrane technology. The separating membrane is a novel one comprising a polyion complex which comprises an ionic combination of an anionic polymer having carboxyl groups with a cationic polymer having divalent piperidinium bases. With respect to the separation characteristics of the separating membrane, a permeation rate is at least 100 g/m.sup.2 .multidot.hr and a separation factor is at least 1,000 in an evaluation according to pervaporation (by reducing the pressure outside the hollow fiber while feeding a 99 wt. % aqueous ethanol solution inside the same at 70.degree. C.). Further, a durability evaluation shows that the permeation rate and separation factor of the separating membrane are respectively 110 g/m.sup.2 .multidot.

Abstract: The gas generator according to the present invention is characterized by a combustion chamber formed with a combustor cup (14) having an annular top wall fixed at an inner edge portion thereof to a circumferential edge of a top wall of a central cylindrical holder (4) by riveting (28). A combustor plate (16) is welded at an outer edge thereof to an inner edge portion of a longitudinal extension of the combustor cup (14), and at an inner edge thereof to a bottom edge portion of the holder, so as to close the combustion chamber. A diffuser (12) is provided to cover the top wall of the central cylindrical holder (4) and the top wall of the combustor cup to form a double wall of the combustion chamber. A flange extends from the longitudinal extension of the combustion cup, the flange being welded to the inner wall of the extended portion of the diffuser to form a filter/cooling chamber.