Abstract: An apparatus for automatic cataphoresis comprises means for feeding a blood serum bearing film; a cutter for cutting the film to a given length; means for supplying a buffer solution for wetting the film with a buffer solution; a blood serum applicator including a serum application member, a serum dish assembly, an abutment, a rinsing vessel, a drip mechanism and means for carrying the film; a cataphoresis compartment for forming fractionated patterns of the serum applied to the film; dyeing, decolorizing and drying stations for dyeing, decolorizing and drying the serum bearing film as it is delivered from the cataphoresis compartment; and a densitometer including a vessel of a clearing liquid, a light source and a detector for effecting a colorimetric determination of the serum specimen. In this manner, a determination of a blood serum is automatically achieved by the cataphoretic process.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shutter apparatus for a camera includes a first and a second notched disc which are adapted to rotate in response to a film winding operation, a resilient member operatively connecting the notched discs, and a detent member capable of engaging with and disengaging from the second disc in response to a shutter operation. The detent member prevents an inadvertent operation from occurring during a film winding and a shutter release operation. The apparatus also comprises an unlocking member which unlocks a film winding mechanism in ganged relationship with a shutter drive member which is electromagnetically driven to open the shutter, and a constraining member which can be moved into engagement with the unlocking member in response to an external operation to thereby prevent the unlock operation, thus permitting a desired multiple exposure process.

Abstract: An integrating time detector derives an integrating time interval within a reduced period of time, by decreasing a reference voltage against which an integrated voltage is compared in accordance with a time function stored in a computer.

Abstract: A switch for a camera employs a switching element which is formed of pressure sensitive conductive rubber or conductive rubber, to which an external pressure may be applied to cause it to bridge across a pair of conductive contacts, thus turning the switch on and off. The switch is disposed on the surface of a camera so as to be accessible to an external pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with a motor drive for cancelling the electromagnetic reaction energies developed by a pair of drive motors upon rapid starting or sudden stopping, the latter occurring upon the application of dynamic braking to said motor drive. The apparatus comprises a pair of motors each provided with rotors preferably having moments of inertia which are substantially equal. The output shafts of the motors are operatively connected so as to rotate in opposing directions.

Abstract: A release electromagnet comprises a permanent magnet assembly including a pair of yokes disposed in parallel relationship with each other, and a permanent magnet held between the yokes for attracting an armature, a winding disposed on one of the yokes which when energized produces a magnetic flux to reduce the attraction effect upon the armature, and a member of non-magnetic material disposed between and connecting the yokes together to reduce the energy required to release the armature.

Abstract: Switch apparatus having a digital display is provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The switch apparatus according to the present invention includes an encoder having a code pattern thereon which is scanned by a reader to produce multi-bit binary information to be displayed. A storage circuit having switch positional information stored therein is also provided and a collator is employed to compare the multi-bit binary information read by the reader with the positional information stored in the storage circuit. When a comparison is obtained a braking force is applied to inhibit scanning so that a switch position corresponding to stored positional information is obtained.

Abstract: A detector for providing an audible indication of the vacuum condition for use in promoting the economic operation of a vehicle including a vacuum detector for detecting the magnitude of the vacuum condition in the manifold vacuum line of a vehicle to effect a switch closure which energizes an audible alarm. The vacuum detector comprises a piston reciprocally mounted within a piston chamber and movable responsive to changes in vacuum. A piston rod is arranged between combination switch and guide means for maintaining the axial alignment of the piston rod and for cooperating with conductive means arranged along the piston rod for establishing a conductive path for energizing the audible alarm when a predetermined vacuum condition is present. The contact design provides automatic silencing of the alarm when the engine is turned off or upon demand of engine power beyond a predetermined value. The small size allows for an out-of-sight dashboard mount without affecting operator recognition of the alarm.

Abstract: An electrical shutter including a first electromagnet for initiating opening of the shutter and a second electromagnet for initiating closing of the shutter. Each of the electromagnets has an operational time lag associated therewith, and the time lag of the first electromagnet is greater than the time lag of the second electromagnet. The control circuit of the present invention includes delay means, in the form of a variable resistor, for delaying the energization of the second electromagnet to compensate for the difference in the time lags of the first and second electromagnets.

Abstract: A self-compensating stripper assembly cooperating with a feed roller for separating sheets from a stack and feeding them one-at-a time to facilitate counting, examining and endorsing operations on each individual sheet. Said assembly has a pivotally mounted stripper member positioned upon the free end of a swingable arm. A resilient element urges the swingable arm toward the feed roller and an adjustable stop limits the movement of the stripper assembly toward the feed roller. An additional independent resilient member urges the stripper member toward the feed roller and is yieldable to accommodate changes in sheet thickness. The shape of the stripper member facilitates the stripping operation by shaping the stack of sheets prior to entry into the stripping operation. Separate stops are provided for limiting the pivotal movement of the stripper member about its pivotal mounting.

Abstract: A focus detection system is provided in which an image of an object is projected onto an array comprising a plurality of light acceptor elements, formed by photoelectric elements, to cause them to produce photoelectric signals in accordance with the distribution of light intensity of the image. The photoelectric signals are converted into digital equivalents, and an absolute magnitude of a difference between digital signals of adjacent elements is calculated. These absolute magnitudes are arranged in the sequence of their magnitude, and a given number of them is accumulated, starting from the largest one. The accumulated value is utilized as the value of an evaluation function which indicates the sharpness of the image.

Abstract: A novel compound drum hoist is provided herein. It includes a first or outer cable-spooling drum rotatably and drivingly mounted on a first shaft. A second or inner cable-spooling drum is nested within the first drum, and is rotatably and drivingly mounted on a second shaft disposed at an angle of 90.degree..+-.30.degree., but preferably at a right angle to the first shaft. The inner drum is operable to be rotated while the outer drum is maintained stationary, thereby to spool faired cable onto the inner drum. Substantially simultaneously the outer drum is rotated along with the inner drum, thereby to spool faired cable onto the outer drum. Such hoist is thus suitably adapted to wind long lengths of cable with segmented fairings thereon without any significant risk of crushing the fairings.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the diameter of corrective lenses adaptable to spectacle frames. The apparatus comprises at least a stand or structure provided with (a) a symmetrical linear measuring scale, (b) guiding means parallel to the said measuring scale, and (c) an underlying surface, a resting support and centering means all cooperating to hold a spectacle frame in a predetermined position. The apparatus further comprises at least one carriage sliding on the said guiding means and comprising a first part provided with a planar receiving surface adapted to receive removable plates provided with reference marks and lines representing at least the outline of one or more types of uncut corrective lenses, and a second part equipped with a semi-reflecting mirror placed in the bisecting plane of the dihedron angle defined by the said receiving surface and the said reference plane.

Abstract: An automatic exposure control circuit for camera having the capability to control the amount of light emitted by a flash discharge tube of an electronic flash comprises bias current booster means which becomes operative as the flash discharge tubes begins to emit light, thereby increasing the speed of response of the control circuit without increasing an input current thereto.

Abstract: A solid state switch assembly for selectively coupling a TV monitor to one of a plurality of TV cameras. A random access memory is utilized to establish the switching sequence. The switch is advanced through the desired sequence by activating an oscillator to step a counter. The counter output addresses each memory location and the state of the addressed memory location controls either a termination or a continuation of the switching sequence. The counter output also sets an analog type switch for selecting one of the plurality of video inputs to be coupled to one or more of the video monitors. The system is capable of displaying the selected video input signal on a plurality of monitors through the use of impedance matched current amplifiers. A biasing circuit is provided to allow the switch to handle signals making positive signal excursions above the system ground without interference with the positive voltage supply.

Abstract: A remote-control assembly for controlling a crane or the like which completely insulates the operator of the remote-control assembly from electric shock. The remote-control assembly includes a remote-control box having a plurality of fluid valves, a converter box including a plurality of pressure switches, and a plurality of fluid lines connecting the fluid valves to the pressure switches. The pressure switches are electrically connected to an electric plug which is adapted to be connected to the electrical control box on the chassis of the crane for operating the crane.

Abstract: A portable heating unit comprising a heater and a low velocity blower, an elongated lightweight collapsible flexible heat carrying duct and an intermediate high velocity intake fan unit for mixing the low velocity heated air from said portable heater with ambient air and introducing the mixed air streams into the inlet end of said flexible duct. The intake fan unit includes a venturi for assuring adequate mixing of the air within the elongated flexible collapsible tube to provide a high velocity flow of air at a substantially constant temperature level along the length of the flexible tube. The tube is provided with a plurality of openings arranged in spaced intervals to eject high velocity jets of heated air at locations where they may be used most effectively.The unit is designed to be positioned upon the ground and the remote end is sealed and preferably staked or otherwise held to the ground to prevent undue movement.