Abstract: An electric alarm clock is disclosed which operates from a conventional external AC power source but is able to continue timekeeping in the event power from the external source is interrupted. A dial illumination feature is also operable during a power failure.

Abstract: An air filter element for removing odors from indoor air having a dry of a mixture of silica gel, activated carbon, and a zeolite. This dry mixture may also be impregnated with a liquid for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, the liquid being a fungicide/bacteriocide preservative and a polyhydric alcohol, or a grapefruit pulp/polyhydric alcohol reaction product. Also disclosed are novel air filters having these air filter elements and a material for removing particulate matter from indoor air.

Abstract: A timepiece including a mechanical movement is disclosed and a movable system for driving the movement. The movable system includes a balance wheel formed by a pair of plates and a magnetic member mounted on each plate. The magnetic members include a magnetic north and south pole arranged to provide a magnetic field. A coil is disposed in position so that its winding may be swept with the magnetic field which induces a voltage to which a circuit is responsive to develop a feedback signal to be applied across the winding to add energy to the movable system in replacement of energy losses of friction, and so forth. A feedback signal is developed if the movable system is sweeping the coil briskly. If movement of the movable system is not brisk, or the movable system has stopped, then a start pulse is developed for self-starting. The start pulse is normally prevented by the feedback signal which also serves as a reset signal to reset a start signal counter before completion of a counting operation.

Abstract: One or more switch apparatus for controlling a digital display of a changing function each include stationary and movable contacts and an actuator having a rest position and movable longitudinally in opposite directions to second and third positions. Cam structure is supported on each actuator to interact with a follower carried by each movable contact whereby different conditions of switch operation may be indicated by the position of the actuator relative to the movable contact. Biasing structure intercooperates between each actuator and a support for biasing the actuator toward the rest position from at least one of the second and third positions. A latch, also, intercooperates with each actuator to latch the actuator in one of the last-mentioned positions.

Abstract: A stepping motor (44) for use in and in combination with an elapsed time indicator (10) of the type including a plurality of indicator drums (102, 104, 106 and 108) and a drive train (FIG. 3) driven by the motor for driving the indicator drum (102). The motor includes a rotor (56) and a stator providing a pair of stator poles (50, 52) including a notch (94, 96) in respective poles faces. The notch creates a pair of pole faces, one of major length and the other of minor length in each stator pole. In a non-current condition, the rotor seeks a dwell or detent position rotationally toward the pole face of greater concentration of iron. When the winding (54) is pulsed, the rotor, within at least the second pulse, moves unidirectionally and between pulses locates a further dwell or detent position. An indicator (154) including a flag (156) is controlled in movement by the motor so that the flag is moved into and out of a viewing window (40) to indicate motor operation.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus is responsive to the relative velocity of a vehicle and an impacted object in a crash environment to provide an output when a predetermined pressure is developed in a sensing chamber resulting in deployment of an air bag within the vehicle compartment. The purpose of the air bag is to restrain movement of the occupant relative to the vehicle in the event of a "high speed" crash. The sensing apparatus utilizes in operation the characteristics of flow of a fluid through an orifice. The sensing apparatus includes a sealed chamber formed by a cylinder and an expandable reservoir for receiving the fluid and absorbing surges as the fluid flows through the orifice. A piston movable in the cylinder against a biasing force imparts movement to the fluid thereby to attain some velocity of flow.

Abstract: A digital readout apparatus includes a housing, a plurality of members providing, respectively, a presentation of units-of-minutes, tens-of-minutes, and hours, a shaft for supporting the members within the housing for movement in rotation imparted either by a timed or manual setting input to the member of lowest order. The digital readout apparatus also includes an endshake element received on the shaft between the hours member and the housing. The endshake element includes cam structure on a side surface which cooperates with cam structure similarly contoured on the housing thereby through selective rotational adjustment of the endshake element relative to the shaft, both the hours and tens-of-minutes members are moved axially along the shaft relative to the units-of-minutes member which is fixed to the shaft for varying clearance between the members.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus functions when the pressure in a sensing chamber attains a predetermined pressure level in response to a crash environment to actuate a pressure release valve and thereby provide an output resulting in the deployment of an air bag within the confines of a vehicle for restraining forward movement of an occupant. The particular level of pressure developed in the sensing chamber relates to the velocity of flow of a fluid under the control of a sensing means movable in the sensing chamber and whose movement, in turn, is responsive to the relative velocity of a vehicle and an impacted object. The operation of the impact sensing apparatus is the resultant of a true measure of the relative velocity of the vehicle and the impacted object; and upon attainment of a velocity of flow equal to or greater than a threshold velocity the pressure release valve will be actuated.

Abstract: An intruder alarm security device includes a source of fluid under pressure which serves as a medium for oscillating a diaphragm at the throat of a horn to create an audible warning signal. The intruder alarm includes an actuator, a plunger assembly and connecting structure for coupling rotary movement of the actuator to longitudinal movement of the plunger assembly to open communication between the diaphragm and the source of fluid. The or connecting coupling structure includes a lost motion connection so that the plunger assembly is controlled by the actuator only to the point of opening the communication. And, the plunger assembly includes an orifice member for metering the flow of medium to the diaphragm, yet, first is capable of allowing any entrained particulate from a closure of the source to clear the device.

Abstract: A circuit provides a ramp voltage for purposes of controlling simultaneously a pair of transistors from saturation to cutoff and vice versa. Means are provided for generating an electronic strike and chime tone which is connected both to an amplifier circuit and the transistor controlled to cutoff. A tuner circuit which is part of the radio to provide a radio tone likewise is connected both to the amplifier and the transistor controlled to saturation. The circuit is provided with an enabling input at an alarm time and by dissipating the tones by varying percentages as the transistors change their state, a crescendo-decrescendo action may be obtained.

Abstract: The switch for timer is comprised of a single pole, double throw switch. The switch includes a plurality of contact arms, the two outer arms being substantially fixed in disposition while a center arm is capable of movement therebetween to positions of contact. A slot extends in substantially a longitudinal direction from one end of the center arm. The slot provides a demarcation between the contact carrying portion of the center arm and a portion adapted to be connected with an actuator through a spring. Movement of the actuator imparts movement to the center arm by snap action from one stable position of contact to another. However, up to the instant of a break as the actuator passes through an over center position the slot permits the contact carrying portion to maintain good contact pressure against the contact at one of the positions.

Abstract: An electrical display device in the form of a light emitting diode is included in an electrical circuit by means of a plate having a conductive surface. The diode is supported by a conductive elastomer on a terminal of said circuit and a second conductive elastomer is supported on a second terminal. The plate conductive surface is received on to span said diode and second conductive elastomer. Means are provided to maintain the conducting elements in circuit arrangement.

Abstract: A movable switch contact of a switch for connecting in a circuit at least a pair of stationary contacts which may be the lands or terminal pads of a printed circuit on a printed circuit board includes an actuating member and a bridging portion. The actuating member is supported for movement in at least two directions and the bridging portion is attached for movement with the actuating member. The bridging portion includes a body of a deformable material having a capacity to conduct current and provide electrical continuity between the stationary contacts when the actuating member shall have been moved to a switch closed position. The actuating member may be adapted for movement toggle fashion as well as for sliding movement. Movement of the actuating member toggle fashion may be through snap action and momentarily whereby the return memory of the body causes the actuating member to return to a neutral or switch open position.

Abstract: An indicator flag is movable alternately into one of a plurality of display positions thereby to provide a distinguishable visual indication in each position. The indicator flag carried by a movable assembly is actuated by electromagnetic means and the movable assembly is latched in each display position. A pair of switches are associated with and controlled by the movable assembly from a normally closed to an open condition. The switches may function variously to control associated equipment or switch the electromagnetic means so that drive energy is required only during transition of the indicator flag from one of the plurality of display positions to another, among others.

Abstract: The timing apparatus includes timer motor means having a rotatable output shaft rotatable through a revolution in a prescribed period of time, switching means adapted to be alternately switched between at least two discrete positions for respectively operating corresponding electrical output devices, indicating means operatively connected to the output shaft for movement in unison with the output shaft and for selective independent movement with respect to the output shaft in response to manual adjustment for adjustably setting the times at which the switching means will be operated to effect such switching between the electrical output devices, and actuating means operatively connected to the switching means and adapted for periodic movement between opposed first and second positions in response to displacement of the indicating means.

Abstract: A binary indicator including a pair of indicator discs mounted along a common axis has means for damping rotational movement of a resetting structure in one direction following movement imparted to the resetting structure in the other direction for purposes of resetting the relative positions of the indicator discs to their relative positions prior to their relative relocation occasioned by a fault or malfunction condition. One indicator disc undergoes movement, the movement in both directions being induced magnetically. And, movement of the resetting structure in the other rotational direction is against the forces of rotational elasticity of spring means. A force for damping rotational movement of the resetting structure in the one rotational direction is developed by viscous-shear frictional engagement between a pair of friction discs biased into juxtaposition with a viscous film therebetween by the spring means under compression.