Abstract: A hand-held microfilm reader comprises an elongate body formed by two parts connected together at one end and separated at the other ends to form a slot. A microfilm sheet can be inserted in the slot with a translucent screen being provided to one side of the slot and a magnifying system to the other side of the slot. An electric light bulb is provided behind the translucent screen to illuminate the screen and the sheet and a clamping device is provided for releasably clamping a sheet against the translucent screen when a required portion of the sheet is in the field of view of the magnifying device.A translucent cover may be provided in the part carrying the screen to allow ambient light to the screen to illuminate a microfilm should the electric light system fail.

Abstract: A greeting card holding and displaying apparatus (10) including a folder (11) having a front panel (12), a rear panel (13), and a central spine (14) foldably joining the front panel (12) to the rear panel (13). An inner lining (15) mounted to interior surfaces (21, 22) of the folder (11) is included formed from a single continuous piece of material having a front section (16), a rear section (17) and central section (20) of the foldably joining the front section (16) to the rear section (17) in a spaced apart manner. A plurality of side-by-side strands (25) each continuously extending from a backside surface (26) of the central section (20) over a central section upper edge (23), across an opposite frontside surface (27) of the central section (20) and over a central section lower edge (24) back to the backside surface (26). A method of forming the apparatus (10) is also provided.

Abstract: A process and a device for increasing interference suppression, especially in optical proximity switches, with an optical transmitter emitting an optical pulse train (1), an optical receiver emitting a measuring signal (2) and a control and evaluation unit controlling the optical transmitter and evaluating measuring signal (2), in which the measuring signal (2) of the optical receiver includes a superposition of a constantly emitted interference background (4) and a measuring pulse (6) emitted when receiving an optical pulse (5), and in which the measuring signal (2) of the optical receiver is evaluated by the control and evaluation unit in a signal interval (8) during a measuring pulse (6) and in at least one background interval (9) outside measuring pulse (6). The increase of the interference suppression is assured in that the evaluation is interrupted by gaps (11, 12) before and after the signal intervals (8) or background intervals (9).

Abstract: A device for securing a cylinder liner (3) to a respective pumping module (2) in a reciprocating pump has a set of arrangements each with a hydraulically activated piston (8), a rod (11) of which is adapted to receive a nut (12), the retraction of which forcibly compels in attraction the cylinder liner (3) and the pumping module (2).

Abstract: An auxiliary handle for a dumbbell includes a pair of weighted hook members each joined to a handle by a threaded stud. The hook members are adapted to engage the handle of a dumbbell. The studs are oppositely threaded so that rotation of the handle in one direction moves the hook members away from each other and into engagement with the dumbbell weights, thus securing the auxiliary handle to the dumbbell. The auxiliary handle may be used by a spotter to assist in handling the dumbbell.

Abstract: Cannulas for surgical and medical use expand along their entire lengths. The cannulas are inserted through tissue when in an unexpanded condition and with a small diameter. The cannulas are then expanded radially outwardly to give a full-size instrument passage. Expansion of the cannulas occurs against the viscoelastic resistance of the surrounding tissue. The expandable cannulas do not require a full depth incision, or at most require only a needle-size entrance opening.

Abstract: The aluminum conductor having increase of its electric resistivity kept small at ultra low temperature of 30.degree. K. or lower even after cyclic strain is given at ultra low temperature, by controlling the crystal structure of the high purity aluminum conductor with purity of 99.9-99.9999 wt %. The crystal structure consist of (i) a veritable single or a substantially single crystal consisting of a bundle of sub-grains which have their crystal axes in the same direction or in the directions within a couple of degrees of deviation as a whole which has a specific crystal axis of <111> or <100> or the crystal axes close thereto in the longitudinal direction of the aluminum conductor, or (ii) a polycrystal most of which grains have respective specific crystal axes of <111> and/or <100>, or the crystal axes close thereto with respect to each grain in the longitudinal direction of the aluminum conductor, and have specific grain size of 0.01 mm to 3.0 mm.

Abstract: A low brightness pigment and method is provided from a heretofore rejected waste kaolin stream. Kaolin processing rejects are high in iron-stained TiO.sub.2. After separating the stained TiO.sub.2 from the high brightness kaolin and concentrating the resulting fraction, the material can be processed to produce a low brightness pigment suitable of many applications where lower brightness is desirable, such as coating paper board without mottling.

Abstract: A built-in plug with a grounding wire contact pin (3) is located on and projects from a plug side of a plug housing (2), and is designed for connection to an electrically conductive housing (5) of a part (6) into which the plug is to be incorporated. To make available a built-in plug which essentially corresponds to the current safety standard, and which therefore has the required creepage distances and clearances, it is provided that grounding wire contact pin (3) is electrically connected to a grounding wire element (9) which is routed to an outer surface (8) of the plug housing (2) and which is used for contacting the conductive housing (5) of part (6) into which the plug is to be incorporated.

Abstract: A temperature-activated polysilicic acid is prepared by heating an acidified aqueous alkali metal silicate. The temperature-activated polysilicic acid is used in the production of paper for improvement of retention and water removal.

Abstract: A prosthetic ankle joint includes a first joint structure having a foot attachment plate connecting a pair of spaced apart parallel fins lying in a sagital plane. A second joint structure having a pylon attachment plate is connected to a support block positioned between the fins of the first joint structure. The first and second joint structures are connected to each other by a spherical bearing that allows the joint structures to pivot with respect to each other about three orthogonal axes. The spherical bearing is connected to the first joint structure through an axle that extends through an aperture in the bearing. A rod extending from the bearing is threaded into a bore formed in the support block of the second joint structure. Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion cushions are positioned between the support block and respective surfaces of the first joint structure to resist pivotal dorsiflexal and plantar flexal pivotal movement of the ankle joint.

Abstract: An aqueous composition comprises a natural rubber modified with a graft-polymerised methylmethacrylate polymer such as a graft-polymerised methlmethacrylate, an acrylic polymer, an acrylonitrile synthetic rubber and optionally, minor ingredients. The minor ingredients may be a quaternary ammonium surfactant and a polysiloxane. The composition is applied to an article such as of natural and/or synthetic rubber to effect coating. The process is especially suited to coating of medical gloves.

Abstract: The disclosed system includes a declarative language construct for use in programming telecommunications switching systems, comprised of certain natural language elements such as subjects, predicates and objects. The disclosed system also includes an efficient method for constructing prototype telecommunications system software that provides the capability to handle the real-time and parallel nature of operations in telecommunications systems. In yet another aspect, the disclosed system provides a layered software architecture for use in connection with telecommunications switching systems that enhances overall system functionality.

Abstract: The invention comprises new compositions of matter, which are iron, manganese, cobalt or ruthenium complexes of porphyrins having hydrogen, haloalkyl or haloaryl groups in meso positions, two of the opposed meso atoms or groups being hydrogen or haloaryl, and two of the opposed meso atoms or groups being hydrogen or haloalkyl, but not all four of the meso atoms or groups being hydrogen. The invention also comprises new compositions of matter in which all four of the meso positions are substituted with haloalkyl groups and the beta positions are substituted with halogen atoms. A new method of synthesizing porphyrinogens is also provided.The novel compositions and others made according to the process of the invention are useful as hydrocarbon conversion catalysts; for example, for the oxidation of alkanes and the decomposition of hydroperoxides.

Abstract: An improved lubricating valve for irrigation systems for automatically lubricating the turbine pump of an irrigation system when the turbine pump is running. The valve is configured to receive a pressure line from the pump and to automatically open when the pressure from the pump reaches a predetermined level indicating the pump is running and in need of lubrication. The valve also contains a manual override for manually opening the valve providing lubrication to the pump when extra lubrication is desirable, such as during preseason.

Abstract: A quick hitch-unhitch attachment for mounting a snow working implement on a vehicle, comprising a vehicle mount attachment (VMA) frame secured to the vehicle, has a pair of spaced sockets which are positioned below and behind the vehicle bumper when mounted on the vehicle. A first pair of reaction bearing surfaces are aligned with and to the rear of the spaced sockets and a transverse latch bar means extends transversely of the sockets. An intermediate support frame has a rearward end with a pair of latching arms extending in a rearward direction and in general alignment with the sockets, respectively. Each latching arm has a further reaction bearing surface for bearing against respective ones of the first pair of reaction bearing surfaces. A support frame has a forward end attached to the snow working implement and a rearward end pivotally connected to the intermediate frame for rotation about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A shipping pallet is constructed of multiple laminations of corrugated sheet material, with specific construction details providing advantages in strength and trueness of the completed pallet, and further advantages in the reduction of tooling and labor costs. The stringers or runners, deck boards, and top and bottom sheets may be sawn from stacks of plural laminations, thus precluding any requirement for costly dies and intensive labor. Asymmetrical corrugated sheets may be used, with one side having a different weight than the other. By laminating two such sheets together with like weighted sides in contact, the tendency of such sheets to curve or warp due to the difference in side thickness is substantially eliminated. Different orientations of the corrugations or flutes of the sheets during lamination and assembly of the pallet, provide advantages in strength for specific applications.

Abstract: A knot tying device includes a base adapted for attaching firmly to a human hand by sliding over at least one finger; and a cantilever supported by the base and protruding away from the palm of the hand, the cant/lever having a U-shaped cross section, the cantilever having a proximal region closest to the base and a distal region, the proximal region having two ears defining generally parallel planes extending outwardly therefrom, each of the ears terminating in a distal retaining edge for retaining a loop of balloon material, the cantilever defining inside the U-shape an axially oriented recess at least 5/8 inch wide, the recess extending from the proximal region and between the ears to the distal region.

Abstract: An emulsion and emulsion drilling fluid are disclosed. The emulsion has utility as an oil based drilling fluid comprising a glycol emulsified in a synthetic hydrocarbon material. The synthetic hydrocarbon material has an average molecular weight of from about 120 to 1,000 and is synthesized from one or more olefinic monomers having a chain length of C.sub.2 to C.sub.14.