Abstract: A lane marker includes a base, an illuminator, and a frangible bracket resably holding the illuminator in the lowered position on the base. A cantilever embedded in the bracket extends therefrom along the illuminator and is stronger than the bracket. The marker also includes a vertically expandable spring whose coils are compressed in a planar array against the base, one section of the spring biasing the illuminator to swing up from the lowered position. A keeper section of the spring connects to the illuminator and bears on the coils to keep them compressed against the base. An end of the keeper section latches to the base until the frangible bracket is broken. When the bracket breaks, the spring swings up the keeper section along with the illuminator so as to free the keeper section's end from the base.

Abstract: A gauge is provided for locating the center of curvature of a worm gear. The worm gear is part of a worm gear assembly which includes the worm gear, a shaft on which the worm gear is fixed, and two bearing assemblies. The gauge includes a base having a table and a worm gear bracket assembly on the table for removably receiving the worm gear assembly. The table is mounted on the base to be movable horizontally relative to the base. A vertical support extends above the base and includes a worm bracket which receives a worm. The worm bracket is mounted on the vertical support for vertical movement relative to the vertical support. The worm and worm gear are maintained in meshing contact with each other. A linear motion device is operably connected to the table to move the table, and hence the worm gear assembly, relative to the base and the worm. Thus, as the worm gear is moved horizontally relative to the worm, the worm will move vertically.

Abstract: A flag staff assembly comprising an elongated flag staff adapted for the support of a flag thereon and a re-angulating staff assembly permitting selective positioning of the flag staff. The base member, finial and staff are formed with similar aesthetic portions to provide an ornamental assembly capable of displaying flags and pennants in a variety of positions.

Abstract: A non-slip sleeve fits over a shaft for a float level sensor so a float moves up and down on the sleeve surface. This non-slip surface prevents deposits forming thereon when used in tanks with sludge or other solids suspended in liquids. The thin walled sleeve is formed of a polytetrafluoroethylene polymer (PTFE) thus avoiding having to deposit or coat a shaft with PTFE which is expensive and time consuming.

Abstract: A hand-operated device in the form of a slide rule or disk computer for giving play-by-play instructions about the most appropriate next move in a team game, based upon the current status or position of the players and other game conditions. The device comprises a stationary frame with at least two sets of windows through which markings on a slidable or rotatable member can be displayed. A first set of windows is used to dial the position or the roles of the players or of a team on the field such as the loading of the bases in a baseball game. A second set of windows displays one or more instructions about the recommended next move. A plurality of movable members may be used in connection with the same frame, each member corresponding to a player's or team's role or position.

Abstract: An on-vehicle display apparatus includes an analog meter mounted with a display surface facing downwardly within a meter hood of an instrument panel of a vehicle. A reflector is disposed below the meter to reflect a display image of the analog meter through an opening of the instrument panel into a driver's eyes so that the driver views a virtual image of the analog meter behind the reflector. The on-vehicle display includes a movement which has a rotating shaft and is positioned such that the movement is above the display surface. A pointer shaft rotatably is eccentric with the rotating shaft and is supported by a bearing. The pointer shaft has a pointer attached to a distal end thereof projecting below the display surface. The pointer angularly moves over the display surface together with the pointer shaft. A rotation transmitting means is provided between the rotating shaft and the pointer shaft for transmitting rotation of the rotating shaft to the pointer shaft.

Abstract: According to the present grinding method, a plurality of optical markers are formed by photolithography such that the markers are embedded in a chiplet having a magnetic head. Markers are preferably in the shape of a bar having predetermined height, width and length and are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance where one end of the bars are sequentially offset from each other by a predetermined amount. During coarse grinding of the magnetic head as the magnetic head surface material is ground away, the end-face of the bars, one at a time, become visible. The closer the grinding surface approaches the desired inductive throat or MR element height, more end-faces become visible. Coarse grinding continues until a predetermined number of end-faces become visible at which point the grinding process is terminated and the magnetic head is ready for the final lapping process.

Abstract: A method for testing the ingredients of fabricated snack products includes the steps of; producing snack product test pieces using a test ingredient; evaluating certain characteristics of the test pieces; and then using this information to predict the characteristics of a fabricated snack product containing the test ingredient. Initially, a dough containing the test ingredient is mixed under controlled conditions. A quantity of the dough is extruded using an extrusion apparatus adapted to extrude the dough at a uniform rate regardless of the dough's consistency. The extruded dough is then cut into dough pieces having a uniform length, wall thickness and density. Next, the dough pieces are cooked at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to form the snack product test pieces. Characteristics of the test pieces are determined and analyzed as a predictor of similar characteristics in a fabricated snack product containing the test ingredient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting molten metal in an opaque container and for determining the level of the metal within the container. This is accomplished by locating a strain sensing transducer over the container and metal, and sending a current pulse from the transducer along a wire located in the tube connected to the transducer and extending toward the vessel and molten metal. A permanent magnet is located on a stem connected to a float within the container, the float being effective to rest and float on the upper level of the molten metal within the container. A current pulse is sent along the wire from the transducer, which pulse produces a magnetic field, and which field interacts with a magnetic field of the permanent magnet. The interaction of the two fields exerts a strain on the tube, which strain is sensed by the transducer.

Abstract: An omnidirectional wind indicator. An elongated mast is rotatable about its axis with respect to a base support. The mast is of tapered design and flexible, resilient composition with flexibility increasing with distance above the base support. A three-sided flag includes a curvilinear leading edge. A sleeve is formed along the curvilinear edge for receiving the mast. When inserted, the upper end of the mast follows the curvilinear shape of the sleeve. The resulting configuration spring-loads the flexible upper portion of the mast to maintain the flag in taut alignment. Wind velocity is indicated by tails sewn to the trailing edge of the flag and by wings pivotally mounted transverse to the plane of the flag.

Abstract: This specification discloses a communication device used by a patron to gain the attention of a host in the food service industry. A clip is used to clip onto a conventional checkholder (not shown) . Adhered to the clip is a platform which acts as a base. On one end of the platform will be a release latch spring and release latch button working in conjunction with a disc rotate pin and a disc rotate spring which will enable the proper oscillation of the disc. The disc will rotate from a parallel position to the platform when closed to a vertical position to the platform when opened. The rotation of this disc will notify the host from a distance that the patron is in need of service. Once the patron has been accommodated the host can return the disc to its normally closed position which is parallel to the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating line type on a fishing reel having a spool for storing a supply of fishing line and structure for wrapping the fishing line onto the spool to effect retrieval of paid out fishing line. The apparatus includes a rotatable dial or other settable structure on the fishing reel for giving a user a visual indication of which of a plurality of different types of fishing line is on the spool.

Abstract: The moisture sensor comprises a block of absorbent material, such as wood. Two opposed faces are coated with conductive material, such as paint and two conductors of a cable are connected to the conductive material. The entire element is encapsulated within a sleeve of electrically insulating material, leaving one end face of the block of moisture absorbent material exposed. A plurality of apertures or perforations are provided in the sleeve exposing at least part of the moisture absorbent material. The sensor is adapted to be exposed to an environment to sense the moisture level of that environment.

Abstract: A time varying excitation current (413) is provided to one side of a capacitive sensor (417), and two signal paths (420,430) are provided between the other side of the capacitive sensor (417) and signal conditioning circuitry (412), each signal path differing from the other according to its polarity. The signal paths conduct monopolar signals from the capacitive sensor the magnitude of which are directly related to the capacitance of the sensor, and bi-polar signals the magnitude of which are directly related to the stray capacitance in the signal lines. The combined monopolar and bi-polar signal currents on each signal line are converted into voltage signals (422,433), and the voltage signals are thereafter differenced (460) to provide a null bi-polar output while providing a constant monopolar voltage level the magnitude of which is directly related to the probe capacitor current.

Abstract: A clothing usage indicator including indicia representative of the days of the month, the days of the week, and the months of the year, with associated indicators that are movable along the edges and along interior slots in the device for indicating a particular day of the month, a particular day of the week, and a particular month of the year. The device includes a suitable connector for associating the device with an article of clothing, and preferably includes a loop or other device whereby the indicator can be slipped over the hooked end of a clothing hanger for association with a particular article of clothing.

Abstract: A dart game score board includes a case having a plurality of walled compartments therein. A removable front cover of the case forms one wall of the compartments, with the front cover having formed therein a plurality of groups of window openings arranged in a prescribed pattern and the window openings of each group aligned with a corresponding one of the walled compartments. A plurality of scoring modules are removably inserted in each of the walled compartments, with one scoring module aligned with a corresponding window opening. Each scoring module has a rotatable spool extending through a window opening to enable indicia on the spools to be displayed to keep score during play by one or more players.

Abstract: A warning triangle assembly including an isometric triangle having an isometric recess at a central portion, the isometric recess being symmetrical to the isometric triangle, the isometric triangle being composed of three angular portions each having a large V-shaped side, a small V-shaped side, a first end side and a second end side, the first end side being provided with a protrusion, the second end side of one of the angular portions being formed with a recess adapted to receive the protrusion of the first end side of another one of the angular portions, the large V-shaped side being provided with a male fastener at one end and a female fastener at another end.

Abstract: An automotive instrument cluster has closely spaced face plate and circuit board and a compact gauge including a housing mounted on the side of the circuit board facing the face plate. A light conducting pointer has a two-part snap-together hub extending into the gauge housing and an end face adjacent surface mount LEDs on the circuit board for direct pointer illumination. A gear on the hub is driven by another gear on a stepper motor which is offset from the pointer hub. The stepper motor has a permanent magnet armature supported by the housing and the circuit board, and surface mount electromagnets on the circuit board to provide a motor field.

Abstract: An emergency signalling whistle which simultaneously emits high- and low-pitched whistle tones so as to be detectable from relatively long distances and localizable from relatively short distances. A mouthpiece contains first and second air passages which discharge across openings into chambers of different sizes. The whistle also incorporates cylindrically concave grip surfaces which align with the ends of the person's thumb and forefinger in the grip position. In addition, there is an enlarged flange at the end of the mouthpiece which is retained in the person's mouth by the incisor teeth, and a second flange around the mouthpiece which forms a seal against the outer surface of the person's lips.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive liquid level probe in a double-walled liquid container develops liquid level data and external sensors in the space between the walls respond to the presence of liquid leaked into the space from inside or outside the container. Other sensors external of the liquid level probe may sense other conditions. The probe electronics determines binary states of the external sensors and digitally encodes the states for inclusion in data transmission of the liquid level information to a remote controller via a two-wire transmission line. One embodiment develops pulses spaced as a digital function of the sensor states and includes liquid level data between the pulses for transmission. The pulse space is measured at the remote controller and decoded to determine the external sensor states, while the liquid level data is analyzed to determine the contents of the container.