Abstract: An apparatus (50, 100, 150) for sensing a surface level (20) of fluid (12) includes a generally cylindrical central conductor (16, 102, 152) for connection to a pulse signal source (26) with a reduced diameter end (28, 104, 154) and an opposite end (24, 124, 168); a generally tubular outer conductor (14) concentric with the central conductor for connection to the pulse signal source and having one open end (32) adjacent the central conductor reduced diameter end and an opposite open end (18) adjacent the central conductor opposite end, the central conductor and the outer conductor forming a transmission line for pulse signals generated by the pulse signal source and a cavity (C) between an interior wall surface of the outer conductor and an exterior surface of the central conductor; a non-metallic seal (54) mounted at the outer conductor open end for sealing the cavity, the central conductor reduced diameter end extending through a central aperture (52) formed in the seal; a circuit board (58) for mounting th

Abstract: The method of the invention maps pressure applied by resilient body surface onto a plurality of movable gauge pins.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring physical properties of a sheet. In one embodiment, the sensor system measures paper curl and thickness using two sensors, each of which includes a member, a base, and measurement circuit. The two members are positioned in opposition to each other and both contact the sheet as it passes between them. Each member is coupled to a base, which includes a measurement circuit. Each measurement circuit measures the displacement of its associated member. In another embodiment, the sensor system measures stiffness and curl using two pairs of opposed sensors. In yet another embodiment, the sensor system measures thermal diffusivity of a sheet of paper using three sensors, one of which includes a heater for heating the sheet of paper and the other two sensors include thermocouples in contact with the sheet of paper for sensing the heat of the paper.

Abstract: A car locator is provided having a base for attaching the locator to a car. A cantilevered support rod is pivotally connected with the base to permit pivotal movement and positioning of the rod relative to the base. A hollow marking sleeve having an outer transparent tube and an inner fluorescent liner disposed within the tube slidably mounts onto the support rod for marking the car. The sleeve engages the support rod with sufficient contact force to retain the sleeve in position on the support rod. The sleeve is slidably removable from the support rod so that the sleeve may be pulled from the support rod.

Abstract: A flag and paint marking device for marking a path on a ground surface with paint and/or flags to indicate the path of an underground line or pipe, which includes a paint marker for dispensing paint and a flag receptacle for receiving a supply of flags and a stabber or ground hole-forming device for defining a hole into which a flag may be inserted.

Abstract: It is aimed to present a liquid level detector that can be assembled by simply stacking component parts one upon another, without using any soldering work at all. In the liquid level detector, a thermistor (7) is placed on an electrode (2a) of element holder (2) and is pressed by an electrode (3a) of a terminal (3), a coil spring (4) is inserted around the terminal (3) for the electrode (3a) to press the thermistor (7). An insulator (5), with which a terminal member (6) is calked together in advance, is placed to a fitting portion (2c) of the element holder (2), and then the entire assembly is inserted from the opening into a metal case (1), so that the opening is closed with the insulator (5) calked by a fitting portion (1a) of case (1) and the fitting portion (2c) of element holder (2) aligned to an indention (5c) of insulator (5).

Abstract: A probe (16) for use in measuring the level of fluid (12) in a tank (14) based on time-domain reflectometry detection utilizes a pair of flexible conductors (26, 28). The conductors (26, 28) may be removably placed in the tank (14) in a mounting bracket (32) secured to the tank (14), by sliding the conductors (26, 28) into the bracket (32), at one of a plurality of spacings. The selection of spacing of the conductors (26, 28) is based on the type of fluid utilized in the tank (14). The conductors (26, 28) are flexible to allow conformance to the contour of the tank (14).

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of operating any structural configuration of a heater and array of temperature sensors to measure with high accuracy, the level of stratified liquids like water and oil or water and gasoline and non-stratified liquids, liquid temperature, other liquid properties and detect ice formation on aircraft surfaces. Thin and narrow strips of dissimilar material will be used for the heater, array of temperature sensors, mount, and coating. The connecting wires to and from the apparatus will be from the same material. Simultaneous measurements from all the temperature sensors, before and after heat is applied, will be used to generate accurate temperature profiles for the entire configuration and not just from two adjacent temperature sensors. Different features of the temperature profiles will determine accurately the liquid level, liquid temperature and other liquid properties. Apparatus of the invention may also be used to detect ice-formation.

Abstract: A revolving pennant 10 is provided which features a flag 20 which is attached to a handle 40 through a pivot assembly 50. The pivot assembly 50 connects the flag 20 to the handle 40 in a manner which allows the flag 20 to revolve around the handle 40 without furling. A weight region 30 is oriented upon the flag 20 to enhance an ease with which the flag 20 can be caused to revolve about the handle 40. The pivot assembly 50 includes an axle 52 attached to the handle 40 and a collar 60 surrounding the axle 52 and to which the flag 20 is attached. The collar 60 is maintained upon the axle 52 by a cap 54 and disc 57 which are oriented at ends of the axle 52 and spaced from each other, restricting travel of the collar 60 and preventing the collar 60 from falling off of the handle 40.

Abstract: The apparatus for testing the characteristics of waterproofness and breathability of fabrics includes a demonstration unit, a base unit, and a fluid conduit and valve. The demonstration unit has a transparent wall and a support plate/gasket combination to retain and support the test fabric specimen. The flexible fluid conduit runs between the demonstration unit and the base unit, and a valve is positioned in the conduit. To test a fabric's waterproofness: the demonstration unit is assembled; the base unit is filled with water; the demonstration unit is placed lower than the base unit, and thus, water flows into the demonstration unit; and the demonstration unit is positioned to expose and view the fabric.

Abstract: Display devices are disclosed using a display surface through which are seen a plurality of indicating elements. The indicating elements have an axis parallel to the display surface and are provided with at least two information display faces preferably of different colors. The indicating elements are provided with permanent magnets and are rotatable about axes which allow alternative faces of the indicating elements to be viewed through the display surface. Locking elements are provided so that the indicating elements are maintained with one of the information carrying faces aligned with the display surface. The arresting elements may include a permanent magnet. The arrangement is particularly applicable for manually-controlled signal display devices.

Abstract: An antenna ball identification system comprising first and second outer shells, with each shell having a hollow interior and a substantially planar perimeter edge. Each shell has an interior protrusion disposed inwardly from the perimeter edge which is structured to have a substantially hour glass shaped cavity, with each cavity extending out into the outer perimeter edge. The first shell is hingedly attached to the second shell such that the respective perimeter edges abut each other to form a structure having a substantially solid outer surface. The interior protrusions are positioned such that the cavities are positioned next to each other when the first and second shells are closed, with the cavities forming a hollow receptacle having a neck and extending inwardly from an opening formed by the cavities in the exterior of the structure.

Abstract: An improved flag pole structure having a substantially uniform outer diameter along its entire longitudinal extent. The flag pole structure comprises a pole, a first bearing collar, a second bearing collar, a rotatable sleeve, and first and second flag support elements. The pole has a base portion and an upper end portion. The first bearing collar is mounted about the pole and between the base portion and the upper end portion, and has a first cylindrical sleeve bearing surface. The second bearing collar is fixedly mounted about the pole at the upper end portion thereof, and has a second cylindrical sleeve bearing surface. The rotatable sleeve is of rigid construction and disposed about the upper end portion of the pole. The rotatable sleeve also has first and second interior end surfaces which are adapted to bear against the first and second cylindrical sleeve bearing surfaces, respectively, so that the rotatable sleeve is free to rotate about the upper end portion of the pole.

Abstract: First and second pairs of arms are respectively disposed at opposite ends of a support structure. A constrainable member (e.g., a spring) is supported at its opposite ends by corresponding ones of the arms in the pairs. This is the only constrainable member in the page clamping device. When the spring is unconstrained, the arms in each pair are normally closed. The arms in each pair are pivotable independently of the arms in the other pair. The arms in each pair have at first positions camming peripheries which cause one of such arms to pivot when the other of such arms is pivoted. The arms in each pair have at second positions camming peripheries which provide a stable relationship between the arms when the arms are in an open position. The arms in each pair are disposed on the opposite sides of a book from the arms in the other pair. With the arms in the open relationship, the pages can be easily turned.

Abstract: Both ends of a sensing probe are sealed by an assembly including a fixing disk, a sensing probe, a sensing circuit, a floating collar and an external tube is provided. The fixing disk is provided with a threaded opening in which one end of the sensing probe is fixedly attached. The sensing probe is built-in with a sensing circuit. A floating collar is movably enveloped onto the sensing probe. The external tube is further attached to the fixing disk and the inner diameter of the external tube is larger than the outer diameter of the floating collar. The other end of the sensing probe is provided with an inner threaded portion. A locking cover is provided with a pair of openings and a post in a central portion. The post is provided with an external threaded portion in which the inner threaded portion of the sensing probe can be engaged. The post further includes a threaded recess in which a bolt having a small collar can be attached. The fixing disk further includes an annular extension at its bottom.

Abstract: An automatic squeeze-bottle utilization cycle counting device in the form of a squeeze bottle, a bottle cap having a nozzle attached to the squeeze bottle and a removable nozzle cap hinged to the bottle cap for isolating the nozzle from the outside environment. An indicating mechanism indicates the number of times the nozzle cap has been removed and replaced is provided in the form of a rotatable part rotatably attached to the bottle cap, a set of symbols on the rotatable part, a window in the nozzle cap for sequential indication of the symbols and cooperating ratchet elements on the rotatable part and the nozzle cap for indexing the rotatable part. The device provides positive positioning of the nozzle cap and allows tracking of compliance with a prescribed regimen which includes using the contents of the squeeze-bottle, while decreasing the risk of contamination of the nozzle and the contents of the bottle.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as a sign or display, for example as a traffic barricade, includes a base that has a hollow cavity that can be filled with ballast, such as sand or water. A receiver is formed in the base to pivotably receive interchangeable vertical signs having display areas with instructions or attention grabbing indicia. The base and vertical sign also cooperate to hold the sign vertical until overcome by a certain amount and direction of force, at which time the sign pivots down to prevent breakage of the apparatus. It can be easily replaced to its original position. The base also cooperates with other removeable items such as a barrel type device which would matably fit around the perimeter of the base. The base is disassemblable from the sign or barrel for handling and storage.

Abstract: In automobiles incorporating a console-mounted shift lever assembly for an automatic transmission control, a range indicator assembly is attached to the shift lever assembly to form a subassembly. This subassembly is secured in the automobile by attaching the shift lever to the vehicle floor pan, inserting a console housing over the shift lever assembly and clipping the range indicator assembly to the console. The range indicator assembly has an indicator extension or post that mates with a shifter alignment feature or bracket on the base of the shift lever assembly. This mating establishes the fore/aft location of the range indicator assembly relative to the shift lever assembly. The clips cooperate with the console to determine vertical and transverse locations of the range indicator assembly. A trim plate is placed over the opening in the console and secured to the console by clip members. This effectively closes the opening around the range indicator assembly and the shift lever assembly.

Abstract: An automotive gauge has a two part housing containing a stepper motor arrangement or other gauge movement which drives a pointer shaft. The front housing part consists of a transparent material for conducting light from a lamp to a facet which reflects light to a pointer for pointer illumination. The lamp is mounted inside or outside the housing. The front housing part includes an aperture for accommodating the pointer shaft and also has integral pins which serve as supports for rotary parts of the mechanism. The housing is mounted on a circuit board or a circuit board may comprise the rear housing part. Another embodiment uses a common light pipe member for the front housing of several gauges.

Abstract: A steam sterilization indicator for indicating both exposure to steam and sterilization is provided. The steam sterilization indicator includes a backing member. A tablet formed of a compound having a first melting point and second melting point which is lower that the first melting point, the second melting point being the melting point of the compound exposed to steam is also provided. A wick is affixed to the backing member adjacent to the tablet. A steam permeable material covers the tablet and the wick. Upon melting, the tablet material is absorbed by the wick. A handle is affixed to the backing member. One end of the handle includes a steam exposure indicator formed of a color changing ink which changes color in the presence of steam.