Abstract: A shuttlecock comprises a nose and a frusto-conical skirt fixed thereto. The skirt is formed of an inner layer and an outer layer of plastics sheet material generally lying against one another. The outer layer is formed with a plurality of spaced elongate channels which are open towards the inner layer and the inner layer is formed with a plurality of spaced elongate channels corresponding to and aligned with those of the outer layer and opening towards the outer layer such that the channels of the inner and outer layers of the skirt cooperate to form hollow stiffening columns. Elongate stiffening members are located within the hollow stiffening columns and are bonded to both layers of the skirt.

Abstract: A telephone instrument has a rectangular recess (3) along one side of the body which receives the handset. The handset has a recess which fits over a locating member (2) when on-hook. The hook switch contacts (6) are controlled by a pivoted member (4), which acts on the end of a plunger (7) to control the hook-switch contacts. The plunger (7) is spring-urged to its off-hook condition, i.e. when the handset is not in the recess.

Abstract: A fail-safe-open actuator for actuating valves and the like which comprises a pair of opposed cylinders joined to define piston chambers, the axes of which are generally perpendicular to a valve stem. Pistons in the cylinders are connected to the valve stem by toggle links, the pistons being resiliently urged toward the ends of the assembly which corresponds to an open-valve position. To close the valve, a pressurized fluid, such as air, is introduced into the piston chambers and to the pistons at sufficient pressure to counter the resilient means so as to move the pistons away from their rest, valve-open positions, and thus move the valve stem perpendicularly to the axis of the piston chamber. A handwheel is provided to manually close the valve by moving the pistons from their rest positions.A solenoid controlled pneumatic valve may be used to control the supply of pressurized fluid, such as air, to the actuator.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating valves and the like which comprises a pair of opposed cylinders, the axes of which are generally perpendicular to a valve stem. Pistons in the cylinders are connected to the valve stem by toggle links, the pistons being resiliently urged toward the center of the assembly which corresponds to a closed valve position. To open the valve, a fluid, such as air, is introduced between the pistons, so as to move them away from their rest (valve closed) positions. A handwheel is provided to manually open the valve by moving the pistons from their rest positions.A solenoid controlled pneumatic valve may be used to control the supply of air to the actuator. Either a failure in air pressure or an electrical failure will result in the pistons being urged to the rest positions and also result in closing the connected valve, i.e., the failure mode.

Abstract: A page turner capable of turning the pages of a book forwards or backwards which includes a roller mounted on a mounting above a book support. The mounting is movable relative to the support so that the roller can engage pages on either side of a book spline. The roller is rotatable in opposed senses and is operable so as to displace a page to be turned under the roller to release the page and a flap carried on the mounting alongside the roller is movable relative to the support to move the released page to the opposite side of the book spline.