Abstract: In the load cell disclosed herein, relative displacement between bridging members or end caps mounted at different points along the axis of an elastic hollow cylinder is sensed by means of a variable reluctance transducer employing a pair of magnetically permeable core elements. One of the core elements is mounted on one of the bridging members and the other core element is C-shaped and mounted on the other bridging member with the ends of the C-shape in close proximity to the first core member thereby providing magnetic gaps whose widths are aligned with the cylinder axis. Windings around the ends of the C-shaped core provide electrical connection for an inductance which is variable as a function of the widths of the gaps and thus also of the axial displacement between the bridging members.

Abstract: Silent touch fastener material adapted to releasably engage a mating surface and adapted to produce reduced sound during rapid separation of the touch fastener material from the mating surface. The material comprises a planar backing material having an engaging surface thereon contacting the backing material at discrete points and adapted to releasably engage the mating surface and means for reducing the coupling of noise-producing vibration from the backing material into the surrounding air.

Abstract: There is disclosed in the present application apparatus for continuously measuring a dimension such as the gage of a strand on the thickness of a web by a plurality of reflections of light focused on points at varying distances from the normal center line of the path of the strand or web. The light is conveyed to the various points of a set from a common light source through fibrous light guides and if reflected by the strand or web at a specific point, the light is conveyed to a display board through a light guide of a second set to indicate the size of the strand or web.