Abstract: A system of class intercommunication which provides:1. individual channels between a teacher andA. any student of the class, orB. any of several preselected groups of students of the class, orC. the entire class.2. provision for ensemble playing within one or more of the groups.3. provision for group instruction from audio aids, all under control of the teacher only.Programming is achieved by rotary group programming switches, which determine the character of the facilities, e.g., individual, audio aids, and ensemble, by interlocked group selection switches which enable selection of one group to the exclusion of the others, by further interlocked selection switches which enable selection of an individual student to be monitored or privately instructed, and by a switch which enables the teacher to provide any or all groups with instruction simultaneously. A minimum number of switch actuators is provided, physically grouped for easy access and control within the span of one hand.

Abstract: A golf overshoe which is fabricated of flexible rubber or plastic which fits over a pair of golf shoes, with the heel and sole portions of the overshoe formed as an open section to provide for clearance for the spikes of a golf shoe about which the overshoe is fitted. The rear section of the overshoe, fitting about the rear of a golf shoe is divided to form an overlap and strap is fastened by a snap fastener to hold the attached section in position.

Abstract: A cleated athletic shoe having a special sole formation and a flexible arch section for reducing the danger of injury to the knee upon a lateral blow on the knee and for providing arch support when needed but freedom when arch support is not needed.

Abstract: A deep sea mining apparatus and method for mining mineral nodules from the ocean floor, comprises at least one surface ship and preferably a plurality of nodule harvesting or mining machines supported from the surface ship and resting on the ocean floor for movement along the ocean floor and including nodule gathering devices to gather the mineral nodules as the machine passes over the ocean floor. The nodule harvesting machines include separable, nodule-containing crates which, when full, are lifted to the surface where they are recovered by a surface ship. The crates are emptied of their contents and subsequently returned to the machines on the ocean floor to be refilled. The placement and guidance of the harvesting machines on the ocean floor is controlled by sonar devices and television cameras and the like.

Abstract: In an earthmoving scraper, a pivotally adjustable router bit is provided on the leading edges of the bowl to fracture the soil ahead of both sides of the cutting edge of the scraper to protect the bowl sides from excessive wear. The bits are pivotally mounted on the side walls of the bowl and are shaped in such a way that the leading edge of each bit wears uniformly as the bit is advanced from one secured position on the bowl to the next.

Abstract: A holder is provided for an embroidery hoop which has a grooved main portion in which is mounted the portion of the embroidery hoop that adjusts the tension of the outer hoop relative to the inner hoop. The main portion is supported by a pair of legs extending perpendicularly therefrom in a horizontal plane. When using the holder of the invention, the embroidery hoop itself acts as a frame with stand thereby obviating the use of a separate frame for the embroidered cloth. The groove in the main portion of the holder is of such depth and length as to cover partly or completely the adjusting portion of the embroidery hoop in order to display the embroidery hoop in an aesthetic fashion.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved animal identification tag for attachment to the ear of an animal, which stands up when attached to the ear to provide for improved readability. The tag is of one-piece construction, and is easily inserted. The tag has a flat information-carrying portion having a surface on which indicia may be placed, and a pin extending outwardly from the edge of the information-carrying portion in a direction generally parallel to the surface. The end of the pin has laterally extending, resilient, flexible prongs forming a spear-shaped portion which passes through the ear of the animal and retains the tag in the ear. To retain the tag in an upright position, the tag is provided with a pair of flexible, resilient support members extending outwardly from the information-carrying portion adjacent to the shaft. These support members are positioned to contact the surface of the ear of an animal when the prongs and end of the shaft are passed through the ear.

Abstract: In combination with the barrel of a shotgun, a sighting rib extending along said barrel thereabove, and pivoted to said barrel at its rearward end on a horizontal transverse axis, and one or more short links extending angularly between the barrel and rib at their forward ends, the links being both pivoted and longitudinally slidable relative to the rib and barrel to permit changing of their angularity adjust of the angularity of the rib to the barrel, and mechanism for securing one end of each link against pivotal and sliding movement, whereby the angularity of the rib to the barrel may be fixed as desired, while leaving the opposite end of each link freely slidable to permit unequal longitudinal thermal expansion of the rib and barrel.

Abstract: A gun cleaning kit made up of a tube of relatively flexible thermoplastic material having a cleaning patch tip with a slot in the first end, the second end being received in a cylindrical member having a reduced size cylindrical end for fitting into a cylindrical cup containing cleaning materials.

Abstract: A thumb trigger and automatic safety are provided for firearms. The automatic safety may be adapted to the gun or stock and is operable by spring loaded means provided on an upper portion of the firearm. Operation of the spring loaded safety and push button is by pressure from the thumb.

Abstract: A fishing float has a watertight cylindrical receptacle for housing a battery and a lightbulb and a means for illuminating the lightbulb providing contact and current flow between the battery and the lightbulb disposed within the watertight receptacle, a transparent or translucent cap threadably connected to said receptacle to permit illumination from the lightbulb, means connected at one end of said receptacle for connecting the receptacle to a fishing line, and a buoyant floatation collar removably attachable about the exterior of said watertight receptacle and frictionably positionable along the longitudinal length of the receptacle. The collar includes a central aperture for receiving the receptacle and has a recessed portion adjacent one lip of the aperture such that the translucent cap may be sufficiently recessed on one side of the collar to adapt to different local ordinances regarding night fishing. The device is utilized as an illuminated bobber for night fishing.

Abstract: A live bait fishing lure having a quickly attachable clamp strap to hold the live lure on the main body portion of the lure, and float means engageable with said lure and with said clamp means for adapting the lure to surface fishing.

Abstract: A connector for attaching two or more segments of lines, preferably lines which have looped end portions. The connector consists of a body with two apertures extending transversely therethrough, and two slots which extend obliquely from the apertures to the exterior surface of the body in a parallel and opposing fashion. The structure of the body and slots is that the slots are normally in a substantially closed position and portions of the body adjacent the slots have resilience to permit the opening of the slots and passage of the line therethrough for connecting or disconnecting the lines therewith. By placing the looped end portion of each segment in an outwardly most portion of the slot and pulling the loop in the direction of the aperture, the portion of the body adjacent the slot widens sufficiently to allow the link to pass through the slot to the aperture. The slot closes and thereby retains the line in the body, providing removable connection of the various line segments.

Abstract: A puppet comprising a head and a costume, the head comprising a container filled with a resilient foam material squeezed therein, the material having a slitted portion extending into the container from its opening, the slitted portion providing a finger-receiving receptacle for manipulation of the head by a finger, and the costume being in the form of a mitten for receiving a hand, the head and costume being in assembled relation when a hand is inserted into the mitten and a finger of the hand is inserted into the slitted portion of the head.

Abstract: A loading dock assembly adapted to be included in a building comprising an automatic control means for opening and closing the loading dock door, automatically raising and lowering the dock ramp to a proper position, as well as automatically turning on and off the dock light.

Abstract: A door closer has an air cylinder which, when pressurized, neutralizes the door closing force applied by the closer so that the door will open with relative ease. The air cylinder is pressurized through a valve which is contained within the door and is operated by a handle on the door.

Abstract: At a mitre joint between two adjacent portions of a channel-shaped sealing or trimming strip structure such as for trimming a flange around a door opening in an automobile, for example, the mutually contacting tapering ends of the two adjacent portions of the strip structure are reinforced by an L-shaped reinforcing member which bridges across the joint and is secured to these portions, or by separate straight reinforcing members fitted to each of these portions.

Abstract: A spherical wasp-waist shaped contour is formed on the surface of a magnetic head by rotating a lap plate against a single contact point on the head surface at a time. An arc along the head's length is defined by a fixed longitudinal radius. For each increment along the longitudinal arc, a different arc transverse thereto is defined by a variable transverse radius. The point of contact between the head and the lap plate moves along each transverse arc in sequence from one end of the longitudinal arc to the other and back again until the desired shape and depths are achieved. The longitudinal radius is fixed by the spacing selected between the lap plate on one side of the head and a longitudinal head rocking axis on the other side of the head. The transverse radius is determined by the spacing chosen between the lap plate and a transverse rocking axis placed on the same side of the head as the longitudinal rocking axis.

Abstract: A dop stick with an oval cabachon adhesively mounted thereon for application to a grinding stone has two axes of rotation, one axis to determine the longitudinal curvature of the face of the cabachon, the other to determine the transverse curvature, and may be moved at random about the two axes of rotation simultaneously without departing from accurate positioning of the cabachon for correctly grinding the cabachon face.

Abstract: The helically oriented knives of a cutting reel, such as found in forage harvesters, may be sharpened by reciprocating a sharpening stone along the beveled cutting edge of each knife. The reel is held against rotation when the knife to be sharpened has been disposed in its proper position relative to the stone, whereupon the stone is shifted back and forth along the beveled edge while at the same time rocked automatically to-and-fro in a direction transverse to the edge such that the curvature of the knife is automatically compensated for to maintain the stone in continuous engagement with the edge. Followers mounted on the stone ride along an arcuate guide rod conforming to the helical orientation of the knives to provide the required rocking of the stone as the latter is reciprocated.

Abstract: A roof drain system in which an air duct is mounted on a building to extend along the lower edge of the roof to have the water from the roof flow thereover, a blower communicates with the air duct to supply air under above atomspheric pressure thereto, and the duct has apertures along the length thereof for passing air in jets directed laterally outwardly of the building to substantially disrupt the water into droplets as it flows across the air duct and thereby distribute the droplets in a wide band outwardly of the roof line of the building. Apparatus for automatically operating the blower means when it rains, is advantageously provided.

Abstract: A roof flashing structure for use in forming a seal around a pipe on either flat roofs or roofs pitched at various common angles can be constructed utilizing a generally flat, imperforate plate having a centrally located opening. Such a plate carries an upstanding, imperforate housing extending outwardly from one side of the plate, this housing terminating in an open end located remote from the plate of larger dimension than the pipe. An annular retainer is carried by this end of the housing; a resilient elastomeric sealing member is carried by the retainer. This sealing member engages the exterior of the pipe in such a manner as to form a seal against the pipe, and in such a manner as to permit the plate to be adjusted relative to the pipe so as to fit against either a flat roof or a roof at any commonly used pitch.

Abstract: Three dimensional pre-fabricated self-supporting elements, each being one-quarter portion of a room, are formed with a floor section, a ceiling section and at least two interposed wall sections.These elements are integrally pre-formed with stiffening structural ribs or ribs shaped to provide support means for differently shaped pieces of furniture; with door and window apertures; with channel passages, pipe fittings and the like for receiving pipes and electrical wiring for utilities; and interengaging fitting means formed integrally on the outside of those floor, ceiling, and wall sections to fasten together the elements forming a room, or a number of rooms together to form residences of one or more floors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structure, such as a cooling tower, comprising a waisted tubular envelope consisting of a membrane made of a material which is capable of supporting tension in all directions in its plane. The membrane is pre-tensioned and carried with its tubular axis upright from a support which provides the vertical component of the pre-tensioning.

Abstract: A building construction of precast concrete slabs having cored channels running therethrough. The slabs are arranged to define upstanding walls and horizontal floor-ceiling members. Openings concealed by the junctures between slabs, provide communication between channels of adjacent slabs. Further openings, displaced from the junctures, provide for access to the communicating channels for installation or service of utilities in those channels, after the building is erected.

Abstract: A building structure comprising a plurality of frame members and wall panels secured together generally in accordance with the teachings of United States patent 2,832,445, each frame member being an elongated generally rectangular cross section frame member defined by front and back walls and side walls with the front wall being slotted and each enclosing panel member having a flange along a longitudinal edge thereof for insertion into the slot of the adjacent frame member. The improvement comprises a protrusion extending outwardly from and longitudinally along each frame member sidewall to serve as a support against which the wall panel cross braces rest and to which the cross braces are clamped. Each protrusion is formed to have a front surface parallel with and facing the front, slotted wall of the frame member and a rear surface which inclines, from its outer edge, inwardly and toward the front slotted surface. Spring-like clamps are attached to the cross members to engage these rear surfaces.

Abstract: This improved fixed-super-abrasive tool for grinding and polishing toric and other curvilinear lenses is produced by a novel method of manufacture and comprises a substantially-rigid, super-abrasive-free backing member and a malleable preformed super-abrasive wafer conformed and releasably secured thereto. The substantially-rigid, super-abrasive-free backing member has a curved support surface determinative of the curvature of the curvilinear working surface. The substantially-malleable preformed abrasive wafer has a predetermined thickness and one surface which, in the method of the present invention, is conformed to the curved support surface, either before or at the time of securing. The wafer comprises super-abrasive particles having a Knoop Hardness in excess of about 3000 kg/mm.sup.2 in a malleability-imparting powdered metal matrix, which facilitates the conformation step.

Abstract: An all wood foundation for mobile homes is provided upon which the mobile home can rest in a semipermanent installation. A plurality of composite wood beams of pressure treated lumber are mounted directly on a gravel support bed beneath the mobile home transversely of the length thereof with the longitudinal I-beams of the mobile home resting on the beams. A top plate of the beam is extended at either side to the edges of the mobile home for supporting a decorative wooden skirt which extends from the ground to the base of the mobile home.

Abstract: A structural frame - window pane assembly includes a single-piece frame member shaped and dimensioned to receive and enclose the periphery of the window pane, and a window pane retained within the frame by a pair of spaced inwardly projecting resiliently deformable flanges formed integrally on the inner periphery of the frame member to receive and sealingly engage the edges of the pane. An elongate slot is provided in the frame through which the pane is inserted.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of reinforcement members, in which steel rods are first bent into a U shape and the two arms of the U-shaped piece are then bent off at right angle, at a particular distance from the cross bar of the U. These steel rods are placed at preselected intervals of the U-shaped portion and with their bent-off arms lowermost, into a trough-shaped basin with outward sloping side walls. A liquid foam material is then brought into the basin so that the preshaped reinforcing rods will be immersed with their bent-off arms in the solidified foam material, while the brackets project with their cross bar from the foam material.

Abstract: Nailable flooring is constructed of identical floor units having roll-formed therein closed bottom nailing grooves of serpentine contour for the retention of nail fasteners held in place as they are deformed upon insertion into the grooves. The grooves are disposed between opposite side edges of the units and/or mating portions of such grooves are roll-formed along such side edges. The bottoms of the grooves are substantially triangular in cross-section thereby negating the crippling effect of each groove structure which thereby functions similarly to that of a beam web.

Abstract: A device for sealing detachable components, such as gloves, windows or closure plugs, in the ports of rigid walled chambers, such as glove boxes. The sealing device permits displacement and replacement of a detachable component in place in such a port without breaking the seal to expose the interior of the chamber to the outside atmosphere, or vice versa. The sealing device is characterized by a hand hole bushing disposed in the port and secured to the chamber wall to define a passageway having a continuous sealing surface and a continuous adjacent groove for retaining a detachable component within the bushing. The detachable component is characterized by a deformable semi-rigid bead adapted to be snapped into the continuous groove of the bushing and a continuous channel holding an O-ring sealing element which engages the sealing surface of the bushing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for mounting panels on studs and which permits automatic positioning of the studs as the panels are erected. The system incorporates pairs of clips mounted on adjacent panels, a first set of clips on one panel engages one side of a stud and a second set of clips on an adjacent panel resiliently locks with the other side of the stud and forces the stud into position engaging flanges on the first set of clips thereby positioning the stud. The first set of clips have forwardly projecting portions that underly the adjacent panels on which the second set of clips is mounted whereby the adjacent margins of both panels are held to the stud.

Abstract: A corrugated metal roof shingle provided with flashing of asphalt felt associated with the courses of overlapping shingles so that any water which blows under the shingles will drain out over a lower shingle. The shingles and flashing are arranged so that the nails which secure the shingles in place pass not only through the shingles but also through three layers of asphalt felt. The corrugation of the shingle provides maximum rigidity, hail resistance and ventilation under the shingle.

Abstract: A versatile trim piece comprising of a central U-shaped base member composed of a pair of arms extending substantially perpendicular from opposite ends of a base section and a pair of T-shaped members each formed of a trunk section and a pair of branch sections extending perpendicularly in opposite directions from one end of the trunk sections, the opposite end of each trunk section being integrally connected to a free end of one of said arms, the trunk sections extending substantially perpendicular to said arms and at least the branch sections adjacent the arms terminating in free ends positioned in a plane containing the face of the base section remote from the trunk sections. The trim piece may be used for various applications, for example as a starter member, a ceiling runner, a post section, etc.

Abstract: A template for use by a roofer enabling him to utilize three composition shingle units, each having three tabs, to start six rows of shingles on a gable type roof, and have no waste from the initial shingles. The template includes a main body portion having upstanding quick elements to assure proper orientation of the shingles and a plurality of guiding slots to assure shingles of the proper size.

Abstract: The method utilizes a carton for a group of capped bottles each having a sloping upper neck and a cylindrical lower portion. The carton is formed from a single molded blank. It includes a rectangular top panel having an inner area slightly less than the composite area of the grouped bottles across their caps. Sloping side and end walls lead downwardly from the top panel to engage shoulders of the bottles at intermediate locations along their height. The carton area across this intermediate plane is slightly less than the composite area of the lower portions of the grouped bottles. As the carton is applied over the grouped bottles, the lower ends of the bottles are initially spread because of the restricted area within which the caps are confined at the top of the carton. As the carton is wrapped about the lower portions of the bottles, they are pressed tightly toward one another and returned to parallel upright positions.

Abstract: A method for supplying empty boxes to a plurality of filling and weighing stations for filling boxes at said stations each independently of other filling stations, and removal of filled boxes from said filling and weighing stations along a common discharge path without box interference. The filling and weighing stations are arranged in a line. Parallel to this line for at least the length of the filling station line is an empty box feed conveyor. Empty boxes are moved along said box feed conveyor so that an empty box is in ready position opposite a filling and weighing station for immediate replacement of a filled box, the empty box being utilized to displace the filled box from the filling and weighing station and to move the filled box onto a discharge conveyor arranged along a line parallel to said filling and weighing station line and on the side opposite from the box feed conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying empty boxes to a plurality of filling and weighing stations for filling boxes at said stations each independently of other filling stations, and removal of filled boxes from said filling and weighing stations along a common discharge path without box interference. The filling and weighing stations are arranged in a line. Parallel to this line for at least the length of the filling station line is an empty box feed conveyor. Empty boxes are moved along said box feed conveyor so that an empty box is in ready position opposite a filling and weighing station for immediate replacement of a filled box, the empty box being utilized to displace the filled box from the filling and weighing station and to move the filled box onto a discharge conveyor arranged along a line parallel to said filling and weighing station line and on the side opposite from the box feed conveyor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for repetitively separating multiple molded parts from their common sprues and accumulating like parts from the same mold cavity in a storing and shipping tube is disclosed wherein a plurality of tubes are disposed parallel to one another and in substantially the same relative position as corresponding parts occupy on a sprue whereby a set of sprue supported parts may be severed from the sprue and forced into their respective tubes. The tubes are sheathlike having a cross section of generally the same configuration as the part they are to contain and have first opposed side wall portions for gripping parts and second opposed side wall portions separated from the parts and deformable toward one another to urge the first side wall portions away from one another thereby releasing the gripped parts.

Abstract: Apparatus for closing and gluing containers which are of the type assembled from two pieces including a slotted tray with an outer sleeve which telescopes over the assembled tray and which has top flaps foldable into position as the top of the container. The tray is assembled and the sleeve is placed thereon prior to filling and the filled container is then directed into the apparatus which raises the outer sleeve to allow adhesive to be applied to the tray and at the same time allow the flaps to be glued and folded into position, the outer sleeve subsequently being pressed into position and held in that configuration until the adhesive can set, the finished container having adhesive holding the sleeve to the tray and the outer closure flaps sealed.

Abstract: The closure flap folding device includes a first conveying means arranged to convey envelopes having open closure flaps into a rotating receiver. The receiver includes a pair of spaced discs mounted on a shaft and the discs have a plurality of radially extending spaced slots therein forming radially extending fingers therebetween. The fingers have a generally square peripheral edge portion and resilient members secured thereto that extend into adjacent slots. An adjustable guide member is positioned between the spaced discs and positions the envelopes within the slot so that the closure flap score line is aligned with the square peripheral edge of the adjacent finger. An arcuate flap folding member is positioned around a portion of the discs and has a portion that converges toward the outer peripheral edge of the discs. As the receiver rotates the closure flaps of the envelopes in the slots contacts the inner surface of the arcuate folding member and the closure flap is partially folded along the score line.

Abstract: Apparatus and a process for texturing textile yarn of thermoplastic material are described wherein the yarn is fed through input guide means including a yarn tension sensing unit to the surface of a continuously rotating cylinder having equidistantly spaced annular grooves distributed along its length with an annular friction surface between each pair of adjacent grooves. A series of rod-shaped thread guides, one for each groove, project from a support element into the grooves at points located on a notional helical curve extending along the cylinder. Thus, the yarn is constrained to travel along a helical path in contact with at least a portion of the series of thread guides while in contact with rotating annular surfaces. The yarn leaves the cylinder by way of output guide means including a yarn tension sensing unit.

Abstract: A top-drive filling spindle for use in the manufacture of textile yarn is provided wherein the tapered tip thereof is of a through hardened steel material that would more readily resist wear caused by the driving action of the quill disposed thereon. A top-drive filling spindle having wear on the tapered tip thereof can advantageously be retipped by grinding the worn tip to a predetermined size; applying a sleeve of through hardened steel or the like thereover; securing the sleeve thereon; and, finally grinding the thusly secured sleeve to the standard taper for top-drive filling spindles. With the application of the through hardened sleeve, it is anticipated that spindle wear would not occur for perhaps six to twelve years or more -- a two to three fold increase over the life of spindles currently used by those skilled in the art.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fancy textured yarn provided with slubs. In this manufacturing method, at least one thermoplastic multifilament yarn A is supplied to a twisting zone of a false twisting apparatus provided with a heater disposed at an upstream position to a false twisting element and at least one thermoplastic multifilament yarn B is supplied to the above-mentioned twisting zone so as to combine with the yarn A by way of a yarn guide which is reciprocally displaced along the yarn passage of the yarn A. The combined yarn is heat-set by the heater and then untwisted after passing through the false twisting element. Thereafter the untwisted yarn provided with numerous stable slubs composed of the yarn B, formed by wrapping the yarn B about the yarn A, is taken up to a yarn package. In the above-mentioned processing, the displacing speed of the yarn guide toward the false twisting element is controlled in a range between less than one time and at least 0.5 times the running speed of the yarn A.

Abstract: A high frequency reed time governor for a timepiece comprises a high frequency reed made from a temperature stable material which oscillates above 1,000 Hz and a low frequency reed which oscillates below 500 Hz. A pair of magnets are coupled to each reed in a spaced relationship to interact with a common coil. The low frequency reed is coupled to the gear train of the timepiece through a click spring to provide a reliable mechanical pickup and it also oscillates as a motor in synchronism with the high frequency governed reed.

Abstract: A fully electronic chronometer using a quartz crystal as a frequency standard and displaying mean time by the use of electronically operated digital read-outs. The circuit permits the display of the instant of time at which a switch is operated, while mean time continues to be counted by the circuitry. Other features include conservation of power by display of mean time only upon demand and the provision for control and display remote from the timing circuitry.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a jointed link band comprising a plurality of links, each link including a pair of arms, a first of said arms having a pair of projections projecting transversely to the longitudinal axis of said band. A second of said arms having recesses therein receiving said projections. A retaining member is provided for preventing the disassembly of adjoining links by motion of any two links transverse to the longitudinal axis of the band.

Abstract: A combined cycle electric power plant includes gas and steam turbines and steam generators and a digital/analog control system. An automatic digital portion of the control system includes a speed control which generates a speed error from the actual turbine speed and a turbine speed reference, and a proportional plus integral controller acts on the speed error to generate a fuel reference for the gas turbine fuel valve position controls after ignition and during wide range speed control. A speed reference generator includes a stored representation of speed as a function of time with zero time made equal to the point in time at which the flame goes on. The speed versus time characterization is made up of three linear parts having different slopes.

Abstract: An improved automatic fuel shutoff system is provided for a turbine type power plant which incorporates (1) sensing means responsive to a preselected abnormal engine operating condition for initially cutting off fuel flow to the engine and (2) latching means for maintaining the cutoff until engine conditions favorable for a normal restart are obtained.