Abstract: A new African violet variety distinguished by its flowers of a distinct light blue color borne in clusters on sturdy main stems to the side and somewhat above dark green and shiny foliage, its vigorous, strong and rapid growth, and the pink under sides of its abundant oval leaves.

Abstract: An upright, vigorous, freely blooming rose plant of the hybrid tea class, characterized by its photosensitive pigment, with bud petals of Chrome Yellow and changing quickly to near Geranium Lake upon exposure to sunlight and darkening with age, with ability to maintain flower form throughout the life of the flower.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use in a reversible refrigeration system. The exchanger is divided into a plurality of heat transfer zones containing one or more circuits. Control means are provided to route refrigerant through each zone in a series progression when the heat exchanger is serving as a condenser. The flow geometry is automatically changed when the function of the exchanger is reversed from condenser to evaporator so that refrigerant flows simultaneously through each of the heat transfer zones.

Abstract: Stoppers are separated from tubes they close by suspending a stoppered tube by its stopper, placing the suspended tube in a swinging bucket centrifuge, subjecting the suspended tube to centrifugal force.This may be accomplished by adapting a test tube rack to be placed in a centrifuge's swinging bucket type carrier. The rack is a two piece unit having upper and lower members that are separable. The test tubes use stoppers having an enlarged portion with a diameter which exceeds that of the test tube such that the tubes may be suspended from the upper member by their stoppers. The rack has a height which exceeds that of the test tubes such that when the rack with the tubes suspended therein are subjected to centrifugal force, the tubes withdraw from the stoppers. This leaves the stoppers positioned on the upper surface of the upper member. If now the upper member is lifted away, the stoppers are removed leaving the unstoppered test tubes positioned in the lower member of the rack.

Abstract: An electrical tab receptacle for mating with a complementary tab is provided with an integral tongue having a lance whereby the receptacle can be releasably secured to the tab, the tongue being resiliently depressible by means of a finger, a tool, or part of a housing containing the receptacle, to release the receptacle from the tongue.

Abstract: A special effects system for simulating physical sensations in an audience during the presentation of a motion picture. Relatively high intensity, very low frequency random noise is acoustically coupled to a theater space to produce psychological and physiological sensations, much as earthquake movements, in the audience. The special effects are controlled by a control sub-channel which is either frequency multiplexed onto a conventional optical audio track or, in a magnetic stripe film format, the control sub-channel is placed on an accompanying optical track. The presence and amplitude of two control frequencies in the sub-channel are detected and logically combined, providing four separate digital function control signals and two analog control signals which are variable in amplitude.

Abstract: Alkyl or aryl phosphonic or phosphonothioic dihalides and phosphinic or phosphinothioic monohalides are prepared by reacting an alkyl halide or aryl halide respectively with a tri-valent phosphorus compound having at least two halogens attached thereto, and preferably three two halogens such as phosphorus trihalide, in the presence of P.sub.4 O.sub.10 or P.sub.4 S.sub.10 under at least autogenous pressure at a temperature of from 200.degree. C. to 450.degree. C. The compounds obtained are useful as constituents in insecticides, fungicides, pharmaceuticals, and as intermediates in preparation of other organophosphorus compounds.

Abstract: Modular operating centers for use in electric power generating plants and other industrial and commercial plants, processes and systems are constructed by using a novel prefabricated modular technique. This technique includes loading a plurality of transportable room-size building modules with control system equipment at a factory site. Typically, the control system equipment includes sophisticated and complex electrical and electronics data processing and control equipment. The control system equipment is installed and bolted down in the different building modules and the equipment in each module is inter-wired at the factory site. Temporary inter-module connections are established between the control system equipment in different ones of the building modules and such equipment, as a whole, is then thoroughly tested and adjusted under simulated use conditions. Thereafter, the loaded and tested building modules are separated and separately transported to the industrial or commercial installation site.

Abstract: A simulated belt buckle adapted for use with a belt including means for releasably connecting its ends when encircling the waist of a wearer, said simulated belt buckle including a decorative plate portion and an appendage which may be in the form of a knife, a retaining stud extending inwardly from the inner surface of the plate, one end of said belt having a hole for reception of said retaining stud and a sheath having an opening adjacent said one end of the belt to receive the knife or other appendage on the simulated belt buckle, and means pivotally connecting the plate and knife for movement relative to each other, whereby a single manual movement will pivot the plate outwardly to remove the retaining stud from the hole and withdraw the knife from the sheath.

Abstract: An intraocular lens device for insertion within an eye having a lens portion placed against one side of the iris, means for stabilizing the lens portion extending through the pupil, and anchor means passing through an iris opening.

Abstract: A mid-stream urine collection device comprises a flat open-topped tray-like receptacle having plastics film wrapped around it under tension with edges secured together across the open top of the receptacle by an adhesive which releases the edges when wetted by urine, so that the film then snaps away from the open top, diverting the first part of the urine stream from the receptacle and permitting the mid-stream part to enter.

Abstract: The specification discloses a plastic pool wall having a groove in its face which includes an embedded metal channel for receiving the bead of a plastic pool liner. The metal channel includes spaced upper and lower walls joined by a base wall, with the upper wall terminating short of the plastic pool wall face. As a result, the upper surface of the groove is defined in part by the metal upper wall of the metal channel and by the plastic of the pool wall. Consequently, when the plastic liner bead is placed in the metal channel and the groove grouted, grout seals between the plastic pool liner and the plastic of the pool wall.

Abstract: A shower cabinet having a flexible curtain support band secured at each end, respectively, to one of a pair of doors so that when the doors are closed part of the band lies between the doors and the remainder is curved and when the doors open the band is straightened and extends across the front upper part of the cabinet.

Abstract: A support for a cylindrical block of deodorizer product is in the form of a cylindrical cage formed of two identical parts each of which has a cylindrical shape with a closed end and an open end defined by an end collar, the end collars of the two parts being interengageable by means of male and female engagement means carried by both end collars for rendering the two cage parts integral as a single cylindrical cage.The suspension hook is integrally formed with a connection sleeve which has a larger diameter portion capable of engaging on the end collars of the two cage halves and a smaller diameter portion capable of engaging on and sliding along either cage half over a portion other than the said end collar thereof and the narrower diameter portion includes catch engagement means for permitting sliding engagement of the connecting sleeve along the cage in one direction only.

Abstract: A plumbing fixture in combination with means for preventing overflow from a toilet bowl having a P-trap when an obstruction is created in the waste outlet thereof, such plumbing fixture including a blow-out jet pipe, the entrance of the pipe being coupled in fluid communication with the water supply pipe connected to the toilet bowl at the upper portion thereof and the outlet of the pipe coupled in fluid communication with the P-trap of the toilet bowl of the plumbing fixture, comprising: a toilet bowl having a water supply pipe operably coupled therewith; an electrically-controlled flushing valve operably associated with the supply pipe for controlling the flow of water to the toilet bowl; a source of electricity for operating the valve; electrical switch means operably associated with the source of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity for controlling the delivery of electricity to the valve for actuation thereof; an insulated electrical probe mounted in the water supply pipe; said electri

Abstract: A motorized automatic swimming pool cover is provided with a non-reversible motor, opening and closing limit switches and with an automatic washing system that cleans the cover as it is retracted onto a roller.

Abstract: This slipper holder can be used with hospital beds having round or square bed rails. The holder includes a body having an upper hook portion engageable with the upper rail and a lower portion bearing on the lower rail. A slipper support means is integrally formed on the body and provides a pair of upwardly extending fingers spaced from the body for receiving the slippers. The hook portion and the bearing portion cooperate to removably attach the holder to the bed rails.

Abstract: A castor comprising a socket member defined by a base portion and a cup portion extending from the base portion, the base portion being adapted to be affixed to the underside of an article, and the cup portion defining a generally dome-shaped cavity therein. A ball is engaged in the cavity in a manner to be freely rotatable in any direction in the cavity. The cup portion has six equally spaced rollers rotatably mounted to the wall of the cavity and supports the ball for rotatable movement within the cavity, the rollers being supported on bearings which in turn are supported on inwardly projecting lugs integral with the cavity walls. The rollers contact the ball at an angle of less than 45.degree. with respect to the horizontal axis of the ball.

Abstract: Poultry gizzards with gut and stomachs attached thereto are moved in sequence along a path, first with the gut and stomach suspended freely below the gizzards. As the gizzards continuing to move along the path, the gut and stomach are cut from the gizzards, a cut is made upwardly into the lower portion of the gizzards, and the cut-apart lower portions of the gizzards are lifted and separated to remove loose matter from inside the gizzards. The gizzards are then peeled. A pair of side-by-side parallel rolls with externally protruding spiral threads are used to initially orient the gizzards and locate the gut and stomach below the gizzards and chain conveyors subsequently move the gizzards through the system as the gut and stomach are severed from the gizzards, the cut is made upwardly into the gizzard, and the cut side portions of the gizzards are lifted for cleaning.

Abstract: A machine for skinning fish or fish fillets of different kinds, sizes and consistency comprising a skinning roller for conveying the fish, a skinning knife, a cutting edge on said skinning knife formed by two faces, one of which being provided to press the skin of fish or fish fillets against the skinning roller and the other one forming a back face, and a catching face arranged above the back face adjacent the cutting edge and arranged to be resiliently displaceable in the conveying direction of the fish or fish fillets, for ensuring the secure feeding of the skin between the skinning roller and the presser face.

Abstract: A holder for vegetables having a stalk, such as broccoli, is provided in a form of a thin truncated cone wherein the small end has been divided into a plurality of flexible fingers. The fingers engage the stalks of the vegetables so that they present an attractive appearance when offered for sale.

Abstract: The releasable strap connector has a female connector and male connector, the latter having one or more prongs insertable in pockets of the female connector; a rocking bar has cut-away portions intersecting said pockets to interlock with correspondingly cut-away portions of the prongs of the male member, and a manipulating yoke lever for rocking the bar into a releasing position where the bar is withdrawn from said prongs.

Abstract: A slip assembly for supporting well pipe in a rotary table and including a slip bowl structure to be received and supported within the rotary table in a relation to turn with it, a carrier structure supporting a plurality of slips and mounted for upward and downward movement relative to the slip bowl structure and with the slips, latch means for releasably retaining the carrier structure and slips in a lower active pipe gripping position, and yielding means urging the carrier structure and slips upwardly to retracted positions when the latch means are released.

Abstract: A machine for removing flashing, burrs and the like from castings includes a base having a swivelable workpiece supporting table and inclined surfaces supporting a milling assembly on a saddle such that the saddle is movable, with the milling assembly, in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the spindle sleeve, and the assembly is swivelable on the saddle such that the sleeve axis remains parallel to itself. The spindle is also movable axially. An impact cutting tool is supported on the spindle sleeve and is driven by a piston and cylinder assembly to reciprocate rapidly in an operating position in which the impact tool axis is parallel to the spindle axis. The impact tool assembly is movable from the operating position to a rest position, either by retraction or by a pivoting mechanism. The apparatus can be automatically operated by using a pattern-following arrangement in which the workpiece itself is used as the pattern and the impact tool as the pattern follower.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for forming a partly-cylindrical bearing shell from blanks or a strip. An approximation of the final shape is achieved by feeding the strip through an arcuate passage defined by rollers, and the final shape is achieved by coin-pressing.

Abstract: A method of sealing tube plate apertures, e.g. in heat exchangers, and a repair set for use therein. It is known to seal a tube plate aperture by mounting a capped tube member therein. A disadvantage of the prior method is that the sealed aperture contains a fluid with a temperature different from that of the fluid in the non-sealed tube plate apertures, which results in stresses being generated in the tube plate and an increased danger of leakage. According to the invention this disadvantage is overcome by sealing the aperture in such a manner as to form an insulating space over the major part of the thickness of the tube plate.

Abstract: A method of enhancing heat transfer between a heating or cooling element (such as a steam tracer heating line) and a conduit or vessel, comprising emplacing heat transfer material (such as a heat transfer cement) in a mouldable or plastic state between and in contact with the element and at least part of the adjacent surface of the conduit or vessel, and around and in contact with the element so that the element is surrounded by heat transfer material which contacts the element and applying a relatively rigid recessed retaining member such as a channel of "U" or "V"-shaped cross-section round the heat transfer material so that edges of the retaining member substantially abut the conduit or vessel and maintain coherence in the heat transfer material enclosed in the volume defined between the retaining member and the conduit or vessel and securing the retaining member and conduit or vessel relative to each other to maintain said coherence.

Abstract: A tool for applying fasteners to a workpiece includes a housing and a punch reciprocally mounted in the housing. The punch includes an elongated slot through which a feed plate that is slideably mounted within the housing passes. A cam stop member is rotatably and slideably mounted in the housing and biased to engage the punch. The punch includes a first surface to rotate the cam such that a punch engaging edge is positioned against the punch. A second surface is defined on the punch at a predetermined distance spaced from the first surface and is engaged by the edge of the cam at an incomplete stroke of the punch. A third surface on the punch is spaced a predetermined distance from the second surface. The third surface rotates the punch engaging surface of the cam away from the punch at the completion of a full stroke allowing return of the punch to its normal position.

Abstract: A welding wire constituted by a core of welding powder enclosed by a mantle of metal is produced by forming an upwardly open metal channel composed of an outer channel and an inner channel abutting against the inner surface of the outer channel and having lateral flanks of a height which is about half the height of the lateral flanks of the outer channel, filling the inner channel with the powder, introducing a profiled metal band into the open channel which overlaps the powder in the inner channel and which engages the flanks of the latter at inner faces thereof so that the powder is enclosed by the inner channel and the profiled metal band, and bending upper longitudinal edges of the outer channel into abutment with each other. The longitudinal edges of the outer channel may be subsequently welded to each other, especially if the cross-section of the thus-produced wire is subsequently considerably reduced by passing it through drawing dies or the nip of pressure rolls.

Abstract: A fastener, for instance a wide staple having holes in its legs, is heated to a temperature above the softening temperature of the material of a heel to be attached to a shoe. The fastener is then inserted through pre-formed slots in an insole of the shoe and pressed into the heel so that heat from the fastener softens the plastic and the fastener becomes embedded in the heel to hold it attached.

Abstract: A method for connecting a sewer pipe to a larger pipe or manhole wherein the connection between the pipe and manhole opening is sealed by means of an elastomeric gasket or boot. In one embodiment of the invention, the pipe is inserted into the manhole opening and an annular elastomeric gasket is positioned over the annular space between the pipe and opening. An extensible jack, which has an annular plunger element having a diameter substantially equal to that of the gasket, is braced against the wall of the manhole opposite the opening and extended so as to press the gasket between the opening and pipe. In an alternative embodiment, a rigid ring is inserted within one end of an elastomeric boot such that the outer diameter of the boot-ring assembly is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the opening. The boot is inserted into the opening up to the enlarged end, the jack is braced against the opposite wall of the manhole and extended thereby pressing the gasket and ring into the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for assemblying spiral wound gaskets into gauge rings. The process comprises exerting inwardly directed radial forces on the exterior of the spiral wound gasket, causing it to decrease in diameter sufficiently to slip into the gauge ring. The apparatus comprises a holder having a tapered opening and a mandrel which is adapted to engage the periphery of the gasket. As the mandrel with the gasket in place is pushed downwardly through the tapered opening, the mandrel's diameter is decreased and consequently the outer diameter of the spiral gasket is decreased. Means is provided to hold the gauge ring in position immediately adjacent the minor diameter end of the tapered opening in the holder, whereby as the mandrel pushes the gasket out of the minor diameter end it is immediately placed in the hole in the gauge ring where the forces are then released. The gasket is then free to expand outwardly to a tight fit into the gauge ring.

Abstract: A vibrating wire stress meter and the method used to clamp its wire in position. The wire is highly tensioned diametrically across the sides of a hollow metallic cylinder and held there by two anchor tubes. A wedge and platen assembly in turn hold this cylinder in a rock borehole such that small stress changes in the surrounding rock cause the diameter of the cylinder to slightly change. This cylinder variation is transmitted to and measured by the preloaded wire by noting variations in its frequency or period of vibration. To cause the wire to vibrate a coil, magnet, and yoke are used as a plural pole electromagnetic plucker.Clamping of the wire is accomplished by highly tensioning the wire between two opposite hollow tubes that are seated in opposite aligned countersunk holes of the cylinder and then extruding the steel tubes around the wire. The wire extends through holes of those hollow tubes as well as the aligned holes in the cylinder walls which are diametrically opposite each other.

Abstract: A spike retainer which may be forcibly driven through an aperture in a tie plate into a wood cross tie includes an upper lip for engaging a flanged base of a rail supported by the tie plate. A movable wedge attached to the spike retainer is forced between the cross tie and the tie plate when a spike is forcibly inserted into the spike retainer, thereby clamping the tie plate and the flanged base of the rail between the upper lip and the movable wedge. The spike retainer is initially inserted into a pre-drilled hole in the cross tie by means of an insertion tool having a channel which permits the spike retainer to be forcibly inserted into the hole without engaging the movable wedge.

Abstract: A plurality of porous valve-metal pellets are suspended by their anode riser wires from a holding bar. After the conventional steps of anodically forming an oxide film over the surfaces of the pellets and depositing a solid electrolyte and a metallic counterelectrode over the film, an insulative resin layer is applied over the pellets by an electrostatic fluidized powder-bed coating step, selective air-stream powder-removal steps and heat curing steps. Anode and cathode end cap terminals are subsequently formed over opposite ends of each pellet, preferably by applying and curing a silver loaded paint, curing the paint, nickel immersion plating over the silver and cladding the nickel film with solder.

Abstract: One or a plurality of layers of a metallic raw material in plate form and one or a plurality of layers of wire netting are placed one over another in vertically stacked relation and then subjected to rolling to produce vibration absorbing metallic material. The metallic material produced in this way exhibits an excellent vibration damping performance.

Abstract: A tool for simultaneously inserting each of a plurality of wires in respective non-deforming insulation piercing terminals disposed in a terminal retaining body. The terminal retaining body is supported in the tool so that each terminal is aligned with a guide slot through which the wires are forced by the action of insertion tabs. The ends of the wires are retained in coil springs which are coupled to releasing handles so that the springs may be extended to facilitate removal of the wires. As the insertion tabs are forced through the guide slots, a cutting member disposed in each of the slots cooperates with an edge of the insertion tabs to cut the wire at a predetermined point. The tool is adjustable to accept terminal retaining bodies of various shapes and sizes.

Abstract: An electric band heater of low expansion characteristics having an integral ceramic core with resistance wire sandwiched therein and encased within a metal housing, the core being formed from a wire wound ceramic sheet sandwiched between ceramic sheets; and a method for making such a heater which includes the steps of arranging an assembly of a wire wound organic-ceramic core strip between organic-ceramic insulator strips and placing the same within a metal housing, compressing and forming the assembly and then heating the assembly to bake out organic binder materials and sinter ceramic materials into a ceramic mass.

Abstract: A heating panel array is of a "sandwich" configuration and employs a serpentine resistive array fabricated from a metal foil and disposed between two sheets of fiber glass cloth, all of which are secured together by a binder having stable properties in the presence of heat generated when said array is energized. The binder contains colloidal silica spheres of submicron diameter. Methods for fabricating the panel are described which enable fabrication of a multiplicity of panels using selective etching and silk screening techniques. The fabrication process assures the absence of impurities in the heater panel construction and in conjunction with the binder enable the panel to operate without smoking and aromatic problems.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid state sensor wherein a reactive compound of an alkali metal is tightly packed between a central electrode and a surrounding ion shield. A heating coil is wound about the outside of the shield. The ion shield is formed of a material that is deplete in ions of alkali metal and serves as a ion depletion boundry in the system.