Abstract: The lance is composed of a hollow tubular shaft having a cap connected to one end thereof. The cap is disengageable from the shaft for allowing access to the interior of the shaft. The cap is connected to a resilient band for carrying of the spear and propelling it through the water. The opposite end of the spear contains an insert having an axially running socket located centrally thereof for accepting a spearhead. The spearhead is held within the insert by surgical tubing which covers a portion of the insert and a portion of the spearhead. The surgical tubing also provides an airtight seal between the spearhead and the insert. The spearhead is, therefore, held within the insert by a frictional engagement with the surgical tubing as well as the suction created between the spearhead and the insert socket.

Abstract: A portable watertight signaling device for attaching to a fishing line to provide a selectable audible or visual alarm indication when a fish exerts a pull on the line. A fish line engaging switch mounted exterior to the housing includes a tension adjustment for varying the amount of pull necessary to activate the switch and actuate the alarm. A switch extending through the housing wall for selecting the audible or visual alarm mounts a circuit board carrying the visual alarm interior to the housing.

Abstract: An elongated hollow tubular internally coated casting rod through which a fishing line is passed employing a novel handle for storing a magnetic line threading means and which handle cooperates to quickly attach and detach a reel mechanism to and from the rod and positions the hand of the user for optimum reel control with minimum fatigue.

Abstract: A fishing lure of the spinner bait type is connected to a fishing line by means of a device which permits the lure to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the fishing line. The device includes a clevis or cylinder which is mounted on the lure near the intersection of two diverging arms of the lure. The device is mounted by means of a U-shaped connection member which permits free rotation of the device and fixes the device spatially with respect to the lure. The connection device is located on the lure at a position where the fishing line, when pulled taut, defines a line which passes through the center of mass of the lure to maintain the lure statically balanced as well as hydrodynamically balanced when the lure is pulled through the water.

Abstract: A fishing rig assembly including a hook, a first line connected to the hook, a sinker attachment structure, a sinker, and a second line connected to the sinker and to the sinker attachment structure. The sinker attachment structure provides for ready adjustment of the sinker along the first line and includes an integral body having a generally T-shaped projection with first and second surface manifestation formed on either side of the generally T-shaped projection, in line with each other and the projection, and the surface manifestations and projection being spaced a fixed predetermined distance apart. The second line includes a looped end which is disposed around the generally T-shaped projection, and the first line is received by the first and second manifestations, and is wrapped around the generally T-shaped projection between the surface manifestations.

Abstract: A modular toy building assembly having a plurality of polygonal substantially plate like panel members and a plurality of connecting members is disclosed for forming subjectively determined toy structures. The polygonal panel members can include triangular, rectangular, hexagonal and octagonal members and are provided with a pair of apertures substantially adjacent to each of their side edges. The connecting members can incorporate a living hinge which is capable of a large number of repetitive flexing motions and which divides the connecting member into two portions. A pair of mounting posts which are complimentary to the pairs of apertures in the polygonal panel members, are located on each portion. Dependant on the relative positioning of the connecting members with respect to the panel members, the mounting posts can be press fitted into the apertures and the panel members can be optionally interconnected in a rigid planar or variable angular configuration.

Abstract: An air-powered rocket sled game which includes a base having a pair of closed intersecting grooved tracks of substantially equal length in the upper surface thereof and a pair of air ducts in the interior of said base, each duct being in open communication with one of the grooved tracks through a plurality of spaced bores; a pair of projectiles adapted for slidably fitting in the grooved tracks and individually controlled means for introducing a continuous flow of compressed air into each air duct to thereby force the projectiles along the tracks.

Abstract: A saucer shaped throwing disc with a flexible tail and pivot means for attaching one end of the tail to the disc at its central vertical axis. When the disc is rotating in flight, the tail trails while remaining extended in the direction opposite the direction of flight. The tail has an aperture near one end for attachment purposes and other apertures which aid in securing the tail in folded or rolled condition.

Abstract: A toy airplane operable by air pressure through a blowpipe is designed to make effective use of the full air pressure supplied to the blowpipe to enhance its flight distance and speed. The airplane includes a tubular support member having a plugged front end and an open rear end into which the blowpipe is insertable. A cover member is mounted on the tubular support member and shaped to form an aircraft body with wing and tail elements. The tubular support member includes an annular accordion fold section spaced rearwardly from its front end to provide airtight sealing engagement with the blowpipe and to exert a gripping force on the blowpipe which must be overcome by the air pressure to launch the toy airplane into flight.

Abstract: Appendage operated toys in which a moveable appendage of a toy figure energizes a power train that extends through the figure for engagement with an accessory that is operable by the power train. The power train may be used to store energy by virtue of the movement of the appendage, with the energy being released by operation of another appendage.

Abstract: A skin structure in a doll providing simulated body temperature by fluid circulation comprised of two layers separated by studs forming passageways between said layers for the circulation of fluid of the desired temperature to impart on the surface of the doll a temperature approximating body temperature. The controlled temperature fluid may be provided in a reservoir so that the fluid can be circulated to and from the skin structure. The outer skin layer is preferably resilient. The studs are appropriately spaced between the layers and separate said layers. Other creature representations may incorporate the novel spaced layer and stud passageway construction of the invention.

Abstract: A novel toy apparatus includes a base having a pair of spaced apart, opposite, upstanding, hollow bodies open at the upper end for containing a projectile. An ejector tongue is provided in each body for propelling the projectile out of the open top of one body toward the open top of the opposite body. A manually rotated operator is provded for sequentially activating the ejector tongue in the respective bodies so that the projectile is propelled back and forth during play.

Abstract: There is disclosed in the present application a motorized toy vehicle adapted to travel over a floor under its own power and to simulate on a miniaturized scale a popular concept of a space vehicle commonly referred to as a "flying saucer". The toy includes in addition to a drive for propelling the vehicle along the floor, a revolving dome shaped covering having a series of windows through which vari-colored flashing light is seen.

Abstract: A four wheel drive toy car having an elongated body with rounded ends and a diameter greater than the height of said elongated body so that the car will run equally well inverted. The wheels have convex outer sides so that the car will not rest on its side, and will cause the toy car to right itself when turned over, and rubber tires for good traction. A cord is connected to the electric motor driving the car and the car is steered by tugging on the electrical cord.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the propagation and cultivation of freshwater and marine plants. These freshwater or marine plants are found naturally in underwater, floating or air-water interface habitats where sufficient illumination, nutrients and moisture are available to sustain life. A process is disclosed in which freshwater and marine macrophytes are cultivated in a water charged atmosphere, rather than in their native freshwater or marine environments, under precise control of such critical growing conditions as light, temperature, nutrient supply and disease control. Carbon dioxide, a plant nutrient is introduced into the atmosphere or into the water while other nutrients are provided through the use of controlled mists or sprays arranged to maintain a film of nutrient containing freshwater or seawater on the growing plants. Natural waters may be periodically enriched with organic or inorganic nutrients.

Abstract: A method of hydroponic culture in which plants are cultured while a nutrient solution is continuously circulated within a culture tank. The method comprises determining a scheduled growth curve for a plant to be cultured, programming the flow rate increase and liquid level drop of the nutrient solution by approximate correspondence with the scheduled growth curve, and supplying the nutrient solution under control in accordance with the program.

Abstract: A package for a flowable material such as a plant growth medium and which can be converted for use as a container for growing plants therein. The package has an elongated or square flexible outer container and is filled with the flowable filling material. The container has markings for cutting out a pair of openings at either end of the top surface to thereby leave a carrying handle in the middle.

Abstract: A pivot mechanism for pivoted or reversible windows includes a stationary base adapted to be secured to a window frame member and a slide base slidably mounted on the stationary base and with which a window sash edge is pivotally engageable. A screw threadedly extends through one of the bases and is coupled with the other base by means of a pair of annular flanges on one end of the screw, between which is received a pair of arms extending from the other base. By turning the screw, the slide base is moved with respect to the stationary base, thereby providing a bearing for a pivot shaft on the window sash edge or positionally adjusting a pivot shaft on the slide base.

Abstract: A grinding method wherein a work is moved along a grinding tank and on the surface of or in the interior of a grinding material, as required, while being rotated within the large grinding tank charged with the grinding material and a grinding apparatus comprising a large grinding tank charged with a grinding material a guide rail provided above and along said grinding tank, a main shaft rotating head moving along said guide rail and a chuck securing a work to the lower end of said head, whereby the work is moved in contact with the grinding material, as required, while being rotated. With these method and apparatus, it is possible to grind even a large work over the entire surface.

Abstract: An elongated metal workpiece such as a slab or billet is moved longitudinally beneath a grinding head by a reciprocating carriage mounted on an elongated track. The carriage receives a billet from a charging table, reciprocates the billet beneath the grinding head for a plurality of grinding passes, and then delivers the finished billet to a discharge table. The grinder head includes a rotating grinding wheel mounted at the end of a first arm which is pivotally secured to one end of a pivotally mounted second arm. The vertical position of the grinding wheel, and hence the downward force exerted by the grinding wheel on the billet, is principally determined by the angular position and torque, respectively, of the first arm while the horizontal position of the grinding wheel transverse to the longitudinal axis of the billet is principally determined by the angular position of the second arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for high precision lapping. This high precision is accomplished by the lapping stroke between the lap and the workpiece always having a substantially constant predetermined stroke in one direction and an approximately constant predetermined stroke in the other direction. The approximately constant stroke is accomplished by sensing the contact force between the lap and the workpiece and stopping an engaging stroke therebetween when a predetermined contact force is reached and then starting a constant disengaging stroke. When the substantially constant predetermined disengaging stroke is completed, the engaging stroke begins.

Abstract: A grinding machine having a rotatable grinding head formed of a circular array of grinding segments including means for conducting liquid coolant thereto, with a blocking member for interrupting flow of coolant to regions of the grinding head not in contact with a workpiece being machined.

Abstract: A piston ring honing machine and method are disclosed wherein a stack of piston rings are face finished simultaneously by compressing the rings radially inwardly and into a generally circular configuration and retaining the outside diameter of that circular configuration by confining the compressed rings within a plurality of cylindrical drive rollers disposed about the rings. A honing tool is placed against the ring faces and the rings driven to rotate about the circle center by rotation of one or more of the cylindrical rollers. The stack of rings therefore moves relative to the honing tool to finish the ring face. The tool may be reciprocated in the direction of the cylindrical roller axes to more uniformly finish the ring faces.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in high pressure underwater abrasive-laden water jetting has a gun connected to a high pressure water pump and having an inductor connected to a source of abrasive. Abrasive is supplied to the inductor only when the gun is operated by reason of a control valve for an air supply to the abrasive container being opened to pressurize the container when water pressure is supplied, in other cases air continues to flow to prevent water entering the apparatus.

Abstract: An attachment system, and attachment clip therefor, is disclosed for attaching panel engaging ceiling runners, positioned either parallel or perpendicular, to air distribution bar structures and inverted-T runner ceiling supporting structures.

Abstract: A wall panel construction comprising prefinished wall panels of fire resistive material, such as gypsum board, wherein the opposed vertical edges have secured thereto lateral edge members of particular configuration. Initially, the lateral edge members have a flaring configuration exteriorly of the plane of the finished surface of said panels, wherein a filler is applied to provide about planar continuity between the outwardly flaring surface of the lateral edge member and the eventually finished surface of the panel member. Thereafter, finishing by sanding and squaring produces a trued panel to which is applied to decorative coating to produce a finished panel member. Texturized paint or wall covering may be laminated or adhesively secured to the entire exposed finished surface of the panel. Unsecured flaps of the wall covering may also be provided.

Abstract: The device is conventionally associated to a cigarette packaging machine and comprises a hopper for successively distributing individual layers of adjacently disposed cigarettes into transferring means which successively transfer each layer into compartments intermittently moved in front of said transferring means. A plurality of layers are superimposed in each compartment to form a bundle to be fed to the wrapping means of the packaging machine. During the transferring, the layers are compelled to pass through a passage delimited by side guiding members and by an upper and a lower light-transparent guiding plate, said passage having a width substantially equal to the width of a layer and a height substantially equal to the diameter of a cigarette. The upper plate has a slot in the direction of the transverse dimension of the passage and this slot is subjected to the light rays generated by a light source transversely disposed relative to said passage and above said slot.

Abstract: Overlapped foil wrappers are formed by feeding a foil web (1 or 21) at uniform speed from an upper pair of rollers (2 or 22) to a lower pair of rollers (5,6 or 25,26) rotating at a uniform slower speed. A first cutter (3,4 or 23,24) between the upper and lower rollers cuts the web at intervals of the overall length of a wrapper, and such that an overlap is formed by the time the newly cut leading end of the web is engaged by the lower rollers. A second cutter below the lower rollers cuts the web downstream of the overlap to form the short wrapper piece (loose front foil). The lower roller (6) may move away from the other roller (5) while the overlap is forming, allowing the distance between upper and lower rollers to be reduced.

Abstract: An improved process and heating arrangement for actuating and arresting a heat-forming machine for producing deep drawn containers made of thermoplastic foil band material. The foil band material is paid out in stepwise fashion from one or more storage rollers and is then processed along a process path along which there are arranged in downstream fashion: a heating arrangement, a molding arrangement, a filling arrangement, a stamping arrangement and a driving mechanism. Control circuit means are operatively connected to all of the afore-recited arrangements. The heating arrangements includes heating elements for heating the foil band material to the molding temperature. Screening plates are slidably mounted in the heating arrangement between the foil band material and the heating elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in strapping a bundle of articles with a heat sealable plastics material strap, the apparatus having first and second strap feed stations and a support for receiving and supporting a bundle of articles to be strapped. When the bundle is moved onto the support it passes through the line of the strap extending between the stations so that the strap is caused to embrace the bundle, and first and second limbs of the strap which then extend from the bundle to the respective stations are each clamped at two spaced apart zones. The two strap limbs are then severed between the clamping zones by a reciprocating cutter and resultant corresponding end portions of the severed limbs are then moved into clamping contact and welded together in overlapping relationship.

Abstract: A magnetic storage system receives electronic axial lead devices, particularly polarized devices such as diodes, that are advancing axially from a sorter. The storage system includes a chute assembly with an upper run that funnels the devices to a stop wall spaced from the lower end of the run. The stopped device forms an acute angle with a magnetic field extending horizontally across the chute assembly to produce a controlled rotation of the device to a horizontal orientation. The reoriented device falls through the spacing to a lower chute run that guides it in a lateral mode of advance to a bin cassette replaceably secured between a pair of magnet pole pieces. The pole pieces have a tapered thickness to develop a downwardly increasing magnetic flux density that promotes a high packing density of the devices in the cassette. A flapper valve is manually operable to block movement of the devices on the second chute assembly while a loaded cassette is being replaced with an empty cassette.

Abstract: An article packing system includes a first conveyor for advancing a series of flat articles; at least two stack-forming devices for consecutively forming stacks of variable length from the articles received from the first conveyor; a second conveyor extending from the stack-forming devices for carrying away the stacks; a packing machine for packaging the article stacks received from the second conveyor and a scale for weighing the stacks of articles. The scale is in the conveying path of the second conveyor and is located downstream of the stack-forming devices and upstream of the packing machine as viewed in the direction of article advance on the second conveyor. The latter includes a mechanism for successively advancing the article stacks from the stack-forming devices towards the scale in a direction parallel to the plane of the flat articles. Further, the mechanism sequentially introduces the article stacks into the scale and subsequently advances them from the scale to the packing machine.

Abstract: Motive unit carries stretch-wrap unit around stationary material to be wrapped. Guide ski follows around the material to be wrapped and controls the steering of the motive unit so that the material is wrapped into a unit.

Abstract: The safety stirrup disclosed herein has a strap receiving hanger bar at the upper extent of the stirrup, and a pair of laterally spaced apart side bars that depend downwardly from the hanger bar, wherein one of the side bars is pivotally connected to the hanger bar so as to be swingable, laterally outwardly with respect to the opposite side bar. One end of a footrest bar that normally bridges the lower ends of the side bars is pivotally connected to the lower end of the nonpivoted side bar, and the opposite end of the footrest bar is held by a releasable catch formed on the lower end of the pivoted side bar. A biasing spring continuously urges the pivotally mounted side bar inwardly so as to cause the catch at its lower end to retain the footrest bar in a bridging, foot supporting position.

Abstract: A self-propelled swather includes a front drive wheel at one end thereof and a rear drive wheel at the other end with a castoring support wheel on the rear side between the two drive wheels. The drive wheels are each driven by a variable speed hydraulic motor so that side draft or drag of one end is eliminated. Steering from a cab at one end of the swather is by hydrostatic means and the rear drive wheel assembly can be turned 90.degree. for transport. When in the transport position, all of the power can be directed to the front drive wheel thus increasing the drive speed of the swather under these conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a self-propelled lawn mower including a blade housing, a plurality of wheels adapted for supporting the blade housing, at least one of the wheels being adapted to serve as a drive wheel, a blade mounted for rotation within the blade housing, a prime mover supported on the housing, a drive shaft mounted for rotation relative to the housing and adapted for connection to the drive wheel for driving the drive wheel, and a transmission means mounted on the blade housing. The transmission means includes a rotatable first gear drivingly connected to the prime mover, a pair of driven gears rotatably mounted in meshing engagement with the first gear and driven by the first gear in opposite directions, and means for alternatively and selectively connecting the driven gears to the drive shaft for rotatably driving the drive shaft in different rotational directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for manufacturing yarn products comprised of an inner core of fibers and an outer layer of fibers. In the process, first fibers have a pre-twist imparted thereto to form a strand which becomes the inner core of the yarn and the pre-twist is retained by passing the yarn between two pinch points. While between the two pinch points, second fibers are juxtaposed to the strand and any untwisting tendency by the inner strand will tend to twist the outer layer of fibers. Optionally, the yarn may undergo a further twisting operation while between the two pinch points after the second fibers have been deposited.

Abstract: To provide symmetrical communication cables, especially wiring cables for telephone exchange installations, with connectors at the cable ends, in a simple manner, the individual groups of pairs of the cable core consist of a flat cable, which is formed into a group by twisting or torsioning. The pairs of each flat cable are connected to each other by means of flexible holding elements which are cemented or welded to the pairs on one side. In the manufacture of such a communication cable, the pairs of a group are first arranged along the generatrix of a cylinder and are temporarily secured in this configuration by means of a holding helix. The holding helix is cemented or welded to the surface of the pairs and subsequently cut open between two adjacent pairs in the same operation.

Abstract: Two non-concentric rotating assemblies of a double-twist textile twister are connected together for concurrent rotation. Each assembly has fastening members which are connected to fastening members on the other assembly by a substantially unstretchable traction element and a compressively deformable resilient element which is located between the traction element and the respective fastening member.

Abstract: In a clock having a synchronous motor and a chime that is struck once evey half hour by a biased hammer assembly that is prevented from striking the chime except when a tab on the hammer falls into a notch on a wheel driven by the minute shaft, a chime shutoff is mounted on the back cover of the clock for movement between a chime "on" and a chime "off" position.

Abstract: In a timepiece having a case and having a minute hand and an hour hand for indicating time, an alarm signaling device generates an alarm by detecting the phase of two sets of gears. One set of gears comprises an hour hand gear and an hour detecting gear and the other set comprises a minute hand gear and a minute detecting gear. The two sets of gears are concentrically mounted for rotation and the minute detecting gear is positioned between the minute gear and the one set of gears. The minute detecting gear has a contacting sliding contact with the minute gear. The alarm signaling device further includes an alarm signaling time setting wheel having an axis of rotation parallel to that of the two sets of gears and a first gear and a second gear engaging the minute detecting gear and the hour detecting gear respectively.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece in which a higher frequency signal from a frequency standard is divided down to a lower frequency drive signal by a frequency converter. The drive signal is applied through a driver circuit to an electro-mechanical transducer which actuates time-representing members to indicate time. A control means is coupled to intermediate stages of the frequency converter and produces higher frequency drive signals. At least one contact plate made of flexible, electrically conductive material is adapted to be depressed from outside the watch case through a recess formed therein whereby the control means is connected to the driver circuit to apply the higher frequency drive signals to the electro-mechanical transducer thereby rapidly advancing the time-representing members.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece comprises a detection circuit provided with a resistance element which discriminates rotation and non-rotation of a stepping motor by variation of an oscillating circuit, a dividing circuit, a pulse composing circuit, a stepping motor driving circuit, a two phase driving system stepping motor and an inductance, wherein said resistance element is directly connected across a coil output of the stepping motor within an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A digital electronic timepiece having a multi-digit digital display for displaying the time count in a time counter which receives a divided down time signal from a time base signal generator. At least one settable time counter for storing a count corresponding to a desired time period is provided which is receptive of a time signal for decrementing the count thereof to zero. A plurality of display driving signals, each corresponding to one digit of display are generated wherein the display signals of successive digits are phase delayed with respect to each other and the frequency thereof is sufficiently low to produce visible flickering of display. Upon the sensing of the zero count in the timer counter, the display which is normally non-flickering, is driven with the display driving signals to produce a sequential flickering of the digits of the time display to provide a visual indication of the lapse of the desired time period.

Abstract: A digital display for an electronic timepiece having first visual indication display segments peripherally disposed around numerical display digits for selectively indicating predetermined integral time zones corresponding to the time displayed by the numerical display digits and further visual indication display segments for discriminating time zones that are not integrally related to the time zones indicated by the first indication display segments is provided. The display is characterized by a bezel surrounding the plurality of visual indication display segments, the bezel having a plurality of first distinct indicia disposed therearound. Each of the first indicia are disposed proximate to the position of the first visual indication display segments to identify the predetermined global time zone selectively indicated thereby. At least one second indicia is disposed on the bezel intermediate a pair of first indicia.

Abstract: Electronic circuits especially adapted for driving an electro-optic representation of a conventional mechanical analog watch, such circuits providing improved signal multiplexing for activating the display.

Abstract: Time adjusting means for electronic timepiece which detects change in the generation condition of pulses generated in response to a manual operation speed and generates a predetermined number of pulses in accordance with the detection output as the time-adjusting pulses. The time adjusting means enables a rapid time adjustment of an electronic timepiece at a high speed. When the manual operation speed exceeds a predetermined speed, the time adjusting means stops the time-adjusting pulse so as to prevent erroneous operation.

Abstract: A rotate switch mechanism for actuating time correction displayed by an electronic timepiece comprising a rotatable crown and stem, a toothed wheel rotatably connected to the stem and a switch assembly. The switch assembly contains a switch blade precisely positioned within the periphery of the teeth of the toothed wheel and deflected thereby, with rotation of the crown, to make contact with either of two switch contacts.Circuitry responsive to each switch closure is provided for incrementally effecting time correction, forward and backward, with clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the crown, respectively.

Abstract: A lighter with a watch having a watch module interiorly disposed. A lighter case incorporates therein a fuel tank and a watch module and a display of the watch module is visible through a window formed in the side of the lighter case. The lighter is provided with a set button and a select button so as to easily correct reading, the date and hour, and seconds. Further, an ignition operator is utilized to make reading set, thus preventing erroneous operation of selection of the watch module and reading set.

Abstract: A method and a device for bending a rod-shaped link blank into a substantially closed chain link, particularly while at the same time hooking the link blank into a chain end. According to the invention, the blank is brought into a first receiving position with one of its end portions located between, on the one hand, two rotatable abutment rollers disposed at a distance from each other and, on the other hand, a bending tool movable back and forth transversely between said abutment rollers. The bending tool is then brought to a position between the two rollers so as to bend said one end portion of the link blank.