Abstract: A landscape border brick system includes a plurality of bricks and a plurality of connectors for interconnecting bricks which are placed end to end. Each brick has connector recesses formed in its opposite ends for receiving the connectors. The connector recesses are formed in the bottom surface of the brick which rests on the ground, so a brick can be lifted off its connectors and replaced without disturbing adjacent bricks. The system includes two basic kinds of bricks, main bricks and secondary bricks. The main or angled bricks have a pair of leg portions which intersect at an angle, preferably 30 degrees, to form a generally V-shaped configuration when viewed from above. The secondary bricks are straight and may be interposed between the main bricks in any desired arrangement. Both the main bricks and the secondary bricks may be provided in varying lengths.

Abstract: This invention relates to a support for a building or structure. The support consists of an outer container, typically of square or circular cross section. A movable assembly having a variable length is disposed within the container. The assembly has a plurality of vertical jointed legs mounted radially about a longitudinal center axis. The legs are mounted on a spring within the container at their lower ends and are rigidly fastened to the bottom floor of the building at their upper end. The legs contact the container wall at the legs' central portions. Movement of the top portion of the legs away from the assembly axis causes one or more of the legs to move away from the container wall while pushing the remaining leg or legs into the container wall. This movement causes the jointed legs to extend against the action of the spring thereby translating lateral movement of the container wall into vertical movement of the assembly.

Abstract: A swimming pool coping that can be used for covering a top edge of curved swimming pool walls includes an integrally formed body having a hollow nose-shaped portion and a mounting seat portion. The hollow nose-shaped portion has a rounded profile with top and bottom portions that are connected by a web. A notch-shaped relief joint interrupts the bottom portion of the rounded profile in a position that contracts in response to bending of the coping body in either of two directions to match concave and convex curvatures of swimming pool walls. The rounded profile projects from the web through a distance that is decreased by the contraction of the relief joint so that the coping exhibits a similar appearance while matching either concave or convex curvatures of the pool walls.

Abstract: A built-up stair assembly of includes a plurality of stair units, of which the angular position of each unit stair can be flexibly adjusted horizontally as well as vertically. Each stair unit includes a T-shaped plate mounted with a tread board and having a holder plate on the top and a socket on the bottom such that the holder plate of one stair unit can be inserted in the socket of another stair unit for connection in series. A handrail is laterally mounted on the top of the tread boards of the stair units when then are connected in series.

Abstract: A trussed structure includes at least a pair of parallel trussed girders. In one of the trussed girders, an upper chord member and a lower chord member are joined through lattice members. The trussed structure includes at least a pair of prestressing members spanning between the opposite sides of the trussed structure. The central portions of the prestressing members are disposed below the end portions of the prestressing members, and connected to the lower chord members so as to pull the lower chord members upwardly. The central portions of both of the prestressing members are disposed between the adjacent trussed girders.

Abstract: The wall covering assembly includes a flexible, resilient, preferably sound-deadening, fire-resistant sheet of wall covering, preferably of plastic and/or cloth. The assembly also includes one or a spaced number of preferably parallel wall covering anchoring strips releasably connected to the rear of the wall covering. The strips can be anchored to the exposed surface of a wall to hold the wall covering over and spaced from the wall. Each strip may be of plastic, wood, metal, ceramic or the like and includes a rear base plate adapted to be connected, as by adhesive, screws, etc. to a wall. It also includes a front plate spaced forward of the base plate by integral struts, preferably parallel therewith and defining therebetween an acoustical space. The front plate bears anchoring hooks attachable to the rear of the wall covering. Preferably, the strips bear breakaway segments on one side thereof, removably blocking access to the space.

Abstract: A decorative trim strip apparatus for concealing a joint or crack comprising a longitudinally oriented channel defining a longitudinal opening in the center thereof, the channel being defined by parallel, opposed first and second sides and a longitudinal floor disposed opposite and parallel to the longitudinal opening of the channel, the first and second sides and the floor each having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first and a second end, the outer surface of the floor being adapted to cover the joint or crack, the trim strip apparatus further having an elongated trim strip which is detachably or totally mounted to the channel opposite and parallel to the longitudinal floor for movement between a first position enclosing the longitudinal opening and a second portion which does not enclose the longitudinal opening. The channel is positioned over a generally liner joint or crack and then attached to the surface in which the crack apparatus thereby concealing the joint or crack.

Abstract: A connecting stake with a fixing stirrup and nails to be pneumatically inserted for connection with a concrete casting on an iron beam, comprises a staff (1) of cylindrical section and predetermined length, provided with an upper head (2) of a greater diameter, and with a lower bar of slightly lesser diameter. The lower bar has an end. The stake (1) has a shaped plaque (3) provided with two lateral openings (7) and (8), the plaque having a central opening, the end of the bar being riveted in the central opening. The nails (9) and (10) are predisposed in the lateral openings and are held within the openings by two thin sheaths (11) and (12). The concrete casting has an upper flange and the nails are inserted in the upper flange by means of a pneumatic nailing machine. The concrete casting is subsequently applied on the upper flange. The plaque (3) is provided with lateral wings (4) and (5) emerging from the plaque, whereby said stake is reinforced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a moisture resistant field installed seam assembly for use with adjoining channel-shaped building surface covering members having adjoining mating flanges one of which is deformed to form an elongate seam, the moisture resistant seam assembly comprising an elongate elastomeric member adapted to be positioned over the elongate flange of one mating flange of the adjoining channel-shaped building surface covering members prior to deforming the adjacent mating flange, for preventing fluid migration, betweeen flanges.

Abstract: A panel connector for interconnecting and supporting panels along their side edges to form space divisions. The panel connector comprises a structural connecting post having a supporting bottom end and a securing top end. The connecting post has opposed parallel side walls with a first pair of side walls having hook receiving apertures spaced in groups along the connecting post. A clamp bracket is secured in the top corner of at least one panel to be secured to the connecting post. A clamp is associated with the bracket and has a hooking element which engages with the apertures in the top end of the connecting post and with hook cavities in the clamp bracket to rigidly connect the panel to the connecting post. The side edge of the panel is also provided with a hooking clamp spaced from the top end to engage with further hook receiving apertures provided along the connecting post.

Abstract: A connector system for the attachment of component panels along the line of a joint. The panel to be joined has a dovetail shaped channel on the edge to be joined. A flexible connector has a curvilinear cross section containing a major arched portion and a minor arched portion inverted to it. Flattening the major arched portion by exerting a normal force on it drives the minor arched portion into the dovetail shaped channel, forming the joint. Removing the force releases the joint.In the preferred form; a pair of connectors opposed to one another joint two solar/structural building panels. Slots on the inside surfaces of the connectors distribute air to the dovetail channels, and through a corrugated film bonded to the outer panel skin. Air returning to the dovetail channel on the opposite side of the panel is heated by sunlight.

Abstract: A connection for joining upper and lower precast concrete panels includes a molded plastic tubular body having closed ends and recesses formed in the inside and outside of the body. The body is cast into the top of the lower panel with a sheet in place closing one end to prevent entry of water and debris into the interior of the body. When the panels are erected, the sheet is broken open exposing the interior of the body, the body is filled with grout and a structural rod extending down from the upper panel is lowered into the body as the upper panel is placed on the lower panel. Setting of the grout forms a strong connection between the two panels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing moldings to vehicle bodies is disclosed. The molding preferably slidably receives clips at spaced locations along its length, wherein the clips have adhesive at their rear face. A desired amount of adhesive is selected for the particular molding, and spacing between the clips along the length of the molding is determined to achieve a desired adhesive area. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the clip is configured such that it is slidably received within channels on the molding, and has a unique structure which provides efficient amounts of material of the molding to the vehicle body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved tank structures and the processes and apparatus for their construction. The walls of the prestressed tank are formed by inflating a membrane, applying one or more layers of rigidifying material on said membrane and then prestressing the walls by circumferentially wrapping prestressing material to minimize the tension in the rigidifying material when subjected to loading. In another embodiment wall forms are placed inwardly of said membrane to aid in the forming and support of the walls under circumferential prestresing. In the best mode of the invention, the walls are of reinforced plastic, fiber, or shortcrete and resin sandwich composite construction.

Abstract: An infiltration and energy barrier comprising a flexible substrate sheet having at least one metalized layer thereon is applied to a structure in a substantially continuous manner and is disposed between the structural underlayment and the finish material to enhance the energy efficiency of the structure. In accordance with the desired application, the infiltration and energy barrier may be either impermeable or vapor permeable.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compiling deformable, substantially cylindrical bodies and for packing them, comprising vibrating said bodies being positioned at pile delivery substantially parallel adjacent and superposed to each other and being aligned in at least one row of parallelly positioned bodies adjacent to each other, whereafter this row is loaded into a substantially parallelepipedic magazine (6) that is substantially spaceless charged with bodies and thereafter transferred to a magazine discharge station (E) and positioned below a substantially similar transfer magazine (12), into which the bodies are transferred and which is thereafter transversely shifted above a reception space (14) for said bodies into which the bodies enter by gravity and are divided into streams moving downwardly into the area of two or more adjacent discharge devices (17) from which the bodies being compiled to predetermined groups are conveyed at the same time into cups of a cup conveyer (FIG. 4).

Abstract: A machine and method for loading bags of a preformed web of side interconencted bags. The top of a bag web is slit open and then fed between a pair of belt conveyors. The tops of the bags projecting over the conveyors belts are folded down over them and then gripped by a second pair of conveyor belts. At a load station the belts are spread to open bags sequentially and one at a time for loading. After loading a bag is separated from the web and fed through a sealing section comprising two pairs of hot air cartridges which are movable such that they do not emit hot air into the path of bag travel when it is undesirable to do so and a pair of crimp rollers.

Abstract: Envelopes in a bulk-mail processing system are inspected for emptiness, which indicates that all of the contents have been removed. The envelopes are spread apart at an extraction station, for manual or automatic removal of contents. The light transmissivity of the envelope and contents is measured when the envelope is unspread, and then when the envelope is spread. Based on at least the measured transmissivities of the envelope when spread and unspread, a threshold value of transmissivity consistent with the envelope being empty is calculated.

Abstract: A film wrapping apparatus is presented herein wherein a support structure supports a work surface at which items are wrapped in film. A drawer assembly is carried by the support structure below the work surface and includes a drawer carried by the support structure for slidable horizontal movement between a drawer pulled out position and a drawer pushed in position. A pair of cradle rollers are carried by the drawer and support a roll of film as the roll rotates about its axis as film is pulled from the roll. A film gripper grips the leading edge of the film and pulls the film from the roll as the gripper is displaced from a first position below the work surface to a second position proximate to the work surface. The film gripper is actuated so as to move from the first position to the second position as the drawer is moved toward its pushed in retracted position.

Abstract: A saddle cinch or girth is a strong wide fibrous or leather band used to secure a saddle on a horse. A problem with cinches or girths is that they often wear a horse's skin raw. A non-rub cover for saddle cinches or girths is disclosed which comprises a tubular rubber sleeve which is soft and elastic and of sufficient thickness to prevent abrasive contact. The sleeve has openings on opposite sides at the middle to allow the girth rings to protrude. The sleeve is easily slid over cinch or girth and optionally the end buckles to protect against abrasion. The girth rings protruding through the openings permit the saddle straps to be fastened thereto. Another embodiment of the invention uses a protective sleeve of the same material and shape but slit longitudinally and having longitudinally extending velcro fasteners extending along the slit edges to permit the sleeve to be formed at the place of use.

Abstract: A crop pickup device including a rotatable drum or cylinder with pickup teeth thereon associated with a rake plate or notched stripping panel associated with the pickup teeth to effectively strip the plants from the pickup and collect and guide the seeds which may fall from the plants into the conveyor of the harvesting machine. A transverse manifold with a rearwardly facing slot-like opening is located forwardly of the pickup drum and teeth to prevent the plants from rolling forwardly when they are engaged by the pickup teeth and a pair of side blowers discharge air laterally inwardly and rearwardly which also prevent the plants from rolling forwardly and keep the windrow from fanning out or rolling outside of the pickup drum and teeth.

Abstract: A grass pick-up broom for riding, walk-behind and tow-behind mowers includes a cylindrical sleeve rotatably mounted on a rear axle of a mower and having spaced elongate brushes fixedly attached to the sleeve and extending radially therefrom. The sleeve is connected by a belt to a rotary cutting blade powered by an engine mounted on the mower. When the cutting blade is engaged, the sleeve automatically rotates about the axle causing the brushes to rotate thereabout, propelling grass clippings and other debris into a grass catcher located behind the broom. The brushes of the broom also comb the surface of the newly cut grass, picking up grass clippings and other heavier debris and transfering the debris to the grass catcher.

Abstract: A round-bale press for stalk-shaped crops has a pick-up and a press space which, on its circumference, is limited downwards by a rearwardly conveying ground arrangement, rearwards by the upwardly travelling front strand of a press-band arrangement, and forwards by a downwardly travelling movable wall arrangement. A transverse roller is provided which is movable and by which the front strand can be pressed forwards at the start of formation of a bale.

Abstract: A randomly entangled, plied yarn having a first yarn strand and a second yarn strand wherein at least one of the first yarn strand or the second yarn strand is unidirectionally twisted in a first direction of twist, the plied yarn having spaced-apart spliced zones along its length defining therebetween lengths of unspliced yarn having a ply twist in the opposite direction of the twist of the component yarn strands along the entire length of the plied yarn.

Abstract: A combination gas-turbine and steam-turbine process and a power plant that utilizes the process. A waste-heat recovery system with a steam-circulation system is downstream and a pressurized furnace with a combustion chamber is upstream of a gas turbine. Flue surfaces that heat air are accommodated in the furnace. A pressurized gasifier parallels the furnace. Flue gas from the furnace, preheated combustion air, and combustion gas from the gasifier are forwarded to the combustion chamber. The heat of combustion liberated in the furnace by heating the flue gas to beyond its combustion temperature is transmitted exclusively to the combustion air being forwarded to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid ceramic/metallic fastener (bolt) includes a headed ceramic shank carrying a metallic end termination fitting. A conventional cap screw threadably engages the termination fitting to apply tensile force to the fastener.

Abstract: A telemetry carrier ring for use in a gas turbine engine includes an annular support ring connected to the engine and an annular carrier ring coupled to the support ring, each ring exhibiting different growth characteristics in response to thermal and mechanical loading. The carrier ring is coupled to the support ring by a plurality of circumferentially spaced web members which are relatively thin in an engine radial direction to provide a predetermined degree of radial flexibility. the web members have a circumferential width and straight axial line of action selected to transfer torque and thrust between the support ring and the carrier ring without substantial deflection. The use of the web members with radial flexibility provides compensation between the support ring and the carrier ring since the carrier ring grows at a different rate than the supporting ring.

Abstract: An aft entry system in a gas turbine engine is provided for cooling selected one or more of aft high and low pressure turbine stages of the engine. The aft entry system includes an air flow circuit for routing low pressure cooling air radially outward from an interstage region of a multi-stage compressor of a core engine of the gas turbine engine and axially in an aft direction to a plurality of radial passages, such as provided by stationary stator and outlet guide vanes, which provide an aft entry region to the selected high and low pressure turbine stages. The pressure of the cooling air routed by the air flow circuit of the aft entry system can be lower than the pressure of air at a discharge end of the compressor but higher than the pressure of the gas stream discharging from the selected turbine stage.

Abstract: This invention eliminates overshoot of critical engine operating limits by preventing windup in a control system thus avoiding the difficulties of maintaining stability or transient response associated with conventional dynamic compensation. A slave-datum controller is limited by imposing a limit indicative of the distance between the engine's operating line and the maximum or minimum constraints imposed on the engine to avoid surge and combustor "blowout".

Abstract: A cover for insulating exhaust systems of internal combustion engines comprising a tubular shaped layer of insulating material circumscribingly engaging the exhaust system and a flexible metal sleeve for protecting the insulating material and holding the insulating material against the exhaust system. The present invention is held in place using mechanic's wire or steel tie wraps such as a hose clamp. The present invention can also be varied for use in retrofitting existing exhaust systems. In this manner, the insulating layer and flexible metal sleeve are made of sheet material which can be wrapped around the installed exhaust system without necessitating removal of the system.

Abstract: In a double air-fuel ratio sensor system including two air-fuel ratio sensors upstream and downstream of a catalyst converter provided in an exhaust gas passage, the actual air fuel ratio is adjusted in accordance with the air-fuel ratio correction amount calculated by using the output of the upstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor and the output of the downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor. In this system, a detection whether or not the catalyst converter is deteriorated is carried out by using the output of the downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor when the feedback control condition is satisfied. This detecting operation is prohibited when the upstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor is in an abnormal state.

Abstract: A stirling cycle apparatus having a buffer connecting the compressor piston back room with the expansion piston back room. The apparatus also has a diaphragm which divides the buffer and the crank room. The buffer reduces the pressure changes between the both sides of the diaphragm so that the stress to the diaphragm can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to new and useful improvements in the design of combustion gas ejector systems and in particular to those types of ejector systems employed on piston driven internal combustion engines. The invention provides a method of efficiently collecting the exhaust flow from a plurality of engine cylinder side-port ejector nozzles into a single ejector diffuser duct of the gas ejector.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a valve overlapping period control device for controlling a valve overlapping period during which both the intake valve and the exhaust valve are open, and an equivalent length adjustment device for controlling an equivalent length of an exhaust passage necessary to cause an exhaust gas pulsation to return to an exhaust port in the form of a vacuum during the valve overlapping period, to thereby reduce the equivalent length as an engine speed increases when the valve overlapping period is longer than a predetermined period, and for stopping a control of the equivalent length when the valve overlapping period is shorter than the predetermined period.

Abstract: A five cylinder two cycle outboard motor includes exhaust tuning of the five in-line cylinders. Exhaust tuning of five in-line cylinders provides increased horsepower for the five cylinder two cycle outboard motor. The five cylinder outboard motor which produces 150 horsepower achieves an ideal horsepower to number of cylinders and provides the proper horsepower size/weight size outboard motor for bass fishing and water skiing boats.

Abstract: A Y-shaped, clam shell type coupling device for use in automotive vehicle exhaust systems to couple two exhaust pipes that are connected to an engine manifold to a single exhaust pipe that is connected to a catalytic converter or exhaust silencing device. The clam shell type coupling comprises a pair of mirror image half shells which combine around the exhaust pipes in fluid tight fashion to form two generally tubular intersecting chambers. One of the chambers may provide a direct pathway from one of the manifold exhaust pipes to the single exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for construction machines includes a hydraulic pump (1), a plurality of hydraulic actuators (2, 3) driven by a hydraulic fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump, a plurality of flow control valves (4, 5) for controlling flow rates of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the actuators, respectively, and a plurality of distribution compensating valves (6, 7) for controlling differential pressures across the flow control valves, respectively, the plurality of actuators including a first actuator (2) which undergoes a relatively large load pressure and a second actuator (3) which undergoes a smaller load pressure than that of the first actuator.

Abstract: A diffuser for use in a gas turbine engine comprises an inner and an outer annular wall which define a divergent flow passage. The divergent flow passage is divided by a splitter to form two annular flow ducts, of different flow area. Introduction of the splitter into the diffuser to form the two annular flow ducts enables the length of the outer annular wall of the diffuser to be reduced. Reducing the length of the outer annular wall of the diffuser increases the flow area between the diffuser and combustion chamber. Air downstream of the diffuser is therefore unrestricted and moves radially outward to the ports in the head of the combustion chamber with minimum pressure loss.

Abstract: A pressurized supply of oil for lubrication and other purposes for a helical screw compressor is automatically and continuously maintained in an oil separator in the compressor discharge line by a check valve assembly which is controlled by the pressure differential between the compressor inlet and the condenser, a bypass around the valve's control element permitting equalization of pressure on its opposite sides to permit closing by a biasing element.

Abstract: The portable ice rink consists of plastic sheeting with edges overlapping a perimeter-defining sectional barrier which is on the order of a couple of inches high and clips are provided to hold the sheet in place on the barrier for formation of the ice. In one embodiment, flexible closed cell polyethylene rods are fitted into "off the shelf" straight and angled schedule #40 plastic pipe couplings so as to define a barrier for virtually any desired rink configuration. The durable and light weight polyethylene rods are sufficiently rigid to maintain the desired perimeter during ice formation and are sufficiently compressible and pliable to ease the slip fit of the ends of the rods into the couplings and to more easily accept the sheet retaining clips thereon during set-up of the rink. In the unlikely event that one of the rods should break during handling or the like, it is a simple matter to reconnect the two pieces of the rod together by means of an additional straight pipe coupling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for shipping floral arrangements are disclosed. An insulated container with a hinged or removable lid is provided with a recess in its bottom wall for receiving a cooling medium comprising one or more ice substitute packs. Straps are provided for releasably fastening the cooling packs in the recess. A mounting arrangement is also provided for securing a floral arrangement, such as a wedding bouquet, in close proximity to the cooling medium such that the flowers avoid contact with the side walls, top or bottom of the container during shipment.

Abstract: An excess liquid refrigerant accumulator for multievaporator refrigeration systems is provided. Under some operating conditions, the lowest temperature evaporator of a multievaporator system may discharge some liquid refrigerant rather than only vapor refrigerant. This liquid discharge creates a loss of cooling capacity. A receptacle connected to the exit of the lowest temperature evaporator accumulates the liquid. By locating the receptacle within the cooled compartment, the cooling capacity which would otherwise be lost, is regained.

Abstract: A refrigerant expansion valve meters the flow of refrigerant therethrough through a flexible orifice that increases in cross sectional area as the pressure differential across the valve increases.

Abstract: A neckwear knot enhancer comprising a detachable display device mounted on the anterior portion of a support. The support is retained on a neckwear knot solely by frictional forces on the posterior portion of the support.

Abstract: A piece of jewelry having a body with chain engaging means for releasably engaging at least one end of a chain, and a lock for locking the end of the chain in the chain engaging means and for receiving a separate key to unlock the chain engaging means, to permit removal of the end of the chain.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved circular sliver knitting machine having increased carding capacity for increasing the amount of sliver which can be carded and fed into the knitting machine. A mounting ring is fixed on an upper bed plate fixed to the sliver knitting machine frame. A plurality of sliver feed assemblies are supported on a sliver feed mounting plate secured to the upper bed plate. The sliver feed assemblies interconnect to a ring gear mounted in surrounding spaced relation to the mounting ring. The sliver feed assemblies card and feed sliver yarn to the knitting needles as the ring gear is turned. A bearing assembly for allowing rotation of the ring gear relative to the mounting ring while withstanding radial and tangential loads imparted on the ring gear includes at least one wire race extending along the outer surface of the mounting ring and at least one wire race extending along the inner surface of the ring gear.

Abstract: The invention sets forth a movable sinker which is to be disposed on a needle bed of a flat knitting machine, employing compound needles. The movable sinker is provided with a cam abutting part, a stopper with a pivot hole between the cam abutting part and the stopper, a front tip part includes a guide part with an inclined lower edge which guides the knitting thread to a stopping part. The guide part is so formed that the knitting thread supplied at the time of knitting by this flat knitting machine is securely guided in the hook part of the knitting needle, and the stitch pull-in amount of the carriage at the time of forming a stitch is reduced.

Abstract: A sinker mechanism which includes multiple knitting needles placed in parallel above a needle bed with each sinker being mounted so that it can rock up and down so that its tip descends between adjacent knitting needles. A yarn-catching hook is provided at one sinker end; downward pressure is applied by a spring that can be removed from and replaced into the sinker so the yarn-catching hook will drop between adjacent knitting needles, and this downward force is adjustable so the yarn-catching hook's position is a function of the tension in the yarn it is holding. The sinker is located in the cut-out portion of the needle plate with the capability to rock up and down so that its back end can be linked to the end of the needle plate, and that the plate and is configured so that an arm projects to touch the rear cam.

Abstract: A heat treatment chamber for textile threads continuously treats the textile threads utilizing forced circulation units of a treatment fluid. The circulation units are these units being crossed consecutively by a conveyor belt that carries a lap of threads. Each circulation unit is provided with a blower and a closed circuit or an open circuit for the treatment fluid (air or steam). A heat exchanger is positioned near the conveyor belt, in such a way that the fluid crosses it and takes the desired temperature immediately before crossing the lap of threads. The heat exchanger can be formed of longitudinal tubes criss-crossed by heating or cooling fluid. Such a chamber is usable either to preheat the threads, to maintain them heated, or to cool them.

Abstract: The automatic washing machine according to the present invention is provided with an optical sensor which consists of a light emitting element and a light receiving element to detect the light permeability of a solution of washing detergent and rinse water in a washer tank, and an output control means for controlling an output of the light emitting element of the optical sensor. The output control means is adapted to control such that the light permeability of water or air fed in the washer tank is a reference value, with effecting the initial setting of the optical sensor. Accordingly, the optical sensor is prevented from erroneously detecting the light permeability when it is stained with water drops or the like and, decreases its output. Moreover, the automatic washing machine is provided with a volume sensor for detecting the volume of laundries to be washed.