Abstract: An electro-rheological fluid damped actuator having an actuator housing w a moveable element such as a piston and rod assembly disposed within the housing. The actuator further comprises a hydraulic circuit with an electro-rheological fluid disposed in the hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit and rheological fluid provides an active and variable damping force on the moveable element. The damping force is controlled by the output of an electrical circuit which creates an electric field within the hydraulic circuit. The electric field will cause the viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid which is exposed to the electric field to increase or decrease in accordance with the magnitude of the electric field. The increase in viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid as it flows through the actuator provides an active damping force on the actuator which allows a more precise control of the output motions of the actuator.

Abstract: A surface contaminated with toxic materials to be tested or monitored is pled using a probe which is shown here to have a rectangular opening typically of several square inches in cross section. A pliable gasket of suitable heat-resistant material is used to cushion and seal the probe in contact with the surface, but small holes are provided of sufficient size (and positioned close to the surface to be tested) to allow ambient air to be drawn at a desired volumetric flow rate through a sampling tube which also forms the handle of the probe, and is connected through a flexible tube or hose to a suitable detector and vacuum pump. The detector and pump can be combined in a single unit. The detector can be one of several kinds of providing sensitive monitoring of agent vapors or simulant vapors, e.g., a flame photometer or a gas chromatograph (with suitable sampling techniques). Within the probe is mounted a lamp that provides intense heat (e.g.

Abstract: A photographic silver halide emulsion comprising silver chlorobromide grains containing at least 80 mol % silver chloride or silver chloride grains is disclosed, wherein tabular grains having a thickness of less than 0.5 .mu.m, a diameter of at least 0.5 .mu.m and an aspect ratio of at least 2/1 account for at least 50% of the total projected area of the silver halide grains, and the tabular grains are formed in the presence of a compound of metal belonging to Group VIII of the Periodic Table. The high silver chloride content emulsion has a sensitivity as high as that of a silver iodobromide emulsion.

Abstract: A miniature rose easily propagated by softwood or hardwood cuttings; having dark green, glossy, disease-resistant foliage; and constant display of bright, deep pink flowers during the growing season.

Abstract: Hybrid Tea rose capable of high production of white blooms with elegant bud flower shape on strong, wiry stems having long vase life.

Abstract: A new grandiflora rose plant producing yellow flowers.

Abstract: Hybrid Tea Rose having vigorous, upright growth; large, bright yellow flowers; intense, fruit-like fragrance; dark green, leathery foliage; and small thorns on stems.

Abstract: Hybrid Tea rose adapted to greenhouse production on long stems of salmon pink flowers having long vase life, the foliage being dark green, glossy, and disease resistant.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Hybrid Tea rose plant is provided which abundantly forms elegant long lasting double blossoms which are Poppy Red widely suffused with light Carmine Rose. The new variety originated as a spontaneous mutation of the Keiromo variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,138). The buds are large and of good form. The plant exhibits strong and vigorous vegetation and is well suited for cut flower production. The ability to undergo forcing is excellent particularly during the winter. The plant forms dense and glossy foliage and is not partiuclarly affected by cryptogamic diseases.

Abstract: A rose plant exhibiting good resistance to powdery mildew and being characterized by non-fragrant flowers, prolific growth and flower production, good self-rooting and a large number of water shoots.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Gala-type apple tree is provided which originated as a whole tree mutation of the Tenroy cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,121). The fruit of the new variety can be distinguished by its attractive solid Nopal Red blush ground color which forms over approximately 90 to 100 percent of the fruit surface with hints of indeterminate striping or less-colored fruit. The coloration of the fruit of the new cultivar develops earlier than that of Tenroy. The fruit of the new variety tends to be more conical in configuration than that of Tenroy, matures for harvest earlier than that of Tenroy, and is excellent in texture and flavor. Also, the bark lenticels of the new cultivar tend to be less flattened in configuration than those of Tenroy (as illustrated).

Abstract: A strawberry plant producing substantially conical fruit of bright color.

Abstract: A strawberry plant producing nearly conical fruit of even red coloration and having inflorescence above the foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinctive standard carnation cultivar particularly distinguished by its very large size flowers having an irregularly serrated edge. The petals are red with a greenish base. The flowers are carried on erect, thick stems, with a broad bell-shaped calyx.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Guzmania plant named Zenith, characterized by its shiny red bracts before flowering turning to a deep red after flowering; the tips of the uppermost bracts can vary in color to a much darker greyed-purple or black-red whereas the bottom bracts have a green tip and a grey-green-red zone which is a link to the red colored lower half; lower leaves which are primarily dark green in color and which provide excellent contrast with the flower cone; purplish striped leaf sheaths, and its long lasting inflorescence.

Abstract: Valve operating apparatus is disclosed in which the valves are operated by rocker arms driven by cams having different cam profiles and hydraulically operated coupling mechanisms for selectively connecting or disconnecting adjacent rocker arms to vary the operation of the valves under different engine operating conditions. The coupling mechanisms are operated by fluid supplied through the rocker shaft mounting the rocker arms. The rocker shaft is divided into independent fluid supply passages whereby the couplings can be supplied independently with operating fluid in order to expand the number of available valve operating control modes. Variations are described in which operating fluid can be independently supplied to various ancillary hydraulically-operated equipment, as well as to the selective coupling mechanisms.

Abstract: A bag with an openable mouth carries a reclosable extruded plastic zipper inside the mouth. The zipper has complementary profiles separably interlockable in a closed condition of the zipper. A gasket flange structure in separably sealingly grippingly interengageable by and between the profiles in the closed condition of the zipper, and may also serve as a tamper evident or tamper discouraging device.

Abstract: In combination, a guide post having a longitudinal slot and a ball bearing cage adjustably receiving the post and adapted for relative longitudinal and rotary movements, there being an internal annular open top recess in the cage inwardly of one end. A truncated roller bearing with opposed hemispherical surfaces and opposed flat sides in guidably positioned within the slot with the roller bearing maintaining a rolling point contact with the bottom wall of the slot and with the roller flat sides loosely and slidably registerable with the side walls of the slot. A hemispherical surface of the roller bearing being positioned and retained within an internal annular recess within the ball cage. An end cap with a shank is threaded into the cage, with the shank terminating in an annular open bottom recess cooperatively receiving said roller bearing from trapping the roller bearing in the cage.

Abstract: A single-motor surgical system for operating a set of different surgical devices having different operational limits, consisting of a handpiece containing the motor and adapted to alternately receive a proximal portion of each of the surgical devices, each device having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes its operational limit, the handpiece including an automatic sensor for sensing the indicator, and controls responsive to the sensor to automatically establish the operational limit of the motor in accordance with the respective surgical device received by the handpiece.

Abstract: A combined pair of work trousers and safety harness includes a safety harness secured on a liner in the form of innerwear trousers. The buttocks support band of the harness has end portions which spiral up around the wearer's lower torso to above the wearer's waist in front and project out through slots below a waist belt in a pair of outerwear trousers. The buttocks support band ends are provided with structures which permit the harness to be attached to a safety line. Near those ends, the buttocks support band is secured to a waist belt of the outerwear trousers.

Abstract: A protective plastic insert is provided for a conventional golf cap. The insert is substantially hemispherical and is engagable within the cap. The cap is size adjustable. The insert adapts to the size change of the cap. Thus a single size insert fits most golf caps. The shape and hardness of the plastic protect the wearer against the impact of a stray golf ball.

Abstract: A safety glass or spectacle assembly for use with a pair of ear defenders having a pair of lobes for sealing engagement with ears of a user. The assembly includes a safety glass or spectacle frame, an elongated set of arms each attachable to sides of the frame; and means for affixing ends of said arms remote from said frame to an exterior surface of respective lobes of the ear defender. By utilizing the exterior surface of the ear defender to attach the arms of the spectacles one avoids disrupting the seal of the lobes to the ears that are caused by using conventional safety glasses or spectacles.

Abstract: An improved toilet seat closure is described employing weight-driven cords or cables for pivoting forward and lowering a toilet seat and its lid without a loud noise upon flushing of the toilet. The seat and mechanism for achieving the automatic closing can be easily retrofitted to existing toilets without any unsightly or major modification of the toilet or tank. The mechanism employs a flexible cable or cord which runs through a tubular sleeve and extends under and behind the tank and over the rear lip of the tank so as to be substantially out of sight to the users. The cord or cable is connected to a weight in the tank (which weight has a specific gravity slightly higher than 1) so that on flushing the weight draws down the cord or cable a short distance. The cord also runs over a fixed pulley and runs free to the end of a pivoting arm extension from the seat member.

Abstract: A toilet flush control system which provides control over the volume of water used in conventional tank-type toilets. The disclosed toilet flush control apparatus and method can be used in existing toilets by easily retrofitting such toilets with said apparatus. The toilet flush control apparatus may also be incorporated into the design of new toilets. The apparatus comprises a flapper-type flush valve which by itself does not have adequate buoyancy to remain open during the flush cycle of a toilet and which is equipped with an eyelet member; a buoyant member capable of imparting the needed buoyancy to the valve during the flush cycle; a flexible line connected at one end to the buoyant member and passing through said eyelet, and mechanism for adjusting the vertical distance between the flush valve and the buoyant member from outside the toilet tank. The volume of water saved during flushing is equivalent to the volume of water between the level of the flush valve and the level of the buoyant member.

Abstract: A composting toilet includes a tank (1) that is mounted so as to be inclined and rotatable about its longitudinal axis of symmetry (x-x'), which axis forms with the horizontal plane an angle (.alpha.) at least equal to 15.degree.. The toilet includes a seat (22) having an associated discharge hole (23). The entire discharge hole (23) is located directly vertically above a receiving orifice (6) of the tank.

Abstract: A commode chair of unitary molded plastic construction having chair legs, a seat and a chair back. The seat comprises an upper and a lower seat section, at least one of which comprises a toilet seat with a central opening. The toilet seat has a seating surface sculpted and configured in molded form to accommodate and support the posterior of the human anatomy in the seating position. A commode bucket is provided which is supported by the lower seat section and depends downwardly through the central opening therein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hair treatment sink assembly and a method of collecting hair treatment materials during treatment operations. Further disclosed is a drip collection tray for collecting hair treatment materials during a hair treatment operation. The sink assembly is comprised of a basin with a drip tray installed beneath it to collect any hair treatment materials falling outside the basin. The method of collecting hair treatment materials during a hair treatment operation comprises the steps of resting a patron's head over a basin, applying hair treatment materials to the patron's head and catching the materials falling from the head in the basin and the materials falling outside the basin in a drip tray installed below the upper rim of the basin. The drip collection tray is comprised of a pan with surrounding side walls and a drain. The pan has portions that extend outside the envelope of the basin, when viewed in plan, on at least two side portions and the front portion of the basin.