Abstract: A system for protecting ships from attack by an infrared-seeking missile is provided which comprises decoying the missile by deploying an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol merely scatters a modulated light beam. Another embodiment deploys particles that can undergo an exothermic photochemical reaction when initiated by an ultraviolet laser. The laser projects an image of the ship onto the aerosol and at the same time causes the particles to generate sufficient heat to attract the infrared-seeking missile away from the ship. This system presents an infrared-decoy target with a suitable infrared image of appropriate spatial scale to mislead a missile with imaging capability. The spectral content of the decoy's image resembles that of a blackbody 20.degree.-50 .degree. C. above ambient, and has a brightness and spatial extent equal to the largest ships, approximately 10 kw/steradian, in the 3-5 and 8-12 micrometer bands.

Abstract: A polymer film having a conductivity gradient across its thickness is made rom a mixed solution of an insulating polymer, A and a polymer, B that can be made conducting by doping or protonation by a method including the steps of:(A) mixing the solution of the insulating polymer, A and the polymer, B that can be made conducting by doping or protonation,(B) casting the mixed solution together as a solid composite film, and(C) exposing the film to a treating agent that can dope or protonate polymer B and make polymer B conductive and create a conductivity gradient across the thickness of the polymer films.

Abstract: A method of seismic prospecting using electromagnetic grounded antennas to detect electromagnetic waves that are produced from acoustic waves in the earth's formation. Seismic waves reflected by a formation in the earth are converted into electromagnetic waves in the vicinity of the antenna according to the streaming potential theory. The antenna has two electrodes which detect the horizontal component of the electromagnetic waves, thus providing additional seismic information that is not readily available using standard geophones. Antennas are also not subject to coupling problems and thus provide more accurate information than traditional geophones. For example, using multicomponent detection, all three components of the seismic pressure gradient can be detected.

Abstract: A method and system for modification of a pattern on a semiconductor subste, comprising the application of an electrical current through a liquid medium having a series of individual pixels controlled by a computer, thereby causing the clear liquid to change to opaque in selected areas.

Abstract: A hydrophone preamplifier design utilizing hybrid integrated circuits, surface mounted components, multi-layered circuit boards and gain switching. Acoustic signals from a sensor are applied to a hybrid integrated circuit preamplifier whose gain is controlled by a relay activated remotely from a control that allows a predetermined attenuation permitting measurements of high sound pressure levels (low gain) or low ambient noise levels (high gain). The preamplifier in the hybrid integrated circuit provides a gain of 10 (20 dB) and an additional gain of 10 is provided by a low-noise operational amplifier (op amp). A current booster provides the output current drive capability for the preamplifier which is capable of driving large capacitive loads and has protection against both electrical and thermal overloads. Insertion calibration is provided through an ac current signal supplied by an external source, which develops a small voltage signal when supplied to the preamplifier.

Abstract: Reduced fat (fat contents range from about 5% to about 20%) confectionery morsels and bars and a method for their preparation are provided. The confection is manufactured by mixing a syrup component comprising a major amount by weight of a crystallizable saccharide and minor amounts by weight of water and emulsifier; with a flavoring component comprising a major amount by weight of flavoring and a minor amount by weight of fat; and a seeding component comprising a major amount by weight of starch and fat and minor amounts by weight of finely milled saccharide and emulsifier. The confection has the proper consistency for shaping with extrusion methods due to crystal formation, starch hydration, and moisture content.

Abstract: A climber rose plant characterized by the unique combination of its strong, upright then arching habit of growth, its ability to have buds break freely along its arching stems, producing an abundance of bloom, by its dark green, glossy, disease-resistant foliage, and its production of flowers in clusters of 3 to 9.

Abstract: A miniature rose plant characterized by the unique combination of its compact but vigorous, upright habit of growth, its dark green, glossy foliage, its large flower clusters, its dark red-purple fading to lavender flowers, and its ease of propagation from softwood cuttings.

Abstract: A floribunda rose plant characterized by the unique combination of its excellent display of well-shaped flowers borne both as single flowers and in clusters, its dark green, glossy, disease-resistant foliage, its vigorous growth and its good plant habit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nectarine tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the second week in June, with first picking on Jun. 7, 1994. The fruit is uniformly large in size, excellent in flavor, attractively globose in shape, clingstone in type, very firm in texture, and full red in skin color. The variety was developed as a first generation hybridization using August Red Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,363) as the selected seed parent and Aurora Grand Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,792) as the selected pollen parent.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of geranium known by the cultivar name `Morella` is characterized by a crimson red flower color, dark foliage without strong zonation, a semi-double flower form, early flower response and a medium habit.

Abstract: A visored cap-type protective helmet for a bicyclist or the like is formed of a spherical fabric head shell defined by an outer fabric body and a matching spherical inner lining. Circumferentially spaced, generally radial fold lines join the outer fabric body to the inner lining and formed circumferentially adjacent, separate, sector shaped, arcuate pockets. Soft protective foam plastic pads sized to and of correspondingly sector shape fill the pockets. A visor integrated to the head shell at a circumferential bottom edge projects outwardly at the front of the helmet. A latching strip having one end fixedly mounted to a pocket at the front of the unit detachably fastens to a pocket at the rear of the head shell to permit the unit to be employed as a pouch for carrying articles and permitting the visor, when folded in, to be captured within the same pocket.

Abstract: The present invention is a specific combination of components having unique properties both in composition and benefits. Such a combination has been found in alkali or alkaline earth metal nitrates, alkanolamines and alkali or alkaline earth metal thiocyanates. In such combinations it has also been found that alkaline and alkali earth thiosulfates and chlorides below the concentration level where corrosion is promoted may advantageously be substituted for all or part of the thiocyanates and that diethanolamine, N,N-di(hydroxyethyl)glycine (bicine) and N,N-di(hydroxyethyl)-.beta.-aminopropionic acid (DAPA) and certain alkanolamines and alkanolamino acids and derivatives may advantageously be substituted for all or part of the triethanolamine.

Abstract: A method and a controller for supplying a fuel to a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine, in which engine operation conditions including the operating temperature of the engine are detected by various sensors attached to the engine and by using a microcomputer, and the fuel is successively supplied by being injected to the engine cylinders based on the detected engine operation conditions. The timing of fuel injection into each of the plurality of cylinders is . .shifted from an exhaust stroke period to a suction stroke period according to the operating temperature of the engine among the detected engine operation conditions.!. .Iadd.set in a suction stroke period at the time of the engine starting in a low temperature condition, and is shifted to an exhaust stroke period as the level of the engine temperature rises.Iaddend..

Abstract: An electronic flash control device makes sure that the emission of light of an electronic flash is not impaired by a noise component signal prior to generation of a suitable quantity of light by the flash. A trigger signal is applied by the control device to allow the flash to emit light. An enable signal is supplied to a quenching circuit a predetermined time after the noise of the trigger signal has been produced. When the quantity of light from an object to be photographed by the camera reaches a certain value and the enable signal occurs, the quench circuit suppresses the emission of light by the electronic flash.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a digital semiconductor integrated circuit which is equipped with: a digital signal input circuit; an analog signal input circuit made receptive of an analog signal for feeing out a digital signal corresponding to said analog signal; and a common external terminal connected commonly with the input terminals of said digital signal input circuit and said analog signal input circuit. By the preparation with the use of a suitable switch circuit, the aforementioned common external terminal can be used as either an analog signal input terminal or a digital signal input terminal. As a result, the number of the external output terminals required for the aforementioned semiconductor integrated circuit can be reduced.

Abstract: Image-forming member for electrophotography comprising a charge generation layer composed of hydrogenated amorphous silicon.

Abstract: An automatic ventilator closure is described which operates on the basis of an over-pressure within the conduit leading up to the ventilator outlet. Electrical interlocks control a motor to place the closure in an open or closed condition.

Abstract: Coated pharmaceutical dosage forms which are resistant to gastric juice and release their active ingredient rapidly at a predetermined pH value in the range from pH 5 to pH 8 are obtained in accordance with the invention by coating pharmaceutical dosage forms with an aqueous dispersion containing dispersed latex particles of a first polymer which contains carboxyl groups and is water soluble between pH 5 and pH 8 and of a second water insoluble film forming polymer, in a weight ratio between 60:40 and 5:95.

Abstract: A boxing glove including an impact reducing mechanism which can assist in minimising of some injury during boxing. The boxer's fist is movable within the covering defining the fist space and movable between the rear and front positions when the front of the boxing glove strikes a target. The impact reducing mechanism includes a first part, preferably in the form of a rectangular plate, and a resilient means, preferably including at least one elastic band, which operatively interconnects the plate to the covering. The plate is forwardly displaceable via the forward moving fist between an inoperative position and an operative position when the front of the boxing glove strikes the target. The plate thus acts against the elastic band. After the front of the glove has lost contact with the target, the elastic band allows the plate to be in the inoperative position. Preferably, the impact reducing mechanism includes a frame in the fist space said frame attached to the inside of the covering.

Abstract: A protective swimwear garment for infants and young children who wear diapers. The panty like garment is waterproof and is worn over the diaper. A seal is made between the body and the garment by inflating an air receiving chamber around the waist and legs which will prevent water from entering and soaking the diaper.

Abstract: Athletic headgear is described comprising a helmet having a face mask releasably attached to the helmet with a plurality of adjustable fasteners, each fastener including a mounting plate with a fixed section of hook-and-pile material thereon, a face mask receiving groove, a cooperating section of hook-and-pile material secured at one end to the mounting plate and adapted to extend around the face mask receiving groove and into contact with the fixed section of hook-and-pile material, and an adjustable spacer positionable in a recess in the mounting plate to partly prevent engagement of the hook-and-pile sections.

Abstract: In a pair of swimming goggles a first pull cord extends from one end of the head strap through the first eye piece and about its lens to apply pressure to the second eye piece, while a second pull cord extends from the other end of the head strap through the second eye piece and about its lens to apply pressure to the first eye piece.

Abstract: A flush toilet stool includes a toilet bowl and a trap drainage passage connected to the toilet bowl. The toilet bowl has a water jet hole defined in a bottom region thereof and opening toward the trap drainage passage. A pressurizing unit such as a water pump is coupled to the water jet hole for drawing water under lower pressure directly from an external water supply and expelling the water under higher pressure through the water jet hole toward the trap drainage passage to develop a siphon flow to discharge sewage from the toilet bowl through the trap drainage passage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an operating mechanism for a cistern (1) or flush tank which is able to be used for a wide variety of cisterns, irrespective of their volume to depth profile. The preferred mechanism takes the form of a generally cup-shaped weir (22) which surrounds the flush valve (18) and from which a support frame (7) extends. The height of the rim of the weir is able to be selected or adjusted, for example by the use of a number of rupturable panels (24) located in the walls of the weir (22). A mechanism (26,27) to adjust for height variations between the flush actuators (14) and the flush operating mechanism (15) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuator for operating a flush valve of a toilet. The inventive device includes a mounting assembly for securing to a tank of a toilet. An actuating assembly is slidably secured to the mounting assembly along an exterior thereof for actuating a flush valve of the associated toilet. The actuator can be positioned relative to a toilet tank behind an uplifted seat thereof to encourage closing of the seat prior to flushing of the toilet.

Abstract: A portable wash basin stand for use outdoors that uses a common garden hose as a water connection between the stand and the nearest plumbing. The stand has a circular weighted base and four upright posts that support a sink. Arrayed on the upright posts are a number of bayonet mounts that can be used to support a variety of accessories including a garden umbrella, a paper towel dispenser, a paper cup dispenser, a soap dispenser, a working shelf and other useful accessories.

Abstract: A bed assembly with a youth bed beneath and crib above comprising: a plurality of corner posts positioned in a vertical orientation to define a rectangular space therebetween for a youth bed beneath and crib thereabove; lower planks coupled with respect to the posts adjacent to the lower extents thereof, the lower planks including long side walls and a short head and foot wall, with support rails facing each other on the interior surfaces of the long side walls; intermediate planks coupled with respect to the posts adjacent at an intermediate location, the intermediate planks including long side walls and a short head and foot wall, with support rails facing each other on the interior surfaces of the long side walls; an upper rail fixedly secured to the plurality of corner posts adjacent to the upper extents thereof along the two short sides and one long side; vertically extending dowels secured between the upper rail and the intermediate planks to define three fixed sides of the crib; a vertically shiftable

Abstract: A free-standing, self-supporting bed has a movable platform supported by a stationary frame. The platform may be elevated vertically to a stored position higher than head height when the bed is not in use. Counterweights allow the platform to be elevated and lowered with a minimum of effort. In the stored position the platform is suspended from the frame by redundant lines passing over pulleys. In the sleeping position the counterweights are suspended from the frame and the platform rests on the frame and may be secured thereto by latching devices operable from one side of the bed. The lines and pulleys are arranged so that the counterweights have a 2:1 mechanical advantage with respect to the platform and so that, during raising or lowering of the platform, forces keeping the ends of the platform horizontal are automatically exerted thereon.

Abstract: An assisting lifting, standing and walking device employs base side members whose rear track width is adjustable to facilitate use of the device to lift severly disabled, elderly or other physically challenged persons from a wheelchair, and then allow the overall device width to be reduced for passage through narrow doorways or other passageways. The device also employs a lifting mechanism which can be adjusted by means of a hydraulic jack over a wide range of positions to facilitate lifting of individuals from a prone position on the floor to a standing position. The lifting mechanism includes a pair of individually adjustable generally L-shaped lifting yoke arms that can be adjusted both vertically and angularly to accommodate individuals with posture conditions and provide selective weight bearing alleviation. A special full body harness is employed with the device which has long thigh wraps and a wide lumbar belt for widely distributing lifting pressure and reducing the risk of injury.