Abstract: A defrost or thaw measuring device has a dumbbell or hourglass-shaped rotatable compartment with a cavity, the cavity being partly filled with at least two phase change materials having different melting points. The measuring device may determine the time period of thawing at two or more temperature intervals in the refrigeration space.

Abstract: A defrost or thaw measuring device has a dumbbell or hourglass-shaped rotatable compartment with a cavity, the cavity being partly filled with at least two phase change materials having different melting points. The measuring device may determine the time period of thawing at two or more temperature intervals in the refrigeration space.

Abstract: A failure indicator for informing an observer that food in the freezer is not fit to eat comprising: a closed transparent tubular housing; a cup shaped spacer in the interior of the tubular housing for dividing the tubular housing into a fluid storage space and a failure signaling space, having a group of small apertures for allowing fluid from the fluid storage space to enter the failure signaling space when a freezer fails; an opaque label surrounding the tubular housing; and a colored fluid in the housing for signaling whether the freezer has failed and food in the freezer is not fit to eat.

Abstract: An electronic filter device for the reception of TV-signals, comprising a plurality of frequency determining elements settable by means of an analog setting voltage, a memory (2) for storing digital values representative of the analog setting voltages and conversion circuitry (11-14) for converting the digital values into the analog setting voltages. The conversion circuitry comprises a first part (11-13) for generating a digitally modulated signal for each digital value, the digitally modulated signal having a modulated characteristic representative of the digital value, and a second part (14) for converting each of the digitally modulated signals into the analog setting voltages.

Abstract: A portable self contained light generating device which is powered by a flow of granular material falling under the influence of gravity to impinge upon and cause a paddle wheel to rotate thereby turning a small generator producing electricity to power one or more light emitting diodes for illumination. The device equipped with a multi-position power/illumination control switch and in some embodiments also provided with a battery providing supplemental power.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information storage medium having an area in which ESOB type A/ESOB type B is recorded and an area in which HDVR_MG (or VMG) for managing ESOB type A/ESOB type B is recorded is used. HDVR_MG includes identification data (SFI_ID/C_TY) for determining whether an object to be managed is of ESOB type A or ESOB type B. HDVR_MG is read from the information storage medium. If the contents of identification data (SFI_ID/C_TY) indicate ESOB type A, entry points are registered at a specific reproducing time (at intervals of L minutes). If the contents of identification data (SFI_ID/C_TY) indicate ESOB type B, entry points are registered at a specific packet arrival time (at intervals of L minutes).

Abstract: The method of dramatically speeding up the time it takes for sand, mercury, or water, or other like substances to flow from the upper compartment to the lower compartment of an hour-glass, usually in an hour but not specifically required in this method, entails the use of a premolded clear flexible polymer or any component similar, with the same flexibility properties, molded in the basic shape of an hour-glass, in which one can open the flow canal, which is a hole located in the center of the hour-glass, through the application of applying pressure directly to the above said flexible premolded polymer shape. The process of flexing this premolded form will permit the sand or other like substance to run between the upper and lower compartments of the hour-glass, allowing the above said substances to run through a wider and larger flow canal, from the upper compartment to the lower compartment. Thus, making the hour-glass work more efficiently.

Abstract: An hourglass timepiece that is filled with a plurality of precious or semi-precious stones, such as small uncut diamonds, which are suspended in a silicone compound, such as silicone oil, to prevent scratching of the interior surface of the hourglass as the stones move by gravity from an upper compartment to a lower compartment of the hourglass. The hourglass has similar ends, either of which can be supported by a decorative base that reflects light into the stones to highlight them and compensate for the reflective loss due to the silicone.

Abstract: An elapsed time indicator can easily indicate time periods of over a month, and is extremely versatile, for example being utilizable in a cap of a water bottle. The indicator includes a substantially transparent and substantially straight tube having first and second ends, an interior and an exterior, with a viscous liquid substantially filling the interior of the tube. A visible indicator, such as a polypropylene spherical bead, a magnetite/wax bead, or a fluid immiscible in the viscous liquid, is immersed in the viscous liquid and dimensioned and positioned with respect to the tube so that it can travel from the first to the second end in a known predetermined period of time when the tube is generally vertical. The time it takes for travel may be precisely calculated. The indicator may be held in a stationary position at one end of the tube, e.g. by clamping a flexible tube end, or using a magnet, prior to initial use.

Abstract: A new and improved water saving apparatus having a timing device which may be visually observed by a person for the purpose of timing the length of a shower. The water saving apparatus is adapted to be mounted to the wall of a shower stall and includes finger gripping projection for allowing the timing device to be restarted after a predetermined period of time such as a three minute period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring time which comprises a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber is bigger than the first chamber. The structure includes apparatus for mounting the first and second chambers in generally aligned relationship and for coupling the first and second chambers to allow passage of a fluent particulate material between the first and second chambers. A quantity of fluent particulate matter having a volume substantially equal to the second chamber is disposed within the volume of the first chamber, the second chamber and the apparatus for coupling.

Abstract: A game timing apparatus to be used to limit a player's turn in the playing of a game. The game timing apparatus includes an hourglass with movement of sand within the hourglass defining the length of time of the player's turn. Connected to the hourglass and movable therewith is a card. The card includes word indicia in the form of a tongue-twister which is to be read by the player, memorized, and then repeated to the remaining players within the established time period.

Abstract: A dietary control eating utensil is disclosed for indicating when food can be eaten therewith. The handle of the utensil includes a gravity-powered timing device. The device includes an elongated transparent material chamber for containing immiscible fluids having different densities such as air and mineral oil. The lighter density fluid forms a visible signal within the chamber that is moveable between the distal and proximal ends. The period associated with the movement of the visible signal depends on the different elevations of the chamber ends. The shape of the chamber along with the density of the two fluids also contributes to the time period the visible signal takes to move between the two ends of the chamber. When the air bubble moves to a predetermined position within the chamber, this indicates when the utensil may be used for consuming food.

Abstract: A clock is provided which is movable so as to maintain an indication of local time constantly in a vertically upward position. A shell bears a plurality of time indicia. A clock motor interior to the shell rotates an eccentric weight about the longitudinal axis of the shell, causing the shell to rotate and roll over a support surface. A pointer attached to the clock motor and opposite the eccentric weight points to the proper local time indicia.

Abstract: A spinner device which is designed for use in a game that tests both the imagination and association of one or more players in the course of building a vocabulary. The spinner device is characterized by a frame or stand designed to pivotally receive a disc, wherein the disc is manually pivoted with respect to the frame to indicate a letter of the alphabet at random. An hourglass is also provided, in order to provide a means for timing the game sequences. When a letter of the alphabet is selected at random by spinning the disc, the hourglass is rotated to begin a game sequence and a player attempts to enunciate the largest number of words of which he is capable, beginning with the designated letter of the alphabet during the time sequence as determined by the hourglass.

Abstract: A game timer for selectively timing the action time of two or more game players includes a timing unit for each player with the timing unit consisting of a reservoir containing a measured quantity of granular medium with a metered orifice for controlling the flow of the granular medium from the reservoir upon selected specific orientations for each separate reservoir. Each reservoir is oriented for a separate active and deactive orientation such that when one reservoir is actively timing, the other reservoir is inactive.

Abstract: A multiple selectable timer of the flowing medium type includes a housing including a medium reservoir and a catch chamber with a timing orifice for controlling the flow of the medium from the medium reservoir to the catch chamber and a metering passage for communicating between the catch chamber and the timing reservoir with the passage adapted to selectively meter predetermined portions of the flowing medium to define selected time intervals. The timer is arranged such that selective rotation of the housing in one direction loads the timing reservoir with selected intervals of timing medium and rotation of the housing in the opposite direction selectively removes predetermined portions of the timing medium.

Abstract: The timing device is one in which two float-type timers, a frame, and an angular base are adapted to measure and control playing time in games such as Scrabble, chess, checkers, and the like.

Abstract: The Dual Timer invented makes use of two fluid-type timers arranged perpendicularly to each other in a simply designed hinged mechanism to measure and control playing time in concentration games such as Scrabble, chess and checkers. The mechanism has no moving mechanical parts and is manually operated.