Abstract: A trowel blade assembly attaches to the drive arm of a concrete troweling machine by means of a mounting bar which is bolted to the drive arm. The mounting bar in turn is received by a U-shaped bracket which is bolted to the trowel blade and incorporates recesses formed so as to cover the threaded connections between the blade and the bracket to permit easy removal. A quick release fastener passes through mating holes formed in the bracket and the bar enabling rapid repositioning or replacement of the blade-bracket assembly when one or both of the working edges of the blade are worn.

Abstract: A material spreader for spreading a topping material over a wet concrete surface utilizes a pair of hoppers which are driven back and forth on a bridge support spanning the surface. A gasoline engine mounts above the hoppers and furnishes power for a reversibly controllable hydraulic hopper drive motor. The motor is part of a hydraulic system in which the hydraulic fluid is cooled by using both a hopper wall as well as the flowing material being spread as heat sinks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a circular knit, high pile fabric is based on knitting a base fabric with two yarns per course. Long butt needles alternate with short butt needles around the needle circle. First and second yarns are provided at each feed. Sliver is fed to all needles at each of several feeds. At a first feed, long butt needles knit the first yarn in alternate wales with such first yarn being floated in intervening wales whereas at the same first feed short butt needles knit the second yarn in intervening wales with such second yarn being floated in alternate wales. At the next or at the first of the next pair of feeds long butt needles knit the second yarn in alternate wales with such second yarn being floated in intervening wales whereas short butt needles at the same feed knit the first yarn in intervening wales with such first yarn being floated in intervening wales. The sliver fibers are caught at each stitch intersection.

Abstract: An integral waistband construction is characterized by having side by side lengthwise extending portions of different construction one of which provides roll resistance and the other of which provides decorative and comfortable wearing character to the fabric.

Abstract: A plurality of thin wall ceramic-metal segments are brazed together alternately with pairs of metal sealing rings to form a gas laser tube assembly. Within each segment there is mounted a refractory metal disc with a central hole. The series of holes formed in the discs define the discharge bore and gas return paths are formed in the wall of the segments.

Abstract: A forklift-type lifting apparatus comprises a pair of C-shaped claws or forks and integral frame structure and is adapted to be initially supported from a center spring-loaded cable. The center or point of balance cable assumes a taut position as a load is lifted and four outer corner cables take up the load. Alternatively, after the load is being supported by the outer four cables, the center spring-loaded cable may be detached.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism for employment in an ophthalmic laser treatment system mounts between the binoculars and a slit lamp or operating microscope. The shutter mechanism provides a filter movable into the optical viewing path when the laser is under selected power during treatment to prevent damage to the operator's eyes from the laser beam and uncovers the viewing paths when said treatment site is being viewed in conjunction with laser beam alignment and similar pre-operational procedures.

Abstract: A power operated blind-rivet setting tool comprises a hand-piece which carries a rivet pulling plunger and a piston in a cylinder furnished with a trigger operable valve for admission of working fluid to one or other end of the cylinder. A piston rod joined by one end to said piston has its other end operatively connected to the plunger, and a compression spring sleeved on said piston rod is so arranged as to store energy during a non-working stroke of said piston and to release that energy during a working stroke of the piston.

Abstract: A crane forklift-type lifting apparatus comprises a pair of C-shaped claws or forks and integral frame structure and is adapted to be initially supported from an over-center spring-loaded device for improved accommodation to varying non-level or off-balanced loading conditions. The center or point of balance cable assumes a taut position as a load is lifted and the four outer corner cables then take up the load. Means is also provided for enclosing the C-forks once a load has been positioned on the C-forks.

Abstract: A disposable laser endocoagulator apparatus for ophthalmic surgery or the like. The apparatus includes an elongated, generally pencil-like handtool which has a stainless steel probe positioned at the leading end of the handtool. An optical fiber is inserted through a bore in the handtool such that the optical fiber terminates at the distal end of the probe. The optical fiber is attached to a connector which includes a plastic body, the plastic body having a small metal plug inserted into it. The metal plug is constructed of stainless steel so as to be capable of being machined with great precision such that the optical fiber carried by the plug can be accurately positioned and aligned with respect to the laser beam output by a conventional argon ion type laser.

Abstract: A gas filter apparatus and method utilize cylindrical pleated paper filters arranged to collect particulates on the interior of the filters from scavenging gas flowed through the filters. The particulates are removed by applying a high pressure gas pulse to an air chamber in a cylindrical housing surrounding each filter in spaced relation which forces the removed particulates axially through an open end of the filter.

Abstract: An outlet box (the term "outlet box" is also intended to encompass a junction box) mounting bracket has slots to accept the shanks of outlet box mounting screws to eliminate the necessity of removing the screws when assembling the outlet box to one side of the bracket and a dry wall ring to the opposite side of the bracket. The bracket has an L-shape with right angled plate portions on one or both sides of the bracket adapted to engage and be secured to side and front surfaces of a stud or the back of a wall and a recessed plate portion on the other side of the bracket containing the mentioned slots around an opening which registers with the interior chamber of the box and arranged to bring the outer surface of a dry wall ring in the same plane as the front outermost plane of the bracket.

Abstract: A program-controlled knitting machine provides a method of knitting circular knit elasticized tubular goods, e.g., compressive stockings, in which the size of the goods and the amount of compression asserted when worn are controlled according to the specific size and needs of the individual using the goods.

Abstract: An electronic auto ignition unit is converted to a non-electronic, conventional type ignition unit by substituting a modified slip fit timing cam for the timing rotor of the electronic unit, a conventional plate-point-condensor assembly and driving the modified cam off the same shaft used to drive the timing rotor of the electronic unit.

Abstract: A self-contained, battery-powered, hand-held and finger-actuated timer produces switch controlled signals at a series of increasing time intervals for timing athletic games and in form which allows the user to retain visual contact with the game being timed and also so as to leave the user's fingers free for finger signaling, or the like.

Abstract: A detachable optical fiber assembly for transmitting a laser beam from a laser source to a surgical laser instrument such as a slit lamp or operating microscope. The assembly comprises an optical fiber enclosed within a protective casing with connectors attached to the ends thereof. The connector which attaches the fiber to the laser source includes means for adjusting the alignment of the fiber within the connector as well as the depth to which it penetrates the socket in the laser source to insure that the tip of the fiber is positioned at the focal point of the laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel laser catheter assembly including a unitary connector for coupling a laser beam in proper alignment with an optical fiber. An optical fiber assembly comprising an optical fiber interposed within a catheter tube is permanently mounted to the connector which is of one-piece molded construction. A presently preferred embodiment of the connector has an axial bore at the proximal end thereof of substantially the same diameter as the optical fiber, and a second bore larger than the diameter of the fiber, the second bore being in communication with a source of coolant. In a preferred embodiment the connector is further provided with a cavity in the area about the proximal tip of the optical fiber so as to minimize fouling of the fiber tip in the event of misalignment of the laser beam.

Abstract: A disposable hand piece for attachment at the end of a laser catheter assembly. The hand piece is longitudinally tapered and is generally wedge-shaped in its width so as to form a tool which can be comfortable grasped by a surgeon for purposes of more accurately controlling the laser beam applied through the laser catheter. The hand piece includes an internal switching mechanism which may be conveniently activated by pressing flexible panels positioned on the sides of the hand piece. The hand piece is constructed of inexpensive plastic materials and is designed to be disposable after a single use.

Abstract: Means are provided for securing to the human body a light source housing and a light detector housing used for monitoring metabolism, said means comprising sockets adapted to fit over the housings and having tab members adapted to be adhesively secured to the body to maintain the respective light source and light detector housings in spaced relation on the body and further comprising a light-shielded pad fitted over said sockets and adhered to the body to provide light shielding for the light source and light detector confined in said housings.