Abstract: A personal protection device having a size, configuration and appearance simulating a telephone pager or beeper but having the capability of emitting an incapacitating chemical spray in the event of an attack on the person. The device contains multiple canisters of compressed gas containing the chemical and a movable manifold unit which can be pressed to release a chemical stream from each of the canisters and at the same time integrate the streams to provide a single, forceful spray of debilitating chemical. The device in one embodiment also incorporates a high decibel alarm system to be used in conjunction with the chemical spray.

Abstract: A single piece hat-shaped catchment device for preventing machine parts and tools from falling into the inaccessible interior of a mechanism during the servicing thereof. The catchment device includes an inner section defining a central hole and a plurality of radially disposed segments, and an outer section defining a stop for limiting the depth to which said inner section can penetrate into the interior of said mechanism. During servicing the device is pushed downwardly over the exposed part of the mechanism to form an annularly disposed catchment trough for machine parts and tools. After servicing has been completed and any dropped parts or tools have been removed from said trough, the device is quickly and easily pulled upwardly off of said exposed part to permit the mechanism to resume normal operation.

Abstract: A product useful in extinguishing fires and preventing explosions has a continuous sheet of metal foil having discontinuous slits arranged in a specified way, and in particular embodiments comprises magnesium alloys which may be coated with an oleate or an alkaline bichromate.

Abstract: A stratiform pad for surrounding and protecting a bed sore from pressure while the patient is in bed. The pad comprises a median layer containing a closed cell air bubble film, a body-contacting layer bonded to one surface of the median layer to adhere the pad to the patient's body, and a bed-contacting layer bonded to the other surface of the median layer to adhere the pad to the bed surface. The pad contains an interior bed sore receiving aperture and provides sustained lift of the body away from the bed in the area of the sore, thus relieving the pain of pressure and providing space for the flow of healing air.

Abstract: Adjustable forms for pouring precast concrete slabs and similar articles of manufacture. The forms may be used either on site to produce concrete slabs as needed, or at a central manufacturing location, for transport to the site where needed. Concrete slabs produced with the adjustable forms may be used in patios, sidewalks, storage room or pump house floors, driveways, mobile home landings, and the like. The slabs may be steel reinforced, with expandable interlocking design, of various sizes, patterns and colors. Similar construction materials or decorative articles, such as tile, wallboard, and the like may also be produced with the improved forms.

Abstract: A duplex plug for protecting conventional duplex electrical outlets, has dielectric caps connected by a flexible, generally S-shaped tether. Each cap has projecting prongs that fit the outlet receptacle, and the tether may have an aperture for deteachably securing it to a center mounting hole of the electrical outlet by means of a mounting screw. Use of the center mounting hole attachment is optional. The length and shape of the S-shaped tether are adapted to permit convenient biasing of a cap laterally away from one electrical receptacle.

Abstract: A method of producing an ellipsoid form from an expanded metal foil net teaches the steps of placing a sheet of expanded metal net on a work surface adjacent an open-ended hollow cylinder having the interior shape of a semi-ellipsoid, moving a first piston having the exterior shape of a semi-ellipsoid against the expanded metal sheet and into said open-ended cylinder to form the sheet into a semi-ellipsoid piece having a closed end and an open end, and subsequently moving a second piston into the open-ended cylinder to close the open end of the semi-ellipsoid piece and thus complete formation of the ellipsoid form. The metal foil may be a continuous sheet transversely slip and fed in unstretched form from a roll to the edge of said work surface, then stretched across the work surface and detached from the continuous sheet to provide the expanded metal net sheet to be formed into an ellipsoid.

Abstract: In order to increase energy efficiency by reducing the drag experienced by bodies moving through a fluid medium, such as tractor-trailers, structure is incorporated in the rear surface or panel of the bodies. The structure is implemented with a multiplicity of cavities or a multiplicity of protruding regions. The cavities or protruding regions each comprise only a small portion of the total area of the rear surface and the depth or extension dimension, relative to the rear surface or panel, is small. In the case of a tractor-trailer, the rear surface structure permits convenient access to the interior of the vehicle and can be incorporated in either a rear door assembly or in a sliding rear panel assembly. The drag reduction benefits are achieved not only when the body is a tractor-trailer but also in the case of all types of land vehicles, water craft, aircraft, projectiles and the like which have a relatively flat rear surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to honeycomb core components having an undulating configuration reinforced with structural rods or columns which provide nesting sites for indexing with the flutes or nodes of adjacent components when assembled in stacked relation. Methods are also disclosed for producing the core components and assembling them in finished honeycomb core configuration.

Abstract: A belt tensioner employing helical compression springs in series arrangement in a housing located on a support structure to rotate another structure pivotally mounted on the support structure. An idler pulley is located on the rotatable structure and bears against a belt to both tension it and dampen vibrations. The helical compression springs operate on a plate rigidly attached to a movable shaft, which shaft bears directly or preferably indirectly through a thrust linkage on a shoulder of the rotatable structure. The springs, a thrust assembly and shaft are all mounted in a housing which is substantially filled with liquid which dampens the movement of the rotatable structure by the liquid being forced to flow through a restriction in the thrust assembly as it passes from one chamber to another inside the housing. The constant diameter shaft passes through the housing and its end cap, it being sealed hydraulically at each end.

Abstract: A device for threading an eyelet, e.g., a fish hook or needle, has a resiliently deformable loop attached to a pen light such that the loop and the eyelet are in the path of the light beam to illuminate the process of inserting the loop, catching the line to be threaded and pulling it through the eyelet. The lens of the pen light is solid and the end or base of the loop means is embedded in the lens material.

Abstract: A fruit tree protector has a plurality of stretchable netting pieces fastened together by hooks which may be C-shaped, and made of plastic, or copper wire, and the like.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell is provided for use in connection with a combustion engine, for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases which are added to the fuel delivery system as a supplement to the gasoline or other hydrocarbons burned therein. The hazard of explosion of the mixture of generated gases is eliminated by withdrawing the gases through a connection with the vacuum line of the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system of the engine and by utilizing a slip-fitted top cap for the electrolysis cell, which cooperates with the PCV vacuum line to prevent explosive containment of generated gases in case of accident. Use of the generated gases as a fuel supplement enables substantial increases in fuel efficiency, while at the same time reducing the emission of pollutants.

Abstract: An improved cattle stanchion has a frame supporting animal restraint mechanism having a moveable restraint wand and moveable wand support bar that cooperate in moving to various operative positions. The restraint wand is hinged between its ends to the knee of the support bar. The upper end of the restraint wand cooperates with a pin moveable in an arcuate slot in the upper horizontal frame, which slot pin may also be set by hand, and the upper end of the support bar is hinged in the upper frame while the bottom end of the bar is manipulated in an oscillating, dipping movement, controlled by movement of a bus bar that may be extended to control a long row of such sections. The upper end of the support bar may also be released manually to widen the space to release a downed cow. The positions may be set for free feed, self-catch, lock-out and various permutations by movement of a control for the bus bar, or manually.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an apparatus for producing ellipsoid forms from an expanded metal net. The apparatus includes a first frame defining a path of travel for a continuous sheet of slitted metal foil, an input feed roller for holding the continuous sheet of slitted metal foil in roll form, multiple work stations located on the frame, and forming pistons which cooperate with forming cylinders to shape cut expanded metal foil into an ellipsoid configuration.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for cleansing oil-contaminated particulate materials. The invention is particularly applicable to the treatment of oil well drill sites and to methods and means for continuously cleansing drill cuttings found in used drilling muds. An initial step involves the use of an inclined tub equipped with an inclined spiral conveyor for continuous stripping of the oil and other contaminants from the drill cuttings, and a second step involves the use of a similar inclined tub and inclined spiral conveyor for continuous hot rinse water treatment of the stripped cuttings. An optional ambient or cold water final rinsing step is also disclosed.

Abstract: In the transfer of checks between facilities receiving checks and facilities for processing checks, checks are sorted into batches according to selected classifications at the check receiving facilities. The checks are accumulated in bundles and transferred to the check processing facility according to a predetermined schedule. In the present invention, a batch slip is provided with each transferred bundle. The batch slip identifies the type of checks in the batch, identification of the receiving facility and a sequence number. The information is provided both in a bar code format and in a MICR format. The batch slip is kept with the associated batch of checks during the processing in the processing facility. Bar code readers are provided at various processing stations.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for providing a microwave attenuator system using distributed (transmission line) reactive elements to achieve a reduction in the transmitted electrical signal amplitude. The attenuator system includes a fixed attenuator unit and an adjustable attenuator unit. The fixed attenuator unit contains a "T" resistive attenuator component. Transmission line resonator components are added to the attenuator component to provide frequency selectively. The transmission line resonator components are coupled to the resistive attenuator component in such a way as not to compromise the impedance match of the transmission line. The step adjustable loss component includes shunt transmission lines coupled to the center conductor of the transmission line by means of a spring contacting mechanism. The shunt transmission lines include preselected resistive elements.