Abstract: The bone saw guide of this invention allows precise perpendicular or angular cutting of a bone with a conventional bone saw. An inverted U-shaped blade guide portion positions the blade and an upstanding saw guide portion guides the neck of the saw. A plate connects the two portions. The invention allows a bone segment to be removed and the cut ends to be compressed together to shorten the bone.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously activating the lights and windshield wipers of an automobile comprising a housing formed as a half cylinder with a curved inside surface; securing means to hold the housing on the turn signal of an automobile; a multi-position thumb switch located on the outside surface of the housing; wires coupled to the switch, one wire coupled to a source of electrical potential and the other wire coupled to a windshield wiper motor and the head and tail lights; and means to sense darkness and retain the head and tail lights energized when turning off the switch in the dark.

Abstract: A derailer for derailing a drive chain from one sprocket to an adjacent sprocket of a multi-stage sprocket assembly wherein operation of the derailer thereof is automatically controlled by centrifugal force so that the driving chain is automatically shifted to higher gears as the speed of the bicycle increases.

Abstract: A solar photovoltaic cell with a conductive current collecting contacts embedded in a block of optical transparent polymer material between the semiconductor wafer and protective cover in such a manner that at least the section thereof which are in contact with the surface of the semiconductor wafer protrude from the polymer block. This provides for a reliable ohmic contact between the current collecting contacts and the semiconductor wafer. The disclosed geometry of the solar cell reduces the shadowing area of the semiconductor wafer by up to 90%.

Abstract: An air filter is provided for a food cooking apparatus to avoid the necessity for venting same within a building and permitting the use of a free standing independently movable structure capable of receiving a movable cooking apparatus or accommodating a fixed cooking apparatus such as a grill.An air filter assembly for filtering exhaust air from cooking devices is illustrated as having filter elements in vertically aligned stacked relation accessibly positioned in an imperforate housing.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying apparatus for container bodies having neck rings. The apparatus comprises a plurality of pairs of laterally spaced neck tracks, each pair defining an elongated slot therebetween for slidably supporting container bodies by their neck rings and a plurality of inverted, U-shaped, interior channel members, each extending upwardly from one of the pairs of neck tracks spanning the slot and extending longitudinally substantially the length of the slot and having a cross sectional area sufficient to receive the portions of the container bodies above their neck rings, each interior channel member having a top wall and side walls with air directing louvers formed therein to provide a driving force for the container bodies.

Abstract: A dismountable ladder for use with transom, swim or dive platforms having a pair of similarly shaped vertical upper side members. The upper end of each upper side member is formed as a U-shaped hook for releasably receiving a portion of a transom, swim or dive platform. The lower end of each upper side member has an opening. Additionally, a horizontal upper step member is releasably coupled within the opening in the lower ends of the upper side members. Finally, screws are provided for securing the upper step member to the upper side members through screw holes of the upper side members and upper step member.

Abstract: Somatic acoustic chair provided with sound housings and having person-supporting means carried resiliently by framework supported on a relatively fixed base. The person-supporting means includes a back rest, a seat, and a foot rest so carried individually and apart from one another. The framework is mounted pivotally on the base to enable a person so supported to tilt the chair backward to at least a semi-reclining position.

Abstract: A method and system for the repair of hernias through laparoscopic techniques including plugging and patching, the system comprising a first assembly having a tubular sheath; a tubular plunger located within and moveable with respect to the sheath, the plunger having a distal end spaced proximally of the distal end of the sheath and a proximal end extending proximally of the proximal end of the sheath; a plug within the sheath at the distal end and moveable from interior thereof to exterior thereof upon manipulation of the proximal ends of the sheath and plunger by a surgeon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of process fluids comprising a primary loop for process fluids; a plurality of secondary loops for the process fluids; a plurality of bridges, each coupling the primary loop with a secondary loop, each bridge having feed and return connections coupled to feed and return lines of the primary loop and feed and return connections coupled to feed and return lines of the secondary loop, and a crossover line coupling the primary and secondary loops; valve means for each bridge for controlling the flow of processing fluid through its associated second loop; microprocessor means for each bridge for adjusting its associated valve means; sensor means for each bridge for determining operating characteristic information of the processing fluid and for feeding such determined information to the microprocessor means; and a host computer coupling each of the microprocessor means in systems configuration.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new and improved single-row, two-pass steam condensing bundle used for condensing steam in air-cooled vacuum steam condensers in power plant applications and the like. The new bundle is divided into a plurality of identically built mini-bundle sets. Each mini-bundle set has one centrally located 2nd-pass tube with symmetrically placed 1st-pass tubes positioned on either side of it. The steam leaving each 1st-pass tube is controlled by a flow equalizing device installed at the end of the tubes. The flow of the noncondensible gas mixture leaving each 2nd-pass tube is controlled by an individual orifice in the gas piping system. The larger the number of mini-bundle sets incorporated into the bundle, the greater its counterflow freeze protection feature.

Abstract: An improved gate valve comprising spaced parallel housing walls having axially aligned apertures therethrough and constituting a housing; sleeves removably coupled to the housing walls and defining an annular space therebetween; a gate plate in sliding contact with the sleeves reciprocable between open and closed positions and defining a primary seal to atmosphere between the gate plate and sleeves; packing located adjacent to the upper edges of the housing walls through which the gate plate reciprocates between open and closed positions and defining a secondary seal to atmosphere between the gate plate and the packing; and means associated with the periphery of the housing walls to retain flowing fluid within the housing walls.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing, maintaining or enhancing microorganisms utilized to remediate contaminated soil or groundwater which includes of a direct push rod or cylinder equipped with a fluid or gas delivery system. The system also includes computer-based monitoring capabilities which can monitor or control the subsurface events. Microorganisms, nutrient solutions, or gases such as air can be introduced into the subsurface environment of predetermined locations. The delivery device is a long rod or cylinder which is pushed into the ground via applied pressure at the surface. The internals of this device contain tubing or other means to deliver fluid through openings in the rod or cylinder to the surrounding environment. The fluid may be driven into the environment by surface pumps or gas pressure. The delivery rod or cylinder may be withdrawn for reutilization or left in place for continuous service.

Abstract: For use with a shoe having an upper and a sole and with a block downwardly extending from the lower portion of the sole adjacent to the heel and with a magnetic plate facing downwardly from the block, an improved replaceable heel having an upper surface with an upwardly facing recess therein and a magnetically responsive plate face upwardly on the lower surface of the recess.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved sheeting system for covering an operating table which includes a main body section with a head section and a foot section pivotally coupled about horizontal axes to the main body section, and with sidearms pivotally coupled about vertical axes to the main body section, the sheeting system including a single large sheet positionable over the main body section, head section and foot section formed of a non-woven fabric having an enlarged planar portion, downwardly turned edges and an inwardly turned periphery with elastomeric material coupled to at least portions of the periphery whereby the edges and periphery accommodate the bending of the sheet along its side edges with the bending of the operating table; and a pair of small sheets positionable over the side arms.

Abstract: A computer network for backing up data and program files located on networked workstations onto a centralized backup media of a backup device of the network. The backup computer network allows users of workstations of remote nodes to preselect files (by name and by file selection criteria) on their workstation which are to be backed onto the centralized backup media. The file selection processes are therefore distributed throughout the network which considerably increases the speed of backing up over the network.

Abstract: A one piece earring comprising a decorative part having a slot, the slot being formed to extend from the periphery to a central section thereof, the decorative part also having a bar joining the two sides of the slot and located intermediate the periphery and the central section. An inverted J-shaped hook comprising a short section and a long section with a curved section therebetween, the short section having its end formed as a ring, the inverted J-hook being pivotally connected to the bar by the ring to allow for the extended rotation of the J-shaped hook through the slot.

Abstract: A column assembly having a plurality of floor-height columns which are erected vertically, one on top of the other, to define the floors of the building structure to be constructed. Each column comprises a plurality of reinforcement rods which are embedded in the column and extend outwardly from the ends thereof. The rods are cut at precisely equal lengths to extend precisely equal distances from each end of the column. Each rod is threaded in a precise manner with the thread beginning at the same orientation for each rod such that when the columns are stacked end-to-end, the rods are in perfect axial alignment with the thread of one rod continuously leading into the thread of the contiguous rod to which it is aligned. A threaded sleeve is threaded onto the rods extending from the lower end of the upper column and, after stacking of the upper column end-to-end onto a lower column, the threaded sleeve may be threaded onto the axially aligned and contiguous rods extending from the lower column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recycling used plastic bottles formed of a lower base cup and an upper container with a neck ring comprising in combination: a processing star wheel for supporting bottles by their neck rings and for moving the supported bottles sequentially through a plurality of processing stations; an input conveyor for sequentially feeding bottles to the processing star wheel; a first processing station for inserting pressurized air into the containers to return them to their essentially initial shape; a second processing station for inserting hot water into the containers for cleaning purposes and for effecting their contraction; a third processing station for removing the base cups from the containers; a base cup conveyor for feeding the separated base cups from the system for granulization and recycling; a fourth processing station for removing the labels from the containers; a label conveyor for feeding the separated labels from the system; a fifth processing station for removing the water f

Abstract: A replacement rear door for a van comprising in combination an interior front panel, an exterior rear panel with exterior peripheral panels defining an internal equipment storage zone; an air conditioning system housed entirely within the equipment storage zone for cooling the warm air generated in the passenger section of the van; a gasoline powered internal combustion engine for generating the power to operate the air conditioning system; gasoline connection means adapted to be coupled into the main gasoline supply line for supplying fuel to the engine; electric connection means adapted to couple the main battery of the van to the peripheral equipment of the engine; electronic means for controlling the stopping and starting of the air conditioning system; and hinge means extending outwardly from one of the exterior side panels for mating with the body hinges on the van.