Abstract: A spring-loaded coupling device for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduits is provided. A pair of symmetrical arcuate coupling halves are pivotally jointed together at first adjacent ends for circumferentially surrounding the conduit ends. A latch is mounted adjacent the opposite end of one of the halves. This latch includes a flange having a slot opening outwardly and an outwardly extending flat spring lock terminating in an end surface. A toggle is provided which has a first end pivotally mounted adjacent the opposite end of the other of the halves, and has a second end extendable longitudinally beyond the opposite end of the first of the halves. The toggle includes a locking pin adjacent the second end of the toggle and engageable with the slot when the coupling halves are closed around the sleeve and has a spring urging the toggle to pivot in a direction to move the locking pin into the slot.

Abstract: A heat reduction volume compensator for use with a drip coffee maker in which the temperature applied by a hot plate to a coffee pot is reduced as the amount of liquid in the pot decreases by means of resilient segments that lift the pot away from the hot plate as the weight of the liquid in the coffee pot decreases.

Abstract: The roller of a truck box roller tarp assembly is equipped with dependent loops of chain at spaced intervals along its length. Brackets, forming hooks, are secured to the truck box at a common elevation along one side. When the tarp is closed over the box opening, the roller loops hang below the hooks. The roller may be reverse rolled, using the conventional crank, to climb the tarp and bring the loops into engagement with the hooks. The now-constrained roller may be further reverse rolled, to tighten the tarp. The roller is then locked up by securing the crank to the truck box in conventional fashion.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a bowling lane dressing apparatus is provided which has a carriage for movement along the bowling lane between the foul line and the pit. Drive wheels are rotatably mounted on the carriage for moving the carriage along the bowling lane by means of drive means connected thereto. A lane buffer roller is journaled on the carriage in lane-contacting relation which extends transversely to the direction of travel. A reservoir is mounted in the carriage for storage of lane-dressing fluid. A transfer roller is mounted in rolling engagement with the lane buffer roller and in fluid communication with the reservoir for transferring fluid from the reservoir to the lane buffing roller. Variable speed drive means is connected to the transfer roller for rotating it at variable speeds to vary the rate of transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the lane buffer roller.

Abstract: A method of packaging articles and packaged article assemblies disclosed includes inflating a body such as a latex balloon or a bag with a drawstring preferably by evacuating the air in a chamber surrounding the body while the body is supported and sealed at the fill opening. An initial selected quantity of packaging particles are placed inside the inflated body followed by placing the article therein. The body is collapsed around the particles which distributes them in a substantially uniform layer surrounding the article from all sides and applies compressive forces inwardly from all sides to cushion the article in the body. Another method involves expanding an outer body, placing packaging particles in that body, collapsing that outer body and placing a second body in the outer body followed by expansion of the two and putting a fluid and article in the inner body and sealing the bodies closed.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, an adjustable coupling device for releasably interconnecting confronting ends of first and second fluid carrying conduits is provided. A bell flange is attached to the confronting end of one of the conduits. This bell flange has an arcuate internal sealing surface adjacent the lip thereof and a recess extending inwardly longitudinally from the arcuate sealing surface. A sealing flange is attached to the confronting end of the other of the conduits and is sized to be received within the bell flange. It also includes a peripheral abutment spaced from the outer end thereof. A sleeve is mounted on the end of the sealing flange and has a curved outer surface and an inner surface engageable with the abutment to limit the inward movement thereof. A sealing ring is mounted on the sealing flange adjacent the sleeve and is engageable with the arcuate sealing surface of the bell flange when the flanges are drawn together.

Abstract: An ablative foam composition is formed of approximately 150 to 250 parts by weight polymeric isocyanate having an isocyanate functionality of 2.6 to 3.2; approximately 15 to 30 parts by weight reactive flame retardant having a hydroxyl number range from 200-260; approximately 10 to 40 parts by weight non-reactive flame retardant; approximately 10 to 40 parts by weight nonhydrolyzable silicone copolymer having a hydroxyl number range from 75-205; and approximately 3 to 16 parts by weight amine initiated polyether resin having an isocyanate functionality greater than or equal to 3.0 and a hydroxyl number range from 400-800.

Abstract: A simple yet highly useful cervical videoscope has been provided which can easily be used by the doctor to examine the cervix and vagina for cancerous lesions or other abnormalities. Also, because of the small size of the video camera unit there is sufficient space between the video camera unit and the blades of the speculum for inserting forceps an other instruments that may need to be used. By using the cervical videoscope in combination with a monochromator the physician can step the wavelength of light from one end of the light spectrum to the other until he observes florescence which identifies abnormal cells. Thereupon, he can destroy the cells by use of a laser beam. When he observes that no more florescence is occurring, then he can discontinue the operation of the laser, knowing that the lesion has been completely eradicated. Also, a channel for drawing a suction to remove smoke created by the destruction of the lesion can be provided.

Abstract: A panel assembly and panel disclosed have male and female joint portions and a hold-down member that anchor the male joint portion arranged so that the female joint portion snap fits down over the hold-down member and male joint portion to provide a positive snap-lock and yet allows for unevenness in the support surface and holds firmly against upward forces pulling the panels apart at the joint as by wind.

Abstract: Electromagnetic fluid control valves disclosed have a valve body with at least two ports through which a fluid is passed in flowing therethrough with at least one port being closable. Electromagnetic actuating means includes an elongated magnetic core with spaced, opposed first and second leg portions and an intermediate connecting leg portion. One of the first and second leg portions terminates in an end face. A coil wound on the core produces magnetic flux therein. An armature of minimum mass spans the end portions of the first and second leg portions of the core and provides a face opposite the end face of the core to define an open unobstructed air gap. A spring bias is employed to maintain the air gap at its maximum length when the valve is in the deenergized state.

Abstract: Golf swing training apparatus disclosed includes a base, an upright support frame, rotary guide arm assembly at the top of the support frame establishing a reference axis of rotation at an inner arm portion and having an outer end flexibly coupled to the club head so that as the club is swung it is confined to a swing plane perpendicular to the reference axis of rotation. There is adjustment in frame height and angle of incline for the reference axis of rotation as well as adjustment in the drag. There is also a tensioning feature to dampen the inertia mass during the stroke.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of continuously forming a layered composite material into a rigid structure as the material is moved from an upstream location to a downstream location. The uncured layered composite material is pulled from a supply at the upstream location through a forming die to form the material into a structural member having a desired shape. The member is moved downstream into a heating die where it is at least partially cured. After it leaves the heating die it is cooled and continues to move downstream where it is cut into suitable lengths. The cooling can be accomplished by a cooling die located downstream from the heating die. A liner is provided within the dies having the same shape as the structural member through which the structural member slides as it moves in the downstream location.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a steerable and removable sheath for use with an optical catheter wherein the sheath with the catheter therein is to be positioned in a pathway leading to a body cavity of a patient for observation and/or treatment. The apparatus comprises an elongated, bendable, hollow body having a distal end, a proximate end and a plurality of channels extending from the proximate end to the distal end. An optical catheter is extendable through one of the channels in the body having a distal end aligned with the distal end of the body and a proximate end extending outwardly beyond the proximate end of the body. The catheter conforms to the shape and movement of the body. A deflectable means is provided adjacent the distal end of the second of the channels to deflect the distal end of the body in a desired direction.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a method of transporting upright cylindrical articles is provided wherein the articles are fed from a mass at an upstream location into single file at a downstream location. The articles are fed in mass into the infeed of the deck of an air table. A lower air pressure zone is created on a first lateral portion of the deck plate between the upstream and downstream locations. A higher air pressure zone is created on a second lateral portion of the deck plate to cause the articles to move into single file in the first lateral portion. Velocity air pressure is used to move the single filed articles to a downstream location. The articles are held in single file with a directional mass volume of air. The pressure differential between the high and low pressure zones can be adjusted to vary the density of the articles at the infeed.

Abstract: A sterilizable video camera cover is provided which has a connector having a guideway for receiving an unsterile video camera within it in a predetermined fixed orientation. A receptacle is provided for holding the camera in this position against a window at the distal end of the connector which serves as a bacteria barrier. An end is provided distally of the window for receiving a sterile mount and endoscope in a fixed position with respect to the camera. An accordion folded sleeve is positioned on the receptacle for being extended over the trailing cable of the video camera to maintain the sterile environment within the operating room even though the camera and trailing cable are unsterile.