Abstract: Apparatus for forming a chain of sausage links is described in which the formed links are less likely to unwind. The apparatus includes a conveyor (10) for moving a tubular food casing (18) filled with a food emulsion around an axis (12), the conveyor having a plurality of crimping (14a-h) and twisting (15a-h) means for forming a continuous adjacent links. The conveyor (10) moves the links through a semicircular path past station (A-I) where twisting and crimping operations are performed. The links so formed have a first set twisted in one direction about the tubular food casing axis and a second set of adjacent links twisted in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A device for providing elevated and universally adjustable support of a hair dryer, the hair dryer having a body with a handle portion and a heated air discharge portion. A receptacle member is provided for gripping the hair dryer by its handle portion and is positioned in the elevated and overhead fashion by an elongated support which is either supported by a floor base or is attached to a vertically extending wall. The receptacle member includes a plurality of curvilinear gripping portions which each define gripping surfaces for biasingly engaging the handle portion of the hair dryer. In one embodiment, a plurality of uniquely configured gripping portions extend from a base of the receptacle member and the hair dryer handle biasingly engages between a selected pair of the gripping portions. In a further preferred embodiment, the gripping portions are substantially circular shaped and extend in opposing fashion from a central portion to form a generally "S" shaped configuration in cross section.

Abstract: A probe holder mounted to a main housing of an electronic thickness gauge, of the type having a remote probe connected to the main housing by an elongate cable, enables the gauge to be used in its initial configuration when the probe is out of the holder and as an integral unit when the probe is positioned in the holder. The holder may be retrofit onto an existing gauge by making it an integral part of a battery cover that replaces an original battery cover. A second embodiment includes a cylindrical remote probe holder having independent, dedicated sensors mounted at its opposite ends to facilitate switching from one type of sensor to another, a third embodiment provides multiple remote probes independently interconnected to the main housing by elongate cables, and a fourth embodiment mounts remote probes in a "V"-shaped housing to enable switching from a first probe to a second by rotating the housing about an axis of rotation.

Abstract: A planetary gear assembly for a transmission is disclosed having a carrier with two spaced apart plates. A plurality of cylindrical axles extend between and are secured to the plates so that these axles are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other. A gear having an inner cylindrical surface is coaxially disposed around each axle. Furthermore, a tubular cylindrical ceramic sleeve is positioned between the outer surface of each axle and the inner cylindrical surface of each gear. The cylindrical sleeve serves as a bearing between the shaft and its associated gear.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming flanges and tubes of partical crystalline thermoplastics. The thermoplastics may comprise cross-linked portions and preferably are polyethylene. A heated tube end (2) is upset in a die (10) by a plunger (30) so as to arch and form a pair of conical regions which become disk-shaped and are folded together to form the flange (8).

Abstract: A protective housing for control switches such as pressure regulating switches for water pumps has been provided in which a cylindrical metal body member is closed by metal end plates in tightly fitted relationship to the body member to contain a switch. The switch also has a water connection passing through one of the plates which is formed by tight metal to metal contact, all for the purpose of obstructing access to the switch by insects such as fire ants.

Abstract: An improved golf club divider assembly retains a plurality of golf clubs in an orderly and secured fashion. An outer bag frame has a desired height and a rectangular shape when viewed in cross section. The interior of the bag is hollow and receives in an axially inserted fashion a primary club divider member. The primary divider member is constructed of a plurality of axially directed and radially outwardly extending vane portions which, upon insertion of the divider member, subdivides the hollow interior into a first group of axially extending compartments. A plurality of secondary club divider members are constructed in a similar fashion as to the primary divider member and are sized so that, upon insertion, the first group of compartments are subdivided into a second plurality of axially extending compartments capable of each receiving a club shaft of a golf club.

Abstract: An electrode terminal is described for delivering a stimulation pulse to the heart or other tissues containing a linear array of fibers. The electrode terminal is elongated and adapted for orientation in a direction parallel to the tissue fibers. The device of the present invention further includes a power source for electrically energizing the terminal such that the energization of the terminal reduces the nonuniformity of the transmembrane voltage change in the tissue proximate the electrode which is produced during the stimulation pulse. Nonuniform transmembrane voltage changes are associated with arrhythmic conditions. The linear electrode of the present invention can be used for cardiac pacing, defibrillation, and the termination of tachycardia.

Abstract: A display puzzle comprising a support and a plurality of puzzle elements, the support and the elements having mutually-interengageable, releasable attachment members such that the elements are attachable to the support in at least on predetermined display arrangement for support thereby, wherein the support is so formed and each puzzle element has an edge portion so formed that, when each element is attached to the support, the edge portion is spaced from the support and can be pressed manually against the support to pivot the respective element relative to the support to release it therefrom, the releasable attachment members being sufficiently effective to hold the puzzle elements in position against inadvertent movement even when the puzzle is arrayed in a vertical position.

Abstract: A positionably supportable flashlight includes a flashlight body pivotably attached to a support leg having a first end and a second end which is free, and further including a cross-brace pivotably attached to the support leg so that the cross-brace is movable between a storage position wherein the cross-brace overlies a portion of the support leg to a support position wherein the cross-brace and support leg form an angle therebetween having its vertex at the attachment point. Alternate embodiments include providing an attachment member disposed between the flashlight body and support leg, the flashlight body being removably attached to the attachment member.

Abstract: A composition for the treatment of actinic keratoses includes 5-fluorouracil and an alpha hydroxy carboxylic acid. The composition may further include ancillary ingredients. A therapeutic method involving the composition and a kit for carrying out the treatment are also disclosed.

Abstract: A seal between two interlocking components, especially tubes, with a compression lip (3) and a supporting foam rubber ring (12). The rear space as far as the cone surface can be empty or filled with light foam rubber.

Abstract: A multifunction toilet is shown with a conventional flushing system and auxiliary components which include an odor exhaust system which withdraws gases from the toilet bowl and delivers them to the sewage drain downstream of the toilet water trap. Other auxiliary components include a motor driven retractable nozzle pipe which provides a personal warm water spray rinse and a dryer which supplies warm drying air. The auxiliary components are operated under a switch control system which assures proper sequencing and prevents use unless the user is seated on the toilet seat.

Abstract: A package for an article such as a light bulb having an elongated sheet with two spaced ends. A layer of shrink wrap material overlies at least a portion of one side of the sheet and the layer of shrink wrap material is attached to the sheet at spaced intervals therealong. The ends of the sheet are secured to form a loop having an interior side and an exterior side with the shrink wrap layer being attached to the interior side of the loop. With an article placed within the interior side of the loop, upon application of heat to the shrink wrap material, the portions of the shrink wrap material unattached to the sheet at least partially engulf the article to thereby affix the article to the sheet.

Abstract: A drinks can with a non-resealable ring pull seal includes an auxiliary sealing member supported inside the can by a leaf spring which urges it automatically to seal the opening formed on removal of the ring pull seal, the auxiliary member having an upstanding projection engageable by the user to depress the sealing member into the can for access to the contents.

Abstract: A rotating guard rail assembly formed preferably of steel tubing and sheathed in a polymerized material such as plastic. The assembly generally comprises a vertical stanchion sheathed in plastic and having a rotating jacket assembly mounted about the exterior of the stanchion. The jacket is free to rotate about the stanchion, thereby acting as a cornering or pivoting device to redirect a moving object upon impact of the guard rail assembly.

Abstract: An anchor for a bolt formed of a single strip of sheet metal includes a pair of opposed shell portions having helically aligned connecting strips. The shell portions extend from a bottom end of the anchor having a threaded sleeve for accepting the bolt. The free ends of the shell portions have tabs extending outwardly for engagement into the plate in which the member is being installed. The anchor is formed by first stamping a strip of metal and then bending the ends of the strip to form a cylindrical shell. Axially aligned tabs on the free ends extend into complimentary recesses to join the two shell halves together.

Abstract: A clip-type fastening device having a deformable and resilient body which is constructed of first and second deformable aperture defining portions which in combination define an aperture within the body. First and second engaging members are integrally formed with the deformable aperture defining portions and are inter-engageable to clamp the body around a fixed member in a step-lock fashion. The aperture defining portions and engaging members may be deformed and separated in a twisting manner to release the body from the fixed member and a deformable clip portion is likewise separable to releasably secure an object such as a length of cord or a flag grommet.