Abstract: A backlit display sign includes a rear sign enclosure element at the back of the sign with a forwardly facing wide mouth opening. Extending across the mouth opening is a front sign element or cover formed from an optically transmissive light guide which extends laterally across the mouth opening of the display. Light diffusing (scattering) reflective layers on the front and rear surfaces of the guide or within the guide itself make the guide a light propagation sustaining channel that serves to funnel light rays laterally and forwardly within itself to an image-producing opening where the light is allowed to be emitted for producing the image of a symbol, letter, number or other indicia that is visible on the front of the display. A light cavity between the front cover and the rear sign enclosure element contains at least one illuminating device, e.g. a light emitting diode (LED), to provide visible illumination that is transmitted from within the light cavity through the guide to the front of the sign.

Abstract: A serving container for selectively dispensing one of two beverages includes a container body having an upper open mouth at the top and a vertically disposed partition to divide the container body into a pair of laterally disposed left and right compartments to hold two different beverages. The partition has a horizontally disposed sealing edge at the top between the compartments. A removable cover has a cooperating sealing surface adapted to engage the edge of the partition to form a seal that prevents mixing of the contents of the compartments when the cover is secured to the mouth of the container. A pair of selectively operable left and right valves are mounted in the cover to permit a beverage held in a selected storage compartment of the container to flow into either of two separate transfer chambers when a corresponding one of the valves is in an open position.

Abstract: A multiple punch and multiple die assembly has a workpiece protector which is a punch lifter that is operatively associated with each punch for supporting each of the punches in an inactive position as an active punch is moved by the ram to the active, i.e. operating position to thereby eliminate scoring or marking of the sheet material or other workpiece that is being punched. To eliminate the need for hand tools and hand assembly or disassembly, a manually moveable retainer on the punch assembly is provided that can be moved by hand between a punch-releasing and punch-retaining position for holding the punches within the multi-punch assembly during operation. To prevent stress fractures that formerly occurred in die carriers, support of each die is distributed between two different die components thereby reducing impact stress on the carrier as the ram drives the punch through the workpiece.

Abstract: A punch canister includes a punch head with an axial shaft that has a screw thread which is adapted to be connected during use to the screw threads of a punch element that is slideably associated within a stripper bushing. A punch recess adjustment member is rotatably and slideably associated with the punch head. The adjustment member is adapted to the slideably but non-rotatably rotatably connected during operation to the punch element. A resilient retraction member, e.g., a spring, is located between the punch head and the adjustment member for biasing the adjustment member axially downward on the punch head.

Abstract: To produce metallic iron from iron ore, a composition comprising a mass of material formed from a mixture of iron ore particles and particles of a reductant that is either a biomass material in particulate form or a plastic resinous material in particulate form is used. The reductant can also be a mixture of biomass material and resin in any proportions. The mass of material comprises at least one body having a shape adapted for smelting such as pellets, briquettes, pieces or lumps. The pellets have sufficient cohesion to maintain the shape into which they have been formed.

Abstract: To prevent intimal hyperplasia within a dialysis graft, a flexible tube comprising the dialysis graft is coated interiorly before placement with an anticarcinogen or mitosis-inhibiting agent for preventing cell division. The graft can also be irradiated with light energy by directing light into the lumen of the tube that has been grafted in place, thereby preventing or reducing dialysis graft intimal hyperplasia and reducing inflammation. The light source can be a light emitting diode (LED) or a chemical light source, i.e., a chemiluminescent substance for producing cool light energy within the graft to prevent or reduce the symptoms of GIH. When phototherapy is used, the body is exposed to light radiation at the site of the graft in sufficient amount to prevent undesired cell proliferation within the vessels, the graft, or surrounding tissue where the invention is used without detectable damage to body tissue.

Abstract: A wrap device that can be used for tying down articles which are to be shipped or to provide a secure connection to an article comprises a flexible sheet of strong base stock material such as leather, heavy canvas, rubber, plastic, etc. The base stock has a pair of ends and an opening or slot through it that is spaced apart from one end. In use, the stock material is wrapped around an article to be shipped or secured in place. An optional fastener assembly that is connected to the base stock includes a cooperating pair of fastener elements, e.g., Velcro® proximate the ends of the base stock for securing the ends of the base stock together when wrapped around the article that is being shipped.

Abstract: A flying disc toy formed from plastic resin includes a circular central body portion surrounded by a circular rim that has a stair-step cross-sectional configuration. The rim includes an upper step and a lower step that extends outwardly therefrom. Each step has a circular horizontal tread portion and an upright annular riser portion at right angles to one another. An inner surface of the lower riser is dimensioned to form a sliding fit over an outer surface of the upper riser of a similar disc that is positioned beneath it when the discs are placed in a stack.

Abstract: A portable folding room partition has typically five articulated panels with wheels including two panels located at the ends of the partition which comprise carrier panels that serve as stabilizing elements for imparting movement to several intermediate panels as the partition is folded or unfolded. Each of the carrier panels includes a vertical end frame member having a horizontal spread end foot with wheels rigidly connected to its lower end. A pull handle is connected to each carrier panel in a position aligned over each spread end foot. The intermediate panels also have wheels and are hingedly connected to one another between the carrier panels to define the partition. Movement of the carrier panels by persons gripping the pull handles acts to spread or collapse the inactive intermediate panels while providing them with stabilizing support at each end. In a preferred form, each of the carrier panels has a pair of spaced apart spreaders.

Abstract: A punch press alignment instrument has upper and lower cylindrical components that are associated for vertical displacement relative to one another. Both components have outer tool holder engaging surfaces which are to be aligned with one another so as to in turn align the tool holders of the punch press when the upper and lower components themselves are in alignment. Alignment elements, e.g., ridges and grooves provided on mating surfaces of the components confronting each other are brought into contact with one another to move the components of the instrument into mutual alignment. An alignment control member, e.g., a screw is preferably provided for progressively bringing the upper and lower components toward one another and an indicator such as a lamp, a dial indicator or an audible indicator is provided for denoting the spacing between the upper and lower components to thereby confirm the alignment of the tool holders.

Abstract: A sound-suppressing hunter's backrest is formed from a supple layer of cloth or other sound-suppressing material in sheet form that is supported against a tree or other backing during use by straps or cords, but can also be rolled or folded into a compact bundle for storage and carried on the waist as a fanny pack. The backrest includes a pocket located proximate one end of the backrest that has a lip or edge which defines a pocket opening that extends between two opposed edges of the backrest and the pocket opening is positioned to face an opposite end of the sheet material so that continued rolling up of the sheet material will cause it to enter the pocket through the opening for storage. The straps or cords serve to attach the sheet material to a tree or other backing and one strap or cord also serves as a waist strap.

Abstract: A rotary cement or concrete finishing trowel has an operating head at one end of the apparatus that includes at least one cement finishing blade rotatably mounted for movement in a horizontal plane for smoothing a concrete floor surface. A drive motor, e.g., a 2-cycle gas engine, is provided at the other end of the apparatus. An elongated frame element is connected between the motor framework and the operating head and is preferably rigidly connected between them. A drive shaft extends diagonally between the motor and the operating head for imparting rotation to the finishing blade. The elongated frame element can be a tubular housing that surrounds the drive shaft and is connected at one end to the motor framework and at the other end is connected to the operating head so that the operator is able to use the frame element as a handle for lifting the entire apparatus over obstructions during operation as the weight of the motor at least partially counterbalances the weight of the operating head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gum disease includes a light producing dental appliance that is accessible exteriorly of the body for placement within the mouth of the patient to expose the mouth to light radiation of a selected wavelength and in an amount that is effective for killing or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms and especially Porphyromona gingivalis within the mouth of the patient such that the bacterial load carried to the heart is diminished thereby reducing or eliminating the symptoms of coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis vascular inflammation and plaque formation.

Abstract: A sporting apparatus especially for fishing is supported on a tackle box, pail or other receptacle and includes a reel rotateably mounted at the free end of a supporting arm. The arm is in turn pivotally mounted upon a bracket which serves as a base and is connected to the tackle box or other article. The arm is connected to the bracket so as to be able to swomg about the pivot from a raised to a lowered position and releasably held in any of a number of selected positions by the provision of a releasable lock proximate the pivot between the arm and the bracket to support the arm in the selected position e.g. raised to a 45 degree incline, horizontal or extending downwardly as desired. Provision is also made for moving the bracket from one part of the tackle box to another or to a different support receptacle such as a plastic pail or to suspend the arm and reel from the wall of an ice fish house.

Abstract: A rotary cement or concrete finishing trowel has an operating head at one end of the apparatus that includes at least one cement finishing blade rotatably mounted for movement in a horizontal plane for smoothing a concrete floor surface. A drive motor, e.g., a 2-cycle gas engine, is provided at the other end of the apparatus. An elongated frame element is connected between the motor framework and the operating head and is preferably rigidly connected between them. A drive shaft extends diagonally between the motor and the operating head for imparting rotation to the finishing blade.

Abstract: A flexible direct vision fiberoptical viewing cable is placed within a urinary catheter with its tip located at a distal end of the catheter such that the surfaces of the distal end of both the viewing cable and the catheter are aligned so as to fit together in such a way as to form a composite smoothly curved surface to facilitate negotiating obstructions. The cable is maintained in this position within the catheter with the surfaces that comprise the tip of the instrument, maintained in alignment. The urethra is then viewed therethrough during all or part of the insertion procedure for observing and identifying obstructions that may be present and thereafter the fiberoptic cable is withdrawn while allowing the catheter to remain in place within the urethra. Another form of instrument includes a working sheath and an obturator. A method is also described for facilitating endoscopic examination and surgical procedures through the sheath.

Abstract: A picture frame and hanger bar together provide a picture hanging system that requires a single hanger bar in addition to the picture frame itself. The picture frame hanger has a wall mounting surface that during use is affixed to the wall or other vertical surface and the picture frame is provided with a downwardly facing skid member that is recessed within a pocket in the rear of the picture frame. The hanger bar is provided with an upwardly facing ramp surface that is canted downwardly proceeding toward the wall so that when the skid on the picture frame engages the canted surface, the picture frame will slide rearwardly toward the wall on the canted surface so as to press the picture frame against the wall by the force of gravity. The hanger bar preferably applies pressure to a backer board positioned behind the picture or other graphic article for holding it in a flat condition.

Abstract: A punch assembly for punching or forming sheet metal has a circumferentially extending, horizontally disposed supporting flange that is slideably mounted upon the body of the punch assembly as a part thereof for supporting the punch assembly on a punch press. A resilient tool retractor, e.g., one or more springs is provided within the punch assembly for retracting or elevating the body of punch assembly relative to the supporting flange. Provision is also made for enabling a person to manually change the tool length and thus the feed gap from the exterior of the punch assembly by controlling the distance that the upper forming tool, i.e., the punch extends downwardly below the supporting flange and a lock is provided for securely retaining it in a selected position.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus has a body portion that includes a shaft terminating in a distal head or tip for directing light radiation from the apparatus onto the lining of a body cavity for treating an ailment in a body cavity of a patient as for example a gastrointestinal ailment of a patient such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastric cancer, gastric lymphoma, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease as well as for treating diseases of the circulatory system, urogenital systems and other body cavities. During use, the shaft of the apparatus is inserted into a body cavity, e.g., stomach or colon, of the patient to place the distal tip of the shaft in the desired position. The body cavity of the patient is then irradiated with light radiation so as to kill or debilitate microorganisms lining the body cavity without serious destruction of the body tissue of the patient to thereby improve or alleviate one or more of the symptoms of the ailment.