Abstract: A faucet valve is operated by a rotatable stem which is inserted in a tube-shaped housing. The valve, preferably composed of brass, is screwed into a standard size plumbing fixture. The body of the stem is disposed between a washer preferably made of teflon and an "O" ring, which exerts a pressure between said body of the stem and the tube. The pressure does not generally vary according to the fluid pressure therein or fluid flow therethrough enabling the valve to be used in high pressure applications. A stationary valving member within the housing mates with a cooperating rotatable valving member which is driven by the stem. The operating end of the stem is thick relative to the housing into which it fits; this thickness allows the operating part of the stem to be able to handle relatively large operating force without bending or breaking. A pin and cooperating slot provide a 90.degree. limit on stem rotation.

Abstract: This invention discloses a catheter comprising a first hollow tubular body of flexible non-kinking material having an entry and an exit port and a first lumen therethrough. A fixation balloon of soft elastomeric material is attached coaxially to the first hollow tubular body proximate the exit port. A second hollow tubular body of flexible non-kinking material having a second lumen therethrough is operatively attached at one end to the fixation balloon and at a opposite second end to means to selectively inflate or deflate the fixation balloon by applying pressure to a liquid contained in the second lumen. The second lumen provides a passageway for communicating pressure to inflate or deflate the fixation balloon to a liquid between the fixation balloon and the selective inflation and deflation means. Means are operatively coupled to the selective inflation and deflation means to limit the pressure supplied to inflate the fixation balloon through the second lumen to a selected pre-set pressure limit.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is described including a sole and a shoe upper attached to the sole and defining a cavity for receiving a foot. The shoe upper has a lacing portion defining lace openings for a shoe lace. The shoe upper further has sidewalls with first and second openings proximate the lacing portion. A supportive sling member is disposed in the cavity and has a widened central portion intermediate opposing side quarters. The side quarters each have a narrowed strap portion adapted to pass through the first and second openings in the shoe upper and extend outwardly therefrom. Means are provided for releasably securing, in an adjustable manner, the outwardly extending narrowed strap portions of the side quarters to the shoe upper, so as to suspend the widened central portion of the sling member in the cavity to provide support to the instep areas of the foot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bicycle seat cover assembly having a seat cover with an exterior trim member extending about its periphery, front and rear under flap members supported from the exterior trim member and adapted to pass underneath the respective ends of a bicycle seat for securing the set cover assembly thereto, and an adjusting strap disposed intermediate to the front and rear under flap members for adjusting and tightening the securing action.According to the invention the rear under flap member is of generally crescent-shaped configuration but cut off at its forward corners, and the missing corner are then replaced with a pair of essentially triangular, highly elastic members. These members make it easier to install or remove the seat cover assembly, and also increase its useful life.

Abstract: A carrier for releasable attachment to a band includes a hollow housing with side and bottom portions. The side and bottom portions have at least one pair of protuberances integrally formed adjacent the bottom portion on opposite side portions of the hollow housing. Each of the protuberances form, with the corresponding side portions, a channel adapted to receive therein a flexible, elastomeric cable adapted to engage both of the channels formed by the pair of protuberances and to extend across the bottom portion of the housing. The cable is sufficiently flexible to encircle the band to hold both the bottom portion of the housing and the band in a releasable adjacent relation.

Abstract: A display apparatus for use with headgear, includes in combination visor means adapted to attach to the headgear and having a visor viewing area segment positioned in the line-of-sight of a wearer of the headgear. Optical display generating means are adapted to be attached to the headgear. Parabolic mirror means are interposed in the optical path from the optical display generating means to the visor viewing area segment. Fold mirror means, including at least one fold mirror positioned to receive the image from the parabolic mirror means for directing the image to the visor viewing area segment, is provided, whereby the size and curvature of the visor can be minimized without affecting transmission of the image.

Abstract: A visor for mounting on a helmet adapted to be worn by an individual, includes a substantially transparent visor having an inner concave surface, and, with reference to an orthogonal, right-handed xyz Cartesian coordinate system of spatial reference having its origin located on the inner concave surface and its z-axis parallel to the line of sight of the individual wearing the helmet, the inner concave surface being defined by a cross-section of the visor in the x-axis of reference, which is symmetrical about both the origin and the y-z plane of reference, having one-half of the cross-section of the visor in the x-axis of reference being a first circular segment containing the origin at one end and connected to its opposite end to one end of a first paraboloid segment which is connected at its opposite end to one end of an elliptic segment whose opposite end forms a side boundary of the visor, and by a cross-section of the visor in the y-axis of reference having a second circular segment, one end of which for

Abstract: A device for straightening misaligned strings of a stringed racket, including an elongated rigid member forming a substitute finger. One end of the device includes a gripping member for gripping the device and a hook is supported from the other end of the elongated member and extending transversely thereto. The hook has both forwardly facing and rearwardly facing bent portions, so that it may be used alternately for pushing or pulling a selected string.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as an alignment and centering tool for providing a fixed spatial alignment between a rotor and a stator, including a base member and at least one finger member fixedly secured to the base member and extending generally therefrom. The finger member is adapted to be positioned between the rotor and the stator that are to be aligned and centered. A first releasable coupling is provided for operatively connecting the rotor and the finger member to hold the tool and the rotor in a selectively releasable, fixed spatial relationship. A second releasable coupling is also provided for operatively connecting the stator and the finger member to hold the tool and the stator in a selectively releasable, fixed spatial relationship. An alternative user-adjustable embodiment is also provided.

Abstract: A fan assembly, adapted for easy disassembly for storage and transportation and for easy assembly, includes a housing having a protruding tab-like portion and which is adapted to house a motor and blade assembly. A vertical tapered supporting arm having a narrowed fork-shaped end and an opposite enlarged base end is attached to the housing by having the tangs of the fork-shaped end of the tapered supporting arm adapted to receive therebetween the protruding tab-like portion of the housing. The protruding tab-like portion of the housing and the tangs of the fork-shaped end of the tapered supporting arm, each has a passageway aligned to receive a threaded bolt therethrough. A nut is threadably mated with the bolt to retain the protruding tab-like portion of the housing and the fork-shaped end of the tapered supporting arm in a releasable, selectively positionable compressive relationship.

Abstract: A fishing reel line refill tool for use with a fishing pole having a reel thereon, and a fishing reel line refill spool, includes a first member having a first and second section, each section being pivotally joined together at one end and having a latching means on the opposite end. The first and second sections form a first closed position wherein the sections abut to form a plurality of holes therethrough of varying diameter size, each of the holes adapted to receive therethrough in a tight friction fit a portion of the extending rod section of the fishing pole, and a second open position wherein the sections are pivotally rotated in opposite directions from their abutting relation of the first closed position. A second member is threadably mated with the first member and extends therefrom. The second member is adapted to receive thereon the refill spool in a rotatable relationship therewith.

Abstract: A bicycle cushion seat cover with aerodynamic shaped bag is described which provides comfort and support to the bicyclist without chaffing and bruising. The bicycle cushion seat cover with aerodynamic shaped bag weighs less than 9 ounces and is composed of a foam with a density of 1.8 to 2.8 lbs. per cubic foot and an impression force deflection of between 75 and 95, a vinyl cover having a density of 2 ounces per square foot, 2 underside flaps and an underside lining with a density of 2 ounces per square yard which provides firm attachment means, and an aerodynamic shaped bag with maximum dimensions less than those of the maximum back dimensions of the bicycle cushion seat cover such that the bag creates minimal aerodynamic drag.

Abstract: A tap-switching circuit for automatically controlling the output voltage of a multi-tap transformer in response to a varying input line voltage and/or system load current demand, includes voltage sensing circuitry in parallel with both the transformer voltage outputs and a voltage comparator for sensing changes in the system load demand requirements. A voltage reference is provided for automatically generating a pre-selected voltage reference level signal for the line and/or system load requirements. Voltage comparison circuitry is operatively connected with the voltage sensing circuitry for generating an enable signal whenever the input line voltage and/or system load current demand requirements sensed by the voltage sensing circuitry falls below the pre-selected voltage reference level signal.

Abstract: A symmetry sensing safety circuit for automatically stopping electrical current flow through a thyristor to an electrical device which is supplied by a source of alternating current electrical energy.

Abstract: A jacking system includes a wheeled hydraulic power unit having an operating handle, and at least two extendable jack units which are identical.Each jack unit is adapted to rest upon the ground, and the power unit can be wheeled into (or out of) engagement with the jack unit. When engaged with a jack unit, the power unit is capable of extending (or raising) the jack unit; a ratchet on the jack unit then locks it in its extended position. A manual control on the power unit is coupled to the jack unit (when the two units are interengaged) for releasing the ratchet, so that the power unit can then lower the jack stand to its retracted position.