Abstract: A ratchet wrench apparatus includes a housing body having a lever portion extending outwardly from one side thereof to apply a torque force. A gear assembly received in the housing consists of a universal gear, planetary gears and a sun gear which are rotatably driven in unison in response to a torque force exerted through a ratchet gear adjustably disposed in the handle and housing. An output torque force is transmitted from the gear assembly through a rotor body which is normally held in interlocking relationship with the sun gear in the gear assembly. The apparatus further includes a separate selector bar element which may be manually inserted in the gear assembly to enable the rotor body to rotate independently of the sun gear when a torque force is being exerted through the lever and remaining gears.

Abstract: A Citizens Band transceiver mounted on the instrument panel of a motor vehicle has attached thereto bracket structure which includes a rearwardly extending arm engageable upon the vehicle seat. The rearwardly extending arm has supported therethrough a flexible tubular body which supports at an upper end thereof a microphone holder and a microphone detachably received therein and electrically connected to the transceiver. Elongated switch actuating means slideably disposed in the tubular body is provided with an actuator button received in the microphone holder frame and positioned to operate an externally located switch on the microphone.An opposite end of the elongated switch actuating means is secured to the vehicle floor with an extension part of the switch actuating means properly contained therein. A hinging foot pedal device is operatively connected to the projecting extremity of the switch actuating means.

Abstract: Components of a lighting system, exemplified by the lighting system utilized in commercial transport vehicles are protectively housed in a receptacle apparatus comprising an enclosure body, open at one side, a closure or cover member arranged to extend into the open side of the enclosure body and O-ring sealing means, retained in an annular channel in the enclosure body, for detachably securing the enclosure body and closure member in sealed relationship. The closure member is constructed at one end with an outer tapered cylindrical flange, a portion of which is located in abutting relation to a circular end wall extending around the open side of the enclosure body. This arrangement defines a prying aperture in which a tool such as a screw driver may be inserted to pry off the closure member when desired.

Abstract: An improved storage battery of the lead-acid class includes grid structures provided with grid complement means in the form of enclosure bodies of a chemically inert material selectively arranged about portions of the grid structure to protectively reinforce same. These protectively reinforced grid structures, embodied in either a negative plate or a positive plate, may be utilized advantageously in making and operatingthe lead-acid battery, and are desirable for plates in which an active material is contained in tubes or occurs in pasted form. The enclosure bodies may be a material impermeable to electrolyte. Where the grid structure for a positive plate is provided with an antimony content, the enclosure bodies constitute a barrier which substantially inhibits release of antimony from all portions of the grid structure which are not in contact with the active material.

Abstract: A source of radiant energy is combined with spaced apart reflecting surfaces which are sections of paraboloids of revolution and which have a common focal point but differing focal lengths. Radiant energy is reflected in substantially parallel rays and passed through radiation transmitting means which include radiation controls zones. The reflecting surfaces and the radiation transmitting means are mounted for rotary displacement of one relative to the other to vary the distribution pattern, intensity, color, and other characteristics of the reflected radiant energy in a unique manner. Radiation output from the source of radiant energy may be instantly tailored to a task at hand such as may arise, for example in theatrical lighting, mine lighting, police and surveillance work, military operations, fire fighting, sports activity, illumination of recreational areas and the like.

Abstract: A microphone holder frame is mechanically supported in a raised position to enable the driver of a motor vehicle to transmit messages through a Citizens Band transceiver without use of the hands. The frame is supported on an adjustable bracket structure engageable with the seat of a motor vehicle. A foot pedal designed to be fastened to the floor of the vehicle operates a switch actuating slide member which can be engaged against the control switch of the microphone enabling a driver to maintain both hands on the wheel of a motor vehicle when speaking into the microphone. The arrangement of parts is designed to avoid violation of possible traffic regulations prohibiting the use of one hand to hold a microphone while driving with one hand only.

Abstract: Cardiovascular malfunction is corrected by implantation through open-heart surgery of a prosthetic valve assembly in which a specially formed valve retainer ring, designed to be secured within a blood vessel by means of sutures, supports a plurality of valve flaps in uniquely hinged relationship. The hinged valve flaps are arranged to normally occur in a closed position in which adjacent flap edges, when in abutting relation to one another, limit hinging movement in one direction. The valve flaps are designed to closely resemble valve flaps in a human heart with hinged mountings devised to insure pronounced longevity being provided. Each valve flap, in response to systolic pressure, is free to move away from the normally closed position described. There is thus produced a central passageway through which fluid may flow in a substantial linear path of travel with little, if any, turbulence or traumatic effects being induced.

Abstract: A composite pile structure is formed from a lower wooden section and a tubular metal section connected to the wooden member and filled with concrete. The wooden section is first started into the ground a desired distance, and the metal section is then supported on the upper end of the wooden member. A mandrel member is located in driving engagement with the upper end of the metal section and the lower end of the mandrel is supported in spaced relation to the wooden member. Initial hammer energy of limited intensity is applied to drive the metal section into the wooden member until the bottom of the mandrel comes into contact with the top of the wooden member. Thereafter, hammer energy of greater intensity is applied to the connected sections and concentrated against the surface area of the wooden member enclosed by the imbedded metal section. The pile driving operation is rapidly carried on, and splitting of the wooden member is avoided by applying the hammer energy in the manner described.

Abstract: Electrically nonconductive rotary cleaner elements supported for movement into and out of contact with a third rail of an electrified railway vehicle includes sets of cleaner elements arranged in tandem along one side of an adjustable carriage. The carriage is mounted in a frame structure having a device for rigidly attaching the frame to a wheel truck portion of the railway vehicle. Power driving apparatus received in the carriage provide for vertical movements of the carriage in the frame as well as actuating the rotary cleaner elements. The drive apparatus is responsive to a control device located in the cab of the railway vehicle. A counterbalancing weight arrangement mounted in the frame and attached to upper sides of the carriage provides for uniformly guided travel of the carriage in all positions.

Abstract: An improved surgical appliance for controlling flow of blood through blood vessels consists of a novel torniquet apparatus. Included in the torniquet apparatus is a wrapper member made up of a non-stretchable cloth or similar material, and means for firmly securing the wrapper around the leg of a patient. Contained within the wrapper are three inflatable chambers which can be supplied with a flow of compressed air to provide a means of selectively exerting pressure inside the wrapper and against blood vessels in the leg.A lower chamber comprises a rubber tube which is initially inflated to exert localized pressure around the ankle of the patient. A second intermediate chamber is made up of layers of rubberlike material yieldably held together by a Velcro fastening material.

Abstract: An animal feeding apparatus particularly suitable for feeding large dogs such as Great Danes, includes a table having angularly disposed legs which support the table top in a substantially braced position above a floor surface and at a feeding level which may be chosen with reference to the normal height of the animal to be fed. Container means located in the table top provides for holding a serving of dog food in a raised position. A cover element is formed with hinge means along one edge of the table top and is movable into a position to overlie the top. The cover element is recessed to receive the container means therethrough in an upwardly projecting position when the cover is closed, and portions of the container means are engaged between the cover and top so that no displacement of the container means takes place during the feeding period.

Abstract: A game playable by two opposing players consists of a playing board having two opposite playing sides and two sets of game pieces which occur in uniformly graduated lengths. The playing board is formed with two sets of slideways in which game pieces may be received and moved about. The two sets of slideways are arranged in uniformly spaced apart relation with the slideways of one set occurring at right angles to the second set so that the game pieces may be placed in slideways of either set and moved in two directions. Game pieces of each set of graduated lengths differ progressively one from another by a unit dimension corresponding to the width of a slideway. Differing combinations of game pieces selected by each opposing player in alternate moves may be arranged in the slideways in abutting relationship to one another and so as to extend from one playing side to the opposite playing side.

Abstract: A dentistry aid is comprised by a recording system which is concerned with occlusion and related movements of the condyles in the tempero mandibular joints of a patient. Condyle movement, occurring in working the jaws and teeth, is known to be a complicated three-dimensional movement. The recording system of the invention is employed to carry out a method of sensing changes in positional relationship of the condyles with reference to respective maxilla cavities, and determining and recording condyle movements in at least three dimensions. Data obtained by this method constitute a valuable adjunct to the dental profession, particularly in connection with occlusion adjustment.Included in the recording system of the invention is a pair of cooperating frame structures comprising an upper stationary frame part attachable to the teeth of the upper jaw and a lower movable frame part attachable to the teeth of the lower jaw.

Abstract: A pivoting guard arm device is detachably mounted at one side of a two-wheel vehicle such as a bicycle. Mounting means secured to the bicycle holds the guard arm in a normally retracted position at one side of the bicycle. From its retracted position, the arm may be swung outwardly into laterally projecting relationship to that side of the bicycle exposed to passing traffic when operated on a highway or other thoroughfare. A reflector or other desired signalling means located on the outer end of the guard arm aids in indicating the presence of the bicycle to vehicles approaching from the rear and especially serves to indicate proximity of vehicles passing the bicycle so that a safe passing clearance may be more readily maintained. The mounting means may be attached at some desirable point on the bicycle body, and preferably may be engaged about the rear bicycle wheel shaft.

Abstract: A ball check valve construction provides for safely controlling flow of compressed fluid under a normal operating pressure through a conduit line to a pressure actuated device. The valve construction includes a valve body formed with a ball check chamber in which is contained a ball normally biased by a spring element into an open position. The valve body is constructed with inlet and outlet pots having respective conduit elements connected thereto. Sudden pressure increase through the valve body resulting from an end of a conduit element becoming accidentally disconnected compresses the ball against the spring into contact with a sealing ring surrounding the spring, thereby to instantly interrupt flow of compressed air and prevent whipping or lashing about of the disconnected end.

Abstract: An animal holder frame for use with mice, rats and other long-tailed animals used in laboratory experimentation includes a horizontally disposed supporting base section on which an animal may stand or crouch. At one side of the base is vertically disposed a rack member formed with aperture means of a size suitable for admitting an animal's tail, perineum and gluteal regions. Peg means horizontally disposed in the rack in a position immediately adjacent to the outer side of the aperture means provides holding means to which the tail of an animal may be taped or otherwise detachably secured.

Abstract: A flat strip of metal, preferably coiled upon itself, is fed into a draw press and subjected to pressure to produce a generally bowl-shaped workpiece having irregular outer edges within which is defined a pair of mirror-imaged toe cap parts. The toe cap parts occur in angularly opposed relation to one another and are surrounded by irregular edge portions. The toe cap parts are separated and gauged by a press operation in which parting is combined with a trimming operation in a unique manner. An improved tool construction for processing the workpiece includes mating die bodies which are progressively moved toward one another in contact with the workpiece. During a first movement inner sides of the toe cap parts are located in a centered position on one of the mating die parts. Further die movement operates to separate the toe cap parts. Completion of the die motion trims away irregular outer edges of each toe cap part and simultaneously die cut edges of the toe cap parts are conformed to a desired shape.

Abstract: A mixture of compressed air and pressurized water is ejected from snow-making nozzle means in a cold ambient atmosphere and the mixture is expanded and cooled to form a stream of falling snow particles. Into this stream, high velocity jets of chilled water droplets are discharged at points ahead of the nozzle means along generally converging paths of travel. Water droplet portions adhering to the snow particles undergo progressive freezing to produce a cumulative crystallization and growth in the size of the snow particles. The water droplets are jetted at a velocity greatly exceeding the velocity of the snow particles in the stream, and these particles are accelerated and caused to travel over greatly extended distances for a given flow of compressed air supplied, for example, at a rate customarily utilized of one hundred cubic feet per minute.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for extruding plastic materials provides for processing a mixture of plastic particles, additives, dyes, and the like by means of an extruder screw to form a melted mass which is moved in a helically-directed stream in a confined space. At a predetermined point, flow-diverting means in said confined space abruptly changes the flow pattern. Portions of the helically-directed melted mixture advanced by the extruder screw and coming into contact with the flow-diverting means, undergo a continuous shearing action and sheared-away portions of the melted material are constantly turned over upon themselves and forced through restricted passageways of short axial length in a highly turbulent flow pattern. After leaving the restricted passageways, the melted material again moves in a helical path of flow.