Abstract: The invention concerns a prefabricated building structure, one which employs a series of structural elements of novel design that permits even an inexperienced person to quickly and easily assemble a building. These structural elements all are designed to hold taut at least one flexible sheet spanning the space defined by the elements, this sheet being received, with a resilient spline, in a keyhole-shaped slot provided in each structural member, this slot being of a unique design. A minimum of different structural elements are employed in the building, these different structural elements all being described in the following specification.

Abstract: Energy losses from market refrigerated display cases, which are normally open, can be dramatically reduced by use of an access shield according to the present invention. The access shield comprises a plurality of transparent and resilient panels, each panel being adjacent to at least one other and having an overlapping relationship with the adjacent panel. The panels may be mounted in a rigid frame and allow access therethrough by stretching and bending of one or more of the panels along the overlapped line. The plurality of panels may also be fitted to a spring tensioned roller and stretched across the aperture of the display refrigeration case. In another embodiment, the plurality of panels may each be attached at an opposite ends to a holder having a bow tie shaped protrusion which is urged into a receiving indentation a fixture to temporarily lock the panel in a predetermined position and yet to permit free rotation within a sector to facilitate access.

Abstract: A flat, multi-element writing instrument is described in which each writing element is attached to a glide element, a portion of which projects through a longitudinal slot in one face of the instrument's body for manual actuation. The longitudinal slots are located adjacent the side edges of a clip overlying one of the flat faces of the instrument's body. The glide elements include portions which underlie the clip and are received in respective channels formed in the undersurface of the clip, to interlockwith catches formed in these channels and hold their associated writing members in an extended, writing position. A cam within the writing instrument is positioned to have portions in the path of travel of each glide element so that, when one glide element is at least partially moved towards a writing position, the cam automatically pivots to move out of its path of travel and into the path of travel of another glide element to prevent its associated writing element from being extended.

Abstract: The disclosed Diabetic Insulin Alarm System is designed to monitor certain physiological conditions of the wearer associated with insulin shock. The system includes means to sense such physiological conditions of the wearer and to produce an electrical output. This output actuates a pulse generator which in turn energizes an oscillator producing oscillations that are applied both to an enclosed speaker and to a tuned circuit. The tuned circuit, in turn, energizes an antenna which radiates electromagnetic energy at a frequency to which an electromagnetic receiver may be tuned. Thus, by tuning an electromagnetic receiver, such as a radio, to the frequency radiated by the antenna, a wearer can employ the receiver to alert him to the onset of insulin shock, the audible tone produced by the speaker even waking him when asleep.

Abstract: An extrusion die for forming thin-walled honeycomb structures is provided comprising a plurality of discharge slots for forming unit cells of a predetermined web thickness formed transversely in the die to a predetermined depth in the outlet face and a plurality of mutually independent feed passageways formed transversely in the die extending from the inlet face of the die and communicating with the discharge slots. The cross-sectional area of the feed passageways is larger than the cross-sectional area of the discharge slots which are fed by the feed passageway, thereby applying sufficient flow resistance to the extrudable material and the discharge slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drum shell for a musical drum, the drum shell comprising at least one portion molded or cast as one piece in natural or synthetic material, so enabling internal and external surfaces of the drum shell to be made in any desired shape.

Abstract: To characterize and differentiate large organic cells rapidly, individual particles are illuminated with monochromatic radiation of a wave length comparable to the size of the cell, producing a differential light scattering pattern about the illuminated cell. The pattern is sensed, preferably in the disclosed apparatus, by an array of detectors, and the sensed pattern employed as an identification and characterization of the cell. The pattern may be analyzed, or selected portions of the pattern employed, to differentiate cells embodying different features. The apparatus and process is especially useful for rapid identification and differentiation of leucocytes and other types of mammalian cells, the radiation for such analyses preferably being infrared radiation. A preferred structure for individually illuminating such cells with radiation and for sensing their differential light scattering pattern is disclosed.

Abstract: A spare lamp holder for use in a slide tray is disclosed. The holder includes a lamp support member and a cover member. The lamp support member is configured to support a spare projector lamp. A cover member is configured to secure the lamp in the lamp support member. The assembly of the lamp support member, the lamp, and the cover member is disposed in the central cavity of a circular slide tray and held in place by the locking ring member of the slide tray.

Abstract: Fine particles contaminating a gas stream are removed from the gas stream by moving the gas stream at a velocity of between 50 and 500 feet per second; dispersing relatively larger solid collector particles in the gas stream to cause the collector particles to capture the fine particles by interception and inertial impaction and thereby form agglomerates consisting of the collector particles having the fine particles adhered thereto; and removing the agglomerates from the gas stream. Following removal from the gas stream the agglomerates may be cleaned to separate the fine particle material from the collector particles so that the collector particles can be redispersed into the gas stream.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting fine particles from a gas stream is disclosed. A shallow dense mobile bed of solid collector granules is moved over a plate containing a plurality of perforations; and a gas stream containing fine particles is moved upward through the perforations to form high velocity gas jets moving upward through the granule bed for causing the collector granules to collect the fine particles from the gas stream by inertial impaction and interception. The bed is only deep enough in relation to the velocity of the gas jets to prevent the gas jets from penetrating the bed without the fine particles therein being collected by the granules. The granule bed is not more than approximately one inch deep. Preferably the granules are moved over a plurality of perforated plates that are positioned in tandem vertically, and the gas stream is moved successively through the perforations in the plurality of plates and thereby through the granules that are moving across the plurality of plates.

Abstract: A probe device for testing integrated circuit wafers is disclosed. The probe device comprises a support means, which has metallized portions, and an aperture. A plurality of "L" shaped holding means, each having a thin metallized surface, are coupled to metallized portions of the support means so that a portion of the holding means extends into the aperture. Coupled to the metallized surface of each of the holding means is a corresponding needle-like probe member which has a curved portion. These probe members are coupled to the holding means in such a manner that their curved portions extend into the support means aperture so as to electrically contact a circuit wafer placed therein, and thereby electrically couple the circuit wafer to the support means, and ultimately to circuit testing apparatus.

Abstract: An oscillating pedal bicycle in which the downward force exerted by a rider is converted from the oscillating-motion of the pedals into a unidirectional rotation of the drive wheel. The oscillating motion of the pedals is transmitted by flexible tension members to a conversion mechanism for converting the linear motion of such tension members into the rotary motion of the drive wheel. Maximum utilization of the motive power of the rider is achieved through the use of a quick-release, variable position body restraint and a variable height seat, both of which are adjustable while the bicycle is in motion, while maximum transfer and conversion of such motive power is achieved by an improved pedal return and tension member rewind mechanism and an improved drive mechanism. Pedal stabilizers, rotatable foot restraints and foot actuated lever control mechanisms are provided to maximize motive power and efficiency.

Abstract: A vending machine adapter to allow items not normally suited to being vended through a particular vending machine to be vended. The vending machine adapter includes a container of substantially the same size and shape as the item normally vended by the particular vending machine and at least one recess provided in the container for holding the item or items normally not vended.

Abstract: The Adjustable Work Piece Clamping System permits a work piece to be held firmly on a work surface. It employs a clamping member having a spiral outer surface, this clamping member being pivotally attached to the work surface, preferably by a pin linked to the clamping member and received in one of a grid of openings provided in the work surface. It may employ other members adjustably attached to the work surface, preferably by pins, these members including a fence, an adjustable clamping member incorporating a pivotally attached shoe, and various other components set forth in the following specification. By employing the clamping member and these other components, a work piece of most any material may be firmly and quickly fixed on the work surface in virtually any position for cutting, face finishing or assembly, then easily removed upon completion of the operation.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a burnt ceramics composition of matter for an endosseous implant to be inserted in the bone tissue of a living body. The composition of matter consists of 95-50% of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 5-50% of more than one compound selected from the group consisting of ZrO.sub.2, La.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Y.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A revolving door comprising at least one upright door element arranged in outwardly extending disposition about an upright axis of revolution, motor means being provided together with control means operable to position the door at a first rotational disposition from which, when the door is turned in one direction by a user pushing against said door element, power assistance is given to the door to effect rotation thereof; limit means being provided to cause the door to then come to rest at said first rotational disposition, in the absence of continued pushing by said user, after movement of the door under action of said motor means.

Abstract: A meter box and a uniquely designed cover molded out of a substantially rigid plastic material is disclosed. The meter box comprises an open upper top with an upwardly extending rim member. On the inside surface of the meter box are means for supporting a cover forming a ledge member. The cover is arranged and configured to rest on the ledge confronting the rim of the box so as to substantially close the open top of the box. Disposed on the exterior of the meter box are a plurality of anchor tabs. A horizontal member is disposed between two anchor tabs adjacent the top of the meter box which enables the box to be secured in concrete and the like.The cover may be a substantially round member or may comprise first and second sections and means for rotatably joining the first and second sections together. The first section having outwardly extending protrusions which engage slots on the meter box so as to render the first section substantially immovable therein.

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic electric generator for the direct energy conversion of the kinetic energy of saline water flowing through a magnetic field, preferably in the constricted part of a duct. Means may be provided to increase the kinetic energy of the flowing saline water using wave-powered air compressors and/or water pumps. Also described are sea platforms containing a multitude of electricity generators in a configuration to maximize the conversion of the kinetic energy of flowing saline water into electric energy.

Abstract: A metal surface electric guitar is described which incorporates a metal plate attached to the solid body of the electric guitar, this plate overlying a hollow area in the body beneath the strings of the guitar. At least one electric pickup is attached to the portion of the plate over the hollow area in the solid body. Thus, the electrical signal produced by this pickup includes both components produced by the vibrating strings and components produced as a result of the resonance of the metal plate over the hollow area, this combination producing a unique sound. While the pickup may be positioned between the plate and the strings, it also may be located within the hollow area of the body if desired.

Abstract: The holder for a writing instrument provides a band adapted to completely encircle the person's hand about the palm area. A portion of the band is formed into a loop to define a writing instrument receptacle adapted to hold a writing instrument. When the band is attached about the palm area and appropriately adjusted, the writing instrument receptacle will hold the instrument with its major axis generally in line with the plane defined by the person's palm, the band and receptacle being sufficiently flexible to permit the instrument to be turned somewhat and comfortably held in the normal writing position between the person's fingers. Preferably the band is elastic and adjustable to fit the palm of different size hands, and the loop is defined by a clip that permits tension in the band to be transmitted to the loop and its size thereby adjusted automatically upon being placed about the person's palm to securely hold a writing instrument.