Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, teaches a technique, and provides apparatus eminently useful for the installation/removal, from a remote and protected location, of nozzle dams onto and from nozzle holddown rings within the channel heads of certain steam generators, including the types typically used in conjunction with the operation of pressurized hot-water nuclear power plants.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for removing twist-off caps including an operator driven by a motor which is activated by a switch responsive to the user's holding a twist-off cap against the operator or releasing same therefrom, said operator including means for positively gripping and resisting removal of a cap pressed therein. Means for releasing a cap held in the operator are provided in a preferred embodiment and in a hand held version of the operator.

Abstract: A machine for opening twist off caps on bottles, jars or the like which is engaged by pressing the cap into the opening device and which leaves the user with both hands free to hold the vessel being opened.

Abstract: A spirometer having double rolling seals, each seal comprising an annular elastomeric membrane folded upon itself and arranged between a piston and a cylindircal casing so that the rounded folds of the two membranes face each other. When the piston is fully extended, a major portion of the axial length of one of the membranes extends axially well beyond the rear limits of the piston; however, that membrane is nevertheless retained alongside the inner surface of the casing, and does not collapse inwardly into the path of return movement of the piston, because of a protective effect provided by the second membrane. Additional assurance against inward collapse may be achieved by depressurizing the annular space between the opposing membranes. A serpentine leaf spring returns the piston to its zero position and is configured and arranged to provide diminishing resistance with increasing forward travel of the piston.

Abstract: A non-cyanide molten salt bath composition and process for the carburization of objects made of ferrous metals or alloys are provided. The composition comprises a molten salt mixture, at a temperature in the range of 900.degree. C. to 1050.degree. C., of an alkali metal chloride or a mixture of alkali metal chlorides; an activator consisting of an oxygen containing strontium or barium salt; and a graphite cover. The process comprises immersing the ferrous metal or alloy part in the molten mixture at a temperature in the range of 900.degree. C. to 1050.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of dispensing cut sheet material, particularly foam sheet material, which comprises a first fixed pair of sheet-retainer bars, and a second, movable pair of sheet-retainer bars and a cutting knife, the second pair of retainer bars and the cutting knife adapted to move with a reciprocating piston, and a control means, so that the sheet material is moved sequentially between the first and second retainer bars while being dispensed from a supply roll, the sheet retained under tension between the first and second retainer bars and the sheet, while under tension, severed by the cutting knife which passes into an air space between the first pair of sheet-retainer bars, thereby providing for rapid, effective and efficient means for the dispensing and cutting of sheet material to defined lengths.

Abstract: An improved body-exercising device has a pair of dollies supported for movement along two guideways and permits a user to stand with one foot on each dolly and laterally separate the dollies to exercise the body. Foam pads are affixed to the dollies to receive the user's feet and to afford the freedom of movement necessary to the exercise while also affording control of the dolly. The device further includes an adjustable connection fixing the distance between the guideways and preventing their lateral movement. A compressible rolling surface may be provided on the guideways for use with rollable dollies to increase the rolling resistance encountered by the dollies.

Abstract: A self-contained, portable system for measuring and computing respiratory parameters of a test subject undergoing forced expired breathing maneuvers according to instructions including a spirometer for receiving the exhaled breath of the subject for generating a measurement signal, a miniaturized digital computer for receiving the measurement signal, a visual display for presenting alpha-numeric characters under control of the computer to generate indicia representative of the computed parameter results, the computer further including a central processing unit and a voltage control oscillator interconnected between the central processing unit and the spirometer for receiving the measurement signal from the spirometer and converting the same to digital signals for averaging by the central processing unit to substantially eliminate random noise.

Abstract: A radial axle railway truck is provided with a disc brake system compatible with the radial axles comprising a single disc at the center of each axle adapted to be frictionally engaged by opposing shoes of a disc brake mechanism, the disc brake mechanism associated with each axle being supported by a yoke anti-rotatably mounted solely on truck framing supporting adaptors mounted on the axle bearings to take braking torque while accommodating free pivoting movement of the brake mechanism in the horizontal plane in accordance with movements of the axles from their tangent track positions to their curved track radial positions, such that no forces are applied by the disc brake mechanisms to the respective axles in opposition to the steering forces acting on the respective axles.

Abstract: A device and method for calibrating pulmonary function testing equipment by discharging a precise volume of compressed gas at reproducible and substantially exponentially diminishing flow rates through an orifice of a selected size into such equipment. The device includes a container defining a chamber for containing a predetermined volume of gas at a preselected pressure, a gas discharge conduit, which may serve as a conversion or expansion chamber, communicating with the container and having a flow-restricting fixed orifice of predetermined size for the discharge of gas, and a mechanism normally preventing the discharge of gas from the device but being selectively operable to release the gas through the orifice at reproducible and substantially exponentially diminishing flow rates into a spirometer for calibrating that instrument.

Abstract: Microcrystalline zinc phosphate coatings and compositions for their formation are provided, which can be applied to metals at low temperatures, the coating compositions containing as principal ingredients a specific balance of calcium and zinc together with phosphates, nitrates, and nitrites. Processes for preparing and using the coating compositions are also provided.

Abstract: An exercise device having a pair of vertically adjustable hand-hold members, each supported by one of a pair of spaced apart support frames, and a vertically adjustable overhead hand-hold member supported by a transverse support frame, all for use by a person having skates attached to the feet for exercising various parts of the body by twisting and stretching various parts of the body by moving the legs in various back and forth or arcing motions. The skates each include a platform for supporting a foot, harness straps for holding the toes on the support platform while allowing the heel to raise and lower as the legs are moved, and roller elements for allowing the skate to be moved in any direction.

Abstract: A folding table and seat assembly is provided having a table support member fixedly connected to a seat support member. The table support member is pivotally mounted to the table for movement between opened and closed positions. Leg means are pivotally connected to the seat support member and act to support the entire table and seat assembly when swung open.

Abstract: In the sizing of textile yarns with a chlorinated solvent solution of a low crystallinity chlorinated polyolefin, undesirable tackiness of the resin size is avoided by combining the chlorinated resin with a minor proportion of a high molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbon polymer such as polystyrene. The sizing resin mixture can be recovered for reuse from a solvent desizing process.

Abstract: A collapsible combined table and seat assembly including an improved lightweight collapsible leg for each seat and an improved lightweight collapsible linkage for connecting the seats to the table for supporting the table in its upright condition.

Abstract: A rotational joint assembly for a prosthetic leg which enables an artificial foot to rotate slightly when a person is walking, running or turning. The prosthetic leg includes upper and lower tubular members with the rotational joint assembly interposed therebetween. The rotational joint assembly includes a restrainer mechanism which consists of a pivotably mounted paddle element engaging a resilient device for applying a limiting force to control the rotation of the foot and also restoring torque to return the foot back to its initial position.

Abstract: A programmable digital computer receives an electrical signal from a spirometer into which a person under test breathes. The signal is representative of the volume of air expired by the person. The computer controls a matrix printer. Data may be entered into the computer via a keyboard. The computer instructs the operator as to when identification data may be entered via the keyboard. The operator indicates which test is to be conducted by actuating the keyboard; and the computer receives the data and indicates whether acquired test data is acceptable. The operator tells the test subject which breathing maneuver he must follow for a desired test. The computer stores the test results and the operator may then have the measurement test results analyzed by the computer, compared with standardized predicted values, and printed on a permanent record.

Abstract: A pad is provided made from resilient sheet material and of single sheet thickness or cross section. The pad is, in general, in the overall form of a frustum having a socket for receiving an article to space it from its outer box, the pad being positioned angularly at the box corner. Further, the pad is flexibly deformable to cushion the article on impact. In use in a box, four pads are placed in the bottom corners of the box; the article is then guidedly slid into seated engagement with the sockets of the pads; and then, the top four pads are placed on the top of the article, after which the top of the box is closed. The pads are stackable in nested condition, thereby facilitating storage and shipment to the point of use.