Abstract: A glove which utilizes a strap or straps attached to the back of the glove near the base of the thumb to maintain a direct constant tautness of the thumb stall, and an independent control of tautness across the palm. The strap or straps which have a fastening means at the free end may include elastic means. Various types of fastenings which may be used in various constructions of the strap and or elastic combination are disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic device having at least part of the surface thereof made of a material having a surface energy, as hereinbefore defined, in the range 50 erg cm.sup.-2 to 100 erg cm.sup.-2, for example, made of a plastics material which is a copolymer comprising repeat units having the structure --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O-- and other units capable of stabilizing the copolymer in water, the copolymer comprising at least 10% by weight of units having the structure --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O-- and no more than 95% by weight of said units.

Abstract: An adjustable valvuloplasty ring that comprises a C-shaped frame that is sized and shaped to extend about the circumference of the left atrioventricular orifice along the base of the anterior cusp of the mitral valve; an expandable sleeve connected to the frame that together therewith forms a closed annulus, the sleeve being adapted to extend about the remainder of the circumference of the orifice; and a drawstring running through the sleeve by which the sleeve may be contracted to constrict and remodel the orifice and secured in place to maintain such constriction.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic shoulder joint device has a scapular component of generally L-shape, usually with one arm longer than the other, and formed with a spherical concave bearing surface in its inner face to extend at least over the free end portion of the longer arm. If the concave surface extends in the shorter arm, the latter arm is thickened for this purpose. The concave surface can open into the edges of the L-shape, the longer arm is usually of cranked form, and the outer face is relieved for cement securement keying. The associated humeral component can be of conventional ball-headed, stemmed form, but is preferred as a spherical segmental form which is solid with a short stem projecting from its chordal face, or hollowed and grooved in its interior.

Abstract: A toilet waste holding apparatus for a vehicle has a vent which sucks away tank gasses and odors, without permitting sewage overflow to enter the vent. An insert allows entrance of clean air to the tank and access to the interior for cleaning.

Abstract: A flush toilet water valve assembly for connection to a water closet that has first and second open ended conduits that are selectively opened by valve mechanism to discharge water from different levels, and thus different water volumes, from the water closet to the toilet bowl. The first and second conduits intersect adjacent the lower end connection of the flush valve body to the discharge opening of the water closet. A valve mechanism within the valve assembly selectively closes off water passage through one or the other of the conduits in response to flush flow through the other conduit, preventing cross flow of water from one conduit through the other conduit.

Abstract: A drain assembly for a sink or the like employs a plastic sleeve below a retaining flange, the periphery of the sleeve being provided with several groups of flexible fins extending out therefrom parallel to its axis, the fins of each group being located at successively increasing distances from the retaining flange. The assembly can be installed by one person from above the sink or the like simply by pushing it down into the drain aperture with a twisting motion until at least some of the fins in each group tightly engage the under surface of the drain aperture, the fins thereby readily accommodating both stainless steel and cast iron sinks or the like of various wall thicknesses.

Abstract: An automatic water level control system for a bathtub is provided whereby the user merely sets a manual control to a desired water level. The control system then sequentially closes the bathtub drain and turns on the water faucet. The water faucet is preferably of the temperature mixing type which has previously been pre-set by the user, so that water at a desired temperature flows into the tub. When a selected, pre-set level has been reached, the water is automatically turned off and the bath is ready. The control system uses solenoid controlled valves connected to the usual manually controlled valves in such a manner that the normal manual control of the bath water is not interfered with in any way when the automatic control system is not activated.

Abstract: In an electrically or manually operated automatic bed making device, rollers are rotatably positioned at spaced opposite first and second ends of a mattress on a bed spring. A bed sheet and a bedspread are removably affixed to each other to form an endless loop and the loop is mounted on the rollers in a manner whereby part of the loop is on the upper surface of the mattress and part of the loop is beneath the bed spring. A pillow is removably affixed to the bed sheet. A blanket is removably affixed to the bed sheet. A motive device drivingly coupled to the rollers selectively rotates the rollers to selectively move the bedspread or the combined sheet, pillow and blanket onto the upper surface of the mattress and simultaneously move the combined sheet, pillow and blanket or the bedspread beneath the bed spring thereby selectively dressing the bed for non-use and preparing it for use.

Abstract: A marked improvement in the body supportive and cushioning functions of a mattress is provided by superimposing a torsionally resistant, marginally restrained, resilient buffer surface of defined thickness and finite compressibility on the mattress. The buffer surface comprises at least one layer of repeatedly impacted foam having density and thickness within predetermined ranges, quilted together with a ticking and a porous backing, and including fitted borders with tensioning means. This buffer surface has a superficial softness but underlying resilience that give a luxurious feeling. The quilting creates localized compression zones, and the impacted characteristic of the foam after quilting provides a resilient structure that has physical integrity and unity. Even if the mattress is stiff or sagging, or has a worn or button tufted surface, the use of the buffer surface improves both comfort and body support characteristics.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for achieving various degrees of stress transfer within a resilient support pad comprising slots arranged longitudinally in the pad surface disposed to support the upper torso of a person and a rectangular matrix of slots in the support area below the lower torso. To provide for various levels of stress transfer control the pad itself may comprise two contiguous layers, each slotted to a desired depth. Further variants of the slot structure provide for narrow connecting webs thereacross for allowing controlled stress transfer thereacross.

Abstract: An air mattress construction comprises a hollow mattress enclosure which is releasably opened and closed at the top thereof by a zipper. A resilient support member is insertable in the mattress enclosure and has an upper surface having a plurality of elongated widthwise grooves therein. Each groove receives an elongated inflatable air tube which is releasably retained therein.

Abstract: Method for packaging and dyeing yarns comprising the steps of winding at least one yarn on a provisional core, at the same time imparting to the yarn a continuous rotation and a rciprocating translation, and to advance the wound yarn continuously so that it comes off the said core. The tubular packaging that continuously comes off its support core has brought to bear on it a plurality of jets or sprays of dye directed radially, over the entire circumference of the packaging.

Abstract: A single point mooring terminal or system which can be used for ship mooring and cargo transfer, which includes a spar type floating buoy combined with a tethered underwater buoy concentric to the spar buoy. The underwater buoy is in the form of a collar which is mounted around the spar buoy and is completely submerged and anchored to the seabed by collar mooring lines. The spar buoy is free to move vertically within the collar, but is restrained from lateral and rotary movements by the collar. Thus, the collar restrains lateral movement of the spar buoy while introducing a minimal tilting moment. A mooring swivel can be mounted on the collar of the underwater buoy, and to which the bow mooring line of a ship can be attached to permit the ship to swing freely around the buoy system.

Abstract: A portable structure which consists of a plurality of I beams placed side by side and hinged together in a parallelogram fashion such that adjacent I beams may be folded together.

Abstract: A portable reinforced loading ramp is described that is transversely expandable to enable the ramp to be used for loading automobiles. The ramp is constructed with two body sections having means for interconnecting the two body sections to hold the two sections securely together when the ramp is in the contracted position. The interconnecting means includes two longitudinally spaced alignment and locking assemblies for holding the two sections securely together to prevent the two sections from spreading under high load conditions when in the contracted position and for quickly disconnecting the two sections to enable the two sections to be spaced from each other to accommodate wide loads such as an automobile.

Abstract: A scrubbing mechanism is disclosed that is constructed and arranged for use with an overhead poultry or animal shackle conveying mechanism having a vertical hoisting mechanism with a bifurcated platform operable to a selectable vertical position that is secured to, and supported by a bifurcated frame at an inclined angle to permit such shackles to pass therebetween. The bifurcated frame supports a pair of brushes with abrasive bristles rotating in opposite directions and disposed in a parallel manner to provide a downward pulling engagement of at least one of the overhead shackles therebetween while a plurality of conduits dispense a selected liquid, the selection of which, and amount to be intermittently dispensed, is controlled by a selectable control mechanism connected to a liquid dispensing mechanism which is connected to the conduits and a plurality of liquids.

Abstract: An improved sweeper assembly having a pair of oppositely rotatable brushes supported in spaced parallel relation within a housing enclosure. A lower baffle plate is provided forward of the lower brush which defines an expanding throat for the housing. Particulate material is swept by the lower brush, through the throat opening and then propelled by the upper brush out of the housing into a collection hopper. The lower baffle also includes a downwardly facing arcuate lower end, which is spaced below the rotational axis of the lower brush and which serves as a drag plate, limiting the material swept by the lower brush. The brushes are driven by rotation of the ground supporting wheels at predetermined speeds to improve the collection capacity of the sweeper assembly.

Abstract: A field of smooth tapered polyethylene bristles extends down from a head attached to a broom handle. The bristles are pulled through carpeting to pick up animal hair. The density of bristles at the trailing edge is greater than elsewhere. The bristles are arranged in a saw-tooth leading edge pattern.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus for developing printing plates by stripping away uncured material using a carefully controlled gas stream. An optional supplemental blotting system is provided.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a suction nozzle and a cylindrical rotary brush. The brush includes a plurality of generally longitudinally extending rows of uniform bristle tufts. Alternate tufts in alternate rows are spaced at about twice the distance as the remaining more closely spaced tufts and prepare the carpet for sweeping by the latter.PRIOR ART OF INTERESTU.S. Pat. Nos. 1,044,488, Case, 11/19/12; 1,970,355, Bennet, 8/14/34; 2,281,798, Prince, 5/5/42; 2,459,007, Taylor, 1/11/49; 2,659,921, Osborn, 11/24/53; 3,716,889, Goldstein, 2/20/73; 3,815,170, Brooks et al, 6/11/74.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONVacuum cleaners have long been considered one of the most effecient devices for removing debris from carpets and the like.

Abstract: A textile cleaning apparatus comprising a track adapted to extend along a row of textile machines, a carrier movable along the track, and means for driving the carrier along the track. The carrier includes blower means for directing a stream of air outwardly, conduit means associated with said blower means for directing at least one stream of air onto the textile machines as the carrier moves along the track, and air intake means associated with the blower means. The air intake means includes a chamber and a conduit communicating with the chamber and extending generally vertically alongside a row of machines. The conduit has an outer wall and a tubular filter within the conduit with means associated with the lower end of the filter for closing the space between the filter and conduit such that air drawn upwardly passes along the inner periphery of the filter. Valve means is associated with the filter to normally close the upper end of the filter.

Abstract: A miniature vacuum cleaner device operated by self-contained dry cells or rechargeable equivalents, and capable of applying light vacuum or pressure through specialized nozzles for such functions as cleaning phonograph records, optical slides, postage stamps and small articles which may be easily disturbed from position upon the occurrence of a substantial draft. The casing element includes means for storing a most commonly used nozzle, and conveniently disassembles for replacement of battery cells and filters. A flexible hose connectable to an exhaust end of the device permits the application of simultaneous pressure and suction to a surface area being cleaned whereby the article bearing the surface does not tend to lift.

Abstract: A knee joint coupling comprises a pair of similar U-shaped links each having a base and two parallel legs extending perpendicularly from the base. One of the legs of each link has a hole through it and the other leg has a pin extending from it in the direction either toward or away from the hole. When the pin of each link is fitted into the hole of the other link, there is assembled a knee-joint type of coupling due to the pivoting action of the pins in the holes. The links may be held assembled by means such as screw members inserted through the bases and into the region between the legs of the two links. Alternatively one of the links may have its base fixed to one member while the other link is fixed to the other member in which case the two members are pivotable as a door hinge or the like relative to each other.

Abstract: An improved spring hinge includes a capstan for securing one end of a torsion spring in a knuckle of the hinge. To prevent axial movement of the capstan out of the hinge knuckle and permit axial alignment of a radial cavity in the capstan with an aperture in the hinge knuckle, the capstan is provided with a shoulder which engages a projection extending into the hinge knuckle. Also disclosed is a frangible pin which removably extends through the aperture into the cavity to secure the capstan against rotation relative to the hinge knuckle.

Abstract: A patty machine for forming successive patties of a predetermined size from a quantity of a bulk product, such as ground meat. The machine includes a charging chamber in which the product is pressure-fed into a patty mold cavity by means of intermeshing, positive displacement, self-wiping compressor screws. The product is delivered from a feed hopper to the entrance of the charging chamber by means of intermeshing, self-wiping conveyor screws which operate on a demand basis to convey the product to the compressor screws only as needed to thereby avoid unnecessary working or kneading of the product. Shafts for driving and supporting the conveyor and compressor screws extend throughout the length of the machine and each carries one conveyor and one compressor screw. The compressor screws are keyed positively to their respective shafts while only one conveyor screw need be so keyed, the unkeyed conveyor screw or screws being driven through intermeshing relationship with the keyed conveyor screw.

Abstract: A tool is described that enables the sectioning of the rib bones of vertebrate fish into shortened ingestible sections. The tool includes a plurality of spaced circular saw blades that are mounted to an elongated arbor. The arbor is rotatably carried on a handle supported frame and is powered to rotate by an electric motor. Spacer discs are situated between the adjacent saw blades to determine the lateral distance between adjacent cuts. Elongated spring members are located between adjacent saw blades and are sprung away from the spaced discs. The spring members are utilized to prevent the flesh from binding between adjacent blades during operation of the tool. The spacer discs also function to control the depth of the cut for the multiple saw blades so that only a minimal portion of the flesh is cut along with the rib bones.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of processing textile stock to achieve cleaning and opening by use of a retracting tooth processing cylinder is disclosed. Self doffing is achieved by means of each tooth folding from a positive rake to a negative rake and eventually disappearing to the surface of a rotating cylinder during each cycle of rotation.

Abstract: A staple fiber batt of improved uniformity is made by the fibers falling onto a moving conveyor, skimming off the top of the batt by jets of air flowing across the top of the batt, which thereby determines the level of the batt, and redepositing the skimmed off fibers onto said batt. The batt can then be compacted for further processing.

Abstract: A flexible looped buttoning device for use on garments and other items of fabric to safeguard against the involuntary opening or separation of two or more buttoned fabrics.

Abstract: A support tape for a slide-fastener stringer half is knitted on a Raschel knitting machine having a pair of needle bars. This tape has a pair of longitudinally extending edges and a pair of opposite faces and is knit with an intermediate warp yarn that is spaced from the edges and knit with both needle bars to form a longitudinally extending double wale that projects on both faces of the tape and subdivides the tape transversely into an attachment strip and an edge strip. A plurality of first warp yarns in only the attachment strip are knit with one needle bar and form a plurality of longitudinally extending single wales projecting only on one face of the tape, and a plurality of second warp yarns in only the edge strip are knit with the other needle bar and form a plurality of longitudinally extending single wales projecting only on the other face of the tape. A multiplicity of weft yarns are laid into the warp yarns and each extend transversely over at least one of the wales.

Abstract: A noise reduction system is disclosed for use with a draw point localizing jet which has yarn passages, a string-up slot, and conduits for admitting treating fluid thereinto. The system comprises an exhaust muffler and access slot silencing means. The exhaust muffler comprises a housing lined with removable inserts of heat resistant, metallic sound absorbing material. The exhaust muffler has a hinged door operating in conjunction with the access slot silencing means. The muffler and access slot silencing means open and close for string-up and operation. The system lowers the overall noise level of the jet by muffling the noise sources during operation.

Abstract: While being fed into a laterally confining region to be retained temporarily and be compressively crimped therein, laterally spaced textile strands are traversed laterally to and fro along the entrance to the region. The resulting uneven cross-sectional distribution of crimped strand accumulation in the region is conductive to separation of individual strands upon exiting from the region.

Abstract: A process for drawing and air-jet bulking polyester yarn which has been spin-oriented by melt-spinning at high speed. The yarn is drawn while heating it with a heater at a temperature greater than 180.degree. C and the drawn yarn is immediately air-jet textured to produce crunodal surface loops. Boil-off shrinkages of less than 3.5 percent are obtained without heating the yarn after it is drawn.

Abstract: The invention relates to an "in-chamber" gathering and clipping unit in which the gathering members are rotatable around a common hub and the clip drive punch is driven to advance clips individually from a location coaxially within the hub along a direction radially outwardly onto a bag neck gathered by the gathering members. The radius of the gathering members can be kept short and have their arcuate gathering surfaces so designed that the gathering action takes place within a 90.degree. movement of each of the gathering members, so each gathering member retracts below the hub and still leaves the gathering head narrow in width so it can be incorporated in any one of a wide range of existing vacuum chamber packaging machines.

Abstract: The head of a rotary cutting tool has an axially extending slot defining a flat, radially outwardly facing bottom surface and opposite undercut side surfaces, at least one of which makes an acute angle to the bottom surface. A cutter insert has a lower base portion in the slot and a cutting edge on an upper portion. The base portion comprises two wedging elements having opposite complementary tapers in width along their lengths to be relatively lengthwise adjustable for varying the width of the base portion. One wedging element is integral with said upper portion and is releasably maintained under radially outward force to be wedged between the other element and said side surface of the slot, thus holding the cutting edge at a distance from the tool axis determined by the lengthwise adjustment of the wedging elements.

Abstract: A roller for transferring a liquid-based medium, comprising a foundation body non-affinitive for said medium, an intermediate layer firmly bonded to said foundation body, and an uninterrupted very thin elastic coating firmly bonded to said intermediate layer, said coating having an affinity for said medium. The intermediate layer can be a polymeric sheet or film or preferably a textile material such as flock or especially a woven, knit or non-woven fabric. If the roller is intended to transfer aqueous media the coating may contain hydrophilic additives or comprise a polymer with hydrophilic functional groups; for oily media, oleophilic properties are required.

Abstract: A novel and easy method of construction and assembly which enables a tubular coil to be inserted in an open flue pipe so the flue pipe can be joined; water passing through the coil will recover waste flue heat from furnaces and boilers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming a header assembly in which a plurality of tubes transition into a single header passage. The method includes forming a blank extrusion comprised of a plurality of juxtaposed tube elements interconnected by web sections of a thickness approximately double the wall thickness of the individual tube members in the blank. The blank is placed in a female die and a wedge-shaped male forming tool is advanced into the blank for a portion of the length of the blank, the male forming tool being configured to split the interior of the blank along the center of the web sections as the tool advances thereinto, forcing the web sections and connected tube portions apart and into contact with the wall of the female die cavity to form the header section.

Abstract: Apparatus to unscrew a rotary part from a second part, as for example to remove a securing ring from a telephone receiver, comprises:A. first means to receive the second part in position for unscrewing of the rotary part which faces downwardly,B. second means to releasably grip and rotate the rotary part in an unscrewing direction while the second part is in said position, and subsequently to release the unscrewed rotary part,C. third means to block rotation of the second part while the rotary part is rotated in unscrewing direction relative to the second part,D. said first and second means located to allow the unscrewed and released rotary part to drop free of the second means, for collection.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting wires into terminals comprises a templet plate having wire-receiving slots extending therethrough from one surface to the opposite surface. The slots extend to one edge of the plate so that wires positioned on one surface adjacent to the edge will, when pressed progressively against the surface, move into the slots. Inserters move through the slots and insert the wires into a connector positioned under the other face of the templet. In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, a shuttle type wire feed is provided in combination with the templet plate and a second wire insertion apparatus is provided to produce electrical harnesses.

Abstract: Damaged tubes are removed from a multi-tube finned coil of the type in which the tubes are expanded into the fins by cutting a helix in the tube wall for the length of the tube from internally of the tube and then pulling the tube out by collapsing the helix upon itself.The tool for accomplishing this has a cutting end portion which has a succession of cutting teeth in a helical array in one rotative direction and with the tips of the cutting teeth successively along the length of the cutting end portion generally progressing radially outwardly from about the internal diameter of the tube to about the external diameter of the tube to be removed, the cutting portion also having a series of flutes extending helically along the length of the cutting end portion in the opposite direction from the helical array of the teeth, the tool being used to carry out the method of cutting a helix into the wall of the tube as the cutting end portion of the tool passes through the length of the tube.

Abstract: An article is subjected to a treatment which causes one part thereof to become substantially more brittle than the remainder thereof. One manner of accomplishing this is to cool the article to low temperatures. Either during or subsequent to this treatment the article is subjected to an action which effects separation of the embrittled part from the remainder of the article. This may be achieved by impacting the article, by exposing the article to ultrasonic waves or, in the event that the embrittled part or the remainder of the article is composed of a ferrous substance, by exposing the article to a pulsating magnetic field. A preferred application is to composites consisting of a metal and a synthetic resin where cooling of the article embrittles the synthetic resin. One form of an arrangement for carrying out the method includes a hollow, rotatable cylinder having impacting masses such as steel balls accommodated therein.

Abstract: A novel tool and method for extracting arrowheads from stumps, trees and the like using a linearly slideable housing or hammer mounted on a shaft which is attached to the arrowhead is described. In particular, the tool is provided with a retaining means to hold the shaft in the housing to prevent accidental movement and thus noise in use in the field. The tool preferably has a round shaft which is rotatable in an extended position in the housing which facilitates arrowhead extraction during linear movement and which in its retracted position in the housing engages a locking means which holds the shaft from rotational movement to permit threading of the shaft onto and off from the arrowhead by rotating the housing.

Abstract: A planet carrier for an epicyclic gear train comprises two parallel sheet-metal disks of different diameters with coaxial central apertures for the insertion of a sun gear. The larger disk is formed with peripheral teeth and with a plurality of arcuate slots as well as several mounting holes between its periphery and its central aperture. The smaller disk has mounting holes aligned with those of the larger disk and is integral with a plurality of spider legs whose extremities are received in the arcuate slots of that larger disk and are welded thereto. The aligned mounting holes, each pair of which is designed to receive the shaft of a respective planet pinion, are each provided with two diametrically opposite notches into which the corresponding shaft end is tamped to wedge the shaft firmly in position. The notches are formed by punching, concurrently with the stamping of the respective disk from a sheet-metal blank.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a double-structure sound absorbing wall having a cavity defined by joining first and second plate members, comprising the steps of providing said first and second plate members with gas bleeding holes and recesses depressed toward the inside of said cavity to abut the members to each other, providing a sound insulating member foamable by heat received in said cavity with relief holes for spot-welding corresponding to said cavity, holding said sound insulating member by said recesses upon abutting of said plate members, abutting said peripheral edges to each other, spot-welding said recesses to each other to close said cavity, and foaming said sound insulating member by heating to fill said cavity therewith.

Abstract: A method for making seamless pipe from molten premium steel which is cast by a centrifugal process into hollow billets. The billets are then outer diameter turned, cut to length, and bored. By such centrifugal casting followed by machining, the inner diameter is formed in the billet without a piercing operation. The turning and boring also remove normal impurities in the billet. The billet is then heated and hot extruded in reduction ratios of high magnitude, from about 5 to 1 up to about 60 to 1 for converting large grain castings into fine grain size forgings or cold worked material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor storage device comprises the steps of forming a source region and a drain region in a surface of a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type in a manner to be spaced from each other, said source and drain regions having a second conductivity type; forming an insulating film on said semiconductor substrate between said source and drain regions; implanting ions of an electrically conductive element into said insulating film, to thus form a floating gate; and leading out source and drain electrodes from said source and drain regions, respectively. By varying the implantation energy and the implantation dose rate in the implanting step, the amount of charges to be accumulated in the floating gate can be controlled.

Abstract: The method for fabrication of a self-aligned gate CMOS structure which employs no additional masking steps as compared to the standard CMOS fabrication process, this improved process providing the advantages of self-alignment between the N+ and P+ source and drain diffusions with respect to their gate regions, and metal contact openings which do not overlap the edges of the P+ or N+ source and drain regions. The self-aligning gate region is defined by a silicon nitride gate layer. Several embodiments of the novel process are described.

Abstract: A connector for light-conductive fibers includes a connecting body provided with at least one receiving passage and at least two aligning passages. The connecting body is subdivided into two connecting members along a plane normal to the axes of the passages, the connecting members having contact surfaces at the subdividing plane which are adapted to abut one another when the two connecting members are assembled. The end portions of the light-conducting fibers are introduced into the receiving passages so that the end faces thereof are flush with the contact surfaces, and the connecting members are assembled in alignment with one another, using aligning elements accommodated in the aligning passages of the connecting members. The connecting body may be produced by embedding auxiliary elements corresponding in diameters to the aligning elements and the fibers, in a body of a hardenable material, and by removing the auxiliary elements from the body after the hardening of the material.