Abstract: A floating barrier for substances floating on water having: a series of inflatable chambers, with plural subchambers, disposed in end-to-end relation; a flexible skirt depending from the chambers; and tension members on each side of the barrier.

Abstract: The treatment of purulent diseases of the female genital track of domestic animals by administration of an amount of a domestic animal luteolytic-uterine smooth muscle stimulating prostaglandin (DALUSMUS-PG) effective to cure said disease is disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthesis for cement-free bonding to bone comprising a metal substrate coated with a biologically active glass or glass-ceramic of uniform composition and thermal coefficient of expansion and free of flaws resulting from thermo-mechanical stresses, the glass coating being bonded to the metal substrate by ion diffusion of the interface wherein the thermal coefficients of expansion of the metal substrate and the glass or glass-ceramic coating are substantially different.

Abstract: A cover for a hot tub has wooden or other rigid ribs secured to a flexible, resilient foamed plastic sheet. One rib is secured at an edge of the tub to anchor the cover. The cover can be rolled between an extended position overlying the tub and a rolled retracted position adjacent the tub. A pair of brackets secured to the tub each have a depression in the top surface in which the retracted rolled cover rests.

Abstract: A seating device is disclosed for use with a water closet to aid a patient in recovering from a rectum operation such as a colostomy operation or the like. The device is suitable for use with a conventional water closet comprising a bowl having an upper terminating ring. The improvement comprises seat means being positionable above the terminating ring of the bowl for providing a seating surface. The seating surface includes a first support extending around the terminating ring of the bowl in a conventional manner. The invention comprises a second support portion extending across the bowl to substantially cover the back region of the bowl to support the area of incision of the patient. The device may comprise a resilient pillow or a plastic member for positioning on a conventional water closet seat. In the alternative, the device may be permanently mounted to replace the conventional water closet seat.

Abstract: A device is described which, when inserted under the rim of a toilet bowl in contact with the side wall thereof, uniformly distributes water over the surface of the bowl walls. This aids flushing material from the toilet. In many types of toilets, this also reduces the quantity of water required for each flushing operation. The device is flexible whereby installation and removal are facilitated in any shape of conventional toilet bowl.

Abstract: A foldable sofa bed assembly is disclosed including first and second frame subassemblies, a side frame subassembly, a front frame subassembly adapted for connection to the side frame subassembly, a linkage subassembly for operatively interconnecting the first and second frame subassemblies and the side frame subassembly for moving the first and second frame subassemblies relative to each other and relative to the side frame subassembly between a folded sofa forming position and an open bed forming position. The subassemblies can be shipped in relatively narrow containers to be later assembled together. The linkage subassembly includes a plurality of pivotally connected links pivotally connected to the side frame subassembly and operable for movement between the sofa and bed forming position. The sofa bed assembly also includes a back frame subassembly adapted for connection to the side frame subassembly.

Abstract: A light weight, one piece molded cot which has a contoured sleeping surface with four downward extending walls for supporting the sleeping surface above the floor. The bottom edges of the side walls flange outward and trap air below the cot.

Abstract: A light weight, two piece cot comprising first and second rectangular shaped molded members which form a contoured surface for supporting a person when fitted together. Each member has two sides and two ends and an upward facing surface with a ridge formed around said surface along two sides and one end. The first member is elongated having four walls along its two sides and two ends respectively for supporting its upward facing surface and the second member has three walls along its two sides and along said one end respectively for supporting its upward facing surface. The ridge free end of the second member is supportable by the ridge free end of the first member.

Abstract: A spring-balanced, wall-type bed-frame member, which is adapted to support a portion of a mattress assembly, is pivotable between a vertical position adjacent a wall and a horizontal position upon a floor for use. A plurality of the frame members are needed to support the mattress assembly for a bed. The bed contains no permanent cross members linking the respective bed-frame members, so that the location of the frame members can be laterally changed to accommodate mattress assemblies of differing widths.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for cleaning a sewer or other chamber. The apparatus includes a wheeled vehicle having a frame. A water reservoir tank is mounted near the front of the vehicle frame and is adapted to hold a supply of water. A hose unit is mounted at the rear of the vehicle frame. The hose unit has a hose connected to the water reservoir tank and adapted to be inserted into the chamber to discharge water into the chamber. A debris holding tank is mounted on the vehicle frame between the water reservoir tank and the hose unit. The debris holding tank is adapted to receive and hold debris. A boom is mounted on top of the debris holding tank and adapted to extend rearwardly over the hose unit. The boom has a conduit connected to the debris holding tank and adapted to be lowered into the chamber to be cleaned to transport material from the chamber into the debris holding tank.

Abstract: A unitary inner spring or elastomer bed mattress is provided at its median plane with a wire reinforcing grid of selected rigidity. The grid spans substantially the entire area of the mattress in terms of its major surfaces. A marginal frame for the mattress can be employed in conjunction with the grid and the mattress may have a recess in one end thereof. The necessity for a separate box spring beneath the mattress is avoided.

Abstract: A vacuum mattress having a casing which is loosely filled with a multitude of synthetic resin components so as to enable the mattress to adapt in shape to the body contour of a person thereon, and provided on said casing with a valve for evacuating the mattress so as to retain it in said body contour adapted shape.

Abstract: Individually pocketed upholstery springs for assembly into so-called Marshall construction, in which the pockets containing the individual springs are formed between the overlaid plies of a two-ply strip of material by lines of separate individual welds which connect the plies together.

Abstract: In the disclosed assembly of pocketed springs, adjacent strips of the pocketed springs are joined together by connecting the pocket material of adjacent strips together between two consecutive springs of the two strips. Each interior strip of springs in the assembly is connected alternately to the adjacent strip on either sides, and in the preferred arrangement depicted in the drawings, the connections of each such strip to its adjacent strip on either side are made at intervals of two springs, and near both ends of the springs.

Abstract: A unitary molded plastic bee frame including a molded plastic honeycomb foundation, and wherein integral ears are formed on and project laterally from opposing upper ends of the frame bars, with the ears having thin top and end walls, a thickened midrib extending endwise thereof, and a thickened lower wall projecting through the end frame bars acting as a brace and reinforcement for the ears. An angled brace projecting between the lower and upper ear walls additionally strengthens the ears so they will support the frames in a super to prevent detachment thereof and dislodgement of the frames. The lower ends of the frame end bars are reduced in width by notching to enable vertical alternate stacking in cartons to increase the number of frames per carton and decrease the weight thereof.

Abstract: A device for cleaning individual grooved "bee boards" that provide nesting for leaf-cutter bees. The device includes guides for directing successive boards along a path parallel to the grooves past cell removing tines and a rotatable drum. The tines remove cells from the grooves. Pivotable sets of bristles are mounted to the drum to protrude outwardly therefrom due to centrifugal force when the drum is rotated. The drum axis is perpendicular to the grooves and the path of the boards. It is situated adjacent to the surface of the boards so the groove walls will be engaged by the sets of bristles as the drum is rotated. The bristles are provided in sets that are spaced apart by distances equal to the spacing between adjacent grooves. The bristles will therefore engage the bee boards only within the grooves. Debris is cleaned from the groove walls as the bee boards are moved past the rotating drum.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the adaptation of an adjustable wrench so that it may be used as a hammer and as a wrench without the use as a hammer causing undue damage to the mechanism required to enable the device to operate as a wrench. A hammer head is located on the crown portion of the wrench head. A passage opens inwardly of the hammer head through the side faces thereof to communicate with the adjustment screw passage to permit debris which accumulates at one end of the adjustment screw passage to be flushed therefrom.

Abstract: This invention is a tool for removing plastic lids from pails used in the supply of food stuffs, syrup, paints, and the like. This invention includes a handle with a floating knife blade of such configuration that it is adapted quickly to cut slots around the edge of such a plastic lid and contains, further, a prying means to bend the cut edges in order that the lids may be easily removed.

Abstract: A pneumatically adjustable pedestal for a boat seat comprising an assembly of telescoping sections, the assembly comprising a cup-shaped base section adapted to be inset in an opening in a deck of a boat and having a flange bearing on the floor around the opening, and intermediate sections and an upper end section adapted pneumatically to be raised and lowered, the upper end section being adapted for mounting a boat seat at its upper end, each successive section from the top down being retractable into the next section below, whereby the seat may be lowered to a level adjacent the deck, the sections being pneumatically upwardly extensible.

Abstract: A tether line is connected between a surfboard and an ankle cuff about a surfer's ankle so that the surfer will not lose the surfboard if he becomes separated from the board. A quick release is provided between the one end of the tether line and the ankle cuff permitting the surfer to manually release the tether line from the ankle cuff in an emergency situation. The quick release includes a yoke member to which the tether line is secured arranged to straddle an opening in the ankle cuff. A pin passes through the arms of the fork and the opening in the cuff and by simply manually removing the pin, the quick release results.

Abstract: In a strip of nails or like fastening elements for use in a nail or like driving machine the heads of the elements are inclined at an angle of about 15.degree. to the plane normal to the axis of the element so that the heads of adjacent elements can overlap and be welded together when the elements are assembled into a flat strip.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning objects, especially root crops such as sugar beet, comprises first and second members defining first and second surfaces respectively arranged for cleaning objects by relative movement between the surfaces and the objects to be cleaned. The first and second surfaces are arranged to converge towards each other over at least a part of the extent of each surface and are preferably in generally cylindrical form. Driving means drive the first member in a reciprocatory movement such that the first surface moves towards and away from the region of convergence of the surfaces, and drive the second members in a motion such as to effect at least an average movement of the second surface towards the region of convergence of the surfaces. Preferably the first and second members are rotary members positioned generally side by side with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel.

Abstract: A system for cleaning the tubes of a condenser or other heat exchanger unit by circulating sponge balls therethrough by a circulating pump, comprising the improvement in the form of a screen assembly including four vertical screens about 90.degree. apart, two of which confront the discharge end of said condenser to divert the sponge balls downwardly through an internally spiralled stationary tube, while the other two screens confront the discharge pipe of the system. By turning the screens 180.degree., they are completely flushed of debris without the need of removing the balls to an accumulator and stopping circulation of the balls during the screen cleaning operation. Higher efficiency, elimination of down time and lower maintenance costs are provided.

Abstract: A back and body washer comprising a cloth material having a long handle attached to one end and a short handle attached to the opposite end, the long handle can be grasped by the user's hand and the short handle can be grasped by the thumb or fingers of the user's other hand to allow the user to wash the user's back. When not in use, the cloth material flaps fold over each other when the cloth is supported by the long handle.