Abstract: The flying ball of this invention is a solid foamed synthetic polymer composition ball having an opening therethrough in which is engaged a solid foamed fuselage so that the ball can be moved front and back on the fuselage. The ball carries wings, and the fuselage carries tail surfaces, both preferably of solid foamed polymer material.

Abstract: The language wheel has an interchangeable "wheel" with the same words of two languages in corresponding positions on the wheel. Two cursors are coupled together so the when one is manually moved to indicate a particular word, the other indicates the corresponding word. The two cursors are mounted on a pivoted bar which rotates above the language wheel and the cursors move radially in and out on the bar.

Abstract: One or more physical activity sensors, such as pressure switches, position sensors and accelerometers, as well as a breath sensor are connected to control a valve. The valve is electrically actuated and has first and second states. A control circuit between the sensors and the valve increase actuation of the valve when continuing activity is sensed. The valve has a single coil and is bistable so that it does not require continuous energization in either state. The fluid is preferably respiratory oxygen so that more oxygen is delivered when the person is active.

Abstract: The tile-holding fixture has a fixture wall with an adhesive mask opening therein. Stops adjacent the opening permit positioning of a tile on the face of the wall while tile adhesive is applied by the applicator through the mask opening. The fixture also has a scraper wall provides the combined function of scraping adhesive from the applicator and resting the applicator. The interior of the fixture serves as a reservoir for tile adhesive so that the proper amount of adhesive can be quickly and accurately applied.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a self-locking machine screw which includes a recess in the body of the machine screw extending from the end of the machine screw and interrupting the outer surface as slots. The slots join the recess. A resilient locking member having threaded fingers is inserted into the recess with the fingers in the slots. The locking member extends outward from the machine screw thread surfaces so that the threaded fingers must be deflected when the machine screw is screwed into a threaded opening in machine structure to lock the machine screw in position.

Abstract: The tree guy includes a loop of resilient tubular synthetic polymer composition material which engages around the tree trunk. Separate tension members engage in the two ends of the loop and extend from loop end closures into tubular legs which extend toward the ground at which they are anchored. The legs preferably have compression springs therein and tension members connect the compression springs with the loop so that when the legs are anchored, springs are deflected to provide support to the tree. In a similar tree tie tension members can be attached to a support post while the loop engages around the tree. The loop contains separate compression springs.

Abstract: A handpiece has a cavitation orifice therein. A pump supplies water from a reservoir through the cavitation orifice to produce cavitation in the water downstream from the orifice. This cavitation produces OH radicals and ions in the water flow. The water flow is directed onto dental surfaces. The OH radicals and ions have been proven effective against bacterium.

Abstract: The single system ligature carrier and tissue clamp for sacrospinous colpopexy has an elongated body with a fixed handle on its proximal end. An additional movable handle is connected to a movable clamp jaw and a needle jaw on its distal end so that, at a distance, tissue can be engaged and pierced with a needle facilitated by clamp fingers passing a suture therethrough, as well as clamping and securing the embraced tissue. The positioning, clamping and suture penetration are accomplished by a single instrument.

Abstract: The measuring gage has a body which is positioned in the upright direction for vertical measurement or can be positioned in any direction for other measurements. The body includes a notched land area for nesting a ruler which is locked in by rotatable stops to restrict ruler movement. A further recessed area within the ruler land area houses a strip magnet to hold the ruler. Two half-round configurations simulate vertical rods which serve as ways upon which the measuring arm and protractor housing ride. A T-shaped slot between the half-round rod ways acts to retain a nut for the measuring arm. The measuring arm can glide along the body and measure the height directly against the ruler. The magnetic strip retains the ruler in its nested area when the gage body is in a vertical position and unsecured by the cam locks.

Abstract: The engine has at least first and second stepped cylinders with the pistons therein operated from the same crankshaft at different portions of the engine cycle. The pistons in the cylinders to define a combustion space and first and second air compression spaces. The combustion space can expand a combusted fuel/air mixture and a double-acting air cylinder of the first cylinder is connected to deliver charging air to its own combustion space and deliver purging air to the combustion space of the other cylinder. Pressure lubrication for the cylinder walls is provided by oil sprays through openings in the piston skirts, with drainage back to the crankcase.

Abstract: The variable value retail coupon system comprises a sheet which is covered to hide coupons and two offers with each coupon. First and second longitudinal perforation lines, preferably parallel and along the side edges, extend to separate the offers from the coupons. One of the edge tear tabs defined by the perforation lines is chosen and torn away before opening and making the coupons visible so that a selection is made from between the two coupon offers with the tearing away of a chosen one of two edge tear tabs.

Abstract: The main member of the Dental Articulator is a unitary structure of first and second bodies attached by legs. Each of the legs has a self-hinge. The body each has a socket which receives a ball. The balls each has a tapered spline which engages in the corresponding mold recess in a dental cast. The balls are clampable in the sockets when the dental casts are in proper relative position. The self-hinges permit repeatable opening and closing of the dental cast.

Abstract: The hard coated abrasive medium is formed by providing a hollow body with abrasive deposit on the outer surface. The buoyancy is provided by the enclosed space, and the weight is defined by the weight of the body plus the abrasive grit deposited thereon. The density is selected to be less than 1 so that the hard coated abrasive medium in a process which includes the abrasive medium plus water and plus the work-piece(s) upon which the abrasive medium is acting.

Abstract: A machine screw has a recess in its body extending from the threaded end into the body. The recess intersects the threads. A tang slot extends across the end of the machine screw body. A locking member is in the recess and the tang of the locking member is in the tang slot. The locking member includes a spring which extends into the thread space so that, when the machine screw is screwed into a threaded part, the spring is deflected by the threaded part to releasably lock the machine screw in place.

Abstract: The adjustable variable length vaginal dilator is assembled from selected parts of parts of various length so as to achieve a selected desired length, and at least two of the parts are threaded. The distal threaded joint secures a selected length tip and the proximal adjustable threaded base provides infinite length adjustments between the main body coupler and the base. An intermediate extender may also be used for added length. The dilator permits self-treatment sessions over a long period of time that permits slow small interval stretching with maximum patient comfort. Another embodiment provides a tapered transition section and a tip of smaller diameter which is also of selectable length for more comfort during therapy and the like.

Abstract: A body tube is plugged at one end so as to receive hair and stack the hair against that end. Two gathering slides have tapered holes and move opposite each other crosswise of the body tube to gather the hair. A clamp tube lies against the body tube and holds clamp jaws away from the hair until the clamp tube is withdrawn. Hair is quickly stacked and clamped for use in tying fishing flies.

Abstract: The self-locking quick disengagement nut has a bore therethrough which clears the threads of a thrust screw. On another axis, intersecting the clearance axis, a threaded bore has thrust screw-engaging threads. The nut is formed of two parts, lying substantially in opposite sides of the plane through the axes. The pivot pin lies closer to the threaded shaft axis than the major diameter of the threaded shaft so that the thrust screw urges the nut toward thread engagement without applying excessive bending to the thrust screw.

Abstract: The water remediation and purification method includes a cavitation nozzle which is operated with a throat size and pressure drop to incur cavitation in the water. The explosive and implosive bubble growth and collapse produces free radicals which interact with contaminants in the water to oxidize the contaminants. The cavitation process is enhanced by (1) a variable throat nozzle, (2) recycling the product back through the nozzle for further oxidation, and (3) programmable control feedback. Subsequent ultraviolet radiation from high energy lamps, ion exchange and/or degassifying treatment can be employed to produce water quality within acceptable levels.

Abstract: The body of the gage is in the form of a channel with web and flanges. The web and flanges define three planar surfaces with the flange surfaces at a right angle to the web surface and parallel to each other. The edges define an orthogonal structure. An angle gage movably mounted on the body defines angles with respect to one of the orthogonal surfaces and a height gage on the body measures distances with respect to the same orthogonal surface.

Abstract: Lamp cooler housing contains a lamp socket and a heat sink in association with an internal lamp socket. The heat sink carries fins thereon. A motor-driven fan in the housing moves air across the internal lamp socket and fins for their cooling. Electronics may be mounted in the housing for powering the fan motor and/or the lamp. The moving air also passes across these electronics for the cooling thereof.