Abstract: A ring having a means for inserting a replaceable insert unit or cartridge containing a gem stone or any other type of setting such that the insert unit is securely held in place in a mounting but can be readily replaced by a similar unit containing another setting. The mounting is adapted to hold a sleeve with a hinged door that fits across the inside opening. A setting is positioned in a crown and the setting and crown are soldered within a casing having projecting edges that fit snugly within and project through a sleeve that is soldered inside the mounting. The gem stone or other setting, the crown (if used) and the casing comprise a replaceable cartridge. The projecting edges of the casing serve as a setting guard. The hinged door, which locks to hold the assembly together, has a hole therethrough through which the pavilion of a setting may protrude if required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using phase-change compounds for insulating purposes. Selected phase-change compounds are stored in the voids of particles of suitable insulating materials that are maintained surface dry whereby temperatures walls and ceilings containing such insulation are maintained at a much more constant temperature than can be achieved using insulating materials alone.

Abstract: A sound room having sound wave reflective front and side walls, and ceiling and a sound absorbent floor and rear wall arranged to form a wedge shaped room. Sound generating speakers are positioned at the upper front wall forming the small end of the wedge shaped room so that sound waves emanating therefrom will expand outwardly to fill the room.

Abstract: A basket made of woven strips of quilted cloth, with each strip of quilted cloth being formed from two narrow, elongate pieces of cloth having batting disposed therebetween and with the pieces of cloth being stitched together by multiple, spaced, stitched seams running longitudinal of the pieces of cloth.

Abstract: An economical retro-reflective roadway marker of high strength plastic materials having a reflective top assembly having a resilient portion that is curved to raise the reflective top assembly and a recessed base assembly or roadway depression. The reflective top assembly comprises a series of steps having reflective tape or other reflective material on the step risers. The steps interconnect spaced apart, parallel curved sidewalls that raise the steps above a road surface. The curved sidewalls serve to guide snowplow blades, or the like, over the steps as the resilient portion of the top surface is flexed downwardly. An end base plate forms a continuation of the steps. When it is only necessary to provide reflection for one-way traffic, the end base plate is secured to the road surface and a depression is made in the road surface to receive the top assembly.

Abstract: A device for installation on the crossbar of an electrical power pole to prevent birds from landing on the crossbar and accidentally electrocuting themselves by touching adjacent power lines supported by the crossbar. The device comprises a generally "U"-shaped bracket member adapted to fit around the girth of the crossbar, with a planar framework attached to the upper leg of the bracket so as to extend upwardly from the crossbar when the bracket is fitted around the crossbar. The free end of the upper leg of the bracket has lip extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom, and an elongate bar having one end bent back over itself to form a hook is positioned with hook fitting over the lip. The elongate bar closes the crossbar within the bracket and means are provided for securely attaching the lower end of the elongate bar to a lug or ear extending outwardly and downwardly from the lower leg of the bracket member.

Abstract: A bed for use by obstetricians and their patients. The bed and the bed mattresses are made sectional such that when the sections are assembled a full bed, with mattress, is formed on which one or more persons can recline. When the sections are separated to form a delivery station, a head section provides a torso support with an adjustable back rest and an adjustable pelvis support. A foot section of the bed, when separated from the head section, has a removable mattress and a frame that serves as a seat for the attending physician, provides storage compartments for necessary equipment and provides working surfaces to receive such equipment during use.

Abstract: A wood burning heating unit capable of being stoked for continuous or extended burning, and of achieving effective combustion of volatiles contained in the smoke is provided. The stove body, a generally cylindrical casing, is supported so that its axis is substantially horizontal. A baffle divides the casing into a fire box or combustion chamber and an exhaust chamber which functions as a heat exchanger. The exhaust chamber is vented to the outside atmosphere by an exhaust conduit or flue pipe. A pair of elongate, fuel feed conduits extend downwardly and inwardly into the fire box or combustion chamber, so that respective, generally upstanding columns of logs can be formed in the fuel feeding conduits with the lower ends of the wood log columns contacting each other to define and limit the area of combustion in the fire box.

Abstract: An inflation for use in a teat cup assembly for automatic milking machines employing a vacuum milk line and a pulsating vacuum line is disclosed. The inflation comprises an elongate, tubular, body member having a novel mouth-forming diaphragm at one end thereof for engaging the teat of a cow to retain the teat cup assembly from falling off the teat at the end point of milking. The mouth-forming diaphragm is formed by bonding one end of a relatively short tubular mouth-forming member to one end of the body member, wherein the mouth-forming member has a maximum cross-sectional dimension smaller than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the tubular body member.

Abstract: A liquid filter system capable of removing particles as small as one micron or less employing a novel electro-mechanical design in which layers of a fibrous filter media are alternated with electrically conductive porous sheets such as stainless steel screens. The conductive sheets are connected to a source of D.C. electrical power so that the sheets alternate in polarity to establish a uniform electromagnetic field throughout the porous filter media. The filter system is adapted for automatic backwashing cleaning and regeneration. A novel shuttle valve assembly is incorporated in the system for backwash of the filter media. In addition, means are provided for selective compression of the filter media during the filter cycle with decompression and expansion of the filter media being achieved during the backwash cycle.

Abstract: Bituminous sand such as oil sand or tar sand is mixed with a halogenated organic solvent which has a density greater than that of water at the same temperature. The slurry is continuously transferred to a conveyor system which is at least partially submerged in water, with the slurry being fed onto the portion of the conveyor which is submerged. As the sands move through the water on the conveyor, the organic solvent containing the bituminous material separates from the sand and forms a separate phase beneath the water. The sands ultimately move upwardly on the conveyor through the surface of the water. The organic phase is removed from beneath the water surface and the halogenated solvent is flashed therefrom in a flash evaporator chamber. Solvent vapors are withdrawn from the evaporator chamber by a compressor, and the compressed vapors are introduced into a condenser chamber.

Abstract: A wallpaper preparation board made of low cost rigid sheet material such as cardboard, paperboard, thin wooden, metal, or plastic sheets, etc., is formed from a plurality of substantially flat panels of the sheet material which are hingedly attached end-to-end to form an elongate board which can be folded in accordion style into a compact unit. A pair of hooks 11 and 12 are provided at the top of the board, with the hooks being adapted to engage the top of a door or the edge of the top landing of a ladder, so that the board can hang downwardly from the door or the top of the ladder. A pair of ears project upwardly at opposite sides of the upper end of the board to receive the opposite ends of a rod which is inserted through a roll of wallpaper. A knife edge extends across the board near the roll of wallpaper to aid in cutting lengths of wallpaper which are withdrawn from the roll.

Abstract: A flow regulating device provides continuous, regulated flow of a medical fluid, as well as intermittent, manually controlled larger flows of fluid to a catheter system. Such apparatus includes a control member having an inlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a source of medical fluid and an outlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a catheter. A flexible conduit defines at least a portion of a first passage between the inlet means and outlet means of the control member. A cylindrical, hollow extension extends from the outlet means coaxially within and to about the midsection of the flexible conduit. Positioned in the flexible conduit is valve means adapted to open when the conduit is squeezed, thereby providing the larger, intermittent, manually controlled flow of fluid to the catheter system, and to automatically close when the conduit is released.

Abstract: A low-cost, self-contained and compact sprouting device and a simple method of use of the same. The device comprises a container having a perforated top inset tray, perforated bottom whereon the seeds are washed and sprouted, and a top cover serving as a water storage receptacle when inverted and placed under the container. A disposable cover or wash-away coating seals the openings through the bottom until plant growth is desired.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight and compact food dryer. The invention comprises a collapsing frame and tiers of lightweight trays enclosed by a net housing and covered by a heat absorbing roof. The collapsing frame includes a metal hook protruding vertically out of the roof, a metal collar providing support for the net housing, and several support straps. The support straps attach to the shank of the hook at the apex of the roof, thereafter passing out over the metal collar and vertically down inside the net housing. Preferably, all but the last tray attach at regular intervals to the vertical straps. The last tray preferably rests on the base of the net housing.In use, the food dryer may be suspended wherever deemed most convenient. A zipper in the net housing allows easy access to the trays which may be removed and cleaned whenever desired. When not in use, the dryer is readily collapsed for convenient storage.

Abstract: A wood and coal burning heating unit is provided for heating a residential building or the like. The unit includes a firebox having a double wall on its rear and top sections, with the back chamber and top chamber, which are formed between the respective double walls, being connected in flow communication. Air is blown into the back chamber, flows through the back chamber and top chamber and is expelled through a substantially horizontal, rectangular opening at the front of heating unit. A plurality of elongate, upstanding fins are provided in the top chamber so that the air flowing through the top chamber flows along the upstanding surfaces of the fins. Heat is conducted through the fins from the inner top wall of the firebox and is then transferred from the fins to the air flowing along the surfaces of the fins.