Abstract: A knee brace for constraining the knee to its natural position and motion includes a femoral band and tibial band connected together by inner and outer rigid bar members pivotally connected together by a floating polycentric hinge joint to permit natural pivoting of the knee and includes a pair of condylar pads for engaging both sides of the knee and a prepatellar pad supported from the condylar pads by derotation straps with further derotation straps securing the prepatellar pad by cross-strap means to opposite ones of the lower bar member. A pair of posterior straps secured to the upper end of the upper bars cross behind the femoral condyles and are connected to opposite ones of the brace hinge members.

Abstract: The measuring apparatus is intended for the automatic measurement of speed, travelled distance and directional changes, wherein two measuring units (3, 3a) are disposed in spaced relationship on the underside (4) of a vehicle (5). Upon a comparison of the left-hand and the right-hand signal a measurement of the directional change is effected, wherein each measuring unit (3, 3a) respectively comprises a forwardly and a backwardly measuring and transmitting measuring section (I and II, respectively); thereby errors of measurement caused by pitching motions of the vehicle may be minimized to less than 0.1%.

Abstract: A universal apparatus for quickly and safely sealing the external opening between a propeller shaft and a stern tube on a ship on which the stern tube has a lower portion which terminates in an aft face that is approximately perpendicular to the tube's longitudinal axis and an upper portion which extends further aft. The apparatus includes a rigid housing for generally covering said external opening; closure means coupled to the housing for creating a seal between the housing and the shaft and between the housing and the lower portion of the tube; and a mechanical expansion assembly for creating a seal between the housing and the extended upper portion of the tube.

Abstract: A self-shifting last-in-first-out stack for a data processing system, including a plurality of parallel linear arrays of data storage cells interconnected for enabling stored data to be shifted to or from an adjacent cell within the same array. The parallel (n)th cells from the top of the stack in the respective arrays define the (n)th word level in the stack.

Abstract: A locking closure for disposable containers includes an annular wall structure defining a container opening and including a radially outwardly extending annular locking ridge with a closure defined by a generally flat circular disc having an axially extending peripheral skirt with an inwardly extending annular locking ridge for forceably extending over and lockingly engaging the outwardly extending annular locking ridge.

Abstract: A follower for the magazine of an automatic pistol includes front and back generally parallel guides that extend downward for engagement with the front and back walls of the magazine tube and is proportioned to be insertable and removable through the top of the magazine and includes a slide top shoulder.

Abstract: A contact printer for printing on photographic paper includes a generally pyramid-shaped lower housing having an exposure window with a transparent cover held by a generally rectangular peripheral frame for holding the transparent cover and a print mask over the exposure window with a light positioned at the apex of the lower housing and an upper housing encompassing the apex of the lower housing forming a chamber in which is disposed batteries and light control circuitry with an exposure activating switch and a light indicator positioned on top of the upper housing.

Abstract: A weight belt which a diver can release quickly and swing free and clear of the diver's legs and gear with one hand in case of an emergency. The ends of a waist encircling piece of webbing are threaded through corresponding male and female parts of a buckle. The male part has a transversely extending hook formed at a forward end thereof. The female part has a transversely extending post at a forward end thereof and a transversely extending hook receiving cavity. The hook can be inserted into the cavity to engage and surround the post when the male and female parts of the buckle extend substantially at a right angle relative to one another. The male and female parts can thereafter be rotated so that they are in substantial longitudinal alignment and lie flat against the diver's body. The male and female parts cannot more transversely or longitudinally with respect to each other in this alignment.

Abstract: A magnetic tape drive capable of simulating the performance of a fast acceleration start/stop tape drive without a capstan drive or vacuum columns. A streaming type tape drive is provided with a semiconductor cache memory for storing data which may be written on, and data read from, a length of magnetic tape. Circuitry, including a microprocessor, DMA controller and service requests, handles data transfer between a host and the tape via the cache memory so that delays due to tape accelerations and decelerations are masked and the host can instantaneously read data bi-directionally and instantaneously switch between read and write operations.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for attachment to a tooth for attachment of arch wires and the like includes a base member for attachment to a tooth with an elongated arm extending from the base member for extending parallel to the tooth axis and including an attachment bracket that is adjustably mounted on the arm for positioning at or beyond the gum line of the tooth.

Abstract: A self-contained emergency signal has a base unit which contains a battery and an optional radio transmitter and a plurality of telescoping box-like stages which nest into the base member to convert it into a small container for storage and transport. Each of the boxes and the light mounting panels are cut in a special way to permit nesting of the boxes within the base container. When deployed for use the unit is extended into a vertical (or horizontal) array of sequentially illuminated letters which spell out the word "HELP" or a similar word or different color panels, there being a control to sequentially flash strobe lights positioned behind each letter.

Abstract: A distributed digital exchange for completing a communications link between a selected originating channel and one or more selected destination channels.

Abstract: A feeding bottle holder for feeding of infants and the like includes a support frame structure having adjustable extensible legs and stabilizing rod for clipping to the frame of a baby buggy, playpen, high chair or stroller and includes an adjustable arm for holding a feeding bottle in a selected position. The support structure is adjustable for various positions on a stroller or buggy and for fitting various sizes and configurations of such carriages.

Abstract: A horizontally extending, hexagonally-shaped, metal platter defining a slightly upwardly convex cooking surface is supported on top of an upwardly diverging frustoconical hollow pot. The lower end of the pot rests on the top of an upwardly converging frustoconical hollow base. The platter extends horizontally beyond the upper end of the pot around the entire circumference of the pot. A charcoal or electric heat source within the pot causes air to be drawn through an intake vent in the base and heated gases to flow upwardly through the pot. The upper end of the pot has a plurality of V-shaped exhaust vents spaced around its entire circumference and the vents are sized so that the velocity of the heated gases rising through the pot and escaping through the exhaust vents is sufficient to insure that the outer periphery of the platter will be heated to a cooking temperature.

Abstract: A bale tagging apparatus for a hay baler for automatically inserting an identification tag into a hay bale at a specified location includes a support member for attachment to a baler housing adjacent a bale chamber and including an elongated reciprocably mounted plunger and an associated intermittently connected cutter for selectively intermittently cutting a tag from a supply roll and forcing the tag through an opening in the wall of the baler housing into position within the bale chamber.