Abstract: A portable, hand-held tympanometer that has the capability of performing the tympanometry and of displaying and storing the test results all within the hand-held instrument. A separate unit that is not in any way attached to the tympanometer during the testing is provided to print the test results and to recharge the tympanometer battery. The tympanometer has a body portion and a head portion to which a speculum is attached, the speculum being adapted to engage the canal of the ear being examined in sealed relation thereto. A speaker in the speculum transmits acoustic signals into the ear canal and a microphone in the speculum receives the signals that are reflected back through the canal by the tympanic membrane. A pressure transducer is located in the head portion of the tympanometer, and a miniature pump located in the body portion operates to introduce a range of pressures into the ear canal while the acoustic signals are being transmitted and received.

Abstract: An interconnectable beverage container system has tongue and groove members spaced at regular intervals about the periphery of the body of each container. The tongue members each have a front surface and a pair of oppositely disposed axially extending undercut sides, and the groove members each have a pair of oppositely disposed undercut axially extending projections defining a void or groove. The tongue member slides snugly into a respective groove member of another container. Neck plates or neck flanges have lobes that extend radially outward substantially to the periphery of the container, with cutouts between successive lobes. The respective cutouts of a cluster of containers combine to form fingerholes for lifting the cluster of containers.

Abstract: An instrument for viewing the vent of a chimney while the chimney is working that includes a quartz rod that is mounted in the chimney above the flue entrance thereto. The rod is adapted to transmit light travelling down the chimney to a viewing station outside the chimney wall to provide valuable visual information concerning the condition of the chimney and the burning efficiency of the fire.

Abstract: A biopsy channel for use in an endoscope having a tubular substrate formed of a lubricious material that is wound with a high strength wire filament helically wound thereabout to provide spaces between the windings and a relatively softer elastomeric material blanketing the windings. A top coating also containing a lubricious material is placed over the filler material to provide a tubular structure that can be bent into a tight radius without collapsing.

Abstract: A brush for use in a self service car wash having an applicator head containing cleaning bristles and an elongated tubular handle adapted to bring wash fluids to the head. A relief valve is positioned in the handle which is designed to open when the fluid pressure in the handle exceeds a given value. A control valve is located between the relief valve and automatic fluid dispensing equipment for delivering fluids to the brush during a wash cycle. A bypass is provided in the control valve that permits water to drain into the handle when the control valve is closed, as for example between wash cycles. Pressure thus builds up in the handle behind the relief valve whereupon the valve periodically opens to relieve the pressure.

Abstract: A state or territory trivia game has a game board bearing a map or representation of a particular state or territory, and that representation is divided into eight color coded sections or regions. Each section represents a different region of the state or territory. On the sides of the board are smaller representations of the state or territory. These are used for the collection of game collection pieces. Game question and answer cards have eight questions relating to the history, geography, etc. of the respective regions of the state or territory, and the answers provided on the other side of the card. The card is arranged so that the answers cannot readily be seen as the question is being asked. The game begins with each player in the state capital or in some other predetermined city, and the player moves his or her piece a number of squares across the board in correspondence with the roll of a die or other randomizer.

Abstract: A multi-stage valve having a valve housing containing an inlet port and an outlet port that communicate through means of an elongated chamber formed in the housing. An outer sealing unit is mounted in the chamber and is adapted to close in sealing contact against one of the ports. A control orifice is passed through the first sealing unit to restrict the flow through the port when the unit is sealed thereagainst. A second inner sealing unit is mounted in the chamber behind the outer unit and is arranged to close thereagainst to seal the orifice. The two units are coupled by a lost motion mechanism which permits the sealing units to close in sequence between a fully closed position, an intermediate position wherein the flow through the valve is restricted by the orifice and a fully opened position wherein the flow through the valve is unrestricted.

Abstract: A pre-assembled, self-contained clean room module having everything necessary for maintaining the cleanliness, temperature, humidity and pressurization required for the work space within the room. Because the module is factory built rather than built on site, precise quality control can be achieved and each module can be thoroughly tested before shipment. The module is provided with its own sealed base unit which permits it to be moved or relocated without having to be disassembled, and also insures that the module will have a completely sealed sump area beneath its floor. The module is also provided with its own self-contained air conditioning unit which has two independent air systems or paths whereby only a portion of the recirculating air need be conditioned.

Abstract: Clapboard siding has a channel rabbeted at the back bottom edge to prevent wicking of rainwater between clapboards, and has a plurality of vertical vent channels or grooves cut in the back surface so that air can vent into the space between the structure and the siding.

Abstract: A method of redeeming returnable beverage containers that utilizes a return center for the containers located in the retail outlet. The return center includes an elongated counter for sorting and counting the returned containers and a computerized cash register. The clerk at the return center sorts and counts the containers by brand, size, material and amount of deposit and enters this information in the cash register which produces a credit slip for the customer. The return center counter has four openings beneath which are four receptacles for receiving the different scrap grades of containers. The receptacles when full are emptied into compartmentalized, locked hampers, and these hampers when filled are transported to a transfer station where the containers in each hamper compartment are weighed and then processed.

Abstract: A bowling release positioner that includes a hand unit and an arm unit that are joined by a connecting member. Adjusting mechanisms are provided so that the two units can be angularly positioned in two separate planes in respect to each other. The wrist unit further includes a pair of hinged jaw members that encompass a substantial part of the bowler's arm and a band for closing the jaw members about the arm with sufficient force to prevent the bowling release positioner from becoming misaligned during use.

Abstract: A hosiery display device has a plurality of stocking forms mounted on a support housing such that the stocking forms are arrayed in a fan-like configuration. The thigh ends of the stocking forms are scalloped, and these are then held onto a keyed shaft by associated disc-like positioning members which have interengaging peripheral scalloping. The support housing is formed of two identical mating support housing halves, which support the shaft and are held together by the same.

Abstract: A hand held device for drawing and firing a bow that includes a housing containing a latch for engaging the bowstring and a balanced beam for holding the latch in a locked condition. A trigger mechanism is adapted to unbalance the beam when it is depressed a first distance. A spring loaded arm is adapted to be coupled to the trigger by a sear in a loaded condition so that when the trigger is depressed a distance less than the first distance the arm is uncoupled allowing the arm to strike the beam and thus fire the bow at a reduced trigger pressure.

Abstract: An articulated arm-type excavator machine has a hydraulically actuated main boom and a side boom which is detachably mounted at its proximal end to the side of the tractor of the machine, and at its distal end to a trolley arrangement on the underside of the main boom. The detachable sideboom arrangement permits the machine to be employed either as an excavator or as a sideboom lifting device.

Abstract: A self-propelled mower having a forwardly projected power unit containing a motor and mowing assembly, the deck is rotatably mounted on the axle of the machine so that the mower assembly can be raised and lowered in reference to the ground. The mower contains a riding unit mounted behind the axle. A linear actuator is secured to the riding unit that has an extendable rod which is coupled to the power unit by a pivoted link. The power unit is placed in a mowing position when the rod is extended and in an elevated position when the rod is retracted. The actuator is driven by a reversible electric motor that is controlled by a switch mounted upon the steering control of the mower so that the operator can raise and lower the mower without releasing the steering control.