Abstract: A self-contained inflatable sign for temporary attachment to prominent portions of structures to provide a highly visible message day or night. The sign is an envelope made from translucent flexible panels which is inflated by a blower within the envelope which also contains a series of lights. A message banner is interchangeably held onto the envelope. When inflated the envelope becomes a strong illuminated sign capable of withstanding severe outdoor environments but light enough to be quickly and easily erected on highly visible but otherwise difficult to access portions of buildings or structures. An alternate version is specifically designed for mounting against the front of a commercial building as a marquee-type display.

Abstract: An intraocular lens, in form of a disk, intended to replace the crystalline lens of a patient's eye, in particular after a cataract extraction, comprises on its distal side an aspherical sector extending approximately from the midline of the disk over one quarter of the surface thereof. The rest of the distal side is spherical. The radius of curvature of the aspherical sector varies monotonously between the value of the radius of the spherical sectors and a lower value. Such a configuration allows light rays impinging on the intraocular lens to be refracted at different angles and provides both near and distance vision. The discontinuity at transition between the aspherical sector and the spherical sector is blocked out by dark or etched plastic to eliminate glare. The proximal side can either be a convex surface, a concave surface or a plane.

Abstract: A jointed two bar for towing one vehicle by a second vehicle which incorporates joints in such a way as to allow folding and imprecise alignment during attachment, but a fail safe rigid structure for towing. A rotating cross bar joint on beams can be lifting out of the fixed towing position for storage or attachment but is prevented by structure from downward movement. Lateral movement of beams can also be accomplished from a pivot joint after beams are lifted out of a keyed slot. In towing position, slots and structure prevent folding movement from tensile, compression or lateral forces. When not in use, tow bar can be tipped up and folded on front of towed vehicle or removed and conveniently carried to a trunk of a vehicle.

Abstract: In a distributor cap for internal combustion engines, a multi-positionable contact which can be manually rotated to successively present each of a plurality of contact surfaces to the distributor arm after an adjacent contact surface has become pitted, corroded or otherwise worn; thus increasing the useful life of the distributor cap. The contact surfaces are symmetrically arranged about the axis of rotation of the contact. Rotation can be achieved by means of a screwdriver blade introduced through the sparkplug wire terminal to act on a slotted head of the rotating contact exposed at the bottom of the sparkplug wire terminal, or by grasping the contact from underneath.

Abstract: A portable sailboard frame comprised of an upper tubular structure and a lower supporting rack which can be assembled and disassembled because of its modular features. The frame is also multifunctional and facilitates the maintenance of sailboards, surfboards and similar craft.

Abstract: A collapsible step ladder assembly in combination with a panel of a vehicle such as a tail gate or bed of a pickup truck, having a foldable frame, at least one foldable step or platform, a pair of extension legs, and a pair of articulating joints for connecting said frame to the panel. Each foldable step comprises a platform connected to the respective arms, and a pair of leveling braces that are positioned and dimensioned to hold the platform in a substantially horizontal position when the step ladder is fully deployed between an upper and lower service. Said braces also allow the folding of the platform to a position substantially co-planar with the respective arms.

Abstract: An antenna system which operates over a wide spectrum of radio frequencies by utilizing a body of a vehicle as an antenna. The antenna system comprises a tuned impedance-matching coupler and a uniquely-configured floating, low-capacitance coaxial transmission line. In this arrangement, the outer conductor of the transmission line connecting the coupler to the vehicular body is severed at both ends. Thus, electrical connection between the coupler and the vehicle body is provided only by the transmission line's center conductor and the line's capacitive coupling. Antenna performance with the instant configuration exhibits improved voltage standing wave ratios and field strength as compared to conventional radio antennas.

Abstract: A synergistic combination in an aqueous solution of a partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) and a fully hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate), i.e. poly(vinyl alcohol), exhibiting a low surface tension at the water-air interface, while forming a completely wettable absorbed layer over hydrophobic solids. The combination is used as part of an ophthalmic solution including a hydrophilic low viscosity polymer, poly(N-glucose) or poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) with higher than normal oncotic pressure in a physiologically compatible electrolytic solution base. The formulation is effective in treating the two major underlying causes of the dry eye syndrome; ocular surface disorder and tear film abnormalities resulting in tear film instability. It can also be effective as an aqueous vehicle for topically used ophthalmic drugs or nutrients.

Abstract: A design and construction method, for a graduated series of aircraft of various sizes, in which development costs are minimized by maintaining a consistent scale configuration from model to model, and production costs are minimized through the use of a universal tooling concept for the manufacturing of detail parts, subsassemblies and components of the airframes. For each model (M11, M12 . . . M1n) of a series size-graduated elements such as the main wing airfoils (31, 32, 33) are designed with similar characteristics and overlapping dimensions. A common set of tools for constructing these elements is built to accommodate the largest dimension, such as the root cord (34) of the largest airfoil (31) down to the smallest dimension, such as the tip cord (35) of the smallest airfoil (33).

Abstract: An intramedular nailing assembly, specifically adapted to the internal fixation of comminuted femoral fractures, which combines a conventional femoral nail, an extension and a set of pins interlocked with the nail and its extension. The extension is designed to be inserted into the proximal end of the femoral nail, and is pre-drilled to accept pins; some of which extend obliquely onto the femoral neck. A drill guide which can be inserted in the proximal end of the extension provides a convenient tool for pre-drilling the femur at the proper places and the proper angles. The nail itself can be pre-drilled to receive pins on a bench-mounted drilling guide.

Abstract: A hung combustion chamber for internal combustion engines comprising a cylinder and detachable cooling jacket welded to a cylinder head. The cylinder and the cooling jacket are within a cylinder block, but unsupported by the cylinder block. Coolant is supplied to the jacket by a non-rigid connection. The hung combustion chamber contains the combustion gas pressures and temperatures while the jacket contains the coolant flows, eliminating many gaskets, seals, attachment and alignment components. The simplified one-piece chamber construction and limited number of components reduce stress concentration points and hot spots. The hung combustion chamber is particularly applicable to the retrofitting of existing worn diesel engines in heavy duty service environments.

Abstract: A portable frame for holding and washing scuba equipment comprised of a lower rack structure designed to hold the equipment and a tubular spraying assembly detachably mounted over said structure. The modular arrangement of the frame allows for multipurpose uses including maintenance, transportation and storage of such equipment.

Abstract: A pair of coplanar, telescopic tracks are held in a spaced-apart and generally parallel relationship by a plurality of crossties. The crossties may also be telescopic to vary the space between the tracks according to use. At one end the tracks can be elevated by length-adjustable props or variable trusses. Each track comprises at least two segments, a first segment adapted to be slidably disposed in a channel of the second segment. The segments can be channel bars. A detent is used to temporarily hold the tracks at any of a plurality of telescoped lengths. A variable truss comprises a pair of divergent struts with a variable length member subtending the angle between the struts. This device is especially useful as a variable ramp for wheelchairs when it is made from relatively lightweight material such as aluminum.

Abstract: A device for preventing vehicles having conventional tandem wheels from moving when parked. The friction of novel dual opposing horizontal shoes pressing against the tires of the tandem wheels prevents the wheels from rotating. A cam and lever action locks the shoes in position against the tires.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for repairing or replacing connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons in the human or animal body is described. The device comprises a cord of artificial connective tissue formed from a composite, partly absorbable thread. The thread comprises a combination of permanent material and absorbable material susceptible to being dissolved into surrounding living tissue. The dissolving of the absorbable material leaves space for the living tissue to grow into and adhere to the structure formed by the permanent material.