Abstract: An electrostatic voltmeter including a probe having a detector which is resistively coupled into a region bearing ionized air and an electrostatic field or potential to be measured. An ionization source in the form of a radioactive material is carried by the probe housing and ionizes the air in the region of the detector to provide an ionic current flow into the detector in response to the measured electrostatic field or potential. The electrostatic voltmeter further comprises an amplifier having an input and an output and connected for unity gain, the amplifier input being coupled to the detector. The amplifier has a feedback path connected as a voltage reference for the detector to cause the ionic current flow to change in a manner which will drive the amplifier and feedback to reduce the electrostatic field in the vicinity of the detector to zero.

Abstract: A flood valve adapted to close an opening through a barrier wall separating a fluid from a space, the valve having a plastic body with a bore therethrough, a piston slidable in the bore, a heating element carried by the body and having a section extending across the bore to restrain the piston against movement out of the bore, and a spring urging the piston against the restraining section of the heating element, the piston normally sealing the bore and the heating element, when energized, burning through the plastic body material to release the piston for admission of fluid through the bore to the space.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism for interconnecting a drive spindle and a capping chuck, the mechanism including a coupling hub internally threaded for fastening to the spindle. A collar is disposed around the hub, and the hub has an arcuate groove in which a spring is positioned and retained by a removable plate. The hub has lugs integral therewith extending into receiving slots in a floating ring positioned in the collar below the hub. The floating ring is elliptically shaped for lateral movement relative to the collar along a first axis, and has feet integral therewith extending into keyways in a coupling member laterally movable relative to the ring along a second axis right angularly related to the first axis. The coupling member drives a chuck sleeve through a torsion spring to release the closure upon achieving a predetermined degree of tightness on a container.

Abstract: Therapeutic apparatus comprising a supporting base adapted to rest on a floor or similar surface and including three arm members each releasably connected at one end to an arcuate connecting member at spaced locations therealong, all disposed in substantially the same place. The arm members define angles therebetween, the sizes of which are indicated visually by elements spaced along the connecting member. A number of pole elements are associated with the arm members each being releasably connected at one end to an arm member and all the pole elements extending in the same direction at substantially right angles to the arm members. The person using the apparatus is positioned adjacent the connecting element, the arm members are connected to the arcuate members so as to define an included angle related to the field of vision of the person, and the person performs instructional and therapeutic activities using the pole elements and other parts associated therewith.

Abstract: A method for preparing a glass container, and for sealing a glass mouth of a container and the seal is described. The sealing surface of the container is prepared by treatment with fluorine and a metal oxide, or a sulfur oxide and a metal oxide, or fluorine alone or a sulfur oxide alone, at an elevated temperature, in the case of fluorine employing a fluoride compound which decomposes at the temperature and, in the case of a metal oxide employing a metal oxide precursor. To form the closure, a membrane comprising a thermoplastic film is pressed over the sealing surface and heated to result in glass-plastic adhesion. The membrane may be a thermoplastic polymer/aluminum foil laminate.

Abstract: A hand held apparatus for the vapor polishing of plastic surfaces by movement of the apparatus over a plastic surface to be polished includes a body portion defining a vaporizing chamber. A container for plastic solvent, such as methylene chloride, is mounted on one side of the body for flow of solvent into the chamber when the apparatus is positioned with the container disposed above the chamber, with the solvent flow being interrupted when the apparatus is inverted to dispose the container below the chamber. A thermostatically controlled electric heating element is disposed in the chamber for vaporizing the solvent. An open-end guide tube projects from the opposite side of the body and is in fluid communication with the chamber. The guide tube opens downwardly when the apparatus is positioned with the container disposed above the chamber for directing the vaporized solvent to the plastic surface to be polished.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endocavitary cardiac stimulation probe. This probe comprises a tubular electrode connected to a cardiac stimulator by a flexible tubular insulated conductor. A harpoon, in solid biologically compatible material which can be resorbed during a period of the order of three weeks to three months, is mounted to slide in the tubular electrode in such manner that it can be extracted therefrom with a view to its being implanted in the endocavitary wall, by means of a thrust transmitted through the tubular conductor. This probe offers the advantage of being immobilized first by the harpoon and then, after resorption of the harpoon, by the natural formation of fibrose around the electrode.

Abstract: A compound pendulum allows light to impinge upon properly positioned acceleration or deceleration photocells to vary the resistance of the photocells in accordance with the angular displacement of the pendulum; the amount and direction of angular displacement of the pendulum is dependent on the amount of acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. Variation of the deceleration photocell resistance varies the frequency of an oscillator circuit to alternately flash a pair of warning lights at a frequency dependent on the rate of deceleration of the vehicle. The acceleration photocell must receive maximum illumination (a threshold value) to actuate a light for warning of a minimum rate of acceleration of the vehicle. A manual switch allows a high flash rate of alternate warning lights to be controlled by the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus having an exhaust valve and a diaphragm actuated inlet valve, wherein the exhaust valve includes a sealing surface against which the diaphragm normally is sealingly engaged to close the opening and from which the diaphragm is disengaged upon exhalation to open the exhaust valve.

Abstract: Means for adjusting the focusing shaft of a photographic enlarger of the projection enlargement type from a relatively remote point comprising rod means extending generally at right angles to the focusing shaft of the enlarger. A chuck member is rotatably connected to said rod means adjacent to one end thereof and concentrically with respect to the focusing knob of said shaft and adapted to be releasably attached to said knob. A bevel gear drive connects beween said chuck member and the adjacent end of the rod means whereby the user may rotate the rod means from the other end thereof to rotate the focusing knob and shaft from a point relatively remote from the enlarger. The rod means comprises a plurality of telescoping members whereby the user may readily adjust the effective length of said rod means.

Abstract: An education and art book comprising a first page, a last page and a plurality of additional pages in between. Components of graphical information such as words or pictorial illustration are fixed to the rear surface of the first page and to the front surface of the last page. Openings are provided in the additional pages through which the components on the first or last pages are visible to the reader depending upon the position to which the additional pages are moved. Additional components of graphical information are provided on the additional pages and located relative to the openings so as to combine with the components on the first or last pages to convey to the reader a graphical message such as a completed sentence or pictorial illustration. In other book embodiments, the additional pages can have other openings and components of graphical information which combine sequentially as the pages are moved sequentially.

Abstract: An alloy composition for dental use containing, by weight, aluminum 0-3.0%, cobalt 0-20.0%, chromium 10.0-20.0%, manganese 0-1.5%, molybdenum 6.0-18.0%, nickel 58.5-77.0% and silicon 0-2.0%. The alloy retains the corrosion resistance properties found in nickel-chromium base alloys while having reduced yield strength typical of gold alloys thereby resulting in greater ease of grinding, polishing and manipulation. The alloy finds use as a porcelain substrate alloy and also as a crown and bridge or partial denture alloy.

Abstract: A device for improving motion, extension and control of an arm of a person playing a game such as bowling comprising a band of flexible material having an inner surface which is in firm contact with the arm of the person in the area of the wrist and above the hand when the device is worn during use and having an oppositely-directed outer surface. A weight is fixedly held on the outer surface of the band and comprises a quantity of closely-packed metal pellets within a flexible container. A pair of loop-like elements are fixed in spaced relation to the band along one end thereof, and a pair of flexible straps extend in spaced-apart, generally parallel relation outwardly from the opposite end of the band. Each of the straps is provided with a fastener on the outer surface thereof, and a pair of mating fasteners is provided on the outer surface of the band.

Abstract: This invention relates to a display device for attachment to a gable-topped cardboard container of the type employed in packaging milk and the like. The display device comprises a hollow square sleeve which telescopes over the top of the carton and a display panel hinged to the upper portion of the sleeve and having a triangular opening adapted to fit over the gable-top of the carton. The device is fabricated from a single cardboard blank and is readily placed in a flat folded condition for storage and shipment.

Abstract: A collapsible basket having an upper generally rectangular frame with side and end rail portions. The side rail portions comprise a plurality of telescoping sections whereby the lengths of the side rail portions may readily be extended or retracted. The bottom wall of the basket consists of a lazy tong linkage lying generally in a plane parallel to the plane of the upper frame and is therefore extensible and retractible in a lengthwise direction. A series of flexible strap members are spaced about the upper frame and extend downwardly to and are connected with the ends of the links of the lazy tong bottom wall structure. The upper ends of the strap members have loops which extend about and are slideable along the side rails of the upper frame of the basket.

Abstract: An envelope which is closed and secured without adhesive for repeated use. A tuck, flap extension of the closure flap is infolded and tucked back in between the back panel and a lock flap partially overlying the back panel. The back panel and the lock flap, folded back upon it, are secured to the front panel by overlying end tabs.

Abstract: A toilet for biological degradation of excrement comprises a collecting vessel for excrement and for material suitable for the degradation thereof and a container for receiving a mixture of excrement and material discharged from the collecting vessel. The mixing and the discharge of the excrement and material are performed by a cultivator rotationally supported in the collecting vessel. The cultivator consists of a wire construction running continuously between two opposed walls of the collecting vessel and preferably being manufactured in one single piece.

Abstract: A batch process for the sterilization of particulate solid materials, in which a batch of particulate solid material to be sterilized is introduced into a rotary vessel shaped so that rotation of the vessel imparts a tumbling action to the solid material; the solid material is heated in the vessel while rotating the same to subject the material to a tumbling action; a lubricant liquid is injected under pressure into the vessel at a temperature in excess of the temperature of the solids; the lubricant liquid and solid material are held at a sterilization temperature while maintaining the tumbling action; and the sterilized solid material is withdrawn from the vessel under aseptic conditions.

Abstract: A fabricated steel ladder is provided particularly adapted for use on the sides of railroad cars and the like wherein the ladder rungs are formed with ends turned in 90 degrees in a manner so that cracks are avoided in the steel grains adjacent the inner radius of each turned end. A special indentation is formed on the inside surface of the turned end adjacent to the point of bending--the indentation causing a desired material flow so as to avoid cracking while increasing the material strength. The rung ends are cold headed during assembly with the other components of the ladder structure which avoids the necessity of separate fasteners used in prior art designs, and insures that substantially no radial clearance will be left between the rung ends and the apertures in which they are mounted and furthermore insures that the rung will be firmly affixed to the ladder stiles in an axial sense so as to eliminate looseness and rattle in the resulting structure.