Abstract: A device 10 is used during washing of a brassiere 24 to protect the brassiere and maintain the shape of the cups 24a and 24b of the brassiere. It includes an inner spherical framework 12 contained within a larger outer spherical framework 14. Each framework is formed by a pair of hemispherical sections that upon being coupled together form the individual frameworks. With the inner framework 12 open, the brassiere 24 is fitted over the hemispherical sections, with one section being placed inside each cup of the brassiere. The sections of the inner framework 12 with the brassiere thereon are then closed and placed inside an open outer framework 14. The outer framework 14 is then closed to enclose the inner framework 12, and the assembly of frameworks is placed into a washing machine. The inner and outer frameworks are open structures that allow water to flow thereto during washing.

Abstract: An adjustable socket includes a drive member, a plurality of jaw members supported by the drive member and selectively movable between fixed lateral positions, each fixed lateral position corresponding to a selected socket size, and a drive coupling operatively coupled to the drive member and manually movable to different positions corresponding to the selected socket size openings. The drive coupling has a substantially flat cam surface with spirally configured guide elements thereon that engage cam followers on the jaw members to move the jaw members laterally. There are a plurality indexing slots in the drive member and an indexing and locking element that selectively engages and locks into an indexing slot upon a socket size openings being selected. The number of indexing slots correspond to the number of selectable socket size openings available. There are visible indicia associated with each selectable position to indicate the selected socket size openings.

Abstract: A file includes a support member having an abrasive surface with interstices holding a sanitizing agent which is released with use of the file. Microcapsules containing the sanitizing agent are preferred. The microcapsules are frangible and break upon use of the file to release the sanitizing agent. The file surface may comprise granular abrasive particulates having a size ranging from 40 to 1200 grit which provide the interstices between at least some of the particulates. An aqueous coating having dispersed therein an adhesive and the microcapsules is applied to the granular particulates. The coating is dried to deposit in the interstices the microcapsules. The adhesive binds the microcapsules to the granular particulates.

Abstract: A hair cutting method includes positioning a strand of hair between normally open blade ends of a scissors. The scissors have a pair of elongated members, each member having a blade end, an intermediate gripping section, and a spring end. Each blade end has a cutting edge. The elongated members are connected to each other by a pivot element disposed near a junction where the blade ends and intermediate gripping sections join. The spring ends each have tips which are connected together to bias the elongated members, so that the blade ends move about the pivot element into an open position. The blade ends come together in a cutting fashion with their cutting edges engaging to trim the edge of the nail upon the user grasping both intermediate gripping sections between the user's thumb and a finger of the user and pressing the intermediate gripping sections towards each other. Each blade end as measured from a tip of the blade to the point of connection with the pivot element has a length exceeding two inches.

Abstract: Disclosed are tools and methods for assisting in the manual insertion of a needle into a medical device implanted under the skin of a patient and for assisting in the manual removal of the needle from this implanted medical device. The same tool may be used for both accessing and deaccessing the needle, or a special tool may be used for just assisting in the insertion of the needle into the implanted medical device. This special tool includes a holder section with a pair of fork elements spaced apart a distance which is slightly greater than the width of the implanted medical device. The tool for assisting in the manual removal of the needle from the implanted medical device includes an elongated body having a handle section and an enlarged guard section with an elongated slot extending from an edge of the guard section into the guard section, terminating at an internal portion of the guard section.

Abstract: A medical device for treating a patient suffering from glaucoma is adapted to be attached to the globe of the eye of a patient. It includes a distribution plate having a one-way flow valve attached to the anterior end of the plate. The valve is adapted to be placed in communication with fluid to be drained from the intraocular chamber of the eye. There are opposed tab elements that extend outward from each side of the plate at its posterior end. The plate has a predetermined size and shape so that, when attached to the globe of the eye between adjacent rectus muscles with the anterior end from 8 to 10 millimeters from the limbus of the eye, the width of the plate is sufficiently restrictive so that one side is close but not touching one rectus muscle and the other side is close but not touching the other rectus muscle. The length of the plate is sufficiently restrictive so that the posterior end is at least 2 millimeters from the optic nerve of the eye.

Abstract: A device for plugging a pipe includes a resilient, hollow body member that expands with the application of internally applied pressure to block the pipe. The body member has at one end a conical shaped wall with an apex that points inward. At ambient pressure, the diameter of the body member is less than the diameter of the pipe into which it is inserted. The diameter of the body member increases as the internal pressure increases, and the length of the conical shaped wall decreases.

Abstract: A golf towel is attached and detached to a golf bag with a male connector on the bag. The golf towel has a towel body with a snap therein near a corner of the towel. The snap has a cap and a female connector which is adapted to be coupled to the male connector on the golf bag. There is a reinforcing member formed into a loop which facilitates removal of the towel from the golf bag. The towel body and the ends of the reinforcing member are disposed between the cap and female connector, which are fitted together to hold the towel body and these ends securely between the cap and female connector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing an sugar ester product of a sugar and a fatty acid. First, a fatty acid and methyl or ethyl alcohol is reacted in the presence of sulfuric acid catalyst to produce a fatty acid ester and water. The sulfuric acid catalyst is neutralized with a metal carbonate to make a metal sulfate, with the fatty acid ester being separated from the metal sulfate, the alcohol and the water. The recovered fatty acid ester is reacted in the presence of a metal carbonate catalyst with sugar dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide to produce the sugar ester product and alcohol. The dimethyl sulfoxide is separated from the reaction mixture by vacuum distillation, and then water is added to emulsify the sugar ester product and unreacted fatty acid ester. The unreacted sugar and the metal carbonate is dissolved in the water.

Abstract: A lanyard connects a pair of head covers for golf clubs together by a connector section of predetermined thickness with a hole therein for receiving the lanyard. The lanyard includes an elongated line element having opposed ends with a pair of protruding members near each of these opposed ends. Each pair of protruding members has an outer most and and inner most member which are spaced apart a distance about equal to the predetermined thickness of the connector section. One end of the line element has a tab section that extends from an adjacent outer most protruding member nearby the one end of the line element which facilitates pulling the adjacent outer most protruding member through one hole in one cover. The other end of the line element has another tab section that extends from an adjacent outer most protruding member nearby this other end of the line element which facilitates pulling the adjacent outer most protruding member through this other hole in the other cover.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device comprising an external, flexible shell forming a fluid chamber reservoir and housing a valve, having a folded membrane which forms a chamber with a slit-like opening. The inlet tube in communication with the chamber extends outwardly through an opening in the shell. The inlet tube has a free end with holes and rigid fins. The free end of the inlet tube in communication with abdomen. There is an outlet tube in communication with the reservoir. The outlet tube has a free end with holes. The free end of the outlet tube is in communication with the jugular vein of a patient. Also disclosed is a method of using this device to treat ascites.

Abstract: A cell block for housing a sensor cell within a gas analyzer is mounted on the front panel of the analyzer, holding the sensor within a horizontal plane. The cell block is made of inexpensive and non-permeable material such as aluminum which is brazed and anodized. Entry and exit of sample gas is unique as is sample gas exposure to the sensor. Dead space is minimized and response time is improved. An insulated thermister in the cell block maintains accuracy over a wide range of temperatures. The device is RFI and EMI protected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device comprising an external, flexible shell forming a fluid reservoir and housing a non-obstructive, self-regulating valve, having a folded membrane which forms a slit-like opening in a chamber. An inlet tube in communication with the chamber through an aperture in the membrane extends outwardly through an opening in the shell. The free end of the inlet tube, including holes, is in communication with the brain or cranial vault. There is an outlet tube in communication with the reservoir. The free end of the outlet tube, also including holes, is in communication with either the heart or the abdomen. If the outlet tube is in communication with the abdomen the preferred configuration of the free end includes rigid fins. Also disclosed is a method of using this device to treat hydrocephalus and a process for making the device.

Abstract: A respiration monitor includes a sensing element having a pressure chamber filled with gas. The sensing element is adapted to be placed in contact with a breathing subject, with the pressure in the chamber increasing as the subject inhales and decreasing as the subject exhales. A pressure switch in communication with the pressure chamber opens as the subject exhales and closes as the subject inhales to control the operation of a timing circuit. The timing circuit includes an audio alarm mechanism activated when the switch is not closed within a predetermined threshold period. The chamber has at least one gas port which places the chamber in communication with ambient air pressure, so that within a pressure equalization time interval the pressure within the chamber equalizes to that of ambient air pressure and the switch is opened.

Abstract: A tool is used to hold a food product upright while a user manually cuts the food product by slicing the food product from edge to edge with a blade of a knife. The tool includes a base having a top surface adapted to support the food product, a pair of knife blade guide members attached to the base opposite each other and spaced apart to provide a cutting zone, and a cutting pad in the cutting zone comprising a polyester based thermoplastic polyurethane having a Shore A hardness between 75 and 100 that resists being cut by the blade of the knife as the blade cuts through the food product.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a fork lock includes a cover which is adapted to be manually moved between a cover position where the cover overlies the fork lock and an uncovered position where the fork lock is exposed to allow a key to be inserted into the fork lock. The cover has a pivot member pivotally connecting the cover to the motorcycle to enable the cover to be rotated with respect to the fork lock to expose the fork lock so that the key may be inserted into the fork lock. A detent member maintains the relative position of the cover to the motorcycle so that the cover overlies the fork lock to cover the fork lock until a turning force is applied to the cover to move the cover between the cover position and the uncovered position.

Abstract: An on demand, real time billing equipment for a user of a radio telephone employs a telephone switching platform, including an unintelligent switch and a computer, which is in communication with a radio telephone transmitting system, a local telephone transmitting system, and long distance telephone transmitting system. The computer is programed to monitor, control and rate telephone calls made by customer to tally for each separate customer the identification of each individual phone number called, the date of each individual phone number called, duration of each individual phone number called, and the cost of each individual call and provide detail billing information on demand in real time. For rented radio telephones, an access terminal is in communication with the credit authorization center at which the identification of the customer is entered.

Abstract: A medical device includes a one-way flow valve in communication with fluid to be drained. The valve is connected to a primary distribution plate which has a raised perimeter with at least one opening in the perimeter. There is a secondary distribution plate having a raised perimeter with at least one opening in the perimeter. At least one pair of plugs, each having a central passageway, are inserted into the openings in the perimeters of the primary and secondary distribution plates, and an connecting tube places the primary and secondary distribution plates in fluid communication with each other. The tube is sized to fit inside the central passageway of the plugs, with the connecting tube having opposed ends, each end inserted to the passageway in the plugs. The distance between the plugs is adjusted by sliding the plugs along the length of the connecting tube.

Abstract: A protector for legs of a golf bag that is attached to an outer wall of a golf bag. The protector has recesses for receiving legs and an actuating member for the legs. The legs of the golf bag are pivotally connected at upper ends thereof to the protector. The protector protects the legs of the golf bag against external shock and causes the golf bag to be stably put on a cart.

Abstract: A golf bag comprising a pair of legs each and a U-shaped actuating member adapted to move the legs between their extended position and their retracted position according to the movement of a bag body between its tilted position and its upright position. The golf bag also comprises a driving member pivotally connected to both of the lower end of the U-shaped actuating member and the lower portion of the bag body and adapted to drive the actuating member in response to the movement of the bag body to its tilted position so that the actuating member moves the legs to their extended position. A resilient rubber band is provided for always urging the legs toward their retracted position. The actuating member may be installed in the interior of golf bag, there is no possibility that it is damaged by stones or branches of a tree.