Abstract: A static orthosis for application to a human patient at an elbow or a knee includes a unitary body composed of a composite material that includes an aluminum endo-skeleton molded into a closed cell polyethene foam matrix. The unitary body includes a proximal pad, a distal pad, and an elongated spine connecting the proximal pad and the distal pad. The unitary body is sufficiently stiff that it can be deformed only by deliberate application of strong shaping forces but is not deformed by the casual forces imposed by the patient during normal use of the orthosis. The unitary body is mostly covered by a unitary cover that includes pockets into which the proximal pad and the distal pad fit, and the unitary cover also includes laterally-extending straps for applying the orthosis to the patient. Because of its rigidity and its ability to be deliberately altered, the orthosis is ideally suited for accomplishing a progressive extension of the limb to which it is applied.

Abstract: A picture frame that includes a concealed compartment includes three frame members connected at their ends to form a U-shaped structure and a fourth frame member that is unconnected to the three frame members and to which a picture-bearing panel is affixed, so that when the fourth frame member is removed, it carries with it the picture-bearing panel to reveal the compartment which previously had been concealed behind the picture-bearing panel. Inwardly facing grooves on opposite sides of the picture frame serve as guides for the edges of the picture-bearing panel as it is drawn away from the remainder of the picture frame.

Abstract: An oxidation chamber used for irradiating an incoming liquid containing unwanted organic pollutants has a structure that facilitates automatic self-cleaning at intervals. A modular construction is used, and three basic types of modules are employed. One of the modules is a TEFLON.RTM. lined carbon steel pipe through which a shuttling scraper is forced at intervals. The shuttling scraper includes an annular wiper that simultaneously cleans the inside surface of the surrounding tubular module as well as the outside surface of an enclosed quartz tube. The annular wiper sealingly engages the quartz tube and the tubular module so that it is driven like a piston by the full pressure of the liquid. When the shuttling scraper has reached the end of the tubular module, it parks itself in a position that causes only minimal pressure drop.

Abstract: A gas sample chamber for use in a gas analyzer consists of an elongated hollow tube having an inwardly-facing specularly-reflective surface that permits the tube to function also as a light pipe for conducting radiation from a source to a detector through the sample gas. A number of apertures in the wall of the elongated hollow tube permit the sample gas to enter and exit. Particles of smoke and dust of a size greater than 0.1 micron are kept out of the chamber by use of a semi-permeable membrane that spans the apertures in the hollow tube. Condensation of the sample gas components is prevented by heating the sample chamber electrically to a temperature above the dew point of the component of concern. In one embodiment, at least one detector are spaced around the periphery of the elongated hollow tube adjacent one end of it. In another embodiment, at least one detector are spaced along the length of the elongated hollow tube.

Abstract: An affordable ventilation controller comprises a low cost and very stable carbon dioxide sensor and a remote-controlled louvered suction fan equipped with an air filter. The ventilation controller operates independently of any existing heating or cooling system that might be present in a closed room. The carbon dioxide sensor measures accurately the gas concentration level in parts-per-million (ppm's) as a ventilation index. When a predetermined ventilation index is exceeded indicative of bad ventilation, a remote-controlled suction fan equipped with a louver and an air filter is activated to draw in fresh air from the outside in order to regulate the CO.sub.2 concentration and provide good ventilation. However, if an exceedingly high concentration of CO.sub.2 is sensed, the controller inhibits the control signal to the suction fan, since such a high level might indicate the presence of a fire.

Abstract: A locking assembly used to deny access to a nut or to a bolt head to prevent theft of an article that is bolted to a body such as a vehicle. The locking assembly includes a retainer through which the bolt passes and that partially surrounds the nut or bolt head that secures the retainer to the body. The retainer includes a groove that extends circumferentially around it. The locking assembly also includes a housing that fits over the retainer and that is selectively engaged to the retainer by a ball bearing that is pushed into the groove on the retainer when a key turns the shaft of a lock which turns a cam that pushes the ball bearing into the groove. The locking assembly has an exceptionally low profile, made possible by positioning the lock perpendicular to the axis of the bolt. Further strength is imparted to the locking assembly by the fact that the retainer is almost as deep in the axial direction as the housing, and the strength of the retainer reinforces the housing.

Abstract: A tray for use by a tilesetter to organize his tools and materials so as to keep the work area uncluttered and so as to keep each of the tools and materials in a known location so that they are immediately available for use, includes a number of receptacles in which the tools and materials are kept. The bottoms of the deepest receptacles lie in a common plane, which enables the tray to rest stably on a flat surface such as a floor or a counter top. The crescent shaped tray also includes a skirt that depends from the concave edge of the tray. The tray may be mounted on a bucket and is retained securely thereon because the rim of the bucket extends into the space between the skirt and one or more of the receptacles.

Abstract: In an exercise apparatus of the type in which a user is suspended in an inverted position for the purpose applying traction to his spinal column and for the purpose of performing strengthening exercises such as abdominal rotations and oblique curls, the user is provided with an unrestricted exercise space by mounting the conventional pivotable pelvic cushion and knee cushion assembly at the upper end of a single forwardly inclined post so that obstructing structure members are not used.

Abstract: A tree holder, suitable for holding the trunk of a cut-off tree in an upright attitude includes a cup into which the lower end of the trunk is placed, the cup having a lip from which a skirt extends downwardly and outwardly. The skirt has the shape of a frustrum of a cone. Three legs are slidably attached to the skirt on its inside, and each leg can be slid toward and away from the vertex of the cone independently. Each leg is slid upwardly with respect to the skirt until the upper end of the leg is in firm contact with the trunk of the tree. At that point, the skirt and the leg are drawn together by tightening a threaded fastener, thereby clamping the leg to the skirt. The tree holder is notable for its simplicity of design and for its ability to accommodate asymmetric and crooked tree trunks.

Abstract: A tool useful to plumbers and other persons who work with pipe and tubing, to facilitate gripping and applying torque to a free end of a piece of pipe or tubing includes a plug portion of cylindrical shape that is driven into the free end of the pipe for the purpose of reinforcing the wall of the pipe so that it can withstand the radial forces exerted by a wrench or over-center pliers during the application of torque to the pipe. A shoulder portion limits the depth to which the plug portion can be inserted into the pipe, and a handle portion is connected to the shoulder portion for convenience in handling the tool.

Abstract: A tool for tensioning a fence wire winds the fence wire around a barb-like article that remains in the fence after the tool has been removed. The barb-like article includes a first piece of wire that is substantially rigid and that extends parallel to but spaced from the fence wire, and further includes a second piece of wire that is joined to the first piece of wire and that has a U-shaped central portion that partially encircles the first piece of wire at its center and is bonded to it, the legs of the U-shaped central portion straddling the fence wire so that as the article is rotated by use of the tensioning tool, the fence wire is wound around the legs. One of the legs terminates in a crook which the user engages to the fence wire to prevent it from unwinding from the article, which thereby becomes a permanent part of the fence.

Abstract: A diffusion-type gas sample chamber for use in a gas analyzer consists of an elongated hollow tube having an inwardly-facing specularly-reflective surface that permits the tube to function also as a light pipe for transmitting radiation from a source to a detector through the sample gas. A number of filtering apertures in the wall of the otherwise non-porous hollow tube permit the sample gas to enter and exit freely under ambient pressure. Particles of smoke and dust of a size greater than 0.1 micron are kept out of the chamber by use of a semi-permeable membrane that spans the apertures in the hollow tube. Condensation of the sample gas components is prevented by heating the sample chamber electrically to a temperature above the dew point of the component of concern.

Abstract: A cryogenic valve that uses conventional materials in unusual ways to achieve very low heat leak, excellent strength, pressure or vacuum integrity and modest manufacturing cost. Heat leak rates on the order of 0.5 watt have been obtained in a 1.5 inch valve. Such performance is made possible by the unique structure of the valve stem, of the bonnet extension, and of certain insulative spacers. The valve stem consists of a thin wall tube of wound glass filaments in an epoxy matrix. The bonnet extension consists of a thin wall stainless steel bellows wound with glass fibers in an epoxy matrix. The insulative spacers have a shape that results in a long tortuous conduction path when they are stacked inside the valve stem and in the space between the valve stem and the bonnet extension.

Abstract: A router bit body has an open center space that permits plunge cutting and that facilitates the ejection of chips from the router bit body. The knife is screwed to a sloping knife-supporting plane surface that underlies and reinforces the knife and that reduces the stresses in the mounting screw. The knife-supporting plane surface lies in a plane through which the angle of rotation passes obliquely.

Abstract: A blender designed on aerodynamic principles produces a thorough mixing of a number of solute gases with a diluent gas, so that the output of the blender is homogeneous to a high degree. The solute gases are supplied at desired rates by a flow controller upstream of the blender, and the blender is designed to mix these solute gases without altering the desired composition. This is accomplished by discharging the solute gases into a region devoid of turbulence, namely, near the entrance of a compression chamber. As the discharged gases approach the constriction of the venturi, a violent turbulence takes place, thereby thoroughly mixing and blending the gases. After passing through the constriction of the venturi, the gases enter a second expansion chamber which slows the flow to permit further blending to occur by molecular diffusion.

Abstract: A power supplying accessory that can readily be retrofitted to an unpowered skateboard includes a leaf spring having a front end and a rear end; the front end including holes sized and spaced to fit on the threaded fasteners that attach the rear truck to the body of the skateboard; the leaf spring being secured between the rear truck and the body of the skateboard; the rear end of the leaf spring being attached to a drive assembly that includes an internal combustion engine, a drive wheel and a speed reducer; the leaf spring, in its unloaded condition, holding the drive wheel below an imaginary ground plane tangent to both the front and rear wheel of the skateboard, so that when the skateboard is loaded, the leaf spring preloads the drive wheel against the ground while the use of the rear truck of the skateboard permits the skateboard to retain its steering characteristics, thereby making it easy to learn to use.

Abstract: A flashlight bulb of the type having a sealed envelope from which two pins extend in parallel relationship can be removably mounted in a PR-type base by the use of an insert that fits within the PR-type base and that includes, in addition to the holes for the pins, balls that are urged laterally against the pins by compression springs within the insert. The balls establish electrical contact with the pins and are connected by conductors to the terminals of the PR-type base.

Abstract: An improved flow-no-flow tester has two major advantages over its predecessor. First, it eliminates the need to invert the test cell after the compaction phase, thereby eliminating the possibility that failure of the compacted sample will occur before the failure load-measuring portion of the test can be done. Second, the improved tester determines the compaction load by measuring the force exerted by the sample against an upper piston, while a compressive force is applied to the sample by a lower piston. This results in greater accuracy than was obtained in the predecessor wherein the compaction load was taken to be the force applied to the compressing piston and which was in error due to the forces of friction and particle binding on the piston as it advanced against the sample. In addition, the improved tester minimizes the potential of particle binding during the failure portion of the test.

Abstract: An apparatus that is placed on a soft seat, such as an easy chair or sofa to help its user in being seated and in arising includes a rigid U-shaped lower frame that is spanned by a sheet of pliable material that is in contact with the seat, and further includes an upper U-shaped frame formed of tubing that is spanned by a rigid panel. The upper frame is resiliently and pivotably mounted to the lower frame by means of left and right torson springs, which apply an upward force to the rigid panel, partially offsetting the user's weight when the user is seated on the rigid panel. The apparatus is provided with left and right hand holds that permit the user to steady himself as he sits down or arises. The apparatus is stable in use and easily portable owing to its lightweight construction.