Abstract: A portable, free-standing head support frame for passively inducing cervical and thoracic flexion while maintaining traction includes a base support platform for placement on the floor or other stable treatment surface, an upright head support frame that projects transversely with respect to the base platform, a head cradle including a V-shaped occipital engagement block with engagement edges extending transversely on opposite sides of the occipital center line, a strap to immobilize the patient's head, and an adjustable coupling for holding the head cradle at a desired elevation above the base platform. The patient assumes a static, semi-reclined position with the patient's upper torso and head being elevated and inclined with respect to the support surface. The weight of the patient's upper torso induces a gentle stretch and traction in cervical and thoracic flexion, providing relief of cervical and upper thoracic muscle spasm, and facet joint, costovertebral joint and soft tissue conditions.

Abstract: A wagering card game is played with a standard fifty-two card poker deck and a count limit card that is permanently assigned as the third card of the dealer's hand. Each player makes a bet, divides the bet in half and places each half in two separate betting areas on a playing surface. Two cards are dealt face down to each player and to the dealer. The players inspect their cards and keep or trade one or both. If a player trades, he surrenders one-half his total wager. Replacement cards are dealt face down and the dealer collects the surrendered bets. After evaluating his hand, each player then places his cards face up in progressive order into card docks provided on the playing surface. A third card is then dealt face down to each player, but not to the dealer. The dealer's third card is a count limit card or the representation of a count limit card having a predetermined count value (for example 5) that is imprinted on the count limit card or on the playing surface, and is displayed at all times.

Abstract: A hollow shaft hunting arrow carries a small volume of liquified carbon dioxide which is released by flash expansion upon penetration into the thorax of a game animal. The thorax is pressurized with carbon dioxide gas at sub-zero temperature to cause collapse of the lungs and fibrillation of the heart, so that the animal can be harvested on the spot, thus avoiding escape and uncertain recovery. The liquified carbon dioxide is carried in an internal reservoir and is released by flash expansion upon opening actuation of a valve closure member. The arrowhead includes a freely movable center core which is attached to an actuator shaft that is engagable with a release valve. The release valve is actuated by either piercing a metallic membrane, fracturing a glass or ceramic lens or unseating the ball closure of a ball valve assembly.

Abstract: A telecommunication switch for handling both synchronous transfer mode (STM) digital data signals and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) digital data signals includes a flexible link list manager for mapping input slots to output slots, an input hybrid page, an output hybrid page and a hybrid routing table for managing the time slot interchange function. The STM data stream is segmented to form fixed length, serially propagating digital data words. The segment length of each STM data word is equal to the ATM cell length. The number of bytes in each STM segment and the number of bytes in each ATM cell are the same, and the STM segments and ATM cells are equal in duration. Because the ATM and STM signals are routed through a common switch, it is not necessary to split the two types of traffic before switching can be performed. Consequently, the switch can support any network distribution of ATM and STM traffic with the same switching equipment.

Abstract: A roof-mounted shade assembly for reducing solar heat gain includes an array of fabric panels that are tightly stretched between upright support posts in an operative position overlying and spaced from the roof of a building structure. Several spray nozzles periodically discharge water spray in the form of mist or fog into the space between the fabric panels and the building roof. The fabric panels become saturated with water spray, and fog/mist water droplets are in heat transfer contact with the roof surface and with the wet fabric panels. Thermal energy from the building structure is transferred to the surrounding atmosphere by convection and evaporative cooling as wind currents sweep across the wet fabric panels and the wet roof surface. The water-absorbent fabric panels simultaneously screen direct solar radiation and function as a thermal wick for transferring heat energy from the building structure.

Abstract: Multiple groups of optical fibers are laid in concentric helical layers around a central core. A first layer is wound or laid around the core with adjacent lap segments touching each other, thus eliminating axial spacing between the lap segments along the core. The next group contains a greater number of optical fibers and is helically laid around the first layer, with adjacent lap segments touching each other. This winding process is continued, with the number of optical fibers in each successive winding group progressively increasing until a desired cable diameter is obtained. Improved surface uniformity is provided by laying the helical layers with a reversed direction of lay and with increased length of lay in each successive layer. According to another arrangement, improved luminosity is provided by laying the helical layers with reversed direction of lay and with the same length of lay in each successive layer.

Abstract: An extendable bed assembly that is movable between a first stowed position and a second sleep position includes a mattress, a base panel for supporting the mattress, a bed platform for slideably supporting the base panel and allowing it to slide between the stowed position and sleep position, and a bolster cushion for filling a gap formed between the mattress and the bed platform when in the sleep position. A locking assembly is associated with the bed platform and base panel for selectively restricting movement between the bed platform and base panel. Bed side panels are attached to the base panel for laterally aligning the mattress on the base panel and for guiding relative movement between the base panel and bed platform.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cage for small domestic pet animals which provides space saving yet permits ready expansion in the event of pet population growth. The cage is of a hanging-up-on-the-wall type having a relatively small depth and width. It includes a rear wall having a plurality of attachment holes through which many accessories are attached to the rear wall. A plurality of openings are formed in the side walls to receive perforated blind plates for air penetration. The cage may comprise a primary and an auxiliary housing which are connected to each other through a tubular passage.

Abstract: In a snow gun, each of air and water are discharged through V-jet nozzles in the form of generally flat and V-shaped jets or sprays. The nozzles are spacially positioned and angled so that the air jet intersects the water spray along a line of intersection where they are of equal width. This provides efficient atomization of the water with the result that snow can be made at milder freezing temperature.

Abstract: A coil of continuous steel tubing string is stretched along the ground. An elongate bundle of instrument lines, including thermocouples and pressure sensor wiring, is threaded into the bore of the tubing string. The instrument lines are landed at multiple spaced apart measurement points along the string. The string and the contained bundle are cut at pressure measuring points. A tubular sub having a side port is supplied for each point. One set of cut line ends is threaded through the sub and reconnected with the other set. A pressure sensor is inserted in the string at the cut point and connected with pressure sensor wiring and the port. This process is repeated along the tubing string. The product is a continuous tubing string housing a plurality of pressure sensor assemblies connected to ports along the string and a plurality of thermocouples operative to measure temperature at points along the string.

Abstract: A tubular fingertip covering or cot made of latex rubber or other flexible material is coated with a tacky or non-tacky adhesive that may include a pediculicide preparation. After the operator's index finger is inserted into the tubular fingertip covering, a layer or coating of adhesive is applied to the protective covering. During inspection, the infested hair is combed to expose lice and dislodge nits, which are then collected by adhesive contact. Because the adhesive covering is on the fingertip, the protected finger can follow the quick movements of the lice, and can collect and retrieve lice and nits from between hair follicle shafts. The fingertip covering is rolled-up or turned inside-out after use, thereby permanently encapsulating the collected lice and nits for hygienic disposal, without risk of escape or transfer to another host.

Abstract: A tire is supported in a deflated or run-flat condition by curved, tubular support segments. End portions of adjacent support segments include complementary male and female portions disposed in mating engagement when installed on a wheel in the run-flat operative position. The mating end portions maintain alignment of the support segments during installation and oppose lateral deflection of the segments relative to the wheel in response to side impact forces imposed on the tire during run-flat operation. Each support segment includes a smooth crown portion centered between two shoulder portions and separated from the shoulder portions by a pair of annular grooves or pockets. During run-flat turning and cornering movement, tire tread material is pressed into one of the annular grooves, thus centering the tire on the support segment, thereby opposing lateral shifting movement of the tire tread relative to the support segment and distributing load forces uniformly across the tire tread.

Abstract: An air flow filter assembly of the side-loading type includes a filter guide track adjacent a side access opening for supporting multiple air filter elements in an operative position across the air flow passage. An internal closed loop seal assembly provides an effective, independent peripheral seal for each track-mounted filter element. A gasket retainer, mounted within the air flow passage adjacent the filter track, includes frame segments forming a rectangular gasket frame bordering one or more air flow windows or cells. A seal gasket is mounted on each gasket frame, with each seal gasket including a resilient flange portion extending in a closed loop around each air flow window or cell. The closed loop flange portion projects from the gasket frame for engaging and resiliently sealing along the face of a filter element supported on the filter track in air flow alignment with the air flow window or cell.

Abstract: A buoyant lounge chair supports a swimmer in a stable, semi-reclining position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame. Buoyant cushions are attached to the chair frame, forming a chair seat, a chair back, left and right chair arms and a bolster block. The buoyant cushions forming the chair seat and the chair back include overlapping layers of buoyant cushion material that are secured together by adhesive, with the seat frame and the back frame being sandwiched between the overlapping layers. One of the buoyant layers forms a continuous body support surface that transitions through an angle from the chair seat to the chair back. Each arm support includes an upright arm support riser that is laterally offset from the seat frame and a horizontal arm rest segment that is vertically offset from the seat frame.

Abstract: The side panels of a storage enclosure are intersected by slots or slip channels that mate with support rails attached to the load bed sidewalls of a pickup truck. The storage enclosure is installed by sliding it forward, with the storage enclosure riding on the support rails to an operative position wherein the access opening of the storage enclosure is presented flush with the tailgate access opening and the storage compartment is conveniently accessible when the tailgate is open and is secured against unauthorized access when the tailgate is closed. Vertical movement of the storage enclosure relative to the load bed is blocked by engagement of slip channel shoulders against the slip rails. Forward movement of the storage enclosure is blocked by the rear wheel well fenders of the pickup truck. Rearward movement of the storage enclosure is blocked by the tailgate when it is in the closed position.