Abstract: A disposable contraceptive cervical barrier includes a bowl-shaped thin flexible member and a substantially thicker circular rim unitary with the flexible member. The rim provides a spring tension effect for helping to maintain the barrier in position. A plurality of cavities are formed in the rim and are equidistantly spaced therearound. The cavities are open so as to be capable of receiving and holding a quantity of a spermicide. Alternatively, the flexible member itself can be provided with a plurality of grooves for holding the spermicide. Preferably, the barrier is made from a mixture of a hydrophilic foam polymer and a more conventional polyurethane polyether prepolymer-catalyst system. The mixture is molded in a closed mold having a volume of about ten percent of the volume which the material would occupy if allowed to foam freely. The finished product is similar to an elastomer except that internally it has a dense cellular structure and is bounded by an impermeable skin.

Abstract: A support for an ophthalmic refracting instrument includes a vertical support column preferably comprised of a pair of closely spaced upright members. A rigid horizontal support member has one end secured to the top of the vertical support column. The free end of the support member extends to the vicinity above and in front of the patient's chair. The support member includes an elongated horizontally extending bar therein. The refracting instrument is mounted on a bar carried by a slide assembly. The slide assembly includes a pair of bearing blocks which surround the elongated shaft so that the entire slide assembly along with the refracting instrument can be slid between an inoperative position where it is adjacent the vertical support column and an operative position where the refracting instrument is in front of the patient. Magnets act as stop mechanisms and hold the slide assembly in each of its two extreme positions.

Abstract: A lock-in shoulder is provided with a head at its upper end which, upon assembly, engages the upper surface of a "U" shaped knock-on clip, abutment wings which abut the upper surface of a sleeper, a rail engaging surface which engages an edge of the rail foot, a back surface which engages a surface of an aperture through the sleeper, and an upwardly facing surface which engages the sleeper underface.

Abstract: A pail labeling machine is disclosed which applies labels to the sides of pails and particularly those having a bail. A continuously moving conveyor is provided which has a loading station, a labeling station and a discharge station. Positioned above the conveyor is a bail guide which maintains the pail bail in an upright position. The bail of the pail is guided in an upright position by the bail guide into a segment of a bail guide carried by a turret of a pail rotation drive mechanism positioned at the labeling station. The pail is arrested in its movement on the conveyor at the labeling station by a pair of rollers which swing into the path of the pail. The bail engaged by the segment of bail guide carried by the turret and rotated by the pail rotation drive mechanism is utilized to rotate the pail as a label is fed from a labeling machine into contact with the side of the pail. The label is in this manner rolled into place upon the side of the pail.

Abstract: A holder for breakable karate boards includes upper and lower spaced apart horizontal frame members secured to a vertical support for mounting the same on a wall. The free forward end of each frame member carries a track which faces the track of the other frame member for holding a karate board therebetween and in a vertical position. The width of the tracks are adjustable so that a plurality of boards can be held and each track is movable forwardly and rearwardly relative to the other so that the board or boards can be tilted either upwardly or downwardly. A bracket is provided for mounting the holder on a wall in any desired vertical position. The holder can also be removed from the bracket and mounted on various other pieces of equipment.

Abstract: A flexible bulk container includes top and bottom walls and an encircling side wall. Substantially identical flexible fill and discharge spouts are secured to the top and bottom walls, respectively. Each spout carries a cord which can be tightened around the spout for closing the same and a slide fastener on the cord for holding the cord in its tightened position. The slide fastener is comprised of a flexible plastic tube which frictionally fits around the cord. An additional cord is attached to the slide fastener associated with the discharge spout so that the fastener can be slid into its open position from a remote location thereby protecting the workman opening the discharge spout. The top and bottom walls are each also provided with a pocket into which their respective folded spout can be inserted. The pockets are each held closed by drawstrings which are also provided with similar slide fasteners.

Abstract: A subarachnoid bolt for use in measuring intracranial pressure includes a lower bolt half and an upper bolt half which can be screwed to the lower bolt half. A tubular member extends downwardly from the lower bolt half and is adapted to be inserted into a hole formed in a patient's skull. In one embodiment, the bolt is securely held in place when the free end of a tubular element carried by the upper bolt half enters the tubular member and cams the lowermost end thereof radially outwardly when the two bolt halves are screwed together. In a second embodiment, a sleeve on the lower bolt half bulges outwardly against the walls of the hole when the two bolt halves are screwed together.

Abstract: The efficiency of liquid hydrocarbon fuel is increased by subjecting it to both magnetic forces and radioactive or laser rays. The fuel may be treated by the magnetic forces and rays either simultaneously or alternately. Furthermore, the magnetic forces and radioactive rays can be applied once or can be repeatedly applied. Devices are shown which accomplish these procedures.

Abstract: An automatic computer controlled bathroom includes a shower, bathtub, sink and toilet which can all be electronically controlled. The sink and shower include water temperature sensors and valves which direct the water to the drain if it is outside of a predetermined temperature range. The temperature sensor also functions to adjust the hot and cold water supplies to bring the water to a desired temperature. A timer can be set to automatically close the bathtub drain and open the water supply at a predetermined time in the morning. Temperature sensors in the tub control the incoming water supplies to bring the bathtub water to a preselected temperature. A water level sensor stops the incoming water when the tub is filled. A similar level sensor prevents the toilet from overflowing by closing the water inlet in the event the water in the toilet reaches a dangerous level.

Abstract: A fiberizing spinner for converting a stream of molten material into a plurality of fibers includes a substantially cylindrically shaped copper shell. A complementary shaped coolant guide is disposed within the shell and is closely spaced from the inner surface thereof so as to define a highly restrictive narrow flow passage. A liquid coolant is supplied to the passage where the velocity of the same is made to accelerate to an ultrahigh velocity of at least 10 feet per second across the inner surface of the shell to thereby sweep away steam generated upon the surface.

Abstract: Lifting tongs for a crane include a pair of tong arms pivoted together adjacent their centers. A tension spring biases the tongs into a closed position and a pneumatic cylinder moves the tongs opened and closed. A pair of jaws are mounted to the lower ends of the tong arms. Each jaw includes a substantially horizontal slot and a vertical wall extends upwardly from the opening at the mouth of the slot. As the jaws are closing, the vertical walls guide the edges of the article to be lifted into the slots. Movable shims within the slots adjust the height of the slots so that the tongs can be used to lift articles of different sizes.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a semi-automatic mail insertion machine which assists an operator in placing materials into envelopes by presenting automatically unfolded and opened envelopes in rapid succession to the operator for manual placement of the materials therein. The machine includes a horizontal conveyor which, under operator control, incrementally advances the envelopes to be processed from one processing station to another in succession. An envelope stacker is positioned above the conveyor and a feed means feeds the envelopes to the conveyor prior to each advancement of the conveyor. The envelopes are conveyed to a first process station which automatically unfolds the pre-folded unsealed envelope flaps. The envelopes are then advanced to a second processing station which opens the envelopes and presents the envelopes to the operator in a manner which permits ready placement of materials into the envelopes.

Abstract: A power driven bottle opener for removing the twist-off caps from the top of a bottle includes a housing containing an electric motor and a limit switch for starting and stopping the motor. An inverted cup-shaped head is rotated by said motor and includes ribs on its interior cylindrical wall which engage the cap for twisting the same. A cap ejector pin extends vertically through the housing and into the head and can be manually pushed downwardly to eject a cap which may become lodged in the removing head. The pin also carries a radial projection which activates the limit switch and therefore the motor when the pin is moved upwardly by a bottly and cap inserted into the cap removing head. The housing also carries a lighted advertising sign adjacent the top thereof.

Abstract: A sleeve adapted to float in water and to surround a piling to protect the same from being lifted by ice includes an outer corrugated casing which can be easily gripped by ice forming therearound. Within the casing is a layer of waterproof cementitious material followed by a layer of closed cell foam plastic. The innermost surface of the sleeve, which faces the piling, is a smooth even layer of polyethylene film. Should ice form in the annular space between the piling and the sleeve, the sleeve can easily slide up or down across the outer surface of the ice without moving the piling.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing injuries to a worker as a result of a fall includes a housing which is intended to be supported at an elevated position where the worker is working and a cable which is adapted to be connected to a harness or belt worn by the worker. The housing includes a spring driven drum therein which normally keeps the cable wound thereon but which allows the same to be withdrawn slowly from the housing as more cable is needed by the worker. A centrifugally operated brake senses an initial quick withdrawal of the cable from the housing which results from the worker falling and stops further withdrawal therefrom to thereby prevent the worker from falling further. A hand operated winch mechanism carried by the housing allows a fellow worker to raise the fallen worker to safety.

Abstract: A firewood rack includes a reservoir for containing a quantity of a fumigant and slowly releases the vapors upwardly through the firewood to kill or repel insects or other pests. The rack includes at least one tubular member which supports the firewood. Fumigant granules are poured into the interior of the tubular member through a fill opening therein. Vapors are released through a plurality of holes in the wall of the tubular member.