Abstract: A manually operated switch located on an electric guitar controls a remotely located tuning device through the existing guitar cable. Preferably, the switch is located in an adaptor which plugs into the audio output jack of the guitar and into which is plugged the guitar cable. Circuitry associated with the switch sends a control signal on the audio cable and circuitry located adjacent the tuner interprets the control signal for controlling the tuner.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for simultaneously welding by the stud end welding technique a stud having two or more ends. The stud includes at least one elongated relatively thin metallic projection from each end of the stud to be welded. The method and apparatus maintains a current density in a given projection sufficient to disintegrate only a portion of each projection with consequent arc initiation upon contact with the base metal such that the disintegration of a given projection will permit the remaining projections to contact the base metal causing a short to extinguish the one arc which has been initiated and consequent disintegration and arcing of the next tip to strike the workpiece which procedure proceeds randomly from tip to tip until the ends of the stud reach the molten metal pools.

Abstract: A skateboard includes conventional carriages and axles supported on the underside thereof. Each axle has a truck pivotally supported on either end and each truck includes front and rear wheels. Each of the four trucks is pivotal independently of each of the others and is spring biased in an intermediate position. An endless belt passes around and is supported by the wheels on each of the four trucks.

Abstract: A jogger or runner's aid increases the endurance of a runner by supporting the weight of his arms as he runs. The device includes a shoulder strap which fits around the back of the user's neck. A pair of end straps are pivotally secured to the ends of the shoulder strap by rings and include hand loops and thumb loops at their ends for supporting the wearer's arms. The length of the straps may be adjustable to accommodate different people. An optional pedometer or other type of distance measuring device may be secured to one of the end straps.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is tuned by illuminating a portion of a vibrating string with a monochromatic stroboscopic light source. The illuminated string portion is viewed through a monochromatic filter of the same color as the light source. The string tension is then adjusted until the desired stationary stroboscopic effect is achieved.

Abstract: A knee strap for treating chondromalacia patella and similar disorders includes an elongated soft, flexible strap member which is long enough to encircle a person's leg just below the patella. The ends of the strap are flat and overlap each other behind the person's knee with Velcro holding the ends together. The center portion of the strap includes a rubber, tubular member which presses against the patella tendon to force the patella into proper alignment thereby reducing pressure and trauma on the underside thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches synthetic polyurethane sponges manufactured with at least 5% of one or more additives dispersed therein. The additives may be soap, lotions, detergents, pesticides, lanolin, scouring particles, silicone oils, bath oils, or the like or combinations thereof. The sponges' skeletons are developed by reaction of a polyether or a polyester with a suitable isocyanate in the presence of a catalyst with the additives entrapped in voids of the sponges. An additive bearing material, i.e. a carrier material containing the additive is prepared. The carrier material is then mixed into a foam forming reaction mass. By this expedient the additive does not impair desired foam formation. The sponges are provided with high liquid absorbency and fine "hand" by virtue of manufacturing methods and specific catalysts employed.

Abstract: A combined pick and stringed instrument tuning device includes a relatively flat, substantially rectangularly shaped housing having a pick attached thereto and is small enough to be easily held in one's hand. A momentary contact push-button switch mounted on top of the housing controls an electronic tuning circuit by selecting one of several predetermined frequencies from a frequency generator. In one embodiment, the tuning circuit is mounted in the housing so that the tuning device is totally self-contained. Alternatively, the tuning circuit is remotely located and is controlled by a cable connected to the housing or by radio signals. The frequency selected is displayed on the housing and the frequency generator drives a strobe light located near the pick. In another embodiment, a microphone mounted on the housing converts sounds from the string being tuned to a signal which is compared to the preselected frequency.

Abstract: Pellet molding apparatus for molding pellets from a powder material which includes a rotary index table upon which are placed a plurality of hollow cylindrical mold members spaced at equal radial and arc distances one from another. A mold filling station assembly is provided to fill the molds and a vertically operating hydraulic press at a pressing station compresses the powder in the cylindrical molds into pellets. A pivoted mold bottom operates upon a cam surface to maintain the bottom ends of the molds closed through the filling and pressing stations and swings open at an ejection station. An ejection station is provided and includes rams operating through the top of the mold member to force the compressed pellet out of the mold member through the open bottom end of the mold member.

Abstract: Mobile apparatus for, on site, welding of rail retaining clip studs to existing railroad rail plates which includes a railway car assembly having wheel and axle assemblies and propulsion means to move the railway car assembly along the railway tracks. The railway car assembly further includes two carriage assemblies each of which carries two welding gun assemblies which project downwardly upon each side of the rail plate. The carriage assembly includes carriage actuator means for moving the carriage assembly both longitudinally and transversely of the rail plate to position the welding gun assemblies. A position and sensing control means is provided which includes a rail plate sensor which first senses the position of a rail plate to stop the railway car assembly and properly position the welding gun assembies with respect to the rail plate longitudinally thereof.

Abstract: Disposable contraceptive intravaginal cervical barriers of one, two, three, four, or five layers in the form of standard pessaries with at least one layer impervious to the passage of sperm, with a medicament such as spermicide, germicide, or an abortion inducing agent either impregnated into a foam plastic layer or in the form of a layer of gel or powder, said medicament being activatable upon contact with an aqueous solution.Methods of producing disposable contraceptive barriers either as a wet foam plastic method wherein medicament is added to liquid foam and the resulting mixture is formed in a mold with any subsequent layers then added, or as a dry foam plastic method wherein layers including a layer of medicament in the form of a gel or a powder are superposed in sequence and formed in a die.

Abstract: An electric pump delivers water from an reservoir to a nozzle located in the air intake manifold of a diesel engine. The pumping capacity of the pump is adjustable by varying the resistance of a variable resistor in series with the pump so that the system can be used with various engines requiring different amounts of water. Several safety switches are provided to prevent water from being pumped unless the engine is running at a predetermined speed, a predetermined oil pressure is reached and the throttle is depressed. An indicator light indicates when the water reservoir is empty and needs refilling.

Abstract: A cable and battery terminal cleaner particularly adapted for cleaning the terminals of a side post storage battery and the cable ends attached thereto includes a substantially cylindrically shaped housing. An annular row of wire bristles extends from one end of the housing. Within the row of bristles and extending outwardly beyond the ends of the bristles is a pilot pin which is adapted to fit within the bolt hole of a terminal to act as a guide for rotary movement of the cleaner. The pin may also be pushed inwardly against a spring so that the end of a bolt may enter the opening at the end of the housing to also act as a guide when a cable end is being cleaned. A socket is located on the remote wall of the housing for connecting the entire cleaner to a rotary power tool if desired.

Abstract: After retraction of the periostium a rectangularly shaped channel, having a configuration equal to the shape of the implant, is cut in the jawbone beneath the ridge crest. The channel is checked with a gauge having a shape substantially the same as the implant but having slightly smaller dimensions. The channel is then enlarged and again checked with another gauge, slightly larger than the first. The process is repeated until the channel is of the proper size. A rectangularly shaped implant having two spaced apart substantially parallel vertical side walls is then inserted into the channel so that the entire implant is below the top level of the bone. The walls of the implant are then cammed outwardly with the use of screw means so as to press against the walls of the channel to secure the implant in place.