Abstract: A computer system for duplicate bridge scoring utilizes a compact data card to remain attached to a duplicate board during the session of play. The card is arranged for encoding of data round-by-round rather than by player line. The computer unscrambles the pair numbers by formula or reference, the variable number of tables for each of the sections being communicated to the computer after the session starts. The data card is made sufficiently compact by the aid of the round-by-round array; by unique type style and arrangement; by utilizing machine language for the bridge score. The machine language is arranged to comport with standard readers having twelve read heads on quarter inch centers. Unique holders for the data cards utilize concealer tabs that at all times during the play session remain with the duplicate board.

Abstract: A submersible pump casing is supported for limited vertical movement. Buoyancy of the casing changes according to the amount of water in the chamber. When pressurized air continuously supplied to the chamber has discharged most of the water, the casing rises, opening a vent and allowing an inrush of water through a large inlet at the bottom of the casing. A float closes the vent and the cycle repeats. The vent is a simple flapper, and the vent itself is large whereby the filling is quickly accomplished. The flapper is cracked to allow quick opening by a simple push rod and bar mechanism.

Abstract: A stress free baffled waterbed mattress bag consists of an array of individual baffles, each of the baffles comprising a plurality of vertically stacked bladders serially connected, the end bladders being respectively attached to the operative top and bottom mattress bag layers. Each of the bladders comprises a pair of circular layers peripherally welded together and centrally attached respectively to the corresponding layer of the companion bladder and the top or bottom operative mattress layer.

Abstract: A waterbed mattress incorporates an array of individual tie structures each having an elastic element that is slightly stressed under nominal fill conditions of the mattress. The elastic element has a spring constant of about three pounds per inch. The tie structures determine the firmness characteristic of the mattress and accommodate to changing and/or shifting loads. Firmness no longer depends upon the degree of fill.

Abstract: Affixed to the back plate on opposite sides of a tank seat are brackets providing loops for detachable connection to hooks. An inelastic fabric web, such as of woven nylon, adjustably threads around a buckle bar on one hook, and returns along the inside of the web for firm attachment by hook and mesh fasteners such as "VELCRO". The other end of the web fixedly attaches to a metal loop that cooperates with a high leverage toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism comprises but two parts, the first being a bar forming a hook detachably coupled to the corresponding back plate bracket, the second being a lever hinged to the bar and providing a recess to receive the loop for over center lock and release of the loop by toggle action.

Abstract: Two rectangular pieces of plastic material corresponding to the top and bottom layers of the bag to be formed are placed end to end and looped to form a tube. The overlapped ends are partially welded together to leave long access slits to the tube. The incompletely formed tube is telescoped over a welding die having the same general configuration of the tube, but axially compressed. The edges of the tube openings are turned inwardly over the generally rectangular rims at opposite ends of the die. The corners of the rims are rounded so that the inwardly turned edges form a one layer continuous flange free of wrinkles. Rectangular end pieces are then lap welded to the flange. The incompletely formed waterbed mattress is removed from the die. Individual baffle structures are welded to the top and bottom layers of the bag by secondary operations in which a jig mounting a row of baffle structures projects through the tube slits to position the baffle structures during a welding operation.

Abstract: A bed frame, such as for hospital use, includes a part that may be upwardly inclined. A series of transverse slings suspend a series of individual elongated bag elements. The individual bag elements, when filled with water, merge to form a comfortable and conformable surface. A control system determines and maintains optimum pressure in each of the bag elements as well as in the main horizontal portion of the mattress bag.

Abstract: A diving snorkel is provided with a purge valve located in a branch or bypass conduit. The branch conduit connects with the main snorkel conduit at a place remote from the mouthpiece. When the diver resumes a snorkel attitude after the snorkel has been filled with water, the purge valve allows water in the projecting end of the snorkel to drop to the level of the water surface, minimizing the amount of water required to be purged for snorkel breathing. The remote location of the purge valve provides efficient utilization of exhalation effort.

Abstract: Tubular frame structures such as for furniture, cabinets, display stands or the like comprise square tubular metal elements held together by a series of right angle connector structures. The improved connector comprises a channel having one end fixedly attached to a first frame element. A second frame element telescopes over the channel. A jack screw, accessible through a hole in the second frame element, engages a bowed toggle spring to force the sides of the channel apart. Engagement is established at two corners at the ends of one side of the frame while the reaction is sustained by the base of the channel.

Abstract: A first stage scuba regulator operates to supply breathable air at a pressure of say, about 125 psi above ambient to a second stage demand regulator. The first stage regulator includes a piston subjected on one side to ambient pressure, and on the other to downstream air pressure, and so arranged as to open when the ambient pressure overpowers downstream pressure by a preset amount determined by a bias spring and to close when downstream pressure rises to the present amount. Instead of directly conducting outside water to the first side of the piston, an inert barrier fluid of high molecular weight is used that fills the piston chamber. Low temperature silicone grease is the preferred material. The barrier fluid is retained by a porous closure that offers very limited restriction to the flow of water, but significantly greater resistance to the flow of the barrier fluid.

Abstract: A scuba diver uses air not only for breathing, but also to inflate a buoyancy jacket or vest. A single mechanism controls the flow of air for buoyancy and for breathing. The mechanism is held by a mouthpiece and includes (1) a demand regulator, (2) a breathing chamber between the regulator and the mouthpiece, (3) a pruge or one way exhaust valve connected to the breathing chamber, (4) a buoyancy chamber communicating with an inflation/deflation hose for the jacket or vest, (5) a first manual control valve for sending relatively high pressure air to the buoyancy chamber and (6) a second composite manual control valve that in its initial position opens the buoyancy chamber to the breathing chamber for exhaust of air through the purge valve and consequent deflation of the buoyancy jacket or vest, and that in its final position closes the purge valve for oral inflation or emergency breathing.

Abstract: A security bar lock for a door is neatly encased in an elongated section of trim molding. The bar lock projects behind the edge of the door and is retracted therefrom. A sturdy but compact fulcrum pin mounting transmits heavy forces to the frame structure itself.

Abstract: A waterbed mattress is provided with a series of unitary baffles each comprising a web joined at opposite ends to circular attachment flanges. A floating die of substantially cylindrical form surrounds the central web during the welding process in which substantially flat parts of the welding machine close about top and bottom mattress layers with the baffle and floating die in position. A narrow axially extending slit in the die allows the die to be removed after the baffle is attached. After all baffles are suitably positioned, the mattress layers are closed.

Abstract: A control valve is placed between a water supply pipe and a delivery device such as a tub spout or a shower head. The control valve includes a cylinder open at the discharge end. The supply line is connected to the other end of the cylinder by a series of radial inlet ports. A slide closure in the cylinder moves to open and at least partially to close the inlet ports by a thermal sensor located upstream of the valve. The closure freely passes water on opposite sides so that the closure is balanced and unaffected by fluid pressure. Resetting of the control valve is quickly achieved as soon as safe conditions are sensed under reduced flow conditions.

Abstract: A two-speed motor drive system for an acoustic rotor includes two simple, relatively inexpensive motors cooperatively arranged to drive the acoustic rotor at either a pulsato speed or a slower chorus speed, and also to provide automatic braking of the rotor from full pulsato speed to either slow chorus speed or to a fully stopped condition.

Abstract: An escutcheon plate for the bath overflow fitting conventionally mounts a trip lever for operating the bath drain plug. The center of the lever is pivoted on the escutcheon plate to provide an outer handle end and an inner crank end. The outer handle end is tilted up or down to open or close the drain plug. A spring arrangement stabilizes the lever in both positions, the central position being unstable. A simple wire spring is attached at opposite ends to the lever and a fulcrum located inwardly of the pivot axis of the lever. The spring acts as a toggle, being compressed to a maximum when its points of attachment are in line with the lever pivot axis. A bistable arrangement is provided in the simplest possible manner.

Abstract: A visual display rack includes an extension bar vertically slidable in a hollow standard. A one way clutch mechanism allows the bar to be raised but unless released, locks the bar against downward movement in order to support the load placed upon the bar. The clutch mechanism is released by a button inconspicuously located at the top of the bar. The entire clutch mechanism is carried by the extension bar. The standard is not in any manner altered for cooperation with the mechanism.

Abstract: A drain closure includes a flexible seal member formed as a segment of a sphere and centrally mounted on a post located at the center of the drain. The seal member is bistable between opposite involuted positions. In one position its free edges snap downwardly to engage the flange of the drain nut and in the other position its free edges snap upwardly to open the drain. The post is guided for limited vertical movement in a centrally hubbed retainer so that downwrd movement of the post flips the seal member to its upwardly involuted position. A relatively rigid disk slidably mounted about a button attached to the top of the post shields the seal member from a hard stream of water issuing from the spout above, thereby preventing the closure member from accidentally snapping closed. Also, the disk shields the closure member from the current of waste water draining through the device, thereby preventing accidental closure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed which pertain to inflatable structures useful as air beds and the like. Shape and load control are facilitated by a plurality of bladders that are located within an inflatable chamber of the structure and are joined to opposed imperforate walls thereof. The bladders are provided with vents which lend to the interior of the chamber, and upon inflation of the structure and resultant separation of the opposed walls of the chamber, the bladders are caused to extend from a flattened state, become filled with the fluid used for inflating the structure, and assume a roughly cylindrical convoluted configuration. Being made of a flexible, substantially non-extensible material, such a vinyl plastics, there is a limit to which the bladders can extend, and further vertical separation or lateral shifting of the attached opposed walls is thereby restrained.

Abstract: A water pressure gauge for agricultural use comprises no moving parts. A translucent tube has one end provided with a hollow prong or probe that penetrates flexible water conduit. The tube is open at the end opposite the probe and has an outlet opening located near the probe end. With the guage vertically oriented, water reaches a level in the tube dependent upon water pressure. By careful calibration of the outlet relative to an interior baffle, a reasonably satisfactory water pressure gauge is available for irrigation purposes.