Abstract: The upper block assembly of a crane is connected to the crane boom via a special universal joint having a pivot axis and a hollow shaft. The cable by which the lower block assembly is suspended is fed through the hollow shaft and extends to the crane winch via a pulley mounted on the boom. Guide pulleys are arranged on the upper block assembly and universal joint respectively so that the cable extending therebetween is coincident with the pivot axis of the hollow shaft. With this arrangement, the lower pulley block has unlimited freedom to swing laterally (side lead angle).

Abstract: A self-supporting tray-like product container (especially for food) having an inner dished part for accommodating the product in a first well, and an outer dished part having a second well into which the first well protrudes, the inner and outer parts contacting and being joined to each other at their respective peripheral edges otherwise with their wells in all-round mutually-spaced relation. The spacing provides thermal and/or shock insulation and allows the inner and outer parts to be made of different materials especially one having different thermal deformation resistances which allows use of the package in either a conventional or a microwave oven or both according to the materials chosen.

Abstract: Cooling apparatus comprising an air humidifying element defining a plurality of liquid pathways and a plurality of parallel air pathways intersecting and communicating with the plurality of liquid pathways and apparatus for applying a pressure gradient across the plurality of parallel air pathways and, in another embodiment, air conditioning apparatus comprising a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, apparatus located within the housing for providing passage of air between the inlet and the outlet, apparatus located within the housing, upstream of the outlet, for cooling air passed between the inlet and the outlet and apparatus located within the housing for raising the relative humidity of the air passed between the inlet and the outlet, the apparatus for raising the relative humidity comprising an air humidifying element defining a plurality of liquid pathways and a plurality of parallel air pathways intersecting and communicating with the plurality of liquid pathways.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a water-borne vessel. There is a generally inflexible fin member. A projection member is connected to the vessel. It has a resilient connecting member attached to the generally inflexible fin member. The projection member is connected to the vessel so as to be held below water along an axis parallel to the water line.

Abstract: A valve assembly for selectively allowing either a partial or a complete draining of a toilet flush tank. A hollow valve member having both a small vent hole and a larger opening therein is selectively pivoted in a first or or a second direction depending upon which one of two activation levers is depressed. Opening the valve by pivoting it in one direction allows trapped air to vent from within the hollow valve. Inflowing water eventually imparts a negative buoyancy to the valve assembly and allows it to settle onto the valve seat to seal the tank prior to the discharge of the entire volume of water held by the flush tank. Alternatively, opening the valve by pivoting it in the opposite direction allows substantially less air to escape by virtue of the placement of the vent hole. The valve therefore never achieves negative buoyancy and the entire tank drains before the valve can settle onto its valve seat to seal the tank.

Abstract: An annealed Nylon rope formed with one or more knots held by a dog, or by a human, to enable an untwisted tassel portion of the rope to be pulled between a dog's teeth in the manner of dental floss.

Abstract: A fluid flow meter comprising a housing having a pair of fluid ports and defining therebetween a fluid flow path; a flexible membrane defining a pair of opposing faces and being mounted in the fluid flow path such that the pair of faces simultaneously define with the housing fluid impermeable seals at at least two different locations along the flow path, the membrane being operative to flex so as to permit passage therepast of discrete quanta of fluid, each having a known volume; apparatus for generating electrical signals corresponding to flexure of the membrane; and monitoring apparatus for receiving the electrical signals and thereby determining a fluid flow rate along the flow path.

Abstract: An improved flying pet toy is formed of a suitable matrix material and an attractant for enhanced retrievability and wear resistance, including a circular crown portion having a center, an intermediate circular surface area surrounding the center, a circumferential portion surrounding the circular area. A projecting ridge extending outward from the top surface of the circular crown may also be included. Various other embodiments of the improved pet toy are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for lubricating a workpiece-machine tool interface during a machining operation in which the temperature of lubricant atomized within a stream of air is substantially reduced. The preferred embodiment utilizes a vortex tube to accomplish the cooling and thereby provides an extremely simple device that greatly reduces the amount of heat generated in a machining operation. Reduced heat production decreases the temperatures to which both the workpiece and machine tool are subjected. Lower temperatures serve to extend the machine tool's service life while preserving the workpiece's metallurgy and consequently allows for increased machining rates.

Abstract: A fog producing apparatus for suspending fine particles of water in air in an economical and reliable manner. Ultrasonic transducers potted in an electrically insulative and liquidproof material are placed in a container in which a predetermined water level is maintained by a float and valve device. Alternatively, the potted transducers are suspended below floats floating on the surface of the water whereby the critical water depth over the transducers is automatically maintained. In addition compressed air is conducted through the emanating fog plumes to provide a more homogeneous and dispersed fog effect. A copious amount of fog can thereby be efficiently and reliably produced to create theatrical or visual effects.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprising a catheter having a lumen and characterized by a flexible distal extremity. The assembly further comprises a bolt having a threaded distal extremity for threading into an opening in the skull in sterile relation. The bolt includes an elongated chamber extending between its distal extremity and a threaded proximal extremity of the bolt. The catheter is disposed through the bolt chamber, and includes an opening from the lumen to the exterior of its flexible distal extremity. A clamp is threaded onto the catheter proximal extremity and is operative to forcibly engage the catheter and constrain it against movement relative to the bolt to thereby maintain a predetermined depth of insertion of the catheter into the skull.

Abstract: Raw feature sensors are arranged in rank order for sensing raw features which exceed a respective set of raw feature values. Each raw feature sensor determines if a feature exists which falls within its range. The raw feature sensors have ranges which are exponentially separated by a constant factor, which may be chosen to allow easy approximate calculation of small integer ratios or other important ratios. A contrast-enhancer may be used in the case of visual data to improve the operation of the raw feature sensors. A ratio-detector network is repsonsive to the raw feature sensors and calculates ratios of the raw feature data. The ratio-detector network pairwise ANDs each possible pair of results from the raw feature sensors and combines these pairwise AND results with OR gates to generate a set of outputs, each of which indicates the detection of a single ratio.

Abstract: Apparatus for immunoassay of multiple samples of biological fluids (e.g., AIDS antibodies), the apparatus being capable of mounting for rocking during incubation. A frame receives plural test vessels so that the vessels are interconnected for circulation through all the vessels of buffers, de-ionized water and air and for discharge of waste. Each vessel is transparent and contains nitrocellulose test paper impregnated with antigens to the antibodies. Valved ports in each vessel accept sequential insertion of the biological fluids, an enzyme conjugate and color developer. Color changes in the individual test papers are observed through the transparent vessels and identify presence of antibodies in the samples.

Abstract: A method of preparing an autogenous vaccine for use in improving the immunocompetence of animals affected with neoplastic disease characterized by the production of choronic gonadotropin by the microorganism Progenitor cryptocides, ATCC 31, 874.