Abstract: A system for detecting leaks in pasteurization plates and the like wherein the plate forms a chamber with a support surface and a gasket, a vacuum is formed in the chamber, and leaks in the plate detected by passing a gas through the plate and sensing the presence of said gas in the chamber.

Abstract: A device for producing variable moire patterns including a housing maintaining transparent sheets in face-to-face relationship, said sheets movable relative to one another and each carrying a pattern of lines.

Abstract: A belt scraper assembly for cleaning material from a conveyor belt (2). The scraper assembly (1) includes scraper elements (6) that are slidably secured to a mounting plate (7). An element may be replaced, without stopping the conveyor or the cleaning action, by inserting a new element (6) while pushing an old one out. The scraper element has a curved shape such that the belt continually sharpens the scraping edge (22) as it travels, rather than rounding it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for insitu reinforcement of a section of a wooden pole at a position below the groundline is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a cavity around the pole, mounting an elongated sleeve around the pole to define an annular space with the pole, and filling the space with a reinforcing material. The improved portion of the method includes supporting the sleeve above the groundline while mounting the same around the pole and securing the lower end against radial expansion, lowering the sleeve until it extends over the section to be reinforced, and filling the sleeve with a bonding agent, such as a foaming epoxy resin system, which bonds the sleeve to the pole over the length of the section to be reinforced. Preferably the upper end of the sleeve is contracted and sealed against the pole.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a first structural element relative to a second structural element wherein a flexible container containing a foaming agent is positioned between the structural elements, the agent is expanded within the container and partially migrates from the container to form a bond with at least one of the structural elements, and the agent is hardened in place.

Abstract: A device to relieve traction from a patient, the traction imposed by a weight connected to a harness on the patient through a flexible element strung over a pulley wheel, the device including a reversible motor which turns a pulley wheel mounted on a shaft through a one-way clutch, the motor being freely mounted on the shaft and raising the weight when it turns in one direction to produce slack in the flexible element, and lowering the weight to impose traction force on the patient when it turns in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A portable pad including a primary pad section and secondary pad sections defining an indentation for receiving a vehicle tire with the secondary pad sections adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of the tire.

Abstract: A system for plugging a conduit wherein a container containing a foaming agent and having a pull tab and opening is placed within the conduit interior with the pull tab positioned between a barrier element and the conduit so that pulling of the tab extrudes the container's contents within the conduit.

Abstract: A laser frequency drift control device for an electrically powered, integral electrode and end-mirror, gas laser tube is disclosed. The control device includes a resistance and transistor heater assembly, which is electrically connected to be powered by the discharge current of the laser tube and thermally coupled to an end-mirror to heat the same, a thermal sensor coupled to the end-mirror to be heated for the purpose of obtaining temperature feedback, and a control circuit which varies heating of the end-mirror in accordance with the temperature feedback. LEDs provide visual feedback as to operation of the heater assembly to permit adjustment thereof. A method of controlling temperature variation induced laser frequency drift is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-adjusting support or structure including a cylindrical column having a top portion attachable to the structure and having a bearing plate partly closing the bottom with the column nesting within a casing that stands on the ground, the column being adapted to receive sand in its hollow interior, the column having spacing projections around its lower portion and the casing having spacing projections around its upper portions so that sand can flow into the casing beneath the bearing plate when the casing settles to a lower elevation.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for supporting detachable, roof-top automotive, carrying racks of the type usually secured to vehicle rain gutters is disclosed. The bracket assembly may be used on vehicles having no rain gutters and includes a bracket plate member having a generally planar portion and a flange portion which is formed to have a generally W-shaped cross section that extends away from the planar portion for releasable coupling of rack mounting assembly thereto. The shape of the flange allows the bracket assembly to be used to anchor a roof-top rack to either a side wall or the roof of a vehicle.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade including a rear trough-like portion and a forward tubular portion with the tubular portion having a beveled end and being between 5 and 8.5 centimeters in length, and with a light source located in the interior of the tubular portion.

Abstract: A product for treatment of arthritis and migraine is formed from the Feverfew plant. The leaves and part of the stalk are harvested from the Chrysanthemum parthenium form of the plant immediately prior to flowering and then freeze dried, milled and converted into capsule or tablet form for human use.

Abstract: A valve to regulate the flow rate and the shape of a fluid stream which includes two nestings cylinders each having elongated slots with one cylinder being rotatable between a position where the slots superimpose and where the slots do not superimpose and being slidable between a position where the slots are axially aligned and a position where the slots are not axially aligned.

Abstract: A manually operated vehicle propelled by motion simulating rowing, the vehicle having a frame with drive wheels and a steering wheel and with a seat mounted between the drive wheels on a rail that rotates around its long axis and is connected to the steering wheel so that rotation of the rail causes steering movements of the steering wheel. The handle assemblies are moved to affect rowing motion and they have adjustable length to provide either greater torque or greater speed from the same rowing motion.

Abstract: A lightweight, self-powered, transportable crane assembly is disclosed which includes a frame that can be selectively coupled to and uncoupled from the bed of a transport vehicle or carrier, such as a pick-up truck or trailer. The frame assembly also includes stabilizing legs which can be extended laterally from the frame assembly to stabilize the crane during use and further to allow the crane assembly to be self supporting apart from the truck or trailer. The crane assembly also can be coupled to a ballast structure such as a water tank or the like, to permit its use apart from the transport vehicle.

Abstract: The procedure of the invention for determining the jamming point of a pipe line in a drill hole is characterized by applying a constant torsional and/or tensile force to the jammed pipe above ground while a device made according to the invention called a free point probe travels through the pipe at constant speed. The free point probe includes one or two magneto strictive analyzers, which are held by spring pressure against the inner side of the pipe to be examined. During the travel of the free point probe, ideally when pulling it up, the compressive and tensile stresses resulting from the forces acting upon the pipe are read by the analyzer(s) in one area of the inner surface of the pipe and translated into proportional measurement signals. At the same time, the forces acting upon the pipe are measured above ground by means of appropriate receptors. The signals thus obtained are registered and corrected with the help of a data processing system above ground.

Abstract: A negatively buoyant tether cable management apparatus for use with a remotely-operated underwater vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cable climbing assembly, a depth sensor and a controller coupled to the climbing assembly and formed to actuate the climbing assembly to climb the tether cable when the cable management apparatus has been lowered to a predetermined depth. The climbing assembly includes a pair of powered, ribbed belts which are wrapped at least partially around the periphery of the tether cable at an acute angle to the cable. As the tether cable is lowered further, the climbing assembly climbs to maintain the depth and passes the tether cable out below or beyond the climbing assembly to enable maneuvering of the remotely-operated underwater vehicle with respect to the negatively buoyant cable management apparatus.

Abstract: For a wheelchair, an improved handrim assembly includes a wheelrim with circumferentially spaced-apart slots formed through the wheelrim and anchor tab members loosely mounted through the slots. The anchor tabs have enlarged heads on the outer side of the rim and narrower neck portions which extend radially inward of the wheelrim. Fasteners mounted through apertures in the anchor tab necks extend transversely from the anchor tabs and are rigidly connected to portions to a handrim. Each of the slots in the wheelrim is longer in the circumferential direction than in the transverse direction, and the neck portions of the anchor tabs are flat-sided to bear against the long sides of the slots, thereby reducing shear stresses on the tab neck portions and the wheelrim.