Abstract: A distributor breaker contact spacing mechanism for a distributor of an internal combustion engine. The mechanism includes an oscillatory breaker arm having a contact point and a cam follower, the cam follower being resiliently urged toward an engine-operated cam. Rotation of the cam provides a reciprocatory movement to the breaker arm thereby sequentially making and breaking the contact between the movable contact and a stationary contact. A spacing block is mounted upon the movable arm and accommodates the establishment of the appropriate gap distance that the movable contact point moves away from the stationary contact point in response to rotation of the cam. The spacing block substantially eliminates adjustment of the spacing gap between the contact points upon installation of the breaker point assembly in the distributor.

Abstract: A removable tonal pitch indicator for a kettledrum having a foot lever-actuated adjustably tensioned drumhead or tympanum. The indicator provides a visual indication of the tonal pitch of the tympanum and includes a reciprocally movable marker which is moved upwardly or away from the tympanist to indicate a higher pitch and downwardly or toward the tympanist to indicate a lower tonal pitch of the tympanum. The desired direction of movement of the marker is attained by enclosing a relatively stiff cable in a sheath. The cable is attached to the marker and is anchored below the lever device while the sheath cooperates between the indicator housing and the lever device. Sufficient curvature is provided in the sheath/cable combination so that the movement of the lever device changes the curvature of the sheath/cable combination thereby forcing the cable to move the marker in a direction counter to the movement of the lever device.

Abstract: A device for cleaning materials attached to a vessel and a building structure below water level is provided which comprises a generally cylindrical outer shell and a central chamber arranged concentrically within the outer shell, the chamber having an impeller for discharging the attached materials together with water through a circular space between the outer wall of the chamber and the inner wall of the shell, and a cleaning device for removing the materials on the surface of the vessel and the structure. In operation of the impeller the device is absorbed and adhered onto a cleaning surface of the vessel and the building structure whereby cleaning operation can be effected without the device being pressed onto the cleaning surface.

Abstract: A microcomputer for controlling an automated materials handling system, the microcomputer having a novel interface circuit permitting direct interface with a wide variety of peripheral devices, both serial and parallel and at any one of a variety of communication rates selected to maximize machine efficiency under a wide range of noise conditions. A safety relative timer circuit terminates operation of the machine if the S/R machine does not complete a task within a predetermined time increment.

Abstract: An autologous blood system comprising at least two interconnected blood receptacles, the first of which is evacuated and connected to a suction device for aspirating blood. The second receptacle takes blood from the first by overcoming the vacuum in the first without interrupting the ability of the suction device to simultaneously aspirate blood. An infusion set is connected to the second receptacle to permit simultaneous collection of the blood from the patient and infusion of the blood back into the patient. The method includes aspirating blood from the patient and collecting blood in the first receptacle. Blood is thereafter transferred to the second receptacle by overcoming the vacuum in the first receptacle without interrupting the ability of the suction device to simultaneously aspirate blood. Blood is then returned to the patient either with or without disconnecting the second receptacle from the first, the infusion step taking place concurrently with blood collection.

Abstract: A suction wand having a weighted, resuable handle in cooperation with a disposable suction conduit, the suction conduit having a suction tip at one end and adapted to couple with a suction tubing at the other end. The weighted handle imparts a pre-selected weight and feel to the wand and is selectively reusable with a variety of disposable suction conduit systems.

Abstract: A building construction and method for transforming a large open space into a plurality of smaller rooms. A portable room module is folded into an essentially planar configuration for storage. The module is supported upon retractable wheels and accommodates movement from a storage location to a predetermined utility location within a larger room. In the utility location, the portable room module is expanded to room size and an elevated ceiling unit is lowered so as to rest upon the room module and form a ceiling unit therefor. Partially collapsible insulating material is situated at joints of the wall portions of the room module and also at the top and bottom of the wall portions so as to form an acoustic and hermetic seal when the module is unfolded and when the elevated ceiling unit comes to rest upon the wall panels.

Abstract: An autologous blood transfusion system having at least two interconnected blood receptacles and an associated filter assembly, the first receptacle being evacuated and connected to a suction device for aspirating blood. The second receptacle takes blood from the first by overcoming the vacuum in the first with a greater vacuum in the second without interrupting the ability of the suction device to simultaneously aspirate blood. The second receptacle may comprise a transfer bag for reinfusion into the patient or an infusion set may be connected to the second receptacle to permit simultaneous collection of the blood from the patient and infusion of the blood back into the patient. In either case, the second receptacle is selectively exposed to positive pressure to force blood through the filter assembly and expel the blood from the second receptacle into the transfer bag or patient. The method includes aspirating blood from the patient and collecting blood in the first receptacle.

Abstract: An improved foldable work stand and platform having an upper work support surface with wooden inserts therein to protect saws and the like from being damaged by accidental contact with the metal structure of the platform. The foldable work platform also includes improved structure for elevating the working surface and an adjustable stabilizer leg to maintain the work surface generally horizontal on uneven terrain. Lateral extensions of the work surface provide versatility in the work surface configuration and are easily secured in a selected orientation.

Abstract: A bracket and method for releasably holding two concrete form walls, the bracket having a horizontal crosspiece with downwardly projecting legs at each end. The legs cooperate with flange means to embrace the form walls to resist lateral movement of the form walls before and while concrete is poured into the space created between the form walls. The bracket includes means to hold (1) the crosspiece above the concrete, (2) the form walls vertically, and (3) the form walls above the ground surface to establish the grade of the form walls.

Abstract: A solar energy apparatus for gathering and transmitting solar radiation to an energy storage area. Wide-angle lens apparatus is used to focus solar radiation on an end of an optical fiber bundle. The other end of the optical fiber bundle is placed in the energy storage area and has a radiating device attached thereto to more efficiently remove the solar energy from the optical fiber bundles. A heat sink is advantageously utilized as a storage means for the solar energy thus gathered and transmitted.

Abstract: A dispenser for semiliquid materials. The dispenser includes a cylindrical housing which is wall-mountable and which has an upper, closed end and a downwardly opening open end. The housing has a column coaxial within the housing attached to the closed end. The column serves as a fixed piston in cooperation with a cup which is threadedly engaged with the housing to telescopically sheath the piston. Rotation of the cup telescopically moves the cup over the piston thereby displacing the material in the cup through a spout in the base of the cup. The material may be either encapsulated and the capsule placed in the cup or the cup may serve as a container for a bulk quantity of material.

Abstract: A camper jack for mounting on a camper body, the jack having an extensible leg projectable from a hollow jack housing and attached to the camper body along the length of the housing. A piston cooperating in a cylinder in the extensible leg extends the leg from the housing. A hydraulic fluid reservoir is formed in the extensible leg in an annular space surrounding the cylinder. A valve block is coextensive with the extensible leg at the foot of the leg and contains the valves and pumping piston for the jack. Valving in the valve block permits manual extension and retraction of the extensible leg.

Abstract: A knife having a handle adapted to interchangeably receive in releasable interlocking relationship a variety of blade configurations. Each blade includes an arcuate tang dimensionally adapted to be telescopically received in a mating arcuate slot in the handle. Included in the handle are locking devices for releasably engaging the tank in the slot.

Abstract: A surgical equipment tray inexpensively fabricated from a sheet of rigid plastic material. The tray has an absorbent, lint-free surface which (1) absorbs fluids, (2) provides a nonskid instrument surface, and (3) attenuates the noises associated with handling instruments on the tray. Longitudinal ridges and grooves may be included in the base of the tray to provide rigidity to the tray and elevate or expose the instruments for easy access.

Abstract: An autologous blood transfusion system comprising at least two interconnected blood receptacles, the first of which is evacuated and connected to a suction device for aspirating blood. The second receptacle takes blood from the first by overcoming the vacuum in the first with a greater vacuum in the second without interrupting the ability of the suction device to simultaneously aspirate blood. The second receptacle may comprise a transfer bag for reinfusion into the patient or an infusion set may be connected to the second receptacle to permit simultaneous collection of the blood from the patient and infusion of the blood back into the patient. In either case, the second receptacle is selectively exposed to positive pressure to expel the blood from the second receptacle into the transfer bag or patient. The method includes aspirating blood from the patient and collecting blood in the first receptacle.