Abstract: An insertable and removable disc space spreader is provided for maintaining proper space between adjacent vertebral bodies during laminectomy procedures. In general, the disc space spreader of this invention provides a more gradual and therefore gentler entry into the intradiscal space and subsequently fewer traumas to bone and tissue contained therein than previously known spreaders. The spreader, in one embodiment, is able to form grooves in the vertebral bodies to subsequently facilitate insertion of a tang retractor used in these procedures.

Abstract: An array of foliage contacting rods having a certain stiffness and trunk contacting rods having a greater stiffness is assembled in combination for mounting on an oscillatory shaker head configured to be carried over row cultivated crops by a mobile harvester to effect crop harvesting by both foliage shaking and trunk shaking using a single shaker head. Moreover, the number of rods of each type may be varied to suit harvesting conditions while the oscillatory shaker head remains in place in the mobile harvester and the stiffness of each rod is adjustable within limits to further conform to harvesting conditions. The rod array in one embodiment provides simultaneous harvesting of multiple rows of a crop cultivated in parallel row configuration.

Abstract: A split insert pair for a purse is made of fabric which is stiffer at the outside walls and less stiff at the end walls and which has an upper opening which is capable of either being opened wide or held in closed position by fasteners located on opposite sides of the upper opening. Various upwardly opening pockets are situated on the inside and outside surfaces of the insert walls to receive the usual articles carried in a purse. An outside wall on each of the inserts of the pair is provided with matching patterns of releasable fasteners, so the pair of inserts is useable as a unitary joined pair or as separate inserts which may be placed in separate purse compartments.

Abstract: A set of bone chisels is disclosed for use in laminectomy procedures wherein portions of the lamina, facet, and pedicle have to be removed for successful performance of the surgery. The chisels are shaped for use in conjunction with a tubular nerve root retractor which also spreads or spaces vertebral bodies in accordance with some surgical procedures.

Abstract: A test probe ring for semiconductor devices is disclosed which contains a ground plane layer, an insulating layer and a layer of electrically separate conductors. A centrally located opening in the layered assembly has a plurality of layered fingers carrying the inner ends of the conductors. A pattern of contact bumps on the free ends of the fingers provides a co-planar pattern of conductor contacts which match a pattern of semiconductor device test pads. The fingers and contacts are formed by cutting kerfs between the conductors at the periphery of the centrally located opening.

Abstract: A unitary nursing bottle holder has an upper coil which is used to hang the bottle holder from an overlying member such as an infant carrier handle or an overhead infant swing seat support. A connecting segment is attached to the upper coil hanger at one end and to a lower combination handle and bottom rest at the other end. A bottle rest and bottle holder segment is attached to the other end of the lower combination handle and bottom rest. The elements of the holder are connected serially so that the holder may be fabricated from a continuous rod. A soft non-toxic covering, such as a vinyl tube is applied to the rod.

Abstract: A wheel alignment system includes either four wheel mountable alignment heads or two alignment heads and two retroreflectors or two alignment heads alone together with a control console and display. A main processing unit is included in the console for performing calculations and for controlling systems function control components communications sequences. Each console function control component includes its own controller. The control console further includes a CRT display module and optional voice instruction and printer output modules. A bar code reader is available for quick specifications entry. Communications and decision making instructions are downloaded from the controller in each console function control component to the main processing unit at initialization. Communication between the heads and the console is accomplished either through the use of conducting cords or infrared transmission and reception.

Abstract: A system is provided which operates to compare three-dimensional models of inspection gages constructed from computer aided design (CAD) data for a manufactured part and standard geometric dimension and tolerance call-outs to three-dimensional models constructed from inspection data obtained from the manufactured part. The comparison is made both graphically, to assist an operator, and mathematically to determine part condition. Parts are found to be either in tolerance or out of tolerance. If out of tolerance they are found to be either reworkable or scrap. Additionally, the system is capable of determining syntax correctness for tolerance standards, defining the sequence of steps for a specific job prior to job execution, performing individual part tolerance conformance analyses and statistical part tolerance analyses for a population of parts, tolerance analyses for mating parts, and generation of tolerance call-outs for fixed and floating fastener features on parts.

Abstract: Arrays of parallel, substantially fore and aft oriented vortex generators are positioned on the keel and rudder of a sailboat to induce vortices at the surfaces of the keel and rudder for the purpose of reenergizing the boundary layers in the water flow past the keel and the rudder to increase the lateral lift in the horizontal plane and to thereby avoid increase in drag associated with keel and rudder stall at high angles of attack with the relative water flow. Similar arrays for the same purpose may be attached to other underwater stabilizing members such as skegs, keel winglets, centerboards, etc.

Abstract: A tire changer has the feature of restraining vehicle tire/rim assemblies which are caused to explode due to tire overinflation or tire bead failure for any reason. A tire and rim assembly hold down bar is pivotally attached to one side of the body of the tire changer and is secured in position immediately overlying the tire/rim assembly on the tire changer by engaging a tongue in a buckle assembly mounted on the bar. The tongue is attached to the end of a web belt which is secured to the other side of the body of the tire changer. Engagement of the tongue in the buckle also actuates an enabling valve in a conduit for transmitting tire inflation air from a pressure source to the tire. Inflation air may then be provided at will to the tire by actuation of an inflation valve located in the air conduit between the pressure source and the tire.

Abstract: A lightweight pup joint comprising a length of pipe with male and female union subs on the ends and having integral metallic fluid contacting components. The pipe is formed with a minimum wall thickness required for the intended pressure rating and includes a radially enlarged portion on one end to form a male sub. The other end of the pipe includes a small radial flange sized so a union nut can be moved over the flange. A split female sub is assembled over the flange and held together by a snap ring. An annular sealing member seals gaps between portions of the female sub, seals an interface between the flange and the female sub, and seals a gap between the flange and a male sub of an adjacent pipe. At least one ear on the pipe fits into a slot in the female sub to prevent rotation of the female sub when the union nut is threaded onto the female sub.

Abstract: A cam cleat having opposed rotatable rope-gripping cams can be remotely operated by the action of the free end of the rope on an open rope-engaging face of a cam actuating arm, there being a rope-restraining lip overlying the rope-engaging face of the arm.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting fluid pound in a sucker-rod oil well, using values of sucker-rod position and of sucker-rod load to calculate a reference position and a selected load value. The apparatus continually updates the reference positions and selected load values to compensate for drift in characteristics of transducers used in determining rod load and rod position and for a gradual change in well characteristics. When the sucker-rod moves downward to the updated reference position, the actual rod load is checked against the updated selected value and a warning signal develops when the amount of load exceeds the updated selected value.

Abstract: A radius of curvature transducer has an integrally molded body, flexible in a bending mode with two contained wire guide tubes extending the length thereof, spaced laterally from and parallel to the body neutral axis and displaced 90.degree. angularly about the neutral axis. A push-pull wire is fixed to one end of the body and extends freely through each wire guide. An LVDT sensor, having a movable core, is coupled to the free end of each push-pull wire. As the body is subjected to bending, the wires are displaced in the passages and in turn displace the moving member in the LVDT causing signal outputs indicative of the difference in length of the path along which the wire extends relative to the neutral axis. Calculations convert the signals to radius of curvature indications and indications of the coordinates of one end of the transducer body relative to the other end.

Abstract: A telescoping boom assembly supported articulated well service pipeline for the transfer of pressurized fluids from service vehicles to petroleum wellheads for the treatment and stimulation of production oil wells. The boom assembly is mounted on a truck, trailer, or other suitable mobile transport, and the articulated pipeline comprises a plurality of long straight pipeline sections interconnected by a plurality of shorter pipe sections and by swivel joints. The inboard end of the pipeline is connected to a supply line by an inboard pipe and a pair of swivel joints. The pipeline can be folded into a cluster and tilted for storage adjacent the inboard end of the boom assembly and the clustered pipeline moved away from the service vehicle before unfolding the pipeline from the cluster.

Abstract: A driving and braking system having solid state switches for use with an electric motor. A first switch in series with a motor armature carries current from a power supply to the motor during the driving operation. A second switch couples a voltage from the motor armature to the first switch to render the first switch nonconductive and place the motor in a braking mode in response to a braking signal. The first switch provides armature current and couples a voltage from the motor armature to the second switch to render the second switch nonconductive and place the motor in a driving mode in response to a driving signal. The motor can be switched between the braking mode and the driving mode without bringing the motor to a stop.

Abstract: A turret is movable in azimuth within a turret support structure and a large caliber cannon is movable in elevation within the turret. A turret ammunition handling system includes an automatic loading mechanism for fixed ammunition cartridges configured with stub cases. The system is configured to move the ammunition cartridges between a turret mounted magazine and the cannon breech at the existing elevation of the cannon. The magazine is movable within the turret and has a plurality of cartridge storage cells therein. A stub case ejection container is movable between a position behind the breech opening, where it accepts ejected cartridge stub cases from the breech, and a position extending through a hatch in the gun mantlet, whereupon the stub case is discharged from the turret. Misfired rounds may be removed from the turret and cartridges may be on-loaded and off-loaded from the turret by the automatic loading mechanism.

Abstract: A folding boom assembly supported articulated well service pipeline for the transfer of pressurized fluids from service vehicles to petroleum wellheads for the treatment and stimulation of production oil wells. The boom assembly is mounted on a truck, trailer or other suitable mobile support and the articulated pipeline comprises a plurality of long straight pipe sections interconnected by a plurality of pipe elbows and by swivel joints. Each of the pipe sections is supported by a corresponding boom section aligned generally parallel to the pipe section. The boom sections and their corresponding pipe sections are folded onto the service vehicle for transportation and are extended for connection to a wellhead. Supports between the ground and the boom sections reduce the loads transmitted to the service vehicle and allow the use of lighter and less costly boom assemblies.