Abstract: An elongated flexible lead conducts electrical biosignals from a medical electrode attached to a person's skin to a recording instrument and the lead is translucent to X-rays. The lead includes a primary center conductor formed by a bundle of conductive fibers such as carbon fibers, and a tubular layer of electrical insulating plastic material surrounds the fibers. An electrical conducting non-metallic shielding member extends around the tubular layer, and in one embodiment includes a bundle of the carbon fibers surrounded by a tubular layer of electrical conductive plastic material. A tubular layer of electrical insulating plastics material surrounds the shielding member, and the shielding member has an effective low electrical resistance close to that of the primary center conductor.

Abstract: A frame supports an interchangeable mandrel or die which receives the center portion of an elongated metal rod having opposite threaded end portions, and the rod is clamped to the die by a locking bar actuated by a hydraulic cylinder. The frame also includes a set of vertically spaced cross members connected by a pair of parallel spaced guide rods which support a carrier bar for vertical movement. The carrier bar pivotally supports corresponding end portions of a pair of arms each formed by parallel spaced plates, and each pair of plates defines slightly angled aligned cam slots. A pair of bending rollers are supported by the opposite end portions of the arms, and a hub member extends between the plates of each arm and supports rollers which engage the corresponding cam slots to provide for moving the arms and bending rollers along non-parallel converging paths for overbending the rod around the die.

Abstract: An elongated strip of extruded plastics material includes a generally flat longitudinally extending inner portion adapted to project under the shingles of a roof and a longitudinally extending outer portion adapted to seat on the outer edge portion of a rain gutter and project outwardly from the gutter to form a drip lip spaced from the gutter. A longitudinally extending intermediate portion of the strip integrally connects the inner portion to the outer portion and has a rounded nose surface above a U-shaped channel portion having longitudinally spaced slots for directing water from the inner portion into the gutter and for deflecting leaves and other debris onto the outer portion of the strip for dropping from the drip lip. A tab or flange projects outwardly from the U-shaped portion and cooperates with the outer portion to define a channel for receiving the outer edge portion of the gutter and to provide for retaining the strip on the gutter and for pivoting the strip relative to the gutter.

Abstract: A nozzle body defines a first passage for receiving liquid from an ejector pump, and a first orifice extends from the liquid passage to a flat wall surface. The body also defines a second passage for receiving low pressure air which flows radially inwardly within a narrow space or channel defined between the flat wall surface and a parallel spaced disk having a second orifice aligned axially with the first orifice. The low pressure air flowing inwardly within the narrow chamber and between the orifices completely atomizes the liquid flowing outwardly through the orifices and permits high speed on/off pulsation of the liquid flow without the liquid dripping from the body and while minimizing the consumption of air.

Abstract: A blow molded plastics container includes an injection molded annular neck portion which is sealed by injection molding to an annular wall portion of an injection molded top end wall having a part-spherical center portion. The center portion has five circumferentially spaced and upwardly projecting annular lip seals, two of which surround openings within the top end wall. An injection molded rotatable closure snap-fits onto the neck portion and has a mating part-spherical center portion which engages the lip seals. The closure has one opening which is selectively and progressively alignable with the annular lip seals in response to indexing the closure in one direction. An integrally molded one-way latch extends between the center portions of the closure and top end wall and prevents reverse rotation of the closure except between a consumer open position and a sealed reclosable position.

Abstract: A mixture of magnesium-iron alloy and salt is confined within a nonwoven cellulose covering and forms an elongated cartridge which is wrapped with multiple layers of absorbent paper. The cartridge and paper are enclosed within a pouch of perforated plastic film to form a heating element. One or more heating elements are attached by adhesive tape to the inside of a generally triangular polyethylene film envelope, and peripheral portions of the envelope are heat sealed to form an enclosed chamber. An overlying mating sheet of polyethylene coated nylon film and a pad of thermoplastic foam material are heat sealed to peripheral portions of the envelope, and parallel strips of double-sided adhesive tape, with removal protective strips, are attached to the outer surface of the envelope to form a flexible heater device. The device is used by being wrapped around either a vertical or horizontal pipe joint containing a heat activated epoxy.

Abstract: The dynamic loading on a double action high speed mechanical cupping press is substantially reduced with multiple stage tooling which forms a batch of cups from a strip of sheet metal with each stroke of the press. Each tooling stage includes a plurality of annular draw pads each opposing a corresponding annular blank and draw die. An annular cut edge surrounds each of the draw pads, and a corresponding die center punch is located within each of the draw pads. The tooling stages are positioned at predetermined stepped elevations so that they sequentially blank the sheet metal to form a series of circular disk-like blanks between the cut edges and the corresponding blank and draw dies, sequentially hold the blanks between the draw pads and corresponding blank and draw dies, and sequentially draw the blanks into cups with the die center punches extending into the corresponding blank and draw dies. The tooling stages are symmetrically positioned with respect to the press center line.

Abstract: A prosthetic leg has a pivotal knee joint and a hydraulic fluid control unit connected to provide variable forces which dampen flexion and extension of the knee and also bias the leg to its extended position. The unit includes an aluminum housing lined with an axially adjustable sleeve and control bushing defining a cylindrical operating chamber which receives a piston mounted on a tubular piston rod. The housing and operating chamber receive hydraulic fluid or oil which flows during movement of the piston through fluid control ports, channels and adjustable gaps defined by the sleeve and bushing for damping the movement of the rod. The piston rod encloses a preferably sealed gas pressurized flexible bladder which forms an oil accumulator during inward movement of the piston rod into a displacement chamber and also produces variable forces for moving the piston rod outwardly to its extended position.

Abstract: A garment is clamped against a frame-like feed plate of a computer controlled sewing machine by a clamping frame defining a set of openings of different sizes, and corresponding different size emblems or other patches are held against the garment within the openings by a corresponding set of clamping pads. Stitching gaps are defined within the openings around the pads, and the pads are supported within the openings by corresponding laterally projecting U-shaped inversion arms. The arms carry corresponding pinions which engage a rack operated by a fluid cylinder to provide for simultaneously rotating the inversion arms in opposite directions through 180.degree. to provide for automatically and successively stitching the patches to the garment completely around each clamping pad.

Abstract: A flowable solid material, such as wet-milled corn germ, is continuously fed into the upper portion of a large vessel having a cylindrical shell with a vertical axis and a series of vertically spaced horizontal decks. Each deck has concentrically spaced annular zones of holes or perforations, and heated air from a set of blowers and a gas-fired or steam heat exchanger is forced countercurrently or upwardly through the perforations to produce a recirculating bed of material above each deck with an upward spouting flow of the material above the zones of perforations and a downward flow of material between the zones of perforations. The recirculating material forming the lower beds is also heated by cylindrical steam heat exchangers which extend vertically between the zones of perforations, and the material is fed progressively downwardly through the vessel to form the beds and for discharge from the lowermost bed.

Abstract: A tubular metal coupling body defines a chamber which receives an axially movable tubular actuating member defining a bore for receiving an end portion of a metal tube. A counter-bore within the actuating member receives a resilient sealing ring and a compression collar, and a tube gripping spring collet is supported by a retainer confined within a cap threaded onto one end portion of the coupling body. A tubular actuating sleeve surrounds the body and is retained for limited axial movement, and a fitting is threaded into the opposite end portion of the body. A set of circumferentially spaced levers are supported within corresponding slots in the body for pivotal movement in radial directions and move the actuating member axially between released and gripping positions in response to axial movement of a cam surface within the sleeve.

Abstract: A coaxial breakaway coupling and a coaxial hose connect a fuel dispensing pump to a coaxial fuel dispensing nozzle, and the coupling includes first and second tubular valve bodies releasably coupled together by an annular canted coil spring. Each valve body supports therein an axially movable tubular valve member for defining an inner vapor return passage and an outer fuel supply passage, and a vapor return check valve member is supported for axial movement within the vapor return passage upstream of an annular valve seat. All of the valve members are spring biased towards closed positions and move to open positions when the valve bodies are coupled together. When the valve bodies are uncoupled or separate in response to an axial breakaway force, the valve members close, and suction from a vacuum pump connected to the vapor return passage pulls the check valve member towards it closed position against the valve seat. In a modification, the breakaway coupling is integrated with a 45.degree.

Abstract: A vertical die casting press includes a frame supporting a stationary lower horizontal platen which supports a base plate attached to a lower mold. An upper horizontal platen is supported for vertical movement between vertical columns by corner lift cylinders mounted on the lower platen, and the upper platen encloses hydraulic cylinders for actuating blades for releasably locking the upper platen to teeth on the vertical columns at a selected height. The upper platen carries a relatively movable intermediate platen which supports a base plate attached to an upper mold. After the upper platen is locked to the columns, a hydraulic load cell or cylinder within the upper platen clamps the intermediate platen and upper mold to the lower mold and lower platen.

Abstract: A torsion axle for a vehicle includes an elongated axle tube enclosing first stage torsion shafts and second stage torsion shafts all having a common axis, and a metal tube or a non-circular portion of the axle tube and a plurality of resilient rubber rods confine each of the shafts for torsionally resisting rotation of the shaft. Each first stage metal tube is secured to the surrounding axle tube, and each second stage metal tube is connected to the corresponding first stage shaft. A stud projects outwardly from each second stage metal tube through a slot within the surrounding axle tube to limit rotation of the second stage tube with the first stage shaft, and a crank arm and eccentric spindle are secured to the outer end portion of each second stage shaft for receiving a wheel. In modifications, the first stage shafts for both the left and right wheels are connected as one shaft, and a hydraulic winch cable and spool provide for pre-rotating the one shaft or the axle tube to lower and raise the vehicle.

Abstract: A non-stretchable flexible band is wrapped around the arch of a foot and has end portions connected by an adjustable fastener. The bottom portion of the band is attached to a compressor hinge and carries a rigid arcuate pad on which is releasably mounted a replaceable resilient pad. The compressor hinge is connected to a flexible cable and a surrounding sheath which are removably coupled to a power drive unit. The power drive unit reciprocates the cable within the sheath and pivots the compressor hinge between a collapsed position and an extended position where the pads are compressed against a localized region on the bottom of the foot. The drive unit includes an electric motor which is momentarily energized and controlled by a timer module to reciprocate a spring bias rack connected to reciprocate the flexible cable.

Abstract: A prosthetic leg has a pivotal knee joint and a hydraulic fluid control unit connected to provide variable forces which dampen flexion and extension of the knee and also bias the leg to its extended position. The unit includes an aluminum housing lined with an axially adjustable sleeve and control bushing defining a cylindrical operating chamber which receives a piston mounted on a tubular piston rod. The housing and operating chamber receive hydraulic fluid or oil which flows during movement of the piston through fluid control ports, channels and adjustable gaps defined by the sleeve and bushing for damping the movement of the rod. The piston rod encloses a gas filled flexible bladder which forms an oil accumulator during inward movement of the piston rod into a displacement chamber and also produces variable forces for moving the piston rod outwardly to its extended position.