Abstract: A heel cup for a medical examination table has a solid bottom, and a heel receiving area that comfortably cradles the patient's heel. The rear portion to receive the heel is spherically shaped so the patient's heel can rotate as required and maintain the comfort of the patient. The forward portion that receives the extending foot of the patient is cylindrically shaped so the patient's foot will have a comfortable supporting surface regardless of the angle of the foot in the heel cup. A stub shaft extends from the rear of the heel cup for mounting the heel cup on the examination table. The stub shaft is positioned so that, when the heel cup is fixed to the table, the heel cup will be oriented as a mirror image of the patient's acetabulum. Thus, the patient's leg can move freely, rotating in the acetabulum at one end, and the heel cup at the other.

Abstract: A method for controlling plant diseases utilizes a mixture of antibiotics and food additives or food preservatives. The mixture is sprayed on the plants twice per week for three weeks, then once every three weeks. Such a regimen has been found to cure plant diseases of bacterial, fungal and viral origin. The preferred form of the mixture has four ingredients, with the antibiotics and food additives in a ratio of from 1:1 to 1:3. The antibiotics are selected from amoxicillin trihydrate and neomycin sulfate, and the food additives are selected from sodium propionate, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, caffeine, vanillin, ascorbic acid, L-Arginine, thymol, cupric sulfate and ammonium benzoate.

Abstract: A grounding device for positively grounding a broken electrical conductor has a primary body having a mounting post extending therefrom. A bracket is fixed to the pole carrying the conductor, and a clamp connects the mounting post to the bracket. To raise the grounding device, an extension bracket is fixed to the bracket, and the grounding device is clamped to the extension bracket. A secondary body is rotatable with respect to the primary body. A spring-urged tongue carried by the primary body is held in place by hooks on the secondary body; so, when the secondary body is rotated, the hooks are moved, and the tongue is projected from the housing.

Abstract: A gas sensor, suitable for use under non-steady state conditions, has a gas-sensitive resistor with pairs of electrodes which either have different spacings between the electrodes of a pair, or comprise a pair at the active surface and further pairs buried in the resistor at different distances from the active surface. The sensor can be used in place of a sensor array, and is coupled to a processor for processing the resistance signals to detect and/or measure at least one target gas. The sensor is self-diagnostic, and factors such as relative humidity and ambient oxygen, that can otherwise affect the readings, can be compensated for without the aid of additional sensors for that purpose.

Abstract: An automatic chain lock allows successive pulls on a vehicle on a straightening apparatus without manipulation of the chain lock between actuations of the fluid cylinder. A pair of gates provides a ratchet arrangement for the chain, the lower gate holding the chain while the lower gate is moved down to pull the chain and cause the chain to ratchet through the upper gate; and, when the movement reaches its end, the upper gate secures the chain while the chain ratchets through the lower gate. The procedure is then repeated, the lower gate again moving down to make another pull on the vehicle. Each gate has a pair of flanges that pivot down, but are held against pivoting up. The two gates are arranged with respect to each other so that each will engage a link of the chain at the appropriate time in the cycle.

Abstract: A hydraulic earth leveling machine has a pair of legs, and cross pieces to connect the legs together. The hydraulic earth leveling machine is attached to a ladder by clamps on the cross pieces. The legs of the hydraulic earth leveling machine telescope; and, as long as there is the weight of the ladder only, the legs freely telescope so the ladder can be set vertically regardless of the slope or obstacles of the terrain. Fluid cylinders within the legs move freely with only the weight of the ladder, the fluid flowing back and forth between the two cylinders to allow motion of the two legs. When additional weight is added to the weight of the ladder, fluid pressure causes control valves to close and prevent fluid flow from either fluid cylinder, so the hydraulic earth leveling machine is locked and stable. The legs have feet that grip the ground to assist in stabilizing the ladder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety device, and in particular to a safety device for a sliding panel, such as a patio door. The safety device includes an abutment (20), a carrier (21), for the abutment (20), a mounting arm (22) for the carrier (21), a pivot (25) for the mounting arm (22), a support (24) for the pivot (25), resilient bias element (36) urging the mounting arm (22) towards an abutment condition, the resilient bias element (36) being connected between the mounting arm (22) and the support (24), and manually operable member for moving the abutment (20) against said resilient bias (36), the carrier (21) being substantially parallel to the pivot (25).

Abstract: A dust mop head is formed of a single sheet as a backing for pile yarns, with flaps integrally formed, the flaps having slits therein. A mop frame has inwardly directed tongues, and the flaps wrap around the frame so the tongues extend through the slits to hold the mop head to the mop frame. The mop heads can be formed by die cutting, either separately or in a continuous strip of backings. Pile yarns are subsequently attached, and the individual mop heads are separated from the continuous strip. If the mop head is to be launderable, one would use loop pile yarns and serge the edges of the backing.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance has two telescoping cylinders having springs therein to urge the cylinders apart. The outer cylinder is then slidably inserted into a third cylinder. The outer ends of the cylinders are attached to a patient's teeth so the springs exert a force on the teeth when the spring-urged cylinders contact the end of the third cylinder. The cylinders may be separable so the springs can be exchanged, or may be permanently fixed together. The attachments allow universal motion so the lower jaw can move to the full extent of the normal jaw without binding or destroying the appliance.

Abstract: A safety device for fireplaces provides a non-flammable apron adjacent to the fireplace opening, the apron being sloped up in a direction away from the fireplace. Thus, logs or embers discharged from the fireplace will engage the apron, and will dissipate their energy in moving up hill. The device has a switch that is closed when the apron is contacted for sounding an alarm. A panel beneath the apron defines a space, and the air in the space will be heated. The heated air is directed into the living space, either by natural or forced convection.

Abstract: A system for determining the condition of a traffic controlling semaphore has an audio sensor mounted in the vicinity of an intersection so the sound level is monitored at all times. A computer is placed into the semaphore controller, and the computer receives the audio signal, a time signal, and a signal representing the status of the semaphore. When a sound is detected above a certain minimum level, which is above the usual traffic noise, a record is generated by the computer, and recorded in permanent form, perhaps printed on paper. The record includes the date, time, and status of the semaphore.

Abstract: Bidet fittings can be attached to an existing water closet to provide a combination water closet and bidet. A nozzle is placed at the front of the bowl of the water closet, and a delivery pipe extends around the bowl, under the rim. At the rear of the bowl, the delivery pipe wraps around the rim and emerges on the platform of the rear of the bowl. The delivery pipe is held in position under the rim by fasteners having an expandable anchor extending into holes in the rim of the water closet, with a strap extending around the delivery pipe. A tee fitting connects the delivery pipe to a water supply pipe; and, valves at each side of the platform allow control of water flow to the supply pipe by a person sitting on the seat of the water closet. Hot and cold water sources may be connected to the valves.

Abstract: A wrist exerciser has a rigid platform to receive a person's wrist, and a fabric support to hold the wrist to the rigid platform. A hinged arm is pivoted to the rigid platform and is fixed to the fabric support at the palm of the hand, so that as the hand is moved in the extension direction, the hinged arm moves. A rod is pivoted to the hinged arm so that, as the hinged arm moves, the rod moves proximally of the person's arm. A spring resists the motion of the rod, so the exercise is against spring tension. A heated or cooled pad can be placed in the arm support to provide therapy during exercise.

Abstract: A hot water heater has an expansion tank below the water tank and aligned with the water tank, so both water tank and expansion tank occupy the same floor space. The expansion tank is connected to the water tank by a pipe, so expansion due to heating of the water is absorbed by the expansion tank. For gas fired heaters, the burner for heating water in the water tank is disposed above the expansion tank and below the water tank, so the burner is above the floor sufficiently to comply with gas safety regulations.

Abstract: A janitorial cart is small, and narrow enough for use indoors, and will pass through conventional-width doorways. The cart is electrically powered, and the batteries are mounted very low so the lower center of gravity will stabilize the cart. The steering mechanism utilizes a single, rear wheel that can be turned about 90.degree. in each direction to give the cart a small turning radius. Accessories can be mounted on the front and/or the rear of the cart. The preferred accessory for the front is a dust mop apparatus for dust mopping large floor areas, but it is contemplated that brushes, burnishers and carpet sweepers will also be used. The rear accessory is contemplated to be a container for materials or supplies.

Abstract: A large diameter curtain rod has a small, lamp shade finial fixed to the ends through an adapter. The adapter may have a screw with a wood-screw thread on one end and a machine-screw thread on the other. The wood-screw thread is inserted into the rod, and the finial is screwed onto the machine-screw thread. When the finial thread does not match the screw thread, a bushing is used to adapt the screw thread. An end cap can cover the end of the rod and be held in place by the bushing or the finial. For metal rods, an end cap has a female thread to engage the rod; and, a threaded stud for receiving a finial extends from the end cap.

Abstract: A shopping cart has automatically applied brakes when the cart is at rest. The braking for the cart is by rotating the two casters to be non-parallel to each other so the cart will not roll. Any structure for rotating the casters may be used, but the preferred embodiment has an undulating upper bearing race so the weight of the cart urges the upper race down and causes the balls to seek high points on the upper race. The balls are caged, and the cage is fixed to the lower race, so the wheels of the casters are rotated when the balls enter the high areas. The upper bearing races are oriented to achieve the desired positioning of the caster wheels.

Abstract: Scuba apparatus utilizes light-weight pressure vessels, or tanks, of relatively thin aluminum wrapped with fiber in a resin binder. Since such tanks are not approved for use in water, the tanks are enclosed within a water tight enclosure, and the enclosure in pressurized to exclude all water. A connection for filling the tanks extends through the enclosure, a burst disk is provided externally of the enclosure, and connections for the scuba mask and other accessories are provided. An automatically adjusting buoyancy control may be included within the enclosure in space not occupied by the tanks. A container fits within the void, and a flexible bladder is within the container. Water can be allowed to flow into the bladder, and air under pressure fills the balance of the container and balances ambient pressure. The size of the container cannot change, and the amount of water remains fixed, so the buoyancy remains fixed.