Abstract: An insulating unit suitable for installation in walls, doors, and the like, is manufactured by a method that includes the steps of supporting a heat-shrinkable plastic film between spaced but parallel glass panes to provide an integral unit, and then heating the unit to cause the plastic film to shrink and become taut and wrinkle-free.

Abstract: An earth-sheltered structure having a foundation wall comprised substantially of wood. The remaining structural members that contribute towards supporting the structure are also comprised substantially of wood, including a ceiling-to-wall juncture that makes use of stud-supported notched ceiling joist members.

Abstract: A control blood platelet preparation containing a population of platelets of known count range, electronic volume and electronic volume size distribution is ued to check the threshold setting calibrations of an electronic particle counter. The control preparation preferably contains blood platelets from whole blood taken from animal species which are non-injectious with respect to human hepatitis, ideally animals of the bovine and porcine species.

Abstract: A gas analyzer calibration apparatus. The apparatus operably connects between a monitored gaseous environment and a gas analyzer. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump for drawing test gases from the monitored environment through the apparatus and through the analyzer. A fluidic gate selectively allows or impedes the flow of test gases to the analyzer and provides calibration gases to the analyzer at the analyzer's demand rate, and may be heated to prevent the condensation of hot test gases flowing therethrough. The fluidic gate will pass both span calibration gases and zero calibration gases, as desired. A vacuum breaker provides atmospheric gases for use as a zero calibration gas.

Abstract: A camera having shutter means for momentarily exposing film in a film plane to a light image from the camera lens. The shutter includes an arcuate shutter plate having an aperture therethrough aligned with the optical path of light through the lens, a mirror support bearing a mirror and mounted to the housing and pivotable between cocked and uncocked positions, the mirror support in its cocked position positioning the mirror between the aperture in the film plane to mask the film plane from the lens, and an arcuate masking plate mounted in the housing and swingable on the opposite side of the aperture plate from the mirror support between a cocked position out of alignment with the optical path and an uncocked position in the optical path and masking the aperture from the lens. The camera includes means urging the mirror support, and means urging the exterior masking plate, respectively, toward their uncocked positions.

Abstract: A wood incisor for perforating the surface of lumber. The incisor includes a roll having a plurality of spaced sockets in its circumferential surface. Incisor teeth are received in the sockets and are clamped in the sockets by means of camming elements.

Abstract: A reagent is disclosed for determining the concentration of a ligand in blood serum. The reagent includes a protenaceous, three-dimensional, serum-insoluble complex which is readily collected by centrifugation, the complex comprising non-specific immunoglobulins, anti-ligand immunoglobulins, immunoglobulins which are antibodies to the previously mentioned immunoglobulins and which are complexed therewith, and a labeled ligand complexed with the anti-ligand immunoglobulins. The reagent is particularly useful in competitive binding analyses such as radioimmunoassays.

Abstract: A brush suitable for use with floor maintenance equipment and having both abrasive nonabsorbent bristles and nonabrasive absorbent bristles. The bristles are fairly evenly intermingled in each tuft, and the brush includes a plurality of tufts such that the brush face presents a substantially intermingled mix of both bristles. To enhance the cleaning qualities of the brush, the percentage of abrasive nonabsorbent bristles may be increased. To enhance the finish applying and buffing qualities of the brush, the percentage of nonabrasive absorbent bristles may be increased.

Abstract: A cabinet, which may have a drawer, is assembled within a locker having side and rear walls and converging front flanges defining a door opening. The cabinet is provided with vertical side panels and at least one horizontal shelf panel. For assembly, the side panels are positioned within the locker against the side walls of the locker, and the shelf panel is mounted between the side panels to space the side panels a sufficient distance so as to prevent the cabinet from being withdrawn from the locker because of the restricted passageway provided by the locker flanges. The cabinet may have a drawer slideable between two parallel, vertically spaced shelf panels, the drawer having a width enabling it to be withdrawn through the door opening of the locker. Disclosed also are bracket means and bracket receiving means enabling ready assembly of the cabinet within a locker.

Abstract: A blast hole liner comprised of a single length of waterproof, flattened, longitudinal tubing having an open upper end and a lower end portion terminating in a bottom edge folded about its midpoint with resulting edge halves joined together to define an upwardly open weight pocket. The liner is provided with a transverse seal above the pocket. The latter seal may be located closely adjacent a horizontal crease in the tubing formed by doubling the same back upon itself. In one embodiment, manufacture of the liner from a length of tubing requires no further cutting or slitting of the tube. In another embodiment, a second length of tubing, substantially congruent with the first-mentioned tubing length, may be provided to improve the strength and waterproof nature of the liner and to protect the innermost length of tubing from becoming torn or punctured.

Abstract: A security system for hotels, motels, and the like in which a dead bolt door lock must be in the locked position to enable electric accessories or devices such as lights or television sets to be utilized. The security system includes sensing and control means for sensing the position of the dead bolt lock and for responsibly enabling or disenabling the electric circuitry.

Abstract: A taximeter with logic circuitry that provides passenger detection, distance measuring, clock timing, speed referencing, tamper and fault detectors, manual pushbutton controls, settable constants for distance, time and money, and an emergency power supply. Further logic circuitry is provided to count passengers, calculate and add extras, control calibration externally, condition distance pulses, scan tamper and fault detectors, synchronize and debounce manual pushbutton controls, store and input constants, disable the taximeter, enter an external reset code, and internally compare the reset code. Additional logic circuitry may be provided to control the fare charging clock, perform program arithmetic, perform accumulator functions and control logic operations. Also, additional logic circuitry provides an extras charged display, a fare display, rate of charge display panels, recording counters and control of the taxi toplight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for breast examination. A pair of spaced, transparent plates are provided between which a female breast may be gently compressed and flattened. A beam of light from a movable light source is directed through the plates and flattened breast, and the light source may be moved to sequentially illuminate substantially the entire breast between the plates. The beam of light may be view through the plates and breast to permit visual detection of areas of breast tissue having lesser transparency and which may be suggestive of tumor growth.

Abstract: A micrometer having a bushing and a measuring spindle extending through the bushing, the spindle and bushing having confronting surfaces and including means permitting movement of the spindle with respect to the bushing in a single direction and for preventing relative movement of the spindle and bushing in other directions. A bearing having a spheroidal surface protrudes from one of the confronting surfaces with the spheroidal surface in contact with walls of a groove formed in the other confronting surface, the groove extending in the single desired direction. Means are provided to resiliently urge the bearing into the groove and to permit resilient radial movement of the bearing with respect to the spindle while maintaining contact of the spheroidal surface of bearing with walls of the groove.

Abstract: An oven having an electrical resistance heater and a heat exchanger to maintain a constant temperature in an oven chamber cavity. The heat exchanger is internal to the body of the oven and adjacent to the oven chamber cavity. Air is the exchange medium in the heat exchanger to achieve a balanced, cooling effect through direct air exhaust and also to achieve zero environment effect. An inert gas may be introduced into the oven chamber cavity during the heating process to reduce oxidation. Outside air may also be introduced into the oven during the heating process. Electrical circuitry provides for controlling the temperature range of the oven, for generating a signal for servo motor control of a damper in the heat exchanger, and a high limit temperature controller to disable the electrical resistance heater when an over temperature condition is reached.

Abstract: Pre-expanded styrene polymer particles, which may contain one or more pre-expanded styrene polymer beads, are coated with sufficient water glass so that the particles, when dried to a reversible, tack-free pourable state, comprise from about 30% to 80% styrene polymer solids. The particles may be shaped into a desired article configuration and then dried to a tack-free state, the particles adhering together through the water glass, and the resulting article having a bulk density of from about 1.25 lbs. to 3 lbs. per cubic foot. The water glass or the pourable particles may be treated to decrease alkalinity and to cause irreversible precipitation of water glass solids, rendering the final product essentially waterproof.

Abstract: A microbe drain barrier for insertion in the drain of a sink or the like to prevent microorganisms from reentering the sink from the drain. The barrier includes a length of thin-walled heat-resistant, electrically non-conductive tubing having a heat conductivity in the axial direction of not more than about 3 Btu/hr/ft.sup.2 /.degree. F./ft. The barrier includes electric heating means for heating the tubing to an inner surface temperature sufficient to prevent the growth of microbes thereon. Connector pipes extend axially outwardly from the tubing for mounting the tubing in a drain pipe such that drainage through the drain pipe is required to pass through the tubing. The connector pipes are secured to the tubing by annular insulating rings which isolate the tubing and electric heating means from the connector pipes.