Abstract: A suction retraction instrument comprises an elongated hollow suction pipe having a port at its lower end and secured to a manifold at its upper end and a retractor arm secured to the pipe adjacent the lower end and extending at an angle therefrom.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for producing a flexible plastic corrugated tubing includes a pair of relatively short, slender rotating mandrels extending substantially parallel to one another and separated along a vertical plane and around which a continuous ribbon of molten plastic is spirally wrapped to form the tubing. In another embodiment, a plurality of elongated rollers spaced apart axially form a tunnel therebetween through which the tubing is directed from the mandrel at least one of the rollers being rotatably driven to drive the tubing through the tunnel.

Abstract: In forceps having a pair of handles one of which is hinged for reciprocal movement relative to the other, extension arms between the handles one of the arms being reciprocally slidable along the other arm, upper and lower jaw members one of which is hinged for reciprocal movement relative to the other which reciprocal movement of the jaws and arms is in response to reciprocal handle movement, and the slidable arm may be disengaged for cleaning, the improvement comprises a locking member pivotally mounted for engaging one side of the slidable arm in the locked position.

Abstract: In a heating and mixing apparatus, particularly useful for asphalt-aggregate compositions and comprising an elongated drum having an interior cavity in which the composition is heated and mixed as the drum is rotated, an improvement comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of scoops secured exteriorly of the drum for picking up composition as the drum rotates and which composition is introduced gravitationally to the drum interior by a port communicating with the scoop. In another embodiment, at least one and preferably a plurality of ports are spaced along the drum exterior and communicating between the interior cavity and exterior of the drum and through which ports the heated and mixed composition is recovered. In still another embodiment at least one and preferably a plurality of ports communicating with the drum cavity and exterior are provided along the drum for venting water vapor removed from used asphalt-aggregate composition as it is heated to approximately the boiling point of water.

Abstract: A surgical retractor of the type having a pair of movable handles pivoted on a common pivot pin or hinge member each handle having an elongated arm extending upwardly therefrom for reciprocal expansion or contraction when the handles are reciprocally moved, the improvement comprising a blade or plate member secured along one end of the first one of the arms opposite a first one of the handles, the plate member being angled inwardly from the elongated arm and directed downwardly approximately normal to a plane through which the arms reciprocally travel during movement, and an elongated rod member secured to one end of the second arm opposite the second handle, the arm extending to a length at least as great as the length or distance along the first arm to the center of the plate member, a rod member extending downwardly along a plane substantially normal to the plane through which the arms reciprocate, and an outwardly extending pointed pin at the end of the rod member opposite the arm.

Abstract: An improved portable apparatus for selectively heating and cooling a body portion comprises a unit having at least one flexible pad and tubing for being wrapped around a body portion and acting as an evaporator on cooling and a condenser on heating, a compressor, a condenser acting as an evaporator on heating, a fan for moving air through the condenser, conduits for directing refrigerant composition in the unit, valve means for selectively reversing the flow of refrigerant to alternately cool and heat the pad and tubing, and a carrying case for the apparatus having a lid, bottom, front, back and side panels cooperating to form a chamber in which the apparatus is received, and a port in both the front and back panels for directing air into and from the chamber when the fan is operating.

Abstract: A glove form comprises a hand member having two hand portions and adjustable means therebetween for varying the width of the hand member, finger members extending from the hand portions and connected by threaded means whereby the distance between the finger members and hand portions may be varied, and a thumb portion pivotally secured to one of the hand portions whereby the form may be used for either the right or left hand glove.

Abstract: In a process for recycling used asphalt-aggregate compositions in a conventional type dryer-mixer drum in which the composition is exposed directly to flame and hot gases of combustion while it cascades along the rotating drum, and in which the flame and hot gases of combustion are directed into an input end of the drum, the improvement comprises separating crushed compositon into a plurality of different portions or increments, each comprising different particle size ranges between coarse and fine particles, introducing the coarse particles into the drum and directly exposing the particles to the flame and/or hot gases of combustion at the input end, and introducing the finer particles downstream from the input end and away from direct exposure to the flame and extremely hot gases in a temperature zone which will avoid overheating and possible burning or coking of the fine particles.

Abstract: A clamp of the disposable or reusable type for anatomical tubes comprises at least three evenly spaced elongated and parallel clamp members all lying along a substantially single plane when the clamp is closed and which members are normally biased to a closed condition. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a single length of spring wire or rod formed to provide the clamp members and handle means for opening the clamp.

Abstract: An ornament is produced by drying an animal dropping, removing the natural outer coating to expose the interior grain and treating the dropping with a plastic or synthetic resin to form a hard transparent coating. The resulting product is an ornament that can be used to form a necklace, brooch, cuff links or other attractive jewelry piece.

Abstract: An improved gas locked firearm using expanding gases to force a bullet through a barrel in which a portion of said gases are diverted through a gas port communicating with a gas locking chamber adjacent said barrel which chamber is formed between said barrel and an extension arm of the bolt or breech block extending forward therefrom a distance along the rear portion of the barrel and forming an elongated gas chamber between a shoulder on the rear of the barrel and a plate extending from said breech block extension in a manner to trap the expanding gases between said barrel shoulder and said plate to lock the breech block in a forward position while gas pressure exists in the barrel and provided with additional gas ports in the breech block extension and plate to vent remaining gases as the firearm action cycles.

Abstract: A process for recycling asphalt-aggregate compositions comprises heating pieces of the used composition to form a semifluid or viscous composition, detecting the composition's asphalt deficiency and adding the proper amount of make-up asphalt. The composition is heated in a rotating cylindrical oven to achieve homogeneity, the viscous composition is drawn off, detected for asphalt deficiency, the proper amount of asphalt is added and the composition is then stored until required for use. Asphalt deficiency is detected by exposing the composition to a light source and measuring the amount of light reflected.

Abstract: A process for recycling asphalt-aggregate compositions comprises heating pieces of the used composition to form a semi-fluid or viscous composition, detecting the composition's asphalt deficiency and adding the proper amount of make-up asphalt. The composition is heated in a rotating cylindrical oven to achieve homogeneity, the viscous composition is drawn off, detected for asphalt deficiency, the proper amount of asphalt is added and the composition is then stored until required for use. Asphalt deficiency is detected by exposing the composition to a light source and measuring the amount of light reflected.

Abstract: An improved device for guiding a cutting torch on a metal surface which metal is a magnet attracting material comprises a magnetized base member and one or more guide members secured to the base member which guide members act as a template having a shaped surface for guiding the cutting torch. The device is provided with means for securing one of the guide members adjacent the edge of the base member and preferably means for holding or securing a plurality of additional guide members having different shapes or of different sizes when not in use. In a second embodiment, an assembly includes a support for holding the device of the invention on a pipe or other surface of revolution.

Abstract: An assembly for diffusing gas in a humidifier comprises a base plate having a wall extending around its periphery, a diffuser sheet comprising a substantially gas impermeable membrane having a plurality of perforations and a member for directing gas to be humidified into a gas receiving chamber defined between the diffuser sheet and base plate. In a humidifier, the assembly is submerged in water and gas travels through the gas directing member, into the gas receiving chamber and outwardly through the perforations in the diffuser sheet into the water where it is humidified and exits from the humidifier.