Abstract: Hollow magnetic pipe having a magnetic field extending across the hollow of the pipe is prepared by a multistep process which includes (a) forming first and second pipe halves from ductile and magnetizable sheet metal, (b) placing the pipe halves in pipelike alignment and joining each pair of adjacently disposed, opened edges thereof with a nonmagnetic seam to form a hollow pipe, (c) conditioning the hollow pipe to receive and maintain a permanent magnetic state, and (d) subjecting the conditioned hollow pipe to a magnetic field whereby the side walls abutting one nonmagnetic seam acquire a permanent north magnetic pole configuration and the side walls abutting the other nonmagnetic seam acquire a permanent south magnetic pole configuration. The hollow magnetic pipe is adapted for use as a conduit for conveying conductive fluid in magnetohydrodynamic energy amplification systems.

Abstract: An improved horizontal slab gel electrophoresis apparatus having compartments for vertical wicks at each end of a removable horizontal trough. Adjacent to the vertical wicks are vertical buffer compartments with built in electrodes. A partition separates the vertical wicks from the buffer compartment and includes a slot with a silicone plug which can be removed after curing or hardening of the vertical wicks to permit communication between the buffer and the gel slab. Flow adapters and an interconnecting tube permit constant circulation of the buffer to maintain equal volume and pH. The horizontal trough has slots for insertion of combs to form up to seventy-five sample wells and additional slots at each end for sealing the end of the horizontal slab when the gel slab is removed. The apparatus includes coils in a horizontal bed or plate beneath the trough for cooling the gel slab during a run and levelling screws for levelling the horizontal trough before pouring the gel slab.

Abstract: A circuit and method of paralleling power transistors connected as a Darlington circuit or device for use with electric motor controls. The circuit is comprised of a plurality of Darlington devices having a drive circuit from a motor controller connected to a common base connection and a plurality of active pull-down circuits for reducing the rise and fall times and effectively controlling the storage times of the power transistors. The active pull-down circuits are capacity coupled to an inverted drive signal to synchronize the turn-off time and speed-up discharge of storage in the power transistor circuit.

Abstract: A horse blanket incorporating a flexible link fastener for securing a blanket after it is put on a horse. The blanket has a pair of flanges having eyelets which come together across the chest of the horse in front of the forelegs. The flexible link fastener has a pair of bars joined by a perpendicular flexible elongate shaft member having a thick center portion which permits the rods or bars to be inserted in eyelets thus securing the blanket to the horse. The elongate flexible shaft joining the two bars allows each bar to be twisted endwise and slipped through the eyelet with the resilience of the joining member causing the bar to snap into a perpendicular position after passing through the eyelet.

Abstract: Apparatus for the electrophysiological stimulation of a patient is provided for creating an analgesic condition in the patient to induce sleep, treat psychosomatic disorders, and to aid in the induction of electrohypnosis and altered states of consciousness. The foregoing is achieved by repetitive stimuli in the patient for whom external influences, namely those of sight and sound, are intentionally excluded. The apparatus produces electrical stimulation of the patient in the form of a modulated wave which produces impulses in the delta, theta, alpha and beta regions of the brain's electrical activity, the electrical stimulation being accompanied by two sources of audio stimulation, one of which is a sinusoidal tone modulated by and synchronized with the electrical stimulation, and the other is derived from sound recordings.

Abstract: A lock spindle blind rivet assembly is provided which is intended to be received in a hole in a workpiece, and which is made up of a sleeve adapted to be received in the hole, a stem having a forward section with an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the sleeve and a rear section with an outer diameter slightly greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve, the forward and rear sections of the stem being separated by an annular locking groove which forms an annular shoulder around the stem. A collar having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve, and having an inner diameter slightlygreater than the outer diameter of the forward section of the stem but less than the diameter of the annular shoulder, is slidably mounted on the forward section of the stem to be moved back along the forward section to engage and be stopped by the annular shoulder.

Abstract: An amphibious walking vehicle having a mobile and stable structure which moves at a constant speed whether the vehicle is on land or on water. In the water the vehicle floats and is driven by a conventional propeller system. However, when on land the vehicle moves on pontoons which are successively moved ahead while the decks and superstructures which carry the payload are shifted from the stationary pontoon. The decks rest on an inboard or center pontoon and a pair of independent outboard pontoons which are connected to operate together. The amphibious walking transporter has a gear drive system which sequentially moves the center or inboard pontoon ahead while the outboard pontoons are stationary while carrying the payload, and vice versa. Each pontoon is successively moved by a gear system, including a sequential half-gear system and gear racks in combination with an ovate chain drive connected to a motor or engine through a chain drive floating shaft and rocker arms.

Abstract: A solar heat collector comprised of modular elements which may be easily assembled and disassembled without any special tools. The system is comprised of a plurality of conduits arranged in a planar fashion for collecting solar heat and joined at their ends by interlocking connectors. The interlocking connectors are elbows and tees which have interlocking male and female flanges which may be easily connected and disconnected. Additional conduits may be added as needed and the length of the conduits may be increased by use of an interlocking coupler. The interlocking nature of the conduits, connectors and couplers allows the entire system to be constructed and disassembled. The interlocking connectors form input and output manifolds through which a heat-collecting fluid may be circulated. An adapter is provided for connecting a pipe for delivering the circulating fluid. The adapter has a neck having a predetermined inner and outer diameter for use with two standard pipe sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the dioptric power, resolving power, and astigmatic power of small lenses, and particularly for testing the acceptability of surgically implantable intraocular lenses. The apparatus is comprised of an optical system which images a reticle at its focus. The optical system includes a light source which is condensed on a test reticle which in turn is focused on a reference surface from which the measurements are made. A lens to be tested is positioned with its posterior surface coincident with the plane on which the reticle is focused. A conjugate viewing system is provided at 90.degree. to the imaging system for viewing the image of the reticle focused on this plane. Adjusting means are provided for positioning the reticle image to coincide with the second focal plane of the lens being tested. The reticle image in this plane is converted to a colored image to distinguish it from the first focused image at the reference surface.

Abstract: A tool guide bushing mounting assembly comprised of a bushing liner which has a threaded sleeve for a locking screw secured to it with an adhesive. The locking screw sleeve is secured to the liner with a metal carbide epoxy securely positioning the sleeve relative to the bushing liner. The bushing mounting assembly may then be cast into a tool guide sometimes called a jig with the liner flush with the top and bottom surfaces of the jig, assuring proper positioning of the locking screw with respect to the bushing. The universal bushing mounting assembly may be used with either slip renewable, slip/fixed renewable or fixed renewable bushings.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for producing high pressure gas, such as high pressure coal gas from coal, air and water. Pulverized coal is introduced into a rising stream of steam in a central reaction column of a retort to constitute a fluidized or entrained bed. The coal reacts with the steam to form a gas consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane and higher hydrocarbons. The retort is constructed so that product gas and air may be burned in an annular chamber surrounding the central reaction column to produce hot flue gas. The hot flue gas is used to drive a turbine which in turn, drives a compressor which introduces compressed air into the annular chamber. Steam tubes may be disposed in the annular space so that the steam introduced to the central reaction chamber may be super-heated by the hot flue gas.

Abstract: A cooler for chilling a working fluid used in a manufacturing or production process comprised of a tank having a reservoir in the bottom and one or more cooling coils mounted above the reservoir. A metering plate is inserted in the tank above the cooling coils to distribute the working fluid to be cooled over the refrigerant-containing coil at a predetermined rate. The metering plate has a plurality of tapered metering holes in a circular pattern aligned with each coil of the cooling coils mounted in the tank. The metering holes evenly distribute the hot working fluid over the cooling coils. Distribution and overflow barriers are provided on the metering plate to provide a constant maximum flow of hot working fluid through the cooling tank. Refrigerant is pumped through the cooling coils from the bottom to the top in a counterflow action with respect to the hot working fluid to be cooled.

Abstract: A container for storing fishing tackle that will compactly organize a large assortment of spinners, other lures, and tackle to prevent it from becoming intermixed, tangled, spilled, or blown away while making it easy to deposit, remove, and inventory. The container has a center frame partitioned into upper and lower compartments. These compartments have partitions separating them into smaller lure containing compartments of various sizes. Both top and bottom compartments are sealed with essentially identical covers, hinged at one end or side of the frame, and engaging a latch at the opposite end or side. A number of compartments have a spring retainer and a spring for engaging the eyelet of spinners and lures. The bias force of the spring, together with a means for securing the hooks of the lures, holds the lures firmly in position.

Abstract: A boundary responsive wheel lock assembly for a supermarket shopping cart, or the like, or for any other application where a wheeled device is to be boundary responsive, is provided, to prevent the removal of the cart from an authorized area. The assembly includes a roller which is mounted on the distal end of an arm which, in turn, is pivotally mounted to a bracket to be positioned adjacent to one of the wheels of the cart. A spring-loaded plunger is also mounted on the bracket, and the plunger is normally held in a cocked position by the arm as the roller moves along the floor of the supermarket or along the surface of the adjacent parking lot. The parking lot is surrounded by a barrier which extends, for example, one and a half inches above the ground. However, the flexibility of the assembly of the invention enables the assembly to respond to a variety of boundary heights.

Abstract: A board game is provided which involves competition between the players to achieve a particular status level, the first player to achieve the particular status level being the winner. The board has marked squares which constitute a path extending around its periphery. Status cards, Bank cards and Jet Set cards are provided, each with specific instructions and each designating status points gained or lost by the selection of the particular card. Gold Street areas, each including a group of exclusive retail stores, are provided on the board, and when a particular store in such an area is entered, the needle on a status wheel is spun which refers the player to a number in an indexed booklet which, in turn, designates the purchase to be made in the particular store. Status cars may be purchased at car dealerships within the Gold Street areas, and these may be traded in for higher status cars.

Abstract: A cantilevered lifting and transporting device which may be automatically or manually converted from a chair to a stretcher or vice versa. The lifting and transporting device is comprised of a U-shaped base having a pair of vertical telescoping supports on which a horizontal frame is mounted. The frame has two horizontal members or rods acting as fulcrums for supporting a rotatable back rest and leg rest which also provide support for a seat. The device is raised and lowered by a hand-cranked screw and nut combination in one of the vertical supports. An articulated connection between the rotatable back rest and the rotatable leg rest permits rotation of these parts from substantially vertical positions to horizontal positions. Attached to the rotatable back rest is an indexing plate which has a plurality of holes cooperating with a spring-biased plunger to lock the device in a variety of positions from upright to flat or in between.

Abstract: A dispensing gun for mixing, then pouring or spraying reactive components, many of which have high viscosity. The gun consists of a material or mixing head or body having a plurality of chambers or canals connecting input ports through passageways and valves in close coupled relationship to a mixing chamber. Valves for purging or flushing the mixer body are also closely coupled to the input parts and mixing chamber. A rotatable mixing grid and mixing sleeve are removably retained in the mixing chamber and can be easily removed for adapting the gun for use with a static or motionless mixer. A high torque pneumatic motor located on the mixer center line drives the mixer grid in the mixing chamber. The mixer body has three or more material inlets, four valves, and a connection for the pneumatic motor all closely coupled to the mixing chamber. The arrangement of valves and pneumatic motor connections permits the device to be easily adapted for completely automatic operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clinical wick catheter and to a technique for measuring tissue fluid pressure and also collecting tissue fluid by the catheter.A catheter tube has a wick positioned in one end which is drawn into place by a monofilament tether extending through the catheter tube. In use, a sheathed placement needle is first partially inserted beneath the skin and fascia of the subject patient; the needle is partially retracted into the sheath; the assembly is then further inserted into the muscle tissue of interest. The needle is then withdrawn and replaced by the catheter which is inserted, wick first, through the sheath until the wick resides in the tissue region of interest. Thereafter, the interstitial fluids soak into the wick and the pressure transmitted through the catheter via the medium of a saline solution which fills the catheter. The outer end of the catheter is connected to pressure (negative or positive) measuring equipment, such as a manometer.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing line device comprising a resilient member, preferably in the form of a cylinder, around which a line is spirally wrapped, the two ends of the line passing through respective eyelets at each end of the cylinder. Shock on the line is absorbed by straining the cylinder in torsion and bending, and also compressing or squeezing the cylinder.

Abstract: A synthetic foam roofing system having roofing sections with a relatively broad undersurface and exposed surface configured to resemble interlocked and overlapping roofing shingles. Ridge, valley, hip, starter gable and starter course shingles are all constructed in a manner similar to the roofing sections to interface and interlock with the roofing sections. The roofing sections and interfacing components may be affixed by conventional means such as nails and adhesives to roof boards, rafters or over old existing roofing structures utilizing wood batting.