Abstract: A two-part orthodontic appliance having a pedestal which is relatively permanently attached to a tooth, as by direct bonding or by a tooth band, and a bracket which is firmly but removably secured to the pedestal. A wide variety of lug configurations may be provided on the bracket, so that the appropriate bracket may be selected for the particular patient and tooth in question, as the orthodontic treatment proceeds over the weeks and months. The bracket may be readily replaced with one of another configuration to accommodate the changing forces that are needed to bring about the orthodontic correction. The bracket is secured to the pedestal by a locking member or detent formed from the bracket, which snaps into place over a detent edge formed on the pedestal. Removal of the bracket from the pedestal is accomplished by forcing the locking member back over the edge, and sliding the bracket off the pedestal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in which a card, such as a credit card, carrying a magnetic strip of one or more tracks of coded data is inserted. Manual operation of an external crank or lever causes the card to be drawn into the apparatus. At the end of the stroke, the carrier in which the card rides is freed from the crank and returns at a constant, spring-driven speed, past a magnetic readout head, the output of which is connected to any suitable decoding circuit. The readout head is gimbaled so that it can ride with constant pressure against the magnetic strip on the card while at the same time adjusting itself to undulations or other slight deformations in the card. There is no significant amount of magnetic material within magnetic range of the readout head, so that danger of spurious signals being injected into the decoding circuit is minimized.

Abstract: A soft, pliable, strapless breast support comprised of a plastic foam sandwiched between a soft woven or knitted fabric. The support has a somewhat semi-circular shape with upward extending tabs and a specially contoured upper edge to form a cushioned cup which conforms to the shape of the breast when worn. The fabric is adhesively bonded to the plastic foam and a firm, flat border formed by applying heat under pressure. The border is coated with an adhesive which will adhere to skin.