Abstract: A drafting or measuring instrument, such as a caliper, divider or compass, has legs pivotally connected at one end and carries working elements at the opposite ends which may be moved between closed and opened positions. A thin case for releasably holding the instrument has an opening with an inner side wall conforming generally to the outer edge of the instrument so that the instrument may be placed in the opening. Formed on the respective opening side wall and the instrument edge are cooperating projections and grooves. The instrument may be manually positioned in the opening with the attaching projections being engaged by the retaining grooves so that the instrument is releasably held in the case until relative pressure is exerted between the instrument and the case to remove the instrument. An aperture may be defined at one end of the opening to receive the working elements of the instrument.

Abstract: A hot water heater having a vertical, cylindrical tank with a top wall, means for heating water within the tank, a cold water inlet at the bottom and a hot water outlet at the top includes damping vanes associated with the top wall of the tank for foiling internal thermal convection currents at the top of the tank and minimizing the mixing of hot and cold water so that the temperature of the hot water delivered at the outlet remains relatively constant over time.

Abstract: A compartmentalized storage tank-type electric liquid heater includes a housing with upper and lower portions. A fluid inlet is defined in the lower portion and a fluid outlet is defined in the upper portion. A plurality of panels or other partitioning structures are mounted within the housing to divide the interior into a plurality of subcompartments. A first subcompartment includes a cold water inlet and a final subcompartment includes a hot water outlet. The first and final subcompartments are in fluid communication with a plurality of intermediate subcompartments. All or most subcompartments include a heating element. In one embodiment of the invention, the heating elements in the first and final subcompartments are electrically connected to a first temperature control and the heating elements in the intermediate subcompartments are electrically connected to a second temperature control.

Abstract: A posture alignment seat shell for supporting and passively restraining a person seated therein includes a horizontal seat portion and an upstanding back portion formed from resilient material to define a one-piece unit. The upstanding back portion includes a lower back part connected to the seat portion, an upper back part above the lower back part and slanting forwardly thereform, and lateral side parts at opposite sides of the upstanding portion extending forwardly therefrom to prevent side movement of a person sitting thereon. The shell includes flexible strap means for pulling the upstanding back portion downward relative to the seat portion and adjusting the angular position of the back portion. The shell further includes strap means for securing the shell to a chair and strap means for pulling the top segment of the upper part downward and selectively adjusting the height thereof.

Abstract: A hot water heater having a vertical, cylindrical tank with a curved top wall, means for heating water within the tank, a cold water inlet at the bottom and a hot water outlet at the top includes a baffle in the upper portion of the tank for foiling internal thermal convection currents moving along the side and top walls and minimizing the mixing of hot and cold water so that the temperature of the hot water delivered at the outlet remains relatively constant over time.

Abstract: An overbed table has a base, an adjustable support leg assembly and a table top carried at the upper end of the support assembly. The support assembly includes a vertical housing fixed to the base, support rods slidably mounted within the housing by bearing blocks, and a latch mechanism for locking the housing and rods against relative motion. A latch pivotally mounted to the support rods is spring biased towards a locked position and is rotatable to an unlocked position by a cable extending upwardly to a remote handle.

Abstract: A reclosable blister package includes a carrier and a blister with hinged top and bottom portions, the top portion having a scored peripheral flange. When the top and bottom portions are folded together, the flange is secured to the carrier to hold the unsecured bottom portion closed between the carrier and the top portion to seal the package. The score allows the blister to be detached from its flange, removed from the carrier and unfolded to an open condition.

Abstract: A locking device for an electrical plug includes a lock having a shackle sized to fit through the prong apertures of the plug and an electrically nonconductive spacer disposed between the prongs through which the shackle passes.