Abstract: Presented is a method and instrumentation for removal of a pair of rectangular blocks of vertebral bone tissue of predetermined and precise dimensions to provide an intervertebral recess, with guarded depth for safety, achieving and maintaining the desired intervertebral space, as well as obtaining and injecting into the intervertebral recess a well-fitted bone plug of the same dimension as the recess that receives it. Two cooperating instruments are utilized in the invention, one being an intervertebral mortising cutter and the other a precision guide and spacer. The guide and spacer functions dually to retain the associated adjacent vertebrae at a precise selected and predetermined spacing and to guide penetration of the mortising cutter. Following advancement of the mortising cutter into the bone tissue of the two adjacent vertebrae, the instruments, along with the blocks of bone tissue, are removed from the site to produce a precisely configured recess.

Abstract: The collapsible bedspread holder includes a frame for placement at the "foot" of a bed. It includes metal rods to be "sandwiched" between the mattress and box spring of the bed, with one end of each rod bent up at a 90 degree angle and pivotally and detachably attached to the bedspread holder frame to retain it at the approximate level of the top of the mattress. The other end of each steel rod is attached to one end of a tether the other end of which is connected to an anchor plate abutting the associated ends of the mattress and box spring at the opposite end of the bed. The frame may be deployed from a vertical retracted position in which the bedspread holder is covered by the bedspread and cannot be seen, to a horizontal extended position in which the frame, supported on retractible legs and the steel rods, may support the bedspread when removed from the bed and folded back for storage when the bed is being slept in.

Abstract: Presented is an apparatus that includes a unitary frame configured to present three mounting portions spacially separated from one another in a triangular pattern and lying in a common plane to be pivotally connected to and supported by the hitch members of a three-point hitch system mounted on the rear of a tractor and actuable hydraulically to alter the elevation of the three-point hitch system and therefore the unitary frame of the apparatus. The apparatus facilitates connecting different types of agricultural and other trailer-type implements to the tractor and for selectively varying the size of the apparatus to accommodate three-point hitch systems of different sizes.

Abstract: Presented is a segmented spherical display device including at least four embodiments. The segmented spherical body of the display device may be, but need not be, transparent, is segmented in specific ways unique to different segment configurations to provide multiple flat surface portions or facets, each defined by at least two straight edges or lines of demarcation and one arcuate edge subtending the angle defined by the two straight edges, and to which or on which facets may be detachably mounted selected visual indicia or images for visual display. In two of the embodiments, the segmented spherical bodies are each segmented to provide two bodies that are halves of a sphere, that are mirror-images of one another and interengageable to form a segmented sphere. In the other two embodiments, the respective spherical bodies are each segmented to provide four quarter-sphere segment portions or bodies that are mirror-images of one another.

Abstract: Presented is an integral assembly (2) of hollow tubes and seal caps (4) therefor arranged in an elongated aligned and integral assembly in which multiple tubes (1) each symmetrical about a longitudinal axis (3) and having a closed (32) end and an open end (6) are formed in side-by-side spaced relationship in a linear series in which adjacent tubes are integrally interconnected by a tether (36) to form an elongated strip (2). One end of the strip (2) of open-ended tubes is integrally connected to an elongated seal cap strip (43) that forms an integral extension of the tube strip and which includes a linear series of integral, spaced seal caps (42) each symmetrical about an axis (44) parallel to the axes of the tubes and corresponding in spacing and in number to the tubes. The tube (1) on one end of the tube strip (2) is integrally connected to its corresponding seal cap (42) on the seal cap strip (43).

Abstract: A memory card connector (10) comprises an insulative housing (12) having a plurality of contacts for electrically mounting on a board on which the connector (10) is seated. A pair of engaging arms (18) respectively extend backward from two opposite ends of the housing (12). A right insulative guiding arm (44) and a spaced and parallel left insulative guiding arm (42) are respectively fastened to two opposite ends of a securing plate (30) to form an initial generally U-shaped unit. A sliding plate (56) is attached to the initial U-shaped unit and a swinging lever (62) is sandwiched therebetween. A pushing bar (70) is positioned beside the left guiding arm (42) and moveable in with regard to the securing plate (30). One end (65) of the lever (62) is connected to the distal end of the pushing bar and the other end of the lever (62) is engaged with the sliding plate (56), so that the pushing bar (70) and the sliding plate (56) can be moved in opposite directions with each other.

Abstract: A pen size apparatus for neutralizing and detoxifying bites and stings to man or animal from insects and reptiles. When the apparatus is positioned on the affected area of the toxin victim and a push-button is depressed, multiple piezo crystals are stressed producing low amperage direct current high voltage pulses. The apparatus produces these pulses every time the push-button is depressed without any other internal or external power source. These pulses are transmitted through appropriate electrodes in contact with the affected area of the toxin victim, where detoxification takes place by electrolysis, anaphoresis, and cataphoresis.

Abstract: Presented is a wall heater or furnace extension structure for mounting in the space between a conventional wall furnace or heater and the ceiling of the room in which the wall furnace or heater are installed. The wall material normally found in this area of the wall is removed to expose the flue connected to the fire-box of the furnace or heater. The furnace extension structure is mounted on the wall so as to enclose the flue, draw air from the room into the space surrounding the flue, and then discharge the heated air back into the room from which it emanated.

Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for inspection through use of a variable angle ultrasonic transducer of metallic members such as pipes, conduits, plates and other formed metallic members normally having a surface regularity adhering to a predetermined standard of normalcy. Inspection proceeds in such a manner that irregularities in the surface of the member under test that lie outside the standard of normalcy are sensed, the degree of irregularity determined and converted into an electrical signal that is applied to continually variably control the angular relationship of the ultrasonic transducer with the surface of the metallic member being inspected whereby abnormalities within the metallic member may be reliably and accurately detected, displayed and recorded.

Abstract: A ski control system incorporating carve control amplification to activate by deployment of auxiliary ski control surfaces, such as a probe assembly resiliently mounted on the ski at or near the center of pressure of the ski, and which functions when deployed to impose control forces on the ski in proportion to the degree of carve of the ski.

Abstract: Presented is a strain measurement transducer incorporating a load-beam subject to deflection when a load is applied, and a non-load-bearing beam mounted on the load beam in a manner to preclude displacement of the non-load-bearing beam when the load beam is displaced. A source of light is mounted on the non-load-bearing beam, cooperating with an optical mask, to project a beam of light energy which impinges onto a set of multiple photodiodes in proportion to the degree of displacement of the photodiodes with the load-bearing beam in relation to the stationary source of the light energy. The photodiodes transmit electrical signals proportional to the degree of illumination to an electronic circuit that processes the signals and indicates the magnitude of the load imposed on the load beam, or indicates its deflection in a selected unit of measurement.

Abstract: Presented is a microtube and closure cap assembly in which the closure cap is flexibly tethered to the microtube so that the closure cap may be swung from a microtube-open position to a microtube-closed and sealed position, and the closure cap then rotated through a predetermined arc to lock the closure cap to the microtube in sealed condition. Opening of the microtube from its sealed and locked condition is effected by reversing the procedure, i.e., rotating the closure cap to unlock it from the microtube and then lifting the closure cap from the microtube to break the seal. A lock lug on the microtube and a lock housing on the closure cap that are initially laterally offset when the microtube is sealed by the closure cap are brought into locking interengagement by relative rotation of the closure cap and microtube following sealing of the microtube.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus provides recording and instant playback of video images of a golfer's swing. A plurality of color video cameras are preferably employed to obtain video images of a swing from different angles. A video processing and storage unit digitally stores the images in memory for instant replay. Image processing and recording is automatically initiated when a golf ball is placed on a designated hitting area through the use of an infrared camera and image processing software that detects a golf ball in the IR camera's image. The IR camera is also used in conjunction with an IR flash unit to obtain snapshot images of a club head and ball just before and just after the golf club hits the ball. An optical sensor array is positioned adjacent the hitting area to detect the passage of a golf club toward the ball. The signals generated by the optical sensor array are employed by the image processing and storage unit to both calculate the club speed and control triggering of the flash unit.