Abstract: A combined cushion and protective covering for a patient support having a patient-supporting surface comprises a central section having length and width dimensions corresponding substantially to corresponding dimensions of the support surface. Flaps which are unitary with the central section extend from the side edges of the central section a distance beyond the side edges of the support surface. The flaps are thinner than the central section so as to depend from the central section and lie alongside the patient-supporting surface. The central section and the flaps are formed simultaneously by compressing a block of cushioning material in such manner that the central section forms a pad or cushion unitarily joined at its opposite sides to the flaps. During the compression of the block to form the central pad and the flaps the external surfaces of the pad and flaps are heated to an extent sufficient to enable the surfaces of the pad and flaps to form a smooth, moisture proof skin.

Abstract: A fire damper assembly has a damper mounted in an air duct for movements between an open, air passing position in which the damper enables air to flow through the duct and a closed position in which the damper blocks the passage of air through the duct. A strut composed of joined but separable components normally underlies the damper and supports the latter in the open position. The strut may be moved from its damper engaging position to a damper-free position while the separable components remain joined. At least one end of the strut is pivotally connected to a support arm for swinging movements of the strut between damper engaging and damper-free positions and may have its opposite end manually detached from the second support arm, thereby enabling the damper to swing to its closed position. The respective support arms are removably maintained in strut-supporting position by releasable latches which enable a tactile sensing of their positions.

Abstract: A sheet assembly adapted to occupy a position beneath a patient and an upper surface of a patient support. The assembly has overlying upper and lower pliable sheets formed of a material of low density gradient and having central sections from which upper and lower flaps extend laterally. The lower flaps may be secured to the patient support and the upper flaps may be elevated to and maintained at a level above that of the upper surface of the patient support, thereby providing a safeguard against the patient's falling off the support surface.

Abstract: A rigid casing provides support and protection for two separate fiber optic jumper cables of a fiber optic test set and which may be wound on two separate spools for extension and retraction relative to the casing. A selected length of one of the cables may be extended from the casing and connected to a part of a fiber optic circuit to be tested, following which a selected length of the other cable may be extended from the casing and connected to another part of the circuit. The spools are capable of rotation about a common axis with and relative to one another. The cables have confronting ends at the axis of rotation of the spools and in axial alignment so that light energy emitted from either cable may be received by the other without interruption.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooler for cooling clinker with a device for removal of a sample of the clinker, wherein the cooler has a first cooler section, a second cooler section and a crusher disposed between them, and the device for removal of a sample of the clinker is disposed in a region between the first and the second cooler section.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder within which is a reciprocable piston movable in a compression stroke followed by movement in a power stroke and wherein a combustible fuel mixture is injected into the combustion chamber, compressed, ignited, and burned to produce the power stroke of the piston. After the fuel has been ignited and during the compression of such mixture a quantity of water from a reservoir is injected into the combustion chamber and converted by the heat of combustion into superheated steam, thereby generating within the combustion chamber a force which assists in driving the piston through its power stroke. The products of combustion and steam are discharged from the cylinder following the power stroke and cooled in a heat exchanger in which the steam is condensed, following which the gases are exhausted and the condensate returned to the water reservoir.

Abstract: An instrument for determining the occlusal space between a person's upper and lower teeth thereby facilitating the formation of apparatus such as dentures and splints for removable positioning in the person's mouth.

Abstract: In a method according to the invention for estimating the accuracy of azimuthal orientations (a) of a measuring device (1) having an electronic magnetic compass (2), a plurality of determinations of an azimuthal orientation (a, a?, a?, a??, a??) are carried out, in which the measuring device is aligned with one and the same measuring points at different measuring locations (P, P?, P?, P??, P??) adjacent to one another. On the basis of these determined azimuthal orientations (a, a?, a?, a??, a??), the value of the accuracy is automatically estimated by the measuring device (1) by means of a computational method. The adjacent measuring locations (P, P?, P?, P??) are advantageously located one above the other or along a straight line to the measuring point. By means of this method, stationary stray fields of local scale can be detected and the effects thereof on the accuracy can be estimated. Further methods according to the invention are designed in each case specifically for further types of stray fields.

Abstract: Apparatus for enabling the use of a computer mouse at a sterile surgical site comprises a pouch for the accommodation of the mouse and an inlet sleeve forming an inlet passage into the pouch. The pouch and sleeve are formed of pliable, preferably transparent sterilizable material. When the mouse has been admitted to the pouch via the passage, the sleeve may be separated from the pouch and the open mouth of the latter rolled to form a seal, thereby retaining the mouse within the pouch.

Abstract: A tilt sensor has a source for optical radiation, a pattern support having an optically effective pattern for the passage of the optical radiation generated by the source, a tilt-sensitive unit downstream of the pattern support in the direction of propagation of the radiation, and a projection area for the incidence of the radiation generated by the source and passing through the pattern support and the tilt-sensitive unit, wherein the source is in the form of a pattern support.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool comprises a body having opposite ends and a plurality of diametrally opposed pairs of flutes forming cutting edges extending helically from one end of the body toward the opposite end. All of the cutting edges are circumferentially spaced uniformly from one another at the one end of the body. Each cutting edge of one pair of edges is formed on the same and uniform helix, whereas each cutting edge of another pair of edges is formed on a uniform helix which varies from the cutting end of the body toward the opposite end. The steepness of the helices is such that no flute communicates with any other flute and, at a zone between the ends of the flutes, the cutting edges formed by such flutes again are uniformly circumferentially spaced from one another.

Abstract: A support for use with a two wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle, having a kickstand arm adapted to support the vehicle in a parked condition with the kickstand arm at ground level. The support has a much larger area than that of the free end of the kickstand, thereby avoiding embedding of the free end of the kickstand in the ground or pavement on which the motorcycle is parked. An adjustable length lanyard couples the support member to a selected part of the motorcycle, thereby facilitating retrieval of the support when its use no longer is necessary.

Abstract: Storage and dispensing apparatus for use with a unitary length of coilable fiber optic cable having a minimum bending radius, such apparatus having a casing within which is journaled a rotatable spool having two grooves in which relatively long and relatively short lengths of the cable may be coiled. One end of the cable is coupled to a connector that is releasably retained on the spool for rotation therewith. The opposite end of the cable is joined to a connector which is extendible from and retractable into the casing in which the spool is journaled. The casing is formed of rigid plastic material which protects the cable against damage from externally applied forces. No part of the cable within the casing is subject to being bent about a radius less than the minimum bending radius.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soundboard of composite fibre material construction for acoustic musical instruments, comprising at least three sheets which each extend over a substantial part of the entire surface of the soundboard, of which the two outer sheets each contain a layer of long fibres embedded in a carrier material and the middle sheet has a lower density than the two outer sheets. In this case the long fibres of the two outer sheets are disposed parallel to one another in the respective sheet and—relative to an imaginary vertical longitudinal central plane of the soundboard—extend at acute angles between 2 and 25°. In this way a markedly improve acoustic quality and simplified production are achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soundboard of composite fibre material construction for acoustic stringed instruments, comprising a core plate and a fibre laminate which is provided on at least one of the two outer faces of the core plate and is composed of long fibres embedded in a carrier material, the core plate having a lower average density than the fibre laminate. In this case a part of the core plate including the two end regions of the central zone of the core plate has a longitudinal compression strength which is greater than the longitudinal compression strength of the remaining part of the core plate. In this way a construction is achieved which is particularly stable under compression whilst at the same time having an improved acoustic quality.

Abstract: In a method according to the invention for the accurate determination of an angle of rotation (w) about an axis (a), at least a part of a plurality of pattern elements (5, ..., 13) arranged around a pattern center (4), a multiplicity of which are arranged one behind the other in a rotation, is at least partly focused by optical beams on a multiplicity of detector elements (2) of an optical detector (1) which are arranged in series. The pattern elements (5, ..., 13) are arranged on a rotating body (3) which is connected to the detector (1) so as to be rotatable about the axis (a). Positions (p) of the focused pattern elements are resolved by the detector elements (2) of one and the same detector (1). In a first step, effects of an eccentricity (e) of the pattern center (4) relative to the axis (a) on the determination of an angle of rotation are computationally determined from resolved positions (p) of at least one pattern element (5, ..., 13).

Abstract: A cushioning and positioning pad has a body formed from superposed layers of resiliently compressible foam material and a reinforcing sheet embedded between adjacent layers. The reinforcing sheet is of such stiffness as to resist contraction along its length and width dimensions, but is resiliently bendable in response to the application of a force along its thickness dimension. The reinforcing sheet resists undesirable contraction lengthwise and widthwise of the pad when the latter is encapsulated in a curable coating of material which shrinks as it cures.

Abstract: A protective carrier for a fiber optic cable comprises a casing within which is a rotor rotatable in a selected one of two opposite directions. The rotor supports the cable at the axis of rotation of the rotor and the cable extends in opposite directions from such axis and is guided to axially spaced peripheral grooves in which a major portion of the retracted cable is accommodated. From each of the grooves opposite ends of the cable extend through openings in the casing and are coupled to terminations by means of which the cable may be connected to terminals. The openings into the casing accommodate and shield the connectors. The casing is sufficiently rigid to protect the cable and terminations from damage. The path of movement of the cable into and out of the casing is such that the cable is not subjected to kinking or bending in such manner as to damage the cable or attenuate the signal carried by the cable.

Abstract: A cover and patient restraint for use with a radiologic imaging table having an upper surface on which a patient may lie, the cover having a central section corresponding generally to the length and width of the patient supporting surface of the table and a width substantially greater than that of the supporting surface so the opposite sides of the cover form flaps which extend beyond and depend from the upper surface of the table to prevent the collection on the table surface of liquids. The cover includes a pad of cushioning material inboard of the flaps to enhance the comfort of a patient lying on the cover. Restraining straps are coupled to anchor strips extending longitudinally of the cover adjacent opposite sides of the pad so as to enable the straps to be placed in overlying relation to the patient in any selected one of a large number of adjusted positions. The cover is encapsulated in a pliable, washable, radiologic inert coating.