Abstract: A luminous display device which includes a fused assembly of three flat members, behind the first of which a chamber partly defined by an opening in the second of said members is formed, a quantity of beads and an ionizable gas being disposed in said chamber, a source of high frequency voltage being connected to an electrode through an opening in the third of said members to form myriad discharge paths throughout said chamber.

Abstract: An environmentally safe wellhead for wells utilizing electrical submersible pumps which includes an internally tapered casing head into which an externally tapered tubing hanger is closely fitted and sealed. Openings are formed through the tubing hanger parallel to its axis and production tubing is threaded into one of the openings. The power cable for the pump is enclosed in a feedthrough connector disposed and sealed in another of the openings. Tightly fitted metal parts are used and O-ring seals are disposed between the tapered walls of the casing head and hanger as well as between the wall of the opening and the feedthrough connector for the power cable. The feedthrough connector has a metal shell and a separable threadably connected cap member, the interior of which is substantially filled with resilient high dielectric constant material bonded to insulating layers disposed on contacts for the conductors of the cable.

Abstract: A compact golfing tool of uncomplex construction is provided, wherein a body has a pair of prongs at one end and a cleaning blade at the other end, which blade extends laterally across the width of such body. Preferably the cleaning blade, in side profile, is defined by a curved blade side which meets a straight blade side. A gripping area on such body is provided between the ends thereof, which area can include an indented waist-like area, knurled surfaces and/or a thumb-receiving depression.

Abstract: An attachable aircraft ground connector which includes a connector body insertable in the input power socket of a parked aircraft, the connector body having a replaceable nose and contacts at one end and a grommet mounted at the other end, the grommet being detachably retained in place by removable screws and the body and grommet having complementary resilient elements so disposed and cooperating as to maintain a sealing relationship between the two under the urging of said removable screws. Within the grommet, a peripheral clamp is provided to hold in place an input power line.

Abstract: A vehicular engine safety switch having two or more functional positions, which includes a removable restraining device such as a clip or a pin which is flexibly attachable to the body or apparel of the vehicle operator. In the primary functional mode, the clip is in place on the switch and the engine may be started. Movement of the operator from the switch by a distance determined by the length of a flexible lanyard removes the clip, and the switch returns under spring pressure to an OFF position. The engine may be restarted with or without the clip in place, the latter condition occurring, for example, if the operator has been ejected from the vehicle. The safety action of the switch is achieved by the interaction of a specially formed detent sleeve and spring-loaded detent ball, and a lock cylinder rotationally and axially spring biased relative to the detent sleeve.

Abstract: Pain relief apparatus including an applicator containing salts and insulating elements, the container being in the form of a pad and permeable by a portion of the salts for application to a body area affected by pain. An insulating sleeve may be used to enclose the applicator and retain it on a limb of the user.

Abstract: A pillow comprising a container made of edge-joined slabs of polyurethane foam filled with a mixture of polyurethane foam chips averaging about one-quarter inch square and polyester fibers averaging about two inches in length, said fibers being coated with silicone, said mixture being homogeneous and consisting of 70 to 50 percent of said polyurethane foam chips and 30 to 50 percent of said coated polyester fiber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for identifying and determining the energization status of a cable having a conductive neutral member and an internal resistive screen layer involving probes radially movable relative to the cable to contact the neutral member and the internal resistive screen. Narrow-band AC signals and resistance measurements are utilized for self-testing and for cable testing. A microprocessor controls probe-heating in the advancing of probes through plastic sheath to reach the neutral wire and resistive screen layer. Resistance measurements made under control of the microprocessor are monitored with probe advance. Oscillators provide two signals of different frequencies, one of which is that of the power being transmitted through the cable, to provide distinctive signals indicative of cable energization status.

Abstract: A filling material for pillows or the like composed of a homogeneous mixture of polyurethane foam chips and lengths of polyester fiber. The foam chips may constitute 70 to 50 percent and the fiber lengths may constitute 30 to 50 percent of the mixture. The foam may have an indent load deflection of 8 to 20 lbs. and may be in the form of chips one-quarter inch square. The fibers may be of 5 to 15 denier and average two inches in length. The fiber lengths are coated with silicone to slicken their surfaces.

Abstract: An aid for gripping implements or objects, particularly in athletic and sporting endeavors. A fabric member impregnated with non-slip material is attached in layered fashion to a terry-cloth towel which is so arranged to enclose and protect the impregnated layer when the layered structure is held in a folded position by detachable members. Portability of the gripping aid is made possible by means of a suitable hanger.

Abstract: Provided is a means for triggering certain high voltage electronic, gas discharge switches that are a novel type of high power thyratron. Triggering of switches of the so-called "backlighted thyratron" type (a type of cold cathode thyratron) is enhanced by the inclusion of a very small, photoemissive cathode, separate and isolated from the main switch electrodes, to initiate the triggering discharge. The trigger cathode is protected from destruction by the main discharge current through the switch by mechanically and electrically isolating it from further participation in the discharge once the triggering process has been initiated. Alternatively, photosensitive material is coated on the backside of one of the main switch electrodes. A light source located externally of the switch directs light through a sealed aperture into the interior of the switch where it is incident on the photosensitive material generating electrons which in turn trigger the main switch discharge.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for triggering certain high voltage electronic, gas discharge switches that are a novel type of high power thyratron. In this invention, triggering of switches of the so-called "pseudospark thyratron" type (a type of cold cathode thyratron) is enhanced by the inclusion of a very small, hot thermiionic trigger switch or cathode, separate and isolated from the main switch electrodes, to initiate the triggering discharge. The trigger cathode is protected from destruction by the main discharge current through the switch by mechanically and electrically isolating it from further participation in the discharge once the triggering process has been initiated.

Abstract: A web tension monitoring system in which a guide roll is supported for rotation upon bearings which are mounted on stub shafts extending inwardly from frame members. Load cells which include strain gauges are cantilever-mounted adjacent the internal ends of said stub shafts within the guide roll. Guide rolls and frame spacing of different lengths are accommodated by adjustable casing sleeves which permit variation of the amount of insertion of the stub shafts into the guide roll without affecting the operation of the load cells. Adaptors are provided to permit the use of guide rolls of differing diameters.

Abstract: A dual-use radio/player assembly is provided in which a radio/player holder is pivotably and removably mounted to a cycle. The holder has at least a pair of speakers pivotably mounted thereto and the speakers are electrically connected with a radio or recording medium player mountable on the holder. The speakers are pivotable partly away from the holder in an open configuration and pivotable close to the holder in a compact configuration; the holder and speakers being readily detachable from the cycle as a theft-prevention measure. The radio/player assembly of the invention is pivotably mounted to the handlebars or frame of a cycle and can be positioned in various attitudes and orientation.

Abstract: A heated wiper blade assembly for windshields is provided, in which a plastic blade holder has an upper longitudinal groove for receiving a flat electric heating element enclosed in a ribbon of dielectric. The plastic blade holder also has at its lower portion, a longitudinal slot for receiving a wiper blade therein. A metal cap is positioned over the heating element and crimped around the plastic holder to form a wiper blade subassembly. Such subassembly is then mounted in an enclosing wiper housing such that the upper portion of the blade holder with heating element and metal cap or radiator, are positioned within the housing cavity and the lower portion of the blade holder and the wiper blade, face away from the housing, so that upon application of electricity to the heating element, heat is directed into the housing and also applied to the holder and indirectly to the wiper blade.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system which is adaptable to installation in a wide range of vehicles by means of a self-adjusting connecting linkage between the brake and the control system for anti-lock braking. The brake pedal is linked to the control system by a latched member which releases to permit the linkage to assume the appropriate length for the particular vehicle. The linkage includes frictionally engaged elements which move relative to each other as required and the braking system includes a hydraulic circuit which prevents depletion of hydraulic fluid.