Abstract: A shock absorbing seat is provided in a personal watercraft or boat. The seat has an elongated configuration and is mounted at the front end thereof to the hull or other structural member of the watercraft for limited pivoting motion relative to the hull or structural member. A shock absorber assembly which includes a fluid filled cylinder, a piston therein, and a coil spring externally mounted to the cylinder piston combination, or an elastic envelope filled with pressurized air, is mounted for limited motion relative to the hull or other structural member of the watercraft, and to the seat so as to support at least a substantial portion of the weight of the seat and occupant thereof, and to absorb forces generated between the hull and the seat while the watercraft is in motion.

Abstract: Fire fighting equipment is adapted for installation in association with a swimming pool or spa and associated water filtering and circulating equipment. A three-way valve is fluidly connected to a pipe which delivers water to a swimming pool filter under the pressure of a pump normally used for circulating water in the conventional swimming pool installation. The three-way valve or equivalent valve system, normally delivers the water to the filter from where it is recirculated into the swimming pool or spa. The three-way valve, or equivalent valve system, is capable of optionally diverting a substantial amount of the water, under the pressure of the pump, into a fire hose which is fluidly connected to the three-way valve. The fire hose, with a suitable hose attached to one end thereof, is thus capable of fighting a fire in the proximity of the swimming pool by using the available water and pump normally associated with the swimming pool.

Abstract: A respiratory monitor (apnea detector) utilizes the discovery that the magnetic permeability of a person's body varies with the respiratory and cardiac cycles. The respiratory and optionally cardiac monitor of the invention includes an oscillator circuit which produces a signal, and a transmitter placed in close proximity of the body of the person (patient) whose respiratory cycle is to be monitored. The transmitter directs and transmits the signal originally generated in the oscillator circuit toward the trunk of the patient. A receiver-transducer is located also in close proximity of the trunk of the patient, and receives the electromagnetic signals which are modulated due to the varying permeability of the body caused by the respiratory and cardiac cycles.

Abstract: A device for managing urinary incontinence in a human female includes a resilient body resilient adapted to fit between the labia minora and the floor of the vestibule of the vulva, thereby occluding the urethral meatus. An adhesive is applied to the body to provide a sealing engagement with the urethral meatus. In a first embodiment, the body has a base that seats against the floor of the vestibule, and a pair of flexible, lateral flaps that engage the labia minora. A layer of adhesive is applied to the base. A layer of highly-absorbant, hydrophilic material may be situated between the base and the adhesive layer, and/or a layer of scrim material may be so situated. The body may have a longitudinal ridge with a posterior edge having a finger hole to facilitate installation and removal of the device. In a second embodiment, the body is substantially tubular, with the adhesive applied to the exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively extending and withdrawing a trailer slide-out portion includes first and second rails, each slidably supported in a channel mounted underneath the trailer body. The outer ends of the rails are attached to the underside of the slide-out portion. A sheave driven by a reversible motor is mounted between the channels. First and second cables are wrapped around the sheave, the first cable having its ends attached to the first rail, and the second cable having its ends attached to the second rail. A pulley assembly supports each of the cables as it passes from the sheave to its respective rail. The cables, in conjunction with the pulley assemblies, translate the rotation of the sheave into longitudinal motion of the rails through the channels. Thus, sheave rotation in a first direction causes the cables to pull the rails outwardly, extending the slide-out, while sheave rotation in the opposite direction causes the cables to pull the rails inwardly, withdrawing the slide-out.

Abstract: A flush rivet is configured for joining first and second overlapping structural members together, wherein the structural members define a bore comprising a cylindrical main bore, a cylindrical counterbore and a frustoconical intermediate bore between the counterbore and the main bore. The rivet includes a cylindrical shank dimensioned to be received the main bore, and having a distal end formed as a tail portion that projects distally from the main bore. The proximal end of the shank terminates in a head that includes a cylindrical section having a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of the cylindrical counterbore, and a frustoconical section, between the shank and the cylindrical section, configured to seat in the intermediate bore. An end face on the proximal end of the head includes a central region having a first radius of curvature that is between 9 and 25 times the shank diameter, and a peripheral region having a second radius of curvature that is less than the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: A system including the method employed, for controlling the flow of a pressurized gas through a variable orifice flow control valve in a pressurized gas conduit system, such as a ventilator, in response to either a desired flow rate/volume input signal, a desired pressure signal or both. With respect to the flow rate input signal, the system generates a flow signal indicative of the actual flow rate of gas through the flow control valve by measuring the pressure drop across the valve and using the actual orifice area based on a control valve position signal given to the valve. This flow signal is compared to the flow rate input signal to give a correction signal which is used to form a volume flow reference signal. With respect to the desired pressure signal, a signal indicative of the effective pressure at a set location in the system is compared to the desired pressure signal and processed to give a pressure flow reference signal.

Abstract: A vestibule block or interior furnace wall utilized in a diffusion furnace for manufacturing semi-conductors, integrated circuits and the like, and which is made of refractory or ceramic material, is treated on its surface with a suspension of fine particulate of a glass frit composition comprising an alkali earth metal alumino silicate, and is thereafter heated above the transition temperature of the alkali earth metal alumino silicate. Vestibule blocks and interior surface walls which have been treated in the above-described manner are highly abrasion resistant on their surface, generate virtually no particulate matter under conditions of ordinary use in the semi-conductor manufacturing processes, and generate significantly less particulate matter when tested in an abrasion test against vestibule blocks of the prior art.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody recognizing an autocrine growth factor that reacts with activated lymphocytes and cancer cells is described. The growth factor, a small glycoprotein is distinct from interleukin 2 and other known growth factors by function, structure and tissue distribution. A homologous growth factor is present in lymphoid tissues of a wide range of vertebrate species. Diagnostic and therapeutic uses of the growth factor and antibody-growth factor complex are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapeutic uses of synthetic analogues and peptide derivatives of the antigen.

Abstract: A spray can actuation device includes a body that is removably attachable to the top of a spray can. The body includes a handle and a valve actuation lever, operated by a trigger, that engages the push-button valve on the can when the trigger is pressed. A locking plate is pivotally attached to the forward portion of the body for movement between an unlocked position, in which the actuation lever is allowed to engage the valve, and a locked position, in which the lever is locked out of engagement with the valve. The forward portion of the body includes a rim that is engageable with the channel that typically surrounds the valve on such spray cans. The rim is formed by a pair of rim halves, each with a reduced-thickness side wall portion, and joined at the front by an interlocking connection, preferably a pin-and-socket joint. Each of the side wall portions has an aperture arrangement that increases the flexibility of the side wall portion without significantly degrading its structural strength or integrity.

Abstract: A rotary switch includes a plurality of switching terminals exposed within a chamber in a housing. A fixed planar contact member, having a plurality of spring contact arms, is mounted in the chamber above the terminals. Each of the contact arms is movable out of the plane of the contact member to contact an associated one of the terminals. Each of the contact arms includes a cam follower, at least two of the cam followers being equidistant from the center of the contact member. The cam followers are operatively engaged, in a predetermined sequence, by camming elements extending axially from the bottom surface of a rotor mounted in the chamber above the contact member. The equidistant cam followers are engaged by camming elements that are spaced from the center of the rotor by a distance equal to the distance separating the equidistant cam followers from the center of the contact member.

Abstract: A laparoscopic ligation device comprises an elongate hollow tube, having an open distal end. An arcuate finger, attached to the tube, has a tip that is distally spaced from the distal end of the tube. The finger includes structure adjacent its tip that releasably holds the tag end of a length of suture. A hollow mandrel is disposed within the tube, for movement between extended and withdrawn positions. The mandrel has an open distal end, carrying a plurality of loops formed in the standing part of the suture, that extends distally from the open end of the tube in the extended position. A rod having a hook at its distal end is disposed within the mandrel for movement between extended and withdrawn positions. In use, the finger is manipulated to engage a vessel or duct. The rod is moved to its extended position so that its hook snags the suture tag end from the finger tip.

Abstract: A shock absorbing seat is provided in a personal watercraft or boat. The seat has an elongated configuration and is mounted at the front end thereof to the hull or other structural member of the watercraft for limited pivoting motion relative to the hull or structural member. A shock absorber assembly which includes a fluid filled cylinder, a piston therein, and a coil spring externally mounted to the cylinder piston combination, is mounted for limited motion relative to the hull or other structural member of the watercraft, and to the seat so as to support at least a substantial portion of the weight of the seat and occupant thereof, and to absorb forces generated between the hull and the seat while the watercraft is in motion.

Abstract: A cell cultivating device comprising superposed, separate partition wall members forming mutually spaced partition walls, which define superposed chambers for containing a cell cultivating medium therebetween. The superposed partition wall members each comprising said partition wall and an upstanding peripheral wall extending transversely thereto, are arranged within a closed outer container having a flat bottom wall and a flat end wall. A liquid cultivating medium may be introduced into the outer container through a filling opening while the container is in an upright position in which it is supported by the end wall. The liquid may then substantially uniformly distribute itself within the cultivating chambers via a tunnel extending along the end wall and interconnecting the cultivating chambers.

Abstract: A garment in the form of a vest of jacket comprises a pair of front panels attached to either side of a back portion. The panels define a pair of opposed front edges, each of which is contiguous with one of two bottom edge segments. A vertical bifurcation is formed in the lower part of the back section, defined between a pair of bifurcation edges, each of which is contiguous with one of the bottom edge segments. A first zipper is provided, which, when closed, joins the front panel edges to each other, the bottom edge segments to each other, and the bifurcation edges to each other. When the first zipper is so closed, and the garment is turned inside-out, a bag is formed, with the closed zipper defining a closed bag bottom and closed bag ends, the bag having a top opening defined between a pair of opposed top edges.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula (i), (ii) and (iii), ##STR1## where R is H, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, or CO--R.sub.2 where R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons; R.sub.1 is H, CH.sub.3, or (CH.sub.2).sub.m --CH.sub.3 ; n is an integer having the values of 2 to 10, m is an integer having the values of 1 to 6, have anti-androgen activity on secondary androgen receptor sites. The compounds are useful for treating mammals, including humans afflicted with acne, male pattern baldness, adhesions and keloids. The compounds are also effective for treating other diseases or conditions which are related to androgen receptors, such as undesirable formation of breast capsules in females after breast augmentation surgery, osteoarthritis and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The compounds also have inhibitory effect on the metabolism of certain microorganisms and fungi of the kind, the metabolism of which is normally known to be controllable by anti-androgen compounds.