Abstract: An expansion bolt, particularly adapted for supporting the roof of a mine tunnel, includes an elongate stud having distal and proximal threaded ends. Coaxially mounted on the stud near the distal end is an expansion sleeve that is axially divided into a plurality of circumferentially-spaced sleeve segments. A cam element is threadedly attached to the distal stud end. The cam element is formed of a sheet metal stamping; and includes an annular collar with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced fingers extending proximally from the periphery of the collar. The fingers also taper radially outwardly to give the cam element a frusto-conical configuration. The proximal ends of the fingers engage the interior surface of the sleeve near the distal end of the sleeve. The sleeve is constrained from axial movement on the stud, and the stud is rotatable independently of the cam element and the sleeve. The proximal end of the sleeve has a nut adapted for the application of a torque thereto.

Abstract: A syringe for use with collapsible ampoules pre-filled with a liquid medicament includes a body that forms an open receptacle for the ampoule and a handle attached by a hinge to one end of the body so as to be in opposed relationship with the ampoule. The handle carries a compression pad on its underside, so that the handle can be squeezed toward the body to compress the ampoule. The body has a fitting at its proximal end for the attachment of a double-ended disposable needle. When the needle is attached to the fitting, the distal end of the needle passes through the fitting and punctures the ampoule, allowing the contents of the ampoule to flow into the needle as the ampoule is compressed. In one embodiment, the handle is hinged to the proximal end of the body; in a second embodiment, it is hinged to the distal end. In both embodiments, the pad is maintained in substantially parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which is to be incorporated into a drill string used for drilling in subterranean formations. The device includes a first member concentrically mounted with drill pipes disposed above the device and a second member concentrically mounted with drill collars or drill pipes disposed below the device. An intermediate member connects the first and second members and a retainer member maintains the device in its first operative position wherein the entire device is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the drill string. In the first operative position of the device rotation can be transmitted from the first member to the second member and the device acts as an ordinary member of the drill string. The first, second and intermediate members are configured to be capable of occupying a second operative position relative to one another wherein the first member is off-center relative to the second member and wherein the first member does not rotate the second member.

Abstract: Micellized aqueous formulations for fat soluble vitamins, essential nutrients, herb oils and pharmaceutical agents are obtained by a process wherein the fat soluble vitamin, essential nutrient or agent is first admixed with a suitable amount of polyethoxylated castor oil and a pharmaceutically acceptable polyol, such as glycerol to provide a non-aqueous phase. Thereafter, an aqueous phase containing mostly water and optionally a preservative, such as sodium benzoate, is slowly added to the agitated non-aqueous phase in such a manner that the temperature of the non-aqueous phase, including the aqueous phase added thereto, is maintained at an elevated temperature, preferably between approximately 60.degree. to 100.degree. C. After cooling, the final admixture is clear, homogeneous, having micelles of approximately 2 microns or smaller size.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a fingerboard having a plurality of switches which are player-actuated to produce musical tones through electronic tone-generating means. The fingerboard, which is on an elongate neck, has, underneath its exterior surface, one or more rows of cavities, each cavity containing a pressure-actuable membrane switch. The surface of the fingerboard above each cavity is flexible, and each switch is closeable in response to a localized deformation of the flexible fingerboard area above the cavity in which the switch is located. A continuous flexible bar is situated on the fingerboard above each row of cavity enclosed switches. Pressure applied to the bar by a player at a location above a selected cavity results in a localized deformation of both the bar and the underlying fingerboard, thereby transmitting sufficient pressure to the switch in the selected cavity to close it. The deformation is sufficiently localized to result in the closing of only one selected switch.

Abstract: A throttling and shut-off valve assembly for slurry pipelines and the like takes advantage of a gravity induced concentration and velocity gradient which develops in a substantially horizontal flow of coarse slurries. The throttling and shut-off valve assembly includes a conduit which is disposed substantially horizontally and wherein a valve body is mounted in an elongated streamlined housing to seat against a valve seat. The valve body is actuable to move substantially axially in the conduit. Both the valve body and the streamlined housing are disposed substantially along the longitudinal center line or axis of the conduit, which is upwardly offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the pipeline from which the flow is directed into the valve assembly. The bottom wall of the conduit is level with the bottom wall of the upstream portion of the pipeline.

Abstract: A device which is simply constructed so that when an article is placed on a hanger or hook which is a part of said device, a change in a comical face or initiation of other attention-getting features such as sound or light results and, therefore, serves as a means for encouraging the hanging up of said articles.

Abstract: A method for determining the dynamic viscosity of a specimen of a polymeric resin which is subjected to a time-varying temperature includes the steps of passing an ultrasonic sensing wave of known amplitude through the specimen, sensing the amplitude of the wave after it has travelled through the specimen, and from the degree of amplitude attenuation, obtaining a value which has a linear relationship to the logarithm of the instantaneous dynamic viscosity of the resin.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical preparations containing benzoylecgonine, benzoylnorecgonine, and ecgonine are disclosed for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and in case of benzoylecgonine and benzoylnorecgonine for the treatment of osteoarthritis as well. The pharmaceutical preparations containing the active compounds are administered to human patients in effective amounts orally, through inhalation, transdermally or through the mucosal membranes.

Abstract: A protective enclosure fabricated from a clear, flexible, plastic material that, in the event of an emergency, is easily positionable over the head and upper body of a wearer to protect the wearer from the adverse effects of a contaminated environment, such as that filled with smoke or similar noxious fumes. The top of the enclosure is sealed by a reinforced, relatively stiff closure member. Accordingly, an airspace containing a reserve air supply from which the wearer may breathe is created around the wearer's head. The bottom of the enclosure contains a fastener by which the enclosure may be securely tightened around the waist of the wearer. Each side of the enclosure includes an arm port through which the wearer's arms may extend. The arm ports are interfaced with an elastic material which is adapted to form an airtight seal around the wearer's arms when the arms are inserted therethrough.

Abstract: An appliance for draining bodily wastes from the natural bladder of a patient, or from an artificial bladder, through a surgically-created stoma, includes a tube insertable into the bladder through the stoma, and an inflatable balloon enclosing a substantial portion of the length of the tube. The balloon has a corrugated tubular portion terminating in a bulbous tip portion. The tip is located at the end of the tube to be received in the bladder, while the corrugated portion extends along the length of the tube which is received in the passage from the bladder created by the stoma. An inflation fluid is introduced into the interior of the balloon through an inlet in an external retainer plug and through fluid passages and ports in the tube. The balloon has an expandable wall which is thicker in the tip portion than in the corrugated portion, so that the corrugated portion can be substantially fully inflated before the tip portion inflates.

Abstract: Apparatus for the practice of sand trap golf shots comprises a tray of substantially uniform depth and a sheet of foldable material. The sheet, when folded, is fully containable within the tray. When unfolded, the sheet has an exterior portion which extends over the sides of the tray to form an apron around the tray's perimeter, and an interior portion which forms a lining for the inside of the tray. The tray, with its lining, is filled with sand, or a suitable substitute. A golfer can then practice hitting balls out of the sand. The sand scattered by the golfer's swings falls on the apron, which can then be lifted over the tray to return the sand to the tray's interior. When the apparatus is not in use, the sheet is simply folded up over the sand, thereby protecting the sand from the elements. A golf shot aiming device is advantageously included in the apparatus.

Abstract: A unique pipe configuration including a magazine in which a supply of tobacco may be stored, so that a smoker will not be required to waste excess time and effort to continuously replenish the pipe with new tobacco when a plug of tobacco therein has been exhausted. A desired amount of the tobacco supply is moved from the magazine into a hollow cutting and smoking chamber by a manually operated piston. A plug of tobacco is cut from the supply thereof by a hollow tobacco cutter and transport device having a cutting surface formed at one end thereof. The cutter and transport device is adapted to ride through the cutting and smoking chamber so as to cut off and move the tobacco plug through the cutting and smoking chamber to a particular location thereof wherein the tobacco plug is smoked. The pipe location at which the tobacco plug is smoked is separated and spaced apart from the communication of the pipe stem with the cutting and smoking chamber.

Abstract: An oral liquid dose vial and seal combination is disclosed which requires no crimping or other tools for assembly. A graduated vial of the combination has a circumferential external lip substantially adjacent to its mouth. A unitary plastic seal for the vial has a base plate and an endless rib protruding from the base plate. The rib is configured to fit into the mouth of the vial and to sealingly engage interior walls of the vial. A lip rims the circumference of the base plate and includes inwardly protruding ribs which engage the lip of the vial. A grippable tab is attached to the lip of the seal. Portions of the lip of the vial have thin walls so as to be frangible and to break when the tab is pulled upwardly with a force exceeding a predetermined threshold level. When the frangible portions of the lip of the vial break, the lip partially separates from the base plate, and the entire seal is pulled off the vial by the upwardly directed force.

Abstract: An automated system for controlling the curing process of structures formed of fiber-reinforced composite material and the like in an autoclave is disclosed. The system uses sensors to monitor autoclave pressure, ambient and structure surface temperature, and structure viscosity during the cure cycle. Real time measurements are taken for each of these parameters, and the measured values are compared with predetermined optimum values which themselves change as the curing cycle progresses. The results of the comparisons are used to control the application of temperature and pressure in the autoclave to achieve the desired visco-elastic states of the structure which continually change as the curing process progresses. The viscosity data are obtained through measurements of attenuation of an ultrasonic wave in the composite material of the structure. It was found that the attenuation is directly related to the viscosity of the structure.

Abstract: A dry dock having flotation chambers on two opposite sides of the load-carrying platform is submerged by flooding the flotation chambers. A reversible air pump is used to raise the dry dock by first blowing water out of the chambers then sucking water from the platform into the chambers and then again blowing water out of the chambers. The structure of the dry dock allows it to be used also as a submergible barge.

Abstract: A container assembly is disclosed which incorporates a chemical indicator normally hermetically sealed from the ambient atmosphere, but exposed to the atmosphere upon opening of the container assembly. The indicator is adapted for changing appearance, either color or granule or crystal form, upon exposure to moisture or oxygen. The indicator is either located in the interior of a hermetically sealed container, or is sealed in a frangible envelope which is operatively associated with a closure member of the container and is ruptured upon opening, or attempted opening of the container.

Abstract: A linear rotary bearing is disclosed which includes bearing race adapted to be mounted on a substantially cylindrical shaft in spaced concentric relationship with the shaft. A ball retainer disposed between the race and the shaft defines a plurality of longitudinally disposed ball channels. An outer housing is mounted on the exterior of the race. A plurality of longitudinally disposed ball return channels are formed between the housing and the race. An annular chamber is formed in each end of the bearing between the race and the housing. Balls placed into the bearing do not entirely fill the space available for the balls in the ball channels, ball return channels, and annular chambers. During linear motion of the bearing relative to the shaft the balls behave substantially like a fluid in the sense that they randomly move from the annular chambers into the ball channels and ball return channels to fill available space. Approximately 2.

Abstract: A protective enclosure fabricated from a clear, flexible, plastic material that, in the event of an emergency, is easily positionable over at least the head of a wearer to protect the wearer from the adverse effects of a contaminated environment, such as that filled with smoke or similar noxious fumes.The enclosure is provided with an opened side for receiving therethrough the head of the wearer. The ends of the enclosure which define the opened side thereof are structured so as to generally conform to the shape of a human chest. The aforementioned ends which define the opened side are provided with fastening means by which the opened side may, be secured to the chest of the wearer in order to form an airtight fit therebetween and thereby close the opened end against the chest and around the neck of the wearer.

Abstract: A power transmission and brake assembly for motorcycles and like vehicles wherein a chain driven rear wheel is mounted on a swing arm, is disclosed. An idle sprocket and brake assembly including a first and a second idle sprocket and a brake member such as a brake disk is mounted to rotate about a pivot axle of the swing arm. First and second endless chains interconnect the idle sprocket assembly respectively with an output shaft mounted drive sprocket and a rear wheel sprocket. A brake engaging member, such as a pair of hydraulically actuated brake calipers, is fixedly connected directly or indirectly to the swing arm. The brake engaging member frictionally engages the brake member whenever braking of the chain driven wheel is desired. As a result, a force arises during braking which tends to push the rear wheel downward towards the road surface, and thereby increases the traction of the rear wheel.