Abstract: A blood oxygenator wherein blood and oxygen are admixed by flowing blood, into which has been introduced bubbles of oxygen, through a three-dimensional, open cellular mixing material having a substantial void volume. The resulting arterialized blood and blood foam rise to the top of the admixing chamber and are contained in a channel located at the top of the chamber and directed through this channel to the input of a defoamer chamber. A defoamer filter of annular configuration is retained within the defoamer chamber such that the defoamer inlet is located at the top of the defoamer filter within the interior annular space thereof. The blood foam thus enters the interior of the defoamer filter and is distributed over a substantial portion of the defoamer surface and collapsed therein to remove substantially all entrapped gases. The oxygenated defoamed blood collects at the bottom of the defoamer chamber for return to the patient's body.

Abstract: A wall lifter able to be made to climb a column to lift a prefabricated wall into a predetermined position. The lifter comprises a first sleeve to surround the column. A saddle engages the wall. The saddle extends forwardly of the first sleeve and is pivotably mounted. A first lever is pivotably mounted on the first sleeve adjacent the saddle. There is a fulcrum point for the first lever. A second sleeve surrounds the column and is disposed above the first sleeve when the lifter is in its useful position. A second lever extends from the second sleeve to permit tilting of the second sleeve on the column. There is a link between the first and second sleeves, pivotably connected to each sleeve. The lifter is easy to use and to make and relatively cheap.

Abstract: Sustainer drive circuitry for an AC plasma display panel wherein a multiple level sustainer signal is applied to panel electrodes along one axis only. The sustainer circuit includes a pair of series connected NPN pull-high and pull-down output driver transistors which (a) are respectively driven by low voltage drive circuits isolated from the NPN output driver transistors by capacitors; (b) respectively charge up the panel to a relatively high voltage and discharge the panel to ground; and (c) include a feedback network for limiting the rise time of the high voltage across the panel for reducing noise and electromagnetic interference. Diode circuitry insures that these output driver transistors are turned on and off without ringing and are never driven on simultaneously. A common voltage supply provides both (a) the write pulse level and (b) the write pedestal level of the sustainer waveform.

Abstract: A fill valve for controlling liquid level in a toilet tank or other tank includes a housing with an inlet, an outlet, a valve, and a level sensing mechanism for opening the valve to permit flow when the liquid level is below a predetermined value. A flow impedance path including a compact array of many baffles defining multiple consecutive right angle turns dissipates fluid pressure without substantial velocity increases and consequent cavitation and noise. Stable valve closure when the predetermined level is reached is effected by the mounting and configuration of a valve control lever. The fill valve may be disassembled for service without removal from the tank. A coupling and mounting nut assembly facilitates mounting without tools in a variety of tanks. A backflow preventer including few simple parts may be incorporated to provide redundant cross-connection protection.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive puppet is manufactured by the bonding of a pair of rigid, flat, relatively thin members, side by side, on a resilient backing member. When the rigid, flat members, which are originally mounted in a coplanar relationship by the resilient member, are articulated toward one another, the resilient backing tends to return these rigid members to a coplanar position. The puppet may thus be used by grasping the reverse side of the resilient portion between the thumb and index finger to urge the rigid portions to articulate toward one another. Releasing the pressure between the thumb and index finger allows the rigid members to articulate further away from one another. The puppet thus provides an articulating structure which may carry artwork or other indicia exemplifying a face or mouth so that, as it is manipulated between the thumb and index finger, the puppet appears to open and close its mouth.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in a tri-cuspid tissue prosthetic heart valve having a valve body with sewing holes provided at each interval between the cusps of the valve, which improvements are realized by the formation of the tissue from three pieces joined together at seams disposed along the intervals between the cusps of the valve.

Abstract: A disc-like impeller for dispersing solids within liquids is formed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with a plurality of radially extending grooves on each planar face to provide a long wearing product with excellent mixing results.

Abstract: An audiovisual teaching machine utilizes video recorded instruction material and a student console including a television or motion picture monitor. A switch on the monitor allows the student to begin an instruction segment in which motion video information is produced on the video monitor depicting a sequence of events leading to a choice of alternative actions and followed by an indication of the possible alternatives. The apparatus automatically stops the video presentation after the display of alternatives and displays the likely consequences of any one of the alternatives selected by manipulation of front panel switches by the student. The likely outcome of the student's selection is depicted in motion video form to allow the student to experience the consequence of his decision.

Abstract: Carbide inserts in earth boring drilling tools are attached to the tool base metal by means of one or more spike welds formed by electron beam welding. The spike weld is formed at an angle through the metal surrounding the base of the insert and into the side of the insert near its inserted end.

Abstract: A ring of tubes extends inwardly from a noise suppressor housing wall sufficiently far to impinge upon the periphery of the high velocity core of a supersonic jet exhaust to disrupt the core and reduce the sound power generated. A large volume of outside cooling air is induced by jet pump action into the suppressor; and a portion of this cooling air is ducted through the tubes and into the exhaust stream to maintain the temperature of the tubes below an acceptable level to prevent their premature destruction.

Abstract: A method of making a scouring pad from a length of nylon fabric netting characterized by forming the netting into a tube-like configuration by rolling the netting around two spaced cylinders having unequal diameters, but axially spaced from each other, twisting the tube of netting to gather the netting in the location between the two cylinders, folding the netting onto itself by extending one cylinder over the other cylinder to form one end of the pad, removing both cylinders from the netting tube, wrinkling and tucking the netting toward the other end of the pad to form an inside core, gathering the outside netting around the inside core, and twisting and tieing the outside netting to form the other end of the pad. The scouring pad may be made from a single length of fabric netting or alternatively made from two separate differing colored lengths, thereby resulting in a two-toned pad wherein the color of the inner core netting and outside netting are dissimilar.

Abstract: A portable long jump pit is disclosed which may be installed in a gymnasium, on top of a regular playing surface and used in conjunction with an elevated runway, or outdoors recessed into the ground surface such that the top is level with a runway. The pit includes a foam cushioning member which is held stationary relative the runway and a separate fabric cover over the cushioning member which is held in place by elastic cords. When the long jumper lands on this fabric member, it moves laterally on the top of the cushioning member, the elastic supports and the cushioning member absorbing the lateral momentum of the athlete. An optional enlarged landing pillow or bumper is placed at the end of the pit opposite the runway to protect the athlete from running beyond the pit surface after his jump. Numerous marking systems are disclosed for recording the landing position of the athlete.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp is connected in parallel with an inductor and in series with a solid state switching device and a resistor, and this combination is connected across a DC voltage. This switching device is controlled by a monostable multivibrator, the input of which is connected to the output of a comparator amplifier sensing the difference between the voltage drop across the above mentioned resistor and the voltage of a variable reference voltage source.When the current through the inductor has increased to a point where the voltage drop across the resistor exceeds the voltage of the reference source, the comparator amplifier triggers the monostable multivibrator causing the solid state switching device to be turned off. This acts to collapse the magnetic field in the inductor thereby causing a large voltage to appear across the gas discharge lamp sufficient to light the lamp.

Abstract: A skateboard having an adjustable feature to vary board flexibility to accommodate the performance requirements of various maneuvers executed by the individual using the skateboard. Variable board flexibility is accomplished by the use of a strengthening member mounted on the bottom of the skateboard by an adjusting mechanism which varies the connection between the strengthening member and the skateboard. The skateboard also incorporates integrally cast wheel assembly mounting brackets located on the bottom of the respective ends of the skateboard. In one embodiment of the variable flexion skateboard adjustment dials are positioned at each end of the strengthening member to set the desired flexibility in the skateboard.

Abstract: A new alloy of aluminum is disclosed which consists essentially of residual silicon up to 0.60 percent, residual iron up to 0.70 percent, residual zinc up to 0.30 percent, 0.05 to 0.20 percent copper, 0.40 to 0.90 percent manganese, and balance essentially aluminum. The properties of the alloy are especially conducive to producing sheet metal stock cast by continuous methods and have a general wide-ranging utility for forming many products, heretofore unobtainable from a continuous casting method.

Abstract: A tennis racket head is strung with string sections between frame support points formed into zig-zag segments which have multiple junction points with other string sections to hold the strings in the zig-zag pattern. In a preferred embodiment, the segments are arranged in parallel tiers, and weave over and under intermediate strings between junctions. An apparatus and method for stringing the racket is included. A simple tension adjustment can be added to the racket, which adjusts the tension over the entire playing surface.

Abstract: A golf putter has on its face a convex, parabolic protruding portion extending horizontally along the face at a height such as to strike a golf ball slightly below its center. The convex protuberance provides only a very slight lift to the ball and imparts a substantial amount of overspin.

Abstract: An improved modulating air control valve which intermittently introduces air into the intake manifold of internal combustion engines as a function of the vacuum differential between the intake manifold and the ported vacuum at the carburetor. The valve includes a unidirectional flow valve which prevents hydrocarbon gases contained in the intake manifold from deteriorating the internal diaphragm of the valve.

Abstract: In one trigger operated dispenser pump a variable volume pump chamber is formed by a flexible bulb having a flange on its upper end which serves as a gasket and carries depending flaps which form inlet and outlet check valves for the chamber. In two other arrangements, the pump chamber is formed by a piston and cylinder and the valve element is a separate member surrounding a cavity open to the pump chamber. A novel vent valve permits replacement air into the container on which the pump is used.