Abstract: A portable device for use in playing step-ball or the like comprising a plurality of steps arranged in a flight, each step having a front face and a top face which a ball may strike. First and second panels form side enclosures for the flight of steps and a removable front panel encloses the front of the flight of steps. A top panel encloses the top of the flight of steps and is movable from a closed position extending between the side panels over the flight of steps to an upright open position in which it forms a backstop at the back of the top step for a ball directed at the flight of steps.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting particles, such as blood cells, suspended in a liquid medium. A chamber receives a sample of the liquid medium containing particles and the sample flows from the chamber through a conduit. The conduit is normally closed but is opened for flow of the sample therethrough with the sample being drawn through the conduit upon its being opened. A counter counts particles in the sample as it flows through the conduit and a single manual operation opens the conduit for flow of a sample therethrough and concomitantly actuates the counter to count the particles in the sample flowing through the conduit. A method of counting particles suspended in a liquid medium is also disclosed.

Abstract: Strapping for orthodontic headgear, wrist watch straps, identificaton straps for hospital use and other uses, comprising a core constituted by a strip of substantially nonstretchable polyester film and a wrapper constituted by a composite strip comprising a layer of polyurethane film and a layer of nonwoven polyester fabric which layers have been bonded together under heat and pressure, the composite strip being wrapped around the side edges of the core with the layer of film on the outside and having its marginal edges overlapped and fused together to form a longitudinal overlap seam by a series of discrete fused stitches, and a method of making the same involving ultrasonic stitching.

Abstract: Certain polyhydroxy-alkyl-3,5-disubstituted-2,4,6-triiodocarbanilates are useful as x-ray contrast agents. Representative of this class of compounds is the compound 1-[N-(2,4,6-triiodo-3-N,N-dimethylcarbamyl-5-N-methylcarbamyl)carbanilyl]- L-sorbose.

Abstract: 5-Gluconamido-2,4,6-triiodo-N-methylisophthalamic acid, 3-acetamido-2,4,6-triiodo-5-trishydroxymethylacetamidobenzoic acid, related compounds and salts and esters thereof are useful as x-ray contrast agents. The corresponding acyl halides are useful as intermediates.

Abstract: A latching assembly for mounting a seat on a boat thwart or the like comprising a base to rest on top of the thwart for securement of a seat thereto. A pair of keepers are mounted on top of the thwart for securing opposite sides of the base to the thwart, and a latch is mounted on the base on one of the opposite sides of the base. The latch is selectively movable from a retracted position to an extended latching position in which the latch projects beyond the side of the base and underlies one keeper to prevent vertical movement of the base relative to the thwart. The latch also abuts that keeper to block movement of the base on the thwart in side-to-side, front-to-back and back-to-front directions when the latch is in its latching position.

Abstract: Orthodontic traction apparatus for applying traction to the teeth of a patient comprising headgear to be worn by the patient including a pair of side members adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of the patient's head adjacent the ears, and a tensioning assembly on each side member for attachment to an instrumentality associated with the teeth for applying traction thereto. Each tensioning assembly comprises a rod mounted in a guide for sliding movement of the rod axially therein. The guide, in turn, is mounted on the respective side member for axial adjustment relative thereto and also for angular adjustment relative to the side member about an axis extending generally in side-to-side direction with respect to the patient's head. A spring biases the rod to slide axially in the guide to apply traction to the teeth.

Abstract: Temperature indicating apparatus having a sensor for introduction into a region having a temperature to be measured. Circuitry responsive to the sensor supplies an electrical signal representative of the temperature in the region. A display provides a visual indication of the temperature in the region and includes a plurality of temperature indicators each of which represents a discrete temperature level. Circuitry responsive to the electrical signal selectively illuminates at any one time only that indicator which corresponds to the temperature represented by the electrical signal at that time.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining samples from specimens of blood or the like contained in a series of closed containers, which specimens include a plurality of particles such as cells. A pair of parallel feed screws moves the closed containers along a predetermined path to a sampling station and in one mode, a mixing mode, imparts motion to the closed containers while they are moved along the path to obtain a substantially uniform distribution of the particles contained therein. The apparatus includes a needle which penetrates the closed containers when they reach the sampling station to withdraw specimen samples from the containers. The apparatus includes a controller for tilting each closed container at the sampling station so that one end of the container is lower than the other end. The needle penetrates the lower end of the container.

Abstract: A newspaper delivery receptacle or tube having a bottom, sides and a top, closed at one end constituting its back end and open at its front end. The receptacle is mounted in a generally horizontal position on a post by means of a bracket having a vertical leg adapted to be fastened to the post and a horizontal leg extending laterally outwardly from the vertical leg to be slidably engaged with the bottom of the receptacle. This bracket leg has an opening and the bottom of the receptacle has a boss constituting a snap fastener so that as the receptacle is slid into engagement with the bracket the boss will snap into the opening thereby fastening the receptacle to the bracket.

Abstract: A manifold assembly for a compressed air storage tank or the like having a main flow passage therethrough, ball valve means and pressure relief means. The ball valve means comprises a ball valve member received in a lateral bore extending generally perpendicularly through the passage. The ball valve member has a spherical ball portion with an aperture therethrough and a pair of circular sealing heads, one on each side of the ball portion. Each of the sealing heads carries a seal which is slidably and sealingly engageable with the walls of the lateral bore. The sealing heads are of substantially equal diameter so that pressure forces acting on the ball valve member which tend to move the latter axially within the bore are balanced. A seal body is insertable into a main flow passage of the valve body from one end thereof for sealingly engaging the ball portion after the ball valve member has been installed in the lateral bore.

Abstract: A door frame and door assembly for a doorway in a mine stopping in which the door is hinged to the top of the door frame, and hangs down at an angle from the top of the frame when closed with sealing surfaces of the door at the top, bottom and sides of the door in face-to-face engagement with forward faces of the top, bottom and sides of the frame, the forward face of the bottom being forward of the forward face of the top, and the forward faces of the sides of the frame being inclined.

Abstract: Method of an apparatus for applying a telescoping lid to an open top, filled box or case in which the lid is formed from a flat blank around the case, in which the lid is pressed down on the contents of the case, in which the major flaps of the lid are pressed in against the sides of the case between a ram and a previously lidded case, and in which the minor flaps are pressed in against the ends of the case so as to square up the lid on the case prior to the flaps being secured together. The apparatus includes tucking units for folding the outer end portions of the major flaps of the lid in on the case along vertical fold lines with the tucking units being driven by upward movement of the case being lidded.

Abstract: A drapery pleating tape comprising two layers of flexible ultrasonically sealable fabric (which may be nonwoven or woven fabric) having ultrasonically sealed transverse lines of seals providing pockets for receiving pins of drapery hooks, ultrasonically sealed transverse lines of seal midway between the pockets, all these transverse lines of seal constituting fold lines on which the tape is foldable for pleating it, and ultrasonically sealed longitudinally extending lines of seal for stiffening the sections of the tape between the pockets and said midway lines of seal.

Abstract: Temperature indicating apparatus having a sensor for introduction into a region having a temperature to be measured and for supplying an analog signal whose amplitude is a function of the temperature therein. The analog signal amplitude is compared with a reference level which represents a preselected temperature level, and a signal is supplied when the analog signal amplitude reaches the reference level which thereby causes pulses to be supplied at a predetermined rate. A timer responsive to the pulses counts from zero to a preselected value and supplies a timing signal when the preselected value is reached. The time required for the timer to count from zero to the preselected value establishes a predetermined timing interval at the end of which a converter responsive to the timing signal converts the analog signal to a digital signal representative of the temperature in the region.

Abstract: A flow sensor for sensing failure of flow of lubricant through a lubricant line, in which a piston is held away from a no-flow position against a spring by pressure of lubricant flowing in the line, the piston being moved by the spring to the no-flow position upon failure of flow thereby to signal the failure, and in which an adjustable bleed is provided to retard the movement of the piston to the no-flow position for signalling only upon a relatively prolonged failure of flow and not upon a relatively short cessation of flow.

Abstract: An improved, simplified radioimmunoassay method for the in vitro determination of L-triiodothyronine in unextracted blood serum involves the use of a combination reagent constituted by a buffered solution containing radioactive L-triiodothyronine and an inhibitor for inhibiting binding of L-triiodothyronine to thyroxine-binding globulin. Optionally the reagent may also include an antiserum containing antibody capable of immunoreactivity with L-triiodothyronine. Packaged test kits for use in conveniently carrying out the radioimmunoassay are also provided. Certain salts of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid, which may be regarded as purified forms of the acid, are preferably employed as inhibitors for inhibiting binding of L-triiodothyronine to thyroxine-binding globulin.

Abstract: A mastic composition formed of a substantially homogeneous imporous mixture of a predetermined volume of low-density expanded closed-cell synthetic resin beads and a slurry prepared from calcined gypsum and water wherein the interstitial volume of the expanded beads is not substantially more than the volume of slurry. The substantially homogeneous mixture is self-adhering as a thick layer on an inverted smooth surface and yet separable therefrom as an integral layer, the mastic composition setting to a hard, strong, dimensionally stable, heat-and sound-retardant material. Methods of mixing mastic compositions, and composite structural panels utilizing mastic compositions as well as the methods and apparatus for forming such panels are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heater comprising a metallic tubular sheath in which an elongate electrical center conductor is coaxially disposed therewithin. A fibrous, inorganic electrical insulation material is wrapped around the center conductor and an electrical resistance heating element surrounds the enwrapped center conductor, the heating element being coaxial with the center conductor and electrically connected thereto with the heating element and the conductor being adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power to energize the heating element. Other electrical insulation material is disposed between the heating element and the sheath to electrically insulate the heating element from the sheath and to provide a conductive heat transfer path between the heating element and the sheath. A method of manufacturing a heater is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved, simplified radioimmunoassay method for the in vitro determination of L-triiodothyronine in unextracted blood serum involves the use of a combination reagent constituted by a buffered solution containing radioactive L-triiodothyronine and an inhibitor for inhibiting binding of L-triiodothyronine to thyroxine-binding globulin. Optionally the reagent may also include an antiserum containing antibody capable of immunoreactivity with L-triiodothyronine. Packaged test kits for use in conveniently carrying out the radioimmunoassay are also provided. Certain salts of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid, which may be regarded as purified forms of the acid, are preferably employed as inhibitors for inhibiting binding of L-triiodothyronine to thyroxine-binding globulin.