Abstract: A method of preparation of halogen labeled organic compounds is described. In particular, estradiol derivatives labeled by halogen substitution at C-16 are synthesized according to the present invention. A triflate intermediate is prepared from which either 16-alpha-halo-substituted-17-beta-estradiols or 16-beta-halo-substituted-17-beta-estradiols can be rapidly formed as desired. In particular, the preparation of 16-alpha-.sup.123 I-17-beta-estradiol and 16-beta-.sup.123 I-17-beta-estradiol are shown and are synthesized from a 17-beta-estradiol-16-beta-triflate. Both 16-alpha-.sup.123 I- and 16-beta-.sup.123 I-17-beta-estradiol made according to the present invention are shown to have a high specific activity. The method of synthesis is sufficiently rapid so that the relatively short half-life of .sup.123 I is readily accommodated. The high stereospecificity of each step of the reaction sequence in preparing the labeled estradiols provides for highly efficient syntheses and little waste of radio-label.

Abstract: Immobilizing device for restraining a body portion or limb, comprising an air impervious pliant bag, e.g. of urethane coated nylon fabric, a plurality of lightweight expanded beads, e.g. polystyrene beads, preferably of relatively uniform large size of a diameter greater than 5 mm placed within the bag, and a self-closing valve communicating with the interior of the bag for evacuating air therefrom. The beads are free to be moved and accumulate in those areas where support is most needed. When the interior of the bag is evacuated, the beads are compacted by the collapsing bag and deformed into a rigid construction around the body member for support and restraint thereof. The bag is shaped to completely surround the body member to be supported and releasable strap means preferably are provided to maintain the bag in wrapped position around the body member before and after evacuation.

Abstract: An anchor for insertion in, and securement to, a stake receiving pocket in a truck such as a pickup truck is provided. The anchor is used in erecting a camper, to secure tent poles or a tent frame to the truck, in order to assemble the camper unit over a bed of the truck. The anchor includes an expandable portion, a bolt mechanism for actuating the expandable portion, and an adjustable socket member for engagement with the tent frame. When used, the expandable member is inserted between generally opposite walls in the stake receiving pocket of the truck. The bolt member is actuated, causing the expandable member to expand and engage the opposite walls, to secure the anchor in position. The socket member is adjustable and may be oriented within the anchor in a preferred position for mounting of the tent frame thereon. A method is provided for assembling a camper unit on a pickup truck bed using the tent pole anchor.

Abstract: A lounge construction is disclosed for grouping a plurality of furniture units, such as chairs, together. The chairs or other furniture units have frames supported by a plurality of generally vertical leg posts, which extend laterally of either side of the frame. A central lounge frame is included for connecting two furniture units, and the lounge frame is adapted to receive one of several types of furniture pieces, including a table top or chair seat and back. The central lounge frame has a support structure with front and rear transverse members connected by a crossbrace. A socket is attached at each end of the respective transverse members, and each socket receives an upper end of one of the leg posts whereby the central frame shares the inner legs of the neighboring furniture units. Each of the sockets has a slot therein which is aligned with a transverse support member of the furniture unit when the central frame is in place.

Abstract: A spherical projection system includes a spherical rear projection screen assembly of an extent such that a viewer sees projected images in any viewable direction, a plurality of image projectors which cooperate to project portions of a continuous panoramic scene onto all the viewable surfaces of the screen assembly, sets of mirrors to reflect the images onto associated areas of the screen assembly, and an opaque enclosure which houses the screen assembly, mirror sets, and image projectors. In one embodiment of the system, the screen assembly includes a truncated spherical portion which is sized to receive a viewer entirely within and which is closed by a planar rear projection screen which forms a floor to support the viewer. A separable section of the spherical screen portion is mounted on a track for sliding movement to allow entry and exit by the viewer. In another embodiment of the system, the spherical screen is sized to receive only the head and upper body of the viewer.

Abstract: An irrigation-aspiration device includes an outer cannula and an inner cannula reciprocatable within the outer cannula. Irrigating fluid is flowable between the inner and outer cannula. The inner cannula is bent along the length thereof and springy so as to be biased near an outer end thereof against one side of the outer cannula. A port opens into the inner cannula and is positioned so as to selectively abrade against an operable end of the outer cannula with a biting or cutting action. An inner lumen of the inner cannula is connected to a vacuum or suction source such that during surgery fragments of the eye may be drawn into the port of the inner cannula and cut by abrasion against the end of the outer cannula and thereafter pulled through the inner cannula and away from the eye. This cutting action may be utilized to remove attached fragments of the anterior capsule, pieces of vitreous, nuclear and cortex material, and to biopsy the iris.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing natural fertilization and irrigation is designed to preserve the osmotic, chemical and electric natural equilibrium of plants. More specifically, the method and apparatus relies upon negative sap pressure within plants which facilitates the providing of water, fertilizers, gases, and other chemicals in the exact amounts needed by the plants. The apparatus includes a porous ceramic implant in a plant stem with liquid being provided by capillary action to the implant from an external source. The plant will draw liquid through the porous implant in proportion to the amount needed by the plant. A passive solar distiller also forms a part of the method and apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: A narrow film band adapter cooperates with a film wrapping stand to selectively position a narrow band roll of film, which bears advertising indicia, on a master roll of film for wrapping an article. The adapter has a horizontal support bar that is adjustably connected to the wrapping stand by a pair of connecting plates. A guide assembly is movable along a length of the support bar and receives the band roll. In one embodiment, the guide assembly includes two guide arms positioned on either side of the band roll and has respective apertures therein through which the bar extends. A fastener releasably holds the band roll between the guide arms and allows rotation of the band roll. Springs bias the guide assembly and band roll into operative contact with a portion of the master roll. In another embodiment, the guide assembly includes a pair of guide arms that are fixed in a generally vertical orientation extending above the bar. A spool and hub assembly receives the narrow band roll.

Abstract: A pickup truck tent arrangement with tailgate envelope is provided. Generally, the arrangement includes a frame mountable in a pickup truck to support a tent covering thereover, to form a tent or camper unit. The tent covering includes a rear member facing generally rearwardly of the truck and having an envelope portion mounted thereon. The envelope portion is sized to receive a portion of the tailgate of the truck therein, during camper assembly. In this manner, the rear portion of the tent covering is anchored to the tailgate, and the tailgate is received within and under the tent covering. The tent arrangement illustrated utilizes a tent frame comprising first and second diagonally arching cross-members, which form a frame for the tent covering to rest upon. In the preferred embodiment, as a result of the tailgate envelope the tent covering is maintained under tension over the frame, and is stretched beyond a rear bumper of the truck.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and clamping a workpiece is provided which includes an easel having a platform mounted thereon. The platform includes a plurality of blocks arranged in spaced relationship in a grid pattern with slots having tapered cross-sectional configurations therebetween. A pair of pneumatic rams are adapted for releasable mounting on the platform and for clamping a workpiece, such as a cabinet frame, while mechanical fasteners are driven into glue joints thereof.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope includes a sheath for insertion into the body of a patient and a pair of image guides and an illumination or light guide extending through the sheath. The image guides and light guide are preferably formed of optical fibers to facilitate flexibility of the endoscope. The image guides optically connect with a stereoscopc viewer for three dimensional viewing of a site within the body. The viewer includes couplings for attaching miniaturized video cameras, the cameras in turn being connected to a head worn stereoscopic video display. In addition, the video signals representing the images gathered by the endoscope may be displayed on remote monitors or recorded by a video recorder. The endoscope may include other channels extending through the sheath such as water, air, gas, other fluid channels with associated valves and/or a channel for receiving an endoscopic surgical tool.

Abstract: A low resistance connector system for a trolling motor battery includes a receptacle having sockets connected to the terminals of two rechargeable batteries, a charger plug, and a trolling motor power plug. The two plugs are similar and each includes pins for engagement with the sockets of the receptacle. The charger plug has a pair of charger jumpers which interconnect the charger pins in such a manner that insertion of the charger plug into the receptacle connects the two batteries in parallel for charging by a battery charger connected to the charger plug. The power plug has a power jumper interconnecting two of its power pins such that when the power plug is inserted into the receptacle, the batteries are connected in series and provide the voltage from one of the batteries and, additionally, the combined voltages of both batteries for powering the trolling motor. The plugs and receptacle are cooperatively keyed to properly orient the plug pins in the sockets of the receptacle.

Abstract: A manipulator device particularly adapted for deep-sea, submersible use utilizes a human-like arm and a novel shoulder arrangement mounted on a base through a base pivot. The manipulator is hydraulically powered and a hydraulic manifold forms a body of the shoulder arrangement and is situated adjacent an azimuth control actuator, an elbow control actuator and an upper arm control actuator all mounted to the body and rotatable with the body about the base pivot. The arm includes an upper arm swingably connected to the shoulder via the upper arm control actuator and a forearm swingably connected to the upper arm at an elbow joint and controlled by the elbow control actuator. A wrist assembly and appropriate actuators are mounted to a distal end of the forearm and a gripper assembly and associated actuators are connected to a distal end of the wrist assembly.

Abstract: A decanting apparatus for a wastewater treatment reactor includes a clarified fluid receiver having fluid receiving ports therein, support structure for maintaining the fluid receiver at a desired level within the reactor and flap means selectively biased to occlude the ports of the receiver during mixing cycles so as to prevent entry of sludge into the receiver and to selectively allow entry of clarified fluid through the ports when the sludge is settled. When the valve is closed, the biasing means urges the flap to reseal the ports of the receivers so that sludge does not enter the receiver during sludge mixing cycles within the reactor. The receiver support structure includes an articulated and flexible joint to connect the receiver to the wall of the reactor, yet allow the receiver to maintain a desired level relative to fluid in the reactor and further maintain the receiver at a desired depth beneath the surface of the liquid level within the reactor to prevent floating debris from entering the receiver.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a rotor which rotates upon action of an operator. Resistance to rotation of the rotor is provided by fluid trapped between the rotor and a non-rotating portion of the device. A friction relief mechanism provides periodic variation in the amount of resistance to rotation as the rotor is rotated. A fluid level adjustment mechanism permits control of the amount of fluid positioned between the rotor and the non-rotating portion of the device. As the amount of fluid between the rotor and the non-rotating portions of the assembly is increased, the total amount of energy required to complete a single revolution of the rotor is generally increased. In a preferred embodiment, the device is an exercise cycle operated by pedaling.

Abstract: A piping and flow control system for a wastewater reactor having a reaction vessel includes an influent distribution and sludge withdrawl conduit located near the bottom of the reactor, an aeration device located within the reactor, a treated effluent decanting system and an automatic control mechanism including a liquid level sensor. The influent distribution and sludge withdrawl conduit along with the aeration device are selectively flow connected with a pumping mechanism by a piping manifold which is also selectively connected to a source for influent wastewater to be treated by the reactor and sludge disposal. The manifold includes a series of control valves which may be selectively opened or closed to allow a single pumping mechanism. A control valve on the decanting apparatus allows treated fluid to be selectively withdrawn from the reactor by the decanting apparatus.

Abstract: A handling mechanism for roll-off containers includes an elongated lift frame pivotally connected to a truck chassis, hydraulic tilt rams connected between the lift frame and the chassis, a slide member mounted in tracks along the lift frame, a stationary pulley mounted on the lift frame for rotation in a vertical plane, a movable pulley mounted on the slide member for rotation in a vertical plane, and a pair of container lift rams mounted along the lift frame and connected to the slide member. A cable is connected to the side member, is reeved about the stationary pulley and the movable pulley, and extends to the rear for connection to a container. The lift frame is tilted up and back for loading and off-loading the container. For transportation, the lift frame is tilted to horizontal.

Abstract: A certain process and exemplary machinery for making yarn which is particularly useful for producing mops and mats utilizes yarn generally of a mixture of cotton and certain synthetic fibers and subjects the yarn to heat and pressure. The heat melts the surface of the synthetic fibers and pressure urges the cotton fibers into engagement with the synthetic fibers. Upon cooling, the cotton fibers are mechanically bonded to the synthetic fibers and provide a mop yarn which is fluid absorbant, durable and resistant to scrubbing abrasion and maintains integrity for repeated use and washings.

Abstract: Mechanical pipe joints and methods of forming same, wherein pipe ends are first prestrained into expanded bell and expanded pin shapes and then again strained by interference joining, both prestraining and subsequent straining being under controlled conditions which take maximum advantage of the metallurgical and physical properties of the materials to provide improved connection strength produced through approaching the ultimate strength of the material. Strain aging prior to joining may be used to further enhance connection strength to a point which requires exceeding the ultimate strength of the parent material.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel including a center section integrally formed with a rear rim half by a method including the steps of drawing, forming and stamping a first lightweight metal alloy bank. A front rim half is drawn, formed and stamped from a second blank and is attached to the front rim half. A drop comprising excess material from the second blank is used to form an additional part or parts of the wheel.