Abstract: A protective container for aerially disposed splice packages of transmission cables comprising an elongate, cylindrical pipe formed of high-strength, projectile-resistant material for containing a transmission cable splice package therein, brackets for attaching the cylindrical pipe to the side of a transmission cable support pole with its longitudinal axis generally vertically disposed, a first generally circular, projectile-resistant top plate fixed to the top of the pipe in close vertically spaced relation to overlie the top opening and provide a peripheral opening at the top of the pipe for passage of air, a second generally circular, projectile-resistant bottom plate removably secured to the bottom of the pipe to close the bottom opening thereof and provide a radially disposed slot therein for passage of a transmission cable into and out of the pipe, and a transverse bolt spanning the diameter of the pipe above the bottom plate to supportably retain a transmission cable splice package within the containe

Abstract: A retractable light assembly for use in portions of a room and for hidden storage within the ceiling of the room when not in use, comprising a rigid support frame adapted to be mounted within an opening in and above the ceiling of a room and defining a lower frame opening containing movable panels attached to the frame for movement between a first position closing the frame opening and a second position extending downwardly therefrom into a room. A positionally adjustable lighting fixture mounted on the upper surface of one of the panels is carried thereby from a stored, hidden position in the ceiling into the room for manual positioning and use. An electromechanically-powered linear actuator connecting the frame to the panels is actuated to move the panels and lighting fixture from stored to use position.

Abstract: A low profile neck ring for attachment to supporting structure of an orthopedic body brace employed to treat curvature of the spine comprising a resiliently deformable unitary collar plate for closely surrounding the lower neck portion of a wearer, the plate having an anterior yoke portion for overlying the sternum of the wearer and unitarily interconnecting a pair of elongate web portions having a lateral width substantially greater than the thickness of the plate, the web portions initially extending upwardly and rearwardly of the yoke portion to overlie the clavicle areas on either side of the neck of the wearer and having further posterior web portions extending downwardly and terminating in abutting relation to overlie the area of the spine adjacent the scapula of the wearer.

Abstract: An improved disposable absorbent garment having opposed sides and ends to be located respectively between the legs and about the waist of a wearer, and having an inner moisture-absorbent layer with an outer water-impervious plastic sheet secured thereto. Fastener tabs attached to opposite sides of the garment adjacent the ends of the same have adhesively coated end portions for pressure attachment to the outer surface of the plastic sheet to secure the garment about the waist of the wearer.

Abstract: An improved harness frame for a weaving loom for adjustably supporting a plurality of heddles in planar array therein, upper and lower spaced horizontal frame members of the harness frame having elongate, slotted guide channels for slidably receiving channel-insert portions of a heddle assembly, centerstays, and associated frame hardware for positional adjustment therealong, and fluid-actuated, expandable tubes located in the frame members and disposed for communication with the guide channels to exert a pressure force against the channel-insert portions of the centerstays, heddle assembly, and frame hardware to fix the positions of the same at desired locations along the frame members.

Abstract: A composite sheet material having a soft, suede-like surface appearance and feel, high liquid absorption and retention, and improved resilience and abrasion resistence suitable for use as a wiping cloth comprising a reinforcing textile fabric substrate having opposed raised fiber surfaces, a water-absorbent, porous, polymeric foam layer composition comprising a acrylonitrile-butadiene polymer and a polyacrylate polymer secured to each of the raised fiber surfaces of the fabric with the fibers substantially embedded therein, and a plurality of flocked fibers embedded in and extending from the outer surface of each foam layer, the fibers having a length of from about 0.75 to 1.25 ml. and providing improved liquid absorption of the fabric and reduced surface tack. Preferably the textile fabric substrate is a woven fabric containing hydrophilic cellulosic yarns and fibers, and the flocked fibers embedded in the outer surface of the foam layers are hydrophilic cellulosic fibers, such as cotton.

Abstract: An improved orthopedic attachment for receiving and supportably retaining the lower leg and foot of an orthopedic patient to permit traction to be applied to the leg during orthopedic operating procedures. The orthopedic device comprises a rigid support bracket for attachment to the operating end of a traction crank of an orthopedic operating table. Attached to the bracket is a tubular-shaped cuff member for receiving and surrounding the lower leg of a patient and having a fluid-activated inflatable bladder for grippingly engaging the lower leg to positively retain it therein. Also mounted on the bracket is an adjustable foot support plate which engages and positions the foot relative to the leg of the patient to positively position and retain the same so that traction force can be applied longitudinally of the leg to properly align and hold the bones of the leg in alignment during operating procedures.

Abstract: A device for orally administering medication by inclusion of a diluent liquid with the medication ingested into the oral cavity. The dosing device in one embodiment has a mouthpiece, a first conduit means for providing a stream of liquid diluent and a second conduit means for positively injecting a liquid medication into the stream of diluent liquid. The dosing device additionally includes as a preferred feature means for supporting a solid medication within the mouthpiece for inclusion within a stream of diluent liquid. In another embodiment, the dosing device comprises a container for solid medicine which is a tubular mouthpiece having a closure cap and a radially flanged base plate for support of the mouthpiece in upright position on a support surface, and a support grid in the tube for the solid medicine.

Abstract: A method of producing an economical refractory material from the slag by-product of a high-carbon ferrochromium ore smelting process wherein the slag by-product is a fused material in solid particulate or mass form formed of a mixture of compounds comprising principally magnesia, alumina and silica, with lesser amounts of chromic oxide and other minor oxide impurities therein. Also disclosed is a process for forming a solidified refractory lining in a high temperature materials-receiving vessel from solidified fused slag by-product of a high temperature ferrochromium ore smelting process, wherein the slag refractory lined vessel may be employed directly to receive and handle high temperature molten materials and insulate the same from damage to metal parts of the vessel, and without the need for conventional prior art refractory materials constructed therein.

Abstract: A portable food cooker for water smoker or direct heat cooking of food products comprising a support pedestal mounted on wheels and containing a heating unit, an open-ended wall section removably supported with a lower open end on the pedestal in communication with the heating unit and extending upwardly therefrom, a removable cover for closing the upper end of the wall section and defining with the pedestal and wall section a confined cooking compartment, one or more food support grills mounted at selected elevations in the compartment, and a pan located in the compartment below the grills and above the heating unit to contain water for water smoker cooking or, alternatively, fuel for direct heat cooking. The pan catches and contains material falling from food on the grill during the cooking operation, and an annular reservoir in the bottom of the wall section collects materials falling into the lower portion of the cooking compartment.

Abstract: An orthopedic traction frame for an adjustable hospital bed having relatively movable head and foot portions to adjustably position the mattress of the bed, the frame comprising of a pair of upright elongate support members for attachment to the headboard and footboard portions of the bed respectively, and a horizontal elongate support member interconnecting the upper ends of the same. The lower end of the upright member at the foot of the bed is pivotally attached to the footboard of the bed for movement about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bed, and adjustable clamping device is provided for attaching the upper end of the upright member at the foot of the bed to the end of the horizontal support member for pivotal movement of the upper end about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bed, whereby the foot of the bed may be retractably positioned and the traction frame adjusted for optimum load support at all positions of adjustment of the bed and mattress.

Abstract: An improved high intensity electricl resistance heater unit comprising one or more elongate thin metal foil ribbons adapted to be heated to a high temperature by passage of electricity therethrough, a thermally insulating rigid backing for supporting each ribbon, the backing having an elongate channel in a front face thereof for receiving the ribbon with side edges of the channel being undercut to form side grooves to receive and contain longitudinal side edge portions of the ribbon to support the same along the length of the channel while leaving the major surface of the ribbon unobstructed for heat radiation therefrom. A plurality of ribbons may be mounted in the backing with all electrical metal connectors being shielded within the backing from exposure on the back face of the backing material. The ribbons may be transversely corrugated and the configuration, e.g., amplitude, of the corrugations varied along the length of the ribbons to vary the heat output along the length of the heater unit, if desired.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating continuously moving staple length textile fibrous materials to uniformly apply a liquid treating composition, such as a dye or other chemical thereto, wherein loose staple fibers are temporarily formulated into a web for continous delivery by gravity down a conveying chute into the nip portion of a pair of applicator rollers containing a treating liquid on their surfaces, and wherein the fiber conveying chute and its discharge end are maintained at preferred angles of inclination and distances from the nip of the two applicator rollers to facilitate continuous delivery of the fibers uniformly through the nip portion of the applicator rollers to improve the application of liquid materials thereto. The fibers are thereafter continuously conveyed for heat treatment in loose random staple length form and under compression through a RF energy confined heating tube.

Abstract: An improved mattress carrier for containing and protectably enclosing a mattress and for facilitating handling of the mattress during transportation to a location of use. The carrier comprises a flexible, generally rectangular cover designed to receive and contain a mattress therein. The cover has an upper zippered opening, sets of reinforcing straps bands and spaced pairs of handles on opposite ends of the cover to be gripped by respective deliverymen to normally support the mattress in a generally vertical plane. The handles which may be formed by flexible looped ends of the reinforcing bands are spaced along the ends of the cover on opposite sides of a midline of the mattress carrier, such that the mattress and carrier may be easily manipulated and reoriented about the midline in confined spaces to facilitate handling of the same.

Abstract: An improved rotisserie cooker having a multi-sided base, a vertical spit mounted for rotation thereon and upstanding tapered wall sections and a roof section forming a cooking area, heating means on the rear walls of the cooker and a pair of bifold closure doors for the front opening of a cooking compartment, each bifold door comprising a solid side panel and a front panel having a window therein, each side and front panel tapering upwardly to define with the base and wall sections of the cooker an external shape of generally hexagonal cross-section throughout the height of the cooker.

Abstract: An improved foundation ventilator assembly including a housing in which united shutter elements are mounted for pivotal movement between an open and closed position to control air flow through the ventilator. Preferably, a thermally responsive spring is secured to one of the shutter elements to cause pivotal movement of same with changes in ambient temperature. The housing defines openings therein for the receipt of mounting means which are utilized to secure the ventilator assembly within a foundation or other wall opening. The mounting means includes a threaded element in threaded engagement with a pressure element, such that when the threaded element is screwed into the foundation or other wall surrounding the opening, force is applied against the ventilator assembly or at least partially absorbed by the pressure plate. A removably secureable rear cover or screen may also be provided to close the rear of the ventilator assembly.

Abstract: A mattress unit comprises an inflatable base having resilient support cells on its upper surface, the tops of the cells supporting a patient, and a cover over the cells with a gas inlet to provide an increased pressure between the cover and the cells. The cover is perforated to allow ventilation of a patient. The unit is suitable for long-stay patients.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating continuously moving staple length textile fibrous materials to uniformly apply a liquid treating composition, such as a dye or other chemical thereto, wherein loose staple fibers are temporarily formulated into a web for continuous delivery by gravity down a conveying chute into the nip portion of a pair of applicator rollers containing a treating liquid on their surfaces, and wherein the fiber conveying chute and its discharge end are maintained at preferred angles of inclination and distances from the nip of the two applicator rollers to facilitate continuous delivery of the fibers uniformly through the nip portion of the applicator rollers to improve the application of liquid materials thereto. The fibers are thereafter continuously conveyed for heat treatment in loose random staple length form and under compression through a RF energy confined heating tube.

Abstract: A multiple access fluid connector unit having two connector elements adapted for connection to a source of fluid or a fluid administration device and sealed on an opposite end. A plurality of spacially separate access ports are provided along the length of the elements, in communication with a fluid manifold that extends along the element. An outer end of each port has a removable cover to maintain the port sterile prior to use. Ports on one element are associable with ports on the other element to provide fluid flow through the unit. After association of two ports, when desirable to disconnect, the associated ports are severed from the elements and the element is resealed adjacent the cut. Two further of the sterile ports can thereafter be uncovered and used to reinstitute fluid flow through the unit.