Abstract: A material for enhancing the conductivity and protecting electrical contacts, the material having two basic components. The first basic component normally serves to limit corrosion between the contacts and to suspend and suitably distribute the second, or conductive component. This first component, or carrier medium, may be one or more of the following: rosin-derived hard resin, petroleum jelly, petroleum wax and a benzyl phthalate plasticizer for limiting corrosion, effecting adhesion of the material to electrical contacts, and providing body to the material for distributing the conductive component. The second component is an electrically conductive, particulate component such as, for example, metallic silver which enhances the conductivity and actively reduces the resistance by supplying multiple, parallel conductive paths for electrical current flow, filling in surface irregularities in the contacts, and penetrating surface films. The conductive component may be in powder, coarse pigment, or flake form.

Abstract: A heart monitor and defibrillator device, which can be worn by high risk patients with only minimal interference with normal daily activities, in which one pocket-size unit contains a heart monitor and microprocessor and a second pocket-size unit contains defibrillation circuitry. ECG electrodes are attached to the patient to sense heart impulses and transmit the impulses to the first unit, which analyzes the heart beat and determines if defibrillation is required. The second unit administers the defibrillating shock when required and has a built-in delay so that the wearer is warned to prepare for defibrillation. Several defibrillation shocks may be administered at spaced intervals. The defibrillation electrodes include layers of electrically conductive, skin adhering paint having low contact resistance, and the electrodes may be moved by the patient to prevent skin irritation in the electrode site.

Abstract: A seal for a bearing having a housing with an opening therein for receiving a shaft in which a bearing assembly is mounted in the housing and has an inner race for receiving the shaft. A seal consisting of a ring having a radially extending, outwardly facing flat surface is disposed in the housing opening adjacent the inner race, and a seal which may be of the V-ring type is mounted on the inner race and has a lip which seats on and rubs against the radial surface of the ring. Collars may be used on the race to retain the lipped seal in proper relationship with the ring on the inner race. The relationship of the lip to the metal ring is such that the bearing assembly can be purged by the outward flowing of the lubricant yet protected from the ingress of foreign matter. In some modifications, an auxiliary seal, which is disposed externally with respect to the lipped seal, may be used.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing dust from particulate material, utilizing a tower or column having a passage with a series of baffles on opposite sides over which the particulate material cascades while air is drawn across the flow path of the material to remove the dust dispersed in the material and adhering to the surface of the particles of material. Air is drawn across the passage from one side to the other by vacuum or suction from a vacuum pump or the like. In performing the method using the apparatus, the particulate material is introduced at the top of the column and permitted to cascade down through the vertical passage therein from one baffle to the next, and air is drawn inwardly between the baffles on one side and outwardly between the baffles on the opposite side of the column, and, as the air flows through the material cascading between the baffles, it removes the dust from the material.

Abstract: An instrument for sharpening microtome knives and similar articles, having a honing mechanism and a deburring or stropping mechanism, arranged on a housing which encloses motors for driving the mechanisms. The knife is honed against a stone, which is mounted on a reciprocating carriage that has a variable speed control, and the honed knife blade is then deburred or stropped using a pair of counter-rotating disks, one for each side of the knife blade. A vise securely holds the knife and positions it at the proper angle for optimum honing, and the vise is mounted in a track which allows the knife blade to be moved back and forth across the reciprocating hone for uniform honing. A shield guards against inadvertent contact with the dangerously sharp blades during the honing operation, and guards are used to prevent the vise from leaving the track.

Abstract: A shaft alignment device for use in aligning two opposed, rotatable shafts connected by a shaft coupling is disclosed, having magnetic base portions adaptable for mounting on the shafts, hubs, or on auxiliary structures secured to the shafts or hubs. The device includes fixed bracket members with pivotally mounted swivel blocks therein. Extension beams project across the coupling from each swivel block to a reference surface on the facing bracket, and measurement indicators measure the degree of deflection of the swivel blocks. A leveling device indicates the relative position of the alignment devices for taking measurements at 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree., and 270.degree., and the coordinates obtained are used to plot the aligned positions of the shafts.

Abstract: A latch and lock assembly for use with suitcases, briefcases and the like having a lower member secured to the case and an upper member secured to the lower member and being axially slidable relative to the lower member for latching and unlatching the case. A male member formed in the upper member is selectively engageable with a female member on the case upon axial movement of the upper member. The upper member is urged toward latched or unlatched positions by a spring disposed against a ramp-like projection on the male member having oppositely beveled sides. Disposed within the upper member is a rotatable lock cylinder urged toward a locked or an unlocked position by a cam follower acting against a resilient cam surface.

Abstract: A safety seat assembly for use with industrial vehicles, such as fork lift trucks, that employs both upper and lower body restraints to prevent the ejection of the operator from the vehicle cab area in the event of a lateral overturn. The lower body restraint is provided by the cooperation of the arm rests and a safety belt which is selectively engageable with the arm rests. The left arm rest pivots outwardly and the belt hinges to an upright position, facilitating access to the seat. The upper body restraint is provided by forwardly extending guard members attached to arms which project laterally from the back support on each side of the seat assembly.

Abstract: A package of litter for small animals, having two horizontally disposed layers of particulate, liquid absorbent material, the lower layer of which is of relatively light particulate material of organic composition, containing an odor suppressant therein, and the upper layer of which is of relatively heavy particulate material of inorganic composition. The upper layer may have odor suppressant in an amount substantially less than in the lower layer, though normally the upper layer does not contain any substantial amount of odor suppressant material. The litter is normally packaged in a plurality of elongated bag-like containers, joined together at the sides by a frangible web and at the top by a removable header.

Abstract: An elastomeric shear shaft coupling is disclosed for connecting two rotatable shafts in end-to-end relationship. The coupling includes hubs for mounting on the opposed ends of the shafts and a flexible element extending between the opposed hubs. Clamping members and suitable fasteners are used to secure the element to the hubs for transmitting the torque developed by the driving shaft to the driven shaft. The flexible element has a bead of harder material than the body of the element, disposed within or at the margins of the element in the locus of clamping, and is reinforced with a matrix of plies or layers of a suitable fabric material.

Abstract: A coupling alignment system for use in aligning coupled, rotatable shaft members. The system includes coupling hubs mounted on the opposed shafts and modified to receive bracket members. A pivotally mounted beam extends from one bracket member to the opposite bracket member or coupling hub, and a measurement indicator, mounted on the bracket member, registers the degree of deflection of the beam relative to the bracket or hub on the opposite side. No shaft access is required, since the brackets are secured directly to the coupling hubs, and the measurement indicator mass is firmly supported by the bracket, minimizing indicator sag. The present system includes angular, radial, and axial bracket mounting embodiments, the system, thereby, greatly facilitating alignment procedures in the field.

Abstract: A bearing lubrication device for use in ring-oiled journal bearings and the like in which a generally circular ring member is disposed around the rotatable shaft in the bearing assembly and has a circumferential groove in its inner surface. A cantilevered leaf member projects into the groove in the ring member to separate the lubricant from the ring as rotation occurs, thus providing greater lubricant delivery, improved bearing performance capability, and stabilized performance at high journal speeds.

Abstract: A device for attaching an auxiliary fishing line to a primary fishing line, for use while trolling, with the primary fishing line connected to the ball of a downrigger assembly. The auxiliary line is slidably mounted on the primary line and the device is used to hold the auxiliary line on the primary line at a selected position. The auxiliary line remains separate from the primary line while trolling, enabling fishermen to fish with separate lines from a single rod while avoiding entanglement of the lines. When a fish strikes either line, the device slides to the end of the primary line, allowing both lines and the fish to be reeled completely in.

Abstract: A musical hat, cap or similar head covering is disclosed, having a visor portion with a compartment formed therein near the frontal portion of the visor. A musical device is disposed in the compartment and includes a switch for activating the musical device. The switch may be so located that grasping the hat by the visor in the vicinity of the switch, for tipping or waving the hat, activates the musical device which plays a short tune and then stops until reactivated.

Abstract: A fluid injector for internal combustion engines in which the fluid flow to the engine is indicated in the driver's compartment and in which a mixing chamber in the compartment communicates with a primary vacuum line of the engine and with a fluid reservoir. A valve is disposed between the reservoir and the chamber to prevent the flow of fluid from the reservoir when the engine is not running. A needle valve is disposed in a fluid inlet port for adjusting the volume of fluid entering the chamber. An adjustable air inlet port is disposed in the chamber, and a vacuum gauge is provided for monitoring the vacuum in the chamber. The vacuum from the primary vacuum line draws fluid into the chamber from the reservoir, where the fluid mixes with air and the mixture is drawn to the engine carburetor.