Abstract: An irrigation system that combines porous and non-porous tubing in a unified system by means of pressure reducing flow control fittings that connect the lower pressure porous tubing to the higher pressure non-porous distribution tubing. Small holes in discs mounted inside the fittings lower the flow and pressure to the porous tube.

Abstract: A blade pivots on its tang into and out of a slot in a blade carrier. The carrier, in turn, slides in a handle between two positions. In the first position, the blade is prevented from pivoting out of the carrier by contact with the handle but in the second position the blade is free to rotate out of the slot to an extended configuration. The user slides the carrier between the two positions with a spring loaded button in the side of the handle.

Abstract: A bracket to easily fasten detachable parts such as seats and backs to a wheelchair with J-shaped hooks or brackets that partially encircle the wheelchair frame tubes. A separate clamp assembly is more permanently clamped to the tube adjacent to each J-bracket. A swing arm pivoted on each clamp assembly is rotated into a position over the encircling portion of the J-bracket so as to both trap the bracket against the clamp and against the tube. Quick release and reattachment is achieved simply by rotating the swing arms off or on the J-hooks.

Abstract: A substrate heater for the production of superconducting films utilizing a nickel alloy block uniformly heated with a resistance heating element fully immersed in a brazing material that fills a recess in the block. Massive electric power connectors surround the heating element leads outside the braze material so as to provide a protective heat sink therefor and also to mechanically strengthen the block against warpage.

Abstract: A system to mount soap dishes and the like to tiled walls. A galvanized thin metal plate is placed against the wall in the location of the soap dish with the edges of the plate extending outward under the edges of the surrounding tiles. The plate has many small deformed slits formed in it to accept and trap thin set mortar. The soap dish is bonded to the plate with mortar flowing into the pockets formed by the deformed slits.

Abstract: A hollow, T-shaped body is connected to an extroducer rod by a flexible drain tube. The extroducer rod is longer than a human female vagina, sufficiently stiff to be passed therethrough when the vagina is in a collapsed state, and has a smooth rounded end to facilitate insertion through the vaginal cuff and passage through the vagina during an abdominal hysterectomy. The extroducer rod is also larger in diameter than a Foley catheter which is used to drain the bladder, and formed with external flutes which make it easily distinguishable from the catheter by feel. The T-shaped body has a leg which is connected to the drain tube, and two perpendicular arms. Drain holes are formed through the arms which open in a direction away from the leg. The innermost drain hole of each arm is cut away to a sufficient depth that the arms can collapse to positions parallel to the leg and drain tube to facilitate withdrawal of the body through the vagina.

Abstract: A silicone catheter wound drain with parallel lumens or passageways formed inside to convey fluid from a wound. The drain has both holes and slots on the outside surface to admit fluid to the lumens and internal openings between the lumens to divert fluid from a blocked lumen to an adjacent lumen and back again after the blockage. The silicon wound drain may contain an embedded, elongated reinforcing fiber to strengthen the wound drain and prevent necking down during removal.

Abstract: A tee shaped fitting for connecting together porous and non-porous irrigation tubing and also threaded garden hose as desired in which the three openings each have exterior male threads to engage the hose and interior compression rings to engage the tubing. The fitting is closable at one or more openings with caps so that the one fitting can be used as an elbow, coupling, tee, or end cap thus avoiding the stocking or purchase of many different kinds of fittings.

Abstract: A superconducting transition edge bolometer is constructed using high critical temperature conducting films by stabilizing a substrate of magnesium oxide or sapphire with a silicon base that is bonded to the substrate using a thermally conductive bonding layer. The base is etched away in the region of the desired radiation detecting portion of the superconductor establishing a controlled thermal connection between the detecting portion and the base which base serves as a thermal bath for the bolometer.

Abstract: A device for mixing particulate matter and liquids comprises a rotatable central shaft passing through a stationary particle feed hopper and supporting a perforated rotatable plate and incorporating a liquid feed conduit terminating at an atomizer, a spray chamber, a rotating assembly linked to the rotating plate and made up by an agitator located below said spray chamber and by a conically-shaped particle catching and spreading tray which discharges the coated particles into a mixing chamber fitted with blades and rotating in the opposite direction to the said rotating assembly, whereby excellent bulk impregnation of said particulate matter is obtained.

Abstract: An irrigation system that uses porous and non-porous pipe in combination, the porous pipe having a porosity such that the flow of water therethrough is balanced to the flow of water through point source emitters connected to both the porous and non-porous pipes so that simultaneous point source and line source watering is possible.

Abstract: A voice prosthesis insertion assembly is described including a voice prosthesis device and a placement tool for positioning the device in a fistula connecting a trachea and anesophagus of a laryngectomized patient. The voice prosthesis device has an attachment means formed thereon and the placement tool has an attachment means molded integrally and homogeneously thereon for detachably interconnecting the device with the tool. As a result of this construction, a positive interconnection of the voice prosthesis device and the placement tool is maintained during positioning of the device in the fistula and such interconnection may be maintained until detachment is desired.

Abstract: A patient adjustable valve to control the flow of air through an opening surgically created in the neck of the patient. Two concentrically rotatable tubular parts form the outer body and the inner annular sealing surface of the valve. A disk shaped diaphragm proximate the sealing surface allows the free passage of air to the trachea for lower breathing pressures but flaps closed for the higher pressures that precede speech. The normally curled diaphragm is pushed to a flatter, easier to close, position by a cam on the inside of the outer body when the body is rotated relative to the sealing surface.

Abstract: A self-supporting beach blanket having two layers of fabric joined at their edges with a single spring steel hoop inside sized to hold the blanket open and flat on the ground. The hoop is compressible so that it can be removed through a small slit in the side allowing the blanket to be machine washed.

Abstract: A user assist stand for an above-floor level spa has an elongated main tubular member secured upright on a base plate fastened to the floor and an auxiliary extension member slidably interfitting in telescoping relation within an open top end of the main member such that an upper portion of the auxiliary member extends upwardly from main member. A hand grip is mounted to the upper portion of the auxiliary member. A release lock mechanism in the form of a shaft having a pull ring is inserted through aligned holes in the main and auxiliary members for securing the auxiliary member to the main tubular member to position the upper portion of the auxiliary member and the hand grip thereon at a desired elevation above the main member and relative to an upper edge of a spa.

Abstract: A hollow, T-shaped body is connected to an extroducer rod by a flexible drain tube. The extroducer rod is longer than a human female vagina, sufficiently stiff to be passed therethrough when the vagina is in a collapsed state, and has a smooth rounded end to facilitate insertion through the vaginal cuff and passage through the vagina during an abdominal hysterectomy. The extroducer rod is also larger in diameter than a Foley catheter which is used to drain the bladder, and formed with external flutes which make it easily distinguishable from the catheter by feel. The T-shaped body has a leg which is connected to the drain tube, and two perpendicular arms. Drain holes are formed through the arms which open in a direction away from the leg. The innermost drain hole of each arm is cut away to a sufficient depth that the arms can collapse to positions parallel to the leg and drain tube to facilitate withdrawal of the body through the vagina.