Abstract: The novel controlled-flow lubricating system utilizes a casing that forms, in use, an enclosed oil well. At least one bearing is disposed inside the well. A shaft is journaled in the bearing. A pumping member is pressed onto the shaft adjacent to the bearing for rotation therewith. Upon rotation with the shaft, the pumping member forcefully injects lubricant from one side to the opposite side of the bearing, thereby flushing, cleaning and lubricating the bearing's engaging surfaces. The preferred pumping member is a circular impeller having a plurality of vanes facing an eccentric cavity in an opposite portion of the wall in the well. This eccentric cavity and the impeller intensify the flow of the recirculating lubricant between the well and the reservoir.

Abstract: The bearing lubricating system comprises a casing having a bore which defines a reservoir and a well sized to receive a sufficient volume of a suitable liquid lubricant. A return passage in the casing allows fluid flow from the well to the reservoir. A shaft extends through the reservoir and through the well. At least one bearing is situated in the bore between the reservoir and the well. A pumper element is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith within the well. A pair of end seals seal off the opposite ends of the bore from the ambient.

Abstract: The novel cover is designed to insulate the steering wheel mounted on the hub portion of a steering wheel column of a parked vehicle. The cover has a front panel and a rear panel forming a pocket therebetween. The pocket has a closed end and an open end. The rear panel has a center hole sized to substantially capture the hub portion of the steering wheel column. A slit extends downwardly from the center hole. The opposite edges of the slit spread apart to allow the steering wheel to easily slide into and out of the pocket. The cover is made and sized to substantially thermally insulate the entire steering wheel from the hot or cold ambient air in the parked vehicle.

Abstract: The dental prosthesis is adapted for insertion into a socket formed within the patient's jaw. It comprises an elongated shaft defining a proximal region, a distal region, and a tip. A soft porous pad extends distally from the shaft tip. The distal region is preferably biocompatible, porous, soft, resilient, deformable, tissue-ingrowth promoting, and has a compressive stress per unit of strain which is substantially smaller than that of adjacent bone.

Abstract: The semi-submersible platform comprises a submersible lower hull including a plurality of spaced-apart hull segments. A wave-transparent stabilizing superstructure extends from the lower hull. An upper hull is supported by the superstructure. A wellhead system is suspended from the platform. A catenary mooring system moors the platform to the seabed, and plurality of risers connect the individual wellheads on the platform to the wellbores in the seabed.

Abstract: The mass transit system comprises at least two train stations. Each station has at least one revolving platform whose upper surface defines a curvilinear track. Stationary tracks are positioned between the platforms. An endless flexible member is driven by the revolving platforms at a constant speed. The flexible member carries cars which together form an endless train. The cars are driven by the flexible member and ride over the stationary tracks and over the curvilinear tracks.

Abstract: The mandible oscillator system comprises an intraoral-extraoral appliance mounted on the upper and lower arches of the user. Extraoral oscillating means are coupled to the extraoral portion of the appliance for forcibly oscillating the lower jaw within a predetermined angular range between a starting position and an end position. During one-half cycle of oscillation, the lower jaw is forced to move away from the upper jaw, and during the other half-cycle, the lower jaw is forced to move toward the upper jaw.

Abstract: The exerciser is adapted to simulate the motions and conditions incident to making turns on a ski slope, and for perfecting body movements that are important for the safety of skiers on a snow-covered slope. The exerciser has a platform for supporting a person and a support including a frame for supporting the platform for rotation in accordance with shift of weight and movements of the person. Restraining spring is coupled between the platform and the frame. The spring is effective to yieldably resist with increasing force the increasing tendency of the platform to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise from a neutral position relative to the frame.

Abstract: The floating structure comprises one or more catenary mooring cables for anchoring the structure to the seabed. An extensible dynamic tensioner system is provided for maintaining a predetermined dynamic tension in each mooring cable, as the structure responds to cyclic wave forces, and for increasing the natural periods of oscillation of the pitch, roll, heave, surge, sway, and yaw motions of the moored floating structure by reducing the spring stiffness of the mooring system. A motion damping system is coupled between the dynamic tensioner system and the structure for damping the linear and angular displacements of the structure relative to the tensioned cables. The damping system selectively applies frictional forces against a movable member in the tensioner system. The movable member does not move relative to the cables.

Abstract: The prosthetic mini-condyle is for use with a prosthetic glenoid fossa. The mini-condyle covers an excised natural condyle having a superior cut surface and a lateral cut surface. The mini-condyle has a superior, convexo-planar articular face and an inferior flat face. A shank extends inferiorly from the inferior face and is adapted to become secured to the lateral cut surface. The flat interior face is adapted to abut against the superior cut surface. Preferably, a porous bicompatible coating is bonded to the inferior face of the condyle and to the medial face of the shank.

Abstract: The floating structure has limited heave oscillations. A long member has a lower end coupled to the seabed. An extensible tensioner is coupled between a platform deck and the upper end of the long member. The tensioner suspends the upper end of said long member and applies a predetermined tension thereto. The tensioner includes anti-heave force-exerting means for exerting downward-acting forces on the floating structure.

Abstract: The floating structure has a structural frame and a long member which has a lower end anchored to the seabed. The structural frame has limited heave motion relative to the long member. An extensible tensioner is between the frame and the long member. Mechanical brakes apply braking forces against the long member only when the floating structure heaves up. The brakes are inactive when the floating structure heaves down.

Abstract: The mandible oscillator system has an intraoral appliance mounted onto the upper and lower arches. A linear stepper motor forcibly imparts oscillating motion to the intraoral appliance. During one-half cycle of oscillation the lower arch is forced to move away from the upper arch, and during the other one-half cycle the lower arch is forced to move toward the upper arch. A programmable digital computer drives the motor and adjusts the parameters of the oscillating motion.

Abstract: The face protector comprises a flexible headband and a transparent flexible shield of sufficient size to protect the face of the wearer. The shield is sufficiently flexible and easily deformable so as to adapt to the shape of a user's head. Fastener means carried by the headband reusably and deftly attaching the band around the head of the wearer and also reusably and deftly attaching the headband to the shield. The fastener means on the headband are attached to lateral positions on the headband, and the fastener means on the shield are detachably suspended from the fastener means on the headband at these positions.

Abstract: The semi-submersible, deep-drafted platform includes a fully submersible lower hull, and a plurality of stabilizing columns which extend from the lower hull to an upper hull. At least one column has means adapted to reduce the water plane area within a portion of the dynamic wave zone of the column and to increase the natural heave period of the platform.

Abstract: The novel mass transit system comprises at least two stations, each having a rotatable platform. An endless stationary track loops around the rotary platforms. A plurality of small cars form an endless tensioned train for moving over the track. Each car is driven exclusively by frictional forces developed between the driving platform and the cars. These frictional forces result from direct mechanical engagement between the tensioned endless train and the platforms when the cars are at the stations.

Abstract: The clip-collar for carrying an identification member comprises a limp band and a clip for joining the opposite ends of the band to form the collar. The clip has a strap portion adapted to receive and support the clasp of an identification member. The band is made of a flexible tubular plastic material, the opposite ends of which form sockets for forcibly receiving therein the hooks on the opposite ends of the clip.

Abstract: A method of forming a foundation having intersecting beams and floor portions, comprises leveling the ground on which the foundation is to be located. A plurality of inverted hollow members are positioned in rows. The hollow members are separated by spacers. Lower reinforcing rods are positioned on the spacers and between the hollow members. A reinforcing mesh is laid over the hollow members, and concrete is poured into the channels between and over the hollow members so as to envelope the reinforcing rods and the mesh.

Abstract: The surgical TM joint implant has two-parts: a first part which covers or replaces the natural glenoid fossa and articular eminence of a natural TM joint, and a second part which replaces the natural condylar head of the joint. The first part includes a plate having a fossa cavity defined by a relatively deep concave portion and an anteriorly located concavo-planar portion. The second part has a condylar head defining a convexo-planar, articular face for engaging the concavo-planar surface and establishing therewith a planar contact area which minimizes the unit stress transmitted between the first and second parts, thereby providing for an even load distribution between their engaged planar surfaces.