Abstract: A portable acoustical shield and sound enhancing enclosure including vertical lower panel sections connected to each other by removable Velcro.RTM. hinges to form a shield or enclosure of a desired configuration. Upper panel sections are secured to the lower panel sections at any desired angle by removable padded clamps. The acoustical shield and sound enhancing enclosure is located between a musician and his audience for reducing the stage front volume of instruments and for maximizing sound separation and clarity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring automobile body damage are disclosed herein. The method comprises steps of measuring the height and depth of automobile body damages, and measurements so taken are assigned an accident code, which when compared with accident codes for previous accidents, enables one to estimate repair time and part requirements.

Abstract: A self-contained emergency escape device includes a first larger jaw, a second smaller jaw, a bolt mounting the jaws for relative movement, a yoke defined at the upper end of the first jaw, and a take-up spool secured within said yoke. Several brake plugs are secured to the interior edges of the jaws, and complementary cut-outs are defined in the opposing edges of the jaws. A sturdy cable is an integral part of the escape device, and extends through the device in a tortuous path extending over the brake plugs and subsequently being stored, when not in use, on the spool. A sling is secured to the jaws so that the user can not be separated from, or fall away from, the emergency escape device. Also, a fail-safe mechanism prevents the jaws from being forced too far apart. One uses the device by applying manual pressure to the jaws to increase the frictional resistance on the cable and thus controlling the rate of descent.

Abstract: The packing, in particular for transporting and dispatching for example biological products, comprises a case body 1 subdivided into suitably calibrated receiving cavities 2, 3, 4 for receiving containers (for example tubes 7) of the products to be transported, at least a cover 11 capable of being fitted on said case body and so shaped as to cooperate with the latter for immobilizing the containers placed in said cavities, and detachable locking devices for locking said cover on said case body, said locking devices made inaccessible in the course of transportation. Application in the posting of biological or laboratory products which are precious, dangerous, or toxic.

Abstract: It is disclosed that the known treatment of rice in cultivation with propanil to kill weeds without harming the growing rice plant can be modified so as to simultaneously eliminate the incidence of rice blast disease (which usually appears at the same time as weed infestation) by simultaneous treatment of the rice in cultivation with a combination of pentachloronitrobenzene and propanil, both applied from aqueous spray based on an emulsifiable concentrate of the material or materials.

Abstract: Ice hockey practice equipment for improving puck handling skills including a puck-like member having a groove in an upper surface thereof for receiving a hockey stick blade, and a locating member for maintaining the blade in location within the groove with lost motion between the puck-like member and the blade, the equipment thereby permitting constant interaction and feel of the puck-like member and the blade for a trainee.

Abstract: A shield used to prevent an excessive amount of radiation to be absorbed by a patient during a cephalometry procedure. The shield consists of a lead sheet which is supported by a cephalometric head holder. A hole is provided in the shield for cooperation with the cephalometric head holder to insure proper positioning of the shield. Additionally, a brad, staple, screw or the like is used to insure that the head holder remains immobile during the cephalometry procedure.

Abstract: An integrally formed fastener molded of plastic material. Such fastener comprises an enlarged head, a shank, shoulders defined near the upper end of the shank, a pair of flexible wings joined to the lower end of the shank, and a pair of stops defined on the shank to limit the movement of the wings toward the shank. The wings flex inwardly until they contact the stops, and then the wings roll inwardly about the stops as the fastener is pushed through aligned apertures in security boxes, panels, etc. While the plastic material, such as polypropylene, possesses sufficient resiliency to be rolled inwardly, the wings will break and/or the shank may fail when the fastener is forcibly withdrawn from its seated position, thus providing a positive indication of an attempted breach of security.

Abstract: A kit for teaching grammatical aspects of language comprises a plurality of question cards. Each card contains a different sentence of a predetermined number of words, and a plurality of answer cards each of which contains a sentence corresponding to that appearing on one of the question cards, and each of which bears indicia displaying the correct parsing of the sentence at a given level of complexity, there being at least one answer card corresponding to each question card. A plurality of answer forming chips, each being color coded to represent different basic parts of speech or speech functions is provided and at least some of these bear indicia further qualifying the basic parts of speech. At least one answer forming chip support is provided to receive and support, for visual display, sufficient chips to identify and qualify each word, phrase or clause forming each sentence on each question card at a given level of complexity.

Abstract: A solar tracking system having particular utility for insuring that a relatively lightweight solar collector is properly positioned with respect to the sun. A parabolic reflector surface is included to provide a line of focus of the sunlight directed toward a cylindrical energy absorption tube. Photovoltaic cells provided on either side of the energy absorption tube are directed toward the parabolic reflector surface. A reversible motor is electrically connected to the cells and physically connected to the reflector system for correcting any misalignment with respect to the sun. The reversible motor can be used as the sole means for powering the tracking system or can be used in conjunction with an outside power source.

Abstract: Sampling devices for detecting particulate contaminants, particularly radioactive particulate contaminants, in a gaseous medium, such as air. The devices use filters comprising a filter membrane sandwiched between two pieces of plastic material having holes exposing the filter membrane to the gaseous medium. Each filter is moved between a sampling position at which the filter is exposed to the gaseous medium and a measurement position at which the amount of particulate material collected by the filter can be measured. In the measurement position, a gas-tight seal may be formed with the plastic surrounding the filter medium so that the chamber holding the filter may be evacuated for measurement of radioactive particles. The filter may be moved linearly or rotationally. The detector may comprise a detector of radioactive particles.

Abstract: A solar collector comprising, a bottle like structure with a front serrated lens surface, rear convex reflector, central heating chamber and plurality of tubular members each holding adjustable reflectors, for heating food located within the chamber is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an arrangement which enables highly efficient and convenient food preparation. The arrangement comprises a sink having two adjacent basins. A colander and a cutting board are arranged in one of the sinks in such a way that the cutting board is supported by the top edge of the sink while the colander is slidably supported on rails beneath the cutting board. The colander is conveniently storable beneath the cutting board but, in use, is simply slid out from beneath the cutting board whereby food chopped up on the cutting board can be scraped off into the colander for rising or draining. An overflow region may be provided in the dividing wall between the two sinks so that if one sink becomes blocked, water overflows into the second sink, and hence to the drain, rather than overflowing onto the floor.

Abstract: A survival kit comprising, inter alia, a replacement cap for a conventional canteen, a gasket, and a collapsible tube. The cap includes a crown and an annular depending skirt; a passage is defined clear-through the crown and the skirt is internally screw threaded so that the cap can be secured to the threaded neck of a canteen. The gasket is a flat annular washer with a central aperture. The collapsible tube is formed of several telescoping sections and one end of the tube is threaded.When the survival kit is utilized to obtain potable water from salt water, contaminated water, vegetable matter, etc., the cap of the canteen is removed, and the collapsible tube is removed from the interior of the canteen. The gasket is positioned atop the neck of the canteen, and the replacement cap is secured thereover after partially filling the canteen. The collapsible tube is extended, and the threaded end thereof is secured within the aperture in the replacement cap.

Abstract: An implement for measuring an individual's skin temperature which is convenient and easy to use. Two liquid crystal indicators are attached to a base which is convenient to the user. When the user touches the implement, the liquid crystals would indicate how close the individual is to an individually tailored goal temperature which is a function of the state of relaxation of the individual. Depending upon how close the individual is to his goal temperature, a number of learned relaxation "cues" is utilized to help the individual obtain his goal temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides a denture liner composition for a composite denture based on a phosphonitrilic fluoroelastomer (poly(fluoroalkoxy)phosphazene) curable at atmospheric pressure at temperatures of 100.degree. C. or less, conveniently by immersing the packed denture flask in a water bath at the appropriate temperature. The composition includes filler materials for increasing the hardness of the cured liner, interpenetrating polymers for increasing firmness and bond strength, and cross-linking agents for increasing the tensile strength and bond strength of the cured liner. The composite denture is preferably prepared in a one-step process wherein the liner composition material of a single firmness is cured in situ with the denture base material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a float-responsive valve of the type used in cisterns. Lost motion connection means are provided between the float and the valve, so that in the event of a drop of water pressure in the line supplying the valve, a resilient means overrides the action of the float to seat the valve and prevent siphoning of water from the system back into the water supply system. The construction is simple, using a minimal number of parts, and is easily maintained.

Abstract: Disclosed are filters which are particularly useful in sampling devices for detecting radioactive particulate contaminants in a gaseous medium, such as air. The filters comprise a filter membrane sandwiched between two pieces of plastic material having holes exposing the filter membrane to the gaseous medium. The filters can readily be handled by grasping them by their plastic portions and there is little risk of the filter medium being damaged. An air tight seal may easily be made with the plastic surrounding the filter medium. The filter is easily constructed by placing a piece of filter material to cover a hole in a plastic base layer and then covering them both with a plastic cover layer having a hole to match the hole in the base layer. The cover layer is preferably formed of self-adhesive layer.

Abstract: A connection system comprising a variety of metal connectors, a plurality of illuminated modules insertable into the connectors, and electrical leads hidden within the connectors to electrically join the modules in series relationship, and a step-up transformer for supplying the voltage needed to energize the plurality of modules. Each connector has a hollow body adapted to receive at least one illuminated module. Each illuminated module includes a rigid, transparent plastic sleeve with an annular collar at each end of the sleeve; a gas filled tube is retained in the sleeve by the collars. A foot with a mounting flange is operatively associated with some of the connectors to firmly support an assembled plurality of illuminated modules. The connectors and illuminated modules can be assembled into diverse configurations for applications previously unsuited for gas filled tubes, such as neon.

Abstract: An exercising device for strengthening the trunk muscles of a human being. The device comprises, inter alia, a frame that is permanently attached to a support surface, and a yoke that is secured to a support arm on the frame. A pair of resistance elements, preferably hydraulic cylinders, are mounted between the frame and the yoke, one cylinder being secured on each side of the centrally situated support arm. The yoke is adjusted to fit about the upper trunk of the user, and the user twists his trunk to pivot the yoke about the support arm against the resistance provided in a horizontal plane by the hydraulic cylinders. A stabilizer bar prevents the hips of the user from rotating while using the exercise device.