Abstract: A sheet-like, integral plastic accessory for a notebook is disclosed featuring at least one paper clip sheet. Each paper clip sheet is formed with a frame as defined by a pair of parallel spaced rims and a pair of outer cross rims. A plurality of ribs extend between the parallel spaced rims in parallel spaced relation to one another. A plurality of paper clip configurations extend from the rims and the ribs. Each paper clip configuration is formed with inner and outer elongated bands joined at one end at a nexus. A pair of curved segments define the nexus at one side thereof, with a constricted portion defining the same at an opposed side. Preferably, a pair of shoulders straddle the constricted portion and a burr connects the constricted portion of the paper clip configuration to the rims and the ribs. Preferably, the nexus is wider and stronger adjacent the curved segments than at the constricted portion, allowing the inner band to bend thereat with respect to the outer band without fracture.

Abstract: A therapeutic cold pack is provided for temporary affixation to an area of the human body. The cold pack comprises a pair of hermetic barrier layers that are heat sealed together throughout a plurality of articulations defining a plurality of compartments. A refrigerant gel, such as ethylene glycol, is contained within the compartments and has a high specific heat such that after becoming cooled it absorbs a large quantity of heat while undergoing phase change on heating. The plurality of compartments is distributed throughout an extended area. Adjoining compartments are hinged to each other along intersecting axes. The compartments are adapted to be folded with respect to each other along the axes into a configuration that is snugly seated against an irregular three dimensional anatomical surface. A relatively large velcro-type micro-fastener area is located at the back of the cold pack.

Abstract: A paper punch for use in combination with either a notebook having a pair of covers and a spine therebetween or with a ruler. The paper punch essentially comprises a punching element of unitary construction and formed of a hard yet resilient plastic material, preferably by injection in a mold. The punching element is formed with a pair of parallel spaced arms resiliently connected to one another at one end and featuring male and female punching members respectively disposed on the arms in operative association with each other. A slit is formed in one of the arms in a plane normal to the punching members and bisecting the female punching member. In a normally inoperative position, the male punching member is partially disposed within its cooperative female member in close proximity to the slit, and in an operative position, the male punching member is fully disposed within its cooperative female member, traversing the slit.

Abstract: A sprinkler system, for cooperation with an array of ceiling tiles, essentially features a mount of tiles including at least one with a central opening, a web disposed above the mount of tiles and including a central hub and legs extending therefrom to the corners of a frame with a dimensional profile like that of the tiles, a number of ceiling wires supporting the frame in spaced relation to a ceiling, a sprinkler head supported within the central hub and extending through the central opening, and apparatus for connecting the sprinkler head to a source of fluid. Preferably, the apparatus includes a rigid stationary water grid and supply and a flexible hose connecting the sprinkler head to the water grid and supply. Preferably, the flexible hose is an annealed stainless steel braid hose having an open pitch.

Abstract: Protective eyewear is provided with a visor component integrally sweeping arcuately over the bridge of the nose and over both eyes between opposed extremities that are positioned rearwardly of the outer corners of both eyes, a lens component having portions sweeping arcuately across both eyes between opposed extremities that are positioned rearwardly of the outward corners of both eyes the visor component defining an arcuate groove in which the upper profile of the lens component is seated and bonded, and a pair of temple components hinged to opposite extremities of the visor component, each of the temple components including a forward part that is hinged to the visor component, and a rearward part that telescopically engages the forward part and that presents an ear engaging portion. The configuration adjustably accommodates a wide range of wearers and adaptably serves under a wide range of conditions.

Abstract: A portable extended life metrology system is disclosed. The system is of the kind which includes means for generating an interference fringe pattern as a function of a parameter to be measured, transducer apparatus for simultaneously generating three intensity-modulated optical signals, I.sub.R, I.sub.S and I.sub.T that are related to the interference fringe pattern; signal processing apparatus for accurately determining an aspect of the interference fringe pattern form the three signals; means for accumulating phase information proportional to the aspect of the interference fringe pattern; and means for converting the accumulated phase and aspect information to desired outputs indicative of the parameter to be measured.

Abstract: A versatile, electrically insulating, waterproof electrical junction and a method of forming the same are disclosed. The electrical junction comprises three layers to effect waterproof encapsulation of two electric leads: a first layer defined by a pair of rubber collars for each of the two leads; a second layer defined by a pair of metal sleeves, a male and a female sleeve; and a third layer defined by a rubber sheath surrounding and encompassing both layers. The three-layered electrical junction preferably is the first and the seconcrimped along its entire axial length to compact the three layers into a waterproof electrical connector characterized by a high packing density.

Abstract: An improved seat for a disabled driver or passenger of an automotive vehicle, is disclosed. The seat comprises a seat cushion including a stationary cushion component and a transport cushion component, the transport cushion component being constrained for movement in a path between a retracted position and an extended position. The transport cushion component is controlled by an operational system that includes a member having an extension member telescopically extendable from an end thereof and cable-drive means for moving the component between the retracted position and the extended position when under constant manual control. The manual actuator is accessible to constant manual control at the transport cushion and is recessed therein.

Abstract: This invention is a filtration structure characterized by radial fluid flow through the wall of a cylindrical configuration that is established by a stack of serrated annular wafers which are constrained for slight axial movement with respect to each other, for the establishment of two conditions. In one condition, the wafers are axially compressed into snug contact under spring bias to establish a labyrinth of radial passages for fluid flow at a selected pressure. In the other condition, the axial compression of the disks is relieved and the disks are slightly separated by back flushing under an elevated pressure in such a way that cleansing is freely effected by reverse fluid flow.

Abstract: A sheet perforating punch formed of hard polymeric material formed of a punch plate with punching teeth and a die plate with holes intended to be registered with the teeth, snap-together hinging being provided for rotatably coupling the two plates together along respective edges thereof so that the registration of corresponding ones of the holes and teeth are fixed and so that no discernible relative axial displacement or travel of the two plates is permitted.

Abstract: A solid state optoelectronic switching and display device and a method for its manufacture are disclosed. The device, formed in silicon, essentially is a surface-emitting visible light-emitting diode that allows rapid and efficient switching and information transfer, via optical means, between IC's, PC boards and displays in a computer. The method essentially includes electrochemically etching a silicon wafer to form a porous silicon region therein, depositing a transparent semiconductor layer on the porous silicon region, and forming a back contact on the wafer.

Abstract: An electric battery comprises a semiconductor junction incorporating an inorganic crystalline compound of Group III and Group V elements of the Periodic Table characterized by a predetermined annealing temperature for defects therein; a nuclear source of relatively high energy radiation and concomitant heat, which radiation causes generation of such defects in the semiconductor junction; and a thermal impedance enclosure for the nuclear source and the semiconductor-junction for retaining therewithin a sufficient quantity of heat to maintain a functional relationship between the generation of defects and the predetermined annealing temperature during operation.

Abstract: A rubber tire recycling process comprises the steps of granulating rubber tires to form coarse rubber crumbs, mixing the coarse rubber crumbs with coarse siliceous grains to form a closely packed mixture of coarse particles that are roughly commensurate in size, thoroughly wetting the surfaces of the coarse particles with a polymerizable liquid binder to provide a viscous slurry, casting the slurry into a sheet-like configuration, and curing the sheet-like configuration under sufficient heat and for a sufficient time to provide an environmentally compatible sheet-like product, e.g. a paver or tile for driveways, or a shingle for roof tops, that is characterized by excellent weather, wear and chemical resistance. The surface characteristics of the coarse particles of vulcanized rubber and crystalline grains are critical to the present invention.

Abstract: A modular ion beam assisted continuous coating apparatus and method for a wide range of materials and the products so made are disclosed. The materials include metals, such as all kinds of steels and the like in sheet, wire, tubing and rod forms, and plastics, such as all kinds of polymers again in sheet, wire, tubing and rod forms. The coatings on the materials are intended to improve their wear, corrosion and/or oxidation resistance as well as to enhance their aesthetic appearance. The coatings essentially include metals such as aluminum, chromium, cadmium, tin, zinc, iron, platinum, nickel, silver, gold, etc., and ceramics such as ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, TiN and Si.sub.3 N.sub.4. The modular continuous coating apparatus essentially is divided into four stages a vacuum entry stage, a material pre-cleaning stage, an ion beam assisted coating stage, and a vacuum exit stage.

Abstract: A device made by a process of making strain-free, heavily carbon-doped p-type epitaxial layers for use in high performance devices and at least one such device so made. The process essentially includes the epitaxial deposition of a strain-free, carbon-doped p-type layer in a GaAs HBT device to form the base layer thereof in a manner that includes the balancing of the strain of the crystal lattice structure caused by the carbon doping by co-doping the base layer with an isovalent and isoelectric dopant. The co-doping also improves device performance. It also effects alloy hardening, which inhibits further defect formation, improves mobility and carrier lifetime of the base layer and, by narrowing the energy gap, it improves ohmic contact formation.

Abstract: A process to improve the surface properties of products made, at least in part, from silicone rubber is disclosed. The products find uses in industrial and medical device applications, such as drug-pump seals and valves, membranes, mammary prostheses, artificial heart diaphragms, pacemaker lead insulation and the like. The process is designed to change the silicone rubber's surface to one that is characterized by low friction, being antithrombotic, inkable, more wear resistant and deformable, and also being hydro-compatible. The process includes subjecting the product's silicone rubber surface to ion bombardment with gaseous ions that diffuse out with doses and at energy levels at least about 3E14 ions/cm.sup.2 at 80 keV.

Abstract: A process of producing a duct by extruding a tubular casing composed of a polymeric foam, inserted a helically coiled reinforcing element composed of an electrically conductive metal into the tubular casing, and passing an electrical current through the reinforcing element in order to heat the reinforcing element above the softening point of the tubular casing and to embed the reinforcing element into the inner surface of the tubular casing.

Abstract: A cost-effective process for polishing refractory materials, including natural and synthetic diamond, sapphire, ruby and Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 balls, is disclosed, wherein the surfaces thereof are successively softened to a predetermined depth by ion implantation, followed by mechanical polishing. This cycle of ion-implantation softening, followed by mechanical polishing, is repeated until such time that surface profilometry indicates that a desired surface smoothness has been achieved.

Abstract: An improved surgical implant, including dental implants, formed of Ti and its alloys and a process of its manufacture are disclosed. The improved surgical implant is designed to withstand fretting wear and abrasion occasioned by vibrating micromotion of the implant against the surrounding bone structure. Such micromotion has caused undesirable blackening in the surrounding tissue and has required premature replacement of the implant.