Abstract: An instrument for temporarily sealing a pipe against fluid flow comprising a manually actuatable handle and a sealing unit engaged to the handle, the sealing unit having a seal assembly supported at one end of a flexible cable operatively connected to the handle. The sealing assembly comprising an elastomeric seal contained between first and second compression elements which compress the elastomeric seal into an expanded state upon actuation of the handle.

Abstract: A lap tray for use by a sitting person has a base plate, an upright midportion rising from the base plate and a tray attached to the upper end of the midportion. In use the base plate is held down under one thigh of the person, the midportion between the thighs, and the tray rests on the other thigh. Food and beverage receptacles may hang from the tray portion to one side of the person, allowing for unobstructed use of the tray in an automobile by a driver sitting behind a steering wheel.

Abstract: An improved aerosol formulation for activating a smoke detector by emulating the effects of combustion products to test smoke detectors includes a propellant and an active ingredient consisting of phenyl trimethicone. An alcohol may be included for diluting the phenyl trimethicone to modify the aerosol particle size.

Abstract: A thermal and acoustic barrier for automotive floor pan carpeting is made by cutting synthetic foam sheet in a continuous process to create a foam surface complementary to the three dimensional shape of the floor pan surface. The cut foam sheet is bonded to the underside of the carpeting and installed with the complementary foam surface facing the floor pan.

Abstract: An inflatable overlay for a bed mattress has a base sheet with a top and sides sized to retentively fit over the mattress, and inflatable elements secured to the sheet defining a body support surface. Impermeable sheet material is layered on the base sheet to form air conduits connected for supplying the inflatable elements. The overlay is pliable and can be folded or rolled for transport and storage.

Abstract: Hand, knee and elbow orthosis each have a deformable semi-rigid stiffener having two end plates joined by a narrow midportion and contained between thin foam sheets to make an insert. A launderable cover of terry cloth fabric with permanently attached straps and a zippered opening fully envelops the insert. The hand orthosis has symmetrical left and right thumb supports for ambidextrous application. A finger separator may be attached and adjustably positioned on the hand orthosis. The elbow and knee orthosis have a bifurcated center strap which receives the bony elbow or knee protrusion to hold the orthosis in place, and are symmetrical in length and width for convenient application insensitive to orientation of the orthosis on either a right or left limb.

Abstract: In a card game wherein a two card hand is dealt to a player, a wager is placed on the sum value of the hand being either "nine-up" or "eight-down". The sum value is determined by adding the numerical face value of the two cards of any non-pair hand, figure cards having a zero value. "Nine-up" includes sum values of 9 to 19 while "eight-down" includes sum values of 0 to 8. Pair hands, i.e. two similar figure cards or having equal face value, regardless of suit, are given rankings different from those of non-pair hands.

Abstract: Synthetic foam compressed between a pattern roller and a smooth compression roller is driven against a cutting edge closely adjacent and tangent to the pattern surface but spaced from the compression roller to reproduce a three dimensional pattern roller surface on the foam sheet. Three dimensional patterns of arbitrary geometries including sharp edged, flat surfaced geometric solids can be reproduced on a foam surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely and conveniently testing heat detectors mounted at an elevated location above a ground surface. A package containing a composition formulated to react exothermically but non-flammably upon exposure to ambient air sustains a temperature sufficient to activate the heat detectors under feet for a period of at least a few minutes. The package is placed in a holder supported on a long handle for raising the package into close proximity to the heat detector. After initiating the exothermic reaction, as by tearing an envelope containing the reactive composition, an operator standing on the ground under the heat detector elevates the package into contact with or close proximity to the heat detector.

Abstract: An inflatable pneumatic plug useful for expediting the hydrostatic testing of bathtub and water plumbing installations. The pneumatic plug has a semi-rigid handle tube with an air valve at one end and an inflatable tube attached to its opposite end. The inflatable tube and the handle are of sufficiently small diameter to pass through the overflow drain in the bathtub, past the drain stopper assembly and into the drain trap without disassembly of the plumbing. The inflatable tube, such as a latex tube, is chosen with a length and wall thickness such that the inflatable tube is relatively stiff and will tend to deflect laterally around a solid obstacle when advanced into the plumbing rather than flattening axially. The inflatable tube is inflatable to a diameter at least five times greater than its deflated diameter for making a water-tight seal in a plumbing conduit.

Abstract: A method for making metastable compounds of Me metal, argon and hydrogen, comprising the steps of generating a high frequency plasma discharge in a flow of hydrogen-argon gas mixture, the plasma discharge having a higher temperature plasma generating active region and producing a flow of plasma downstream of the plasma discharge; establishing a zone of substantially zero axial flow of the mixture within the active region of the plasma discharge relative to the flow of plasma immediately downstream of the generating means; introducing finely powdered Me metal into or near the zone and within the active region at a rate conducive to evaporation of the metal in the plasma discharge; rapidly cooling the reaction products resulting from interaction of the Me metal with the plasma to precipitate a solid component; and passivating the surface of the solid component.