Abstract: An improved faucet spout attachment is provided for selectively delivering therefrom either an aerated stream or a spray of liquid. The attachment is inexpensively manufactured and provided by an adapter and a body member. The adapter is shaped to provide thereon both an upstream annular head and a reduced diameter downstream nipple. The adapter's nipple has its exit passageway only in the nipple's longitudinal wall. Two seals are provided on the nipple both up-stream and downstream of the exit passageway. A seal is provided on the adapter's annular head. The body member is axially elongated and constructed to slidingly cooperate with both the head and nipple of the adapter to provide two liquid tight seals at alternate axial positions for the body member. The body member is shiftable axially between two operative positions that establish alternate paths of flow from the body member, one of which produces a spray while the other path leads to a discharge opening in which an aerator is positioned.

Abstract: An alarm for signalling the rise of water above a preselected flood indicative danger level. In a preferred embodiment, the alarm is connected across the terminals of the smoke sensing unit of a commercial smoke detecting and signalling device. The alarm includes a pair of elongated conducting wires extending from the smoke sensor terminals to a remote area at which it is desirable to sense a rise in water above the preselected danger level. The ends of the wires at the remote area are fixedly attached to a non-conductive head element so as to provide a separation space between the wires. A rise in the water level to the preselected level serves to bridge the space separating the ends of the wires, closes the circuit and activates the warning signal. In a preferred, alternate embodiment, the wires fixedly attached, in spaced relation, to the wire separating head element, are connected in series with a power supply and a signal.

Abstract: An adhesive patch for skin testing using chemical substances such as dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), oxazolone, beryllium fluoride, paraphenylenediamine or other like allergens, the allergen being mixed with an excipient which melts when placed in contact with the skin. The adhesive patch provides a sandwich-type construction that includes an adhesive layer, a first foil layer with one side against the adhesive layer, a layer of liquid impermeable synthetic mterial on the other side of the foil face, an absorbent disc on the synthetic layer, the allergenic material on the absorbent disc and a second foil layer overlying the absorbent disc and forming an air-tight seal with the first foil layer. In use the second foil layer will be removed and the patch adhesively applied to the skin of a user without fear of sensitization of the person handling the patch test.

Abstract: An aerator, that includes jet-defining slots and jet-fragmenting surface therein formed of or in molded plastic parts, is provided with a self-cleaning character that is achieved by providing a washer-shaped body that effects, upon initial flow of water into the aerator, a directed liquid flow at an increased velocity to effect a scrubbing action of the jet-defining slots to dislodge debris therefrom, and a plug member providing an open flow passageway through which the dislodged debris is then discharged, after which the flow passageway is automatically closed by a valve member and normal steady state aeration conditions then prevail in the aerator.

Abstract: A shower head that employs a rotor for effecting a pulsed jet-discharge is embodied in a construction by means of which the user may selectively secure either a pulsed jet-discharge or continuous spray discharge from the shower head. The rotor is housed between upstream and downstream housing parts that are axially movable between pulsed discharge and spray discharge positions, by relative rotation of said upstream and downstream housing parts through a screw-threaded connection so that the user's selection between pulsed jet-discharge and continuous spray is achieved by a simple rotary motion of the downstream housing part. A selectively releasable stop member limits rotation in one direction to insure proper axial spacing of said upstream and downstream housing parts when pulsed jet-discharge is selected.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein apparatus for positioning rows and columns of microimage frames imprinted on a cassetted filmstrip for projection and display. The filmstrip is longitudinally movable in incremental amounts through an elongated cassette passageway, the passageway having a transverse aperture for permitting projected light to pass through a selected portion of the filmstrip for enlarged and focused microimage display. The positioning apparatus includes a first and second transparent plates located in a cassette in the path of projected light on either side of the filmstrip, and an assembly for effecting separation of the first and second plates, the assembly also operable for clamping the selected filmstrip portion between the first and second plates in a filmstrip focusing plane.Cassette on which the first and second transparent filmstrip clamping plates are mounted and a viewer on which the assembly for effecting clamping and separation of the plates is mounted.

Abstract: An improved filmstrip-carrying cassette, the filmstrip carrying thereon microimages arranged in rows and columns, and a viewer for illuminating, projecting, enlarging and reading on a display screen a selected one of the microimages is provided, using a pair of transparent plates to engage a selected portion of the filmstrip on opposite sides to hold same in a precise focal plane for properly illuminating and projecting the selected microimage. The filmstrip has great width to accommodate multiple rows of microimages, and motor means operate to transport the filmstrip selectively in opposite directions to quickly locate the column in which the desired microimage is located. The cassette is carried by a viewer-mounted carriage that is manually reciprocable along a track, so as to traverse the column in seeking the desired microimage. The transparent plates are separated simultaneously with the energizing of the motor means to permit unfettered movement of the filmstrip.

Abstract: A portable, or travel-type, oral hygiene appliance is provided with simplified and effective means for producing a pulsating, or intermittent, liquid jet; and optionally including a light stick for obtaining locally-concentrated illumination of areas within the mouth. The appliance is of lightweight and compact construction, in the form of an appliance casing having reduced vertical thickness and with a foldable water container carried on a portion of the upper surface of the casing. The pump for propelling a pulsating liquid jet uses a rotating member carrying spaced roller elements that move against a resilient, flexible, hose with a water column therein, to compress the hose between each roller and an abutment, thereby applying impeller force to spaced segments of the liquid column, so as to obtain an intermittent high pressure, liquid jet, discharge.

Abstract: A durable and inexpensive, integrally molded key rack for accessibly storing and conveniently organizing keys is adapted for location in and attachment to the following block of desk or filing cabinet drawers. Projecting rearwardly of the rear face of the key rack are a pair of upright clips for securing the rack to the following block and projecting forwardly of the front face are a pair of spaced, slotted, horizontally-extending, key-receiving projections for holding keys. The rack is formed with a first set of ribs extending about the periphery of the rear face and a second set of ribs extending between the clips and the key-receiving projections. The first and second sets of ribs and the key-receiving projections combine to rigidify the key rack.

Abstract: An improved system for controlling the temperature of fuel entering an engine, the system including a heat exchanger interposed between a fuel supply and the engine for preheating the fuel. The heat exchanger is formed by an exterior, fluid-tight casing having a plurality of fluid-tight tubes housed therein to isolate fluid passing through the tubes from the remainder of the interior of the casing so as to provide two flow paths, one through the tubes, and the other through the remainder of the casing, and having fuel and engine-coolant fluid, inlet and outlet ports. The improvement including an engine-coolant fluid flow control valve positioned adjacent the fuel inlet port, a fuel temperature sensor positioned adjacent the fuel outlet port and a fluid valve-actuating relay operative to receive fuel temperature information from the temperature sensor and control the fluid flow valve.

Abstract: A microfilm viewing monitor, that is adapted to illuminate and enlarge microphotographic material and display images thereof on a viewing screen, is provided for use in environments that include substantial ambient light. The monitor includes an improved illumination-display system in which the viewing screen comprises a two-element sandwich, including a Fresnel lens for receiving and converging illuminated image bearing light rays with a semi-specular lens for diffusing and focusing those rays, and an image enhancing lens positioned forwardly of the viewing screen operates to reduce the effect of ambient light, thereby providing for improved image resolution. For further image enhancement, the lens may be tinted, and cooperates with housing walls to provide a hood-like effect forwardly of the viewing screen. The viewing monitor preferably is for use in a motor vehicle, and may be arranged to assist the vehicle operator with route navigation.

Abstract: Multi-pronged spring-loaded laparoscopy instruments are provided for use in tubal sterilization, ovarian mobilization and biopsy. The instruments include three or four expandable prongs for holding tissue in a stable position. The instrument may be provided with a plug for access to an inner biopsy channel or central bore for facilitating ovarian biopsy. A slotted bushing may be provided with offset apertures to enable the surgeon to hold the prongs in preselected positions without exerting pressure on the handle of the instrument. When desired, the instrument may be provided with a manually remote-controlled cutting edge at the forward tip of the instrument to resect a segment of the coagulated tube during tubal sterilization.

Abstract: A fixedly mounted mute for stringed instruments is provided through clamp means which permit selective manual securement and clamping to the portions of the strings located between the instrument's bridge and the string holder, or tailpiece, to which the strings secure. The construction takes advantage of the characteristics of the material of the clamp means and is of such nature as to prevent dislodgement, or movement thereof due to vibration from the instrument or due to manual manipulation of the mute between operative and inoperative positions. The size of the attachment is nominal so as to render the attachment compatible with the interior dimensions of existing carrying cases for the instruments.

Abstract: A device is provided for positioning within the mouth of a user for preventing snoring and nocturnal tooth grinding. The device is an integrally molded body providing an externally located lip-engaging member and internally located parts to be positioned within the user's mouth. The internal portion of the device provides dental engaging arches and a rearwardly-opening central socket for cooperating with the forward portion of the user's tongue in a manner to draw the tongue forwardly so as to increase the unobstructed dimension of the nasal breathing passage. When operatively positioned within the mouth, at least one set of the user's upper or lower dental arches will enter into a channel provided by the device. The device substantially eliminates oral breathing. The tongue will be held in the socket by a negative pressure developed in the socket.

Abstract: A load-restraining device is disclosed herein for use in lading-carrying vehicles, such as truck trailers. The device includes a curtain which is adjustably suspended from an overhead support that extends laterally across the top of the trailer and is mounted for longitudinal movement therein. The curtain includes laterally-extending pockets, each of which carries a load-restraining belt. Belt hooks on opposite ends of each belt cooperate with belt rails in the sidewalls of the trailer and a belt tensioner or buckle is provided at the center of each belt.The pockets on the curtain are positioned on the side of the curtain opposite the lading-engaging face, so as to maximize the strength of the curtain and are in a manner which inhibits removal of the belts and reduces pilferage.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a buckle support system for use with a curtain-style lading-restraining device of the type which is suspended from an overhead support and includes a plurality of vertically-spaced and laterally-extending restraining belts, each of which includes a buckle for tightening the belt. A cable system is provided which is secured at its uppermost end to the overhead support and which connects to each buckle. Stop sleeves are secured or crimped to the cable at positions to engage and support each buckle so that the weight of the buckle is carried by the overhead support through the cable system. This system, in addition to supporting the weight of the buckles, deters buckle theft or removal, since in order to obtain the buckle, the belts and the cable must be severed.

Abstract: A basket, with no movable parts, for holding and displaying goods is provided with opposed bails at the upper end and support feet at the lower end, constructed and arranged to provide secure but separable stacking character by a separable interconnection of bails and feet of two similar baskets, wherein the basket construction effects resilient snap-together and locking of bails and feet to provide a stacking, or columnar, arrangement with great stability. Additional safety means to prevent inadvertent unstacking is provided by cooperating elements on the baskets. Two baskets may be nested, for reducing volume occupied by baskets when stored or shipped, by use of interfitting such baskets in an inverted and offset arrangement that is accommodated by slots defined adjacent basket corners.

Abstract: A flexible, self-biasing switching element is disclosed herein for closing a circuit by flexing the element from an initial non-contacting position to a second contacting position and for opening the circuit by releasing the element and permitting it to return to a non-contacting position from the contacting position. The element includes a flexible non-conductive substrate having on one side thereof a plurality of spaced conductive contacts or areas. A two-sided pressure sensitive adhesive film for mounting the element is die cut and applied to the substrate in a manner so as to surround the conductive contact areas. The adhesive film provides an insulating medium between the contact points so as to prevent transmission of current between the contact points.

Abstract: Provided herein is an opener for use with ring-type can opening tabs. The opener includes a ring insertion head spaced from an elongated handle by an extension member. The insertion head comprises a pair of ring gripping ears symmetrically positioned about a common longitudinal centerline on which the extension member and insertion head lie. The extension member is tapered inwardly from the handle-extension interface to the head-extension interface, and the head is tapered inwardly from the head-extension interface to a blunt tip formed at the distal head end. The underside of the head is curved upwardly from a point between the ring gripping ears and the tip to the tip, while the ears are tapered upwardly from their underside. The head, because of the curved and tapered ears and tip, is easily slid beneath the tab ring and the ears maneuvered to grip that ring.

Abstract: An improved obturator for safe deposit boxes and the like is integrally manufactured from a resilient synthetic material such as nylon. It includes a substantially flat head member having a rail member cantilevered perpendicularly from one side thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the rail member includes three elongated arms each joined at both ends thereof to transverse end and distal end members. One arm, centrally positioned, is straight and serves to limit the maximum spacing between the said transverse end members, while the upper and lower arms are provided longer than the one arm and bend outwardly, flexibly and resiliently, on opposite sides of the longitudinal plane of the central arm. This permits the longer arms, when flexed, to contact opposite interior portions of the key hole channel to frictionally resist withdrawal, and to also engage lock tumblers in the keyhole channel, thereby preventing accidental obturator withdrawal.