Abstract: A strap and retainer for a diver's mask, or other mask to be held on a user's face. The retainer is comprised in part of a molded portion of the frame of the mask with a movable clip portion therein which is pivotally mounted into a molded pocket in the frame of the mask that receives the clip. The clip comprises a main lever portion that is pivotally mounted in the pocket with an angular spring arm portion that rides within the base of the pocket. At the other end of the pivotal lever portion from the spring portion is an angular barb or tooth having a substantially upright angular face portion and a sloping angular face portion.

Abstract: The robotic assembly of a keyboard using a multiplicity of keys of a plurality of distinct types, such As key caps on a sculptured keyboard, can be substantially increased in speed by the use of a multifacted rotatable turret for picking up and installing the key caps onto the keyboard. A programmable robot, having a robotic arm is provided with a rotatable multifaceted turret. Each facet of the turret includes a key handling member which is molded to accept a distinct type of sculptured key. The types of sculptured keys are segregated in a pick-up position. The turret is manipulated by the robotic arm in the pick-up position to pick up a multiplicity of keys of one given type on each of the facets of the turret. Thus, each turret picks up one type of keys. The turret is then translated by the robotic arm to an assembly position. The turret is once again rotated and advanced to assemble the key caps on to key stem projected from the keyboard.

Abstract: The following specification sets forth a magnetic media and program storage case that is formed substantially from a single injection molded container. The injection molded container is formed with two major faces or covers and a binding or spine therebetween having a living hinge holding said major covers. An end closure or flap is hinged to one of the major covers by a living hinge. The flap incorporates tabs having tangs or barbs thereon for insertion within openings within the edge region of one of the covers. One of the major covers has a ring binder connected thereto for receipt of printed documentation in the form of a program, while said magnetic media is stored within a pocket including a pocket flap or cover that is attached to one of said major interior cover surfaces. The attachment can be by means of insertion tabs within an undercut channel or groove of said major cover. The foregoing provides for an entire cover for a printed program or instructions and magnetic media associated therewith.

Abstract: A novel aseptic process for the preparation of intravenous and other pharmaceutical products, especially parenteral solution is provided as well as the pharmaceutical products produced thereby. The process involves ambient temperature mixing, filtering and filling in special enclosures, the surfaces of which have been rendered free of pathogenic organisms. The enclosures are further provided with sterile air by filtration through high efficiency particulate air filters. Positive pressure sterile air is caused to flow across the enclosure in a unidirectional, substantially lateral flow pattern in a generally diagonal direction, to effect a sweeping of sterile air in a continuous manner through the enclosure. Compounding of ingredients preferably is conducted in a separate enclosure from the filtration and filling processes. The apparatus is free of pathogenic organisms and includes a novel backflow pressure manifold system to control internal pressure exerted in the filtering and filling tubing.

Abstract: The percentage gas concentration within a sample as measured in a conventional optical bench is derived from the composite signal of the reference beam and sample beam transmitted through a sample cell in the optical bench. The primary source, which generates the reference beam and the secondary source which generates the sample beam are driven ninety degrees out of phase. The composite signal derived from the detector in the optical bench is digitized and then integrated according to the quadrature of the primary component of the composite signal derived from the reference beam, and is also integrated according to the quadrature of the secondary component of the composite signal derived from the sample beam. What is obtained is the integral of the absolute value of the secondary component and the integral of the absolute value of the primary component of the composite signal over one cycle of the reference beam and sample beam.

Abstract: An electronarcotic current is delivered to an animal through improved probes in order to immobilize the animal. The electronarcotic current is adjusted based on the intrinsic resistance of the animal which is used to provide a feedback current for adjustment of the electric current. The electronarcotic current is also modulated with a duty cycle at a slave frequency which in turn is further modulated to form a group repetition rate as determined by a master frequency. Energy introduced into the animal may be minimized after initial mobilization to thereby hold the electronarcotic effect with minimal adverse effect of pulmonary and cardiovascular functioning.

Abstract: A stethoscope is provided which includes a stethoscope head and a pair of ear tips which are connected by tube means which provide individually separate air passages from the stethoscope head to the ear tips. The length of each of the air passages is selected such that the resonant peaks of sound transmitted from the stethoscope head to one ear lie in the resonant valleys of sound transmitted from the stethoscope head to the other ear. This is achieved by utilizing separate air passages which have a length ratio in the range of about 0.63 to about 0.73. The stethoscope is preferably utilized in conjunction with a dual stethoscope head having a bell receiver for transmitting low frequency sounds and a diaphragm receiver for transmitting high frequency sounds.

Abstract: The following specification discloses a buoyancy compensator bladder and method of manufacture therefor. The bladder has a plurality of gussets implaced therein in order to rigidify and maintain a pre-established general configuration to the bladder. A plurality of insets or pleats are implaced around the shoulder area to provide for a generally arcuate curvilinear conformation therearound. A nylon plastic coated material is used for the gussets having one side that can be bonded to the inner side of the bladder, while the other side is formed from a nylon having a higher melting temperature. The gussets that are made from the nylon coated material are folded and implaced within the bladder or cavity formed from a plurality of sheets, the combination of which is brought together and heatset by means of an RF heater, or other suitable heater.

Abstract: A hand splint is provided which is designed to support the metacarpophalangeal joints and resist ulnar drift of the proximal phalanges, while at the same time avoiding restriction of normal hand use. The splint has a bendable support frame of a generally oblong shape which is adapted to fit the palmar arch of the hand. Four generally rounded finger separators are attached to the frame to separate each of the fingers and provide lateral resistance to ulnar drift thereof. Preferably the support frame and finger separators are formed of wire. The entire splint is enclosed in a pliant foamed cushioning material which according to one embodiment can be further covered with an abrasion resistant, flexible outer sheeting material to resist wear. Straps or other fastening means are used to secure the splint against the hand. A process for making the splint is also provided.

Abstract: The following specification discloses a container such as a box, packing or shipping container for items that are to be maintained in a vapor proof environment. The container is made out of a sheetlike material, such as plastic derived from one of the olefin family of plastics. It is formed with bumpers, guards, and reinforcing and expanded portions of the case for protection and reinforcement thereof. The sealing and closure means comprise a pair of channel members that are secured over the edge of the walls of the container. One of the channel members provides an elongated depressed seat for an elastomeric seal therein, and the second channel member provides a mating tongue that seats against the elastomeric seal. Both of the channel members are hinged, latched or clamped together with the edge regions of the container walls lying within the channels. The channels have barbs or tangs which impinge against the container wall portion.

Abstract: The following specification discloses a Directional Optical Encoder including a track ball. The track ball is supported within a case and moves against two respective shafts for providing positive and negative X and Y movement. The shafts turn circular optical disc encoders wherein a beam of light passes through a slotted disc to be received against a sensing device, such as an optical sensor. The disc is a round disc having slots in order to provide rotationally pulsed outputs to a light sensor on the opposite side of the disc from a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED). On each shaft, a pendulous shutter is journalled with a fractional or clutched helical spring engagement for providing movement of the shutter in either the plus direction or the minus direction respectively for the X and Y shafts. The shutters provide for shuttering of the light source to one of two light sensors to indicate minus or plus movement, depending upon which particular sensor is being covered.

Abstract: The following specification sets forth a conformable buoyancy compensator that conforms to a user's body in a uniform manner during use. The buoyancy compensator incorporates an interior bladder having a plurality of heat sealed pleats or insets around the shoulder area in order to provide conformity of the buoyancy compensator to a user's body. The bladder further comprises interior reinforced gussets that retain the conformation of the bladder in a plurality of air channels or pockets that conform to the frontal areas of a user's body. The arm openings are free and open for a user to extend one's arms. Between the front and back portions of the air channels are a plurality of side panels that can be made of spandex, elastic, or can be configured of suitable strapping. The buoyancy compensator has vents. Vented pockets are provided for the receipt of a second stage regulator therein, as well as providing for other specific storage of items used by a diver.

Abstract: A perimeter weighted hollow golfing iron having a foam core with an effective hitting area concentrated toward the center of moments is disclosed. The weight of the club is concentrated at the perimeter to provide for the center of moments and proximate effective hitting area over the core. The club is formed from an investment casting having a cavity and is made from a method whereby the club is originally cast with a tapered core which is later withdrawn. Thereafter, an end plate is implaced over the cavity and welded thereto with an opening for insertion of the foam with an epoxy plug filling the opening of the plate. An effective hitting area is established by means of a club holder having a transducer so that impacts through an impact device against the club face can be sensed by the transducer to provide signals to an output such as a CRT, digital or analog readout or oscilloscope.