Abstract: An improved double wall cylinder includes a neck which extends along an axis generally coincident with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. This neck supports an outer wall and an inner wall and includes a first passage and a second passage for providing fluid communication between the cylinder and a remote control unit. The outer and inner tubular walls are preferably formed of commonly available tubing and the manufactured cost of the cylinder may be reduced by the fact that one of the tubular walls is devoid of threads, apertures and other machined portions. If the end gland is removed for service, the inner wall is frictionally retained in position while the piston assembly is withdrawn. The inner wall may then be removed, leaving the outer wall attached to the neck by a threaded connection. Risk of accidential loss of parts is thereby reduced. The cylinder is configured for use with a mounting plate of the type having a pair of spaced, outwardly extending hollow lugs.

Abstract: The improved subdural electrode for determining epileptogenic foci is of the type having two dielectric layers. The electrode includes at least one electrical lead wire having a portion of its length interposed between the dielectric layers. At least one electrode disk is interposed between the layers and has a tab formed thereon. Connection of the tab and the lead wire is by folding the outer segment of the tab toward its inward segment to crimp the wire between them. An electrically conductive circuit between the wire and the tab is thereby created. The electrical and mechanical integrity of the connection is improved by wrapping the wire about the tab several times before crimping. The connection is also improved by positioning the wrapped wire, prior to final crimping, adjacent the fold defined between the outer and inward segments.

Abstract: An improved intracranial diagnostic electrode for use with magnetic resonance imaging techniques includes an electrode body and at least one metallic contact supported by the body. An electrical lead wire is attached to the contact for connecting the contact to a diagnostic instrument. At least the metallic contact is made of an alloy which includes nickel and chromium and is substantially devoid of iron. The electrode thereby provides substantially clear images of the location of each metallic contact when the electrode is used in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging techniques. The electrode may also include radiopaque elements or markers to adapt the electrode for use with x-ray as well as magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an area of a surface which is traversed and treated by an object during a unit of time is configured for use with a moveable object that has a first axis of a known length. The object is capable of movement along a second axis and the first and second axes define an angle between them which is other than 0.degree.. A signalling means includes a sensor which may be mounted in a motion-sensing relationship to the object for providing a motion signal when the object moves a distance along the second axis. The motion signal has a predetermined relationship to that distance. A timing means repetitively provides a plurality of timing signals, each sequential pair of which defines an interval of time of known duration. A computing means is coupled to the timing means and to the signalling means for receiving at least one sequential pair of timing signals and at least one motion signal.

Abstract: An improved can crusher device including a coil spring, forming a chamber, attached at its upper end to a substantially flat disk. When force is applied to the disk a can placed within the chamber is crushed. Preferrably, the coil spring is flared progressively toward its lower end to confer stability to the device during the can crushing operation and promote optimal can compression. The preferred disk has a peripheral edge and annular wall on its lower surface which work with the coil spring to hold the can in place. One preferred embodiment has gaps in the annular wall to release accumulated air pressure. When not in use, the can crusher may be compacted for storage or transportation with holders positioned through the disk and under the coil. The device is light-weight, yet durable, promotes quick, efficient can crushing, and enhances the economic virtues associated with recycling empty cans.

Abstract: An improved customized scuba-diving mouthpiece has a base member with a front portion with breathing hole and two preferably apertured mount portions extending rearwardly for positions between the diver's teeth, and upper and lower bite members above and below each mount portion and joined together, preferably through the mount portions. Preferred features include upper and lower bite members form-set (cross-linked) together through the openings, the mount portions dimensioned to extend rearwardly between the molars to the rear of the mouth, and a configuration of mount portion and front portion facilitating buddy-breathing. A method for making such mouthpiece is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reversible garment has two overlying generally co-extensive sheet members, each having two opposite generally co-extensive surfaces, the sheet members having a plurality of corresponding edge pairs, the two edges of each pair of a subset of the edge pairs being parallel and proximate, and strips or other couplers pivotably coupling the two edges of at least one edge pair of such subset of edge pairs. This allows reversal and/or pivoting of the sheet members to expose any one of four surfaces as the outer surface.

Abstract: The invention is improved reel-carrying apparatus for facilitating cable-installing operations of the type with a carrier frame and a shaft supported at its opposite end portions by cradles on the frame. Bearings are secured to the shaft end portions, such bearings having inner members on the shaft end portions and outer members resting in the cradles, the outer member cross-dimensions fitting through the reel center hole. The outer portions preferably have cross-dimensions less than the cross-dimension of the shaft to protect the bearings during insertion and removal from the reel.

Abstract: An improved cue tip dressing device and method. The device includes a base with a main surface and a plurality of projections from the main surface each of which has front and back surfaces converging to a convex knife edge forming the projection distal end portion. The method includes striking a hardened cue tip with the device to create a pattern of punctures on the tip.

Abstract: An improved quality control work station includes a support frame with a pair of side members, each of the side members having an upwardly extending rear support member, a work panel with a horizontal first surface terminating in a rear edge and a forward second surface angled downwardly from the first surface, and a display panel attached to the rear support members at a position above the rear edge of the first surface. The display panel includes a generally planar display surface which may be positioned to be normal to the line of vision of a user of the station, and has means for retaining a data collecting device. A plurality of wheels is disposed in a load supporting relationship to the frame for permitting easy relocation of the work station.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a chute includes a chute for dispensing a granular material. A gate assembly is mounted for controllably opening and closing the chute and includes a bridge member with a curved gate attached to it. The gate assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the gate permits granular material to be dispensed through the chute and in the second position, the gate co-acts with a sealing member and the chute to prevent material from passing through the chute. In a highly preferred embodiment, the sealing member comprises a plurality of inwardly projecting curved ridges formed on the interior of the chute.

Abstract: An improved tank clamping mechanism includes a first tank shell which has at least one first flange projecting from it. The first flange has a first aperture configured to restrain an abutment member. A second tank shell has a second flange projecting from it which is positioned in general registry with the first flange. The second flange includes a second aperture in general registry with the first aperture and similarly configured to restrain the abutment member. A clamping assembly includes a clamp, an abutment member received in the two apertures and an adjusting means. The clamp is configured to engage the first flange and the second flange and urge the flanges toward clamped engagement with one another as the clamp is urged toward the abutment member by manipulating the adjustment means. The tank shells are thereby clamped together for confining a pressurized medium therewithin.

Abstract: The improved flow meter has a generally cylindrical first tube with a rod assembly received in the tube and centrally supported therein. The rod portion of the rod assembly is tapered at a generally uniform rate over at least a portion of its length. An orifice disk has an aperture which is positioned generally concentric with the rod. This aperture coacts with the rod for providing an indication of the rate of flow of a fluid through the meter and against the urging of a spring. When fluid flows through the meter, the disk moves towards the second end of the tube and the magnitude of the movement has a known relationship to the rate of flow. A second embodiment of the flow meter includes a magnetized sleeve and a follower, the latter confined for movement between the first inner tube and the second outer tube. The orifice disk, sleeve and follower move coincidently and the meter is thereby adapted for use with opaque fluids.

Abstract: An improved bar burner is provided for use in a cooking grill having a top cooking area. The bar burner includes an elongate body having a pair of curved ends and a pair of substantially parallel sidewalls extending between the curved ends. A plurality of holes is distributed along each side wall for flowing combustible gas from the interior to the exterior of the body. Each curved end also has a plurality of holes for flowing gas to the exterior of the body. The holes in each curved end are arranged to define an end zone and a pair of angularly facing side zones. The holes in the side zones have enlarged cross-sectional areas, thereby providing improved heat rejection. The cross-sectional areas of the holes defining the angularly facing side zones are generally equal to one another and greater than the cross-sectional areas of the holes distributed along each side wall and in the end zones.

Abstract: An improved washing machine lint trap, of the type connected to the discharge hose, is characterized by a tube-like structure having an expandable perforated side wall which, when an excess of lint accumulates, expands to enlarge the perforations through which wash water flows, thereby to allow extended use and prevent clogging. Preferred embodimens are made of an expandable tubular mesh, most preferably with diamond-shaped perforations. The mesh is preferably of a color which contrasts with lint to facilitate visual ascertainment of the extent of filling.

Abstract: The improved rotary valve includes a body and a valving block having a valve interface with at least two work ports. A rotatable valve plate is received in the body and has a working face with a land which is in sliding contact with the valve interface. A rotatable stem is received in the valve body and is coupled to the valve plate for causing rotational movement of the plate. The stem has an axial passage in fluid communication with the pressure region of the valve and has at least one metering orifice for intersecting the inlet conductor of the valve and controllably flowing fluid into the pressure region. In one embodiment, used with open center systems, each of the work ports is in fluid communication with the pressure region and the discharge region when the valve plate is in the neutral position.