Abstract: A device for handling a hypodermic syringe and a cover therefor has a base, a tubular body projecting from the base and having an open end for receiving a syringe cover and frictionally engaging the same. The device also has a mechanism for breaking the frictional engagement. The base has a piece of material one side of which adhesively engages the base. The other side of the piece of material has pressure sensitive material, so that the device is mountable on a plane surface. Only one hand is needed to operate the device, and a plurality of the devices can readily be arranged in an array in close proximity to each other.

Abstract: Means for holding a hearing aid speaker in place in the inner portion of the outer ear of a hearing aid user comprises a sealant material conformable both to the inner portion of the outer ear and to the speaker. The holding means also includes a pad that carries the sealant material. The sealant material is flexible, of low grade, water soluble and non-toxic. Objectionable feed-back is eliminated.

Abstract: A composite page for use in a pad of such pages includes a paper sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, a bindable end, a free end, sides joining the ends, a first perforation line spaced from the bindable end, and a second perforation line between the first perforation line and the free end, a first layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material localized on the portion of the top surface between the free end and the second perforation line, a second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material on the bottom surface and covering at least the portion thereof between partly the first and second perforation lines. A pad is made up of a plurality like composite pages stacked together in the same orientation with the bindable ends of the paper sheets bound together and the top surfaces facing upward. A pad cover is movable between an open position and a closed position overlying the free ends of the paper sheets.

Abstract: A vehicular pet restraint includes a harness portion having straps for releasably engaging a pet's body for restraining the pet, and an attaching portion having a left side attaching strap provided with a member for releasable interlocking engagement with a mating member on a left strap of a seat belt that is already installed in a vehicle and a right side attaching strap provided with a member for releasable interlocking engagement with a mating member on a right strap of the seat belt. Thus, the vehicular pet restraint becomes, in effect, a link between the left and right straps of the seat belt.

Abstract: A greeting card blank is made from a piece of card stock and has first and second ends and sides perpendicular thereto. First, second and third fold lines are parallel to the ends, the first end and the first fold line defining a first panel, the first and second fold lines a second panel, the second and third fold lines a third panel and the third fold line and the second end a fourth panel. The first panel has a slot therethrough and a tab projects from the second end and is interengageable with the slot. The blank also has a round hole therethrough on its longitudinal centerline and near the third fold line. The blank is convertible to a self-standing greeting card by folding the blank along the fold lines and inserting the tab into the slot, with the first and fourth panels overlapping each other, the second panel providing a bottom panel and the third panel providing a front panel. The third panel bears a greeting card message.

Abstract: A system for mounting articles includes a channel-shaped track member attachable to a downwardly facing surface having a central portion, side portions and coplanar bottom portions extending toward each other from the side portions and having confronting free edges. One of the side portions and the bottom portion integral therewith have a plurality of cut-out portions spaced apart such that the distance between any two adjacent cut-out portions is a constant dimension A. A first article holding rack has a pair of vertical arms each with a guide at the top, these guides being shaped, dimensioned and spaced to enter two adjacent ones of the cut-out portions. A second article holding rack has a pair of vertical arms each with a guide at the top, these guides being shaped, dimensioned and spaced to enter two non-adjacent ones of the cut-out portions.

Abstract: A pool cover support comprises a balloon for placement in its uninflated condition on the surface of the water in a swimming pool, an air hose having one end attached to the balloon and provided at its other end with a valve. The hose is of sufficient length that when the balloon is secured in a predetermined position, the valve can be located outside the pool, whereby the balloon can be inflated or later deflated.A covered pool has an edge and is filled with water. A pool cover covers the pool and overlaps the pool's edge, and a pool cover support comprises a balloon which is in a predetermined position on the water and underneath the cover, an air hose having one end attached to the balloon and a valve at its other end. The hose is sufficiently long that the valve is outside the pool, whereby the balloon can be inflated or later deflated with the cover in place.

Abstract: A hold-up device for holding a hinged structure, particularly the rear door of a hatchback automobile, in an open position relative to a frame, such as the frame of the door, against the force of gravity, wherein a hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to either the structure or the frame and a cylinder rod is pivotally connected to the other of the structure and the frame. The hold-up device is for use when the cylinder fails to function properly and comprises a body having first and second opposite ends and a straight elongate contoured alcove extending between the first and second ends for removably receiving the rod therein when the structure is in its open position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a repair kit apparatus and a method for repairing holes in drywalls, sheet-rock or gypsum board. The repair kit comprises a template having a saw guide or diagonal slot, one or more repair plugs, patching compound and instructions for effecting the method of repairing the drywall. The template is used to cut out a portion of the drywall about the damaged area, with the drywall being at a sloped angle or contoured inwardly. The repair plug has a peripheral sloped wall edge and is dimensioned for being insertable into the cutout with its sloped wall edges abutting the sloped or contoured wall portions defining the prepared drywall cutout. The repair plug may be mounted within the drywall cutout such that its outermost (face) surface is slightly recessed below the surface of the drywall. Next, patching compound may be applied over the repair plug to form a relatively flat smooth wall surface.

Abstract: A tool for use by an operator in the field in attaching and securing a bushing assembly within an electrical connector and subsequently connecting or disconnecting the electrical connector and a terminal of an electrical apparatus to establish a connection from a remote location through the use of an insulated implement, such as a hot-stick. The tool includes an operating member with a wrenching configuration for engaging a complementary wrenching arrangement in the bushing assembly, a wrenching portion for direct wrenching of the operating member and a torque responsive device through which the insulated implement is coupled to the operating member to enable rotation of the insulated implement relative to the operating member upon exceeding a predetermined torque indicative of the appropriate seating of the electrical connector upon the terminal so that such relative rotation serves as an indication to the operator that the connection is complete.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are prevailing torque type self-locking nut comprising a one-piece nuts each body having an internal screw thread surmounted by a well portion having an internal surface spaced from the thread axis a distance greater than one-half the major thread diameter, and a thin-walled self-locking element of thread impressionable thermoplastic material at least partly in the well portion and having an external surface secured by adhesion to the internal surface of the well portion and an internal surface spaced from the thread axis a distance less than one-half the major thread diameter. Also disclosed herein are a method of making such nuts, the method involving melting powder of the thermoplastic material in situ in the nut body, a pin useful in carrying out the method and nut body components of the self-locking nuts.

Abstract: An attachment arrangement is carried by a bushing assembly of a high voltage electrical distribution system and facilitates attachment and securing of the bushing assembly to an electrical connector and subsequent attachment and securing of the electrical connector to a terminal of an electrical apparatus, the attachment arrangement including sequentially operated threaded elements having minimum torque responsive devices for assuring that the sequence of operation of the threaded elements will secure the bushing appropriately to the electrical connector and then will secure the electrical connector to the terminal.

Abstract: A bushing insert of a high voltage electrical distribution system is mechanically coupled and electrically connected to a bushing well by means of a threaded coupling member, a portion of which coupling member is threaded to the electrical contact element of the bushing well, the coupling member having a wrenching configuration enabling that portion of the coupling member to be removed from the electrical contact element of the bushing well should the portion inadvertently become severed from the remainder of the coupling member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pavement marker for engagement with an underlying roadway for providing a marking visible from an oncoming vehicle on the roadway surface. The pavement marker comprises a lens member of light-transmitting synethetic resin including a front face having a light-receiving and refracting portion adapted to be inclined at an angle of at least 15.degree. and a rear face having reflex reflective means for reflecting light transmitted through the light-receiving and refracting portion back to the source. The pavement marker has an untempered glass sheet fixedly disposed on the light-receiving and refracting portion and the glass is in compression throughout the expected temperature range to which the pavement marker is exposed in use.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for selectively connecting sections of an electrical cable to establish a cable of desired longitudinal length suitable for use in underground mining operations includes a plurality of electrical connector elements, each connector element being provided with a pair of electrically and mechanically connectable components having a form analogous to a ball and socket coupling for imparting lateral flexibility to each connector element and to the connector assembly, while maintaining both the mechanical and the electrical integrity of the connector assembly. First connector elements of the connector assembly are employed to join supply conductors of one cable section to corresponding supply conductors of another cable section, while second connector elements of the connector assembly are employed to join a ground conductor of the one cable section to a corresponding ground conductor of the other cable section.

Abstract: A laminated microporous article consisting of at least two layers or plies, the first comprising either a thermoset or thermoplastic microporous material and the second comprising a polyester non-woven, heat bonded (in distinction to adhesive bonded) web. The resulting laminated microporous article is especially useful as a battery separator and exhibits superior properties including improved electrical resistance, toughness and tear strength, and flexibility.

Abstract: There is disclosed a machine for crimping a coupling onto the end of a hose over which the coupling is coaxially fitted. The hose and coupling are inserted through an annular crimping head and positioned on a coupling support. Two semicircular arrays of circumferentially spaced-apart crimping dies are respectively carried by two pivotally mounted part-cylindrical die-holding jaws which open to facilitate insertion of the hose and coupling and close to form a circular array of dies surrounding the coupling, each die being radially slidably movable with respect to the associated holding jaw. As a hydraulic drive cylinder draws the crimping head toward the dies, cam means close the die-holding jaws and the crimping head then moves into surrounding camming engagement with the dies for moving them radially inwardly into crimping engagement with the coupling. A safety valve limits the force applied to the crimping head until the die-holding jaws have closed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a prevailing torque type self-locking nut comprising a one-piece nut body having an internal screw thread surmounted by a well portion having an internal surface spaced from the thread axis a distance greater than one-half the major thread diameter, and a thin-walled self-locking element of thread impressionable thermoplastic material at least partly in the well portion and having an external surface secured by adhesion to the internal surface of the well portion and an internal surface spaced from the thread axis a distance less than one-half the major thread diameter. Also disclosed herein are a method of making such a nut, the method involving melting powder of the thermoplastic material in situ in the nut body, a pin useful in carrying out the method and a nut body component of the self-locking nut.

Abstract: Manually-operated field apparatus is disclosed for applying a pressed-on coupling to the end of a hose. A frame carries two threadedly-adjustable sets of interleaved clamping plates for clamping a hose end therebetween in a predetermined orientation. The frame defines a pair of tracks on opposite sides of the hose parallel thereto, on which are respectively slidably mounted two runners of a coupling carriage for supporting the coupling between the runners coaxially with the held hose end. A manually-operated ball-type screw and nut assembly mounted on the frame is engageable with the coupling carriage for moving it along the tracks toward the hose end for pressing the coupling onto the held hose end.

Abstract: Apparatus for mass producing locking patches of thermoplastic material on threaded portions of magnetic elements, such as screws. The apparatus includes a rotating dial assembly comprising a plurality of similar, closely-spaced permanent magnets, extending radially outwardly from the support thereof and completely thermally isolated from one another and on all sides except at a gap provided on its outer face. The screws to be patched are delivered to the periphery of the dial assembly where they are magnetically held by the magnets and carried past a heating station and a station where a stream of powder of the thermoplastic material is directed against preselected portions of the threads of the heated screws and fused in place to form the desired patches bonded to the unmodified threads of the screws.