Abstract: A carrier for skis and ski poles comprises an elongated main strap of webbing material. A pair of transversely directed short end straps are attached at their midportions to opposite ends of the main strap. The end straps carry complementary Velcro patches at their ends which hold the end straps in place around opposite ends of the skis. The end straps are slidably moved toward the midportion of the skis and are automatically tightened as they are moved. Rigid blocks at the strap intersections provide increased strength and security. The ski poles extend through slots formed adjacent opposite ends of the main strap. The midportion of the main strap is loose so as to fit over the shoulder of the skier for carrying both the skis and ski poles while leaving the hands free. The carrier can be folded upon itself into a compact self-holding package for carrying in the pocket.

Abstract: A gravity impact indicator for shipping containers carrying valuable delicate cargo. The indicator comprises a sealed case, within the hollow interior of which a weight is suspended from an elongated coil spring. When the container is subjected to gravity impact, such as being dropped, the force moves the weight downwardly within the case. A flat spring extends transversely to the weight and engages ratchet teeth carried by the case to hold the weight in the lowermost position to which it is moved. Indicia may be carried by the case to designate the amount of impact. Track means and the inner surfaces of the case guide the weight against tipping during its downward movement.

Abstract: A toy wheel comprising an elongated control stick having a control head at its lower end which is adapted to removably engage the periphery of a wheel. The control head is adapted to be positioned substantially any place along the periphery of the wheel. The control head has a pair of parallel side plates which extend a substantial distance inwardly from the periphery of the wheel on opposite sides thereof. A semi-circular disc disposed between the inner ends of the side plates engages the periphery of the wheel. The control stick is movable in any direction to change the direction of movement of the wheel and is tiltable at any angle up to 45.degree. from vertical. Directional and angular changes can be made without losing control of the wheel and without substantial frictional engagement between the control head and wheel.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for making multiple layer molded padded products comprising at least three layers, the intermediate layer comprising padding. All of the layers are formed on male molds which are cast from a single master mold, thereby reducing mold costs and assuring perfect matching of the layers. The entire area of the female mold on which the intermediate layer of padding is formed is either completely cut away or is spaced away from the male mold so that the thickness of the pad is not substantially reduced during the molding operation. The female mold is heated and acts as an oven to draw back compressed fiberfill padding and/or to cure polyurethane foam padding.

Abstract: An aerodynamic enclosure for a refrigerated trailer. The enclosure fits over the upper portion of the front wall of the trailer, enclosing the factory installed refrigeration unit and motor. The enclosure has an upper front opening which fits around the air opening of the refrigeration equipment. A second front opening is covered with hinged doors to provide access to the refrigeration equipment. A pair of side openings are covered by hinged doors and provide access to the refrigeration controls and equipment. A top opening provides an outlet for air from the enclosure. The enclosure is symmetrical about its vertical axis and is aerodynamically contoured to reduce wind resistance and provide substantial economies in fuel consumption. An auxiliary door may be used to cover the upper front opening of the enclosure when the refrigeration equipment is not in use.

Abstract: A lip extender for use with a loading dock leveler. The lip extender includes a lower link connected at its lower end to the base plate of the leveler and a toggle arm connected at its upper end beneath the lip. The opposite ends of the toggle arm and lower link are pivotally connected together. Upward movement of the hinge connection between the bridge plate and lip moves them both upwardly to a cocked position to which they are supported by the toggle arm and lower link, which pivot into an over-center position. Downward force exerted on the upper part of the bridge plate causes a cam follower carried by the pivotal connection between the toggle arm and lower link to engage a cam surface mounted beneath the bridge plate. A coil spring mounted about the lower pivotal point of the lower link exerts pressure against the lower link, thereby counter-balancing the weight of the lip and bridge plate during pivotal movement of the lower link in either direction.

Abstract: A combination flow control and shut-off valve comprising a body having an elongated opening with separated inlet and outlet passages. An elongated valve cartridge is screw threadedly mounted for longitudinal movement within said opening to open and close the connection between the inlet and outlet passages. An elongated needle member is screw threadedly mounted within the valve cartridge and is rotatable to move an elongated tapered needle longitudinally within a cylindrical opening formed in the valve cartridge for precisely controlling the flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet passages. The cartridge is movable independently from the needle member to turn the flow of fluid through the valve completely on and off without affecting the precision flow control setting of the needle.

Abstract: An artificial patella for use in the human body in place of a natural patella which has been damaged beyond repair. The artificial patella comprises a rigid wafer-like member having a contour comparable to that of the natural patella. A plurality of spaced perforations extend through the artificial patella. The artificial patella is attached to the natural patellar tendon with a plurality of sutures which extend through the perforations and through the patellar tendon. The artificial patalla may then be attached to the patellar components of a patello-femoral prosthesis.

Abstract: A floating seat cushion which is capable of emergency use as a life preserver. The seat cushion comprises a center core of open cell polyurethane foam material surrounded by an outer layer of closed cell polyethylene foam material. A belt extends transversely adjacent one side of the center core to form a pair of loops which extend outwardly from opposite sides of the cushion. The belt is preferably laminated between the center core and outer layer. The cushion is preferably formed by placing the center core outer layer and belt in overlying relationship to each other with adhesive between them. The assembly is then placed in a press and compressed to cause the center core to collapse so that the peripheral portions of the outer layer can be bonded together to enclose the center core. Air is then replaced into the center core to cause the cushion to assume a convex or crown shape. The completed cushion is preferably coated with vinyl.

Abstract: A suture formed of loosely woven or expanded plastic material, one end of which is swaged to a suturing needle. Upon emplacement in the body, the suture acts initially to hold the tissues in place in a conventional manner. Thereafter it acts to bring about the formation by natural body processes of ligamentous tissue about the suture which supplements and virtually replaces the suture. The suture may be in small diameter tubular form or in small width flat form.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a tool head to a fiberglass tool handle or shaft. The adapter includes a cap having greater compressive strength than the handle. The cap fits over the end of the handle to prevent damage during assembly, use or storage of the tool. A pair of adapter sections fit around the cap and the adjacent end of the handle. The adapter sections have recesses which receive the ends of the cap. A pair of pins carried by the adapter sections extend into openings in the handle. The cap also acts as a guide to provide proper alignment of the adapter sections and tool head with respect to the handle.

Abstract: A split shell connector accessory for electrical cables comprising a pair of shell halves having a passage therethrough for receiving and holding a cable. An adapter is mounted at each end of the passage. One shell half has an elastomeric sealing member extending continuously along each side of the cable holding passage and the other shell half has a complementary groove. Each adapter has an O-ring which fits into complementary grooves in the adapters. The O-rings extend in a plane transverse to the plane of the elastomeric sealing members. When the shell halves are tightened together, the adjacent portions of the elastomeric members and O-rings are compressed into engagement with each other to form a complete environmental seal. Complementarily engaging ridges and grooves on the shell halves and adapters provide complete RFI/EMI (radio frequency interference/electromagnetic interference) shielding.

Abstract: A regulator first stage for underwater diving which provides an added low pressure port for connection to an automatic vest inflator. The added port permits a shorter and more direct connection between the regulator and inflator. It also provides restricted flow to the vest to prevent too rapid inflation and/or over-inflation and provide better control of the vest inflation by the diver.

Abstract: A patello-femoral prosthesis comprising a patellar prosthesis and a femoral prosthesis which are connected to each other for relative sliding movement. The connecting means comprises a keyhole shaped slot formed in one prosthesis, and a complementarily formed collar button shaped projection carried by the other prosthesis. The projection has an enlargement on its outer end which is mounted in the slot for sliding movement along the slot. The engagement between the projection and slot prevents undesirable separation or dislocation of the prostheses with respect to each other. In one embodiment, the slot is adapted to be expanded by engagement with the projection to permit the projection to move into the slot.

Abstract: Combined swimming pool and therapy pool comprising vertically directed walls forming a single pool having a swimming pool area and an adjacent contiguous therapy pool area. Jet water outlets are directed inwardly from one wall of the swimming pool area, whereby a user can swim in a substantially stationary horizontal position against the force of the water jets. The therapy pool has seats, with additional jets directed inwardly toward the seats. A vertically directed divider is removably mounted between the swimming pool area and therapy pool area, to close off the therapy pool area for separate heating.

Abstract: A mouse trap incorporated within a jar lid for trapping a mouse within a jar to which the lid is attached. The mouse trap includes a trap door which is mounted for vertical sliding movement across a mouse size opening in the lid. The trap door is manually moved to elevated open position and is held for release by swinging movement of a bait holder mounted on the inside of the lid. Such movement is caused by the mouse taking the bait, which is accessible only from within the jar. The door moves down quickly by force of gravity, closes the opening and trapping the mouse within the jar.

Abstract: A conventional type of life preserver has a rectangular shape, with a circular neck receiving opening adjacent the upper end and a slit extending from the bottom of the opening to the lower edge of the preserver. The invention comprises a strap having one end thereof immovably molded into the preserver and extending from one side edge of the preserver to the slit. A pair of oppositely directed D-ring fastening members are mounted on the strap in recesses directed inwardly from opposite sides of the preserver adjacent to the slit. The portion of the strap past the D-rings slidably extends through a sleeve which is molded into the preserver from the slit to the opposite side edge. The strap has an elongated portion which extends around the body of the wearer, with a buckle on its end which may be selectively attached to either of the rings, depending on the direction in which the preserver is facing.

Abstract: A valve which is particularly adapted for use as a backflow safety valve for therapy pools, in which it prevents water from flowing through the air supply line and damaging the air blower. When the water outlets of the therapy pool are temporarily blocked, water which is forced into the air supply line by water pressure flows into the open end of a cup shaped valve member and moves it to closed position within the air supply line. The safety valve will automatically re-open when the blockage is removed.