Abstract: An interlockable connection system is disclosed herein for releasably joining a selected number of tiles together wherein each tile includes a plurality of receptacles adapted to snap-lock with a retaining element used in common with other tiles so as to provide a composite object composed of multiple tiles of various polygonal shapes. The retaining elements may be of many shapes and tiles may be of a variety of geometric configurations. The connection system provides convenient repeatable joining and unjoining of the retaining elements with the tiles and permits rotation of the joint through a large angle about the axis of the joined tile edges.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning substrates used in critical environments with stringent end-product cleanliness requirements in a single process using microwave-energized and centrifuged dense fluids. One or more dense fluids are mixed with one or more chemical or physical agents and are simultaneously subjected to microwave radiation and centrifugal force to remove deeply recessed contaminants from internal and external surfaces of intricately arranged or formulated substrates such as biomaterials, spent activated carbon, elastomerics, surgical aids, or dental implants. Subsequently, cleaned substrates are simultaneously subjected to microwave radiation and centrifugal force under vacuum to remove residual volatile contaminants. Additionally, the cleaned and sterilized substrates are contacted with chemical or physical agents to provide enhanced cleaning and to provide new and improved substrate properties such as increased electrical insulation, conductivity, or biocompatibility.

Abstract: A lock is disclosed herein for sliding panels such as doors or windows, which prevents the panel from being moved or removed from its mounting rail or slide. In one version, the lock includes a base mount secured to the rail or slide having a laterally movable pin latch member adapted to be inserted through an opening in the frame of the panel. The pin or latch member includes a key at its tip receivable through an indexed slot of the opening so that when turned, the pin is prevented from being withdrawn. A retaining screw selectively holds the pin to the mount. The other version includes an elongated sleeve fixed to a sill and having an open-ended bore for insertably receiving a rod carried on the panel frame. The rod has a plurality of spaced-apart grooves for receiving the end of a retaining pin threadably carried on the sleeve to prevent removal of the rod from the sleeve.

Abstract: A foldable or flexible wrap is disclosed herein having a pair of plastic-like sheets selectively joined together at critical locations so as to provide fold lines or paths subject to flexure whereby the wrap may be wound about an article intended to be maintained in a cool environment. One sheet of the pair is flat while the other is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart pockets containing a freezable gel or substance, such as water. The pockets are arranged in a defined pattern adjacent to the fold lines or paths so that the wrap may take many different configurations when folded about articles of different shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A safety retainer ring is disclosed herein for holding a shaped nut in position on a threaded nipple or the like, which includes an annular body having an internal bore configured adjacent one open end to conform with the shape of the nut and having an external raised row of projections, each having a hole therethrough for receiving a straight pin formed in a length of a safety clip. Internal splines are provided adjacent the other open end adapted to receive mating external splines carried on a collar of the nipple to prevent relative movement therebetween whereby the nut cannot back off from its threaded connection with the threaded nipple.

Abstract: A hanger fixture is disclosed herein mountable on the side of a road case or trunk for supporting a musical instrument. The hanger fixture includes a mounting plate having a peripheral edge arranged about a recessed support by side members. A hanger is carried on a rotatable shaft within the recess having an operable position cantilevered outwardly from the plate and a storage position within the recess. Also, included is a support bar pivotally mounted on the shaft and having a pair of hanger elements fixed to opposite ends of the shaft separated by the pivot and in fixed parallel relationship. Tension mechanism disposed on the shaft maintains the hanger elements in a desired location and a limit stop cooperatively related between the shaft and the recessed support of the plate maintains the hanger elements in its operative position.

Abstract: An environmentally safe process for cleaning substrates used in critical environments with stringent end-product cleanliness requirements in a single process using microwave-energized and centrifuged dense fluids. One or more dense fluids are mixed with one or more chemical or physical agents and are simultaneously subjected to microwave radiation and centrifugal force to remove deeply recessed contaminants from internal and external surfaces of intricately arranged or formulated substrates such as biomaterials, spent activated carbon, elastomerics, surgical aids, or dental implants. Subsequently, cleaned substrates are simultaneously subjected to microwave radiation and centrifugal force under vacuum to remove residual volatile contaminants. Additionally, the cleaned and sterilized substrates are contacted with chemical or physical agents to provide enhanced cleaning and to provide new and improved substrate properties such as increased electrical insulation, conductivity, or biocompatibility.

Abstract: A caddy for organizing the storage of a plurality of wrench sockets is disclosed herein having a support member with a flat planar plate provided with a plurality of openings for insertably receiving a variety of sockets for storage. The plate openings are arranged in a predetermined order of socket sizes in rows and columns with raised dimensional values adjacent each opening corresponding to a particular socket size. A peripheral flange carried on the plate serves as a stand-off for raising the support member plate above a supporting tool box tray or the like. A magnetic pad or layer may be disposed on the tray below the plate for magnetically attracting the sockets for releasably holding the sockets in place. Each opening includes a pliable tab intended to releasably grip a respective socket in the opening.

Abstract: A pressurized dispenser is disclosed herein having a container housing a quantity of acoustic ceiling patch or textured material mixed with base, filler and a binder as well as with a carrier such as aerosol. A manual pump or spray nozzle is included on the container for selective discharge of the patch or textured material onto a prepared area which is a drywall or support sheet so as to match and blend in with the surrounding acoustic ceiling surface area to provide continuous and unbroken coextensive surface texture of mechanically and visually matched material.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a mobile stand supporting a photographic assembly having a camera photographing through a light at pre-set and fixed apparatus-to-patient distance establishing a constant photographic environment, in minimal space. The photographic assembly includes a means to mount a 90 degree rotatable camera body about an axis perpendicular to the film plane whereby subjects can be photographed on either a horizontal or vertical format. An adaptor sleeve is mounted on a zoom lens and, in conjunction with a motor and friction drive mechanism, move the zoom lens coaxial with the optical axis to compensate for and to bring, varying weight/mass differences between patients, into uniform image size. A mobile stand mounts the assembly between upright stanchions to compensate for varying height differences between patients into uniform image size.

Abstract: A signal filter is disclosed herein for the filtering of electromagnetic interference carried by an electrical conductor having a housing enclosing a core of soft ferrite composition with a weak magnetic field impressed upon it adapted to be placed about the electrical conductor having a directional signal flow within the electromagnetic generation pattern of the conductor to absorb signal interference emission accompanying a transmitted signal. The housing has an indicator identifying magnetic flux directional polarity of the core. The housing may include a retaining strap or securement prongs that engage with the cable to maintain the filter in place.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus on which a wide variety of body exercises can be performed is disclosed herein having a base supporting an upright frame with a movable carriage traveling between guide tracks. The frame further supports an adjustable tension mechanism operably connected to the carriage for providing a resistance force against which the user applies muscle pressure. A handle is attached to the carriage and the carriage is movably mounted to the frame. Hand grips are coupled to the adjustable tension mechanism for use without the carriage and the base includes a first section supporting the frame and a second section for supporting the user or an incline bench. By orientation of the frame in a vertical or a horizontal position and by selected use of the carriage, various groups of muscle may be selectively exercised.

Abstract: A dental impression tray is disclosed herein having a pair of spaced-apart arcuate walls having a common radial center and wherein the opposing wall surfaces define a work area for holding a quantity of dental impression material. A thin plastic embedded fibrous membrane or sheet extends across the work area having its opposite edges attached to the walls and separating the walls into upper and lower wall sections. One end of the walls may or may not support a wire element while the opposite walls' ends are open. The opposing wall surfaces carry a plurality of alternate vertical grooves and rod-like projections disposed in parallel and split horizontally by the fibrous membrane. The root of each projection includes a recessed portion in order to engage with the impression material and a handle attached to an outer wall of the pair outwardly extends anteriorly therefrom. A tongue suppressor structure may be integrated on an inner wall of the pair.

Abstract: A rack for supporting a bicycle on the roof of an auto is disclosed herein having two pairs of mounts secured at each end of spaced-apart tracks, two pairs of secured mounts or to roof mounted adaptor plates carried on the auto roof. Each mount includes a bottom support surface engageable with the track and yoke supporting a retainer member provided with an interchangeable open-ended passageway for insertably receiving the end of a bicycle support crossbar. The major length of the retainer member is angular with respect to its bottom support surface and the central longitudinal axis of the retainer member passageway is parallel to the bottom support surface. Thereby, the two pairs of mounts carried on the longitudinal tracks accommodate conformity of the retainer members and the crossbars with the curved auto roof.