Abstract: Myoelectric control of a prosthetic limb is achieved by positioning a soft, flexible pad on the interior surface of a liner and embedding a large plurality of electrically conductive contacts within the pad. A window is cut in the liner to enable attachment of limb control electrodes to the pad. The pad has a low resistivity so that the individual contacts detect very low myoelectric signals. In a preferred embodiment, about forty thousand contacts, each of which is surrounded by non-conductive silicone, are positioned in a one inch square area. The number of signals produced enables the development of highly versatile prosthetic limbs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interconnecting with a lanyard a handle and lever arm of the type used in rapid inflation applications includes apparatus for impaling a first end of a lanyard with multiple spikes to secure the first end to a handle and further includes apparatus for sandwiching the second end of the lanyard between a plug and a bore formed in the lever arm. The lanyard handle is made with a channel having spike-receiving cavities along its extent, and the spikes on a spike-carrying strip impale the first end of the lanyard when the strip is press fit into the channel. At the opposite end of the lanyard, the bore and plug are frusto-conical in configuration so that pulling on the lanyard exerts a wedging action between the plug and bore to tighten the grip on the second end of the lanyard.

Abstract: A scooter holder having a low profile is attached to the trailer hitch of a vehicle. The attachment member is adjustable and invertable so that the scooter holder may be used with vehicles of differing heights. The holder includes a scooter supporting platform that is in a raised and folded configuration when it is not supporting a scooter, and which when raised returns to its folded configuration if no scooter is atop the platform and which remains unfolded when raised with a scooter on the platform. Throwing a switch causes the platform to lower and unfold in a gradual, continuous motion until it reaches a fully unfolded, lowered position where a scooter can be driven onto it. Throwing the switch with a scooter on the platform causes the holder to lift the scooter to a desirable height. The platform pivots about a fulcrum when lifted empty, but the fulcrum is bypassed when the platform is lifted while supporting a scooter.

Abstract: A chemical injector valve connected to a source of water under pressure harnesses the venturi effect to entrain liquid chemicals into a water stream and employs a variable size pressure chamber to ensure that the flow rate and quantity of chemicals entrained remains constant even when the pressure of water entering the valve varies widely. An increase in incoming water pressure causes expansion of the variable size pressure chamber and a decrease in incoming water pressure causes contraction of the variable size pressure chamber. A slidably mounted piston is biased toward the variable size pressure chamber so that the size of the pressure chamber does not increase unless the accumulation of water in the chamber exceeds the bias acting on the piston. When the bias is exceeded, a shank of the piston moves toward a piston stop and the flow of water into the valve is throttled.

Abstract: A check valve has a point-to-point articulated connection between its valve stem and valve head so that the head is free to skew when unseated. The valve head is positioned within the interior of the valve body between a valve seat and the trailing end of the valve body and retracts further into the valve body when unseated by the introduction of gaseous fluid into the valve body. The leading end of the valve stem is cone-shaped, and is received within a cone-shaped recess formed in the trailing end of the valve head. A bias member urges the valve stem toward the valve head so that the vertex of the cone-shaped valve stem is in point-to-point contact with the vertex of the cone-shaped recess. When gaseous fluid is introduced into the valve body, the valve head unseats from the valve seat and is free to skew with respect to its seated orientation, but since it retracts into the valve body, the inner sidewalls of the valve body prevent excessive skewing.

Abstract: Implant with through passage (11) and intended to be applied as a through passage in the skin or in a membrane of the human body. The implant comprises a tubular body (10) provided with a radially protruding circular protruding flange (12), the perforation of flange (12) as least closest to the tubular body comprising slots (15) extending in the peripherical direction of the flange.

Abstract: A bite block where, in a first embodiment, the mouthpiece is flanked by laterally-extending arms that define large, inverted "U"-shaped finger-accommodating openings so that a surgeon may guide a surgical tool by placing fingers within those openings. The mouthpiece has a cylindrical throughbore that receives the surgical instrument. The upper and lower teeth of the patient are supported by flat upper and lower support walls that are formed integrally with the mouthpiece, and each support wall includes a retention ridge that helps keep the mouthpiece in the patient's mouth. Upper and lower flanges extend above and below the plane of their respective support walls, so that the mouthpiece cannot enter the patient's mouth even when the surgeon pulls back the patient's lips to their limit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interconnecting with a lanyard a handle and lever arm of the type used in rapid inflation applications includes apparatus for impaling a first end of a lanyard with multiple spikes to secure the first end to a handle and further includes apparatus for sandwiching the second end of the lanyard between a plug and a bore formed in the lever arm. The lanyard handle is made with a channel having spike-receiving cavities along its extent, and the spikes on a spike-carrying strip impale the first end of the lanyard when the strip is press fit into the channel. At the opposite end of the lanyard, the bore and plug are frusto-conical in configuration so that pulling on the lanyard exerts a wedging action between the plug and bore to tighten the grip on the second end of the lanyard.

Abstract: A device that forms bubbles that cling together in a predetermined configuration in the substantial absence of a large flat interface between the bubbles. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a handle secured to a primary ring, and a plurality of secondary rings are secured to the primary ring in a predetermined pattern. The secondary rings are radially spaced apart from the primary ring by about one-sixteenth of an inch and are held in that position by a holding member. A pair of laterally spaced apart triangular openings are formed in each holding member, and each opening has a length of about one-sixteenth of an inch.

Abstract: A cooler for beverages and food is mounted on the steering column of a golf cart so that it is easily accessible but does not occupy passenger compartment space. A channel is formed in the front and bottom walls of the cooler to accommodate the steering column. A mounting bracket assembly secured to the steering column includes a pivotally mounted platform that cooperates with the steering column to support the cooler in a horizontal plane. A hook and loop fastener is secured to the platform and to the bottom wall of the cooler so that the cooler may be removed from the cart without disassembly of the mounting bracket assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tone generating apparatus which is provided with a timbre select switch to specify a timbre and a scan circuit for generating key codes corresponding to keys. Pitch control values corresponding to the timbres and key codes are stored in the form of a pitch control table in a ROM. When a predetermined key is depressed, a pitch control value specified by the key code associated with that key and the timbre selected by the timbre select switch is read out from the pitch control table in the ROM, and a tone frequency is determined by the pitch control value and key code. Tone generation is controlled based on the tone frequency.A pitch control value read out from the pitch control table in the ROM is given a predetermined offset to produce a musical tone having vibrato.Further, a pitch control value read out from the pitch control table in the ROM is multiplied by a value specified by an operation panel to alter the degree of adding the pitch.

Abstract: Buckle for a safety belt, particularly a children's belt, comprising a buckle housing (10) and a lock tongue (13) constructet to be connected each to one strap part. The lock tongue is insertable into a guide (15) in the buckle housing which has a latch member (19) spring biased to lockingly engage the inserted lock tongue, and an opening member (20) to be operated manually for switching the latch member from an engaged position to a disengaged position against the spring bias, said two members consisting of one and the other, respectively, limb of a U-shaped element (17) which is pivotally mounted in the buckle housing (10) to switch about a transverse axis (21) with the limbs extending along the guide (15) towards the insertion opening (12) for the lock tongue (13) which at the insertion into the buckle housing can be pushed in between the limbs.

Abstract: A combination towel and cover for a golf club bag. The device is a flat, foldable material having a water repellant side and a water absorbing towel side. Fastening members are positioned along selected peripheral edges of the device to hold it in a folded configuration. When fully folded, it is attachable by a clamp to a golf club bag. When unfolded, it is attachable by snapping the fastening members onto the snaps built into golf club bags such that its towel side is exposed for use. When so disposed, it may be flipped over the clubs to protect them during inclement weather, but the golfer may still reach under the device to use its towel side even when it has been flipped over. Preselected edges of the towel part of the device are unattached to the water repellant side to facilitate placing hands to be dried on opposite sides of the towel.

Abstract: An adapter for interconnecting a marine engine to a stern drive includes an adapter ring having a pair of concentric flanges with bolt-receiving apertures formed in each of the flanges. The outermost flange is secured to the flywheel end of the engine. A coupler housing is secured to the flywheel end of the engine radially inwardly of the innermost flange of the adapter ring and houses a coupler having an internally splined rotatable part, and a bell housing having a radially outwardly extending flange is secured to the innermost flange of the adapter ring in housing relation to the coupler housing. A trailing end of the bell housing is secured to a transom housing which is centrally apertured to admit an externally splined stern drive rod to engage the rotatable, internally splined part of the coupler.

Abstract: A sequencer according to the present invention comprises: an interface circuit for exchanging externally supplied play data; a memory for storing received play data; and a panel switch for generating a signal that indicates a recording start. Recording is performed when, in response to a recording start signal from the panel switch, the sequencer, using predetermined data, automatically generates storage location data, and stores play data at the storage location designated by the storage location data.A sequencer according to the present invention further comprises: a memory for storing play data corresponding to multiple musical pieces; an interface circuit for outputting play data that is read from the memory; and a panel switch for indicating continuous reproduction. Upon the depression of the panel switch, the sequencer sequentially reads a predetermined quantity of play data from the head of each musical piece that is stored in the memory and reproduces musical tones using that play data.

Abstract: A very small and thin transformer to be used as incorporated in an electronic device for the civil life. In this transformer, a coil is wound on a coil bobbin in which core sheets are incorporated as laminated. This laminated core is provided with an insulating cover for insulation. However, when a gap is produced between the core sheets, an adverse influence will be produced on the electric characteristics of the transformer. Therefore, in case the insulating cover is applied to cover the laminated core, the insulating cover having a resiliency will press the core sheets in the laminating direction to prevent a gap from being produced between the core laminations.

Abstract: Optically active 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives represented by general formula (I), process for preparing compounds (Ic) (in general formula (I) , R.sup.1 is a lower alkyl group), process for preparing compounds represented by general formula (II) by hydrolyzing the compounds (Ic) under acidic conditions, process for preparing compounds represented by general formula (II) by solvolysis, under basic conditions, of compounds represented by general formula (III); ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H, a lower alkyl group, a cyanoethyl group, a lower alkanoylaminoethyl group, or a lower dialkylaminoethyl group; R.sup.2 is a 2-tetrahydropyranyl group or a lower alkyloxymethyl group; R.sup.3 is a cyano group, a lower dialkylamino group or a lower alkanoylamino group; and R.sup.4 is a lower alkyl group. The compounds of general formula (I) and (II) are intermediate compounds for preparing optically active 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives which are useful as medicines for circulatory organs.

Abstract: A liner that covers an amputation stump and which cushions the stump when it is placed into a prosthesis socket includes selectively inflatable bladders foe customizing the liner to fit individual patients. The liner is made of two liner parts, one being an inner liner and the other being an outer liner. The inner liner is placed onto the amputation stump and a prosthetist determines the region or regions where bladders are needed to provide a comfortable fit. The region or regions are outlined with an adhesive and the outer liner is then brought into overlying relation to the inner liner so that the two liner parts adhere to one another along the outlined regions. Upon inflation, the inner liner conforms to the shape of the amputation stump to provide enhanced cushioning and the outer liner conforms to the shape of the interior wall of the socket and the patient receives a custom fit from a simple appliance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water area structure using a placing member for underwater ground, which is used as, e.g., a water area structure for discharge such as a shore-bridge and a jetty, a bulkhead structure, a breakwater structure, a dike structure, and the like.