Abstract: A back scrubber to be used in the shower includes a holder which is ordinarily adhered to the shower wall by suction cups and which has a releasable and reversible sponge thereon which can be quickly replaced or used without removing the holder from the wall.

Abstract: A process for treating contaminated sludges such as municipal sewage sludge, industrial waste sludge and riverbottom sludge with calcium oxide (CaO) and/or calcium carbide (CaC.sub.2) with reclaiming and recycling of calcium oxide (CaO) from the reaction materials. The process is also applicable for dechlorinating PCB contaminated sludges.

Abstract: A soil surface remediation apparatus useful for decontamination of oil or chemical spill sites and toxic waste containing sites comprises a soil treatment apparatus mounted on a mobile trenching machine tractor which excavates trenches in a contaminated site to remove contaminated soil to the surface apparatus where the soil is decontaminated and is immediately replaced into the excavated trench in a continuous operation. Hydrocarbons or other useful by-products such as precious metals may be recovered from the soil. Both deep trenching and shallow trenching embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In the process according to the invention for soldering electronic boards, in particular, printed circuit boards with devices installed on them, first, during the pickling process, a condensable process material, for example, water, is introduced into flaws in the oxide layers on the soldering connection surfaces and at least partially condensed in the flaws. Then, the oxide layers are exposed to rapid heating such that the process material condensed in the flaws vaporizes explosively and thus the oxide layer breaks up and cracks off of the basis material, such that the soldering connection surfaces for the subsequent actual soldering process are brought to virgin condition. In the case of wave soldering, the rapid heating occurs preferably by means of the wave of solder itself. If non-oxide passive layers must also be removed, this occurs preferably in a preceding stage of the pickling process, during which the oxide layer is hydrophilized. For this, a plasma pretreatment is suitable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a procedure for processing joints to be soldered, preferably printed circuit boards fitted with electric components, and an arrangement for executing this procedure, wherein the joints are subjected to plasma treatment before the soldering process. The joints may be subjected to plasma treatment separately or in the relative position necessary for the soldering process.

Abstract: The invention provides a construction element having a front face (1), a back face (2), a top face (3), a bottom face (4) and end faces (5) and (6). Each of the top (3), bottom (4) and end faces (5) and (6) contains a channel (7) having side walls (8) joined by a base (9) and arranged so as to surround the periphery of the construction element. An aperture (12) is formed between the top face (3) and bottom face (4). The aperture (12) is hexagonal in cross-section. In each channel (7), each side wall (8) forms an angle of 120 degrees with the base of channel (7).

Abstract: An archery arrow nock (10) having a bowstring receiving groove (16) with a string contact point which is offset from the central axis (12) of the arrow to which the nock is to be attached permits the use of a lighter weight less stiff arrow by countering and diminishing the normal bending of the arrowshaft as it is propelled forward by acceleration of the bowstring at the moment of release. The string contact point may be offset either laterally from the plane containing the bowstring and arrow centerline or in this plane away from the arrow centerline.

Abstract: A non-breakable metal drumstick having a replaceable sheath of plastic material thereon to prevent damage to drums and cymbals, constructed to minimize vibration ordinarily associated with metal drumsticks.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a measuring device for pressure or temperature, which exhibits a measuring element, a pointer mechanism, a face dial and a pointer shaft one measures the deflections associated with the shape change of the measuring element for at least three various values of the parameter being measured, and based on the pairs of values consisting of magnitude of the parameter measured and the deflection a set of instructions for arranging the scale markings on the face dial is determined. The scale is inscribed on the face dial according to these instructions by means of a laser printing tool. In this manner the scale can be fitted to the measuring device surveyed and the linearity errors of the indicator can be kept small.

Abstract: Hazardous radioactive waste is compacted and cast into safely handled monolithic castings having a radiation barrier wall completely enclosing the radioactive waste by centrifugal casting processes in which the barrier wall may be either a pre-formed shell transported to the jobsite or it may be formed by biaxial centrifugal casting and curing of the barrier wall in a mold. When a pre-formed shell is used, means are provided for thickening the radiation barrier if necessary by biaxial casting of additional barrier material inside of the shell. Castable radioactive material is cast inside the barrier wall before removal of the casting mold from the finished cast monolith. The cast monolith is supported for rotation as the mold is removed therefrom so that additional impact resisting and radiation barrier material can also easily be applied to the exterior surface monolith if radiation leakage exceeds tolerance levels.

Abstract: A lightweight portable acoustical panel for stage or theatrical use which can be oriented in either an upright position or in a sideways position is provided with a weighted supporting base having a roller thereon which is disposed at one corner only of the panel structure whereby the structure can be easily moved about.

Abstract: A casting containing toxic waste is made by centrifugally casting toxic waste in a pre-formed cage having heat conducting means therein. The casting is formed with suitable shielding materials selected as a function of the waste being cast. The finished casting contains passageways through which heat is removed. These passageways are oriented such that when two or more castings are stacked in abutment, the passageways of adjacent castings interconnect.

Abstract: A casting containing toxic waste is made by centrifugally casting toxic waste in a pre-formed cage having heat conducting means therein. The casting is formed with suitable shielding materials selected as a function of the waste being cast. The finished casting may contain passageways through which heat is removed. These passageways are oriented such that when two or more castings are stacked in abutment, the passageways of adjacent castings interconnect. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for forming castings of polygonal exterior cross section having a contaminant barrier wall of substantially uniform thickness so that the waste storage volume of the castings is maximized and so that the castings may be stacked and stored in honeycomb fashion in a respository to minimize dead storage space.

Abstract: The process device for the photogrammetrical measurement of the human head, especially of the middle region of the face with the eye sockets, the nose, the check bones and the brows, is comprised of a projector for projecting a pattern image onto the face and two cameras which can simultaneously take two pictures from two different directions of the face and head with the pattern image projected on it. The two cameras and the projector are supported by an apparatus carrier, which can be moved in a vertical direction relative to a base permanently connected to the device and in at least one horizontal direction. This minimum of one direction coincides with the optical axes of the cameras. The device will facilitate bringing both the projector and the cameras on the one hand and the human head on the other into the required relative position to one another as necessary to take the pictures.

Abstract: An improved bicycle harness for harnessing a rider to a bicycle includes a connector or collar portion, positioned at the riders rear buttocks and crouch area, for releasible slideable coupling engagement to the seat's forwardly extending tongue. The collar slides onto the collars or ensleeves at least a portion of the bicycles seat's tongue, permitting upwardly vertically and/or rearwardly directed forces on the collar, exerted by the rider through other portions of the harness, to, respectively, pull upwardly against the seat tongue and/or push against the main body of the seat as a backstop. In one embodiment the other portion of the harness includes straps that extend from the collar and extend around the riders shoulders, allowing the rider to pedal in either a sitting or standing position while remaining effectively tethered by the bicycle seat.

Abstract: Low-Level radioactive wastes and the like are identified by composition and segregated based on specific contaminants identified. The separated wastes are subsequently encapsulated in a centrifugal process prior to disposal. The wastes advantageously are subjected to heat prior to classification in order to remove any volatiles and hydrocarbons present.