Abstract: A gauge strip of flexible material having distal and proximal end portions has a cursor slot in its proximal end portion with graduation marks and penile constriction ring size indicia between the end portions for the distal end of the strip to be passed through the cursor slot to form a loop that is pulled tight on the penis for the cursor slot to coincide with an elastic ring size indicia that is read to select a ring or vacuum tube penis entry opening of the appropriate percentage of the penis size for developing an erection by vacuum exposure, maintaining an erection with the ring, or using the ring as a condom retainer.

Abstract: A ladder having pivotable folding riser sections, includes at least one pair of elongated riser components connected by a folding joint. The components have mating contacting ends abutting each other at an angle 45.degree. from the linear axis of the components. A reinforcing member concentric with said components is positioned across the joint, and a pivotable connection is formed by hinge members connected to each of the ladder components which are pivotally connected to each other by means of a hinge pin located exteriorally of the components. The invention also provides pivoting stand off members and a strap tightening mechanism for providing tightening tension equally on both ends of the strap which thus is not caused to move laterally during tightening.

Abstract: A conduit clamp assembly having a band and first and second jaws, the jaws connected one to each of the opposite ends of the band and the jaws having interfitting teeth configured to permit insertion of one jaw into the other and to oppose separation of the jaws once engaged. The band includes a beam connected to the interior the band, the beam extending along and spaced from a length of the interior of the band and the beam being movable toward and away from the band and engaging the conduit before the band. An elongated strap is connected at one end to the band and extends from the band. A tab is attached to the strap in an area spaced from the connection of the strap to the band, the tab being connectable to an element so that the clamp is attachable to a conduit with a bushing and the strap is attachable to the element to maintain attachment of the element to the conduit when the element is separated from the bushing.

Abstract: A buffer system for separating an aseptic fluid handling assembly from a drain includes a fluid receiving housing in fluid flow communication with a fluid discharge outlet of the aseptic fluid handling assembly. A trapped fluid discharge opening near the bottom of the housing, includes a tube which extends above the bottom into a baffle container. The baffle container is in the form of an enclosure having openings at the bottom thereof to admit fluids contained in the housing. A discharge conduit is in fluid flow communication with the discharge opening. A first fluid level detector in the housing activates at least one valve in the discharge conduit by a control which opens and closes the valve in response selected fluid levels detected by the fluid level detector. In a preferred embodiment the first fluid level detect detects a fluid level exceeding a preselected depth in the housing and a second fluid level detector detects fluid levels dropping below a second preselected level in the housing.

Abstract: A protective device for a thermocouple for immersion into a molten metal bath to measure the temperature in the bath includes an elongated exterior protective body, which has an axis and is formed of a refractory composition. An interior reinforcing member is contained within the protective body extending along the axis. The reinforcing member may be in the form of a hollow tubular body which is filled with a refractory cement. A hollow tube is located within the body for protectively housing a thermocouple. A thermocouple for measuring temperatures in a molten metal bath is positioned in the hollow tube.

Abstract: A power assisted system for tensioning and cutting off flexible cable ties includes a handheld unit coupled to a remote power unit by a flexible pull-cable. A trigger on the handheld unit signals the remote power unit to pull the pull-cable and thereby actuate the tool. A tie gripping and tensioning mechanism is provided in the handheld unit as is a cutoff mechanism that automatically cuts off the cable tie tail when the desired tension is achieved. Because operating power is provided by the remote unit, the handheld unit can be made small and lightweight without sacrificing power. Control signals are communicated from the handheld unit to the remote unit through wires carried alongside the pull-cable within a common sheath. Alternatively, the control signals can be communicated through the pull-cable itself.

Abstract: A device for feeding bullets to an ammunition reloading press. A bullet guide member in the device has a vertical bore for allowing bullets to descend by gravity from a stack of bullets in a storage tube one at a time to a small platform. A feeder body is mounted for reciprocating vertically on the guide member and a shuttle is mounted for sliding horizontally relative to the feeder body between a retracted position on the body to a fully advanced position where the bullet picked up from the platform by grippers on the shuttle is aligned with a bullet seating tool and with an ammunition case that is moving upward with the ram of the press. Continuing upward movement of the ram causes the case to be pushed slightly onto the bullet and ultimately the mechanism that moves the shuttle out an in, the feeder body and shuttle rise so the bullet begins to enter the seating die.

Abstract: A process of treating wood to reduce the tannin staining of coatings subsequently applied includes the steps of providing a solution of a zirconyl compound in a carrier liquid such as water, applying the solution to a wood surface, and, drying the solution. The pore structure of the wood is modified or sealed so that staining of coating compositions applied subsequently over the surface is reduced. The process is particularly beneficial in cases where the coating composition a clear or a light-colored latex paint, especially white. The preferred zirconyl compound is zirconyl acetate. The treating solution may be modified by addition thereto of a lanthanide compound, especially cerium, to provide UV light protection to a substrate and further by one or more metal cations to impart mildewicidal activity to the composition.

Abstract: A lighting display device simulates a decorated, lighted tree, when illuminated. A plurality, preferably 15 elongated support members are attached at each end to a central shaft. The upper end is hingedly attached to a stationary collar while the lower end is attached to a collar which is axially moveable along the shaft. A hinge is formed in each of the support members at a point spaced away from the ends of the support members. Each of the support members has a generally C-shaped configuration with an open side facing the shaft and a plurality of spaced openings through a surface of each of the support members faces away from the shaft. Each of the openings is adapted to receive a light bulb from a string of lights, and the channel is adapted to receive a plurality of light sockets supporting the lights.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrostatically applying a coating to articles in a chamber includes nozzles for discharging a fluid stream of coating composition, usually a dry powder, into the chamber. An electrical charge is applied to the individual particles of the coating composition. An endless conveyor supports suspended racks on which the articles to be coated are supported. Electrically grounded conductive strips having a projecting edges electrically ground each of the racks they move through the chamber. The strips have a thin flat profile with a laterally projecting edge to frictionally engage the racks moving through the chamber. Preferably the edge is vertically inclined so that the point on the racks contacted by the edge continually varies as the racks are conveyed, thus insuring a scraping action and good electrical contact between the grounding strip and the rack.

Abstract: A single, traveling actuator services multiple medication dispensing carousels to selectively dispense medication. The traveling actuator carries a tray that receives the dispensed medication. The tray flips to discharge the medication for patient use. The single actuator simplifies operation and reduces drop distance, thereby leading to a compact, low profile assembly.

Abstract: A system provides self locking stakes for a load carrying vehicle which includes a load carrying surface on the vehicle with an opening therein for receiving a stake. Each elongated stake has an upper end for retaining a load on the vehicle and a lower end adapted to be received in the opening. A notch on a side of the lower end of the stake has a height at least equal to the thickness of the load carrying surface. A spring carried on either the surface or the stake provides a biasing force urging the stake toward the side provided with the notch, so that the notch engages an edge of the opening thereby securing the stake on the vehicle. Preferably the spring is in the form of an elongated wire spring attached to the stake so that the stake can be removed by manually pushing the stake against the bias of the spring and then extracting the stake.

Abstract: A tamper resistant membrane switch includes a backer plate and an overlying metal panel. Sandwiched between the backer plate and metal panel is a membrane switch subassembly. A plurality of spacers between the backer plate and metal panel separate the two but allow the metal panel to deflect toward the backer plate when external finger pressure is applied. Such deflection closes the underlying poles of the membrane switch subassembly to actuate the switch. The positioning and size of the spacers determines where deflection can occur and how much force is needed to actuate the switches. The overlying panel, being formed of solid metal over its entire surface, is resistant to damage from vandalism, thievery or other attack.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation system and method employs an ablation electrode having an energy emitting body. A temperature sensing element senses the temperature of the tissue being ablated by the electrode. The system monitors tissue temperature using the temperature sensing element. A control element controls the therapeutic characteristics of the ablated lesion based upon sensed tissue temperature conditions.

Abstract: Systems integrate in a straightforward and user-friendly manner the testing and certification of different functional and performance characteristics of intravenous pumps on site by non-technical people.

Abstract: A oil filter cooler involves a semi-circular or U-shaped metal device which simply "snaps" onto an oil filter due to the fact that it is slightly flexible, the device having radially extending fins extending outward which enable this device to draw heat away from the oil filter on which it is attached.

Abstract: A bearing structure for damping shaft vibrations wherein a fixed support member has an axially extending opening defined by a circular surface having a predetermined radius of curvature. A shaft extends centrally through the opening to provide an annular space between the periphery of the shaft and said circular surface. A plurality of bearing elements are circumferentially spaced apart around the shaft. A curved spring beam is interposed between each of the bearing elements and said circular surface defining the opening. The radially outwardly presented side of each spring beam has a radius of curvature greater than that of the circular surface so with the beam in direct contact with the circular surface a crescent shaped oil containment cavity is formed. A small oil inlet hole through the support member at each crescent shaped cavity supplies oil to the cavity. The oil acts to dampen shaft vibrations as it is pressurized in response to deflection of the spring beam reducing the volume in the cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods ablate body tissue using an electrode for contacting tissue at a tissue-electrode interface to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level. The systems and methods include an element to remove heat from the electrode at a determinable rate. The systems and methods employ a processing element to derive a prediction of the maximum tissue temperature condition occurring beneath the tissue-electrode interface. The processing element controls the power level of ablation energy transmitted by the electrode, or the rate at which the electrode is cooled, or both, based, at least in part, upon the maximum tissue temperature prediction.

Abstract: A process of treating wood to reduce the tannin staining of coatings subsequently applied includes the steps of providing a solution of a zirconyl compound in a carrier liquid such as water, applying the solution to a wood surface, and, drying the solution. The pore structure of the wood is modified or sealed so that staining of coating compositions applied subsequently over the surface is reduced. The process is particularly beneficial in cases where the coating composition a clear or a light-colored latex paint, especially white. The preferred zirconyl compound is zirconyl acetate. The treating solution may be modified by addition thereto of a lanthanide compound, especially cerium, to provide UV light protection to a substrate and further by one or more metal cations to impart mildewicidal activity to the composition.

Abstract: A metal cable tie includes a locking head formed at one end of an elongate strap. A metal locking ball is contained within the locking head and serves to secure the strap against withdrawing movement when the strap is inserted through the locking head. The ball is inserted into the locking head through a hole. After the ball is inserted, the strap is folded around the locking head to secure the strap to the locking head while blocking the hole to confine the ball within the head. A pair of interengageable barbs formed on the strap engage each other through the hole to secure the strap adjacent the locking head and occlude the hole to keep the ball from falling out. Preferably, the tie is economically and conveniently formed through a stamping and folding operation.