Abstract: A walking exercise device is disclosed, which allows a user to move through normal walking motions while lying supine in a position of reduced (preferably no) axial gravitational loading on his spine. The device permits prolonged walking without the limitations of spinal vibration and stress and of foot fatigue. Pivoting arm and leg supports are mechanically linked such that the opposing pairs of limbs move in a counter motion to each other as in normal walking. These movements are performed with the assistance of a flywheel to control the walking pace or to provide adjustable resistance against which the user must exert himself. Hinges or a knee flexure roll may be provided to flex the knees and provide foot stroke during each step. The device may be operated by the user's own exertions or may be motor driven for use by infirm persons. Spinal massage mechanism and head and neck traction devices which may be operated simultaneously are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ankle orthosis device is described which comprises a foot receiving cup or shoe which is integrated with or to which is rigidly attached a force transmitting rib which has an inverted Y-shape. At the proximal end of the Y is slidably attached to the rib for securing the device to the lower leg near the distal end of the tibia. Inversion or eversion torque producing forces applied to the device are transmitted through the cup or shoe and rib to the tibia so that there is no tendency to produce injury causing inversion or eversion of the ankle as a result of the torque. Generally free movement in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion is permitted by the device, which allows it to be used for walking, running, sports events and the like, as well as being useful in a postoperative or other therapeutic ankle treatment program. The device can be in the form of shoe inserts, attached to the heel of a shoe or incorporated into the body of a shoe.

Abstract: An apparatus permits a user to simulate crawling motions and provides enhanced movements of the person's truncal spinal muscles and joints. The apparatus comprises a flat base for supporting a person in position where there is minimal axial gravity loading of the spine, and hand and knee rests respectively fixed and pivoting relative to the flat base to permit relative motion between axial portions of the spine trunk, especially the upper (thoracic) and lower (pelvic) portions of the person's trunk, while the person remains in the gravity unloaded position. The base mounts a fixed rest and a pivoting or swiveling rest, the swiveling rest comprising a pair of pivoted supports which can move in circular lateral paths independent of each other.

Abstract: A modular "full bleed" panel system with interchangeable interconnecting elements for creating display booths, room dividers and the like. The system comprises a series of modular panels of different shape, construction and function, together with a series of modular connector elements adapted to interconnect with each of said panels to form any of a variety of highly stable structures which present a visually unitary appearance and in which the connector elements are not significantly visible.

Abstract: A fiber-optic system for measuring a desired environmental parameter, such as temperature, is disclosed. The system includes a fiber-optic sensing head that alters light of a prescribed frequency as a function of the environmental parameter to be measured. Light not of the prescribed frequency is not so altered. In a preferred embodiment of the fiber-optic sensing head, a semiconductor material is positioned between two substantially parallel optical fibers at a distal end of the fibers. One fiber serves as in input channel and the other fiber serves as an output channel. Both fibers approach the semiconductor material from the same direction. Light channeled to the semiconductor material is reflected at the distal end of the input fiber so as to pass through the semiconductor material, and then is reflected again at the distal end of the output fiber so as to pass back out the output fiber. The semiconductor material absorbs the light of the prescribed frequency as a function of temperature.

Abstract: An in-line pipe coupling comprising a joint housing which encloses a piston means having a standard diameter pipe section which protrudes from one end of the joint housing may be compressed and inserted into a small cutaway section of existing pipeline and then expanded to fit over the two free ends of pipe, forming a continuous water-tight connection. The slip joint may be utilized in conjunction with either a standard straight pipe coupling or a T-coupling or cross coupling in order to facilitate addition of one or more branch lines to an existing pipeline.

Abstract: A swimming simulation exercise device is described. The device comprises a frame supporting a platform on which the user rests, arm cranks for simulating swimming stroke motions and resistance means for the user's legs to allow the user to simulate a kicking motion. The platform is preferably mounted on a gimballing apparatus which allows the user to simulate the normal rocking motion inherent in swimming. The apparatus incorporates means for providing a "simulated water line" effect such that the user encounters resistance to arm strokes during the lower half of the stroke (in which the arm would normally be in the water during swimming) and little or no resistance on the upper half of the stroke. Accessory devices such as heart rate monitors, lap/distance counters and the like can be attached to the device.

Abstract: An improved catalytic heater for heating an oxidizing gas, normally air, that contains a small percentage of a catalytically oxidizable gas, normally hydrogen, and a novel method of operation within the catalytic heater. A preheat catalytic chamber is defined within a primary catalytic chamber, and the air/hydrogen mixture is first flowed through the preheat chamber and then through the primary chamber, so that the gas will first be catalytically preheated as it passes through the preheat chamber and will be further heated within increased thermodynamic efficiency because of the preheating as it passes through the primary chamber.

Abstract: A copper-based alloy is described consisting essentially of:______________________________________ Tin 25-225 ppm Tellurium or Selenium 25-225 ppm Phosphorus 10-50 ppm Copper Balance ______________________________________The alloys can be used in many forms, including sheet, strip, bar, rod and wire. Sheet stock made from this alloy is useful as automotive radiator fin stock. In addition, electrical components can be made from the alloy of this invention. All of these materials have thermal and electrical conductivity properties and softening temperatures equal to or better than the prior art alloys adapted for these applications. In addition, the alloys of this invention can utilize relatively inexpensive materials and do not present significant toxicity problems and are readily analzyed using common industrial analysis equipment.

Abstract: An improved lubricant and coolant removal system for a roll stand includes suction boxes surrounding the sheet formed by the roll stand and a series of pipes connecting the suction boxes to various coolant traps. Special doctor blades and air knives remove coolant from the rolls. An enclosing shroud prevents coolant overspray and mist from escaping.

Abstract: An image-forming composite image member and subtractive photo process employing that composite, in which composite, a spectrally reflective light-blocking layer, a secondary thin optically functional layer and a subtractive photosensitive layer are carried on a base in an association, in which the reflective layer and the secondary layer cooperate after imagewise exposure and development to define an image member in which the secondary layer and reflector layer may provide a guide to orientation of the composite and may provide a unique polarity-reversing ability to display both a negative and a positive image. In a preferred form, the reflective and secondary layers provide superior uniform light-blocking with a minimum combined thickness, and also cooperate in the photo process during the development to insure rapid and complete clearing of areas with at most minimal mechanical action under portions of the photosensitive layer which are soluble after imagewise exposure and have been removed in development.

Abstract: A process is described for the direct chlorination of hydrated alumina (preferably alumina trihydrate) to aluminum chloride hexahydrate (ACH) by reaction with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Preferably all of the initial hydrated alumina is converted to ACH. The ACH partially calcined to form an amorphous mixture of aluminum oxides and oxychlorides. This mixture is then reductively chlorinated to form anhydrous aluminum chloride which is suitable as a source of electrolytically produced aluminum metal.

Abstract: An audio processor which converts monaural input to a realistic pleasant sounding binaural output in which optical coupling means, having a nonlinear transfer characteristic, creates an unbalanced output to a pair of audio outputs. The system provides for a high or low level input, which may be selected by a switch, to an emitter follower which drives an optical coupling circuit. The optical coupling circuit is comprised of a light emitting diode and a phototransistor connected in a phase splitting network. The phase splitting network provides an unbalanced output to terminals for connecting to preamplifiers, amplifiers, etc. An alternative embodiment employs two optical coupling circuits in two separate signal processing channels, including two phase splitting networks.

Abstract: A remote camera viewfinder has a fiber optic bundle with a fitting at one end adapted to attach to the eyepiece of a camera and a fitting at the other end for allowing a photographer to see through the fiber optic bundle. The camera end fitting has a lens for focusing the image onto the focal plane of the fiber optic bundle. The other fitting includes a lens adjacent to the end of the fiber optic bundle to magnify the image transmitted through the bundle and also includes an eyecup mounted to a helmet or headgear arrangement which holds the eyecup adjacent to the photographer's eye allowing both hands free for manipulation of the camera.

Abstract: A sheet comprising a uniformly dispersed coating of silicon carbide whiskers is produced by: (a) deagglomerating a whisker mass; (b) forming a slurry of deagglomerated whiskers; (c) coating the slurry upon a clean surface of the sheet; and (d) driving off the solvent of the slurry.

Abstract: A composite brazing material is described, composed of a layer (usually an ingot) of high manganese content aluminum alloy (3000 series alloy; the "core") and a layer of high silicon content aluminum alloy (4000 series alloy; the "cladding") with a layer of aluminum alloy having the following composition:______________________________________ silicon 6.8-8.2 wgt. % iron up to 0.8 wgt. % copper up to 0.25 wgt. % manganese up to 0.10 wgt. % zinc up to 0.20 wgt. % other elements up to 0.15 wgt. % aluminum balance ______________________________________disposed between the cladding and core layers and in contact with both. Subsequent hot rolling of the multi-layer composite produces a good bond between the core and the cladding through the intermediate layer. The resulting brazing material has the external properties of a simple two-layer composite of core and cladding without the intermediate layer.

Abstract: The invention features a method and resultant article of the method, wherein deagglomerated silicon carbide whiskers are uniformly dispersed and/or distributed in a matrix material, generally a metal. The uniform distribution achieved by the invention greatly enhances the mechanical properties of the composite, such as the ultimate strength. The method comprises the deagglomeration of silicon carbide whiskers prior to mixing with matrix materials.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling static charges on dielectric material by producing an ionized field and controlling the balance and magnitude of the directional conductivity of the ionized field. The directional conductivity characteristics are typically controlled by applying a DC bias of selected polarity and magnitude to a high voltage AC output which is applied to an ionizing member to produce the ionized field.

Abstract: Methods of making network structures include forming on one side of a sheet of thermoplastic polymer a plurality of parallel continuous main ribs and forming on the other side of the sheet in a different direction a plurality of parallel discontinuous tie ribs. The tie ribs are discontinuous in the areas where they cross over the main ribs to eliminate any increased thickness at the cross-over points of the main ribs and tie ribs. The ribbed sheet thus formed is drawn in either one direction or in two preferably perpendicular directions to open the sheet into a network structure and to orient the main ribs and preferably also to orient the tie ribs.