Abstract: A selectively floatable protective shroud is disclosed for protecting a boat hull from fouling by marine organisms. The assembly consists of an inflatable, elongated toroidal bladder with an inner opening larger than the circumference of the hull of the boat at its water line. The bladder has an inflation nozzle which is connected to a gas pump, for controllably inflating the bladder. A continuous, flexible, water impervious shroud has a circumferential edge mounted about the circumference of the toroidal bladder for protecting the boat hull, when deployed about the boat. By controllably inflating the bladder, the shroud is selectively brought from a submerged position beneath the boat to a deployed position enveloping the hull of the boat so as to protect the hull from fouling by marine organisms. A water pump is disclosed being connected to a water drain nozzle mounted on the flexible shroud, for controllably pumping out sea water from the region between the flexible shroud and the boat hull.

Abstract: An improved fluid dispenser for a shower bath is disclosed for mounting between a pressurized water pipe and a shower nozzle. The dispenser includes a body portion having a water channel connected between the pipe and the nozzle and a dispensing channel opening into the water channel at a lower end thereof and opening onto an upper surface of the body at an upper end thereof above the water channel. A fluid reservoir is mounted on top of the upper surface of the body, having a drain opening into the dispensing channel, for storing the fluid to be dispensed. A valve seat composed of a high lubricity fluorocarbon resin is mounted in the dispensing channel, having a hole therethrough communicating between the upper end of the dispensing channel and a lower surface of the valve seat. A cylindrical valve composed of a high lubricity fluorocarbon resin is rotatably mounted horizontally in the body with a circumferential surface in sealable contact with the lower surface of the valve seat.

Abstract: A flotation garment employs first and second sheets of a thermoplastic film bonded face to face along a rectilinear grid work of seams forming a spaced array of mutually isolated air cells, so that the garment will not substantially lose its buoyancy when a portion of the cells are punctured. The bonded seams are perforated at selected points to enable adequate ventilation.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting the leakage of fluid from a container by measuring the decay of an initial pressure input. The system employs an axially displaceable piston having a first surface exposed to fluid pressure within the container, and a second surface opposed to the first surface, having a first portion exposed to a reference gas pressure, and a second portion not so exposed. A gas jet has an inlet connected to a pressure sensing source and a sensing gas pressure detector with an outlet proximate to the second portion of the second surface of the piston. Changes in the relative magnitude of the fluid pressure within the container with respect to the reference gas pressure will cause the piston to alternately block and unblock the outlet of the gas jet, producing a low pressure gas signal. This device is termed the "monitor".

Abstract: An arrow shaft socket is disclosed which solves the problem of inserting a hollow threaded socket into a cavity in an arrow shaft without forcing adhesive within the cavity to flow onto the threaded portion. This problem is solved by forming a substantially hemispherical radius on the front of the insert end and providing a small air hole in the insert end. An alternate embodiment can include the provision of one or more axial grooves along the outside of the insert to permit excess adhesive to flow out of the cavity.

Abstract: A wheelchair is disclosed which is convertible into a wheeled stretcher, wherein the chair seat will assume a comfortable angle with respect to the horizontal when the chair is in the seating position and will assume a horizontal position coplanar with the back of the chair when the chair is in the stretcher position. The chair seat and back may be locked into any relative position between a fully erect seated position and a fully reclined stretcher position. Leg support members which are connected to the chair may assume any angular position with respect to the horizontal without regard for the relative positions of the seat and back of the chair. The leg support members may have their lengths independently adjusted.

Abstract: An improved sanitary diversion valve is disclosed which provides a better seal to plastic sanitary pipe, is corrosion resistant, has an improved valve core retention mechanism, and a sealed access to prevent leakage and tampering. A resilient O-ring core retention mechanism maintains the core in close contact with the housing without being susceptible to corrosion. Plastic coupling rings are molded into the inlet and outlet ports of the housing to enable high integrity seals to be formed with plastic sanitary pipe connecting therewith. In addition, a plastic coupling ring is molded around the core shaft port in the housing to enable sealing a plastic sanitary pipe thereto as an access tube to the valve. The resulting improved sanitary diversion valve is easily fabricated, easy to install, provides a high integrity seal with plastic sanitary pipe connecting thereto, is reliable for withstanding corrosion of its moving parts during a long term of operation, and is leakage and tamper proof.

Abstract: A broadhead for an arrow comprising a front ferrule section having one or more longitudinal axial slots for the insertion of blades therein, and further having a rear ferrule section which screws into the front ferrule section in order to secure and lock the rear portion of the blade with said front ferrule section and which further serves to allow the broadhead to be connected to the arrow shaft. The lower rear portion of the blade is tapered at the same angle as is the rear tip of the front ferrule piece. The rear ferrule piece has a collet which is tapered at the same angle as the bottom rear of the blade and the front ferrule section and fits over the blade and rear of the front ferrule so as to secure the three pieces as one. The separate tip of the broadhead has a number of clasps on the rear of its shank which locks the tip into the front ferrule section when the tip is force fitted into said ferrule.

Abstract: A simple manual drapery pinch pleater used to form the "butterfly" or "pinch" pleat in draperies having a handle from which extends a trifurcated inwardly foldable fin for uniform formation of successive pinch pleats.