Abstract: An electrical outlet arranged to be positioned in a cut out in a furniture panel or the like. The body of the outlet is fabricated of a resilient, flexible material and has two generally planar, parallel spaced apart surfaces. Each of these surfaces contains a plurality of saw-toothed shaped detents arranged to engage corresponding surfaces about the cutout. In a first direction, the insertion direction, the detents cause the surfaces to deflect to permit insertion but attempted withdrawal causes engagement of the detents with the cut out surfaces to prevent withdrawal. The remaining surfaces of the outlet body are curved to prevent rotation of the outlet and to facilitate deflection and recovery of the outlet body. One or more sets of receptacle terminals with electrical conductors and electrical plugs coupled thereto are molded into the outlet to provide a unitary structure.

Abstract: A disposable surgical stapler having an overall hypodermic shape and a geared plunger mechanism, which gives a mechanical advantage. One of the improvements is the hypodermic configuration, which permits the surgeon to suture or staple without twisting his hand or the flesh of the patient. A magazine feed supplies the sutures or staples to the applying head at an advantageous angle.

Abstract: A pair of link plates, each pivotally connected at one end to a seat base and each pivotally connected at their other ends to a seat plate and seat supported thereby, constrain the seat plate and seat to a rearward and upward movement, or a downward and forward movement, with respect to the seat base. The plunger, of a hydraulic cylinder pivotally carried by the seat base, is pivotally connected to the seat plate so that when actuated it induces movement of the seat plate to its rearward and upward position. A seat back is pivotally connected to the seat base and to armrests carried by the seat plate so that movement of the seat in the upward and rearward direction moves the seat back to a downward position aligned with the seat. A footrest linkage is connected between the seat back and a footrest connected to the seat so that movement of the seat back into its downward position moves the footrest into an upward position aligned with the seat and seat back.

Abstract: A plurality of labels is disclosed which are formed from contact type film material and to a predetermined height and width. Each label includes an information surface on one side thereof and an attaching surface, on the obverse side, coated with a light tack self-stick adhesive. A bottom label is removably affixed to a carrying member formed with a suitable release surface and so as to extend wider than the label to provide an attaching edge. An upper, and all intermediate labels are removably affixed to one surface of film-type transfer member having an exposed carbonized surface adapted, under pressure, to act as carbon paper to transfer an image to an adjacent member. The transfer members extend wider than their labels to also provide attaching edges. All labels are bent over along one edge to facilitate removal from their carrying members. The attaching is by staples.

Abstract: A pair of joint halves each include substantially cylindrical joint portions and end portions. Aligned openings are formed through the joint portions to receive therethrough a connecting pin which connects the joint halves together into a articulable joint. The connecting pin includes teeth on its outer surface sized to mate with teeth formed in the aligned openings of the joint halves. The connecting pin has a locked condition wherein its teeth mate with the teeth of both the joint halves and thus prevent relative rotation thereof, and an unlocked condition wherein its teeth are not in mating engagement with the teeth of one of the joint halves thus permitting relative rotation of one joint half with respect to the other. In one embodiment a spring urges the connecting pin into its locked condition and an operating button, disposed at one end of the connecting pin, facilitates movement of the pin so that its teeth move out of mating engagement with the teeth on one of the joint halves.

Abstract: A cylindrical body houses a disc-like pressure plate between a bottom of the body and a disc-like top plate. Ball bearing races are disposed between the body and pressure plate and between the pressure plate and top plate. A reversable ratchet mechanism interconnects the top plate and pressure plate for either conjoint rotation in one rotative direction or conjoint rotation in the opposite rotative direction; while permitting rotation of the top plate without the pressure plate in the opposite direction. A setting lever is provided to change the direction of conjoint rotation of the top plate and pressure plate. The ratchet mechanism includes a drive spur having teeth which coact with a ring gear formed in an opening in the upper surface of the pressure plate. An inflattable bladder is disposed between the body and the periphery of the pressure plate to selectively modify the force required to rotate the pressure plate conjointly with the top plate.

Abstract: A lazy-susan type roll table supports, in a vertical position, a roll of place mats interconnected into a continuous web (i.e. each mat is attached to its adjacent mat by perforations and all are rolled up on a core to form the roll of material). A web feed roller, also disposed for rotation about a vertical axis, is spaced from the roll table and cooperates with a pinch roller to grip therebetween the web of place mats and to feed the place mats along a path. An end panel positioning plate receives the end place mat, as the web is being fed, and carries an infra-red sensor which responds to the presence of the perforations between the mats to terminate drive of the web feed roller. A web tension drive extends up through the core of the roll of place mats and mounts a soft rubber drive wheel which when driven urges the web roll in a direction opposite to that imparted to the web by the web feed roller.

Abstract: A first support arm section is hingedly connected to a second support arm section to form therewith a light source support arm which can be selectively articulated into either an extended or a folded over disposition. A first end of the support arm is formed for connection to a lamp support post and base; while a second end of the support arm is formed to support a light source such as a bulb socket and a lamp shade. The first support arm section and second support arm section are each formed of tubular stock to facilitate electrical wiring and a spring has its ends connected to adjacent hinged portions of the first and second support arm sections to surround hide and protect the electrical wiring and to bias the first and second support arm sections towards each other. In the extended disposition the support arm sections are coaxially aligned and carry a light source so that the illumination is directed downwardly.

Abstract: A longitudinally extending section of elastic material of predetermined width is secured to one end to an end of a longitudinally extending section of relatively non-elastic material to form therewith a body encircling lifting belt. A plurality of bendable stays are secured in pockets formed along one surface of said belt and so as to extend across the width thereof; a pair of said stays being carried by said elastic section, one of said stays being disposed at the place where said elastic section is secured to said non-elastic section, and five such stays being carried by said non-elastic section. Two additional torsion support stays, are disposed in longitudinally extending pockets each positioned between a pair of said other stays to form therewith a pair of spaced "H" shaped torsion supports. The torsion supports being carried by said belt for disposition one to each side of the spine of the person wearing the belt, and in proximity to their lumbar and pelvic body areas.

Abstract: A first substantially hollow, substantially hemispherical joint half is disposed adjacent a second substantially hollow substantially hemispherical joint half to form therewith a substantially spherical articulable joint. A tapered opening extends through the first joint half to receive the tapered end of a connecting pin and provide a frictional contact fit therewith. Spline like teeth are formed on the internal surface of an opening extending through said second joint half to receive spline like teeth also formed on said connecting pin to provide a sliding but not rotative fit therewith. A threaded fastener, received through said second opening and into the respective end of the connecting pin means when turned in a first predetermined direction draws in the connecting pin means to draw the joint halves together and provide a strong articulable joint with each half capable of rotating with respect to the other half about an axis through the connecting pin means.

Abstract: A number puzzle is provided wherein a series of nine tiles, numbered 1-9 in seriatim are arranged in a 3.times.3 relationship and slidably disposed in one recess of a housing, with the housing having an auxiliary recess to accommodate one of the tiles so as to slidably move the other tiles. The object of the game is to arrange the tiles so that when the numbers are added horizontally, vertically or diagonally, the sum is "15".

Abstract: A connecting pipe part of a resilient material for connecting a closet bowl to a drain conduit comprises on one end a female part for receiving an outlet of a closet bowl and on the other end a male part to be received into a drain pipe or conduit, while a sealing sleeve connected with the female part extends within the female part.Said sealing sleeve merges through a discontinuously thinned transition. Into the female part, the thickness of the sleeve being thinner than the thickness of the female part.The transition is preferably located halfway in a plane parallel to the inner wall of the female part, said plane being located midway between the inner side of the female part and the extension of the inner side of the male part.End part support members extend in the direction of the male part.

Abstract: An electrolytic type level sensor is secured atop spaced posts of a ceramic pedestal by applying epoxy only about the periphery of each post where it contacts the glass container of the level sensor and so that the glass container otherwise rests upon the posts. A thermal shunt of flexible braided copper is disposed about the glass container and is urged snuggly thereagainst by heat shrinking a plastic tube about the thermal shunt. The ceramic pedestal is received in an opening of a mounting plate and is urged by a spring pin against a "v" block type seat formed in the opening to establish points-of-contact therebetween. Epoxy is applied between the pedestal and opening to secure same together except at said points-of-contact. Plastic insulation is disposed about the sensor and pedestal and otherwise fills spaces in a housing for same and attached to said mounting plate.

Abstract: A pair of identical side panels are arranged in spaced relationship with a cross panel to form the vertical support for a work surface which is disposed on top of the cross panel and between the side panels to provide a basic work station in the form of a desk. These components: are pre-finished; can be stored and shipped knock-down (k-d); and are secured directly to each other with simple tools to provide the completed and assembled work station. Additional full or half-size side panels can be added to the basic desk to form vertical supports for additional work surfaces, to provide other work stations such as a desk and secretarial run-off combined, and/or a desk, run-off, and return combined. Individual drawers and/or open, shelved, door or drawer cabinets can thereafter be secured beneath the work surfaces and between the side panels of the return, run-off, and/or desk to provide the desired form of storage space, which can include, conventional type desk pedestals.

Abstract: Fibers and fabrics formed from polypropylene as well as other polyolefins and high polymers, are rendered flame retardant by the addition of a bromophenyl compound having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 0 or 1; X is bromine, hydrogen, hydroxyl, or alkyl; and wherein the alkyl portion of these groups may contain hydroxyl and/or oxygen; and wherein the alkyl is preferably a lower alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4); and wherein there is at least one bromine for each phenyl radical; and a tris (hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate, particularly tris (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate. The composition of formula (I) and the isocyanurate are blended into the polymer in the forming operations and the polymer blend is thermally extruded to form a fiber which fiber exhibits exceptionally high flame retardancy, as well as a good white appearance upon extrusion so as to be readily dyed without grey overtones.

Abstract: A chair for human dental or medical treatment and having an improved adjustable headrest support. The chair features a flat curved linear strip member which extends between the headrest and the main frame of the chair. The strip member is guided by at least one, and preferably two pairs of opposed cylindrical guide rollers which contiguously straddle the strip member, so as to guide the motion of the strip member along its longitudinal axis, as it is displaced along its axis and towards or away from the frame, typically by a hydraulic mechanism. This makes possible vertical direction of movement of the strip member. The hydraulic mechanism, or two mechanisms in tandem, are a pivoted floating mounting for the strip member which facilitates ready adjustment of the headrest support relative to the main frame and seat of the chair. At least one tension spring is provided to produce smooth backdown of the piston plunger and piston head when hydraulic fluid pressure in the cylinder is reduced.

Abstract: A cable or other linear length of flexible material, such as high strength wire, is initially wound on a reel, and is unwound by the application of a force, typically a movable object moving downwards through the air under the influence of gravity. The motion of the cable in unwinding from the reel is effectively braked, or slowed, by providing a cable brake system or systems which generate resistance to the unwinding of the cable. One system entails the provision of frictional control means consisting of a soft, tough, material matrix disposed about the reel, so that the cable is imbedded in the matrix. Payout of the cable, as the reel revolves, requires the cable to be torn out of the matrix. The other system entails immersing the reel, and associated cable wound on the reel, in a viscous fluid, so that the unwinding of the cable from the reel causes the reel to turn about its axis in the viscous fluid, thereby producing resistance to motion and a braking action.