Abstract: The pinwheel testing device described herein comprises a disk with sharp points or pins projecting outwardly from the circumference of the disk. This disk is rotatably mounted on a handle so that the sharp points of the disk device can be rolled on a patient's body part to test reaction to pain and sensitivity. Since there sometimes is a puncturing of the skin in the test area, there is great concern about the spread of HIV virus and other blood borne diseases, such as hepatitis, slow-virus, etc. Present instruments used for this purpose are made of stainless steel and, since they cannot be discarded, present a problem to keep them sterile. The design of the pinwheel device described herein makes it possible to make this unit out of plastic and therefore disposable. The manufacture of this device also permits structural advantages not available when such a device is made of metal.

Abstract: Due to variations in the thickness of the film used in wrapping packaged product and various other reasons, the wrapping film such as polyethylene, polypropylene, etc., occasionally causes uneven pulling on the film with resultant turning around or twisting of the film on the packaged product, which causes a breakdown in the wrapping operation. Such breakdowns are avoided by placing on each side of the film wrapping apparatus, a film tracking, preferably electrostatic, probe appropriately spaced from the film so as to position an electrostatic charge thereon. If the film tries to creep sideways, one side of the film is exposed much more to the static generating cone on that side and less on the other. The resultant static friction forces built up on one side of the film and less on the opposite side cause the film to creep towards the side with less static friction build up until the static forces on both sides become equal and cure or avoid the twisting procedure.

Abstract: The device shown herein is made of essentially two parts one of which parts is essentially a hollow tube closed for a substantial distance at one end having a hollow cap with only a side opening therein. The second part is a rod with an end portion adapted to snugly fit into the interior of the cap of the first part. This second part is rotatable on its linear axis and when held in a particular axial position, the second part end portion is adapted to block the side opening so as to cut off communication between the interior and the exterior of this cap. This second part end portion has a cut-away section so that when this second part is rotated axially, preferably in the neighborhood of 180.degree. , this cut-away section is positioned adjacent to the side opening of the cap of the first part thereby allowing communication of fluid through the opening in said cap.

Abstract: A novel process and chemicals are disclosed for the rejuvenation of oxidation catalysts used to reduce the production of pollutants in the exhaust gas emanating from an internal combustion engine, particularly catalysts used in the converters of automobiles and other combustion engine powered vehicles. The rejuvenation may be done in place, within minutes, without removing the holding containers or converters or the catalyst from them. The rejuvenation is effected by treating the used catalyst with an aqueous solution of a peroxide which is decomposable at the temperature of treatment. The concentration of solution, the proportion of solution per unit volume of catalyst and the time of treatment are important factors in the effectiveness in regenerating or rejuvenating the catalyst.

Abstract: The devices disclosed herein are designed for the purpose of properly spacing tile from each other to provide the desired width of space between tiles to give the desired grout line. The first device has a length sufficient to span the length or width of at least three tiles and likewise has a lip extending downward from a linear edge thereof. The second device has a lip extending downward from a flat rectangular plate having a length shorter than the length of the individual tiles. Both of these lips have identical thicknesses to give the desired grouting space between individual tiles. In preferred modifications of these first and second devices a second lip extends upwardly at the opposite parallel edge from the edge having the first lip. By having the thickness of this second lip of a different thickness from that of the first lip, the second lip can be converted to a downwardly extending lip by inverting the devices and used to give a different dimension to the width of the grout line.

Abstract: The device described herein comprises a surgical forceps designed to prevent slipping of the tips of the forcep jaws, to avoid injury to the surgeon's thumb or finger and to provide non-slip grip of a patient's blood vessels and tissues. Originally such forceps had no provision for preventing the slipping of the forceps jaws. Then a pin or tiny rod was fixed vertically to the inside surface of one jaw of the forcep and a receptive opening in the other jaw positioned to receive the pin and thereby prevent slipping of the tips of the jaws away from each other and thus allowing a firm, non-slipping grip on a blood vessel and tissue and allowing the surgeon to use his other hand to manipulate a needle for suturing. Unfortunately the surgeon occasionally places a thumb or finger over the opening and when the pin is pushed through the opening, the pin sometimes pierces the flesh on the thumb or finger.

Abstract: The surgical instrument guard described herein comprises a shield which fits over the blade of a scalpel and prevents accidental contact or "sticks" with the blade when not in surgical use. In one modification pressure of the surgeon's thumb or finger lifts the shield away from the blade so that the blade may be used in surgery. When the pressure is released, the shield returns to its protective position. In another modification the position of the blade is controlled by a peg or short bar extending into a slot in the side of a protective shield. The shield may be moved forward or backward as far as the slot can move with respect to the peg. When the shield is in the forward position, the shield covers the blade and protects against accidental "sticks". When the shield is moved backward, the blade is exposed and is available for surgical use.

Abstract: The composition and process described herein involve a mixture of parts by weight approximately 30-50% toluene, 12-28% acetone, 12-28% dichlorobenzene,, 5-15% thin motor oil and 5-20% of kerosene, preferably 40%, 20% 20%, 10% and 10% respectively. This mixture may be added to and left in the transmission oil for prolonged periods or may be drained with the transmission after thorough mixing or after a short period of operation, the mixture of transmission oil and additives may be drained and replaced with fresh transmission oil. In each of these cases there is improved operation of the transmission.

Abstract: The vertical Venetian blinds described herein comprise a series of louvers each of which comprises a series of strips, preferably of wood which are arranged parallel to and spaced from each other and adhered to a flexible sheet of backing material, such as cloth with the strips arranged horizontally when the louvers are held in a vertical position. Each of the louvers is held by the upper edge of the backing material and is affixed to a swivel, supporting arrangement capable of rotating the louver approximately 90.degree. on its linear axis from a "closed" position in which one vertical edge of a louver overlaps by a small dimension a vertical edge of an adjacent louver to an "open position" in which the respective backing sheets of the louvers are arranged in positions substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: The can crushing device disclosed herein comprises a base plate which has an upper movable arm pivotally connected at one end of the base plate, said base plate having an arm rigidly connected to said base plate with the rigid arm having its upper surface substantially in the same plane as the upper surface of said base plate and said arm being connected to said base plate at a position other than the end of said base plate where said movable arm is connected. The movable arm has a bar rigidly connected thereto and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom and in a position to come down on said arm rigidly connected to said base plate.

Abstract: A fastener, such as a machine screw or bolt, designed with a double head, one located above the other, which when tightened by means of the upper head will, when tightened to a specifically desired amount of inch or foot pounds of torqure, over the amount of torque required to apply the main part of the fastener to the desired degree of tightness will shear the upper head from the lower head, automatically torquing no more than desired. The lower head has a conical shape so as to provide a minimum surface to preclude removal by gripping with pliers, a wrench, or screwdriver. This is effected by having the angle between the surface of the cone and the base of the cone advantageously no more than 35.degree., preferably no more than 30.degree. or less. This ultimately provides a tamper-proof fastener with total automatic torquing capabilities.

Abstract: The bait fish bridle positioning and attachment device disclosed herein includes a locking device having two flexible locking sections, each having a series of conically shaped knob sections, and having two openings in the locking device into which the flexible knob sections are drawn after embracing the bait fish and the hook shank. After tightening the flexible sections onto the bait fish and the hook shank, the sections are prevented from moving in reverse direction by the locking knobs on the flexible sections. The device may be made of nylon or similar composite material.

Abstract: The apparatus described herein comprises a device for easily lifting and positioning a vehicle wheel, particularly to facilitate the lifting and positioning of a wheel for a truck or recreational vehicle onto the axle of the same and appropriately positioning the wheel for insertion of the lugs thereon. With the axle jacked to an appropriate raised position and the wheel resting on the ground next to the wheel base, two sections of the device are placed under the curvature of the wheel, a section on each side of the resting area and the sections connected to each other to prevent their separation during the lifting operation. Each section is adapted to perform an independent lifting operation on the wheel, the contact of each section with the wheel being by means of a cylindrical roller free to rotate on its axis. The joining section of the apparatus is positioned in front of the wheel and the rollers on which the wheel will rest extend under at least a substantial portion of the width of the wheel.

Abstract: The device described herein comprises a ladle type utensil having a handle attached to a substantially cylindrical cup having a bottom comprising either a flat or preferably a concave bottom in which a number of "domes" are set, which "domes" extend upward from the bottom of the said cup. Each dome has an opening at the crest thereof, which dome openings provide the only means for liquid to flow from beneath the cup into the interior of the cup. In the preferred modification there are seven of said domes, one being positioned in the center of the cup bottom and the others being arranged in a cricle around the central dome.

Abstract: The constant velocity intake manifold is designed to provide an increased velocity of the fuel-air mixture into the reed valve (engine inlet port) of a two-cycle engine. The present design of feeding device transmitting the fuel-air mixture eminating from the carburetor into the manifold has a passageway of such considerable cross-sectional area that the linear velocity of the mixture is decreased considerably. The device described herein reduces this passageway cross-sectional area to increase the linear velocity of the mixture passing therethrough. The new manifold has an extension which reaches into the adjoining reed valve cage to also reduce the cross-sectional area of the passageway feeding into this cage and thereby increases the linear velocity of the fuel-air mixture passing into this cage.

Abstract: The can crushing device disclosed herein comprises two parts. One part uses a relatively narrow bar to bend inwardly the middle of the can, preferably one made of aluminum. This step also tilts the ends of the can inwardly, thereby making it more susceptible to be more easily crushed into one compact, relatively flat piece. This second step is effected by a second part which comprises a base portion on which the partially bent can is positioned and an upper movable portion which is pivotally connected to the base portion.