Abstract: An elongated plastic aspirator tube has a proximate end portion adapted for quick connection to a suction-generating device, such as a rubber squeeze bulb or a syringe, for collection of cell-containing mucus from the uterine endocervical canal, and a flattened distal end portion forming a spatulate scraper for collecting cells exfoliated from the transformation zone of the uterine cervix. The spatulate scraper includes a frontal lobe through which the bore of the aspirator tube opens, an adjacent lateral lobe abuttable against the ring of the cervix projecting into the vagina for positively positioning the apertured distal end of the frontal lobe at approximately the external os and a concave transition portion forming a scraping edge joining and faired into the adjacent edges of the two lobes.

Abstract: A beam has a slide carrying one arm of calipers to be applied diametrically to an automotive vehicle tire. Indicating means for the calipers includes a beam scale of buttress configuration and an index carried by the slide cooperating with inclined portions of the buttress scale and graduated in decimals or fractions of a unit of the beam scale.

Abstract: A fragile article is enclosed in the central portion of an elongated shock-absorbing cradle supported only at its ends by connection or attachment to the ends of an outer rigid box or framework. The opposite sides of the cradle extend along but are spaced inward of the sides of the box or framework to allow shock-absorbing flexing of the cradle if the box or framework is jolted or jostled during shipment or handling. The cradle can be formed of substantially rigid plastic material and have integral shock-absorbing corrugations, or it can be a sheet or tube of flexible material having its opposite end portions secured to the opposite ends of the box or framework. A box used in the invention can have telescoping base and lid sections, or it can be of one piece construction being formed from a foldable flat paperboard or cardboard blank.

Abstract: Thin, flexible sheets of water-impervious plastic material have their margins heat-sealed together and enclose a layer of insulating material of a size sufficient to cover the internal area of a tub. An internal bladder is of a size sufficient to cover at least the major portion of the water surface area of the tub, is supported on the intermediate sheet and itself is covered by a thicker, weather-resistant top sheet. The margins of all of the sheets are secured together and adapted to be secured to the curb or deck of the tub.

Abstract: A fragile article is enclosed in the central portion of an elongated shock-absorbing cradle supported only at its ends by connection of tabs which, in turn, are swingably connected to the opposite ends of a rectangular insert ring. The tabs are swingable or bendable relative to such insert ends, first outward and then toward the outer sides of such ends, so as to place the central portion of the cradle under tension. The insert is fitted closely inside a rigid outer box for shipment, such box being of a size to retain the tabs in their positions tensioning the central portion of the cradle.

Abstract: In making a reclosable plastic film bag, bag mouth lips are formed projecting beyond a heat-seal band closing the bag mouth and a stiffening patch is bonded to the interior or exterior of a bag mouth lip between the heat-sealing band and the bag mouth end. The stiffening patches for the reclosable bag mouth end can be applied to a strip of sheet material for making bags at the time that the bags are formed and filled by clipping from a strip of patch-making material patch pieces having pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side. Such patch pieces are transferred from a clipper onto the bag-making material by a revolving transfer member having a suction pick-up to pick up a patch piece and a blow subsequently detaches the patch piece from the transfer member and deposits it onto the strip of bag-making material.

Abstract: Several horizontal links have inward-projecting horizontal flanges for supporting the treads of a stairway. Such links are uniformly spaced apart elevationally by upright parallel links pivoted to the horizontal links to form a lazy tongs linkage. One such lazy tongs linkage is permanently attached in inclined attitude to the conventional weight-bearing supports for the stair treads, such as sidewalls or inclined stringers, at each side of the rough opening for the stairway. Prior to permanent installation, the lazy tongs linkage can be extended or contracted by conjoint swinging of the upright links to adjust the spacing of the horizontal tread support flanges so that the total rise of the linkage matches the total rise between adjacent floors as actually constructed. The support is designed to fit a range of expected total rises between the adjacent floors while maintaining a rise and run for each step within acceptable limits.

Abstract: A high wing, twin jet gyrodyne having air jet reaction, contrarotating rotors powered with bypass air from twin turbofan engines. Tail pipes from the turbofan engines are disposed parallel to and at opposite sides of a longitudinal duct for discharging bypass air rearwardly. Control valve means can control supply of bypass air selectively to the hollow rotor mast for driving the rotors and to the longitudinal air discharge duct. The aft portions of the tail pipes and of the air discharge duct are connected by a horizontal stabilizer and rudders are located in the slipstream discharged from the tail pipes and the air discharge duct. The wings have drop tip sections providing flotation outriggers in their downwardly projecting positions.

Abstract: Sturdy legs are normally retracted into the housing of an otherwise conventional smoke ejector but are extendable in various adjusted positions to support the ejector freestanding on a supporting surface.

Abstract: A panel composed of wood sawn tapered shingles including an undercourse of longer shingles and an upper course of shorter shingles disposed with the tips of the shingles in the two courses even and the shingles of the two courses being integrated by staples penetrating both courses of shingles and extending into a narrow cleat behind the undercourse of shingles. The lower edge of the cleat is spaced from the butts of the shingles of the undercourse for engagement with the tips of the shingles of the next lower panel to serve as a gauge for establishing the relative positions of adjacent upper and lower panels applied to a roof or sidewall.

Abstract: A composite seal-installing driver includes an elongated base or handle portion with a socket in one end and any selected one of a plurality of interchangeable adapters each having an end projection manually fittable in the base socket so as to connect the base and the adapter. Each adapter has a flat flange for engaging the back of an annular seal to be installed in the hole of the transmission housing into which a shaft of the transmission projects and a central cylindrical projection over which the seal ring is fitted and slid rearward into engagement with the flange. The cylindrical projection is fitted into the transmission housing hole and guides movement of the seal toward the hole. Force is applied to the base of the driver to press-fit the seal into the hole. The diameters and lengths of the central projections of the adapters vary so that, by selecting the appropriate adapter, seals of different sizes can be installed in transmissions of different manufacturers.

Abstract: Combustible fuel gas at low or moderate pressure is supplied to an inlet in the top of an upright working cylinder. The working cylinder then is filled with liquid through a bottom liquid inlet to force the gas from the cylinder and direct it into a storage cylinder. A check valve prevents backflow of gas from the storage cylinder as the liquid is drained from the working cylinder and as the working cylinder again is filled with low or moderate pressure gas. The process of filling the working cylinder with liquid to force the gas from it into the storage cylinder and holding the gas in the storage cylinder while the liquid is drained and the working cylinder is refilled with gas is repeated until the gas in the storage cylinder is a desired high pressure, such as 1500 psi or higher. Two working cylinders can be provided so that, as one of them is drained, the other is filled with liquid, such that gas is substantially continuously forced into the storage cylinder until the desired high pressure is achieved.

Abstract: A one piece metal cooling container has one or more upright cavities open at the top for reception of material to be cooled. A Peltier effect cooling element has one working surface in heat-conductive contact with the cooling container and an opposite working surface in heat-conductive contact with a heat sink. The heat sink has spaced cooling ribs projecting from the surface of the heat sink opposite its surface in contact with the Peltier element.

Abstract: A ski-boot has a lower part, receiving the foot, with an instep plate engaging over the instep of the foot, and a boot leg which, for walking, is swingable on the lower part of the boot about an axis of rotation, extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the lower part of the boot and arranged in the heel region, between a vorlage position and an approximately upright position. In order to lock the leg of the boot in the vorlage position, a locking device with a manually actuable stop lever is proposed which in the locking position, by way of a thrust bolt, wedge, eccentric or the like extending substantially perpendicularly to the instep plate, loads the instep plate and secures the leg of the boot in the vorlage position and which in the release position releases both the instep plate and the leg of the boot.