Abstract: A wastewater treatment and reclamation system using natural ecological processes consisting of ponds; greenhouse pond cover; pollution-consuming, floating aquatic plants; high-surface-area, submerged, activated bio-web substrates for greatly increasing fixed bacterial film area and activity; aeration co-functioning with the bio-web substrate for accelerating bacterial metabolism and/or solar heat transfer, mixing and aerating the water body; and a polyculture of micro-invertebrates, fish and shellfish providing a balanced food chain for maximum removal and bio-concentration of nutrients and organics from the wastewater.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for growing oxide on silicon wafers or silicon-coated wafers or other semiconductors for the semiconductor industry wherein the oxide growth is produced under high pressure and high temperature conditions within a reaction chamber by oxidizing gases which are maintained in a continuous flow condition into and through the chamber.

Abstract: A snap-acting latch mechanism for sliding doors is disclosed in which a latch bar is rotatably mounted and extends from a latch assembly for insertion into a keeper assembly. The keeper assembly is formed for cooperative engagement of a head portion of the latch bar to retain the same against withdrawal and yet the latch bar can be rotated to a position enabling withdrawal from the keeper assembly. In the improved mechanism of the present invention the keeper assembly includes a pair of resilient band means mounted in side-by-side, spaced apart relation so as to snap into engagement behind the head of the latch bar and yet enable withdrawal of the latch bar upon rotation of the head by 90.degree..

Abstract: A head-mounted oxygen-administration device designed to improve the level of inspired oxygen concentration for mouth and nasal breathing users without interference with the user's activities of eating and talking and which includes a pair of nasal cannulas mounted on one side of a body having a chamber adapted for connection to a source of oxygen under pressure providing a positive oxygen flow into the chamber, and a flow discharge aperture provided on the opposite side of the body in communication with the chamber and functioning upon restriction of nasal inhalation and during oral inhalation to direct oxygen flow from the chamber to the user's mouth, such directed flow being effected from a position remote from the user's mouth.

Abstract: A floor buffing machine having a pair of coaxial floor-engaging wheels for movement of the machine over the floor to be buffed, a motor drive, and a floor buffing pad support structure mounted to one side of the wheels, the machine pivoting around the wheel axis to position the buffing pad in contact with the floor, and wherein the pad supporting means provides automatic self-adjustment of the pad into parallelism with the floor as the thickness of the pad changes with wear, thus maintaining full surface pad contact with the floor and obtaining a prolonged pad life.

Abstract: Game equipment is disclosed which includes a chance determining spinner, a plurality of playing pieces, and ramps having a plurality of steps with side-by-side pathways defined on the steps for movement of the playing pieces along the stepped pathways in accordance with the chance determining spinner and the rules of the game. The game equipment further preferably includes three decks of cards provided with indicia indicating background information, questions relating to the background information and detriments and benefits, which decks of cards are used with the chance determining spinner in order to control movement of the playing pieces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tensioning concrete reinforcing tendons or the like are disclosed which are particularly well suited for use in the construction of prestressed concrete tanks. The method includes mounting a wedge assembly on the tendon and mounting a wedge assembly housing around the wedge assembly, with the improvement being comprised of the steps of forming a spiral groove of relatively shallow depth in the tendon prior to mounting the wedge assembly thereon, and rotating the housing in a manner similar to a turnbuckle to simultaneously and proportionally induce radial tendon gripping forces in the wedge assembly and substantial axial tension forces in the tendon. The method has the additional advantage of preventing relative slippage between the wedge assembly and tendon even when conventional tendon jacking techniques are employed to tension the tendon.

Abstract: A carrying case for a musical instrument or the like is disclosed in which a movable portion of the carrying case is mounted to the remainder of the carrying case for movement to an open position at which position the movable portion and the remainder of the body of the carrying case will support the carrying case in a stable, upright, freestanding position on a horizontal surface. The movable portion takes the form of a pair of front panels hingedly mounted to side panels, which are in turn hingedly mounted to the remainder of the carrying case to enable a double hinged opening of the carrying case until the front panels extend rearwardly of the carrying case and provide a highly stable support apparatus. The carrying case further includes means for releasably retaining the instrument in the carrying case and tray means mounted to provide a convenient equipment support surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns hydraulic control valves suitable for e.g. motor vehicle steering gear. A variety of control port configurations are formed between cooperating ribs and bores on the control piston -- which may be rotary or axially displaceable -- and on the control sleeve. In each case the resulting control ports are defined by circular arcs having a common chord arranged at right angles to the direction of the control displacement for example at right angles to the direction of the control displacement for example at right angles to the direction of rotation of a steering spindle.

Abstract: A fishing lure adapted for trolling in waters being fished and comprising an elongated section of concavo-convex curvature in a longitudinal plane and having laterally extending flute sections of concavo-convex curvature in transverse planes generally perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the lure and having line- and hook-fastening openings positioned to provide optional spinning or wobbler action of the lure in the water.

Abstract: A hand-held, manually-operated duster for propelling a controlled stream of pulverulent material, such as an insecticide dust, onto vegetables, roses, flowers, shrubs and small trees and the like and which comprises a unitary housing providing a material hopper and separate impeller and drive chambers, a rotary impeller being mounted in the impeller chamber and a hand crank and gear train being mounted in or associated with the drive chamber and connected to the impeller, powder being fed from the hopper to the impeller for discharge in a controlled stream.

Abstract: Solar heating apparatus comprising a plurality of similar sections, each having a light-reflecting surface and providing, when opened out in an edge-to-edge position of the sections, a substantially continuous parabolic dish and providing in a closed stacked position of the surfaces an enclosure for the confronting light-reflecting surfaces. A receiver is mounted at or adjacent to the focal point of the dish in the operating, heat-collecting position of the sections.

Abstract: A method for making electrical circuits on a non-conductive plate is disclosed. The invention provides for duplication of a circuit pattern on an insulating plate having a continuous deposit of electrically conductive material thereon by a mechanical linkage between a milling device, which removes the conductive deposit, and a scanning device, which is moved in accordance with a master pattern. In preferred embodiment the movement of both devices is confined to one of two or sometimes three co-ordinates for a particular portion of the pattern. The method is swift and efficient, and the invention is equally applicable to small or large-scale manufacture, although it is of especial value where small numbers of circuit boards are to be produced.

Abstract: A compressor or pump or motor-type structure having a housing with a bank of cylinders and a shaft journalled for rotation therein and fitted with a swash plate, sometimes referred to in the art as a wobble plate or cam or drive, which is connected to pistons mounted for reciprocation in the cylinders and which will effect such reciprocation upon rotation of the shaft. When used as a motor, entry of fluid under pressure into the cylinder heads will effect displacement of the pistons and driving of the shaft. Improved means is provided in the present structure for supporting the swash plate against rotational forces imposed thereon, in the mounting of the swash plate and in the connection between the swash plate and the pistons.

Abstract: A load-supporting rack for a truck bed including a plurality of similar base members adapted for mounting adjacent the fore and aft corners of a truck bed and each having a vertically elongated opening extending to the upper end thereof; a plurality of similar elongated vertical members interchangeably mounted in the base members; and a plurality of similar horizontal members interchangeably mounted on the vertical members; the parts when disassembled providing compact stowage in a bundle of essentially elongated elements.

Abstract: Game equipment and a method are disclosed in which the equipment is formed for the simultaneous play of a game by at least two differing game theories. The game equipment includes probability determining means formed to substantially balance the probability of winning by either of the differing game theories. In a preferred form, a parlor type board game is disclosed in which business development or real estate trading is simulated with the game including simultaneous play by at least two players, with one playing under a monopolistic game theory and the other playing under a competitive game theory and each having an equal chance of winning.

Abstract: A load stabilizer for use with a forklift truck which includes a frame, top and side clamping mechanisms formed so that they may be clamped down on a load, for example boxes or the like, to hold the same in place while being carried by the forks of the forklift truck. The top and side clamps are gravity and spring biased to an unclamped position and are formed for displacement to a clamped position upon engagement of the top clamping mechanism with the load. The entire stabilizer can, while still mounted to the forklift, be positioned in a stored position for towing. The load stabilizer is hydraulically powered from the forklift truck hydraulic system and may optionally include hydraulic side clamping apparatus movable to a position enabling top clamping of wide loads.

Abstract: A lamp mounting having a terminal post providing a rest surface for one side of a lamp terminal of normally regular rectangular shape and a clamping member formed for engagement with the opposite side of the lamp terminal for clamping the latter onto the post and a link pivoted to the post and clamping member, and means applying a resilient force to the link for tightening the clamping member onto the lamp terminal and providing a resiliently yieldable engagement of the lamp terminal between the terminal post and clamping member.

Abstract: A pre-packaged patient identification kit and method for assuring correlation between a patient, his specimens and his records is disclosed. The kit is preferably formed as a transparent package inside of which a wristband, at least one specimen container and, optionally, a label are disposed. The wristband, specimen container, and label are pre-numbered with identical patient identifying indicia. The kit is used by first visually verifying that all indicia are identical, attaching the wristband to the patient, taking a specimen from the patient and placing it in the specimen container, and placing the label means on the patient's record. After analysis of the specimen, the patient identifying indicia is copied onto a label for a therapeutic agent to be given to the patient; and finally, before administration of the therapeutic agent to the patient, the indicia on the label of the therapeutic agent is checked against the indicia on the patient's wristband and his records.

Abstract: A restraining garment that is both physically and psychologically comfortable which includes a yoke having head and arm holes and an elongated front portion that contains an expanded element such as a large gusset with the front portion sewed to the yoke and tunnel-like elements for holding a restraining belt with the tunnel-like elements positioned to encircle the chest cage of a patient whereby no pressure is brought against a tender abdomen and the restraining belt is invisible within the tunnel element so that a patient is unaware that he is being restrained.