Abstract: A flat input keyboard for data processing machines or the like has the following successive layers, starting from the side facing away from the operation side: a supporting layer (10), an electric switching system (12, 16, 20) with electric contact spots that correspond to a keyboard pattern, a buffer layer (24) and a flexible elastic covering layer (26) provided on the operation side facing away from the electric switching system with a keyboard pattern (28). The supporting layer, the electric switching system, the buffer layer and the covering layer are interconnected at least along their circumference.

Abstract: An assembly for installation on an internal combustion engine for facilitating engine cleaning and oil change and method for using the same which includes an oil filter mounting adapter interposed between the multichannel oil filter unit and the engine and a fluid egress assembly mounted in the drain opening of the oil pan. The oil filter mounting adapter is configured to be readily mountable in engine compartments having significant space constraints. The oil filter mounting adapter is composed of a sandwich adapter and a fluid coupling assembly. The fluid coupling assembly includes a quick connect nipple which is releasably matingly engageable with mating fitting on an external fluid supply source. The fluid egress fitting also includes a quick connect nipple releasably matingly engageable with a mating fitting on a fluid removal hose or conduit.

Abstract: A fluid-damped automotive door latch actuator comprising a fluid cylinder mounted adjacent the inside surface of an escutcheon plate between the door handle crank arms. A shaft connected to and extending between the crank arms is rotated to actuate the door latch. Damping action is caused in one embodiment by rotation of a shaft-mounted vane relative to a cylinder housing fixed to the escutcheon plate. In a second embodiment, the damper is designed to provide a fluid shearing action.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic separator in the form of a conduit defined by axially mating halves. The magnet-containing housing disposed in the conduit includes an integral nose portion from which radiates a support member, the support member connecting the magnet-containing housing to one of the conduit halves.

Abstract: A venting apparatus for venting a particulate and/or odorous airstream indoors. The venting apparatus includes an air-water interaction chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. A spray nozzle is mounted in the interaction chamber for generating within the chamber a water spray substantially spanning the breadth of a major section of the chamber. The spray cleanses the particulate airstream. The interaction chamber is connected to a condensation chamber which discharges the treated air indoors. The condensation chamber has a relatively large cross-sectional area so that vapor present in the fluid is condensed therefrom. The preferred apparatus includes a deflection plate disposed within the interaction chamber for deflecting and dispersing the water spray to substantially span the chamber in a direction generally transverse to the flow of the airstream thereby ensuring that substantially all of the airstream interacts with the water spray.

Abstract: The liner segments are removed from their respective molds and affixed to their respective interior shells while the interior shells are still mounted on their respective male molds. The resulting left and a right interior shell assemblies have exposed surfaces shaped to substantially match the contours of their respective exterior shells. Each male mold, with the interior shell assembly still attached, is then inserted into its corresponding female mold, which still contains the exterior shell, and the interior and exterior shells are secured to one another to form right and left cabin segments. The cabin segments are removed from their molds, placed in assembly frames, and substantially all interior finishing work, such as installing appliances and cabinet doors, is completed while the cabinet segments are separate. Finally, the cabin segments are brought together and joined along their edges to create a hollow, unitary cabin structure.

Abstract: An accessory device protects golf clubs from damage during transit or storage. The device includes a head member having a solid plate configuration and having a semi-rigid construction and an extensible rod assembly adapted to be positioned in the golf bag with the lower end of the rod assembly positioned on the base of the golf bag. The head member may be releasably attached to the upper end of the rod assembly or may be stored in a side pocket of the golf bag.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting rotational movement of a rotary member to harmonic linear motion for moving an article transfer apparatus between a first position and a second position. The apparatus provides a follower pivotally connected to the extending end of the rotary member, and a planar support plate having a slotted aperture for receiving the follower of the rotary member. A pair of opposing low friction planar guides slidingly support the support plate of the article transfer apparatus for movement in a predetermined plane. When the rotary member rotates, the follower moves along the slotted aperture of the support plate, and the support plate slides along the planar guides thus imparting linear motion to the article transfer apparatus. When the rotary member is rotated at a substantially constant rotary speed, the linear motion translated to the article transfer apparatus is best described as harmonic motion.

Abstract: A cleansing device (10) for use with a colostomy or other body waste bag. The device (10) includes a valve body (12) having a passage (14) and a gate valve (20) positioned in the passage (14), an elongated handle (34) controlling the gate valve (20), a hose (28) connected to the inlet (16) of the valve body passage and adapted to be secured to a source of irrigating water, and a tube (22) attached to the outlet (18) of the valve body passage including a main body portion (22a) and a nozzle portion (22b) bent backwardly with respect to the main body portion (22b) into the colostomy bag. The patient may grasp the valve body (12) with one hand to move the nozzle portion (22b) of the tube (22) upwardly into the discharge opening of the colostomy bag and may thereafter use the same hand to squeeze the handle (34) and direct a flow of irrigating fluid into the interior of the bag.

Abstract: A wall panel assembly for use in providing an open plan system to define separate areas. An L shaped connector bracket is utilized to join two panels together in an L configuration, three panels together in a T configuration, or four panels together in an X configuration. In each case one leg of the bracket is secured to an end edge of the first wall panel and the other leg of the bracket is secured to the end edge of a second panel. Where only two panels are being joined in an L configuration, a ball end edge of an L shaped trim post is positioned at one end edge in a socket groove defined by the connector bracket and rotated to bring another ball end edge of the trim panel into snapping coaction with a socket groove defined on another end edge of the connector bracket.

Abstract: A pair of tongs position the first and second electrodes with respect to the workpiece while the tongs rotate with respect to one another about a pivot axis. A counterbalancing mechanism balances the first and second electrodes when in or in close proximity to, the welding position, where the electrodes compressively engage opposite sides of the workpiece during the welding operation. The counterbalancing mechanism is disposed with respect to the pivot axis for biasing one of the tongs in a rotational direction with respect to the pivot axis, such that the weld gun apparatus including the pair of tongs and tong actuator are balanced about the pivot axis when in the closed position. The counterbalance mechanism may include a torsion spring connected to the pivot pin defining the pivot axis. The biasing force of the torsion spring may be adjusted to achieve the desired counterbalancing force to balance the weight of the weld gun assembly about the pivot pin.

Abstract: A holder for a guitar slide bar wherein the slide bar may be conveniently stored by the musician on the guitar strap, the holder eliminating the necessity to search for the slide bar when needed. The slide bar holder consists of a U-shaped body which is clipped upon the guitar strap and a portion of the body supports the slide bar retaining apparatus, which may either be in the form of resilient clips, or magnets, if a ferrous slide is employed.

Abstract: A Christmas tree shelf structure for use with either natural or artificial trees consisting of radially extending shelf supports which are removably mounted upon the tree column or trunk. Three different embodiments of shelf bracket support are shown, and the brackets permit a display shelf to be located within the branches of a Christmas tree to permit the support of tree decorations not otherwise usable with Christmas trees.

Abstract: An external slave cylinder particularly suited for use in a hydraulic clutch release system for a motor vehicle. The cylinder includes a cylindrical body defining a bore, a piston slidably mounted in the bore, a seal positioned between the piston and the bore, a pushrod engaging the rear end of the piston and extending out of the bore, and a preload spring. The spring comprises a conical coil spring positioned exteriorly of the bore, bearing at the reduced diameter rear end thereof against the rear end of the pushrod, and bearing at the large diameter front end thereof against the rear end of the body in surrounding relation to the pushrod. The seal has a cup-shaped configuration and fits over a nose portion provided on the front end of the piston. The seal includes a peripheral lip portion sealingly engaging the bore and a base portion closing the area within the peripheral lip portion and seated against the front end of the piston.

Abstract: A medicinal substance for increasing fertility in mammalian males and for use as an anti-microbial or anti-inflammatory agent by mammals produced by boiling radish leaves, radish stems or portions thereof in water for a period of time sufficient to produce a tea containing an extract from the radish leaves and stems or portions thereof. Alternatively, the radish leaves and stems may be placed in hot water for a period of time sufficient to produce a tea containing the extract. The resulting tea can be drunk hot or cold and may be stored in a refrigerator for extended periods of time for later use. Patients taking a daily dosage of this tea have shown greatly improved sperm density and improved motility and morphology after use for several weeks. Dosages of this tea are also effective in treating prostatitis. The preferred radish plant is the spring radish of the species Raphanus sativus. The leaves of other radish plants including wild and winter or oriental radishes may also be used.

Abstract: An electrical connector wherein a female terminal has a deformable sleeve for receiving a male terminal in a manner such that the male terminal may be inserted almost fully into the interior of the sleeve before it contacts the sleeve and begins to meet any resistance to further insertion. Further urging of the male terminal into the sleeve causes the sleeve to deform both longitudinally and radially inward and apply pressure to the male terminal, thus producing sufficient normal force between the electrical contact surfaces of the sleeve and the male terminal to ensure good current flow therebetween. It is only over the last, relatively short distance of pin travel to the fully inserted position that any substantial resistance to insertion is encountered.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a plurality of inelastic, retractable cords, each terminating at a handgrip. A retracting mechanism is provided for retracting the cords. Separate resistance mechanisms are provided to resist each of the cords as the cords are being withdrawn from the retracting mechanism. The resistance mechanisms operate independently of one another. At least one removable disk unit is connectible to the resistance mechanism of the exercise apparatus for incrementally increasing resistance force with respect to unwinding movement of the cords when operably connected to the resistance mechanism. The removable disk units can be preloaded with a predetermined biasing resistance force when assembled during manufacturing, and the biasing resistance force can be maintained while not connected to the main unit of the exercise apparatus.

Abstract: A web adjuster particularly suitable with occupant restraint systems wherein a shoulder belt, or the like, utilizes an adjustable web for confinement purposes. An upper reversing ring slidably receives an adjustment web having a lower manually adjustable handle for adjusting the web, and the web passes through the ring and through a cam adjustable buckle having an end affixed to the reversing ring. A load ring is attached to the buckle and tilting of the buckle between release and lock positions permits the position of the load ring to be adjusted as the adjustment web is pulled through the reversing ring.