Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a net-carrying frame pivotally detachably hooked onto a lower portion of a basketball backboard at an upper end of the frame and net, with the lower end of the frame and net being anchored or supported at a lower height forwardly of the backboard in the extended state and positioned to return a basketball bouncing off of the backboard or through the hoop, the frame being supported at its lower end by foldable legs that support the lower end of the net and frame a distance above and spaced from the ground or floor, below the lower level of the backboard. The legs are foldable such that the remaining upper portion of the frame will pivotally swing-back to a storage position directly below the basketball backboard.

Abstract: Trousers having a flexible upper part with two lower portions intending for covering the upper leg of the wearer. The trousers also include a pair of flexible lower parts each intended for encompassing a lower leg of the user. The pair of lower parts is detachably connected to the upper portion lower parts by the use of a pair of strips of pile fastening material connected to the inner surface of the lower portions of the flexible upper part, and a pair of hook fastening material strips connected to the outer surface of the pair of flexible lower parts.

Abstract: The effectiveness of interferon for treatment against cancer may be increased by first administering an agent for inhibiting tyrosinase. In this manner the tyrosinase which is known to be produced by malignancies, and which may cause inactivation of the interferon, will be substantially inactivated prior to the interferon administration.

Abstract: A dual acting safety switch for a land or marine vehicle which disables the ignition circuit of the engine by removal of a cord held holding member and closes the circuit of a secondary circuit to activate an alarm device.

Abstract: A process for measuring the calcium concentration of a biological fluid is carried out by fixing the amounts of phospholipase A2 (PLA) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), in the presence of a buffer and a detergent such as sodium deoxycholate, in enzymatic Reaction I, ##STR1## and measuring the rate of appearance of the products so that the rate of reaction of PLA can be determined. The reaction rate of this enzyme is directly proportional to the level of calcium present. The calcium concentration of the biological fluid being tested is quantitatively determined by comparing the reaction rate of pohospholipase A2 to a standard of known calcium concentration. Preferably, the reaction rate of porcine pancreas phospholipase A2 is measured by determining the amount of lysolecithin produced in Reaction I by comparison of the optical density of the resultant color of coupled Reactions II and III,lysolecithin+erythrocytes.fwdarw.hemoglobin IIhemoglobin+peroxide+In.fwdarw.

Abstract: A seed drill which will allow seed to be planted at a substantially constant depth regardless of contours and irregularities in the ground surface. The said drill has a tyne pivotally mounted on a frame for angular movement about a substantially horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel. The lower end of the tyne being adapted to support a ground engaging tool with a seeding boot located rearwardly of the tool whereby the tool is arranged to form a furrow in the ground for seed discharging from the seeding boot. A spring biassing means acts between the tyne and frame for urging the tool into engagement with the ground. The spring biassing means is arranged to exert a biassing force on the tyne for counteracting the resistive force exerted on the tool as the tool traverses the soil whereby to maintain the tool at a substantially constant working depth in the soil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of a preparation of monoclonal antibody derived from a crosslinked fibrin derivative including the steps of:(i) obtaining a crosslinked fibrin derivative or extract containing same; and(ii) forming an antibody to said derivative or extract by cloning antibody producing cells from an animal having been administered thereto said derivative or extract.A screening assay for use in the abovementioned method which includes the steps of:(A) coating a surface with an antigen selected from a(i) crosslinked fibrin derivative;(ii) extract containing said derivative; or(iii) fibrinogen degradation product.

Abstract: An adjustable attitude speaker stand including a base in the form of a pair of laterally spaced apart elongated rails having longitudinal slots formed therein. A pair of posts rise upwardly from the slots and are coupled thereto by followers for forward and rearward movement relative thereto. The upper extremities of the post are also formed with generally vertically extending slots and braces are pivotally connected to the rear extremities of the rails and include followers coupled with such post slots such that the posts may be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly at both their top and bottom ends. A pair of support arms project cantileverly forwardly from the lower portion of the post for receiving and cradling a load speaker such that adjustment of the posts will vary the attitude of such arms to direct sound from the speaker at selected angles from a range projecting generally horizontally across the room to a upward angle of about 45.degree..

Abstract: The electronically controllable system of the invention for viewing on a television, updateable television programming information comprises a microcontroller which is partially controllable by remote control system and is updateable via telephone link, magnetic cards or floppy disks, or television or radio subcarrier, the microcontroller including input/output interfaces, a microprocessor and a RAM; a mixer for mixing a regularly received television signal with the signal generated by the microcontroller; an RF converter for receiving the radio frequency information from the mixer, microcontroller, and television antennae and properly converting the information into information which may be sent to the television; and a remote control system for permitting the viewer to direct the microcontroller to perform searches on information contained in the RAM so as to provide on the television screen in a chosen format, subsets of information desired by the viewer.

Abstract: Extremely high efficiency is achieved in a DC to DC converter by using a relaxation oscillator in which two transistors alternately conduct current to the primary winding of a step-up transformer. The transistors are interconnected by a resistor and capacitor in series so that when the converter is lightly loaded, the saturable reactor in the circuit will be self-resonant, so as to draw only minimal power from the battery source. The converter also includes a battery charge level monitor circuit that prevents the DC to DC converter from oscillating and thus providing power unless the battery is above a minimum charge level when its voltage is applied to the converter. In a preferred embodiment, the converter provides an output of up to 100 watts.

Abstract: A process for blanching deep fat fried potato slices which does not significantly degrade the taste, texture, flavor and/or color of the deep fat fried potato products comprising the steps of contacting raw potato slices with water heated to about 150.degree.-170.degree. F. for about 0.5-3 minutes so as to remove sugar from the potato slices while retaining the structural integrity of substantially all starch cells present in the potato slices, and then cooling the potato slices to less than about 80.degree. F. with microscopic monitoring to assure the integrity of substantially all starch cells present.

Abstract: A trailer having a variable configuration for carrying heavy loads, including: a main frame, a main suspension system supporting the rear of the main frame, coupling mechanism for coupling the main frame to a power unit with or without an auxiliary trailer and for supporting the front of the frame. Mechanisms for coupling on a variety of auxiliary frames are provided, for the purpose of distributing the weight of the payload and the weight of the trailer itself according to legal requirements and requirements of safety. These mechanisms generally include a front suspension arm joining the main suspension to the auxiliary frame, a main pivot between the main frame and the auxiliary frame, and an additional connecting link between main and auxiliary frames.

Abstract: A self-tapping, self-aligning thread repair insert is disclosed. The insert is an annular sleeve having a threaded interior surface, a partially threaded exterior surface, and an opening. The exterior surface has a tapered portion between a straight threaded portion and a straight thread-free portion. The thread-free portion and the opening are adjacent an end of the sleeve. The thread-free portion is free of threads for a distance of at least 1.5 thread widths from the end of the sleeve. The sleeve is made of a 400 series stainless steel. The sleeve is case hardened.

Abstract: A tip-ring interface that utilizes a single detector to detect ringing, forward loop current, and reverse loop current. In one embodiment, forward or reverse battery state may be detected when on-hook.

Abstract: A completely automatic warning ashtray for smokers is disclosed. The ashtray is responsive to the natural motions of a smoker, and indicates to the smoker when it is time to dispose of accumulated ash on a lit cigarette. Because of its automatic operation, the user need not operate any manual controls in order to accrue the advantages of the invention's use. In addition, the ashtray may be provided with a visual indicating means which indicates to the user that a timing cycle is in progress, and a time of day clock may also be visible from the outside of the ashtray.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a freely flowable powder, the powder comprising a porous, high absorption silica or silicate having absorbed therein at least 10% by volume of a liquid, pharmaceutically active composition, based on the weight of powder plus liquid, provided that when the liquid pharmaceutically active composition is a corticoid solution the silica or silicate has a mean particle size of at least 10 .mu.m in diameter.

Abstract: A by-pass oil refining device for an internal combustion engine is equipped with an atomizing nozzle that constricts oil flow from a solid contaminant filtering element to a vaporization chamber where liquid contaminants are vaporized. The atomizing nozzle has a constricting orifice which is of a diameter sufficiently large to allow recirculation of oil to the vehicle engine, but which is small enough so that oil emanating from the filtering element and entering the vaporization chamber is atomized into a mist. Atomization of the oil significantly increases the extent to which liquid contaminants are vaporized and removed.

Abstract: A amusement device includes a target in the form of a course having an obstacle wherein the course is of a predetermined light intensity and the obstacle is of a differing light intensity. An image of a moving object is projected on the target and is controlled by the player who would attempt to move the image over the course without contacting the obstacle. Light intensity sensing means are provided movable with the image to detect when the obstacle has been contacted.