Abstract: A fiber sampler has a flat collection surface and a carriage movable toward the surface to press a mass of fiber placed on the surface. The carriage, which includes a foraminous plate parallel to the collection surface, is pressed against the fiber with a predetermined pressure kept constant from one sample to the next with the pressure applied, a rake composed of parallel needles spaced rearwardly from a deflection bar is passed across the top of the foraminous plate to extract sample fibers from the portion of fiber extending through the plate holes. At the end of rake travel, the fibers are held between a fixed stop plate on the carriage and a back plate movable with the needles. A pinch clamp assembly is provided which can be lowered to grip the fibers collected on the needles.

Abstract: A piston assembly employs a central velocity tube which provides an increase in speed of the initial downward stroke phase while requiring less power than conventional hydraulic cylinder assemblies. A second stage hydraulic surge causes the piston to forcefully descend the final increment of the downstroke for an increase in power of the piston. The return or upstroke of the piston is of conventional hydraulic design.

Abstract: A disk brake assembly wherein the floating caliper member houses an adjustable nut in which is mounted a power screw for actuating the carrier members and their brake pads into frictional engagement with a rotatable disk. The power screw has a cam connected to it, with the cam also adjustable mounted on an actuating lever to permit selected rotation of the cam to adjust the axial position of the power screw to compensate for wear.

Abstract: A method of mechanically converting unbranched fibers into highly branched or "fibrillated" fibers which are especially suitable for reinforcing composite materials such as brake linings. Unbranched starting fibers, immersed in water, are subjected to prolonged working in an intensive mixer or chopper having a very rapidly spinning blade with sharp knife edges, until extensive fiber branching occurs. Fibrillation can be achieved by this method even though conventional fiber "refining" techniques have no significant effect on the same starting material.

Abstract: A compact traction device includes a housing and a plurality of constant tension spring units disposed within the housing. Each constant tension spring unit includes a cable which extends from the unit through an opening in the housing. As the cable is pulled out from the housing, a substantially constant tension is developed on the cable. Hook elements are coupled to the end of each cable to enable attaching the cable to a ring or other connecting structure which, in turn, would be attached to some part of the body of a person utilizing the traction device. A brake device is included in the housing for each constant tension spring unit to inhibit the rapid retraction into the housing of the cables when the cables are released. A clamp is mounted on the exterior of the housing to enable attaching the traction device to a support frame. The clamp allows positioning of the device to have almost any orientation.

Abstract: An iontophoretic bioelectrode includes an enclosure having a bottom wall formed of a membrane through which ions may migrate when subjected to an electric field, and an upper wall joined to the bottom wall to define an interior compartment for holding an ion-containing solution. An electrode in the form of the male portion of a conventional clothing snap is mounted to the enclosure to communicate electrically with solution contained in the interior compartment. A needle receiving element is mounted in the upper wall of the enclosure. This element is in the form of a section of conduit having a receiving end, which is directed upwardly, and a blocking end which includes a platform for preventing a needle inserted into the receiving end from passing all the way through the conduit. A resilient plug is disposed in the receiving end of the conduit to prevent solution from escaping from the interior compartment.

Abstract: An anti-backlash nut assembly is disclosed for longitudinal movement along a screw which has an external thread thereon, in response to relative rotational movement between the nut assembly and the screw. The assembly includes a first nut part having an internal thread complementary to the external thread of the screw, and a second nut part also having an internal thread complementary to the external thread of the screw. A coil spring is interconnected between the first and second nut parts for applying torque thereto and rotatably biasing the nut parts together to eliminate backlash therebetween and improve the positional accuracy of the nut assembly along the screw. A cylindrical collar is sandwiched between a pair of opposed portions of the nut parts and surrounds the coil spring. With this structural combination, the anti-backlash nut assembly can be adjustably preloaded by relatively rotating the nut parts to selectively preload the coil spring to a desired torque.

Abstract: An iontophoretic bioelectrode includes an enclosure having a bottom wall formed of a membrane through which ions may migrate when subjected to an electric field, and an upper wall joined to the bottom wall to define an interior compartment for holding an ion-containing solution. An electrode in the form of the male portion of a conventional clothing snap is mounted to the enclosure to communicate electrically with solution contained in the interior compartment. A needle receiving element is mounted in the upper wall of the enclosure. This element is in the form of a section of conduit having a receiving end, which is directed upwardly, and a blocking end which includes a platform for preventing a needle inserted into the receiving end from passing all the way through the conduit. A resilient plug is disposed in the receiving end of the conduit to prevent solution from escaping from the interior compartment.

Abstract: A bioelectrode for use in the iontophoretic delivery of ions into the skin or tissue of a person includes either a receptacle or a composition of material suitable for holding ions to be delivered, a metallic foil disposed on one side of the receptacle or composition of matter, and a coupling device for electrically coupling the foil to an electrical source. The other side of the receptacle or composition of material is for placement against a person's skin or tissue so that ions may be delivered thereinto. The receptacle or composition of material both include features or characteristics which inhibit the migration of ions laterally therein, i.e., in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the skin or tissue, but which allow migration in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface of the skin or tissue, and in particular from the metal foil toward the person's skin or tissue.

Abstract: A thermometer is disclosed comprising a housing with a lens member and a sensing sleeve extending from the lens member. The lens member is configured to define an enclosed chamber in which a temperature indicating means is disposed. The temperature indicating means is attached to a shaft which extends into the sensing sleeve. A temperature responsive element is mounted within the sleeve and operatively associated with the shaft to rotate shaft and indicating means in response to changes in temperature. Means for constraining mechanically induced rotation of the shaft and indicator means to a predetermined arc of angular displacement are provided. In an important aspect of the invention, the constraining means permit temperature induced rotation of the shaft and the indicator means to exceed the pre-determined arc of angular displacement. The constraining means utilized include fusible stop arrangements and the introduction of a dampening fluid to the enclosed chamber of the thermometer housing.

Abstract: A bioelectrode for non-invasive and inotophoretic delivery of chemical species (such as ions, polar molecules, etc.) into the skin of a person. The bioelectrode includes a pouch having flexible walls, at least a portion of which is composed of a microporous, permeable or semipermeable membrane. The pouch holds fluid which contains the chemical species to be delivered through the skin. An electrode is attached to the pouch so that when the pouch is placed against the skin, with the membrane portion in contact with the skin, and an electric potential is applied to the electrode, chemical species in the pouch are caused to migrate through the membrane and into the skin.

Abstract: A bi-directional flow catheter for insertion into the body of a patient for the simultaneous introduction into and withdrawal therefrom of fluid. The catheter includes a primary tube having open distal and proximal ends, and a pair of branching tubes, each of which branch from a different side of the primary tube. The primary tube also has an opening in one side thereof to allow introduction of fluid. An elongate trocar/valve member is disposed in the primary tube and is movable longitudinally therein between an insert position and a flow position. One end of the trocar/valve member tapers to a cutting edge which protrudes from the opening in the distal end of the primary tube when the member is in the insert position. The trocar/valve member is formed to prevent communication between the side opening and the opening in the distal end of the primary tube, and to cover the passageways between the primary tube and respective ones of the branching tubes when the member is in the insert position.