Abstract: A patient restraint garment, which is quickly applied to or removed from a patient and which is substantially non-defeatable by the patient, is disclosed which comprises: a flexible panel having an opening to receive the head and neck of a patient thereby forming front and rear portions covering the upper torso of the patient; tying straps attached to the bottom corners of the front portion of the panel for engagement with at least one of a plurality of loops attached to the bottom region of the rear portion of the panel, to connect and snug the bottom regions of the front and rear portions of the panel about the patient, prior to securing the tying straps to a structure out of reach of the patient, at least one side strap extending laterally from each side of the front portion of the panel, at chest level, which straps have fastening means thereon for engagement with a portion of a receiving means attached to the upper back region of the rear portion of the panel to create custom-fit, adjustable arm holes fo

Abstract: An underwater eardrum protector for use in underwater diving by a person having a perforated eardrum includes an inflatable bladder insertable in an ear canal of the person; a tube for supplying a non-compressible fluid to the bladder so as to inflate the same; a housing fluidly connecting the bladder to the tube; and a pump which supplies the non-compressible fluid to the tube, the pump including a cylinder having an inner wall, a piston slidable in the cylinder so as to define a variable volume chamber with the inner wall of the cylinder, the chamber being in fluid communication with the tube, O-rings connected with the piston for providing a fluid seal between the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder so as to seal the variable volume chamber, and a piston rod for slidably moving the piston in the cylinder so as to reduce the volume of the chamber and force the non-compressible fluid in the chamber through the tube and into the bladder, the piston rod being connected with the piston in a freely rotatab

Abstract: A disposable waterproof covering for a cast or bandage on an arm or leg to be used primarily when bathing or showering to protect against wetting the cast or bandage. A generally tubular plastic sleeve is sealed to the user's arm or leg above the cast or bandage by a flexible plastic strap to effect a snug, water-tight contact of the sleeve with the arm or leg. The strap is secured by an adhesive at one end to the sleeve adjacent the open end of the sleeve and wound around 360.degree. and secured at its other by a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A foam pad for use with an arthoscopic surgery stand wherein said pad is adapted to wrap around the support element of the stand and be releasably retained thereon and a limb retaining means associated with the pad to secure on the pad and stand a limb of a person preparatory to surgery and recovery therefrom.

Abstract: A shoulder movement restriction device to control the range of motion of the shoulder to prevent excess movement while the wearer is participating in various sports activities including contact sports such as football and other sports in which it is desired to limit the range of motion of the shoulder due to a recent injury or a history of chronic subluxation of the shoulder. The restriction device includes a substantially rigid but yet slightly flexible U-shaped member with a foam plastic liner secured to the U-shaped member to cushion engagement with the arm of the wearer with an adjustable webbing strap encircling the restriction device and securing it in place around the arm of the wearer between the shoulder and elbow with a chest arrangement connected to the device to retain the upper arm against the side of the chest and preventing excessive movement of the arm about the shoulder joint.

Abstract: A frost protective device for citrus trees having a pad of thick, dark colored, water repellent urethane foam which may be wrapped in a cylinder around the budunion or branch of a citrus tree and secured in position using Velcro.RTM. or a similar fastener. Each protective device has a plurality of insulated pockets which receive individual exothermic heat sources such as dry-chemical warmers capable of producing high temperatures for a period of 1-3 days.To protect young trees from high initial temperatures and prolong the effective duration of the heat sources, other measures are utilized in combination with the protective device. One measure is controlling the exposure of the dry chemical packet to oxygen by varying the air flow properties of the insulating pocket or the air-tight wrapper initially enclosing the heat source, thereby regulating the resulting oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention is in a drill guide (20) that is for use with and for mounting to a "K" wire (13) that has been fitted through an anterior or posterior cruciate ligament tunnel. The drill guide (20) includes identical parallel rails (21) that are mounted to a stationary bracket (22), essentially at right angles, and are journaled to a traveling bracket (25), the traveling bracket further including set screws (28) to releasably lock it to the rails. The stationary and traveling brackets (22) and (25), respectively, are each isosceles triangular in shape, and each mounts a guide cylinder (23) and (26), respectively, at right angles through their apexes such that longitudinal openings through which guide cylinders are aligned to receive the "K" wire fitted therethrough. A trolley (30) is arranged for travel on rails (21) between the stationary and traveling brackets (22) and (25), and can be releasably locked in place.

Abstract: A wrist and forearm range-of-motion exercising device includes a first member adapted to be secured to a portion of the hand, a second member adapted to be secured to a portion of the upper arm and interconnecting means, including a one-way clutch, for interconnecting the members and providing unidirectional rotation along the axis of interconnection. The device retains the forearm in the position to which it is rotated under the control of the patient or as assisted by a therapist. A tension release device may be actuated to allow the forearm to return to the relaxed position.

Abstract: A surgical cast venting device to provide effective ventilation of the body part confined within the cast. The device includes a multiple channeled flexible form adjacent the skin that adapt to the contour of the body part to which it is applied. An air flow path is established on the skin with connector means provided from an air source outside the cast enclosed venting device.

Abstract: A window-box is formed from a plastic tray having a lip on its upper edge which hooks over a ridged connector strip mounted on a window-ledge. A pair of legs adjustably mounted on the bottom of the tray brace the box against the wall below the window-ledge.

Abstract: A back traction device is disclosed that allows a patient or person to be seated in any type of seat and will relieve the pressure and tension on the disc of the lower back of the patient as much as possible. The back traction device comprises a halter with ribs that serve to transfer some of the pressure that is associated with setting in a chair when the patient is seated in the chair. The back traction device includes a halter and a traction member. The halter has strips of Velcro.TM. at an outward rear position that mate with Velcro.TM. portions on the traction device that is attached to a chair or the like. In one embodiment, the traction device comprises a member that has straps that allow it to be removably attached to a chair and, in a second embodiment, the Velcro.TM. traction device is permanently attached to the back of a chair. The second embodiment is particularly useful in a dedicated chair, for frequent use by people wearing such halter, such as a wheelchair.

Abstract: A system for growing plants against a vertical wall such as a fence, partition between apartment balconies or the like. Each support is an integrally formed member with an elongate support portion and a U-shaped hook-portion which fits freely and removably about an upper horizontal portion of the wall. The elongate support portion has a number of vertically spaced-apart openings which access a longitudinal channel formed in the surface of the elongate support portion which rests against the wall. A number of receptacles are provided to receive soil. Each receptacle has a pair of horizontally spaced-apart hooks which can be releasably secured in any one of the openings formed in the supports. The spacing between the supports is fixed solely by securing receptacle between the supports. No fasteners are required to secure the system to the wall, and the system can be readily assembled and disassembled without tools.

Abstract: A measured and variable quantity of water is delivered to an object requiring periodic watering when a water filled vessel is inverted and mounted or suspended above the item requiring water. The vessels constricted orifice is sealed by a rubber stopper which has two holes into one of which is inserted a tube filled with water soluable material and the other of which contains a hollow vacuum breaking tube long enough to support the entire apparatus in reasonably giving material (sand, dirt, gravel, etc.). A tripod stand is also provided to suspend the device if such giving material is not present. As the soluable material is immersed in water by inverting the device the dissolution process begins and when all of the material in the tube has dissolved the contained water is set free through the dissolutime time tube. Timed control of 1 to 15 or more days is achieved by providing filled tubes of various lengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing improved protection for the auditory systems of persons who may be subjected to excessive sound pressures or concussive shock waves or who may have certain disorders of the ear which require the exclusion of foreign matter or fluids from the auditory canal, comprising an earplug or an earplug set in which auditory canal inserts may be pneumatically expanded into positive sealing engagement with the auditory meatus by the application of orally-blown pneumatic pressure developed by the human pulmonary system.

Abstract: A strip of vegetation-growth-blocking material for use as a ground cover as a polyethylene foil on an upper surface of which a bituminous protective and adhesive layer is applied to block ultraviolet deterioration of the foil. Gravel or a like heavy bulk material is bonded by the adhesive to the foil and a reflective layer can be applied to the gravel layer.

Abstract: A plant receptacle for storing and displaying plant material, such as a balled plant enclosed in burlap, comprises an inverted cup-like body of polymeric or plastics material having a flexible center portion adapted to change, in response to the weight of a balled plant placed thereon, from a convex shape to a concave shape. An outer circumferential lip or skirt portion depending from the central portion substantially retains its shape, in response to the flexure of the central portion, to provide vertical and lateral support for the central portion, thereby forming a saucer or cavity for capturing and retaining moisture while the balled plant is positioned therein. The central portion forming the saucer is provided with a series of integral and radially spaced barbs for engaging the burlap to stabilize the balled plant in a vertical upright position.

Abstract: A machine for laying plastic film on a substrate which comprises supporting rollers (32 to 37) on which drum (16) is placed. One of the chassis wheels (6, 8) drives the drum through a transmission system (40) including a mechanical variable speed drive (60) enabling the transmission ratio between the traction wheel and the drum drive rollers to be varied. It is thereby possible to limit the tension forces exerted on the film when laying the film, making it possible to adapt the film to an uneven substrate, such as furrows or ridges on the ground in agricultural uses.

Abstract: A sterilizable drape for draping an ultrasound probe during an invasive ultrasonographic procedure, and a process of forming such a drape. An elongated sleeve member, having an open first end and a substantially closed second end with a circular fenestration therethrough, is formed of a sterilizable, flexible, fluid impervious material such as polyethylene. A pair of pull ties extend from the open end to aid in pulling the drape over an ultrasound probe and cable. A tubular member, having an outside diameter substantially equal to the fenestration diameter and formed of a sterilizable, flexible, resilient, fluid impervious material such as latex, is sealed to the sleeve member and extends through the fenestration. The tubular member has an open first end, communicating with the sleeve member interior through the fenestration, and a closed second end.

Abstract: In a system for commercial cultivation of plants and flowers, an open tray with recesses for readily inserting and removing flower pots having growing plants therein and using a so-called "ooze" tube (U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,309) disposed centrally between adjacent rows of said flower pots which waters the plants at approximately the rate of plant absorption of the supplied liquid, so that any water-borne disease spreading among the plants is minimized because of little or no overflow of supplied water from one flower pot to another.

Abstract: A system is provided for creating a localized climate around plants. Troughs containing plants in a growing medium are arranged in rows over the open top of a plenum chamber. The chamber is pressurized with air preconditioned for the particular plant species. The troughs are spaced-apart to define air passages therebetween that guide the conditioned air from the chamber through the passages and past the plants. For larger plants, deflector plates can be used between the troughs for restricting air flow to areas adjacent the troughs.