Abstract: A reclining traction lounge includes an inclined support surface for supporting a person's buttocks, back, shoulders and head. The support surface is mounted for limited front and back movement on a downwardly inclined frame. A pawl movable with the support surface engages a stop carried by the frame to prevent rearward movement of the support surface. The frame also carries a knee support which is located adjacent the forward end of the movable support surface. The portion of the support surface adjacent the knee support which is adapted to underlie the person's buttocks is relatively slippery whereas the portion of the support surface which underlies the person's shoulders and head is padded and covered with a non-slip material. In use, a person reclines on the lounge with his lower legs hanging over the knee support and his back on the inclined support surface. As the pawl is lifted to disengage the stop, the support surface moves rearwardly and downwardly along the frame.

Abstract: An orthopaedic brace for use in the treatment of fractures of a lower part of a limb such as the wrist or ankle is described. The brace comprises of two preformed portions, a first portion has two areas of high loading arranged distally and proximally on the portion and a second portion has one area of high loading at or near its center whereby the portions when fitted around a limb and fracture provide three point loading of the limb applied in two planes thereby maintaining the position of the fracture throughout the treatment period. In a preferred form the brace is used to treat Colles' fractures whereby the first portion fits on the dorsal/radial part of the arm and the second portion fits on the anterior/ulnar part of the arm, the two portions being held in place by means of straps attached to the first portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for digging trenches, including at least one digging wheel with a wheel framework which is connected to a vehicle by means of a mobile carriage for lowering or raising the wheel, further including: first means for causing said digging wheel to pivot about a first pivoting axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the direction of movement of the vehicle and the axis of rotation of said wheel, and second means capable of causing said wheel to pivot about a second pivoting axis orthogonal to the plane defined by said first pivoting axis and an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel.

Abstract: Small, inexpensive printing machine for imprinting information such as seller identification data on preprinted lottery tickets and the like. The tickets are supplied in elongated strips, and the machine has a printing wheel with peripheral character forming elements for imprinting the desired information upon each successive ticket as the strip is pulled manually through the machine.

Abstract: A knee brace having an anterior tibial shell and a posterior femural shell which are closely configured to the shape of the leg and are joined by a closed support band. The combination of shells and band provides anterior-posterior, medial-lateral and rotary stability.

Abstract: The thrust coupling has a thrust frame formed of three tubular sections which is mounted on the underside of a vehicle. The front of the thrust frame is suspended by chains from the front of the vehicle and can be raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinders connected to cross arms attached to the chains. The rear of the thrust frame is connected by a parallelogram arrangement of links in which a shock absorber is connected to dampen motion of the parallelogram arrangement of links.

Abstract: A removable retainer for the radical side of the thumb pocket of a glove, which retainer restricts the radial movement of the thumb in the glove away from the other fingers so as to prevent damage to the ligaments of the thumb should radial force be applied to the thumb.

Abstract: An ink supply unit for an offset printing machine includes an ink fountain roller and a distributing roller spaced from and rotating faster than the ink fountain roller. A rotatable transfer roller oscillates between a first position in contact with the ink fountain roller and a second position in contact with the distributing roller. A rotatable auxiliary roller is moveable between a first working position spaced from the ink fountain roller and the distributing roller and a second working position in operative ink transfer relation with the ink fountain roller. In the first working position the auxiliary roller interferes with the movement of the transfer roller toward the ink fountain roller to slow the rotation of the transfer roller before contact with the ink fountain roller. In the second working position of the auxiliary roller, the transfer roller is maintained in contact with the auxiliary roller and the distributing roller.

Abstract: An excavating apparatus for breaking and removing material away from an upright face of material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotary cutting head mounted between the fore ends of a pair of boom arms. The boom arms are pivotally mounted relative to the front end of a vehicular portion of the apparatus. A shroud partially surrounds the cutting head for confining material cut from the face. The shroud includes an edge shoe portion for engaging the face and is pivotally mounted at the fore-end of the boom arms. The shroud is adapted for selective rearward pivotal movement as the boom arms are swung upwardly for maintaining the edge shoe portion against the face.

Abstract: Snow removal equipment includes a snowblower on a truck delivering snow into the top of a snow reduction chamber on the back of the truck. The snow falls on several spaced apart, horizontal layers of hot, mutually parallel closely spaced tubes. The snow melts when it hits the tubes and the resulting liquid water is stored in the chamber until it is discharged from the chamber into a storm sewer.

Abstract: A method for correcting human gait involving the application of weights to footwear so as to dynamically align and balance the foot during running or walking motion. Steps include the determination of fore-aft misalignment; the application of weight to the outside edge of the footwear if the misalignment is toe-out, or to the inside edge if the misalignment is toe-in; and iterative redetermination of fore-aft alignment while adding, removing or repositioning the weights upon the footwear until fore-aft alignment is achieved. Dynamic roll alignment may additionally be corrected by applying weight on the outside edge of footwear for pronation, or on the inside edge for supination, with iterative redetermination of dynamic roll alignment and corresponding adjustment of weight and location of previously positioned fore-aft alignment weight, so as to provide total foot alignment and balance.

Abstract: An arm constraint particularly adapted for use as an aid in the self-feeding of a person afflicated with tremors. The constraint generally includes a base adapted for mounting on a suitable support, such as a table or hospital bedside tray; a forearm rest defining a forearm rest surface; means for supporting the forearm rest on the base for rotation about a first vertically disposed axis and for arranging the rest surface in a horizontally disposed position selectively vertically adjustable relative to the base; a hand rest; mounting means for connecting the hand rest to an end of the forearm rest for rotation relative thereto about a second horizontally disposed axis; a constraint for removably retaining a forearm in engagement with the rest surface with a hand arranged for overlying engagement with the hand rest; a plate supporting table; and mounting means for mounting the plate supporting table on the base to underlie the hand rest and for vertical adjustment relative thereto.

Abstract: A multi-function printer can print on two different types of record media, one of which types of record media is continuous, such as may be used for printing receipts, and is stored within the printer, and a second of which types of record media is discontinuous, may be of varying thickness, and is introduced from the exterior of the printer. A reversible motor and associated transmission mechanism provide means for driving the two types of record media, and a pivotally mounted solenoid-driven platen arm provides for selective engagement of driving means in the printer and for altering the gap between the printhead and the platen of the printer in accordance with the thickness of the record media to be printed upon.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device to be worn by a human patient for maintaining the upper airway passage of the patient in an open, unobstructed position. The device includes a lower portion arranged to rest upon the upper thorax of the patient and an upper portion connected to and braced by the lower portion. The upper portion includes means for lifting the lower jaw of the patient and thrusting the lower jaw of the patient forward. A posterior portion connected to the lower and upper portions maintains the positioning of the lower and upper portions and prevents backward movement of the patient's lower jaw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for more efficiently backfilling a ditch in the ground. The apparatus is comprised of a rigid compartment adapted to be pendantly supported by the dumping scoop of a front end loader vehicle. The compartment has an inclined floor and a closeable aperture located at the lowermost extremity of the floor. Backfill material dumped from the scoop falls into the compartment and is diverted horizontally a sufficient extent to enter the ditch. By virtue of the apparatus and its manner of association with the dumping scoop, the front end loader can fill the ditch merely by riding a continuous path parallel to the ditch.

Abstract: A resonance frequency stimulator for increasing blood circulation by having a four-legged animal or person standing upon a top plate through which vibrations are transmitted. The top plate is oriented substantially in a horizontal plane and it rests resiliently on a plurality of coiled compression springs at a predetermined height above a bottom plate. Fastening structure passes through the coiled compression springs to secure the top plate to the bottom plate. A rotary vibrator with motor is mounted on the top plate adjacent the front end of the top plate for producing a resonance frequency vibration in the top plate. A frame assembly surrounds the front end, the rear end and the lateral sides of the bottom plate. A handrail assembly extends upwardly a predetermined height from the frame assembly along both lateral sides thereof and also transversely thereto at a position rearwardly of the motor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for providing orthopedic support. A preferred system (20) includes a pair of wedge-shaped pillows (22, 24), a cervical pillow (32) and a rectangular elevation pillow (38). The pillows (22, 24, 32 and 38) can be made of polyurethane foam and covered with nylon. One of the wedge-shaped pillows 22 has a cross-section of a right isosceles triangle. The other wedge-shaped pillow (24) also has a cross-section substantially similar to a right isosceles triangle but has a concave portion (30) suitable for receiving a convex neck support area (36) of the cervical pillow (32). The pillows (22, 24, 32 and 38) preferably include Velcro.TM. strips which allow the pillows to be interconnected and connected to a mat (42) so that an individual's legs and head can be appropriately supported to induce a pain-reducing curve in the individual's lower back. Rings (22a,b and 24a,b) are attached to the sides (26d,e and 28d,e) of pillows (22 and 24). Velcro.TM.

Abstract: A printer comprises printing means; a carriage on which this printing means is mounted; an endless, loop-like timing belt, fixed to the carriage, for moving the carriage, the surfaces of this endless belt which face with each other having serrated toothed portions; and a member for sandwiching the endless belt to stop the movement of the carriage. This printer may be also provided with an intermediate engaging member which is interposed between the upper and lower belts of the endless belt. This engaging member has serrated toothed portions having the same pitch as that of the serrated toothed portions of the endless belt. With this simple constitution, the carriage can be easily locked and unlocked without using special tools such as a screw and a screwdriver.

Abstract: The keys operated by the Middle Fingers in the Second Nearest Row and the Fourth Nearest Row of the Alpha-Numeric Core, i.e. QWERTY D K 3 and 8, and the center key on the Number Pad are provided with hand positioning structures.Hand positioning with the Middle Fingers is based on the anatomical structure and bio-mechanical functioning of the arms, wrists, hands and fingers, and the hand positioning structures function by the neuro-sensory process of 2-point discrimination.With minimal practice, use of the hand positioning structures quickly functions at a subconscious reflex level.The hand positioning structures enable the operator to maintain visual focus and concentration on the text or display screen, and thereby eliminates unnecessary eye movement and text-reading errors due to eye movement.The structures and methods enable eliminating Home Row, and thereby eliminates awkward movements and contortions and eliminates the errors resulting from awkward movements and contortions.

Abstract: A snow-sweeping roller for replaceable attachment to a utility road vehicle (1) having brush-equipped roller (4) rotatably affixed at the underside of the vehicle. To achieve low-wear operation of the sweeper roller (4) and simultaneously low energy consumption, a control device is provided for adjusting and changing roller rpm in accordance with the following factors:(a) The circumferential speed (w) of the roller changes in proportion to vehicle speed (f);(b) The circumferential speed (w) of the roller has a ratio to the vehicle speed (f) that ranges from unity to two; and(c) A minimum value of the circumferential speed (w-min) of the roller is established for when the vehicle is moving slowly or is stationary.