Abstract: A plant growth body for germinating seeds for promoting the development of a root system for a cutting is constructed from a plurality of corrugated layers. Each corrugated layer has a plurality of parallel ridges and valleys that form channels extending between the adjacent ridges. When the corrugated layers are stacked one on the other, the plant growth body is formed so that the channels extend through the body. The material of the corrugated layers is penetrable by the roots so that the roots can penetrate successive ones of the corrugated layers and channels respectively. Further, the material of the corrugated layers preferably promotes capillary liquid flow through the plant growth body so that the roots are supplied with water.

Abstract: A reference system for the implantation of condylar total knee prostheses comprises a measuring rod (1) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tibia (T) having at least two attachment arms (2) for lateral attachment to the outside of the tibia (T), a guide rail (9) connected to the measuring rod having a measuring scale (10) thereon and an adjustable measuring carriage (11) to which a cutting block (15) for performing the necessary osteotomies is affixed for movement in two directions so that cutting block can be displaced and fixed in such a way that by slots therein, the osteotomy can be carried out at the right place. For determining the position, there is attached to the measuring rod an alignment bar (20) which forms the continuation of the measuring rod toward the pelvis and has a length such that the end reaches to the pelvis.

Abstract: Tensioning clamps for bone positioning wires of external fixation devices used in orthopedic surgery having clamping structure associated with tensioning guide device for being moved reciprocally therewith for clamping said bone positioning wire for movement with the tensioning guide device, and a clamp and tension indicator including annular washer springs in a cavity between compression surfaces, the distance between which is indicative of the amount of compression, is disclosed.

Abstract: A portable toy vehicle racing set for use with at least one toy vehicle having a motor includes a case having a first section with inner and outer surfaces and a second section with inner and outer surfaces. The case sections are pivotally coupled together to permit movement between opened and closed positions. In the closed position, the set simulates a carrying case. In opened condition, a flat track surface is presented. The first and second sections of the case include predetermined track layouts which provide a closed loop track. The closed loop track defines at least one lane in which the toy vehicle can ride with the at least one lane including contact rails for supplying power to the toy vehicle motor.

Abstract: A surgical towel useful for preventing unintentional hypothermia induced by a prolonged surgical procedure. The towel includes a body heat retaining layer portion of thermally insulative flexible material, and a soft absorbent covering layer portion which is adhered to the outside major surfaces of the heat retaining layer portion. The covering and the heat retaining layer portions together are capable of being wrapped or draped about an exposed organ to prevent loss of body heat through the organ while surgery is in progress.

Abstract: A fixation system for drawing together into engaging relationship mutually opposed fracture surfaces of a pair of bone fragments at a fracture site. An elongated blade with a sharpened leading end is driven into a first bone fragment generally parallel to and spaced from a fracture surface of the first bone fragment. A flange member integral with the blade extends transverse of the blade and overlies the fracture site between the first and second bone fragments. At least one screw fastener with a head and threaded shank extends through an opening in the flange and is threaded into the second bone fragment along an axis which extends away from the blade.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid container having a flexible bag containing a diluent and having a closing film at its upper end, a capsule connected to the flexible bag, a drug container held in the capsule and a communicating member for communicating the flexible bag with the drug container. The communicating member has a double-edged hollow needle having a hub in the midway thereof, and a controlling mechanism for controlling the order of communication in such a manner that the plug of the drug container is stuck with one edge of the needle and thereafter the closing film of the flexible bag is stuck with the other end of the needle. The mixing procedure is sure and simple, and can be carried out in a short period of time.

Abstract: A splint device for the spinal immobilization of a patient. The splint includes a central support portion and two pairs of laterally extending flexible wings adapted to extend, respectively, about the head and about the body of a patient and the central support portion is formed integrally with the wings from a synthetic plastics material and is concave on one side. The concavity includes a plurality of stiffening ribs adapted to render the central support portion substantially inflexible. The central support portion may be formed in two parts joined together by a lockable hinge such that the angle of inclination of a head part of the splint to the body part thereof may be selectively adjusted between 0.degree. and 30.degree..

Abstract: A protective apparatus for preventing the exchange of harmful substances between an area isolated by the apparatus and the environment for use in medical, laboratory, and industrial application. The apparatus includes a physical shield, a vacuum barrier, and an adjustable support frame. The apparatus further includes a vacuum connector for connecting the apparatus to a vacuum source, a vacuum conduit for flow communicating with the air around the perimeter of the physical shield such that the vacuum source draws air along with solid and liquid matter entrained in the air into the vacuum conduit, and a plurality of vacuum apertures located along the vacuum conduit for communicating the vacuum source with the air. The apparatus is designed so as to provide protection for persons in proximity to a source of harmful substances such as aerosols produced by surgical procedures at a surgical incision on a patient infected with the AIDS virus or the like.

Abstract: A sound-producing toy having a hollow body formed of resilient material, whereby when the body is depressed and deformed by a player, this action produces a honking sound. The body envelops an air-filled cavity at one end of which is an air-intake valve whose actuating element is outside the body so that when the element is actuated by the player, air is admitted into the cavity. Also disposed in the cavity is a sound producer having an air outlet normally closed by a membrane which is partially secured to the outlet so that when the body is depressed by the player, the resultant increase in internal air pressure above ambient is exerted against the membrane and causes deflection thereof to permit air to escape from the outlet. The escaping air causes the membrane to vibrate to produce a honking sound. The air expelled through the outlet creates a partial vacuum in the internal cavity which acts to maintain the body in its deformed state.

Abstract: A method of growing sod and sod product produced thereby wherein mushroom mulch is used as a growing medium. A seed bed is formed by sowing seeds on the upper surface of a mulch layer. A porous net is placed over the mulch layer to form an anchorage system for the sod root system. Also, a second mulch layer is laid over the sown seeds to protect the seeds and prevent any undesired drying out of the mulch material in closest proximity to the seeds.

Abstract: An inflatable ballon including an elastically expansible material formed into a closed shape so as to define an expansible chamber therein, the material having an inflation opening for supplying a pressurized gas thereto so as to inflate the material; an upper eye unit having an upper portion and a lower portion partially depressed into a top portion of the material substantially opposite to the inflation opening so that the top portion of the material surrounds the lower portion of the upper eye unit and the upper portion extends out from the material and by which the balloon can be connected to another object; a cylindrical tubular valve extending partially into the inflation opening for supplying the pressurized gas to the chamber, the valve including an inflation channel providing fluid communication between the chamber and ambient atmosphere; a plug insertable into the valve for closing the inflation channel; a lower connecting loop unit secured to a lower portion of the valve that extends from the infla

Abstract: A protective sheath of the type supplied with a portion of the protective sheath in a rolled up configuration for application to a member by unrolling the rolled up portion along the member includes application tabs interleaved with the rolled up portion of the protective sheath and available for gripping to pull the application tabs and unroll the rolled up portion along the member and assist in the application of the protective sheath to the member. In some embodiments, the protective sheath includes removal tabs extending along the applied protective sheath and available for gripping to pull the removal tabs and roll up a portion of the protective sheath to assist in the removal of the protective sheath from the member.

Abstract: A novelty music box is set forth wherein a deer-like configuration is provided with a bifurcated forward plate, a bifurcated rear plate, and a central torso, with a deer-like head outline secured to an uppermost portion of the forward bifurcated plate. A mechanical sound-generating music box is secured to the forward plate within the torso and includes a hollow shaft extending through the music box and directed exteriorly thereof through the head-like outline terminating in a glove containing a luminescent bulb therewithin. The luminescent bulb is intermittently actuated by use of a sprocket secured to a rear terminal end of the shaft that intermittently engages a spring finger to create intermittent illumination of the bulb.

Abstract: A hand held control device for use by a child to simulate directional and speed control of a vehicle, which device includes a wheel for grasping by the hands of a child at opposed parts thereof, a plurality of electrical switches on the device operable to provide signals for predetermined operations of the device, the switches being positioned on the device to be operable by the fingers of a child while the child's hands are engaging the wheel, a housing member, a controller and a sound generating device in the housing member, the controller including a memory storing data representative of sounds created or creatable by the simulated vehicle including sounds simulating the sounds generated when the simulated vehicle is in motion, the sound generating device being coupled to said controller to convert stored data into audio, the finger operated switches providing input signals to the controller to cause the controller to produce sound data to the sound generating device for audio generation.

Abstract: A contraceptive device having a cylindrical body adapted to be retained within the cervix having a valve mechanism adapted to allow passage of menstrual fluid yet blocking seminal fluid.

Abstract: A box-type turkey caller has an actuator with at least one scalloped edge, enabling the actuator to be moved against the box with a measured rhythm to simulate the sound of a turkey purr.

Abstract: An adjustable splint made of silver or gold alloys for stabilizing in extension or realigning the interphalangeal joints of the fingers and thumb consisting of two elliptical rings joined by an elliptical spacer. The individually sized proximal and distal elliptical rings are worn about the fingers on either side of the joint being splinted and disposed at an angle with respect to the axis of the finger. The rings are joined by an elliptical spacer which is placed over the dorsal surface of the joint and sized to distribute and spread the pressure uniformly and comfortably over the surface of the joint. The spacer acts in conjunction with the proximal and distal rings to hold the finger in varying degrees of extension, depending on the adjustment of the splint. The splint may be rotated 90.degree., placing the spacer on the lateral border of a joint to realign an angularly deviated joint.

Abstract: A top spinning toy has a spring wound mechanical motor which rotates a socket having a spiral groove formed therein. A top has a spiral projection formed on an outer surface thereof and is screwed into the socket. The socket is rotated in the same direction as the top-inserting direction until a coil spring within the spring wound mechanical motor is wound tight. A release mechanism causes the spring tension to release and rotate the socket in a direction opposite the winding direction. The top leaves the socket automatically at a high speed and is capable of spinning for a long time.

Abstract: A toy building component having a connecting lug projecting from an end face of the toy building component and insertable into a matching opening of an adjacent toy building component for joining the two components together; and at least one raised portion located on the outer face of the toy building component from which the connecting lug projects to be snapped into the matching opening for fixedly joining the two components.