Abstract: A method for hydroponics comprises submerging the lower region of a bulb and its hair roots for a selected period of time and for another selected period of time, lifting the bulb out of the water to expose to air the lower region of the bulb and an upper portion only for the hair roots of the bulb.An aquatic float comprises a vessel having a floatable coaster in juxtaposition thereto, means temporarily securing the coaster to the vessel and a seed or bulb bed means disposed at least at one end of the vessel, the seedbed means including a plurality of passages through the walls of the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dual diaphragm-type game caller of a size and shape suitable for inserting into a user's mouth for support against the roof of the mouth so that free edges of two diaphragms retained together as a unit in a spaced-apart relationship can concurrently vibrate when impinged by pulmonary air exhausted by the user. The invention employs two diaphragms having a selected pattern of slits which allow the caller to produce a flutter or raspy sound effect which is sometimes desired by the wild turkey hunter.

Abstract: A sacrum support device for use by individuals when performing sit-up exercises provides a protective flexible rubber pad. In a first embodiment, the pad is supported between a waist encircling strap and a pair of leg encircling straps by two pairs of support straps. The pad has a pentagonal shape with a downwardly pointing apex and is positioned over the sacrum of the individual. In a second embodiment, briefs formed from a washable fabric material are provided with a rear pocket for insertion of the pad. The pocket and pad may have a generally triangular or rectangular shape. The device provides protection for the sacrum or tail bone which is frequently irritated by repeated sit-up exercises.

Abstract: A cutting guide to position a bone cutting device is disclosed. The cutting guide has at least one fixed or stationary surface and a movable surface to create a slot or gap between the fixed surface and movable surface. The cutting device is positioned and held in the slot to make accurate bone cuts.

Abstract: A protective body appliance to prevent injury from external force to the underlying region of the wearer's body. The body appliance comprises a generally dome-shaped rigid shield secured to a flexible, compressible pad. The pad has an inner section that is adhered to the wearer's body, and an outer section to which the rigid shield is attached. The inner pad section has two lateral wings separated by a center region all of which form an exposed surface which is placed against the wearer's body. The inner pad section is mated to the outer pad section along the center region so that the wings are movable relative to the outer pad section. The wings permit the shield and outer pad section to shift or rock relative to the inner pad section in response to body movements and external forces, thus increasing the appliance's ability to remain adhered to the wearer over time.

Abstract: Three-dimensional balloon sculptures (50, 56, 66, 86, 88, 89, 90, 99, 125, 136, 137, 159, 160, 178, 186) and methods of forming same from one or more basic balloon building blocks (106, 106', 106", 126, 159) each including at least one rigid lineal rod-like balloon former (100, 100',138a, 138b, 149, 162, 174, 181, 182, 184) defining one or more lineal barrier(s) precluding distension of a portion of the sidewall of a conventional balloon of the type having a constricted neck portion (111) terminating at one end in an inflation aperture (112) and at the other end in an imperforate inflatable sidewall (108).

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a device for collecting sap from trees and directing the sap to a sap collecting system operatable under vacuum conditions; it comprises a hollow body including a frusto-conical section adapted to be forced into the outer layers of a tree to be sap-collected. Adjacent the open end of the section is a series of longitudinal sap irrigating grooves allowing the sap to be collected and directed into the hollow body with the system is operating under vacuum conditions. To prevent air from being sucked into the hollow body as a result of the vacuum effect, the frusto-conical section has a groove in which is received a resilient element sealing the body to the of tree layers.

Abstract: A guide apparatus for orthopedic surgery provides locational guidance for insertion of an orthopedic nail through a pilot bore into the intramedullary canal of a fractured bone. The guide creates a protected channel through soft tissue which shields the soft tissue from contact by a reaming tool and prevents soft tissue from interfering with a reaming procedure. The guide collects marrow and bone fragments, removed during reaming to prevent their dispersion in soft tissue. Bone fragments and marrow collected on the guide are re-introduced into the canal for grafting. The apparatus includes an elongated chute having a concave, arcuate segment terminating at a spooned end adapted to be mounted controllably spaced in alignment with the pilot bore. An elongated pin secured to the backside of the chute extends beyond the spooned end of the chute for insertion into the proximate bone area. Both guide apparatus and method of utilizing the guide apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical rod pusher instrument for application of a force against a rod. The instrument has a distal tip which includes a plurality of rod locator recesses, each having a different directional orientation. The rod can be located in the desired recess for application of force against the rod. The plurality of recesses enables the user to apply force to the rod in multiple, selectable directions.

Abstract: Three-dimensional balloon sculptures (50, 56, 66, 86, 88, 89, 90, 99, 125, 136, 137, 159, 160, 169, 178, 186) and methods of forming same from one or more basic balloon building blocks (106, 106', 106", 126, 159) each including at least one rigid lineal rod-like balloon former (100, 100', 138a, 138b, 149, 162, 174, 181, 182, 184) defining one or more lineal barrier(s) precluding distension of a portion of the sidewall of a conventional balloon of the type having a constricted neck portion (111) terminating at one end in an inflation aperture (112) and at the other end in an imperforate inflatable sidewall (108).

Abstract: A simple construction toy of thin, planar flexible material, and characterized also by some stiffness and resilience, wherein two generally similar and opposable sides extend from a connective member, and each side has a remote free end. The toy is manually assembled by flexing the sides about the connective member and hooking them together near the remote free ends. Thus-assembled, the toy's sides bow outwardly. Inequality between the connected lengths of the sides imparts moderate asymmetry to the bowed sides, and contributes to a three-dimensional effect. Where the toy has legs, the asymmetry enhances its stance. One or several of the toys may be presented within a larger sheet of such material and adapted easily to be taken from the sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a medical sponge for use by medical personnel to wipe wounds, incisions and the like to absorb body fluids, such as blood, while protecting the person using the sponge from contact. The medical sponge comprises an absorbent pad enclosed which is covered on one face by fluid permeable cover sheet and on the other face by a fluid impervious cover sheet to enclose the absorbent pad. A handle is provided on the fluid impervious cover sheet for grasping and using the sponge while protecting the user from contact with blood absorbed in the absorbent pad.

Abstract: A toy vehicle adapted to run on a track wherein the track defines a preselected pathway with a preselected geometrical configuration. A plurality of motion command modules are mounted at predetermined locations on the track and each motion command module has a detectable motion pattern array and the motion pattern array of each command module may be different than the other motion command modules. The toy vehicle has a motion producing device such as an electric motor for providing movement characteristics of the toy vehicle on the track in response to receipt of a motion control signal. A pattern detection unit is mounted on the vehicle and detects, for example, by optical detection, the detectable movement pattern array of each motion command module and generates the motion control signal in response thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing from a bubble solution a beard of long, interconnected bubble chains comprises a hollow elongate tube having opposite ends and a sidewall connecting the opposite ends. The tube has at one end a first portion adapted to receive a gas and at the opposite end a second portion defining at least one aperture extending through the sidewall and in gaseous communication with the first portion. A porous cloth is disposed over and about each of the apertures, the cloth defining a multiplicity of substantially minute interstices for holding thin films of bubble solution. Gas introduced at the one tube end passes through the first tube portion, into the second tube portion, and emerges from the apertures through the bubble solution held in the cloth to form a beard of bubbles extending about and along substantially the entire length of the second portion sidewall.

Abstract: The method and apparatus described involves sucking pollen from male orchard plants and blowing the pollen onto selected female plants. The collected pollen is diverted through a separation device such as a cyclone where the pollen may be stored.

Abstract: An interactive, articulated talking toy talks and moves certain of its body parts (eyes, mouth, head and arms) under microprocessor control on the basis of the program material selected from a tape storage device incorporated in the body of the toy. The material selected is determined by a human's response to questions asked by the toy. The material stored on tape contains both audio and data. The processor chooses a particular one of a possible three audio tracks stored on tape on the basis of the specific response or nonresponse made by a human. The data track provides data to the processor which causes it to control the toy's body parts in concert with the audio program being reproduced. The toy has limited word recognition capabilities. The result is the appearance of interaction between the toy and a human by the toy's movement of its body parts and its speech seeming to respond to the human's input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the permanent surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in the human knee, which will stabilize the tibia and femur relative to each other and restore a full range of motion to the knee, by precisely locating the ends and angular relationship of a replacement ligament within the knee joint, at bone attachment sites such that the degree of shortening and lengthening experienced by the replacement ligament over the range of joint motion is either as close to zero (isometric) as possible, or closely matches that of the natural uninjured ligament (physometric), whichever the surgeon feels is most desirable.

Abstract: An improved splint is described for setting a Colles' fracture. The splint includes first, second and third elements connected together. A metacarpal bar is carried on the first element and is movable therealong. Two pins pass through the metacarpal bar and extend into a bone of a patient of one side of a bone fracture. The second element is pivotally mounted on one end of the first element for movement about an axis which forms an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first element. The third element is pivotally mounted on the second element for movement about an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second element. The third element includes transverse openings through which two pins extend which are inserted into the bone of a patient on the opposite side of the bone fracture. In one embodiment the metacarpal bar can be rotated about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first element.

Abstract: A device for protecting limb joints which is generally in the form of a tubular member that can be easily slipped onto a limb joint. The tubular member includes upper and lower sections connected to each other so as to form an open ended cavity therebetween. The lower section is generally hourglass shaped and is made of a stretchable elastic material. The upper section includes crossover pieces and is also made of a stretchable elastic material. A protective cushion corresponding in size to the lower section is disposed in the cavity. Only the ends of the cushion are stitched to the lower section so as to create a pocket between the cushion and the lower section. A resilient reinforcing pad is removably secured in the pocket.

Abstract: A bubble-propelled amusement device in which play pieces are dispersed in a water bath contained in an enclosed transparent tank having on its bottom wall an air nozzle and having in the air space above the bath an air intake, the pieces normally tending to sink toward the nozzle. Below the tank is a pump assembly comprising an air chamber coupled to a player-operated bellows, the chamber being provided with an air outlet and an air inlet, each having a check valve therein. The air outlet is coupled to the nozzle so that when the bellows is actuated by the player and compressed, the resultant positive air pressure in the chamber causes the outlet valve to open to feed air into the nozzle which injects into the water bath a stream of air bubbles that act to propel play pieces toward a target, the bubbles then being discharged into the air space.