Abstract: For shafts that are nominally collinear and are to be coupled to rotate together while being subject to misalignments of different kinds, a flexible coupling is provided that includes curved reentrant columns circumferentially spaced about the axis of rotation and individually deformable by bending or twisting, or both. The composite result is that torque of a given loading is transferred uniformly from the driving to the driven member regardless of the misalignment effects, since different deformations are introduced and compensated in the columns, dependent on their instantaneous positions in the cycle of rotation. The arrangement enables meeting different load and misalignment requirements by varying the parameters of the columns, the manner in which they are coupled to the shafts, and the characteristics of the columns along their lengths. Furthermore, different combinations of the couplings can be used to achieve special results.

Abstract: A hybrid grave marker and cremains container includes a plurality of side walls, a transparent top cover, and a base, bonded to each other by ultraviolet glue so as to form a hermetic receiving envelope for containing ashes or memorabilia of a deceased person. The container is partially interred into the ground with the top portion of the container extending above the ground. Friends and relatives of the deceased may have the possibility of viewing the cremains contained in the container through the transparent top cover and/or side walls. The grave marker and cremains container may be used singly or may be combined with other cremains containers to form a memorial group.

Abstract: A card holder for a mass transit entry card having one longitudinal edge portion encoded with machine readable information is formed by folding a plastic blank to provide overlying panel portions forming a pocket which clasps the opposite longitudinal edge portion of the card adjacent the fold so that the encoded edge extends clear of the holder, remote from the fold exposed for machine reading by longitudinal sliding movement along a slot of a card reading head in a swiping action. A hook extends in coplanar relation from a longitudinal end of one of the panel portions for securing the card holder carrying the card to a user's bag strap or pocket and has a returned free end extending inward, behind a land which extends from the panel portion, forming a stop, preventing overstress of the hook.

Abstract: An illuminated sign comprises a photoconductive plate and a series of light-emitting diodes of a type having a viewing angle of approximately 8.degree.. Being made from polycarbonate in a single piece, the photoconductive plate is inset from its back face, toward its front face but not through it, so as to define a series of indicia, each having a boundary. Each light-emitting diode is pressed into a recess opening at an outer periphery of the photoconductive plate, between the front and back faces. The recesses orient the light-emitting diodes so that a part of the boundary of each of the indicia is disposed within the viewing angle of at least one of the light-emitting diodes and so that another part thereof is not disposed within the viewing angle of any of the light-emitting diodes. An opaque material covers the back face of the photoconductive plate, at least where the back face is visible through the front face thereof, except where the photoconductive plate is inset so as to define the indicia.

Abstract: An articulated medical bed for supporting a person in articulated movement is disclosed. The bed comprises a main frame defining a base and an articulated support frame including an upper body section pivotally connected to the base, a seat section pivotally connected to the upper body section and a detachably mounted lower leg section pivotally connected to the seat section. An elongated link member pivotally connects the lower leg section to the base. A glide member is mounted on the seat section and supported for linear movement along the base whereby the seat section is supported for rocking movement about the glide member. A linear actuator is connected to the upper body section for simultaneously actuating the upper body section, seat section and lower leg section in articulated movement. A side rail is supported on the base and includes telescoping inner and outer horizontal rail members extending between vertical rail members.

Abstract: A ground-engaging shoe assembly is provided for a power mower in which a mower blade is rotated in an upright shaft. The ground-engaging shoe includes a hub support assembly which is secured to the mower housing of the power mower. A ground-engaging shoe assembly is secured to a bearing housing which is located at the lower end of a hollow rotatable shaft, the ground-engaging shoe assembly including a bearing within which the hollow shaft rotates, whereby the ground-engaging shoe assembly is stationary. The bearing housing is adapted selectively to accept different ground-engaging shoes. An adjusting bolt extends through the hollow shaft and is secured at its lower end to the bearing housing An upper tower housing is adapted to transfer loading weight through the adjusting bolt to the bearings. The adjusting bolt is vertically-adjustably-secured at its upper end with respect to the upper tower housing by means of a locking-type nut.

Abstract: An illuminated three message sign is provided with improved illumination from the exterior of the vanes at the apices away from the sign surface exposed for message display. The sign has a message display side and an array of triangular rotating sign message displays. Each of the three sides of the triangular message displays in combination a message with corresponding sides of the other sign message displays. When the array of triangular sign message displays has the message surfaces of one of the arrays parallel to the display side, the sequential message is displayed. The apices of the sign message displays are each provided with cylindrical lenses. These cylindrical lenses register to slit light sources. By the expedient of providing a slit light source for each rotating message display, sequential illumination is provided as each message of the array rotates for viewer presentation.

Abstract: The rescue device comprises a first sheet member and two second sheet members that are disposed on each side of the first sheet member. The second sheet members are angled relative to the first sheet member to define an angle alpha. The rescue device has a plurality of carrying means enabling the device to be carried. The first and second sheet members each has a stable first sheet and a resilient and thermally insulating second sheet that has closed pores and a third sheet that is disposed adjacent ot the second sheet.

Abstract: A display panel advertising system includes two halves, each adapted to be placed on one side of a two-panel elevator access door. As the door panels slide together and the elevator door closes, the two display panels begin to form a picture which is not completed until the door is fully closed. The picture or scene develops as it advances from a hidden view when the door is fully open and as the two halves approach one another. This creates an attention getting device wherein the passengers in the elevator are captive and actually have a place to focus their attention rather than on the ceiling or floor number panel. The display panel advertising system is an effective means of attracting attention and promoting products and services to selected consumers.

Abstract: A composite top plate and methods for manufacturing same are described. The top plate includes a metal insert and a non-metallic member. The metal includes a central portion and a flange portion having cut outs to provide an intermittent surface. The non-metallic member is formed on the metal insert and a portion of the non-metallic material is received in the cutouts to thereafter hold the metal fixed relative to the non-metallic member.

Abstract: A hollow body and method for making the same are proposed for a sanitary fitting such as a mixing valve for hot and cold water lines. The hollow body may be fabricated as a simple sheet material part and contains water guides in its interior. The water guides are produced by inserting a simple sheet material part into the interior of the hollow body. The sheet material part is fixed in place and subsequently welded to the inner side of the hollow body. Welding can be done more particularly with the aid of a laser enabling the weld to be made from the outer side of the hollow body, as a result of which, welds can be produced at positions which would otherwise not be accessible.

Abstract: A detachable coupling is provided for transmitting mechanical rotation from a driving shaft to a driven shaft which extend substantially coaxially with one another. A spring apparatus is provided in the detachable coupling which acts axially and is rigid in the direction of rotation. The spring apparatus presses wedge-shaped catch slots of the detachable coupling in an axial direction against catch pins in the shafts.

Abstract: A turn strap of surgical grade elastic material having Velcro hooks and loops on opposing ends thereof is positioned under the patient on a hospital bed. One end of the strap is arranged around the side rail on one side of the bed and the other end of the strap is arranged around the side rail on the other side of the bed.

Abstract: A tripod universal joint including a cup-shaped outer joint member having three inward facing longitudinal roller channels with opposite planar side walls, an inner joint member inside of the outer joint member having three radial trunnions in the three roller channels, three spherical inner rollers supported on the radial trunnions for rotation and for radial linear translation, and three outer rollers between the planar side walls of the roller channels supported on corresponding ones of the inner rollers for relative rotation and for relative universal articulation. The outer rollers are prevented from tipping in the roller channels by a cylindrical cage between the inner and outer joint members. The cylindrical cage consists of three arc-shaped cage segments supported on the outer joint member for independent linear translation each having a window therein for a corresponding one of the outer rollers.

Abstract: A support belt and a strap portion includes a strap portion and a pad portion. The pad portion comprising an elongate member having a length sufficient to encircle the body of an individual and a width sufficient to extend from the waist area to the breast area of the individual. A fastener is mounted on the ends of the pad portion for quick attachment and detachment to the individual. The strap portion includes a plurality of straps each having a first part mounted on the outer surface of the pad portion and a second part mounted on the inner surface of the pad portion and in an opposed relation to the first part, stitching extending through the pad portion for securing the first and second strap parts to each other and the pad portion. A part of each of the straps being unfastened and forming a loop to provide handles or anchor point for lifting and pulling the individual.

Abstract: A transparent plastic envelope made up of a front panel and a back panel secured together by parallel sealing lines around the periphery, and a line of mounting holes between the lines for receiving a mounting tie. The back panel is made up of two sections to form an opening for insertion of a sign element into the envelope. A plastic sealing zipper is secured to the meeting edges of the two sections.

Abstract: A rectangular cardboard insert has small pieces cut from its corners to form a flat base and four edges. The lines forming the intersections of the base with the various edges are scored to help guide the edges as they are folded up. The inserts may be stacked upon one another for easy packaging, shipping, and handling. Ads are placed on the inserts, and the inserts are placed into plastic grocery bags or other carrying containers to reinforce the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A sealing structure for sealing a valve body from a separating plate in a liquid-tight fashion. A first sealing layer is printed on the mating surface of the separate plate and a second sealing layer is printed along the first sealing layer with at least a part of the second sealing layer overlapping the first sealing layer and the printing height of the second sealing layer being made larger than that of the first sealing layer whereby the valve body and the separate plate are sealed liquid-tight from each other by a sealing portion comprising the first and second sealing layers. The sealing portion provided by the sealing structure of the present invention has the advantages that it hardly comes off, has an excellent sealing property and is capable of reducing the width thereof to meet a design change.

Abstract: An apparatus for accepting return of unused medical items is part of a system (10) used for automated dispensing and tracking of medical items within a medical facility. The apparatus includes a return drawer (52, 156) and a retrieve drawer (54, 158) which are opened responsive to signals received from a display terminal (26) which is networked with a computer (12) which includes a database (14). The return drawer includes a pocket (74, 160) therein. The pocket is accessible from outside of a housing (56) when the return drawer is moved to an open position. The pocket includes an opening (76, 156). The pocket is closed by a trap door (78, 170) when the return drawer is in the open position. Medical items to be returned (132, 184, 186) are placed in the pocket and the return drawer is closed. Upon the closing of the return drawer the trap door is moved to an open position by an actuator. The returned medical item passes from the pocket to a retrieve area (84, 188) in the retrieve drawer.

Abstract: A high pressure coupling includes a tubular piston having a longitudinal axis and first and second opposite ends, with the tubular piston being moveable between a disengaged position and a pressurized position. A coupling mechanism surrounds the first end of the tubular piston, with the coupling mechanism including an un-coupled configuration and a coupled configuration. A sleeve is engaged with the coupling mechanism for controlling operation of the coupling mechanism. The sleeve is moveable between a first position at which the coupling mechanism is in the un-coupled configuration and a second position at which the coupling mechanism is in the coupled configuration. A detent mechanism is provided which is actuatable by the tubular piston.