Abstract: A golf club head having a heel, toe, upper flange, lower flange, and a front wall defining an upwardly and rearwardly inclined front face comprising a head defining a forwardly extending main recess located rearwardly of the front wall, and between the upper and lower flanges; the upper flange having a lower surface exposed to the recess; the lower flange having an upper surface exposed to the recess; the lower and upper surfaces relatively diverging, forwardly, and toward reduced thickness portions of the flanges proximate the front wall.

Abstract: A golf clubhead (3) including a front strike face (5), a sole (6) extending rearwardly from the base of the strike face (5), and a vibration damper (10) mounted at least on one side of the head and including a stress plate (11) and a visco-elastic layer (12), wherein at least one of the two components (11, 12) of the vibration damper (10) has at least one opening therethrough.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for the delivery of therapeutic liquids to the respiratory system of a patient. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a vibratable non-planar member having tapered apertures which produce droplets wherein about 70% of more of the droplets by weight have a size in the range from about 1 .mu.m to 6 .mu.m. The apparatus may further optionally include a breath sensor which detects the inspiratory flow rate and transmits a signal to vibrate the non-planar member at a frequency corresponding to the inspiratory flow rate. Optionally, the non-planar member may be included in a disposable mouthpiece assembly that is separate from the oscillator assembly. In this manner, the mouthpiece assembly may be discarded after use, while the oscillator assembly may be reused.

Abstract: An oxygen mask having an extended nose region to accommodate openings for both a nebulizer and the main oxygen supply depended on by the patient for adequate respiration. The mask allows the nebulizer to be used without having to remove the patient from the main oxygen supply.

Abstract: A grip for a golf club shaft defined by a resilient, cushioned strip that is spirally wrapped about a split resilient sleeve which has been slipped over and adhered to the shaft of the golf club. The grip may be substituted for the original conventional rubber grip or, alternatively, may be installed as the original grip on a new golf club shaft.

Abstract: A scuba diver's toxic gas detector, in particular carbon monoxide detector, for use with conventional diving equipment and/or dive equipment filling systems, having a body portion (34) and a detector portion (32). The body portion (34) includes a first opening (42) therethrough communication at opposite ends thereof with connections for a first hose (14) from an air tank and a second hose(16) from a buoyancy vest (12). The body portion (34) includes another opening (50) in fluid communication with the first opening in which is positioned a guide element (68). A movable stem element (75) is positioned within said guide element (68). A bore (64) extends between the second opening (50) and the detector portion (32). A button (80) is connected to the stem element (75) and is biased in one position by a spring (82).

Abstract: A breathing circuit apparatus used with a nebulizer device that generates an aerosol is adapted for use by a user for inhaling the aerosol through the user's nose and/or mouth and thereafter exhaling exhalation gas through the breathing circuit apparatus. The breathing circuit apparatus includes a container, an inlet valve, an outlet valve and a user connection port. The container defines an interior chamber therein and is coupled to the nebulizer device. The inlet valve is connected to the container and includes an air inlet port for one-way air flow of ambient air into the interior chamber. The inlet valve moves between a closed condition to prevent the ambient air from entering into the interior chamber and an opened condition to permit the ambient air to enter into the interior chamber. The outlet valve is connected to the container and includes a gas exhalation port for one-way gas flow of the exhalation gas.

Abstract: A portable pressurized gas assembly which comprises a first panel structure; first looping pipe coil structure carried by the panel structure in overlying relation to the structure and having flexible construction, there being structure rigidly attaching the pipe coil structure to the panel structure at one side thereof; the looping coil structure having pressurized gas inlet and outlet fittings associated therewith, whereby the looping pipe coil structure may receive pressurized gas for transport by a user; the panel structure and pipe coil structure having an overall length dimension less than about 12 inches and overall width dimension less than about 9 inches.

Abstract: A tobacco expansion apparatus and method comprising a source of tower gas, an obloid transfer duct, in communication with the gas source, a tobacco feeder at a location along the obloid transport duct and a separator for recovering tobacco from the expansion apparatus. The tobacco feeder is adapted to introduce tobacco uniformly across the width of the obloid transfer duct. The apparatus improves the filling power of the processed tobacco and can be operated at higher production rates with less tobacco breakage, thereby improving tobacco yield.

Abstract: A shaft for an indoor bandy stick, comprising a hollow tube. The tube has a substantially circular bottom end which turns elliptical when progressing upwards while the tube expands conically. The ellipse has a major axis (a) which at its maximum is at least about 15%, preferably about 30% longer than its minor axis and the conicity is such that the diameter of the ellipse parallel to the major axis (a) increases at least about 30%, preferably about 50% or more and the diameter parallel to the minor axis (b) increases 0-30%.

Abstract: A respirator (10) that includes a face piece (14) and a cartridge receiving structure (22) located on the face piece (14). The face piece (14) is sized to fit snugly over the nose and mouth of a person, and the filter cartridge (12) is capable of being manually snapped into engagement with the cartridge receiving structure (22). The snap-fit can be instantaneously obtained without rotational movement of the filter cartridge (12), simply by pressing the filter cartridge (12) against the receiving structure (22).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for ascertaining whether or not the contents of an aerosol medication inhaler canister are near depletion. The apparatus is comprised of a tank having transparent walls and a reference indicia on the tank visible through a transparent front wall panel. The reference indicia depicts the orientation of the longitudinal axis of an empty aerosol medication inhaler canister floating in water relative to horizontal. Preferably, the reference indicia is mounted on a dial attached to the rear wall of the tank. The dial includes a pointer. Canister model code marks are printed on the rear wall of the tank immediately beneath the dial. The user rotates the dial to align the pointer with the particular model code mark corresponding to the canister model the user wishes to measure. This brings the reference indicia on the dial into the fully discharged orientation which an empty canister of that model will assume when placed in water.

Abstract: Most alveoli could collapse in different illnesses and injuries to a lung. A relatively high positive pressure, which could in itself damage the lung or impede its healing, is required to open the alveoli. A positive pressure is often applied at the end of the expiratory phase in order to keep the alveoli open throughout entire respiratory cycles. A ventilator is disclosed wherein an opening pressure for the lung can be determined from measurement values for the pressure and the volume of air supplied to the lung. The ventilator registers the measurement values and determines the opening pressure from the relationship between measurement values for pressure and for volume. The determined opening pressure can then be used by a physician for setting an appropriate end expiratory pressure (PEEP) for the respiratory phase or be used by a control unit in the ventilator for automatic setting of an appropriate end expiratory pressure.

Abstract: A dispenser provides pulmonary delivery of a powder dose to a subject. The dispenser is adapted to be brought into connection with an actuator which introduces an amount of a gas for dispensing the powder dose. The dispenser includes a chamber for receiving the powder dose and a valve for permitting passage of the powder dose only when the actuator introduces the gas into the dispenser. The powder dose is passed from the dispenser for pulmonary delivery to the subject.

Abstract: A light-weight face mask can heat and humidify inhaled air with previously-exhaled air by passing the air through a highly-effective and highly-efficient heat exchanger disposed within the mask. The heat exchanger has a multitude of layers of metallic mesh through which the air passes generally linearly. The warm exhaled air heats the mesh which in turn heats the incoming air before it is inhaled. Moisture from the exhaled air condenses on the relatively-cool heat exchanger and humidifies the incoming air. Inhaled air enters the mask generally upwardly, and exhaled air exits it generally downwardly.

Abstract: An improved respiratory inhaler and medicated packet which uses a patient's breath to send powdered medication into the oral cavity of the patient. The respiratory inhaler is reusable and controls both the rate of airflow inside the chamber and prevents the patient from blowing into the respiratory inhaler. Disposable medicated packets are inserted into the respiratory inhaler. These medicated packets have preformed holes which pass air through the packet and entrain the medication. One respiratory inhaler can be used numerous times for numerous different types of medication. These medicated packets have a removable, protective layer to maintain the sterility and dryness of the measured dose of medication. In operation, the medication is transported from the packet, through the respiratory inhaler, and into the patient. The medicated packets are transparent on one side to allow the patient to observe if the medication has been completely delivered.

Abstract: A device, particularly a contoured pillow, is disclosed for supporting the torso of a person. The pillow includes a top and a bottom separated by a side panel. The side panel is appropriately curved to provide a pair of shoulder support regions, a pair of scapula support regions and a sternum support region to permit a woman to rest or sleep with her chest facing downwardly without placing undue pressure on her breasts. The pillow is particularly designed as a therapeutic pillow for use after surgical procedures, such as breast enlargements or breast reductions. The various regions of the pillow are designed to support the person without placing undue stress on the areas which have undergone surgery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ribbon cartridge comprising a housing with an upper and a lower half, a ribbon received in said housing, a driving means comprising two driving gears for driving said ribbon, said driving gears rotatably supported in the housing and in engagement with each other for transporting the ribbon inbetween the driving gears. Specifically, the housing is provided with a bearing means for supporting a first one of said driving gears at a circumferential surface thereof in the middle of the height of said driving gear, so as to allow self-alignment of the driving gears with each other by adjustment movements other than a rotation around the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A life-saving helmet for escaping from the fire comprised of a transparent plastic bowl. There is a mouth-piece tubing for user putting in his mouth to blow out the exhaled air, while the external end has a check valve allowing only the one-way flow of the air outside. There is another tubing slight above the user's nose, having an automatic check valve allowing the one-way flow of the air to the outside, thereby keeping the pressure inside the helmet constant at one atmospheric pressure. A spot-light at the forehead level of the helmet provides light to assist escaping in the dark and as a signal seeking for help. A built-in plastic pipe on top of the helmet contains a breathable air bottle. The bottle has a tubing extended out. The tip of the tubing abuts the upper edge of a rectangular groove at inner anterior wall of the plastic pipe. A sheath is sealed at lower edge of the blow with an elastic band at its rim. The posterior end of plastic pipe is closed with a lid.

Abstract: A canister (10) is provided for use with an anaesthesia and resuscitation machine. The canister (10) includes a canister body (12) defining an interior (41) for holding carbon dioxide absorbent (114). A unidirectional expiratory valve (40) is integrally mounted to the canister body (12) through which a patient gas can pass into the canister body interior (41), and a unidirectional inspiratory valve (42) is provided through which the patient gas can pass out of the canister body interior (41). An overflow orifice (102) extends through the canister body, through which the patient gas can pass. A unidirectinal overflow valve (150) is coupled to the overflow orifice (102) for permitting a controlled flow of patient gas therethrough to maintain the desired patient gas pressure within the interior (41) of the canister body (12).