Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning the pelvic floor musculature of a living being to inhibit bladder contractility and relax the bladder so as to prevent involuntary urinary loss. The apparatus and method involve providing a pair of electrodes adapted for contact with tissue associated with the floor musculature. A steady, adjustable bias potential difference is applied to said electrodes, said potential difference having a value or amplitude which is less than a predetermined threshold value as the latter is established by a specific electrode orientation in or with relation to the tissue. Simultaneously with such application of bias voltage there is also applied to said electrodes a repeated adjustable intermittent potential, so as to cause resultant voltage values or peaks which are above the said threshold value.

Abstract: A nautical light for watercraft includes a cylindrical metal housing having opposite ends, one of which includes a collar for mounting the light on a tubular mast or pole. The housing includes a pair of vertically tiered light chambers each having a lamp bulb coaxial with the housing axis and a window opening radially thereinto through the housing. A cylindrical closed end lens is axially received over the housing with the closed end of the lens overlying an end wall of the housing opposite the mounting end. The lens member is sealed with respect to the housing, and the closed end of the lens member is fastened to the end wall of the housing to facilitate removal of the lens for access to the light chambers. The housing and mounting collar provide a path for heat transfer to the mast on which the light is mounted, thereby providing thermal protection for the lens.

Abstract: A high efficiency grate and stove heating unit for extracting useful heat from a fire, comprising in combination a low metal enclosure having an expansive top wall constituting a grate proper for supporting fireplace logs and the coals resulting therefrom, together with multiple heat exchangers in the form of plates or corrugation ribs on the top wall and means to cradle the logs thereof. Other plates or corrugation ribs extend downward from the top wall, and the plates can abut the bottom enclosure wall to constitute a reinforcement means. In one embodiment of the invention the enclosure includes an air inlet port connected with an electric blower for forcing air into the enclosure, together with multiple outlet ports from which the air, now heated, flows. A series of forward protruding nozzles is carried by the enclosure and communicates with the outlet ports to channel the heated air in directions away from the enclosure and its inlet port.

Abstract: A safety trash container for disposal of cigars, cigarettes, papers and the like, comprising in combination a receptacle having an opening at one end and a closure member adapted to fit the opening. Structure is provided within the receptacle for mounting the closure member for movement between an open position wherein the opening of the receptacle is exposed and accessible for deposit of trash, and a closed position wherein the opening is substantially sealed off. A heat responsive mechanism is also provided within the receptacle, for sensing a rise in its internal temperature due to inadvertent ignition of the contents thereof, and a powered operator device is associated with the mounting structure for the closure member and connected with the latter for advancing it to its closed position in response to operation of the heat-responsive mechanism, thereby sealing off the receptacle opening and confining and smothering any flames resulting from a fire occurring therein.

Abstract: A high efficiency grate and stove heating unit for extracting useful heat from a fire, comprising in combination a low metal enclosure having an expansive top wall constituting a grate proper for supporting fireplace logs and the coals resulting therefrom, together with multiple heat exchangers in the form of plates or corrugation ribs on the top wall and means to cradle the logs thereof. Other plates or corrugation ribs extend downward from the top wall, and the plates can abut the bottom enclosure wall to constitute a reinforcement means. In one embodiment of the invention the enclosure includes an air inlet port connected with an electric blower for forcing air into the enclosure, together with multiple outlet ports from which the air, now heated, flows. A series of forward protruding nozzles is carried by the enclosure and communicates with the outlet ports to channel the heated air in directions away from the enclosure and its inlet port.

Abstract: A high efficiency grate and stove heating unit for extracting useful heat from a fire, comprising in combination a low metal enclosure having an expansive top wall constituting a grate proper for supporting fireplace logs and the coals resulting therefrom, together with multiple heat exchangers in the form of fins or plates secured to the top wall and adapted to cradle the logs thereof. Other fins or plates extend downward from the top wall and abut the bottom enclosure wall to constitute a reinforcement means. In one embodiment, the enclosure includes an air inlet port connected with an electric blower for forcing air into the enclosure, together with multiple outlet ports from which the air, now heated, flows. A series of forward protruding nozzles is carried by the enclosure and communicates with the outlet ports to channel the heated air in directions away from the enclosure and its inlet port.

Abstract: A gasoline and battery-powered electric automobile wherein the start and the running of the car are effected by an electric motor except in circumstances where the battery charge is depleted, in which case the normal cruising and higher speeds are then obtained using a gasoline or internal combustion engine which can be cut in either automatically or at will. The electric motor is powered by storage batteries that can be recharged from a generator driven by the internal combustion engine, or else from house current. One pair of wheels of the vehicle is powered by the internal combustion engine through a magnetic clutch and differential. The other set of wheels is powered through an infinitely variable mechanical transmission comprising cone pulleys or cone chains whose ratio is power-controlled in accordance with the driver's desires or else with the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An internally illuminated switch plate for providing visual indications of the on-off condition of an electrical wall switch. The plate comprises a wall plate in the form of a flat slab adapted to overlie the wall fixture and constituted of material which conducts light. A small recess in the rear surface carries a neon glow lamp, and a second recess carries a resistor. The glow lamp and resistor are connected in series, and this assemblage in turn connected across the terminals of the switch. Connections to the neon lamp and resistor are made via tracks of conductive paint disposed in grooves in the rear surface of the slab. The tracks extend to two terminals of the slab, from which flexible leads are run to terminals of the switch. The arrangement is such that when the switch is off, the lamp is energized by the voltage normally appearing across the switch terminals, to thus provide a visual indication of the on-off condition of the switch.

Abstract: A combined electrical receptacle type adaptor and night light providing both multiple electrical sockets and subdued illumination, comprising a wall plate in the form of a truncated pyramid with four sloped faces and a pair of conductor prongs protruding from the rear of the wall plate and adapted to be received in openings of an existing wall outlet for establishing electrical contact with the circuits thereof. The wall plate carries a pair of two-conductor sockets, the conductors of which are connected respectively to the back prongs. The plate additionally has a pair of electric lamps respectively disposed at non-adjacent faces of the pyramid, for illuminating areas on opposite sides thereof. Also carried by the wall plate is a switch connected with the lamps, providing control of their energization. In a preferred embodiment, the switch is disposed in a third face of the pyramid and enables the lamps to be selectively energized at either half or full brilliance.

Abstract: An electrical grounding-type adaptor receptacle providing, from a standard duplex wall outlet, multiple circuits to accommodate a plurality of electrical plugs. The adaptor includes a wall plate or housing which has the configuration of a truncated pyramid and is adapted to overlie and completely conceal the outlet opening of the wall receptacle. Two pairs of parallel-connected conductive prongs protrude from the rear of the housing and are adapted to be inserted in the recess pairs respectively of the wall outlet for electrical contact with the circuits thereof. Carried by the housing are multiple three-conductor sockets for receiving grounding-type appliance plugs, the sockets being connected in parallel with one another and with the parallel-connected prongs.To provide the grounding function there is disposed within the housing an elongate conductor bar substantially in line with the sockets, the conductor bar having multiple spring fingers adapted to be engaged by the ground pins of the plugs.