Abstract: A specimen collector includes an elongated outer hollow tube having a forward end and a rearward end, and an inner elongated rod having a forward and rearward end portions slidably mounted within the outer tube. A specimen collector swab is mounted to the forward end of the inner rod, while a rearward extension including a gripping means is attached to the rearward end of the inner rod in order to effect sliding movement of the inner rod relative to the outer tube.A coaxial space between the inner rod and the outer tube is divided by a plurality of axially spaced seals. The first or forward seal is mounted to the forward end of the outer cylindrical tube and is openable to permit the specimen collector or swab to pass through the seal when the inner rod is moved forward relative to the outer tube. This first or forward seal has a rounded or dome-like forward portion and a rearward cylindrical portion which terminates in a rearward end.

Abstract: A porous molded plastic swab construction for microbiological or other use including a swab element attached to an elongated carrier member. The swab is constructed from molded porous plastic materials such as high density polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyledene fluoride, ethylene-vinyl acetate, styrene-acrylonitrile, polytetrafluoroethylene and silicone rubber having a pore size of from about 10 to about 2,000 microns with a density of about 35% to about 60% void volume. The swabs are designed for incorporation into specimen collection instruments, or for individual use as collectors or applicators.

Abstract: A device for determining the direction of a fluid spray pattern issuing from a fluid nozzle prior to flowing through the nozzle includes a body in the form of a template or a jig releasably attachable in a predetermined orientation to the nozzle tip. The body includes a pair of angularly related adjustable arms having axes which intersect the nozzle aperture and which extend such that the central axis of the nozzle bisects the angle between the arms. By applying the device to the nozzle tip in predetermined orientation, the arms define the lateral extremities of the spray pattern.

Abstract: The coaxial annular space between a rod and a slidably received outer cylinder is divided into three serial chambers by four seals. Two seals are spaced apart and affixed to the front of the rod. Two seals are spaced apart and affixed to the cylinder rearwardly of the first two. By relative forward rod movement, a specimen capturing zone is exposed at the desired site of a biological specimen. Thereafter, rearward rod movement reseals the capturing zone. Further, rearward rod movement reduces the volume of a media containing chamber and thereby moves the collection zone into contact with the desired medium. The third chamber prevents contamination of the biologically active portions of the structure during operation. Pre-scored break lines formed in the cylinder and rod facilitate severance of unneeded portions after collection of a biological specimen and/or after transportion to a suitable laboratory facility. Color-coded indicia are used on the rod and/or cylinder so as to facilitate proper operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for collecting and/or growing anaerobic or aerobic biological specimens. A slidable inner rod and outer tube assembly is provided with rear, middle and front seals which define two coaxial sealed chambers of variable volume within the rod and tube assembly. The front chamber is controllably unsealed to receive a biological specimen. The front chamber is then resealed by manipulation of the tube and rod assembly which may also thereafter cause passage of a biological culture growth medium, transport materials, etc. from a rear chamber into the front chamber by reducing the volume of the rear chamber. The biological specimen is thus collected and may be transferred to a growth medium or the like in a completely protected environment immediately after its collection within an internal organ (for example) of a living body.

Abstract: A calculating device and a method of use thereof for determining the lead required to shoot a projectile at a moving target including cooperating logarithmic scales with indicia corresponding to the parameters target speed, range, projectile speed and lead displayed on a fixed and a slide member. Pictorial markers representative of various projectiles are disposed along the projectile velocity scale at locations corresponding to their normal speed and words descriptive of target speed are disposed at appropriate locations along the target speed scale so that calculations may be made by persons not having knowledge of game and projectile speeds in numerical terms. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the logarithmic scales are longitudinally disposed and the slide member may move relative to the fixed member in a horizontal direction. In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the scales are disposed in a circular arc on members which may be rotated about a common axis.

Abstract: A calculating device and a method of use thereof for determining the lead required to shoot a projectile at a moving target such as game including cooperating logarithmic scales with parameter indicia corresponding to the range of the target, the speed and direction of movement of the target, the speed of the projectile and the required lead displayed on a fixed and a slide member. Markers representative of various projectiles are disposed on the projectile velocity scale at locations corresponding to their normal speed and words descriptive of game speed are disposed at appropriate locations along the target speed scale so that calculations may be made by persons not having knowledge of game and projectile speeds in numerical terms. The lead is calculated from a knowledge of the parameters in a two step process of moving one member relative to the other. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the scales are arcuately disposed on members which may be rotated about a common axis.

Abstract: A separator assembly for transfer mechanisms particularly of the type used in the handling and transfer of non-ambulatory hospital patients and including an endless belt trained about a thin, flexible separator plate, a retainer bar adjustably positioned along the rear edge of the separator plate and a drive roller supported by the retainer bar on the edge thereof opposite from the separator plate. An organization of camming bars extend between the retainer bar and the rear edge of the separator plate to adjust the distance between the retainer bar and the separator plate thus to regulate the tension of the belt trained about the drive roller, retainer bar and separator plate. The camming bars may be operated either to adjust the distance between the drive roller and the front edge separator plate in parallel relationship or in canted relationship for belt tracking purposes.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism especially suited for use in the handling and transfer of non-ambulatory hospital patients and having at least one thin plate-like support movable from a retracted position relative to a deck outwardly over a bed or other surface to or from which the patient is to be transferred and loaded by extension of the support under the patient. The support plate is extensible beyond its own width and also through a distance larger than the width of a deck structure on which it may be superimposed by virtue of a carriage assembly with which the separator is translated. Friction between the patient and the laterally translated support is avoided by a thin flexible apron covering the support and movable relative to it in a manner such that the surface presented to the patient is either stationary or movable with the separator.