Abstract: An accelerator for small motor-vehicles allows an operator to control vehicle power output by flexing his or her index finger. The accelerator is designed for mounting on a handlebar but does not require a rotatable grip for operation. A lever is provided that rotates with applied force from the index finger, the lever rotating about an axis that is parallel or nearly parallel with the part of the handlebar that the hand rests on. A brake lever is also described that may be operated by the same hand that operates the accelerator.

Abstract: The invention provides a finger-actuated accelerator for small motor-vehicles. The accelerator has an actuation path that remains in the planar region of maximum finger-tip mobility. Rotational motion of an input mechanism is used to approximate a natural finger motion. An arrangement that includes a brake lever and a finger-actuated accelerator for operation by the same hand is provided. Several techniques are discussed for transforming the motion of an index finger into control inputs to a vehicle engine, including both mechanical and electronic techniques.

Abstract: A lightweight hopper car that includes one or more reinforcing members at specified locations, so that the hopper car has both a carrying capacity and a structural strength comparable to those of existing, heavier hopper cars. Specifically, the present application discloses that the hopper car may be reinforced at one or more locations including (i) at selective intersections between the center sill and slope sheets of cargo wells; (ii) between side slope sheets of adjacent cargo wells; (iii) at the junction between the side sheets and end slope sheets of the hopper car; and (iv) along the end combing seal between opposed carlines, if the hopper car is covered. In addition, the present application discloses a novel means of reinforcing side sheets of a rail car, including hopper cars, against the warping that commonly occurs when welding the side sheets at the car is fabricated.

Abstract: A lightweight hopper car that includes one or more reinforcing members at specified locations, so that the hopper car has both a carrying capacity and a structural strength comparable to those of existing, heavier hopper cars. Specifically, the present application discloses that the hopper car may be reinforced at one or more locations including (i) at selective intersections between the center sill and slope sheets of cargo wells; (ii) between side slope sheets of adjacent cargo wells; (iii) at the junction between the side sheets and end slope sheets of the hopper car; and (iv) along the end combing seal between opposed carlines, if the hopper car is covered. In addition, the present application discloses a novel means of reinforcing side sheets of a rail car, including hopper cars, against the warping that commonly occurs when welding the side sheets at the car is fabricated.

Abstract: A tube clamp particularly for adjusting liquid flow through tubes such as I.V. tubes has a channel-shaped holder along which the tube is passed and a rotary eccentric mounted in fixed position between opposite side walls of the holder for applying adjustable pressure on the tube dependent on the rotary position of the eccentric. A ratchet wheel with a spring detent is attached to the eccentric for rotating the eccentric and positively retaining it in a selected position of rotation.

Abstract: A rotatable rigid material valve operator is provided having a threaded shank threadedly engaged within a threaded blind bore formed in a valve member constructed of thermo plastic elastomer having an 80-90 "SHORE" scale durometer hardness and snugly slidingly disposed within a valve body bore against rotation relative thereto, the threaded shank being rotatable relative to the valve body against axial displacement relative thereto such that rotation of the threaded shank translates into axial shifting of the valve member within the valve body bore.

Abstract: A sterile intravenous flow valve includes in-line valve mechanism which is maintained sterile in all of its positions. The valve also includes an adjustment member and a locking mechanism for selectively locking the adjustment member in place to thereby assure accurate flow rate settings. Sterility is achieved by providing a sealed chamber formed by a snap-fit engagement between the adjustment member and the main body member of the valve.

Abstract: A surgical scrub apparatus includes a liquid-containing rupturable cylindrical cartridge which is slidable within a tubular handle having two (2) hollow interior spikes projecting longitudinally from one end. The cartridge can be inserted sufficiently far to cause rupture of the cartridge by both spikes. Liquid from the ruptured cartridge flows through the hollow spikes to an applicator sponge having two (2) wide area applicator surfaces. The hollow spikes are oriented such that one is always disposed higher than the other when the applicator surfaces of the sponge are disposed substantially horizontally. The upper spike can be disposed at a position wherein the liquid pressure applied thereto is less than ambient such that the upper spike serves as a vent passage which admits air into the cartridge. The lower spike thereby serves primarily as an outflow for liquid from the cartridge and air replaces the egressing liquid through the upper spike.

Abstract: A surgical scrub apparatus includes a liquid-containing rupturable cylindrical cartridge which is slidable within a tubular handle having at least one and preferably two hollow interior spikes projecting longitudinally from one end. The cartridge can be inserted sufficiently far to cause rupture of the cartridge by both spikes. Liquid from the ruptured cartridge flows from within the handle, preferably through the spikes, to an applicator sponge having two wide area applicator surfaces. The spikes include exterior projections which are received in respective recesses or flow passages in the applicator to facilitate distribution of liquid through the applicator to the application surfaces. The recesses are contoured as desired to aid in liquid distribution. The interior of the spikes may be coated with a non-wetting agent such as silicone to facilitate flow through the hollow spikes.

Abstract: A forestream sample of a urine void is isolated from a subsequently collected midstream specimen by means of a valve controlled by material which swells to many times its original volume when exposed to urine. The material is disposed in a forestream receiving chamber having a normally open inlet aperture toward which void urine is directed by a funnel, or the like. Upon contact between the liquid and the material in the chamber, the material absorbs the liquid and swells to many times its original volume while forcefully urging a movable member against the aperture to block further entry of liquid into the chamber. Subsequently received liquid is redirected into a midstream specimen collection container. The void stream is initially received by a funnel having a discharge spout which terminates below the level of an overflow opening from which the subsequently received void portion is redirected into the midstream specimen container.

Abstract: The surface of the intravenous liquid in a container is maintained at substantially constant height above the patient by suspending the container from an elastic member which stretches along an axis other than the suspension axis for the container. In this manner, the total vertical length of the intravenous unit, including the container, the elastic member and the support hook, is minimized. In a particular embodiment the elastic member is a spring oriented substantially horizontal and combined with a pulley and idler roller to redirect the suspension cord for the intravenous liquid container. In another embodiment the spring is disposed vertically along an axis parallel to the suspension axis. An alarm circuit includes one or more micro switches which are actuated by the moveable spring-attached pulley to provide an audible or visible alarm indication when the suspension spring retracts to a specified position, thereby indicating that the intravenous container is approaching an empty condition.

Abstract: An incentive spirometer, of the type wherein an object is raised in a tube by a patient inhaling through the tube, is improved by automatically maintaining the tube vertically-oriented in spite of tilting of the frame from which the tube is supported.

Abstract: An improved liquid dispensing device having particular utility as a surgical scrub and/or swab unit is characterized by a cartridge which is slidable in a rigid handle and rupturably by a spike when slid within the handle to a predetermined degree. Fluid from the ruptured cartridge flows from within the handle to within a sponge through apertures which permit free flow of the dispensed fluid. The handle may be provided with longitudinally-extending slots to facilitate compression of the handle and the cartridge disposed therein. A check valve may be included in the hollow spike passage to prevent back flow of liquid from the sponge and dispensing chamber into the cartridge.

Abstract: A disposable stabilizing fitting for a catheter tube includes a laminar base member having an adhesive coated underside and a tube-retaining cradle. A snap-over cover engages the catheter tube in the cradle. Specifically, gripping members in the cradle are non-aligned with one or more gripping members in the cover such that the gripping members engage the catheter tube by bending the tube slightly without restricting flow. In one preferred embodiment, the cradle is subdivided into two longitudinal sections having respective covers which hinge in opposite directions and are latchable in a plurality of positions corresponding to various catheter tube diameters.

Abstract: An incentive spirometer is provided with a mechanism for inhibiting the incentive in response to high flow rate bursts of inhalation so as to promote proper long inhalation efforts by a patient. In one embodiment, the spirometer includes a transparent column located in the inhalation flow path and in which an object is disposed and caused to rise in the column in response to inhalation efforts by the patient. The incentive-inhibiting mechanism may comprise a valve in the rising object which opens in response to excessive flow rate to permit flow through the object and thereby preclude the object from rising. Alternatively, the incentive-inhibiting object may be disposed to admit air into the flow path downstream of the object in response to high flow rate inhalation bursts to thereby reduce the flow rate acting on the object. A variety of embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A moisture-retentive covering for ointment, such as nitroglycerin, applied for percutaneous absorption includes a flexible frame member having first and second surfaces with adhesive material thereon. A sheet of moisture-impervious material is secured to the first surface of the frame member and entirely covers the first surface and the area prescribed within the frame. A removable backing is secured to the second surface. A tab extends from the sheet of moisture-impervious material to permit the covering to be gripped while the removable backing is peeled away.

Abstract: An intravenous flow control valve includes an in-line valving mechanism as opposed to a tube clamp. The mechanism includes an adjustment member and a locking mechanism for selectively locking the adjustment member in place and thereby assure accurate flow rate settings.

Abstract: A safety valve for catheterization procedures is characterized by a piston having an internal flow path, a portion of the piston being surrounded by an elastomeric member which surrounds a portion of the piston and biases it to a closed position. The elastomeric member also severely restricts fluid flow around the piston to eliminate any flow path other than the internal piston flow path.

Abstract: A fitting for use in performing a vascular puncture includes a system for rapidly and securely stabilizing an intravascular catheter or needle to a patient's skin upon insertion of the needle or catheter into a blood vessel. The hub of the needle or catheter has upper and lower lateral wings extending from its opposite sides. The wings are folded up over the hub and gripped together while a vascular puncture is made and then the lower wings, which have adhesive under surfaces, are released and dabbed onto the skin to rapidly stabilize the fitting. The upper wings can be taped down over the lower wings to effect a more permanent attachment of the fitting.

Abstract: A stabilizing fitting for securely holding an intravenous catheter to a patient's skin at a venipuncture site comprises a laminar base member with an adhesive lower surface and a catheter hub retaining cradle on its upper surface. After insertion of the catheter into a vein and connection to an infusion tube, the catheter hub is pressed into the cradle which locates the hub laterally and longitudinally and the fitting is dabbed onto the patient's skin. Stabilization is then achieved by affixing criss-cross adhesive tapes over the assembly.