Abstract: An electrical discharge machine includes a chuck for holding an electrode above a workpiece. A lower guide positions a tip of the electrode above the workpiece, and mid-guide laterally supports the electrode between its opposite ends for reducing flexing therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating certain conditions comprising administering an amount of a compound or composition of the invention which is effective to inhibit the activity of at least one matrix metalloprotease, resulting in achievement of the desired effect. The compounds of the present invention are of the generalized formula ##STR1## where v is 1, 2, 3 or 4 and Ar represents a substituted aromatic moiety.

Abstract: A metal-air power supply which provides improved control over air flow is provided. The reactant air and cooling air inlets are separate from one another and isolated from the exhausted reactant and cooling portions of the air flow. The reactant air flow is limited to a volumetric flow rate sufficient to provide from about 3 to about 10 times the stoichiometric amount of oxygen necessary to produce a predetermined level of current from the cell, and a total volumetric flow rate of air sufficient so that the cooling portion of the air flow has a volumetric flow rate from about 10 to about 1000 times the volumetric flow rate of the reactant portion of the air flow is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, suitable for deployment from small vessels, for obtaining samples of materials from the sea bottom and, more specifically, to a multi-bucket sampler particularly suited for, but not restricted to, gathering samples from bottoms comprising hard or compacted materials and/or having coarse matter, such as gravel, distributed therein. In one embodiment the sampler comprises, in general, a dual bucket assembly pivotally attached to a frame, cover means for the buckets, and an actuator for pivoting the buckets from an open position wherein the buckets can penetrate the bottom to a closed position wherein the buckets are urged against the cover. The apparatus is designed to achieve maximum penetration of the seabed and to prevent washout of the materials collected upon recovery. The dual buckets provide sample duplication which may be used to assess local variability of bottom conditions.

Abstract: A heavy metal-free composition and its method of use in an ion selective electrode-based assay are disclosed. The heavy metal-free composition includes a borate compound and an alkalinity adjusting compound, and is used to dilute a test sample; buffer the test sample; and substantially reduce the effects of interferents present in the test sample on the ion selective electrode-based assay. The heavy metal-free composition and its method of use are especially useful in an ion selective electrode-based assay for carbonate ion concentration in a test sample, like blood serum, blood plasma, urine or cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: A note roll (A,C) is disclosed for a dispensing device, (10,30) the note roll includes paper having a first side (11a) which is clean for note writing. A second side (11b) of the paper includes a self-stick adhesive strip (B,B') by which indeterminate or pre-determined lengths of paper may be dispensed from the roll with sufficient self-stick adhesive for attachment to a desired surface. Self-stick adhesive (B) is disposed on the paper of the note roll along its length and down a medial portion so that paper may be dispensed in indeterminate lengths with a strip of adhesive along the back. Multiple pre-determined pieces (13) of paper may be dispensed at one time or may be torn at perforations (12).

Abstract: A writing instrument A with note paper 36, 38 is disclosed which includes a retractable writing instrument carrier 10 and a paper storage chamber E from which paper may be dispensed through a dispensing slot 42 formed along a substantial portion of a barrel B of the device P. Carrier 10 includes a reservoir 12 of writing medium and a writing point 12. A thumb operator 32 provides for positioning of the carrier in a writing or retracted position. The carrier also may move axially along a slot 24 to position a spare paper roll 38 in a dispensing position as paper roll 36.

Abstract: This is concerned with a cord grip for use with various types of electrical cord and is more specifically concerned with a compression chamber with a distortable grommet which has gripper elements associated therewith so that the gripper elements or unit perform a closing action on the cord in response to reduction in the volume of the compression chamber.

Abstract: This is a cable tie which has a head or frame at one end of the strap with the other end of the strap being constructed and arranged to be inserted through a transverse opening or channel in the head. The head has two opposed pawls which are spaced apart a distance somewhat less than the minimum strap distance with the pawls being differentially mounted or constructed so that the cable tie will stand up to or handle maximum stress conditions more efficiently.

Abstract: This is an electrical connector of the so-called screw-on type and is concerned with the exterior of such a connector which is specially constructed and arranged to be handled and driven on the stripped ends of the wires by a power operated unit.

Abstract: This is concerned with a so-called screw-on electrical connector which contains or is made up of a plastic insulating cap with a coil spring on the inside which is constructed and arranged to be screwed down on the stripped ends of two or more electric wires. More specifically, the connector is constructed to provide a variable and controlled spring rate or compression load on the stripped ends of the largest number of wire combinations and in a less expensive form.

Abstract: This is a screw-on electrical connector of the type in which an insulating cap has a generally open central bore and a wire coil is positioned in the bore to engage the stripped ends of the wires. The interior of the bore is provided with a formation to engage the rear end of the coil for positioning and interlocking the two to provide the torque necessary to turn the connector down on the stripped ends of the wires. The forward portion of the bore is also provided with a dam structure or barrier to prevent the coil from coming out of the bore. The subject matter includes a method of making such a connector.

Abstract: The following specification discloses a pipe joining and connection process and apparatus for utilization with all forms of plastic pipes and metal and plastic pipe couplings. The joint comprises a plastic or metal adapter fixture which has been swaged in circumferential relationship to the pipe by expansion of the pipe into the fixture through a process and apparatus which serves to expand and hold the two elements together. The apparatus comprises a metal sleeve on the interior of the pipe and an exterior metal retainer overlying the fixture to provide the necessary hoop strength surrounding the joint. The process is effectuated by means of expanding a resilient elastomer within the bore of the pipe against the sleeve that is concomitantly expanded outwardly against the pipe. The plastic of the pipe is simultaneously caused to flow into grooves within the fixture.

Abstract: A screw-on wire connector which includes an insulating cap with a bore open at one end for the reception of the stripped ends of wires. A distortable relatively non-expandable sheet metal wire retainer which receives the wires is located in the cap. The wire retainer has a tapered thread which engages the inserted wires. The wire retainer is spaced circumferentially from the inside of the wall of the cap between its ends to provide for circumferential distortion of the wire retainer by the wires without placing an outward load on the cap due to substantial contact between the wire retainer and the cap.

Abstract: A method of joining the stripped ends of electrical wires and screw-on connectors for performing the method. The method includes bunching the stripped ends of wire, inserting the bunched wires into a distortable relatively nonexpandable wire retainer having an inwardly tapered thread, rotating the wires and wire retainer relative to one another to feed the bunched wires into the wire retainer, applying torque to the bunched wires and the wire retainer to cause the wire retainer to compress the wires into contact with one another and form a thread thereon, supporting the wire retainer during application of the torque in a manner which permits the wire retainer to freely distort without substantial expansion to thereby accommodate the wires as the wires are forced into the small end of the tapered thread, and covering the wire retainer and retained wire with an insulator. A screw-on wire connector which includes an insulating cap with a bore open at one end for the reception of the stripped ends of the wires.

Abstract: This is concerned with a screw-on type insulating connector for joining the stripped ends of a plurality of electric wires or conductors and has a thread formation on what might otherwise be considered its conical surface, but this surface has a particular geometry in the nature of a concave frustum which enables it to hold particular combinations without bending and breaking the core pin.

Abstract: A highly efficient solar reflector collector comprises:(a) a receptacle,(b) a first translucent panel in the receptacle to pass solar radiation into the receptacle interior(c) auxiliary panel means extending within the receptacle to form first and second chambers at opposite sides of the second panel means and within the receptacle,(d) heat reflecting material in the receptacle facing said panels, and(e) fluid passing tubing stretches in said chambers to receive solar radiation transmitted through said panels and to receive radiation reflected from said material, the tubing stretches extending in such close relation as to radiate heat between themselves while passing radiation therebetween for impingement on and reflection from said reflecting material.

Abstract: This is concerned with a connector for clamping the ends of cables which have had their insulation removed which includes a ball and socket where the socket is stationary and the ball rotates to a certain limited amount to grasp and distort the metal of the cable sufficiently to firmly hold it in place and to complete an electrical joint between the cable and a surface or part to which the connection is being made.