Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a soft pliable prosthesis, such as a mammary prosthesis, into a human body through an incision. A prosthesis to be inserted is contained in an open mouthed inner bag of flexible fluid impervious sheet material and in a preferred form of the invention, a second outer open mouthed bag of similar material is sealingly joined to the inner bag at the mouths of the bags by means of a ring member seal. The outer bag carries a charge of fluid. The ring member is provided with a flange which may be seated in an open incision, and upon squeezing of the outer bag, the pressure applied to the fluid in the space between the two bags everts the inner bag through the ring member to carry the prosthesis contained therein to the desired position within the body.

Abstract: A urinal is formed along the upper part of its face with a shaped horizontal recess which is approximately V-shaped when seen in section, and is perforated with a horizontal row of holes at the apex of the V communicating with a reservoir in the form of an integral channel extending for the whole length of the urinal to the rear of the recess, so that water from the reservoir emerging through the holes flows over the lower surface of the recess before passing to the face of the urinal. The reservoir may be closed at the top and of generally triangular cross-section above the line of holes. The urinal may include a cistern connected to the reservoir by way of a syphon and forming an integral part of the assembly which may be formed as an integral moulding of glass-reinforced plastics material, or may be fabricated from stainless steel.

Abstract: This pull out sofa bed is an improvement of the sofa bed disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,883 dated Oct. 12, 1976 and assigned to the assignee of the present application. In said patent bed there is in effect a lost motion during which no work of compressing the mattress is being performed while slack is being taken up. Consequently the work required to compress the mattress and create the necessary locking of the compressed mattress, is concentrated over a relatively short part of the closing cycle of the folding of the bed. The result of this is that a relatively high "peak" force is required at this portion of the cycle to close the bed and compress the mattress and lock the bed in closed position, thereby requiring exertion of considerable strength by the person closing the bed. The patented bed is satisfactory when the mattresses were made of polyfoam.

Abstract: A mattress construction is provided which comprises a plurality of individual layers of a foamed material such as form rubber separated by intermediate separator layers of another material, and a base layer formed by an assembly of alternatively disposed slats and dowels. The slats and dowels extend transversely of the mattress construction and are connected to each other by suitable cording to form a flexible assembly. A bed pan plug is provided in one side of the mattress construction.

Abstract: A mattress cover is provided in which a fitted sheet for covering the mattress snugly is sewn to a plain sheet covering the fitted sheet along a line described by the foot of the mattress and a portion of the sides of the mattress, whereby the foot of the plain sheet does not become separated from the foot of the mattress during sleep.

Abstract: A camping pack which comprises a tent assembly, a sleeping bag assembly, each of said assemblies being joined to each other, said assemblies forming in non-assembled position a substantially plainer, sheet-like article having four panels, each of said panels having at each end thereof a flap, and said pack including fastening means for securing said flaps and panels together into one or the other of said assemblies.

Abstract: A visual marker means for attachment to the floatation gear of a water skier to enable the skier to be more readily detected when down in the water. The marker means includes a staff having a flag member secured to the upper end thereof, and attachment means are secured to the lower end of the staff to permit releasable attachment of the staff and flag member to the floatation gear of the water skier. The attachment means includes a resilient belt or strap member which is coupled at its upper end to the staff, and at its lower end to the staff securing buckle or plate, the attachment being such that the belt and the staff form a closed loop for the attachment of the safety flag to the floatation gear of the skier.

Abstract: An inflatable buoyancy vest employs an open weave elastic gusset between the front and rear panels of the vest to hold the vest in a compact condition when the vest is deflated.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing bolts of a given grade and size in which, after forming, threading and heat treating, each bolt is work hardened by the application and subsequent removal of a tensile force of magnitude somewhat above the minimum proof load for the given grade and size of bolt, so that all bolts so treated will have the same yield point and the torque rotation curve for each bolt will have a discontinuity in slope at this common yield point.

Abstract: A self-locking internally threaded fastener in which the self-locking characteristic is derived from a ring-like plastic patch having a circumferential extent of greater than 180.degree. adhered to the thread-defining surface of the fastener. A method for making the fastener includes seating a fastener upon a pin having a configuration which establishes a cavity between the pin and the fastener, placing an initial deposit of plastic powder in the cavity and then re-distributing the plastic powder, as by blowing, to form a ring-like deposit which can be heated until fused to establish the desired ring-like patch. An apparatus includes a pin having a seating shoulder and a frusto-conical tapered portion for receiving the fastener and establishing the cavity.

Abstract: A protective gaiter which extends from a wearer's instep to just below his knee. A portion of the gaiter forms a completely closed pocket which contains an energy-absorbing pad. The pocket and the pad are both elongated, covering substantially the length of the gaiter, and include a concavely shaped bottom edge which lets the gaiter be conveniently positioned around the wearer's instep so that it fits over and protects the wearer's shinbones, as well as covering many of the major bones and muscles of the wearer's leg.In the manufacture of the protective gaiter, identical front and liner panels and a somewhat smaller, interposed back panel are aligned and sewn together along one longitudinal edge. An elastic strip, which forms the stirrup of the protective gaiter, is next secured between opposing ends of the bottom edges of the front and liner panels, which bottom edges are then sewn together. The other longitudinal edges of the front, liner and back panels are then aligned and sewn together.

Abstract: Gangway structure providing a connecting link between a vessel and a docking area to permit loading and unloading of the vessel when adjacent to the docking area under the prevalent variable relative positional dispositions of the vessel and docking area due to tidal and water current changes, vessel displacement changes caused by such loading and unloading, and the like, including a gangway structure having means to support one end thereof on the vessel, means to support the other end thereof on the docking area, and means such as cooperating vertical pivot and horizontal axis roller means to preclude the torsional twisting of the gangway structure, e.g., in any position of movement thereof in connecting link relation to the vessel and docking area, and preferably associated tower structures and elevated connecting gangway span supporting means extending between such tower structures for accommodating the docking area supported end of the gangway structure and such means to preclude such torsional twisting.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus particularly adapted for use in closed bays comprising a stationary frame carrying a plurality of brushes to wash the vehicle as it moves through the unit in a forward direction and to rinse the vehicle as it backs out of the unit in the reverse direction. The brushes include two opposed warp-around brushes, a top brush, and two opposed ledge brushes. The warp-around brushes and the top brush are movable between an operative vehicle washing position during the forward movement of the vehicle and an inoperative retracted position during the reverse movement of the vehicle. The stationary frame carries detergent and rinse spray arches. A control circuit is provided to automatically control operation of the brushes, the detergent arch and the rinse arch pursuant to the passage of a vehicle through the unit.

Abstract: A swimming pool brush guide comprising a base plate and roller assembly adapted for use in combination with a swimming pool brush including a long handle; the base plate is placed on the walkway and/or coping with said roller assembly at least partially extending inwardly of the side wall of the pool; the user stands on said base plate, grasps the handle of said brush and forces the same outwardly against said roller assembly whereby the remote end of said brush is forced inwardly against the side wall of said swimming pool.

Abstract: A lockable caster, more particularly a swivel caster, having a locking dee for locking the running wheel to prevent it from running and/or to prevent the caster-fork from swivelling. In the cavity of the caster-fork is disposed an expanding toggle which takes the form of a foot-operated control lever, which is pivotally mounted in a socket, and is guided by a guide lug in a guide slot. On the trailing side of the caster, the expanding toggle is pivotally mounted below the fork back in a socket of a resilient or spring-loaded locking rocker. The fork back and locking rocker enclose the expanding toggle between themselves with prestressing. The guide slot may be disposed in the rear portion of the caster-fork. The guide lug takes the form of a resetting cam which in the locking position extends out of the guide slot to form a foot-operated cam to tilt the expanding toggle back into its release position.

Abstract: Implements of the hand-manipulated type are equipped with spherical handles that can be easily grasped by persons afflicted with arthritis. The spherical handle has a diameter that permits the sphere to be retained against the person's palm between the thumb and a finger without bending internal joints.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a reclining vehicle seat comprising essentially two plates pivoted together, one of the plates having an arcuate edge surface a part of which is provided with locking teeth and the remainder of which is smooth. A locking pawl is movably connected to the other plate and has teeth movable into locking engagement with the teeth on the arcuate portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the neck of an plucked, headless fowl hanging by the legs from a hook of a overhead conveyor. The apparatus is built in the manner of a merry-go-round and has a number of clamping units, regularly spaced about the circumference of the apparatus and moving along with the conveyor, each unit being slidably mounted on a vertical slide bar and adapted to grip the fowl's neck, so that the vertebrae of the neck are separated from the remaining part of the fowl's spine without damage to the skin of the neck. After separating the vertebrae the unit moves downwards relative to the fowl, so that the vertebrae are at least partially pushed out of the skin together with the meat adhering thereto. Finally the unit releases the fowl's neck, moves back to its upper position and its slide bar and is ready for removing another fowl's neck.

Abstract: A pair of chains are secured in spaced relationship to an endless conveyor from which they depend for controlling the closing and opening of a slip loop defined by one of the chains. A flap of hide is retained in the slip loop during and after a hide pulling operation until the pulled hide has been fully elevated to a predetermined position, at which time it is released and dropped at a location adjacent but spaced from the locus of the hide-pulling operation. The closing and opening of the slip loop is a function of the relationship of the connection of the chains with the endless conveyor as it changes direction during its travel along a predetermined path.

Abstract: A system is disclosed wherein fibers are mounted on pallets for ease in handling and storage. The system uses the pallets to provide a continuous, uniform rate of fiber feed to other apparatus for subsequent fiber processing. A positioning system arranges pallets in end-to-end abutting relationship to provide the uniform rate of fiber feed generally desired for fiber processing. A plurality of vertically spaced horizontally disposed rotating augers engage the advancing face of fibers on a pallet to remove the bulk of fibers therefrom. The pallet surface is subsequently engaged by a pallet sweeper which removes any fibers not removed by the rotating augers. The loosened fibers are deposited on a transverse conveyor which overlies the pallet surface and moves the fibers transversely of the pallet unloading apparatus for delivery to the fiber processing apparatus.

Abstract: A fiber distribution and depositing apparatus including a forming bell including front and back walls converging and convexly curved in the direction of flow, and side walls connected to the front and back walls to define an open-endedpassageway for fluid-entrained fibers leading from an inlet to an outlet end, said side walls diverging along straight lines in the direction of flow, the cross-sectional area of the passageway along the length thereof remaining substantially constant. The forming bell is disposed between a fiber transport means for directing gaseously-entrained fibers into the bell former inlet at a high velocity and a forming surface positioned adjacent to the outlet of the forming bell and movable along a predetermined direction of movement for receiving the fibers passing through the forming bell passageway.

Abstract: In order to provide effective cleaning of the opened fibrous material to be supplied to a spinning rotor, the fiber tuft projects into a removal opening opposite the opener roller, thereby permitting the impurities to be beaten out of the fibers, clamped between supply roller and supply table, by the clothing on the opener roller. They then fall directly into the removal opening without having to rebound from a wall.

Abstract: The respective ends of a heavy fabric, for example, a woven dryer fabric or felt each provided with an array of connectong loops are joined with the help of a gap closing device. The gap closing device is detachably attached to the fabric when the latter is supplied to the user. When the fabric is being installed on the machine, the ends are pulled together by the gap closing device so that the arrays of loops are held in proximity and easily intermeshed to form an elongated tubular passage. A pintle wire is inserted into the passage to complete the joint. The gap closing device is then removed. A preferred gap closing device is a slide fastener, of which one tape is detachably attached to each end of the heavy fabric.

Abstract: A detachable clip for bola tie together with a fixed cooperative means attached to the rear surface of the ornamental mount thereof for providing a quick and easy conversion of a bola tie to a chain-and-pendant arrangement with the common use of the ornamental portion of the bola tie.

Abstract: A button having a button body including a central portion defining a button base having an uninterrupted outer wall and an inner wall with interspaces within said button base between said outer and inner walls, and an attaching means comprising a supporting plate including a plurality of pins projecting from one face of the supporting plate and having pointed heads adapted to be punched through a sheet material to which the button is to be attached, and then inserted into openings into the interspaces between said outer and inner walls, the openings being constricted to require temporary deformation of the materials of the structure as the heads of the pins are inserted into the openings.

Abstract: A fastener arrangement for joining or separating material edges or surfaces along a distance of indeterminate length has two cooperating fastener halves secured to the one and the other material component to be joined or separated. At least one of the fastener halves is flexible lengthwise. Serially arranged discrete or non-discrete (continuous) elements of the one and the other fastener halves cooperate with one another to form element pairs which can assume a first stable position in which the elements of the element pair are in a full mechanical interengagement with one another, a second stable position in which the elements of the element pair are mechanically fully disengaged from one another, and an unstable position in which the elements of the element pair are in a partial mechanical interengagement with one another.

Abstract: A slide fastener adapted for unopenably closing an opening in an upholstery covering of a seat. For semipermanently locking a slider in a closed position on interlockable rows of fastener elements, a stop is fixedly mounted on the interlocked fastener elements in close contact with the rear end of the slider in the closed position. Typically, the stop is formed by a staple similar to the conventional bottom stop of a blind fastener.

Abstract: A buckle having a male member insertable into a female member, the male member having a rigid portion and the female member having a flexible portion which engages the rigid portion to produce the locking action and the male member has a separate flexible portion which overlies the flexible female portion so that pressure applied to the flexible male portion moves the flexible female portion to unlock the buckle by moving it away from the rigid male portion.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for removing wrinkles in a thin flexible moving web such as paper or textiles. The web is passed over a bar curved to effect a shear force on the web and/or a tensile force on the web in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the web. The bar is oscillated resonantly or nonresonantly with one component of the oscillation being in a direction normal to the web surface so that its intermittent contact with the web causes any wrinkles therein to collapse. Gas, under super-atmospheric pressure can be passed through ports in the bar surface and into contact with the web to assist in collapsing wrinkles. SPREFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application is a continuation-in-part of Application Ser. No. 521,179, filed Nov. 6, 1974, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of now-abandoned Ser. No. 436,838, filed Jan. 28, 1974, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of now-abandoned Ser. No. 331,199, filed Feb. 9, 1973 .

Abstract: An apparatus for texturizing an initial rapidly melt-spun and preoriented thermoplastic yarn, especially a linear polyester yarn, wherein the initial yarn is subjected to draw-texturizing in a residual stretching stage with heating of the running yarn followed by unilateral or one-sided cooling to provide a temperature gradient over the transverse cross-section of the yarn and in a subsequent relaxation and heat-fixing stage to self-crimp the yarn under differential shrinkage. High yarn speeds are achieved in this draw-texturizing apparatus which is therefore especially useful in combination with rapid melt-spinning units.

Abstract: In combination, a drawing apparatus and a crimping apparatus. The drawing apparatus comprises integral first and second draw rolls, with attendant separator rolls, and a draw pin. The final draw roll is fluted around its peripheral surface. The draw rolls are driven from the same source as the crimp feed rolls, and in order to control yarn tension at the crimp feed rolls a variable drive means is provided for the draw rolls, to alter their speed with regard to the speed of the feed rolls. A yarn heater is positioned between the final draw roll and the crimp feed rolls, or in the alternative, between the final draw roll and its separator roll.

Abstract: A non-woven textile fabric having a non-woven central web and tufts projecting from opposite faces of the web is produced by pushing through the central web simultaneously and from opposite sides thereof a plurality of needles constructed to displace strands of the web beyond opposite faces thereof.

Abstract: A rotating-reel type loom bobbin stripper provides air jets to entrain the waste end of yarn from a bobbin and deliver it to the stripping reels without impinging the jet directly on the yarn bunch. Bow springs automatically apply proper yet readily-releasable tension to the belts feeding the bobbins serially over the reels. A hold-down bar above the row of bobbins being stripped may be lifted readily to clear a jam. Downwardly inclined guide rails deliver bobbins to the feeding belts at an angle causing the bobbins to support themselves by their own heads during delivery and allowing loose waste to be blown down between rails and bobbins by an air jet. The inside walls of the incline rails are relieved to allow any "piece bobbin" which slips into normal position between the rails to travel on freely.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for intermingling a synthetic continuous filament multifilament yarn at substantially any point on a synthetic filament yarn threadline by subjecting the yarn to simultaneous action of two opposed fluid jets which are radial and perpendicular to the yarn threadline. The apparatus has a yarn processing bore which is circular in cross-section and has a length to diameter ratio of from 1 to 2 to 2 to 1. The air entry ports of the apparatus are radial to the bore and opposed to each other in a common plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of bulk yarns from chemically different acrylonitrile polymers.

Abstract: A method for producing multi-figure luminescent display tubes comprising a step of baking a frit glass for fixing parts such as grid electrodes and filament supports onto a substrate which is provided with segment electrodes having phosphor layers applied thereon. The baking process is carried out in a non-oxidizing environment and an infrared heater is used prior to baking to eliminate the frit binder.

Abstract: A device for tensioning corona-discharge electrode wires or strips in a frame for juxtaposition with collector electrodes of an electrostatic precipitator comprises a C-shaped member having a pair of pins engaging respective formations on the corona-discharge electrode and a leg opposite the pins reaching around the tube of the frame to which the end of the electrode is to be attached. The leg is formed with a guide into which a wedge is forced against the tube for the tensioning action.

Abstract: A cutting tool comprising a cutting bit, a tool holder having a cutting bit receiving recess and a clamping member for clamping the cutting bit in the recess of the tool holder. The flank surface of the cutting bit remote from its cutting edge has two recesses therein, the bottom surfaces of which extend inwardly of the cutting bit at an acute angle with respect to a lower, seating face of the cutting bit. Two toe dogs are provided on the clamping member and engage in the recesses of the cutting bit with flat contact with the bottom surfaces of the recesses to position the cutting bit in the cutting bit receiving recess.

Abstract: A detachable cutting plate which is of polygonal, equilateral, but not equiangular, shape and designed for centerless descaling of rough-drawn or rough-rolled materials, by radial mounting on a rotary multi-tool head, characterized in that it comprises along each main cutting edge two adjoining chip-breaking surfaces consisting of separate concave grooves; (a) the first facing the straight part of the main cutting edge, of which the axis directing the surface is parallel with the said edge and forming a cutting angle .alpha..sub.1 ; (b) the second facing the curved part of the edge connecting the main cutting edge to the secondary planing edge having a directing axis perpendicular to the plane bisecting the curved cutting part and forming a cutting angle .alpha..sub.2.

Abstract: A grooving and cut off tool is disclosed having a structure in which a relatively thin tool support blade has mounted thereon a replaceable cutting means and the tool support blade is reinforced by engagement with a reinforcing block so that the relatively thin tool support blade will not buckle when subjected to extremely rapid grooving and cut off operations.

Abstract: An improved toolholder for clamping an apertured cutting insert into an insert-receiving site in a forepart of a holder shank. A pin, received in the aperture of the insert, is fitted into a bore provided in the toolholder. A clamping plate and co-operating actuating means urge the insert against the pin. The clamp plate has a V-shaped pocket complementary to two converging edge surfaces of the insert, and on its lower surface is provided with serrations adapted to engage cooperating serrations on a fore portion of the holder shank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making one-piece wheels for large locarrying vehicles. Starting from a blank in the form of a cylindrical disc, the minor flange of the rim and the wheel disc are formed by hot stamping, while the major flange of the rim is obtained by press-forming from a tube section. The two parts are assembled by welding. The production cycle terminates in a few finishing operations by machining. These wheels, which may be made in particular of lightweight aluminum-based alloys, are particularly suitable for large load-carrying vehicles fitted with tubeless tires.

Abstract: Composite calcium materials to be used for welding or refining steel, nickel, nickel alloy or iron alloy, which are produced by cladding a sheath of aluminum, iron or alloys thereof and a core consisting of1. a mixture or an alloy of calcium or an alloy thereof with at least one element of aluminum and rare earth metals,2. a mixture of calcium or an alloy thereof with a flux of silicates, oxides or halides of alkaline earth metals, or3. a mixture consisting of the above described mixture or alloy (1) with the flux as described in the above item (2).

Abstract: This invention is for two probe hose connector fittings for tapping beer kegs that have a keg fitting with check valves for preventing flow of beer and gas until the probes are pushed down into position to open at least the beer valve. The probes are tubes, and in the prior art such tubes were cut diagonally across their lower end portions to form a valve engaging surface. This surface at the lower end of the tube was merely the end face of a part of the circumference of the tube and easily damaged because of its lack of inherent strength. The present invention makes the probes from bar stock and provides a construction that provides ample open area over part of its cross section for the flow of beer.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and method of making the same, particularly for use in automotive vehicles, wherein the condenser and the compressor are assembled into a single aggregate which is rotatably mounted on a stationary crank shaft and is driven by the engine. The condenser has the form of a tubular rotor and is constructed as an assembly which includes a pair of sheet-material members at least one of which has a major surface formed with depressions which constitute channels, whereas the other overlies this major surface and is sealingly connected to the same intermediate respective ones of these channels and along the periphery of the major surface, so as to define with the other sheet-material member a plurality of fluid-flow passages.

Abstract: A lightweight composite motorcycle wheel construction characterized in that it comprises a wheel unit casting including concentric outer and inner rim and sleeve portions integrally connected together by angularly spaced spokes; and a hub unit casting having an interference fit within the bore of the sleeve portion thus to frictionally retain the hub and wheel units together against relative angular and axial movement while the bearing receiving bore in the hub unit is located and held coaxially of said rim portion, the wheel and hub units additionally being welded together to prevent relative angular and axial movement despite application of torque and axial loads exceeding the frictional resistance of the interference fit.

Abstract: A device for crimping conductors into the contact members of a contact strip. According to the invention there is provided a motor driven means for two crimping jaws movable relative to each other, and feeding means for stepwise advancing the contact strip in increments corresponding to the distance between the contacts to feed one contact to the crimping jaws in each operational cycle. An actuating device, which can be controllably manipulated by the operator, actuates the feeding means advancing the contact strip and, in a second position, effects the crimping operation and the return of the feeding means to the initial position.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting wires into the wire-receiving portions of terminals in an electrical connector housing comprises a wire-inserting press and a fixture means which is separate from the press and which can be mounted on the press during the inserting operation. The fixture means comprises a block-like member having wire-locating means and housing positioning means thereon arranged such that when the housing and wires are located on the fixture means, the wires will be in alignment with the terminals in the housing. When the fixture means and press are assembled to each other and the press ram is moved towards the fixture means, cooperative aligning pins and sockets on the fixture and on the press ram move into engagement with each other precisely to align the wires and the connector housing with the insertion punches on the press ram.

Abstract: A machine for automatically assembling the tubular rivet and pin of a blind rivet assembly. The tubular rivets and pins are fed from supply hoppers along a pair of chutes, one of which carries a sequence of rivets and the other of which carriesa sequence of pins. The chutes terminate at a pair of rotatably indexable turrets which have peripheral configurations adapted to pick off and carry the rivets and pins from the ends of their respective chutes. The turrets are rotatably indexed to bring the rivets and pins sequentially to an assembly station at which the pin and rivet are axially aligned with each other and in readiness to enable the pin to be driven into and through the tubular rivet. A hammering mechanism is employed to drive the pin through the sleeve to a finally assembled configuration with the sleeve and the assembled pin and rivet then are ejected from the machine.

Abstract: A system for automatically assembling a tape cassette including upper and lower cassette housing halves, a pair of reel hubs received in said housing halves and a magnetic tape wound about both reel hubs, which comprises a magnetic tape-loading mechanism for winding a magnetic tape about the reel hubs and loading the reel hubs and magnetic tape into the lower housing half placed on an assembly line, wherein the magnetic tape-loading mechanism comprises a reel hub-fitting device for fitting each of the paired reel hubs on a tape takeup jig; a tape takeup device for winding a magnetic tape about the reel hubs; and a tape transfer device for holding the reel hubs fitted on the tape takeup jigs and a magnetic tape in the same arrangement as actually takes place in the tape cassette and thereafter loading both reel hubs and magnetic tape into the lower housing half.