Abstract: A gel filled flexible article which is a container having silicone rubber walls of less than 0.0015 meter thick filled with a silicone gel such that the silicone gel contacts the silicone rubber wall, provides a low oiling article where the silicone rubber is based on an essentially polydimethylsiloxane gum and the gel is a crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane and has a penetration of 10 to 60 millimeters and produces a linear swell of the silicone rubber when said silicone rubber is encapsulated in the gel for 21 days at room temperature of less than 5 percent. The gel filled flexible articles are useful as external breast prostheses.

Abstract: The improved device is adapted to safely support a person, such as an invalid, in a bathtub and permit such person to wash in privacy without aid. It includes an adjustable support frame, preferably open, which can be adapted to snugly fit into the cavity of a bathtub, and a seat which is adjustable vertically and supported in the frame by adjustable interconnection between a depending seat post and an anchor post secured in the frame.A safety belt and/or guard rail may be provided to secure the bather in position on the seat. An extension of the seat top which is partly supported by the seat top and partly supported by a pair of collapsible legs is present in one embodiment of the improved device in order to safely support a portion of the torso of a paralyzed or otherwise enfeebled bather. A detachable ladder and detachable bath accessory rack may also be provided.Preferably the top and extension are porous, and are covered, as is the frame, with a protective resilient layer of rubber or the like.

Abstract: A drain plug for axial insertion into a conduit having an inner surface, including a cup-shaped resilient sealing member having a closed end and an open end and having a sidewall having an outer surface conforming to the inner surface of the conduit and with the cup-shaped member normally axially slideable into the conduit, first means intercoupling the closed and open ends of the cup-shaped member for axially compressing the cup-shaped member to flex the sidewall radially outward to engage and seal against the inner surface of the conduit, and second means coupled to the first means for moving between first and second positions for actuating the first means to compress the cup-shaped member with the second means moved from the first to the second position.

Abstract: A reclining furniture having rest surfaces formed in at least two parts, having rest surface sections hingedly connected with one another, and arranged adjustable in inclination to achieve a seating position of such type that the gore disposed in the range of the hinge axis is lowered during the raising of one of the rest surface sections. The border frame of the reclining furniture has opposite inner surfaces on which two opposite mountings are arranged which support the raiseable rest surface section such that the pivot axle of the raiseable rest surface section, which is mounted under the latter and spaced by a distance from the gore is mounted on a lever, the latter being arranged in pendulum manner at a second axle, and at least the pendulum movement of the lever is blockable.

Abstract: This invention consists of a low cost box-spring assembly for use on a conventional bed frame under the mattress to provide comfort and additional resiliency as weight is placed upon the mattress.

Abstract: Bedding and the means for securing it for use with a bed with headboard and footboard so that the mattress never need be lifted to make the bed or to strip it. The bottom sheet is the size of the top of the mattress, with a hem at the headboard end and a hem at the footboard end to accommodate a rod. The rod, with a protruding external wedge at each end, fits into one of several slots in an adjusting plate mounted at each outer edge of the headboard and footboard members at the area of the mattress, with the wedges on the rod fitting into corresponding notches in the slots in the adjusting plate to hold the sheet under tension.

Abstract: A combination sun screen and pillow for use at the beach, by a swimming pool, or the like. The basic device comprises a pillow, a sun screen, and means mounting the sun screen on the pillow such that, during use of the device, the sun screen shades the face of a person resting his head on the pillow. The mounting means comprises a telescopically extensible rod which is pivotably mounted at one end to the pillow and at the other end to the sun screen, and means are provided on the sun screen for holding a book open and in place on the side of the sun screen adjacent to the pillow. The radio is mounted in or on the pillow, and the pillow contains a closable compartment for the retention of the personal belongings of the person using the device.

Abstract: A water mattress construction is disclosed. The construction involves a folded one piece vinyl sheet wherein the various panels are joined at the vertical corners, along the lengthwise lower edges and side to side across the middle of the bottom. By so locating the seams, not only are all but the vertical corner seams supported directly by the mattress frame, but they are also removed from the upper area of the mattress which is generally subjected to flexing. A cappable fitting to facilitate filling and emptying of the mattress is included. The various panels are joined by overlapping the vinyl material, and subsequently heat-sealing them to produce strong lapped seams throughout.

Abstract: Improved water bed construction where, in one embodiment, two spaced inflatable members are positioned along the two lateral edges within a water bed frame with a separate water filled mattress being positional thereover with the conventional safety or water liner, wherein the inflatable members are filled with liquid or gas so as to have less resiliency than the water filled mattress portion, whereby ease of entry and exit onto the water mattress is facilitated. In another embodiment a liquid or gas supply means with appropriate controls is utilized so as to selectively and preferentially fill the lateral inflatable members to desired pressure, or alternately, to deflate same to selectively alter the resiliency thereof to facilitate supporting conditions of the water mattress.

Abstract: A grass edge trimmer includes a blade having at least one longitudinal cutting edge mounted on a handle by means of a pair of clamping portions. The clamping portions are located on opposite sides of the blade and engage the same along but spaced from said cutting edge so as to stiffen the blade. One of the clamping portions is removable from the handle and permits a worn cutting edge of the blade to be interchanged for a fresh cutting edge.

Abstract: A combination tool comprising a chuck key provided with at least one opening formed in the shaft thereof to receive therein a tool usually employed prior to the formation or following the formation of a hole in a structure. The chuck key is adapted to engage with the external teeth formed on one end of a chuck to either tighten or loosen the chuck on a tool such as a drill bit or the like. The tool carried by the shaft of the chuck key may comprise a punch, or a reamer, or a screw driver or the like.

Abstract: A machine for forging the leading end of a metal screw blank comprising two pairs of complementary dies, one die of each pair of which is stationary and the other movable to and from the stationary die. The stationary dies are supported on opposite sides of a stationary die support and the movable dies on discrete movable die supports at opposite sides of the stationary die support. The movable die supports are connected to form a movable die assembly, are supported by linear ball bearings on cylindrical ways and are reciprocated as a unit by a pitman connected to a crankshaft by roller bearings, thus providing for the production of a forged blank upon each 180.degree. rotation of the crankshaft. The movable die supports are adjustable relative to the stationary die support and the roller bearings have preload adjustments that make it possible to maintain a precise clearance between the respective dies of each pair in their closed position within one hundred twenty seven thousandths of a millimeter (0.

Abstract: Paper jackets are automatically applied to hard cover books in a manner which provides a good fit between the jacket and book and insures against the jacket folds slipping free of the book covers during or immediately subsequent to jacket application. The books are supported with the covers opened outwardly, a jacket sheet is draped over the spine of the book, the jacket material is urged downwardly simultaneously from both sides so as to tightly conform to the book and the opposite edge portions of the jacket sheet are folded around the front edges of the book covers while applying heat to thereby define jacket flaps which slide inwardly when the book covers are reclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a binding machine for binding papers such as chits, documents and the like by means of a binding cord which is formed simultaneously with the binding operation from a plastic tube, so that the troublesome work of preparing the binding cord and inserting it into the binding bore can be dispensed with. The binding machine has means for forming a binding bore through stacked papers to be bound, means for feeding the plastic tube as the material for the binding cord by a length corresponding to the height or thickness of the stacked paper, and adapted to sever the fed plastic tube during the upward movement of the drill after the boring, and means for inserting the severed plastic tube and heating the both ends of the severed plastic tube under application of a pressure to form these ends into respective flanges, thereby to complete the binding. These means are all installed unitarily to render the machine compact and easy to operate.

Abstract: A jet-powered submerged cleaner runs along the bottom of a pool and also up and down the side walls and does not require a booster pump for proper operation. It travels on idler wheels and has a jet drive system which is under the control of pressure-responsive elements. The latter so operate that when the cleaner is sufficiently impeded against further movement in a given direction the jet drive system commences driving the cleaner in another direction. The cleaner discharges water under pressure in such a way that dirt is either vacuumed or blown free from adjacent pool wall surfaces, and the pressurized water is so directed and controlled as to cause the cleaner to be pressed against adjacent pool wall surfaces to thereby enable the cleaner to travel along and to climb inclined and vertical pool surfaces.

Abstract: A paint roller, with a brush detachably and adjustably fastened to the handle arm, with the bristle section of the brush spaced from the roller so as to brush a surface that the roller has contacted for the purpose of brushing of the paint applied to the surface by the roller.

Abstract: A magnetic tape sensing head cleaner disclosed has a hollow housing including a pair of housing members that are selectively latchable to each other in a closed position and releasable therefrom to permit replacement of a cleaning loop received by a track within the housing. Latching portions formed integrally with the housing members during plastic molding thereof cooperate in pairs to provide wedging latches that secure the housing members to each other in the closed position and permit repeated separation thereof for replacement of the cleaning loop. The track that receives the cleaning loop is preferably located within a cleaning loop compartment at one end of the housing and includes a drive roller, a pressure pad, and a guide loop around which the cleaning loop is driven. Adjacent another end of the housing, a storage compartment is defined for a cleaning brush, a cleaning probe, cleaning probe tips, and a cleaning fluid bottle.

Abstract: A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner which has an elongated comb-shaped part that can be rotated from a retracted position within the nozzle housing to another position in which it is extended out of the housing for use with a deep pile rug. The comb-shaped part has a cylindrical surface which moves adjacent to the suction channel and has an opening therein for communication between the comb-shaped part and the suction channel when said part is in its fully extended position.

Abstract: A bushing for use with an underground storage tank, consisting of a wall having inner and outer screw threads, the outer thread being a standard taper of 1.degree. 47' and the inner thread being a non-standard taper of between 1.degree. - 48' and 16.degree. - 47'.

Abstract: A self-closing hinge is described which comprises two hinge members intended to be secured to a door or the like and to a door frame, respectively, one of the hinge members having a cylindrical sleeve closed at the lower end and the other member having a hinge bolt turnably accommodated in said sleeve in order swingably to connect said hinge members. Said sleeve has a portion at its closed lower end provided with an internal thread, particularly a multiple thread of comparatively great pitch, said internal thread being arranged to coact with a corresponding external thread of a ring member in which the lower end portion of said hinge bolt is non-rotatably but axially displaceably journalled whereby said ring member, upon relative rotation in one direction between said hinge bolt and said sleeve, is screwed a distance upward in said sleeve to engage with an annular shoulder on said hinge bolt and upon continued relative rotation is screwed further upwards, thereby lifting said hinge bolt.

Abstract: A pivot device is disclosed for use in connection with the doors of containers such as safes, vaults and the like. It provides for the door to consecutively pivot around two separate axes when it is fully opened or closed. The pivots themselves are located within the container to prevent tampering.

Abstract: A hinge includes a first part which is attachable to a furniture body and a second part which is attachable to a door, the first and second parts being connected by inner and outer guide links which are so constructed and attached to allow for the door to be swung away from the body and rotated through an angle greater than 90.degree.. The inner guide line may comprise a slightly inwardly curved steel band which is wrapped at its end around a first pair of hinge pins respectively attached to the first and second parts, and the outer guide link may comprise an approximately straight steel band which is wrapped at its end around a second pair of hinge pins respectively attached to the first and second parts, but further away from the furniture body than the inner guide link. The hinge pin for the outer guide link which is attached to the second part is constructed such that the outer guide link is eccentrically arranged relative to the axis of its pivot at the adjacent end thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a uniform textile fiber sliver which is removed from a sliver supply device, for instance a card, and taken-up by a driven take-up or receiving device, wherein the fiber sliver removed from the sliver supply device is guided through a regulation drafting arrangement having a pair of measuring rolls and a driven pair of drafting rolls. One roll of the measuring roll pair is driven by the sliver supply device, and the other measuring roll is deflected as a function of a change in thickness of the fiber sliver traveling through the measuring rolls. The drive speed of the pair of drafting rolls and the receiving or take-up device is regulated as a function of the deflection of said other measuring roll, and the drive speed of the take-up device additionally is regulated as a function of the length of the fiber band between the pair of drafting rolls and the take-up device.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding fibrous material to a carding machine including a rotatable roll having an exterior cylindrical surface which with first and second surfaces in opposing relationship thereto defines a curved trough converging from an entrance end portion thereof in a direction of travel of the fibrous material through the trough, a tear-off point upstream of an exit end portion of the trough, the radius of curvature of the first and second surface being identical and corresponding to the radius of the first surface, and an imaginary straight line through the tear-off point being in tangential relationship to the second surface and the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining a blend of fibers from a plurality of fiber bales, such as bales of cotton, in which a fiber removing device repeatedly moves along a row of fiber bales while removing fibers from uppermost portions of the bales and depositing the fibers into a fiber collection hopper moving with the fiber removing device along the row of bales. The fiber bales are preferably positioned with the fiber layers in the bales extending longitudinally of the row of bales and oriented in a vertical plane and the fiber removing device removes fibers from all of the exposed layers of the bale to thereby achieve a highly uniform blend of fibers from all of the bales. The fiber bales are supported in a chute which is oriented at an incline with respect to the path of movement of the fiber removing device and the entire row of bales is advanced along the chute to thereby move the upper surfaces of the bales upwardly closer to the fiber removing device.

Abstract: An anchor clip for detachably mounting to the rim of a golf club bag to which the shank of a golf club, in the bag, may be detachably fastened. The clip is in the form of a set of spaced first U-shaped clamp members joined by a common mid-section with a second U-shaped clamp member mounted to the common mid-section along an axis perpendicular to the first clamp members.

Abstract: A microphone-speaker is removably attached to an article of clothing by a device having a sheet of flat material provided with a plurality of openings spaced along a circular circumference of selected radius and center. When fastened to the microphone-speaker, the openings form depressions. A flat resilient spring is pivotally attached to the sheet of material at the center and extends at least as far as the depressions so that a projection on the spring can engage the depressions. A clip is pivotally mounted on the spring in the vicinity of the projection and extends along the spring toward the center to one end of the clip. Means are provided to urge the one end of the clip toward the plane of the flat material so that the one end can be pivoted away from the flat material to permit an article of clothing to be resiliently held between the one end and the microphone-speaker.

Abstract: A mechanism for gripping hoops which encircle a building structure consisting of first and second angles having first legs abutting each other and second legs engaging the building structure, channels that are substantially semi-circular in cross-sectional configuration provided in the first legs defining a substantially circular passageway through which one of the hoops passes and a bolting mechanism for adjustably securing the first legs together to grip the hoop.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buckle for a belt in which parts of the buckle are provided in two interrelated, yet separate, parts. The first part, secured to one end of the belt, comprises a plate having two extending tangs. The first tang extends downwardly and through the end of the belt to which it is affixed. It engages an aperture in a rigid loop. The second tang extends upwardly so as to engage the apertures in the free end of the belt, after the belt has been inserted through the rigid loop. The rigid loop has an implement formed as an integral part thereof. The implement is inserted into a pouch in the belt.

Abstract: A stringer for a slide fastener has a continuous coupling element secured within a folded tape with interlocking head elements protruding from slits in the folded edge of the tape, and includes one or more improvements such as reinforcing fibers, a cord or cords secured in the fold, only partial bonding of the folded tape, a sewing guide, an exposed adhesive, a highly oriented polymer tape, or aligned flat leg filaments.

Abstract: A safety belt buckle which permits release of a tongue by the application of minimal pressure on a tongue release member, even under conditions of great stress, yet having strength and reliability. When the tongue is inserted in the buckle it forces a tongue ejecting member back against a biasing force, and an outwardly biased tongue release member moves forward in response to its bias, forcing a detent, such as a roller, into an opening in the tongue. The detent continues to extend into a similar coincident opening in a plate contiguous with the tongue, thus locking the tongue in the buckle. Applying slight pressure to the tongue release member, to slide it back against its bias, provides sufficient space above the opening so that the detent is free to leave the opening in the tongue. The tongue is then ejected from the buckle by the ejector which comes to rest below the opening in the plate, thus retaining the detent out of the path of an inserted tongue.

Abstract: The shank of an eye fastener forming a fishing line connector is relatively rotatably mounted in one or more circular bearing loops of the bearing portion of a bent wire structure forming a fishing lure connector. From one end of the bearing portion extends an approximately U-shaped or V-shaped lure connection portion which terminates in a keeper bend. From the other end of the bearing portion a closure portion extends across the open end of the U-shaped or V-shaped portion and terminates in a latch bend which releasably interlocks with the keeper bend.

Abstract: A process for crimping filaments by treating the filaments which are to be crimped, and are carried by a heated gas, in a first treatment chamber, and intermingling the heated filaments in an extended second treatment chamber, from which the gas carrier medium is drawn off through longitudinal slots radially to the direction of travel, wherein only sufficient gas is allowed to flow axially with the crimped filaments from the second treatment chamber that the travel of the crimped filaments is not impeded, while the bulk of the carrier gases is drawn off radially from the second treatment chamber. It is advantageous to draw off the carrier gas in the upper part, which comprises from about 25 to 75%, preferably from 40 to 60%, of the total length of the longitudinal slots of the second treatment chamber.

Abstract: Running threads are fed through a heating chamber containing saturated steam by means of specially designed shutters. The thread is heated over a short section of the path so that the heating apparatus takes up little space even at high thread speeds.

Abstract: A door hinge applying unit for supporting and releasably holding a door and the hinge jamb of the door frame in positions alongside each other with the butt-receiving surfaces of the door and jamb coplanar for applying the butts of a butt hinge, which unit includes a butt mortiser for simultaneously forming the mortises for said butts, a drilling device for forming the holes for the screws to secure said butts in said mortises, and a screw driving assembly for holding the hinge to be applied with the butts thereof opposed to said mortises, and for holding the screws for securing said butts in said holes in alignment with the latter.

Abstract: A controlled deflection roll comprising an inner shaft and an outer roll shell which is attached to the shaft at its middle where the deflection of the roll shell can be eliminated by supporting forces generated by hydraulic pressure applied on balls disposed in radial borings in pressure means located at the ends of the roll shell.

Abstract: Changing the jets of a Holley carburetor is greatly simplified by an L-shaped adapter which permits the jets to face upward. The jets are removed through access holes drilled in the upper wall of the float bowl by a special screwdriver/gripping tool.

Abstract: An improved seal for a rotary engine to reduce leakage at the rotor apex under normal operating temperatures. Opposite edges of the seal have differing coefficients of thermal expansion so that as the seal heats up, thermal expansion forces cancel the effect of non-uniform temperature across the seal to insure flush contact with the housing wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for extracting the metal shaft of a roll of knitted or woven textile cloth. The roll is mounted on a frame structure against a fixed stop. A traction cable is guided by a series of pulleys and on one end utilizes a harness to attach the cable to the shaft. At the opposite end of the cable, a tensioning means keeps the cable and tension during its operational load. Actuating device is attached to a pulley communicating with the traction cable to provide the necessary power to extract the shaft from the roll of textile cloth.

Abstract: An assembly apparatus and method for use in the manufacture of strain indicators of the type in which a window and an indicator area are provided in a fluid filled capsule. Movement of the indicator area with respect to the window gives a visual indication of the load condition of the indicator. The assembly apparatus comprises means to provide for the initial placement of the fluid filled capsule into the tensile member of the strain indicator. Thereafter a compressive force is exerted on the capsule in order to bring the indicator area of the capsule in close proximity to the window with the tensile element in a relaxed condition. Following initial assembly the apparatus of this invention exerts a tensile pull on the tensile member of the strain indicator which causes the indicator area of the capsule to be separated from the window. Gap measuring means are employed to measure the distance between the window and the indicator area with the tensile element in a state of tension.

Abstract: An improved method and machine are described for automatically loading a scroll of interwound photographic film and backing paper into a film cartridge. The cartridges are opened for scroll insertion by an initial relative movement of the cartridge halves in one direction and by a further separating movement in a differing direction. The machine has a rotatably mounted turret supporting a number of separate loading heads each of which supports a film cartridge and performs a two direction cartridge opening and closing action. The turret carries the heads through a series of stations where successive head loading, cartridge opening, scroll insertion, scroll to spool attaching, cartridge sealing, torque testing and winding, marking, and head unloading operations are performed. The heads and stations are controlled in their operation by a combination of direct cam control and multi-channel programable logic system control.

Abstract: The rung assembly is made of two piece construction and of metal while the siderail is made of a reinforced plastics material. The rung assembly includes a rung having a hollow end and a flanged fitting which is secured over the hollow end of the rung by swaging of the hollow end and fitting under a longitudinally applied compressive force. The compression force forms peripheral beads on the rung and fitting which interlock with each other. The rung assembly is secured to the siderail by any suitable fastening means such as rivets, bolts and the like which pass through the flange of the fitting and siderail.

Abstract: A method for producing large castings formed of non-machinable metals provides for inserting machinable plug members in the mold prior to casting, then pouring molten hard metal to fill the mold and surround the inserts. Removing the mold exposes the casting and portions of the inserts which may then be machined. After machining, the inserts are flame-hardened commensurate with the hardness of the casting.

Abstract: An IC insertion tool comprises a handle having an IC gripping end for holding an IC during insertion into a socket. As the IC pins enter the socket, the gripping end retracts automatically ejecting the IC. As a further feature, a pin straightner is mounted in the handle. The pin straightener is provided with an ejecting bar operatively connected to the retractable gripping end.

Abstract: A gripping or clamping jaw magazine and a transfer mechanism for transferring sets of jaws of different configuration from the magazine to the chuck and vice versa. The system automatically changes the jaws to accommodate various geometric forms and surfaces of workpieces to be inserted in the chuck for machining.

Abstract: A silicon-on-sapphire, or silicon-on-spinel (SOS), epitaxial detector and readout structure and method of preparation. The present structure comprises silicon devices formed on sapphire, or spinel, substrates in which delineated silicon detectors, and electrically and optically isolated charge-coupled devices (CCDs), are used for signal readout from the detectors. The structure may be placed at the focal plane of an imaging infrared (IR) system for signal readout therefrom.

Abstract: A high-temperature parallel-resistance pipe heater is described which is capable of being maintained at a high temperature level of approximately 600.degree. F on a sustained basis and is capable of withstanding temporary occasional heating up to 1,000.degree. F. A twisted pair of flexible electrical conductors with micaceous and fiberglass braid insulation layers have short segments stripped bare on alternate conductors at uniformly spaced intervals along their length, the conductors each including multiple fine nickel-clad copper strands, and a nickel-alloy resistance wire is helically wound around the twisted pair with two bights of the resistance wire engaging many of the strands in each bared segment for establishing numerous points of high unit area pressure contact at the junction between conductor and resistance wire. An anti-fraying agent on the fiberglass braid prevents the fibers from interfering with these points of contact.

Abstract: An integral and homogeneous connection between a terminal and a battery lug is accomplished without the requirement of specially shaped projections on either of the surfaces of the terminal or lug. Insulation is disposed between the lug and terminal and a portion of the overlapping area of the lug is pressed through an opening in the insulation means to make contact over a relatively small area with the terminal. Welding jaws are used to press the lug and terminal together and a current is provided by the welding jaws to heat up the area of contact so that the lead begins to melt in the opening. Since the lug and terminal are continuously squeezed together by the welding jaws, more cold lead is introduced into the opening until the entire opening is filled with molten lead from the lug and terminal.

Abstract: The base assembly of a dual in-line encapsulation package (DIP) is provided with a mounting surface such that the upper ends of the package pins are flat and are flush with the flat upper surface of the base enabling one-stage bonding of the integrated circuit chip to the inner leads of a lead frame and subsequently for one-stage bonding of the outer leads of the lead frame to the in-line pins of the encapsulation package.The configuration of the package lid and the hermetic sealing of the lid to the base yields a package having a double protection seal arrangement in which each pin seal is isolated from the encapsulated chip.

Abstract: In a cutting device and, in particular, a device for cutting a flat object, such as a pizza, or the like, a base is provided which has two oppositely facing flat surfaces thereon. Each of the flat surfaces has scribed therein a plurality of straight slots which intersect to subdivide the surface into a plurality of segments. The segments may be pie-shaped, square, rectangular, or the like. A cutting instrument is drawn through each slot on one of said surfaces to cut a superimposed flat object, such as a pizza, into pieces.