Abstract: An African violet known by the cultivar name Hawaii and characterized by the combined characteristics of large, star-shaped, blue flowers which have white, wavy edges, with additional small petals occasionally occurring at the flower center; strong upright flower stems, and by its medium size leaves which have serrated edges.

Abstract: An African violet known by the cultivar name Alberta, having a vigorous growth habit; 12 or more strong flower stems each of which carries 12 or more violet-shaped flowers which are generally white with purple centers and edges, with the flowers normally containing five petals, with an occasional small petal appearing at the center attached to the receptacle; uniform bouquet and by its long blooming period.

Abstract: An African violet known by the cultivar name Connecticut having vigorous, compact growth habit; relatively large, violet colored flowers which are carried on strong erect flower stems with strong, short peduncles, and by the appearance of 7-9 flower stems with the first flash of flowers.

Abstract: An African violet known by the cultivar name Ontario and characterized by the combined features of white, violet-shaped flowers carried on strong, upright stems; very rich flower production, with 15-20 stems each carrying up to 15 flowers; early and continuous flowering, and by its large and shiny leaves.

Abstract: An African violet known by the varietal name Manitoba and characterized by its light blue, violet-shaped single flowers, having violet blue centers; dark green shiny leaves; vigorous growth habit; with 7 to 9 flower stems producing 7 or more single flowers when the plant is in full bloom, and by its early and continuous blooming.

Abstract: An African violet known by the cultivar name North Dakota having up to ten flower stems, each carrying up to 10 or more single flowers generally white in color with blue-violet edges and centers, and vigorous growth habit, with the plant being in full flower after 9-10 weeks from potting.

Abstract: A cap or head cover disposed for positioning on the head and scalp of the user is equipped with a plurality of holes, said holes being identified by a specific color surrounding each hole. The arrangement of the holes and colors is keyed to a series of selected programs. Desired hair color effects or styles are attained by selectively pulling strands of hair through the colored holes in accordance with the selected program by means of crocheting needles and applying suitable coloring or bleaching compounds to the strands so pulled out.

Abstract: An air intake silencer includes a box-shaped expansion chamber constructed of identically dimensioned, separable halves respectively connected to a carburetor intake system and a tubular intake member. In a basic form of the silencer, the tubular intake member includes a metal tube mounted in the expansion chamber and having a single elongate opening in communication with the interior of the chamber, the tube being connected so as to form a continuation of a hose located exteriorly of the chamber. For obtaining more effective silencing, air distribution and filtering the basic form of the silencer may be altered by dividing the expansion chamber in half with a perforated baffle plate and/or by substituting a perforated metal tube for the aforedescribed metal tube.

Abstract: A mechanism for tensioning a cable or chain over a load and for maintaining such tension even though the load may shift and settle. The mechanism includes a "U" shaped base that rotatably mounts an elongated cylindrical hollow spool. The spool is connected at opposite ends to a spaced pair of ratchet wheels. Pawls are located on the base member for operatively engaging each of the ratchet wheels. Inside the hollow spool is a torsion spring that is directly connected at one end to the spool. The remaining spring end is connected to one of the ratchet wheels. The spool and this particular ratchet wheel are relatively movable about the longitudinal spool axis since they are interconnected only through the torsion spring. The remaining ratchet wheel is affixed directly to the spool for rotation therewith. Turning the spool through this ratchet assembly does not wind the spring but instead serves only to wrap the cable or chain about the spool circumference.

Abstract: A vertically swingable control arm has a pivotal connection with a bracket on the vehicle frame and another connection to a bracket on the axle. One or more of these connections includes a bolt passing through aligned apertures in the bracket and control arm. The bracket apertures have a larger cross dimension than the bolt to facilitate alignment of the axle relative to the frame. The axle is initially secured in aligned relation by tightening a nut on the bolt. A plate carried by the bolt is then welded to the bracket to fix the relative alignment of the axle and frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new chemical compounds which can be used as inhibitors of dental plaque, and orally-acceptable compositions thereof, combinations thereof with known compounds having an inhibitory action on the formation of dental plaque, such as biguanidines, and method of treating therewith for the prevention of dental plaque or tartar and dental caries.The new compounds have the general formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 =H or alkylR.sub.2 =CH.sub.2 OH, alkyl carboxylate, ##STR2## and R.sub.2 is in 2 or 3 position.Compositions containing these active principles are useful in particular in the preventive treatment of periodontopathies and odontopathies and in the field of oral-dental hydgiene.

Abstract: Each unit of a heat-sensitive product is contacted directly or indirectly with a cooling medium so that the unit acquires a condition in which a surface layer thereof has a lower temperature than its inner portions. The product unit is then heated, by electromagnetic energy of at least microwave frequency, from this condition to substantially the desired sterilizing or pasteurizing temperature in a medium having a temperature which will permit such heating. In this way, a substantially uniform heat treatment effect is obtained in the product units.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved total knee prosthesis of the non-hinged type which advantageously provide normal knee motion and stability during ambulation while substantially obviating loosening or cold flowing of the .ibial component. For this purpose, the total knee prosthesis substantially adopts the anatomical configuration of the natural knee and includes a tibial component comprising condylar bearing members with lower portions completely embedded in tray-shaped elongated sections, in which they are mounted with a predetermined clearance to mechanically absorb part of the natural stresses and torques. The condylar bearing members are also removable and replaceable to obviate any misalignment, natural or not.

Abstract: A toilet seat and an overlying bidet basin replacing the toilet seat cover. The toilet seat has enlarged inward sloping opposite middle portions for the supportive engagement of the user's thighs and an opening including enlarged front and rear portions and a relatively narrow middle portion. The lack of any support areas in the front and rear portions of the seat in combination with the inwardly sloped configuration of the enlarged opposite middle portions positions the user into a semi-squat position, thighs and buttocks spread apart, legs angled upwardly, body bent forward at the waist, over the middle portion of a toilet bowl. The enlarged front and rear portions of the opening allow the insertion of the hand for blotting and wiping and prevent soiling. The bidet basin is pivoted down over and into the toilet seat and is consisting of a bidet seat portion which overlies the toilet seat and a bidet bowl portion which penetrates and covers the opening of the seat.

Abstract: A tub-bathing equipment for bedridden old people, physically-handicapped people and so on, in which a bathtub fitted into a rectangular frame of a carriage from above is slanted by a crane disposed under the bathtub so that the side of the shallowest portion of the bathtub is lowered to the floor to allow ease in helping the patient into or out of the bathtub.

Abstract: The method of repairing a water closet anchoring to a fractured broken away closet flange which comprises the steps of disconnecting and disassembling the water closet from the closet flange, and assembling an arcuate slotted repair spanner clamp upon the undersurface of the closet flange spanning the fracture therein. A further step includes projecting a headed fastener up through the anchor clamp and finally reassembling the water closet over said anchor clamp and securing the same thereto. The invention further includes an improved repair spanner clamp of arcuate form adapted to underlie and span the fractured portion of a closet flange to facilitate reanchoring the water closet thereto.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to strainers adapted to be inserted within drain openings, located in floors, sinks, and tubs, having a handle attachment fitted to a reticulated or foraminated cup-like strainer. The handle may either rotate or retract or both so as to become substantially flush with the surface containing the drain opening. The strainer has a supporting mechanism for resting on the floor or on a recess adjacent the drain opening in the floor.

Abstract: A drain for a prefabricated shower stall that can be quickly and easily connected to a drain pipe, even though the drain pipe might be off-center with respect to the shower drain opening. The drain consists of two interfitting parts, a first of which is a drain body designed for attachment to the shower stall, and the second of which is a bushing-like member designed to interconnect the drain body and drain pipe. The drain body has a round opening, with a converging wall, extending through it, and an outwardly extending flange by means of which it can be affixed to a prefabricated shower stall around the drain opening in the stall. The converging wall of the opening in the drain body serves as a seat for the second part of the drain, which has a frustoconical outer wall to make this possible. This second part has a cylindrical bore concentric with its outer wall and is of such size as to extend below the first part, when seated therein, and telescopically receive the drain pipe in its cylindrical bore.

Abstract: An inflatable body support to facilitate bedpan use or treatment of pelvic or anal areas of a person confined to a hospital bed or a wheelchair, comprising a generally U-shaped inflatable hip-support cushion defining a space within the "U" thereof for receiving a bedpan or sanitary absorbent material when the hip-supporting cushion is inflated, and a separately inflatable, flexibly attached back support cushion. A flexible folding connection between the hip-support cushion and the back support cushion allows the body support of the invention to be used by persons in wheelchairs or in beds having tiltable or raised portions. A waterproof flexible sheet is attached to and extends under the hip-support cushion and prevents spilled matter from soiling bedding. Detachable flexible tubes interconnect the inflatable cushions, and an uninterrupted seam in the flexible connection between the cushions provides durability and complete separability of inflation between the cushions when desired.

Abstract: A box spring assembly with end rail spring mounting units consisting of a frame having wood side and end rails, metal cross rails, and metal end rail mounting units secured to the end rails. The mounting units locate and support some of the springs in the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to relaxing furniture particularly for the ventral and/or dorsal decubitus comprising a rest surface which is substantially flat and adapted to receive the body in stretched out position and comprising, in a zone substantially situated in the upper part of its middle third, a swell which is adapted to support the periumbilical and subumbilical zones. The invention is more particularly applied to a piece of garden or beach furniture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new construction for upholstered seat cushions and backs for chairs and sofas, for throw pillows and the like, wherein a resilient, flexible foam material such as polyurethane foam or latex foam rubber, having a convoluted front and rear surface is provided with a wrapping of a batt or web of a very soft and resilient non-woven fibrous material prior to being covered in the conventional manner with a fabric.

Abstract: A beehive of generally circular configuration including a continuously wound combination of a resilient cellular strip and a plastic strip corrugated transversely of its length, the corrugations being spaced less than about one-half inch and having a depth less than about one-half inch, the wound strip combination being disposed on a common backing surface with one edge of the cellular and plastic strips in contact therewith, and retaining structure maintaining the wound strip combination against the common backing surface.

Abstract: A cleaning chamber and a separate spaced-apart drying chamber are provided, which communicate with one another. Articles are cleaned in the cleaning chamber while the same is out of communication with the drying chamber. Then the communication between the chambers are established and the cleaned articles are transported from the cleaning chamber into the drying chamber with a stream of air circulating in a closed path. After this, the communication between the chambers is interrupted and the thus-transported articles are dried in the drying chamber. A transport conduit communicates the chambers with one another, and a flap located in the former is operative for closing and opening the transport conduit. An air passage additionally communicates the chambers with one another, and an air impeller causes air to travel into the cleaning chamber to thereby transport the articles from the same, and to travel into the drying chamber to thereby dry the articles.

Abstract: This terminal comprises an upright buoyant structure connected to the water bottom through a flexible supply pipe. A flexible delivery pipe connected to the supply pipe is supported by a buoy on the water surface, this delivery pipe passing on return pulleys carried by the structure. At least one of these pulleys is moveable along the structure and associated with pull back apparatus for urging the delivery pipe towards a storage position on the buoyant structure.

Abstract: A rotary-brush device comprising a downwardly open flat housing closed at its bottom by a cover threaded into this housing and defining a chamber in which a disk having edge-fixed vanes is received. The disk is propelled by a water jet trained on the vanes from a nipple formed on the housing and directed to the flat chamber receiving the disk. The disk is connected to a hollow shaft which rides in a recess formed in the top of this housing and in a bore of the cover, a threaded lower end of the hollow shaft carrying a rotary brush. A hollow shaft has an opening communicating with the chamber. The upper wall of the housing is provided with a passage communicating with a compartment above this wall closed by a threaded cap and receiving a liquid detergent which is to be mixed with the water.

Abstract: A cylindrical brush is mounted in a housing of a carpet-sweeping device or the like for rotation about an axis extending transversely of the direction of movement of the device over the surface to be cleaned. Two dirt-collecting receptacles are located respectively at the front region of the housing and at the rear region of the housing as considered in the direction of movement of the receptacle over the surface being swept. The dirt-collecting receptacles are removably mounted on the housing, and arrested in their respective fully inserted positions. The dirt-collecting receptacle can be introduced into the housing from the side through one of the lateral portions, from the front, from the rear, from below or from above, depending on the particular construction of the housing. Various arrangements for arresting the dirt-collecting receptacle in its fully inserted position are disclosed.

Abstract: A washing device for a body including a roller brush having two cylindrical brush elements and a sensor positioned in the gap therebetween and spaced from the boundary surface thereof to produce a signal upon a predetermined type of contact of the elements with the body.

Abstract: An endless conveyor type chamois-like curtain drier for vehicles wherein a plurality of spaced drying curtains hang down into the frontal path of a vehicle and are pulled over the vehicle surfaces by the lower run of the conveyor to wipe the moisture therefrom. The curtains are returned in overlapping relationship by the upper run to the point of beginning after removing moisture therefrom by wringer roll or vacuum. An accelerator means in the form of a rotatable paddle wheel intercepts each of the curtains adjacent the head end of the conveyor to speed up the linear movement of the curtains and lift the individual curtains free of their laminated relationship and over and around the conveyor end returning the curtains to the beginning of the lower run in a freely hangable condition.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head cleaning pad is mounted on the exterior of a somewhat C-shaped resilient member which is snap-fitted on one end of an elongate mounting member which at its other end is pivotally connected to one end of an elongate handle member. To secure the mounting member to the handle member in any chosen one of a number of available relative orientations, one of these members is formed with a part-ring of teeth, like part of a spur gear wheel, and the other member carries a detent member which slides transversely with respect to said member, parallel to the axis of the part ring of teeth, a projection on it lying between two adjacent teeth or not, depending on the position of the detent member.

Abstract: A device on or in which a dipstick of an engine can be cleaned, the device comprising a housing in which opposed cleaning faces are mounted, the housing having a U or V-shaped recess therein between which the opposed cleaning faces project, the housing being mounted by suitable means in association with a vehicle engine so that a dipstick thereof can be removed from the engine and readily drawn between the opposed cleaning faces to be cleaned thereby. The device can be used in association with a vehicle engine and be mounted under the bonnet of the vehicle near to the engine.

Abstract: A chalkboard eraser including an elongated rigid tubular core member and a resilient body member fixed to the core member and disposed about the core member and generally coextensive therewith, the body member having alternate lands and grooves extending lengthwise and disposed about its periphery.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for cleaning sewers, catch basins and the like includes a debris collection chamber mounted on the rear of a vehicular chassis. A vacuum conduit communicates with the chamber and is adapted to be lowered into the sewer. A vacuum fan also communicates with the chamber and draws air through the conduit and chamber thereby picking up debris from the sewer. As the debris enters the chamber, the configuration thereof creates a rapid decrease in the air flow velocity and otherwise interrupts the flow so that material entrained in the air is deposited in the chamber. The configuration of the chamber also permits facile discharge of the debris out of the bottom of the chamber in that one end wall of the chamber is swingable to open the bottom thereof. This same end wall also carries a hose reel for use in flushing the sewer. Because the debris which is picked up may well include water, means are provided to drain the water from the chamber.

Abstract: The lance of the soot blower is disclosed as having a square cross section extending through a square hole in a rotating bushing. The square lance is reciprocated into and out of a furnace cavity by means of a carriage positioned through a rack and pinion.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning machine wherein cleaning fluid is continuously dispensed to an in-place carpet from manually manipulatable tools and wherein dirty fluid is continuously picked up from the carpet and conveyed to a dirty fluid collecting chamber. The machine is characterized by an automatic discharge means for the dirty fluid collecting chamber whereby dirty fluid is automatically cycled out of the collecting chamber and delivered to a disposal location as required. The machine is further characterized by an automatic cleaning fluid supply system.

Abstract: This disclosure shows the supplying of fluid at a pressure greater than the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere to a cleaner in which the cleaning is done by intermittently and consecutively jetting fluid, controlled by a double distributing valve against the surface of the material being cleaned, where the total average pressure of the air or gas is maintained at a few inches of water below the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. The double distributing valve, having circular outlets evenly spaced around a valve rotor, allows the same number of passages leading from the valve rotor cavity to jet nozzles to be in operation at all times and allows an increase in time for the jetting fluid through the jet nozzles to reach the desired speed.

Abstract: A swivel caster comprising in general a wheel, a hemispherical die casting having a spindle mounting the wheel, the die casting having an edge closely adjacent to one side of the wheel, and notches formed at the edge of the hemispherical die casting, the edges forming the notches being in planes generally tangent to circles having axes coincident with the axis of the spindle.In addition a flat cover is provided to isolate rough spots due to die casting.

Abstract: A mounting element for the adjustable fastening of an elongated supporting arm which is the carcass-related part of an articulated hinge, for the pivoting articulation of a door leaf or flap on the carcass of a furniture piece whose carcass bears on its open front facing the door leaf or flap a frame projecting inwardly from the carcass walls. The carcass frame has adjacent each of the mounting elements to be fastened to it, a recess open towards its inner frame edge, in which the mounting element is disposed, and the mounting element has a mounting plate, which is made in one piece with a mounting body which can be inserted matingly into the frame recess and can be fastened to the frame.

Abstract: An automatic poultry wing cutting apparatus for selectively severing an individual poultry wing into predetermined pieces which is characterized by a rotatably mounted drum-like wing retaining member provided with a plurality of spaced wing receiving grooves extending generally in an axial direction along the outer surface of the retaining member. A plurality of axially spaced slots are provided which intersect the grooves. Knife means are provided which extend into predetermined portions of said slots and cooperative with a plurality of wing engaging members which are disposed in other preselected slots to bias said wing downwardly against each of said knife means to selectively sever the wing at desired locations.