Abstract: An earth-working implement and a method utilizing such an implement for preparing soil for planting seeds and concurrently planting the seeds wherein a plate-like plow stock penetrates the soil to a substantial depth below ground level, and the soil is concurrently leveled and smoothed inwardly behind the plow stock by concave and forwardly diverging cutting discs straddling the forward path of the plow stock and whose lower extremities are spaced a substantial distance above that of the plow stock for forming a substantially smooth linear area of loose soil. A furrow opener, behind the plow stock, forms a planting furrow in the soil along the linear area, while seeds are being deposited in the furrow and soil is pressed to cover the thus planted seeds. An improved mounting post arrangement is provided for supporting each of the diverging discs in predetermined angular relationship.

Abstract: A material hold-down device, cooperative with the stitching needle bar of a stitching machine, and employing a template that retains layers of material to be stitched. The hold-down has a vertical tubular cylindrical sleeve in sliding bearing relationship with the reciprocal cylindrical needle bar, a laterally projecting mounting portion extending therefrom, and an elongated lower hollow nose coaxial with the sleeve, of smaller diameter than the sleeve, and joined thereto by a frustoconical juncture. The sleeve has an open side of less than 180.degree. extent, leaving the remaining wall portion greater than 180.degree., and has a smaller opening opposite the open side, for access to the needle and needle bar.

Abstract: A sewing machine with a thread cutting device, a pneumatic/automatic presser foot lifter and an air hose attached to the exhaust of the presser foot lift cylinder or its solenoid valve, the air hose directing the air flow to an air jet tube attached to the presser foot shaft behind the needle by a special holder with a single screw simultaneously holding the presser foot to the presser bar lifter. The presser foot lift cylinder and a solenoid valve connected thereto are mounted as a compact unit on a plate, with a piston of the lifting cylinder operatively disposed adjacent to a lifting angle bracket, the latter being connected to the lifting linkage inside the sewing machine. When the solenoid and lifting cylinder are released to lower the presser foot, the exhaust air from the cylinder is forced through the air jet tube up to its open end held by the holder for blowing the thread end above the presser foot.

Abstract: A thermal insulating material comprises at least two sheets of metallized plastic film, a mesh sandwiched between adjacent film sheets and outer cover layers of mesh sandwiching the film-mesh sandwich. The film-mesh sandwich and the outer meshes are stitched together. Vapor permeability is imparted by perforations through the films.

Abstract: A safe box-like structure of good appearance is formed in a simplified manner from a flat metal sheet by folding at right angles the opposite side portions of a flat rectangular metal sheet, for instance, of a steel sheet to provide a channel-shaped metal sheet, forming in each end portion of the upright side sections of the channel-shaped metal sheet a diagonal crease extending from an inner end of a prescribed vertical fold line disposed substantially perpendicular to the bottom section of the bottom section of the channel-shaped metal sheet to the outer corner point of the end portion of the side section, pressing a triangular intermediate section between the prescribed vertical fold line and the diagonal crease inwardly of the channel-shaped metal sheet, folding the triangular intermediate section and an outer triangular section toward each other along the afore-mentioned prescribed vertical fold line and diagonal crease, and upbending opposite end portions of the channel-shaped metal sheet at right angle

Abstract: In an acoustic homing torpedo having a transducer section mounted forward the nose shell, an elastomeric, acoustically transparent sleeve is installed over the torpedo nose section and extends aft of the discontinuity at the transducer/nose section interface, thereby reducing the torpedo self-noise generated by cavitation occurring at the discontinuity.

Abstract: A mast is mounted onto a boat for 360.degree. rotation about its longitudinal axis, relative to the sailboat and the rigging for the mast. The rigging braces the mast against buckling and comprises a masthead, a transverse spreader bar and shrouds. A forwardly directed longitudinal channel in the mast receives bolt ropes at the forward edges of two soft fabric panels which together make up the mainsail. Each mainsail panel extends from its bolt rope within the channel out through a narrow slot in the mast. When sailing generally into the wind, each mainsail panel curves partially around its side of the mast and then extends rearwardly from a line of tangency with its side of the mast, generally contiguous the mainsail panel. Each side panel of the mainsail is secured along its lower edge to a separate boom, so that the two booms can be swung apart to move the two sail panels into a "wing-out" position, for use when sailing with the wind.

Abstract: A double-tank shipping container for general bulk liquid cargo, the container being constituted by a sea-going vessel having a single hull provided with a hold which defines the outer tank of the container and a prefabricated flexible bladder forming an inner tank received within the outer tank and readily removable therefrom. The inner tank has a configuration roughly conforming to the contours of the outer tank and yet capable of sustaining the liquid cargo in the event of a rupture in the outer tank, thereby to prevent spillage from the vessel and to avoid pollution of the seas.

Abstract: An improved releasable boat anchor of the double-acting type for anchoring a boat and for releasing itself from an underwater obstruction in which the anchor may be captured, the anchor comprising a fluke body and a shank, the shank comprising an intermediate portion pivotally connected to the fluke body and an outer portion pivotally connected to the intermediate portion, the outer shank portion having an aperture for attaching an anchor line to the anchor, the anchor having two alternate anchor drag positions, an intermediate release position and a full release position, said anchor including an arrangement such that in the full release position the pull on the fluke body is substantially from the rear thereof.

Abstract: An inflatable automobile warning reflector device, usable also as a floatation buoy, comprises an inflatable triangular body formed of three tubular sides joined at their ends to define a triangle. The front faces of the tubular sides forming the triangular body are covered with reflecting material. At two lower corners of the triangular body, inflatable L-shaped tubular supports project rearwardly to support the triangular body in an upright position on the ground and also to receive weights for anchoring the device. One leg of one of the supports serves as an inflating tube. A belt hook at the upper corner provides for hanging the device from a raised trunk lid of a car or other support.

Abstract: A universal T.V. channel knob has a channel indicator skirt slidably receivable on a cylindrical, molded synthetic plastic knob shaft and relatively attachable thereto in an infinite number of rotative positions to provide for universal replacement usage. A metal, radially depressable slide pin is provided for securing the dial skirt in adjusted rotative position with respect to the knob shank with only minimal projection inwardly along its mounting shank, thereby minimizing any possibility of interference with fine tuner knob assemblies and the like that may be coaxially arranged in close proximity behind the T.V. channel knob assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing an indicium on objects, fruits and the like with an ink which may or may not be water soluble, but which is preferably of a type which may be readily consumed by humans without damaging effect, the fruit being successively pre-oriented and delivered by a conveyor to a printing station where inked printing dies carried by a printing roller are utilized to apply the indicia, after which the fruit is then discharged from the conveyor in a free-fall trajectory path onto a receiver, an air-brush type nozzle being utilized to jet-spray the indicium with a quick drying sealant coating as the fruit is moved through the trajectory path. The spray nozzle is directed towards a collecting opening having a connection with a suction source. Also, a selector valve is provided to permit disconnection of the coating material supply to the nozzle, and connection of the nozzle to a supply of cleaning solvent.

Abstract: An automatic food basting and display apparatus and method for basting a pre-cooked food such as corn-on-the-cob and maintaining the food at serving temperature up to serving time, comprising a display cabinet with a food support means having a rotary carousel means for periodically dipping the food in a basting liquid and thereafter draining at a predetermined rate to maintain the food palatable and prevent degradation of the food caused by over basting.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying liquids including a main body and a carrier supporting the main body for movement, the main body having mounted therein conduits and charge-over valves for supplying liquids, and spray nozzles for spraying the liquids in predetermined amounts onto a liquid-absorptive, resilient contacting member to enable the latter to apply the liquids to a surface by sliding rubbing contact therewith as the carrier is actuated or for spraying the liquids directly onto the surface. The liquids absorbed by the contacting member are squeezed therefrom when a surface cleaning operation or a liquid applying operation is completed or any time the contacting member is soiled, by bringing the contacting member into pressing engagement with a liquid receiving pan.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for electrostatically coating a substantially axially symmetrical object with pulverized material, characterized by conveying said object by means of a conveyor-type holding device into an electrostatic coating chamber equipped with silent discharge plate electrodes on both sides of the chamber walls: feeding electrically charged pulverized material into said chamber: electrostatically coating said object with said pulverized material by the action of silent discharge from said electrodes: and removing surplus pulverized material from the specific parts of said object by suction.

Abstract: A particle feed arrangement for applying solid particles contained in a picle storage tank to an image carrier of a non-impact printer. The arrangement includes a conveying member in the form of an endless screw conveyor disposed to pass within a particle supply source to feed the particles to the vicinity of a surface of the carrier. A deflector is interposed between the carrier and the conveying member to collect the particles conveyed by the member. The deflector has one of its edges arranged in the immediate vicinity of the said carrier to form, in conjunction with the carrier, a trough of generally prismatic shape in which the particles so collected accumulate. The other edge of the deflector, which is formed by a rectangular plate, is virtually in contact with the peripheral extremities of the endless screw to cause the particles to be collected in the trough.

Abstract: In a dry-type developing apparatus for use in electrophotography including a developing sleeve for conveying a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier to a developing station, an automatic toner replenishing device comprises a roller to which voltage is applied having recessed toner dispenser portions and a toner recovering peripheral surface portion on its periphery and rotatable in contact with a portion of the developer on the sleeve after the developer portion has passed through the developing station, bias voltage sources connected to the sleeve and to the roller respectively to produce a potential difference between the sleeve and the roller, and a toner tank arranged to cover part of the roller and containing the toner to be replenished.

Abstract: Two elongated chicken houses are placed in parallel, side-by-side relationship with an egg room there between. A pair of U-shaped overhead conveyor rails extend through the eggroom and chicken houses, with each conveyor rail having one leg extending along the length of one end of a chicken house, its middle lateral leg extending through the eggroom, and its other end leg extending along the length of the one end of the other chicken house. An adjustable egg carrier is mounted on and is movable along each conveyor rail, and includes a vertically adjustable framework with an egg support platform swingably supported beneath the conveyor rail. A cable and winch are used to raise and lower the egg support platform, to lower the platform to a convenient working level while in the chicken houses and to raise the platform so that it clears the platforms at the sides of the chicken houses when being moved through the elevated side doors of the chicken houses to the eggroom.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a primary fuel circuit for producing a lean mixture of air and hydrocarbon fuel to be fed into a combustion chamber and a secondary fuel circuit which includes a secondary carburetor for producing a mixture of air and methanol at an air-methanol ratio of less than 2.0. The air-methanol mixture is fed into a reactor vessel having therein a catalyst bed which is heated to facilitate reaction between the components of the air-methanol mixture. By the reaction the air-methanol mixture is converted into a reformed gaseous mixture rich with hydrogen which is then mixed with an air-hydrocarbon fuel mixture to form a composite mixture to be supplied into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a combustion chamber and an accumulation chamber which are interconnected to each other via a mixture passage. An accumulation valve is arranged in the mixture passage and opened during the compression stroke. The mixture passage is connected to the combustion chamber at an opening formed on the peripheral inner wall of the cylinder head. The opening of the mixture passage is covered by the rear face of the raised portion formed on the top face to the piston when the piston reaches the top dead center.

Abstract: A multiple bank internal engine for a motorcycle has staggered cylinders which form a recess at one side of one bank of cylinders, and another recess at the opposite ends of another bank of cylinders. Valve actuating mechanisms are accommodated in these recesses so as to minimize the axial length of the engine, and thereby minimizing the width of the envelope occupied by the engine when mounted on a motorcycle.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine method and apparatus wherein most or all of the air compression required for combustion is done outside of the internal combustion engine and out of heat exchange contact with the combustion chamber. The engine includes direct regeneration of exhaust heat and the compressor includes means for varying the compression ratio thereof in response to various parameters such as throttle demand and ambient temperature. Fuel injection and/or carburetion are used in various combinations with the compressor, and pulsed compressed air is fed from the compressor into the combustion chamber in matched relationship to the position of the piston in the cylinder.

Abstract: An improved valve disabler control for a multi-cylinder engine having individually pivoted rocker arms and an intake and exhaust valve pair for each cylinder. Half of the valve pairs are provided with valve disablers having rotatable sleeves. Rotation of the sleeves counterclockwise (ccw) allows sliding movement of the rocker arm fulcrums, thereby disabling the valves; clockwise (cw) rotation of the sleeves prevents sliding movement of the fulcrums, thereby enabling the valves. The improved control includes a link and a spring interconnecting the disabler sleeves for each valve pair. Each link rotates the intake valve disabler sleeve ccw in response to ccw rotation of the exhaust valve disabling sleeve. A slot connecting each link to the intake valve disabler sleeve allows cw rotation of the exhaust valve disabler sleeve before cw rotation of the intake valve disabler sleeve. Each spring provides a cw biasing force to the sleeves. The biasing force increases in response to ccw rotation of the sleeves.

Abstract: A vacuum operated servo comprises a vacuum chamber defined by a flexible diaphragm and a cover, a valve seat secured to the cover so as to project into the vacuum chamber, a valve body yieldably mounted on the flexible diaphragm, a first vacuum conduit with a first valve for inducing vacuum from a vacuum source into the vacuum chamber through the valve seat, a second vacuum conduit with a second valve for inducing vacuum from the vacuum source into the vacuum chamber, and a leak orifice for leaking the vacuum in the vacuum chamber. When the first valve is opened to induce vacuum of the vacuum source into the vacuum chamber, by the vacuum, the diaphragm is moved so that the valve body contacts with the valve seat. Upon the contact, the induction of the vacuum is interrupted to stop the movement of the diaphragm, with the vacuum being introduced and leaked out of the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An ignition control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is disclosed in which the ignition energy for igniting by means of a spark plug the air-fuel mixture supplied to the internal combustion engine is controlled in accordance with the flow velocity of the air-fuel mixture flowing in the neighborhood of the spark plug. An ignition coil for supplying a spark ignition voltage to the spark plug is energized by a power supply and de-energized at the desired timing of spark generation in accordance with the operating conditions of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the engine representing the flow velocity of the mixture is detected and on the basis of this detected rotational speed, the duration of energization of the ignition coil is variably controlled.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for internal combustion engines comprises an exhaust gas recirculating passage for tapping engine exhaust gas from an exhaust pipe and feeding back to an engine intake pipe downstream of a throttle valve disposed therein, a control valve for opening and closing the recirculating passage in response to a pressure signal, and a throttle port formed in the intake pipe at such position that the port lies upstream of the throttle valve at the fully closed position thereof while lying downstream of the throttle valve when it is opened to a predetermined opening angle.

Abstract: A device for exhaust gas recycling is proposed which controls the amount of recycled exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine equipped with an injection unit so that a certain air factor is attained. The device comprises a closing element for the exhaust gas return conduit, which latter terminates into the intake manifold, this closing element being suitably constituted by a throttle valve and being directly connected to the adjusting lever or control rod of the injection pump. If this connection is established via a resilient linkage between the adjusting lever and the exhaust gas return valve, then the thus-recycled amount of exhaust gas can be dimensioned so that a specific quantity of recycled exhaust gas is associated with a specific angular position of the adjusting lever.

Abstract: A motor vehicle internal combustion engine having a pair of heat risers on the exhaust manifold and a plenum chamber positioned about the carburator fuel reservoir. Air from one of the heat risers is directed into the front of the air cleaner assembly. Air from the other heat riser is directed into the plenum where it preheats the fuel in the reservoir, and then exhaust into the air cleaner assembly where it is mixed with the air received from the first heat riser. Significant savings in fuel consumed by the engine have been noted by thus preheating the air and the fuel without vapor lock occurrences.

Abstract: A carburetor of an internal-combustion engine in an automotive vehicle has at least one main duct and an ancillary duct supplying an air/fuel mixture to a manifold, the fluid flow through the ducts being controlled by an accelerator via ganged butterfly valves of which the one in the main duct closes completely whereas the one in the ancillary duct closes only partially in an idling position. Separate nozzles deliver fuel to the main duct at a higher hydrostatic head and to the ancillary duct at a lower hydrostatic head, thereby preventing the aspiration of an excessive amount of fuel by the piston cylinders upon deceleration of the vehicle or during idling. The fuel is admitted to the ducts, between a Venturi throat and the butterfly valves, by nozzles fed from a common float-controlled pressure regulator, or from two such pressure regulators, to which the fuel is delivered by gravity from a buffer reservoir also provided with a float valve and connected to the high-pressure side of a fuel pump.

Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus is proposed which serves to control a mixture-compressing, externally ignited internal combustion engine. The fuel supply apparatus includes at least one fuel depositing point in the air intake manifold, within which an air flow rate meter and an arbitrarily actuatable throttle valve are disposed in series and the air flow rate meter is moved against a restoring force in accordance with the air quantity flowing therethrough. The air flow rate meter, which is embodied as a flat rotary element in the shape of a circular sector, more or less widely opens an aperture which defines the cross-sectional width of the air intake manifold and is rotatably fixed about a rigid shaft extending in the direction of air flow. The intake manifold pressure upstream of the air flow rate meter acts on one side of the air flow rate meter, and the intake manifold pressure downstream of the air flow rate meter acts on the other side of the air flow rate meter.

Abstract: An engine starting device for starting an engine by connecting an output member on the side of a spiral spring and an input member on the side of the engine with each other when the force accumulation by the spring is released. A driving member is driven by the output of the engine. An automatic force accumulating operation for the spiral spring is driven by the driving member. A one-way clutch mechanism connects the automatic force accumulating operation means in a winding pressure accumulating mechanism for the spiral spring with each other.

Abstract: The manual starter for an internal combustion engine includes a flexible pull element mounted in the vicinity of the engine flywheel for movement between a normally retracted position and an extended position and having teeth or cogs adapted to drivingly engage teeth provided on the outer peripheral surface of the flywheel. When the pull element is pulled to an extended position, a rocker arm cooperating with the pull element moves the pull element to a drive position wherein the cogs drivingly engage the flywheel teeth to effect starting rotation of the flywheel. When the pull element is released or the rotational speed of the flywheel exceeds the pulled speed of the pull element after the engine has started, the rocker arm permits the pull element to move from the drive position to a non-drive position wherein the cogs are drivingly disengaged from the flywheel teeth.

Abstract: A system for fuel drip priming an internal gasoline combustion engine of a motor vehicle so as to enable it to subsequently start up quickly after it has become cold from being parked in cold weather for several hours or overnight, in which system the fuel pump is connected through a selectively operable control valve unit with drip nozzle units mounted in the intake manifold near the intake ports of the engine, whereby in addition to the benefits of quick starting of the engine there is also obtained the resultant benefit of fuel saving.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston internal combustion engine comprises an integrally formed or cast engine block having an upper half of main bearings for receiving the journal of a crankshaft, a bearing support frame secured to the bottom portion of the engine block and having a lower half of the main bearings, and a sound-insulating cover secured to the outer surface of the engine block to cover the lower part of the engine block, so that the engine noise and vibration can be effectively decreased.

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine with four vanes carried by a rotor engaging an internal oval housing surface to define four chambers that orbit the rotor axis. Two of the chambers, diametrically opposed, are operated as working chambers on a four-phase internal combustion engine basis in phase with each other. Supercharging is continued through an early part of the volume expansion and firing phase, whereby the rate of expansion per degree of rotation is substantial at the time firing is initiated. The other two chambers are operated as air pumping chambers to supercharge the working chambers via an air pressure accumulator. A lubricating liquid within the chamber is introduced into the pumping chambers for engine lubrication with excess being returned to the accumulator. The pressure of the liquid is applied hydraulically against the vanes to urge each radially outward with equal force.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support assembly for a campfire cooking utensil in which a horizontal arm may be adjustably positioned along a vertical support member by means of spaced, notch gripping apertures in plates carried by the arm. An adapter member releasably joins the free end of the arm and a cooking implement which is rigidly attached to the adapter. Inwardly directed flanges on the free end of the arm extend into longitudinal slots in the adapter and, adjacent the open, entry end of the slots, abutments are provided. The width of the slots and the abutment height are sized so that the adapter and the arm are locked against separation when the adapter is cocked slightly, under load, with relation to the arm.

Abstract: A heating stove has a fire box composed of first and second pluralities of parallel aligned connected vertically oriented curved open-ended conduits lower extremities of the conduits of said first and second pluralities being aligned for contacting a common planar surface to support the stove, with the fire box further being formed by generally planar front and back plates, of substantially the same size and shape, with the front plate having an inlet port therethrough and the back plate having an exhaust port therein. The conduit central portions are largely within the stove fire box. A baffle within the fire box promotes three-pass flow of hot air across the conduit surfaces within the fire box. The first and second pluralities of curved conduits are opposed and in interdigitated engagement. Curved strips separate the curved conduits and thus facilitate stove construction with the conduits in interdigitated engagement.

Abstract: A stove having walls which are shaped and supported to prevent warping thereof. A combustion chamber in the stove is defined by bottom and side walls positioned and oriented to maximize the space available for such a chamber. The walls of the combustion chamber have top caps thereon for ensuring and maintaining the proper positioning of those walls. Further holding elements are included in the stove to maintain the combustion chamber walls in position. An alternative embodiment of the stove includes front opening access doors.

Abstract: The efficiency of a convective heating system employing an elongate firebox is dramatically increased by, inter alia, increasing combustion zone volume to approach that of the firebox and increasing residence time of rising combustibles at ignition temperatures.

Abstract: A free-standing unit for heating air in a U-shaped channel surrounding a fire box having a pair of spaced vertical vents for directing the heated forced air to converge in front of the fire box opening to limit air flow towards said openings. Mesh in the vertical vents directs the forced air downward to be combined with the hot forced air from a bottom horizontal vent. A baffle plate depending from the top of the fire-box adjacent the flue port and an opening along the top of the doors ignite the gases adjacent the top and directs some gases back into the fire. By forcing heated air at a low level and drawing cool air from a high level, the air being heated is of a uniform temperature. A hood extending along the top edge of the fire box opening diverts exiting gases back into the fire box. A thermostatically controlled blower creates the forced air and cools the fire box walls.

Abstract: A solar radiation concentrator consisting of a refractor in the form of at least one strip of transparent material having on it a pattern of prismatic parallel grooves arranged to refract incident solar radiation onto a trough shaped reflector the opening of which is closed by the said strip, a linearly extending target being arranged within the reflector parallel to the axis of the said strip, the strip and the concentrator having optical properties such that in combination the concentration of solar radiation of the target is maximized so as to permit stationary operation of the concentrator without sun-tracking or seasonal orientation.

Abstract: A cylindrical or trough-like radiant energy concentration and collection device is provided. The device includes an energy absorber, a glazing enveloping the absorber and a reflective wall. The ideal contour of the reflective wall is determined with reference to a virtual absorber and not the actual absorber cross section.

Abstract: A transcutaneous connector is routed from within the internal regions of the body through an aperture formed in a bone located closely adjacent the outer body skin such as the iliac crest. An air tube connector extends from a balloon heart pump within the body through the iliac crest and is connected to an external gas drive means.

Abstract: A breathing and acceleration protection apparatus for the pilot of a fighter aircraft includes a source of pressurized respiratory gas (typically a liquid oxygen converter) and an anti-g regulator valve means fed by the source and connected to inflatable trouser pockets of a g-suit carried by the pilot. A demand regulator delivers respiratory gas to the pilot. The anti-g regulator valve includes an inertia body movable responsive to acceleration along a predetermined direction for increasing the pressure in the pockets and when an amount of acceleration in excess of 2 g is sensed. Additional means responsive to the aircraft altitude establish a static pressure in the pockets at a value which increases with altitude in the absence of acceleration.

Abstract: A rhythmical traction type instrument for medical treatment including a couch having a movable frame mounted thereon in reciprocating fashion and a motor for moving said movable frame. This couch is fitted with a roller for correcting the backbone, a vibrator, a reciprocating roller for massaging the lumber and a roller for massaging the lower half of one's body. Each of the rollers and vibrator is provided with a motor for causing up or down movement thereof. Such instruments may also include a control circuit for actuating the required rollers according to a predetermined program or separately and an operation circuit for sending a signal to said control circuit.

Abstract: A device for being positioned beneath the back of a human lying supine on a support surface to aline that human's spine. Two upwardly extending elongated ridge members are joined together in a substantially parallel and alined position. Each ridge member has a first end and a second end and an upper surface. The upper surface of each ridge member forms a convex curve substantially at the first end thereof that substantially corresponds to the natural lumbar curve of a human spine, forms a concave curve intermediate the first and second ends thereof that substantially corresponds to the natural thoracic curve of a human spine, and forms a convex curve substantially at the second end thereof that is slightly less than the normal cervical curve of a human spine.

Abstract: The chiropractic table of the present invention includes a base frame, an intermediate frame above the base frame, and a table frame above the intermediate frame. A plurality of independently movable support pieces are mounted to the table frame and extend above the table frame to provide a support surface for the patient. The table may be tilted about a horizontal axis from a horizontal position to a near vertical position. It may also be elevated or lowered when in its horizontal position. One or more of the support pieces include a cock and drop feature which permits the chiropractor to elevate the piece to a predetermined height. The chiropractor then places downward pressure on the patient at a point directly above the support piece which has been elevated. A system of cams and cam followers holds the elevated piece in its upper position until the pressure reaches a predetermined magnitude, at which time the support piece is released and drops to its original position.

Abstract: A back brace for the treatment of scoliosis having posterior and auterior metal uprights secured to a pelvic girdle and extending vertically upward to a level just below the level of the patient's clavicles, and having laterally extending arms fastened to the upper portions of said vertical uprights for encircling the space to be occupied by the upper torso of the patient at the level of, and just below, the patient's armpits.

Abstract: A device for training a urine bladder which has lost its elasticity due to long term catheterization, whereby it comprises a pressure sensitivity system being arranged to the urethra catheter and a closing-opening unit being controlled by said pressure sensitivity system, which unit is arranged after the pressure sensitivity system seen from the urine bladder. A pressure, which is obtained in the catheter, actuates via the pressure sensitivity system a motor which is arranged to open and close the catheter by means of a mechanical clamping unit.

Abstract: An orthopedic assembly for the treatment of congenital and acquired deformities in children's legs or feet that provide for continuous adjustment of the child's shoes to the assembly, and are readily removable. The assembly comprises a pair of plate members each substantially larger than a child's shoe, a bar for attaching the plate members together and VELCRO fasteners between the bottoms of the child's shoes and the plate members. A tab is provided on each of the shoe bottoms to facilitate release of the fasteners on the shoe bottoms and plate members. Indicia preferably are provided on the plate members to indicate relative orientations that the shoes may assume with respect to the plate members.