Abstract: A real-time ultrasonic imaging system includes a display which is compensated for the non-ideal characteristics of the search beam profile. Echo responsive electrical signals are provided to a preprogrammed computing means for being processed to compensate for the characteristics of the test probe. The processed signals are displayed as being in focus at all distances from the probe, thereby resulting in an image exhibiting improved resolution.

Abstract: An abduction pillow is illustrated wherein a wedge-shaped body is constructed of synthetic foam material for positioning the limbs in cushioned fixed divergent position and means are also illustrated for supporting and cradling the foot and ankle portions of an orthopedic patient.

Abstract: A control system and method for operating a welding helmet liquid crystal light shutter wherein opening of the liquid crystal light shutter is delayed by two or three seconds after a welding arc is extinguished to permit the welder to apply a welding electrode to the workpiece after the aforesaid two or three seconds to reheat a rapidly-cooling bead. The invention is particularly adapted for use in welding aluminum wherein it is a common practice to place a short weld at the end of a weld head to prevent rapid chilling of the head. In another embodiment of the invention, a liquid crystal light shutter for a welding helmet is caused to open or become transparent quickly; is held open for a few seconds; and is then closed for a few seconds during which latter time the auxiliary welding bead is applied to prevent rapid chilling.

Abstract: A removable cooling band structure attaches directly to a hatband portion of a desired hat to be cooled. The cooling band structure has a liquid retaining pad for abutting at least a portion of the forehead of the wearer. Associated with the band structure and pad is a fluid supply vessel which is cooperatively connected to the cooling band structure and transmits fluid such as water to the band structure through a wick by capillary action.

Abstract: A composite high and low density fired ceramic article is employed as a bone implant. High density ceramic material forms the core or structural member of the composite. An integral inner portion of ceramic material having interconnected porosity encourages the growth of new bone marrow. An integral outer portion of porous ceramic material provides a means for bone and tissue attachment.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bidet seat housing in which are front and rear water jet nozzles and director members through which to pass water one or the other of the nozzles via a solenoid-operated diverter valve connected to the outlet fitting on top of an elongated horizontal water tank adjacent one end thereof, such tank having its inlet fitting on top adjacent the other end connected to a water supply line via a solenoid-operated pressure regulator. An external mode selector effects operation of one of either one of the solenoids or of a warm air blower for supplying warm air blower at the rear of the seat. The water tank contains a heater and a sensor with a temperature sensitive resistor. A control module has circuitry of which the sensor resistor is a part, and effects operation of the heater as needed to maintain water flowing through the tank at the desired temperature.

Abstract: A sedentary bathing system utilizes a seat and back reclinably mounted to it so as to form a chair; associated with the chair is a perforated pipe for spraying water on a subject sitting in the chair.

Abstract: A massage installation is characterized in that it includes a control unit with a distinct control channel for each of the functions to be actuated, each of these control channels including an electrically non-conducting remote control device, an electronic logic system, and a power control circuit connected to the electronic logic system by an electrically non-conducting member. The invention is particularly useful in balneotherapy treatments.

Abstract: A module for residents under institutional care includes a bed unit having a high side panel and high end panels to ensure a reasonable degree of privacy and also includes a theft-proof tall storage unit. The storage unit has a lockable door, overhead storage space, a plurality of internal shelves, an internal support surface, an internal drawer, and an extendible desk in it which can be extended exteriorally of the tall storage unit or slid into the side of the storage unit and locked therein. The desk unit includes a hingeable top surface attached to an underlying storage compartment and a lock which prevents the desk unit from being extended toward the bed unit unless unlocked from within the storage unit. The extended desk unit is disposed at a height such that there is adequate knee space beneath the bottom of the storage compartment and the top of the bed so that a resident can conveniently sit on the edge of the bed and utilize the desk unit for studying.

Abstract: Soft-sided waterbed construction including water absorbent mattress foam support frame surrounding a water filled mattress at its perimeter and water retaining mattress liner means juxtaposed the water filled mattress, said water retaining liner encompassing at least two sides of the triangular shaped foam support means, the uncovered surface side of said foam support means juxtaposed said water filled mattress whereby in the event of water filled mattress leak, the water is retained within the liner and the water absorbent foam support.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic washing machine of which the washing, the water draining, and the rinsing operations are automatically controlled by an electric control circuit including an electric timer, arithmetic-operation processor circuit and memory. The machine includes a degree-of-rinse detecting unit which detects the degree of rinse involved and, when this degree has reached a specified value, supplies an output signal to the arithmetic-operation processor circuit to carry out a short overflow rinsing step thus to complete this rinsing operation.

Abstract: A high speed machine for cold forging screws, rivets, and the like comprises a frame supporting a die-carrying head thereon reciprocates a punch carrying slide, shears having a fixed and a movable blade, and a bar stock shearing device including a linkage effective to transmit at least part of the movement and energy of the punch carrying slide to the movable blade and convert the reciprocating motion of the slide into a reciprocating motion of the movable blade.

Abstract: A strip of fasteners such as pierce nuts is formed from a metal blank with no scrap resulting from the provision of a spacing between adjacent nut bodies, and without the difficulty and expense incident to attaching nut bodies to connecting elements. The body portion of a laterally flanged blank is severed in the transverse direction to separate nut bodies from the blank without fracturing the flanges. The flanges are severed in the longitudinal direction to form severed longitudinally extending flange segments integral at both ends with unsevered flange segments. When the flanges are straightened, the stretching of the severed flange segments resulting from shearing provides a spacing between adjacent nut bodies in the strip. The strip includes spaced apart nut bodies interconnected by continuous lateral flanges. The flanges include unsevered lateral flange segments integral with both sides of each nut body, and severed flange segments integral at both ends with the unsevered flange segments.

Abstract: Apparatus for binding stacks of sheets has two spiral or comb or the like binding devices located respectively at two binding stations. The stacks to be bound are fed by a conveyor to a distributing station from which the stacks are distributed alternatively to each of the two binding stations by a gripper assembly. The bound stacks are transferred from the binding stations to finishing stations by pivoted arms. After the finishing operation, e.g. the trimming and turning in of the ends of the spiral, the bound stacks are pushed by plungers to form a stack of books or pads at a common discharge station from which the stack is removed by a conveyor belt.

Abstract: Bookbinding machine with a horizontal turntable 2 which carries pairs of clamping jaws (3, 4) and transports the pairs of clamping jaws past work stations (A-E), wherein a disc cam (16) is provided coaxially with the turntable to open and close the pairs of clamping jaws, characterized in that the axis of the turntable is defined by a shaft (13) which is rotatably connected with the turntable by friction elements (11, 14, 15), that the shaft is non-rotatably connected with a second disc cam (44) which controls the movements of a restrainer (40) into and/or from the path of the turntable in order to arrest briefly the turntable whenever a pair of clamping jaws is located at the inserting station (A) for inner books.

Abstract: A power brush apparatus for use in cleaning airplanes or the like which includes an elongate hollow handle with a drive member coaxially mounted and journaled within the hollow handle and which drive member is connected at one end to a drive motor in a driving connection and at the opposite end to a stub shaft arranged in a housing at an angle of about 45.degree. with respect to the longitudinal length of the handle and a brush of the rotatable type is secured for rotation to the terminal end of the stub shaft.

Abstract: A compact floor polisher is disclosed including a base supporting an electric motor having a vertically oriented output shaft and driving a circular brush. The base includes a depending annular skirt and a hollow hub. A brush carrier has an annular flange and a spindle rotatably supported by bearings within the hub. The brush carrier and support base define a lubricant housing. A ring gear is formed on the annular flange of the carrier and engaged by a pinion gear secured to the motor output shaft. A seal is disposed between the vertical flange and the annular skirt. Baffles direct lubricant into the hub to lubricate the bearings supporting the brush carrier spindle.

Abstract: The present cleaning tool for electrical or gas water heaters provides a scraper and a member for pulling out of the heater the scraped off scale or rust or the like that tends to deposit on the internal heater walls and bottom. In a preferred embodiment of this tool the scraper is secured to one end and the pulling out member is secured to the other end of a common handle.

Abstract: A handle having a sprung forked end with two branch arms in the form of a fork is releasably securable to a cleaning-implement body by engagement of the branch arms in apertures in the body by means of a clamping device which is movable with respect to said branch arms and includes a pivoting lever.

Abstract: A tooth cleaning apparatus is provided having a structurally rigid tray including a U-shaped channel for the reception therein of teeth carried by a jaw member. The cleaning means is also included in associated relationship with the tray. Secured to the outer surface of the tray at a point opposite the open side thereof are resilient pads of predetermined length to enable mechanical interengagement with the teeth to effect securing of the tray to the opposite jaw member from the teeth being cleaned. Included within the interior of the U-shaped channel are a predetermined number of stop elements positioned to limit the depth to which the jaw may be inserted and to assure proper alignment of the teeth and sulcus with the tray. In one embodiment of the apparatus, the interior of the U-shaped channel is provided with a plurality of brush bristles to effectuate brushing the teeth as well as cleaning the sulcus.

Abstract: A paint roller has a roller support member of a plastic material provided with an internal bearing surface extending for a partial distance from one end for engaging a short shaft portion of a metallic handle which couples the roller to a hand grip. Thrust support in one direction is provided by a transverse surface disposed adjacent one end of the bearing surface for engagement by one end of the shaft and a spring washer which engages the shaft and the roller support provides thrust support in the opposite direction and couples the members together. A short finned section and integrally formed washers on the roller support in the area of the bearing surface are provided for engaging a roller cover adjacent one end. The other end of the roller cover is engaged by a washer supported at one end of an axial extension projecting from the roller support body.

Abstract: A blower device is disclosed for sweeping light debris and clutter. The device includes a pressurized air supply source in communication with a receptacle. A standing head of pressure is developed in the receptacle and then discharged through a nozzle in a jet of air at a substantially constant pressure.

Abstract: Three piece separable hinge assembly wherein, when closed or nested, a smaller flat leaf is received loosely, coplanar, within a central cut-out area of a larger flat leaf so that the composite hinge occupies the thickness of only one leaf. When this thickness corresponds to the shallow recess or seating niche of an attached structure (e.g. either door or door jamb) to which the leaf is secured, such door can be completely closed without leaving an appreciable gap between it and the adjacent wall. Each leaf, along a common edge, is formed with a jointly aligned bearing tube, which tubes house a cylindrical hinge pin having a tapered, distally converging, engagement neck and flared head. Such pin is removably insertable from either end of the tube. Longitudinally spaced along the bearing tube of the smaller leaf are a pair of tangentially projecting abutment lugs which serve to locate one connected structure (e.g. door) for automatic alignment with the other (e.g.

Abstract: Means are provided for retaining fire doors in the open position against the action of spring or other automatic door closers, with remote control release which can be actuated if a fire is detected. In use, one part thereof is mounted on the wall and has holding means for engagement with another part which is mounted on the door. The wall mounted part also includes pneumatically operated actuating means for actuating the holding means when a gas pressure differing from atmospheric pressure is applied thereto so that the door is released when such pressure is removed. The pneumatically operated actuating means of a number of such door holders may be connected to a common gas pressure source together with means for releasing the gas pressure on occurrence of a fire.

Abstract: A tool for applying a liquid stain to a flat surface to impart a timber grain effect comprising a paint brush, a bristle retaining slidable plate on one side of the brush and a slidable comb plate on the other side of the brush. Both the plates have an elongated slot which engages a bolt which passes through the paint brush. The comb adjustably separates the brush bristles into discrete bunches to permit the application of stain to impart a wood grain pattern.