Abstract: Process for determining characteristics of the geological formations traversed by a borehole, making use of a sonde by means of which the intensity of the .gamma. rays naturally radiated from the formations is measured, both longitudinal and transversal acoustic waves are transmitted to the formations, their travel time and their attenuation between two receivers placed in contact with the formations are measured and by combination of the so-obtained values a resulting value is elaborated which is representative of one characteristic of the surveyed formations.

Abstract: A pressure compensated load responsive flow control valve for use in a system controlling a plurality of loads. The system is powered by a single, fixed displacement pump. The flow control valve is equipped with a load responsive control, which during simultaneous control of multiple loads automatically maintains the pump discharge pressure at a level higher than the pressure required by the largest load being controlled. To obtain unidirectional flow, load sensing passages of individual valve spools are connected by check valves with the load responsive control, which is equipped with a leakage control, maintaining a relatively constant leakage from load sensing circuit, irrespective of sensing circuit pressure and permitting fast response of pressure compensated load responsive flow control valve without excessive leakage losses.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting perforation of a well casing with a casing gun while maintaining pressure in the well bore at a lower level than the pressure in the surrounding reservoir at the point of perforation. Before production tubing is run into the well, the casing gun is deposited in the bore below the desired production level. After the tubing is installed, borehole pressure is reduced to the desired level by swabbing the tubing and an automatic coupling and decoupling pickup tool is lowered on a wireline through the tubing and attached, mechanically and electrically, to the casing gun. The casing gun is then raised to the production level, as measured by locating the casing collars. Whe the gun is properly located, it is activated through an electrical cable carried along with the wireline. The casing gun perforates the well casing and surrounding formation, and is then decoupled from the wireline to be left in the well.

Abstract: A portable riser having a plurality of steps which have a travel position in superimposed relation with structure for rolling the riser along the floor, hinge means interconnecting the steps whereby they may be folded out of superimposed relation, a pair of sliders pivotally associated with each step and which are hinged to sliders of an adjacent step by said hinge means whereby lifting of one step causes erection of the riser to an erected position, and latch means automatically operable to prevent movement of the steps beyond erected position and to lock the riser in erected position for use.

Abstract: The inclusion of an alkali metal halide in the gas fill of a high pressure mercury and aluminium halide discharge lamp improves the color appearance of the lamp; notably by lowering the color temperature, while maintaining or even increasing the efficacy and stability of the discharge. Preferred contents are 10 to 30 mg cm.sup.-3 mercury, 5 to 100 .mu.mol cm.sup.-3 aluminium halide and 0.5 to 150 .mu.mol cm.sup.3 alkali metal halide, with the molar ratio of alkali metal halide to aluminium halide in the range 0.1 to 1.5 and the total number of aluminium and alkali metal atoms preferably greater than the total number of halogen atoms.

Abstract: A blown glass reflector lamp having an ellipsoidal reflector and a clear or lightly frosted face is disclosed.

Abstract: A shin guard comprises an elastic generally tubular member adapted to tightly surround the lower leg of a wearer in the vicinity of the shin, and an elongated substantially rigid member which is tapered toward the lower end thereof and being generally shaped to substantially conform to the contour of the shin of the wearer. The elastic tubular member has a first retaining means for retaining the substantially rigid member in a predetermined position between the elastic tubular member and the shin of the wearer. A second retaining means extends from the elastic tubular member for retaining the elastic tubular member in the longitudinal direction thereof substantially at a predetermined position on the leg of the wearer.

Abstract: A disposable bib, napkin or apron of flexible sheet material having a neck cutout in its upper edge portion and two shoulder pieces adjacent the cutout. The upper edge portion carries a pressure-sensitive adhesive capable of releasably adhering to itself and to the clothing or body of a user, the adhesive extending substantially continuously across substantially the entire upper edge portion of the garment, leaving upper side edge portions free of adhesive, and extending downwardly for an appreciable distance to below the cutout. The garment is folded upon itself prior to use with one portion of the adhesive contacting and overlying another portion thereof whereby the entire area of adhesive is covered by the garment itself. To prepare the garment for use, the adhesive-free upper side edge portions are pulled apart to open the garment and expose the adhesive for placement against the clothing or body of a user.

Abstract: A one-piece woman's competition swimming suit has a continuous elastic edging, made in a single piece, forming a closed loop around the openings for the passage of the legs in the lower portion of the suit, rising at a slant along the lateral sides of the suit, then forming the lower peripheral edging of the upper portion of the suit, and joined to a transverse edging of the upper portion of the back of the suit essentially in a central region thereof in which two back straps converge, and are also connected to the transverse edging. The transverse edging can form a continuation of the armpit edging of a breast panel of the suit.

Abstract: A tubular organic prosthesis comprising a porous tubing of polytetrafluoroethylene and elastic fibers provided helically on its outside surface.

Abstract: Heart valve including a valve body having a non-circular exterior periphery and a blood flow passage orifice through the valve body having a periphery substantially geometrically similar to the exterior periphery. A rigid occluder having a periphery slightly smaller than the internal periphery of the blood flow passage, pivots within the confines of the blood flow passage. The valve body can assume an oval, egg, kidney, or the like geometrical shape and pivots on an axis parallel or removed from the major axis of the non-circular heart valve body. The occluder pivots about pivot closed pivots and pivot open pivots, guide struts, or a T-shaped pivot post between occluding and non-occluding positions. Stop surfaces all retain the occluder in the occluding position and non-occluding position in the heart valve orifice.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot which has an ankle member adapted for mounting on the leg of a user and provided with a forwardly disposed wedging surface; a toe member provided with a wedging surface facing the wedging surface of the ankle member; a resilient sheet extended longitudinally of the foot beneath the members, connecting them for relative pivotal movement as the sheet flexes; a wedge disposed between the surfaces; and a screw mounted on the sheet and engaging the wedge so that rotation of the screw adjustably positions the wedge between the surfaces pivoting the members selectively to arch and to flatten the interconnected members to adapt the foot for use with shoes having heels of different heights.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a closet combined with a sewage tank (7). The closet comprises a stand enclosing the sewage tank (7) and supporting a chair (1) composed of closet bowl (3), closet seat (4) and closet cover (5). A flushing water tank (18) is connected to the closet. The closet bowl (3) is adapted to be closed in a pressure-tight manner by means of the closet cover (5) and is provided with a discharge valve (8) opening at a predetermined overpressure in the closed closet bowl (3). Means (24, 25, 31) comprising an air-pump (24) are provided to empty the closet bowl (3). By means of the air-pump (24) and said means (25, 31) simultaneously both the closet bowl (3) and the flushing water tank (18) are placed under overpressure. A member (21) is provided to supply flushing liquid from the flushing water tank (18) to the closet bowl (3) when the discharge valve ( 8) in the closet bowl (3) has been opened and the overpressure therein has been reduced.

Abstract: A bed assembly (10a) is disclosed. The bed assembly (10a) includes an air mattress (32a) for supporting a human body in a generally prone position. The air mattress (32a) has an overall firmness determined by the amount of air in the air mattress. A port for admitting and releasing air to and from the air mattress (32a) is formed through the air mattress (32a). A box spring support structure (12a) holds the air mattress above a surface. A mechanism (44a) is provided for adjusting the overall firmness of the air mattress (32a) by adjusting the amount of air pressure in the air mattress (32a). The adjusting mechanism (44a) includes a bladder or balloon (48a-54a) for containing a quantity of air and a mechanism (56a) for transferring air between the air mattress (32a) and the bladder (48a-54a) to adjust the relative volume of the air mattress and the bladder.

Abstract: A tool for use in removing glazing has a head including a conical point of substantial length and a shank connected to a straight handle with the point disposed towards but angled away from the handle at an angle that does not exceed 30.degree.. The maximum diameter of the point is substantially less than the cross section of the glazing and the angle of taper of the point is such that the point may be drawn with moderate pulling forces lengthwise through the glazing with radial expanding stresses resulting that are adequate to rupture the glazing.