Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Norway Maple, botanically known as Acer platanoides is provided. The new variety is distinguished from the regular Norway Maple by a marked tendency to branch at an early stage of development and a more vigorous growth habit. Also, the leaves of the new variety are darker green in color, and less pronounced lenticels are exhibited.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of orchid plant of the Odontioda genus particularly distinguished by the distinctive shape and red-brown coloring of its medium sized flowers, of which ten to fifteen are borne on each item, alternately spaced at two to four centimeters intervals along the upper half of the stem length, and by its regular fall and winter flowering under environmental conditions like those of Paris, France.

Abstract: An accessory holder, for use on an article of clothing such as ski jacket or the like .Iadd.or other article.Iaddend., comprising a flap having one end fixed to one attachment point .[.adjacent the junction of the arm and shoulder.]. of the article .[.of clothing.]. and adapted to fit around the accessory to be held, such as a foldable hat. The other end of the flap is detachably attached to another point .[.of attachment.]. on the .[.shoulder of the.]. article .].of clothing.]. to hold the accessory, with an intermediate piece provided on the underside of the flap adapted to hold the accessory and also to be attached to said other point of attachment.

Abstract: Two pairs of acoustic transducers are provided for obtaining fluid current velocity measurements. The pairs of transducers are mounted in a supporting ring which introduces a controlled source of error in the measurement process, the configuration however resulting in a nearly constant error regardless of flow direction. The constant error introduced by the ring supporting structure may be easily corrected by a scaling factor in the signal processing circuitry utilized to compute fluid velocity.

Abstract: .Iadd.A device for removing cores of soil from the ground including a drum member rotatably mounted on a frame. The frame is adapted for attachment to a vehicle to pull the drum over the ground. The drum has an internal chamber with an access door and a plurality of hollow soil probes mounted on the drum to remove cores of soil from the ground for collection inside the drum as the drum is pulled over the ground by the vehicle. A power cylinder is provided for raising and lowering the frame to thereby cause the drum to move into and out of engagement with the ground. .Iaddend.

Abstract: When a Hydraulically operated valve is used to control the operation of a hydraulic elevator, it is required to do so in a manner such that as the elevator cab approaches a floor level in either direction, it is first decelerated through a transition cycle and after that moved slowly a short distance through a creeping cycle to the floor level where it stops. In the up direction, an extra heavy load cuts the transistion time and adds objectionably to the time needed for up leveling. The compensating valve of the invention is interposed in the hydraulic line of the operating valve which normally is depended on to cause deceleration for transition, replacing the deceleration valve. A plunger in the compensating valve is shifted by an increase in hydraulic pressure resulting from an extra heavy load.

Abstract: A computer controlled telephone answering system to serve a large number of subscribers over a vast geographic area, utilizing a plurality of remote site trunk concentrators adjacent to each telephone company central office to reduce the number of trunk lines required to service subscribers. A central site of this answering system, serving as a facility to answer calls relayed through the remote sites, also includes a trunk concentrator to further reduce the number of trunk lines to operator positions. A computer at the central site controls the entire system, determines switching paths from a subscriber line through the concentrator, to an operator, furnishes answering information to operators and stores instructions for answering incoming messages. The logic of the system permits any operator to answer any incoming telephone call on any subscriber line in the system promptly, economically and correctly.

Abstract: An improved gamma camera arrangement of a variety utilizing a solid state detector, preferably formed of high purity germanium. The central arrangement of the camera operates to effect the carrying out of a trapezoidal filtering operation over antisymmetrically summed spatial signals through gated integration procedures utilizing idealized integrating intervals. By simultaneously carrying out peak energy evaluation of the input signals, a desirable control over pulse pile-up phenomena is achieved. Additionally, through the use of the time derivative of incoming pulse or signal energy information to initially enable the control system, a low level information evaluation is provided serving to enhance the signal processing efficiency of the camera.

Abstract: A throat guard which provides protection across the sensitive throat region as disclosed. It is composed of U-shaped bands of semi-rigid flat material, for example leather or semi-rigid plastic that are adapted to overlappingly co-act and to nest, so that when disposed in the nested area they provide an expanse of protection smaller in area then when unnested. Hence, when the band is positioned and placed about the neck, the discrete U-shaped band forms a movable expanse which co-acts with the head between chin and chest to continually provide a protected buffer or covering for the neck. Such device is particularly useful when playing contact sports, such as field hockey, ice hockey or lacrosse.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing a garment collar which includes upper and lower facing strips of a predetermined shape each having a finished and unfinished surface and a lining of the same predetermined shape which has one fusible surface. The facing strips and lining are stacked in alignment so that the lower facing strip is on the bottom with its finished surface facing upward, the upper facing strip is in the middle with its finished surface facing downward, and the fusible lining is on top with its fusible surface facing upward. Next, this stack is stitched around three peripheral edges and is turned inside out so that the lining is disposed between the two facing strips with the finished surfaces of the facing strips directed outward and the fusible surface of the lining facing the unfinished (inner) surface of the lower facing strip. The reversed collar is then again sewn about its periphery and is compressed in a press which provides heat to at least the lower facing strip.

Abstract: A collapsible headpiece is worn to provide protection from impacts to the head during an emergency situation. Multiple inflatable flaps, mounted on a skullcap, are connected with a gas supply apparatus mounted on the headpiece.

Abstract: An acetabular prosthesis for use in an artificial hip joint. Because acetabula vary in size, it is not practicable to produce a single prosthesis for each acetabulum, being preferable to provide a blank which can be manually trimmed to fit each acetabulum. Here a blank is used in the formation of an acetabular prosthesis comprising a body surrounding and defining a part-spherical socket whose entrance is surrounded by an annular rim and having a flange extending outwardly and rearwardly from the periphery of the rim and made of a material capable of being manually trimmed to be asymmetrical. The flange may be marked with cutting lines to indicate where it should be trimmed to fit a left or right acetabulum.

Abstract: A macerator/ejector pump within a waste material holding tank on a boat liquefies solid waste material in the tank and pumps the liquefied waste material through a discharge line adapted for connection to an on-shore waste collection system. The macerator/ejector pump comprises a pump and a plurality of cutter blades pitched to direct the liquefied waste to the intake port of the pump, the pump and the cutter blades being driven by a shaft connected to an electric motor mounted on the top of the holding tank. The holding tank may be discharged into the on-shore waste collection system without requiring a shore-based pump-out station. A plurality of rods extend into the holding tank for sensing the level of waste material, and a holding tank monitor displays this level by means of colored indicator lamps.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a flexible membrane configured and dimensioned so as to be capable of lining a conventional toilet bowl thereby to function as a sitz bath. The membrane extends into the toilet bowl and has an integral overflow pipe for the discharge of excess water thereby to maintain a desired water temperature and level within the bath. Adhesive tabs on the membrane secure the peripheral edge thereof to the outer side portions of the toilet bowl.

Abstract: An improved swimming pool and water supply system characterized by a novel conduit or duct construction and arrangement which provides more efficient distribution of freshly filtered water throughout the pool. The duct means is also removably mounted in the bottom wall of the pool to provide ease of access for maintenance and repair.

Abstract: A drive unit for adjustable beds, such as hospital beds and the like, of the type which have movable head and foot sections, and/or other adjustment functions, comprises a single, unidirectional, rotary motor, and a drive shaft for each adjustable bed function. A pair of drive wheels are rotatably mounted on each of the drive shafts, and are rotated thereon in opposite directions by the motor. A pair of spring clutches are operably associated with each pair of drive wheels, and alternatively engage or connect selected drive wheels with their associated shafts to rotate the shafts, and thereby adjust the position and/or configuration of the bed.

Abstract: A mattress box spring and method of assembly comprising a plurality of substantially conical coil springs rigidly fastened at the spring ends of lesser diameter to a support frame such that the spring end coils of greater diameter lie in a substantially common plane, a wire mesh coated with elastomeric material overlying the end coils in the common plane with the spring end coils being unattached or free-floating with respect to the mesh and with respect to each other, and a cloth cover or pad disposed over the mesh and having a periphery attached to the frame to hold the assembly together. Preferably, the diameter of each spring end coil lying in the common plane is greater than the corresponding spring height. The coating on the wire mesh, which preferably is of latex material, provides enhanced frictional contact between the mesh and springs, and also deadens rattling between the opposing spring and mesh surfaces.

Abstract: A light weight, ventilated, moisture resistant cushion on which there are opposite facings having multiple openings, such as in a net fabric, for the passage of air. The facings define a pocket between them, and each pocket is adapted to carry and restrain a pad which may be constructed from a jersey knit plastic fabric, rolled onto itself to form at least one roll of the pad fabric. The opposite facings contact opposite surface portions of the roll or rolls so that any load imposed to a facing of the cushion tends to flatten the roll a direction transverse to the center line or axis thereof. The strands of the knitted fabric forming the rolls are relatively stiff and when loaded bend and when unloaded, although not per se resilient, recover like springs.

Abstract: An improvement on commercial machines which bind documents using plastic strips. The punch mechanism may be automatically actuated when the paper sheets are properly aligned on a punch platen or actuated manually at the user's discretion. Distance of the holes from the edges of the sheets may be indexed.

Abstract: This device combines a carbide steel blade, a guide scraper post, and a cleaning pad saturated with solution to clean and condition a magnetic tape cassette. The cleaning pad is a member of a disposable pad strip containing a plurality of individual cleaning pads such that a fresh cleaning pad may be used for each cleaning application. A rotary dispensing valve delivers a predetermined amount of cleaning solution to the individual pad at the commencement of each cleaning cycle. Operation of the cleaning machine is initiated by depressing a starting lever which indexes the pad strip and dispenses cleaning solution from the rotary valve to the cleaning pad, while moving the scraping blade and cleaning pad into a position to contact the tape. Pushing of a run button then starts the tape drive system.

Abstract: The device includes a handle attached to a housing having transverse tandem wheels which ride along the upper perimeter of the pool. The housing includes an offset portion extending over the pool itself and mounts a depending rotary brush which contacts the upper vertical wall surface of the pool at the waterline for cleaning the tiles of the pool wall.

Abstract: A mop is disclosed of the self-wringing type having a mop head attached to a handle on which a manually contactable sleeve is slidably positioned. The sleeve is connected to a squeeze plate via a mechanical linkage which acts to increase the mechanical advantage and, thus, the force by which the squeeze plate engages a sponge element carried by the mop head as it is rotated into engagement therewith.

Abstract: A rotary device for treating a work surface comprises a generally cylindrical hub body having a closed end wall, an open other end, and a rather serpentine endless peripheral wall formed with smoothly merging cylindrical wall sections, curved wall sections, flat wall sections and inner cylindrical wall sections. The flat wall sections define channels and the inner cylindrical wall sections define sleeves for removably receiving interchangeable springy fingers with cylindrical knuckles at their inner ends in side-by-side array axially of the hub body. Free ends of the springy fingers extend chordally outward from the hub body in directions opposite to the direction of rotation of the hub body. A centrally apertured cover plate closes the open end of the hub body. A bolt extends axially through a central passage in the hub body. The bolt has a keyed head mating nonrotatably with a corresponding keyed end of the central passage to insure insertion of the bolt in correct axial direction in the hub body.

Abstract: A paint applicator cleaning tool for cleaning painting equipment, such as a paint roller, paint pads, and paint pans. The tool comprises a flat base having a first side with a first arcuate notch having an uninterrupted edge and curved to substantially conform to the outer periphery of a portion of a standard paint roller. A second side of the base has a second arcuate notch having a plurality of teeth operable to fluff the nap of the paint roller. The base has a third side which includes an elongate linear edge for cleaning paint pads and pans and the like.

Abstract: In a windshield wiper assembly (10), a connecting adaptor (14) converts a center mounted pin connection between a wiper arm (11) and a pressure-distributing yoke (13) to a side mounted pin connection. In assembled position, the connecting adaptor (14) is disposed over the cross rivet (28) within a center open space (20) defined by the yoke (13). The connecting adaptor (14) has deflectable claw elements (42,43) with tabs (44,45) which engage the bottoms (48,49) of the shoulders (22,23) of the yoke (13) and flanges (54,55) which engage the tops of the shoulders (22,23) to fixedly maintain the connecting adaptor (14) in proper assembled position. A connecting pin (33) carried by the connecting adaptor (14) and extending laterally outward therefrom provides a side mounted pin connection for pivotally receiving the terminal end (68) of the wiper arm (11).