Abstract: Method and apparatus for coating a moving web and for independently controlling the coating's width, thickness and uniformity of thickness along the length of the web. A back-up roller supports the moving web on a portion of the roller's periphery. A stationary and pliant smoothing film is positioned adjacent the exposed surface of the web which is supported by the back-up roller. A coating liquid is metered to the confluence of the web and the smoothing film, the metering rate being selected to produce a desired coating width. A pliant pressure generating means, in the form of a membrane or a force web, holds a length of the smoothing film against the moving web with a static force whose magnitude is selected in accordance with a desired coating thickness. The relative position of the back-up roller and the pressure generating means determines the length of coincidence of the moving web, the coating liquid, and stationary smoothing film.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a line to the surface of an athletic field or the like. The apparatus includes a movable discharge housing to which a liquid lining material is conducted. The discharge housing has a guide wheel attached thereto for rotation with respect thereto. The guide wheel is adapted to travel along a rope which is stretched taut over a portion of the surface of the athletic field so that a line is applied to the portion of the surface of the field adjacent the rope as the housing is moved along the rope, guided by the travel of the guide wheel along the rope.

Abstract: There is disclosed a radiation vault enclosure comprising a radiation resistant structure, means for a web of material to enter said structure, means to carry said web past a source of electron beam radiation in said structure, means for said web to leave said structure and access means for a person to enter said radiation resistant structure for cleaning of the said means to carry said web. In a preferred embodiment the path of a curable resin coated web material through the chamber may be adjusted to provide electron radiation either to the wet resin side of the web or the back side of the web to cure the resin.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for providing a coating to objects such as a lens. A bath of coating solution is provided and the objects are immersed into the solution and removed from the solution at a constantly changing speed. The speed of removal is slower at the top and bottom of the object and faster at the midpoint of the object. Thus the coating is thinner at the top and bottom and thicker at the center (where greater abrasion resistence is required). The slower speed at the removal of the bottom edge of the lens from the solution provides a thin coating and eliminates the formation of coating drip lines and puddles.

Abstract: A crate crib attachment (10) is disclosed which is mounted by means of a plurality of adjustable mounting brackets (30) upon a topmost end portion of a farrowing crate (20). Baby piglets placed within the crib attachment are separated from the mother pig for safety purposes, yet remain in close proximity during their pre-nursery growth period.

Abstract: A neck protector for an animal to be roped. The protector extends on the underside of the animal from between the fore-legs to adjacent the mouth. The protector extends partially around the neck of the animal to protect the windpipe during roping. It is attached round the body, head and neck on the animal.

Abstract: A steam-generator, particularly to be used in nuclear power stations, with easily detachable parts, especially for the substitution of the tube bundle or a part thereof, comprises five separate portions fastened one to another by means of connections or merely abutting with intermediate sealings. In a substantially cylindrical vessel or housing, defined at the lower end by a distributor chest and at the upper end by a top cover, there are disposed, respectively from the bottom upwards: a heat-exchanger with a bundle of tubes on a common tubeplate, a steam-separator, and a drier unit, which are so supported within the vessel to be readily separable from one another and the vessel by relative vertical displacement therebetween with no interference with the inner wall of the vessel itself. In two alternative embodiments, the distributor chest, i.e. the manifold of the heat-carrier primary medium, is integral either to the heat-exchanger or to the housing.

Abstract: A two-cycle, two-cylinder opposed piston internal combustion engine having means for continuously adjusting the stroke of the engine and the blocking and unblocking of intake, transfer and exhaust ports with respect to each other as the engine is operating. Corresponding pistons of each cylinder are connected to respective ends of pivotally mounted rocker arms so that pistons in one cylinder move oppositely with respect to pistons in the other cylinder, the piston side surfaces alternately blocking and unblocking transfer and exhaust ports. In a particular embodiment, the rocker arms are each fitted with a flat spring positioned so as to be in contact with the end of the associated piston rod and deflecting to allow the pistons to move apart at an increased speed in advance of the crankshaft. The springs are secured and limited so as to provide increasing spring moment as the springs are deflected.

Abstract: An air and fuel induction system for a two cycle engine having two adjacent horizontal cylinders positioned aligned one above the other and each having a separate closed crankcase includes a single horizontally positioned carburetor having a single metering system for supplying an air and fuel mixture to both cylinders. An induction passageway for each cylinder connects between the carburetor and each crankcase. Each induction passageway has an opening at about the same elevation and each opening has about the same cross sectional area. A reed valve is positioned adjacent the carburetor throat and at the entrance to each of the induction passageways. The reed valve includes at least one flat reed positioned directly across and closing the opening to each of the induction passageways.

Abstract: An aluminum rocker housing (10) is secured to the cylinder head (8) of an internal combustion engine (2) to surround and protect the cylinder valve assemblies (156, 158) and associated rocker arm mechanism. The front face (58) of the rocker housing (10) includes a recessed surface (68) which forms an air intake plenum (60) for receiving pressured air from the engine turbocharger (48). Air intake passageways (84, 86, 88) cast to the rear of the front face (58) communicate with the air intake plenum (60) and simultaneously register with air intake ports (160) formed in the cylinder head (8) to provide a means for distributing air from the air intake plenum (60) to the cylinders (16). A rocker cover (12) molded from plastic is secured to the rocker housing (10) by a plurality of vibration-damping bolt assemblies (13). The rocker cover (12) contains a drip lip (148) to prevent engine lubricants from coming into contact with the rocker cover gasket (14).

Abstract: An ignition system for a small internal combustion engine is disclosed, including a magnetic trigger rotor (33) having two magnets (45) disposed in arcuate slots (43), with a radial slot (41) disposed between the arcuate slots (43) for causing an abrupt flux reversal in a pickup coil (35) to generate an initial ignition timing signal, and two or more holes (47), (49) adjacent the radial slot and made in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor, for causing flux distortions which becomes significant at higher rotational speeds, to give a step-type ignition advance.

Abstract: A remotely controlled engine starter and protective system, particularly for engine driven vehicles, in which a remotely located radio transmitter is utilized to initiate energization of the starter motor; a first timer opens the starter circuit if the engine does not start in approximately ten seconds, and if the engine starts, a second timer is operative to stop the engine after approximately ten minutes.

Abstract: A self-heating type ignition plug according to the present invention includes a base portion having a fixing portion formed on an outer wall thereof and a terminal insulately provided therein and connected to an electrical source; an ignition means, integrally connected to the base portion, having an ignition surface formed on a wall surface thereof and composed of a catalyst comprising a transition material, thereby to come in contact with the fuel; and a heating means having a resistive exothermic element connected to the terminal of the base portion, the resistive exothermic element being provided adjacent to the ignition surface within the ignition means, whereby the fuel may be ignited and burned as a whole by the ignition surface of the catalyst which is maintained to a preset temperature due to the oxidation reaction of the catalyst and the fuel being in contact therewith after the heating means is deenergized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the reduction of emissions of noxious gases from a carburetor-supplied internal combustion engine for use with an automotive vehicle during periods of deceleration is disclosed. The positioning of one or more butterfly gas valves controlling the flow of gases into the engine is controlled such that during periods of deceleration the gas valves are partially opened in proportion to both the speed of the engine and the level of vacuum in the intake manifold of the engine.

Abstract: An intake air flow rate control method and system comprises a circuit for determining a basic control ratio corresponding to an engine or engine coolant temperature and a plurality of circuits for correcting the basic control ratio corresponding to engine driving conditions and engine load conditions. Additionally, the system discriminates among engine driving condition to determine whether feedback control or open loop control is to be carried out. A circuit for discriminating among the engine driving conditions improves response characteristic to reduce lag that tends to occur between feedback control and open loop control when control operation is switched between feedback control and open loop control.

Abstract: The vibrations produced by the knocking in an engine and having frequencies in different frequency bands are detected by a vibration detector having a plurality of resonance frequencies. One of the detection outputs of the vibration detector is selected by a switching circuit or a filter circuit in accordance with the operating conditions of the engine. The ignition timing of the engine is corrected in accordance with the selected detection output.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping bounce-induced oscillations in an internal combustion engine having a fuel metering control for supplying fuel to the engine in accordance with various operational signals, which includes an engine speed sensor for generating an rpm signal proportional to the engine rpm, a signal differentiation circuit for producing an rpm differential signal from the rpm signal, and a phase-shifting circuit, connected to receive the rpm differential signal, for supplying to the fuel metering control a bounce damping signal which is proportional to the rpm differential signal and which is phase-displaced with respect to the rpm differential signal so that the fuel metering control supplies fuel to the engine to countercontrol the bounce-induced oscillations of the engine.

Abstract: An electronically controlled carburetor comprises a main control system provided for correcting the air to fuel ratio in comparison with the target value thereof and an additional control system provided for correcting the controllable range of the air to fuel ratio in comparison with the target value thereof, the speed of response of the latter control system being settled far lower than that of the former control system, so that a quick and stable response of correction can be obtained without hunting.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an air-fuel ratio of a combustion engine with a memory device for storing correct values for air-fuel control in accordance with an intake condition of said combustion engine and a rotation speed of the same. In the apparatus, an air-fuel ratio represented by the exhaust gas composition of the internal combustion engine is sensed and the sensed value is integrated. When the integrated value from the integrator fails within a predetermined range of values, one of the correction values for the air-fuel ratio control is corrected in accordance with a current condition of the internal combustion engine. When the integrated value falls outside the predetermined range, the correction values are replaced by a predetermined reference value and an air-fuel ratio of mixture supplied to the combustion engine is controlled in accordance with the correction values for the air-fuel ratio stored.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for regulating the fuel-air ratio of the operational mixture of an internal combustion engine and for monitoring the operational readiness of a .lambda. sensor controlling the regulating apparatus and functioning according to the principle of ionic conduction in fixed electrolytes. A constant reference voltage which approximately corresponds to the average sensor output voltage is connected opposite to the .lambda. sensor. The level of the resultant voltage thus established, the values of which are disposed symmetrically relative to the reference voltage, is utilized, along with the cooperation of a resultant electric current which causes a voltage drop across the temperature-dependent internal resistance of the .lambda. sensor as a gauge for the operational readiness of the .lambda. sensor.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump for internal combustion engines is proposed wherein the pressure of a supply pump is controlled in accordance with rpm. A valve which controls the pressure additionally in accordance with load is actuated via a member, actuated in accordance with load, of the rpm governor of the pump. The preferred embodiment relates to distributor-type injection pumps having an electric final control element, the rotary shaft of which acts as the movable member of a slide valve.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve drive system is disclosed for use in an internal combustion engine including at least one solenoid operated fuel injection valve. The system comprises a first pulse generator for providing, in synchronism with rotation of the engine, a first pulse signal having a constant pulse width, a second pulse generator for providing a second pulse signal of pulse width dependent upon the amount of air introduced to the engine, first switch means responsive to a first pulse signal for allowing small current to flow through the solenoid coil of the fuel injection valve so as not to open the fuel injection valve, and second switch means responsive to a second pulse signal for allowing large current to flow through the solenoid coil so as to open the fuel injection valve. Means are provided for causing the second pulse generator to generate a second pulse signal a time after the first pulse generator generates a first pulse signal.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an injection nozzle of an internal combustion engine comprises a pumping plunger housed in a bore and a piston connected to the plunger. Valve means constituted by a pair of sleeves is provided to control the application of fuel under pressure to the one or other side of the piston. The sleeve is movable and is connected to the output member of an electrically controlled actuating means. A spring is interposed between the piston and the output member so that during the return movement of the piston and plunger following delivery of fuel an increasing force will be applied by the spring to the output member to move the output member and sleeve in a direction to cut off the application of pressure to the piston. The final position of the piston and plunger will therefore depend on the force exerted by the actuating means which is a function of the magnitude of the electric current flowing therein.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to a compression ignition engine includes an injection pump having a cam ring which can be moved by a piston to vary the timing of delivery of fuel. The piston is biased by compression springs the extension of which is determined by a rod having a transverse pin engageable with cam surfaces defined on an annular member. An operating shaft can be moved angularly to move the pin angularly from a first to a second position so that it contacts a different portion of the cam surface, when it is required to start the engine. During this movement a spring is stressed and this when the engine starts, moves the pin to a third position for cold idling of the engine. When the engine is warm the shaft is moved to return the pin to the first position.

Abstract: A fuel system for a diesel engine includes a low pressure pump for supplying fuel to a high pressure pump, the low pressure pump drawing fuel from the outlet of a filter unit having an inlet connected in use to a fuel tank. A reservoir is provided having an outlet connected by restricted passage means to the outlet of the filter unit and an inlet through which fuel can flow to the reservoir and a further outlet through which surplus fuel can flow from the reservoir. Fuel being drawn from the reservoir in the event that the fuel tank is emptied to allow a restricted flow of fuel to the engine, the fuel in the reservoir allowing the engine to be operated at low speed to assist fuel flow from the tank when the latter is re-filled.

Abstract: A fuel vapor charge producing device comprising a pure liquid fuel or mixture container which can be of any desired shape and material with a cover and a float secured inside said device to control the inflow of pure liquid fuel or mixture into the container, a fuel or mixture inlet-valve made on said container for the entry of fuel or mixture, an air inlet adapted to allow the entry of air into said container above the liquid or mixture level and another air inlet below the fuel or mixture level such that the incoming air comes in contact with the liquid fuel or mixture to aid and agitate in emulsifying and vaporizing said fuel or mixture evenly within the range of the operating temperature, and a vapor outlet connected to the intake manifold and/or to the air inlet of the carburetor of a conventional internal combustion engine, such that when the engine runs, the device is subjected to a vacuum pressure to force atmospheric air to be sucked into said device through the air inlets and to provide the proper o

Abstract: An intake system for an internal combustion engine comprises an intake pipe structure connected through an intake manifold to cylinders of the engine, a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into the intake pipe structure to form an air-fuel mixture, a throttle valve disposed in the intake pipe structure, and a baffle plate disposed in the intake pipe structure between the fuel injection valve and the throttle valve for promoting fuel atomization. The baffle plate has a surface which faces the fuel injection valve with a predetermined distance from the latter in order that the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve may impinge on the surface, and an outer edge spaced from an inner wall surface of the intake pipe structure to define a mixture passage therebetween.

Abstract: A fuel heating apparatus for carburetor-equipped vehicles which includes a vaporizer box provided with a fuel level control for maintaining a level of fuel therein, and having an air inlet and a fuel-air mixture outlet, and further fitted with a cold fuel inlet line and a cold fuel discharge line, a hot fuel inlet line and a heat exchanger for heating fuel recycled from the vaporizer box and subsequently recharged into the box, the apparatus further including a mixing chamber for receiving the fuel-air mixture discharged from the vaporizer box and more completely mixing the fuel and air prior to introducing the charge into the carburetor. The fuel heating apparatus is designed to improve the fuel efficiency of carburetor-equipped vehicle engines and to extend fuel mileage capabilities of the vehicles. The system can be quickly and easily adapted to substantially any carburetor-equipped vehicle currently on the market, and is particularly well suited to gasoline engine systems.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes active cylinders which are always active and inactive cylinders which are inactive when the engine load is below a predetermined value. The engine has an intake passage divided into first and second branches connected to active and inactive cylinders, respectively. The second branch is provided near its inlet with a stop valve and is connected through an EGR passage to the engine exhaust passage. Means are provided to attenuate pressure waves resulting from exhaust pulsations and propagated through the EGR passage toward the second intake passage branch.

Abstract: This patent specification discloses an engine exhaust gas reflux apparatus constructed so as to purify exhaust gas coming out of various engines mounted on vehicles or ships for preferably preventing NO.sub.x from being discharged in the atmosphere.The engine exhaust gas reflux apparatus has a technical construction which removes dust particles and impurities contained in exhaust gas by means of a dust collector installed at the discharge port of the exhaust manifold, draws purified exhaust gas into the intake manifold and lowers combustion temperature produced when the engine fuel burns to eliminate NO.sub.x out of exhaust gas coming out of the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A blow-by gas treating and controlling system in which blow-by gas accumulated in the crank chamber of an internal combustion engine is induced by means of the vacuum generated at a portion of the throttle barrel of the carburetor above the throttle valve, the level of vacuum established in that region being proportional to the flow rate of the intake mixture. The blow-by gas is then mixed with the fresh air-fuel mixture and burnt together with the latter. Generation of an excessively high vacuum in the crankcase, which may take place when the rate of generation of the blow-by gas is small, is avoided because of the presence of a bleed pipe which is connected between the blow-by gas treating pipe and the air cleaner of the engine and adapted to supply suplementary air to the blow-by gas through orifice. Also, an excessively high pressure generated in the crank chamber is relieved through this bleed pipe which acts in this case as a safety by-pass passage.

Abstract: A secondary air feeder for an internal combustion engine, including a vortex chamber provided between a carburetor and a suction pipe. The air supply to the vortex chamber is regulated by an air supply regulator, in which a valve is opened and closed in accordance with the engine speed.

Abstract: An ignition system for internal combustion engines employing two coordinated power sources which, together, provide a spark of much increased intensity and with extended duration. The first of the coordinated power sources is generally similar to the conventional ignition system employing an ignition coil with a primary and secondary winding, the secondary winding generating a high voltage impulse of very high voltage and low current value and of short duration. The second power source is a storage capacitor which is connected to a direct current power supply which, through a limiting resistor, charges the capacitor to a voltage which is too low to initiate a spark, but high enough to sustain an arc of a controlled high current value for increased duration, once a preliminary spark has been generated across the spark gap at the moment an energizing current in the primary winding of the ignition coil is interrupted.

Abstract: An improved multi-spark capacitor discharge (CD) ignition having independent circuits for charging and discharging the main capacitor, a flyback DC to DC converter, and an inductive filter interposed between the ignition coil and the main capacitor on one side, and the charging transformer on the other side.

Abstract: Apparatus for projecting balls, having an impact device (10) supported in a frame (11) and provided to convey to a ball an impulse in a direction of projection (Z) from a position in the frame. The frame (11) is supported in a frame work (30) for movement around a vertical axis (X) and a horizontal axis (Y). First and second motor (M1) and (M2) respectively, are provided to rotate the frame (11) around its vertical axis (X) and its horizontal axis (Y) respectively. The rotation being a two way movement over adjustable angular arcs. A controller (27, 27', 28, 28', 45, 46) is arranged for controlling the movement of the frame (11) around the vertical axis (X) and the horizontal axis (Y). The controller comprises limit switches (27, 27', 28, 28') which are manually displacable, a control system (46) having adjustable limiter (A-F) for limiting the movement of the frame (11), or an adjuster (45) for adjusting a sequence of predetermined directions for the frame (11).

Abstract: A ball projecting device, preferably pneumatically operated, is provided wherein the projected ball has "spin". The device comprises a projection tube including a curved portion, wherein the area of maximum curve radius of the curved portion, preferably is provided with a material having a high coefficient of friction; the ball is caused to roll along this high friction area, thereby imparting spin. The tube is preferably pivotable about two transverse axes, such that the elevation and spin-directing orientation of the tube end can be adjusted. The curved portion of the projection tube has a device for varying the radius of curvature from substantially infinite, i.e., a straight tube, to the desired minimum value.

Abstract: A cutting disk or wheel, particularly for the dry cutting of natural and artificial stone material, especially asphalt and concrete, comprises a single-layer saw plate of a high alloy special steel with ribs formed on the circumference by radial separating slots, cutting segments of a diamond material being attached to the webs. Radial cooling and thermal expansion equalizing slots, narrower than the first-mentioned slots, are arranged equidistantly on the wheel circumference and terminate radially inwardly in enlarged cooling bores. Preferably, the latter slots are radially inwardly extending extensions of the former slots. The ratio of the width of the first-mentioned slots to the web length measured peripherally of the wheel, is in the range of 0.5 to 0.7. The ratio of the peripheral length of the cutting segments to the periphery of the wheel, is in the range of 0.015 to 0.025.

Abstract: An attachment for a fireplace flue damper, which has an operating arm of flat bar stock steel. A steel channel with serrated edges is placed at any selected angle across the arm and tightened down with a bolt to grip it. A hand grip is placed over the outer end of the channel and disposed at any angle, usually tilted upward to bring it near the top of the fireplace opening when the damper is opened. It, too, is tightened down to grip by friction.

Abstract: A pond construction, especially useful for non-convective solar ponds, having a multi-layer bottom in order to minimize seepage of liquid through the pond bottom. Liquid which permeates the multi-layer construction is pumped back into the pond.

Abstract: A dynamic system for the utilization of solar energy which is most of the time in the ideal position in relation to the sun. Said device comprises at least one unit consisting of a solar collector and a stand carrying said collector, means for rotating the solar collector around its horizontal axis and means for rotating the solar collector and/or the stand around the vertical axis; means for simultaneous or independent actuation of the rotation means, means for the tracking control of said actuation means; and means for the transfer of the energy obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of hot water using solar energy and non-solar auxiliary energy. Solar heated water in a reservoir is provided for utilization if it is at least at a desired temperature. If the solar heated water is not sufficiently hot, an auxiliary gas heater is used to heat a second reservoir of water to at least the desired temperature. A thermostatic mixer is capable of supplying solar heated water mixed with auxiliary heated water, or only auxiliary heated water, or only solar heated water for utilization. The non-solar heater is utilized only when necessary.

Abstract: The invention is a solar energy apparatus based on the concept of large area solar radiation reception, comprising a plurality of individual solar receptors, each solar radiation receptor being a flat plate collector adapted to hold relatively shallow layer of water extending over the upper surface thereof. The individual receptors are each comprised of an upper radiation receiving surface adapted to absorb solar radiation. These receptor surfaces are adapted so that the solar heat absorbed is immediately transferred by convection and other means upwardly to the water layer reposed above this receptor surface. The supporting member for each receptor is a rigid member of horizontal disposition surrounded by a vertically extending perimeter which serves as a wall to contain the water upon the upper receptor surface.

Abstract: A solar heat collector includes a rectangular casing with a plurality of heating chambers in the front thereof, each heating chamber containing a plurality of louvered metal heat exchange fins for receiving solar heat. Air from stone containing silos blows through the chambers from a common air inlet manifold, and is returned to the silos via a common air discharge manifold.

Abstract: A cascade solar fluid heater, with optional cross flow, provides direct solar heating of fluids using total internal reflection at the fluid free surface to trap radiation and enhance absorption. A highly absorbing material is formed into a continuous cascade or waterfall arrangement of collecting channels down which the fluid flows. Absorption of incident radiant enery is improved by designing the channels so that reflected radiation is totally internally reflected at the free surface of the fluid so that the radiation impinges again on the absorbing surface. The angle of the collection surface is determined as a function of the angle of incidence, and optimum performance is provided for any angle of incidence less than the selected design value. The system can be designed optionally for any geographical latitude.

Abstract: A solar energy collector means comprising a rectangular frame, a back wall of thin sheet material bonded and sealed at its margins to said frame, a light transmitting plate bonded and sealed to said frame in spaced relation to said back wall to provide a rigid structure, a solar energy absorber and coil means located between said back wall and said plate, a blanket of insulating material between said absorber coil assembly and said back wall, and means for laterally and longitudinally positioning said solar energy absorber and coil means with respect to said frame without metal-to-metal contact between said frame, back wall, and said absorber means, and whereby said solar absorber and coil means is limitedly floatable on said insulating blanket and adapted to expand and contract without stressing said frame. A solar collector provided with removable breathing desiccant means supported within said frame on said absorber means.

Abstract: Intravascularly-administrable, magnetically-localizable biodegradable microspheres containing a therapeutic agent, such as an oncolytic agent, are prepared and administered so that they can be permanently localized in a target capillary bed for release of the therapeutic agent therein. The effects of the therapeutic agent can thereby be relatively confined to the area of the capillary bed. Of particular importance is the administration of oncolytic agents by the method, since this permits the undesirable side effects of the oncolytic agents to be substantially reduced, while at the same time increasing the anti-cancer effectiveness of the drug.

Abstract: This invention relates to endoscopic instrumentation apparatus and comprises a puncture cannula and a related hollow mandrel and optical system connectible to a coupling element of the puncture cannula; a hollow cylindrical intermediate element is also connectible to said coupling element of the puncture cannula and there are valved connectors fitted to the puncture cannula and the hollow mandrel, said valved connectors also being connectible to an automatic gas supply. The coupling element of the cannula is constituted by a hollow shaft which is installed for displacement against a spring towards a proximal end of the cannula; the hollow mandrel extends distally beyond an oblique face of the cannula and the intermediate element and the cannula are traversed by a connectible optical system which projects distally at least beyond the oblique face of the puncture cannula.The apparatus can be used for performing laparoscopy and culdoscopy operations or examinations.

Abstract: A support bandage, wherein at least three extended portions are connected to a foot sole attachable portion, out of said three extended portions, a first one is to be closely attached to the inner side of the body, a second one to be closely attached to the outer side of the body and a third one to be closely attached to the rear side of the leg, and all of said three extended portions are adhesively attached to the leg to thereby prevent a sprain of an ankle or the like for the protection thereof.

Abstract: A wound dressing for use in first aid is described comprising a bandage to which is secured, by two parallel seams, a compress. The compress has flaps which can be folded over the region between the two seams, or which can be opened out. An open mouthed pocket is defined between the two seams which can accommodate a rigid body, such as a rolled bandage, to enable the wound dressing to be utilised to staunch a flow of blood. With the rolled bandage removed from the pocket and the flaps opened out, the wound dressing may be utilised to dress a large wound, such as a burn.

Abstract: A pressure demand breathing apparatus having a facemask connected through a pressure demand regulator with a shut-off device that operates automatically to interrupt the supply of air to the mask when the facemask is removed. The device operates with a time delay to permit momentary user-induced high flow rates without interrupting the supply.