Abstract: A socket assembly for a ball and socket coupling comprises a socket body having a ball-receiving socket which includes a cylindrical portion. A pair of slots extend through the socket body and open into the cylindrical portion at locations diametrically opposite each other and outwardlyfrom the seated position of the ball. Each slot has a flat surface which generally faces the seated position of the ball and converges inwardly toward the axis of the cylindrical portion of the socket, thus to lie obliquely to the axis of the cylindrical portion. A generally C-shaped spring clip wraps around the socket body. The clip has opposed end portions which extend through the slots and part way into the socket far enough to engage the neck of the ball component. The end portions of the clip are oriented generally obliquely to the axis of the socket.

Abstract: A baseball batting accessory in the form of a cushioning pad having a flap portion to protect the batter's hands against bone bruises and to properly position the bat near the batter's fingertips.

Abstract: A helmet retention system for a forwardly facing helmet includes:(a) a clip having first, second and third attachment structures which are integrally interconnected,(b) the first attachment structure including generally forwardly extending parallel slots in which a left or right retention strap section is threadable for strap length adjustment,(c) the second attachment structure including a generally upwardly extending additional slot to receive one of two rear strap sections, and(d) the third attachment structure including a hook below the level of said first attachment structure to removably support a connector operatively connected to the other of the left and right retention strap sections, and a cantilevered retainer adapted to be deflected when the connection is applied to the hook or removed therefrom, and which otherwise retains the connector against removal from the hook.

Abstract: An improved artificial leg has a ball and socket ankle joint (3) connecting a foot (2) to a shin member (1). The ankle joint comprises a two-part socket (5A, 5B) enclosing a part-spherical ball member (4) with an elastic sleeve (6) sandwiched between the socket and the ball member (4) to allow resilient flexion of the foot (2) relative to the shin member (1). In order to provide relatively more resistance to dorsi-flexion than to plantar-flexion, an elastic buffer in the form of a ring (11) is disposed around a coupling shank portion (4A) of the ball member (4) to engage a downwardly extending anterior skirt portion (12) of the socket. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the skirt portion (12) also extends around each side of the ring (11) to provide resistance to medial and lateral flexion.

Abstract: A multiple toilet seat assembly of the type that permit the selective use of an appropriate sized opening for use by a particular individual e.g. an adult or a child and which affords greater safety due to the elimination of side-to-side lateral movement and more sanitary in that any wetting upon the child seat is prevented from coming in contact with the adult seat.

Abstract: A ledge bed overlay for use with conventional patient care beds whereby a ledge can be formed to facilitate placing a bedpan or a bathtub beneath a patient without having to physically lift the patient.

Abstract: A bed covering or sheet is described which is made from an integral piece of material and which consists of a central rectangular area bounded on each side by a rectangular panel of a width equal to the thickness of the mattress. Further depending from the longer side panels is a trapezoidal panel. The sheet as fabricated is sewn at each corner in a unique manner to form a structure which can serve as both a top fitted sheet and a bottom fitted sheet. To further enhance the aesthetic qualities of the product, a piping or trim is sewn at appropriate edges to create a fashionable appearance to both the top and bottom sheets.

Abstract: Disposable fitted sheets and method for making them. The sheets are formed without necessitating prior cutting by folding edges of the material and attaching the folded-over edges along diagonal lines associated with each corner. Elastic bands cooperate with each pocket to maintain the fit on the corners of the mattress. The bands are fastened in a stretched condition to the folded-over edges while the sheet is in a flat state. The process of the invention is particularly adapted to continuously forming such sheets which may be formed from a variety of inexpensive materials. Sheets of the invention are particularly useful in hospitals and nursing homes where frequent bedding changes may be needed.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning spools having a support means and a first and second chuck rotatably mounted on the support means. The first and second chucks having coinciding axes of rotation with first chuck facing the second chuck. There is at least one cleaning arm having a supported end and a free end. The cleaning arm is supported at a location so that the free end of the cleaning arm is offset from the axis of rotation of the chucks. There is a means to rotate at least one of the chucks and a means to move the free end of the cleaning arm parallel to the axis of rotation of the chucks.

Abstract: During assembly of a motor, a stator winding is installed in a jig in preparation of cleaning. A brush is moved axially through the central space of the winding. The shaft of the brush is equipped with fluid jets which direct solvent against the winding as it is being brushed. Dislodging of foreign matter from the winding is enhanced by pumping the solvent through the brush shaft in a pulsating manner.

Abstract: A hand operated combination handle and control valve assembly applicable to each of three related cleaning devices. The valve, when attached to a standard pressurized water hose, controls the pressure flow as desired; such as off, pressure to a first outlet port, pressure to both the first and second outlet ports, and finally, pressure to only the second outlet port. A first scrubbing device consists of the handle/valve attached to a pair of water passage tubes assembled to receive pressurized water to impart rotational motion to a turbine operated, planetary gear reduction driven scrubbing brush and also to rinse the soap residue of the scrubbing operation. A second scrubbing device consists of the handle/valve attached directly to a housing which directs pressurized water to a nozzle to wet or rinse an object and also through an inclined orifice to impart rotational motion to a water turbine attached to a central shaft designed to receive a scrubbing brush, such as a bottle brush.

Abstract: A multiple part toothbrush includes a handle stem having a connecting part projecting outwardly from one end thereof and extending in a direction which forms an angle of about 7.degree. with respect to the handle stem. A brush head has a cavity therein, the connecting part being snugly receivable within the cavity to effect a removable mounting of the brush head on the handle stem. The connecting part can be inserted into the brush head cavity with either of two different orientations, whereby two different orientations of the plane defined by the bristle ends with respect to the handle stem are possible.

Abstract: To provide for fully or partly automatic cleaning and to avoid pollution of the air in the surrounding room, a cleaning device for cleaning the inner surface of containers (7, 8) is arranged so that an upwardly open jacket (1, 2) may be moved upwards to enclose a container. A nozzle (21, 22) is fitted in the jacket for ejecting a granulate and a scavenging medium, respectively. At the upper part of the jacket (1, 2) there is mounted a ring-shaped brush (29, 30) to prevent dust from escaping. The containers (7, 8) are so journalled in this suspension that they can be rotated during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A portable sweeping device which operates with an air-blast flow, and comprises a housing having a handle arranged at the upper end, and a fanwheel blower or impeller arranged in the housing and driven by an internal combustion engine arranged in the direction of the axis of rotation of the blower; the blower generates an air flow which exits through an air discharge outlet of the housing. The axis of rotation of the fanwheel blower is arranged at least substantially vertically during use.

Abstract: A pair of horizontally extending curtain rods for bathroom stalls comprising a mechanism whereby the rods are each supported by end brackets which are adapted to be force-fitted against the walls of the stall to retain the pair of rods in tight engagement with the side walls of the stall. One of the pair of rods is employed primarily to support a conventional shower curtain suspended therefrom whereas the other of the rods supports a decorative curtain extending from the rod to a position closely adjacent the floor of the stall.

Abstract: An extensible handle bar for cleaning and painting tools and the like comprises inner and outer tubes in slidable telescoping relationship, the outer tube having a pair of apertures therein containing inserts. A helically threaded nut extends over the exterior surface of the outer tube and the inserts. The outer surface of each of the inserts includes projecting thread segments which mate with the internal threads of the nut. The internal threads of the nut and the thread segments of the insert each have a conical configuration. Upon rotation of the nut in one direction on the outer tube, the inserts are depressed radially such that the inner surfaces of the inserts press against the outer surface of the inner tube to axially lock the inner and outer tubes together.

Abstract: A drawing frame with a drawing region or with two independent drawing regions includes, as a whole, four or more so-called drawing and control rollers. These latter all comprise pressure rollers with barrel rubbers. The control roller situated immediately upstream of the draw-off or "total" drawing roller is arranged in such a position that its periphery is separated from that of the drawing roller by a narrow gap. The ratios between the diameters and the speeds of rotation of these rollers is selected in such a way that the peripheral velocity of the "total" drawing roller is significantly greater than the peripheral velocity of the adjacent control roller. Consequently, an upwardly directed flow of air is created which removes the floating fibres which would otherwise tend to form windings or so-called "rolls".

Abstract: A unitary, integrally formed wire clamp comprises an elongate, open-ended housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section for receiving a wire therein and a restraining web integrally formed in the housing for restraining axial movement of said wire in an axial direction opposite the first axial direction. The elongate housing comprises a bottom wall and a pair of substantially parallel side walls, and the restraining web comprises a plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel rib members extending angularly inwardly of each of said side walls toward the opposite axial direction.

Abstract: Yarn remnants are automatically removed from a bobbin or the like by disposing the bobbin along a longitudinal axis substantially coinciding with its central axis and locating a cutter and at least two strippers about the longitudinal axis. The bobbin is then moved along the axis relative to the cutter and strippers while simultaneously moving the cutter and strippers radially toward the axis. The radial movement of said cutter and strippers is controlled in response to the axial movement of said bobbin through a template having a contour conforming to the shape of said bobbin, so that on the inward movement of the cutter and strippers in cooperation with the axial movement of said bobbin, the yarn is cut and removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting wire to insulation displacement-type, circuit board-mounted electrical contacts comprises automatic positioning and orienting of individual contacts relative to a wire insertion head. A portion of wire is fed from a supply to the tip of a pusher which inserts this portion into fingers of the contact; another contact is positioned and oriented relative to the pusher to receive a second portion of the wire and provide a wire run between the contacts. The wire run can be terminated at the last contact without repositioning the contact and pusher relative to each other, with the remaining supply wire being prepared for another insertion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the adjustment of the valve control of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine with a cam shaft driven from the crankshaft by an endless, flexible transmission member, in which the cam shaft and a valve control adjustment device are brought into engagement with each other by a control member arranged transversely to the plane of the separating surface of a control space housing with a loosened threaded connection; the driving gear is nonrotatably fixed with respect to the cam shaft by way of the transmission member drivingly connected with the crankshaft and tensioned by a tensioning roller while the crankshaft is nonrotatably fixed in the TDC position with respect to the crankcase by a locking pin.

Abstract: A prevailing torque adjusting element, which in the described embodiment is in the form of a sleeve, for connecting motor vehicle tie rod or other turnbuckle assemblies, having a plurality of linearly extending substantially parallel deformations spaced apart around the sleeve, extending substantially the entire length of the sleeve, except for the ends, which deformations hold at least one rod member threadably in said sleeve in a positive, yet adjustable, fashion. Also disclosed is an apparatus and method for forming a threaded sleeve member into a prevailing torque adjusting element of the present invention comprising upper and lower dies, each having notches, wherein said sleeve may be placed between said dies in a predetermined manner to form a sleeve member or the like into a prevailing torque adjusting element of the present invention.

Abstract: A clutch particularly adaptable to a timing mechanism comprising a metal member with an aperture in it and an insert molded as a single unit a plastic shaft extending through the aperture and having two plastic clutch discs engaging opposed faces of the rotating member. Flanges extending from the clutch discs connect the discs to cam means of the timing mechanism.

Abstract: A fastening device by which a thermoplastic cover may be fixed to a tubular component. The cover fits tightly into the tubular component which is provided in the region of the cover with bores through which a lost pin is pressed after heating into the constituent material of the cover. The pin has a smaller diameter than the bore so that material displaced by the hot pin is able to flow into the bore.

Abstract: A unitary, metal vent apparatus for securement to the roof of a building. The apparatus includes a one-piece hollow first member having a series of vent holes near its top portion. The apparatus also includes a one-piece second member which forms a concentric cap for the first member and which protects the upper portion of the first member from the elements, but does not impair or contact the vent holes. Preferably, the cap is spun onto the first member for rigid securement thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for making positive locking sealing rings having interengagable ring end notches with mating surfaces thereof at closely precise angles of intersection. In a preferred form, interal notch end faces, and ring terminal ends, are parallel and disposed at a slight angle to the ring axis to provide a positive angular interlock between the notches in a free hooked condition. The term "free hooked" as used herein means latched but not confined in a final assembly. The rings, including notches and ring terminal ends, are formed automatically in the apparatus of the invention by a unitized multiple component or faced cutter, such as a milling cutter. The cutting surfaces and cutter unit for the angled face notch design are advanced at an angle to the ring axis equal to the angles of the notch face surfaces.

Abstract: Automatic sliding apparatus is provided for automatically stamping stator and rotor laminations for electric motors from workpiece blanks. To accommodate utilization of a plurality of sets of tool dies on a single driveable press ram, a tool changing device is provided which includes a tool holder guide track for movably guiding the tool holder along a straight guide path in a plane at a tangent to the workpieces to be machined. With the plurality of tool die sets mounted at the linearly guided tool holder, tool exchanges can be effected simply and automatically, utilizing a linear drive mechanism for moving the respective tool die sets along the frame of the tool holder.

Abstract: A device for introducing an anti-microphony sponge into an air-cored coil for television channel selectors, comprising an axially displaceable hollow mandrel with an end portion which comprises two diametrically oppositely situated slots. Two blocking members can be introduced into the slots, after which cutting means are displaceable in a direction transversely of the axis of the mandrel. After the introduction of a length of spongy material into the mandrel, an air-cored coil is arranged on the end portion of the mandrel, after which the blocking members are moved into the slots so that the length of spongy material is clamped on both sides of the air-cored coil. Subsequently, the mandrel is withdrawn from the coil and the length of spongy material is cut in the zone between the blocking means and the withdrawn mandrel so that a piece of spongy material is left behind in the air-cored coil.

Abstract: A method is described for the fabrication of charge-coupled devices by the formation of a thin film lamellar metallic eutectic and subsequent selective removal of one of the eutectic phases to form one of the spaced gate arrays of such devices.

Abstract: A photolithographic method for fabricating thin film transistors and thin film transistor arrays in which the contamination vulnerable semiconductor-insulator interfaces are formed in a single vacuum pump-down operation. To minimize step coverage problems, quasi-planar construction is employed to provide a planar substructure for receipt of the deposited thin semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Disclosed here is an IGFET formed on the single crystal silicon substrate where the major plane surface is deviated within the range from 22 degree to 34 degree toward the crystallographic surface {1,1,1} from {1,0,0} or on the silicon epitaxial layer formed on said substrate. Here, generation of silicon nitride is suppressed, which is newly formed under the mask in the selective oxidation process using the silicon nitride as the mask and also is the main cause of lowering the breakdown voltage of the gate insulating film. In addition, various kinds of functional characteristics depending on the crystallographic surface orientation are not interfered at all. Thereby, the present invention can offer an IGFET which drastically improved the breakdown voltage failure rate of the gate insulating film while keeping the functional characteristics at the best condition.

Abstract: A hand-operated device 10 is disclosed for inserting or extracting the dual-in-line leads (14) of a circuit module (12), particularly of the type having a relatively fragile circuit-supporting substrate (18), into or out of respective lead-engaging through-holes of a circuit board (17), or a board-mounted socket. The device (10) comprises a pair of mutually disposed, longitudinally extending, and spring-biased gripping jaws (21, 22), interconnected by a spaced pair of guide rods (26, 27). Each guide rod is fixedly secured at one end within a bore (24a or b) of one jaw-supported boss (24), with the other end being slidably received within an aligned bore (29a or b) of an other jaw-supported boss (29) so as to allow precisely controlled, relative linear displacement of the jaws.

Abstract: Energizing a solenoid causes mechanical means to close a pair of jaws and crimp a cable in a U-shaped cable clamp mounted to a multi-contact connector positioned for termination in an electrically powered termination tool. A movable carriage carries termination means and controls activation of switch means for energizing the solenoid during a portion of its travel. The mechanical means comprise either a link block and toggle levers or bell cranks and push bars. Hold-down means are provided for temporarily holding the cable in the clamp prior to closure.

Abstract: An electrode for tissue stimulating applications, such as pain control, includes a conductive flexible pad such as polymer gel, or karaya gum, interfacing with the patient. A backing layer is composed of conductive silicone rubber, has a multiplicity of perforations therethrough, and defines an integral protuberance for connection with external apparatus.

Abstract: A method of protecting a plurality of ribbon cables from electrostatic and radio frequency interference utilizing inner and outer subassemblies each having flexible conductive shields secured together in electrical contact with one another and cooperating to provide a gapless shield embracing the cables. The inner subassembly is pleated longitudinally to form a separate shielded cell for each cable with the open edge of each cell embraced by the conductive shielding of the outer subassembly. The outer subassembly being held releasably closed as by a separable longitudinal seam. Conductive braiding and foil is held assembled to and in contact with the shielding layer of the inner subassembly and is maintained in contact with the shielding layer of the outer subassembly when the separable seam of the jacketing is closed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic article having raised electrical contacts. Selected surfaces of the contacts are metallized. The method provides articles suitable for use in packaging electronic components and permits selective and controlled flow of solder during bonding operations.

Abstract: A razor assembly includes first and second handle portions, with first and second razor heads mounted at the ends of the handle portions. The first razor head is adapted to mount a conventional-width razor cartridge, while the second razor head is adapted to mount a styling razor cartridge, the styling razor head having a width about one-third that of the regular razor cartridge. The handle portions are pivotally mounted together so that the heads may be moved from a position wherein the handle portions are substantially in a straight line with the heads widely spaced, to a position wherein the handle portions make a small acute angle with the heads close to each other. The cartridges mounted by the heads are always parallel, and the blades extending from the cartridges are disposed on the same side of the handle.

Abstract: A razor cartridge including a body portion, a guard bar fixed to the body portion, a blade seat and one or more blades defining a blade pack carried by the blade seat, where the blade seat is movably mounted or hinged to the body portion so that the blade pack is free to move relative to the guard bar in response to shaving forces.

Abstract: An eviscerating and survival tool having a shaft with a handle at one end, a claw-like hook at the other end, the hook being comprised of at least two arcuately shaped tines defining a slot, and as saw blade disposed longitudinally along the portion of the shaft near the end containing said hook. In its preferred form the shaft is in two approximately equal portions connected by pivotable fastening means to permit the two parts of the shaft to be folded against each other with means to maintain the two parts in rigid end-to-end relationship in use.

Abstract: A knife including a blade and a handle has a hollow sleeve connector removably positioned over its blade in the area adjacent the handle and a saw blade extends outwardly from the connector at an acute angle relative to the blade and includes a saw-tooth edge facing one edge of said blade. The saw-tooth edge of the saw blade is oriented at 45.degree. relative to the knife blade so that an item to be sawed can be positioned in the angle between the knife blade and the saw blade so as to be sawed by oscillation of the knife handle.

Abstract: The frame of an engraving machine supports a slide for movement in a first horizontal direction. A pantograph is pivoted to the slide for movement about a vertical axis. A tool holder is supported by the pantograph. The tool holder is prevented from pivoting so that inscribed lines will have different widths.

Abstract: In a measuring apparatus of the type having a measuring graduation which is scanned by a scanning unit that includes a scanning plate, the scanning plate is provided with at least two phase shifted scanning fields which are phase shifted with respect to one another in order to generate two analog scanning signals which are likewise phase shifted with respect to one another. In order to allow setting of the desired phase difference between the scanning signals, at least one of the scanning fields is made up of two partial scanning fields which are offset with respect to one another and are partially coverable by means of screws or diaphragms. The corresponding analog signal is made up of two partial analog signals obtained by use of the two partial scanning fields.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is an internal measuring gauge having a stationary jaw, a bridge member, a pair of shafts each affixed between the stationary jaw and the bridge member parallel one to the other. In addition, there is a sliding jaw mounted on the two shafts between the stationary jaw and the bridge member with a micrometer head mounted on the sliding with its measuring stem extending through a hole in the sliding jaw and extending toward the stationary jaw. Also mounted on the stationary jaw on the side toward the sliding jaw is attachment means for mounting a precision length spacer to which the measuring stem of the micrometer means communicates to provide extended precision range, beyond that of the micrometer head alone. Further, each jaw includes at least one measuring face which is oriented away from the measuring face on the other jaw.

Abstract: A goniometer for use in measuring angular movements of joints of a human or animal body comprises an elongate body and a plurality of mercury-in-rubber sensors extending longitudinally of the body at locations spaced from one another around the body. The electrical resistance of the sensors varies with varying strain thereof, and a circuit is connected to the sensors for converting variations in the resistance into a measure of the relative angular disposition of the ends of the body.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for locating pictures or three-dimensional objects of any kind or size on at least one mat or mount using a template of transparent, flexible, semi-rigid material of a preselected thickness having guide holes extending radially outward from a center point on the template to align the picture or object in a preselected position on either at least one mat or mount by marking the at least one mat or mount through the guide holes corresponding to the particular dimensions of the picture by a marking means.

Abstract: A foldable peep sight according to the teachings of the present invention is shown for use with a firearm such as a rifle. A peep sighting member is mounted on an arm. The arm is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis which is generally parallel to but spaced from the gun barrel by an arcuately shaped mount. The arm is pivotal between a first, non-sighting, transport, storage position adjacent the gun barrel and a second, sighting position spaced from the gun barrel and in firing alignment with the front sight of the firearm to allow aiming of the firearm by aligning the firearm to have the peep sight and the front sight of the firearm in line with the target. A spring located between a spring block attached to the mount and a leg attached to the arm biases the arm to its second, sighting position.

Abstract: A borehole mapping and/or navigational instrument includes a carrier movable lengthwise in the borehole; structure on the carrier defining an axis of rotation; and a tilt sensitive device rotatable about the axis of rotation, that device having a tilt sensitive axis with components along the axis of rotation and along perpendiculars to that axis. One or more angular rate sensors may be provided to be rotatable about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: By means of a two-axis, electrically restrained gyro with vertical spin axis, North direction is determined from the ratio of the horizontal components of the angular rate of the earth. The gyro is rotatable about a vertical axis into 0.degree.-, 90.degree.-, 180.degree.- and 270.degree.-positions. The signals thus obtained are stored. A signal processing circuit operating with various differences of these signals and ratios of such differences provides the North deviation unaffected by gyro drift and scale factor error.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp adjuster has an expandable plate with pads for contacting a roadway surface and then a vehicle headlamp. A level indicator has perpendicular, communicating spirit levels and is rotatable about an axis parallel to the plate, to set one spirit level when the pads contact the surface on which the vehicle rests, so that the other spirit level will indicate horizontal when the plate and pads are rotated 90.degree. and brought to bear on the vehicle headlamps.

Abstract: A plumb bob is disclosed that consists of a relatively low-density plastic frustoconical outer shell formed about a relatively high density metallic core. The plumb bob includes a conical support collar at its smaller end, the collar defining an axial bore for receiving either a threaded conventional plumb bob point or a conventional concrete nail. At its other end, the plumb bob defines a smooth curved surface forming a knobbed extension leading to an axial bore for fixing the supporting string. This smooth curve of the knobbed extension prevents undue wear to the supporting string when the plumb bob is in use. The construction of the plumb bob is such that the outer shell and the knobbed extension may be made of impact resistant polycarbonate plastic having a high visibility color.