Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible cannula comprising material which tears readily in a longitudinal direction and can thus be easily removed by pulling tabs on opposite sides of the cannula apart after the catheter or other device has been inserted into the body.

Abstract: Thermoplastic materials which have hot tack and which are incapable of being independently processed by the blown film process due to the tack they show in hot state and especially in the as extruded state are processed to film and sheet by the blown film process by extruding and inflating in a manner known per se an at least two-ply tubular film or sheet of thermoplastic material, the inner ply being formed by a tack-free thermoplastic material and the outer ply superposed thereon being formed by said hot-tacky thermoplastic material; slitting the double-ply tubing for storage and after flattening at least at one edge, and arranging the film web, preferably with winding-up, together with the web of tack-free material in such a manner that one web having hot tack alternates with one tack-free web. The multi-ply film and sheet materials produced by the process are comprised by the invention. .Iadd.

Abstract: A novel tie construction of enhanced stability of shape and smoothness comprises a support layer extending along the entire inside of the tie substantially complementary to the periphery of the front fabric material of the tie, the layers being folded together therewith.

Abstract: A maternity garment is disclosed, which comprises an expandable waistband portion of elastically shirred material which completely encircles the garment and a body portion depending from the expandable portion. The expandable portion has a narrower vertical extent at the rear portion of the garment, and a wider vertical extent which swoops down at the front portion of the garment to form a pouch which supports the lower portion of a woman's stomach. The expandable portion is constructed to be width-wise expandable and contractable, but not vertically expandable. The degree of width-wise expansion is controlled by the type of stitching and elastic shirring employed so as not to be too tight or too loose, at any stage of pregnancy. The stitching of the elastically shirred waistband portion is arranged to prevent fold-over or ruffling of the upper edge of the garment.

Abstract: Two main pieces (3, 4) each include a leg encircling portion (6) and an upper portion (12, 16). Each leg portion (6) has a side zipper (8) with a cover flap (10). The front of the leg portion (6) is a downward continuation of the upper portion (12, 16). Upper portion (16) has a front edge (18) that overlaps a front flap (14) on upper portion (12). Flap (14) and edge (18) slide with respect to each other in response to movements of the wearer. The overlap is sufficient to maintain coverage for the abdomen of the wearer. Alternatively, flap (14') may overlap edge (18'). Flap (14') is held in position by being received into a laterally opening patch pocket (20'). A belt (32) is secured to upper portions (12, 16) and has a front buckle (40) for adjusting the amount of overlap of flap (14) and edge (18) and a rear buckle (44) for adjusting the overall fit of the chaps (2).

Abstract: The present invention comprises an athletic undergarment having trunk and leg portions woven from a sheer, resiliently elastic material and foot portions knit from heavy compressible yarn. The leg portions are permanently secured to the interior of the foot portions by stitching in a manner which maximizes the area of contact between the yarn and the wearer's feet. The resilient elasticity of the sheer trunk and leg portions furnish muscle support and circulatory stimulation for the wearer's legs, while the knit foot portions prevent relative slippage and excessive perspiration build-up between the foot portions and the wearer's shoes.

Abstract: A prosthesis is fitted to a body structure into which it is to be inserted by establishing an initial prosthesis shape and thereafter withdrawing the shape from the body structure in a sequence of defined increments and determining, for each increment, the minimum volume to be removed from the prosthesis to avoid interference with the body structure.

Abstract: An implantable device which is suited for implantation into a human or animal heart for receiving and removably holding a valve prosthesis is described. The device comprises a ring structure which is adapted to be fixed to the tissue around the orifice of a heart valve after excision of the diseased or damaged natural valve has been effected. In use, the ring structure is fixed in place and then the appropriate valve prosthesis is attached to the ring. When the valve prosthesis fails and has to be replaced with a new prosthesis, the damaged prosthesis can be detached from the ring allowing a replacement prosthesis to be fixed to the ring without affecting the connection between ring structure and tissue.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot includes a core of incompressible material which has a bottom side sloping upwardly from a toe region towards the rear end of the foot, a wedge-shaped heel element which is applied to that bottom side and formed of a soft, resilient material and a casing portion which is made of hard but resilient synthetic plastic material and shaped so as to form a toe region, a sole and a protective casing of the foot prosthesis. The synthetic plastic material of the casing portion forms an envelope completely wrapping the core and the wedge-shaped heel element at the lateral sides thereof.

Abstract: A comfort enhancing assembly for providing abdominal and back support is formed of a first pillow and a second pillow which are connected by two overlapped flexible connector panels by a plurality of hook and loop type connector strips on each panel.

Abstract: A waterbed comprising a foundation having a rigid horizontally extending base and a rigid support member of substantially rectangular cross section fixed on the periphery of the upper surface of the base and substantially laterally completely enclosing a space on the base; a fluid-filled mattress of greater height than the height of the support member resting on the base in the space within the support member; and an annular cushion interlocked between the sides of the mattress and the support member. The annular cushion includes an upper portion resting on the top surface of the support member, a lower portion resting on the base and against the interior face of the support member, and an integral flexible connection between the upper and lower portions for enabling the upper portion to be pivoted away from the top surface of the support member for insertion of the edge of bedclothes therebetween.

Abstract: A bed sheet for water beds which is substantially rectangular in configuration and dimensioned to cover the top of the fluid-filled mattress. Integral extensions project from the four sides of the sheet and are adapted to be draped over the mattress and positioned between the mattress and the rigid walls of the bed frame. A hemmed pocket is stitched onto each extension and rigid rod means are insertable into said pockets so that, when operationally positioned, the mattress cooperates with the rigid walls of the bed frame to positively grip the rod means therebetween.

Abstract: A method of making a nut adapted for use in combination with a structural member commonly known as "UNISTRUT". The structural member or "UNISTRUT" as in one face, a longitudinal slot bordered by inwardly projecting flanges. The nut has serrations in one face and is positioned in the slot with the serrations in gripping engagement with the edges of the flanges so that a threaded fasting member may extend between the flanges and into the threaded opening into the nut. In accordance with the method of the invention a strip of deformable, hardenable metal is cold rolled to form a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges or serrations and with sufficient force and working to harden the strip. The resulting hardened strip is then cut diagonally into a plurality of nut blanks with hardened serrations in one face. The blanks are then tapped to form a nut adapted for use in a "UNISTRUT" system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically operated toothbrush with oscillating motion, whose angle of oscillation can be adjusted.This is a easily achieved by the fact that the rotation of the electric motor producing the motion can be reversed by pole changing, and thereby the radius of the circular orbit of the bolt of a rotating shaft connected to the holder taking up the slip-on brush in a curve-like opening of a free disc is changed in its dimension, thus producing a variation of the angular deflection of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: For use with a mandrel supporting a plurality of cups, an improved pipeline pigging cup is set forth in the preferred and illustrated embodiment. The cup is equipped with a large protruding lip around the periphery, and has a reinforcing member in the lip to secure the lip in a resilient fashion against the surrounding pipeline. The reinforcing member is formed of a strip of cloth backing with upstanding staples in the form of a multitude of small staple tips; the tips are arranged at or near the surface of the lip, thereby defining an abrasion resistant surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for selectively cleaning a crankcase dipstick as it is withdrawn from the crankcase. The apparatus includes a pair of wiper lips, a spring biasing the wiper lips apart, a pair of handles for manually manipulating the wiper lips together, and an absorbent member positioned beneath the wiper lips for cleaning drops of oil wiped off the dipstick.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a mop with a rotatable wiper, a pail having a reservoir for cleaning liquid, and a motor-driven wringer mounted upon the pail for receiving and rotating the wiper of the mop at relatively high speed to extract cleaning liquid together with entrained dirt and other matter from the wiper and return the extracted liquid to the reservoir.

Abstract: A disposable sponge device used principally for cleaning surgical instruments and including a flexible base sponge member having opposed side and end edges and a pair of upright flexible sponge members attached to and projecting from the back surface of the base sponge member, substantially parallel to each other, and extending end-to-end of the base sponge member to function as a handle for the sponge device. The sponge device is further characterized by including, along at least one edge portion, an elongated slit opening through the edge portion for receiving the blade of a surgical instrument for cleaning.

Abstract: A floor treating machine adapted to operate as a floor scrubber and a floor polisher or buffer includes a main housing or support frame structure from which extends a brush housing assembly. The main housing contains a combined solution and recovery tank, a motive device to power the floor treating machine, a propulsion system to propel the floor treating machine along the floor, a pneumatic power system, a squeegee subassembly and electrical and pneumatic control systems therefor. The brush housing assembly is operatively connected to the main housing by a brush lifting mechanism such that two brushes selectively rotating in opposite directions in the brush housing assembly can be lifted away from the floor or moved toward the floor so that the brushes exert the correct amount of pressure against the floor depending on the job being done.

Abstract: An attachment tool for a vacuum cleaner hose is disclosed taking the form of an elongated flattened tubular housing; one end being adapted to connect to a vacuum cleaner hose, and the other end terminating in a flattened air intake opening. One flat face of the housing has an elongated opening therein adjacent the other end of the housing; the elongated opening having a means for selectively covering it. A pair of elongated strip brushes extend along opposite sides of the elongated opening.

Abstract: A releasable hold-open device for a spring-impelled, regulated door closer has a door motion follower adapted to be releasably held in a door-open position. An actuator is arranged to retain or release the follower under control of a permanent magnet that can be overcome by an electromagnet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structurally uncomplicated, lightweight and inexpensive variable position hinge structure. The hinge structure comprises a male component, a portion of which comprises a relatively raised and non-raised portion, and a female component, a portion of which comprises a relatively raised and non-raised portion. The raised and non-raised portions of the male and female components mesh to lock the male and female components relative to each other at various positions of rotation therebetween.

Abstract: A single-pivot cabinet hinge (10) for hanging doors has a cup (12) which can be fastened in a gain in the back of a door (16) and in which there is journaled one end of a pivot arm (24) whose other end bears a fastening plate (28) having a slot (30) engaged by a projection (60) of a mounting element (34) which can be fastened to the carcass of the cabinet. The fastening plate is displaceable on the mounting element (34) under the guidance of the projection and can be fixed at selectable positions by means of a fastening screw (50) which can be driven into the projection. The projection in turn is continuously adjustable in the mounting element (34) at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the slot and likewise fixable at selectable positions, so that the pivot arm together with the door cup is adjustable relative to the mounting element, and therefore a door hung by the hinge on a cabinet carcass is adjustable relative to the cabinet carcass, in coordinate directions at right angles to one another.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the introduction of poultry giblets into the evacuated body cavities of poultry, a plurality of cups which contain the giblets are moved into an insertion region together with the poultry, which is also moved, on a path while a plunger thrusts the giblets into the body cavity of the poultry after a cup has been introduced with its narrower end into the body cavity. The plunger is selectively driven, so that in the event that no poultry is present, the plunger is not actuated. In addition stabilizing devices are provided for the poultry.

Abstract: A game skinning rack comprising a generally rectangular board having notches formed in each upper corner thereof, cam means pivotally mounted in each of said notches for tightly gripping the extremities of an animal to be skinned with a pressure that increases with pull, and a fixed spool and a laterally shiftable spool movable between several spaced positions with respect to said fixed spool for snugly engaging and holding the neck of the animal to be skinned. A bracket for mounting the rack to a tree or post also is disclosed.

Abstract: A fish skinning and scaling tool is shown having a pair of mating lever units. Each of the lever units has a curved handle portion and an elongated jaw portion. The lever units are joined at a pivot point intermediate the jaw portions and handle portions. A spring carried within a spring recess between the lever units biases the handle portions apart whereby the jaw portions are biased toward an open position. Each of the jaw portions has a right angle rigid blade mounted thereon. The blades have interior edges which come together to form a gripping surface when the jaw portions are closed. The blades also have depending edges which come together to form a scaling surface when the jaw portions are closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating fiber quantities supplied to a textile machine as a fiber layer, comprises a sensor device for mechanically sensing thickness variations of the fiber layer at a plurality of locations along the layer width and emitting individual mechanical signals representing the magnitude of thickness variations at each location, a transducer arrangement connected to the sensor device for converting each individual mechanical signal into an individual electric signal, a signal adder connected to the transducer arrangement for combining the individual signals into a joint electric signal, a regulator arrangement connected to the signal adder for comparing the joint electric signal representing an actual value with a predetermined desired value of fiber layer thickness for generating a setting signal, a fiber layer delivery device, and a setting device connected to the regulator arrangement and the fiber layer delivery device for controlling the setting device by the setting signals, whereby fiber

Abstract: An apparatus used in combination with a yarn spinner has an upstream gripper roller assembly including at least an upstream roller pair gripping the yarn to be stretched, a downstream gripper roller assembly including at least a downstream roller pair spaced from the upstream pair and also gripping the yarn, and respective variable-speed drives connected to the upstream and downstream pairs for rotating same at respective slow downstream and fast upstream speeds and thereby passing the yarn from the downstream to the upstream pair while stretching it. Respective upstream and downstream sensors juxtaposed with the yarn adjacent the upstream and downstream roller pairs measure the yarn size and respective upstream and downstream controllers connected to the respective sensors and drives rotate the respective roller pairs at speeds dependent on the respective detected yarn sizes.

Abstract: A combination security seal and identification tag holder for assembly onto the neck of a mail bag or the like, in which a shackle locking mechanism is provided with a housing having a locking plug which is inaccessible when the seal is assembled onto the bag, and is prevented by the gathered neck of the bag from moving out of the locking position. The assembly includes an integral tag receiving member positioned to protrude from the bag into a visible position when the seal is assembled.

Abstract: A paper clip characterized in that it is substantially formed of a hard synthetic resin such as hard vinyl chloride, and in that an arched movable member, a bottom plate and a connector plate are formed as one piece capable of being extruded in its entirety, and the paper-engaging end of said movable member and the central portion of said connector plate are formed of a soft synthetic resin such as soft vinyl chloride.

Abstract: A fastener for securing in position a string to be used for gathering the skirt of a coat or the open edge of a pouch, for example, is constructed of a housing provided therein with a blind cavity, a sliding member admitted into the blind cavity of the housing, and a spring interposed between the housing and the sliding member; the housing and the sliding member being respectively provided laterally therein with perforations and insertion holes adapted to come into mutual coincidence when the sliding member is pushed into the housing against the energizing force of the spring. Since opposed end portions of a given string can be inserted sidewise through the coinciding insertion holes into the perforations, this string fastener can be used advantageously without requiring the opposed end portions of the string to be always kept in mutual contact. It imposes no limitation upon the length of the string to be tied and enjoys ease of handling.

Abstract: A muffler clamp wherein a retainer (22) is secured to a bracket (20) by nuts (24 and 26). The bracket (22) is provided with sections (38) and the retainer (22) has a flexible central region (40) such that the clamp can be tightly constricted about and secure exhaust system components in a range of sizes.

Abstract: A clip comprises a male member and a female socket both molded of plastics. The male member is adapted to be detachably fastened to a substrate such as a panel of an automobile body and the female socket is adapted to accommodate the male member rotatably therein and to be fastened to a part such as a radiator grille. Union of the substrate and the part accomplished by the use of this clip can be easily broken by causing the male member to be rotated relative to the female socket with a tool such as a screw driver.

Abstract: Holding frame for a package beam of a heavy winding machine, including a right side frame and a left side frame. Each of the side frames is formed of a pair of flat sheet steel plates, with tension resistant and compression resistant spacer members interposed between each pair of plates. Each pair of plates is bolted together with the spacer member therebetween. First carriers formed of steel penetrate the plates at connection locations and rigidly connect the side frames to each other. A beam receiving device is disposed at least at one of the side frames. A second carrier with a tubular shape penetrates the pair of plates of the at least one side frame at connection locations and supports the beam receiving device. Detachable force transmission devices are disposed between the plates and at least one of the carriers at least at one of the connection locations.

Abstract: In a controlled deflection roll comprising a rotating shell forming the working roll periphery and a stationary beam extending lengthwise through the shell and spaced all around from the inner periphery of the shell, the space between the beam and the inner periphery of the shell, in the neighborhood of the operative plane, is divided into chambers by longitudinal seals and a number of transverse seals, the chambers have separate feed lines and each pair of adjacent chambers has a common transverse seal between them. Neighboring chambers are connected by a duct and non-return valves so that the transverse seal is always acted upon by the pressure of the higher-pressure chamber and pressed against the inner periphery of the shell. The chambers can be formed on the side of the beam facing the nip and also on the side remote from the nip and can also be individually filled with pressure fluid at different temperatures.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bearing assembly for the wheels of automobiles, wherein an axle member B is ground by a first step wherein a raceway surface 5 and a cylindrical seat 6 are simultaneously ground, a second step wherein any deviation of the finished raceway diameter from its predetermined size is fed back to a gauge 23 for in-process control which controls the grinding operation on back-face rib surface 21 and shoulder 9, and a third step wherein the back-face rib surface 21 and shoulder 9 are ground simultaneously, while an inner annular member C is ground by a first step wherein a raceway surface 11 is ground, a second step wherein any deviation of the finished raceway diameter from its predetermined size is fed back to a gauge 29 for in-process control which controls the grinding operation on back-face rib surface 21 and front face 10, and a third step wherein the back-face rib surface 21 and front face 10 are ground simultaneously, and the inner annular member B is then fitted on the cylindrical

Abstract: A fluid pressure reducing device having a core provided with a peripheral spiral groove and a pipe receiving the core. The portion of the pipe receiving the core is radially contracted so that the ridges of the spiral groove of the core intrude into the inner peripheral surface of the pipe, thereby to form a spiral passage between the pipe and the core. The pressure of a fluid is reduced as the latter flows through the spiral passage. This fluid pressure reducing device is easy to produce and permits an easy fine adjustment of the flow resistance.

Abstract: A machine for removing and installing bearings on the ends of wheel sets including a gage for measuring wheel size and for aligning the wheel sets with bearing removing or installing devices according to wheel size and for transporting the bearings automatically to and from a conveyor.

Abstract: There is described a method for the hot repair of the protective layer provided on the permanent lining of a tundish of a continuous casting plant. The method can be carried out simply and quickly, with thermal losses of the tundish being largely prevented and heat influences on the personnel being eliminated, by retaining an amount of residual steel with a slag layer in the tundish. The residual-steel amount plus slag layer is cooled till solidification, is removed from the tundish in a still hot state, and a repair-mass constituting the protective layer is sprayed onto the permanent lining of the still hot tundish.

Abstract: A pocket clip is attached to the tubular barrel of a writing instrument and the rear open end of the barrel is closed by pressing a pocket clip part over the rear end of the barrel and pressing an integral plug portion of the pocket clip part into the opening at the rear end of the barrel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for threading a lamp cord through links in a lamp-supporting chain, for example, swag lamps. Selected links may be chosen to receive the lamp cord, that is, every fourth link, for example.

Abstract: Prefabricated concrete wall panel and method of forming same having a continuous peripheral metallic skeletal panel frame with its opposite sides being adjustably disposed/constrained during fabrication to provide a substantially parallelogram shaped wall panel. A plurality of spaced transversely extending, for example, nut and bolt type clamping means are disposed between opposite sides of the panel frame at least during the fabrication process to maintain the sides generally straight and parallel until the concrete has attained sufficient set strength. A plurality of hook means are affixed to opposite sides of the panel frame and extend inwardly into the concrete for holding the parallelism of the opposite sides following removal of the clamping means.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing belt end portions for mechanical interconnection includes a punch-press and jig assembly for precisely forming a square central opening in one end portion and opposed square side edge openings in another end portion and a cutting arrangement for slitting the one end portion longitudinally from its central opening. The belt end portions are assembled by inserting the another portion through the slit and central opening of the one portion and orienting the transverse extent of the another portion within the central opening.

Abstract: An elastic cover applicator includes a folded elastic sleeve having an inner sleeve portion and a coaxially disposed outer sleeve portion overlaying the inner sleeve portion, the sleeve portions being continuously joined at an annular edge. A sleeve support holds the radially expanded sleeve in a radially stretched condition. A lubricating substance is applied between the inner and outer sleeve portions to separate and lubricate. After the applicator is coaxially disposed relative to the elongate object, a longitudinally directed force applied to the outer sleeve portion results in relative longitudinal movement between the outer sleeve portion and inner sleeve portion, removing the elastic cover from the support and applying it to the elongate object.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing an accumulator device including a shell portion having an open mouth and a cap member affixed over the open mouth after a bladder assembly has been secured within the shell portion of the pressure vessel. The method comprises in the provision of an exterior annular weld connecting the cap member to the outer wall portion of the vessel as well as an interior weld connection between the interior wall portion of the cap member and the upwardly directed end edge of the mouth of the pressure vessel. By locating the metallic skirt member which functions to support the bladder such that the top of the skirt forms a dam for containing the weld which secures the cap member interior to the uppermost edge of the pressure vessel, the possibility of weld fragments falling into the bladder causing damage to the latter is minimized.

Abstract: A method of connecting a joint of drill pipe for rotary earth drilling having tool joint members on each end with threaded connections for connecting the joint with other joints of drill pipe is shown. Nickel plating is applied to a portion of the threaded connection of at least one of the tool joint members. The threaded connection is then doped with a zinc base thread compound and the joint of drill pipe is made up by threadedly connecting the nickel plated threaded connection of one tool joint member with the threaded connection of a mating tool joint member. The nickel plated tool joint member when used with zinc base thread compound provides a connection with desirable frictional properties at elevated temperatures such as are encountered in geothermal wells.

Abstract: The bending and shearing machine according to the invention comprises a framework, a table which can be vertically displaced and on which sheet metal, such as steel sheets, may slide as well as a rocker head which can be pivoted 180.degree.. The displacement of the table is carried out by means of a system including levers and pistons. One of the horizontal edges of the rocker head carries a knife while the other holds a wedge or a bending roller. The table includes a cutting matrix which carries a knife mounted at the end of the table and a bending matrix shaped to rest on the cutting matrix. The rocker head pivots according to an eccentric axis so that its knife and its wedge or bending roller are offset with respect to one another when they are in operation.

Abstract: A method for producing semiconductor devices having a substrate, element fabrication areas formed in the substrate and isolation areas surrounding the element fabrication areas. The method comprises forming a thermal strain absorbing layer on the top surface of the element fabrication areas, forming at least one groove in an area which is to become the isolation areas, inlaying an insulator in the at least one groove, and annealing the insulator to make the density thereof uniform.

Abstract: A method is described for forming the recessed dielectric isolation in a silicon substrate involves first forming trenches which may be less than about 1 micron in depth in areas of one principal surface of the silicon substrate where isolation is desired. Where, for example, an NPN bipolar transistor structure is planned to be formed it is usually necessary to have a P+ region underneath the recessed dielectric isolation to allow full isolation between the various bipolar transistor devices. A PNP transistor uses an N+ region underneath the isolation. Where a field effect transistor is planned a channel stop can be substituted for the P+ region. Under the circumstance of bipolar devices, the P+ region is formed in the substrate prior to the deposition of an epitaxial layer thereover. The trench formation is caused to be formed through the epitaxial layer and into the P+ regions therein. The surface of the trenches are then oxidized in an oxidizing ambient to form a silicon dioxide layer thereon.

Abstract: A method for reducing the susceptibility of integrated circuit dynamic memory devices to environmentally produced radiation, such as alpha particles, in which a buried layer, having a majority carrier concentration substantially equal to or greater than the concentration of free carriers generated by the radiation and being between one and four orders of magnitude greater concentration than that of the semiconductor substrate, is ion implanted within a few microns of the substrate surface after at least one major high temperature processing step in the manufacturing process has been completed.