Abstract: A therapeutic stocking comprising, a first circumferential segment for placement on the leg below the knee, with the first segment extending from the ankle to a point slightly below the knee. The first segment exerts a compressive pressure on the wearer's leg gradually decreasing from the ankle to said point below the knee. The stocking has a second circumferential segment for placement on the leg above the knee, with the second segment extending from a point slightly above the knee to the upper thigh.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating animals including a muzzle, a muzzle pump assembly, a respiratory valve assembly and a respirator pump assembly. The units may be selectively assembled to serve as a pneumatic muzzle, a respirator for administering air, oxygen and other gases and to inject medicants, all of which operations may be performed when the treated animal is within its parent.

Abstract: The present invention covers a saw blade having a row of teeth with a unique arrangement along its edge and the blade has at least one closed aperture which extends in the direction away from the row of teeth, wherein the part of the saw blade between the row of teeth and the aperture comprises a strip-like element.

Abstract: A physiological device adapted for implantation in a human patient, e.g. a cardiac pacemaker or muscle stimulator, characterized by having programmable means for generating data and assembling same for presentation of one or more histograms. The implanted device has circuitry for registering the occurrence of sensed or evoked events, as well as device operating events such as cycles of operation, and means, preferably software control of a microprocessor, for classifying registered events into respective classes of one or more parameters associated with the events and for accumulating counts of events for each such class. The system also includes external apparatus for communicating programmed instructions to the device, whereby histogram selection and histogram classes are programmed, and for receiving the histogram data transmitted from the implanted device and displaying it in a convenient histogram form. Time based histograms are also generated, utilizing a software clock for continuously tracking time.

Abstract: A surgical compression plate is provided with at least one elongated screw hole with a sloping camming surface that bows outwardly to provide a constant torque until the screw is seated or a torque that increases gradually and then diminishes until the screw is seated, with a sudden increase in torque on seating, thereby to advise the surgeon that the screw has been seated.

Abstract: This disclosure involves an improved intra-ocular suction cutter or similar surgical instrument in which an annular reciprocating cutter chisel-cuts tissue against a terminal anvil with minimal traction and enables suction withdrawal of the severed tissue.

Abstract: An instrument, method and two-piece plastic-like fastener for surgically fastening tissue by:(A) placing the tissue between: (1) a retainer of an absorbable material, that is located distally of the tissue and that has a hole which extends longitudinally through it; (2) an elongated rigid piercing member that is located proximally of the tissue, that extends longitudinally, and that has means on its distal end for piercing the tissue; and (3) a fastener of an absorbable material, that is also located proximally of the tissue and that has a distally extending prong which, during distal movement of the fastener, can (a) move distally through an opening pierced in the tissue by the piercing member and (b) then move distally into the retainer hole to hold the retainer and fastener together;(B) then moving the piercing member distally so that its distal end pierces the tissue; and(C) then moving the fastener distally so that its prong moves through the opening pierced in the tissue and into the retainer hole to ho

Abstract: An improved surgical needle of the type having one or more cutting edges converging towards the needle tip and formed by the intersection of a plurality of planar surfaces, for use in cutting through hard body tissue material. The forward end of the needle has one or more smaller additional cutting edges located at the tip to aid initial insertion into the tissue. These additional cutting edges are formed by at least two additional intersecting planar surfaces at the tip portion. The needle is preferably curved in the reference plane defined by one of the cutting edges and the axis of the needle.

Abstract: A heart rate monitor for use where direct contact with a patient cannot be made utilizes two continuous radio frequency (RF) signals, one of relatively low frequency and one of relatively high frequency directed toward the patient whose heart is to be determined. Doppler shifted signals are reradiated by the patient back to the monitor. The reradiated low RF signal has doppler components due to bodily motion caused by respiration and heartbeat. The reradiated high RF signal has doppler components due to patient bodily movement caused by respiration. Doppler components due to heartbeat if any, are of substantially lower value than those associated with the low RF signal. The heart rate monitor includes a difference amplifier which effectively subtracts the doppler signal associated with the high RF frequency from the doppler signal associated with the low RF frequency to obtain a signal which contains only components due to the heartbeat of the patient.

Abstract: Two coaxial acoustic beams, one focused and the other unfocused, are used to measure changes in temperature within a localized region in a body. The focal region of the focused beam is located at the area to be measured. Changes in the relative phase angle between the two beams are indicative of changes in acoustic properties occurring at the focal region. Since the two beams have generally the same propagation path outside of the focal region, they will be similarly affected by acoustic variations which occur there, so there will not be any relative phase change between them due to such variations.

Abstract: A noninvasive accurate method for measuring the temperature of tissue beneath the surface of a living body 11. Ultrasonic signals (14) are directed into beads 13 of a material that are inserted into the tissue with a syringe. The reflected signals (15) indicate the acoustic impedance or resonance frequency of the beads 13 which in turn indicates the temperature of the tissue. A range of temperatures around the melting temperature of the material can be measured by this method.

Abstract: A method for measuring the metabolic utilization rate of oxygen in an internal organ or tissue, wherein a portion of the organ or tissue to be diagnosed is subjected to interruption of oxygen supply and then measured biospectroscopically. Reflection spectral characteristic variations per unit of time are measured. The measured information is converted into an electrical signal to indicate the metabolic rate.

Abstract: The present invention is a sensing amplifier circuit for a tissue stimulator (72) for supplying or attenuating far field signal voltage artifacts comprising a full differential amplifier having a first (94, 136) and second (96, 142) stage amplifiers for respectively receiving a second and first signal voltage output from a sensing mean (80, 82), and a switch means for controlling an input of the second signal voltage output from said sensing means to the first stage amplifier (94, 136).

Abstract: A heartbeat rate indicator has a detection electrode on the surface of the housing such as a wristwatch case and the element of a circuit-input portion in which the existence of a switch connected to the detection electrode prevents the element from destroying with electrostatic charge produced at the moment of touching the detection electrode with the human body, the clothes or the like.Because in the non-depression state of the detection electrode, the detection electrode is connected elastically through the switch to one terminal of a power source so that the electrostatic charge produced at the moment of touching the detection electrode with the human body discharges to the one terminal of the power source.

Abstract: A bone marrow biopsy and aspiration needle unit is disclosed. The unit includes a holding device, with a longitudinal bore therethrough, comprising a collect chuck and handle grips, a replaceable cannula to be interlockably mounted in the holding device, with the cannula's lumen in alignment with the longitudinal bore, and an elongated stylet releaseably mounted in the aligned bores. When the needle unit is also to be used for aspiration, a second cannula of a diameter less than the first cannula is inserted through the aligned bores in the holding device and the first cannula.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic control device adapted to regulate, without interruptions, cigarette-making process and in a substantially continuous way, the cut tobacco being re-circulated back to the distributor, as trimmed excess tobacco (S) from the uniform tobacco rod, formed in the pneumatic suction belt forming assembly (N) of a continuous cigarette-making machine. Said device substantially comprises a detector suction head (1), through which all of said trimmed excess tobacco (S) is passed pneumatically, in its path of suction re-circulation, from trimmer (R) of the belt (N) the distributor of the cut tobacco for the formation of the rod. Said detector suction head (1) is associated with a photo-cell sensor (4, 5) whose light beam is liable to be attenuated by the total flow of trimmed cut tobacco (S) sucked through said head.

Abstract: A blend of dark-fired and one-sucker tobacco and a cased cigar type tobacco are cut to obtain a shredded product. After the addition of water and a binder, the resultant mixture is heated, dried and then pelletized into individual discrete pellets. Various additives can be added prior to or during pelletizing. The pellets are sized to give the user the desired taste and flavor of a conventional smokeless tobacco.

Abstract: Described is the novel compound genus defined according to the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 lower alkyl useful in augmenting or enhancing the aroma or taste of consumable materials including perfumes, colognes, perfumed articles (including solid or liquid anionic, cationic, nonionic or zwitterionic detergents and perfumed polymers) smoking tobacco or smoking tobacco articles.

Abstract: Tobacco ribs, whose moisture content is at least 38 percent and which are heated to a temperature of at least 60 degrees C., are admitted into a cylindrical chamber containing a centrally located nozzle which is surrounded by a driven impeller having arcuate vanes serving to direct tobacco particles at a uniform rate into a high-speed stream of air or steam which issues from the orifice of the nozzle and leaves the chamber through a tapering outlet to pass through a Laval nozzle and into a dryer. The latter is designed to heat a stream of air to a temperature of approximately 350 degrees C. and to mix such air with the stream which admits the particles of tobacco whereby the particles are heated to a temperature of approximately 80 degrees C. and their moisture content is reduced to or below 20 percent.

Abstract: Apparatus for expelling moisture from a continuous stream of tobacco which passes through a conditioning zone defined by a hollow rotary drum-shaped dryer has a control unit employing a computer whose output signal is indicative of the quantity of moisture to be expelled from tobacco per unit of time during travel through the dryer in order to ensure that the final moisture content of tobacco will match a predetermined value. The signal which is generated by the computer is used to regulate a valve in a conduit connecting the conditioning zone with a source of steam. The rate of steam admission or the pressure of admitted steam increases when the quantity of moisture which is contained in tobacco entering the dryer per unit of time decreases and vice versa. This ensures that the total quantity of moisture in the conditioning zone remains at least substantially constant even though the moisture content and/or the quantity of tobacco in the stream entering the dryer varies within a wide range.

Abstract: A hair curling roller having a pair of openable jaws which have reciprocally related, undulating, interfacing surfaces and cooperatingly contoured outside surfaces forming a circular or eliptical roller body with a hinge interconnecting the two jaws in order that the jaws may be open to receive and clamp a lock of hair.

Abstract: A hair roller clip of a one piece self-adjusting member with components including a substantially straight base leg, a pivot connected top leg of semi-circular formation with a plurality of formed teeth, and with the base leg being a continuation of a second semi-circular formation pivot connected to the top leg. An over center spring member is pivot connected at each of its ends to the respective semi-circular leg formations on opposite sides of the connection between the leg formations. Thus, hair wound on a roller is secured so the roller clip snaps in closed hair securing and in open hair releasing positions on the roller. The entire roller clip is formed as a single integral one-piece polypropylene plastic with each pivot connection being a "living hinged" web.

Abstract: A coin sorter for examining the genuineness of plural coin denominations and for sorting the coins has an AC bridge circuit which produces bridge output signals corresponding to different denominations of coins, a time-sharing signal generation circuit in the form of a microcomputer, for producing time-sharing signals, a switching circuit for time-multiplexing the bridge output signals in sequence to one output lead in response to the time-sharing signals, and a single amplifier and comparator which receives the sequentially provided bridge output signals, amplifies and compares them to reference signals, and provides an indication of the coin denomination.

Abstract: An inertial valve apparatus is disclosed for automatically stopping the flow of liquids or gases in the event of an earthquake or similar vibration, and simultaneously causing the liquid or gas to be vented. The apparatus includes a spring loaded double-seated valve that is held in an unactuated position by a latch. A mass is adjustably suspended, according to the sensitivity to vibrations desired, along a trigger arm connected to the latch, so that movement of the mass in response to vibrations causes the latch to release, permitting the valve to move to an actuated position where the normal flow of liquid or gas is stopped and venting takes place.

Abstract: A valve which may be run in the open position, then in response to an increase in pressure in the flowway through the valve moved to closed position, and thereafter in response to a differential between pressure within and without the housing of the valve returned to open position.

Abstract: Butterfly valve comprising a valve housing and a flap and two soft sealing rings retained by undercut grooves in the valve housing and from said grooves radially inwardly projecting sealing lips for engagement with the sealing surface of the flap. By means of the two soft sealing rings which are separated by a flexible intermediate ring (18) of metal, the radial inner edge thereof is formed with two opposite directed sealing lips, a complete fluid sealing in both pressure directions is obtained. In the event of destruction of the soft sealing rings caused by eventual fire in the valve, the pressure of the fluid will result in deformation or flexing of the intermediate ring, so that the one or the other of the sealing lips is pressed against the sealing surface of the flap and, thereby obtaining a fire proof seal in both directions.

Abstract: A vacuum pulsator for milking machines comprises a pair of valves controlling the alternate application of vacuum and air pressure in a line connected to the pulsator, the pulsator including adjustable bleed valves operative to control the frequency of alternation and/or the phase length of alternation of vacuum and air pressure. The pulsator may be subject to compressed air or atmospheric air, and the bleed valves are adjustable externally of the pulsator body.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system comprises a fluid distribution conduit, a fluid inlet and a plurality of closeable fluid outlet branches. The distribution conduit further comprises a plug which can be propelled in response to the fluid pressure, whereas valves are provided with retaining means members for retaining the plug contrary to the fluid pressure for opening the valves. The retaining means become inoperative when the pressure of the fluid is being altered.

Abstract: A temperature actuated drain system is provided that comprises a siphon that has an inlet end for immersing in a pool of water to be drained from a roof surface and a discharge end communicating with a pressure-responsive one-way valve. A solar actuated enclosed chamber that contains a solar heat energy collector is located on the roof surface and is in open communication with the siphon by means of a tubular member that has its inlet end positioned closely adjacent the bottom of the interior of the chamber. The arrangement causes any appreciable amounts of water that accumulate within the chamber to be discharged from the chamber during the pumping action created by the heating and cooling of air within the chamber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing faucets and spouts, faucet inserts and faucets and spouts manufactured by the method. The faucet or spout includes an upper housing plate and a lower housing plate, a peripheral flange being provided on each of the housing plates such that the flanges mate with a seal disposed betweem them in fluid sealing relationship, the housing plates having spaced apart surfaces extending from their respective flanges to define a chamber. The faucet inserts include a valving member rotatably received within a housing member, the housing member having an internal conical surface adapted for mating engagement with an external conical surface of the valving member, the valving member having a port adapted to be reversibly aligned and misaligned with a port in the housing member for selectively allowing and shutting off fluid flow.

Abstract: Shaft seals of the lip type with a sealing member bonded to an apertured insert have a tendency to form blisters in the sealing member near the bond. In order to avoid this, and provide a seal suitable for use in hygienic environments, the sealing member is mechanically engaged with the insert, for example, by being in the general form of a grommet with a central boss filling in the aperture and carrying the sealing lips, and having a wide radial flange forming a cleanable face exposed to the process fluid and a narrow deformable flange adapted to pass through the aperture of the insert and to expand into mechanical engagement therewith.

Abstract: An air valve is disclosed having a valve plate with a snap-in lever-bearing at one end and a similar lever-bearing at the opposite end or optionally a snap-in bearing without a lever at the latter end.

Abstract: An automatic hose winding apparatus includes a reel rotatably coupled between first and second side members of a frame. A clutch is coupled between a motor and the reel for selectively imparting rotary motion thereto. A guide assembly including a traversing screw, a follower mounted on the traversing screw, and a guide bar, guide the hose onto the reel. A lever assembly coupled to the frame and responsive to rotation of the guide bar disengages the clutch just prior to turning the motor off.

Abstract: A valve guard for a gas tank having a valve at the top of the tank and an apertured flange at the top of the tank which is spaced from the valve. The valve guard comprises a top wall which is adapted to overlie the valve handle and extend over the top of the flange to a point outside of the flange. The valve guard also has a plurality of vertical walls and a bottom wall which has a slot through which the valve stem extends so that the bottom wall is positioned between the valve handle and the valve casing. The forward end of the bottom wall extends through an opening in the flange so that it underlies the forwardly extending portion of the top wall and has an aperture which is aligned with a similar aperture in the top wall for receiving the shackle of a lock.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for minimizing the amount of fluid leaked from a component in a hydraulic power system when the component has failed.The apparatus comprises a tank for use as a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, the tank having a first chamber for storing a main volume of the fluid and a second chamber communicating with the first chamber for storing a reference volume of the fluid. The second chamber is provided with a fluid level switch which deactivates the system power source when the quantity of fluid in the second chamber has fallen to or below a preset level as a result of its leakage from the system via a burst hose or the like. The chambers 2 and 3 are dimensioned so that for a given quantity of fluid entering or leaving the tank, fluid level fluctuation in the second chamber is greater than the corresponding fluid level fluctuation which would occur in the first chamber if the fluid were only entering or leaving the first chamber.

Abstract: A pressure regulator assembly, suitable for controlling the flow of compressed natural gas to fuel an internal combustion engine, has a small primary valve positioned by a regulator diaphragm to control the flow at high supply pressures and a large secondary valve to provide additional flow area at low supply pressures. Flow to the primary valve passes through a chamber having a restricted aperture from the inlet, and a control diaphragm responsive to the pressure in the chamber opens the secondary valve when the primary valve reaches its maximum flow capacity and the pressure in the chamber approaches the regulated pressure.

Abstract: A shutoff valve for installation in a gas distribution line to interrupt the flow of gas automatically upon a drop in pressure in the line due to a break or the like. The valve includes a movable valve member actuated by a piston which is disposed in a cylinder in communication with the distribution line. The top of the piston includes a calibrated aperture which admits gas into the cylinder beneath the piston so that the pressure beneath the piston in the cylinder is substantially equal to the pressure in the line. However, upon a sudden drop in pressure in the line due to a break or the like, the flow of gas through the aperture is metered so that the pressure in the cylinder beneath the piston becomes greater than the pressure in the distribution line, causing the piston to shift upwardly and move the valve member into a position where it interrupts the flow of gas. The pressure differential on the valve member retains it in the closing position.

Abstract: A pressure compensating flow control valve assembly for providing a constant flow rate for fluids having a high solids content is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a housing comprising first and second housing members having an inlet and an outlet, respectively, a deflectable diaphragm clamped between the housing members and which divides the housing into first and second chambers, and a control valve means carried by the diaphragm which includes a fixed control orifice in communication with the second chamber and outlet and a poppet valve for throttling flow of fluids from the inlet to the first chamber. The control valve means is constructed such that the fluid is caused to be moved in a tortuous path through the valve assembly so as to prevent or minimize solids in the fluid from settling out.

Abstract: In a subsurface positive displacement pump used in the petroleum industry for pumping crudes characterized by a high degree of suspended solid particles, a ball check valve comprising a valve ball and a valve seat assembly wherein the valve seat assembly comprises a hollow cylindrical body defining an orifice through which pumped fluid passes, the hollow cylindrical body being provided with a recess on the surface facing the valve ball in the region defining the orifice wherein an insert which forms the actual valve seat for the ball valve is secured in the recess. The insert is formed of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of the material from which the valve ball is formed which material in turn is characterized by a hardness greater than that of the hollow cylindrical body.

Abstract: A valve body includes a chamber for the flow of fluid between an inlet and an outlet thereto. The chamber includes an upper portion with an opening therethrough and a lower portion including a valve seat between the inlet and outlet. A bonnet is positioned in the chamber upper portion and is connected to the valve body and extends upwardly therefrom. The bonnet includes a passageway, and a stem is positioned in the passageway for longitudinal movement into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat. An actuator is rotatably positioned in the bonnet passageway above the stem. A micrometer operating handle is nonrotatably connected to the upper end portion of the actuator to facilitate fine adjustment of the stem position to provide incremental adjustments in the flow rate of fluid between the inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A solenoid valve has a housing in which is disposed a coil, a sleeve valve and a plurality of hydraulic fluid passages. The passages are formed in a cylindrical core which is integral with and extends axially from an end wall of the housing. The sleeve valve is slidably mounted on the core and has a pair of annular recesses which are selectively positionable by valve movement to interconnect various combinations of passages for controlling hydraulic fluid flow. The sleeve valve has a metal ring secured thereto so that the sleeve valve will be moved in response to electric current flowing in the coil which surrounds a portion of the sleeve valve.

Abstract: A sanitary single-control mixer fitting with regulating elements is formed having at least two discs, of which one serves as a static valve seat disc and includes two inlet ports for cold and hot water, as well as an outlet port. The second disc is shiftably mounted on the valve seat disc and includes a mixing chamber cavity, which is sufficiently dimensioned to partially or completely connect the inlet ports with the outlet port of the valve seat disc. The mixing chamber cavity in the shiftable disc is of asymmetrical form in relation to a symmetrical perforation pattern of the inlets and outlet parts in the static valve seat disc so that the usual mixed water temperature ranges, which constitute a so-called comfort zone, and therefore, the corresponding mid-position of the mixing chamber cavity is designed to reduce the free flow cross sectional area of the inlet port for the cold water but the mixing chamber cavity is greater than the cross sectional area of the hot water inlet.

Abstract: A servovalve device assembly is provided with an electronic matching circuit positioned upstream of the servovalve. The matching circuit supplies electric control signals whose purpose is to modify the hydraulic flowrate response curve of the servovalve as a function of the electrical control signal, so as to make it substantially identical to an ideal desired response curve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a directional control valve used to control the interlocking, stop, acceleration, deceleration of an actuator and the acting direction thereof in hydraulic circuit. This directional control valve comprises slide valves of plate-type slidably inserted to a tank chamber within a casing; a pair or plural pairs of ports, each pair being opposed in symmetric arrangement on a slide valve cover located on the upper surface of the casing and a slide valve base located on the lower surface of the casing; and ring cups slidably fitted to port of respective ports by means of spring force of coil springs.

Abstract: A check valve assembly is disclosed having a valve chamber with an inlet port and an outlet port. An elastomeric umbrella valve is contained in the chamber between the ports and is attached by an integral stem in a preloaded condition to normally close the inlet port and be deflectable in response to differential fluid pressure acting in one direction to open same to permit forward fluid flow therethrough past the valve and through the chamber to the outlet port. An inwardly projecting retention arrangement formed in the chamber retains the valve in operational relationship with the inlet port in the event the valve becomes unattached so that any backward flow from the outlet port still forces closure of the valve on same. A bypass channel arrangement also formed in the chamber maintains forward fluid flow past the valve to the outlet port in the event the valve becomes unattached.

Abstract: A dual vacuum control signal generator (10) is supplied by separate vacuum sources (34, 85) and employes a solenoid coil operative upon receipt of modulated pulses (148) for switching a valve member (192) between opposing vent seats (142, 196) for controlling venting to create plural vacuum output control signals supplied to connectors (16, 14) for connection through conduits (68, 78) to separate vacuum actuators (60, 70) for individually controlling the position of engine carburetor fuel metering rod (49) and idle mode throttle position cam (88).

Abstract: Apparatus as provided for plugging a tube end in such a manner that the plug can be later removed. The apparatus includes a hollow plug (10) closed at the end (12) inserted into the tube (20) and open at its other end. The plug has a band (18) of ductile metal (gold, silver, or pure iron) on its outer surface which is extruded into any crevices caused by irregularities in the inner wall surface of the tube when the plug is mechanically expanded into the tube. The plug has a portion near its outer end of slightly enlarged diameter (14) to provide a light interference fit with the tube to hold the plug in place prior to and during the expanding step.

Abstract: A plastic corrugated sheathing hose adapted for electric cable installation and producible in one continuous operation, includes a longitudinal slit along its side. Each edge of the hose adjacent the slit is complementarily configured to form a detent or snap-locking closure releasably engageable in overlapping relationship. After insertion of a cable through the sheathing hose slit, closure of the hose is accomplished by pressing overlapped complementarily configured together. Closure of the hose in this manner results in a substantially gas-tight and waterproof cable enclosure accomplished in one operation with the inlaying of the cable.

Abstract: A flange system for locking a plug in a pipeline flange. The flange system includes a flange with an axial passage for receiving a pipeline plug with a first annular groove. At least one radial passage for receiving a locking means and at least one locking means for engaging the first annular groove for locking the plug in place within the flange. Each such locking means is carried in a radial passage in the flange, the radial passage including a threaded driver bore and an unthreaded pin bore. Each such locking means includes a driver threadedly carried in the driver bore and a pin attached to the driver and carried in the pin bore. The locking means may include an arcuate locking collar carried by the pin, such that rotation of the driver causes the locking collar to be inserted into or retracted from the first annular groove of the plug, for locking and unlocking the plug in the flange.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for stabilizing and reinforcing the connection between the resilient hold-down control springs and their underlying couplings in a Jacquard loom. The junction between two portions of the spring is strengthened by using a flared-out arrangement beneath an aligning comber board through which the springs pass in a vertical orientation. In this manner, the connected heddle/spring is maintained in a reliable axial position and the spring is able to function in its resilient holding-down capacity by a technique which generates reduced stress at the key point where the spring is retained.