Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of begonia plant named Hilda characterized by its deep red flower color; occasional pistillated flowers; ease of propagation; compact, upright growth habit, and by its floriferousness.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of kalanchoe plant named Citation characterized by its pink flower color with salmon overtones and white throat, uniform flowering, excellent self-branching, excellent keeping qualities, adaptability to various pot sizes, and by its complimenting the genetically related cultivars Sensation, Dignity and Royalty.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Sugar Plum, particularly characterized by its floriferous, continuous blooming flower habit, two-toned lavender flower color, with the top two petals being darker than the lower three, with each flower being edged in white, and its compact rosette bouquet on erect peduncles above the dark green foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Cindarella and particularly characterized by its bright pink flower color, compact rosette habit, with the flowers carried on erect peduncles, floriferous habit, and its medium green and slightly ruffled foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of African violet plant named Kathryn, particularly characterized by its large, dark blue single flowers having slightly ruffled petal margins; compact rosette habit, with the flowers being carried on erect peduncles; floriferous and intermittent year round flower habit, and by its medium green foliage.

Abstract: A gang bonding interconnect tape for use in an automatic bonding machine for gang bonding of semiconductive devices is fabricated by depositing a series of electrically insulative support structures, such as rings of epoxy resin, onto a metallic tape, as of copper, there being at least one of said electrically insulative support structures for individual ones of the interconnect lead patterns to be formed in said metallic tape. The side of the metallic tape, opposite to the support structure, is photoetched with a series of interconnect lead patterns with individual ones of said lead patterns being etched in registration with individual ones of said electrically insulative support structures. The individual electrically insulative support structure, preferably in the form of a ring, is located in each of the lead patterns intermediate the central region thereof and the outer region thereof for supporting the individual leads thereof in circumferentially spaced relation.

Abstract: An improved thin-film, large area solar cell, and methods for forming the same, having a relatively high light-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency and characterized in that the cell comprises a p-n type heterojunction formed of: (i) a first semiconductor layer comprising a photovoltaic active material selected from the class of I-III-VI.sub.2 chalcopyrite ternary materials which is vacuum deposited in a thin "composition-graded" layer ranging from on the order ot about 2.5 microns to about 5.0 microns (.congruent.2.5 .mu.m to .congruent.5.0 .mu.

Abstract: A control circuit for an injection laser includes a driver circuit which applies a driving current to the laser in response to an electrical modulating signal. A prebias circuit applies a prebias current to the laser in response to the difference between a signal derived from the electrical modulating signal and a signal derived from the laser light output.

Abstract: Electrical lamp ballast system for starting and operating fluorescent lamps with improved efficiency. System includes high leakage reactance autotransformer having primary and secondary windings, and a ballast capacitor connected in series with the secondary winding and two serially connected fluorescent lamps of low starting and operating voltage, the secondary circuit being connected to a tap on the primary winding for reducing the ratio of the ballast power input to the lamp light output. The system provides for reduced lamp current crest factor, thereby improving life and operating characteristics of the lamps.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a blanket/comforter of the type designed to be wrapped about one's legs. In the disclosed embodiments, strips of VELCRO-type fastener material extend along the entire length of one edge, on the interior side of the blanket and include a relatively long length of VELCRO hook or loop material and a relatively short length of VELCRO material for mating with the longer length. On the opposite (exterior) side of the fabric the same type VELCRO material is provided along the relatively shorter length of the fabric. In this manner, a first fold brings the shorter length of VELCRO fastener material into locking engagement with a portion of the longer length of fastening material. In making the second fold, the remaining length of the longer strip of fastening folds over and locks with the shorter strip of fastening material provided on the exterior side of the fabric.

Abstract: A glove comprises a palm portion (2) with a first finger section (5) intended for the index and a second finger section (6) intended for the middle finger, the ring finger and the little finger. The index section (5) is formed of a material piece, which before the assemblage of the glove was separate from the palm portion for the rest and has portions in one piece therewith projecting upwardly along the sides of the index. The second finger section (6) has portions formed in one piece therewith projecting upwardly along the side of the middle finger exposed to the index. The index section is hanging together in one piece with a material section (9) which at the palm side projects so as to cover that region (4), where the thickened bone sections at the joint between the base phalanx bone of the index and the corresponding metacarpus bone are intended to be located. (FIG. 2).

Abstract: This invention relates to a fly structure for trousers or the like, and more particularly to a fly structure formed from flaps which are integral with the front panels of the trousers or the like. The flap forming the outer or exposed flap portion of the fly is folded in a manner to provide reinforcement along the free edge and to simulate the construction obtained using fly flap pieces independent of the front panels of the trousers or the like.

Abstract: A shock attenuation system comprising a plurality of shock attenuating columns of a substantially resilient elastomeric material. The columns are so dimensioned and configured that, when subjected to an axial impact force of predetermined magnitude, they resiliently deform for attenuating the shock resulting from the impact force. The columns then spring back substantially to their undeformed shape.

Abstract: An intraocular lens and method of positioning the same in an eye in which the lens includes a layer of material which is soluble in the eye for maintaining the position-fixation members of the lens in contracted condition during insertion thereof into the eye.

Abstract: A water treatment container for utilization in a tank of a toilet bowl having an upper chamber through which water may circulate; an intermediate wall separating the upper chamber from a lower chamber, the intermediate wall carrying water treatment material which may be used up and if necessary a ballast material, the lower chamber being sealed to be buoyant. The weight of the water treatment material and, if necessary, the ballast, is such as to hold the container in the tank in an orientation where the air chamber is the lower one standing on the bottom wall of the tank. An additional chamber at the bottom of the container having an opening extending to the bottom wall is provided, said additional chamber carrying a water coloring material.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for disinfectant and bowl cleaning material adapted to be suspended stationarily in the tank of a flushing bowl wherein the dispenser comprises a container with ball valve floated against the tapered interior of an upper opening in the container and an adjustable drainpipe in the bottom of the container with the adjustable drainpipe having an upper tapered opening and a ball valve for closing the same as well as lower openings extending downwardly outside the container providing passage for container water or tank water as the case may be. In operation the two ball valves are floated to the top of their respective openings sealing the openings and isolating the water in the dispensing container. The dispensing container is provided with preferably a block of soluble disinfectant cleaning material such as a hypochlorite which will dissolve very slowly into the water in the container.

Abstract: A structure is provided to enable small children to sit safely on top of a water closet (W.C.) bowl, such structure comprising two legs between which--at a height slightly above the height of a standard W.C. bowl--there is provided a seat with an aperture small enough to prevent an infant to slip therethrough, the said seat extending horizontally away from the said legs, there being further provided, extending horizontally in opposite direction to that of the seat, and at a lower level relative to the seat, a step onto which an infant can step and from the upright position on the step can comfortably sit down on the seat.

Abstract: A toilet seat lifting apparatus (10) mounted on a commode bowl (52) of conventional design and shown to connect with a water reservoir (53). However, the lifting apparatus is designed to be mounted on various types of toilets such as those having a pressurized water conduits connected directly with the bowl. The apparatus is designed to be mounted contiguous (11) with the surface supporting the toilet seat (46) thereby conveniently positioning a foot pedal (16) at some selected height above the floor and eliminating the need to stablize the lifting apparatus by contact with the floor.The lifting apparatus features a system of levers (10) mechanically operated by the foot action of the user. The lifting motion produced by the leverage system is compensated by a tension spring (44) incorporated into the structure of the lifting apparatus (10). The tension spring additionally functions to dampen the return of the toilet seat (46) to the resting position (54).

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling persons with impaired mobility to enter and leave a bathtub includes a water inflatable shell having a shape such that when fully inflated the shell wedges between opposed bathtub sidewalls and has a top tapering to a platform at about the level of the top of the sidewalls so that the person may lower and raise himself into and out of the bathtub by releasing and adding water from and to the shell, respectively, and the period of time required to transit a distance between the top of the sidewalls and below the top of the sidewalls is briefer than a comparable distance below the top of the sidewalls by virtue of the reduced volume of the tapered top of the shell. Horizontal tubes of elliptical cross section contribute to the tapered shape of the top and add stability.

Abstract: The invention is with respect to a stretcher for ambulances. The stretcher has a backup or retainer cushion for keeping a patient in position when acted upon by jerks or by sudden motion in the length-direction of the ambulance. The backup cushion is united with a safety belt, which is so placed on the patient that the patient is kept in position in relation to the stretcher when suddenly jerked in the length-direction. In the case of one form of the invention, the backup cushion is elastically supported so that the body of the patient is not suddenly slowed down. As part of a useful further development of the invention, the backup cushion is joined with a fixing belt, which, for its part, is drivingly joined up with the lock or ratchet of an automatic belt take-up roller or pulley. This roller itself has a safety belt which, on loading the stretcher onto a stretcher support of the ambulance, is joined up with the floor of the vehicle, more specially automatically.

Abstract: Reclining radiographic wall table assembly including a wall mounted rack, a wheeled bed table having floor engaging wheels mounted at one end of the table and a rack engaging member at the other for engaging the wall mounted rack, and a control mechanism providing control of the positioning of the table so that it is selectively oriented either horizontally, vertically, or in a semi-reclining position intermediate the first two positions. The table is also provided with an ankle holding attachment mounted on the surface of the table near the rack engaging member for securing a patient onto the table when the table is in an inclined or vertical position, the patient then being inverted while being X-rayed for determining an amount of the scoliotic bend capable of being attributed to the gravitational pull upon the patient were the patient standing in an essentially upright position.

Abstract: A hospital bed is provided with a safety mechanism for preventing the upper frame from moving with respect to the lower frame when an object or person is wedged therebetween. The safety mechanism includes an elongate detection device such as an air-tight, flexible tube or a ribbon switch. It is mounted to one of the frames so that a person wedged between the frames will contact it prior to incurring serious injury. The detection device is connected to a switch which deactuates the bed raising/lowering motor.

Abstract: A mattress employs a first plastic unit which is flat and horizontal and is provided with a peripherally disposed horizontal endless hollow tube which is inflatable. The tube, when inflated, defines a raised peripheral border surrounding and enclosing an inner flat horizontal central area of the first unit. A second plastic unit is removably disposed on top of the central area. The second unit has a first upper section having oppositely disposed inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface being disposed above the inner surface and permanently defining a plurality of closely spaced raised regions which are interconnected by channels disposed below the top surfaces of the regions. The inner surface permanently defines a like plurality of deep recesses, each deep recess constituting the inside of a corresponding region, the deep recesses being interconnected by shallow recesses, each shallow recess constituting the inside of a corresponding channel.

Abstract: A folding bridge is provided with flush top and bottom chords when opened through 180.degree. by a hinge comprising two hinge blocks pivotally interconnected by a swinging link, the rotation of each block relative to the link being limited to 90.degree. by a stop mechanism and being sequenced by a restraining mechanism. In specific application to a bridge, the restraining mechanism is gravity urged.

Abstract: A chimney cleaning tool which is adapted to be inserted on the end of a power driven motor such as an electric drill. The tool has an attachment device carried on a remote end of an elongated shaft. Elongated multistrand steel twisted cables extend outwardly from the attachment device. The outer ends of the twisted cables are circumferentially spaced from each other and are free to untwist to form a plurality of brush-like heads for cleaning chimneys and the like. A restricting member is carried on each of the multistrand twisted cables intermediate the outer and inner ends, limiting the extent that the cables can untwist from the outer ends inwardly towards the inner ends.

Abstract: A toothbrush comprising an elongate, flexible, one-piece bristle 10 having a rounded end and textured with tooth cleansing elements 14 on the side of the bristle. A free end 18 of the bristle is thin enough to penetrate the space between the teeth and the gums. Opposite its free end, the bristle has a generally cylindrical stem 20. A toothbrush holder 50 is provided having a conventionally shaped handle end 52 and a tip end 54 defining a cylindrical opening 56. The cylindrical stem 20 of the bristle is rotatably engageable in the cylindrical opening 56 of the tip 54. In an alternative embodiment, the cleansing elements 14 are offset from and directed toward the toothbrush holder 50 pivot axis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drainage unit in particular for aircraft sanitation systems.The technical problem resides in providing such a unit which is extremely simple, reliable and effective.According to the invention, this unit, which is formed by a mobile truck (1) carrying a collecting reservoir (12), comprises depression-producing means (18, 19) connected to the collecting reservoir (12) so as to produce the vacuum therein and take-off means (14) mounted in a support (15) and capable of being temporarily connected to the sanitation systems of the aircraft for transferring waste materials and waters to the reservoir (12), the depression-producing means (18, 19) for the reservoir, the take-off means (14) and the reservoir (12) being disposed on the chassis (4) of the truck (1) in the form of a compact assembly inscribed within the frame of the chassis (4).The invention is principally employed for the rapid draining of aircraft sanitation systems.

Abstract: A control valve for variably controlling the mixing and dispensing of two fluids and which valve has a primary valve and a slave valve interconnected to the primary valve and responsive to one of the fluids to actuate the primary and slave valves to either a valve closed or valve open position whereat in the latter position the mixture and dispensing of both fluids is accomplished.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and arrangement is disclosed which is adopted for the automatic encasement of chunk, sectioned and formed meat products. More particularly, the improved apparatus and arrangement of the instant invention provides for automatically stuffing chunk, sectioned and formed meat products into continuous stock tubular casing.

Abstract: A fish filleting machine for cutting and separating fish fillets from the central bone section with band saw blades. The machine is designed to require a minimum of non-automatic adjustment in order for the cutter to follow the shape of the hard spinal bone as it cuts through the soft outer layer of fish meat so that a minimum of the fish meat remains on the bone. The machine includes laterally moveable cambered guide wheels to provide a slight, few degree, inner cant or bias to the band saw blades. As the fish to be cut is contacted by the blades, the inwardly directed cant causes the blades to move centrally toward and along the spinal bone, but it is not so canted as to cause the blade to cut into it. The machine includes a variable diameter cam driven means which causes the guide wheels to laterally move into and against the blades providing the desired cant to the band saw blades.

Abstract: A fibrous feed web is delivered by a feeder to tooth-carrying carding drums, which rotate at a surface velocity which causes the fibers to flow off under centrifugal force to fly onto a continuously moving, air-permeable collecting surface, which is subjected to suction. In order to make a uniform fibrous web with simple structural means even at a high throughput, the carding drums are closely spaced apart in the direction of movement of the collecting surface and each carding drum which succeeds another carding drum in the direction of movement of the collecting surface constitutes a working roller for such preceding carding drum.

Abstract: An adjustable buckle having elements for fixing to respective opposed flaps of a garment with a cover formed to engage one element and in pulling the respective flap of the one element over the respective flap of the second element to engage the second element in a plurality of positions so that the flaps are secured and the garment buckled in a plurality of positions. The buckle is particularly suited for closing pants, and eliminating the top button closure on the pants over the fly. The buckle eliminates the need for belts and provides a flat, contoured appearance to the pants.

Abstract: A plug for closing an opening or hole in a panel, plate or wall, comprising a head portion and a shank portion. The head portion has a peripheral flange forming an internal groove in which is disposed the edge of an annular base portion of the shank portion, the annular base portion being split and elastically compressible for engaging, during assembly, the edge thereof within the groove when the annular member is allowed to relax to is original dimension and shape.

Abstract: A pair of cooperating resilient clamping heads of a fastener, removeably clamp edge portions of flexible sheets together, the clamping heads being themselves integrally joined together by a flexible strap. The inner surface of one head is provided with a transverse recess having spaced, opposed, inwardly converging, flanges between which are received the inwardly diverging, opposed surfaces of a locking lug removeably recessed in the recess. The lug and recess have conforming curved linear surfaces which frictionally hold the flexible sheets together. The fasteners are manufactured by extruding a continuous plastic sheet provided with a thin central portion and thicker side areas. The side areas have curve linear portions for forming the conforming recess and locking lug areas. The extruded sheet is cut at transversely spaced portions to provide the fasteners.

Abstract: A releasable clasp having a female receiving member and a male insert member, the female receiving member including an elongated internal passageway which extends from one end thereof and has opposed retaining slots therein. The male insert member includes a body portion supporting a pair of forwardly directed, elongated, spaced apart, springy arms which are insertable into the passageway upon compression of the arms together. An enlarged hand portion extends outwardly from the leading end of each arm for releasably locking into a respective one of the retaining slots when the arms spread apart within the passageway. Each of the hand portions terminates at their free ends with an inwardly extending finger directed towards each other. One of the fingers is forward of and overlaps the other finger to define a unitary leading insertion portion, which can include a nose tip, for facilitating insertion of both arms into the passageway.

Abstract: An expanded metal battery grid and process for making same which grid has a supporting border comprising a thermoplastic ribbon folded lengthwise around the grid's edge and ultrasonically bonded to itself through interstices in the grid.

Abstract: A joint between the overlapped ends of two metal strips comprising strip portions defined by parallel straight longitudinal slits cut through the thickness of both strips, adjacent strip portions being deflected in opposite directions to define a transverse passage and a lock pin located in said passage is produced by apparatus comprising a pair of parallel cutter bars arranged on opposite sides of the path of the metal strip carried by supports, provided with means for moving said cutter bars towards and away from each other, each cutter bar carrying a plurality of laterally spaced cutter elements, the space between adjacent cutter elements on each cutter bar being substantially equal to the thickness of width of the cutter elements on the other cutter bar, the cutter elements on each cutter bar being arranged to mesh with the cutter elements on the other cutter bar, each cutter element having at least a part-circular periphery, each cutter bar being rotatable in relation to its support between a series of p

Abstract: An automatic numerically controlled machine tool or "bed machining center" presents a tool carrying spindle rotating in a vertically movable head sliding on a forwardly and rearwardly movable column, for cutting tool engagement with a workpiece clamped on a laterally movable table. The head, the column and the table are slidingly movable by precision ball screws on mutually perpendicular way members, accurately positioned with pivoting fine adjustment. Sliding ramp gib pack cam block pairs further adjust the sliding members for maximum precision. Replacement spindle and vertical ball screw assemblies are easily substituted for rapid maintenance. High volume coolant circulation flushes chips away from the workpiece. A concealed tool change carriage glides forward from an enclosure, receives the previous tool from the spindle, indexes the next tool, releases it for automatic loading in the spindle collet, and retracts into its enclosure.

Abstract: An ink applying sleeve of resilient micro-porous ink retaining material is confined between a pair of circular flanges mounted on a connecting support hub. A cylindrical ink retaining unit is also mounted on the center hub and is confined between the flanges to support the sleeve. The unit includes a stack of thin plastic discs which define concentric annular ink retaining capillary passages or chambers for receiving a supply of ink. The concentric chambers are interconnected by a series of radially extending passages which control the outward radial flow of ink from the concentric chambers into the micro-porous sleeve. In one form, the thin plastic discs are heat-formed from thin sheet plastics material and have a center hole for receiving the support hub.

Abstract: In a cage for rolling bearings, the material of the webs is forced into the cage pockets on the outer surface of the cage, to hold the rolling bodies from falling out of the pockets radially outwardly of the cage. The material of the webs is also formed to provide the projections extending perpendicularly from the inner surface of the webs, in order to inhibit falling out of the rolling bodies radially inwardly of the cage pockets.

Abstract: A valve seat (28) having a generally saddle-shaped, eccentric surface (52); a groove (50) of constant depth and width formed in the eccentric surface, having sidewalls (70) perpendicular to the eccentric surface and a base (72) parallel to the eccentric surface; and a flexible O-ring (54) retained by friction within the groove. The groove sidewalls and base have a surface finish in the range of about 32 to 125, which provides sufficient smoothness to retain the O-ring in the required non-planar shape.The valve seat groove (50) can be produced according to the disclosed method, which is preferably implemented in a numerically controlled four-axis horizontal milling tool system. The valve seat part (100) is mounted in a fixture (102) on a rotary table (104) such that the part axis (56) is aligned with the longitudinal axis (Z) of the tool (106).

Abstract: A police restraint device utilizing the principle of the second class lever and method of making the device, the device in its disclosed form comprising a presently preferred arm clamp having two rigid elongated handles or sticks, adapted to be held and manipulated manually, with a single strong flexible cord or rope of predetermined length spanning between and integrally joining the distal ends of the handles one to the other. Each end of the cord is snugly enclosed within a crimped metal cap or sleeve which in turn is snugly inserted in a blind bore at the distal end of the associated stick and pin-secured in that position.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying connector terminals to a plurality of leads including tensioning means capable of individually tensioning the leads with a predetermined tension, while being gripped and advanced by clamping means for advancing the leads into a terminal. Also, the clamping means may define a forward end which carries a wire guide plate which, in turn, is adapted to be longitudinally slidable back and forth in the direction of advancement, and is spring-biased into an outward position. The leads pass through apertures of the guide plate for precise positioning, relative to the terminal or terminals. The guide plate is thus retractable to permit the free ends of the leads to project into the terminal. Also, a lead-lengthening probe may be provided.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant, multilayer photoelectrode for use in a photoelectrochemical cell and a process for producing said photoelectrode by preparing an effective layer of an insulator material on a base semiconductor and depositing a layer of conducting material on said layer of insulating material.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical conductive path between parallel surfaces of a substrate is disclosed wherein a pulsed voltage, non-current limited, power supply causes aluminum to electromigrate between at least two opposing points to form an alloy with silicon of the substrate. Electronic devices can be thus contacted through said conductive path and thus placed upon opposite sides of the substrate for purposes of packaging, shielding, etc.