Abstract: A new and distinct spray carnation characterized by its profuse production of small flowers having white petals fringed with cardinal red serrated margins, borne in relatively large numbers on each flowering stem which is of medium length, erect and rigid, the plant having a vigorous, upright and rather rigid growth habit with moderately abundant foliage.

Abstract: A Chrysanthemum plant named Comet characterized as to uniqueness by the combined characteristics of tubular capitulum form, spider capitulum type, purple ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum ranging from 7 to 9 cm. at maturity; uniform nine week flowering response, medium plant height when grown single stem, 15 to 25 cm. peduncles on open, normally terminal sprays, and 13.degree. C. minimum temperature tolerance for initiation and development of flowering buds.

Abstract: A Chrysanthemum plant named Elfin characterized as to uniqueness by the combined characteristics of small pompon capitulum form, formal decorative capitulum type, light red-purple ray floret color, diameter across face of capitulum ranging from 4.5 to 5.5 cm. at maturity, uniform nine week flowering response, medium plant height when grown single stem, 15 to 20 cm. peduncles on open, normally terminal sprays, and 13.degree. C. minimum temperature tolerance for initiation and development of flowering buds with rapid flowering down the stem.

Abstract: A Chrysanthemum plant named En Garde characterized as to uniqueness by the combined characteristics of flat capitulum form, decorative capitulum type, red-purple ray floret color, diameter across face of capitulum ranging from 9 to 10 cm. at maturity, uniform eight week flowering response, medium plant height, semi-spreading branching pattern, and tolerance of both low winter 13.degree. C. minimum and high summer 24.degree. C. night to 38.degree. C. day temperatures for bud initiation and flower development.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of paste-type tomato is derived in part from the "Roma" and in part from Italian banana tomatoes. The plant is characterized by thick stalks and stems, but slender, relatively-sparce light green foliage. The plant flowers early, and sets long, thin blossoms. Maturity is reached in approximately seventy-eight days. Very numerous, uniformly large, low acid fruit are produced in clusters of five or six fruits per cluster and more than thirty fruits per plant. The fruits are meaty and have few seeds. The fruits are extremely large, weighing one to three pounds, and measure twelve to seventeen centimeters in length and five to eight centimeters in diameter in an elongated plum shape.

Abstract: A pneumatically-powered hammer for giving concrete surfaces a rough texture and an efficient method for using the hammer. The hammer comprises a pneumatic riveting hammer with a uniquely short and blunt-ended accessory secured thereto. The pneumatic riveting hammer uses, for example, a 11/2 inch piston and is activated by increased air pressure thus assuring a rapid, forceful stroke. Operation of the hammer includes holding the blunt end of the accessory securely against the concrete surface to be textured while moving the hammer horizontally across the surface in short vertical strokes during the entire time the hammer is activated. Excessive gouging and corner chipping caused by the hammer are repaired by partially filling such gouges or chips with wet, fast-setting concrete and securing leavings broken away by the hammering process to the wet concrete such that the repaired gouges and chips match the remainder of the surface in color and texture.

Abstract: A flexible stranded body, such as an electric conductor of an overhead electric transmission or distribution system, comprises at least one stranded layer of elongate elements of metal or metal alloy, at least one elongate compartment within and extending throughout the length of the stranded body and, loosely housed in the elongate compartment, at least one separate optical fibre and/or at least one optical bundle. Preferably, the elongate compartment extends within a circumferentially rigid central core which is surrounded by the stranded layer or layers but it may be a bore in an elongate element of a stranded layer or an elongate space bounded by two adjacent elongate elements.

Abstract: A drop sensing unit and associated, disposable drip chamber for dedicated use with the sensing unit in an IV fluid administration system, the sensing unit being adapted for convenient installation on and removal from the drip chamber, with cooperable engaging means on the sensing unit and chamber serving to locate and retain them in the desired relative position during use. Such engaging means provide for contact between the sensing unit and chamber at vertically spaced locations for effective retention, and are constructed and arranged to aid in preventing use of the sensing unit on drip chambers which differ from the specially designed chamber.

Abstract: New reaction products obtained by reacting (1) a hindered phenol, (2) a boron compound and (3) an amine together are described. Preferred reaction sequences are:(a)(2)+(1), then this product with (3); and(b)(2)+(3), then this product with (1).Also described are lubricant compositions containing the reaction products and a method of reducing fuel consumption in an internal combustion engine by lubricating the engine with a lubricant containing the reaction product.

Abstract: The specification discloses a packaging system enabling both VHS and BETA video cassettes to be packaged in a common printed sleeve. The system includes a printed paperboard sleeve dimensioned to closely receive the larger VHS cassette. The system further includes a one-piece paperboard tray insertable into the sleeve to accommodate the smaller BETA cassette within the sleeve. The tray includes spacer portions between the sleeve and BETA cassette so that the tray and cartridge are closely received within the printed sleeve.

Abstract: A protective fighting boot provides for a neat appearance and for the fitting of feet of a range of sizes. A leg protector includes a thick sheet of resilient foam which covers the ankle of the wearer, and which is protected on the outside by a cloth which is corrugated along the ankle to enable elongation of the cloth when flexing at the ankle. A heel protector is held to the leg protector by straps which are attachable at different locations therealong to the leg protector to enable the same size of leg and heel protectors to be used with feet of different lengths.

Abstract: An athletic glove having a laminated cushion partially covering the underside of the hand. Two leather-like sheets are attached together with a thicker cushion layer sandwiched therebetween. The cushion layer is sized and shaped to completely cover the central portion of the palm of the hand and to partially cover the ball of the thumb, the heel of the hand, and the interdigital pads opposite the basal finger knuckles without extending all the way to the basal thumb crease line, the wrist crease line, and the basal finger crease lines in order to provide protection without interfering with the flexing of the hand, thumb and fingers. One of the leather-like sheets has an enlarged cross-sectional area and serves as an external cover member for snugly overlying the entire underside of the hand.

Abstract: A flushing system for controlling the flushing operation of a urinal having one or more remotely controllable valves arranged in a flow path of fluid to the urinal, one or more sensors for detecting the presence of a user and controlling means including a timer for receiving the output from the sensor to actuate the valve(s) for a predetermined period of time and then turn the valve off to terminate the supply of fluid to the urinal.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively dispensing either of two different volumes of water from a water closet comprises a mechanism for latching a valving member (e.g. a flapper valve) in a position just short of a threshold position at which it would normally "flip" to its full flush position, and for unlatching such member, after a predetermined quantity of water has flowed from the tank, to allow it to return to its closed (sealing) position.

Abstract: Apparatus for helping a person to get in or out of a bathtub which comprises a seat mounted at the lower end of a carrier which is suspended at its upper end from the upper end of the push rod of a hydraulic jack having its cylinder fixed vertically in position adjacent the end of the bathtub. The push rod is extended to lift the carrier by supplying water under pressure, preferably from the water main, to the cylinder under the control of a valve, the push rod being guided vertically and restrained laterally by a pair of fixed vertical guide channels in which run wheels mounted at the end of a cross bar fixed to the upper end of the push rod. The upper end of the carrier simply hooks over the cross bar, and when the push rod is fully extended the carrier hangs from the cross bar with wheels mounted at the back of the carrier at its lower end resting against and restrained by an anchor plate fixed in position above the upper edge of the bathtub.

Abstract: To provide for positive sanitary separation of water spilling or overflowing from a washing sink unit (1), a cleaning sink unit (2) and a third water receiving unit (3), which may be formed as a sink unit or as a drain board, the second unit, located between the first and the third, is surrounded by a raised zone which merges with a forward region of a water retention rim (4) surrounding all the sink units, the raised region (5) terminating short of the rear edge region (19) of the sink unit, and leaving with the water retention rim (4) adjacent the rear edge region a gap (7). A drain and overflow opening (8) is located in the gap. Surfaces of the sink which may be essentially planar are pitched towards the overflow and drain opening, so that any water splashing or overflowing from any one of the three units or regions (1, 2, 3) will drain off into the overflow without flowing back into another one of the units or regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a specialized cushion-like support having an arcuate body and a neck attached thereto. The cushion-like support fits adjacent the torso and between the legs of the user, thus separating the legs and supporting the upper arm, shoulders, spine and back. The neck of the cushion-like support functions as a bolster, preventing the torso of the user from twisting or rolling forward, and the body of the support minimizes or eliminates friction and pressure gradients between the legs as the user sleeps or rests on his side. The cushion-like support is designed for use as a regular sleep support for both children and adults, is easily adapted into a stuffed toy for children, and is particularly well-suited, in therapeutic bed rest and hospital applications, for minimizing fatigue in the arms, shoulders and back and for preventing abrasion, pressure points and decubitus ulceration on the lower limbs and extremities.

Abstract: A device for holding the corner of a sheet and/or cover in place on the surface of a water bed mattress is provided by a corner structure insertable under each corner of the mattress, to be supported and confined by the bottom support for the mattress and the upright side walls of the mattress confining frame. Each corner structure includes a diagonal brace member with mitered ends adapted to abut a pair of transverse side walls of the mattress confining frame, and to define a generally triangular space between the brace member and the adjacent frame corner. A mattress lifter, that is part of the device and is smaller than said triangular space, is hingedly mounted to the brace member and positioned in the triangular space. A handle means is secured to the mattress lifter and provides manual means for pivoting the mattress lifter about its hinge so as to raise the corner of the water bed mattress that is positioned thereabove.

Abstract: A process for washing textile material wherein a non-foamed washing liquor, combined with a foam-producing chemical, is applied to a continuously fed textile material, the foam is produced on the textile material by effecting alternating compression and pressure relief of the textile surface while simultaneously loosening the dirt, and finally the foam, and thus the dirt dissolved in and taken up by the foam, is removed by suction.

Abstract: In a self-locking nut comprising a nut body having first and second end surfaces and a threaded hole opening onto these surfaces, at least a first turn of the thread of the hole immediately adjacent the first end surface of the nut is squashed axially towards the second end surface. The first turn is formed by a series of equiangularly-spaced projections located on the first end surface of the nut adjacent the hole. The method for the manufacture of the self-locking nut includes a main pressing operation for making a nut body with first and second end surfaces and a hole opening onto these surfaces, and an operation for threading the hole. The method also includes a secondary pressing operation after the threading operation, for squashing at least a first turn of the nut thread immediately adjacent the first end surface axially towards the second end surface.

Abstract: A protective device for floor cleaning apparatus with a rotating driving source and with brush rollers driven thereby comprises a housing 2 with a bottom wall on its side facing towards the floor. The bottom wall is provided with working apertures 9 for the brush rollers and with tooth-shaped carpet deflectors which project on the side on which the bristles of the brush rollers enter the housing from the bottom wall into the working apertures.

Abstract: A surface maintenance machine is disclosed including a body supported on a plurality of wheels and a power source for driving the wheels. The body carries a driven cylindrical brush and a powered rotary lip which cooperates with the brush to project dirt and debris into the hopper, each end of the rotary lip being supported for vertical movement.

Abstract: An improved movable control for a self-propelled upright vacuum cleaner. The control includes a sleeve longitudinally movably mounted on the distal end of the upright handle of the vacuum cleaner and includes locking structure for retaining the sleeve in a center neutral position, wherein the drive of the nozzle wheels is maintained in a neutral condition. The locking structure is readily manipulatible to release the sleeve from the neutral position when desired and permit it to be moved in opposite directions so as to effect corresponding forward or rearward operation of the drive. The sleeve is maintained relatively short while yet providing a long travel in providing facilitated user control of the drive operation. The sleeve is provided in two halves which are secured together by an improved securing arrangement. In one form, the locking structure is pivotable about an axis parallel to the handle end portion, and in another form, the locking means is pivotable about an axis transversely thereto.

Abstract: A rolling support system has a pair of wheels mounted for rotation about a first axis with bearings that have a first resistance to rotation of the wheels. A stem assembly includes a portion to which the first axis is attached and further includes a thrust bearing having a second resistance to rotation. The second resistance to rotation being lower than the first resistance to rotation so that during movement of the system, the first resistance to rotation is effective to move the wheels into alignment with the direction of travel. To reduce noise as well as to reduce potential damage to an underlying surface, the periphery of each wheel may include a tire.

Abstract: An improved shirring device for sausage casing includes a fixed station having opposed shirring wheels for shirring casing onto a mandrel. Opposed jaws positioned transverse to the mandrel operate to engage shirred casing and transport it axially along the mandrel to compact the shirred casing.

Abstract: A stuffing machine has device for holding and stuffing a tubular casing of a food product with a filling material, and a supporting device for supporting stuffed downstream portion of the tubular casing with relative rotation of the devices to twist the tubular casing therebetween. The supporting device includes a swelling member with an inner space which can be filled with air to swell the member with resulting gentle embracing and supporting the stuffed portion by the member and be emptied of air for terminating the supporting and releasing the stuffed portion.

Abstract: In a fish scaling machine having a framework, a power source, a conveyor supporting one side of a fish and a hold down assembly yieldably engaging the other side of the fish, a descaler roll mounted on a drive shaft journaled upon the framework and connected to the power source. A pair of aligned engaging cylindrical roller bodies having right angular end faces are mounted end to end upon the drive shaft and secured thereto. Generally parallel helical teeth upon, around and projecting from each roller body, the teeth on said bodies being inclined rearwardly toward each other at an acute angle to the drive shaft. Teeth at their one ends extending to an end face of each roll body and with their other ends having axial projections extending outward of their other end faces, the teeth extensions of one roller body overlying the other roller body, extending between and interlocked with the adjacent teeth of the other roll body at their engaging end faces.

Abstract: A slide fastener slider has an arch-shaped lug projecting from the top surface of an upper wing and terminating in a rear free end spaced from the top surface of the upper wing by a predetermined gap. A slide is slidably mounted in the upper wing and has a closure projection. The slide is movable between an open position in which the closure projection is spaced from the free end of the lug to open the gap for allowing the pintle of a pull tab to pass therethrough, and a closed position in which the closure projection is disposed adjacent to the free end of the lug to close the gap for preventing the pintle of the pull tab from passing therethrough. The slide is normally urged to its closed position by a spring mounted in the upper wing.

Abstract: The child safety seatbelt securement device of the present invention includes a housing adapted for at least partially covering the release button of a female seatbelt buckle so that direct access to the release button is substantially restricted. The housing includes a mechanism for releasably securing it onto a conventional female seatbelt buckle. Finally, the housing includes an actuator mechanism which is actuatable by an adult for depressing the release button of the female seatbelt buckle on which the housing is secured. The same actuator mechanism is difficult, if not impossible, for a young child to operate, however, due to its complicated or multi-step operation or the force required for actuating it.

Abstract: A buckle apparatus for use in a seatbelt system is arranged such that when the tongue plate of the seatbelt is inserted into the buckle body, the pawl of a lock plate is inserted into an opening formed in the tongue plate. Since the projecting end of the pawl is separated from the corresponding opening formed in the buckle body, a relatively small force can release the tongue plate from the buckle apparatus. However, when the force applied to the tongue plate for pulling it out from the buckle apparatus increases, a lock plate holder is deformed by virtue of this force. In consequence, the pawl engages with the opening of the buckle body, and retaining wings provided on the side of the lock plate remote from the pawl also engage with the corresponding portions of the buckle body. Accordingly, the lock plate is supported by the buckle body at two portions on both sides of the portion thereof which engages with the tongue plate, so that the lock plate can bear a large tongue plate pulling out force.