Abstract: A helmet includes an optical system presenting a rearward view to the wearer as an image below the wearer's horizontal line of sight and including a plurality of optical components arranged such that the image is viewed through a viewing component positioned adjacent to the wearer's forward line of sight and below the horizontal line of sight. The remaining components are positioned such that the optical path from the rearward view to the viewing component is routed around one side of the helmet. The optical system is housed in a "knock-off" unit and is sealed to prevent condensation. The helmet may be used by motorcyclists or security guards and provides a compact arrangement having a wide field of view.

Abstract: A bath fixture for fixing in a bath overflow hole is provided on the outside of the bath with an overflow casing and on the inside of the bath with a casing braceable therewith for receiving a mixer valve, the pipes leading to the mixer valve and a water outlet. The casing can be braced against the bath from the inside thereof. The water outlet is positioned in spaced manner above the bath rim. All control elements are also positioned above the bath rim.

Abstract: A device for preventing liquids or liquid-like substances splashed out of a bowl or basin from falling onto a background surface includes a base for supporting the device around a portion of the bowl or basin. A shield portion is attached to and extends upwardly from the base between the bowl or basin and the background surface. The base may include legs on opposite sides of a cutout in the shield portion for allowing access to a faucet or other fixture. The shield portion may be provided with an overhang folding back over the bowl or basin from the top of the shield portion, such overhang having a lip disposed vertically over the bowl or basin. The shield portion may include a rear shield and two side shields attached substantially perpendicularly to the base and to one another, and the base may include a lip for extending over an edge of the basin. The device preferably is made of a transparent or translucent material, such as acrylic plastic, safety glass, or the like.

Abstract: A kinetic therapeutic table 10 having a frame 12, a planar patient support 14 mounted to the frame 12 for rotation about an elongate axis substantially aligned therewith and adjustable vertically at its foot 20 and head 18 ends. Symmetrical lateral support packs 114 at opposite sides of the patient's torso have laterally offset mountings for adjustment of the width therebetween by reversing their locations. Outer lateral leg supports 110 are mounted to the frame 12 and have a track 184 at their top surface for slideable mounting of both knee restraints 182 and foot supports 202 at selected positions therealong. The patient support 14 comprises a planar frame with a plurality of panels 88 removably mounted thereto by means of pins 96 actuated by a lever arm 100. A patient support 14 drive motor 28 provides rotary drive to the patient support 14 through a worm gear 40 locked to a gear linkage, so that it may be stopped and held by the worm gear 40 in any angular position by switching power off to the motor 28.

Abstract: An air support system suitable as a hospital bed comprises a plurality of contiguous, inflatable cells 2. A blower 25 supplies inflation air to the cells. The blower 25 is driven by an electric motor 26 and solenoid valves 29, 50 operate automatically, in the event of electrical power failure, to seal-off inflation air present in the cells. Three-position spool valves 72-74 each operate to direct the flow of cell inflation air through a selected one of three alternative paths.

Abstract: A beehive lifting device (10) lifts beehives (106) by engaging handholds (124). As the beehive (106) is lifted by the lifting device (10), the relationship between the load lifting point (51) and the center of gravity (110) of the beehive (106) causes the beehive lifting device (10) to tilt backward, and causes the beehive (106) to tilt backward toward, or against the folding frame (12) of the beehive lifting device (10). The beehive lifting device (10) is foldable either into a flat package that is disposed parallel to a fourth plane (94) or into a compact bundle that is disposed substantially around an axis (98).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making screw having a drill section and a reamer section, the drill section and the reamer section being shaped at one step of the process, wherein the upper portions of the reamer edges are crushed so as to be aligned with an equal thickness and length, thereby imparting equal fragility to the reamer edges.

Abstract: A temporary or permanent bridge is constructed to enable transportation across a waterway. In wartime such a bridge constitutes a bombing target. The object of the present invention is to draw attention to said bridge by creating one or more false bridges one beside the other, each consisting of a frame provided with floating elements (11,16,19 and 22) and a covering layer (23) which, seen from above, give the impression of a roadway.

Abstract: A ramp for trucks and the like is disclosed for use with a truck body, which includes parallel spaced rails extending longitudinally of the truck, secured to the truck chassis, of the I-beam type, carrying at least one trolley which is movable longitudinally in a track formed by the rails, which supports a carriage which is connected to side frame bars which are pivotally connected to the ramp, the carriage being positioned when the forward end of the ramp exits the truck body, so as to assist hooks on the forward end of the ramp to engage in openings in the truck body, while the rear end of the ramp rests on the ground.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for cleaning the walls of liquid containing vessels, particularly swimming pools. The apparatus is powered by suction applied to an outlet. The outlet communicates with two inlets, a first inlet being positioned adjacent the vessel surface while a second inlet is aligned toward the interior of the vessel. Motive means, preferably in the form of an axial flow turbine, is situated between the second inlet and the outlet to effect operation and mobility means preferably in the form of a pair of wheels.

Abstract: A hairbrush has an assembly of bristle tufts (2), each of which consists of a plurality of natural bristles (6) bent into a U-shape and respectively one synthetic bristle (3) bent into a U-shape, wherein the synthetic bristle (3) has legs (4 and 5) of equal length, these legs being longer than the unequally long legs (7 and 8) of the natural bristles (6).

Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly includes a flexible wiper element and a semi-rigid backing strip, the wiper element having a curved roller back configuration to maintain the point of contact with the backing strip substantially directly above the wiper lip to reduce the force necessary to flip the wiper element upon reversal of wiping motion. The wiper element includes an involute tooth and head to retain the wiper element in the backing strip and to allow relatively unrestricted floating movement therein.

Abstract: A mop handle stabilizer having a mop handle receipt member positioned on an inside upper portion of said bucket and a mop handle projection positioned on a mop handle adapted for the mop handle projection to be engaged into said mop handle receipt member to hold the mop in an upright position in the bucket.

Abstract: A caster device with blocking of rotation of the caster wheel and of swiveling movement of a caster-wheel fork by displacement of a spindle which is disposed concentric to the swivel axis of the caster-wheel fork, the spindle being displaceable along the axis and passing through a head plate of the fork, there being a mounting plate disposed above the head plate; and wherein the lower end of the spindle, upon initial displacement to a first position blocks a swiveling motion of the caster-wheel fork by tooth engagement therewith and, after a second displacement to a second position, blocks rotation of the caster wheel by means of a breaking action on an impact surface. A device activated by the spindle blocks the swiveling motion of the fork and a device activated by the spindle blocks rotation of the caster wheel. Each of the blocking a device is bringable into engagement separately from each other to a depth of engagement which is individually adjustable.

Abstract: A multi-ring type leg-wheel comprises a leg-wheel outer ring, a inner ring, and a center cap. The leg-wheel outer ring has a wheel configuration with a shaft support ring located in the middle portion of the leg-wheel outer ring, and there are a plurality of tapered-section hooks equally spaced around the circumference of the shaft support ring. On the outer side of the leg-wheel outer ring, there is cylindrical concaved space. The inner ring has a ring-like configuration; and from the immediate circumference of inner circle of inner ring, there extend a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced cantilever type claws along the axial direction. At the end of each claw, there is a tapered section hook along the claw's width. The center cap has a short barrel shape and it's diameter is equal to the diameter of center hollow space of the inner ring.

Abstract: In a cantable latching plate type of door-closer latch, a backing plate is located at the side of the latch plate opposite the door-closer cylinder. Spring fingers normally hold the latch plate against the backing plate in unlatched position. A latch-setting cord extends from the backing plate to a location remote from the door-closer latch mechanism that can be pulled to shift the backing plate toward the door-closer cylinder for canting the latch plate relative to the door-closer piston rod into latched position.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning shellfish such as scallops to separate the edible muscle tissue from the waste soft mass of viscera and organs. The apparatus has a plurality of reciprocating plates alternating with stationary working plates, where the forward action of the reciprocating plates moves the scallops from one stationary plate to the next. The surfaces of each of the plates, reciprocating and stationary, are covered with a gritty or abrasive material which the waste material clings to, separating itself from the edible muscle tissue. The cleaning occurs both during the forward and the reverse movement of the reciprocating plates.

Abstract: A fiber carding web emerging from a pair of crush rollers is taken off and is gathered into a fiber sliver by at least one endless conveyor belt which is guided by means of a first and a second guide roll and is tangent to the pair of rollers across their feeding width. In order to ensure that the carding web is taken off correctly when the relative axial position of the rollers to each other changes, the axis of the guide rolls is supported so that it can be locked in the changed axial position of the rollers and the conveyor belt is guided over a driving roll removed from the plane connecting the axes of the guide rolls.

Abstract: A fastening device which is of one piece construction of a ferromagnetic material, having in it formed a pair of jaws through which a fastening pin is inserted and tightly engaged from reverse travel due to the inward bias and angle of the jaws, thereby preventing unauthorized removal.Removal of the pin is accomplished when the jaws are spread slightly due to a magnetic force attracting a formed upper end or loop and the resulting motion being transmitted through a riser to integral lever arms which through mechanical advantage flex the base thereby spreading the jaws apart.

Abstract: A spring clip includes bosses and pivot holes on flanges at two opposite sides of each of two clamping members for connecting pivotally the clamping members wherein the flange bearing the boss at each side is sandwiched between two other flanges bearing the pivot holes, thereby preventing the bosses from being released easily from the pivot holes. A torsion spring is mounted conveniently on the clamping members by engaging it with retaining members disposed on the clamping members.

Abstract: Fabric made up of a series of knitted collars, sleeve bands, bottom bands, plackets, or the like, intended for use on knitted sport shirts, blouses, and the like, and held together by a separator thread with a relatively high melting point is separated by means of gradually heating the fabric to near the melting pont of the separator thread and then to the melting point while holding the fabric under tension.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a mechanical tube plug 74 to assure the integrity of the seal between the tube plug 74 and tube 66. The actual torque applied in accomplishing each step in the tube plug installation process is monitored and recorded to assure that the integrity of each step of the tube plug installation process is maintained and, therefore, the integrity of the seal is assured.

Abstract: An electric motor can drive a workpiece and a tool simultaneously at speeds in a ratio adjustable at will. The workpiece is driven via two pulleys and a belt, while the tool is driven via further pulleys and a belt from a hydraulic circuit comprising a pump coupled to the electric motor and a hydraulic motor. The pump is preferably of the variable-capacity type so that its flow can be modified independently of the speed of the electric motor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing the writing tip of a ball point pen which has the steps of inwardly pressing the end of a fine metallic tube at the entire periphery to form a drawn portion, drawing the inner wall of the drawn portion to form a ball holding portion, forming a slot for leading ink at the ball seat portion, inserting the ball into the ball holding portion, and allowing the ball to be held at the ball holding portion. Thus, the durability of the tube can be improved, and the design of the supply passage of ink can be freely performed without restriction in the diameter of the ball.

Abstract: A method for producing a tungsten carbide tip punch includes:(1) preparing a punch rod including a top surface having a cylindrical protrusion;(2) placing on the top surface of the punch rod a tungsten carbide piece having a hardness greater than that of the punch rod and including a bottom surface having a crown-like indentation which opens at the bottom surface and which is capable of being well matched with said cylindrical protrusion at the lowermost portion of the crown-like indentation.

Abstract: The engagement parts of the external rotor of a single-rotation machine having an internal axis with sealing between its rotors and with respect to the machine casing by sealing gaps, are manufactured as single parts and following reciprocal alignment are joined at their two ends to in each case one circular side part. Alignment takes place by engaging the cross-sectionally arcuate outer faces of the engagement parts on arcuate parts of an assembly cage and by dimensionally accurate assembly bodies engaging between the engagement parts. The method permits narrower sealing gaps for the machine and consequently an improved efficiency.

Abstract: For servicing clogged air conditioner condensate lines, a coupling assembly is disclosed that provides access to the clogged line. The coupling assembly is adapted for fitting a plurality of differently sized condensate lines. Once connected to the condensate lines, an adapter fitting of the coupling assembly can be used for clearing the line with compressed air. The cut condensate line is then reconnected so that it may continue to a drain the condensate that collects in the drain pan.

Abstract: A hand tool for loading an easily damaged resilient elongated object having a generally planar end into a closely fitting relatively rigid casing of conforming shape including a lever member, an elongated tension member with a member for engaging the end of the casing, a resilient compression member for placement against a planar end of the object to be moved and a universal pivot member joining the end of the lever member and the compression member for moving the object in a linear path into the pressure casing without injuring the object being moved.

Abstract: A hand-held tool having an elongated rod-like body with an arcuately-shaped head tapered to a rounded point for use in removing insulated wires from the end of a braided shielded cable. The tip is intentionally rounded to prevent puncturing the insulation or catching on the braided wires when the tip is inserted between the wire insulation and the shield. The outer 1/2 of the tapered head portion has a substantially elliptical cross section, as opposed to simply circular, to distribute the load bearing forces across a greater surface area on the wire insulation when the wire is pulled out of the shield. The other 1/2 of the tapered head portion is a transition to the cylindrical body from the curved ellipsoidal section. In a preferred embodiment, the tool is constructed of a polycarbonate plastic with a smoothed surface on the tapered head portion to facilitate the insulated wires sliding across the surface during use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which comprises the step of forming grooves in the form of a grid on the upper surface of a semiconductor wafer formed with elements, the step of grinding or polishing the underside of the semiconductor wafer to thereby reduce the thickness thereof, the step of applying a first single-sided, self-adhesive sheet onto the underside of the semiconductor wafer, and the step of stretching the second single-sided, self-adhesive sheet so as to space out each other a multiplicity of semiconductor chips divided along the gridlike grooves of the semiconductor wafer. Each semiconductor chip is picked up and mounted on a lead frame.

Abstract: An air cushion shoe sole which is preferably blow molded of elastomeric material and has at least one cavity which in cross-section is substantially rectilinear. The cavity has a number of depressions and each cavity has an air valve for introducing a shock absorbing material, namely gas, liquid, or a combination thereof into that cavity. Each air valve has means in it for automatically bleeding off a portion of the shock absorbing material introduced into the cavity once the pressure of that material reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: An overlapping layer (24) of a first body of deformable material is pressed by an edge (78) of each of a plurality of blade members (42) into an overlapped layer (26) of a second body of resilient material forming slots (74) in the second body with ribs (88) of the first body displaced therein. The blade members (42) are removed while the ribs (88) are retained in the slots (74) and gripped by the surrounding resilient material. The blade members (42) may be adjustably clamped in a cartridge (40) which is removable from the splicing apparatus (10) for adjustment and replacement of the blade members (42) so that they conform to the surface profile (82) and splice interface line (80) of the bodies to be spliced.

Abstract: A tool transfer mechanism for transferring a tool between a gateway position of a tool storage magazine and an exchange position adjacent a spindle which includes a base mounted on a frame, an actuator for rectilinearly moving the base, and a holding arm mounted on the base resiliently biased toward the tool to hold the same. The holding arm is moved outwardly to release the tool when the base is at the gateway position. The base is rotated in accordance with its rectilinear movement to change the posture of the tool between a first posture where the tool is parallel with remaining tools stored in the magazine and a second posture where the tool is parallel with the spindle.

Abstract: A bar magnet is provided comprising a billet of superconducting material in a superconducting condition and having an established magnetic field. The bar magnet is formed by exposing the billet of superconducting material to a magnetic field of the desired extent and shape while the superconducting material is above its critical temperature. While being exposed to the magnetic field, the billet of superconducting material is lowered to its critical temperature so as to stabilize the intensity and pattern of the field. The magnetic field is them removed from the billet of material and the billet maintained at or below the critical temperature.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides manually operated apparatus for precise placement of surface mounting integrated circuit devices on a printed circuit board. A dispensing unit operates to position a device into an oriented, predetermined position with respect to a first reference member, and a hand-held pickup unit is manipulated to pick up the positioned device from the dispensing unit while fixing its position with respect to a second reference on the pickup unit. The device in the pickup unit is transferred to and placed upon a prepared printed circuit board. The device is maintained in the same position relative to the two references and the desired placement points on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A convenience electrical connector that is snap-mounted to a wall panel. The body portion forms a body planar surface that is adapted to grip the inner wall of the panel. A cover secures the inner side of the body member. A pair of opposed biasable arms connected to the cover extend through side recesses to a position where keeper planar walls at the ends of the arms are positioned to grip the outer wall of the panel after being biased inwardly along keeper ramps by opposed edges of the panel opening. The connector comprises two units, the body and the cover with the two connected arms. Mounting is accomplished by inserting the arms into recesses and pressing the two units together. A pair of snap-in flanges at the ends of the cover are biased outwardly by clamped lock members at the side walls of the body portion and then self-biased into a locking mode with the body portion.

Abstract: A package for discrete components is hermetically sealed, has very low parasitic inductance and capacitance, small size, 50 ohm input and output leads and is suitable for surface mount applications. The package comprises a ceramic base and a ceramic lid, hermetically sealed together with a solder glass seal. The ceramic base has metallized areas deposited on only the top side, to which the leads are brazed. The contacts of the component are mounted directly to the leads. After brazing, the braze and leads are nickel plated. Then a photoresist mask layer is applied to the area where the solder glass seal will be made and the photoresist is cured. The nickel plating is deoxidized and the gold plating is applied. Next, the photoresist layer is removed, exposing the nickel plating and alumina in the seal area so that the lid can be attached with the solder glass to form an effective hermetic seal.

Abstract: A manually actuated electrical conductor wire insulation cutting and stripping apparatus has an elongated housing adapted to be mounted on a conductor wrapping tool or connected to a pistol grip type handle. The housing supports a wire cut off blade assembly and an insulation cutting and stripping blade assembly which are actuated simultaneously by an elongated shaft extending in and supported by the housing and connected to a manual actuating lever. The insulation cutting and stripping blades are retained on the housing at one end thereof by a removable cover member which permits interchanging insulation cutting and stripping blades without major disassembly of the apparatus. The wire cut off blades are mounted on a movable support member and one of the wire cut off blades retains the other blade in a recess formed in the support member and connected to the shaft for rotation therewith.

Abstract: A hand-held wild-seed reaping apparatus and method having a motor mounted on a frame for driving a cutting mechanism which is surrounded by a containment box with an open front and rear end. A cutting collector attached to the open rear end of the containment box is provided to retain cut seed which has been selected by the user for harvesting and which is removably attached to the frame of the invention. As a result, users can harvest seed wherever walking is possible, even in steep, rocky or brushy territory. Further, they are enabled to be very selective in cutting, therefore harvesting only selected species and avoiding unwanted species.

Abstract: An improved knife system provides for construction of wear-resistant precise coaxial alignment of pivots connecting "U"-section handle pairs to blade such that a recess in the blade can coact with a handle edge in heavy duty wirestripping without loosening the blade-to-handle pivots. In folding each of the "U"-shaped handles during construction the usual slight misalignments of blade-pivot holes in the two legs of the "U"-section of the handle caused by walking of the tapered handle blank being folded about a centerline between the blade-pivot holes, are avoided. First and second sets of holes are punched in spaced relation along the centerline at the same time as the blade pivot holes cause the handle bending to be precisely symmetrical about the centerline.

Abstract: A chain saw bar having an elongated shape, a saw chain guideway around substantially the length of the perimeter thereof, with a matching saw chain sprocket in the nose thereof, and calculated points of variation in strength in the interior of the bar at points removed from the sprocket, the points of variation in strength acting so that if the bar is subjected to an excessive bending force, the bar will tend to become bent initially at one point of variation in strength and with increased bending force at a subsequent point of variation in strength. In this way, extreme bending of the bar at one location and pinching of the sprocket are minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the thickness of a coating on the inside wall of a metallic tubular member comprising: a housing; means for positioning the housing in a predetermined position in relation to the inside wall; a probe comprising means for following the contour of the surface of the coating, and means for sensing the distance between the contour following means and the inside wall as an indication of the thickness of the coating; and means for attaching the probe to the housing such that the probe is positioned in a predetermined position in relation to the inside wall.

Abstract: A protective, disposable construction for covering an amputee's other limb while taking a cast of that limb for a prosthesis so the amputee's shoes, socks, slacks and proximate clothing do not become splashed with plaster during the cast taking process for maintaining a free and clean condition of the proximate clothing consisting of a pair of generally mirrored panels of material with sides and ends with a protuberance on one side at one end thereof and a stitch member disposed along the one side at the end adjacent the protuberance, the stitch member closing the one side and the end integrally together.

Abstract: The ski boot shall allow an as convenient as possible walking on the ground surface and also a stable standing on the ground surface. To this end the heel and the sole of the boot are provided individually with a roll off area. When the ski boot rolls off on the ground surface, the two roll off areas combine. To this end the center of the radius on the roll off area of the heel is located in the area of the ankle. The center of the radius of the roll off area located at the sole of the shoe lies in the center of the knee joint. When walking with this boot, a rising and downwards movement of the ankle is avoided. Accordingly, the ski boot comprises a stable standing area which stabilizes the body when it stands. During the walking, the position of the center of gravity of the weight of the body is altered automatically such that the standing area cannot form a standing plane. Conclusively, the rolling off movement during walking is a smooth movement.

Abstract: A reusable marking system comprising a high impact styrene plastic marking surface and a specially formulated water soluble marking ink. The ink is carried in a felt tip marker and can be removed from the marking surface using a damp wiper. The marking surface can be permanently marked using screen printing techniques to provide suitable permanent messages or to delineate areas for non-permanent markings.

Abstract: A portable display unit including a plurality of panels hingedly connected along adjacent vertical sides with an upper set of panels connected by a single resiliently compressible fastener extending from frame to frame of vertically adjacent panels. A frame assembly for each panel provides sufficient structural support for panels having lightweight foam cores and adhesively attached outer sheets. Fabric hinges permit a set of panels to be stacked closely, without disassembly, for storage and shipment. Individual panel faces are replaceable and the interior of a panel unit may be illuminated in one embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A display panel comprising a substantially planar structural layer of rigid material, a plurality of slats fastened to the structural layer, and a fastener for attaching the structural layer to a wall. The slats have a first surface that fastens flush against the structural layer. The slats also have a substantially planar second surface opposite the first surface. A horizontal slot is defined by the area between adjacent slats. A dado slot is formed within each of the slats and extends upwardly transverse to the horizontal slot and communicates with the horizontal slot. The fastener is a cleat which is fixedly attached to the side of the structural layer opposite the slats. The cleat has an angle cut along its lower edge.

Abstract: A firearm has a plurality of parallel barrels arranged uniformly circumfetially about a center axis. A hammer is translational from a cocked position to a fire position along said center axis. It has a firing pin offset from the center axis in correspondence to the spacing of the barrels from the center axis. The hammer is pivotal about said center axis during cocking to advance the firing pin from an aligned position in respect of one barrel to an aligned position in respect of a succeeding barrel. The firearm comprises a trigger guided for translation rearwardly from a rest position. A sear, connected to the trigger via a ramp formation, is arranged, on depression of the trigger, to engage the hammer to cock it. Progressive depression of the trigger progressively displaces the sear via the ramp formation to a release position in which the hammer is released to translate from its cocked position to its fire position under resilient bias.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement is herein disclosed for use in a high energy centrifugal pump and the like wherein a chamber is defined about the discharge portion of the pump wheel which is attached to a shaft to form a rotor which rotates with respect to stationary parts and has limited axial movement as determined by the thrust bearing clearance. An annular seal is disposed operatively about the outside diameter of the pump wheel with sufficient clearance for the pump wheel to clear the seal regardless of the extent of the axial movement of the wheel. The seal acts to retard the shock waves of transient pressure differentials developed across the wheel. the seal further operates to define a dashpot arrangement wherein the wheel comprises a piston which automatically equalizes any pressure differential developed across the wheel and by-passing the seal.

Abstract: A slider (41) for guiding the top of a sliding door (12) in a channel (42) comprises spaced cheeks (56) between which extends a rib (59) which engages one side of the channel, and flexible tongue (60) which flexes between the cheeks and is thereby biased into engagement with the other side of the channel. Another embodiment of door guide has a pair of wheels (113, 114) having enlarged rims at one end for engaging opposite walls of a door guiding channel. One of the wheels is inverted relative to the other. Thus, the rim of one wheel is at a higher elevation than the rim of the other wheel.