Abstract: A method for implementing an operational or functioning test on electrically-actuatable ignition or detonation-triggering circuits for ammunition, wherein the circuits are arranged on board the ammunition. Moreover, also disclosed is an arrangement for the implementation of an operational test of electrically-actuatable ignition or detonation-triggering circuits for the ammunition, wherein the circuits are arranged on board the ammunition.

Abstract: An explosive charge including a body and an insert disposed within the body and having given regions which are uniformly distributed around the center of the insert which differ from their respective immediately adjacent regions for forming, upon explosive conversion of the charge, a rod-shaped projectile which has a tail end with shaped portions for providing aerodynamic stabilization of the trajectory of the projectile. The insert is fastened to the body in an essentially band-shaped contact zone disposed between the insert and the body so that there exists between the insert and the body a strong force transfer capability at the given regions and a weaker to negligible force transfer capability between the given regions.

Abstract: An improved expanding ballistic projectile is disclosed which has an inner core of dense relatively soft, deformable material, and an outer jacket of malleable material. A central axial recess is provided in the nose portion of the inner core and a central opening is provided in the nose of the outer jacket coincident with the recess in the inner core. A generally cylindrical expansion-initiating insert member, having a generally symmetrically tapered rear portion and a generally symmetrically tapered nose portion and of a hardness greater than the inner core, is disposed in the recess. This cooperates with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal slits formed in the outer jacket to achieve controlled uniform expansion upon impact.

Abstract: In a sabot projectile the sabot must immediately detach from the projectile body upon exit of the projectile from the barrel muzzle of the firing weapon without the flight stability of the projectile body being impaired. For this purpose the sabot rear portion must fracture or break along the provided reference fracture locations. According to the invention the reference fracture locations are constructed such that the sabot positively fractures or breaks along the reference fracture locations. Hence, the heretofore conventional reference fracture locations are structured more reliably by the provision of one or more additional bores.

Abstract: A push rod for use in launching tubular projectiles employs a pyrophoric sintered mesh cloth machined to mate with the aft end of the tubular projectile within the gun barrel. The mesh cloth is configured to be entirely consumed during the initial portion of the external ballistic cycle and to push the projectile during the internal ballistic cycle. A preselected thickness of cellulose impregnated paper sheet, adhesively bonded to the aft end of the mesh cloth, delays combustion of the push rod until after the projectile and push rod have left the gun barrel.

Abstract: A conveyor device for conveying articles along a predetermined path of travel having a running rail on opposite sides of the path of travel. A bus bar is below said running rails. A self-propelled carrier has driving wheels to roll on the running rails. The wheels are rotated by a single electric motor which receives power from the bus bar. Cover members overhang the running rails and wheels during operation, and interlock with the rail support member so that the cover may be readily removed by disengaging the interlock.

Abstract: In a truck for a railway vehicle having a plurality of wheels-and-axles, an arrangement is provided for permitting each wheel-and-axle an optimal steering operation when the truck runs on a curved track, and to simplify the construction of journal box locator. Each journal box is located and fitted to a truck frame by the journal box locator for locating and fitting the journal box to the truck frame in such a fashion that the orbit of movement of the journal box expands upward with respect to the center axis of the truck, and permits the relative displacement between the journal box and the truck frame by elastic deformation of elastic members.

Abstract: A retractable work station suitable for use with a computer keyboard has a parallel swing-link suspension for selectively moving a working platform surface from a fully retracted position, to an advanced working position, while maintaining unchanged the inclination of the platform surface. The apparatus is equipped with a brake for immobilizing the linkage in any desired intermediate position. The platform is adjustably secured to a moveable frame portion of the apparatus so that the inclination of the work platform can be selectively adjusted. One embodiment incorporates tension springs to urge the platform towards either one or the other of its bi-stable positions i.e. fully retracted or fully extended. An inverted embodiment of the apparatus maintains itself in a selected one of its two bi-stable positions without the need for springs.

Abstract: When gasifying fuels with oxygen in a shaft-like furnace adapted to receive solid charging stock and including a primary gas chamber on its lower end to be charged by at least one burner, a fixed bed is formed in the primary gas chamber by the charging stock. The charging stock is gasified by the hot offgases from the burner. The gas forming, upon passage through the fixed bed, is extracted from the furnace as a product gas. In order to keep the product gas free of impurities that constitue a load on the environment and limit its usability, such as tar and other higher hydrocarbons, an oxygen-containing gas is injected into the furnace space filled by the product gas and a slight portion of the product gas is burnt.

Abstract: An air blower is used with an open fire incineration pit dug below ground level. The blower includes a motor and a fan driven by the motor. A plenum chamber receives air from the fan and has a cross-sectional shape of at least three sides including a flat base flush with the ground level and a front side sloping away from the pit. Preferably, the plenum chamber has a trapezoidal cross-section. A nozzle connected to the plenum chamber jets an air curtain over the open fire in the pit. A protective fence attachable to the plenum chamber surrounds the pit. Also, there may be one or more telescoping sections slidable out of either one or both opposite ends of the plenum chamber for jetting additional air curtains over the open fire in the pit.

Abstract: A hearth grate comprises a succession of transverse bars which are alternately fixed and movable with a reciprocating movement, said bars being formed by disposing in side-by-side relationship at vertical lateral faces elements which are generally rectangular, with a projection portion at the junction of a frontal face and a dorsal face and in the dorsal face blowing orifices opening in said projection portion.The elements are held by the insertion into openings provided in the frontal faces of limbs of a fastener. The fastener comprises a transverse portion which is disposed in set-back relationship with respect to the frontal faces. Plate portions are welded over the openings to retain the fastener.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for improving the solids distribution in a circulating fluidized bed system. In the invention, hot ash from the system and fresh carbonaceous fuel are mixed in a chamber which is fluidized so as to form a fluidization zone wherein the heavier material is concentrated and a second fluidization zone which consists predominantly of fines at least a portion of which is separated from the heavier material. This zone separation is facilitated in part by maintaining different gas-mass flow rates so as to form a plug of heavier material. At least a portion of the fine material is then transferred into the reactor while the coarse material is further processed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described with which pulverized coal can be burned with an essentially non-turbulent flame in which the residence time of individual cool particles within the burner flame is generally increased. Pulverized cool is supplied through a plurality of annularly-distributed conduits. A supply of secondary air is passed around the conduits in a manner so as to produce an axial or low turbulent flow of air from the burner with a relatively small amount of the combustion air being swirled to produce a vortex suitable to anchor the burner flame. The pulverized solid fuel is injected to enter both the vortex and flame regions so as to expose a large portion of fuel particles to a low turbulent diffusion flame in which oxygen reaches burning particles primarily by way of a diffusion process.

Abstract: A power take-off shaft driven combination machine for ground preparation which can be coupled to a tractor vehicle is equipped, with a view to a short, light and constructionally simple construction, with levelling tools 107 arranged directly behind the tractor vehicle 38 which level the wheel tracks left by the tractor vehicle 38, with a rotor-tiller 20 arranged between the levelling tools which is driven via the power take-off shaft in a direction of rotation U which sustains the direction of travel F and which throws the excavated earth against a movable rake 24 or against a flexibly arranged mat 31 and with a vertically adjustable crushing roller 202 arranged therebehind which has a peripherally at least substantially closed roller body 203 with peripherally directed rows of teeth 204 and scrapers 207 arranged between and spaced apart from the rows of teeth.

Abstract: This multi-head type embroidering machine comprises a setting device for setting a combination of operation/non-operation of heads to be in operation and heads to be out of operation in correspondence to a desired one or more steps in an embroidering pattern stitching program. This setting device consists, for example, of a memory storing such combination data of the respective heads. If, in a process of carrying out embroidering, a step in which the operation/non-operation combination of heads should be changed has arrived, combination data set in correspondence to this step is supplied. A needle bar drive mechanism for each head is enabled or disabled independently in accordance with this combination data.

Abstract: A demand responsive sewing machine thread take-up construction is disclosed accommodating a shortened thread introduction path which facilitates operator interface and reduces construction costs while providing for improved reliability and uniformity of thread manipulation by the take-up.

Abstract: A sewing machine system is disclosed for accurately controlling the amount of supply of a needle thread to a thread take-up member from a thread supplying source in response to various conditions of sewing.The system controls supply and withholding of the needle thread with an accurate timing by putting an electrostrictive element into operation or non-operation in relation to a parameter signal on sewing conditions and a synchronizing signal derived from the timing of rotation of the arm shaft of sewing machine.

Abstract: A water vessel with a bow-mounted pitch stabilizer having a rigid support structure attached to the bow and projecting in front of it, and one or more horizontally pivoted flaps on the support structure below the vessel's water line for opposing the up or down movement of the bow in the water. Roll stabilizers on opposite sides of the vessel's hull below the water line each comprise a hinged horizontal vane which is spring-biased to position substantially coplanar with the fixed vane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to spring biased trolling flaps used in conjunction with a motorized fishing boat for limiting the speed of the boat while trolling and coupled to the steering mechanism of the boat to aid in steering the boat when the boat is operating at a slow speed.

Abstract: A knob for a cooking vessel is a whistle which gives an audible signal that cooking temperature has been reached, and has a valve slide assembly including a separate leaf spring for shutting off the whistle. Inside and outside knob parts incorporate halves of a resonance chamber which makes the knob extremely simple to mold, assemble, clean, and disassemble. The inner knob is comprised of two parts: a top having a whistle orifice and a base which has two arc segments portions which extend through the lid of a cooking vessel and allow the top to be snapped into place abutting the cooking vessel lid. Because the inner knob is comprised of two parts in this fashion, the central opening in the cooking vessel top can be made small enough so that it will be difficult for a user to catch his or her fingers in the opening when the knob is dissasembled for cleaning. The valve slide rests in guides and is overlaid by a knob cover.

Abstract: Apparatus for uniformly coating thin layer chromatographic plates. A plate holder secures a plurality of chromatographic plates while a metering device with an adjustable doctor blade is drawn over their surface at a uniform speed by a variable speed motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition on an edge of a polycarbonate sheet includes a conduit having an axially disposed slit therethrough for engaging the sheet so as to position the edge in the conduit. Axially disposed electrodes are attached to the conduit and positioned to be on generally opposite sides of the edge. Means are provided for applying a separate electrical potential to each of the electrodes, and at least one aperture is provided in the conduit for introducing and removing a gas therefrom.

Abstract: A material source replenishment device for use with a vacuum deposition apparatus. The source replenishment device comprises an intermittent motion producing gear arrangement disposed within the vacuum deposition chamber. An elongated rod having one end operably connected to the gearing arrangement is provided with a multiarmed head at the opposite end disposed adjacent the heating element of the vacuum deposition apparatus. An inverted U-shaped source material element is releasably attached to the outer end of each arm member whereby said multiarmed head is moved to locate a first of said material elements above said heating element, whereupon said multiarmed head is lowered to engage said material element with the heating element and further lowered to release said material element on the heating element. After vaporization of said material element, second and subsequent material elements may be provided to the heating element without the need for opening the vacuum deposition apparatus to the atmosphere.

Abstract: The litter box comprises a collapsible, corrugated housing made from a tubular, pleated wall which is closed at one end by a first panel, and which is secured at its opposite to a second panel having an opening for permitting animal ingress and egress to and from the housing, when the latter has been stretched into its expanded or erected position. A flexible curtain covers the opening when the housing is erected and is disposed to be pushed aside by an animal entering or leaving the housing. The housing may contain particulate kitty litter matter and can be disposed of, when the kitty litter has been exhausted, simply by collapsing and securing the housing in its collapsed mode. In one embodiment a cover panel is hingedly connected to the panel containing the engress/egress opening.

Abstract: A control system for a heat exchanger, such as a superheater in a fossil fuel fired steam generator, uses a multivariable non-linear regression equation to develop a feed forward signal that continuously adapts itself to changes in system variables to adjust the enthalpy of the steam entering the superheater and maintain a substantially constant enthalpy of the steam discharged from the superheater. The system develops a feedback signal responsive to changes in the temperature of the steam discharged from the superheater to readjust the enthalpy of the steam entering the superheater as required to maintain the steam leaving the superheater at a predetermined set point temperature.

Abstract: In a two cycle internal combustion engine (2), a fuel-air flow passage and reservoir (52) is provided along the exhaust bridge (34) and between the piston (4) and the cylinder inner wall (36) for lubricating the exhaust bridge (34). The piston (4) has a flat spot (50) machined on its side wall (38) to form an axially extending flow passage and reservoir closed at its top end by the piston rings (40) and at its bottom end by a lower portion (60) of the piston side wall (38) which is not machined and which is closely adjacent the cylinder inner wall (36). When the piston (4) is in its power stroke, crankcase pressure forces fuel-air mixture through holes (56, 58) in the piston side wall (38) at the flat surface (50) into the flow passage and reservoir (52). If the exhaust bridge (34) heats and expands into the cylinder (6), the piston (4) will not rub on it.

Abstract: In a two cycle internal combustion engine (2) having a cylinder liner (14), a fuel-air flow passage (52) is provided from the crankcase (8) to the exhaust bridge (38) in the cylinder liner (14) and the exhaust bridge (39) in the cylinder block (12) along the interface between the cylinder liner (14) and the cylinder block (12). A plurality of apertures (57-60) are provided through the cylinder liner (14) communicating with the fuel-air flow passage (52). A second fuel-air flow passage (56) is provided between the piston (4) and the cylinder liner (14) and in communication with the apertures (57-60) to facilitate fuel-air mixture flow through the exhaust bridge (38) to improve lubrication and cooling thereof.

Abstract: A movement converter for use in a combustion engine or as an air compressor wherein reciprocating motion of a piston is converted to rotational motion of an output shaft or a rotational motion of an input shaft is converted to a reciprocating motion of the piston. The movement converter for use in the engine not only attains an improvement in the balance in comparision with conventional reciprocating type engines but allows the mechanical efficiency to be high enough to be placed into practical use concurrently with its physical dimension being smaller and lighter. The movement converter employs a crosswise disposition of the four cylinders and the interactive use of links together with a Z crank for converting the resulting swinging motion to rotational motion so that all the vibration, including the primary vibration and the secondary vibration, are dissolved by means of an interactive offset.

Abstract: A two-cycle engine having a cylinder, an exhaust port through the wall of the cylinder and an exhaust passage extending from the exhaust port with an exhaust timing control device located in the exhaust passage. The device includes a valve body which, in a first embodiment, is pivotally mounted in the exhaust passage and extends to the exhaust port. In a second embodiment, the valve body is fixed at one end and operates as a flexible resilient member to acheive variation in timing control. Each valve body is biased against a cam mechanism which may be rotated to actuate the valve body for controlling exhaust timing. The cam also provides a sealing mechanism between the valve body and the upper surface of the exhaust passage.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine in which intake and exhaust rotary valves each having a spherical valve body are controlled in opening and closing through a valve operating mechanism interlockingly with the movement of a piston, the intake and exhaust rotary valves (10, 20; 110, 120; 210, 220; 310, 310', 320, 320') respectively assume the fully opened positions to open intake and exhaust passages (7, 8; 107, 108; 207, 208; 307, 307', 308, 308'), during the intake and exhaust strokes of the engine (1; 101; 201; 301), and assume the fully closed positions during the explosion stroke. In the fully opened and closed positions, the intake and exhaust rotary valves (10, 20; 110, 120; 210, 220; 310, 310', 320, 320') are held at a stop state for a predetermined period of time by the intermittently operating function of the valve operating mechanism (30; 130; 230; 330).

Abstract: On a multi-cylinder combustion engine with two overhead camshafts 7, 8, sprocket wheels 9 and 10 are mounted on the camshafts between adjacent cams in such a way that they are engaged by a drive chain 12 in opposite directions with an arc of contact exceeding 90.degree.. The chain 12 is driven by a drive sprocket 13 which is connected to a gear 14, which in turn is engaged with gear teeth 15 on the crankshaft 3. The non-driving strand of chain 12 is guided above sprocket wheel 9 by a curved guide rail 16, which is also designed to serve as a chain tensioner.

Abstract: A four stroke engine cylinder (10) has a main chamber (12) and a main piston (16) reciprocally movable therein. The main piston (16) itself contains a secondary chamber in which a secondary piston (24) is reciprocally movable. The connecting rod (26) is connected to the secondary piston (24).

Abstract: In a spark-ignition internal combustion engine of the type having a combustion chamber which presents at least one surface area on which there is applied at least one layer which presents to the combustion chamber a layer defining surface having very low reflectivity to electromagnetic waves in the wavelength range of about 0.2-7.0 microns. The layer reflects non-absorbed incident waves in a diffuse fashion, thereby to reduce the octane number requirement of the engine. The total surface area thus treated for each combustion chamber of the engine is equal to at least 10% of the top surface area of the piston in said chamber. The overall efficiency of the engine can be further improved when at least one of the layers has an underlying defining surface distal from the combustion chamber which reflects substantially all incoming electromagnetic waves in the wavelength range above 2.5 microns in a diffuse fashion.

Abstract: An assembly for locking together in sliding relationship a yoke with a sliding block with one of the walls of a crankcase and having a channel apparatus isolated from the crankcase volume throughout rotation of the crankshaft for transmitting lubricant from an aperture in one of the walls of the crankcase via the yoke to lubricate the sliding block and crankthrow.

Abstract: The present device for limiting the running speed is associated with an electronic ignition device comprising at least one energy storage member (21) which is normally charged so as to store at least a nominal quantity of energy, means (22, 23) for applying the said energy to an ignition coponent and electronic means (14, 25, 26) for generating the charging time of the energy storage member.

Abstract: An engine control system having an engine vibration sensor which detects engine vibrations. A control circuit is provided for discriminating engine roughness wherein the engine vibration level is above a predetermined level and for decreasing the fuel supply continuously when engine roughness is not detected, in order to make the mixture leaner, but increasing the fuel supply when engine roughness is detected to make the mixture richer. A detector is provided for detecting a specific engine condition wherein the mixture is enriched for specific purposes. The control circuit is responsive to the output of the engine condition detector and discontinues the roughness control when the specific engine condition is detected.

Abstract: An essentially unitary all plastic intake manifold has two essentially L-shaped sections facing one another to form a U-shaped assembly, the upper section including an air throttle body integral with an air plenum in turn integral with a plurality of laterally spaced tuned manifold runners, the lower section having an equal number of laterally spaced manifold runners connected to engine cylinder head intake ports, and a fuel system formed integral with the lower runners and including a fuel pressure regulator and fuel supply and return lines serially connecting fuel injector receiving cups providing a bottom feed of fuel to the injectors and a constant purge of fuel from the cups, for efficient engine operation.

Abstract: A switching circuit is suggested for controlling the current through an electrical consumer, in particular an electromagnetic consumer (10), whereby a field effect transistor (11) is used as a control and current measuring member being series connected to the consumer. The field effect transistor is brought into the conductive condition with the assistance of a controlling device, such as an operational amplifier which in turn is immediately controlled by switching-on enforcing means when the field effect transistor is short-circuited with respect to a power source. The switching-on enforcing means comprise a capacitor, for example.

Abstract: An arrangement for supplying fuel from a supply tank to an internal combustion engine, particularly in a power vehicle, comprises a container, a feeding aggregate arranged in the container, two pump stages arranged in series in a flow direction of a fuel and sealed from one another, the pump stages including a pre-stage and an end stage and each having a suction opening and a pressure opening, and unit for warning about the dry running of the pre-stage and including a sensor which is arranged between the suction opening and the pressure opening of the pre-stage in a region of the feeding aggregate through which fuel flows, and a warning device operatively connected with the sensor and activated in response to dry running of the pre-stage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wafering an ingot of semiconductor material. Wafering blades are fabricated from one or more layers of a fiber reinforced plastic tape and coated with an abrasive material which is embedded into the exposed flat surfaces of the blades. An assembly of such blades is used in a wafering device in which the blades are reciprocated while the ingot is plunged against the cutting edges of the blades. The primary cutting action occurs as exposed ends of the fiber material at the blade edges contact the ingot. The abrasive material on the blade sides provides additional side cutting action and produces a polished finish on the surfaces of the resulting wafers.

Abstract: A food warming apparatus is provided with a cabinet defining a food treatment space and a food storage space above the food treatment space and in communication therewith. A wall at the bottom of the food treatment space supports a supply of food. Structure is provided to gain access to the food storage space to introduce a food supply and separate structure is provided to gain access to the food in the food treatment space for removal of the treated food. Heat is directed in a circulating path upwardly through food at one portion of the treatment space and downwardly through food in another portion of the treatment space.

Abstract: A portable cooking device having a centrally disposed burner, with utensil support members having short horizontal arms to hold small cooking utensils above the burner as well as having a shoulder configuration to hold a large pot. A removable annular retaining ring encircles the pot to prevent it from sliding. The burner has channels in the inner wall of the burner body to provide better burning of the fuel mixture.

Abstract: Equipment for the controlled and uniform cooking of foods of lesser thickness so that cooking occurs uniformly on the whole upper surface of the food and uniformly on the whole lower surface of the food comprising a base having a hole; a lower burner disposed below the hole; a heat conducting plate disposed over the hole, a lower surface of food resting on the plate being uniformly cooked by the thermal conduction from the lower burner through the plate; a chamber having an open bottom spaced from the plate; an upper burner disposed in the chamber; a fume deflector device mounted to the chamber and mounted between the upper burner and the heat conducting plate for deflecting and evenly distributing hot fumes generated by the upper burner so that a uniform column of hot fumes descends vertically toward the heat conducting plate and strike perpendicularly over an upper surface of food resting on the plate; and a deflector ring encircling and concentric with the chamber and having a lower end in contact with at

Abstract: A device is disclosed for use in a combustion system to inhibit formation of oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) by the combustion system thereby reducing NO.sub.x emissions from the combustion system. The device is made of a material, such as stainless steel, which is positioned at the periphery of a combustion flame produced by a burner which is part of the combustion system, to temper the combustion flame by absorbing thermal energy from the combustion flame. The device sufficiently tempers the combustion flame to limit peak combustion flame temperatures and residence times at these peak combustion flame temperatures to levels which inhibit formation of oxides of nitrogen while allowing substantially complete combustion of the fuel supplied to the burner.

Abstract: A portable hair roller heating device for heating flexible hair rollers, includes an enclosed heating chamber defined by a top wall, side wall and bottom wall, the top wall having a plurality of apertures through which the hair rollers to be heated can be inserted; a cover hingedly connected on the top wall so as to cover portions of the hair rollers extending through the top wall; first and second burners positioned adjacent the heating chamber, the first burner having a first burner tube with a free end and the second burner having a second burner tube with a free end; a single junction tube joining together the free ends of the first and second burner tubes, the junction tube having a free end extending into the chamber for heating the same; a fuel supply cartridge which supplies fuel to the burners and which controls the flow of fuel from the cartridge, the cartridge including a fuel supply valve; an ignitor assembly for igniting the fuel escaping from the free end of said junction tube; and a plunger whi

Abstract: An implantable electromagnetic middle-ear bone-conduction hearing aid device is provided which is characterized by being carried entirely in the skull of the user, the absense of electrodes entering the middle-ear, and variability to meet a variety of pathological entities of the hearing impaired user. The device utilizes a sound processing component adapted to be positioned in the skull of the user and to extend from close proximity to the outside of the skull toward and within close proximity to the middle-ear of the user for receiving and converting sound into an electromagnetic signal and for transmitting the electromagnetic signal into the middle-ear of the user.

Abstract: A biofeedback system to train an exerciser while he carries out athletic activity in which his arm or feet members move rhythmically, the system translating this movement into an audible musical rhythm which makes it possible for the exerciser to being his activity into harmony with a musical rhythm conducive to optimal conditions of exercise. The system includes a compact electronic music synthesizer having a settable rhythm section, the output of the system being fed to a headset worn by the exerciser so that the music heard by the exerciser has a beat determined by the setting. The arm or feet members having sensors attached thereto which yield pulses whose rate is determined by the movement of these members, the pulses being applied to the rhythm section to control the beat setting of the music so that it is in synchronism with the movement of the members.

Abstract: A method of helmet treatment for deformational cranial asymmetry in which the dimensions of the therapeutic helmet cavity are prescribed in relation to specific CT scan sections of the plagiocaphalic infant's cranium. A graded series of sized helmets is provided for such treatments. Each helmet cavity is configured to accommodate and effectively treat infants of specified ages and degrees of plagiocephaly. By employing the subject off-the-shelf helmets, the time-consuming and labor-intensive fitting of individualized helmets is obviated.

Abstract: An improved external penile support device for aiding penile erection comprises an elongated rod with first and second ends, a yoke coupled at the first end including arcuate arms adapted for and encircling the glans of the penis, a supporting arc portion at the second end being contoured to conform to the pubic muscles, the rod having an upward bend with respect to the longitudinal axis, and a strap at the second end for securing the device to the penis. It further comprises an element for applying pressure to the dorsal vein at the top of the root of the penis, which has a generally flat base surface portion for contacting the penis for restricting flow of blood. The rod includes a core and filament wrapped thereon.

Abstract: A modular bracing system has a relatively small number of elements adapted so that some or all of them may be easily connected to make a variety of braces for the lower limb in the first instance. Lateral and medial calf and thigh shells have central recesses along their entire inner surface with holes at regular pitches. Shells have embossed cut lines across their width to aid accurate fitting. Hip, knee and ankle hinges have arms with corresponding widths, thicknesses and holes so that they may be received intimately into the shell recesses in a variety of positions. By this means, the length of braces and orthoses so formed may be adapted for patients of widely varying height. Wraps made of thin foam covered with pile fabric are embossed with cutting patterns for easy customizing of the braces. Wraps lie under the appropriate shells to render the brace comfortable to wear without inducing relative movement between wearer and brace and the entire unit is secured in place with straps.