Abstract: The garment of the invention for receiving temperature regulated air from an external air source comprises an outer torso covering layer, a diffuser layer attached to the interior of the outer layer and a belt means for attachment of a vortex tube to an orifice in the garment outer layer.

Abstract: A protective pad, such as an athletic knee pad, which is worn about the knee to provide protection to a joint such as the knee cap, in which the pad has a padded front section, an elastic rear section, an adjustable upper elastic sleeve, and an elastic lower sleeve of a smaller diameter than the main body of the pad.

Abstract: A disposable cap and cape is provided for use during the chemical processing of hair both during the waiting period and the rinsing phase. It is preferrably fabricated from a single rectangular sheet of thin flexible plastic. The cap portion is formed at one end by folding the sheet over onto itself and welding the sides to each. A U-shaped neck cutout is made at the other end creating ties from the remaining material on either side. When the device is used as a cap, the cap portion is fitted over the head and the chemical is retained inside by the proximity of the sheet material. When the device is used as a cape, one tie is positioned on each side of the head, the device is pulled up to the back of the neck, the ties are tied together at the forehead, and the cap portion is allowed to drape down the back. Rinse water and chemicals then flow over the outside of the former cap into a sink.

Abstract: A cap or hat having various arrangements in which alphabetical letters, numerals and other symbols are concealed or revealed in relation to the article of headwear to provide a cap or hat that is unique in construction and can be adapted to various arrangements in which letters, figures, numerals and the like can be observed or concealed.

Abstract: An article of clothing which can be readily self-donned or put on wearers, such as handicapped persons, by another person, without the necessity of executing normal dressing movements. The article is a single piece of fabric cut so as to wrap about the waist and fasten with pressure-sensitive fastening means to form the outer seams, inseams and crotch area.

Abstract: A retrofit accessory to be installed by the layman to a domestic toilet, which locks the lid, or lid and seat, in the upright position while in use, and automatically lowers them gently when flushed. Additionally, the accessory to automatically dispense toilet bowl cleaner and/or deodorant spray and to lock the lid in the closed position when desired.

Abstract: The method of controlling operation of a plurality of fixtures comprises the steps of establishing a maximum liquid flow rate and determining which of the fixtures required operation. A determination is then made of the liquid flow rate of the fixture requiring operation and a calculation is made of whether operation of the fixture requiring operation will cause the maximum flow rate to be exceeded. The fixture requiring operation is caused to operate if the maximum flow rate will not be exceeded and is prevented from operating if the maximum flow rate will be exceeded.

Abstract: An adjustable showerhead assembly is provided being composed of an elongated member having a slot therein through which a showerhead assembly passes. Locking means are provided for adjustably positioning the showerhead. Different embodiments of the device are shown.

Abstract: A patient support system has a fluidizable surface formed by air fluidizing a mass of fluidizable material. The fluidizable material is contained by a member which is at least partially collapsible so as to facilitate the patient's ingress and egress to and from the support system. The collapsible member can comprise an air impermeable panel which can form an inflatable elastic wall having one or more internal webs defining separately pressurizable compartments. The fluidizable surface can be formed by a plurality of fluidizable cells disposed and attached atop an air permeable support. Each of these cells is detachably removable from the support for ease of cleaning and replacement. A blower inflates the sacks, the inflatable elastic wall embodiments and the fluidizable material via a network including manifolds, valves, and flexible tubing.

Abstract: An improved corner for a waterbed mattress includes a first layer of vinyl forming the corner with a seam disposed generally linearly along the corner. The seam is formed of two portions of the vinyl heat welded together along the seam. A second layer or patch of vinyl is welded to the first layer by a weld which encircles and is spaced from the seam in the first layer.

Abstract: The inflatable cushion includes a front and rear cloths or flexible sheets having a substantially trapezoidal outline, a peripheral band arranged between and tightly sealed to the front and rear cloths to delimit therewith a sealed enclosure, and a valve means or opening for controllably supplying a fluid to, and discharging it from, the enclosure.

Abstract: A therapeutic sleeping pillow having two foam layers of different density is provided on an underside with supporting runners adapted to prevent pillow head tilting and pillow displacement on a bed surface. The composition and height of the pillow provides a cushion particularly useful for supporting the head and neck in alignment with the spine of a person reclining on his or her side.

Abstract: Process for the bath pigmentation of leather, which comprises dyeing the leather with pigment dispersions which contain a compound of the formula (I) ##STR1## where Ar is benzene or naphthalene,X is --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 -- and/or --CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3)--,0 to (m-1) of the radicals A are hydrogen,1 to m of the radicals A are benzoyl and/or naphthoyl,1 to m of the radicals A are --CO--CH.dbd.CH--COOM and/or --CO--CH.sub.2 --CH(SO.sub.3 M)--COOM, where M is a cation,R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 14 carbon atoms,R is hydrogen and/or alkyl of 1 to 9 carbon atoms, n is a number from 1 to 150 and m is a number from 2 to 12,The pigment having an average particle size of 50 to 500, preferably 80 to 300, nm. By using these dispersions, which contain the pigments in a very finely divided form, it is possible to obtain thorough penetration of the leather with improved light fastness.

Abstract: A pillow assembly includes a top and bottom panel joined together to provide a pillow having an inner cavity accessible through an end opening formed with a closeable fastener. A scoop element is tethered to the pillow and is used to fill the cavity with on-scene shiftable, granular material such as sand, following which the scoop element is stowed within a pocket formed on the outer face of the pillow bottom panel. One or more other pockets on the bottom panel allow stowage of personal articles. In use, a person's head is comfortably supported atop the pillow while the granular material within the pillow shifts to accommodate the scoop element and other articles within the pockets.

Abstract: A portable self-contained pneumatic cushion device containing a multiple cell hermetically sealed thermoplastic air bladder within a fabric cover. A pneumatic charging valve is located in one bladder cell which acts as a plenum and a contour control valve is located within another cell. The contour control valve is connected by flexible conduits with the cells and may be opened to circulate air freely between all cells or closed to pneumatically isolate the individual cells. The contour control valve is operated by a finger-pressure squeezing action placed on valve indicators located on the surface of the fabric cover. The cushion can be instantly and simultaneously asymmetrically contoured on both faces by the user to conform to and support an irregularly shaped load applied to both faces of the cushion.

Abstract: A beach blanket has a perimeter and a plurality of tabs of hook and loop type material attached to and spaced about the perimeter. A pillow has matching tabs of hook and loop type material on one side of the pillow for attaching the pillow to any one of the tabs of hook and loop type material on the blanket. The pillow may be inflatable. Sand clamps are used to hold down the blanket. Each of the sand clamps has a spike with a point at one end and a spring-biased clamp section on the spike.

Abstract: A portable shelter for use in connection with a foldable cot of the type having a tubular frame forming a center and end sections supportable on collapsible legs. Braces are pivotally attached to the frame and when upright, support an enclosure. The enclosure is a fabric material having pockets engageable about opposite ends of the frame. The entire unit can be folded with the frame sections in parallel relationship and the collapsed enclosure attached and carried as a backpack by a detachable harness. The shelter may be provided as a complete unit or the enclosure may be attached to an existing, conventional cot without the requirement of special drilling and fitting.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a person lying on a support member includes a main body, a plate member, a guide frame for accommodating therein and causing the plate member to slide therealong toward and away from the person, a loading unit provided on the main body for supporting the plate member rotatably about a shaft, and a controller for controlling the rotation of the plate member. The plate member is controlled by the controller so that it is rotated about the shaft to slide along the guide frame toward the person until a forward end thereof abuts on the person, whereupon the forward end follows the contour of the person and advances into a gap between the person and the support member. Consequently, the person is loaded onto the plate member easily.

Abstract: A shower-partition comprising a wall-element consisting, more particularly, of an at least partly transparent material which is to be arranged against the wall of a room. The object is to provide, at a low structural cost, a stable attachment of the wall-element to the wall of the room, and the alignment of the wall-element in a simple manner. In order to accomplish this, the wall-element is secured to the stationary wall of the room by means of a crosspiece which comprises a first support-surface for the wall-element and a second support-surface for the wall of the room. The support-surfaces is preferably arranged at right angles to each other.

Abstract: An air inflatable mattress for medical and hospital use is formed from upper and lower layers of flexible, air impervious material joined at a peripheral air impervious seam; laterally extending, elongate, spaced apart pillows extend between side edges of the mattress and are defined by lateral folds formed in the material of the upper layer; the pillows communicate at their opposed ends with longitudinally extending side plenums; the inflated pillows billow against each other in stress relieving contact effective to relieve air pressure bursting forces generated in the mattress.

Abstract: A cushion is provided which drains liquid and dries through its bottom having an inner core of drainable filling material having a filling core and a core wrap surrounding the core, both the filling core and the core wrap having non-resinated synthetic fibers, and an outer covering surrounding the inner core. The outer covering has a top portion having air and water permeable fabric material and a bottom portion of a mesh-like material having a plurality of openings larger in size than any opening of the top portion for promoting a circulation and draining of liquid from the cushion. Furniture seating having the cushion placeable on a supporting surface having a plurality of openings therethrough is also provided.

Abstract: An improved cleaning apparatus for use in cleaning the floor which comprises a first belt as a broom, a second as a mop and a trash containing corner whereby as the cleaning apparatus is pushed the wheels, the conveyor belt and wiping belt are driven so as to perform the functions of sweeping, wiping, and effectively protecting the trash from dropping therefrom.

Abstract: A leaf loading machine designed for use in combination with a towing vehicle includes a mobile frame with a tongue extending forwardly thereof for connection to the towing vehicle. The machine has a rotary beater and a rotary broom extending transversely of the mobile frame. The broom is disposed rearwardly of an in tandem relation to the beater. The beater and the broom have lower sides thereof disposed adjacent the ground and they are operable to counterrotate relative to one another so as to deliver material from the ground upwardly therebetween. The machine also includes an auger extending transversely of the frame rearwardly of the broom for receiving material from the broom, and a thrower mounted on the frame for receiving material from the auger and for discharging the material into the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A drain cleaner machine having a drain cleaning cable storage drum rotatable on an axle which is fixedly mounted on the machine frame or chassis. The drum is provided with releasable retainer mechanism for positively locking the drum in place on the axle for rotation thereon while being quickly releasable to free the drum for easy removal from the axle.

Abstract: An improved tube-cleaning apparatus of the type having a flat drain-insertable and retractible strip and a grip handle slidable along and engageable with the strip. The improvement includes opposed wiper edges engageable with the strip and serving to clean the strip during movement of the grip handle along the strip. In certain preferred embodiments, opposed wiper edges are biased against the strip and half handles forming the grip handle are structures which are integrally-formed to provide the desired biasing without interfering with other grip handle functions.

Abstract: A self-aligning bearing structure for vacuum cleaner brushes and the like includes a plastic sleeve and a metal bearing element. The sleeve is initially formed with a flared end, allowing the bearing element to be inserted to provide a subassembly. The subassembly is then pressed axially into a cylindrical bore in the vacuum cleaner brush body. During such insertion, the flared end is deflected inwardly to produce a spherical socket which mates with a spherical periphery on the bearing element. Relative rotation between the sleeve and bearing element is prevented by a plurality of peripherally spaced teardrop-shaped projections formed on the sleeve which fit into teardrop-shaped recesses on the bearing element. The recesses are sufficiently closely spaced and are shaped in cooperation with the projections so that the recesses and projections automatically interfit upon assembly, and can therefore be assembled by automated equipment which does not require special orientation means.

Abstract: A mop head for a slip-through or breakdown mop frame which has a pocket on each end of substantially the same length to secure the mop frame therein. One of the products is open at its outer end and can be closed with a snap fastener to prevent the mop frame from slipping therethrough.

Abstract: An automotive outer door operating member is integrally formed of a thermoplastic resin and comprises a handle and arms extending from the handle; characterized in that the thickness ratio of the root of each arm to the handle at the junctions of the arms and the handle is 0.5 or below.

Abstract: A compound counterbalance system for window sashes and the like, comprising: a biasing spring for easing operation of a window sash and the like, the biasing spring being movable at an inherently variable rate of force; a first biasing force transmission having a fixed rate of movement transmission part connected to the biasing spring and a variable rate of movement transmission part connected to the window sash and the like, the variable rate of movement transmission part having a variable rate of operation predetermined to automatically compensate for the variability of the biasing spring to provide substantial constancy of the biasing force throughout an operating range; and, a cable for interconnecting the biasing spring, the first biasing force transmission, and the window sash and the like, whereby loading forces on the first biasing force transmission are substantially constant throughout the operating range.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally connecting a closure lid to the cabinet of a top loading clothes washing machine and maintaining the lid in a releasable self-sustaining open position and out of contact with the knobs of the machine control panel. The assembly includes an integrally formed first hinge portion for attachment to the cabinet and provided with a base, a curved bearing surface terminating in a landing and a pivotal hub, and a second hinge portion for attachment to the closure lid and provided with a pivot pin disposable within a passageway formed in the hub. A pair of the assemblies are used to secure a closure lid provided with a radiused bearing section to the cabinet.

Abstract: A wide-angle hinge for furniture doors, comprising a hinge boss fittable into a door wing and a hinge arm fastenable to a furniture side wall. The hinge boss and the hinge arm are connected to each other by means of hinge links which cross in a scissor-like manner. The latter-mentioned are provided with a locking means which is insurpassable, when the hinge is opened, but removable. The locking means is formed by a bracket fitted onto one of the hinge links which cross in a scissor-like manner.

Abstract: A sliding hinge for mounting a nose cone or cover on a nacelle or housing, such as an equipment package suspended from the wing of an aircraft. Typically two hinges are used, positioned at opposite sides of the housing, for pivoting the nose cone upward to provide access to the equipment within the housing. Each hinge includes a sleeve mounted in the housing, a slide block sliding in the sleeve, and a slide arm pivotally attached to the slide block and mounted in the nose. To open the package, the nose is initially slid forward from the housing and then pivoted to an upward position. During this operation the slide arm slides out of the sleeve from a retracted position to an extended position and then pivots upward to the open position, with the slide block remaining in the sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for loading a shirred casing article into a stuffing horn tilted upwardly at a load position with respect to horizontal. The article is moved along a horizontal rail supported above the stuffing horn. The article spills over an end of a rail and onto a chute. The chute is in alignment with the upwardly tilted horn so that a driven member can engage the article and drive it down the chute onto the horn. The driven member is reversible so a spent casing article on the upwardly tilted horn can be unloaded by driving it up the chute to a positions here it spills over the upper end of the chute and discards.

Abstract: A device used to feed fiber slivers to a processing machine with at least one sliver guide. The sliver guide is provided with a guiding surface over which the fiber sliver is guided. The guiding surface also serves as a sliver monitoring device.The sliver guide is produced in a process in which the housing of the sliver guide, standing on its head, together with its guiding surface, is clamped over a die. A sensor is inserted into the housing from the side opposite the guiding surface and is embedded therein in a casting compound.

Abstract: In a feeder for a roller gin, locks of seed cotton are pressed against a flexible knobby roller having pockets. Each pocket holds only one seed, thus spacing the seed one from another. A doffing roller adjacent the knobby roller travels at least twice as fast as the knobby roller. This lint and the seed of the cotton are pulled over at transfer edge between the knobby and doffing roller, thereby breaking the locks of seed cotton into individual seed locks which are spaced apart. Thus, the cotton is combed and smoothed and formed into a batt of a single layer of seed locks.

Abstract: A textile fiber blending apparatus comprises a blending conveyor having an upstream end and a downstream end as viewed in its direction of travel; a waste fiber feeder having a discharge end for discharging waste fiber on the upstream end of the blending conveyor for forming a waste-fiber layer thereon; and a useful-fiber mixer having a plurality of fiber hoppers, each having a top portion, a bottom portion and a discharge opening at the bottom portion. The discharge openings are arranged above the blending conveyor, downstream of the discharge end of the waste fiber feeder and each depositing, in succession, a layer of useful fibers, whereby on the conveyor a fiber layer stack is formed, constituted by a lowermost waste fiber layer deposited by the waste-fiber feeder and a plurality of superposed useful-fiber layers. The apparatus further has a fiber removing device arranged at the downstream end of the blending conveyor for receiving the fiber layer stack therefrom.

Abstract: A clamp includes a metal band body. The band body has separated both ends. The ring-shaped band body includes an outer lap portion, an inner lap portion, and an intermediate portion located between the inner and outer lap portions. A retaining hole is formed in the outer lap portion, and a hook is formed on the inner lap portion. The hook includes a sliding surface for allowing sliding of the outer lap portion when the outer and inner lap portions are relatively moved in a direction for reducing the diameter of the band body, and a hook edge hooked by an edge of the retaining hole against a force for increasing the diameter of the band body. A first projection is formed at the end of the outer lap portion to hook the distal end of a first arm of a crimping tool. A second projection is formed on the intermediate portion of the band body to hook the distal end of the second arm of the crimping tool.

Abstract: A closure clip member (10) for flexible bags, sacks and the like in the shape of a disk with an enlarged edge rim (12) and a thinner body portion or diaphragm (14); the body portion (14) being divided by radially disposed slots (22) into a predetermined number of triangular leafs (20) with the apexes (24) of the leafs adjacent each other at or near the center of the body. Each triangular (20) leaf includes a void area adjacent the edge rim (12) so that each leaf is "L" shaped; said closure member being formed of flexible, planar plastic material so that the closure member (10) can be manually slipped on and off a bag or sack.

Abstract: A device for releasable attachment of an object to a support member, such as a precious stone to a brooch or necklace, includes a first member for attachment to the object and having a releasable locking device and a second member for attachment to the support member and having a tab insertable into a slot of the first member to be engaged by the locking device to thereby releasably secure the first and second members together.

Abstract: A plastic paper clip having two outer, approximately V-shaped clamping legs connected by transverse webs to a pair of clamping arms disposed within the clamping legs, has a longitudinal slot terminating at an extension element leading to the clamping arms. The extension element is not slotted. When applied to clip paper, the clip is subjected to torque in the area of the longitudinal slot, but the extension element keeps the torque from deforming the clamping arms.

Abstract: A device for securing a loop in a line comprising an elongated body with an opening at each end joined by an internal passageway, and a notch in the body which extends perpendicularly from one end of the device and tapers in width to a convergence point in the body.

Abstract: A quick-sealing assembly and method for forming an adhesive seal on opposite sides of a mechanical seal for a flexible containment bag of the type used for working with radioactively contaminated objects. The assembly includes an elongated mechanical fastener having opposing engaging members affixed at a predetermined distance from each of the elongated edges, with an adhesive layer formed between the mechanical fastener and the elongated edge such that upon engagement of the mechanical fastener and adhesive layers to opposing containment fabric, a neat triple hermetic seal is formed.

Abstract: An abradable ceramic coated turbine shroud structure includes a grid of slant-steps isolated by grooves in a superalloy metal shroud substrate. A thin NiCrAlY bonding layer is formed on the machined slant-steps. A stabilized zirconia layer is plasma sprayed on the bonding layer at a sufficiently large spray angle to cause formation of deep shadow gaps in the zirconia layer. The shadow gaps provide a high degree of thermal strain tolerance, avoiding spalling. The exposed surface of the zirconia layer is machined nearly to the shadow gap ends. The turbine blade tips are treated to minimize blade tip wear during initial abrading of the zirconia layer. The procedure results in very close blade tip-to-shroud tolerances after the initial abrading.

Abstract: A mill roll with a deformable casing comprises a tubular casing (1), a fixed support (2) and a set of elements (3) for holding the casing in the radial directions. At least one chamber (9) fed with high-pressure fluid is formed between the fixed support (2) and each of the holding elements (3). The end of the holding elements (3) is separated from the inner surface of the casing (1) by means of a fluid film occupying a zone (12) in the form of a sector of a ring. The zone (12) is in communication, at one of its ends, with a low-pressure fluid feed duct (14) and, at its other end, with a fluid recovery duct (15). This results in the formation of a hydrodynamic bearing during the rotation of the casing (1), which is fed completely independently of the high-pressure supply to the chamber (9).

Abstract: A roller for conveying a web is manufactured by applying a layer of nickel to a steel roller and blasting the surface of the nickel layer with steel shot to create on the surface a deep texture with well rounded down features and sharp up features with peaks. The blasted surface is finished with a grinding action for removing the peaks to produce plateaus surrounded by interconnected channels. The interconnected channels of the surface allow air entrained between the roller surface and a web to be vented through the channels while the web is in contact with the roller.

Abstract: A pair of guides having long grooves on the upper surfaces thereof for engaging optical fibers, a pair of fulcra formed in parallel with the long grooves of the guides for supporting the guides, a pair of centering stands having substrates for supporting the fulcra, a pair of centering mechanisms having load imparting mechanism sections having telescopic output ends, load imparting mechanism sections, and transmitting mechanism sections for the adjusting mechanism sections so that the long grooves of said centering stands are disposed adjacent to each other to align in a rectilinear line. The centering mechanisms are associated with the centering stands to contact the output ends of the centering mechanisms with the guides of the centering stands.

Abstract: A power transmission gear assembly puller for use on the General Motors 440 power transmission, facilitating the accessibility of power transmision gears for repair and maintenance. A novel means for removing a gear assembly incorporating a shaft with an expandable seat on one end on which the gear assembly rests when expanded. A unique means for expanding the seat while inside the gear assembly through the shaft from the handle. The gear assembly puller reduces transmission repair time significantly while providing ease of gear assembly removal, as well as safety with regard to the technician's hands.

Abstract: A clutch plate assembly (24) for a vehicle driveline includes a spring damping mechanism disposed in parallel with a viscous shear damper mechanism (30) for damping spring recoil. The spring damping mechanism includes a set of pairs of relatively high rate helical compression springs (34,36) for transmitting torque and attenuating torsionals when a transmission input shaft (22) is connected to a load and a set of relatively low rate helical compression springs (38) connected in series with the high rate springs (34,36) for attenuating torsionals when the shaft (22) is not connected to a load. The viscous damper mechanism includes an annular housing (48) having first and second radially extending sidewalls (52,54) defining a compartment (48a) having a clutch assembly (50) disposed therein for viscous clutching coaction via a viscous shear oil.

Abstract: A tool is provided for adjusting the bearing pre-load and backlash of a differential. The tool has a U-shaped positioning member with an adjustable width base. Bi-directional ratchet heads are provided on the ends of the U, with tools thereon for engaging the side quills of the differential. Setting the ratchets to operate in opposite directions allows easy adjustment of the relative distance between the side quills, and consequently adjustment of the pre-load on the bearings for the differential. Setting the ratchets to operate in the same direction maintains a constant distance between the side quills, but shifts them back and forth in the differential housing, allowing easy adjustment of the backlash between the differential ring gear and the drive shaft pinion gear.

Abstract: A disc brake pad and shim assembly consists of a disc brake pad having a back plate with spigot holes which are incompletely filled and a shim with protrusions extending into the unfilled regions of the spigot holes, to stop slippage of the shim across the back plate in service.