Abstract: A new and distinct variety of the common fig tree, Ficus carica, characterized by producing large, sweet, light green fruits that do not contain brittle endocarps.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree which produces fruit which is mature approximately May 15 through May 31 in the San Joaquin Valley of central California and which further produces a large round shaped fruit which is semi-clingstone by nature and which further exhibits a bright red coloration and a light yellow flesh.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of solidaster named Goldentop, characterized by its intense relatively dark yellow flowers, relatively small diameter flowers, narrow leaves, dark green leaf color, and its floriferous habit.

Abstract: A new carnation of pink coloration.

Abstract: This new Poinsettia is a stiff-stemmed, vigorous plant with bicolored pink and white erect flower bracts. Cultivar `C-27 Marble` is a sport of the red bracket `C-27` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,235). `C-27 Marble`, like its parent `C-27`, is unique because the flower bracts remain erect and do not droop, even after commercial shipping and handling or as the flowers mature. It always looks "fresh" which adds to its beauty and increases its value as a consumer product. Poinsettia `C-27 Marble` has the same flowering response time and cultural requirements as its parent `C-27`.

Abstract: This new Poinsettia cultivar, designated `Peterstar`, is vigorous and self-branching, having a medium height and bright red flower bracts. `Peterstar` originated as an induced mutation of `Angelika` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,492). `Peterstar` is shorter and blooms earlier than `Angelika`, the cultivar it most closely resembles. The bracts are wider and smoother than those of `Angelika`.

Abstract: A Poinsettia plant names Feliz Navidad, characterized by its bright red bract color, upright growth with strong branching, heavy bract production, large bracts, relatively small cyathia cluster, early flowering under natural short days, and its tolerance to home conditions of low light and high temperatures.

Abstract: A new and distinct Alstroemeria cultivar particularly distinguished by its medium sized flowers, being irregularly and faintly, but distinctly covered with a faint pink blush, and which show distinct green shading at petal points which fade progressively toward the central portions of petals and are more intensive following the veining the parallel pair of the inside petals which are marked from base to tip with short, longitudinally extending dark brown pencil stripes which substantially fill the body area to provide a white flower having a distinctive dark center; the basal small outer petal of each flower also bears two minute, dark brown or purple pencil markings, one on each side of the tip portion, symmetrically, just inside the periphery of the margin; the central portions of the two inner petals include a broad, faint band of yellow or greenish-yellow; these flowers being carried on short, strong stems branching in a raceme manner from the upper portion of a tall main stem of a strong, upright bush.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Impatiens plant named Dandin characterized by its large dark pink flowers, relatively small dark green leaves with purple venation, light green stems, unique combination of foliage and flower color, and by its highly floriferous habit.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named Danhill, characterized by its large, intense bright red flowers, dark green foliage with yellow variegation in and near the midrib and its continuous and abundant flowering.

Abstract: A distinct Impatiens cultivar named Danserra, characterized by its medium size, red-purple flowers, large dark green foliage, and its compact growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinctive Geranium variety particularly distinguished by profuse production of mandarin red colored flowers which form medium size round clusters of 40 to 50 florets. The cluster stalk stands upright holding the flower clusters above the dark green zonated leaves in a bush of about 35 cm. in height. `Klemir` differs from other orange varieties in that it has small and very round clusters with many long lasting flowers in a deep salmon orange color. These eye catching clusters stand on rather long and strong, green stalks on a plant that grows compactly bushy and less than medium height. Previous orange flowered zonal geraniums grew higher. Additionally another distinction is the solid dark green leaves with their dark zonation and their good resistance against cold, heat and rainy weather.

Abstract: A process for removing iodine or soluble iodide impurities from a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride, the carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride having been by a carbonylation process. The process includes: step (a) treating impure carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride containing iodine or soluble iodide impurities with an unsupported scavenger at a temperature of between 20.degree. and 250.degree. C. and step (b) thereafter separating the treated carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride from the scavenger. The scavenger is a silver salt in the absence of a trialkyl phosphine, a triaryl phosphine and a heterocyclic aromatic nitrogen compound. The preferred scavenger for acetic acid and acetic anhydride is silver acetate.

Abstract: A memory control system connects, by a single memory bus, plural memories that are individually operable and plural memory access source units so as to effectively use the single memory bus. The memory control system includes a memory request acceptance unit that permits each memory access source unit access to the memories on the basis of the type of access request from each memory access source unit and the type of access request in the memory that is in operation.

Abstract: Substitute lumber pieces having strengths and densities substantially equivalent to lumber are cut from single layer panels of over about 1 and normally less than 4 inches thickness made from wood wafers. The wafers are oriented with their lengths having a mean deviation to the longitudinal length of the panel measured in the major plane of the panel in the range of 0 to 10 degrees and a mean deviation measured in a minimum longitudinal plane perpendicular to the major plane from 0 to about 5 degrees and have an average effective length of at least 8 inches (200 mm), and preferably an average thickness less than 0.15 inches (4 mm) and a width of at least 0.25 inches (6 mm). Lumber is made by cutting the panel longitudinally. Preferably the panels are formed to have a substantially uniform density profile throughout their thicknesses.

Abstract: A reagent for proteolytic enzyme assays has the general formula ##STR1## where RCO-- is an enzyme reactive acyl, such as an amino acid, peptide or substituted amino acid or peptide. The reagent may be hydrolysed by proteolytic enzymes and developed to form a distinctive color. The reagent may be formed by reacting RCOOH with N-hydroxysuccinimide to form the acyl N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The ester may then be reacted to form the reagent.

Abstract: A control for adjusting the trim of a motor boat having a drive unit mounted on the boat for adjustment of the thrust angle relative to the boat. A trim motor adjusts the drive unit relative to the boat. A boat speed responsive pick up and control provides an output signal indicative of boat speed. A microprocessor controls the trim motor and is connected to receive the speed signals. The microprocessor reads boat speed at intervals and compares the latest speed reading with the prior reading to determine whether boat speed is increasing. The microprocessor commands the trim motor to move the drive unit in increments in one direction so long as each adjustment results in increasing speed and then to move the trim motor to adjust the drive unit in increments in the opposite direction so long as the adjustment results in increasing speed.

Abstract: A street hockey goalie's blocker is described, which permits the blocker to be used on either the left hand or the right hand. The blocker has a generally planar rectangular blocking pad having a blocking side and an inner side, as in the prior art. Also as in the prior art, a sleeve is provided on the inner side of the blocking pad, and it has an integral thumbguard extending therefrom. However, the sleeve is removably attached to the inner side of the pad, instead of being sewn thereto, and is reversible. Removing the sleeve, turning it over, and then reattaching it in effect changes the position of the thumbguard from one hand to the other. A thumb strap is provided, as in the prior art, but instead of being sewn to one side of the thumbguard, it can be positioned on either side of the thumbguard, to allow for the reversibility of the thumbguard. In the preferred embodiment, strips of VELCRO (trademark) fastening material are used to attach the sleeve to the pad.

Abstract: A batting glove for use in softball, baseball, or other games of the like wherein a wooden or metallic bat is used. The batting glove includes pads located between the first and second phalangeal joints and a palm pad located across the metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand in order to create a reminder groove or slot and encourage a proper grip of the bat by the batter. The glove also includes means for securing the glove to the wrist of the wearer such as velcro fasteners and the like. In addition, elastic materials sewn into or attached to the wrist area of the glove may also provide means for securing the glove around the wrist of the wearer.An alternate embodiment of the batting glove includes fluid filled compartments incorporated into certain areas of the palm side of the glove. The fluid compartments may be permanently filled and sealed with air, liquid, putty, or a gel.

Abstract: An outer garment suitable for a variety of athletic endeavors is disclosed. The garment comprises an outer shell formed of a lightweight, waterproof material, and an inner liner of mesh-like material secured to the shell. The liner includes a back panel, and first and second front panels. A resilient insert, yieldable in all directions, is situated in the back panel to fit against the back of the wearer. Fasteners extend laterally about the liner, and manipulation of said fasteners draws the liner snugly about the torso of the wearer, without causing "bunching" of the jacket. "Bunching" is unsightly, and also interferes with the athletic activities envisioned by the wearer.

Abstract: An air inflatable bib comprising a main body member (10), a catcher member (15) attached to a bottom portion of the main body member (10) and having at least one inflatable air confining chamber joined to the catcher member; wherein at least one inflatable air confining chamber is inflated with air, and extends the adjoined catcher member out and away from a bottom portion of the main body member, whereby forming a wide-open, non-collapsible pouch-like catchall pocket, between a bottom portion of the main body member and the adjoined catcher member; and wherein the bib further includes at least one inflatable air confining chamber/portion (29) joined to the main body member; wherein the air confining chamber/portion is inflated with air to comprise an inflated patterning of the air inflatable bib.

Abstract: A tie fastener and related method of use is disclosed. The tie fastener generally includes a front wall having upper, lower and side walls adjoined to one another, thereby forming a hollow interior, accessible via an open rear and a plurality of passages for accommodating a necktie. The fastener provides a retainer bar and alternative guide wall within its interior to engage a necktie and thus secure the necktie when worn by the user.

Abstract: An improved method of fabricating disposable coverings such as surgeon's caps comprises applying elastic strips and adhesive along opposed edges of two lengths of sheet material, folding and securing the edges over the elastic strips, applying spaced elastic strips and adhesive along and straddling the center line of one of the lengths of sheet material, bringing the sheets together and securing them along their center lines with the applied adhesive, cutting the sheets apart along their center lines to produce two sub-lengths of material, and cutting and heat sealing the sub-lengths at spaced intervals across their lengths to produce disposable surgeon's caps. The invention also contemplates a disposable protective covering fabricated by this method.

Abstract: An electrical incinerator toilet having an incinerator chamber and a removable catalyst container for holding a removable catalyst cartridge or unit.

Abstract: A flush valve water accelerator having a top opening of increased height to reduce the amount of water used by a toilet, and which accelerates the flow of water to increase the efficacy of the water in the toilet bowl. The device is comprised of an entry tube and an exit tube, with the exit tube having a minimum inside diameter of approximately fifty (50) percent of the median inside diameter of the entry tube to accelerate the flow of water into the toilet bowl without causing cavitation from the vacuum created by the restriction of the exit tube. A connecting tube, having a decreasing inside diameter, connects the entry tube and the exit tube.

Abstract: A water conserving toilet having a set of holes around the rim to provide a washing of the bowl includes enlarged holes towards the front of the rim to create a focused jet of water used to initiate siphon action. The enlarged holes are positioned on an elevated multi-plateau boss within the rim. The boss extends beyond the highest normal level of water in the rim and has a vent to vent air from the rim. A sloped entry within the receiving chamber connects the tank of the toilet to the rim to further increase the momentum of this water. The jet from the enlarged front holes in the rim is further focused by a groove extending on the bowl's lower wall.

Abstract: A lift apparatus for an above ground spa or pool to enable a handicapped or infirm person access to and egress from the spa or pool without the need for an attendant to assist them. The lift comprises an upright base securely mounted adjacent to one wall of the above ground spa. The base supports a lift arm assembly having a seat mounted thereon. Lift and rotate controls are provided to permit the seat occupant to raise the seat to a fully elevated position above the wall of the spa, to swing the seat and occupant across the wall and to lower the seat to a desired height within the spa. The lift arm is powered by water driven hydraulics which are configured such that the seat can only be pivoted when it is in its fully elevated position above the wall of the spa.

Abstract: A sleeping bed for a motor vehicle which is effectively isolated from jars and vibrations encountered during highway travel comprises a movable frame which is supported by inflatable air bags from a stationary frame affixed to the floor of the vehicle. Three position valves control the in-flow and out-flow of air from the air bags, the valve being mechanically coupled by linkages to the movable frame so that its relative displacement controls the pressure within the air bag. The movable frame is supported on the pistons of the air bags by first and second slide members which permit longitudinal and transverse horizontal movement of the movable frame. Springs are employed to restore the movable frame to a neutral horizontal position following acceleration/deceleration forces tending to move the movable frame and mattress in the fore and aft direction and when longitudinal sway forces act on the bed.

Abstract: A device for holding a fitted sheet to a mattress. The holder is provided with a base portion upon which a corner of a mattress is to be positioned, a rail attached to the base for positioning the device respective to the mattress and clamps connected to the rail and base to grip the edges of the sheet.

Abstract: A lug nut wrench for removing and replacing wheel covers, and to remove and replace lug nuts carried on vehicle axles to mount and dismount wheels or rims. The tool includes a collapsible inner and outer tubes with a sleeve carried on said outer tube, capable of being positioned at multiple locations along the tube, with a shank which detachably carries a socket which engages the lug nuts. A detend is carried by said inner tube which engages holes in said outer tube to lock said tubes at selected locations. A rod having a tapered end portion to fit between the rim and wheel cover is provided, extending from the lever at the end opposite to the sleeve, and which is also used to provide a hand hold to assist in rotating the lever to rotate or turn the lug nuts.

Abstract: A rotary washer/extractor for use with textiles and other materials includes a dynamically controlled suspension system for supporting the washer/extractor from a stationary frame to minimize forces exerted onto the frame and transmitted to the floor or other structure supporting the washer/extractor. The suspension system includes a plurality of supports extending between the frame and the washer/extractor at spaced apart locations in relation to the spin axis. At least one of the supports is a variable length member which may be continually adjusted to vary the distance between the frame and the washer/extractor and thereby minimize the forces caused by eccentric masses of textiles and washing fluids contained in the washer/extractor. A force sensor is provided for measuring the force acting between the washer/extractor and the frame.

Abstract: Apparatus reconditioning artificial turf surfaces by scarifying or brushing. Scarifying rods (13) and cleaning brushes (14) are mounted to a rotary work head (31) inside a wheeled housing which is pushed over the artificial turf surface as the work head rotates against the direction of movement to lift compacted blades above their sand bed and clean them of slime coatings.

Abstract: A paint brush or like structure, and method of making the same, in which bristles having a back binding the bristles into a permanent format are mounted on a handle and quick replaceably retained thereon with the bristles projecting usefully from the handle. The brush may be used by manipulating the handle, and the bristles can be readily removed and replaced. When removed, the bristles can be efficiently cleaned. The bristles and back can be supplied in a tape-like preformed strip from which the user can cut selected width panels for making up paint brushes of desired sizes and bristles density.

Abstract: A mop wherein the plate-like carrier for a mophead has a centrally located plate-like support which overlaps the upper sides of inner portions of two plate-like sections having outer portions with devices for releasably clamping flaps at the ends of a mophead. The sections of the carrier are held in operative positions (in which their undersides are substantially coplanar and the median portion of the mophead is stretched along the undersides of the sections) by a single locking bolt which is reciprocable in a guide at the upper side of the support. The guide defines a pivot axis for the lower end of a handle, and the sections are pivotable about two neighboring axes which are normal to the pivot axis for the handle.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper comprising an air deflector has the form of an arm with a windscreen wiper device articulated thereto, and an air deflector carried by at least one of the elements of the windscreen wiper so as to deflect the air flows which impinge against the elements of the windscreen wiper. An auxiliary air deflector is provided between the air deflector and the surface to be wiped.

Abstract: A hand-held corded vacuum cleaner having a housing with a motor compartment containing a motor mounted on partitions defining inlet, cooling and outlet chambers for efficient motor cooling by air which enters inlet and exits outlet vents in the inlet and outlet chambers, respectively. A dirt channel extends from a fan chamber having a fan mounted by being swaged on a motor shaft. A nozzle chamber is disposed at one end of the housing and a bag assembly is removably detached from the rear of the housing by means of a collar having a side hole through which a detent extends and which may be depressed to remove the bag assembly. The nozzle is in communication with the fan chamber and the fan pushes dirt through a dirt channel over the motor compartment into the bag of the bag assembly. The motor shaft has a pulley at the end thereof which is connected to a brush which is releasably retained in the nozzle compartment. A belt extends around the brush and the pulley.

Abstract: A detachable hopper and vacuum apparatus which includes a mobile, detachable hopper adapted for use with the vacuum apparatus of this invention or towed by a tractor or alternative towing vehicle or apparatus, and characterized by a sliding tongue which is extendible in one embodiment for coupling to the towing apparatus and retractable in a second embodiment for coupling to the vacuum apparatus by means of a dual-contact coupling system. The hinged panel defines the upper half of the front panel of the detachable hopper and features a window for receiving the discharge chute of the towing vehicle or vacuum apparatus. Pivoting tandem wheels are provided on the detachable hopper for easily traversing uneven terrain.

Abstract: A hinge assembly rotatably mounts a vehicle door to a vehicle body structure. The hinge assembly has a movable hinge strap mounted to the vehicle door. A stationary hinge strap is mounted to the vehicle body structure and has a roller assembly. A hinge pin pivotally connects the hinge straps for rotatable movement of the door between an open position and a closed position. A curved detent link is carried by the movable hinge strap and has a pair of ends with each end having a hole. The detent link has a scalloped engagement edge with indentations. The indentations are engageable with the roller assembly for positioning the door in the open position and the closed position. Elastomeric fillers located in each hole connect each of the ends of the detent link to the movable hinge strap for allowing lateral movement of the detent link.

Abstract: Single-joint hinge (10) for the pivotable attachment of a door element (12), which comes to rest against a cabinet body, with a hinge (16), which is visible in the closed position of the door element and the door element contact part (20) of which has a press-in pot (38), which can be inserted into a recess (36) machined in the edge region in the back of the door element (12), breaking through to the adjacent edge border of the door element, and in which an offset joint component (sliding piece 44), which can be inserted from the edge border parallel to the flat sides of the door element, is attached and which carries the part of the hinge that is assigned to the door element, in the form of a bearing link (54) accommodating the hinge pin, at the end of a projection (52) that is bent at right angles and is extended to the outside of the door element (12).

Abstract: Ball-shaped and other rounded fiber clusters that have a density that may be controlled, as desired, with good uniformity of size and density, may be obtained from staple fiber that has been crimped mechanically, as well as from spirally crimped polyester staple fiber, by an new process and apparatus at a high throughput. The process including feeding a uniform layer of staple fiber onto a peripheral surface of a rotating main cylinder covered with card clothing and rolling the fiber into rounded clusters.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing textile fiber tufts includes a plurality of serially disposed, generally vertically oriented hoppers; a pneumatic conveying system for advancing an air/tuft mixture to the hoppers for charging the hoppers with fiber tufts from the top; an exhaust-air chamber for receiving the conveying air stream from the air/tuft mixture; and a separator positioned between the exhaust-air chamber and the hoppers for allowing air to enter the exhaust-air chamber and for retaining fiber tufts in the hoppers. There are further provided a mixing chamber extending underneath the hoppers; an arrangement situated at the bottom of each hopper for delivering fiber tufts from the hoppers to the mixing chamber; and a transporting device situated in the mixing chamber for mechanically removing blended fiber tufts therefrom.

Abstract: A clip closure for bags, more particularly a band consists of such clip closures which can be processed in a bag-closing machine. The clip closure takes the form of a flat, elongate strip 1 having reinforced longitudinal edges. The strip 1, together with its reinforced longitudinal edges 2, 3, is made entirely of a flexible plastics. To reinforce the longitudinal edges 2, 3 the strip 1 is thicker at the longitudinal edges than in the zone therebetween. At two places spaced out from one another and from its ends the strip is weakened over its entire width to form required bending folds 12, 13, the reinforced longitudinal edges 2, 3 having cutaway portions 6-9 at said places.

Abstract: A tensile member connecting device includes a base assembly for an installation such as mounting on the sidewall of an open-top truck or trailer bed for connecting straps thereon to secure a tarpaulin or cover in place. A telescopic tube assembly is mounted on the base assembly and includes inner and outer telescopic tubular members interconnected by a spring for extending the inner tubular member. A lever assembly includes a lever bar with a proximate end pivotally mounted on an outer end of the inner tubular member and a distal end. A connection post extends laterally from the lever bar in spaced relation from the pivotal axis of the lever assembly. The lever assembly is swingable about its rotational axis between lock and release positions. An over-center geometry is provided for retaining the lever assembly in its lock position with the extension spring exerting a relatively constant tensile force on the tensile member.

Abstract: A magnet-inclusive component is furnished for use in an occupant protecting system, such as a seat belt system, for a motor vehicle. The component includes a magnet and at least one member located adjacent the magnet. The magnet is molded or cast in situ in the adjacent member, preferably by integrally incorporating a magnetizable member in the adjacent member upon formation of the latter by molding or casting and then subjecting the magnetizable member to magnetization.

Abstract: A tank strap tightening actuator for securing a SCUBA air tank to a diver's backpack by means of a strap which engages the backpack and surrounds the tank with the two free ends of the strap being hooked to said actuator around said tank, said actuator being activated by compressed air to tighten the strap.

Abstract: A buckle of a seat belt device, for securing a tongue of the seat belt device, comprises: an insertion path into which the tongue is inserted; and a latch unit, provided in the insertion path, for hindering a removal of the tongue. An engaging device which engages with the tongue is provided in the insertion path. Provided also is a drive unit for moving the engaging device in a tongue inserting direction.