Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Fuji apple tree (Malus pumila) named `Myra` characterized by (1) fruit having a bright pinkish red color extending uniformly over substantially the entire body of the fruit and overlain with slightly darker pinkish-red stripes; and (2) early fruit coloring and (3) earlier fruit maturation than the popular commercially planted red striped Fuji strains.

Abstract: Described is a new everbearing raspberry variety which is capable of producing fruit on first year primocanes, and both floricanes and primocanes in subsequent years.

Abstract: A material separating apparatus for separating particles up to a preselected size from a material having particles of different sizes therein includes a trough having a material input longitudinally spaced from a material discharge end. The apparatus also includes a separator having a plurality of longitudinally spaced finger screen sections between the input end and the discharge end and along the longitudinal axis of the trough. The finger screen sections each have a backbone extending from side to side across the width of the trough and also each have forwardIy extending fingers connected at one end to the backbone. The fingers are spaced side by side from each other by a preselected amount at forward ends thereof sufficient to allow particles up to the preselected size to pass through the fingers as the trough is vibrated to cause the material to move from the input end to the discharge end.

Abstract: An optical pickup device in which a main beam and a pair of sub-beams are used and a diffraction device is disposed between a recording medium and a light receiving device such as a photodetector is disclosed. The diffraction device comprises first to third diffraction regions. The second and third regions receive light beams from the recording medium which are substantially identical in amount to each other. The light receiving device comprises a first to a fourth light receiving regions. The first and second light receiving regions are juxtaposed, and separated by a line. The main beam which has been diffracted by the first diffraction region is focused onto said line. The main beam which has been diffracted by the second diffraction region is focused onto the first light receiving region. The main beam which has been diffracted by the third diffracting region is focused onto the second light receiving region.

Abstract: An infrared detector wherein an infrared detecting device can be cooled efficiently without increasing thermal stresses generated in the device body owing to cooling during the operation of the detector, and intrusion of ambient light can be prevented. A container for the infrared detecting device, which includes a bottom plate having a projection formed in the center thereof, is provided on an inner end portion of an inner cylinder constituting a dewar, and the infrared detecting device is placed on and secured to the projection of the bottom plate. The container bottom plate is made of an Invar, while the end portion of the inner cylinder is made of a Kovar or an Invar.

Abstract: A method of removing a core from a molded product in which the core is formed of a particulate inert material, such as .[.sand-bound.]. .Iadd.sand, bound .Iaddend.together by a cured binder of a water soluble carbohydrate alone or mixed with a silicate is disclosed. The silicate is preferably an alkali earth metal silicate, preferably sodium silicate, and the carbohydrate is preferably a saccharide or starch. The binder is cured by heat. The core and molded product are exposed to water, preferably heated water in a bath or steam, to rapidly disintegrate the core and remove it from the molded product.

Abstract: A bicycle frame manufactured of one or more continuous fiber composite tubes, wherein the tubes are joined to one another without lugs by overlaying the joints with resin impregnated continuous fiber composite material and clamping the joints in static pressure molds. Gussets are integrally formed as part of the joints. One or more of the tubes may be metal, preferably titanium. The bicycle frame is provided with metal drop outs which are also preferably titanium.

Abstract: A security system is disclosed which utilizes plural remote terminals for controlling access at plural locations throughout a secured area or building. Each of these remote terminals is capable of independent functioning, and includes a memory for storing plural independent identification numbers which define the personnel who will be granted access. These numbers stored in the terminal memories may be different from terminal to terminal, or may be uniform throughout the system, and may be the same as a list stored at a central processing location. Thus, access may be limited to the same group of individuals regardless of whether it is provided by a central memory list or a remote memory list. The remote memories provide total memory flexibility, so that the deletion of identification numbers from the list does not reduce the memory size.

Abstract: A compensator for thermal or other uncontrollable effects in a liquid-crystal etalon filter. The narrow pass band of the filter is controlled by adjusting the amplitude of an AC drive signal applied to the electrodes on either side of the liquid crystal in the filter. An optical detector detects the intensity of light from a narrow-bandwidth input beam passed by the detector. Electrical circuitry determines the bipolar amplitude of the component of the light intensity that is at twice the frequency of the AC drive signal (the doubled-frequency amplitude) and adjusts the amplitude of the AC drive signal in response to the doubled-frequency amplitude so as to reduce the doubled-frequency amplitude toward zero.

Abstract: The novel uses of the phospholipid-coated microcrystal in the delivery of water-soluble biomolecules such as polypeptides and proteins. The proteins are rendered insoluble by complexation and the resulting material forms the solid core of the phospholipid-coated particle. Alternatively, the proteins, bio-molecules or drugs can be entrapped in water-soluble form between the membranous layers of the coated microcrystal. All types of phospholipid microcrystals can incorporate 5 nm to 10 um diameter iron oxide particles to allow for manipulation by magnetic fields. Water-soluble bio-molecules including proteins, peptides, and drugs can be entrapped and retained with long shelf life in liposomes at high concentrations, provided that the phospholipid concentration is greater than 10% (w/v) such that greater than 50% of the system volume is enclosed within phospholipid membranes. Both the phospholipid-coated microcrystal and the phospholipid-coated microdroplet can be used as vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: A body warmer containing a fabric shell and an interior chamber. The body warmer has a central body and two flaps joined to it; the flaps are adapted to be releasably connected to each other. The shell is preferably made from one piece of fabric which is folded and joined at its periphery. The central part of the shell has a top portion integrally joined to a bottom portion which decreases in length as the bottom of the shell is approached.

Abstract: A protective pad assembly is used to protect upper body parts of contact sport athletes such as hockey players. The pad assembly has a relatively rigid first shield and a relatively rigid second shield pivotally connected to the first shield. An inner air entrained cushion is releasably attached to the first shield and closely conforms to the upper body part to be protected. The cushion includes a flexible case that surrounds a plurality of chambers accommodating flexible shock absorbent pads. The case has a pair of sheet members having adjacent outer peripheral edges and adjacent intermediate sections connected together to enclose the pad between the sheet members within the chambers and provide increased flexibility to the cushion. Releasable straps extend through the cushion and the first shield to releasably hold the cushion and first shield together.

Abstract: A shock absorbent protective GLOVE (24) to be used as an underglove in conjunction with a baseball/softball mitt, which extends above the wrist and up the lower forearm. The hand section (22) of the GLOVE (24) contains thin quasi-liquid, shock absorbent, flexible material with shape memory properties covering the fingers, the base of the fingers and the palm or the metacarpal bones of the hand. The wrist section (18) of the GLOVE (24) contains shock absorbent material of closed cell and shape memory properties covering the carpal bones and thus the ulna nerve where it enters the hand at the wrist. The forearm section (12,14) of the GLOVE (24) contains at least one layer of shock absorbent material patterned to optimize flexibility and protection of the lower ulna and radius bones as well as the front surface of the lower forearm.

Abstract: A protective appliance to be worn by an individual for protecting a body part of the individual, which body part is covered by a piece of clothing, includes an inner shell part of a generally convex configuration to be arranged such that one side of the inner shell part is covered by the piece of clothing at the body part of the individual. The inner shell part includes opposite flange members and a central curved member integrally connected to the flange members which have configurations allowing the flange members to be arranged in facial contact with respective body surface parts adjacent to the body part of the individual as the central curved member bridges the flange members so as to cover the body part of the individual without contacting the body part, and as the flange members are arranged in facial contact with the body surface parts.

Abstract: A support aid permitting an individual with a weak wrist and hand to hold an object. The aid helps achieve a fist-like grasp about an object, without increasing pain. A sufficiently wide wrist band is provided to support a weakened wrist, wherein a gripping band extends therefrom to wrap about one's hand to form a fist and secures to the opposing side thereof. The gripping aid can be implemented by one hand, whereby the user may have restricted use of the hand and wrist. Loops and rings are implemented to help one grasp and adjust the straps while adapting the gripping aid to one's hand. Utensils and equipment, such as pencils and golf clubs, can then be securely grasped and utilized.

Abstract: A weight-lifting glove having a support strap which is attachable to the bar of a weight to be lifted. The glove includes a glove member and the strap. The glove member has a palm side, a back side, a wrist end, a glove opening at the wrist end, four finger stalls and a thumb stall. Further, a sleeve is provided on the palm side of the glove member. The strap has a free end, an attached end and a running portion. With the hand inserted into the glove member, the running portion of the strap is brought from the wrist through the sleeve to angularly cross the palm side of the glove member. Then the strap is wrapped around the weight-lifting bar or other object to be gripped. Fastener strips are provided on the strap for releasably and adjustably securing the strap around the object to be gripped.

Abstract: An article of headwear for covering the head, such as a hat, cap, or helmet, including coolant means for cooling the head of the wearer, and more particularly, cooling means which provide a prolonged cooling effect. The coolant means is contained in one or more pouches comprised of two layers of different materials, the first or outer material being a thin material having good thermal transmissive properties and preferably also having some water resistant properties, and the second or inner material provided interior of the first material and having thermal insulative properties. These layers, used in combination, have an effect of absorbing heat from the head of the wearer without at the same time absorbing excessive heat from the environment, and thus provide a sustained cooling effect. A heat releasing means can be substituted in place of the coolant means when it is desired to warm the head of the wearer.

Abstract: A pleated skirt to contact with side portions of the body of a wearer in which a width of each of the pleats in contact with side portions of the body of a wearer is larger than a width of each of the pleats in contact with front and back surfaces of the body of the wearer. The pleated skirt is produced by forming linear pleats in front and back pieces of fabric material by use of pleat pattern molding boards in which a width in right and left side portions is larger than a width in an intermediate portion and sewing up the front and back pieces of the fabric material at the side portions.

Abstract: A cover for a toilet seat is a plurality of plastic sheet members having side, front and rear sections surrounding an opening aligned with a toilet seat opening when the cover is placed on the toilet seat to protect a person from contaminants, side members are attached to opposite sides of the sheet members and extend downwardly adjacent opposite sides of the toilet seat. An apron, attached to the front of the sheet members, extends downwardly in front of the toilet seat and bowl to shield a person's legs and clothing from the toilet seat and bowl. An internal flap releasably connected to the sheet members is adapted to extend downwardly into the toilet bowl adjacent the front of the inside of the toilet seat. The sheet members are made of water-soluble material that dissolves at temperatures in a high range. The side members and apron are made of water-soluble material that dissolves at temperatures in a low range.

Abstract: A battery operated flush assembly for a portable toilet. The flush assembly includes a pump and motor mounted to the toilet's seat section. A battery pack is removably mounted to the seat section and includes terminals which, as a result of mounting, become coupled to the motor. The battery pack supplies electrical power to the motor and includes an actuator, protected from inadvertent actuation within a recess, for electrically closing the electrical circuit and causing operation of the pump to discharge flush water into the bowl. A check valve, located in-line with the discharged flush water, opens in response to the pumping of flush water and is maintained open with minimal line pressure to increase the life of the battery pack. An O-ring is also used to ensure that the battery pack can be easily removed and reinstalled with a fluid tight seal therearound.

Abstract: In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, a first and second tube body is provided, the first tube body resting upon the upper surface of the cover, the second tube body beneath the cover. The first and second tube bodies are plugged together at the ends to form a tubular spindle-core apparatus which is extended to traverse a buoyant flexible pool cover utilizing the buoyancy of the cover to be free-floating with the cover upon the surface of the water and within the perimeter of the pool. In the second embodiment, a single tube body which is octagonal is provided as a spindle-core to be secured upon a buoyant flexible pool cover utilizing clips of similar geometric shape where the octagonal spindle-core shape provides a seating for clipping the buoyant flexible cover to the spindle-core.

Abstract: A waste water reuse system comprised of a first holding tank for disposition above the toilet tank of a conventional toilet, the holding tank having a waste water inlet located adjacent a top thereof, an overflow outlet located below the waste water inlet, a removable filter disposed within the holding tank between the inlet and outlet in a position to filter water incoming from the inlet, a gravity fed outlet at the bottom of the tank for connection to a water inlet of the conventional toilet, a water supply inlet at or adjacent the bottom of the tank for connection to a fresh water supply, and a float valve connected to the water supply inlet for controlling inflow of fresh water to the holding tank, the float valve having a float ball for causing shut-off of the supply of fresh water at a level substantially below the overflow outlet, and apparatus connecting the waste water inlet to a bathtub water outlet.

Abstract: A knock down mattress system comprises a generally rectangular box-like shell having a bottom panel, a top panel and side panels interposed therebetween. A plurality of generally elongate bolsters are dimensioned and configured to be positioned within the shell in abutment with the side panels thereof. Each bolster comprises a casing containing resiliently compressible, pocketed coil springs, thereby providing a firm but compliant perimeter around the bed. The bolsters are maintained in proper position within the shell by straps which cooperate with loops formed in the bottom panel of the shell. By this configuration, the bolsters define an interior bounded space within the shell to contain a water mattress, an air mattress or other suitable mattress member. Because the bed system comprises an assembly of discrete pieces, it can be shipped conveniently to the customer in disassembled form and is readily assembled at final destination.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bed sheeting arrangement having a fitted lower sheet and an attachable upper covering and an edge of a sidewall remote having a continuous inelastic drawstring in a channel which is moveable in the channel. A first end of the inelastic drawstring is constrained outside the channel and a second end of the inelastic drawstring is manually accessible outside the channel allowing the fitted lower sheet to be releasably attached to the mattress. The inelastic drawstring is of sufficient length so that movement of the second end varies the length of the inelastic drawstring lying in the channel alongside the sidewall edge to accommodate various sized mattresses. The body of the fitted lower sheet covers the top surface of the mattress and the ends and sides of the fitted lower sheet cover the ends and sides of the mattress when the fitted lower sheet is in place on the mattress.

Abstract: The edges of first and second fabric sides are joined along a seam to form an enclosure for cushion material. Tie strings extend from the seam along one end of the cushion. First and second fabric flaps are provided. Each flap is joined along three edges to the seam. One flap extends from the same end of the cushion as the tie strings. The other flap extends from the opposite end of the cushion. When located on the same side of the cushion, the flaps partially overlap and hide the underlying side from view. Reversing the positions of the flaps hides the tie strings and the other side of the cushion, converting the chair pad into a decorative pillow. If the sides have different appearances, and if the surfaces of each flap coordinate in appearance with different ones of the sides respectively, the appearance of the cushion can be changed as well, as the cushion is converted.

Abstract: A down comforter includes a center region (22) and a border region (24) which extends around the comforter and defines the peripheral edge of the comforter. Typically, the center region (24) is approximately 53 to 62 percent of the total area of the comforter. The border region (24) is continuous and has the same width around the periphery of the comforter. A pillow includes upper and lower casing members (40, 42) between which are located upper and lower baffle members (44, 46). The baffle members 44, 46 are stitched together along two longitudinal lines of stitching (48, 50). The casing members (40, 42) and the baffle members (44, 46), all in registry, are stitched together along their respective longitudinal and end edges. The pillow is filled between the upper baffle member and the upper casing member and between the lower baffle member and the lower casing member, as well as between the two baffle members between the two lines of stitching.

Abstract: A protective cover for removable placement over the restraining side rails of a hospital bed. The cover is made of a foamed plastic core covered by a soft material with the cover being foldable over the top of the side rail and hook and eye means positioned at each end and at the sides of the cover to secure the cover on the side rail.

Abstract: A utility pen-knife includes a hollow body having a partition wall, wherein one end of the pen body spaced from the partition wall includes a pen structure and a further portion of the body adjacent the partition wall includes an array of accessible replacement blade members, as well as a blade member reciprocatably mounted upon a carriage oriented for convenience of use.

Abstract: An improved pool cleaner hose assembly is provided for use in drawing water under a negative pressure from a manually operated pool cleaner device to a water filtration system for swimming pools and the like. Improvements relate to enhancements in the view of the operator on debris at the bottom of the swimming pool during cleaning operation. The hose assembly is coupled between the cleaner device and filtration system. An improved cleaner hose assembly comprising a conventional extruded plastic hose and a plurality of weights attached along the length of the hose to orient the hose at the lowest profile on the pool floor whereby imparting minimum disturbance to the water surface and enhancing the view of the operator.

Abstract: A program controllable structure for providing program defined orientations of a nozzle for discharging ionized air onto the surfaces of a workpiece prior to a painting operation. The support structure comprises pivotal cantilevered support arms extending from the cross arm structure of a support arch and a second degree of freedom for the nozzle by means of a pivotal connection between the support arms and the nozzle at the free end of the support arms. Programmable means are provided for determining the orientation of the nozzle relative to the cantilevered arms at each of a plurality of program points.

Abstract: Processing machinery for cleaning, scrubbing, drying, and polishing produce, such as fruits and vegetables, utilizing centrifugal force produced by the relative rotation between a produce receiving rotating disc member and an opposed stationary disc member, both of which have surfaces in the form of brushes cooperating to treat produce that passes between the two brush surfaces to the disc members' periphery. Produce is introduced by a chute communicating with an inner diameter opening in the stationary disc member and falls onto the center of the rotating disc member where the rotating motion creates a centrifugal force urging it outwardly toward the disc members' periphery between the upper and lower brushes. When the produce reaches the disc periphery it drops off and is directed to a common discharge so that the brushes produce a 360 degree discharge of produce to a single discharge path out of the machine. The basic machine arrangement can also be used for drying and polishing produce.