Selected U.S. Patent Abstracts

Abstract: An continuous passive lumbar motion (CPLM) device for alleviating lower back stiffness and/or pain. A person seated on a backless seat is subjected to cyclical forward and backward horizontal acceleration, thus imposing a horizontal to-and-fro force to the lower part of the body resulting in flexion and tension of the upper torso relative to the lower torso in the lumbar spinal region.

Abstract: A hatch assembly in which the hatch lid can be opened along four or more axes. The hinge structure of the present invention is a continuous rod element. This rod element is integral to the frame structure of the hatch--either the hatch-lid frame or to the base frame on which the hatch lid is mounted. The hatch lid is opened by securing one side of the hatch lid to the base by engaging a pin and then applying force to the hatch-lid from direction of the enclosure. The present invention further includes an adjustable prop assembly having a support tube and an actuation rod. The actuation rod slides though the support tube and is adjustably and releasably held by a pair of mated ramped and friction blocks. These mated pairs reside on opposed sides of the actuation rod. The actuation rod has a varying diameter by which it forces the friction blocks into contact with the ramped blocks thereby locking the entire assembly. The actuation rod is moved from a locked to an unlocked position by turning the actuation rod.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanically transferring an adhesive-backed labels to objects such as consumer items or packaging for consumer items. It receives labels on a lift-off backing strip, peeling the labels off one at a time from the strip by means of a peeler-bar. Using a pair of spring-loaded pawls attached to the outer edges of a label receiver, the apparatus mechanically engages each label along its outer edges as it begins to peel away from the strip. These pawls facilitate the peeling action as they direct the label into position in a label receiver. The label is then pressed directly onto the desired site, with no free-fall involved. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded pawls push outward disengaging the label as the label receiver contacts the surface to be labeled, thus leaving the label adhered to the desired surface. In the preferred embodiment, the action of the label receiver between its label-receiving position and its label-applying position is guided by a linear slide assembly. Movement of the linear slide assembly can be provided by a pneumatic-powered piston, or by other means. When the apparatus of the present invention is incorporated into an automatic packaging system, the application of labels is coordinated with the label feed mechanism and the packaging machine by means of logic controls. In other applications, the apparatus of the present invention serves as a stand-alone labeler.

Abstract: A sterile, disposable skin-marking device for applying a marking agent to the skin of a patient who is to undergo radiation therapy. The skin-marking device has a flexible housing that contains a rupturable cartridge containing the marking agent. The application end of the device is provided with a LUER-LOK coupler. A needle of appropriate size, with a LUER-LOK base, is selected and inserted into the LUER-LOK coupler, with the sheath still intact and in place. The cartridge is then ruptured by flexing or compressing the housing,. The marking agent flows into the needle, and, after removing the protective needle sheath, the needle is used to penetrate the skin of the patient to apply the marking agent to mark treatment set-up points.

Abstract: A learning method to enhance long-term retention of a large number of learned facts or principles. The method presents items to a User repeatedly and, depending on the recall of the User, the time between presentations of a properly recalled item increases. Items being presented for the first time and those presented a subsequent time before being properly answered are designated Unseen Items and O-Level Items, respectively. During each Session, a raw score is assigned to the item (related to the User's ability of recall with the item). When its raw score becomes sufficiently high, the item is considered a P-Level Item, after which it is presented less frequently and the rate of presentation continually decreases as the User demonstrates that he or she knows the correct response for the particular P-Level Item. The number of Sessions that are skipped before the particular P-Level item is re-presented to the User is based on the User's Level L in recalling the correct answer to the item. In this way, known items are repeatedly presented to the User with an ever-increasing interval between presentations. If the User fails to recall the item, the Level of the item is decremented and the time to next presentation decreased. As the User is working with this method, the progress of the User is recorded in a form available for review.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a wire stripper that sets the initial minimum opening between cutter jaws so that the jaws close snugly around a wire, and then adjusts the opening to provide a clearance distance so that the wire is not damaged when the jaws cut through the insulation.

Abstract: Material-recovery apparatus for obtaining usable, uniformly-dimensioned blanks from scrap. Apparatus is small, and economical in manufacture and operation, using only a single lifting jack and vertical support unit to support the tool-and-feed-roller housing. Feed-roller tensioning units for exerting downward force on rollers have a spring-biased bell-crank mechanism.

Abstract: Back-support device providing for expansion of a surface contour of a backrest of a seat, bed, lounge, or other type of body support device. The device includes a back-support that is arranged in the backrest and is made of a pleated fabric. A line of top-stitching is stitched through each fold that forms the pleats. An expandable device such as an air bladder is embedded in the backrest and the back-support device is arranged in the backrest between the air bladder and an occupant of the backrest. The pleats of the back-support device expand outwardly from the backrest, so that the back-support device presses against the back of the occupant, in response to pressure applied by the air bladder. The configuration of the pleats allows the back-support device to readily adapt to the particular contour of the occupant.

Abstract: A Doppler fetal heartbeat measurement device and method of use for reliable, convenient and inexpensive detection of fetal heartbeat and measurement of its rate from seven to twelve weeks gestation. The device is a conventional, inexpensive Doppler base unit having an intravaginal probe. Use of the present invention eliminates the need for the expensive procedure of transvaginal ultrasonic imaging for early detection of fetal heartbeat in the event of complications (e.g. cramping, spotting, pain) or the observation of a uterine size that does not correlate to the date of the last menstrual period.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling thrusters in small water craft. A water craft is provided with a bow thruster and a stern thruster. A control panel in the helm has a thruster control stick for controlling each thruster and a HOLD device associated with each control stick. When the boat is brought into the desired position, for example, alongside a dock, the HOLD device can be pushed for one or both of the thrusters. When the HOLD is pushed, a signal is sent to a CPU to ignore any changes in position of the corresponding thruster control stick and to maintain the current amount of thrust in the corresponding thruster. In an alternative embodiment, a fore-and-aft thruster is provided as a third thruster, in addition to the bow and stern thruster. This fore-and-aft thruster is controlled analogously to the control of the other two thrusters, and is used to maneuver the boat forward and backward. Furthermore, one of the thruster control sticks can be a double-axis control stick, so that only two sticks are needed to control the three thrusters. Each thruster can be connected with an on-board generator and used as a "come-home" engine in the case of main propulsion engine failure.

Abstract: A kit for reinforcing the wing spar attachment of Lake models of amphibious airplanes. The kit includes two filler-straps and two doubler-straps for each wing spar, and the necessary bolts, rivets, washers and nuts to attach the straps to the wing spar web. The doubler-straps are constructed to fit all models of Lake amphibious airplanes; the thickness of the filler-straps is, however, specific to the model of airplane or the model of wing in which they are to be installed. The doubler-straps and the filler-straps are pre-treated to protect them against corrosion and are marked so as to preclude incorrect inspection. The inboard end of the doubler-strap is angled to correspond to the angle of the wing spar relative to a vertical plane of the airplane.

Abstract: An oral hygienic compound and method for use in domesticated animals such as cats and dogs. The primary component of the oral hygienic compound is pure, natural garlic. The method involves coating or otherwise adulterating the animal's food with the oral hygienic compound in order to maximize garlic exposure within the oral cavity of the animal. Thus, the oral hygienic compound should promote chewing by the animal so as to evenly distribute the garlic within the animal's mouth. Garlic, in an uncooked state, has been found to substantially eliminate a pet's bad breath, whether by substantially reducing odor-causing bacteria within the oral cavity, and/or by other more systemic means when it is administered according to the inventive method.

Abstract: An inexpensive system for measuring and controlling the height of the platform of a lift, especially of a non-fixed lift such as fork-lift or scissors-lift. By the use of a time-monitoring microprocessor, this system carries out such measuring and controlling over a continuous range of height even though the direct-measuring operations just involve a small, discrete number of surrogate-height-markers and one or two off/on sensors. This is accomplished by incorporating into the control system (a) a geometric model relating the height of the platform to the value of a surrogate parameter and (b) dynamic model describing how the surrogate parameter changes with time during ascent and descent of the platform. With this data, the microprocessor can control the platform precisely, causing it to move to any vertical position within its normal range. The resolution is limited only by the precision of the geometric and dynamic models. This system can also incorporate in a unified way, and implement, upper and lower end-of-travel limits necessary to prevent damage to the lift mechanism, as well as instructions regarding desired platform movement whenever the platform reaches any particular key height.

Abstract: A device to aid in study and learning including a fabric bag having external pockets with transparent outer panels for holding study materials, such as homework or other papers associated with a course of study, and accessories for writing on and working with the study materials. The bag is made to the size of a standard breakfast cereal box so that the box can be placed inside of the bag so as to provide both support for the bag--so that the study materials are displayed upright for ready viewing--and a writing surface, so that the study material may be worked with by marking on the transparent outer panels. Closing straps are provided such that the straps may be secured out of the way for unhampered pouring of the contents of the box. Methods of use facilitate assisted study, such as a parent assisting a child during the breakfast hour, as well as individual study and study by two individuals concurrently. For use by young children, the primary colors, basic shapes, exhortatory sayings and the like may be printed, painted, or embossed on the bag and/or its accessories such as an eraser, markers and the like.

Abstract: An enclosure for pets mounted on a single axle with two large wheels and a handlebar, and attached to side frames that provide support in the stationary position. The enclosure is large enough to install lounging platforms and climbing devices for the pets and has an upper area and a lower area. The pet owner has access to the enclosed upper area and enclosed lower area through an uppper access door and a lower access door. The pet is placed in the enclosure through the upper access door and can have access to the lower area through an opening in the floor between the upper area and the lower area. This opening can be closed off by sliding a tray across the floor of the upper area. The enclosure can easily be wheeled to a desired location by lifting slightly on the handlebar and pushing the enclosure to the desired location. The enclosure is made of an open-mesh type material, such as a wire mesh. The lower area can be constructed with solid panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing vertical and horizontal adjustment of a helm seat in the cockpit of a boat. The apparatus can be mounted on a wall of the cockpit, without requiring any floor-based support, thereby providing better access to the floor area beneath the seat.

Abstract: A snow removal device that picks up snow from the ground and flicks the snow into impeller units that transport the snow into a discharge tube whence the snow is expelled from the system. The system primarily includes a pick-up assembly, an impeller assembly, and a discharge tube. The pick-up assembly has a drum array that includes rows of triple-stepped blade-like fingers distributed evenly around each drum of the array of drums. These fingers are stiffly flexible and can cleanly and efficiently pick up snow from uneven ground surfaces and flick the snow into the impeller assembly that is mounted parallel to the axis of the drum array. The impeller assembly includes a plurality of impeller units that transport the snow into the discharge tube. The impeller units are reversible in direction, allowing the snow to be discharged to the right or the left of the system, or to the right and left simultaneously. The discharge tube and the impeller assembly lie in the same plane and are tilted upward approximately 20.degree. relative to the ground. Thus, the snow is discharged at a relatively low height to the ground. The discharge tube and impeller assembly can be pivotally attached to the floating chassis, allowing the plane of the impeller assembly and the discharge tube to be tilted at a steeper angle relative to the ground. The snow removal device may be pulled or pushed by a prime mover and powered by an externally mounted hydraulic system.

Abstract: A mesh device for retaining mortar and other debris within a mortar-cavity-wall so as to prevent such material from falling in front of and hence blocking the "weep holes" placed at the bottom of such a wall to permit the egress of moisture condensate that forms within this type of wall. The device of the present invention is a rectangle of thin, openly woven mesh of basically a planar shape but with "bumps" distributed across the plane in such manner that when the device is placed upright within the cavity the bumps form barriers to the dropping of mortar and other debris. The bumps themselves, being made of the same material as the rest of the device, are fully permeable to moisture working its way down the cavity. Furthermore, there is an offset of the bumps in one row from those in the next so as to further reduce the possibility of a blockage occurring, say by debris accumulated on the bumps. Finally, the bumps on one side of the planar surface are matched by "dimples" on the other side. This permits nesting of the individual devices, thus reducing the space that the units take up during transportation and storage.

Abstract: A method for billing consumers of on-demand commodities consumed at a site remote from the site at which they are produced. It is modeled after certain contemporary telephone-company billing practices, though it is not limited to use with telephone companies. In one embodiment the method uses a telephone service provider to bill and collect for monies owed to the producer of the commodity for the amount of the full commodity units consumed during a billing period. In a simple embodiment of the method, commodity-consumption information is sent to the billing service by an automatically reading meter located at the point where the commodity is delivered for consumption. In particular, this commodity meter--such as an electric power meter--is designed to generate a discrete signal each time that a predetermined commodity-billing-unit has been consumed. Further in this particular embodiment, a coupling device for coupling the meter to the telephone line of the consumer is designed to receive this discrete signal and, each time that it does, to call a predetermined telephone number. The coupling device then disconnects the telephone connection immediately upon receiving verification of a telephone connection, without the transfer of any data. In that manner, the billing facility at the telephone is able to record that the particular customer identified by the number from which the call came had consumed one more billing-cost-unit of the commodity. This information is then utilized by the accounting computer at the telephone company to generate a line item or a billing section on the next telephone bill sent to that particular customer, a line item or a billing section corresponding to the cost of the commodity in question consumed by that customer during the billing period.

Abstract: System for grouping and transferring articles from an upstream station to a downstream station. Articles are pushed onto a transfer station table and transferred as a row of articles to a downstream conveyor extending at right angles to the direction of the upstream conveyor. The transfer cycle is initiated by an article deflecting a whip switch, which actuates a pilot actuator. The pilot actuator sends air to a lifting ram, thus causing a rocker arm with a tooth to disengage from a timing wheel; the disengaged rocker arm opens an air valve, pressurizing a master cylinder. The master cylinder forces a ratchet arm to rotate a shaft having push-rod assemblies mounted on it. As the shaft rotates, push-rods jut up through slots in the transfer station table and push the row of articles onto a staging area, as new articles continue to move onto the transfer station. Flow of air to the lifting ram is interrupted as the article loses contact with the ship switch. This allows the tooth end of the rocker arm to swing upward and to ride along the circumferential edge of the timing wheel until the tooth engages the next slot presented by the rotating timing wheel. Engagement of the tooth in the timing wheel lifts the rocker arm off the air valve, allowing the master cylinder air valve to close. The master cylinder is no longer pressurized, the ratchet arm retracts into the cylinder, and the shaft is locked into position after a 1/4-turn.

Abstract: A marking tape for transferring information written thereon to a film when the film is exposed to x-rays. The tape is a laminate of an upper film, a radiopaque emulsion, and a lower film. The top surface of the upper film is partially coated with a writable ink, and the ink coating positioned directly over the radiopaque emulsion. Pressure exerted by the user while writing on the ink surface causes the underlying emulsion to part. When the marking tape is affixed to a film cassette, x-rays penetrate the marking tape in those areas where the emulsion has been parted, the underlying film is exposed, and the information entered on the marking tape is thereby transferred to the film. The marking tape can be made in different sizes and radiopacities that can be distinguished by color-coding the writable surface.

Abstract: Protective eyewear that incorporates standard near-point corrective lenses into a protective shield. The protective eyewear, which includes side-protective shields, is fabricated from lightweight, transparent impact-resistant material. The corrective lenses are incorporated in the lower portion of the shield, thereby leaving the upper, larger portion of the shield uncorrected and thus available for viewing distant objects. The corrective lenses provide a focal length within a range commonly associated with reading glasses.

Abstract: A cable/satellite-ready television set. The main satellite chassis is incorporated into the television set and is linked to the inputs and outputs on the main television chassis. A cable/satellite control panel is integrated into the television cabinet and is accessible to the user on the front of the cabinet. The cable/satellite control panel has a satellite access card slot and control buttons, as well as an infrared signal input for a remote control device. The television set comes equipped with a single remote control device that will allow the user to select the mode of transmission (radio frequency broadcast, cable, satellite, wideband data, etc.) and the channel, as well as control other television functions such as controlling the volume and turning the television set on or off.

Abstract: Welding device to enable a welder to maintain an upright position when welding at floor level. The device is a rigid handle having a pistol-type handgrip and telescoping tubes. The telescoping tubes can be easily adjusted and interlocked, thus providing a handle that is adjustable to a plurality of lengths. The handgrip is angled approximately 90.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the handle and provides for a comfortable and secure grip. The electrode holder used in the welding process can be releasably attached to the distal end of the device. In the Preferred Embodiment, the telescoping tubes and handgrip are hollow, so that a power cable can be fed through the device and connected to the electrode holder. Mounted on the device is a welding shield made of welder's glass, that shields the welder's eyes from the welding flame and protects the welder from sparks arising from the welding site, thus eliminating the need on the part of the welder to wear a welding hood with mask. The device provides for increased safety and comfort of the welder.