Abstract: An optical transducer for determining the presence or absence of liquid or the like in a reservoir includes a housing with a hollow interior and an optical probe that extends through the housing. The optical probe has a central axis, a proximal end positioned in the hollow interior and a distal end positioned outside of the housing. The distal end has first and second measurement surfaces that intersect at a transverse edge. The transverse edge extends at an acute angle with respect to the central axis. A light source is arranged for projecting radiant energy into the optical probe toward the distal end. A photosensor is arranged for detecting radiant energy reflected from the distal end to thereby detect the presence and absence of liquid on the optical probe.

Abstract: A method for transferring data from a user station to a portable electronic display device includes providing one or more data sets, linking the data sets together in a predetermined sequence for accessing the data sets, and providing each data set with one or more data frames. Each data frame can be linked to another data frame of a single data set for sequentially displaying information such as images and/or text on a display screen of the portable electronic display device.

Abstract: An optical transducer for determining liquid level within a container includes a sensing probe having a first elongate measurement face and a second elongate measurement face that converges toward the first measurement face. A light source is positioned for directing radiant energy into the sensing probe and a photosensor is positioned for detecting an amount of radiant energy exiting the sensing probe. With this arrangement, a change in the amount of radiant energy as detected by the photosensor is indicative of a change in liquid level within the container.

Abstract: A brake light warning system for safety helmets includes a transmitter module adapted for mounting to a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, and a receiver module adapted for mounting to a safety helmet. The transmitter module is configured to continuously transmit a transmission signal when a brake of the vehicle is disengaged and discontinue transmission of the transmission signal when a brake of the vehicle is engaged. The receiver module is configured to detect a presence or absence of the transmission signal from the transmitter module. The receiver module has at least one light generating element that illuminates or increases in brightness upon detection of the absence of the transmission signal to indicate that the vehicle brake is engaged.

Abstract: An optical transducer for determining the presence or absence of liquid or the like in a reservoir includes an electrical circuit with a pulse generator and processing electronics to filter out ambient light and compensate for temperature changes. A comparator circuit portion includes a pair of comparators that simultaneously output high and low signals when in the presence of liquid. One of the outputs can be selected to drive an indicator, pump, relay or the like.

Abstract: An indicator for displaying either low liquid level or satisfactory liquid level conditions within a tank includes a sensor for detecting the liquid level conditions, a photodetector for detecting an ambient dark condition, a pair of indicator lights for indicating either the low liquid level or satisfactory liquid level conditions, and electrical circuitry operable to illuminate one of the indicator lights upon detection of the ambient dark condition by the photodetector and detection of either the low liquid level condition or satisfactory liquid level condition by the sensor.

Abstract: A swickle connector includes a connector body with an inlet end and an outlet end that is adapted for engagement with a sealing member of a sampling device or the like. The outlet end of the connector body includes a central axis. A clamping seat is associated with the connector body and includes an equilibrium point that is coincident with the central axis such that a clamping force acting on the clamping seat extends only in the direction of the central axis to thereby cause substantially uniform sealing engagement of the outlet end with the sealing member.

Abstract: An optical viewing system includes first, second and third image modifying devices together with an adaptor assembly for connecting the image modifying devices together. The adaptor assembly has first and second clamping portions. The first clamping portion is connected to the first and second image modifying devices and the second clamping portion is connected to the first clamping portion and to the first and third image modifying device so that the first image modifying device is clamped between the second and third image modifying devices. At least one of the first and second clamping portions are removably connected to the first image modifying device so that the first image modifying device can be removed from the adaptor assembly and operate as a further independent optical viewing system. Different combinations of image modifying devices can be arranged with one or more of the clamping portions.

Abstract: An optical transducer comprises a light source for emitting radiant energy, a base member, and an elongate light collector positioned for receiving radiant energy from the light source. The elongate light collector comprises a tunnel formed in the base member and a collector window that extends along a length of the tunnel. Radiant energy projected by the light source is received in the tunnel through the window and is transmitted along a length of the tunnel. A portion of the transmitted radiant energy exits the tunnel to thereby vary the intensity of light along the tunnel length. At least one photosensor is positioned for detecting the amount of radiant energy at a location in the tunnel. In this manner, the intensity of radiant energy at the tunnel location is indicative of at least relative position between the incident radiant energy and the at least one photosensor.

Abstract: A multiple battery system for a vehicle comprises a primary battery; a reserve battery electrically connectable to the primary battery; and a control unit with a relay switch electrically connected between the primary and reserve batteries. The relay switch is operable to close upon actuation and connect the reserve battery to the primary battery. The control unit also has a receiver electrically connected to the relay switch and is adapted to receive a control signal for actuating the relay switch. A wireless transmitter has a manually actuable switch for sending the control signal to the receiver. With this arrangement, actuation of the transmitter switch causes the control signal to be transmitted to the receiver and actuate the relay switch to connect the reserve battery to the primary battery.

Abstract: A panel assembly for transferring fluids from one location to another comprises a panel structure with openings, a nozzle projecting through each opening and a sleeve affixed between the nozzle and its respective opening. Each nozzle includes a tubular portion with a connection end adapted for connection to a transfer conduit. The connection ends of the nozzles are preferably aligned with a common reference plane. Each sleeve has an outer surface with a length that is greater than a combination of a thickness of the panel and any deformity on the panel. With this arrangement, alignment of the connection ends with the common reference plane is independent of any deformity on the panel. A method of constructing a panel assembly includes determining if any defects are present on the inner surface of the tubular portion before installing the nozzle on the panel, and precluding potential inner surface defects during installation of the nozzle on the panel.

Abstract: A mold assembly for a container closure includes a mold portion with a stripper ring adapted for engaging a shoulder of the closure, and a threaded core having an external, asymmetrical helical thread defining an internal, asymmetrical helical thread of the closure. The external, asymmetrical helical thread has a ramped surface defining a ramped surface of the internal, asymmetrical helical thread. Relative linear movement between the stripper ring and the threaded core causes withdrawal of the threaded core from the closure in a linear direction. The ramped surfaces of the internal and external, asymmetrical helical threads cooperate to facilitate the withdrawal.

Abstract: A closure for a container with a neck portion and an external helical thread formed on the neck portion includes an upper wall and a skirt formed integrally with and extending generally downwardly from the upper wall. An internal helical thread is formed on the skirt for engaging the external helical thread of the neck portion to thereby secure the closure to the container. The internal helical thread is preferably asymmetrical in cross section. A first annular seal extends generally radially inwardly toward a central axis of the closure from the inner skirt surface. The first annular seal sealingly engages the outer surface of the neck portion. A second annular seal extends generally axially downwardly from the upper wall and sealingly engage an inner surface of the neck portion. A thickness of the neck portion between the first and second annular seals is greater than the distance between the first and second annular seals before installation of the closure on the container.

Abstract: An adjustable jewelry assembly comprises a releasable clamping device and an elongate flexible member, such as a necklace or bracelet chain, that is releasably secured to the clamping device. The elongate flexible member forms a loop portion at one side of the clamping device and a pair of legs at an opposite side of the clamping device. The clamping device includes a cap and an insert slidably mounted in the cap. The legs extend; through openings in the cap and insert. A biasing member is located between the cap and insert for biasing the insert away from the cap. When the clamping device is at rest, the openings are misaligned and a shear force is applied to the legs, thereby securing the legs against slidable movement with respect to the clamping device. Pressing the cap and insert toward each other against the biasing force causes the openings to align and release the shear force so that the legs can slide with respect to the clamping device.

Abstract: There is provided a suspension for the wheels of an in-line roller skate, the suspension comprising a frame connectable to the boot of the skate, the frame having a pair of parallel spaced-apart rails extending in the longitudinal direction of the skate, a bogey for supporting at least one of the skate's wheels, the bogey being suspended to be pivotable about a horizontal axis relative to the frame, and beams for supporting the skate's leading and trailing wheels, pairs of the beams being pivotably connected at one of their ends to the bogey, rotatably supporting one of the wheels at the other of their ends, and being pivotably connected to respective rails of the frame member at a point intermediate the two ends of the beams.

Abstract: An optical viewing assembly and system for transferring image information from one image modifying device to another image modifying device. The optical viewing assembly includes a first image modifying device connected to a second image modifying device through a quick-release clamping arrangement. The clamping arrangement includes first and second clamping portions integrally formed at opposite ends of a hollow sleeve. Each clamping portion has a split collar that is adapted to receive one of the image modifying devices. Each collar includes a pair of clamping legs that are separated from the sleeve by a slot that extends at least part way around a perimeter of the sleeve to thereby permit movement of the clamping legs toward and away from each other. Movement of the clamping legs toward each other reduces a cross dimension of the split collar to thereby clamp one of the image modifying devices therein.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely ascertaining movement or non-movement of an individual in order to determine a possible emergency condition. The system includes a plurality of base systems, a central monitoring system, and a plurality of client systems. Each base system is associated with a site to be monitored and includes at least one monitoring device for generating information in response to detected movement of an individual. The central monitoring system is remotely located from the base systems and is coupled thereto for receiving the generated information. The central monitoring system includes a database for storing and retrieving at least a portion of the generated information from each base system. Each client system is remotely located from the base systems and central monitoring system and is couplable to the central monitoring system for retrieving at least a portion of the stored information in the database.

Abstract: A system for embedding a pair of rails of a railway track comprises a pair of field panels adapted for positioning opposite each other at outer sides of the rails and a gauge panel adapted for positioning between the rails. Each field panel has a side surface adapted to face its corresponding rail outer side and the gauge panel has opposite side surfaces adapted to face the inner sides of the rails. A first filler strip is associated with each of the field panels and a pair of second filler strips are associated with the gauge panel. Each of the first and second filler strips include a sealing portion that is adapted to contact one of the inner and outer rail sides and a mounting portion for connecting the filler strip to its respective panel. A U-shaped reinforcing member extends along a length of each filler strip mounting portion such that each filler strip is sandwiched between its respective reinforcing member and panel side surface.