Abstract: A single-lens-reflex camera includes means for virtually eliminating vibration, noise, and motion caused by mirror movement, resulting in a higher resolution image being recorded on a light-sensitive surface at the rear of the camera. A pair of bi-parting mirrors are smoothly and noiselessly slid from a position adjacent each other, reflecting an image upward to a viewing screen for focusing and viewing, to a separated position. When mirrors are separated they are clear of the image, so the image can then fall upon the shutter and light-sensitive surface at the rear of the camera. After the image is recorded on the light-sensitive surface, the mirrors return to their original adjacent position. The mirrors are symmetrically arranged, so their inertial masses oppose and cancel each other during mirror movement, thereby eliminating camera movement from this source. This allows larger and heavier mirrors to be used in large format cameras.

Abstract: An insulating cup or container (50) and a method of manufacturing it comprises (first embodiment) providing a sidewall blank (12B) having two sections separated by a fold score (15), and a separate insulating sheet (18)(corrugated, ribbed, embossed, foamed, perforated, etc.) which is adhesively fastened to one of the sections. The blank is folded in half along the fold score, to form a three-layered assembly with the insulating sheet in the middle. To reduce the thickness of the seam, the blank is thinned in the area adjacent a fold score prior to folding. The assembly is wrapped around a mandrel to bring the outer edges together at a side seam (22S) to form a sidewall 12. The side seam is sealed, the bottom is added, and the rim is formed. In a second embodiment, the insulating layer can be a coating on one or both of the sections of the two-section starting blank. In a third embodiment, the insulating section (40) can be integral with, and extend from, one edge of the starting blank.

Abstract: A scan systems include at least one radiation source for directing at least one beam toward a spinning scan device. The scan device reflects these beams as rotating scan beams to track rotating scan lenses without translation between the scan beams and the scan lenses. The rotating scan lenses focus the scan beams into radiation spots and project them onto a scanned surface as moving scan spots. Relative movement between the scanned surface and the scan lenses produces an inner drum area scan. According to another version the system includes at least one radiation source for directing at least one beam toward a spinning scan device. The scan device reflects these beams as rotating scan beams to track rotating reflectors. The reflectors direct the beams to rotating tracking lenses without translation between the beams and the lenses. The lenses focus the scan beams into spots and project these onto a scanned surface as moving spots.

Abstract: A vehicle with a caster (12) has a disconnectable steering system so the vehicle can be quickly and easily converted back and forth between rider-steerable and externally steerable configurations. The vehicle includes a frame (body) (20), the caster, and a steering mechanism (22, 24, 34) mounted on the frame. A disconnecting device (32) is mounted between the steering mechanism and the caster. When the disconnecting device connects the steering mechanism to the caster, the vehicle can be steered by the occupant since the steering mechanism and caster rotate as one unit. When the disconnecting device disconnects the steering mechanism from the caster, the caster is allowed to swivel freely (360°) about its vertical axis so that the vehicle can be pushed or pulled in any direction by an external operator. The vehicle may be a stroller, a toy vehicle, a scooter, a wheelchair, a cart, a dolly, etc., and it can have more than one caster.

Abstract: An insulating cup or container (50) and a method of manufacturing it comprises (first embodiment) providing a sidewall blank (12B) having two sections separated by a fold score (15), and a separate insulating sheet (18) (corrugated, ribbed, embossed, foamed, perforated, etc.) which is adhesively fastened to one of the sections. The blank is folded in half along the fold score, to form a three-layered assembly with the insulating sheet in the middle. To reduce the thickness of the seam, the blank is thinned in the area adjacent a fold score prior to folding. The assembly is wrapped around a mandrel to bring the outer edges together at a side seam (22S) to form a sidewall 12. The side seam is sealed, the bottom is added, and the rim is formed. In a second embodiment, the insulating layer can be a coating on one or both of the sections of the two-section starting blank. In a third embodiment, the insulating section (40) is integral with, and extends from, one edge of the starting blank.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing uncontrolled burning in barometric-type liquid fuel burners of the type where a removable fuel tank (60) feeds a fuel chamber (40), which supplies the fuel to a wick (54), via a sump opening in the upper surface of the chamber (40). A fusible link (28), which is affixed to a tank guide (12) via a support (30), is connected to an arm (74). The arm (74) is in turn connected to a lever (78) in a hinged fashion. The lever (78) is attached to a support (82) in a hinged fashion. A face (80) is present on the lever (78) at the end of the lever (78) distal to the end connected to arm (74). The face (80) is proximate to an automatic wick extinguishing unit (42). Should the temperature of fusible link (28) exceed a predetermined level, it will open irreversibly, allowing arm (74) to move downward, which in turn causes lever (78) to rotate about support (82), forcing face (80) upward, which actuates the automatic wick extinguishing unit (42).

Abstract: Fast image acquisition and image process control are used to advantage to measure dynamic and transient phenomena. This technique distinguishes fluid from bubbles by taking an image of a container containing fluid and modifying the gray levels of the image. Unmodified image processing can be performed without the disadvantage of large time consumption. The technique is used for detecting fluid levels and bubbles, by counting image pixels dedicated to bubbles or to fluid along vertical or horizontal lines within the image. The rate of change of liquid level and the amount of bubbles with time indicate leakage in containers while they are in a dynamic state. The inspection of transient phenomena during a dynamic state gives an indication of the final quality and quantity of a product inside a container. It also provides feedback for the determination of fill nozzle operation, with the advantage of easy calibration and adjustment for the right amount of bubbles within the container.

Abstract: A convertible tent comprises an inner canopy (12) having a window (22) and a flysheet or outer canopy (36) spaced above and covering the inner canopy. The flysheet has a window (36P) in alignment with the canopy's window. The canopy's window can be closed with either a solid (26) or a net panel (24). This window has, around its edge, a row of zipper teeth (a zipper chain—30), which teeth mate with respective zipper chains (32, 34) on the solid and net panels. Thus either the solid panel or the net panel can be zipped into the inner canopy's window. A solid panel can also be zipped into the window in the flysheet. The tent can be adjusted for warm, cool, cold, and precipitation conditions from inside by using just the net panel in the inner canopy, just the solid panel of the inner canopy, or the solid panel o the inner canopy and the solid panel of the flysheet.

Abstract: A system for insuring proper human hydration comprises an oral-suction-activated flow meter (202) which measures and displays (292) the volume of fluid (255) withdrawn from a reservoir (258) through tubing (270). An optional check valve (280) prevents return flow of fluid (255) from the user's mouth (205) to the reservoir (258). Mode and control buttons (294) control operation of a microprocessor (300) and a display (292). Both alphanumeric (292) and graphical (730, 850) displays show the volume withdrawn as a function of time or other events. Drink reminder alarms are provided through a display (292) or loudspeaker (520) to alert the user when it is time for a drink to ensure proper hydration.

Abstract: An insulating cup or container (50) and a method of manufacturing it comprises (first embodiment) providing a sidewall blank (12B) having two sections separated by a fold score (15), and a separate insulating sheet (18)(corrugated, ribbed, embossed, foamed, perforated, etc.) which is adhesively fastened to one of the sections. The blank is folded in half along the fold score, to form a three-layered assembly with the insulating sheet in the middle. To reduce the thickness of the seam, the blank is thinned in the area adjacent a fold score prior to folding. The assembly is wrapped around a mandrel to bring the outer edges together at a side seam (22S) to form a sidewall 12. The side seam is sealed, the bottom is added, and the rim is formed. In a second embodiment, the insulating layer can be a coating on one or both of the sections of the two-section starting blank. In a third embodiment, the insulating section (40) can be integral with, and extend from, one edge of the starting blank.

Abstract: In a room or building having adjoining side walls forming a corner and a floor forming with the side walls an open pocket adjacent the floor, a storage system having a cross member for retaining elongated implements such as garden tools and skis bearing on the floor and in a generally vertical position between the side walls and leaning outwardly from the corner toward the cross member. The length of the cross member is adjustable, to a selected length extending between the side walls. The cross member includes mounting pieces disposed at distal ends of the cross member to secure the cross member to the walls. The cross member extends between the two side walls above the floor and the mounting pieces attach to the side walls regardless of the included angle between the cross member and each side wall for appropriate mounting of the cross member whereby the triangular area bounded by the cross member and the side walls may be chosen to accommodate particular implements.

Abstract: A system for measuring the distance of an examined surface from a reference plane includes two detectors and a radiation source for directing a beam along a path which includes a first focussing lens for focussing the beam as a spot on the surface and reflecting it. A collecting lens converts the reflected radiation to a reflected beam. A splitter directs part of the reflected beam through a second path which includes a second focussing lens for focussing part of the reflected beam onto a surface of the first detector. Its position on the first detector corresponds to the distance of the examined surface under the spot from the reference plane, according to by a first equation with two terms: a first drawback error and a first surface displacement. The other part of the reflected beam propagates through a splitter and along a third path which includes a third focussing lens for focussing the other part of the reflected beam onto a second spot on a surface of the second detector.

Abstract: A single instrument can be played as a guitar or a banjo with a simple adjustment. It has six guitar strings (1 to 6), plus a seventh, shorter string (7). Its neck (12) is widened for part (12W) of its length, starting from the body (10) and then narrows. The six strings run over the pickups (28 and 30) and tuning bridge (24) and are anchored on the backside. Their opposite ends are wound around the tuning pegs at the end of the neck. A shift lever (38S) is attached to the first peg for rapidly changing the tuning from its normal pitch, E, down to D. The seventh string is tuned to G, as with the fifth string of a banjo. Its ball or stopped end is captivated by a knurled adjustment nut (42) under the body. It passes through the body and over the bridge (24), the pickups (28 and 30), over the body and widened part of the neck. Its free end is anchored at an anchor hole (12H) in the neck. To play the instrument as a guitar, the player uses the first six strings, which are tuned to the guitar pitches, i.e.

Abstract: A female stimulation device is comprised of a tubular suction chamber sized for closely fitting around a clitoris. The suction chamber is connected to a variable partial vacuum source through a tubing. The partial vacuum source may be the mouth of a user or a mechanical device, such as a vacuum bulb or pump. The clitoris is drawn outwardly by the partial vacuum, so that it is engorged with blood to produce a sexually pleasurable sensation. The force of suction may be controlled by a check and suction release valve, which is also used to release the partial vacuum. The front end of the suction chamber is shaped to provide an air-tight but comfortable seal.

Abstract: A tent clip design for coupling with similar adjacent clips comprises a C-shaped upper portion (11) that can be snapped onto a tent pole (12), a webbing slot (19) at the bottom for attaching a loop of webbing (20) extending up from the tent (21) below, a laterally extending tongue (14) with a toothed lower surface (15) near its distal end, and a corresponding tongue slot (16) immediately below the tongue with a toothed upper surface (17) on its lower edge to join in locked engagement with the toothed lower surface (35) of tongue (34) of a similar adjacent tent clip (30) when two or more similar clips are aligned and pressed together. The portion of the clip below the tongue slot is made of flexible material and comprises flexible portion (18) of the clip.

Abstract: Two new modes of stimulation and analysis are provided for the enhancement of local and lateral nonlinear interactions in the multi-area electroretinogram. In both modes the stimulation consists of a sequence of stimulus intervals (40) of equal size. In mode 1 each stimulus interval may contain two stimuli of the same or different type. Stimulus 1 occurs at a predetermined time within each interval (40) while stimulus occurs pseudorandomly at the beginning of the intervals. The same pseudorandom stimulation is used for all stimulated areas (12) with and appropriate shift in the stimulus sequence from one area to the next. Multi-area responses are derived by cross-correlating the response cycle with a sequence of the same length with values of +1 and -1 at the beginning of each stimulus interval to reflect the pseudorandom stimulation and 0 everywhere else. In mode 2 each stimulus interval contains pseudorandom stimuli at different time points (50) within each stimulus interval.

Abstract: An insulating cup or container (50) and a method of manufacturing it comprises (first embodiment) providing a sidewall blank (12B) having two sections separated by a fold score (15), and a separate insulating sheet (18)(corrugated, ribbed, embossed, foamed, perforated, etc.) which is adhesively fastened to one of the sections. Adhesive is applied to an area (21) adjacent the fold score. The blank is folded in half along the fold score, to form a three-layered assembly with the insulating sheet in the middle. The adhesive that was applied adjacent the fold score bonds the two sections together at an area (21) adjacent a fold edge (22) on the inside surfaces of the folded blank. The assembly is wrapped around a mandrel to bring the outer edges together at a sideseam (22S) to form a sidewall 12. The side seam is sealed, the bottom is added, and the rim is formed.

Abstract: A filter adapter for use with a waterpipe comprises a closure cap with a cutout; a spigot tap with a cylindrical sleeve, an integral port, a cylindrical base with male threads, the port providing communication between the sleeve and the base; and a ventilated filter cartridge containing a filter medium, preferably silica gel granules. The closure cap is frictionally engaged over the smoke passage of the waterpipe. The spigot tap, having been threaded into the cutout of the closure cap, effects the seal between the spigot tap and the smoke passage. The diameter of the sleeve on the spigot tap is a predetermined diameter to allow frictional insertion of a filter cartridge. A ventilated filter cartridge preferably containing silica gel granules as a filtering medium is frictionally engaged into the open end of the sleeve. The spigot tap provides communication between the filter cartridge and the smoke passage.