Abstract: A system and method for generating bio-active frequencies with precision to within 0.001 Hz. These precise frequencies are used to kill microorganisms and viruses and to enhance tissue regeneration. In addition, they may be used in various commercial and industrial applications, such as food processing. The system comprises a frequency synthesizer which is programmed by a hard-wired control device to emit a specific precise frequency or a series of precise frequencies. In a second embodiment, the programmable control device is a plug in module which is programmed for a specific group of frequencies that have been approved for medical use by the controlling governmental body (e.g. the FDA in the United States). A keyboard may be used to select a specific frequency or a sequence of frequencies or a series of frequencies. Depending upon the specific frequency being generated, a circuit gates the generated signal ON or OFF using a predetermined periodic pattern.

Abstract: A cover system for covering an open topped compartment, such as a truck trailer, that may contain a quantity of particulate material extending in a heap above the sides of the compartment. A sheet of flexible material is rolled at one compartment end for pulling across and covering the compartment. A transverse tube is secured to the cover leading edge. A roller assembly is mounted by brackets to the tube so that as the cover is moved over the heap of material the roller will engage the heap and rotate so that the brackets raise the leading edge above the roller, which rides along the heap. The cover is then fastened in the covering position. When the cover is retracted to uncover the compartment, the roller trails behind the leading edge, permitting the cover to be rolled up easily.

Abstract: A sling for a tactical weapon that at least partially surrounds the body of a human, has shoulder straps with adjustable shoulder pads, a resilient back strap in one embodiment and no back strap in another embodiment. The front waste band has a buckle for waste band central detachment in one embodiment and is has no central detachment in another embodiment. One embodiment has the back straps crossed and attached together at the cross over with side waste band buckles on each end thereof with length adjustable straps passing through the buckles with the opposite end attached to rings on the front waste strap.

Abstract: A folding knife that is self opening when removed from a container such as a holster or pocket. The knife includes a handle and a knife blade with the blade hinged to the handle for folding from an extended, use, position to a stored position in a slot in the handle. A pin is formed on the knife blade adjacent to the hinged end, extending away from the blade when the blade is folded. When the knife is pulled from a container, the pin will snag the container just before the knife is fully removed, causing the blade to unfold to the use position. Preferably, the pin is hook-shaped with an end extending along the blade towards the blade tip. A releasable locking arrangement to lock the blade against folding while in use and for releasing the blade when desired for folding is preferably included.

Abstract: A writing pad having extendable tabs to be secured by an elbow to prevent move of the pad when the writer is holding a telephone with one hand and writing with the other. The tabs are extendable from the pad for either right or left handed persons.

Abstract: A method of constructing metal picket fences and components for use in building fences. Basically, panels are constructed by punching holes in frame tubes with a punch to form holes. Pickets are inserted into the holes to form fence panels that are fastened to posts. Several embodiments of self-locking pin systems are provided to lock picket ends in frame tube holes to prevent the pickets from being removed. In each embodiment, a pin is mounted on a picket end in a manner such that as the picket end is pressed into a frame tube hole, the pin will move outwardly of the picket wall inside the frame tube and prevent withdrawal of the picket. Straps can be fastened to the posts with fence panels fastened to the straps in a manner permitting accommodation of inter-post tolerances and ground slope changes. Several different embodiments of locking pins, blind fasteners and post or surface mounting brackets are described.

Abstract: A ring-toss type game having a target made up of a generally tubular wall on a base with an upstanding central post, the target made from a hard heavy material such as steel that will produce a bell-like sound when struck by ring formed from a hard material such as steel. The target wall and base may be a single unitary cup shaped member or may consist of a wall fastened to the base. An elastic band, such as a Bungee cord, may be wrapped around the wall to reduce impact sound intensity. A cord and bracket assembly may be secured to the target to be stretched away from the target and secured to the ground to provide a clear line behind which rings will be pitched or tossed at the target. Typically, tossing a ring over the post will earn the highest number of points, a lesser number will be earned by tossing a ring into the target between the post and inner wall and the least number of points for striking the target exterior.

Abstract: A method of applying multi-colored designs to substrates such as fingernails or toenails. A mask/stencil is prepared by cutting a design in a thin flexible plastic sheet held on a backing sheet by a low tack adhesive. Preferably, the mask/stencil is cut in a computer driven plotter using a sharp blade in place of the usual pen. The mask/stencil is removed from the backing sheet and placed on the substrate with openings corresponding to the design. A colorant is applied over the mask/stencil and areas of the substrate exposed through the openings. The mask/stencil is then removed, leaving colored areas corresponding to mask/stencil openings. Additional mask/stencils with different openings corresponding to other portions of the final multi-color design are then applied, coated and removed.

Abstract: A plano-aspheric spectacle lens that is particularly beneficial under night and low-light conditions and/or by those who have had refractive surgery. A first refractive surface of the lens, preferably the back or concave side, has an aspheric surface with a power of from about minus 0.20 to minus 0.37 diopters and a central, generally circular, spherical area having no power and a diameter of from about 1 to 5 mm. If any corrections are required for eye anomalies such as refractive error, astigmatism or the like, those corrections are applied to the lens surface opposite the plano-aspheric surface, preferably the back or concave surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving fitness and muscle rehabilitation which includes a horizontal base having an upwardly extending structure secured thereto. A seat is provided at the lower end so that a user may sit with legs extended up the slope. A carriage is mounted for movement along the structure, with a seat oriented so that a user can selectively push the carriage upwardly or restrain carriage movement downwardly. A power drive selectively moves the carriage up and down the structure at a desired rate against which the user works. Multiple safety devices are included to prevent the carriage from moving down the slope beyond a selected point and to prevent the carriage from moving at a speed beyond a selected rate. A convenient control box is provided for operating the apparatus in a selected mode.

Abstract: A cover system for covering open topped containers such as truck trailers carrying particulate material such as dirt, gravel, grain and the like. The cover is a flexible sheet material sized to cover the open top and can extend over the end and down the sides of the container, if desired. A roller is provided at one end of the open top for rolling up the cover to store the cover with the top open. A transverse rod runs through a hem at the opposite end of the cover. Edge guides on the rod maintain the cover in alignment with the container top when the cover is unrolled over the top. At least one freely rotatable roller or slide is provided on the rod near the rod center. A rope, strap or the like is secured to the rod to pull the rod and cover over the open top.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for prolonging the usage life of an optical element under the irradiation of an intensive laser beam. The method employs a continuous mechanical motion to enlarge the effective interaction area and the volume of the laser beam within the optical element. In an embodiment, the apparatus is used for harmonic generation of a laser beam within a BBO crystal. A motor is used to drive the BBO crystal mounted on a pair of translation slides. The crystal is moved on a circular path spiraling within a predetermined area while its optical axis remains in the same orientation in relation to a laser beam. The phase matching angle of the BBO is maintained during the movement, and the usage life of the BBO crystal is increased by many orders of magnitude.

Abstract: A coadunate emitter/detector assembly for use with fiber optics. A housing has a socket for receiving an end face of a fiber optic or thin bundle of fiber optics. A detector is mounted in the socket for receiving light from a portion of the end face. An emitter is mounted close to the detector for directing light into another portion of the end face. The detector can respond to changes in the light received, which is generally varied by a device at the opposite end of the fiber optic that reflects more or less of the emitter generated light back to the detector. A condensing lens may be placed between the emitter and the fiber optic end face to maximize emitted light that enters the fiber optic. The emitter and detector may be placed in a single plain with a light barrier between them, may be stacked or may be axially spaced. The emitter may be located in a can with upstanding walls to reduce light scatter.

Abstract: A hood assembly placeable over a person's head for treating a person with a gas such as oxygen. Basically the assembly includes a resilient neck ring around a user's neck, a soft, rubbery, tubular neck seal with one end connected to the neck ring and the other configured to fit around the user's neck and a transparent hood fastened to a hood ring that can be sealed against the neck ring. Tubes direct gas into and out the hood through ports through the neck ring. Preferably, the seal that engages the neck is marked with indicia showing a series of varying circumferences, so that the neck seal opening can be trimmed to provide a comfortable and sealing circumference for engaging the user's neck. The assembly is particularly adapted to use in providing oxygen to a patient in a hyperbaric chamber.

Abstract: A two piece portable chair movable between a use and a storage position. A seat member has two elongated side members with a number of slats fastened transversely across the side members. A back has two elongated side members with a flexible back supporting sheet across the side members, two cross pieces at the ends and two spaced support members extending transversely between the side members. The seat can be inserted between the support members for use as a chair. The seat can also be inserted lengthwise between the back side members and wedged in place to provide a compact package for transport and storage. Tapered ends on the seat side members wedge between the support members to hold the seat in place. One of the cross pieces provides a convenient carrying handle. Movable brackets may be provided, pivotable on a rod extending between the seat side members or between the back side members to allow the angle between seat and back to be varied.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring detectable intermittent signals generated by a living being. In one embodiment, a pregnancy monitoring system monitors fetal heat beat and/or uterine contractions. A belt is configured to fit around the abdomen of a pregnant woman, with belt ends fastened together at her back. A number of sensors are mounted on the belt to detect fetal heartbeat and transmit corresponding electrical systems, preferably by wireless means, to a distant monitoring station. At least one uterine contraction sensor may also be mounted on the belt for detecting uterine contractions and transmitting a corresponding electrical signal to the monitoring station. In a second embodiment, an apron or jacket for placement in tight, uniform contact over the chest contains a plurality of sensors for detecting cardiac signals. These electrocardiographic signals are transmitted by a wireless transmitter to a distant, central monitoring system to produce a valid data signal at the remote station.

Abstract: A portable pet grooming center a tub removably mounted on a pedestal. The tub can be fastened to the pedestal for grooming pets, then removed and the pedestal nested in the tub for storage or transport. A platform is provided for installation in the tub when grooming a smaller pet. One end of the tub has a U-shaped cut out and a small stairway is provided so that a larger pet can walk up the stairway and over the cut out into the tub. The tub slopes toward a drain at one end and a hose is connected to the drain. Preferred arrangements for releasably securing the tub to the pedestal includes over center clamps and slide together brackets.

Abstract: An intraoral semi-custom device for the prevention of chronic tension and common migraine headaches and temporomandibular disorders that are caused by chronic clenching of the posterior mandibular and maxillary teeth by the temporalis muscle. The device includes a trough, curved to correspond to the curvature of the maxillary incisors, from which distally extends a dome shape. The trough and dome are formed from a reshapable synthetic resin sheet material. The trough is retained by a cured in place acrylic resin, which is placed into the trough by a dentist and then placed over the maxillary incisors by the dentist. The cured, now substantially rigid, acrylic fits tightly and retains the device around the wearer's upper incisors. Once in place in the wearer's mouth, the dome will come into contact with one or two lower incisor teeth prior to the posterior teeth coming into contact.

Abstract: A curvilinear peristaltic pump for pumping liquids through a resilient tube. The pump includes a curved concave platen against which a resilient tube is placed. A multi-lobed cam is positioned adjacent to the platen and tube. A plurality of pump fingers, each carrying a pinch finger, are mounted between tube and cam in a manner permitting radially outward movement of the pump fingers toward the platen. As the cam rotates, the fingers are pressed against the tube sequentially so as to pump liquid through the tube. A strain gauge beam is secured to the pump just beyond each end of the pump finger set. A sensing member secured to the free end of the beam is pre-loaded against the tube next to each endmost pump finger. When an input occlusion occurs, the tubing will collapse causing the beam to deflect toward the tube, changing its pre-load state. This motion will cause a negative voltage change indicative of the input occlusion.

Abstract: A single or a plurality of like transmitters are remotely positioned from a single receiver. Each one of the transmitters has an infra-red sensor that when activated by the heat of a moving object transmits a first single pulse to set the AGC of the single receiver and then when the AGC level is established transmits a series of coded identification pulses at substantially the same gain level as the first pulse to the receiver. The coded pulses identify one of a plurality of channels in the receiver that contain a pre-recorded message relating to the transmitting transmitter. When a channel is selected that pre-recorded message is audible produced by the receiver. Typically, the message will announce the location of the transmitting transmitter to a listener which indicates that there is an intruder detected at the transmitter location.