Abstract: Canister type vacuum cleaners having a casing with convex sides which allow the vacuum cleaner to be pulled or otherwise displaced along a supporting surface irrespective of which side of the surface is facing downwardly and engaging that surface. A roller supported from a casing side wall at the base of the vacuum cleaner or one roller in an array which includes a roller supported from each casing side wall at the base end of the vacuum cleaner can be engaged with the supporting surface to increase the mobility of the vacuum cleaner. These rollers do not affect the insensitivity to orientation of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: An audio amplifier and power supply having a power transformer with power supply and control means to provide pulses of electrical energy at a substantially constant supply voltage, with the duration of the pulses being dependent upon a value that is related to the demands of the amplifier. The transformer charges a power capacitor to a substantially constant voltage to supply power for the amplifier. The frequency range of the pulses is between about 400 to 2,000 cycles per second, with a frequency being at about 1,100 cycles per second in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A relatively rigid cap is made of a material which is deformable at moderately elevated temperatures. A flexible blank contoured to fit a person's foot is placed against the cap which is at the elevated temperature, and these two are placed against the plantar surface of the foot. A plastic bag is placed around the cap, the blank and the foot, and a blank is applied to conform the cap and the blank to the person's foot so as to make a custom fit orthotic. Upon cooling, the cap remains properly contoured relative to the plantar surface of the foot.

Abstract: A loudspeaker diaphragm mounting system where there is a perimeter frame to which is mounted a planar flexible diaphragm having electrically conductive elements thereon. The frame has two perimeter sections which have matching perimeter grooves to receive an elongate tensioning member which presses the edge portion of the diaphragm into at least one of the grooves. By controlling the force with which the two frame sections are pushed together, tension on the diaphragm can be controlled.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an insert for a shoe, boot, or the like which is capable of plural adjustments so as to adapt the insert to the unique physical conformation of the wearer's foot, to hold the foot in a neutral axis position substantially at all times, to return a foot into the neutral axis mode automatically, and to provide a wide range of support, resiliency, and angulation based on the needs of the user. The device as set forth lends itself to modification for various sports where lateral motion is of primary importance, shock absorption and longitudinal extension of the foot is of paramount importance, or for geriatric patients whereby a single insert and the modifying devices associated therewith address the vast spectrum of orthotic needs.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for use in a hot air torch wherein the hot air torch utilizes a source of compressed air and a source of gaseous fuel. The hot air torch has a handle portion which holds a first pipe carrying pressurized air and a second pipe carrying propane under pressure. The first pipe containing pressurized air splits into two passageways, each passageway having a valve with which flow can be regulated. As propane travels through the second pipe to an exhaust outlet nozzle, pressurized air travels into a burner tube and an annular plenum surrounding the burner tube. The burner tube has circumferentially spaced openings. The compressed air from the plenum goes through the openings and travels radially inwardly toward the exhaust nozzle. The exhaust nozzle has a generally frusto-conical shaped exterior side surface to present a frusto-conical surface against which air jets from the circumferentially spaced openings in the burner tube impinge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ascertaining the cardiac output of a human patient, said method comprising the steps of: measuring the systolic velocity of the blood flowing through the patient's descending aorta; determining the cross-sectional area of the patient's ascending aorta; and calculating the patient's cardiac output from said systolic velocity and said aortic area. The cardiac output can be converted: (1) to cardiac index by dividing it by the patient's body surface area, and (2) to systemic vascular resistance by dividing a value representing the patient's blood pressure by said cardiac output.

Abstract: An aircraft navigational system for providing a geometic display to the pilot of the vertical position of the aircraft relative to a selected vertical flight path profile as the aircraft progresses between its departure and destination. The vertical profile, which has a climb portion, a cruise portion and a descent portion, is formed by a number of navigational points, each of which is defined by an altitude component and a geographical position component. The profile points which form the climb and descent profiles are calculated from controller assigned altitude and waypoint constraints as well as from airspeed and altitude operating limitations which define various selected aircraft performance climb and descent modes.

Abstract: A roller assembly to be used to support cargo which is being moved over a floor surface. The assembly comprises an elongate horizontally disposed mounting member with roller units mounted thereto. Each roller unit comprises an outer roller member, two support bearings, two locating elements, a center shaft, and an end nut. Each locating element has cylindrical portions surrounding the shaft and butting against one another.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously measuring the torque generated by a bladed turbofan engine as well as the forward force generated by gases exhausted from the turbofan engine in order to calculate total thrust. The apparatus includes a cradle for suspending the engine. A load cell connected between the cradle and a rigid structure measures the force generated by gases exhausted from the engine. The rotational torque generated by rotating bladed fan sections of the engine are measured by individual dynamometers. The dynamometers are connected to the fan sections by endless belts which are engaged to geared cowlings mounted to the fan sections in place of the blades and fan section cowlings. Each endless belt is also engaged to a rotatable gear member of the dynamometer so as to transmit the generated torque between the fan section and the dynamometer.

Abstract: Dryers with a timed drying cycle of user selectable duration and a continuous drying cycle which is terminated only upon receipt of an input from the user of the dryer. An optional module allows the user to select the maximum temperature wanted in the dryer cabinet, the minimum temperature needed for effective drying is set at the factory. Control is exercised via a microprocessor over the heater and the fan of a heater/fan unit, a recirculating blower, and the blower of an optional HEPA filter assembly if that assembly is present.

Abstract: Closure systems particularly intended for high speed aircraft and designed with an inwardly opening closure which can be removed during flight. A wheel or roller is provided at the bottom of the closure so that it can be readily moved to an out-of-the-way storage location by a single person. The closure is supported at its lower end by a floor-mounted bracket which can be detached to provide a clear pathway to the doorway which the closure is designed to block.

Abstract: A skate boot assembly comprising a main skate boot member, a bladder positioned within the boot member, and an orthotic insert positioned within the bladder. The orthotic insert is formed with two downwardly extending protrusions which fit in recesses formed in a sole portion of the bladder. The bladder in turn has downwardly protruding members that define its recesses and also fit into matching recesses formed in the sole of the boot member. This arrangement properly aligns the foot with the skate blade and with the longitudinal axis of the boot assembly. Further, the bladder is formed with properly positioned relief areas to alleviate unwanted foot pressure in certain areas, and also engages the upper heel portion of the foot to properly maintain the foot in the boot assembly. Other protrusion and recess means are provided between the bladder and the boot member so as to properly position the same relative to each other.

Abstract: Methods of, and equipment for, protecting selected parts of a component against overheating while the component is being thermally treated.

Abstract: A latching assembly having a retractable latch bolt and a slide bar which retracts the latch bolt by moving either forwardly or rearwardly from an intermediate position. The latching assembly has a rotatably mounted locking rod that rotates 90.degree. between a locking and an unlocking position. The assembly is arranged with a "panic release" system, in that with the locking rod in its locked position, it is possible to push an "inside" button or cylinder forwardly so as to move the locking rod to at least a partially released position to permit the latch bolt to be retracted. Thus, the latch bolt can be retracted from the inside location whether the locking rod is in its locking or unlocking position, but cannot be retracted from the outside location when the locking rod is set in its locked position.

Abstract: An insulated vacuum container comprising inner and outer wall sections, with each wall section made up of a skeletal frame, with membranes enclosing each frame. The membranes of the outer wall section curve inwardly, while the membranes of the inner section curve outwardly. The pressure loads imparted on the membranes are reacted substantially entirely in tension onto the skeletal frames. There is a rear end wall, mounted so as to be movable longitudinally relative to the outer wall section so as to permit thermal contraction and expansion of the inner wall section relative to the outer wall section.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus for promoting flexibility, strength, and an efficient cardiovascular system at modest cost and without the stress appurtenant to such common forms of exercise as jogging, running, and conventional aerobics. The apparatus includes a tank or other receptacle designed to be filled with an aqueous fluid providing resistance to movements by the user and an exercise device in and attached to the tank which the user can employ to generate the appropriate movements.

Abstract: A container rack for lockably storing and organizing containers equipped with lockable closure members, particularly bank night deposit bags with lockable zippers. A first container support having a first rod element is fixed to a base support and is adapted to lockably, slideably receive a container. A second container support having a second rod element is fixed to the base support in spaced, parallel relationship with the first rod element. Containers lockably supported by the first rod element are aligned relative to one another by the second rod element.

Abstract: Inbound and outbound parallel conveyors carry parts supported on a screen tray engaged by the conveyors. The parts are conveyed to a station on the inbound conveyor line where a substance is applied to a first portion of the parts. The parts are then conveyed to an inverting apparatus which inverts the parts onto another tray screen so that the relative locations of the parts on the tray screen are maintained to prevent masking each other when the substance is applied to a second portion of the parts. The parts are then conveyed to another location where the upwardly disposed second portions of the parts receive a coating of the substance. The inverting operation is accomplished by the inverting apparatus, slideably engaged to a lateral mobile assembly, which engages the parts tray from the conveyor within a lower tray receptacle. The parts are clamped between the lower tray and an upper screen tray removably engaged in an upper tray receptacle.