Abstract: An adjustable garment hanger having two sliding bars(12) and a hanger body(10) with stationary strap hooks and support gussets. The sliding bars(12) fit the top bar of the hanger body(10) by way of grooves and use only contact friction to remain in selected positions once they are adjusted.

Abstract: A portable parts washing machine using a washing solvent to wash motor parts or the like. The apparatus has a stowed configuration and an operating configuration. In the operating configuration, a solvent container/wash basin is positioned on a base section which also functions as a solvent reservoir. Solvent is recirculated by a pup and recirculating line fro the reservoir to the wash basin, with the solvent washing the parts and then flowing through a drain in the wash basin into a centrifugal filter. The centrifugal filter removes the contaminates, with the solvent returning to the reservoir. In the stowed configuration, the base section, centrifugal filter and solvent recirculating assembly are stowed in the container.

Abstract: A distancing system comprising radio frequency transceivers and data processing circuits. The radio frequency transceivers allow data transmission via a high frequency radio signal. The transmission and receipt of these radio signals can be timed to estimate distance. But the data processing circuits operate at local clock frequencies, and one cannot be sure at what point a give radio frequency signal was received to a resolution greater than one-half cycle of the local clock signal. The data processing circuits periodically "skip" to resynchronize with incoming data streams. These skips occur at intervals corresponding to the frequency difference between the local clock frequencies. This frequency difference can be used to pinpoint fairly precisely when a given radio frequency signal was received in a previous half-cycle of the local clock.

Abstract: A method of detecting corrosion on an elongate member, such as a pipe. Far side and near side electric pulses (waves) are transmitted into a magnetically permeable pipe at spaced locations to travel toward one another. These are synchronized to intersect at various locations on the pipe. The resulting wave forms are analyzed by combining adjacent wave forms resulting from pulses intersection at spaced locations. Two combined wave forms are analyzed by subtracting one from the other to produce a difference wave form and the difference wave forms are compared to detect corrosion.

Abstract: An adjustable pillow assembly for supporting objects on a wearer's lap. The height of the pillow assembly is adjusted by inserting different combinations of lap cushions into a cover member as appropriate for a given individual. The lap cushions may be of equal thickness, in which case three lap cushions would provide three different heights of the pillow assembly. As one alternative, a surface contour of an upper surface of the pillow assembly can be contoured by placing one or more elbow cushions within the cover member on top of the uppermost lap cushion. As another alternative, the lap cushions may be provided in different thicknesses, in which case three lap cushions would provide seven different possible heights to the pillow assembly.

Abstract: A therapeutic exercise machine particularly adapted for restoring and/or maintaining the range of motion for post operative patients and for general therapeutic use. There is a carriage assembly mounted for back and forth longitudinal motion along a support frame. A plurality of tensioning cords urge the carriage frame to a forward location, and there is a contact plate mounted to the carriage frame. The person using the machine presses his or her feet or hands against the contact plate and moves it back and forth against the force of the tensioning cords. The tensioning cords are arranged so that there is an operating end that can be selectively attached to the front of the frame or to the carriage frame to vary the magnitude of the tensioning force.

Abstract: A system for inserting elongate members into and removing elongate members from the ground. The system is a bottom drive system that is capable of applying crowding or extraction forces to the elongate member while at the same time vibrating the elongate member along its axis. A vibratory assembly is mounted by a shock absorbing assembly to a support base. A gear or other type of drive assembly is mounted on the vibratory assembly. Vibratory forces generated by the vibratory assembly are applied to the elongate member through the drive assembly, causing the drive assembly to vibrate with the elongate member. The elongate member extends through the center of the vibratory assembly such that the vibratory forces have a vibratory axis that is aligned with the lengthwise axis of the elongate member to prevent torsional or twisting forces from being applied to the elongate member.

Abstract: An engine has a pair of rotors, both housed within the same housing. The housing has an interior cavity which is preferably spherical but need only be partially spherical, the remainder at least having rotational symmetry. Each rotor is mounted on an axis that passes through the center of the cavity, the respective axes of the rotors being at an angle to each other, with the center of each rotor being at the center of the cavity. The rotors interlock with each other to define chambers. Vanes or pistons defined by a contact face and a side face protrude from the rotors. The side faces and contact faces, and the housing interior define chambers that open and close as the rotors rotate. Each contact face of one rotor is defined by the rotation of a conical section of material on the other rotor, so that there is constant linear contact between opposing vanes on the two rotors, at least on one side of the engine. The rotors may face each other or be one inside the other.

Abstract: A flow regulator having a first and second stages of regulation. The first stage is a pressure regulation stage that maintains the pressure within an intermediate chamber (formed by a series of interconnected passageways and cavities) within a predetermined range above the pressure in an outlet port. The second stage maintains the flow rate within a predetermined range about a target flow rate. Both stages sample the pressure in the outlet port and automatically adjust the flow of fluid to ensure that fluctuations in pressure at the inlet and outlet ports do not affect the flow rate. The flow rate is set and controlled by a piston and valve arrangement. The pressure is regulated by a similar piston and valve arrangement. A flexible membrane is used to allow pressures in one chamber to be transferred into a control signal that operates a control valve in another chamber.

Abstract: A system for collecting, transporting and disposing of biofluids, such as those collected in a hospital or other health facility, in a manner to protect an operator and related support devices and systems from contact with potentially hazardous biofluids. The system provides a portable container adapted to be connected to the patient's suction tubes and also to the vacuum source, so that biofluid is collected in the container. The container is then moved to a base disposal location, and an outlet valve of the valve and connecting assembly of the container is connected to the base assembly, and the valve of the container moved to an open position. A sealed discharge passageway is formed, and the biofluid flows through this passageway. The valve of the container is closed, and the container removed and either disposed of, or washed, and sanitized so as to be ready for reuse. There is also provided a plug and manifold assembly to removably interfit with the container.

Abstract: A system for generating electrical power signals from a fluid fuel source. The system comprises an engine and a generator. The engine burns the fuel and is connected to the generator such that the generator generates a raw power signal. An output stage generates an output power signal from the raw power signal. A control circuit controls the operation of the engine based on the output power signal. The control circuit further controls the operation of the engine based on an output current of the generator when this output current exceeds a current threshold level. The control circuit additionally controls the operation of the engine based on a temperature of the engine when the engine temperature exceeds a rated temperature level. The system thus generates sufficient power to supply a variable load but stays within an operating range defined by a rated power level and the rated temperature level.

Abstract: A waste water system adapted to receive liquid waste from a septic tank or the like and purify the same.There is a primary processing section comprising a first processing tank to receive the waste water. This primary section has air operated valve means to cause the operating steps, namely the opening and closing of the inlet and outlets of the tank, aeration of the liquid in the tank, supplying a dose of a treatment liquid into the liquid of the tank, and also causing recirculation of some of the biomass in the tank back to the septic tank. The liquid from the first processing section is transmitted to a second processing section where the liquid is circulated through filters, and also through an ultra-violet heater to cause final purification of the liquid. There is a control system which is responsive to liquid level in the two tanks, and also responsive to air pressure in a compressed air manifold that supplies pressurized air to various valves to control the operation of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional area thereof. This outlet member can be in the form of a straw or tube that is inserted into the nozzle passageway or a disc or other member having a plurality of outlet orifices formed therein. The outlet member having a plurality of outlet orifices can be attached directly to an actuator member in which the dispensing passageway is formed.

Abstract: A method of covering the head of a screw which has been inserted into a wood structure, such as a cabinet, a bookshelf, etc. There is a planar circular cover member made of a moderately flexible plasctic and having an adhesive surface. The diameter of the cover member is moderately greater than the diameter of the screw head and the opening in which the screw head is placed. The cover member is placed by positioning a first side portion of the cover member adjacent to the opening, and then deflecting cover member downwardly in a curved position above the screw head opening, keeping the cover properly positioned. Then the person's thumb which grasps an end of the cover member is moved to release the cover member which then snaps into position to cover the opening and become bonded to the surface of the wood structure.