Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a microplate cassette, including: a generally hollow housing to contain therein a plurality of microplates; and a memory device associated with the cassette and adapted to be placed in operational contact with a portion of a processing device.

Abstract: A ladder stabilizer, including: a serrated portion for placement against an object; and the serrated portion being attachable to an upper end of a ladder, with serrations formed on the serrated portion engaging the object.

Abstract: A collapsible lampshade includes an upper ring, a lower ring, a plurality of upper ribs each having a first end pivoted to the upper ring and a second end part, and a plurality of lower ribs each having a third end which is pivoted to the lower ring and a fourth end part which has a connection part pivoted to the second end part. The connection part has a pair of flaps extending over and pivoted to the second end part. Releasable interengagement elements are formed on the flaps and the second end part for locking the second end part from movement relative to the flaps. The lampshade has a simple construction and can be stretched and locked in the stretched state in a convenient manner using few component parts.

Abstract: A suspended supporting system for supporting a substantially rigid linear structure (2) such as a pipeline, a tramway, a walkway bridge, a transportation gallery, an underwater tunnel, etc. placed above the ground/seabed/riverbed, the system including: apparatus (1) attached to the linear structure, pulling the linear structure upward, generating upward vertical force of magnitude great enough for carrying downward vertical loads and lateral loads applied to the linear structure; and at least two guy ropes (5) placed at an angle with each other, upper ends of which are attached to the linear structure and lower ends of which are attached to a footing structure (7) placed on or anchored in the ground/seabed/riverbed.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for automated magnetic separation of materials in laboratory trays, including: a frame upon an upper surface of which a multiwell laboratory tray may be placed; a base plate on which is mounted a plurality of upstanding magnets disposed below the upper surface; and apparatus to raise the base plate such as to insert the upstanding magnets into interwell spaces in the laboratory tray.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of performing a reagent protocol using polymerase chain reaction, including: indexing patterns of reagent wells on a continuous basis through at least one step of reagent addition to the reagent wells; and then indexing the patterns of reagent wells on a continuous basis through a plurality of individual heat transfer stations, whereby at each of the individual heat transfer stations, the patterns of reagent wells are subjected to a unique temperature change to cause one amplification step, with the plurality of individual heat transfer stations providing total amplification required for the protocol.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an optical indicia scanner, including: a housing; a light source disposed in the housing; a photodetector head disposed in the housing; and an optical indicia engaging, clear front plate disposed on the housing through which clear front plate the indicia is scanned when the optical indicia engaging, clear front plate is parallely disposed against the optical indicia.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear actuator, including: front and rear end bells; a stator structure; a rotor structure having first and second bearings journaled, respectively, in cavities formed in inner surfaces of the front and rear end bells; a captivation sleeve having its proximal end threadedly inserted in a cavity formed in an outer surface of the front end bell; and all foregoing elements being coaxially aligned to permit the insertion therethrough of a lead screw.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a charge sensitive preamplifier for a radiation detector, including: an amplifier having a JFET input (stage) and a capacitive feedback element, the amplifier producing an output voltage (pulse) proportional to a charge (pulse) deposited at the JFET input by the radiation detector; and circuitry connected to the amplifier output and to a source node of the JFET to provide to the source node a pulsed reset signal.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a clipper/stripper, including: a generally V-shaped spring member; opposed cutting edges formed on distal ends of legs of said V-shaped spring member at a distal, open end of the spring member; a cam lever having a distal end therefore attached near the distal, open end of the spring member, such that pressing proximal ends of the spring member and the cam lever together causes the cutting edges to close or partially close, thus severing a portion of an item placed therebetween or stripping one material from another; and a cylindrical stabilizing structure attached near the proximal end of the spring member and extending generally horizontally orthogonally from a major axis of the clipper/stripper and generally parallel to the cutting edges.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a disaster lighting system for a railroad passenger car of the type in which emergency lighting is provided for a first predetermined length of time if AC power is lost, including: a first sensor operatively connected to detect loss of AC power to the railroad passenger car and to provide a first output indicative thereof; a second sensor to detect loss of DC power from a central battery in the railroad passenger car or lowering of voltage thereof below a predetermined level and to provide a second output indicative thereof; and a controller operatively connected to receive the first and second outputs and to initiate disaster lighting for a second predetermined length of time if the AC power is lost and if the DC power is lost or voltage of the DC power drops below the predetermined level.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of providing secure identification for an article, including: providing on the article a diffraction grating strip comprising a pattern of a series of diffraction grating elements, each of the diffraction grating elements to diffract light, from a light source, in one of at least first, second, third, and fourth selected different planes, each adjacent pair of the diffraction grating elements which diffract light in the first, second, third planes being separated by a diffraction grating element which diffracts light in the fourth plane; and selectively obliterating selected ones of the diffraction grating elements which diffract light in the fourth plane, such as to form a binary number consisting of obliterated and non-obliterated ones of the diffraction grating elements which diffract light in the fourth plane.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a small volume pipettor, including: a plurality of pistons; a plurality of liquid delivery needles; motive means to cause one of the pistons to move axially within one of the needles to cause a liquid to be selectively drawn into and discharged from the needle; sealing apparatus disposed around the pistons to effect sealing of upper ends of the needles; assembly apparatus in which the needles and the sealing apparatus are disposed; and apparatus to permit the assembly apparatus to be removed from the pipettor as a one-piece unit. Further provided are novel apparatus to seal upper ends of the needles around the pistons.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a polymerase chain reaction temperature control system, including: a first tank into which a multiwell sample carrier may be placed; apparatus to introduce first temperature controlled heat transfer medium into the first tank for a first predetermined length of time; and apparatus to subsequently introduce at least a second second temperature controlled heat transfer medium into the first tank for at least a second predetermined length of time.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear/rotary motor, including: first and second stator structures, having magnetically coupled thereto, respectively, first and second rotors; a first, externally threaded shaft fixedly attached to the first rotor and extending axially therefrom, such that rotation of the first rotor causes rotation of the first, externally threaded shaft; a second shaft, having a splined external surface, extending through a complementarily shaped opening defined through the second rotor, and axially movable with respect thereto, such that rotation of the second rotor causes rotation of the second shaft; and the second shaft including threaded apparatus cooperatively engaging the first, externally threaded shaft, such that rotation of the first, threaded shaft can cause linear motion of the second, cylindrical shaft. The motor can be operated to provide rotary, linear, or simultaneous rotary and linear motion of the second shaft.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, method and apparatus for instant pole-zero correction for digital radiation spectrometers. In another embodiment, there are provided method and apparatus for instant pole-zero correction for digital radiation spectrometers with automatic attenuator calibration.