Abstract: An exercising and training method and apparatus particularly providing resistance and assistance physical training for athletes. An upper body harness is worn by the athlete and attached to one end of an inelastic rope that is extended around a rope guide pulley. The rope guide pulley is attached to a stationary object on a playing or exercise field. The other end of the rope is attached to one end of an elastic resistance and assistance member, including a latex hose, through a safety stop and connector. The other end of the elastic resistance and assistance member is attached through a further connector to a ground stake driven into the field at a preset angle to the stationary object. In use, the athlete stretches the latex hose between the ground stake and the rope guide pulley and the safety stop and connector prevents the passage of the latex hose around the pulley wheel.

Abstract: Magnetic record/reproduce apparatus for recording or reproducing information on a magnetic layer of a filmstrip in a camera, and more particularly, modular magnetic recording apparatus for optional attachment to photographic still cameras. Power and control signals supplied from within the module define the format and content of information recorded or reproduced from tracks in a substantially transparent magnetic layer. In one embodiment, the camera contains a record/reproduce head in the film transport path. In a further embodiment, the module contains the record/reproduce head, and the camera is adapted to receive the record/reproduced head in a record/reproduced aperture and position it in the film transport path on attachment of the module to the camera housing. In both embodiments, the magnetic head is preferably an elongated multi-head element array.

Abstract: An infusion guidewire or catheter for introduction through a selected path in a patient's vascular system to a site in a blood vessel and for infusing a drug or agent into the blood vessel. An elongated tubular body extends between a proximal and a distal end having an infusion device lumen formed therein extending to a plurality of infusion ports formed in a distal infusion segment of the elongated tubular body. The distal infusion segment is pre-biased to assume an infusion configuration when positioned in a blood vessel that tends to present the infusion port toward the blood vessel wall in a low blood flow rate zone and defining a generally centrally disposed perfusion lumen for perfusing blood therethrough.

Abstract: In a camera, apparatus and methods for recording or storing voiced in messages in message memory associated with an exposed image frame for reproduction as an annotation with prints made from the exposed image frames. The camera includes a voice recognition system for voice recognition of words spoken by the user before the words are stored in message memory. Fixed and adjustable vocabularies are provided for use in the voice recognition. The adjustable vocabulary may be loaded into the camera by a vocabulary memory card or through an interface with a docking station of a personal computer or vending machine so that an adjustable vocabulary of words of interest to the camera user or related to a scene or event of photographic interest may be employed in the voice recognition. The messages may be recorded on magnetic film layers or stored in camera on-board memory or in detachable message memory modules to be forwarded with the exposed film strip to a photofinisher for read out and printing on the prints.

Abstract: A compact camera having a retractable objective lens carrier that is associated with a flip open flash unit and lens cover to move from a retracted, parked position to an extended, home position on initial movement of the lens cover to an open, unfolded position, to move to and from an in-focus picture taking position prior to and following taking a picture, and to move back to the parked position from the home position as the lens cover is moved to a closed or folded position. The lens carrier is guided for movement along a guide assembly and urged toward the parked position by a retraction spring bias force. Movement between the parked and home positions is effected by a lens deployment lever interconnecting the lens carrier and the lens door operating in opposition to or with the bias force on opening or closing the lens cover, respectively.

Abstract: A camera having a pointing aid emitter that is operable by the user to produce a output beam generally aligned with the optical axis of the camera objective lens such that the output beam illuminates an object in the scene includes a timer for inhibiting repetitious operation of the emitter to reduce the risk of damage to the object that is illuminated by the beam. In a preferred embodiment of a still camera, the operation of the emitter is initiated by partial depression of the camera image capture button so that the beam is emitted and terminated prior to camera shutter opening. The scene captured on full depression of the image capture button is not illuminated by the beam. After light emission and is halted by release of the image capture button or time out of a maximum emission time interval, further attempts to repeat the operation of the emitter are inhibited for a set time period.

Abstract: A magnetic read/write head and backer plate assembly particularly for use for recording and reading information on a magnetics-on-film (MOF) layer in the image area of photographic filmstrips. The backer plate assembly overcomes the loss of compliance of the MOF layer to a head gap when the filmstrip is wrapped about the contoured surface of the magnetic head sufficiently to exceed the bending moment of the filmstrip. A relatively movable backer plate has a support region that assumes the contoured surface shape on engagement with the filmstrip emulsion layer opposite to the magnetic head and is curved until restrained at its free ends and restrained at a location in the support region opposite to the head gap by a resilient pad to thereby restore compliance along the line of contact of the head gap.

Abstract: An improved film cartridge handling mechanism for effecting end-wise loading of a film cartridge into a deployable film loading chamber of a camera and positioning of the filmstrip with respect to the camera transport path. The side pivoting, deployable film loading chamber positively seats and accurately aligns the film cartridge in reference to a datum axis as the film loading chamber is latched closed. In use of the invention with a thrust style film cartridge, the seating of the cartridge in the film loading chamber also aligns the film cartridge door with the camera filmstrip transport path. Upon movement of the film loading chamber to the latched or closed position, the film door is opened and the film cartridge spool is engaged with a filmstrip advance motor drive mechanism to advance the aligned filmstrip into the filmstrip transport path and to rewind the filmstrip after all exposures are made.

Abstract: An improved auto focus system particularly adapted for use in a camera for automatic focus control of a camera taking lens having first and second linear arrays of photosensitive elements spaced apart laterally from one another and spaced apart in separate planes and first and second lenslets for imaging the scene to be photographed thereon. The system functions by autocorrelation of first and second signals output from the first and second linear arrays, employing parallax range derivation from the first and second signals to derive a motor drive signal, applying the motor drive signal to the taking lens focus adjustment mechanism to adjust the taking lens, employing contrast derivation from the first and second signals during adjustment of the taking lens, and halting adjustment of the taking lens when a position of best focus is indicated by the contrast derivation.

Abstract: In an illumination system for a film telecine scanner of the type adapted to provide a line of illumination on the image frames of a film which is supported for movement in a film gate of the scanner, an improved light control system for adjusting the amount of light that is delivered from a light source to an integrating cylinder to take into account fluctuations in intensity of the light source and desired intensity changes in the line of illumination upon a change of scene in the image frames of the film as the film is being scanned.

Abstract: An automatic printer for making prints of normal and panoramic format negative filmstrip image frames arbitrarily interspersed in a single filmstrip. Normal and panoramic projection systems are provided for projecting normal and panoramic images onto respective projection planes of the photographic print paper. Normal and panoramic format image frames are distinguished, and the appropriate projection system is employed through the insertion or withdrawal of a first reflective mirror into the projection path of the image bearing light beam. Zoom lens systems in each projection system are set to the appropriate magnifications for the width of print paper employed. The panoramic projection system employs a precision variable conjugate controlled zoom lens in association with a second movable mirror to adjust object plane to image plane distance to avoid overlap of the normal and panoramic projection planes at each magnification for each paper width.

Abstract: A play set for children that allows a child to take correctly framed, focused and illuminated photographs of dolls, action figures or the like, in a life-like play setting. A camera support frame receives a removable, standard camera and aims its lens, through a close-up diopter lens attached to the frame, at the play setting in proper focus. The play setting includes a wall support for a changeable backdrop and a stage for positioning the dolls or figures in front of the chosen backdrop. The frame for the camera is spaced a fixed distance from the wall and stage to set a depth of field to encompass the backdrop and the dolls and figures in the stage area. Illumination of the stage area including the dolls and figures and the backdrop is provided in several alternative ways. Glare off the backdrop and figures resulting if the camera's simple flash unit is used to directly illuminate the play setting is reduced by configuring the camera supporting frame to tilt the camera relative to the backdrop.

Abstract: A sport parachute for use in speed and endurance enhancement training for athletes, particularly runners, bikers, skaters, etc. engaged in recreational activities and amateur or professional sports. The parachute is provided with cords attached at one end to cord attachment points along the edge of a parachute sheet and attached together commonly at the other end thereof and to a strap, e.g. a belt, to be worn by the athlete. The cords are brought together through a resistance adjuster that alters the free length of the cords and the resulting shape of the parachute when inflated to thereby alter the drag afforded by the inflated parachute. The parachute sheet is formed with air pockets extending radially from near the center of the sheet and terminating at the cord attachment points. The drag afforded by the parachute may be adjusted by the degree of opening of the pockets and the spreading apart of the cord attachment points.

Abstract: A probe for use in collecting liquids entrained with a gaseous component, particularly collecting a patient's blood with entrained gas bubbles from a surgical site for autologous reinfusion. The probe separates the gaseous component from the collected liquid, particularly separating air bubbles from blood cells to inhibit hemolysis, platelet degradation and protein denaturation. An elongated probe body has a distal end to be inserted into the liquid to be collected through an inlet by jet pump action into a centrally disposed mixing chamber. A diffuser is formed within the probe body proximal to and in axial alignment with the inlet and mixing chamber leading to a liquid exit. A jet pump nozzle is formed in the probe distal tip surrounding the inlet in the form of an annular chamber into which pressurized drive fluid is introduced through a distribution channel system extending along the probe body from the proximal end.

Abstract: In an illumination system for a film telecine scanner of the type adapted to provide a line of illumination on the image frames of a film which is supported for rapid movement in a film gate of the scanner, an improved light control system for adjusting the amount of light that is delivered from a light source to an integrating cylinder to take into account fluctuations in intensity of the light source and desired intensity changes in the line of illumination upon a change of scene in the image frames of the film as the film is being scanned. The light control system includes aperture defining apparatus for selectively adjusting the amount of light entering said integrating cylinder in response to the commanded light intensity signal within the time span of scanning a single image frame of the film.

Abstract: A film flattening apparatus and method of operation for a printer particularly operable in a film flattening mode for flattening image frames of filmstrip segments attached by a side attached tow web and transported through a transport path gap between the flattening apparatus and an aperture formed in a stationary film transport base. The flattening apparatus is formed of first and second clamping members suspended apart from the base in a retracted position during the web transport and moved toward the base to a contact position pressing against the longitudinal or lateral and the transverse edges of the filmstrip image frame in a film flattening mode. The first and second clamping members are formed with longitudinally and transversely extending clamping elements, respectively and are suspended apart from one another and the base in the retracted position and advance sequentially in a nested relation toward the base and the contact position in the film flattening mode.

Abstract: A thrombectomy method and apparatus for dissolving a soft fibrinous obstruction, such as a recently formed thrombus, within a patient's vascular system, either in a vessel or in a prosthetic implant, employing a rotating brush for separating and mixing the fibrin of the thrombus while a dissolving agent, e.g. streptokinase or urokinase, is introduced and mixed in and applied to the separated fibrin. The brush is formed of soft, flexible bristles that extend outward from the distal end of an elongated, flexible, rotatable drive shaft having a drive motor assembly attached at its proximal end. In use, an introducer catheter is introduced through a patient's blood vessels until the distal end opening is positioned adjacent the thrombus. The brush is passed through the introducer lumen and out the distal opening to place the brush bristles in contact with the thrombus.

Abstract: A cleaning device for removing dust particles and other impurities from the surface of data carriers such as photographic film. Two counter-rotating brushes sweep across the film surface to remove the impurities while air flows on either side of the film sweep away the impurities. The air flows are created by two counter-rotating fans, the armatures of which also rotate the brushes. The fans remove the need for a separate vacuum source. A slot facilitates the passage of the film through the brushes while a static eliminator removes charged particles from the film after it exits the brushes. The stiff brushes aid in overcoming static charges that may be on the film surface.In a further embodiment only one of the two brushes is driven by a fan and the other brush rotates freely and is biased toward the driven brush.

Abstract: A recyclable, single use photographic film package and camera comprising a light/tight film casing having an exposure opening, a roll of unexposed film withdrawn from its canister and wound on a film winding reel disposed on one side of the exposure opening in the light-tight casing, the canister disposed on the other side of the exposure opening in the light-tight film casing, and an externally operable film winding thumbwheel for winding the film past the shutter and image area and into its canister as the film is exposed frame by frame. When all frames are exposed, the package is recycled after processing the exposed film by substituting a fresh roll of film and new packaging for resale.

Abstract: A portable, adjustable seat for suspension between the gunwales of a canoe, when used in a first orientation as a canoe seat, of a rigid construction that permits its use in a second, reverse orientation as a camp stool, when camping. The seat comprises a pair of cross members spaced from one another by a pair of braces to form a generally rectangular platform, a fabric sheet extending from one cross member to the other within the rectangular platform to provide a seating area, and left and right pairs of legs shaped to attach to the left and right ends of the pair of cross members (in the gunwales of the canoe) to suspend the seating area below and within the gunwales in the first orientation and to act as stool legs in the second orientation, the entire construction being sufficiently rigid to support the weight of a person when used in either orientation.