Abstract: A water detection signal generator includes a water-sensing member with a first surface which is movable from a first position to a second position upon contact with water by the sensing member. A movement responsive device is coupled with the first surface of the sensing member and is operated by movement of the first surface from the first position to the second position thereof.

Abstract: A paint pan for use with a paint roller is in the form of an open topped pan with a bottom, upturned ends, and upturned sides. A movable grid is located between the sides and ends of the paint pan and is normally biased to a position located a predetermined distance above the bottom of the pan. The grid may be pressed down toward the bottom of the pan upon application of a predetermined pressure, whereupon release of the pressure allows the grid to return to the first position spaced from the bottom of the pan.

Abstract: An electronic control system regulates and stabilizes AC line voltage to produce a constant AC voltage output. A switch-mode regulator circuit is employed in conjunction with a variable amplitude regulator to combine a feed-forward control with a variable amplitude regulator interface to achieve continuous real time response.

Abstract: A water filtration system includes a filter for receiving water to be filtered and having an output. A water storage vessel is connected to receive water from the filter output; and water is removed from the storage vessel and supplied back to the input of the filter, whereupon filtered water to be utilized is obtained solely from the output of the filter.

Abstract: A sound pickup switching system for an electric string instrument which has at least two pickup coils and a multi-position selector switch, includes a switch matrix with a plurality of switches in it connected to the pickup coils. The switch matrix electrically interconnects the pickup coils in predetermined combinations of series, parallel, in-phase, or out-of-phase arrangements. A relay driver is coupled to the switch matrix to operate the switches under control of outputs from a table memory coupled with the relay driver. User input controls are coupled with the table memory for entering and storing groups of user selected switch combinations in the table memory; and connections are made between the selector switch on the string instrument and the table memory for enabling the table memory to cause the relay driver to operate predetermined combinations of switches in the switch matrix corresponding to different positions of the selector switch on the electric string instrument.

Abstract: A speech recognition system and method operates a speech recognition application on a computer in a continuous dictation mode. A separate key pad is coupled to the computer through the USB port, and includes a plurality of keys for providing command signals representative of a desired computer operation command which override the dictation mode of the speech recognition application whenever such a command is operated. This allows the user to insert commands, such as punctuation, numerals, “next line”, “next paragraph”, and the like, directly from the key pad while maintaining operation of the voice recognition application in its continuous dictation mode.

Abstract: A jewelry system is provided with interchangeable components including at least one jewelry portion comprised of beads on a wire with first and second free ends. The first and second free ends of the wire pass through holes in corresponding first and second threaded caps; and corresponding findings are permanently affixed to the first and second free ends of the wire after passage of the wire through the holes in the caps to hold the beads on the wire between the threaded caps. First and second main body portions, each closed on one end and open on the opposite end with a threaded chamber therein, receive the first and second caps, respectively, with the findings located in the chambers in the main body portions.

Abstract: A pressure activated valve incorporates arrangements of permanent magnets within the valve housing to establish a pressure threshold at which the valve is either opened or closed. The magnets are mounted relative to one another with opposing polarities; so that the repelling force between the magnets establishes the pressure threshold at which the valve is operated.

Abstract: A computer based digital transcription system employs audio and video inputs of a court proceeding, and stores the digital signals in a memory in the form of distinct file segments of a predetermined time length during each recording session. The computer associates a date and time and a third identifier, such as location, with each distinct file segment. Playback of any desired segment may be effected during recording or at any time afterward; and playback does not interfere with the recording of realtime information.

Abstract: A hot runner injection molding apparatus includes a manifold for transferring molten plastic into a channel to a mold gate. A valve pin extends at least partially through the channel and is reciprocally movable from a retracted position to an extended position to close the mold gate when the valve pin is in the extended position, and to open the mold gate when the valve pin is in the retracted position. A valve pin moving mechanism is coupled with the valve pin to directly move the valve pin to the extended position; and a resilient coupling is located between the valve pin and the valve pin moving mechanism for normally moving the valve pin to the retracted position.

Abstract: A cabinet for storing and dispensing rolls of paper includes a housing which has a top, a bottom, a rear and a front side for holding a predetermined number of vertically stacked rolls of paper. A pair of substantially parallel arms extend outwardly from the housing on opposite side of an opening at the bottom for receiving a roll-holding spindle therebetween. An intermediate movable support bar is spaced from the rear of the housing in a first position, and is located above the opening in the bottom of the housing. The support bar is movable to a second position adjacent the rear of the housing against the bias of a spring to cause an angled member to rotate beneath a roll of paper above one supported on the support bar, whereupon the lowermost roll of paper previously supported on the support bar drops to the bottom of the housing for removal from the opening at the bottom.

Abstract: A clamping plate assembly for movement laterally into and out of engagement with a load includes a main plate member which has front, rear, upper and lower edges. Along the lower edge of the main plate member, an auxiliary plate overlies a portion extending from the lower edge a predetermined distance toward the upper edge thereof, and is removably attached to the main plate member. A yieldable friction material then is over substantially the major portion of the auxiliary plate and the portion of the main plate member not covered by the auxiliary plate.

Abstract: An intact core sample from a soil area, such as a golf green or a ball field, is embedded in molded plastic. The core sample first is obtained, and then adhesively bonded together prior to molding it in clear plastic to preserve the soil core sample in an intact and durable fashion for subsequent visual examination of the composition of the soil core sample.

Abstract: A cable or wire dressing tool includes a main body in substantially the form of a doughnut-shaped member having a center hole and front and rear surfaces. The outer periphery of the doughnut-shaped member has spaced slots in it, with each of the slots sized to slidingly accommodate a single cable or wire. The center hole of the doughnut-shaped member is sized to accommodate a plurality of wires or cables passing therethrough.

Abstract: A thin, flat package of heat sealed thermoplastic material is filled with plastic string trimmer line, with one end of the line accessible through an opening in the rear wall, and the other end of the line extending from a slot in the periphery of the package.

Abstract: A fixed line top-loading trimmer head for string trimmer machines, uses line segments of a predetermined length. The head has a central hub designed for attachment to the drive shaft of a string trimmer machine. A circular flange is attached to, and extends outwardly from, the central hub. This circular flange has one or more trimmer line exit openings on the circumference. The hub, located above the upper surface of the circular flange, is provided with either line termination apertures in the form of holes or channels which are angularly offset from the exit openings in the circular flange; or it is provided with an offset guide channel through which a trimmer line is passed between the exit openings. A line guide channel is located in the flange between the line exit openings and the line termination apertures, or the offset channel on the hub, for guiding line between the exit openings and the offset channel or termination apertures.

Abstract: A head for a string trimmer machine includes a housing member having a central axis. The housing member is adapted for attachment to a string trimmer machine and includes a serpentine guide path in the housing for a length of trimmer line, with the guide path being located in a plane including the central axis of the housing and terminating in exit openings on opposite sides of the housing.

Abstract: Active power factor correction (PFC) circuits are used to minimize unwanted harmonic distortion in applications where AC electrical power is rectified to produce DC power needed for operating electrical equipment. A variable amplitude regulator (VAR) is a PFC control interface which is simpler to implement than conventional circuits, and offers a wider dynamic operating range. The VAR functions as a resistor scaling network using a two-stage RC filter to maintain the DC output voltage constant for various load conditions and to maintain the rectified current in phase with the sinusoidal circuit flow in an AC power line, through both slow and rapid changes in the load coupled to the direct current output. This control interface offers excellent performance characteristics and requires only a few components for a useful implementation.

Abstract: A surgical tray for holding an animal in place in a dorsally recumbent position is made in the form of a shell contoured to conform generally to the back, neck and head of the animal. The shell has raised side wall portions on it in the vicinity of the head and thorax area, and scapular shoulder rests for the animal. Openings are placed adjacent the positions of the front and rear legs of an animal placed in the shell; and a detachable leg strap is led around the leg of an animal and passes through a corresponding opening in the shell for holding the animal in place. The shell is designed to raise the bottom above a table surface on which it is placed; and drain holes through the shell are employed to drain fluids from it.