Abstract: A hand-held laser pointer is disclosed wherein the laser beam is isolated from unwanted hand tremor motions of the laser pointer housing. A laser beam is directed toward a pair of passively inertially stabilized mirrors disposed within the housing that are biased to a neutral position by a spring and damper. Both the laser beam that exits the housing and the laser dot appearing at a target are minimally affected by laser jitter associated with hand tremor.

Abstract: The invention describes, in combination, a pin and a pin holding device and discloses a method for electrically and mechanically connecting the stranded center conductor of a microcoaxial cable to the pin without the use of traditional soldering or crimping methods. The invention allows a cable installer to connect an end of a microcoaxial cable having a stranded center conductor to a male coaxial cable connector which requires a solid center conductor such as a pin for greatest reliability. The invention provides a stranded conductor to solid wire adaptor. In a preferred embodiment, the invention utilizes a twist-wirelock section to affix a stranded wire center conductor to a solid pin.

Abstract: A compression-type coaxial cable connector having a male adapter nut at the leading end thereof, a slotted body portion and a compression sleeve slidably attached to the body portion and forming the trailing end of the connector. The connector, and each of the components associated therewith, has an axial conduit coextensive with the length thereof. The prepared end of a coaxial cable is inserted into the trailing end of the axial conduit and advanced through the conduit into the body portion until the center conductor of the cable either extends into the adapter nut or is seized by a fixed seizing pin that extends through the leading end of the adapter nut, and the compression sleeve advanced over the body portion to complete the connection. The connector, which, unlike prior art connectors, lacks a center post, is easy to install and is suitable for low frequency (<˜20 MHz) applications.

Abstract: Spectacles for reducing glare due to oncoming traffic while driving at night. The spectacles include a mask or filter that blocks light from entering the wearer's eyes when the source of light is on the opposing side of the highway. The mask may either be a part of the lenses of the spectacles or supported in front of the spectacle lenses by means of a “clip-on” device. If a perpendicular reference line is drawn on the lenses that passes through the optical center of the lens, the mask covers the portion of the lens between ˜225° and 15° with respect to the perpendicular (or the mirror image on British-type highways), or, with reference to the face of a clock, the portion of the lens between 7:30 and 12:30. The mask can be opaque, or it can be a low transmissivity filter (transmissivity ˜10%) or a notch filter that passes only red light. The angle from which oncoming light can be blocked my be changed by a slight rotation of the wearer's head.

Abstract: A male compression-type coaxial cable connector having an adapter nut attached to a leading end of a tubular connector body portion. The connector body portion has a first axial conduit with a barbed ferrule coaxially mounted therein. The connector further comprises a compression sleeve having a second axial conduit slidingly disposed over a trailing end of the tubular connector body portion. A deformable compression ring is removably disposed within the second axial conduit. In use, the prepared end of the coaxial cable is inserted through the compression sleeve and compression ring and advanced into the connector body conduit until it can be advanced no further. Subsequent advancement of the compression sleeve over the connector body portion, with the assistance of a compression tool, forces the deformable trailing end of the compression ring radially inward to compress the cable jacket and braid thereby providing secure attachment of the connector to the cable.

Abstract: A system comprising an assembly of structures and supports operable for installation in a vehicle for the purpose of transporting at least one medical attendant, one patient disposed on a stretcher, and a driver on a small utility vehicle having a flat horizontal surface or “bed”. The invention provides an improved method for evacuating injured people such as, for example, injured victims of a terrorist attack, or injured soldiers from a battlefield, on a relatively narrow vehicle. The supports are arranged so that at least one patient on a stretcher or spineboard can be placed longitudinally in the bed of the vehicle with a medical practitioner positioned adjacent the patient to attend to the patient's medical needs during transport.

Abstract: A farrier's tool and a method of using the tool for preparing the hoof of a horse to receive a shoe. The tool is a symmetrical measuring device used for determining the position of the breakover point on a horse's hoof. After the position of the break-over point is determined, the portion of the hoofwall forward of the breakover point is beveled by means of a trimming tool to reduce leverage on the underlying coffin bone, particularly during locomotion. A horseshoe is then shaped to conform to the contour of the trimmed and beveled hoof and nailed to the hoof. The method provides means for accurately aligning the hoof capsule with the coffin bone in the hoof.

Abstract: Handlebars for a motorcycle and a system for mounting the handlebars on the front fork tubes of the motorcycle. When mounted on the motorcycle, the handlebars extend the line of the fork tubes to terminate laterally in handgrips. The handlebars provide the illusion that the front fork tubes continue upwardly through the upper triple tree to form the handlebars. The handlebars and mounting system comprise a pair of handlebars attached to a base plate that anchors flush into a recess in the upper triple tree. The handlebars and mounting system provide means for concealing wiring, bolts, nuts, stem and fork tube plugs from sight while retaining the functionality of the handlebars.

Abstract: A compression-type coaxial cable connector having a male adapter nut at the leading end thereof, a slotted body portion and a compression sleeve slidably attached to the body portion and forming the trailing end of the connector. The connector, and each of the components associated therewith, has an axial conduit coextensive with the length thereof. The prepared end of a coaxial cable is inserted into the trailing end of the axial conduit and advanced through the conduit into the body portion until the center conductor of the cable either extends into the adapter nut or is seized by a fixed seizing pin that extends through the leading end of the adapter nut, and the compression sleeve advanced over the body portion to complete the connection. The connector, which, unlike prior art connectors, lacks a center post, is easy to install and is suitable for low frequency (<˜20 MHz) applications.

Abstract: An elongate floor-supported platform having sliding handgrips mounted thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the handgrips, which are constrained to move only along a track, which may be linear or curvilinear and lying in a substantially horizontal plane, are interconnected by linking means such as belts. The linkage is such that the handgrips remain equidistant from a fixed centerline midway between the handgrips throughout their range of motion. In the preferred embodiment, the linking means are belts that are supported by pulleys housed within the floor-supported platform. In yet a further embodiment, the platform includes wall and/or ceiling attachment means and can be employed for performing pull-ups.

Abstract: A cup for dispensing liquid and solid medication. The cup has a bottom 12, two sides 14, 16, extending upwardly from the bottom to form a rim 26 at a top of the cup, and a ramp 18 extending outwardly from the bottom 12 at least part way to the rim. The two sides and the ramp 19 join to form a mouthpiece of the cup. An upper vertical portion 24 extends downward from the rim 26. The ramp 19 extends outwardly from the bottom 12 to the upper vertical portion 24 such that the two sides 14, 16, the ramp 19, and the upper vertical portion 24 join to form a mouth piece of the cup. The cup allows an individual to consume the entire contents within the cup without moving the head or neck backwards.

Abstract: An elongate bar having sliding handgrips concentrically mounted thereon adapted for use with a resistance-type exercise device. In a preferred embodiment, the bar has at least two, and more preferably four, axially oriented grooves in the outer surface thereof dimensioned to accommodate handgrip linking means therewithin. The handgrips, which are constrained to move only in an axial direction, are interconnected by linking means such as belts, in such a manner that the handgrips remain equidistant from the center of the bar throughout their axial range of motion. The interconnecting belts or cables are disposed to travel within the elongate grooves on the bar to provide the bar with a low profile. In the preferred embodiment, the linking means are belts that are supported by pulleys housed within recesses in the bar and rotatably attached thereto.

Abstract: A modular patient support system adapted to be quickly mounted to utility vehicles such as trucks, buses, vans or trailers, to permit emergency medical workers to rapidly transform standard utility vehicles into specialized ambulances. When not in use, the modular patient support system is easily dismounted and collapsed for warehousing. The modular patient support system comprises a base frame that is used to attach the system to a vehicle. The base frame is oriented parallel and adjacent to a side wall of the vehicle. Two telescoping litter supports are attached to the base frame by hinges having a vertical axis of rotation. The two litter supports can either be extended normal to the base frame in order to support a patient on a litter, or collapsed and folded parallel to the base frame. A seat frame is adjustably attached to the base frame using multiple connecting links. When positioned vertically, the seat bottoms serve as mounting surfaces for medical equipment.

Abstract: A method for descending and/or lowering objects from a height employing a device that includes a fixed strand, a locking carabiner, and a simple harness. The carabiner serves as both a connector between the harness and the strand, and a friction device. Wrapping the strand one or more times around a side of the locking carabiner opposite its locking gate provides friction when the strand is pulled below the carabiner to apply tension thereto. This construction eliminates one component commonly used in similar systems, and results in a lowering and descending system that is lightweight, easy to use and is quick to set up and dismantle.

Abstract: A male compression-type coaxial cable connector having a compression sleeve slidingly disposed within an axial conduit within a connector body. The prepared end of the coaxial cable is inserted through the compression sleeve and advanced into the connector body. Subsequent advancement of the compression sleeve within the axial conduit, with the assistance of a compression tool, forces the deformable leading end of the compression sleeve radially inward to compress the cable jacket and braid thereby providing secure attachment of the connector to the cable. In a first embodiment, the compression sleeve is removable and can be replaced with another compression sleeve having a different inner diameter to accommodate a variety of coaxial cables. In a second embodiment, the compression sleeve is permanently attached to the connector.

Abstract: A collapsible pen including a telescopically extensible barrel and a ballpoint refill cartridge having a ballpoint tip removably attached to the barrel. The pen further includes a ballpoint tip cap that releasably attaches to the refill cartridge. The extensible barrel includes an outer tubular member and at least two and most preferably three inner tubular members concentrically and coaxially mounted with respect to both the outer tubular member and to one another. Each inner tubular member has a smaller outer diameter than the overlying tubular members. The ballpoint tip cap, adapted for attachment to a key chain, is releasably attached to either the outer tubular member of the barrel or to the refill cartridge to cover the ballpoint tip. The pen has a fully extended length and a collapsed (retracted) length. With a barrel consisting of three inner tubular members, and the cap removed, the fully extended length of the pen is greater than twice the collapsed length of the pen.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool for facilitating the installation and removal of a hollow, elastically extensible handgrip on a tubular portion of a device such as, for example, the handlebar of a bicycle or motorcycle. The tool has a handle portion adapted to be comfortable gripped by the hand. A proximal end of the handle portion is adapted to provide a leak-proof connection to a source of compressed air. The distal (opposing) end of the handle portion has an extension portion extending distally therefrom with a relatively short insertion tip portion having an air injection port extending laterally from a distal end of the extension portion. The insertion tip portion is angled with respect to the axis of the handle portion of the tool and has a convex upper surface and a concave lower surface; the curvature of the lower surface substantially conforming to the curvature of the outer surface of the tubular member.

Abstract: A male compression-type coaxial cable connector having a leading end, a trailing end and integral construction is described. The connector includes a nut at the leading end of the connector that is adapted to matingly engage an F, BNC, SMB, MCX or RCA-type female connector. The connector also has a tubular shank, a slotted body portion concentrically mounted to overlie the tubular shank and a compression sleeve slidably attached to the slotted body portion the compression sleeve being disposed on the trailing end of the connector. The trailing end of the connector has an axial conduit therein concentrically disposed around the tubular shank. When the prepared end of a coaxial cable is inserted into the trailing end of the axial conduit and fully advanced into the axial conduit, subsequent advancement of the compression sleeve over the slotted body portion, with the assistance of a compression tool, compresses the cable jacket and braid providing secure attachment.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for moisture sealing the interface between a nut on the leading end of a male F-Type connector and the threaded tubular shaft of the female F connector. The male connector is attached to a coaxial cable and the female is mounted to an outdoor device such as a cable TV splitter, grounding device, satellite dish, or distribution device, amplifier or group. The sealing device includes a compressible portion comprising an elastically compressible member having a cylindrical bore and a conical outer surface. An annular compression ring overlies a portion of the conical outer surface of the compressible portion. The compressible portion is compressed radially inwardly against the shaft of the female F-Type connector as the leading edge of the male F nut is screwed onto the female threaded shaft of the female F-Type connector, providing a pressurized moisture ingress barrier.

Abstract: A hybrid medical implant having a biocompatible, nonabsorbable core portion and a bioabsorbable textured outer surface portion overlying the core portion. The hybrid implant is useful as a prosthesis for tissue augmentation and/or reconstruction. The core portion of the implant includes a body formed from a nonabsorbable, biocompatible implantable material such as silicone or urethane elastomer. The core portion may be either a solid body, a viscous gel body or a fluid-filled shell. The textured outer surface portion envelops the core portion and presents an irregular, bioabsorbable textured surface to the exterior environment. As a capsule forms around the implant following implantation, the irregular contour of the outer surface of the implant disorients structural proteins in the capsule to impede spherical contraction thereof. Either during the formation of the capsule and/or after the capsule is formed, the outer bioabsorbable surface portion of the implant is absorbed by the body of the host.