Abstract: Weight plate locking and lifting systems by which one or more weight plates are detachably connected to a lifting handle bar to enable the weight plates to be removed from or returned to a nearby storage rack without having to lift, transport and handle the weight plates. Each weight plate includes a toggle lever switch arm that is coupled to a locking pin. Each weight plate also includes a radially-extending locking cavity within which to removably receive the lifting handle bar. When the toggle lever switch arm is moved to a locked position, the locking pin slides in a first direction through the weight plate and into engagement with the lifting handle bar within the locking cavity. When the toggle lever switch arm is moved to an unlocked position, the locking pin slides in an opposite direction out of engagement with the lifting handle bar.

Abstract: A cathodic protection monitor to be electrically connected to a cathodic protection rectifier that is adapted to prevent rust, corrosion and possible leakage in an underground pipe or storage tank above which the rectifier is supported. The cathodic protection monitor includes a CPU that reads, digitizes and stores analog current and voltage signals which are indicative of the effectiveness of the rectifier. The monitor includes an ISM band transceiver and antenna by which the CPU is polled and from which packets of stored data are transmitted to a data collector for retransmission and analysis by the pipe owner or maintenance crew. Synchronized timing signals are supplied (from the National Bureau of Standards) to a stable auxiliary clock by way of a WWVB transceiver and antenna so that a plurality of cathodic protection rectifiers can be turned on and off at the same time as may be required to compile ground voltage readings along the pipeline as part of a government-mandated survey.

Abstract: An implant bone locking mechanism and artificial periodontal ligament system having a hollow implant casing and a set of stabilizing locking pins that are initially retracted within the casing. A pin activator is moved axially through the hollow implant casing to cause the locking pins to move outwardly therefrom and bore into the patient's bone structure in which the implant casing is located to enable immediate bone implant and increase bone/implant stabilization. A locking basket has a pair of outstretched arms and a plurality of locking splines that are coupled to the pin activator and the implant casing to prevent a rotation of the pin activator and implant casing relative to the locking basket and each other. An irremovable crown is seated upon the locking basket and adapted for both lateral movement along the outstretched arms of the locking basket and up and down movement relative to the locking basket so as to function like a natural tooth and improve the quality of mastication.

Abstract: An efficient, manually activated direction sensitive input system having particular application to a computer to enable a computer operator to selectively and easily initiate one of a plurality of available software controlled functions. The input system comprises a contact bar which is located at the front of the computer keyboard to be interfaced with and movable relative to an array of electrical switches located at the interior of the keyboard. The contact bar is readily accessible to the computer operator for movement in one of several directions to actuate a respective switch or combination of switches of the array and thereby initiate a corresponding software controlled function. The present direction sensitive input system is a convenient, space conserving alternative to the remotely located switches of a conventional mouse system that have heretofore been associated with some computers.