Abstract: The shoe incorporates adjustable straps that are positioned to tighten the shoe casing around a wearer's instep. A retractor mechanism incorporates elastic members. The elastic members are charged when the wearer loosens shoe by pulling on the straps. The stored energy is released when a catch is released releasing the elastic members to tighten and cinch the shoe on the wearer's foot. During charging a first elastic member is extended an intermediate distance and a second elastic member is charged a greater distance. The second elastic member triggers the release of the first elastic member when it reaches the intermediate position, increasing the tension available for cinching the straps.

Abstract: A new and improved process by which plastic material forming the plastic body package of an integrated circuit is selectively removed and replaced with a radiation shield having a specific formulation that is customized for a given radiation environment dependent upon the space application in which the integrated circuit is to be used.

Abstract: A novelty device and method of using it, include at least three lamp sockets, and at least three lamps, which are each capable of producing at least three different colored lights, such as red, green and orange light. The lamps are housed in opaque translucent enclosures or housings, to prevent their colors from being known until they are illuminated by a set of at least three corresponding manually operable switches. When the switches are actuated, the lamps each emit a different colored light to provide the appearance that each lamp is of a different color. A control device in the form of a microprocessor secretly enables the user to cause the lamps to emit the desired color even after the lamps are removed from the sockets, mixed, and then re-inserted.

Abstract: A base station for interconnecting via a wireless full duplex communication path, a plurality of stationary intercom unit stations with at least one portable transceiver unit. A page channel interface arrangement coupled to the stationary units and the base station interconnects the stationary units and the portable units with a common paging arrangement to enable all the users of the system to be alerted about messages to be transmitted.

Abstract: The meter reading data transmission system includes a transmission unit having a meter reading transmitter coupled to a meter. The transmission unit further has an associated node for sending wireless meter reading messages. An intermediate transmission unit including a node receives the meter reading messages, and retransmits the messages. The retransmitted messages are received by a remotely located data collection station to enable the meter to be monitored from a distance.

Abstract: The organizer rack component includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart elongated rails for engaging an item of furniture, and a series of parallel, spaced apart cross members or ribs connected integrally at their opposite ends to the rails for defining a series of elongated access openings or apertures to receive boxlike articles therein. The ribs are spaced apart by a given distance sufficiently larger than the corresponding dimension of the article to enable the ribs to receive and retain the article therebetween. Pegs or ears extending outwardly from the rails are received in spaced apart openings in the furniture item to enable the organizer rack component to be held securely thereto in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

Abstract: A small diameter linear motor is relatively short in length, and includes a hollow elongated mover, and a stator having a plurality of annular spaced apart stator teeth. Individual electrical coils are wound from individual uninterrupted single wires extending from outside of the assembly in the spaces between the teeth to avoid the need for electrical connections between the coils. The stator assembly and mover are dimensioned to fit within the hollow interior of a ferromagnetic tube. In another form, the linear motor includes a mover and a stator, the stator including a set of coils for producing a series of electromagnetic fields extending at least partially in an axial direction when energized with an electric current and a stator core defining a plurality of spaced-apart transversely disposed coil receiving slots and an annular axially extending mover receiving bore.

Abstract: A variable displacement apparatus includes a pair of axially adjustable housing parts sealingly joined together to form a unitary pumping chamber. A pair of meshing elongated vanes or gears having a plurality of teeth disposed within the chamber in a meshing overlapping relationship for positive displacement pumping purposes. The gears are mounted adjustably within the chamber to move axially therein as the housing parts are adjusted axially relative to one another.

Abstract: A logic arrangement for causing a display image of a given resolution to be displayed in an adjusted size to accommodate a projection display system, which, in turn, can project the adjusted image. The system also enables an image to be zoomed in size prior to projecting it.

Abstract: A flow meter system and method includes detecting the movement of a substance through a conduit with a sensing device partially within the path of flow of the substance. A signal indicative of the quantity of the substance moving through the conduit is generated in response to the detection of the movement of the substance. Another signal indicative of the cumulative quantity of the substance is generated from the quantity signal. Cumulative quantity information is transmitted in a wireless manner, and is received at a remote location.

Abstract: A new and improved ferroelectric liquid crystal display system having a matrix structure of pixel elements each including a transistor active switching device and a ferroelectric cell. Each switching device is coupled to an individual storage capacitor which is charged during each row select time when the switching device is activated, and which is discharged during each frame time when the switching device is deactivated. A plurality of multi-level or analog column drivers supply selected drive currents to charge individually the storage capacitors of a row of pixel elements to desired initial voltage levels corresponding to desired gray scale levels for the pixel elements during a row select time to maintain the liquid crystal pixel images for lengths of time proportional to the initial charge levels of the capacitors, which discharge until their individual voltages reach a threshold voltage within predetermined discharge times during one frame time.

Abstract: The rooftop snow retention assembly includes at least one upstanding projection connected integrally to a top surface of a roof. An elongated upper wall portion of the projection cooperates with a snow guard positioned adjacent to the projection. The snow guard includes an upright wall member to engage the snow or ice and a base member bonded to the top surface, wherein the base member substantially abuts the upper wall portion to help resist the snow guard from moving downwardly. A pair of leg members extend downwardly from the base member on either side of the projection to further brace the snow guard against shear forces applied by the accumulated snow or ice.

Abstract: The laser illuminated image projection system includes a microlaser array coupled with a beam shaper to produce an exceptionally bright projection light beam. In one embodiment, the beam shaper includes a binary phase plate to modify the shape and intensity profile of the projection light beam. In another embodiment, the beam shaper includes a microlens array arrangement. In yet another embodiment, the beam shaper includes a diffuser arrangement. A light valve modifies the projection light beam to generate an output light beam indicative of an image. A projection lens arrangement focuses the output light beam onto a remote surface to reproduce the image thereon.

Abstract: The inventory control apparatus and method includes a sensor device connected to a detection device to generate an indicating signal in response to the change of status of an object by its removal or deposit relative to the sensor device. An indicating device is connected to the detection device and signals the change of status of the object relative to the sensor device. The signalling of the change of status is terminated either manually or after a predetermined time delay interval.

Abstract: The transducer support assembly includes a transducer secured to a U-shaped strap having a pair of chest engageable leg portions connected integrally to a curved neck engageable portion by a pair of twisted intermediate portions for engaging the body of the user. The chest engageable leg portions are adapted to fit over the shoulders and to lie substantially flat against the chest of the user. A wide portion of the neck engageable portion extends in overlying substantially continuous engagement with the neck or back of the user to resist the chest engageable leg portions from swinging away from the chest. A gripping material forms an underside surface of the strap to frictionally engage the user, thereby inhibiting the strap from moving relative to the body of the user. Another transducer support assembly includes a flexible U-shaped neck support having a chest engageable portion.

Abstract: The laser illuminated image producing system includes in one form of the invention, a single light valve which not only serves to form an image, but also to increase the number of its colors. In another form of the invention, the lasers are sequenced at high input energy for short intervals of time to provide high average output luminosity at lower average energy costs.

Abstract: The projection lens arrangement includes a projection lens assembly having a plurality of lens elements aligned in a common optical path, and arranged in a generally Tessar configuration. One of the lens elements is movable along the optical path in a linear fashion. Another one of the lens elements is movable along the optical path in a non-linear manner, wherein the two lens elements move along the optical path substantially concurrently. The movement of the non-linearly moving element is slaved to the movement of the linearly moving element. A field lens element directs the flux from an image display unit to the entrance pupil of the projection lens assembly.

Abstract: The battery analyzer/conditioner system includes a battery analyzer/conditioner having an input port and an output port. The battery analyzer/conditioner operates to analyze, condition and test a group of rechargeable batteries. A cable is coupled between the input port and a remote control unit to transmit signals between the battery analyzer/conditioner and the remote control unit to enable the remote control unit to control the operation of the battery analyzer/conditioner. Another battery analyzer/conditioner also having an input port and an output port communicates with the battery analyzer/conditioner via a cable coupled between the output port of the battery analyzer/conditioner and the input port of the second battery analyzer/conditioner, wherein the first and second battery analyzer/conditioners are connected in a daisy chain network to permit the remote control unit to communicate selectively with any one of the battery analyzer/conditioner units.