Abstract: A system for the duplication of binary data onto CD-R disks, the system including a copy unit, a host computer and computer software, the software being installed in the host computer to provide a user interface and to direct the transfer of data from the host computer to the copy unit, the copy unit including a set of multiple stacked recordable disk drives, a microprocessor electronically connected to the activating mechanism of a pivotal transport tower and to the set of multiple stacked recordable disk drives. A robotic disk pickup head on the pivotal transport tower is encompassed by a set of disk spindle members arranged in a symmetric semi-circular pattern around the central tower, the disk pickup head being connected to the pivotal transport tower with an elevator mechanism for lifting and transporting compact disks among the disk spindle members and any selected one of the stacked recordable disk drive members.

Abstract: A permanent magnet, bistable actuator mechanism that uses magnetic repulsion for actuation, the actuator mechanism having a first translator member with a permanent magnet element displaceable between a first position and a second position and a second translator member having a permanent magnet element displaceable between a first position and a second position with the permanent magnet elements in mutual repulsion, the translator elements being arranged in a frame or containment structure that limits displacements of the first and second translator members with one of the translator members being a master member and the other being a slave member, such that displacement of the master member from one position to the other displaces the slave member in an opposite direction with the displacement process being reversible.

Abstract: A universal fuel injection system for liquid and gaseous fuels and mixes thereof the universal fuel injection system having a universal fuel injection module interposed between a liquid fuel injector nozzle the universal fuel injection module having a spring-biased gaseous fuel valve connected to a pressurized gaseous fuel source and to a conical poppet mixing valve in the fuel injector nozzle where liquid fuel from the liquid fuel actuator unit and gaseous fuel selectively admitted through the spring-biased gaseous fuel valve mix for discharge through a fuel nozzle discharge orifice.

Abstract: A compressed-ring pneumatic pipe plug having an expandable bladder in the form of an annulus, the bladder having open ends with end cuffs and a pair of rigid end caps that are constructed with a circular end plate having a perimeter rim over which an end cuff is installed and with a ring that is installed over the end cuff and compressed against the cuff and rim, with the rim and ring having a complimentary ridge and groove arrangement to lock the ring onto the rim with the end cuff of the bladder sandwiched between the rim and ring.

Abstract: A medication container having a removable cap with an electronic reminder unit in the cap, the reminder unit having a operational control allowing a health care provider to set a clock and a medication schedule having one or more medication times with an alarm signal generated at the medication times, the reminder unit having a user shut-off and an automatic shut-off for terminating the alarm signal, wherein upon a shut-off the reminder unit generates an alarm signal at the next medication time.

Abstract: A high pressure internal combustion engine having a triple thermal cycle system for improved cooling and combustion utilizing an annular volume surrounding the cylinder having a connecting passage to the combustion chamber allowing air to enter the volume on compression, and a water injection system for injecting water into the volume during initiation of combustion, the water spray changing to steam to drive the air into the combustion chamber during combustion, the air, steam and combustion gases mixing and improving the engine efficiency, the system being combinable with an injection system that conserves energy by pumping high pressure fluid only during the injection process.

Abstract: A visual reference structure for a computer database for retrieval of information objects in the database, the reference structure is formed of discrete cell blocks that are assembled into a three dimensional structure having sixteen cubes containing one million cell blocks, seven plates containing one hundred thousand cell blocks, seven strings containing ten thousand cell blocks, seven cubes containing one thousand cell blocks, two plates containing one hundred cell blocks and a string of sixteen cell blocks, for a total of 16,777,216 cell blocks, the reference structure preferably providing locations for picoblocks which are bit cubes containing a maximum of 343 bits, and being displayable in the display of a computer.

Abstract: A flow-through pipe plug for conduits which permits controlled blockage of fluid flow in a conduit in which the plug is installed, the plug having a rigid cylindrical core on which are secured an outer bladder and an inner bladder, the bladders and core forming chambers between the bladders and the core, the core having pressurizable fluid supply pipes to the chambers with hose connectors for connecting the supply pipes to an auxiliary component for independent pressurization of the chambers and expansion of the respective bladders with the outer bladder expanding to the inner wall of the conduit in which it is installed and the inner bladder expanding to block passage through the core.

Abstract: An emergency power station for traffic signal controllers having a general utility power supply, the emergency power station having a small footprint cabinet containing a fuel supply in a lowermost compartment, an engine and an electrical generator in a middle compartment, and a power station controller box in an uppermost compartment, the power station controller box having a power circuit connected to the utility power supply, the electrical power generator and the traffic signal controller, the power circuit including an activatable power switch selectively connecting the utility power supply or the power generator to the traffic signal controller, the power station controller box also including a control circuit with a power line monitor and a programmable timer system for sensing a power loss in the utility power supply, and, after a predetermined delay, activating the engine and switching the switch connecting the traffic signal controller to the power generator.

Abstract: A disk copying and dispensing apparatus including a disk processing module installable in a host device such as a disk vending machine, the module having a frame containing a displaceable carriage mechanism with a disk pick-up head, at least one disk recorder with an extendible tray for receiving or discharging a disk, a disk label printer and at least one disk parking tray with one embodiment having an actuatable disk dispensing chute, the disk carriage being movable from one device to another under control of a controller, in accordance with a programmed sequence of a processor.

Abstract: An electronic shopping-cart handle with a hand bar and a display unit having an informational display screen for a product directory and periodic display of advertisements, the display unit having operating controls operable by a user's thumbs while maintaining a hand grip on the hand bar for displaying select user information on the display screen.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer having a print head and a media support platform that is displaced relative to the print head, the media support platform having a rigid support surface for a media item having a non-rectangular configuration such as a compact disk, the support platform having a mask with a cutout substantially in the shape of the non-rectangular disk, the mask and media item combining to form a contact surface for the print head to uniformly distribute a constant force of the print head in a uniform pressure across the mask and media item during printing, the mask providing, in addition, a holding apparatus for the media item which is contacted by a displaceable retainer pin urging the media item against the edge of the mask with the print head avoiding contact with the retainer pins on the printing area, the printer having a mechanism to displace the retainer pin and sense whether a media item is properly placed in the cutout and retained by the retaining apparatus.

Abstract: A pipe connector system for connecting stub end pipe particularly thermoplastic pipe, the pipe connector system using a common engagement ring and either a flange connector system or a shell-type coupling connector system to interconnect two segments of stub end pipe or to connect stub end pipe to a pipe fitting, the alternate connector systems allowing flexibility and versatility depending on the situation, the common engagement ring being formed as either a full ring or split ring, the split ring permitting the connector system to be utilized when the pipe has a stub end pre-installed.

Abstract: An adjustable bridge for stringed instruments that utilizes a wedge mechanism seated on a base that in turn is seated on the top surface of a stringed instrument, with the wedge mechanism supporting a saddle member engaged by the strings of the stringed instrument. The wedge mechanism having an adjustment screw for displacing a pair of wedge members which raise and lower the saddle member.

Abstract: A mechanical pipe coupling for thermoplastic pipe, the coupling including an outer sleeve with cuff portions at opposite open ends and an internally directed flaring, the sleeve having a central circumferential ridge between the cuff portions, the coupling also including a plurality of compression shoes with adjustment screws, with the compression shoes engaging the inside of the ends of the pipe and clamping the pipe against the inside of the sleeve.

Abstract: A system for the duplication of binary data onto caddy-loaded recordable disks, the system including a copy unit, a host computer and computer software, the computer software being installed in the host computer to provide a user interface and to direct the transfer of data from the host computer to the copy unit, the copy unit including a gravity-fed hopper holding a stack of caddy-loaded recordable disks, a caddy transport unit, a recordable disk drive, and a microprocessor. Caddies containing blank compact disks placed fed into the gravity-fed hopper and are transported to the recordable disk drive by the caddy transport unit for copying. After copying, each copied compact disk is inspected for errors and transported by the caddy transport unit to an accept or reject bin.

Abstract: A self-cleaning faucet filter for filtering particulate matter from a water stream, the filter having a housing with a main discharge orifice and a side spout with a flushing water discharge, the housing having a main discharge passage with a filter member and a by-pass discharge passage in the side spout that has a leaf valve that allows water to flow through the by-pass discharge at the beginning and end of water usage with particulate matter accumulated on the filter flowing with the water discharged through the by-pass discharge.

Abstract: A mobile telephone programming and accounting system that includes an integrated hardware system interlinking a telephone unit, a telephone interlink receiver, and a central processing unit connected to the interlink receiver. The hardware system also preferably includes a receipt printer and a credit card reader. The telephone unit is preferably equipped with an internal real time clock and calendar circuit and memory store to record the time and date of calls for reporting to the central processing unit to enable tracking and detailed accounting of calls. The interlink receiver in the improved design includes a gang platform for programming multiple phone units, which may be phone units of different manufacturers, and provides for automatic programming of the multiple units and, in the retail distribution setting, programming the operating parameters and assignment of the phone unit to a service provider with encryption keys to reduce service churning.

Abstract: A compressed gas dispensing station having a high pressure gas compressor with a cyclic control system for selective recirculation of cooled, ultra high pressure gas through the compression chamber after the end of the compression stroke for scavenging hot compressed gas from the compression chamber and providing a residual, partially-expanded replacement gas for the expansion stroke which is mixed with the incoming, new charge of gas for a cryogenic gas at the start of compression and a relatively low temperature gas at the end of compression for a single stage compressor.

Abstract: A medication reminder device having a cap unit with a timer dial for selecting a period between alarm signals and a central start and reset button with a light, the cap unit having internal electronics with a power supply to generate an alarm signal that is preferably visible, using the button light, audio, using a sound generating circuit, and physical, using a vibrator mechanism, the cap unit being connected to a compact container with a compartment for storage of pills, the compact container having an adaptor cap for connecting the assembled device to a standard prescription container.