Abstract: A chair having a pair of restraints against a sitting user's knees. Each restraint is a J shaped bar having an end that curves around in front of the chair, such that the user may sit with each knee in the space between the curved end of the restraint and the front of the chair and the back supported against the back of the chair. The device thereby maintains the lower end of the spine in an erect position. The restraints are adjustable to accommodate various sizes of the users. The restraints are spring loaded for additional comfort to the user. In another embodiment, the seat includes a seat hingeably supported on a base such that, in one version, the seat moves forward to provide additional support when the user sits down. In another version, the restraints are pulled back against the knees when the user sits down.

Abstract: A combination homogenizer-vacuum loader for a machine that stuffs meat product into a casing which includes an upright cylindrical chamber that can be evacuated and an agitator assembly that is rotated inside the chamber. An entrance port with a sliding gate valve is located on the side of the chamber so that when the valve is opened, ground meat is drawn by vacuum into the chamber. An exit port is located on the floor of the cylinder. The agitator assembly is detachably mounted on one end of a spindle having its other end external to the chamber for attachment to a drive means. A number of agitator assemblies are provided, each having a configuration designed to homogenize a particular meat product having its own consistency, depending on content of fat, moisture, and fiber. A ring seal features three elastomeric seals operating in combination to provide a reliable vacuum seal between the homogenizing unit and the meat stuffing machine.

Abstract: A conveying system for food processing such as cooling pouches of food discharged in a single line from a pouch filler including apparatus for rearranging the pouches in order to shorten the line. One apparatus is a right angle transfer device in which the pouches are discharged in a single line onto a belt array which is then dropped to allow an array of rollers to support the pouch and transfer its direction of motion. Another apparatus includes an array of rollers which move the pouch into a position forming a row of pouches which is then picked up by rollers and moved in a direction as a line of rows of pouches. Another apparatus is a belt system for supporting the row of pouches as it is being transferred from a downstream end of an upper conveyor to an upstream end of a lower conveyor thereby reversing the direction of motion of the pouches and allowing them to pass back through the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A motor vehicle sensing and warning circuit is described that includes a series of N Schmitt triggers with MOS P-channel and N-channel enhancement devices included in a single monolithic structure to perform waveform generation, sensing, comparison and control functions. The Schmitt triggers are configured to deliver as an astable oscillator in circuit with a sensing antenna through a balance circuit as well as deliver as an audio oscillator to drive a piezo element to alert the driver of the presence of an invading object that should be avoided. Shaping and conditioning of the reference waveform are generated by the free running oscillator, as is a comparison function in association with a series of strobing diodes resulting in a strobed output summing function between a Schmitt sensing trigger and a Schmitt reference trigger associated with the free running oscillator.

Abstract: A spindrying apparatus for removing retained rinse water from leafy product such as lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and spinach which includes a basket of wire mesh or perforated metal and a trapdoor in its floor. A liftbar extends across the top of the basket with a centrally located hole for attachment to the chain of a conveyor hoist providing that the basket may be filled with leafy product at a loading station then conveyed to a spindryer tank where it is lowered onto the rotatable platform within the tank. The platform and basket are spun to force the rinse water out of the leafy product. The chain is reattached and the basket is conveyed to an unloading station. A latch mechanism in the bottom of the basket is operated to release a trap door forming the floor of the basket thereby allowing the trapdoor to fall open and the leafy product to fall out of the basket. The trapdoor is then manually snapped shut and the basket is ready for the next drying cycle.

Abstract: A positioning fixture assembly including tubular sections joined end to end by articulated joints but having one end articulated to a mounting assembly attached to a work surface, and a second end articulated to a tool holder, via articulated joints. The mounting assembly is attached to a work surface. The toolholder is attached to a vise grip pliers or similar tool for holding a small part to be welded to a larger part positioned on the table. The joints are locked by spring force, and are unlocked by applying pneumatic pressure via a foot pedal.

Abstract: An apparatus for vending spherical objects such as golf balls including a housing from which the balls are loaded onto the upper end of an inclined row of parallel tracks thereby forming a column of balls in each track. A rotatable horizontal shaft is located adjacent to the lower end of the tracks. Tines are secured to the shaft such that, as the shaft rotates, the lowermost ball in each column is scooped up successively by the tines and deposited in a chute leading to a bucket. The tines are located in staggered positions on the shaft so that the number of balls discharged into the bucket depends on the length of time that the shaft rotates. A buyer may select his/her desired number of balls by inserting coins into slots that activate one of a number of timers having various time periods.

Abstract: A variable impedance device which is connected between the preamplifier of a microphone or electric instrument and a public address system for controlling the signal volume of a musical performance. The variable resistor is controlled by a foot pedal operated by the performer so that his hands are free for an uninterrupted performance. The impedance includes a first section that can be preset manually to provide maximum desired signal volume with the footpedal in one direction (toe depressed on the pedal) and a second section that can be preset to provide minimum desired signal volume (heel depressed on the pedal).

Abstract: A gastrostomy tube including a tube with a plurality of flexible legs, each leg having an end joined to an exit end of the tube and another end joined to other ends of the legs to form an expandable Malecot tip. A cord is slideably positioned in each tube with one cord end secured to the joined ends of the legs and another end threaded through the respective leg, through the tube and into a housing located on the entrance end of the tube where it is secured to a capstan. The capstan is secured in a housing attached to the entrance end of the tube. When the capstan is turned, the cords are wrapped around the capstan and pull on the joined ends of the legs so as to cause the legs to buckle and expand laterally, thereby securing the gastrostomy tube in the wall of the abdomen. A one-way valve is located in the tube which permits nutrients to pass from the entrance end, through the tube, and into the stomach but will prevent flow of contents of the stomach in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously peeling fruits or vegetables comprising a substantially horizontal rotary drum having its wall formed by a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel shafts, each shaft being individually rotatable about its own axis and having an abrasive surface, means for rotating the drum in one direction and means for rotating the shafts in the opposite direction, a rotatable helicoidal conveyor mounted concentrically within the drum and with its periphery adjacent the interior surface of the drum and means for rotating the conveyor in a direction opposite to that of the drum. The apparatus further includes a set of rollers located at one end of the drum which support registration of the rotating abrasion shafts with the means for rotating the abrasion shafts.

Abstract: An apparatus with which to perform numerous exercises including two elongated frame members which are hingably attached to a horizontal strut that may be fastened to a ceiling such as in a garage. Various items may be detachably secured to the frame when it is supported on the floor, including a squat rack that supports a barbell preparatory to its use in performing squats, a chinning bar, a tricep support for performing curls, a leg machine for performing leg extensions and leg curls, a cable and pulley arrangement for performing pulldowns, a bench for performing bench presses, etc. The frame is hinged to a strut that is fastened to the ceiling so that when it is desired to fold the apparatus away after the workout, it may be lifted on its hinges up to the ceiling where it is hooked until the next workout.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory system for a host computer system including a nonvolatile memory and a volatile random access memory that is chosen because of its short access time. When main power to the host system and RAMDISK is interrupted, data stored in the volatile memory is automatically transferred to the nonvolatile memory where it is stored until power is restored. When main power is restored, the data is automatically returned to the volatile memory. The RAMDISK memory features a power monitoring circuit that detects when main power is interrupted and switches the system onto a battery backup power source in order to power the RAMDISK while data transfer takes place. After power has been restored, the backup battery is recharged automatically by the monitoring circuit.

Abstract: A cover for the floor and walls of the cargo area of a vehicle including a substantially rectangular area for covering the floor, a forward extension having two sections, each one extending over one of the backs of the rear seats and sidewall extensions. Adjacent edges of the two forward sections may be joined by a zipper. The zipper may be open to permit the back of one rear seat to be vertically up and the other back horizontally down. Alternatively, when both backs are either up or down, the zipper may be closed providing additional protection to the underlying upholstery of the vehicle. The padded cover over the rear door is separate from the rest of the cover.

Abstract: A method is disclosed employing electron cyclotron resonant (ECR) heating to produce plasma for applications including but not limited to chemical vapor deposition and etching. A magnetic field is formed by magnets circumferentially arranged about a cylindrical and symmetrical chamber with microwave power injected perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the chamber for preventing line-of-sight communication of resulting energetic electrons through an outlet at one axial end of the chamber. The circumferential magnets in the symmetrical chamber cause precessing of the electrons resulting in greatly increased plasma density and ion flux or current density even at low gas pressures which are preferably maintained for establishing unidirectionality or anisotropic plasma characteristics.

Abstract: A combination homogenizer-vacuum loader for a machine that stuffs meat product into a casing which includes an upright cylindrical chamber that can be evacuated and an agitator assembly that is rotated inside the chamber. An entrance port with a sliding gate valve is located on the side of the chamber so that when the valve is opened, ground meat is drawn by vacuum into the chamber. An exit port is located on the floor of the cylinder. The agitator assembly is detachably mounted on one end of a spindle having its other end external to the chamber for attachment to a drive means. A number of agitator assemblies are provided, each having a configuration designed to homogenize a particular meat product having its own consistency, depending on content of fat, moisture, and fiber.

Abstract: An all-plastic food cover is described that includes mirror image front and back L-shaped panels. The L-shaped panels are cantilevered from a fixed central roof lateral by means of an articulated, segmented hinge. Since the roof lateral is integrally formed between and is a part of the upright side panels (forming an unitary subassembly) and inasmuch as the particular elements of the hinge are individually molded and then pressure mounted together by hand in segments, the invention can be easily assembled, disassembled and reassembled without tools.The hinge is segmented and includes a pair of support members that are each Cee-shaped in cross section. The support members are open along their full elongated length to form coextensive front and back passageways that permit entry of enlarged lips of the L-shaped front and back panels therein.

Abstract: The oral hygiene device of the present invention combines a tooth brush with a teething ring so that cognitive factors relating to oral hygiene education for caring for baby teeth are maximized.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of the common fig tree, Ficus carica, characterized by producing large, sweet, light green fruits that do not contain brittle endocarps.