Abstract: A set of strings for a stringed musical instrument. Each string of the set is attached at one end to a bead to anchor the string in one of the bridge pins. The opposite end of the string is affixed to a pin having a diameter adapted to fit in the bore in a conventional post. The length of the string between the bead and the pin is at least equal to the distance between the bridge pin and the rotatable string post but not greater than the sum of said distance and the circumference of the post. Thus the post is tightened less than one revolution in order to tune the string.

Abstract: An antenna assembly has an energy propagating region that is encapsulated in a material having a high dielectric constant for minimizing the loss of energy while having a high thermal conductivity for dissipating conductive heat patterns about the energy propagating region.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation apparatus including a solenoidal antenna, monitoring electrodes, and a coupling network at a distal end of a catheter transmission line, and another coupling network at the proximal end of the catheter transmission line to connect the catheter to the source of radiofrequency (RF) power and to an intracardiac electrogram monitor. Solenoidal antenna design includes single and multiple windings with varying geometrical features. Plated plastic tri-axial design of a transmission line offers unitary fabrication. A catheter with variable impedance electrode and gap coatings has features useful for both ablation and for hyperthermia applications.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing materials including a receptacle for containing and processing fluid materials such as animal feed. A frame supports the receptacle on a base surface. A weighing mechanism supports the frame and includes at least one member yieldable proportionally in response to the weight of materials contained in the receptacle. An arm connected to the yieldable member is movable in response to its movement. An enclosed collapsible container or bellows having circumferentially corrugated cylindrically-shaped sidewalls and first and second closed ends has a first end being supported by a fixed support. The second end is aligned with, and movable in response to, movement of the arm. A conduit in fluid flow communication with the interior of the collapsible container is at its other end visually transparent, vertically aligned, open to the atmosphere, and contains a liquid.

Abstract: Rows of bottles are conveyed on parallel running belts. Closed loop flexible members such as roller chains, run in vertical planes along the longitudinal edges of the belts in the same direction as the belts. The closed loop chains have stabilizing devices mounted to them for stabilizing the bottles in each row as they move along on the belts beyond a bottle infeed region. The stabilizing devices each constitute a pair of fingers that are pivotally mounted to pins that stand up from the closed loop chains and are spring biased so that they diverge at a predetermined angle from each other when they are not restrained from doing so. As the sets of fingers are carried around on the chain, they reach a region where the bottles are deposited on the belts. At least in this region, the fingers of the stabilizing devices arrive between parallel plates which cause the fingers to pivot towards each other in an overlapping relationship so that they are clear from the pathway defined by the belts.

Abstract: A device for use in connection with scraping coatings from lottery tickets. The device includes a base surface for supporting lottery tickets for scraping off said coating therefrom, and a moat surrounding at least a substantial part of the base surface for catching the coatings scraped from the tickets. In one embodiment, an advertising display is mounted on the device, which display may be brought into view only upon use of the device. The display may be brought into view by a light source activated by use of the device in connection with the lottery tickets, such as by a switch activated by depression of the base surface, the light source thus illuminating the display upon closure of the switch. In one embodiment the base surface is pivotally mounted in the housing so that application of pressure on the surface causes one side thereof to be pivoted downwardly, causing closure of the switch.

Abstract: An improved assembly for steering and orienting a functional element at the distal end of a catheter tube holds the functional element with its major axis aligned with the axis of the catheter tube for convenient steering to a tissue site. The mechanism can also pivot the functional element in response to an external force to orient the major axis of the functional element generally parallel to the plane of the tissue site, without bending the catheter tube.

Abstract: A ratchet-type tensioning mechanism for a rope or cord has a rotatable sheave with faces having radially extending serrations. A releasable ratchet mechanism permits rotation of the sheave in one direction but not the other. A plurality of serrations circumscribes the sheave, which is closely fitted within a curved surface within a housing within which the sheave is rotatably mounted. The curved surface forces the rope into the sheave and maintains it in non-slippiong contact therewith. An opening in the side of the housing can be provided to permit hand rotation of the sheave. The device optionally may include a ratcheting lever arm which engages the wheel and affords leveraged tensioning the rope.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved catheter steering mechanism for pulling a first catheter steering wire while simultaneously allowing a second catheter steering wire to remain static, and vice versa. The mechanism includes at least one rotatable gear and means, such as a rotatable knob, for manually rotating the gear. A first linearly slidable toothed rack is attached to the proximal end of one steering wire, and a second linearly slidable toothed rack is attached to the proximal end of the other steering wire. A toothed gear rotatable by rotation of the knob engages each of the toothed racks to move them linearly in opposite directions in response to rotation of said gear. Preferably three intermeshing gears are used so that movements of the racks are in the same direction as the rotation of the knob.

Abstract: A sterilization system attachable to an autoclave or in the form of a free-standing auxiliary unit adapted to receive cassette sterilization containers for causing a high volume of air heated to an effective drying temperature to flow into said chamber at a high air flow rate. A control effective to open a valve when the unit for supplying heated air is operating and to close the valve when the unit is not operating. A device for supporting medical or dental instruments during sterilization is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrode tip assembly for a catheter is bendable under the control of the user. One portion of the assembly is more resistant to bending than the remaining portions. The variable stiffness directs and concentrates the applied bending forces in the particular region where maximum bending is desired.

Abstract: A presence detector for use with a mobile storage system including at least a first movable storage unit with a prime mover adapted to move the shelving unit along a path of movement, and at least one blocking object, such as a second movable storage unit, a stationary storage unit or a wall, positioned on the path. The presence detector detects the presence of an obstacle in the path of movement and discontinues movement of the first unit while the obstacle is in the path of movement. The presence detector includes at least one light source mounted to either the first unit or the blocking object so as to provide light into the path of movement. At least one light detector is mounted to the blocking object or first unit, respectively, opposite the light source. A control unit is connected to the light detector and receives a signal from the light detector, that signal indicating whether or not the light detector is receiving light from the light source.

Abstract: An underwater diving mask, including a preformed face piece of suitable material so as to yieldably fit the contour of a wearer's face, and a strap for holding the face piece against the wearer's face. The mask has a large opening formed in the forward part thereof, and a rigid plate-like supporting structure carried by the face piece closing the opening. In one embodiment a pair of reducing, single sided concave lenses, one for each eye of the user, are formed in side-by-side relationship in the supporting structure. In another embodiment the plate itself is a single reducing lens. So as to properly compensate for the foreshortening effect of the water, the reducing power of the lens system is between zero and -0.50. The supporting member and lenses are prepared directly or treated or coated, such as by dipping, with a coloring agent.

Abstract: A catheter has an electrode tip assembly that is bendable at the selection of the user in two different directions. The electrode tip assembly assumes different asymmetric predetermined curve configurations when bent in the two directions and is manipulated by means of steering wires adjustably connected tangentially to the lateral edges of a rotatable cam located in the catheter handle.

Abstract: A sign body has light transmitting side panels for displaying information. The panels are arranged adjacent each other in a relationship that provides a top opening for entry between the panels of light emitted from fluorescent tubes in a light fixture mounted in the ceiling of a room. A reel having a spindle on which a web similar to a household window shade is wound. The sign body is supported on the free end of the web. The sign body can be raised manually sufficiently for the top opening to be near the light source for illuminating the panels from inside of the body and the body can be held there by tension in the web. The body can be pulled down manually in which case the web unwinds and holds the sign body at a level above the floor of the room so the sign can be accessed for maintenance or exchange of information bearing media.

Abstract: A plurality of parallel infeed conveyor belts increase in length from the shortest to the longest in length increments corresponding to the length of groups of equal numbers of containers in rows on the belts. The groups are in multiple file arrangement initially and are translated respectively to the end of each belt to effect disposing the groups in series and offset but parallel relationship. The groups are then advanced together to aligned belts of an intermediate conveyor to arrive at a conversion region wherein all groups that are offset relative to a group on one intermediate conveyor belt are shifted laterally to alignment with the one group so the formerly parallel groups become arranged in single file in condition for being conveyed further.

Abstract: A coffee percolator is provided with an inclined chamber extending upwardly and inclined toward the spout. The coffee basket is positioned away from the inclined surface of the percolation chamber so that coffee as it exits the basket runs uniformly across the surface of the coffee. A laser operated heating unit and a separated warming heater is used in order to enhance the quality of the brewed coffee.