Abstract: A stress reducing device is defined by a dual use orthopedic pillow having a low density polyurethane foam outer region, a high density polyurethane foam middle region that are provided in removably attachable layers, so that the size of the device may be adjusted to accommodate different sizes and preferences of individual users. The pillow advantageously includes leg clasps for securely engaging the inner thighs of an individual in a sideling position defined by a stem and a pair of crescent shaped buttresses. The buttresses resist rotation to the prone and supine lying positions. The high foam within the stem separates the knees to reduce spinal stress. Advantageously, a supine sleeping position is added by positioning said pillow under the legs to flatten out the spine while supporting the legs at the thigh and calf regions.

Abstract: A scanning force microscope system that employs a laser (76) and a probe assembly (24) mounted in a removable probe illuminator assembly (22), that is mounted to the moving portion of a scanning mechanism. The probe illuminator assembly may be removed from the microscope to permit alignment of said laser beam onto a cantilever (30) after removal. This prevents damage to, and shortens alignment time of, the microscope during replacement and alignment of the probe assembly. The scanning probe microscope assembly (240) supports a scanning probe microscope (244). Scanning probe microscope (244) holds a removable probe sensor assembly (242). Removable probe sensor assembly (242) may be transported and conveniently attached to the adjustment station (250) where the probe sensor assembly parameters may be observed and adjusted if necessary. The probe sensor assembly (242) may then be attached to the scanning probe microscope (244).

Abstract: A miniature spacecraft is constructed using modular features so as to provide a wide range of possible sizes with a choice of physical attributes. Radially directed bays are arranged around a central cylindrical element which may be used for storing a propulsion tank or canister. Octagonal or other configurations provide rigidity and strength through the use of triangular planetary cylinders which form outwardly facing bays for storage.

Abstract: A fuel line petcock valve including a handle which may be oriented in one of several positions so as to orient the inlet and outlet of the petcock valve to conform to different motorcycle fuel systems and to provide a full shut, full open and intermediate position for permitting reserve fuel to be transferred to the valve.

Abstract: An improved, method of making a lightweight synthetic stone product mixing a white powdery mixture comprising approximately 20-90 parts by volume of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.3H.sub.2 O and about 10-80 parts by volume polyolefin, preferably a polyethylene such as LLPE, HDPE and Super Linear PE and polypropylene in a ratio of 30-60% by volume with a clear thermosetting resin in a ratio of about 40-70% by volume and a peroxide catalyst in about 0.1-5.0% by volume, and a pigment, if desired, with the clear thermosetting resin selected from the group of unsaturated polyesters, acrylic-modified polyesters and acrylics.

Abstract: A process for diffusion bonding a coating of Nitinol intermetallic compound to a surface of a metallic substrate includes heating and cleaning the surface of the substrate to a metallurgically clean condition by creating a plasma arc in a plasmatron and partially ionizing and heating a stream of inert gas in the plasma arc. The stream of partially ionized gas from the plasmatron is directed to the surface of the substrate to remove oxides and other contaminants from the surface. Nitinol powder is entrained in a mixture of hydrogen and argon gasses heated and ionized in the plasmatron, thereby heating the powder to a partially molten state. The partially molten power is ejected in the gas mixture from the plasmatron at high velocity and impacts against the metallurgically clean heated substrate surface to produce a diffusion bond between the Nitinol intermetallic compound and the metal substrate.

Abstract: A skate chassis formed from one piece of metal by a stamping process.

Abstract: A system for simulating changes in the resistance of a living body includes an output interface circuit including a variable resistance adapted to smoothly and naturally simulate the resistance of a living body. A generator circuit includes a microprocessor under the control of software to play back digitally recorded data representative of patterns of changing resistance. The software includes a user selection feature permitting various patterns to be played back in a way that simulates changes in the resistance of living body useful for learning about the patterns.

Abstract: A system for measuring changes in the resistance of a living body includes a resistance measuring circuit, an amplifier circuit and an indicator circuit in which the amplifier circuit includes a calibration circuit to give a generally constant amplitude response to a given measured input. Radio frequency insulators are included to reduce noise in the system. The circuits are operated such that when an overall change in the resistance of a living body occurs, the resistance measuring circuit is adjusted to determine the overall resistance. To account for changes in sensitivity caused by the overall change in resistance, the gain of the amplifier circuit is automatically adjusted to thereby maintain a generally constant amplitude response.

Abstract: An optical fiber conduit (32) comprising an optical fiber core (22) surrounded by a cladding (24) with a reflective material or holder and/or reflector (34) attached adjacent to or in contact with the cladding (24) covered optical fiber core (22) along its longitudinal length and includes a plurality of illuminators (28-30) that are formed by uniform cuts (41) in the optical fiber core (22) emit reasonably even light perpendicularly along the length of the conduit (32) outwardly. The light pattern can be made to emit various beam patterns from very narrow to very wide by altering the shape of the optical fiber core (22) and/or by the cuts (41). The cut optical fiber is embedded in a clear environmentally protective coating to protect the cuts (41) from dust and moisture and to maintain the alignment of the holder and/or reflector (34) with optical elements (106) and the optical fiber core (22).

Abstract: A transparency adapter for a flat bed scanner of the type commonly used as a stand-alone computer peripheral, including a source of light, either white light such as fluorescent, or a series of red, green and blue light emitting diodes placed in a generally rectangular housing having a length corresponding to the width of the glass platen of a flat bed scanner, and including magnets at either longitudinal end of the transparency adapter, further including magnets positioned on the carriage inside of the flat bed scanner housing, whereby the magnets of the carriage are aligned with the magnets of the transparency adapter so that upon advancement of the carriage along the rails inside of the scanner from one end of the scanner to the other, the magnetic force of the attached magnets causes the transparency adapter to advance along the top surface of the glass platen and to move the transparency adapter in alignment with the carriage.

Abstract: A liquid filter including an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a central portion having a first inner diameter and a second, reduced inner diameter and a pleated disc filter retained inside of the central portion of the filter by a spring, and the filter having at least one of the end fittings being a threaded fitting and having corresponding threads on a corresponding portion of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the virtual production of an image, with a housing, an image projection device, which produces an image to be displayed. The housing has an observation opening in a wall of the housing with a fresnel lens arranged therein. Imaging optics arranged in the housing for depicting the object onto the fresnel lens. In order to ensure a large range of applications for this device, provision is made that the imaging optics have a concave mirror arranged in the path o light rays between the image projection device and the fresnel lens. The concave mirror lies opposite the fresnel lens and a ray divider is provided therebetween. To increase the illusion effect, a partially translucent mirro (spy mirror) is additionally arranged on the observation side of the fresnel lens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat shrink clad-core optical conduit surround by multiple layers of jackets and a method of manufacturing the same. The jackets are formed with a thickness and index of refraction that is preferred for generating an aura effect. The aura effect appears when light transmitted through the core appears to be traveling seamlessly through the entire core, cladding and jackets and may even appear to illuminate the space surrounding the outer most jacket, thus, producing an aura that makes the fiber optic conduit appear larger than it is. The preferred embodiment may include interlacing layers of materials that provide optical characteristics, such as dichroic and holographic films, that are enhanced by the aura effect.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for retrieving digital electronic images representative of opaque objects. The apparatus is equipped with a reflective scanning platform for supporting an opaque object thereon. A scanning camera, equipped with a light source for illuminating the platform, is aligned to retrieve images from objects placed upon the reflective scanning platform. An object sensor included with the scanning camera detects the presence of such images. Using the sensor during scanning, provides automotive detection of the end of the object thereby reducing the scan time.

Abstract: A computer program-implemented Service Profile Identifier (SPID) error identifier and indicator for use in an ISDN terminal access device such an ISDN terminal adapter including a programmable terminal access device programmed to determine, for each SPID entered, whether it is identical to the SPID assigned by the telephone company, and if not, to provide visual indication of an erroneously entered SPID.

Abstract: An optical, multi-resolution scanning apparatus for scanning transparent or opaque objects including a high resolution lens, a low resolution lens, a flip mirror switch which alternates between high resolution mode and low resolution mode of scanning, a flip mirror switch which alternates between transmissive mode and reflective mode of scanning whereby high and low resolution scanning of opaque and/or transparent objects may be accomplished through movement of flip mirror switches, without transverse movement of the lens assembly.

Abstract: A flat bed scanner of the type commonly used as a stand-alone computer peripheral in combination with a contact image sensor module, the glass cover of which is removed and the module placed under the glass surface of a flat bed scanner and which extends the full width of the scanning area to provide a 1:1 scanning ratio using a rod lens to focus the image onto the image sensors, with a monorail carriage for the scanner and including low friction strips to prevent tipping of the module into the glass, paper sensors to control the beginning and end of the scanning and for accomplishing scanning in both directions.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for retrieving digital electronic images representative of opaque and transmissive objects. The apparatus is equipped with a reflective scanning platform for scanning documents and photographs and a docking port for receiving a transmissive scanning platform for scanning transparencies and slides. A scanning camera equipped with light sources for illuminating the respective platforms may be aligned by the operator to retrieve images from either the reflective scanning platform or from the transmissive scanning platform. An optical switch which is included within the optical pathway selectively toggles the view of the scanning camera between the reflective platform and the transparent platform. An operator using a control panel button or software can selectively scan either type of object. The choice of two scanning platforms optimizes the digital image quality for each type of media.