Abstract: A system remote sensor network that uses distributed intelligent modules includes a control panel having at least one intelligent sensor loop for coupling intelligent sensors, i.e., sensors having a unique ID, with the control panel and at least one remote interface module having an interactive display. A graphic representation of the floor plan in vector form is stored in the panel and module memories. In addition, the vector location of each peripheral coupled to the intelligent sensor loops is stored in each module's memory. By storing the floor plan in vector form, both low and high detail display images can be displayed with minimum memory requirement. Upon the issuance of a display command generated either by a user or by the panel, the graphic representation of the floor plan and locations of the sensors is displayed on the remote interface module.

Abstract: A floating mass accelerometer having at least one elastic member contacting a mass that is supported by a low friction surface is disclosed. At least one proximity sensor is located adjacent the mass and provide an output based upon the distance between the sensor and the mass as regulated by the degree of elastic member flexion. Acceleration forces acting upon the mass cause the mass to move in response thereto, thereby causing deflection of the at least one elastic member. The change in distance between the mass and the at least one proximity sensor is relayed to a digital signal processor which processes the acceleration information and sends this information to a display and/or memory unit. In a preferred embodiment, a two axis accelerometer is disclosed wherein acceleration values greater than a predetermined level are stored in memory and may be recalled later to provide an indication as to acceleration forces encountered by the device.

Abstract: A multiple station weight lifting type exercise apparatus having cabled linkage and direct lifting capabilities is disclosed. The apparatus is characterized as having a plurality of exercise stations located about a base platform and a single weight stack being movable in a conventional manner through direct and indirect forces applied thereto by the various exercise stations. Each station generally has several apparatus connectable to one or more cables that are operatively linked to all other stations and effect movement of the weight stack preferably by a single cable when any cable undergoes tensioned movement. In addition, at least one station directly imparts movement of the weight stack by means of non-cable linkage. The non-cabled linkage or direct lift of the weight stack is carried out by providing for a translation assembly to be located in operative engagement with the weight stack to which the cable, operatively linked to other stations, is anchored.

Abstract: Methods for determining the genotoxic or carcinogenic status of a subject by analyzing the cellular redox potential of a test specimen where an increased risk of, or presence of, genotoxic injury or cancer is indicated when the cellular redox potential favors oxidatively derived modified nucleotide bases. A sensitive method is disclosed wherein DNA is isolated from a test specimen obtained from a test subject and assayed for modified nucleotide bases that have formed either stable reductively formed derivatives or stable oxidatively formed derivatives. By identifying and comparing those modified nucleotide bases derived via reductive pathways to those modified nucleotide bases derived via oxidative pathways, a determination as to the cancer status of the test specimen can be made wherein a greater cancerous state exists when the ratio between the two species of modified nucleotide bases indicates that oxidatively formed derivative are favored over reductively formed derivatives.

Abstract: A portable vacuum cleaner with removable flashlight is disclosed. The invention is broadly characterized as a vacuum cleaner housing having a front portion and a rear portion with vacuum cleaner components such as an impeller, motor, and filter disposed therein; a stand-alone flashlight housing of conventional design having a contained power source disposed therein; and a connector electrically coupling the contained power source of the flashlight to the vacuum cleaner components so that the vacuum cleaner is operable by utilizing power from the flashlight power source. In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum cleaner has its own dedicated contained power source so that the vacuum cleaner may be operated independently of the flashlight. In preferred form, the flashlight is disposed in the cleaner housing and removably engaged therewith by way of a latch. External contacts on the flashlight beneficially connect with cleaner housing contacts to deliver power to the vacuum cleaner components.

Abstract: An inflatable body comprising an airtight envelope enclosing a core of batting material, having tensile elements extending from upper to lower surface thereof and having the upper and lower surfaces thereof bonded to the envelope.The process of making the body comprises first laying down two sheets of air impervious film with the core positioned therebetween. The tensile elements are bonded to the sheets. Simultaneously or separately from bonding to the core, the edges of the sheets are sealed together and a valve assembly bonded between or inserted in one of the sheets to allow control of the air volume and pressure within the assembly.

Abstract: A floating mass accelerometer having a plurality of curved elastic members tangentially contacting a mass that is supported by a low friction surface is disclosed. Proximity sensors are located adjacent the mass and provide an output based upon the distance between the sensor and the mass as regulated by the degree of elastic member compression or extension. Acceleration forces acting upon the mass cause the mass to move in response thereto, thereby causing deflection of at least one elastic member. The change in distance between the mass and at least one proximity sensor is relayed to a digital signal processor which processes the acceleration information and sends this information to a display and/or memory unit. In a preferred embodiment, a two axis accelerometer is disclosed wherein acceleration values greater than a predetermined level are stored in memory and may be recalled later to provide an indication as to acceleration forces encountered by the device.

Abstract: A cone drill bit includes legs and attached to them trunnions with cones mounted thereon. A support unit for mounting the cones upon the trunnions includes a strengthened radial thrust ball bearing which transmits a load directed along a cone centerline. Strengthening the ball bearing in order to increase a bit wear resistance is attained by using the balls which diameter is appropriately related to the bit diameter as well as by strengthening a shoulder on the trunnion between the ball and peripheral roller bearings.

Abstract: Plastic-coated plywood, useful as a concrete form panel, having a topcoat of catalyzed moisture-cured isocyanate-terminated urethane prepolymer with a smooth surface having high gloss, durably adhered to the plywood by an alkali-resistant seal-prime coat.

Abstract: A multiple inclination exercise bench having a torso supporting assembly and a seat supporting assembly is disclosed wherein the elevation by a user of the torso supporting assembly causes the elevation of the seat supporting assembly. The invention is characterized as having a torso supporting assembly mechanically linked to a seat supporting assembly. In preferred form, the torso supporting assembly is pivotal at its proximal end about a point associated with the bench and has associated therewith at least one cam plate. A lever or rocker arm is pivotally located adjacent to the cam plate and has a cam follower attached thereto at one end, and a seat support member at the other end. The seat support member supports the distal end of the seat supporting assembly where the proximal end is pivotally located on the bench. A support member is associated with the torso supporting assembly to maintain a desired inclination thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring differences between forces, pressures, and combinations thereof. One or more force or pressure deformable members, preferably metal bellows, are internally connected by rigid linkage which is in turn connected to a component for translating force magnitude into corresponding electromagnetic signals. In an embodiment, the apparatus has a pressure chamber (40), an elastic vibrating member (50), an electromagnetic coil (60), a linkage (33), a rigid body (30), a body extension (35), and a bellows (22) defining in part a reference chamber (20). Bellows (22) is attached at bellows fixed end (23) to rigid body (30) and is deformable in response to a difference between a bellows internal reference pressure P.sub.0 and any pressure P.sub.1 external to bellows (22), such as in pressure chamber (40). Elastic vibrating member (50) is connected at a first end to linkage (33). Linkage (33) projects rigidly from an interior face of movable end (24).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding cut sheets to an end device such as a printer or duplicator is disclosed. The feeding apparatus has a sheet storage assembly with a feeder mechanism. Sheets are removed from the storage assembly and delivered to a staging assembly having a sheet directing portion and a cassette interface portion. Each portion has a sheet transport surface to define an overall transport surface. The cassette interface portion has an exposed sheet conveyor characterized as a first exposed pinch roller being mechanically linked to a second pinch roller. Sheets are delivered to the sheet directing portion in response to a first sheet sensor located at the transport surface of the sheet directing portion activating the feeder mechanism. The delivered sheets are caused to engage the upstream pinch roller which conveys a first sheet to a holding position on the sheet directing portion.

Abstract: A transportable igniting device utilizing burn fuel especially ,adapted for use in forestry management practices is disclosed. The invention has a fuel storage tank which is fluidly coupled to a pressurizing assembly which includes; a pump and a pressure fuse which is in turn coupled to an application wand having igniting means associated therewith. The pump removes fuel from the tank and delivers it to the pressure fuse. The pressure fuse remains open during normal operation but interrupts fuel flow if line pressure varies from predetermined parameters. The fuel expelled from the application wand is ignited by the igniting means and is delivered to a distant target. Features of the invention provide for a hose to couple the pressurizing assembly to the application wand so that the wand may be distant from the assembly. In addition, a bypass valve may be located fluidly intermediate the pump and the pressure fuse to return unused fuel to the tank, thus creating a continuously cycling pressurizing assembly.

Abstract: A convection cooking apparatus includes a cooking surface and a hot air generator fluidly coupled to one or more nozzles located at the cooking surface. The hot air generator is characterized as a ported chamber housing at one least electrically resistive heat source therein and fluidly coupled to a blower and at least one transfer tube. The at least one transfer tube transfers heated air from the hot air generator to the at least one nozzle. A valve is disposed intermediate the hot air generator and the nozzle to regulate the air flow there between. To maintain a constant heated air temperature, a temperature regulating means is coupled with the resistive element to control the power delivered to it. In a preferred embodiment, an external shroud encompasses the hot air generator to provide a heat shield and to direct air entering the generator around the same, thus permitting recovery of waste heat produced by the generator.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic data signal in a moving, linear chain. Each unit in a chain of units has a processing unit interconnecting a directional receiving element, a directional low power transmitting element, a deceleration detector for the unit, and a deceleration detector for preceding units in the chain. In a simple form, motor vehicles are the units. If the invention detects deceleration of a preceding vehicle, deceleration of itself, or an identifiable signal from a preceding vehicle such as a blue light, it causes a rearward facing blue light to illuminate. This blue light indicates to following motorists that the perceived vehicle is decelerating or that a vehicle somewhere in front from of it is decelerating. The blue light also may be received by another vehicle equipped with the invention and consequently be transmitted rearwardly. In a general form, a data encoded high frequency signal is transmitted rearwardly from a vehicle.

Abstract: A method for diagnostic or prognostic monitoring of premalignant or malignant conditions of human secretory epithelia, particularly colonic epithelia, by determining the extent of expression of a .beta.1-3N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase is described. Associated with the expression of a wide variety of carbohydrate antigens in adenocarcinomas is the induction of .beta.1-3N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase in epithelial cells. This enzyme is not found in normal, healthy adult colonic epithelial cells and thus indicates a novel and potentially sensitive method for screening the disease status of individuals.

Abstract: A bale debanding method and apparatus comprising a band breaking blade, a band winding mandrel and a mandrel cleaning plate are mounted to a frame. A support table is attached to the frame for receiving a waste paper bale that is held together by banding material. As the bale is moved past the band breaking blade, a band retention notch engages a band and by stretching it breaks the band. Once a band is broken, an extensible band catch extending out of the mandrel contacts the band and facilitates the band in being wound around the mandrel. Once all of the bands have been removed from the bale, the band catch is retracted to a position within the mandrel and a cleaning plate is moved axially along the mandrel sweeping the bands off a free end of the mandrel. This process is repeated to remove bands from other surfaces of the bale, thereby releasing the waste paper in preparation of processing.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized as methods for fixedly depositing solidified protrusions on to a surface, and products thereof so as to create a detectible warning whereby the tactile and visual characteristics of the detectible warnings contrast with the tactile and visual characteristics of surrounding surfaces. To create such a detectible warning, a mask in the form of a resilient mat perforated with a plurality of apertures so as to form a repeating pattern. Each aperture acts as a mold of a protrusion having predetermined dimensions. To enhance the functionality of the protrusions, each protrusion has a generally inclined peripheral surface and rounded peripheral surface to substrate and peripheral surface to upper surface interfaces. The mat is placed in contact with the substrate on which a detectible warning is desired. A blend is created from a curable viscous substance and one or more of the following: reinforcing elements, reflective elements, pigments, or abrasives.

Abstract: A playfield, aquatic flotation and sports amusement device formed from an elongated cylinder of foam material which has axial recess means to receive elongated cylindrical connector devices to connect the foam cylinder together at its ends or to adjacent structures to form flotation devices, field markers, hoops, tunnels, wickets and other structures useful in sports and play.

Abstract: A bowstring mounted peep sight is disclosed having a peep housing that is frictionally located between displaced bowstring filaments. The peep housing defines a peep hole and a transverse oriented receiving slot. Insertable aperture reducing discs are slidably inserted into the receiving slot to incrementally decrease the relative aperture of the peep hole. To prevent the inserts from being inadvertently dislodged from the receiving slot during use of the invention, one of the displaced bowstring elements is positioned so as to prevent the disc from sliding outwardly therefrom. Because of the design of the peep housing, lightweight materials can be utilized. Frusto conical recesses on both planar surfaces of the peep housing reduce incidental glare thereby increasing the clarity of the observed target.