Abstract: Method and device for operating a bicycle having a sprocket and pedals connected to the sprocket for rotating the sprocket during downstrokes and upstrokes of the pedals. The method and device include elastic members worn on the legs such that the elastic members will stretch on the downstroke of the pedals to generate energy and contract on the upstroke to release the energy for assisting the legs to rotate the pedals and in turn the sprocket. For a given cycle and cyclist, greater speeds of the cycle may be obtained by the cyclist. The elastic members are constructed and dimensioned such that about 3 to 12 pounds of tension is created in them during the downstroke of the pedals. Similar members may be worn on the feet to generate energy and transfer it to the feet again to enhance speed of operation of the bicycle.

Abstract: An existing box-making machine is retrofitted by first removing the pull rolls and impression cylinder and other associated parts and cross-ties. However, the heavy duty side frames and drums, including the print cylinder are left intact in the box-making machine. A vacuum transfer machine is then inserted in the box-making machine and mounted to the existing frame to replace the pull rolls that were removed. The vacuum transfer machine includes a hood enclosure having an impression cylinder for printing, and transport rolls on opposite sides of the impression cylinder for conveying the corrugated boards through the impression and print cylinders and to the die cutter. The boards are held against the transport rolls and the impression cylinder by vacuum generated in a vacuum chamber in the hood which also contains the transport rolls and the impression cylinder. The vacuum chamber contains a plurality of vacuum dampers for controlling the vacuum area in accordance with the size of the boards being processed.

Abstract: A stand alone blood pump which can be used with different types of oxygenators or extra corporeal circuits during surgery. After use the pump is easily detachable from its drive motor to enable a new blood pump to be mounted for the next operation. The pump impeller includes vanes at the base which extend at an angle to the plane of rotation and smoothly merge along a common plane with a plurality of helical fingers respectively. The width of the helical fingers gradually diminishes from the vanes to their extremities which are angularly spaced from each other at the pump inlet. The helical fingers flow the blood helically about the impeller axis to the vanes which then centrifugally flow the blood to the pump outlet tangentially of the pump housing.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a liquid processing tank including an exhaust conduit provided in a cover closing the tank. The exhaust conduit communicates with an exhaust system externally of the tank and has an inlet port that is closed by a portion of the cover that is movable to an open position to allow access into the tank. Fumes or vapors from the liquid in the tank are removed through the inlet port and exhaust conduit to an external exhaust duct by suction produced in the exhaust system. When the movable portion of the cover is moved to its closed position closing the tank to allow processing of the liquid in the tank, the inlet port in the exhaust conduit is closed by the movable cover portion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conveying a plurality of containers to a filling station for supplying the containers with paints or coatings. The conveyor is periodically driven to the filling station by a rotary actuator including a plurality of air motors which drive a pinion which in turn is connected to the drive shaft of the conveyor for moving the conveyor in one direction to the filling station. The conveyor drive shaft operates a cam which controls a valve in an air supply line for actuating a diverter valve which controls the supply of air to the rotary actuator. The conveyor is stopped when the cam closes the valve, this occurring when the containers reach the filling station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exercising the abdominal muscles where the exerciser is seated and the legs are spread apart and held in that position during the exercise which is accomplished by bending the upper torso forwardly and rearwardly through exertion of the abdominal muscles against a resistance offered by a weight stack. The machine includes a movement arm having a resistance pad engageable by the chest of the exerciser as the exerciser moves forwardly to perform positive work and rearwardly to perform negative work. The movement arm includes two parts one of which includes the resistance pad and is mounted to the other part by means of a spring mechanism so that the pad is spring mounted and may be moved to a raised position to allow easy entrance and exit from the machine. A cam fixed to the movement arm is connected to the weight stack pin by means of an actuating lever located below the weight stack.

Abstract: An arterial catheter system for removing plaque from the aorta and other arteries is disclosed. The system typically includes an elongate catheter member, a filtration apparatus disposed within the distal region, and an atherectomy assembly which includes a mechanism for trapping and holding mobile or fixed plaque and an excising mechanism for removing the plaque. In use, the catheter is positioned so that the atherectomy assembly lies within a region of interest, the filtration apparatus is deployed downstream of the region of interest, the plaque is trapped and held by a snare, vacuum, or other trapping means, and then the excising mechanism is activated to remove the plaque. Methods are also disclosed for removing plaque from the aorta and other arteries.

Abstract: A lumbar exercise machine having an adjustable pad assembly for engaging the legs above and below the knees while the legs extend generally forward with the feet against a foot rest and the knees bent so that the thighs and calves form an obtuse angle. A lock mechanism is provided to secure the pad assembly in the aforementioned position with the femurs restrained against movement so that the hips, buttocks and thighs cannot move during the exercise. The exerciser then moves his back against a movement arm in opposition to a resistance mechanism connected to the movement arm. The machine is adjustable to properly position a particular user for the exercise. One machine for home use utilizes dead weights plus the user's weight as the resistance mechanism while another machine for commercial use utilizes a compound weight stack as the resistance mechanism.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a liquid processing vessel or tank including a port provided in a cover of the tank and a closure fixed in the tank to close the port when the cover in a closed position closing the space enclosed by the tank. The cover is movable to an open position and fumes or vapors from the liquid in the tank are removed through the port and a conduit communicating with the port and an exhaust passage in which suction is produced to remove the vapors. When the cover is moved to its closed position closing the tank to allow processing of the liquid, the closure blocks the port in the cover.

Abstract: A machine for exercising and/or testing the lumbar muscles including a movement arm mounted for rotational movement about a generally horizontal axis against a resistance provided by a weight stack. Movement of the movement arm is transmitted to the weight stack by means of a transmission including a cam fixed to the movement arm, a pulley belt fixed to the periphery of the cam and trained about one or more pulleys mounted with respect to the stationary frame of the machine. The pulley belt is connected to an actuating lever connected to the weight stack pin to drive the same. One of the pulleys is mounted for movement towards and away from the pulley belt to increase or decrease tension in the pulley belt to thus control the drive between the movement arm and the weight stack.

Abstract: Empty open-top paint cans travelling along a conveyor are filled with paint and a measured amount of an anti-coagulant agent is showered on to the paint surface before closing the cans. The filling of the cans with paint is accomplished at a first processing station and the anti-coagulant is introduced and the closing of the cans is performed at a second processing station. The anti-coagulant dispensing apparatus is switch-activated and employs a shower head for dispensing predetermined quantities without splashing the paint in the cans. The switch is located on the side of the conveyor and is actuated by paint cans contacting the switch during conveyance.

Abstract: An arterial catheter system for removing plaque from the aorta and other arteries is disclosed. The system typically includes an elongate catheter member, a filtration apparatus disposed within the distal region, and an atherectomy assembly which includes a mechanism for trapping and holding mobile or fixed plaque and an excising mechanism for removing the plaque. In use, the catheter is positioned so that the atherectomy assembly lies within a region of interest, the filtration apparatus is deployed downstream of the region of interest, the plaque is trapped and held by a snare, vacuum, or other trapping means, and then the excising mechanism is activated to remove the plaque. Methods are also disclosed for removing plaque from the aorta and other arteries.

Abstract: A printing system has a print cylinder on which a raised printing surface is formed in situ preferably by a "rapid prototyping" or "fused deposition modelling" machine operating with electronic images from a computer image processing system. After a printing operation has been completed, and it is necessary to print another image for the next printing operation, the former printing surface is removed in situ from the print cylinder by abrading, scraping, cutting, etc. and the next printing surface with the new image is formed in situ on the same printing cylinder in the same manner described above.