Abstract: A wheel chair has a gas motor adapted to propel the wheel chair and an electric motor adapted to propel the wheel chair. A battery is connected to the electric motor for supplying electrical power to the electric motor. An alternator is coupled to the gas motor. During operation of the gas motor, the gas motor drives the alternator for causing the alternator to generate electricity. The alternator is coupled to the battery for supplying the generated electricity thereto for charging the battery. The gas motor can be used for outdoor operation and the electric motor for indoor operation or assisting the gas motor when overloaded or out of fuel. The wheel chair may include a track assembly having first and second sections that can pivot. An actuator may be used to selectively pivot the first and second sections. This helps the wheel chair to traverse steps and stairways.

Abstract: Exhaust from a hand-held vacuum cleaner is directed rearwardly away from its dust bowl nozzle end through rearwardly disposed exhaust ports providing foreign matter pickup at its nozzle end in a manner not disturbed by exhaust turbulence.

Abstract: A multi-station RF thermometer and alarm system measures temperatures and/or percent relative humidity at remote locations by RF weather stations, and displays received temperature and/or other weather data telemetry on a multi-station base station that provides out-of-bounds alarm signal indications whenever temperatures are outside of user-selectable minimum and maximum values. Randomized transmission times in one embodiment and two-phase unique transmission schedules in another lessen the possibility of on-going collisions between two or more transmitters contending for the base station at the same time. Redundant data transmission lessens the possibility of environmental noise interference.

Abstract: The disclosed travel massage brush is an ultra-compact vibrating hair brush that comfortably fits an average woman's or man's hand in the hair brushing or massage modes. It is light in weight and portable permitting grooming and/or soothing scalp or body massage anywhere, at any time. Pivotally connected vibratory brush-head and handle subassemblies provide maximum space saving portability, making the travel massage brush ideal for taking along to the gym, to work, or while traveling. The vibratory brush-head subassembly includes a bristle carrier that is removably attached to a base member thereof and preferably slides on and off the base member to allow for convenient bristle cleaning and to access the battery compartment. Gentle ball-tipped bristles stimulate circulation to hair follicles.

Abstract: An electronic key or other missing object locator device is responsive to the impulse characteristics of received sounds to distinguish expected impulse-like triggering sounds such as humanly produced hand claps from other impulse-like sounds such as speech or music or non-impulse-like sounds. Errors may be counted whenever the received sounds do not correspond to the expected characteristics of the expected impulse-like triggering sounds. Whenever the expected number of triggering sounds having the expected impulse characteristics have been discriminated and detected, an audible alert is sounded, provided that the errors are not too many. The device of the invention is thereby able to distinguish expected hand claps (or other humanly produced sounds) from non-intended music, speech or other impulse-like or non-impulse-like triggering sounds, rendering it operable even in noisy environments. False alarms from mechanical wave energy are prevented.

Abstract: A multi-station RF thermometer and alarm system measures temperatures at remote locations by RF thermometers, and displays received temperature telemetry on a multi-station base station that provides out-of-bounds alarm signal indications whenever temperatures are outside of user-selectable minimum and maximum values. Randomized transmission times lessen the possibility of on-going collisions between two or more transmitters contending for the base station at the same time. Redundant data transmission lessens the possibility of environmental noise interference. The redundant data transmitted at random times includes a unique channel ID code, house-keeping data, the current temperature and/or time-to-next-transmission data. The temperature sensing transmitters operate at a low duty cycle with low peak current consumption resulting in long battery life. The multi-station base station may be AC- or battery-powered.

Abstract: A multi-purpose attachment tool for a hand-held vacuum cleaner combines the functionality of both a crevice tool and an extension wand in a single instrument. The multi-purpose attachment tool for a hand-held vacuum cleaner includes an insertion end adapted for friction-fit slidable mounting into the nozzle end of the hand-held vacuum cleaner, a nozzle end adapted for cleaning crevices and the like, and a self-supporting accordion-joint interconnecting the two ends. The self-supporting accordion-joint, preferably an annular bellows, is both axially extendable and bendable off-axis. When it is in its axially collapsed condition, the multi-purpose attachment tool serves as a crevice tool, but when it is axially extended, or axially extended and bent off-axis, the multi-purpose attachment tool serves as a crevice tool and/or an extension wand depending on the cleaning application.

Abstract: A currency converter operable in program, convert and calculator modes enables operators in program mode to store multiple foreign exchange rates in a data table of pre-stored currencies, enables in convert mode to perform both multiple, single-currency conversions as well as cross-currency conversions, and enables in calculate mode to perform arithmetic and memory functions passing computations seamlessly between convert and calculator modes. The currency converter is compact enough to comfortably fit in pocket or purse, and is battery powered. The currency converter includes a dual currency display that provides intuitively transparent operation substantially free from data entry errors and that allows users to select, and to see, two relevant currencies, home and foreign, or foreign and foreign, at the same time. Relevant foreign exchange rates may be entered prior to travel, freeing the user from on-site use anxieties.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an improved-customizability digital sound relaxation system having a sound card receiving port and a collectable sound card are cooperative to play prerecorded natural or other sounds by depressing one of a plurality of sound selector switches and a sound card selector switch. The new sounds of each collectable sound card customize the library of available sounds to individual taste. In another embodiment, an improved-flexibility digital sound relaxation system having at least two (2) prerecorded sounds stored at first and second memory locations of internal or external/internal memory devices may be selected and combined for concurrent and/or individual replay by depressing one of a plurality of sound selector switches and a combine switch, or by depressing one of a plurality of sound selector switches, a sound card selector switch and a combine switch.

Abstract: New polyester composition for new polyester staple fiber that provides fabrics having a combination of excellent pilling performance, aesthetics and tactility ("hand"). Preferred fibers have non-round cross-sections that are retained, especially such non-round cross-sections having multi-grooved scalloped-oval cross-sections that provide fabrics having outstanding comfort qualities of moisture-management, dryness and comfort, along with minimal pilling.

Abstract: A handholdable massager having a combination massaging and dual function two speed actuator pad is disclosed which provides both automatic and manual modes of operation enabling a user to enjoy either a hands-free or user-applied massage to almost any body part at user-selectable speeds. The combination massaging and actuator pad, mounted in the presently preferred embodiment for rotation and translation with a handholdable housing body, both vibrates as well as provides the control action to select the manual and the automatic modes of operation at different speeds, simply by rotating and translating it about its axis of rotation. An actuation mechanism having two (2) switches and actuator cams integrally formed with the combination massaging and actuator pad cooperate in the presently preferred embodiment to provide user-selection of the mode and of the speed of operation.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated, energy efficient wheelchair utilizes a pair of identical wheelchair drive units, with each unit having a constant speed battery powered electric motor driving a hydraulic pump and associated hydraulic motor. Hydraulic fluid flow between each pump and its hydraulic motor is controlled by the operator through the use of a solenoid actuated proportional control valve to determine the speed and direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor. One of these hydraulic motors is mechanically coupled to each wheelchair drive wheel. Means are provided to discharge excess pressurized fluid upstream of the hydraulic motor so as to minimize the backpressure on the pump and to thereby conserve driving energy and increase battery life. A method for hydraulically driving the wheelchair is also disclosed.

Abstract: A structure for support of a volumetric transducer array that self-erects en deployed in water. Dual assemblies of radially arranged telescoping arms are coaxially aligned to support a plurality of linear transducer arrays which are secured to the ends of corresponding arms between the assemblies. The arms are each telescoped outwardly by respective support cables which are tensed by suspending the deployed array between a float and a terminal mass.

Abstract: An active human limb manipulation device utilizes a frame to which a carriage is slidably mounted for vertical movement. A sub-carriage is movably mounted to the carriage for horizontal movement and carries the limb of a patient along a predetermined path. Both carriage and sub-carriage are powered by a pair of rodless cylinders which are controlled by a computer control system which simulates normal walking movement so as to strengthen and stretch the limbs of a patient who otherwise lacks the strength and muscle tone associated with normal limb movement. The cylinders have yokes which are fixed to the carriage and sub-carriage and retained in position on the cylinders by a magnetic attraction. When the patient's resistance to movement reaches a predetermined level, the yoke will break the magnetic bonds with the cylinder piston so as to avoid overstressing the limbs of the patient. The yoke may be supplied with an electromagnet so that the magnetic attraction can be closely controlled.

Abstract: A stem load determining system comprises a method and apparatus for determining the load developed on a threaded stem, including a valve stem driven by a valve operator. An integral component of the apparatus is a stem strain transducer uniquely designed to girp a threaded stem to define a guage length on the threaded stem and to detect and measure deformation of the stem at the guage length when subjected to a compressive or tensile load.