Abstract: A safety syringe which includes an outer casing having a closed and an open end, a transition chamber having a closed and an open end, a spring assembly, and a plunger. The transition chamber is held for sliding movement within the outer casing and defines a needle concealment chamber, while the plunger defines a needle receiving chamber and is held for sliding movement within the transition chamber. A liquid medicine chamber within the transition chamber holds a precharged quantity of injectable medicine. The spring assembly is moved from its initial compressed configuration, including a needle within a needle containment chamber, when movement of the plunger and the transition chamber are moved together within the outer casing to extend the needle from a needle exit hole in the end of the outer casing.

Abstract: A positioning method and apparatus is disclosed in the form of a coordinate measurement machine for transmitting movement in three degrees of freedom, where two degrees of freedom are achieved by translational motion and the third degree of freedom is achieved by rotational motion. The coordinate measurement machine includes a base plate mounted on top of a base support, a pair of carriages rotatably mounted around base plate and supporting a bridge assembly. The bridge assembly supports a saddle assembly which suitably mounts a z-axis beam therein. Mounted to the end of the z-axis beam is a probe for measuring and inspecting the workpiece. The z-axis beam moves in an x-direction along an x-axis beam and in a z-direction within the saddle while the bridge assembly rotates about a c-axis. Reader heads mounted in the carriages electronically read a c-axis scale mounted about the base plate.

Abstract: The low battery level indicator is provided for a smoke detector. When the battery in the smoke detector becomes so weak that its voltage drops below a pre-determined value, an elongated, flexible signal member such as a tape or cord is released from the smoke detector so that it hangs down into the room below to persistently remind the occupant to replace the battery with a fresh one. The elongated signal member can be used together with a conventioanl device which emits audible periodic beeps or has a periodically flashing light to indicate the low battery condition. However, the long flexible signal member continues to hang down and remind the occupant that the battery must be replaced, even after the battery has gone completely dead and the horn and lamp no longer function. This invention constitutes a potential life-saving device.

Abstract: An improved greeting card for use with the giving of a gift and method of using a greeting card in the giving of a gift is disclosed. A special card is provided with a removable label which aids a gift recipient in the positive and convenient identification of the donor of a gift and of the gift itself.