Abstract: A portable spa apparatus comprising a peripheral side wall composite and a floor, which combine to define a tub capable of accommodating at least one occupant and a quantity of liquid. The peripheral side wall composite has an inner liquid-impervious layer; a central layer of flexible, foamed thermoplastic material providing insulating capabilities; and an outer layer of reinforced material. The outer layer has properties that render it capable of withstanding stresses resulting when the spa is partially filled with liquid. Moreover, the peripheral side wall, when constructed, is capable of standing generally upright when the tub is partially filled with liquid. The peripheral side wall and floor are of such construction to be portable and collapsible. Methods for making and using a portable spa apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow-regulating valve is located in the outlet of the housing of a centrifugal pump instead of in downstream piping, to regulate the flow from the pump without the usual acoustic disturbance caused by flow. The arrangement is especially adapted for hydro-therapeutic installations, such as a spa, hot tub, whirlpool bath or the like. The valve is operated by a control conveniently accessible to the occupant of the hydro-therapeutic installation. The control can be in the form of a knob connected to the valve by flexible cable or the like or in the form of a single push-button which controls both the electric motor for the pump and an electric motor which operates the valve.

Abstract: A flow control assembly regulates the flow of water from a shower head independently from the normal valving system. A control valve is located upstream of the shower head, as seen in the water flow direction, and is operated by a conveniently located pilot valve.

Abstract: A lifting device locatable proximal to a chair for raising and lowering a person's legs by an inflatable bag providing a pneumatically resilient leg supporting cushion, which bag is supported by a mounting interposed between the bag and the chair, the mounting being in engagement with the chair to determine the position of the mounting. The mounting is preferably held in position by legs of the chair resting on abutments provided on the mounting; and the mounting is preferably geometrically adjustable.

Abstract: An air mattress for preventing bedridden patients' suffering from bed sores and the like is provided. A mattress assembly is provided comprising a matrix member disposed throughout its interior region for uniformly distributing air to the mattress-patient interface. This matrix member comprises a network of vertical rigid tubes and interconnected horizontal rigid tubes which are configured to uniformly distribute air to the upper mattress surface. Ambient air enters into the bottom end of this plurality of vertical tubes and is then delivered to the upper mattress surface through a plurality of tufted recess surfaces located at the top end of the plurality of vertical tubes. The matrix member is contained within an air mattress portion which is, in turn, configured to be abuttably received by a corresponding peripheral mattress portion. The air mattress portion is secured to the peripheral mattress portion by brace members.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of quilts for beds and similar goods.The quilt comprises a central zone (18) designed to cover the top of the bed and a peripheral zone (20). The central zone is filled with at least two layers of different filling materials. The peripheral zone is filled with with at least one layer of one filling material.

Abstract: A system of head rests is disclosed for use by patients convalescing from optical surgery to re-attach a detached retina. In this procedure, a bubble of air is injected into the affected eye, and the patient is instructed to keep his or her head in a face-downward position for eighteen hours a day during a convalescent period in which the air bubble presses the retina against the back wall of the eyeball. A day-time version of the apparatus is adjustable in height and preferably incorporates armrests and a plurality of mirrors so that a person who has his face turned toward the floor may view television or may make eye contact with another person. A night-time version of the apparatus allows a person to lie in a prone position with his or her head supported above and out of contact with the mattress, and preferably includes a viewing window so that a prone patient can read a book placed on the floor.

Abstract: An outdoor seat cushion includes a first enlarged curved cushion piece connected to a second enlarged cushion piece in such a manner that a portion of reduced thickness is formed between the first and second pieces.

Abstract: In a steamer for the steaming of a web of textile material laden with liquid supplied by an applicator device, steam is continuously fed to the steamer. The quantity of steam fed to the steamer is calculated in dependence upon the amount of liquid previously applied to the web and accurately corresponds to the amount of steam necessary in order to heat the web of material to the steaming temperature.

Abstract: A fluid-handling machine, such as a dishwasher or clothes washer, measures liquid load by detecting liquid pressure oscillations. The machine, which includes both a frame for containing articles and a system for circulating or distributing a liquid in the frame, shuts off flow of liquid provided to the frame when the detected liquid pressure oscillations substantially cease, as determined in accordance with a fuzzy logic control strategy.

Abstract: A tooth brush having a head with a hard,dome shaped, machinable plastic segment extending upwardly from said head, with arrays of tufts of bristles therein, said arrays of bristles vertically oriented to present a flat upper surface.

Abstract: A cleaning pad, which is made up of a central core, typically a rectangular sponge, having two large parallel surfaces and a cover which is permanently connected, as by sewing, to the central core. The cover, which is typically woven, includes an abrasive portion and a non-abrasive portion, with the abrasive portion covering a portion of one of the large surfaces while the non-abrasive portion covers the rest of the large surface as well as the other large surface.

Abstract: A single arm windshield wiper assembly including a reversible motor, a wiper pivot assembly, and a windshield wiper blade slidably connected to the wiper pivot assembly. A first actuator sub-assembly is operatively connected between the reversible motor and the wiper pivot assembly for reciprocally actuating the wiper blade. A second actuator sub-assembly is operatively connected between the reversible motor and the windshield wiper blade for telescopically moving the wiper blade.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a scraper blade or cutting blade includes two retaining devices for retaining a first part of the blade therebetween. An operational part of the blade extends from the retaining devices to scrape debris from a roll. One of the retaining devices is a plate made up of a plurality of fibrous layers arranged to provide predetermined strength to the blade in a first direction while allowing flexing of the blade in a second perpendicular direction. The fibrous layers are primarily of woven or laid glass but these layers can also include carbon, ceramic, polyester or aramid fibers. These fibers or monofilament reinforced laminations are encapsulated and bonded in a thermosetting resin to provide desired operational properties.

Abstract: An automatic dustpan apparatus for central vacuum cleaning systems has a hollow body member that is configured for built-in mounting under cabinetry or in walls adjacent a floor surface, and connection to a conventional central vacuum cleaning system whereby debris on a floor surface may simply be swept to the vicinity of the automatic dustpan and hence into the central vacuum cleaning system where it is discarded. A valve within the dustpan body automatically closes when the dustpan is not in use to permit the other receptacles in the central vacuum cleaning system to function and provision is made to assure against the energizing of the central vacuum cleaning motor when the automatic dustpan is to be used until after the valve of the dustpan has been opened, in order to prevent harmful overloading and other undue damaging strains on the motor during its initial startup and operation.

Abstract: A hose connector for a vacuum having a lid includes a hose inlet having opening extending through a skirt of the lid, surfaces disposed on one of the hose inlet and the connection end defining slot portions extending in a particular direction and flange portions disposed on opposite sides of the other of the hose inlet and the connection end. Each slot portion has a width sufficient to receive a flange portion. The vacuum is assembled by sliding the connection end into the opening along the particular direction before the lid is assembled on the skirt such that the flange portions are received in the slot portions. The lid is thereafter placed on the tank such that a tank receiving portion of the connection end receives a portion of the tank.

Abstract: A swivel wheel assembly which is easy to assemble and convenient for use includes a tube plug inserted into a tube leg, a pivot pin inserted into the tube plug and a rotary member rotatably secured on the pin. The rotary member supports a shaft and pair of wheels. By using a hard material for the pin, a softer material for the rotary member and a still softer material for the tube plug, friction is reduced. The plug, pin and rotary member are assembled without the use of fasteners. The rotary member includes a resilient flexible member with a key received in a circumferential groove of the pivot pin.

Abstract: A jamb bracket (10, 40) and track (30, 60) assembly for the support of overhead sectional doors and the like. The assembly comprises bracket means (10,40) having tab means (20,50) and track means (30,60) having tab slots (34,74). The tab means (20,40) engage the tab slots (34,74) for attachment of the bracket means (10,40) to the track means (30,60). A related jamb bracket (10,40) comprises a U-shaped main body (14,44), providing first and second perpendicularly disposed legs (16,46 and 18,48) and, tab means (30,60) offset from the main body (14,44).

Abstract: A hinge assembly for the door of a refrigerated cabinet includes a hinge bracket that is secured to a cabinet weld assembly by passing a plurality of fasteners through the bracket and weld assembly and securing the fasteners to a first leg of a substantially L-shaped mounting arm such that the cabinet weld assembly is sandwiched between the first leg and the bracket. The bracket includes a load bearing surface supporting a pivot pin defining a pivot axis for the door. The mounting arm includes a second leg which is arranged at a predetermined angle, preferably ninety degrees, with respect to the first leg thereof. After the bracket is secured to the first mounting leg, the second leg assumes a static position from which it is rotated and is secured to a bottom panel of the cabinet. Rotation of the second leg of the mounting arm creates an inward preload on the cabinet weld assembly and causes a toe-in of the hinge bracket.

Abstract: A locking device for pivotally interconnecting a closure to a support and locking the closure in an open position relative to the support. The interlocking device interconnects the closure and support about a vertical axis, so that the closure can pivot about this axis and open and close relative to the support. The interlocking mechanism includes a locking mechanism having two engageable locking ratchet members. One ratchet member is fixedly coupled to the closure, and the second ratchet member is coupled to the support for movement along the vertical axis. The locking mechanism also has a spring which biases the ratchet members together into engagement with each other. Both ratchet members have compatible teeth with a ramping surface and a stopping surface for limiting the pivotal movement of the closure to a first direction and locking the closure in an open position. The releasing mechanism disengages the ratchet members, which allows the closure to be closed.

Abstract: In a mixing and opening device for pneumatically supplied flocculent fiber material, wherein fiber material is fed, by use of transport air and through a supply conduit, to a blow-in chute section of a hopper, wherein said blow-in chute section comprises a screen means for separating the fiber material from the transport air, and an air collecting chamber arranged behind said screen means for discharge of the transport air, and wherein, on the lower end of said hopper, the fiber material layered in said hopper can be fed via an intake means to an opening means, it is provided that the intake means comprises two intake rollers of different sizes.

Abstract: An improved holder to be securely and removably attached to a garment, and for holding a pair of eyeglasses, by securely and removably attaching to the temple bars of the eyeglasses. The holder includes a body formed of resilient material that effectively forms a substantially U-shaped center body with two adjoining transverse substantially U-shaped clips, comprising four relatively planar and concentric legs, wherein two of the legs extend in transverse and opposite substantially U-shaped directions from adjacent ends of one of the two legs that form the substantially U-shaped center body to form the two adjoining clips. The substantially U-shaped center body eliminates the need for additional lining material that prior inventions require to accommodate a wide range of temple bars having varying shapes and sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably clamping an elongated flexible member is provided. This clamping apparatus includes body defining at least one passage therethrough. A clamping member is operatively associated with the body member such that a portion of the clamping member can be selectively moved into and out of the passage. Juxtaposed clamping surfaces on the clamping member and the body converge and diverge as the clamping member is moved into and out of the passage. An actuator member extends from the clamping member and is operable for causing the clamping member to move into and out of the passage to engage and disengage the flexible elongated member therein. A locking mechanism is utilized to releasably fix the clamping member in one of a plurality of engaged positions.

Abstract: A draw texturing machine, which is provided with a heater to be set at a temperature higher than a melting point of a yarn to be textured, can be stopped in operation while the yarn is being threaded onto the machine and then re-started. The temperature of the heater is lowered upon stoppage of the machine, the temperature of the heater is detected, and the rotating speeds of rotating members are controlled based on the detected temperature. An effective method is provided by which a draw texturing machine provided with a heater to be set at a temperature higher than a melting point of a yarn to be textured can be stopped and then re-started while the yarn is being threaded.

Abstract: The process notably consists of assembling by welding by means of a connecting layer (16) a first (10) and a second substrate (12) of a semiconductor material, of thinning the second substrate (12) and, for each of the transducers, of structuring this second thinned substrate (12) to form a network of orifices (24) and of defining the contour of the fixed electrode of the transducer, of etching the first substrate (10) to form the diaphragm (28) of the transducer, and of eliminating the part of the connecting layer (16) which is located between the diaphragm (28) and the network of orifices (24) to separate this diaphragm (28) from the fixed electrode.The invention has applications in the manufacture of transducers such as microphones.

Abstract: Apparatus particularly suited for pulling a hub assembly that is seized to an axle of a heavy duty truck, bus or trailer. The axle has a hollow into which is inserted an expandable/contractible assembly of the apparatus. The apparatus also has a collar assembly that is attached to the hub assembly that is to be removed. The apparatus, by rotation of its handle, easily removes and frees the hub assembly from the axle.

Abstract: A cylinder sleeve puller for use in combination with a cylinder positioned in an engine block and having a removable sleeve liner therein comprising a rigid support frame having a horizontal member supported by a pair of depending vertical ends, said vertical ends being adapted to be disposed on each side of the cylinder to be worked upon in engagement with the surface of the engine block adjacent such cylinder; a threaded rod extending through the center of said horizontal member and adapted to be threaded up and down therethrough within said cylinder and its associated removable sleeve liner; a horizontally extendible lifting member pivotally connected to the base of said threaded rod and adapted to pivot to a downward angle to permit insertion into said cylinder; and sleeve-engaging lift surfaces at each end of said lifting member to engage with the base of said sleeve and to exert upward extracting forces thereon when said lifting plate is pulled upward by action of the attached threaded rod.

Abstract: An arrowhead extractor provides for the extraction of bladed or non-bladed arrowheads from relatively dense objects in which the arrowhead is imbedded, by securing an arrowhead extractor shaft to the arrowhead shank and threadibly withdrawing the extractor shaft and attached arrowhead from the object in which the arrowhead was imbedded. A barrel serves as a housing for the extractor shaft, and a threaded collar mates with the extractor shaft to draw the extractor shaft and attached arrowhead into the barrel portion of the device. The extractor shaft is keyed to the barrel portion and the barrel portion is seated firmly against the object in which the arrowhead is imbedded, so no rotational force is applied to the arrowhead which would otherwise cause any blades thereon to break. The device applies a steady, concentric tensile force along the shank of the arrowhead, to minimize the potential for damaging the arrowhead.

Abstract: A series of related clinch joints as well as methods and apparatus for forming these joints are disclosed. All of the leak proof drawings are capable of being fabricated using a solid non-radially expandable die having a recessed cavity formed therein for cooperation with a corresponding punch having a solid punch projection. The clearance between the punch and the die recess are specifically sized relative to the material thickness to achieve optimum fastening characteristics. Several joint embodiments utilize variable clearance between the punch and the die to minimize strength variability resulting from changing material thickness. Alternative lance type and leak proof joints utilize a variable clearance between the punch and the die to achieve both high, shear and peel strength in a single joint design.

Abstract: A process is described for manufacturing a friction ring for use in a clutch or brake. The friction ring comprises a friction lining provided on at least one peripheral surface of a conical or cylindrical carrying ring, which has been formed from a flat sheet metal blank after coating comprising a power mixture has been formed on the flat sheet metal blank. The process comprises providing a flat sheet metal blank, admixing a curable synthetic resin binder to the powder mixture to provide a binder-containing mixture, applying the binder-containing mixture to the blank to form a coating thereon, partly setting the coating, subsequently shaping the blank with the coating to form the carrying ring, and curing the coating on the carrying ring to form the friction lining.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for stabilizing a work piece of ring configuration on a base. The apparatus has a first ring fixed to the base and frictionally positioned within the work piece. A second ring has a portion within the other end of the work piece and a portion covering the other end of the work piece. A plurality of hold downs are connected to a base via hydraulic cylinders and are positioned about the work piece and have arms with rollers attached thereto. In response to actuation of the cylinders, the rollers are automatically swung into position over the second ring and the rollers forcibly urge the second ring and work piece in a direction toward the base.

Abstract: In one of the preferred embodiments, an inkjet printhead includes a nozzle member formed of a polymer material that has been laser-ablated to form inkjet orifices, ink channels, and vaporization chambers in the unitary nozzle member. The nozzle member is then mounted to a substrate containing heating elements associated with each orifice. In a preferred method, the orifices, ink channels, and vaporization chambers are formed using an Excimer laser.

Abstract: A method of dicing a printhead wafer containing a plurality of individual print elements into discreet elements. A back side relief feature is formed on the bottom front edge of a thermal ink jet print element from a heater side during a first dicing cut, followed by a second dicing cut from a channel side of the wafer to form a front face nozzle. The back cut feature enables front face maintenance by a wiper blade or other maintenance operation, provides a pocket for excess die bonding adhesive during manufacture, and reduces front face chipping during dicing caused by the saw blade contacting the die wafer mounting media and becoming contaminated. The relief feature may be a square step feature or a beveled back cut feature and may additionally be located on a top front edge of the print element.

Abstract: The firewall feed-through adapter of the present invention, and method for making, is an assembly utilizing an aluminum oxide insulator which is specially machined to interfit with the outer insulation of the conductors. The firewall shell is specially designed to compress the insulator about the conductors and their wire insulation to insure a complete sealing of the firewall side of the adapter. The shell of the adapter is machined both to reduce the labor involved in its manufacture, as well as to provide an internal frusto-conic surface which is used to compress the insulation about the conductors and their wire insulation. The action of securing the shell to the back plate simultaneously seals the shell against the firewall while sealing the insulation against the conductors and the inner surfaces of the shell.

Abstract: The exposed portions of the leads of a semiconductor chip package are first bent in a forming process so that the ends of the leads are in proper positions to be attached to and electrically connected to contacts on a printed circuit board. Intermediate portions of the leads between the distal ends and the package body for connection to the printed circuit board and the package body are enclosed and fixed in position by a carrier body to hold the leads in position and to reduce the effects of any bending in destroying the coplanarity of the distal lead ends of the package. The package with the carrier body may be mounted onto the printed circuit board without first removing the carrier body. After the distal ends of the leads have been soldered to the printed circuit board, the carrier body is then removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air bridge and an evaporative process for making air bridges. A first layer of photoresist is patterned to create two openings over the contacts to be connected, separated by a strip of photoresist. The photoresist strip is hard baked to allow it to soften and to cause further cross linking. The softening allows surface tension to reshape the photoresist strip to create a gradually sloping arcuate surface between contact openings upon which a metal layer of nearly constant thickness may be evaporated. A second layer of photoresist is then applied, and patterned to create a single large opening embracing both contacts and the now arcuate hard baked photoresist strip. An arch within the large opening connecting both contacts is formed by evaporation. Excess metal and both photoresist layers are then removed, leaving a novel, arch shaped air bridge.

Abstract: In order to connect an electric cable (12) having a light metal core (14) to a standardized end element such as a connector contact, the partly bare end of the cable is introduced into a blind hole (20) formed in a connecting part (10) made from an electrically conductive, cold deformable material. More specifically, the bare cable end is introduced into a truncated cone-shaped, intermediate portion (24) and into a bottom portion (22) of the hole (20), whilst the adjacent end of the cable sleeve (16) is introduced into a larger diameter, inlet portion (26) of the hole. In view of the fact that the part (10) has a truncated cone-shaped, outer surface around the blind hole, a radial compacting of the part has the effect of embedding the cable end in said part and mechanically joining the latter both to the core and to the sleeve of the cable.

Abstract: A substrate for use in a pacing lead having a sintered porous platinized steroid eluting electrode. The substrate has at least one raised surface which provides an advantageous mounting portion for the sintered electrode. In the preferred embodiment the mounting portion is nailhead-shaped. The present invention provides an electrode produced with increased dimensional consistency, mechanical strength and impedance as compared to electrodes having a straight wire substrate. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing such an electrode.

Abstract: In a method of producing crankshafts in a mass-production line, after a crankshaft casting is ground to its specified geometry, it is measured to detect a dynamic imbalance. Then, at least one radial balancing bore is drilled in a specified counterweight to a depth according to a resultant imbalance so as to balance the crankshaft if the crankshaft is judged, based on the resultant imbalance, to fall within a region in which a dynamic imbalance is eliminated by drilling bores. Otherwise, the crank shaft is removed out of the mass-production line if it is judged to be out of the region.

Abstract: Precise alignment between two or more nozzle plates affixed to print cartridges installed in a single carriage of an ink printer is achieved by machining datum projections on each print cartridge after its nozzle plate has been permanently secured to the print cartridge. The machined datum projections on the print cartridge contact surfaces on the carriage when the print cartridge is installed in the carriage such that the dimensions of the datums affect the position of the cartridge, and hence the nozzle plate, within the carriage.

Abstract: The contour and dimensions of the radial-inflow turbine is obtained by an iteration process that includes calculating by use of a three dimensional fluid dynamic flow analysis the parameters that will produce the desired fluid flow velocities, pressures and other aerodynamic properties until the optimum configuration is obtained. The wrap distribution is obtained in accordance with the formulae:When 0.0<X<0.22135: .delta..theta./.delta..theta.(total)=0.0When 0.22135<X<1.00: .delta..theta./.delta..theta.(total)=A+B.times.X+C.times.X.sup.2 +D.times.X.sup.3 +E.times.X.sup.4 +F.times.X.sup.5 =0.0Where:.delta..theta./.delta..theta.(total)=local normalized wrap angleA=0.101596B=-1.007604C=2.672787D=-1.0125510E=0.713005F=-0.469075X=non-dimensional axial chord for a given configurationAdditional reduction in size and inertia is obtained by leaning and contouring the leading edge into an elliptical shape.

Abstract: The method of making a plurality of door frames from a single slab of metallic sheet material. The largest size door frame is first produced from a slab of material separating such from this slab of material. Then producing a second size of door frame from the remaining section of the slab of material where the second size is of a smaller configuration than the first size. Both door frames are each a single integral unit. There may be produced a third size of door frame from the remaining slab of material and possibly even a fourth size.

Abstract: An electric rotary razor including at least one outer cutter which has slits for whisker entry and at least one inner cutter having a plurality of cutter blades. Each one of the cutting blades is inclined in the rotational direction of the inner cutter and has a cutting edge surface at its upper end that slide on the bottom surface of the outer cutter. The cutting edge surface is thinner than the cutter blade or the cutter blade can have a recess beneath the cutting edge surface. Thus, sheared whiskers are prevented from sticking to the cutter blade of the inner cutter.

Abstract: An X-Y table apparatus comprises a base (12), an X-directional moving member (14) movable in the X direction with respect to the base, a mounting member (18) movable in the Y-direction with respect to the X-directional moving member and being capable of loading articles and displacement detecting member (20) for detecting displacements of the mounting member with respect to the base. The displacement detecting member includes a main scale (24) cooperatively provided on the center of the rear face of the mounting member and having a first matrix-shaped land lattice, and an index scale (26) provided in parallel with the base so as to be movable in directions in a two-dimensional area with respect to the main scale and having a first orthogonally cross lattice (80) and a second orthogonally cross lattice (82), such that the displacement detecting member has a simple structure and effects accurate X-directional displacement and Y-directional displacement detection.

Abstract: The system includes for planar angular measurements a gyro--preferably a laser gyro--and an angle encoder mounted with their sensitive axes coaxially on a turntable shaft, which is rotatably mounted in a case and driven at constant speed with respect to said case. The angular rate should be high enough to operate the laser gyro above the lock-in rate. For spatial angular measurements and navigation three gyros are mounted with their sensitive axes spatially arranged with respect to the turntable shaft to sense the same component of its angular rate. For avaraging errors due to gyro scalefactor and drift, the turntable is mounted on a second shaft with is axis perpendicular to the turntable. The second shaft is provided with a second an coder and a motor rotating the second shaft. The processing of the signal readout of the gyro(s) and encoder(s) allows to increase the accuracy, resolution and bandwidth of angular measurements with respect to a locally fixed basis or to inertial space.

Abstract: A plumb tool kit attachable to the ends of a common level member, or the like, used to determine vertical alignment. The kit comprises a pair of end caps each having a cap body. Each cap body has a first and a second arm extending therefrom, the first and said second arms forming a right angle. Each cap body has an opening therein to receive a level, each opening having a preselected orientation wherein when the openings of the pair of end caps receive the, the arms are transverse to the level. The first arms and at least a portion of the level define a first plane and the second arms and at least a portion of the level defining a second plane. One or both of the pair of end caps includes an apparatus for determining vertical alignment, such as, for example, a bull's eye level, wherein when the openings of the pair of end caps receive the level, the bull's eye level has a location in a plane transverse to the level.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a protractor including a main body surrounding a circular aperture and having a scale of angular measurements thereon, and a rotary cursor mounted on the main body for rotary movement about the center of the circle of the circular aperture. The rotary cursor includes a part-circular center portion engaged in the circular aperture and rotatable within the aperture, and a radial arm portion extending radially outwardly from the center portion to the scale. The center portion of the rotary cursor is generally in the shape of a sector of a circular disc bounded by the reference side edge and the further side edge, and extends through about three quarters of a circle. The arm portion and the center portion of the cursor are formed as an integral unit.

Abstract: A method for measuring sleeping positions using a portable coordinate measuring machine is presented. The measured sleeping position information can be used to select or design a mattress which will result in a preferred sleeping position, whereby stresses on the individual's back and other muscles are minimized. The portable coordinate measuring machine comprising a multijointed manually positionable measuring arm for accurately and easily measuring a plurality of points or landmarks of an individual.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for measuring the distance between control points on a vehicle, the apparatus including a base assembly for supporting an extendable gauge bar having pointers mounted thereon which are aligned with the control points, the gauge bar including a gauge indicating the distance between the pointers, each base assembly including a base plate and a pedestal mounted on the base plate for matingly engaging the gauge bar, the pedestal being vertically and radially moveable for adjusting the position of the gauge bar.

Abstract: The present invention is a bifold field marker. The marker utilizes a marking disc mounted on the distal end of an arm. This arm is coupled to a mounting bracket which, in turn, is connected to an implement's tool bar. The arm is articulated at a central knuckle to allow the marker to fold. A hydraulic cylinder is positioned between the mounting bracket and the arm to push or pull the arm about a main pin or hinge. The main pin or hinge on the mounting bracket is oriented at a 45 degree angle in both the horizontal and vertical planes. This allows the hydraulic cylinder to pivot the arm about the 45 degree axis and fold the arm simultaneously until the marker is positioned in a compact orientation along the side of the implement.