Abstract: An optical radiation detector utilizes a unitary V-shaped or conical reflector element located within an internal cavity of an optically transmissive capped housing to provide a 180.degree. cylindrical swath or 2.pi. steradian hemispherical field-of-view in a compact package. Radiation from a central portion of the field-of-view received into the open top of the reflector is directed by internal reflective surfaces through an apex aperture onto a central sensing element. Radiation from peripheral points of the field-of-view received outside the open top is directed by external reflective surfaces outside the apex aperture onto outer sensing elements. Bandwidth filtering of the sensed radiation is provided either by selection of material for the cap, or by adding an optical filter plate between the reflector and sensing elements. The reflector is attached either to the undersurface of the cap top, or above the filter plate.

Abstract: A system for storing and display different types of merchandise items. The system includes a plurality of juxtaposed modules having a side wall and a plurality of shelves for holding the merchandise items. The items are stored on the shelves in boxes which slide through an opening on the front of shelves. The modules pivot about an axis to permit the boxes to easily be removed. Removable panels slidably attach to the front wall to support and display the merchandise item stored on an adjacent shelf. At least one of the modules allow items to be inserted into the module through an opening on the module's front as well as through an opening on a module's front side.

Abstract: The structure is adapted for frequent set-up and takedown and is designed to avoid roof sag and pocketing. The structure includes a framework having plural vertical supports and plural horizontal supports bridging between adjacent vertical supports. A removable roof cover is dimensioned to extend over and removably attached to the structural framework, and defines plural corners, with each corner positioned at an intersection of a horizontal support and a vertical support so as to define an intermediate roof field between adjacent corners. The vertical supports include elevated curves for lifting the corners of the roof cover, so as to form the intermediate field in a trough, the peripheral hem of the roof cover being removably attached to the vertical supports to draw the roof cover taut across the intermediate field and thereby avoid roof sag and pocketing.

Abstract: A flexible member is attached continuously to an inside surface of a boat canopy along its peripheral edge, and has a portion extending lateral to the plane of the canopy with a second portion attached to the first portion and extending lateral to that first portion. A gripping member is fixed to the upper extremity of a boat windshield and has a continuous, outwardly-facing slot extending generally parallel with the upper extremity of the windshield and dimensioned to receive the first portion of the flexible member into an internal recess also portion of the flexible member into an internal recess also dimensioned to receive the second portion. The canopy is attached to the windshield by continuously pushing the second portion of the flexible member through the slot and into the internal recess.

Abstract: A piece to be magnetized and a covering cap are brazed together to a member, such as a spring seat for a diesel engine injector needle lift sensor. The entire assembly is then subjected to a vacuum ion treatment to case-harden at least the cap and the wear surface of the member. Either before or after the member is case-hardened, the assembly is subjected to an electromagnetic field to magnetize the piece through the cap.

Abstract: A driving tool and method for injecting fasteners such as nails, or the like into workpieces such as drywall, ceilings or wood for framing a building. The driving tool includes a piston coupled to a rod that is driven forward to engage a head of a nail within a chamber of a barrel and drive the nail out the tool through a nozzle. The tool has a resilient member that is impacted on one end by a piston engaging with the nail to slow the piston's and rod's forward velocity. The resilient member is attached at its other end to a rigid member which is coupled to an indentor. The rigid member stops the forward velocity of the piston head and piston rod to limit the penetration of the nailhead into the drywall while placing an indention in the wall with an indentor. The nozzle is shaped to contact the shank of the fastener as the nail is driven through the tool's chamber to ensure that the nail is maintained perpendicular to the surface of the drywall as the nail exits the tool.

Abstract: A tunable laser rangefinder having a wavelength tunable transmitter output and a wavelength tunable receiver that matches the transmitter wavelength. The transmitter provides laser energy output pulses that are reflected off a target and received by the receiver. The time between the transmitter pulse and the receiver pulse is determined and the range of the target is calculated. The transmitter and receiver frequencies are changed from pulse to pulse to provide good countermeasure immunity. In a preferred embodiment the rangefinder uses a solid state, reliable cobalt magnesium fluoride laser to provide laser energy in a region of the infrared spectrum which is eye safe and has good atmospheric transmission.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for controlling the output pulse of a Q-switched laser. The intensity of laser light within the resonator of a Q-switch laser is sensed. A reference pulse related to a desired laser output pulse shape is compared with the sensed intensity. A variation signal corresponding to differences between the sensed light intensity and the reference pulse is fed to a Pockels cell or Q-switch within the resonator. The Q-switch responds to the variation signal by altering the resonator laser light polarization to maintain the Q-switch laser's output pulse in the desired shape. The reference pulse may be dynamically altered to change the shape of the output pulse.

Abstract: A linear slot diffuser for distributing air from a duct into or out of a room. The diffuser includes a frame forming a channel with a plurality of spaced plastic or vinyl supports disposed therein. The supports allow controller blades to be easily positioned in different angular arrangements to change the direction of air flow. The supports are preferably constructed with a plastic or vinyl material and function as a bearing surface.

Abstract: An electronic coin detector and method for sensing the presence of a valid coin and for providing an indication of the valid coin's type. A coin is guided into position between a first set of inductor coils. The coin is then guided through a channel surrounded by a second inductor coil. A first oscillating signal is then fed to the first set of inductor coils and a second higher frequency oscillating signal is fed to a second inductor coil. An altered signal is then provided in response to the effect of the coin passing through the inductor coils. After the coin has passed adjacent one of the inductor coils, the inductor coils are fed a calibration signal to produce a calibrated signal. This calibrated signal is then used to scale the altered signal. The frequency and amplitude of the scaled altered signal for the first set of inductor coils and the second inductor coil are combined with prestored statistical variables corresponding to frequency and amplitude values of a sample of valid coins.

Abstract: During the course of a total knee replacement, at least one and preferably a number of different low friction members having rotated artificial surfaces of different rotated angles are provided in order to determine the appropriate angle and displacement of the artificial prominence and plateaus on the low friction members, so that the appropriate low friction member may thereafter be permanently installed during the total knee replacement in order to recreate the optimal position.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a generally circular table having a fence about its periphery, and is provided with a conveyor for feeding quantities of container crowns onto the table. The table is rotated so that the container crowns are moved outwardly against the fence and fed centrifugally into a twist chute for receiving the crowns. The apparatus is provided with first and second curved channels coupled for conveying containers out of the twist chutes, the second curved channel merging together with the first channel at a point along their respective paths, with the path length of the first channel being substantially longer than that of the second channel between the twist tube, twist chute and the merging point. The apparatus includes the escapement assembly, the speed of which is controlled and is operated at the merging point for controlling the rate of movement of container crowns out of the first and second channels.

Abstract: A bowling lane and method for constructing the same. The bowling lane includes a plurality of synthetic panels having a tab and a notch cut formed along the side surface. The synthetic panels are attached to a bowling lane substructure with screws. Flat dowels are placed over the screws to provide a smooth bowling lane surface. Panels are juxtaposed so that the tab of one panel fits into the notch of its adjacent panel. One side of a plastic film is attached to the juxtaposed panels with a contact adhesive. A hardened finishing coat is applied to the other side of the film to provide a sliding surface. The film functions as a barrier layer between the finishing coat and the panels' top surface so that the bowling lane may be refinished by peeling the film from the lane. The film also attaches to the dowels and the lane to prevent the dowels from popping up when the bowling ball rolls down the lane. A foul line coupling is provided to connect a wood approach panel to a synthetic bowling lane.

Abstract: A system and method for teaching a student physical skills includes a processing module for producing and display a model of the student. The processing module includes a computing module for generating the model. The model has the exact physical dimensions of the student and superiorly performs the skill. A video imaging module captures the movement of the student attempting to perform the skill and generates a video signal for effecting input the processing module. The processing module coordinates the movement of the model with movements of the student and generates a pixel image representation of the model overlayed on the student. The model is generated from a plurality of elite performers capable of superior performance. The model is enhance with superior characteristics of performing the skill, but constrained to human capabilities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding and centering a catheter to a treatment site within a passageway in the human body includes a flexible tube having a distal end dimension to pass freely along the passageway, and a proximal end adapted to extend outside the body. The flexible tube is provided with a peripherally expandable zone at the distal end of the tube and a longitudinal lumen through the flexible tube dimension for passing a catheter therethrough. The distal end of the flexible tube is guided to a desired location within the passageway. The peripheral zone at the distal end of the tube is then expanded so that the expandable zone pushes against the inner wall of the passageway to center the distal end of the tube within the passageway. With the tube positioned within the passageway, a catheter is passed through the longitudinal lumen of the flexible tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of fabricating an tubular reflector for use in a laser. The tubular reflector is formed by first grinding smooth the inside surface of a round metal tube. The polished tube is inserted into an elliptical mold. The mold is then pressed to shape the round tube into an elliptical tube. Next the inner wall of the tube is coated with a highly reflective material. Finally, a light source and a laser rod are positioned in the tube such that after the light source is turned on, light is reflected off the reflective walls of the tube to the laser rod resulting in laser light emitting from the ends of the rod. It may also be preferable that the elliptical tube be formed by combining and bending two flat metal sheets.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer for injecting pesticide into an airstream being directed at foliage to protect the foliage from insects, vermin or the like. The air is generated using fans that pulls in air axially and directs the air outward in a radial direction. The radial outwardly directed air is then fed through a plurality of rotating vertically aligned elliptical paddles to create turbulence in the air. Pre-charged liquid pesticide droplets are then injected through a plurality of nozzles into a second airstream which directs the droplets into the outwardly directed air to regulate the droplet size. An oscillating sensor detects the foliage location and turns nozzles "off" and "on" to spray different foliage locations.