Abstract: A method and system for translating between three complementary color component slow scan video signals and a composite color slow scan video signal containing a luminance information signal within a visible line interval of each slow scan video signal line and a chrominance information signal within the non-visible portion of each slow scan video signal line. The chrominance information signal includes during the non-visible portions of alternate slow scan video signal lines, a first color difference signal derived by subtracting the luminance information signal from one of three complementary color slow scan video signals and a second color difference signal derived by subtracting the luminance information signal from another of three complementary color slow scan video signals. The three complementary color component slow scan video signals are translated into the composite color slow scan video signal for transmission.

Abstract: A single wire electrode is supported at one end by a cylinder cap which has pins for guiding the electrode into an upwardly opening fusion chamber defined by a heavy metal cylinder. In a second embodiment, multiple secondary wire electrodes are spaced circumferentially about a central primary wire electrode. In a third embodiment, a laminate wire mesh electrode assembly is mounted within a rectangular cartridge fusion chamber.

Abstract: A percutaneous gastrostomy kit includes a mushroom catheter having a closed proximal end with a transverse bore through said end and an enlarged washer on the distal end adjacent the mushroom head, a length of approximately five feet of number 2 suture thread, a small packet of surgical lubricant, and a medicut catheter of about 16 gauge all sterilized and enclosed within a sealed package.

Abstract: A drive for a tape cartridge having an access door along one side edge thereof. The drive includes a housing having a front panel and an elongate tray dimensioned to have the cartridge inserted endwise thereon. The tray is supported within the housing for longitudinal movement from a retracted position in which the tray is substantially contained within the housing to an extended position in which a portion of the tray extends through a slot in the front panel of the housing. A mechanism is provided for opening the access door of the cartridge while the cartridge is supported on the tray and the tray is being moved from its extended position to its retracted position. Another mechanism is provided for moving a read/write head and a capstan drive within the housing between operative engagement and disengagement with the cartridge after the cartridge has been inserted onto the tray and the tray has been moved to its retracted position.

Abstract: A grass ski for enabling skiing on a grass covered sloped surface without the presence of snow includes a flexible runner defined by an endless guide track on which is mounted boot supports and bindings for attachment to ski boots and on which is movably mounted an endless belt supported on rollers on the endless guide track for supporting an individual for movement along the ground's surface.

Abstract: A gear driven oscillating sprinkler head includes a shifting gear train for transmitting drive from a drive motor to the oscillating sprinkler head with a shifting mechanism for shifting alternate driving pinions into driving engagement with an internal ring gear with the pressure angle of the engaging teeth being different for the different drive pinions to thereby balance the shifting force applied by the shifting mechanism.

Abstract: A fission chamber detector system for monitoring neutron flux density in a nuclear reactor includes a preamplifier and signal conditioning unit for amplifying and conditioning neutron signal pulses produced by fission chamber detectors located adjacent the reactor core. The preamplifier and signal conditioning unit are located outside of the containment vessel for the reactor. The amplifier and signal conditioning unit amplify and condition the neutron signal pulses to provide signals that can be transmitted by twisted shielded pairs to a remotely located signal processing unit. The preamplifiers include an input stage that enables the preamplifiers to be controlled remotely to either pass or inhibit neutron signal pulses to an amplifier stage from the fission chambers, and to pass test signals to the amplifier stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering prepared wet fruit and vegetable particles into centripetal confinement under subatmospheric pressure, contacting the particles with heated edible oil until they have been puffed and dehydrated to a hygroscopic condition, hardening dried particles by cooling with cold oil, centrifugally removing excess oil and discharging the hygroscopic particles into packages to prevent access of moisture during storage and shipment.A multiple unit system, comprising pressure vessels that are fitted with a multiplicity of relatively shallow trays is arranged to receive a procession of prepared wet fruit particles and dehydrate and puff the particles to a hygroscopic condition, then to deliver the puffed particles to a packaging machine, to be sealed in moisture barrier packages. The dehydrating vessels with auxillary systems are described.

Abstract: A thermally responsive substrate includes an electric circuit extending throughout the substrate and providing multiple terminal pads through the substrate for the application of electrical current for heating the thermally responsive substrate. A tool for the application of electrical current to the terminals pads includes a device having multiple spaced apart contact probes for engaging selected terminal pads of the substrate.

Abstract: A modulation system wherein a carrier signal is modulated by an input signal having a variable amplitude, either analog or digital. The amplitude of the input signal is sampled every predetermined fractional cycle of the modulated signal; and the carrier signal is modulated in response to the sampled amplitude of the input signal to provide a modulated signal of which each predetermined fractional cycle has an amplitude and a duration that are inversely proportional to each other and related to the sampled amplitude of the input signal. The modulated signal is demodulated by either or both of the techniques of zero-crossing detection and peak-amplitude detection. The system is self-clocking, without discontinuous phase or amplitude changes and without DC components being introduced. The system transmits its own signal-recovering clock information and thereby permits modulation at a rate in excess of the carrier signal frequency.

Abstract: Systems for scrambling and descrambling video information lines. The scrambling system includes a memory; a storage system for sequentially storing groups of four video information lines in the memory; and a retrieval means for forming groups of four scrambled video information lines by retrieving the stored video information from the memory in a sequence different from the sequence within the stored group in which the information was stored.

Abstract: A glass slide has parallel tubular electrodes for performing electro cell fusion. Fluid may be pumped through the electrodes to dissipate heat to enhance the yield of viable hybrids. An alternate embodiment sandwiches a gasket and parallel tubular electrodes between glass slides to permit cell fusion in a closed sterile environment.

Abstract: A roll bar for convertible-type vehicles includes a generally U-shaped inverted roll bar structure pivotally mounted to an automobile chassis for extending across and above the passenger compartment when in the up position and pivotally mounted to pivot to a downward generally horizontal retracted position. The roll bar is mounted to pivot generally about a support bar that is mounted within and extends to each side of the chassis and includes a fixed gear on the mounting bar and a driving gear carried by the roll bar in driving engagement with the fixed gear with a curved guide slot disposed adjacent the drive mechanism for guiding the roll bar into the respective vertical and horizontal positions.

Abstract: A case for holding an interchangeable lens camera comprises at least three parts which can be interconnected in various ways to provide different camera and lens holding arrangements. A first part of the case is arranged to fit over the main body of a camera case and has a central opening through which a camera lens projects. The other two parts are cylinders, each open at one end, which fit over two camera lenses. Interengageable connectors such as zippers are provided around the opening of the first part, the open ends of the cylinders, and the closed end of one of the cylinders. Thus the case can be arranged to carry a camera and two lenses by securing one of the cylinders to the opening or the first part to hold the camera and one of the lenses, and securing the other cylinder to the closed end of the first cylinder to carry another lens. Alternatively the two cylinders can be secured together to form a closed cylinder to carry either a lens or the first part of the case when not in use.

Abstract: Method and device in which a suspension in air or other gas of liquid droplets or fine particles containing an electromagnetic energy absorbent component is subjected to microwave radiation to apply energy to the droplets or particles as they fall to a collection point.

Abstract: A mobile hoist for lifting vehicles and the like includes a base support frame having a vertical tower at one end thereof and an elongated generally Z-shaped boom pivotally supported on and extending outward from the tower includes a support platform on the outer end of the boom with a leveling linkage for maintaining the support platform in a level condition between uppermost position and lowermost positions of the boom with a linear hydraulic lift motor connected between the boom and the support frame for raising and lowering the boom and support platform between a maximum upper position and a lower position. The horizontal support frame includes outwardly or horizontally extending pair of spaced apart legs and ground engaging wheels to enable movement of the lift on a support surface.

Abstract: A generally cup shaped cutting head for fitting over and around the sprinker head includes a generally circular cutting edge for cutting around a sprinkler head, and a cleaning brush mounted concentrically within the cutting head and recessed from the cutting edge for engaging and cleaning the surface of a sprinkler head, with the cutting head detachably mounted on the end of an elongated drive shaft which is adapted to be driven by an electric drill motor or the like.

Abstract: Terminal elements for interconnecting insulated wires. Twin-contact terminal elements are formed of leaf-shaped sides of resilient contact material, each side having a slot for solderless, screwless and stripless clamping contact with an individual wire. The terminal elements are V-shaped, a plurality of which can be mounted in an insulative terminal strip so that each two adjacent terminal elements are disposed with their sides in parallel confronting relationship.

Abstract: A continuous passive motion apparatus for improving the healing of patients from operation of the limbs includes a base support plate with a thigh support member pivotally connected to the base and a lower leg support member pivotally connected to the outer end of the thigh support member with flexible drive links connected respectively to the outer ends of the thigh support member and lower leg support member and to a drive variable speed motor having a variable length crank arm with means in the form of pulleys for specifically adjusting and altering the direction of motion of the flexible drive links. The speed and length of the motions can be separately and independently adjustable by selective adjustment of the drive motor, crank arm and the respective drive links. An alternate embodiment utilizes a guide track in place of one link for guiding the outer end of the thigh support member.

Abstract: A machine for imprinting numbers on sheets of paper, particularly in a consecutive order, includes a base in the form of a box-like housing in which is located a levelling mechanism for levelling a platen against which sheets of paper are supported for imprinting a number by means of an imprinting head supported for reciprocal movement toward and away from the platen by means of an arm extending upward from the base member and including a solenoid for reciprocal movement of the print head toward and away from the platen. The level of the platen for precisely adjusting the support surface of the platen for uniformly printing the numbers includes a pair of adjustable screw mechanisms disposed on orthogonal axes for selectively adjusting the slope of the platen. An alternative embodiment includes a solenoid operated plunger acting against a fixed platen disposed in the center of a sheet support table.