Abstract: A fault protection circuit for fluorescent lamp ballasts cuts off ballast power to the lamp in response to fast rise-time changes but not slower changes in either current output or voltage output of the ballast. The fault protection circuit is compatible with different ballast circuit topologies and features a floating reference level which renders the circuit insensitive to the lamp load wattage, making the circuit particularly useful in so-called universal ballasts.

Abstract: An accessory for diabolo juggling may take the form of hand held unit or a free standing unit. In each case, at least one stretchable, flexible, resilient and elastic member is supported by a frame. The elastic member, preferably a bungee cord, is free of any cross-member and in spaced parallel relation to any additional elastic members such that there is an unobstructed region on each side of the elastic member. In one form, there is a horizontal and vertical frame member with a plurality of elastic members supported in spaced parallel relation on transverse members mounted on the frame members. In use the diabolo is propelled toward the accessory, impinges on one or more cords and is propelled away due to the resilient nature of the cords. The free space on each side of the cord permits passage of the cones of the diabolo on each side of the cord to prevent the cone from contacting a fixed component of the accessory and thus slowing down the rotation of the diabolo.

Abstract: A compact, portable exercise machine includes a base, a pair of receiving means, a pair of parallel support bars fitting slidably within the receiving means, a body support platform, a resistance device, a cable, pulleys, and a cable tightening means. The base has a forward end and an after end and has the first and second receiving means located between the two ends. The support bars each has a forward end and an after end and are joined at these ends by front and rear connecting bars. The platform has a forward end and an after end and is attached to the front connecting bar and the rear connecting bar. Seat, head-rest and foot rests are attached to the platform. The resistance device is removably attached at its upper end adjacent the forward end of the body support platform and removably attached at its lower end adjacent the forward end of the base. A first pulley is attached adjacent the after end of the base. The cable tightening means is attached to the support bars.

Abstract: A first playpen enclosure that converts easily to a bassinet, changing table or bed-side crib or "co-sleeper" that attaches securely to the parents' bed. A second enclosure support system maintains a padded enclosure and rigid floor panel at one or more predetermined levels below the top of the playpen to form the bassinet and co-sleeper. The second enclosure has a back, two sides, a bottom and a front flap that converts into a front wall for use in the bassinet mode and overhangs the front horizontal rail for use in the co-sleeper mode. The upper front corners are segmented into a movable section and a fixed section to facilitate lowering the front horizontal rail to at least one lower second position to accommodate various parental bed heights. Extensions of the fixed section are affixed to the front vertical rails and accept the movable sections in several positions to secure the rail in the second positions.

Abstract: Practical battery operation of radio-frequency proximity readers is made possible by monitoring activity in the RFID reader's sensing field with a secondary detector such as a passive infrared detector, and powering up the RFID reader only upon detection of activity by the secondary detector. The RFID reader is kept to a low duty cycle relative to the secondary detector which is chosen for relatively low power consumption to achieve a net reduction in operating power requirements of the combined RFID reader and secondary detector.

Abstract: A method for refining a titanium metal containing ore such as rutile or illmenite or mixtures to produce titanium ingots or titanium alloys and compounds of titanium involves production of titanium tetrachloride as a molten slag, by processing the ore in a chlorination procedure and removing various impurities by a distillation or other procedure to form a relatively pure titanium tetrachloride (TiCl.sub.4). Thereafter, the titanium tetrachloride is introduced into the plasma focal point of a plasma reactor in a molten sodium environment for the initial reduction of gas phase titanium into titanium molten drops which are collected by a set of skulls. Thereafter, further processing are carried out in higher vacuum and the titanium is heated by electron beam guns in order to maximize titanium purity and, in a final optional stage, alloying compounds are added under yet higher vacuum and high temperature conditions.

Abstract: A reclining seat back replaces a canvas seat back in a wheelchair frame. The reclining back has left and right brackets which attach to existing upright back supports of the wheelchair frame. A reclining back pivoted to the brackets is adjustable to a desired recline position.

Abstract: A bedside crib (hereinafter "co-sleeper") that attaches to the parental bed that may be easily converted for use as a child's easel, couch, bassinet or toy display/storage device. The co-sleeper provides a rigid enclosure formed of a pair of sides, front and rear leg portions, a removable back, a mattress base with front retaining lip, and at least one removable shelf. The mattress base is hingedly attached to the front leg portion to tilt upwardly at an acute angle to a ground surface to serve as a child's easel. When the mattress base is tilted at a right angle to the ground surface and the back of the co-sleeper is removed, the latter may serve as a toy storage/display device. A removable front allows the enclosure to function as a bassinet. Height-adjustable leg extensions attach to the sides to adjust the co-sleeper to different heights for use with various beds and to raise or lower the co-sleeper for use in alternative modes (bassinet, couch, etc.).

Abstract: A splice for concrete reinforcement bars includes two diametrically opposed half-shells spanning the aligned ends of the rebars. The half-shells interlock with upset bar ends to hold the bars together. An internally tapered sleeve is forced axially over the tapered exterior of the half-shells in a taper lock to secure the splice joint.

Abstract: A quick connect splice for concrete reinforcement bars includes two diametrically opposed half-shells spanning the aligned ends of the rebars. The half-shells interlock with raised ridges on the bar surfaces to hold the bar ends together. Two sleeve elements slipped over the bars are screwed to each other over the shell sections to secure the splice joint.

Abstract: A height-adjustable coffee or tea brewer is described. The invention includes a base element that may include a selectively operable warming plate. A vertical stand includes two slidably engagable components that may be vertically displaced with respect to one another. The first of these components is attached to the base element and the second is attached to a head element. The head element may be provided with a device to accept a funnel or other mechanism to hold coffee or tea. The head element may also contain a device for heating water or may simply be plumbed to a hot water source. The height-adjustable feature permits the coffee or tea brewer to fill thermally insulated and other containers of varying height.

Abstract: The invention pertains to insulated coffee makers and insulating accessories for use with insulated and non-insulated coffee makers. A coffee press brews coffee from a fixture of ground coffee and boiling water placed in a heat resistant container. The mixture is allowed to brew for a specified period after which a plunger affixed to a filter screen is pushed downward in the container. This separates the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee. Coffee press coffee makers provide a superior flavor, however heat tends to dissipate rapidly from the container. The invention includes an insulated cylindrical brewing container. Another variant is an insulated insert fitted onto the coffee press lid. Still another is an insulating jacket extending from the top rim of the coffee press to its base with openings provided for the handle and the spout. The jacket may include an openable means to secure the jacket about the handle. The jacket could also include a hinged flap to seal the spout.

Abstract: A one piece air mattress suitable for use in health care settings to aid in prevention of bed sores has air cells permanently attached to a common base sheet along a base perimeter of each cell. The air cells and base sheet are of flexible radio frequency weldable plastic material, and all the air cells can be simultaneously welded to the base sheet in a single welding step using a special welding jig. Air supply conduits are defined by strips bonded to the base sheet in overlying relationship to orifices opening the supply conduits to the air cells, thereby eliminating the need for external air hoses and connections. An alternating pressure air mattress can be made by opening different air supply conduits to alternating sets of the air cells.

Abstract: A variable weight athletic shoe is described. The athletic shoe may be removably fitted with training weights of varying heaviness or the weights may be left off entirely without damaging the aesthetic appeal or functional aspects of the shoe. Weights of various sizes are quickly and securely coupled to the rear portion of the heel-enclosing section of the shoe with several types of attachment clips and latches. In other variants of the invention, shoe weights are removably attached within cavities in the heel or arch sections of the shoe sole. Weights may also be attached across the instep of the athletic shoe. The shoe weights may be covered in various protective and decorative coverings and may contain lightening holes to achieve the desired weight in a given size.

Abstract: A container for liquid medical specimens such as urine specimens includes a container with a wide mouth opening for facilitating deposition of a urine sample, a removable cap for closing the mouth opening and an impermeable sheet liner under the cap for making a fluid tight seal with the rim. The liner is rupturable with the blunt tip of a laboratory pipette inserted through a small hole in the cap for drawing a sample of a urine specimen without removing the cap of the container. The hole in the cap may remain open after collection of a urine specimen in the container, as leakage is prevented by the liner. Alternatively, a small secondary cap may close the hole in the main cap. An optional decanter may be inserted through the hole in the cap for piercing the liner to facilitate pouring of the contents without removing the cap. A method of using the novel container for conveying a liquid medical specimen from a specimen collection site to a geographically removed laboratory site is disclosed.

Abstract: A nondestructive process for determining the reactive capacity of a test biological by Raman scattering. The test biological may be any one of enzymes, enzyme cofactors, coenzymes, antibodies, antibody fragments, hemeproteins, peptides, synthetic peptides, toxins, toxoids, glycosphingolipids, lectins, lipids, lipid complexes, phospholipids, carbohydrates, saccharides, gangliosides, nucleic acids, fragments of nucleic acids, pathogen adhesion factors, receptors, receptor subunits, membranes, organelles, cells, tissues and complexes containing membranes, organelles, cells and tissues, or a bioconcentrator. The test biological is irradiated with a light source to produce a Raman scattering spectrum of the irradiated biological. The Raman scattering spectrum is collected and processed to determine the ability of the test biological to react with ligands.

Abstract: A portable commode with spring assisted lifting seat has a lightweight self-supporting stand, a seat hinged to the frame and a pair of pneumatic springs for lifting the seat to an elevated position. The springs yield under the body weight of the user to depress the seat to a lowered position. The springs can be easily set at different positions on the seat to adjust for users of different body weights. A removable waste receptacle on the frame permits the commode to be used by itself, as at a bedside location, or over a conventional toilet bowl installation.