Abstract: A lacrimal fluid modulating device for controlling the flow of lacrimal fluid through a punctum and associated canaliculus of a human eye comprising a generally cylindrical body member with an axial bore, an arcuate head member and peripheral placement and retaining members fashioned upon an exterior surface of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a box forming machine operable to raise folded box material to a box frame, and to fold the edges that comprise the box bottom into a bottom area and to tape the folded edges. The forming equipment is equipped with a box material supply that stores folded box stock material. The apparatus withdraws a piece of box material from the box material supply station by means of a vacuum chuck. The box stock material is raised to a box frame by means of a raise guide and further to a bottom folding station that folds the inner box edges which extend in a direction transverse to a taping direction. Outer edges are then folded into the bottom areas along the taping direction and a tape head tapes together the inner edges by means of a tape head drive.

Abstract: A computerized tracing/edging system for the edging of an ophthalmic lens comprises a tracing sub-system for performing a tracing operation with respect to a frame, a pattern or a lens to derive data relating to the dimensions thereof, a storing sub-system for storing the data relating to the dimensions of the traced frame, pattern or lens, and an edging sub-system responsive to the data relating to the dimensions of the traced frame, pattern or lens for edging the ophthalmic lens so as to provide it with dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the traced frame, pattern or lens. The computerized tracing/edging system can be implemented as a multi-processor system consisting of a first sub-system for performing the tracing operations, a second sub-system for performing the storage operations (as well as data translation procedures for converting the data from one form to another), and a third sub-system for performing the edging operations.

Abstract: The support bracket relates to use in a sawhorse, picnic table, workbench or the like which may be operably and facilely folded for purposes of transportation and/or storage and comprising a generally solid rectangular shell forming a housing with a top surface and four discontinuous side walls. A first socket is fashioned within the housing shell and has a central longitudinal axis extending downwardly from the shell. A second, similar socket is fashioned within the housing shell and includes a central longitudinal axis which forms an acute angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the first socket member. A rail slot is fashioned along a top surface of the housing and intimately engages with one end of a two-by-four operable to form a horizontal work surface. A transverse trough is also formed across the top surface of the housing shell and extends perpendicular to the rail slot for operably receiving a two-by-four or the like.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a lens by grinding a lens blank with a tool in a working position calls for a diamond tool to be disposed only angularly, the lens being moved in an X,Y relationship so that the relative cutting position is properly maintained. The angular disposition and X,Y relationship of the tool and the lens are pre-calculated by a computer, and the digital data thus obtained are converted to analog data for controlling a servo system. In accordance with the invention, when a certain range of curves is entered via a digital keyboard, a computation is made by computer to determine if an interference between the spindle holding the diamond tool and lens will exist, or if an interference between the lens and a chuck will exist. If an interference will exist, the chucked lens is caused to rotate around the optic axis by precisely 180.degree.

Abstract: A toric finer-polisher for the fining and/or polishing of a toric lens comprises a lap table for holding a tool, a spindle on which the lap table is mounted, a rocker arm assembly for holding the lens in contact with the tool, and a motor for driving the spindle and lap table so as to cause relative motion between the tool and the lens, thereby finishing the surface of the lens. The spindle is fixed at its lower end to a gimbal, and is contacted at an intermediate point along the spindle by a timing belt connected to the motor, so as to maximize a gimbal radius of the lap table assembly, thus maintaining a parallel relationship between the tool axis and the lens axis during finishing of the lens surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arm elevation support device comprising a generally monolithic humerus support, a contoured well shoulder anchor, and a radius and ulna support. The monolithic humerus support is operable to abut against a patient's side and underlies the humeral portion of a patient's arm. The contoured well shoulder anchor includes a contoured sleeve portion operable to be worn around the acromial portion of a patient's well arm and two straps which releasably connect the well shoulder anchor to the monolithic humerus support. The radius and ulna support connects to the monolithic structure and provides support for a patient's forearm and hand.

Abstract: A sodium-sulfur storage battery comprises a battery housing which functions as a positive current terminal collector, a solid electrolyte tube which is permeable to sodium ion and is disposed in the battery housing, and a positive electroconductive material, into which positive reactant is impregnated, disposed in a positive chamber between the solid electrolyte tube and the battery housing. The positive electroconductive material has a rugged part consisting of longitudinally extending concave and convex portions, which are formed by compression molding, at the inner surface thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stepless speed change gear including a plurality of conical rollers each of which is provided with a conical surface frictionally engaging with a ring-member moved by a speed changing assembly. A surface of concave cross-section frictionally engages with a sun-member on an input shaft, and a flat surface frictionally engages with a non-rotatable disc member. A gear train is provided to extend the speed range to include a speed ratio of 1:1. A release mechanism is provided for the non-rotatable disc member, and a clutch mechanism is provided for direct coupling of the input and the output shaft. Power is transmitted by direct coupling of the input and the output shaft.

Abstract: A well leg operative support for use during an arthroscopic and/or incision surgical procedure including a generally L-shaped bar having a first leg and a shorter second leg. The first leg is releasably connected to an operating table and the short leg is bent at a right angle with respect to the first leg and extends beneath a generally L-shaped foot bracket of the well leg operative support. The L-shaped foot bracket is adjustably connected to the short leg with at least one degree of translation adjustment and preferably two degrees of rotational adjustment.

Abstract: A universal orthopedic recuperative garment to be worn following corrective surgery or substantial trauma to an arm and/or shoulder including a vest portion to be fitted over the head of a patient, a means to secure the vest around a patient's lower torso, an arm support panel which attaches to the vest portion to fashion a generally horizontal channel and cradle a patient's forearm, and an upper arm rotating and binding strap which attaches to a front portion of the vest to provide a desired degree of left and rotation of a patient's shoulder.

Abstract: A power transfer device for a vehicle comprises a power input part; an intermediate gear mechanism having an intermediate input gear and an intermediate output gear meshing together; a first gear meshing with the intermediate input gear; a first shaft connected to the first gear; a second output part adapted to be connected to the intermediate output gear; a second shaft connected to the second output part; a first auxiliary output part connected to the first shaft; a dog clutch adapted to be switched between a differential operation position in which the intermediate output gear is connected only to the second output part and a differential non-operation position in which the intermediate output gear is connected to both of the first auxiliary output part and the second output part; a lock gear mechanism connected to the intermediate gear mechanism; and a lock mechanism adapted to disengagably connect the lock gear mechanism to a stationary part.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a harmonically suppressed driver for a three phase full bridge pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter, for driving an AC motor. The driver generates three phase PWM waveforms for operating a motor in a speed range of from approximately 240 to 4000 rpm. Below 1800 rpm, voltage reduction is implemented by phase shifting in order to maintain constant volt-sec operation and prevent armature flux saturation. Additional load dependent flux compensation is achieved by measuring motor speed, calculating the slip and providing compensation at large slips.

Abstract: An inertial brake unit for an air clutch includes a concentric inertial brake chamber in a rotary joint for the air clutch, a disc brake, a piston and a pressure chamber. The brake unit also includes a pneumatic pressure control mechanism so that the piston can brake the disc when pressurized air is supplied to said pressure chamber at the time of disengaging the clutch.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly comprising a pressure plate for pressing a friction facing onto a flywheel, a clutch cover fixed to the flywheel, a diaphragm spring for forcing the pressure plate toward the flywheel and an elastic strap which unrotatably and axially movably connects the pressure plate to the clutch cover, characterized in that, the pressure plate is provided with a rearwardly projected part which is projected oppositely to the flywheel beyond the clutch cover through a recess in the clutch cover and is provided at its projected rear end with a spring seat, and an adjustment spring formed by a compressible spring is interposed between the spring seat and the clutch cover.

Abstract: Hemorrhagic fluid secretion and histologic damage to the intestinal mucosa by C. difficile toxin is blocked by the use of phospholipase inhibitors.

Abstract: A digitally-controlled cycloconverter converts a multiple-phase power signal of variable frequency into a single-phase or multiple-phase signal of a lower selected frequency. The cosinusoidal algorithm is utilized to determine the firing delay times, with the analog reference wave used in that algorithm being created from a digitized hardware table. The cosinusoidal algorithm is further simplified by defining the relationship between the analog reference wave and the cosinusoidal timing waves in terms of a two-part piecewise linear relationship which is incorporated into a digital algorithm. The digital algorithm is implemented on a system employing a high-power microprocessor having hardware multiplication and division capability, allowing the algorithm to be used with supply voltages having frequencies about those previously used for cycloconversion. The control logic involved with the firing of a series of thyristors is simplified by utilizing pulse transformers.

Abstract: A tip or probe extends through a hollow cylindrical base and coaxially projects through a cylindrical sleeve member connected to the base. The cylindrical sleeve member is provided with at least one internal, longitudinally extending, rib member to guide a flushing fluid through the cylindrical member and to isolate interior wall portions of the cylindrical sleeve from the tip member.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the flow of inflation fluid to an inflatable packer elements forming part of a drill stem tester, comprises a hydraulically operated piston and adaptor assembly to inflate and deflate the packer elements. The initial flow of inflation fluid into the assembly causes the piston to move upward, aligning a conduit in the piston with a conduit in the adaptor. A valve permits passage of the inflation fluid to the packer elements through the conduit in the piston when the conduit in the piston are in alignment with the conduit in the adaptor. An increase in the pressure of the inflation fluid surrounding the piston causes a second valve in the adaptor to open, thereby allowing the piston to move downward and the pressure fluid from the packer elements to flow to the well bore.