Abstract: A compensating torque wrench device used for tightening an internally threaded member (e.g., a nut) to an externally threaded member (e.g., a bolt). The internally threaded member is of conventional construction while the externally threaded member includes a free end having a recess. The device includes a working end having first engagement means which engages the internally threaded member and second engagement means comprising a rotatable projection for engaging the recess of the externally threaded member. The device also includes first and second rotational means and a driven end (e.g., a handle), such that the driven end is connected to the first engagement means by the first rotational means and to the second engagement means by the second rotational means.

Abstract: A coordinator for a traffic signal controller having a motor and associated switching system for establishing the duty and width cycle of the controller. The controller being connected, via electrical circuitry, to an AC power grid. The coordinator is a self-contained unit arranged for connection to the controller to effect coordination thereof by producing timing signals in response to receipt of either AC signals from the electrical circuitry or stray AC radiation from adjacent sections of the power grid. The coordinator also includes an independent oscillator for producing independent timing signals. Thus, the coordinator can maintain coordination of the controller under normal operating conditions or under the abnormal operating conditions of a local power failure or a general power failure.

Abstract: An expansion anchor grip sleeve assembly comprising an anchor grip sleeve axially aligned with an expansion anchor shield. The anchor grip sleeve possesses grasping prongs or locking means which engage the expansion anchor shield. A bolt passes through the anchor grip sleeve and expansion anchor shield with the bolt having threads that engage threads in the expanding plug in the expansion anchor shield, such that when the bolt is tightened the grasping prongs or locking means of the anchor grip sleeve engage the expansion anchor shield to activate the expansion anchor shield. This results in the establishment of the expansion anchor grip sleeve assembly in one or more surfaces.

Abstract: A dental handpiece having a mechanism for mounting a bur in one end thereof. A fiber optic system is mounted within the handpiece, and is adapted to direct light adjacent the bur when it is rotating to aid a dentist in using the handpiece. The fiber optic system includes a bulb mounted within the handpiece, which bulb is secured in a housing formed from a heat-resistant plastic. Air used for driving the handpiece is also used to cool the heat generated by the light. A pneumatic switch is provided for automatically turning on the light when the handpiece is used and for automatically turning off the light when use of the handpiece is terminated.

Abstract: An image correlation device utilizing the principle of magnetoresistance. A sensed image is compared to a preselected mask image to determine whether the two images match. The comparison is accomplished by electrically representing the sensed image along a first surface and the mask image along a second surface of magnetoresistive member or body of material (a magnetoresistive member is one which demonstrates a greater amount of electrical resistance transverse to a magnetic field to which the member is exposed than it does parallel to that field). Where the two images match such that there is a maximum number of corresponding points along these surfaces a maximum amount of current flows through the body. Moreover, matching images can be compared and a match recognized even where the images are at different positions along their respective top and bottom surfaces of the magnetoresistive block.

Abstract: In a robotic apparatus having a manipulator arm including plural motors to move the arm to predetermined spatial positions and a control system for the arm, a common bus and common memory connected to the bus. The control system comprises respective microprocessor based controllers for each of the joints, microprocessor based computation means for performing the mathematical computation to control the trajectories of the arm and common microprocessor based coordinating control system for coordinating the activities of the other modular microprocessor based control system. Accessing routine is associated with the bus for providing each of the microprocessor based control system with direct, exclusive access to the bus during respective time intervals. The common memory serves as a depository for messages to and from the microprocessor based control system to enable intercommunication between the microprocessor based control system accessing the bus.

Abstract: An image stabilized optical device including an objective lens, an eyepiece lens and a prism-composed, image erection system. The image erection system is disposed in the major optical axis of the device, and is gimballed for rotation about two axes normal to the major optical axis of the device.

Abstract: A control system and method of controlling the cycling of water in a cooling tower system having a source of make-up water of variable conductivity. The control system apparatus includes respective probes for sensing tower water conductivity and make-up water conductivity. The probes provide signals to a controller unit. Desired cooling system water conductivity parameters are input into the controller unit. The controller unit serves to proportionally adjust the trip point at which dumping of the cooling tower water occurs based upon the sensed water conductivities and the input parameters to maintain a predetermined Langelier's number(s). Means are provided to display system conditions and to effect calibration of the system. The method entails establishing an indexing factor based upon the cooling water parameters and the desired Langelier's number(s) and using that indexing factor for adjusting the trip point.

Abstract: A torch, useful in air-carbon arc processes has a holder (9, 11) for an electrode (E) and gas control means comprising a venturi air injector (4), arranged to pass both compressed air (F) and induced air (Fi) along the electrode to the tip (Et) to cool the electrode, increase the rate of removal of metal and reduce consumption of electrode and compressed air.

Abstract: A control system and method of controlling the cycling of water in a cooling tower system having a course of make-up water of variable conductivity.The control system apparatus includes respective probes for sensing tower water conductivity and make-up water conductivity. The probes provide signals to a controller unit. Desired cooling system water conductivity parameters an input into the controller unit. The controller unit serves to proportionately adjust the trip point at which dumping of the cooling tower water occurs based upon the sensed water conductivities and the input parameters to maintain a predetermined Langelier's number(s). Means are provided to display system conditions and to effect calibrations of the system.The method entails establishing an indexing factor based upon the cooling water parameters and the desired Langelier's number(s) and using that indexing factor for adjusting the trip point.

Abstract: A cap device for securing an instrument, such as a ballpoint pen, to a web of flexible material. The device comprises a stem portion and a body portion which collectively define a first, second and third surface, with the first surface being disposed between the second and third surfaces. The surfaces are disposed in a spaced array to form a longitudinally extending gap which is serpentine in cross section and arranged for receipt of the web of material to bend the web about the surfaces to accomplish a substantially non-traumatic gathering of the web by the device. The device is slidable from a first position wherein it covers the tip of the writing instrument to a second position wherein the tip is exposed. Means are provided to ensure that the device does not slide off the instrument.

Abstract: A device for grounding static electricity from a person comprising a case and connected band to be worn on the limb of the person. The device includes an electrically conductive inner surface and an electrically insulative outer surface. A releasably securable connector is provided between a ground connection and the conductive inner surface of the device. A resistor is connected between the connector and the inner surface of the device and is located within the case.

Abstract: A system for transporting a tray holding at least one specimen slide to and from the microscope. The tray includes index marker means and engagement means. The system comprises an input station, indexing means at the microscope stage and an output station. The input station includes a hopper to receive a stack of slide-carrying trays, a first carrier located within the hopper to carrying the trays out of the hopper and onto the microscope stage and feeding means for dispensing the trays from the stack to the first carrier. The indexing means carries the tray to at least one predetermined index position on the stage and basically comprises a second carrier for moving the tray across the stage and a first sensor cooperating with the second carrier means. The index marker means activates the first sensor to stop the second carrier when the index marker means is in a first predetermined position corresponding to the tray being in the predetermined index position.

Abstract: An upflow filter of the type in which a liquid influent (e.g. water) is directed upwardly through buoyant filter media particles includes a porous supporting member, preferably in the form of a screen having openings through it that are larger than the nominal size of the media particles. A layer of particulate material is positioned on the upper surface of the porous supporting member and has a nominal particle size that is greater than the size of the openings through the supporting member. This layer of particulate material includes a plurality of interstices, or passages through which filtered liquid influent can pass, and, in the most preferred embodiment, also retains the buoyant media particles in the filter.

Abstract: A body weight support system for skiing or other physical activities including at least one leg brace. The brace consists of a pair of parallel elongated tubular members interconnected by a cable, a plurality of cylindrical segment members are interposed in the knee section of the brace with the cable extending therethrough to form non-resilient flexure means for allowing the brace to bend with the knee upon flexure of the knee. Tensioning means are provided for the cable to establish the tension therein and hence establish a maximum angle deflection of the flexure means. The brace and flexure means are non-resilient so that once the maximum angle is attained the brace resists further deflection. The brace also includes fabric means spanning the tubular members for supporting the legs of the wearer. Strap means are provided for securing the brace to the leg and to a boot (e.g., ski boot).

Abstract: Quick release means for a pair of footwear. The quick release means enables one to readily extract one's feet from the footwear without the use of one's hands. In that regard, each footwear of the pair includes a notch in the toe portion of the outsole and a projection extending generally upwardly from the heel portion. The removal of the footwear is accomplished when one positions his or her feet so that a portion of the outsole of one of said pair of footwear overlies the projection of the other of said pair, with the notch receiving the projection, therein. This enables the wearer to readily extract one of his or her feet from one of the footwear. Obviously, to extract both feet, the first foot is only partially extracted from the footwear initially selected for removal, enabling that same footwear to then be used to extract the other foot from its footwear.

Abstract: A bicycle storage trunk to be attached to the frame of a closed frame bicycle. The storage trunk which includes a hinged door is pivotably mounted to the bicycle frame such that when the trunk is in a first position the door is precluded from opening and when the trunk is in a second position the door may be opened, thus enabling one to have access into the trunk. The device is designed to be locked to the bicycle frame in the first position in order to prevent the contents of the trunk from being stolen at such times that the bicycle may be left unattended. The trunk is constructed having a solid metal housing, so that the trunk may support and house relatively heavy objects. The interior of the trunk is covered by a soft layer of foam to prevent the contents therein from rattling or from being damaged by the metal housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing continuous anodes in deep bore holes in order to cathodically protect underground metal structures situated adjacent said bore holes. The system is readily adapted to be used with either replaceable or non-replaceable deep anode assemblies. A continuous anode and at least one associated flexible continuous coiled component are wound around reel means which are mounted adjacent the mouth of the bore hole. Attached to the free end of the component and the anode is a weighted base member which when located in the bore hole pulls the continuous anode and the other continuous component to the bottom of the bore hole. Lowering means are provided to insure that the weight means descend to the bottom of the bore hole at a controlled rate of speed.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve system for a prosthetic penile implant device where the penile implant device basically includes bladder means, a reservoir, and a pump and valve assembly. The bladder means is implanted in the penis while the reservoir, and the pump and valve assembly are implanted at a remote location thereto. The pump and valve assembly provide means for pumping water from the reservoir into the bladders to obtain a simulated erection and for pumping water from the bladders to the reservoir to obtain a flaccid penis. The pressure relief valve system of the instant invention is used in combination with the pump and valve assembly to prevent excessive pressure from developing within the bladder means so as to cause injury. The pressure relief valve system comprises a primary valve and a secondary valve.

Abstract: A valve respirator device for use both on human and on animal patients. The device comprises a housing having an inport, an outport and an exhaust port. The outport is connected to the patient's respiratory system, the inport is connected to a source of air and the exhaust port is open to the surrounding atmosphere. To that end, in alternating succession, first the inport and then the exhaust port is in fluid communication with the outport. A slotted, rotatable valve cylinder is utilized as a means for providing alternating fluid communication first between the inport and the outport and then between the outport and the exhaust port. The device further comprises a metering plate which is interposed in the path of fluid communication between the outport and the other two respective ports. In that regard, the metering plate includes several apertures which regulate the volume and other flow characteristics of air passing between these respective ports.