Abstract: Radio frequency power for melting, sealing and welding plastic tubing compressed between a pair of manually or automatically actuated electrically conducting jaws of a hand held or fixed base tubing sealer is regulated by a pulse width modulator controlling the duty cycle of applied constant voltage pulses. A predetermined change of impedance of the tubing during compression and melting is detected to regulate the power applied and to ensure a weld of predetermined physical parameters. On completion of the weld, a first timer is reset and a further weld may be made. In the event of impedance mismatch, a second timer inhibits further application of power and resetting of the first timer. The use of the pulse width modulator enhances conservation of power and accommodates portability of the tubing sealer through use of rechargeable batteries as the power source.

Abstract: Water to be purified swirls about a source of ultraviolet radiation to kill any microorganisms contained therein and flows through a carbon filter cartridge mounted about the ultraviolet source to remove any chlorine and particulate matter. The outflow from the carbon filter is again subjected to ultraviolet radiation to kill any microorganisms entrained in the water emanating from the carbon filter. An ozone generator may be incorporated to entrain ozone with the inflowing water to enhance killing of any microorganisms present and to oxidize any undesirable compounds. The cartridge filter has its annular support member at one end disposed adjacent a first annular ridge to establish an annular seal between the support member and the first annular ridge. An axially moveable disk includes a second annular ridge disposed adjacent the annular support member at the other end of the cartridge filter to establish an annular seal therebetween.

Abstract: A solder ball placement system incorporating a placement head moveable vertically toward and away from a solder ball shuttle having a plurality of solder balls positioned thereon. A corresponding plurality of pickup tubes extend from the placement head and are connected to a vacuum source for attracting and holding a corresponding solder ball. The pickup tubes are mounted for limited vertical movement with respect to the placement head to allow the individual pickup tubes to extend into the placement head varying distances to accommodate for uneven placement of solder balls such as warpage of a workpiece or shuttle. The respective pickup tubes each incorporate a collar abutting against a vibrator plate that is actuated by an ejector solenoid when the vacuum is released and the solder balls are to be placed on a workpiece.

Abstract: An electronic ballast includes a converter coupled to a variable frequency inverter and a series resonant, parallel loaded output coupled to the inverter. The frequency of the inverter increases when the supply voltage from the converter decreases. The converter includes a full wave rectifier producing a first voltage and an unregulated boost circuit producing a second voltage which is combined with the first voltage to produce the supply voltage. The amount of boost, and therefore the magnitude of the supply voltage, is varied to provide dimming. Dimming is controlled mechanically, via a potentiometer, or electrically, via a control input. Dimming also occurs in response to changes in the first voltage, i.e. from changes in the voltage on an AC power line or from changes in the voltage provided by a capacitive dimmer coupled between the ballast and an AC power line.

Abstract: An animal amusement device is described incorporating a radio receiver triggered by the operation of an animal. The receiver, triggered by operation of the animal's contact with an animal operated switch, is timed and subsequently turned off. The animal switching means provides a tactile feedback to the animal so that it may sense the act of switching. Switching is accomplished with a momentary contact switch that activates a timer to control the energization of the radio receiver.

Abstract: Produce, whether vegetable and/or fruit, is supported upon a screen basket suspended within a closed cabinet. Each of a plurality of nozzles disposed about the basket emits a filled cone of washing liquid to scour the produce and to dislodge by agitation and flotation debris therefrom. After filtering of the washing fluid through a screen in the cabinet, the washing fluid is recycled by a pump pumping the washing fluid from a collection trough to the nozzles. Preferably, the washing fluid is slightly acidic.

Abstract: A hat having an attached accessory such as a visor is disclosed incorporating a headband formed integrally with a sliding member positioned adjacent the opening in the crown. A track is secured to the crown and slidingly engages the sliding member to permit the crown and attached visor to be rotated relative to the wearer's head without removing the hat.

Abstract: An electronically controllable low capacitance active bus line terminator achieves low output terminal capacitances by connecting emitters of switch transistors directly to the output terminals. Termination resistors are connected directly between an output of a voltage regulator circuit and collectors of the switch transistors. Emitters of optional clamp transistors can be connected to bases or collectors of the switch transistors to limit or prevent "ringing" of bus conductors connected to the output terminals if the switch transistors are turned on. The bus conductors are thereby isolated from parasitic capacitances associated with the termination resistors and the collectors of the switch transistors when they are turned off.

Abstract: A squeezable, insulated drink bottle includes a flexible, semi-rigid, plastic beverage container that fits inside of and in spaced relationship to a flexible, semi-rigid plastic housing. An inwardly oriented flange around a top opening of the housing locks into a groove under a cover shoulder of the beverage container. Recesses in the housing facilitate gripping of drink bottle.

Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp includes at least one bus bar attached to an electrode of the lamp. The bus bar has a gap and a conductive trace bridges the gap. The trace is preferably an isolated segment of the front electrode of the lamp and is made when the front electrode is patterned. The bus bar includes at least one pair of holes extending through the bus bar. The holes each have a diameter less than the width of the bus bar and are spaced along the length of the bus bar. The segment of the bus bar between the holes can be curved to define a path through the holes adjacent the bus bar. A conductive pin through the holes makes electrical contact with the bus bar and is held in place by the holes and the curved segment. The bus bar is an integral connector and the conductive trace is an integral fuse.

Abstract: A saw blade includes a very shallow cone shaped side for supporting an abrasive surface to sand smooth a cut surface of a work piece while the surface is being cut by the saw blade. To maintain the finished sanded surface of the cut perpendicular to a specified axis of the work piece, the axis of rotation of the saw blade is tilted to place a radial of the cone shaped abrasive surface orthogonal in three axis to the direction of saw cut being made.

Abstract: A power-saving column driver integrated circuit, and a power-saving method for driving a liquid crystal display, include a series of multiplexers coupled to the columns of the display. The multiplexers selectively couple each of the columns to a common external storage capacitor during a portion of each row drive period for discharging each of the pixels in the selected row of the liquid crystal display to a median bias voltage. During the remaining portion of each row drive period, the multiplexers selectively couple voltage drivers to the columns of the LCD pixel array for applying a desired driving voltage to each column of the array. The polarity of the driving voltages applied to each column alternates on succeeding row drive periods, and the resulting voltage that is summed on the storage capacitor averages to the median bias voltage.

Abstract: A log splitter having an elongated frame includes a detachable table including a platform, a clamp for attaching the platform to the frame, and an adjustable leg pivotally attached to the underside of the platform. The clamp includes at least one catch attached to the platform for engaging one side of the frame and a hook for engaging the opposite side of the frame. A strap connects the hook to the platform and is adjustable in length to accommodate frames of different widths.

Abstract: This circuit facilitates the triggerability of a remote three wire flashtube and trigger coil assembly at a much lower than normal anode power supply voltage. The discharge of the trigger capacitor produces the usual trigger-event in the trigger coil. Simultaneously, a trigger boost capacitor boosts the flashtube anode voltage to approximate the supply voltage plus the voltage across the trigger coil primary winding. As a result, the flashtube anode voltage is essentially doubled at the outset of each trigger event.

Abstract: A digital frequency discriminator processes input pulses including first and second time separated input pulses to determine if the frequency of any two sequential pulses lie within a predetermined frequency band with upper and lower frequency limits and that they are received for at least a predetermined period of time. A delay timer is coupled to sense the input pulse stream and operates in a pulse sensing standby mode prior to receipt of the first input pulse. Upon receipt of the first input pulse, the delay timer switches into a time-limited active mode to define a fixed duration delay interval having a duration equal to the period of the upper frequency limit of the frequency band. The delay timer switches back into the pulse sensing standby mode upon completion of the delay interval. A gate timer is coupled to the output of the delay timer and switches from a standby mode into a time-limited active mode upon completion of the delay interval to define a fixed duration bandwidth interval.

Abstract: A display card is provided on one surface thereof with two images which appear to an observer to be interacting. One of the images is provided on the card by quality ink printing such as lithography. At least a portion of this image occupies but only a portion of a prescribed field of view on the card. The second image, which occupies substantially all of the remainder of the field of view, is provided by a plastic coating adhered to the card and having a reflection-type hologram embossed therein. The holographic image circumscribes and touches at every possible point that portion of the printed image occupying a portion of the field of view. The method of making the display card comprising ink printing one image and adhering the plastic coating bearing the hologram on the card in a manner to circumscribe that portion of the printed image which occupies the field of view.

Abstract: A thin, disposable key light device that is adhesively attachable to the head of a key includes a light emitting diode, a disk battery, an insulative annular spacer, and an adhesive disk. A lead of the light emitting diode extends over a hole in the annular spacer. Leads of the light emitting diode straddle the battery and annular spacer. Switch actuation pressure applied to a flexible housing elastically deforms one of the leads through the hole in the annular spacer, causing that lead to electrically contact one electrode surface of the battery and thereby connect the light emitting disk in series with the battery.

Abstract: A cap, mounted upon the stem of a suction cup, is axially repositionable by axial and/or tilting movement relative to the stem to selectively close or open fluid communication between the concave space defined by the cup element of the suction cup and the ambient environment.

Abstract: A concealed latch for the door of a trailer includes an arm attached to a pivot fastened to the inside of a door on the trailer, a pair of locking bars attached to the arm, and an eyelet or U-shaped metal loop attached to one of the locking bars. One end of the arm is a handle and is more easily broken than the rest of the arm. The bars are attached to the arm on either side of the pivot and extend from the arm to floor or ceiling of the trailer. The door includes an aperture located adjacent the handle portion of the arm to provide access through the outer surface of the door to the arm. When the door is latched, the U-shaped metal loop is positioned adjacent a fixed U-shaped metal loop. A concealed shackle lock covers the two metal loops and fastens the loops together. The aperture in the door is enclosed from the inside to form a recess containing the handle and the lock, protecting them from a vertical blow with a hammer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for driving an active or passive matrix liquid crystal display panel or the like provides an analog output signal which switches through a voltage range that exceeds the safe operating voltage of the CMOS transistors from which it is formed. Duplicate digital to analog conversion circuits are provided on the integrated circuit but are operated from two different power supply voltage ranges. Each voltage range has a magnitude less than the safe operating voltage. The analog output signals generated by the duplicate digital to analog conversion circuits are coupled to an output multiplexer that is responsive to a control signal for selecting one of the two analog output signals to the output terminal of the integrated circuit.