Abstract: A backhoe (100) has a hydraulic cylinder (316, 317) with a piston (318, 319) that rotates a rotatable boom (108). A lockable slider block (322) slides on the piston. Movement of the lockable slider block in one direction is caused by a spring (328, 329) mounted around the piston, and in another direction is caused by the telescoping of the piston into the hydraulic cylinder. The backhoe includes a hydraulic valve (340) that controls hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinder and a sensor (320) coupled to the hydraulic valve. Once locked to a position on the piston, the lockable slider block engages the sensor on each occasion the rotatable boom rotates beyond a preselected angle of rotation. Engagement of the sensor causes actuation of the hydraulic valve, thereby preventing further rotation of the boom by the hydraulic cylinder. Alternative embodiments have an encoder (120, 130) that digitizes the position of the boom, and a microcomputer (410) that is programmed to actuate the hydraulic valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic suction fuse is mounted in a conventional debris collection trap of a swimming pool, spa or the like, to significantly reduce or eliminate any suction force on the bottom or side wall mounted drain of the swimming pool, spa or the like, as a result of the drain becoming essentially wholly covered by a body part of a person or other drain clogging article. Alternatively, the hydraulic suction fuse may be mounted in a compartment in line between the drain and a suction pump of a swimming pool, spa or the like. Thereby, a person captured by the suction force at the drain will be released and the person is free to move away from the drain essentially instantaneously upon contact with the drain. In one embodiment, the hydraulic suction fuse is self resetting once inflow through the drain is no longer restricted. In another embodiment of the hydraulic suction fuse, the hydraulic suction fuse may be easily manually reset.

Abstract: An archery compound bow having a riser to support accessories is provided with a keyway positioned at the location for attachment of a bracket to support an accessory. The bracket is also provided with a keyway; a key is positioned to nest in the respective keyways when the bracket is attached to the riser. The bracket is secured to the riser using screws or other conventional fastening means with the key extending into the keyways to position the bracket and maintain the position of the bracket on the riser.

Abstract: An illuminated caliper device includes a caliper assembly having first and second caliper legs each having a pointed tip and a pivot end. A pivot support and first and second pivot elements pivotally connects the pivot ends of the first and second caliper legs to the pivot support. A battery housing attached to the pivot support contains a battery. First and second light emitting diodes are coupled by a switch mounted on the battery housing to first and second terminals of the battery and produced light that is directed to areas of the surface to be measured by pointed tips of the legs. The intensity and color of light emitted by the first light emitting diode are such as to sufficiently illuminate the surface under low ambient illumination conditions without disrupting acquired night vision of a user.

Abstract: A protective vest includes a cooling system including an elongated housing generally disposed inside the protective vest. At least one fan powered by an electric motor is supported at the upper end of the elongated housing proximate the neck opening of the protective vest for drawing fresh air into the upper end of the elongated housing. The elongated housing includes a retractable extension for varying the length thereof. Ventilation holes are formed in the elongated housing to discharge fresh air between the protective vest and the user's body. Electrical wires extend from the motor to a battery worn by the user, or to a vehicle cigarette lighter, to supply power to the motor. The electrical wires incorporate a quick-disconnect coupling and a switch/dimmer control to control the speed of the fan.

Abstract: A moisture resistant wall vent for use in an exterior wall of a building includes a louvered front panel substantially in the plane of the wall surface whether the wall has a stucco finish, conventional wall finish or a brick surface. Alternatively, the louvered panel may be recessed from the front edge of the vent coincident with the finish of the exterior wall. Top, bottom, left and right side panels of the vent include laterally extending right angle flanges disposed proximate the rear edges to resist seepage of water along the vent into the wall. To mount the vent in a concrete block wall, a laterally extending T-shaped lintel is attached through slots (for the concrete block wall) disposed in the top panel and a laterally extending plate (if used) is attached through slots disposed in the bottom panel.

Abstract: A level control system for controlling the thickness of a work material in a slurry form cast upon a moving belt includes a fluid reservoir disposed above the belt, a sensor lens assembly for sensing the slurry height within such reservoir, and a control valve for adding slurry to the reservoir. A lens disposed near the moving belt and above the reservoir is coupled by fiber optics to a remote sensor amplifier for detecting the height of the slurry. A control circuit responsive to the light sensor regulates the flow rate of the slurry through the control valve.

Abstract: A screed ski system includes a plurality of circlip saddles supported by corresponding stakes and a plurality of sections of screed ski tubing is snap-fit into the circlip saddles. After screeding of a first layer of aggregate or plastic material, the screed ski tubing and circlip saddles are removed as a unit. The spacers are optionally placed on the stakes, and the screed ski tubing and circlip saddles are placed as a unit on the spacers to facilitate screeding of a second layer of aggregate or plastic material over the first. Some of the screed ski tubing can be flexible to provide an arcuate screed ski.

Abstract: A bi-directional transient voltage suppression (“TVS”) device (101) includes a semiconductor die (201) that has a first avalanche diode (103) in series with a first rectifier diode (104) connected cathode to cathode, electrically coupled in an anti-parallel configuration with a second avalanche diode (105) in series with a second rectifier diode (106) also connected cathode to cathode. All the diodes of the TVS device are on a single semiconductor substrate (301). The die has a low resistivity buried diffused layer (303) having a first conductivity type disposed between a semiconductor substrate (301) having the opposite conductivity type and a high resistivity epitaxial layer (305) having the first conductivity type. The buried diffused layer shunts most of a transient current away from a portion of the epitaxial layer between the first avalanche diode and the first rectifier diode, thereby reducing the clamping voltage relative to the breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A miniaturized four wheel vehicle includes a forwardly located compartment for transporting articles. Robust side mounted footrests, in combination with a forwardly canted steering handlebar urges a driver to lean into a turn to enhance stability during turns. The motor and related heavy components are mounted low on the frame to maintain the center of gravity close to the ground. A drive train of cog wheels and cog belt ensure corresponding rotation of the motor and rear axle to maintain affirmative control over forward and rearward movement. If an electric motor is used, soft start circuitry prevents abrupt starts. By mounting the front and rear axles at different heights relative to the frame, the frame will cant forwardly downwardly for better control and maneuverability.

Abstract: A mobile accident recording system (40) includes a GPS receiver-pole (41) and a computer (14) which prompts investigator to place a tip of the receiver-pole on identified position points of evidence items at an accident site to measure and record coordinates of the position points. Data including the recorded coordinates and stored database information for each evidence item are processed to reconstruct a graphical three-dimensional representation of the accident site which is displayed to the investigator from any desired advantage point selected by the investigator.

Abstract: A recessed incrementally rotating nozzle assembly is located in a wall or bottom surface of a swimming pool in fluid communication through a conduit with a source of water under pressure from a valve, which valve periodically releases water into the conduit. Each time water flows, a nozzle housing is raised to eject a stream of water. As the nozzle housing rises, it is incrementally rotated by a pin engaging a saw tooth member of a cam ring. Upon cessation of flow, the nozzle housing is retracted and during retraction the nozzle housing is further incrementally rotated by the pin engaging another saw tooth member of the cam ring. After a predetermined degree of angular rotation, a cam reverser slidably reorients protrusions guiding the pin into and out of the saw tooth members to cause the pin to be guided by the opposite side of the saw tooth members and thereby cause reversal of the direction of rotation of the nozzle housing.

Abstract: A method for determining if blood in a stool sample originated from the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. This includes a method for purifying and concentrating hemoglobin and its products from a stool sample to allow a simple and sensitive spectrophotometric analysis. A rapid, noninvasive determination of whether the blood originated from an upper gastrointestinal or lower gastrointestinal site is made on the basis of changes in the absorption spectra of hemoglobin that occur when hemoglobin is exposed to a highly acidic environment.

Abstract: A push-push type fluid pressure actuated motor has one or more radial opposed cylinder sets each having a pair of pistons, a connecting rod, and a Scotch-yoke connection to a crankshaft. An intake rotor valve at one face of the cylinder block and an exhaust rotor valve at an opposite face of the cylinder block are mounted on and rotate with the crankshaft. The rotor valves admit pressurized fluid to the cylinder and allow discharge of spent fluid from the cylinders.

Abstract: The glucose concentration in the bloodstream is directly correlated to the concentration of glucose in the aqueous humor. Furthermore, variation in the glucose concentration in the aqueous humor will cause like variations in its index of refraction. Thus, by measuring the refractive index of the aqueous humor, the glucose concentration in the blood can be determined. The refractive index of the aqueous humor can be measured by interferometry. In various embodiments of the invention that employ interferometry, two beams may be directed onto the eye and caused to interfere, thereby producing a fringe pattern. The fringe pattern may be analyzed to determine the index of refraction of the aqueous humor in the eye and the glucose concentration therein. The glucose level in the blood can be ascertained from this information.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for quantifying the extent a cataract impairs vision in an eye having a pupil, an ocular lens, and a retina. The method includes illuminating a localized region of the retina such that light is reflected from the localized region and is transmitted through the ocular lens. A portion of the reflected light is scattered by the cataract associated with the ocular lens. Light reflected from the localized region of the retina is collected, and the amount of scatter is measured so as to quantify the extent the scatter impairs vision of the eye.