Abstract: An interchangeable sound effect device (1) which incorporates and plays sound effects that have been digitally recorded on interchangeable sound cartridges (4). This device (1) is designed to be used with entertainment and educational type products such as toys, dolls, figurines, books and instructional guides. The sound effect device (1) employs an infrared receiver (28) housed within a durable encasement which straps around the user's waist or is embedded within the doll, figurine, toy, or book. The receiver unit (28) contains an infrared detector (44), an electronic diving means (60), an audio speaker (52), and a sound cartridge (4) that rests within a sound cartridge chamber (32). The sound cartridge (4) contains a sound enabler chip (12) that stores, in digital form, a number of prerecorded sound effects. In addition, the user can easily remove the sound cartridge (4) and insert one of many other sound cartridges each containing a different set of sound effects.

Abstract: A combined laser and ultrasonic device includes a combination laser and ultrasonic source, a control console and a combined laser and ultrasonic delivery handpiece. The system has three modes of operation: 1) laser energy only, 2) ultrasonic energy only and 3) combined laser and ultrasonic energy. All three modes of operation are controlled by a single foot-operated activation switch, which will operate the laser source, the ultrasonic source or both, depending on which mode the device is operating in according to a mode switch on the control console. The combined laser and ultrasonic delivery handpiece includes an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic vibrating tip, which is mounted in close proximity to a laser delivery wave guide, such as a flexible optical fiber. The combined laser and ultrasonic device can be used to perform a variety of surgical procedures, including an improved method of a laser excisional new attachment procedure (Laser E.N.A.P.

Abstract: A compact level having two spirit level vials visible through either planar face of a triangular body. The vials and triangular body are configured to produce angles including 0.degree., 15.degree., 30.degree., 45.degree., and 60.degree. and their 90.degree. increments. Each of the three edges of the triangle maybe grooved to aid in leveling or truing pipes or other cylindrical objects. Extending along these grooves are magnets. The magnets may be flat or grooved and are used to aid the user when working with magnetic objects.

Abstract: A gun sight mount is provided that enables the accurate and secure positioning of an optical sighting device onto a weapon or other equipment. The mount includes a base and a front and rear ring assemblies. The base is attached at at least two points to the weapon or equipment. The separate front and rear ring assemblies capture the weapon or equipment. The ring assemblies are secured to the base, whereby a secure mounting is acheived.

Abstract: A power amplifier device for amplifying an audio signal from sound generating circuitry in a micro-computer is provided. The device is retained in a housing secured in a drive bay of the micro-computer containing a disk drive such as a compact disc read only memory drive, a compact disc recordable drive, a digital video disc drive, etc. The amplifier device and disk drive may also be configured in a unitary housing. The device receives a line-level audio signal from the audio circuitry and transmits the signal to a frequency and time response contouring device, to adjust the response of the signal. A power level adjusting mechanism, such as a volume control, adjusts the power level of the signal generated by the frequency and time response device. Amplifiers are coupled to the volume control to amplify the audio signal to a level determined by the volume control. The amplification device connects to at least leftwardly and rightwardly positioned loudspeakers to provide stereophonic sound at the desired level.

Abstract: An impact tool useful for performing a number of different surgical and industrial functions is provided. The invented tool can perform such surgical functions as freeing cement, implanting pins, and setting guides and industrial functions such as installing various fasteners. The tool comprises a body having a quick disconnect assembly coupled to a second end for quickly attaching and detaching different desired surgical and industrial implements to the tool. The quick disconnect assembly communicates with an impact inducing assembly is retained in a channel in the body. The impact inducing assembly causes an implement retained in the quick disconnect assembly to deliver an impact with a calibrated force to a desired object. The orientation of the components of the impact inducing assembly can be inverted so that the tool is actuated to apply an instantaneous extraction force to the desired fastener or surgical aid.

Abstract: A shaft locking or brake device for use with a guide shaft or rail of a linear motion system includes a pair of clamping members enclosed within a housing and an actuator. Referring to FIG. 1, the clamping members (26, 28) have specially contoured cut-outs (38, 40) which surround an axially sliding shaft or a rail (22) of a linear motion system. The clamping members (26, 28) carry pivot pins (30, 32) which serve as a fulcrum against the interior surface of the housing (24). A lever arm extends (34, 36) from the lower end of each clamping member (26, 28) and engages two links (52, 58) of a toggle mechanism which are pivotally connected by a circular toggle disk (54). When the shaft locking device is actuated by a handle (58) which extends from the housing, the toggle mechanism pivots the lever arms outward (34, 36), which in turn causes the clamping members (26, 28) to pivot around their respective pivot pins (30, 32) causing the clamping members (26, 28) to move inward and frictionally engage the shaft (22).

Abstract: A magnetic closure device for personal effect carriers such as purses, pouches, day packs, and backpacks is provided. The invented closure device comprises a flap assembly affixed to a flap of the carrier and a receiving assembly affixed to the sidewall of the carrier. The receiving assembly is configured similar to the flap assembly, so that the receiving assembly mates with the flap assembly. The receiving assembly is provided with a projecting member configured to extend through the opening in the flap assembly, without projecting substantially beyond a cover plate thereof. The projecting member and opening coact as a guide to enable a user to locate the receiving assembly for quickly interconnecting the two assemblies. A magnet is retained in the receiving assembly for positively securing the flap assembly to the receiving assembly, to inhibit the device from inadvertently releasing.

Abstract: A cleaning compound formed of a mixture of hydrated sodium borate and sodium chloride. If desired, an aroma such as lemon may be added to provide a pleasant scent during the use of the product. The cleaning compound is sprinkled over moist or damp residual food material in a pot or on another surface to be cleaned. The user rubs the cleaning compound around the pot forming small balls. The small balls are a combination of the residual food material and the cleaning compound, which is then disposed of by garbage disposal, ordinary drain, trash can, etc.

Abstract: A roller skating practice and exercise apparatus for combined upper body and lower body exercise has a skating platform with an upper surface for supporting a user wearing a pair of roller skates or in-line skates. The skating platform is foldable for easier portability and storage of the apparatus. Two extensible telescoping arm exercising poles are pivotally attached to the skating platform. The telescoping poles are constructed to provide axial resistance and rotational resistance to pivotal motion in all directions. An elastic tension member inside the hollow telescoping poles provides resistance to axial motion when the arm exercising poles are extended. The resistance to axial motion varies directly with the amount of displacement of the pole from its contracted position. The rotational resistance is provided by ball-and-socket joints which join the lower ends of the telescoping poles to the skating platform.

Abstract: An improved portable cigarette lighter closure device that provides facile pivoting of the cover between open and closed positions, and which securely retains the cover in the closed position is provided. The closure device incorporates a magnet affixed in the cover of a cigarette lighter, for securing the cover to a body of the lighter and to securely retain the cover in the closed position. The magnet exerts sufficient force on the body to retain the cover in the closed position, while enabling one handed pivoting of the cover by the user. Additionally the invention may be provided with an insulating sleeve. The ferromagnetic insulating sleeve prevents the magnetic field radiated by the magnet from passing through the cover of the lighter, for preventing magnetically attracted objects located in a pocket of the user's clothing such as the users keys and change for example, from being inadvertently drawn against the cover of the lighter.

Abstract: A fishing rod controlling device has four general sections: a leg pad, a curve section, a rod holder, and a belt. The fishing rod controller may be constructed by post-forming a section of plastic pipe. In the section of the controller that forms the leg pad, the pipe is split and spread apart far enough to allow the user's leg to rest within the curve. Above the leg pad and just below the curve, is a belt attachment. The controller is slit on both sides so belting material may be run through the slits. The belt is fit around the user's waist. Above the belt, the rod controller curves outward (away from the body of the user). The uppermost section of the rod controller is the rod holder. This section is a hollow cylindrical section of the pipe which is left unaltered in the basic version of the rod controller. It is within the cavity in the rod holder section that the rod is placed.

Abstract: A mobile back mounted supporting device for relieving pressure off of the back of a person who has to endure frequent bending. This device permits a wearer to bend over and remain parallel to the ground for extended periods of time without discomfort. It allows maximum movement for the operator since the operating parts do not get in the way. This device consists of a frame to which a chest harness, belt clip, and leg extensions are attached. The chest harness is worn by the worker and is supported by a system of elastic cord and pulleys. The harness pulls up on the upper body as the worker bends forward and thus provides support. The farther the wearer bends forward, the more tension is placed on the cords, and thus more support is given to the back.

Abstract: A magnetic strip of material formed into a loop which is placed around two pulleys. The pulleys rotate, thereby moving the magnetic strip. Skiers have skis which are attracted to the magnetic strip and are thereby moved with the loop as the loop is pulled around the pulleys. As the skier reaches the top of the upper pulley, the ski is lifted off the magnetic strip and onto the ski jump ramp. At the top of this ramp, the skier is held by a magnet located beneath the top of the ramp. Rotating with the upper pulley is a cam which moves the magnet at the top of the ramp between two positions. The first positions holds the magnet against or adjacent to the underside of the ramp holding the skier at the top of the ramp and the second position holds the magnet rotated slightly away from the ramp which releases the figure to descend the ramp and perform its ski jump. Optionally there is a flag that drops when the magnet releases the skier.

Abstract: A 1-port tunable frequency discriminator that is incorporated into a frequency lock loop (FLL) for providing an improved FLL having reduced phase noise and settling times is provided. The invented 1-port tunable delay line discriminator reduces the phase noise generated by VCO's to approximately 105 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz, to better than 120 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz. The invention additionally reduces post tuning drift to less than 10 kHz after one microsecond. A secondary feedback loop, such as a conventional phase lock loop, can be incorporated into the invented FLL for providing phase and frequency coherency. The invention is formed by coupling a voltage controlled oscillator source (VCO) to a microwave signal detector and to an open ended delay line. When a microwave signal generated by the VCO reaches an end of the open ended delay line, a majority of the signal is reflected back along the line.

Abstract: A process challenge device tailored to mimic the resistance of a particular product to a particular biological inactivation, disinfection, or sterilization process, and used to challenge the process, thus providing a means to validate the efficacy of the process. The process challenge device is used by subjecting the device containing indicator organisms to an inactivation or sterilization process, and culturing any surviving indicator organisms as a means to assess the efficacy of procedures for the inactivation of microorganisms. The device includes a biological indicator organism stored on a carrier substrate enclosed within a chamber formed by a barrier film material. The specific indicator organism and carrier substrate are chosen for their appropriateness for a given process. The materials comprising the barrier film material of the process challenge device are chosen for the materials' specific resistance to the given process.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for washing foodstuffs is provided. The invented apparatus utilizes hydro-energy to sufficiently clean a number of different types of foodstuffs processed thereby, while effectively using water circulating therethrough. The apparatus is configured to clean various types of foodstuffs ranging from different plant products to fish, such as sardines. The apparatus comprises a product loading assembly coupled to a cleansing flume, that is coupled to an overflow assembly. The loading assembly comprises a conical receiving section having a plurality of spray nozzles positioned about its inner periphery to form a turbulent water flow therethrough, that completely submerges product as it passes through the assembly. The conical receiving section ensures that a maximum product-water mixture is achieved to form a slurry that optimizes water usage and quickly cleans the product.

Abstract: A tubular member useful as an inner liner for the working channel of a flexible endoscope has a distal portion which is specially treated to make it highly flexible and resistant to kinking or collapsing when it bends with the flexible section of the endoscope. The tubular member is also useful as a catheter device or as a component of a catheter device or catheter system. A multiplicity of external ridges on the distal portion of the tubular member reinforce the tubing wall and prevent kinking or buckling of the wall or collapsing of the inner lumen. The external ridges may be formed by convolutions of the tubing wall or by external threads which are formed on the exterior of the tubing wall within the flexible distal portion. An outer helical reinforcing coil may be added between the external ridges to further reinforce the flexible distal portion of the tubular member from kinking or collapsing.