Abstract: A three element pivot bearing for wood frame wall bed systems includes a spindle having an anchoring tang at one end perpendicular to its axis and two cylindrical bearing bushings each with an annular collar at one end journaled around the spindle with the annular collars facing each other. One bearing bushing is received in a hole drilled into/through a wood side frame of a mattress pallet for a wall bed with its annular collar facing out. The other bearing bushing extends into a hole drilled into-through a wood vertical side support of the wall bed with its annular collar facing in. The spindle extends through either the wood side frame of the mattress pallet or wood vertical side support of the wall bed into the respective bearing bushings with its anchoring tang secured to either of the side frame of the mattress pallet or vertical side support.

Abstract: A luminescent fixture for providing sustained illumination suitable for television, video and film production includes a plurality of parallel mercury vapor luminescent lamp tubes aligned in close proximity in a common plane bisecting an acute concave angle defined by high reflectivity facing surfaces of a pair of longitudinal reflector panels. A plurality of separate electronic ballasts located at the base of the extending reflector panels provide a plurality of unsynchronized electrical current pulse trains each for exciting pulsed ultraviolet light emissions from Hg vapor within a particular set of lamp tubes at a rate sufficient to excite/stimulate sustained luminescent light emission from the phosphors in the emulsion coating lining the interior of the light tubes, i.e.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system is described for automatic swimming pool cover systems in which a first hydraulic drive provides torque for both resisting cover drum rotation during cover extension across the pool and rotating the cover drum for cover retraction, while a separate second hydraulic drive provides torque for both rotating the cable reels for cover extension and resisting cable reel rotation during cover retraction.

Abstract: A high strength, low friction, corrosion free block for marine environments includes a fixed or swivel head, shackle and a ground and polished axle all composed of 17-4 ph stainless steel sandwiched between titanium/titanium alloy side cheeks. One or more aluminum sheaves each having a filament wound epoxy glass radial bushing with a Teflon liner are journaled around the axle. Oven cured Teflon filled thrust washers bonded to the sides of the sheave(s) turn against polished inner surfaces of the side cheeks. The blocks may include titanium/titanium alloy straps exterior the side cheeks supporting the axle to provide increased functional load bearing capacities ranging up to and exceeding 50,000 lbs.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying and dispensing live market fish for retail sale includes a carousel for receiving, holding and moving a plurality of removable fish cages containing live market fish from a storage location, through a display location, to a dispensing position within a store based, water filled, open-top aquarium tank. Full fish cages are loaded onto the carousel within the aquarium and are sequentially emptied on a first-in-first-out basis as fish are purchased by consumers.Each removable fish cage is a tubular structure formed by a longitudinal `U`-shaped screen a hinged longitudinal transparent top and a structure at either end adapted for mounting onto the carousel. The carousel orients the transparent top of each mounted fish cage vertically at the display location and horizontally at the dispensing position.

Abstract: A cover drum having conically tapered hubs at each end provides a mechanism for adjusting alignment of the pool covers of swimming pool cover systems in which the covers have beaded side edges captured and sliding within "C" channels provided by a pair tracks secured along the sides of the swimming pool. Specifically, by translating the cover drum, or alternatively, the conical hubs longitudinally along the rotational axis of the cover drum, one can control the relative rates at which each side of the cover winds and unwinds from around the cover drum as a function of the length of cover extended.Each conically tapered hub may further include one or more diametrically oriented holes located proximate the apex for receiving a crank enabling the cover drum to be rotated manually.

Abstract: A method of generating a light source suitable for television studios or video production facilities with high speed flourescent lighting devices.

Abstract: A leading edge and track slider system for automatic swimming pool covers which carries the front edge of the swimming pool cover as it is drawn across to cover or uncover a swimming pool includes a rigid structural boom having a flat or planer longitudinal surface with "C" channel along one edge of the flat surface receiving and capturing a front beaded edge of the pool cover. Connecting plates, secured to the flat surface of the boom, pivotally couple the ends of the boom to a pair slider elements each having a hollow cylindrical sliding edge captured and sliding within a "C" channel of conventional swimming pool cover track secured on either side of the pool. The pivotal coupling between the connecting plate and slider element is achieved by a bolt translating in a slot cut through the slider element oriented perpendicularly relative to the direction of cover travel as it is drawn across the pool.

Abstract: A contractility actuator includes a longitudinal quadrilateral mesh of relatively inelastic segments with anchor points at either end, an expandable bladder confined within the mesh and means for introducing and inflating the bladder with a liquid for generating a contractile force between the anchor points mechanically analogous to a muscle but of much greater magnitude. Two or more of the contractile actuators are arranged in a system for precisely articulating one or more arms pivotally secured at the distal ends of a structural member.

Abstract: A scraper is described for removing carpet seaming glue and other debris baked and/or caked in the grooves of carpet seaming irons. The scraper has a serrated scraping edge configured to mate with and scrape a grooved bottom surface of a carpet seaming iron shoe.

Abstract: A binocular vision training device is described which includes a lighted enclosure having a pair of viewing ports through which a patient can view the interior of the enclosure, each eye being in registry with one of the ports. Within the enclosure, there are two stationary vertical posts oriented and aligned in a vertical plane bisecting the distance between the viewing ports, and a post movable in the same vertical plane back and forth from a position directly above one of the stationary posts to a position directly above the remaining stationary post. The movement of the latter post exercises critical muscle culture and the mental processes necessary for proper binocular perception of fine visual stimulus patterns.

Abstract: A binocular vision training device is described which includes a lighted enclosure having a pair of viewing ports through which a patient can view the interior of the enclosure, each eye being in registry with one of the ports. Within the enclosure, there are two stationary vertical posts oriented and aligned in a vertical plane bisecting the distance between the viewing ports, and a post movable in the same vertical plane back and forth from a position directly above one of the stationary posts to a position directly above the remaining stationary post. The movement of the latter post exercises critical muscle culture and the mental processes necessary for proper binocular perception of fine visual stimulus patterns.

Abstract: A regulatable flush valve for tank type flush toilets includes a piston-cylinder dash pot, a weighted (fluid filled) plug/valve, a cylindrical overflow tube and a fluid vortex generating element secured in a coaxial arrangement vertically above the outlet of the toilet tank. The piston and plug/valve secured to the overflow tube are lifted from a normally closed position by a conventional pivoting handle mechanism. The piston-cylinder dash pot determines the water volume of a particular flush by controlling the rate of descent of the weighted plug/valve. The vortex generating element works in combination with the walls of the raised plug/valve to generate an energetic fluid vortex as the water flows from the tank into the toilet bowl. The vortex generated by the generating element is complementary to vortex generating elements within the toilet basin to increase washing action in the toilet bowl. The above combination of elements significantly reduces the volume of water required for complete flushing action.

Abstract: A high power density continuous wave (c. w.) gas dynamic laser system is described which includes a non-equilibrium plasma jet for generating excited gaseous species having high vibrational temperature and low gas temperature. Gas flow through the plasma jet is reduced to highly turbulent subsonic flow by an expanding nozzle. Lasing in an optical cavity oriented transversely with respect to the flow of the gaseous plasma extracts vibrational energy from the excited gaseous species as the emerge from the expansion nozzle.The described system also includes, immediately upstream from the optical cavity, an injection system which introduces and uniformly mixes a lasing gaseous species into the highly turbulent subsonic gaseous plasma flow from the plasma jet. Gas sweeps are established in the arms of the optical cavity to cool and sweep high temperature unexcited gas species therefrom in order to reduce absorption in the optical cavity.

Abstract: My invention relates to a bidet, in combination of a divided water cabinet, top from bottom, and making use of a submerged, electrical pump for water power at the syringe. This bidet, having a seat on top of said cabinet, a waste water catch tank inside the top of said cabinet and a fresh water tank in the bottom of said cabinet, with means of emptying the one and of filling the other; this bidet being portable, but portability being only one of its many improvements as the following paragraphs and drawings will reveal.