Abstract: The present invention provides writing instruments having a mechanism for extending and retracting a writing tip and advancing a lead by rotational operation. The writing instrument is comprised of a front tubular member (1); a front inner tubular member (2) disposed within the front tubular member (1); a refill (3) inserted into the front inner tubular member (2); and a driver (10) mounted in the front tubular member (1) and the front inner tubular member (2). The driver (10) is allowed to rotate but not be axial displaced relative to the front tubular member (1) and the front inner tubular member (2). A rear tubular member (5) is detachably connected to the driver (10) so as not to allow rotation relative to the driver (10). A rear inner tubular member (4) is inserted in the driver (10). The rear inner tubular member (4) and the driver (10) interengage with each other by engagement between at least one axial groove (11) and corresponding projections (12).

Abstract: A fixed image projection system that can project an image for a short or long period of time without damage to the film. The system is comprised of a light source having a halogen lamp and a cold coated reflector detachably mounted on a housing having film guides or rails for receiving a film frame. The housing includes a plurality of whisper fans that draw cool air into the housing and expel it from the opposite sides of the housing to maintain a relatively cool temperature at the film frame. Preferably, the fans have a dual speed control to allow a higher speed as an option. A lens barrel is detachably supported on the opposite side of the housing from the light source and includes movable lenses to focus the image. Images may be fed into the system on a film frame one at a time, or by motorized film canisters that allow forward or backward advancement to a selected image on a roll containing multiple images.

Abstract: An improved plastic bag sealing apparatus comprised of an improved heater formed of a heating wire embedded in a silicon rubber material. The heater is shaped to conform to the flat planar surface of a T-bar shaped heating element, and clamped in place with insulators to provide maximum transfer of heat to a heating edge formed by the web portion of the T-bar. In an optional configuration the heater is in the form of a tubular rod seated in a channel in the T-bar directly above the heating edge for transferring maximum heat to the heating edge. The containment of heat and transfer of maximum heat to the T-bar permits a substantial improvement in thermal efficiency and a substantial reduction of power consumption. The heating edge of the T-bar is covered with an easily replaceable heating channel coated with a non-stick, heat resistant material such as polytetraflouroethylene (TEFLON).

Abstract: A lumbar laminectomy retractor and distractor system comprised of a unique retractor system and unique distractor system. The retractor has one or more retractor frames including retractor blades for placement in an incision. The blades can be placed in an incision and then engaged by a retractor frame to spread the incision for viewing the surgical site. An optional, but preferred feature is a provision for tilting the retractor frame arms to spread the retractor blades, providing greater visualization of a surgical site. The distractor system has a distractor frame offset at right angles to the retractor frame, having fixed distractor blades, introduced into the incision and optionally held in place by screws, screwed into the vertebrae adjacent to the diseased or damaged disc. The screws are incorporated into the distractor blades on the distractor frame.

Abstract: A fluid flow monitoring system comprised of a permanent magnet mounted on a bendable spring blade that provide an output from a Hall effect transducer as the permanent magnet is deflected toward or away from the transducer. The permanent magnet can be mounted to directly approach the Hall effect transducer or can also be mounted to approach the transducer by a sideways bypass direction. Both the direct motion and sideways bypass direction allows the use of a variety of sizes and shapes of magnets that allow the magnetic field intensity to be modified in any way desired. Various magnet shapes such as cylinders, rectangles, pyramids, triangles or compound magnets from these shapes may be used. The output signal of the transducer is processed through a smoothing filter and circuits that produce a linear output or a stepped digital output. The system preferably uses a resistance/capacitance filter to provide a different time constant for an increasing flow or a decreasing flow.

Abstract: A fluid responsive switch having a pivot arm for monitoring fluid flowing in a conduit or the level of liquid in a container with an improved resilient seal. The pivot arm, in the fluid responsive switch, is mounted in a housing by a pivot pin and a resilient elastomer seal molded around the pivot arm and the pivot pin. To improve the bond of the resilient seal, the surface of the pivot arm is cross-cut to provide a plurality of grooves diagonal to the axis of the pivot arm. A further improvement to the seal is provided by circumferential annular grooves in the pivot arm at each end of the cross-cut surface. The circumferential annular grooves act as retention stops to retain the resilient material in the groove and resist shear stresses and peeling tension and increase the contact surface area of the metal to resilient elastomer bond. The circumferential annular grooves are cut in the surface of the pivot arm at each end of the cross-cut surface to improve the metal to elastomer material bond.

Abstract: A photo detecting flow sensing bending beam fluid flow switch and flow meter system having blocking targets that selectively block the optical path from an emission source to a photodetector. The device provides a system which is very sensitive to fluid flow in a pipe, container or duct by providing a shaped flexible flow sensitive bending beam having a blocking target which is bent so that the portion of the blocking target is displaced between the emission source and a photodetector. The shaped blocking target is configured to either interrupt or permit the transmission of emission from the emitter to the photodetector. The presence or absence of the source represents the presence or absence of a fluid flow rate above or below a selected value thus, performing a fluid flow switch function.

Abstract: Variable length blades for use with a retractor or distractor include a fixed upper portion and an adjustable extension that allows adjustment to accommodate a wide range of patients. A variable length retractor blade has a fixed upper portion that can vary in length from 10 to 15 cm. having a telescoping extension that can be adjusted to vary the length of the blade from 12 to as much as 24 cm. The variable blades include conventional flanges with a header for securing the variable blades on the end of retractor/distractor arms. An additional option is the inclusion of tubular guides in the variable length blade extension for placement of plurality of fixation screws and a light pipe to provide intensive illumination for the surgical site. Three tubular guides are provided in the upper and lower ends of the telescoping extension on the variable length blade for use with a distractor.

Abstract: A fishing line release clip, having dual clamps and a design that allows the release clip to use for a variety of applications. The release clip is comprised of a clamping platform, having a clamping surfaces on either end, and amounting flange on one end. A pair of clamping plates are provided that are connected by hinges to the sidewalls of the clamping plate. Each clamping plate is provided with a sliding clamp to force the clamping plate down against the clamping platform. A resilient textured clamping pad is provided beneath each clamping plate. In one embodiment, the clamping pads are provided with bosses fitting sockets in the clamping plate and the clamping platform. The flange end of the clamping platform includes a pair of V-shaped grooves for receiving a cable to securely lock the cable to the release clip.

Abstract: The Club Cleaner is a golf device, utilized to deep clean club heads after every stroke of play. The Club Cleaner is a handheld, water resistant, rechargeable, battery operated module which can be attached to any existing golf apparatus. Club Cleaner is used by inserting a dirty club head into one side of the module. Activation occurs by the golfer pressing the power button after choosing one of two cleaning cycles. Multiple horizontal and vertical cylinders, coated with lines of bristles, facilitate a 180-degree cleaning platform. Through the use of gearing, the Club Cleaner cleans the entire club head simultaneously. This creates a channeled flow of residual debris out through the disposal portal at the opposite end of the module.

Abstract: A video camera isolation system and method for use with video cameras that are coupled to endoscopes that utilize simple pulse transformer technology to isolate the video camera head from the video processing circuitry allowing the processing circuitry to be referenced to ground. The video signal from the CCD sensor in the camera head is specifically processed to prevent shutter pulses from interfering with the isolated video signal. Special circuitry blanks the shutter pulse from the pulse transformer. Timing errors due to cable length delays are corrected by means of a pilot signal which correlates with the CCD output signal. Open collector data circuitry is also specially processed by dual channel detecting and amplifying circuits which are transistor switched through the pulse transformers before being delivered to and from the camera head.

Abstract: An intermammary harvesting retractor comprised of a retractor frame having a fixed or stationary arm on one end of a crossbar and a movable arm mounted on the crossbar by a crank mechanism. The crank mechanism allows the movable arm to be adjusted toward or away from the stationary arm. A support tower is mounted on the free end of the retractor crossbar to allow the angle of the retractor to be adjusted after placement in an incision. The angular adjustment allows the upper portion of a patient's ribcage to be lifted to provide improved access and visualization to the intermammary artery. Adjustable lifter blades are provided on the movable arm to also adjust the lift angle of the upper ribcage. One embodiment has an adjustable lifter blade that can be adjusted after placement in the incision and adjustment of the angle of the retractor crossarm.

Abstract: A radio installation kit for automobiles comprising a frame with rearward facing walls, mounting plates which snap onto the frame and mounting brackets formed on the plates at predetermined positions. Mounting plates with brackets at predetermined positions may be assembled with the frame providing a great variety of bracket positions that allow maximum vehicle application coverage. All of the components are constructed with out the need for expensive slide tooling.

Abstract: An improved retractor blade mounting system for use in surgical instrument retractors. In one embodiment the system includes a mounting clip attached to a retractor blade that engages a longitudinal groove in the retractor arm. To assure a positive tight grip on retractor arm the clip has a tongue that fits a longitudinal groove in a retractor arm and has tapered or angled surface that abuts a sharp edge of the longitudinal groove preventing the blade from moving once installed. In an optional embodiment the mounting clip is provided with a narrower tongue that is constructed with a beveled surface that fits over the corner or edge of the longitudinal groove securely holding the clip on the retractor arm.

Abstract: A writing tool having a ring (1) allowing the tool to be worn on a finger (2) immediately ready for writing. The writing tool has a ring-shaped portion (1) for receiving an index finger (2), a guide portion (3) for guiding the tool during writing extending from the ring-shaped portion (1) and a support for a writing instrument (4) such as a pen or pencil extending outward from the end of the guide portion (3). A unique characteristic is the formation of the finger mounting ring (1) at an oblique angle to guide portion (3) to allow comfortable, proper positioning on the finger (2) when writing.

Abstract: A vibration proof device for strings or frame of a racket for sports in which it is possible to absorb vibration not only of the strings but also the frame without hindering operation, comprised of a block of rubber or plastic having a centrally located mushroom shaped vibrator integrally formed by punching or moulding, said block having a size that is substantially the same size as the width between strings and having longitudinal recesses in opposite sides for fitting between strings in use.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a high frequency biological tissue cutting device for cutting biological tissue with high-frequency current having a HF generator component designed so that the amplitude of the voltage (UG) applied to the tissue can be changed. At least one adjustment device is provided to adjust one of the characteristic values (K) of the high frequency generator component to a 1st desired value (b), related to the output of an indicator device that indicates by an electrical signal (d) the size and intensity of the electric arc occurring between the surgical probe and the tissue during cutting. A desired-value transmitter provides a second desired value (c) representing the desired size and intensity of the electric arc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing auxiliary clip-on eyewear on conventional glasses. Auxiliary clip-on eyewear is comprised of three very simple clips that engage the frame on conventional eyewear to hold the auxiliary eyewear on the conventional frames without the need for any type of tensioning devices or using multiple clips. Outboard clips fit around the conventional frame circumjacent the temple blocks. A third tensioning clip, mounted on the auxiliary eyewear, fits beneath and engages the bridge on the conventional glasses. A downward force applied by the center bridge mounted clip maintains the outboard clips on the conventional frame. With the arrangement on the preset invention, an auxiliary lens frame having a design conforming to the conventional lens is nearly undetectable when mounted.

Abstract: A photo detecting flow sensing bending beam fluid flow switch and flow meter system having blocking targets that selectively block the optical path from an emission source to a photodetector. The device provides a system which is very sensitive to fluid flow in a pipe, container or duct by providing a shaped flexible flow sensitive bending beam having a blocking target which is bent so that the portion of the blocking target is displaced between the emission source and a photodetector. The shaped blocking target is configured to either interrupt or permit the transmission of emission from the emitter to the photodetector. The presence or absence of the source represents the presence or absence of a fluid flow rate above or below a selected value thus, performing a fluid flow switch function.