Abstract: A visualization training device with adjustable electro-optical shutters comprises a pair of goggles (10) and a control unit (20). The goggles have a single lens made of an electro-optical shutter (11) which uses liquid crystals as the light valve. The control unit produces a square wave which alternately drives the shutter opened and closed. The opening and closing cycles are adjustable in duty cycle and frequency via a duty cycle control knob (21) and a frequency control knob (22). When the shutter is opened, it is transparent so that the user has a panoramic view of external visual information. When the shutter is closed, it becomes an opaque white to occlude the visual information from the user, so that the user must mentally visualize the previous information. The opening and viewing, and closing and visualizing cycle is repeated to train and improve the visualization ability of the user.

Abstract: An I.V. cannula needle (37) has a base adapter (41) with a sleeve (43) which surrounds a compression spring (53) which urges a barrel (47) and its tapered point (49) to cover and protect the point (39) of the I.V. needle (37) An I.V. cannula (52) slips over the barrel (47) and has a winged base (55) which, when pulled backward, compresses a spring (53) inside a base extension (43) and exposes the needle point (39) for insertion. On withdrawing needle (37) and relaxing pull-back pressure, needle point (39) is automatically shielded by the point (49) of the barrel (47), but the loose-fitting I.V. cannula remains in the patient and is taped down and connected to I.V. tubing. A second embodiment comprises a wire (61) which can be manipulated back and forth through a barrel (81) by a winged member (69) operating within a slot (80) and against a spring (67). The wire (61) can protrude through the needle 81 and provide protection against accidental injury from the needle. An I.V.

Abstract: The device includes a left arm (11) and a right arm (10) hingably connected about a protractor scale (12). A left clamp and a right clamp (13 and 13') are slidably attached to the arms such that the spacing between the clamps is adjustable. Locking knobs (24A, 24B, 24A', and 24B') hold the clamps at the desired locations. Left and right socket formers (29 and 29') are slidably attached to the left and right clamps, respectively. Left and right levers (34 and 34') are used to extend the socket formers into a heated pipe (37) placed between the clamps to form integral pipe connecting sockets in the ends of the pipe. (A flexible mandrel is placed inside the pipe to prevent it from collapsing). Bending the arms to a desired angle on the protractor will bend the pipe to the same angle. Locking knob (18) holds the arms in place while the pipe cools. After the pipe is cooled and hardened, the levers are used to retract the socket formers from the pipe to release the pipe.

Abstract: A magnetic pipe protector for protecting the interior of pipes from scaling, corrosion, and algae, comprises a flat, square neodymium iron boron magnet (10) having a concentrator (11) on its lower side for attachment to a steel pipe (14). A partially cylindrical joinder piece (12) is attached to the other side of the magnet. A cylindrical pole piece (15) with a partially cylindrical cut (18) is circumferentially spaced from the concentrator on the pipe. A connector (16) has partially cylindrical grooves (17) near its distal ends for accepting the joinder piece and the pole piece. The pole piece and the joinder piece, and thus the magnet and the concentrator, may be axially rotated within the grooves to allow the pipe protector to fit pipes of various sizes. The pipe protector projects a strong magnetic field into the interior of the pipe, completely perpendicular to the direction of the water flow (F).

Abstract: A holder for accessories for electronic equipment, such as remote controls (RCs) (30) for televisions, VCRs, audio receivers, etc., and schedule or guidebooks (62) for such equipment comprises a cradle (56) of variable width and length for holding one or more RCs and an underlying holder (34) for the guidebook. The cradle comprises a plurality of L-shaped members (10U, 10L; 80U, 80L) whose long portions (12, 82) overlap to form the bottom of the cradle and are clampable together in a range of positions, e.g., by means of screws (18) or hook-and-loop (H&L) fasteners (22) or double-stick sided tape. The short portions (14, 84) of the L-shaped members stand upright in a spaced relation to form the sides of the cradle. Plural shorter L-shaped members can be used with a provision for adjustable spacing so that the length of the cradle can also be adjusted. The RC units are positioned on the floor of the cradle, side-by-side, and may be held thereto by means of H&L fasteners (24).

Abstract: A magnetic source and condenser for creating magnetic flux within a ferrous pipe (P) comprises a rectangular magnet (M) having a pair of opposing major faces and a pair of pole pieces (N and S) sandwiching the magnet. The pole pieces each have a foot (Nf and Sf) extending under the magnet and adjacent the pipe. By virtue of the pole pieces and the feet, the magnetic flux from the magnet is condensed before it is applied to the pipe. Thus it is strong enough to exceed the flux-carrying capacity of the pipe so that it travels away from the pipe in an arc (G) inside the pipe where it cuts perpendicularly the fluid flow (F) within the pipe. The flowing fluid cutting the perpendicular lines of magnetic flux generate electrical currents and charges in the fluid, which in turn ionizes the fluid and dissolved and suspended solids in the fluid, and charges the pipe negative to protect the pipe from scale, corrosion, algae, parafinning, etc.

Abstract: A connector (12' or 12") is attached to the end of a dental vacuum hose (20) for enabling a valved handle (24) to be attached to the connector and thus coupled to the vacuum hose. A saliva ejector or a high-volume ejector can then be attached to the distal end of the valved handle. The end of the connector is closed with a crown cap (22) to prevent a vacuum rushing sound and keep the connector sanitary when the valved handle is not attached. The cap has a top spike or finial (22F) which enables the cap to be pried off the connector easily by pushing the lumen at the bottom of the valved handle over the finial and tilting the handle. The cap hangs by a tether (22T) after it is pried off. In lieu of a cap, a flip top (12"F) which is hinged to the top opening of the connector can be used; one side of the flip top can be pried with the bottom of the valved handle.

Abstract: An apparatus employs the phenomenon of frustrated total internal reflection for measuring nanometric distances. It includes a two-piece glass reference disk (200) consisting of an inner disk (202) and a coupling lens (212). The inner disk (202) contains a convex spherical surface (204) and a flat bottom surface (206). The coupling lens has a planar top surface (214) and a concave spherical surface (216). It is fixed over the inner disk which is rotated by a spindle (208). Aligned prisms (218 and 220) have polished planes (222 and 224) and polished surfaces (230 and 232). These surfaces provide optical contact of the prisms with the planar top surface of the coupling lens. A magnetic head (238) is suspended over the flat bottom surface of the inner disk. Other configurations of the reference disk and optical prisms are possible.

Abstract: A positioning device includes a base platform (100) which bears linear slide mechanisms (102 and 104). Stationary shafts (106 and 108) of the slide mechanisms are rigidly attached to the base platform. Sliding bushings (110 and 112) are mounted into a movable housing (124) whose motion is governed by a first stepper motor (136). The translation range of the housing is limited by a stop post (148) mounted onto the base platform. The housing supports a ball bearing (130), which comprises an outer race (132) and an inner race (134). The inner race is rigidly attached to the housing. The outer race supports a rotatable platform (150). The rotational motion of the outer race of the bearing is governed by a second stepper motor (154). The rotatable platform bears a mechanical arm (172) which holds a transducing head (180) centrally disposed with respect to the bearing.

Abstract: A mechanism for feedthrough of rotary motion to a sealed chamber includes a shaft (220) rotatingly supported inside a hollow housing (200). The shaft (220) comprises a front portion (222), a middle portion (224), and a rear portion (226). The front portion (222) of the shaft protrudes into a sealed external vacuum chamber (202), which is attached to the housing (200). The rear portion (226) of the shaft (220) is eccentric with respect to the rotational axis of the shaft. A cylindrical end (244) of the shaft rotatingly supports a cap (252), which is coaxial with the shaft end (244). The housing (200) and the cap (252) are sealingly and movably connected by a bellows (246). A compensator (250), eccentric with respect to the cap (252) is rotatingly mounted at the periphery of the cap and is fitted into a cavity within an eccentric driver (248), the rotational axis of which is concentric with that of the shaft ( 220).

Abstract: Base-ten blocks for teaching arithmetic to children, in which each block (19) has a projecting boss (27) with curved (bowed-out) sides (29) and an aperture (33) with straight sides (35), so that blocks (19) can be securely joined together to form multiples of units. Integrally made rows (37) of ten blocks each have two end bosses (41) for joining to other rows (37) to make flats (47) of one hundred units. Each flat has four bosses (51) for joining to other flats (47) to make a cube of one thousand units. The blocks have one color for units, a different color for rows of tens, a different color for flats of one hundred, and a still different color for cubes of one thousand. The blocks can be used to teach addition, multiplication, subtraction, division, etc., to children.

Abstract: Base-ten blocks for teaching arithmetic to children, in which each block (19) has a projecting boss (27) with curved (bowed-out) sides (29) and an aperture (33) with straight sides (35), so that blocks (19) can be securely joined together to form multiples of units. A row of integral blocks (37) has common wall thicknesses (42) between adjacent blocks equal to twice the thickness of the end wall (45) of the row so that the row can be correctly mated with a row of single blocks or end-to-end rows of shorter blocks. Integral rows (37) of ten blocks each have two end bosses (41) for joining to other rows (37) to make flats (47) of one hundred units. Each flat has four bosses (51) for joining to other flats (47) to make a cube of one thousand units. The blocks have one color for units, a different color for rows of tens, a different color for flats of one hundred, and a still different color for cubes of one thousand. The blocks can be used to teach addition, multiplication, subtraction, division, etc.

Abstract: A drum damper for reducing drum overtones comprises a soft cushion (11) attached to a dense foam body (10). Anchors (16) attached to the inside of a drum by existing screws (23) allow a fastening strap (15) to hold the foam body, which has a sloped rear portion (12), securely inside the drum. The body urges the cushion in compression against the drum heat (22). The strap can be adjusted to control the amount of force it exerts against the sloped rear portion so as to control the force the body exerts against the cushion, and hence the cushion against the drum head. The tighter the cushion is compressed against the drum head, the greater the overtone reduction.

Abstract: A permanent magnet fluid generator with powerful magnetic field condensers. The condensers utilize neodymium magnets (2) which provide 12,000 gauss or greater to magnetically saturate steel pole pieces (1, 3.) The condensers' pole pieces are individually designed to magnetically oversaturate all commercial steel pipe walls (6) in all current diameters and thicknesses (e.g., ANSI, ASME, API, schedule #40, etc.) The generator drives flux lines completely through a commercial steel pipe wall (9) perpendicular to the flow of any fluid flowing inside the pipe. The fluid thereby generates an electrical current in the fluid that can be utilized to protect the pipe from scale and corrosion.

Abstract: An interchangeable core and housing assembly comprising a cylinder housing (42) which has a central opening with an alignment bracket (44) in one part of its cross-section and an interchangeable core (60) in the remaining part. The interchangeable core comprises a cylinder body (61) with a central bore and a radial projection (62) which fits into a radial slot of the aligning bracket. The radial projection has a plurality of radial recesses containing a plurality of spring-loaded top driver pins (66). A cylinder plug (46) is a inserted into the central bore of the cylinder body. Cylinder plug has dimples (78 and 80) on its exterior, a keyway (82), and a plurality of radial recesses with bottom pins (67). Interchangeability of the core is achieved by providing an annular groove (55a and 55b) formed in the central opening of the cylinder housing and locking balls (84 and 85) installed into holes (70, 71, 72, and 73) of the cylinder body.

Abstract: For enhancing the safety of a ladder, adjustable extensions (14) can be attached to the bottom ends of the side rails of the ladder so as effectively to adjust the lengths of such rails so that the ladder will not lean to either side, regardless of any difference in heights of the ground or support areas under such rails. Also coupling cables (66) couple the ladder to the wall of the building against which the ladder leans. The coupling cables connect the midpart of the ladder to a horizontal wall cable (64) which is attached along and parallel to the wall of the building. The top of the ladder is stabilized against rolling to either the left or right and so that it can be positioned stably against irregular supports, such as windows, eaves, pitched roofs, pipes, etc., by means of stabilizing bars (74) connected to its top and suitably shaped to mate with the irregular supports, and by extension arms (82) which project out from the top of the ladder. Hand holds (88) are attached to the extension arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying shoes, soft toys, or similar objects in a commercial dryer with a rotating drum (116) comprises a pair of strong nylon straps (20) and (22) with hook-and-loop fasteners to interconnect both straps. On their respective free ends the straps have respective suction cups (32 and 34). For securing a shoe or a pair of shoes (118 and 120) directly to the surface of the drying drum (116), the suction cups are attached to this surface, and free ends of the straps are tightened over the shoes (110 and 120) and fixed to each other. In other embodiments the suction cups are replaced by adhesive pads (56 and 58), permanent magnets (86 and 88), metal hooks (102 and 104), and a pair of rings (37 and 39) attached to one suction cup (33) and a smooth strap (35) attached to the other suction cup (31).

Abstract: A pair of sportglasses comprises a large, curved polymer lens (10) sized and shaped to shield the front and sides of the face from harmful solar radiation which may cause accelerated skin aging and skin cancer after repeated exposure. The lens has main portions (11) which cover the eyes (31) and cheeks (32), lower portions (13) which extend down the front of the face past the level of the mouth on either side to cover the side portions of the face (33), and rear portions (14) which wrap around the sides of the face to cover the sides of the face as far back as the ears. The large lens has an optical coating which significantly attenuates ultraviolet radiation, the most harmful component of sunlight, to protect most of the face from the damaging effects which may result after repeated exposure. A detachable nosepiece (19) protects the nose. The nostrils and mouth are left uncovered such that breathing and speaking are not impaired.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibration of optical flying-height testers includes a calibrated micropositioner (100), having a base surface (102) which is permanently attached to a flat horizontal platform (106) and a top surface (104). A transducing head (108) is rigidly, but removably, mounted onto the top surface of the micropositioner. A convex bottom surface (114) of a transparent lens (112), supported on screws (116, 118, and 120), is positioned directly above the transducing head. The lens is preloaded against the tips of the screws by springs (124, 126, and 128). A prism (132) is centrally positioned onto a flat top surface (130) of the lens. The prism contains working planes (136 and 138) which serve as light-energy entrance and exit surfaces and a planar bottom surface (142) which maintains optical contact with the flat top surface of the lens.