Abstract: A hearing aid for a person with asymmetric hearing perception (a weaker ear system and a better ear system) employs conventional frequency-selective amplification (26L) of sound coming to the weaker ear's system and frequency selective amplitude adjustment (32) and arrival time adjustment (retardation or relative advancement) (34) of sound coming to the better ear's system so that its resultant characteristics match those of the weaker ear's system, as aided, or even without aiding the weaker ear's system. As a result, sound perceived by both ear systems is matched or balanced, at each frequency, in both arrival time and amplitude. Such interaural balancing effects a great improvement in the binural processing mechanism, which in turn increases speech perception, especially in the presence of general noise or adjacent localized noise sources. The aid may be implemented by a pair of microphones (24L, 24R), one for each ear's system.

Abstract: An optical color display unit is illuminated and operated with external light (36) consisting of the basic color components. The display unit uses a color-selective matrix (26) of color-selecting elements (28a, 28b, 28c, 42) to separate the incoming external light into its color components (36a, 36b, 36c) according to the refraction and diffraction principles of optics. After separating the light into its color components, the geometry of the color-selecting elements (28a, 28b, 28c, etc.) selectively reflects only one, predetermined color component. The colors of the individual color-selecting elements are chosen such that a color image can be displayed on the screen surface.

Abstract: A pellet stove or grill includes a housing (10) divided by a thermal barrier (43), which is defined by a spaced pair of partitions (20, 21), into a hot compartment (23) and a cold compartment (47). The hot compartment includes a ventilated firepot (44) suspended within an air channel (40) that communicates with the cold compartment through the thermal barrier. The cold compartment is subdivided by a funnel (22) into a fuel pellet storage compartment (24) thereabove and an electrical compartment (25) therebelow. The electrical compartment includes a motorized, fuel conveyer (37) for feeding fuel pellets (31 ) from the storage compartment, down a chute (38) that extends through the thermal barrier, and into the firepot in the hot compartment for combustion. The chute includes a portion that is positioned within and communicates with the thermal barrier. An air blower (34) drives fresh air into the electrical compartment and into the thermal barrier through an aperture (50) in one of the partitions.

Abstract: A condensation-free shower mirror includes a housing (11) holding a mirror (10) and a urethane water container (18). The water container, which is substantially the same size and shape as the mirror, is fitted against the back side of the mirror. The water container is fitted with a filling-cap assembly (12) to allow a water-tight seal. Two suction cups (14) extending from the back side of the housing allows the shower mirror to be easily mounted against a shower stall or a wall mirror. When the container is filled with hot water, it heats the mirror above the dew point of water, so that the mirror will remain condensation-free in a steamy environment. Because the shower mirror can be filled with hot tap water, it is portable so that it can be conveniently used in any bathroom.

Abstract: An easy-to-assemble tent includes supporting poles (10) and a flexible sheet barrier (12) having D-rings (23) attached thereon along pole paths. When the tent is collapsed, the rings along each pole path are slidably stacked along a robe-shaped ring holder (24), and locked thereon by a locking D-ring (22) positioned on top of the stack. Each pole can be easily positioned into all of the rings along a pole path in one step by inserting it into the ring holder, so that the user will not have to thread the poles into the rings one at a time or have to remember the pole paths. When the poles are inserted into the ring holders, the tent can be erected by unlocking the locking ring, bending the poles, and sliding the rings along the poles into position. The tent can also be collapsed and disassembled by sliding and locking the rings onto the ring holders, and removing the poles therefrom.

Abstract: A magnetic head and disk tester which has linear encoders (40 and 42) installed on lateral sides of a carriage (30) which carries a magnetic head (34), movable in a radial direction along a hard disk. Positions of the magnetic head with respect to the hard disk are measured by means of the linear encoders which are arranged on both lateral sides of the carriage. Outputs of the encoders are supplied to an arithmetic unit (45) which calculates the arithmetic mean of the encoder's outputs and transmits the resulting signal via a feedback line (47) to a piezoelectric translator (37). The translator is the final drive element in the carriage-drive system and is used for fine positioning of the carriage. Thus, if during positioning of the magnetic head the latter is installed in an erroneous position, e.g.

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: A technique for detecting defects in stationary products or in products moving on a production line (102, FIG. 1) by analyzing area of interest (AOls) of their modified images uses a matrix or linescan camera (104, FIG. 1) for taking images of products (102). The product's dimensions are measured with accuracy, and the existence and alignment of caps and seals is determined. The technique is much faster and more accurate than current techniques and is based up on an analysis of the AOls and their discontinuities. (209 FIG. 1). Carefully selected AOls of the modified image (2 to 8, FIG. 2) are saved in the memory of a computer (106, FIG. 1). The method also includes loading look-up tables to modify the gray levels of the products; saving AOls in memory to be analyzed (FIG. 1); analyzing AOl data, counting pixel discontinuities, etc. The results can be used to measure product ovality, check caps and seals on products, and check changes of fluid or content levels in containers.

Abstract: A magnetic well tubing and pipe protector/fluid ionizer for protecting the interior of pipes from scaling, corrosion, and algae, comprising a case (14) containing four magnetic condensers comprised of rectangular neodymium iron boron magnets (10 . . . ) and tapered concentrators (11 . . . ) which drive magnetic flux through a core (13) into flowing oil, water, or other fluids, ionizing and charging the fluid positive and the core (13) and all connected pumps and tubing negative. The flowing oil or water or other fluid cutting the perpendicular lines of magnetic flux (16) generates an electrical current which charges the pump and tubing or pipe negative enough to repel and prevent scaling, corrosion, and algaes. Also, the electrical current ionizes the oil, water or other fluids, improving separation of crude oil from water and contaminants. improving combustion of petroleum fuels, and increasing the heat transfer coefficient of heating and cooling water.

Abstract: A more economical, efficient, portable and versatile apparatus for drying tennis shoes within rotary drum dryers, which comprises a fixed main tube (11), a pair of telescoping members (12), a pair of heel support crossbars (14), and an urging means (20) that interact to provide a platform with an automatic compression and expansion range. The apparatus can be used in various sizes of home and commercial dryer drums. Tennis shoes are fastened directly to the apparatus by inserting a shoe toe into a continuous angular loop (18). The user can secure a predetermined size shoe 23 to heel support crossbar (14) by attaching a flexible cord component (19) and heel clip (16). The heel clip (16) is attached to a back spine area of a predetermined tennis shoe, and the resulting pressure leverages the toe of the shoe against a strut (17).

Abstract: A thermally insulated cup or container (30) includes a smooth outer shell (12S), a smooth inner shell (13S), a corrugated layer (11L) sandwiched therebetween, and a bottom closure (14). The inner shell, corrugated layer, and outer shell are formed by simply winding a continuous elongated paper sheet (10) in a three-layered spiral, then sealing them together. The corrugated layer forms many air pockets between the shells to thermally insulate the contents of the cup, and also provide structural strength. The paper construction of the cup makes it biodegradable and recyclable, and the simple construction method of the cup makes it easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A mouth-pressurized drinking bag comprises a collapsible inner bladder for holding a beverage, such as water. A long tube has a proximal end communicably attached to the lowest portion of the bladder, and a distal end extending away from the dispenser. A closure clamp is disposed near the distal end of the tube. A highly elastic outer case substantially and snugly surrounds the bladder. The bladder can be filled through a funnel temporarily disposed at the distal end of the tube. The filled bladder can be pressurized by blowing air through the tube, so that the bladder and the elastic outer case are expanded. After the bag is filled and pressurized, the clamp is closed. When a drink is desired, the clamp is released so that the beverage will be automatically forced by the pressurized inner bladder to flow outwardly through the tube and to the user's lips.

Abstract: A method for measuring the error rate of a magnetic recording device, such as a hard disk storing a set of data. The device has a partial response maximum likelihood data detecting channel (PRML channel) which differs from a conventional PRML channel by including a margin separator (58) which is connected between the output of A/D converter (54) and the input of a sequence detector (60). The system may contain a error counter (70) and data recovery units (66 and 68). The method consists mainly of changing the noise level in the samples received from the output of the A/D converter (54) and then counting the errors, and determining a dependence of a number of errors on a preselected criterion which characterizes a signal-to-noise ratio of the PRML channel. The above dependence can be extrapolated for an actual error rate of the channel being tested.

Abstract: A dual capacity toilet flusher for controlling the release of water from a storage tank (25) into a bowl (23) and the refilling of the storage tank and the bowl after a flush. For liquid waste, the user gently presses the flush lever (24), thus rotates an arm (11) to raise a guide (13) and the flap valve (19) and locks a detent (64) in the guide against a locking arm (56). The open flap valve lowers the water level (36) and a float (15) connected to a cam assembly (67). After about 3.8 liters of water has drained out, a cam (39A) on the cam assembly rotates a spring loaded rocker assembly (68) to release the locking arm to allow the guide and flap valve to fall to stop water outflow. A feed tube then refills the tank while a bleed tube refills the bowl through the overflow pipe (16). Valves on the feed and bleed tubes allow manual flow rate adjustments. For solid wastes, the user quickly presses the flush lever.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing uncontrolled burning in wick-fed liquid fuel burners employs an excess fuel containment compartment (24) which receives any excess fuel which might be fed to the fuel supply chamber (40) . The excess fuel causes a receptacle (20) in the compartment to move downwardly. Through a rod (30) and balance arm (18), such movement communicates with an automatic wick extinguisher (42) to extinguish the wick flame immediately in response to the excess fuel condition. Also the mechanism prevents re-ignition of the wick (54) until the danger of flareup is removed. This safety device also alerts the user of the liquid fuel burner to dangerous conditions by a mechanism comprising a highly visible warning gauge needle (34) . In addition, this safety device can be easily reset if accidentally triggered when overflow conditions do not exist, and the burner can be readily serviced and restored to operation should an excess fuel malfunction occur.

Abstract: An automobile window shade system comprises a frame (20) formed of hollow horizontal elements (20a through 20d) and hollow vertical elements (22a through 22f) interconnected by T-shaped connectors (24a through 24f). The frame is installed inside the automobile and contains a beaded cord (128) with beads or expansions (130) rigidly attached to the cord. Two adjacent shades (142 and 144) are made of a light-impermeable flexible material and are attached to a yoke. An embodiment with a beaded thread (128) and an expandable spring-loaded C-shaped portion of the yoke makes it possible to shield and unshield windows selectively by fixing the yoke and pulling the beaded cord through the spring-loaded C-shaped hole of the yoke. As a result, the shades are shifted to a new initial position and then moved from this new position.

Abstract: A condom tester and applicator comprises a hollow cylinder (10) having an open proximal end (12) and a distal end (14). The hollow cylinder is constructed of a transparent material, such as clear plastic. The distal end of the cylinder possesses an end-face (16) which contains a one-way valve (18). The inner surface of the hollow cylinder accommodates a plurality of longitudinal grooves (22). A mounting flange (24) is formed at the periphery of the proximal end of the hollow cylinder. A condom is tested by sealingly installing it into the hollow cylinder and creating a pressure differential across the condom membrane by forcing out the air inside the cylinder through the one-way valve and thus distending the condom. The condom is donned onto a penis by inserting the penis inside the hollow cylinder with the condom inflatably installed therein, and transferring the hem ring of the condom from the mounting flange onto the base of the penis.

Abstract: A harvest machine comprises a chassis (10) having wheels (15) attached to its sides. A vertical frame (11) is attached near the rear of the chassis. Slings (18) and a harness or body support (40) hang from the vertical frame to suspend workers (20) in prone positions over low plants (21). The slings allow the workers to easily move about to reach plants around them without bending, kneeling, or any posture that creates back strain. A packing box (19) placed adjacent the workers collect the produce. Alternatively, a conveyor belt (36) may be used to automatically carry produce from the workers into a large packing box (35). The distal end of an arm (14), which extends from the front of the chassis, is connected to the tow bar (23) of a towing vehicle. Alternatively, a motor (30) may be fitted to a nose wheel (33) at the front the chassis to provide self-propulsion. A "boat" (31) at the distal end of an arm (32) attached to the nose wheel rides in a furrow to guide the harvest machine.