Abstract: This invention relates to rechargeable manganese dioxide cells (usually alkaline cells with zinc anodes or cells having non-aqueous electrolyte and lithium anodes), and particularly to the cathodes therefore. In keeping with the present invention, the cathodes are essentially unconstrained--that is, no cage is used in the cell between the cathodes and the anodes. The cathode is restricted from significantly changing its dimensions during discharge of the cell, when it is inclined to swell--as opposed to the tendency of the cathode to contract during a charge cycle. The cathode substantially fills the entire space allotted for it within the cell, with a light accommodation for height-wise or longitudinal expansion or growth of the cathode of bobbin-type cells, or cross-wise expansion or growth of button-type cells.

Abstract: An electronic shunt control circuit for use in conjunction with battery charging circuits is disclosed. The circuit precludes the possibility of current eminating from charged batteries from DC biasing the control coil and shunt therefor, when there is no AC electrical energy being supplied to the circuit--such as during the occurrence of an AC power failure. Precluding such DC biasing is accomplished through the use of a plurality of blocking diodes located between the output to the battery and the control coil and shunt. A few milliamperes of current are acceptably permitted to flow back from the battery to the sensing and control circuit portion of the charging circuit, so as to maintain surveillance on the status of the battery and of the circuits; but no DC current is permitted, in the instance of an AC power outage to flow back from the battery through the control coil of the input AC reactor, due to the presence of the blocking or isolating diodes.

Abstract: A pneumatic filter cleaning apparatus for use in cleaning a hollow cylindrically-shaped air filter is disclosed. The hollow cylindrically-shaped air filter has a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface. One of the first and second exterior surfaces is used to capture an amount of contaminant thereon from contaminated air passed through the filter, when used within a piece of industrial machinery or equipment. The cleaning apparatus comprises a base member and a support frame mounted on the base member in rotatable relation thereto adapted to receive and retain the air filter in supported yet rotatable relation with respect to the cleaning apparatus. There is an air inlet adapted to allow a flow of compressed air into the cleaning apparatus and an air directing nozzle mounted in threadable engagement to an elongated threaded member that is in turn securely mounted to the base member and is disposed generally centrally within the air filter.

Abstract: A device for effecting general household cleaning comprises a main body member having a first longitudinal axis, with a portion of said main body member having a generally hollow handle portion defining a storage area. A head member is affixed to a first end of the main body member, and it has a second longitudinal axis. There is a brush at a second end of the main body portion, having an elongated spine and a plurality of bristles securely retained by the spine. The brush is connected in movable relation to the main body member, and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A sponge is securely retained on the head portion; and a resilient blade is also securely retained on the head portion and is adapted for wiping liquid from a surface. There is also a retaining member adapted for releasable attachment to the head member and further adapted to securely retain the sponge and the blade on the head member.

Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor cell is provided, the use of which permits quantitative measurement of volatile gas contaminants in an atmosphere being monitored. The cell comprises at least a first sensor electrode and a second counter electrode, on either side of an ion conductive electrolyte which may be immobilized in a matrix. The electrolyte may also be a solid electrolyte or a polymer electrolyte. The sensing electrode has a high surface area catalyst dispersed on a porous substrate, and is mounted in such a manner as to be exposed to the atmosphere which is to be sensed for gaseous contaminants, with the counter electrode being isolated from any exposure to that atmosphere. Generally, the electrodes are mounted in electrically conductive frames, sandwiching a third non-conductive frame member in which the ion conductive electrolyte is substantially located. The conductive frames may comprise electronically conductive materials such as conductive polymers, ceramics, nitrides, oxides and graphites.

Abstract: This invention teaches rechargeable manganese dioxide cells having alkaline electrolytes, zinc negative electrodes and manganese dioxide positive electrodes. In keeping with the present invention, the positive electrode is essentially unconstrained--that is, no cage is used in the cell to confine the positive electrode. During discharge of a rechargeable alkaline cell, the positive electrode may be inclined to swell, and during the charge cycle it may be inclined to contract or reduce its dimensions. However, the positive electrode is dimensioned so as to substantially fill the entire space allotted for it within the cell, while allowing for a slight accommodation for height-wise or longitudinal expansion or growth in bobbin cells.

Abstract: An electrically powered illuminating fish luring means for use in conjunction with a fishing line, is disclosed. The fish luring means comprises a water resistant protective housing having a generally hollow interior. There is a battery or batteries, a light emitting diode, and a movement actuated switch means in the form of a mercury switch, preferably a mercury tilt switch, securely retained within the protective housing. The mercury tilt switch is electrically connected in series with the batteries and the light emitting diode, for turning on and off the light emitting diode. The mercury tilt switch has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a mercury bead adapted to contact the first and second terminals so as to thereby connect the first and second terminals in electrically conductive relation with each other.

Abstract: A lightweight folding portable ramp for use with an electric scooter or a wheelchair which may be positioned by the user without dismounting from the means of conveyance. The ramp is comprised of two ramp members and may include a rectangular connecting means, all of which are hinged together. Handles for lifting are provided on the ramp members.

Abstract: A ski pole grip having an integral shell for protecting one's hands during a fall and more specifically for precluding one's thumb from being injured especially from extending outwardly and thereby bearing the brunt of impact during a fall, is disclosed. The shell partially surrounds the grip and is attached to the grip at the top and bottom thereof. The grip and shell are preferably molded in one integral piece with the shell in an inverted position. The shell is folded down to partially surround the grip--it is then in its use configuration and can be inserted onto a ski pole.

Abstract: Low mercury or mercury free primary or secondary alkaline manganese dioxide-zinc cell that comprises a manganese dioxide cathode with a manganese dioxide active material and a conductive powder. The active material and powder are uniformly mixed and pressed to form a porous cathode body. The cell further comprises a gelled zinc anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an alkaline electrolyte. The anode gel comprises a modified starch as a gelling agent capable of releasing hydrogen gases developed during slow corrosion of zinc in the anode.A hydrogen recombination system can be used in the cell to limit inside pressure within permitted limits by recombining the evolved hydrogen.

Abstract: An electrically powered indicating device for use in conjunction with a fishing rod is disclosed. The device indicates when the end of the fishing rod remote to the handle is pulled downwardly and distinguishes between a fish nibbling at the hook on the fishing line and a fish caught on the hook of the fishing line. The device comprises a protective housing, an electrical power source, such as a battery, an electrically powered indicating means such as a light emitting diode or buzzer, and a non-positive contact switch means such as a mercury tilt switch, all electrically connected in series with one another. When the device becomes tilted past a certain orientation, the non-positive switch means becomes closed, thus turning on the indicating means. When the non-positive contact switch means is closed and the device is moved abruptly or vigorously, the non-positive contact switch means becomes opened and closed intermittently.

Abstract: Cylindrical alkaline manganese dioxide-zinc cell with improved bottom sealing, where the cell comprises a coaxial assembly of a metal can closed at the bottom, a cylindrical cathode inserted in the can up to abutment at the bottom with an insulating member, a separator system in direct contact with internal surface of the cathode, a zinc anode arranged in the hollow interior of the separator system and insulated from the can, an alkaline electrolyte. The separator system extends up to the bottom end of the cathode, and a thermoplastic sealant is provided at the bottom edge zone of the separator system extending into said zone as a bead. The sealant impregnates the separator system at said edge zone.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for use in conjunction with a tracked snowmobile is disclosed. The device has an elongated main arm member and an auxiliary arm member welded to the main arm member, with the arm members being made of case hardened steel and then being plastic coated. The two arm members are substantially parallel with a bight therebetween that is adapted to receive the track of the snowmobile. The device fits across the track of a snowmobile between adjacent tread members and is locked in place on the track by a conventional lock that fits through co-operating apertures in the arm members. The ends of the arm members comprise blocking means that are adapted to physically engage a portion of the body of the snowmobile so as to substantially preclude relative movement of the track with respect to the body of the snowmobile, thereby to preclude the snowmobile from being driven.

Abstract: A power driven mechanical toothbrush is disclosed. A replaceable toothbrush head member has tuft blocks retained generally therewithin and extending laterally outwardly from the a cam shaft. Each tuft block has at least one tuft of bristles, usually four, secured within the tuft block and extending upwardly therefrom. Each of the bristles has a distal end at a distance from its tuft block, and the bristles in each tuft are generally parallel to each other. The toothbrush head member is adapted to receive and retain the tuft blocks in sliding relation therein, so that each tuft block slides linearly in a direction parallel to the longitudinal tuft axis as guided by guide rails within the head member, between a retracted position and an extended position. Each tuft block is driven from its retracted position to its extended position by the rotatable cam shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for laminating a layer of polymer plastic film--such as non-oriented polyurethane or polyvinyl butyral laminated with oriented polyethylene teraphthalate--to glass, is taught. A saddle is provided having essentially the same contour as the glass that contacts it during the lamination process; and at least the surface of the saddle has an essentially identical coefficient of heat expansion and contraction as the glass, so that there is no significant slippage of the glass with respect to the saddle as the glass and polymer plastic film are heated and cooled. A segmented saddle may be provided having segments with substantially different coefficient of heat expansion and contraction than that of glass, but by being spatially isolated there is no gross expansion or contraction of the saddle face compared with that of the glass. A compression ram presses against the polymer film to be laminated to the glass. Either or both of the saddle and the ram is heated, usually the saddle.

Abstract: A cutter assembly for cutting sheets of relatively thin material is disclosed. The cutter assembly comprises a base member, a pair of support posts securely attached to the base member, and an elongated guide rail having a first end and a second end supported by the support posts in laterally spaced relation to the base member. A cutting strip is securely retained by the base member for receiving the sheets of material thereon. There is a cutter head slidably mounted on the elongated guide rail, and a cutting wheel operatively retained in rotatable relation by the cutter head. A spring biasing means biases the cutting wheel toward the cutting strip such that the cutting wheel is received in intimately contacting relation against the cutting strip. The cutting wheel moves along the elongated guide rail so as to intimately contact the cutting strip along the length thereof, so as to thereby permit cutting of the sheets of material when they are between the cutting wheel and the cutting strip.