Abstract: Several new components are provided for a mortise lock. First, a non-handed clutching assembly, including a pair of spindle hubs rotatable within a pair of outer operating cams, is provided for a mortise lock. Second, a spindle-mounted lock-handing selector—which can be removed from one side of the lockset body while the lockset body is installed in the mortise of a door—is provided to set the handing of the clutching assembly. Third, an escapement mechanism is provided for a reciprocating-slide-based clutchworks, enabling the slides to move into a position biasing a clutch lever arm toward a hub-coupling position, even if the outer and spindle hubs are misaligned. Fourth, a guardbolt-actuated blocking assembly for a lockset is provided to block movement of the stop works or clutchworks when the door is closed and the outside door handle is disabled.

Abstract: Several improvements are provided for a microingredient additive dispensing system. One improvement is the use of a fluid eductor to entrain and mix the additives. Another improvement is to weigh and dispense ingredients using one or more non-compartmentalized vibratory trays that are mounted on a single weigh frame. Another improvement is a summing and filtering circuit that sums and filters the signals from four different load cells to accurately determine the weight of the dispensed additives. Yet another improvement is the placement of a pump upstream of the eductor, isolating the pump from additives that are pumped to the feed mixing station. Another improvement is a line-flushing mode in which a turbulent mixture of air and water are used to clean the delivery conduit of residue.

Abstract: A platform panel or module is provided to construct a surface for a deck, floor, wall, ceiling, or roof. The panel or module comprises a decorative top layer integral with or joined to a structural, composite molded platform. Each platform panel or module has two complementary module-coupling sides that take advantage of the full width of each joist that supports the platform. Also, male and female connecting members are disposed along the module-coupling sides that enable one platform panel or module to be efficiently and positively interlocked with an adjacent panel or module. Each panel or module can be fastened on one side to a single joist while being secured on its opposite side to an adjoining panel or module. The panels or modules are also designed to cover over an entire joist substructure, including the beginning-of-sequence and end-of-sequence joists.

Abstract: A stretcher is provided as an accessory to a bed to facilitate a supine-to-prone or prone-to-supine transfer of a patient from the bed to the stretcher or vice-versa. The stretcher comprises a base frame, anchor means for clamping or otherwise securing the stretcher to a position adjacent the bed, and a patient support litter. The stretcher also includes a mechanical, non-bladder-based lift mechanism operable to preferentially raise either a left longitudinal side, or a right longitudinal side, but not both, of the patient support litter, in order to tilt the patient support litter toward the patient support surface of the adjacent bed. The stretcher is also collapsible for easy storage.

Abstract: A locking system for a stop button employed in a mortise lock having a spindle for operating a latch utilizing a first spindle base and a second spindle base which are nested relative to one another. Each base includes an opening for the mortise lock spindle such that the spindle may enter the combined first and second bases from the left side or the right side. A locking hub overrides either the first or second base and is capable of selectively lying over either the first or second base. An abutment linked to the stop button interacts with the locking hub such that either the first or second base may not be turned by the spindle when this occurs. Locking hub selectively locks either the first or second base through its position relative to the same and allows the mortise lock to easily transform from a left-hand version to a right-hand version.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a hospital bed frame chassis, an articulatable, multi-sectioned base platform mounted on the chassis, an adjustable patient support framework mounted on the base platform, and a patient support surface overlying the adjustable patient support framework and base platform. The adjustable patient support framework preferably includes two main parts: an adjustable torso support litter mounted on the articulatable torso-supporting section of the base platform; and an adjustable hip support litter mounted on the articulatable hip-supporting section of the base platform. Each of these support litters comprise a plurality of independently adjustable vertices or segments oriented at or near the periphery of the overlying patient support surface. Modulation of the patient support surface is accomplished through two conceptually distinct mechanisms—(1) articulation of the base platform and (2) movement of the vertices and/or segments of the adjustable patient support framework.

Abstract: A force transfer mechanism is provided for an internal-combustion engine. In the most preferred configuration, the force transfer mechanism comprises two inter-connected first class levers that are driven by four pistons. Each of the pistons is driven through its non-powered strokes by the action of the piston in its powered stroke on the first class levers. The force transfer mechanism also drives the crankshaft through a single connecting rod. The force transfer mechanism provides for less frictional loss, and greater efficiency, than a typical internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a patient support surface supported by a patient support framework that adjusts vertices along the perimeter of the patient support surface. Through adjustments that raise and contract the perimeter of the patient support surface on either side of the lower torso and/or hip-area of the patient, the framework is operable to cradle a patient's waist and hips. This mechanism not only distributes the patient's weight across a larger surface area, reducing the need for lateral rotation, but also helps to maintain a patient in place when the patient is rotated from side to side.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a hospital bed frame chassis, an articulatable, multi-sectioned base platform mounted on the chassis, an adjustable patient support framework mounted on the base platform, and a patient support surface overlying the adjustable patient support framework and base platform. The adjustable patient support framework preferably includes two main parts: an adjustable torso support litter mounted on the articulatable torso-supporting section of the base platform; and an adjustable hip support litter mounted on the articulatable hip-supporting section of the base platform. Each of these support litters comprise a plurality of independently adjustable vertices or segments oriented at or near the periphery of the overlying patient support surface. Modulation of the patient support surface is accomplished through two conceptually distinct mechanisms—(1) articulation of the base platform and (2) movement of the vertices and/or segments of the adjustable patient support framework.

Abstract: An all-in-one combination layout tool is provided for marking center lines for spacing studs, marking rip lines, marking cut lines for roof rafters and staircase stringers, and other purposes. The tool comprises a rectangular base plate, an elongate locator bar with a rounded pivot corner, and two connectors to connect the locator bar to the base plate in a variety of configurations. The base plate includes multiple “pivot” points for pivotally connecting the locator bar, two strategically-placed arcuate slots for marking or making angle cuts, and two strategically placed parallel slots for configuring the tool to mark or make rip cuts. Angle markings are provided on two adjacent edges of the base plate, and 1/16-inch markings are provided on the opposite adjacent edges. The base plate is planar and has no enlarged flange or lip that would hinder its use in laying out staircase stringers.

Abstract: Several caliper accessories are provided that make a conventional caliper suitable for more sophisticated applications traditionally reserved for more expensive measurement devices. One of these accessories, a magnetic caliper mounting device, has a shallow scale-bar-mounting channel for receiving the scale bar of the caliper, a retainer adapted to releasably secure the scale bar of the caliper within the channel of the caliper mount, and a magnet associated with the caliper mount to secure the apparatus to a planar metal surface. Another accessory, a caliper jaw extender, is either incorporated into a magnetic caliper mounting device or provided as a spring pack accessory to a magnetic caliper mounting device. The caliper jaw extender has a spring-biased retractor that hooks onto a caliper's movable frame and biases the frame toward an extended position. Kits are also provided comprising various combinations of a conventional caliper and accessories.

Abstract: An adjustable bed comprises a patient support structure supporting a patient support surface that comprises separately adjustable torso and hip support structures. Lifting mechanisms are provided to elevate the torso and hip support structures to substantially reduce pressure on the sacral area of a patient resting on the patient support surface.

Abstract: A sliding subframe mounted to the derriere-supporting section of an articulating bed is adapted to translate the rotational axis of the torso-supporting section of the bed toward the headframe as the torso-supporting section is raised to an inclined position, and back toward the footboard as the torso-supporting section is lowered to a level position. This mechanism reduces compression of the lumbo-sacral area of the patient during bed articulation.

Abstract: A portable, easily assembled and disassembled three-legged stool or stool kit includes a seat with a quick-release leg-fastening assembly, three legs having keyhole slots to engage with the quick-release leg-fastening assembly, and a substantially planar leg bracket oriented below and parallel with the seat that has three symmetrically-oriented elongated slots to receive and orient the legs. At least one of the legs has multiple, spaced-apart sets of opposing grooves for supporting a removable, cantilevered platform such as a footrest or a drink holder. When assembled, the legs are oriented in a structurally strong and rigid fashion to support the seat.

Abstract: A multiple watt-linkage force transfer mechanism is provided for an internal-combustion engine. The force transfer mechanism comprises two “bell cranks” that are used to drive a single crankshaft through a watt linkage mechanism. Each bell crank, in turn, is driven by two pistons through corresponding watt linkage mechanisms. The watt linkages connected to the pistons enable the connection ends of the pistons to travel along substantially straight paths, significantly reducing side loads against the piston walls. Also, all four pistons preferably drive a single connecting rod. This changes the role of the crankshaft—and the corresponding strength and rigidity requirements for the crankshaft—by reducing the necessary number of rod journals and main journals on the crankshaft.

Abstract: A transit center apparatus is provided having one or more modules attachable to a transit stop pole to provide one or more of the following conveniences to a transit stop patron: information in an optionally illuminated modular display apparatus, overhead illumination, video camera surveillance, and wireless communication. These conveniences are preferably provided through an overhead assembly and a rugged information display case. The overhead assembly houses one or more of the group consisting of solar cells, a rechargeable battery pack, overhead lights, a cell phone antenna, camera, and related circuitry. The information display case provides backlighting and houses a switch assembly. The display case is preferably constructed from extruded, interlocking aluminum frame members and is easily installable on existing support poles.

Abstract: A biometric facial image verification system capable of recognizing human users which includes a smart-card having stored thereon encoded first human facial images, a video camera and video digitizer embedded within said smart-card for acquiring data representative of a second human facial image. A computer-based device with a docking station capable of receiving said smart-card and software resident within said computer-based device for facial recognition, which includes Principal Component Analysis, Neural Networks, or another equivalent algorithm for comparing said first human facial images with said second human facial image and producing an output signal therefrom for use in verifying the identity of said human users. The apparatus can further include software for fingerprint and speech recognition.

Abstract: An articulated and animated toy capable of recognizing human users and interacting therewith includes a computer-based device storing encoded first human fingerprint data, a fingerprint sensor for acquirin data representative of a second human fingerprint, and software for fingerprint verification. The apparatus can further include software for recognizing speech, generating speech and controlling animation of the articulated toy. In addition, the toy is capable of learning and storing information pertaining to each of said human users such as name, age, sex, favorite color, etc., and to interact with each of said human users on an individual basis, providing entertainment tailored specifically to each of said human users.