Abstract: An automatic pool cleaner configured to be powered by a supplied positive pressure water flow including an improved propulsion subsystem for propelling the cleaner body through a swimming pool along a substantially random travel path. The subsystem includes a hydraulic valve actuator configured to use water pressure to switch a valve element mounted for reciprocal linear movement from a default state (e.g., redirect travel state) to an active state (e.g., forward travel state) and to then restore the valve element to the default state. The water pressure for controlling the actuator is selectively supplied by a direction controller which responds to regular periodic occurrences and/or irregularly occurring events such as the interruption of cleaner body motion.

Abstract: A furniture storage unit, and method of construction, configured to include one or more storage compartments each having dimensions (e.g., height and width) which can be readily varied by a user. The storage unit is configured to enable a user to arrange one or more compartments in a wide variety of configurations or patterns within the storage unit to optimize utility and aesthetic appeal. A storage compartment is formed by a suspended web of elongate flexible material having first and second hanger members respectively secured to the web at locations spaced along the web length. The first and second hanger members are configured to be supported by one or more rails at respective first and second locations longitudinally spaced along the rails. The hanger members suspend the web so that first and second spaced web portions hang substantially vertically bridged by an intermediate web portion suitable for supporting various objects, e.g., books.

Abstract: A hand tool for use by one hand provides double compound leverage of the force exerted on the handles to the jaws. This is achieved by adding additional pivots and lever arms between the handles and the jaws. The jaws may take the form of a sheet metal snip, seamer, or crimper.

Abstract: An animal actuated drinking fountain has an electronic circuit for operating a pump to supply water to an animal. The fountain has a housing with a container for holding the water. A pump receives water from the container and has an upward directed discharge port for creating a fountain of water. A light emitter and light sensor are positioned so a beam of pulsed light is positioned above the surface of the water in the container. When the animal interrupts the beam of pulsed light, electronic circuitry causes the pump to turn on and create a fountain of water for the animal to drink.

Abstract: A women's breast support garment, e.g., bra, configured to promote wearer comfort by allowing a breast cup to move multi-directionally, or float, relative to a torso member. The bra construction is characterized by a limp intermediate strip at the junction between the lower edge of each breast cup and the upper edge of a torso member.

Abstract: A non-contact, air-activated lifting and tamping device which incorporates a means of producing a Bernouilli airflow at the device nozzle, creating an adjacent low air pressure region for inducing lift; and which includes provision for high velocity air jets for tamping operation. The device is compact, never clogs or ices and is easily adjustable for a wide range of applications.

Abstract: A frame is provided for mounting a fabric layer stack and retaining it in a substantially taut condition. The frame is supported for manually guided movement beneath a fixedly located stitch head and a detector is provided to produce signals representing the magnitude of frame translation, and thus the magnitude of stack translation. The detector signals are applied to control circuitry to actuate the stitch head at a rate related to stack translation speed. The frame is supported by bearings; wheels, slides, etc, which permit the frame to be freely manually guided across a frame supporting surface beneath the stitch head.

Abstract: A hand tool for use by one hand provides double compound leverage of the force exerted on the handles to the jaws. This is achieved by adding additional pivots and lever arms between the handles and the jaws. The jaws may take the form of a sheet metal snip or a pruning shear.

Abstract: A safety liner (20) for a vehicle tire (500) includes a tubular body (22) having a one-way valve (24). A service valve (50) is selectively insertable into the one-way valve (24). Tubular body (22) is compressible into a flattened circular shape by a compressive force, and when the compressive force is removed, the tubular body (22) resiliently assumes its original toroidal shape. Safety liner (20) is installed in the cavity (503) of vehicle tire (500) as the vehicle tire (500) is being installed on the tire rim (502). If a blowout or other leak occurs, safety liner (20) will cause the shape of vehicle tire (500) to be retained at a reduced profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a pool cleaner to travel through a water pool to collect dirt and other debris from the water and/or pool containment wall. The cleaner defines a suction passageway having an inlet open to pool water and an outlet adapted to be coupled via a flexible hose to the suction side of an electrically driven pump. A resulting suction flow, from the inlet to the pump, functions to (1) carry dirt and other debris to a filter and (2) to drive a turbine for propelling the cleaner. In accordance with the invention, the suction passageway inlet includes an orifice defining a physical flow area A1 and configured to create an “effective” flow area A2 smaller than A1, downstream from the orifice. The small effective flow area A2 creates a water flow of sufficient velocity to efficiently drive the turbine whereas the larger physical flow area A1 permits debris to pass more readily.

Abstract: A system which allows multiple senders to asynchronously transmit identification codes via a common communication channel (e.g., RF) to enable a central monitor to identify the presence (or absence) of each sender within the monitor's detection zone. Each sender is configured to repeatedly transmit a uniquely encoded identification frame. A frame, in accordance with the invention, is comprised of pulses spaced to minimize pulse collisions and configured to tolerate occasional collisions without impairing the monitor's ability to separately identify each transmitting sender. Each sender is configured to repeatedly transmit a unique identification frame characterized by a pulse pattern comprised of active intervals spaced by inactive (or “quiet”) intervals. The inactive intervals have variable length durations which are preferably pseudorandomly selected so that each sender defines a unique sequence of inactive interval durations.

Abstract: A system for weighing items sequentially delivered by a feeder subsystem in order to discharge batches of items having a desired target weight; and more particularly to a method and apparatus particularly configured to handle fragile items, e.g. strawberries, cherries, etc., to reduce bruising such items during the weighing process. The invention includes a container for receiving discrete items sequentially delivered by an item feeder together with means for measuring the weight of items accumulated in the container. The weighing container is located for movement between a first position at which a product receiving surface is oriented substantially horizontally in close proximity to the output location, for receiving product items from the output location, and a second position at which the container is oriented to accommodate an increased volume of items. The weighing apparatus includes means for moving the container from the first position to the second position and discharging the target weight of items.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to request and download selected media files from distributed content provider sites via the Internet. The system includes a plurality of user sites each including a player/receiver housed in an enclosure having a simple user interface, a plurality of content provider sites, and a transaction server site. The player/receiver enables the user to connect to the transaction server via the Internet to access a program guide listing available media files. The user is then able to select a desired file and, via the player/receiver and Internet, request the transaction server to authorize download of the selected file. The file request along with file encryption and transfer instructions are sent from the transaction server via the Internet to the content provider site storing the requested file. Requested files are then dynamically encrypted by the content provider site and securely downloaded to the requesting player/receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing uniform stitches in a stack of fabric layers while allowing a user to manually guide the stack across a planar surface beneath a stitch head. Stitch head actuation is controlled as a function of the rate of thread payout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a pool cleaner (60) to travel through a water pool to collect dirt and other debris from the water and/or pool containment wall (88). The cleaner (60) defines a suction passageway having an inlet (74) open to pool water and an outlet (78) adapted to be coupled via a flexible hose (30) to the suction side of an electrically driven pump (26). A resulting suction flow, from the inlet (74) to the pump, functions to (1) carry dirt and other debris to a filter (41) and (2) to drive a turbine (80) for propelling the cleaner (60). In accordance with the invention, the suction passageway inlet (74) includes an orifice defining a physical flow area A1 and configured to create an “effective” flow area A2 smaller than A1, downstream from the orifice. The small effective flow area A2 creates a water flow of sufficient velocity to efficiently drive the turbine (80) whereas the larger physical flow area A1 permits debris to pass more readily.

Abstract: An improved power conduit for use with automatic pool cleaners particularly configured to avoid the formation of persistent coils and/or knots. Embodiments in accordance with the invention are characterized by the use of at least one axially stiff elongate member together with axially flexible and axially swivelable means for coupling said stiff member between a stationary power source fitting and a cleaner. The axially flexible and axially swivelable means can be implemented in a variety of ways, e.g., a flexible elongate hose member and a swivel coupling.

Abstract: A hearing aid system including an implant (60) configured for insertion into a recess (40) formed under the skin of the retro-auricular space (50), which implant does not occlude the ear canal (30). The implant includes electronic circuitry (72), a transducer (65, e.g., speaker), antenna (64), and power source (66). The hearing aid also includes an external module (70), which module includes a microphone (163), electronics (172), antenna (164), and power source (166). A telemetry link (76) between the external module antenna and the implant antenna allows transmissions between the microphone module and the implant.