Abstract: A heavy duty bicycle rack which has angle adjustable support legs, wherein adjustment of the support arms does not require simultaneous adjustment of the legs which support the carrier on the vehicle. The rack includes a heavy duty positive locking mechanism in which locking pin ends are biased into a locking position, thereby selecting the angular position for the bicycle support arms relative to the legs. The locking pins are the ends of handles which can be pulled or withdrawn slightly to release the pins from the locking apertures to afford rotary movement of the support arms. The handles with the locking pin ends are supported in clam shell or cup shaped shells, these shells having apertures which permit relative movement of the handles and pin ends. Springs which bias the handles toward the locking position are confined in the cup shaped shells. A bolt secures each pair of shells, one support arm and brackets on each of the support frames together in assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and releasing individual probes from a drop mechanism or probe rack which stores a number of these probes in a ready position for future use. The probe rack includes a plurality of radially projecting pins which are connected to, or comprise the piston rods of, a plurality of radially extending air cylinders. The individual probes are each provided with hanger loops which are suspended on the support pins in a ready position. Each of the probes may have a thermocouple assembly, or an oxygen sensor, or some other type of sensor. When it is desired to drop or release one of the probes, a switch is closed on a remotely located control panel to energize the appropriate air cylinders to withdraw the pin from the probe loop and allow the selected probe to drop into the additive chute of the vessel.

Abstract: A medication delivery device includes a housing that encloses a storage chamber for holding at least one pill/caplet. The housing also includes a dispensing chamber. The storage chamber has a first opening communicating with the dispensing chamber for conveying a pill/caplet from the storage chamber into the dispensing chamber. The dispensing chamber has a second opening for dispensing the pill/caplet from the housing. A shuttle member is movable within the dispensing chamber between a first and second position. The shuttle member has a delivery mechamism that receives a pill/caplet through the first opening as the shuttle member is moved from its first position toward its second position. The delivery mechanism carries the received pill/caplet to the second opening for dispensing as the shuttle member is returned to its first position.

Abstract: An interactive patient assistance device houses first and second compartments for storing a first item and a second item away from access by the patient. First and second delivery mechanisms are associated with the first and second compartments for making the first stored item available to the patient in response to a first command signal and for making the second stored item available to the patient in response to a second command signal. The first and second items are delivered to the patient according to schedules stored in resident memory. The schedules may be altered by a prescribed command issued by the patient.

Abstract: A medication delivery device includes a housing containing separate first and second storage locations for holding medication dosages away from access by the user. Associated separate first and second delivery mechanisms permit selective delivery of a medication dose from either the first or second storage locations to the patient. The invention provides a control element that discriminates between the actuation of the first delivery mechanism and the second delivery mechanism, thereby discriminating between the delivery of medication housed in the first and second storage locations. The control element discriminates between different first and second input criteria. In response to the first input criteria but not in response to the second input criteria, the control element actuates the first delivery mechanism. In response to the second input criteria, the control element actuates the second delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A faucet assembly with removable filter has a bottom housing portion attached to a source of water. A top housing portion that includes a spout means attaches and detaches from the bottom housing portion. A valve assembly carried in the bottom housing is movable between a closed position, blocking the passage of water through the bottom housing portion into the attached top housing portion, and an opened position permitting the passage of water through the bottom housing portion into attached the top housing portion. A filter is removably carried within the hollow interior of the top housing portion between the valve assembly and the spout. The filter makes sealing engagement with the valve assembly and with the spout as the top housing portion is attached to the bottom housing portion.

Abstract: A sleeve for a support arm for a bike rack is formed of a soft rubber or plastic and has recesses to position bike frames. A longitudinal groove in the top of the sleeve positions a shock cord in a storage mode. A knob on the end of the shock cord interfits in an end piece which holds the sleeve on the support arm.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying labels to spinning and translating containers has a rotating vacuum cylinder almost touching the containers. The printed sides of individual labels are deposited on the vacuum cylinder at which time fingers grip the leading end of the label to prevent the label from being attracted to an ensuing glue roller which has plural annular grooves and applies a strip of glue to the leading end of the label. The leading and trailing ends are also held by vacuum devices which are cam driven to extend by a small amount radially of the vacuum cylinder. The fingers register in the grooves of the roller so they do not interfere. The label on the cylinder is carried on the cylinder and secured at its trailing end by its own radially movable vacuum device. When the trailing end reaches a second glue roller the latter device moves radially outward of the cylinder to pick up a strip of glue on the trailing end.

Abstract: In an engine based on the Stirling cycle the individual hot side and cold side cylinders typically used in conventional Stirling engines are subdivided into a cluster of parallel cylinders of smaller diameter than the single cylinder but with the area of the cylinder walls greater than that for the single cylinder for the same displacement and with spaces between the cylinders in the cluster to allow a heating or cooling medium to flow through the spaces and contact the enlarged surface area for tranferring heat into or out of the cylinders more efficiently. The described engine has the hot side cylinder cluster disposed horizontally to facilitate allowing hot gases of combustion to flow through the spaces between the subdivided cylinders by natural convection. Moreover, having the hot side cylinders disposed horizontally facilitates confining the hot combustion gases to one end region of the cylinders in isolation from the rest of the engine structure.

Abstract: An improved apparatus supports weight on an upright structure. The apparatus has a frame with a weight bearing surface and a mechanism attached to the frame that grips the structure to hang the frame on the structure free of contact with the ground. The gripping mechanism can be easily attached to and removed from the structure by the user from a position on the ground. The force that gripping mechanism exerts to hold the frame in place upon the structure is directly proportional to the weight borne by the frame.

Abstract: A low profile water distiller has a housing. A steam chamber is located within the housing having a horizontal dimension greater than its vertical height. A condenser is also located within the housing having a horizontal dimension greater than its vertical height. The vertical height of the condenser is generally the same as the vertical height of the steam chamber. A raw water conduit extends in a generally horizontal plane within the housing for delivering water to be distilled into the steam chamber. A steam conduit also extends within the housing for delivering steam from the steam chamber to the condenser. The steam conduit extends in a generally horizontal plane parallel to the generally horizontal plane of the raw water conduit. An air circulation channel within the housing draws cooling air through the condenser in a generally horizontal path parallel to the generally horizontal planes of the raw water conduit and the steam conduit.

Abstract: A headphone having a dual element speaker unit including a face plate having an opening generally centrally located therein. A case coupler is mounted in the opening, and has an annular projection protruding through the opening. A first dynamic transducer is mounted within that annular projection. A second dynamic transducer is mounted to the case coupler opposite the first transducer. The case coupler includes an isolating plate, positioned between the first and second transducers, for sonically isolating the first transducer from the second. A grill plate is mounted over the annular projection, for providing a load to the first transducer. The isolating plate includes an opening, located outside the periphery of the annular projection, for allowing the passage of sound from the second transducer to the listener. A support assembly is connected to the face plate, and a cup assembly in turn connected to the support assembly.

Abstract: A lance thermocouple of the type used for immersion in molten metal baths is provided with means for cooling by passage of low pressure air through the interior of the thermocouple connector. Radial passageways intersecting with a central bore are provided. Optionally the air or other cooling gas is cooled further by flow through a conduit wrapped with a cooling coil containing cooling water.

Abstract: A dispensing device for medication that has been prepackaged in individual pockets along a strip includes a first holder for securing one end of the strip and a second holder for securing the opposite end of the strip. A drive mechanism advances the strip along a predetermined path leading from the first holder, through a dispensing mechanism and to the second holder. The dispensing mechanism has a first assembly that moves into contact with the strip and opens a medication pocket. A second assembly presses against the strip as it is further advanced to expel the medication from the opened pocket.

Abstract: A circuit for monitoring and indicating the outut level of an energy source, such as the voltage level of a battery. The circuit includes a triangle wave generator, and a comparison circuit for comparing the triangle wave form to the battery output level and generating a comparison signal. A dual color LED set displays the comparison signal. The diode set is activated in one color when the battery signal is greater than the triangle wave form, while the other color diode is activated when the battery signal is less than the triangle wave form. When the frequency of the triangular wave is two Hertz, the LED set produces discernable flashes between the first color LED and the second color LED when the battery signal is within the peak-to-peak value. The ratio of the times the LEDs are activated is a linear representation of the battery voltage between predetermined "warning" and "discharge" voltages.

Abstract: A skeletal support pillow conforming to the bodily skeletal dimensions of a user is provided which is dimensioned according to the bodily measurements of the user. The pillow includes a head support pillow section having a thickness approximately equal to the long leg of the right triangle whose hypotenuse lies between the acromial clavicular joint and the ipsilateral angle of the user's jaw. An arm tunnel/bridge section is attached at one side to the base of the head support pillow section, the tunnel having a diameter slightly greater than the maximum diameter of the user's upper arm. A body support section is attached to the opposite side of the arm tunnel/bridge section. The body support section has an upper body support portion having a thickness approximately equal to the distance between opposite auxillary folds of the user's body, and a lower limb support section approximately equal in thickness to the distance between the user's greater trochanter and the contralateral anterior superior iliac spine.