Abstract: An ice fishing tip-up having a fishing reel horizontally mounted on a base plate, an alert pole, and a retainer to hold the alert pole in a horizontal position adjacent the fishing reel. When a fish strikes the line, the reel rotates, and a trip member on the reel engages the alert pole, pushing it out from under the retainer. A spring then snaps the alert pole into a vertical position. The alert pole is detachable from the base plate for convenient storage.

Abstract: An automatic equalizer for an electronic measuring instrument using a transducer to measure a physical quantity. A signal amplifier in the instrument has a positive feedback application point and a negative feedback application point. The automatic equalizer has a plurality of stages, each comprising an amplifier that draws its input from the compensated output of the signal amplifier. Each equalizer stage is biased to operate over a different range of output signal levels, and the amount of feedback supplied by each stage back to the positive and negative feedback application points is separately adjustable so as to equalize a different segment of the transducer response curve. The required bias signal level for each equalizer is independent of the response characteristics of the transducer and therefore can be determined solely with reference to the range of magnitudes of the output signal.

Abstract: An improved adaptor for using fluorescent lighting in fixtures designed for incandescent lamps which comprises a housing having a centrally located lined cavity which depends through the housing and which is adapted to receive the starter element, a mounting means or plug which depends from the lower surface of the housing, and ballast disposed within the interior of the housing adjacent to or about the lined cavity which depends through the central portion of the housing.

Abstract: An energy absorbing barrier for dissipating kinetic energy upon impact by a moving vehicle. The barrier comprises walls defining a container closed except for a fill opening to admit water. Various configurations of side walls are disclosed. The side walls are resiliently deformable to return to their original shape after being struck, the resilience of the walls and their deformability tending to form a capture region adjacent the vehicle tire which tends to slow the tire and prevent it from climbing and vaulting the barrier. In one embodiment the walls include longitudinally extending, vertically spaced apart traction spoiler channels to reduce the area of contact between the barrier and the tires of a vehicle. Other embodiments include fittings for end coupling of a barrier to like barriers, the fittings permitting adjacent barriers to be located at different heights to accommodate gradual changes in terrain elevation.

Abstract: An improved optical flow sensor for optically detecting and measuring the flow of a fluid through a drip chamber assembly. The sensor comprises an optical energy-emitting chip sealed within a first lens block having a refracting lens in one surface and an optical energy detecting chip sealed within a second lens block having a refracting lens in one surface. The two lens blocks are positioned on the two parallel arms of a "U"-shaped base with their lens surfaces facing each other across the open space between the arms of the "U". The drip chamber assembly has transparent walls defining a drip chamber, and the lenses compensate for the refractive effects of the walls of the drip chamber assembly on the optical energy passing through. As drops of fluid fall through the chamber, they intersect the optical energy passing through the chamber and produce a corresponding output signal from the detector.

Abstract: Gangway assembly with a movable bridge part resting on a first surface, extending to a second surface, and connected between the two ends by at least one wire cable gripping the top end of a gantry carried by the first surface, the support of the first end being achieved via a carriage which can be moved over the first surface, the cable being guided over a first fixed pulley on the gantry and a second fixed pulley on the first surface, and with its other end being connected to the first end of the bridge.

Abstract: An implement providing an irrigator/evacuator primarily intended for use in connection with urological surgery, includes a reservoir connected to one side of the barrel of a pump having an outlet opening at one end. A compressible bulb attached to the end of the barrel opposite the outlet opening can be utilized to displace fluid within the implement outwardly through the outlet opening for irrigation purposes, and subsequently to draw fluid into the implement for evacuation purposes. A free piston is housed within the pump so as to freely movable along the length of the barrel. Fluid drawn into the implement causes movement of the piston to a retracted position, allowing substantially unrestricted passage of pieces of tissue or other material into the reservoir.

Abstract: A chewing toy for dogs and a process for its preparation, wherein a nylon piece, preferably having the shape of a bone, has an impregnated layer of caramelized sugar adjacent but below its surface to impart a dark brown color and a flavor to the near-surface region of the toy. The chewing toy is prepared by placing a piece of water-absorbent nylon into an aqueous solution of caramelized sugar at a temperature of about 250.degree. C. and an applied pressure of about 30 psi for a period of at least about 8 hours, so that the aqueous solution penetrates into the surface of the piece to impart the dark brown color to the near-surface region of the piece. The coloring and sweet taste provide an initial appeal to the animal, increasing its initial acceptance of the toy. The heat treatment also anneals the as-formed nylon to impart greater strength, reduce brittleness, and improve its resistance to shattering.

Abstract: A system for displaying and supporting record albums on a wall. The system comprises a plurality of hangers secured by nails to the wall at points generally corresponding to the corners of the record albums. The corners of the record albums are removably received by the hangers.

Abstract: A lockable folding knife utilizes a simplified, easily manufactured combination pivot and locking pin mechanism to create a strong locking action between the hub of the knife blade which pivots about the pivot pin, and the locking pin which is connected to and moved by the pivot pin when it is displaced in an axial direction.

Abstract: A file cabinet including a pair of opposed side panels, a back panel, front railing and top panel. The side panels are formed at their front and rear extremities with inwardly turned borders which are then turned back on themselves to form joint flanges co-extensive with, but spaced from, the bodies of the respective panels. The back panel is formed on its laterally opposite sides with forwardly turned facing flanges. The top panel is formed on its opposite sides and back side with down turned borders which then turn inwardly to form facing flanges with overlie corresponding joint flanges formed by horizontally inturned portions of the side and back panel. The joint flanges are formed with longitudinally extending raised ribs which nest within recessed grooves formed in the facing flanges to thus provide indexing between the joint and facing flanges.

Abstract: A method of improving the quality of froth removed from a minerals separation flotation cell by providing converging side walls to crowd the froth into a narrower chimney and thereby increase the froth height. The riser is constructed so that the height of the froth from the pulp/froth interface to the froth overflow weir is greater than the natural froth height in a similar parallel-sided flotation cell.

Abstract: A garage door locking mechanism incorporating a reversible motor mounted centrally on an overhead garage door and coupled with oppositely disposed rotary latches which are selectively rotated to lock the door in its closed position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved system for mounting a drop sensor onto a drip chamber having laterally projecting wing-like or flange-like extensions. A pair of mounting members, one fixed, one laterally movable, are provided on the drop sensor housing. The mounting members have inclined guiding surfaces which cradle both ends of the lateral extensions on the drip chamber during the initial stages of mounting the drop sensor to the drip chamber and guide drop sensor movement with respect to the drip chamber to its final mounted position thereon. The mounting system is particularly adapted to dedicated IV set and drop sensor combinations.

Abstract: A multiple speed planetary transmission which mounts inside the wheel hub of the driving wheel or wheels of a bicycle or the like, concentric with the pedal drive shaft. The transmission includes a gear case mounted on ball bearings on the pedal drive shaft, a cylindrical extension of the gear case being clamped to the bicycle frame on one side. Multiple sets of different size planet gears are rotatably mounted on a planet gear carrier fitting driven by the pedal drive shaft. A ring gear is mounted in tracks in the gear case with its axial position adjustable so that it can be positioned to mesh with any one of multiple sets of different size planet gears. A sun gear assembly has its multiple gears in constant mesh, respectively, with multiple sets of planet gears. A conventional free-wheel ratchet mechanism drives the wheel hub from the sun gear assembly, and a second conventional free-wheel ratchet mechanism drives the sun gear assembly from the drive shaft to provide a direct drive option.