Abstract: A Braille reading apparatus has a base unit presenting a planar upfacing surface and a traveling Braille character carriage. A cover unit is engaged with the base unit and provides a flexible membrane covering the upfacing surface and the carriage. The character carriage is enabled for moving across the base unit and provides plural character read units in linear sequence between its opposing ends. Each of the read units provides Braille character presentation in contact with an underside of the membrane, whereby, a page of Braille is readable through tactile contact, moving between the opposing ends of the character carriage over an outside surface of the membrane, as the character carriage moves over the base unit scanning from one end to the other.

Abstract: A shiftable keyboard tray comprising a base, a carriage for support of a keyboard movable on the base, and a palm rest movable on the base offset from the carriage and operably connected to the carriage through a coupler configured to enable movement of the carriage in a second direction when the palm rest is moved in an opposite first direction. The coupler comprises a motor mounted in engaging relationship between the carriage and the base and at least one actuation switch coupled to the palm rest and operably connected to the motor. A positioning device is mounted in engaging relationship between the carriage and the base and operably connected to the motor so as to provide data to the motor regarding the position of the carriage. In an alternative embodiment, the positioning device itself serves as the coupler operably connecting the palm rest to the carriage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple fluid atomizer having a pair of spring loaded sealing elements such that the pressure required to open both seals is the sum of the spring constants of each of the sealing elements. A central cavity is sealed at both its entry and exit by moving elements held by coil springs. When the fluid in the entry channel is able to overcome a first spring, the first sealing element is moved so as to allow fluid to enter the central cavity. When the fluid pressure within the central cavity reaches a level necessary to compress the exit spring, the entry fluid pressure must be at a level for achieving the delta pressure across both entry and exit springs.

Abstract: Interconnecting a fluid interchange apparatus with a power steering system of a vehicle; pumping spent fluid from the power steering system into a fluid receiving container to compress air pressure therein; interconnecting, with a pressure actuated valve, the fluid receiving container and a replacement fluid container, the replacement fluid container holding a replacement fluid; automatically opening the pressure actuated valve when a selected amount of the spent fluid from the power steering system is transferred into the fluid receiving container resulting in an air pressure sufficient to open the pressure actuated valve; and draining, under the force of the sufficient air pressure, the replacement fluid from the replacement fluid container into the power steering system to replace the spent fluid in the power steering system with the replacement fluid.

Abstract: A water heater apparatus for aircraft applications has three water heating tubes joined in series interconnection and positioned in side-by-side adjacency, where each of the tubes provides an electrical resistance heater part of a 3 phase electrical power circuit. Each tube also has a thermostat, and an electrical circuit breaker. The thermostats establish an open electrical circuit if water temperature exceeds a temperature set point. The circuit breakers establish an open circuit if electric current flow exceeds an electrical current set point. The apparatus uses a pressure check valve to expel pressure from the water heating tubes when pressure exceeds a water pressure set point. A temperature sensor is positioned for sensing water temperature at a water outlet and an ultrasonic water flow sensing switch identifies water flow in the water heating tubes.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus provides a fastener body with a female threaded cap receiver having a transverse groove for insertion of a rod. A fastener cap provides a disk shaped cap head and, a male threaded portion within a spaced apart concentric cylindrical rim. The cap head provides a tool engaging fixture to allow the fastener cap to be engaged with the fastener body so as to clamp the rod between the fastener body and the fastener cap. The cylindrical rim engages the cap receiver so as to prevent splaying.

Abstract: A miniature water heater apparatus has three water heating tubes joined in series interconnection and positioned in side-by-side adjacency. The water heating tubes are enclosed within a cylindrical container with opposing closed ends. A top and a bottom cylindrical covers are adapted for mounting over the top and bottom surfaces establishing a top and a bottom utility volumes. The top utility volume encloses an electrical control circuit providing logical control of the apparatus while the bottom utility volume provides access to the electrical resistance heaters and a temperature range switch. A wire access tube communicates between the opposing closed ends of the cylindrical container for providing circuit wire communication between the control circuit and the resistance heaters.

Abstract: A building panel may be used for constructing walls, floors, ceilings or roofs. The panel has a wire frame with wire mesh surfaces on opposing sides. The interior of the frame carries a layer of insulation sandwiched between stucco or concrete exterior layers. Spaces are placed between the layers for air flow as for instance in heating or cooling the interior wall of the panel, and conduits may be encased within the insulation or in the spaces for utilities. The method of panel construction uses a grooved planar surface to hold elements of the frame while the insulation layer is sprayed into place. The wire mesh is completed after the insulation is placed and finally the stucco or concrete is placed engaging the wire mesh exterior of the wire frame to provide exterior surfaces of the panel.

Abstract: An attachment for a forklift truck comprising an articulated bucket, hydraulic ram and pallet-like platform for engagement with the forks of the truck. By using the existing hydraulic lines of the truck the bucket may be actuated between a horizontal and a dump positions. The ram is positioned medially on the bucket and a gusset plate is employed within the bucket to enable the forces to be distributed to the bucket plates in an even manner and so that the assembly may be constructed with plates of less weight.

Abstract: A portable drinking facilitation apparatus is useful for a bicyclist and provides a liquid reservoir and a reservoir delivery tube. The apparatus has a flexible drinking tube having a mounting end and a terminal end. The drinking tube is adapted for shaping, such that said ends are positioned as desired, and the drinking tube will hold the given shape until said ends are repositioned. In its preferred mode, the flexible drinking tube comprises a plurality of tube segments joined end-to-end to form an extended elongate tube. A bite valve is removably mounted at the terminal end of the drinking tube. The apparatus also has a base fitting for receiving the mounting end of the drinking tube. The base fitting is adapted for receiving an end of the reservoir delivery tube and the mounting end of the drinking tube. This arrangement allows water to flow from the reservoir delivery tube, through the base fitting, and into the drinking tube, from which it is dispensed to the user.

Abstract: A computer control system operates with an instruction set to provide automated administration of health care to a patient. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a central monitoring station receives data from a plurality of remote testing units. Each of the testing units is custom configured for a particular patient and is made to provide optimal care for that individual alone. Similarly one monitoring unit may serve multiple patients and transmit the data to a central monitoring computer via the telephone lines. Medical procedures are then administered to the patient and results taken as data. The data is made available to the central monitor so that proper medical interpretation is enabled. A number of novel steps in the programming of the system are taken to assure that the right patient is being monitored, that the patient is being tested properly and that the system is being monitored appropriately.

Abstract: An outdoor enclosure for housing electronic display equipment constructed of a plurality of extrusions welded to side plates and top and bottom plates which allows easy access to the electronics through a tethered bottom door. The enclosure can house one or more electronic display faces. The front and rear surfaces can be glass, polycarbonate or metal and are held in place by an elastic cord. The enclosure is sealed on the ends by the use of gasketing between the main housing body and the end panels. The design of the enclosure discourages birds from roosting on the front and rear edges. Internally the enclosure provides for the electronics to be mounted on an easily removable plate which incorporates a unique continuous hook. The electronic sub-assembly plate is held in place by a simple elastic hose retainer. Installation and removal of the electronics sub-assembly requires no tools.

Abstract: A method for removing deep gingival pockets provides for excise of disease while providing for reconnection of the tissue-tooth connection. Steps in the process include creating a gingival trough in the pocket with a contact laser fiber, excising the pocket epithelium while selectively removing sulcular and pocket epithelium and granulation tissue fully around the targeted tooth to the full depth without breaking through the mucogingival junction, scaling the root surfaces to the full depth ultrasonically, lasing the pocket to remove granulation tissue and to disinfect the tissue, assist in hemostatis, cauterize free nerve endings, seal lymphatics, prepare the tissue for welding and desensitize the tooth, and compressing the tissue against the tooth until adhesion is achieved.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions of an erythromycin derivative combined with sulfisoxazole according to the structural formulas: ##STR1## where R is hydrogen, C1-C10 alkylcarbonyl or C1-C10 alkyl wherein the substituent is amino or cyano; R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl or amino; and the pharmaceutical salts and esters thereof.

Abstract: A display apparatus secured to a temple or bridge contacting portion of an eyewear, the apparatus including means for monitoring the wearer's heart rate, lap position, laps completed, time elapsed, etc. An image of the collected data is transmitted into the wearer's field of view by means of a fiber optic element and projected at a focal point within the focusing range of the wearer's eyes.