Abstract: The invention disclosed herein comprises a self-contained breathing apparatus regulator having a valve seat for overlying the crown of an orifice wherein high pressure gas is regulated by said valve seat into said orifice. The valve seat has a valve seat body of an inverted T shaped configuration. The upright portion of the T shaped configuration is seated within a spring block assembly having a seal around said upright portion. A continuous plastic coating is provided around the valve seat body into the zone of said orifice and beyond the zone of said seal so as to expose the junction only to intermediate pressure to prevent delamination of the plastic from the valve seat body.

Abstract: A process for CVD including plasma enhanced and laser induced CVD using one or more precursor film forming metal compounds as the major film forming metal precursor, for example organotungsten, which is admixed with minor amounts of a precursor catalytic metal compound, for example, an organoplatinum compound, as a precursor to a catalytic metal in the presence of hydrogen gas to provide improved purity of deposited metal films having residual amounts of the catalytic metal incorporated therein.

Abstract: A buoyancy compensator for a diver having an inflatable bladder characterized by minimal lateral deformation when inflated is formed of a two piece gusset of double-sided heat sealable material disposed between a forward and a rearward single-sided heat sealable member. A method for making the inflatable bladder by welding in three roughly parallel planes is also provided.

Abstract: A free standing, surface slidable cushioned support member defining an open channel sized to cup and support the wrist or forearm of a user.

Abstract: This disclosure sets forth a dot matrix printer having an improved ribbon drive. The ribbon drive is provided by two respective stepper motors. When one stepper motor is in a take-up mode, the second is in a feed mode. The process is reversed proximate the end of the tape as it is unwound. A re-generative mode for the feed motor is provided and a resistance bank varies amounts of drag on the ribbon as it is fed from the feed motor spool. Both motors when in the take-up mode are driven by full H bridge drivers and amplifiers controlled by a micro controller through an address and decode input and output latch. In order to provide for a uniform velocity of the print ribbon the angular velocity of the take up motor is controlled by counting the zero crossings of the feed motor, and then loading it into the micro controller to compare it with a look-up table for purposes of providing a proper speed to the take-up motor and the proper peak drag through the resistance bank to the feed motor.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for welding a tungsten carbide printing tip of a dot matrix printer to a hammerspring by holding the hammerspring in a fixture with a first electrode in adjacent relationship thereto and a second electrode in adjacent relationship to a tungsten carbide printing tip having cobalt and forcing said tungsten carbide printing tip into adjacent relationship with said hammerspring while causing cobalt in said tungsten carbide printing tip to be welded to said hammerspring through a welding current between said first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A positive pressure demand regulator having a housing with a connection for delivering breathing gas with an outlet connected to the housing for attachment to a mask. A diaphragm is mounted in the housing and a passage connects the outlet and the diaphragm so that the diaphragm can be in fluidically connected relationship to the outlet. A main valve interconnects the breathing gas connection to the outlet for valving breathing gas to the outlet. A cam is attached to the diaphragm for lifting the diaphragm into an inoperative mode with a detent connected to the cam operated by a cam rod engaging a cam surface to lift the detent into a position for placing the detent in displaced relationship from where the diaphragm is in an operative mode, mounted in the housing on the side of the diaphragm opposite from the outlet.

Abstract: An adjustable tension and adjustable compression splint for one or more joints on a finger or a toe formed of a strip of elastic, stretchy material which is cooperatively joined with a narrow pocket containing a dynamic extension strut or stay or a static malleable position strut or stay.

Abstract: A second stage demand regulator is disclosed which has a regulator body with a spring loaded poppet valve mounted therein. A diaphragm mounted in said regulator body responds to pressure differentials to provide demand breathing gas to a user in communication with the regulator. The demand valving function is provided by the spring loaded poppet having a lever in contact with the poppet and the diaphragm. Upon acutation of the diaphragm, a greater mechanical advantage is initially provided to the lever through a point of contact with an operating surface that is closer to the axis of rotation than a second point of contact.

Abstract: The specification describes a low reluctance magnetic circuit for a dot matrix line printer for retaining hammersprings by the magnetic circuit having pairs of pole pieces formed of magnetically conductive sheets having a space for receipt of a permanent magnet. A coil is wrapped around a portion of each of the pole pieces between the magnet and the ends to provide a reverse magnetic field to the magnetic field provided by the permanent magnet. A magnetic shunt is established between the pole pieces to provide a greater magnetic effect. The pole pieces are sized and plated at the ends, with a spaced wear bar between them to provide improved performance and longer wear.