Abstract: The emitter includes hollow cylindrical cathode, which has a multi-apertured emission window at one end, and a coaxial rod-shaped anode at the other end, mounted with a feed-through insulator. A magnetic coil is mounted coaxially on the outside of the cathode and creates a magnetic field. The cathode has an internal open chamber or space filled with a gas and with the applying of a voltage between the cathode and anode the gas discharge starts. The ions are extracted from the gas discharge plasma through the emission window.

Abstract: A combination wheelchair/walker when in a wheelchair configuration having four spaced apart surface support wheels positioned on each corner of a generally rectangular form in which a person is supported thereby. The rear pair of wheels fixed in their direction of travel and the front pair of wheels being pivotable through 360 degrees. In the walker configuration the generally rectangular form is converted into a generally triangular or trapezium support form with the two rear wheels remaining in their original spaced apart position with the front two wheels moved closer together in a relatively reduced spaced apart relationship acting effectively as slightly spaced apart dual wheels. The seat platform of the wheelchair is rigid and folds up against the front of the back of the device in its walker or transport/storage configuration.

Abstract: A GPS/GLONASS travel recorder which utilizes the accurate position and velocity information determinable from radio frequency signals emanating from GPS and/or GLONASS satellites and ground stations to create an accurate route map by joining the frequent accurate position data points with user selectable or automatically selected route symbology. Features of the route locality are automatically printed on a displayed map of the travelled route from prior stored legends that are designated with approximate position location, or can be inserted by a user with keyboard or mouse entry. The computer processor of the GPS/GLONASS travel recorder calculates distance traveled by the carrier, time of travel, height, and other user chosen parameters that are programmed into the processor. Such data are stored for later retrieval as is the route map.

Abstract: In an electrical switch which includes a key for its operation. The key includes a code which is specific to a specific switch. The switch includes illumination means for illuminating the key carried code, a scanning device for reading the key code, electronic circuits for comparing the key code with the proper key code for that specific lock, and responding to a correct key by allowing the switch to close electrically or to an incorrect key which prevents the switch from closing electrically and can turn on an alarm.

Abstract: A flat planar antenna formed from a flat this substrate coated on one surface with a electrically conductive material except for a first uncoated funnel shaped cavity with a large mouth beginning along one outer surface of the substrate and diminishing in cross-section toward the center of the substrate with a diminishing width down to an extended neck portion which extends to an outer substrate surface normal or parallel to the substrate surface adjacent to the mouth. A smaller tuning cavity may be positioned over the neck portion adjacent to the edge of the substrate. The antenna may have feed lines plated on the opposite surface from the funnel shaped cavity, hard wired through the substrate to the opposite side thereof or formed by micro stripline techniques. A second embodiment employs unplated side cavities between the funnel unplated area and the edges of the substrate normal to the funnel mouth.

Abstract: An entry means holder for use in combination with an entry means which affords hotels, motels, and other distributors of such entry means a manner of distributing keys and other lock entry means to clients with the security of an anonymous unmarked key or entry means coupled with intitia identifying the customer identification and/or location of the room the means unlocks.

Abstract: A directional control and time delay interlock for making a key operable rotatable tumbler lock substantially pick-proof. When the proper key is inserted the core of the lock is rotatable in a first direction for elevating a biased pawl from locking engagement with a cam surface carried by the rotatable portion of the lock. The distal end of a pawl engaging an indentation in the rotatable portion of the lock prevents initial rotation of the rotatable portion of the lock in a second direction opposite to the first direction of rotation. After rotation in the first direction of rotation, the distal end of the pawl is elevated away from the rotational portion of the lock freeing its engagement with the rotatable portion of the lock. With the pawl elevated, the rotational portion of the lock can be quickly rotated in the second direction past the pawl before the distal end of the pawl returns under a slight bias to the surface of the rotatable portion of the lock.

Abstract: A flexible strap retainer for material wound upon a drum or spool or reel and the free end thereof, comprising hook and loop material with a fastener affixed to one end thereof such that the fastener releasably attaches to the free end of the material to be wound upon the drum spool or reel. In use, the reel to be secured is wound and the flexible strap member attached to the distal end of the material to be wound is wound up upon the outside of the material wound upon the spool and removeably secures itself thereon when the opposing hook and loop fabric interlock.

Abstract: A continuous mode full wave power converter topology which integrates the buck-boost (flyback) and buck converter properties. The voltage transfer function is M=(D/(1-D)), characteristic of the buck-boost (flyback) converter. Characteristic of the full wave buck converter, the inductor current is source continuous during the alternate D intervals, source discontinuous during the simultaneous (1-D) intervals, and load continuous during both the D and (1-D) intervals.

Abstract: An exercise device having a single central element anchored to a fixed structure with a plurality of elastic cables extending from an equal number of "S" type hooks to an elongated handle member. The elastic cables are attached at their ends opposite to the "S" hook attachment to the elongated handle which is covered with a foam type gripping material. The elastic cables attached to the elongated handle member are spaced apart so that the fingers of a human hand grasping the handle will pass between adjacent elastic cables. The elongated handle member is bent formed in a direction away from the handle attachment of the elastic cables at each end thereof with the central elastic cable attachment portion being slightly curved in a concave fashion in a direction facing the elastic cable attachment. Selected ones of the elastic cables can be removed or added at discrete locations along the concave portion of the elongated handle to vary the stress or pull required for particular body part being exercised.

Abstract: An improved method and capacitance probe arrangement for determining the fluid phase fractions of fluids having differing permitivity such as those of gas, oil, and water and oil-water emulsion in a fluid stream flowing from an oil well which includes trapping the primarily liquid in a vertically disposed chamber. The liquid is held therein to permit separation of the phase fractions to the extent possible within a reasonable time. A number of measurements are taken of the capacitance at a plurality of discrete vertically spaced locations within the chamber. These capacitance measurements relate directly to the varying permittivity of the phase fractions of the various liquids contained therein which may be gas, oil, and water and a oil-water emulsion. The measurements are processed by a data processor to provide precise information on such phase fractions and emulsion interfaces. A number of embodiments of the novel probe are disclosed for determining capacitance at spaced locations within the chamber.

Abstract: A trocar has an elongated shaft, and a cutting element is attached to a distal end of the shaft. The cutting element can be a transparent puncturing head formed integrally with the shaft, and a distal portion of the puncturing head is configured as a regular triangular pyramid having three sharpened cutting edges. Alternatively, the cutting element can be three or four metal cutting blades which are attached to the distal end of the shaft. In either case, a pathway for light communication is established from the cutting element through the shaft, a portion of which is transparent. The shaft has a cavity, and a rigid endoscope is positioned in the cavity to collect light from the distal end of the shaft. A video monitor is connected to the endoscope for displaying an image of the path of advancement of the trocar.

Abstract: A golf club having a mechanism permitting adjustment of the shaft angle relative to the club head. Fixed stops limit the range of angular adjustment. The body of the club head has a central opening extending to the sole of the club. The opening is closed by a sole plate that requires a special tool for removal and reinstallation. A serrated surface secured to an extension of the club shaft within the opening mates with a corresponding serrated surface secured to the club head. The angle of the shaft relative to the head is locked by installing the sole plate which forces the two serrated surfaces together. In order to change the shaft-to-head angle, the sole plate must be loosened sufficiently to permit the cooperating serrations to disengage and be moved relative to each other.

Abstract: A re-bar clamp assembly for use in forming concrete footings that require the reinforcing steel rods to be spaced upwardly at a predetermined height above the ground so that when the concrete is poured into the footings the reinforcing bars will be completely encapsulated by the concrete. One of the forms of the re-bar clamp assembly is formed of a pair of first and second C-shaped clamps that are attached to each other in a stacked vertical orientation but with the open mouth of each clamp oriented substantially 90 degrees away from each other. Thus when the re-bars are snapped into the clamp assembly they will be oriented at 90 degrees to each other. A second form of the re-bar clamp assembly has a horizontally oriented C-shaped clamp that forms a slot for detachably curved finger extending re-bar steel rod. A resilient spring finger on the C-shaped clamp extends inwardly above the stake slot area and fictionally holds the clamp at any predetermined height on the stake.

Abstract: An improved method and arrangement for calculating the fluid phase fractions of gas, oil, and water and oil-water emulsion in a fluid steam flowing from an oil well which includes separating out the majority of gas from the well stream and repeatedly trapping a sample of the primarily resultant liquid well stream in a vertically disposed sampling chamber. The well stream sample is held therein to permit separation of the phase fractions to the extent possible within a reasonable time. A number of measurements of the well stream sample are taken. In addition, a number of measurements are taken of the capacitance at a plurality of discrete vertically spaced locations within the sampling chamber. These capacitance measurements relate directly to the varying permitivity of the phase fractions of gas, oil, and water and the oil-water emulsion of the sample. The measurements are processed by a data processor to provide precise information on such phase fractions and emulsion interfaces.

Abstract: A surfboard leash retainer for removably securing the free or surfer attachment end of a surfboard leash to the surfboard when the surfboard is being transported, not in use or stored. The retainer takes the form of either a fixed-in-place or removable retainer positioned near the forward most end of a surfboard while the attached end of the surfboard leash is fixedly attached near the rearmost end of the surfboard. The fixed-in-place retainer is either adhered to the board as an add-on or attached to the board as a step of the construction of the board. The removably attached retainer can be in the form of a resilient suction cup. The upper or leash retainer surface includes a channel with a restricted opening through which the leash can be forced and held in the channel by the restriction. The retainer or leash or both are constructed of a resilient material to allow the leash to be easily forced past the restriction into the channel and held thereby until forcibly removed.

Abstract: An injection molded water soluble golf ball of unitary construction formed entirely from a liquid mixture comprising a non-toxic water soluble filler material mixed with a water soluble thermo setting adhesive material which when combined, injected into the proper sized closed mold cavity under high pressure and heat cured forms a dimpled water soluble golf ball that has substantially the same appearance, weight, size and playing characteristics of a conventional regulation golf ball.

Abstract: A retaining clip which maintains the bellows on a vapor recovery liquid dispensing system in a retracted position while fuel is pumped from the fueling tube of the vapor recovery liquid dispensing nozzle.