Abstract: A constant flow rate controller valve includes a piston spring biased towards the top of the valve. Fluid or gas flowing into the valve increases the forces in the chamber above the piston, forcing the piston toward a valve seat. The piston is thus seated in the valve seat, blocking gas or fluid flow to the outlet port. The forces on the piston in the chamber below the piston builds as flow goes through the piston until the forces in this chamber including the piston spring force is greater than the forces in the chamber above the piston. The piston then is lifted from the valve seat, and the pathway to the outlet orifice is opened. At equilibrium, fluid or gas flows through or around the piston via the variable orifice.

Abstract: A rock cutting tool with a plurality of independently rotatable cutter units and with a shaft, a sleeve located around the shaft, and at least two rotatable hubs located around the sleeve. At least one cutter unit is located on each of the two rotatable hubs for rotation about an axis of rotation with respect to a rock-face. Bearings between the sleeve and each of the hubs rotatably support the hubs. The bearings comprise at least one cylindrical roller bearing set and at least one ball bearing set for each hub. Each roller bearing set is located substantially entirely under the cutter unit of its associated hub to absorb radial loads, and each ball bearing set is located remotely from the cutter unit of its associated hub to be isolated from radial loads. The shaft has first and second key receiving openings. The key is located on the interior surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A circuit for multiplexing three or more audio band electrical signals into two audio band electrical signals which can be provided to a stereo input and a circuit and computer method for demultiplexing the signals. In particular, six signals from the six strings of a guitar are multiplexed for stereo audio analog input to a sound card in a personal computer where the signals are digitized and then, using software running on the computer, demultiplexed into six signals from which the frequencies above 4.5 kHz have been lost.

Abstract: A self-contained, battery powered, hand-held transmitter usable with mono or bipolar needle electrodes to sense electrochemical nerve impulses as transmitted through the nervous system and muscles of humans and animals. The hand-held transmitter is of miniaturized, generally rectangular form and comprises electronics developing and transmitting a VHF signal receivable by conventional FM receiver means. Being wireless, the transmitter avoids the possible signal distortions and restrictions of patient and physician movements which are inherent when using cable interconnections between electromyographic sensors and associated analytical equipment.

Abstract: A flotation apparatus, specifically a ski (27), is provided for use on an aircraft (21) for improving the egress and ingress from the aircraft cabin (20). The ski (27) is particularly applicable to helicopters (21) having fixed wheeled landing gear (23) wherein the helicopter (21) engages in rope repelling missions or wherein egress and ingress from the helicopter cabin (20) may be performed during low hover operations. The ski (27) includes a forward potion (55) substantially fixed in a parallel configuration with respect to the longitudinal axis of the helicopter and an aft portion (57). The aft portion (57) is rotatable from a substantially parallel configuration with respect to the longitudinal axis of the helicopter to a substantially perpendicular configuration with respect to the longitudinal axis of the helicopter; the aft portion (57) is rotatably attached to the forward portion (55) using a fastener, specifically a hinge means (35).

Abstract: A tilt adjusting arrangement in connection with the seat of an exercise apparatus or the like, comprising a mounting bracket which is fixedly positioned at the upper end of a support tube and a seat portion which is pivotally positioned on the mounting bracket in such a way that the seat portion may pivot about a horizontal axis with respect to the support tube. Manually operable adjusting and locking components, functioning on a screw principle, adjust and lock the seat portion at a desired tilt angle with respect to the support tube without use of tools. To provide a simple indication of tilt angle for ease of adjustment and readjustment, a pointer on the seat portion and a scale part on the support tube provide a direct indication of the seat tilt angle.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a high pressure fluid blaster includes a rotating nozzle which has a plurality of separate fluid jet orifices. The fluid jet orifices are geometrically configured such that rotation of the nozzle in a single direction, i.e. clockwise, results in the desired metal cleaning or stripping. The plurality of jets are divided into two or more sets, each set having at least one jet therein, with the jets in each set oriented at a different angle from the jets in the other sets. This configuration will produce tubular streams of fluid as the nozzle rotates such that the streams first converge, then intersect, and finally diverge. As the jet streams are applied to a surface after the streams have diverged, they score the surface with concentric circular grooves due to the force of the high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A prefabricated panel for buildings and constructions adapted to be interconnected by mortise-and-tenon coupling with other panels, comprising on at least one of its faces a series of projections (2, 7) followed by tenon couplings (3, 8) and/or mortise couplings (4, 9) in form of protuberances and recesses, at least one of the walls of said protuberances or recesses being resilient and thus facilitating a snug force fit between them when conveniently opposing the faces of two panels, the height of said projections (2, 7) being such that it determines a separation between the opposite faces of the two panels which forms a hollow chamber. The projections (2, 7) with tenon couplings (3, 8) and the mortise couplings (4, 9) are distributed at such a distance to each other that they offer interstitial gaps (11) through the free hollow space between panels. The interstitial gaps (11) of said hollow chamber allow to arrange therethrough different ductings and wirings in all directions.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for the display of voice mail message information and playing voice mail messages through a computer speaker. Using a mouse, the messages can be manipulated individually or in groups. Using the mouse or the keyboard, the sender of a message can add textual copy or addressing to a message. The display also includes, merged into a single list, e-mail messages and fax messages for the user. The interface includes a facility for exporting voice mail messages into multimedia documents and importing sound clips from multimedia documents into voice mail messages. If the sender of a message does not want the recipient to copy the message for further distribution to others, the sender may designate the message as "Private", and the system will not allow the message to be copied.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detachably mounting and balancing a polygon mirror body onto a rotating motor hub to reflect a scanning beam of light used in reading bar codes. A bowed retaining ring engages a grooved stub structure that protrudes through a center aperture of a closed end of a cylindrical mirror support body such that the retaining ring can be removed and the polygon mirror body repositioned by rotation relative to the motor for optimal center of mass balance relative to the motor rotation, and reset the mirror body by the retaining ring at such optional balanced position.

Abstract: A retractable suspension shelf adapted to be mounted under a supporting surface such as the undersurface of a kitchen cabinet or the like. At least one of the leg assemblies at the corners of the shelf panel includes tensioned spring exerting movement restraining force on a lateral bend of the leg pivotally interconnecting the shelf panel with a base sheet or other supporting surface. The tensioned spring positively retain the leg or legs in either a substantially perpendicular position relative to the base sheet or the supporting structure, or in a substantially parallel position with respect to such base sheet or supporting structure for nonuse or storage of the shelf, as desired.

Abstract: A miniature electrical push-button switch with built-in lamp comprises a push-button (13) having a translucent cover and a housing (10) in which the push-button (13) is seated. A tubular part (10a) of housing (10) is externally threaded for fastening nut (11) to the switch. A pushing member (13a) is attached to push-button (13) for actuation of microswitch (15). A socket comprises a disc-shaped base (18) removably linked to an end of tubular part (10a) that supports microswitch (15) and spring (40) for biasing pushing member (13a) away from microswitch (15). A portion of the socket is a lamp holder that extends outwardly from the tubular part (10a) forming a nucleus (17) and two flaps (19a, 19b) having stubs (20) at their ends for the attachment of microswitch (15). Microswitch (15) is also held by external surface (17a) of nucleus (17) and retained by resilient leg (21).

Abstract: A document display stand with a document supporting tray having a spring-loaded hold-down and line marking rod which spans substantially the full length of the tray and is positionable in any location across the width of the tray and which by interaction with its spring loading is also movable to a raised position spaced from the face of the tray so as to not impede repositioning or movement of a document onto or out of the tray. The stand includes pivotally movable and lockable legs for supporting the tray at various angles relative to a surface on which the stand is supported.

Abstract: An optical memory is disclosed in which data is stored in an optical data layer capable of selectively altering light such as by changeable transmissivity, reflectivity, polarization, and/or phase. The data is illuminated by controllable light sources and an array of multi-surface imaging lenslets project the image onto a common array of light sensors. Data is organized into a plurality of regions or patches (called pages) and by selective illumination of each data page, one of the lenslets images the selected data page onto the light sensors. Light in the data image pattern strikes different ones of the arrayed light sensors, thereby outputting a pattern of binary bits in the form of electrical data signals.

Abstract: A tailgate ramp for a vehicle includes a frame having an internal space and apparatus for pivotally mounting the frame on the vehicle. Ramp pivot apparatus mounted to the frame and adapted for pivotal movement within the internal space of the frame between a stowed position substantially parallel with the width of the frame and an in-use position substantially parallel with the length of the frame is fixedly attached to at least one ramp member. The at least one ramp member has at least two telescoping members having extended and retracted configurations such that the at least one ramp member is dimensioned to be completely disposed within the internal space in the frame when the at least two telescoping members are in the retracted configuration. An elongate member oriented within the internal space of the frame and along the length of the frame is co-axially aligned with, and securable to, the ramp pivot apparatus when the ramp pivot apparatus is in the in-use position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tailgate ramp for mounting on a truck, comprising a frame defining an internal space, the frame having a top, bottom, left side and right side; a hinge assembly for pivotally mounting the frame to the vehicle, the frame movable between an up position and a down position; a latch assembly mounted to the frame and the vehicle for selectively securing the frame in the up position; at least one axle; vertical sliding rollers mounted to the at least one axle for permitting movement of the at least one axle within the internal space between the top and bottom of the frame; at least one ramp member adapted to support a second vehicle thereon, the at least one ramp member having a base member and at least one telescoping member slidably disposed within the base member between an extended position and a fully retracted position, wherein the at least one ramp member is dimensioned to be completely disposed within the internal space in the frame when at least one telescoping member is in

Abstract: A cervical brace including occipital and chin supports rigidly interconnected by rigid support bar means and interlocking assemblies in a manner maintaining such in fixed though adjustable position for fitting thereof to a patient. As the preferred form, a U-shaped support bar extends between an occipital support and a chin support with fastening means provided on each side of the chin support for releasably securing the legs of the support bar to the chin support. Adjustable stops are provided along the support bar legs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a telephone user with information concerning a caller. The call by the caller causes information concerning the caller to be transferred over a communication channel, separate from the one used by the telephone user, connected to a PC located near the telephone user. The information is displayed in the form of symbols on a PC display, and the telephone user can respond to the information without having to answer the call. If desired, the telephone user can cause the PC to play an audio record concerning the caller. The information displayed can be developed from the caller or from a database, or both.

Abstract: An angle drive dental hand piece or prophy with a drive train including an essentially cylindrical spindle frictionally engaged by the turns of a spiral spring. The driving end of the spring which in turn rotates a tool holder carrying a dental tool such as a rubber scrubber. The drive spring is bent at an angle such as a right angle while being rotated and is of a diameter in relation to the housing bore through which it passes so that there is no engagement or consequent friction from any contact of the spring with the bore housing. Overload on the tool causes slippage between the spring and the spindle on which it is wound so that damage to the drive train components from overload is avoided.

Abstract: A method of heat treating articles cast of a superalloy, comprising a nickel-base alloy capable of forming a chromium carbide precipitate, such as INCONEL 939.TM.. The method includes selective heating of the article to cause chromium and carbon nuclei in the lattice of the crystals in the superalloy to go into solution, and selective cooling of the article to cause the formation of discrete chromium carbide nuclei along the grain boundary of the crystals. Additional heating steps may be performed to enhance the size of the chromium carbide nuclei. Articles so treated have improved mechanical properties.