Abstract: The present invention provides a combination tool (21) having a knife blade (39), a rasping blade (33) and a knife blade sharpener (47) combined into a single handle member (23). Preferably, the knife blade (39) is extendable and retractable from and into the handle member (23), respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the knife blade sharpener (47) is biased upward against the knife blade (39) but fixed longitudinally. Accordingly, the knife blade sharpener (47) abrasively contacts the knife blade (39) thereby removing debris from the knife blades (39) and maintaining the knife blade (39) in a sharpened configuration. The rasping blade (33) is preferably positioned in a rasping blade housing (29) secured to the handle member (23) opposite the knife blade (39) and the knife blade sharpener (47).

Abstract: A secondary flyback core reset (SFCR) scheme for single-ended forward DC-to-DC converters is disclosed. The transformer secondary magnetizing inductor and a parasitic reset capacitance of the output forward rectifier diode form a secondary flyback reset circuit. The magnetic flux built up through the primary winding when the main switch is turned on is reset through this secondary flyback reset circuit when the main switch is turned off. The secondary flyback reset circuit initiates a half resonant cycle and resets the transformer. With proper design of the reset time, the maximum duty cycle of the main switch can go beyond 50%, while still using the first and third quadrants of the core B-H loop characteristics for optimum use of the core power density, and reduced RMS switching current and rectifier blocking voltages and power switch blocking voltage.

Abstract: Exercise treadmills with stationary, forwardly placed supporting surface engaging foot means of fixed form and with rearwardly placed supporting surface engaging support means which are movable relative to the frame of the treadmill to change the angular relation of the frame and the treadmill tread belt relative to the supporting surface. The change in incline of the treadmill tread belt is by either electrical power means involving an extensible jack mechanism or by manually operable means including a gas cylinder with an extensible piston rod movable by gas flow within the cylinder which is in turn controlled by manually operable valve means. When gas can flow within the cylinder, change in incline of the treadmill tread belt is accomplished by the treadmill user moving relatively forwardly or rearwardly on the treadmill belt.

Abstract: An opening in a vent pipe, or another secondary opening, of a liquid tank that is connected by a line to an opening in a liquid fill nozzle. Liquid in the liquid tank of a predetermined amount passes from the vent pipe through the line and into the liquid fill nozzle to actuate the liquid sensor of the automatic liquid shut-off mechanism of the nozzle in order to terminate liquid flow from the nozzle into the liquid tank.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for collecting call detail, monitoring customer account balance for excessive charges, and controlling the capabilities of cellular subscriber stations on the cellular telephone switch in substantially real time is disclosed. A communication system co-located at a cellular MTSO is used to capture detailed call information by examining the switch's Automated Message Accounting data in real-time. Call records are parsed, rated for toll and air charges and stored in a database. A software system monitors the billing activity on the customer account for excessive charges. When excessive charges take place, a connection between the communication system and the cellular telephone switch control port allows commands to be issued directly from the communication system to the cellular telephone switch providing operational control of selected cellular telephones.

Abstract: Prophylactic devices, including devices for assisting and establishing and maintaining male erectile function, are disclosed. Devices and methods for facilitating male erectile function include open ended elastic sheaths having a plurality of woven strands in open weave configuration wherein the strands are movable longitudinally and individually of one another, with the sheath causing selective constriction around and/or along selected portions of the penis by differential external pressures applied to said selected portions so as to not impede arterial blood flow to the penis but impede venous blood flow from the penis and thereby establish and maintain the penis in an erectile position. Forms are also disclosed wherein venous blood flow is selectively impeded by the device having circumferentially disposed tapered portions or by having less elasticity or thickened chambers in some portions.

Abstract: An optical memory stores data in an optical data layer capable of selecting altering light such as by changeable transmissivity. Data is organized into a plurality of regions or patches (called pages) in which each page contains a field of data spots storing binary data as the presence or absence of a hole. The data is illuminated by controllable light sources and an array of single element diffractive imaging lenslets, one for each data page, projects the image onto a common array of light sensors. By selective illumination of each data page, one of the single element lenslets images the selected data page of holes onto the light sensors. By selecting a hole size and using a certain range of restricted acceptance angle grooves on the diffractive elements, the data image is optimized for a single diffractive element lens.

Abstract: A system for controlling motion in machine tools and industrial robots. From the specification of a part to be cut or a path to be followed by a machine tool or a robot, the system calculates, for each axis, for each incremental step along the path, a position command, a time delay between successive position commands, and, optionally, a force command based on a prediction of predicted resistive forces. Calculations are specified for precisely controlling velocity, acceleration, and jerk. The generated data is stored in a memory device and subsequently directed to the machine tool or robot.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the tuning of a musical instrument to cause the instrument to sound in just intonation while the instrument is being played comprises a data base in memory for storing an array of just intonation tone identifiers. The tone identifiers in the array are arranged by key, chordal root and tone according to just intonation relationships defined by the ratios of a scale selected by the musician. A selector unit is provided for enabling a musician to select a key and/or a chordal root, as a result of which a CPU retrieves from the array a set of tone identifiers in just intonation corresponding to the selected key or chordal root and transmits them to the sounding means of the instrument.

Abstract: A sheath and stand for one-handed use by a health care user of a medical needle such as a hypodermic needle or a medical electrode, wherein the stand is configured with an aperture or socket for receiving the distal end or tip of the sheath and with hook means at the proximate end of the stand which is engageable with the lip of a collar at the proximate end of the sheath to firmly retain the sheath on the stand. The sheath is readily removable from the stand after a used medical needle is reinserted in the sheath by slight axial withdrawal of the sheath to disengage its tip from the socket followed by pivotal movement of the tip upwardly to disengage the hook means on the stand from the lip on the sheath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for securing medical equipment within an interior of an emergency vehicle, the apparatus including an elongated suspension bar (23) positioned within the emergency vehicle relative to a substantially planar surface (27) (25), and an equipment fastener (53) (110) for attaching thereto medical equipment (51). The equipment fastener (53) (110) for securing the medical equipment (51) to the elongated suspension bar (23) is preferably slidable along the longitudinal length of the elongated suspension bar (23). The equipment fastener (53) (110) includes a base block (77) (116) and a slider pinch block (79) (127), wherein the slider pinch block (79) (127) can be moved toward and away from the base block (77) (116) thereby releasing and securing the equipment fastener (53) (110) to the elongated suspension bar (23).