Abstract: A device (2) for supporting and positioning a microscope, the device comprising a support suitable for being tied to a fixed frame of reference, and a plate suitable for supporting a microscope (17), an intermediate moving element (7) being connected firstly to said support (2) via a first series of motor-driven hinged members (6) of parallel type structure having three Cartesian XYZ degrees of freedom and to said plate via a second series of motor-driven members (9) gimbal-type structure providing three degrees of freedom in rotation, the device including control means generating control signals that are used by a computer for servo-controlling the displacement of the microscope (17).

Abstract: A drafting board includes a base, a shoulder formed in the perimeter of the upper surface of the base, a magnetic board engaged in the shoulder of the base, two holes formed in the bottom surface of the base, and a rod engaged in each of the holes of the base for elevating the upper edge of the base. The upper edge is located higher than the lower edge and the base is supported by the rods in a sloped fashion.

Abstract: An apparatus and improved method for removing fines or small particles from a particle and liquid mixture, finding particular application in the field of oil and gas well gravel packing and fracturing processes.

Abstract: A scaffolding device (10) having a base member (12). The base member (12) has compression strut (14) articulably mounted to base member (12) as well as a tension strut (20) which may be set either parallel to or perpendicular to the base member (12) with the tension strut (20) set parallel to the base member (12) and the compression strut ( 14).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the thermal stability of fluids, particularly for testing the deposition characteristics of fuels, comprising a conduit system which connects in series; a test fluid reservoir having a movable piston capable of discharging the fluid, a heater section in which is mounted a heated tubular member, a time reactor of a sufficient volume to increase the residence time of the fluid therein, and a water displacement reservoir. The system also incorporates a filter located at an outlet of the heater section designed to trap deposits which may form due to the heating, and a similar filter located at an outlet of the time reactor designed to trap further deposits that may form with additional time. A differential pressure measuring device is connected across each of these filters to measure the pressure drop therethrough.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a manifest and a sales report for route distributors selling newspapers is disclosed. It particularly cooperates with newspaper vending racks which capture data regarding time of day for sales and sales volume. It enables a route distributor to be equipped with a portable CPU having an internally stored manifest specifying rack locations and the number of papers to be loaded at each location, sometimes known as a draw. While driving the route, stale newspapers known as returns are also collected, and this data is also input. This system therefore enables optimization of draws and distribution to increase the production of the route salesman. Moreover, data is collected in the portable CPU and is held by the CPU without requirement of sales reports or manifest on paper. The electronic data capture also improves security, and enables steps to be undertaken to reduce paper pilferage.

Abstract: A wall-forming panel (10) for insertion into the interior of an aircraft, the panel having a frame (12) with an outer surface (14) defining a cavity. A shroud (42) is dimensioned to fit within the cavity (44) and movable on an axle (84) between an opened position and a closed position, the closed position substantially enclosing the shroud (42) within the walls of the frame (12). A latch means (86) positively but releasably retains the shroud (42) in a closed or an opened position. The latch means (86) is comprised of a cam (144) and a cam release mechanism (172). The shroud (42) is dimensioned to receive a monitor (82) such as a small television screen, therein, and is powered by an electric motor drive (122).

Abstract: A cover for removably attaching to paddled waterbed rails. Specifically, a cover having a variety of devices for joining a series of paired straps attached along opposite edges of the cover to secure the cover to the waterbed rail.

Abstract: A drill guide device for drilling straight tunnels through bone, the drill guide device having a hollow aiming tube with a curved end and a hollow receiving tube with a curved end. The aiming tube and the receiving tube are both attached to a curved frame for allowing angular adjustment between the aiming device and the receiving device. A rotating pin is inserted through the aiming tube, passes through the curved end and drills a straight tunnel through the bone where it is received into the receiving tube. The receiving tube forces the needle to curve rather than continuing on its straight path as determined by the tunnel through the bone. The curved aiming and receiving tubes allow a surgeon to work in an area which is "boxed in" by nerves, bones or the like which thereby would not allow the use of a straight drill guide.

Abstract: A device for purifying water of mineral contaminants, bacteria, protozoa, algae, fungus, and other undesirable impurities, as well as for preventing and removing scale from conduits and containers within which water is maintained, that utilizes an electronic circuit capable of generating a plurality of interacting electromagnetic fields. The circuitry is capable of generating the combination of a first static electromagnetic field of variable offset, a second radio frequency varying electromagnetic field, and a third low frequency varying electromagnetic field with high amplitude, short pulse width, spikes. In addition, the circuitry is capable of inducing a high negative ion concentration in the water within which electrodes connected to the circuitry are immersed. The invention anticipates the use of electrodes suitable not only for the flow of water about the electrodes through a conduit, but the placement of electrodes within a pool of water to be purified.

Abstract: A treadmill which includes a generally rectangular frame defining a walking plane, said frame having laterally disposed parallel trending side rails (18); a drive roller, said drive roller having walls defining a hollow cylinder; a free roller (10), said free roller (10) having walls defining a hollow cylinder, the walls of said drive and said free rollers (10) each having an annular groove (38) in the outer walls (36) thereof, the groove (38) located closer to an end of said rollers (10) than the longitudinal center line of said frame; shaft (12) for mounting said rollers (10) between said rails (18) and in generally perpendicular relation; an endless belt (20) of flexible material having an outer walking surface and an inner surface, the inner surface having an inwardly projecting alignment ridge (44) mating with said grooves (38) of said rollers (10) to allow a substantially flush fit of said rollers (10) against said belt (20) and to prevent said endless belt (20) from wandering on said rollers (10).

Abstract: The application discloses a device (10) to retrofit into the cabinet (11) of newspaper vending machine racks to prevent the removal of more than one copy of the newspaper for each vend or door opening of the cabinet (11). The single vend device (10) consists of a front panel (12) with a T-slot (14). The arms (14a) of the T-slot (14) are normally closed off with a pivoted closure plate (16). Consumer access to the newspapers is provided through the leg of the T-slot (14b), but the newspaper must be slid through the gap between the closure plate (16) and the front panel (12). The thickness of the gap is adjustable to selectively allow for the variation in thickness between various editions of the newspaper. The closure plate (16) is spring loaded to be biased to the closed position. Following removal of the paper, the closure of the plate (16) and a locking pin (32) prevents the plate (16) from re-opening. The locking pin ( 32) is disarmed upon closure of the cabinet (11) door (25a).

Abstract: A passive anti-theft device (10) for use with a land-borne vehicle (14) which alerts the observing public that vehicle (14) has been stolen. The device consists of a broad, flat, brightly colored, message lettered strap (16) that normally stows between the trailing edge of the cowl (32) and the lower edge of the outer surface of the automobile windshield (12). When the vehicle (14) is left unattended, the strap (16) articulates pivotally from the windshield (12) lower edge to rotate upward at a removed end. The strap (16) is lockingly secured (28) to the windshield (12) along a diagonal. Thus, a thief must either remove the strap (16)--which would require breaking the windshield--or drive the car with the strap (16) in plain sight, its lettered message (30) alerting the public of the unauthorized use of the auto (14).

Abstract: A putter head (10) comprised of a frame or bracket housing (12), two end bodies (14a) and (14b), and a face (18) having uniform thickness. The two equally dimensioned end bodies (14a) and (14b) are mounted adjacent or outboard of the frame or bracket housing (12). The tabular face (18) is mounted to the end blocks (14a) and (14b). The putter head face (18) is provided with a 0.degree. to +10.degree. loft.

Abstract: A picture frame (10) for safe handling by children having a front subframe (12) and rear subframe (18) with smooth, substantially unbroken outer surfaces which sandwich a transparent sheet (14) against which the picture (16) is placed. The picture (16) is sealed such that moisture under normal atmospheric conditions cannot reach it.