Abstract: A protective system for reducing the possibility of injury to individuals or damage to electrical equipment due to a fault in a coaxial drop cable connected between a tap unit receiving both RF signals and AC power from a main distribution line and a premise unit coupling the RF signals to RF receiving equipment and the AC power to other AC powered equipment at user premises. The tap unit includes a circuit having a first line connected at spaced points to an inner conductor with the RF signals flowing through the inner conductor and the AC power flowing through the first line. A regulated monitoring current flows from an AC to DC converter in the first line to a difference amplifier having a pair of inputs with a resistor connected between the two, whereby the difference amplifier serves to monitor the monitoring current by measuring the voltage drop across the resistor.

Abstract: The present invention is a control system for controlling movement of a work implement from a dig location to a dump location. The work implement has at least four degrees of freedom defined by a swing joint angle &thgr;swing, a boom joint angle &thgr;boom, a stick joint angle &thgr;stick, and a bucket joint angle &thgr;bucket. In one embodiment, the control system comprises a central processing unit and a memory device. The control system further comprises an initialization module stored on the memory device and adapted to determine specified initial and final joint angles for an initial cycle of the work implement indicative of the specified dig and dump locations, respectively. The control system further comprises a hydraulic valve connected to the central processing unit and to the work implement. The control system further comprises a fuzzy control module stored on the memory device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conventional cable connector, such as a UMTR (Universal Male Terminator type connector), that further comprises an element for protecting the electrical components positioned within the connector from high voltage surge. The surge protection element comprises a ring that is positioned in circumferentially surrounding relation to the input pin that carries the signal being transmitted by the coaxial cable. The ring includes at least one, and preferably three prongs that extend radially inwardly therefrom and terminate in close, but non-contacting relation to the pin. If a high voltage surge of electricity is carried by the coaxial cable transmission line, such as might occur if it is struck by lightening, a spark will be formed in the gap between the prongs and the cable due to the conductive composition of the surge protection element.

Abstract: A readily attachable and removable hanger for suspending flexible bags such as plastic grocery bags filled with groceries and other items, for transport in a vehicle. The bag hanger includes a plurality of shaped hooks and is engageable with a portion of the vehicle for use when transporting filled grocery bags, but which may be quickly removed when not in such use.

Abstract: An improved flow based incentive spirometer operable through a range of user set flow rates and being adapted to receive a supplemental flow of Oxygen without requiring any change in the calibration of the device or effecting the patient's monitoring of usage. In this manner the spirometer may be utilized by a range of patients having quite distinct therapy needs. The device also features an integral information display receptacle in the base for storage of operational instructions. A portion of the base is transparent to that the information contained in the storage receptacle can be viewed by a patient while the device is in use, thereby permitting a patient to observe such things as the instructions for proper use of the incentive spirometer while using the device.

Abstract: A basketball shot trainer for controlling the movement of the user's shooting arm in a predetermined direction and predetermined elbow placement. The shooter's arm is connected to an arm bar such that the shooting arm and elbow pivot in a predetermined manner relative to the user's torso. The shooting arm is held in the desired position on the user by means of a back plate which supports the arm bar for pivotal movement to control movement of the user's shooting arm. The arm bar has a guide portion which is secured to the user's shooting arm by an arm band which controls movement of the shooting arm in a predetermined vertical plane.

Abstract: A gun barrel cleaning system adapted for storage in the pistol grip of a firearm. The gun barrel cleaning system generally comprises a carrier unit that is removably mounted within the cavity of the pistol grip by a flanged mounting bracket, and a plurality of gun barrel cleaning tools stored in the carrier unit. The carrier unit comprises a bottom plate and a plurality of upstanding walls which collectively define a cavity in which the tools are stored, and an open top end. A pair of diametrically opposed slotted openings are formed through opposing walls, and the mounting bracket flanges include wedges formed thereon which are adapted to engage respective ones of the slotted openings. The mounting bracket is attached to the pistol grip by a bolt, thereby interconnecting the carrier unit to the pistol grip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correction of temperature-induced variations in the analog output characteristics of a microbolometer detector in an infrared detecting focal plane array utilizing electronic means to correct for the temperature variation of the individual microbolometer detector. The electronic circuitry and associated software necessary for implementation is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correction of temperature-induced variations in the analog output characteristics of a microbolometer detector in an infrared detecting focal plane array utilizing electronic means to correct for the temperature variation of the individual microbolometer detector. The electronic circuitry and associated software necessary for implementation is also described.

Abstract: A roller coaster ride comprising a carriage adapted for travel along a track in a predetermined direction and a plurality of seats interconnected to and positioned exteriorly from the carriage. The seats are capable of 360 degree rotation about a longitudinal axis which extends perpendicular to the direction of travel. The seats may further be spaced apart from the carriage in a downward direction by a central arm and perpendicular to said direction of travel.

Abstract: A device for dispensing tickets from a continuous strip of paper (1), each ticket being constituted by an end segment of the strip suitable for being grasped by a recipient of the ticket and detached by applying traction to said end, the device comprising a mechanism for pinching the paper along a line (3) extending transversely across the strip (1), and downstream from this mechanism, a cutting blade (4) extending substantially transversely across the strip, with the strip bearing against the cutting edge (5) of the blade when the above-mentioned traction is applied, wherein the cutting edge (5) of the blade is formed by a straight-line segment that intersects the plane of the strip of paper (1) in contact with the blade (4) prior to cutting and containing the pinch line (3), with the projection (7) of the blade onto said plane converging towards the pinch line (3) from the point (6) where the paper first comes into contact with the blade (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a printer device for printing on a paper tape and for cutting the tape into printed tickets. The device comprises a frame having a cover hinged on the frame, a printer, cutter means, and guide means for guiding the tape between the printer and the cutter means. According to the invention, the guide means are formed by two walls substantially parallel to the axis of a paper drive roller, one wall being carried by the cover and the other wall being carried by the frame, in such a manner as to impose an S-bend on the portion of the tape that extends between the printer and the cutter means.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention generally comprises a wastewater contact tank that is broken into three distinct zones: a selector zone positioned between a stabilization zone and a contact zone. The entire influent is introduced into the selector zone which is maintained in an anoxic condition. Baffles positioned within the selector zone permit control of microorganisms levels present in the zone. The wastewater introduced into the selector zone and treated via the microorganisms present therein, flows over a weir into the contact zone. In the contact zone, the solids suspended in the liquor (the mixture of the wastewater and activated sludge) settle to the bottom and pass through a line which returns it to the selector zone. The return line, however, includes a valve which controls the rate of passage. The treated wastewater (which includes waste activated sludge and treated water) passes from the contact zone into the clarifiers for final processing.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a coaxial cable, or the like, and effecting cutting and stripping operations to remove a portion of one or more layers which concentrically cover a central conductor. A single blade, having a circular cutting edge, is moved in an orbital path about the cable with rotary motion of a motor translated to orbital motion of the blade through a plurality of plates relatively movable on crossed, linear, roller bearings and a shaft eccentrically affixed to the motor with the shaft and motor axes at an acute angle to one another. The shaft extends through a spherical bearing mounted in one of the plates, thereby translating nutational motion of the shaft to orbiting motion of the plate which is directly attached to the blade. A unique clamping assembly includes a pair of jaws having respective gear racks engaging a single pinion gear on a motor output shaft for linear movement of the jaws by equal distances in opposite directions.