Abstract: An electrical filter including a first electrode; a second electrode; a dielectric means connected between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a resilient coupling providing an electrical connection between the dielectric means and each of the first and second electrodes and permitting relative motion therebetween. The resilient coupling prevents fracture of the dielectric means.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus including a golf club including an elongated shaft, a head portion defining an object striking face, and a hosel portion joining the head portion to one end of the shaft portion; and an accessory for removable attachment to the golf club, the accessory including an elongated band having front and back surfaces, each having middle and first and second end portions; a face cover secured to the middle portion of the front surface between the first and second end portions, the face cover formed from a first material adapted to releasably engage a complementary second material; a first fastener secured to the first end portion of the back surface, the first fastener formed from a third material adapted to releasably engage a complementary fourth material; a second fastener secured to the second end portion of the front surface, the second fastener formed from a fifth material adapted to releasably engage a complementary sixth material and the third fastener secured to the second end porti

Abstract: An evaporation apparatus including a vessel defining an opening at the top thereof and forming an evaporation chamber to hold a liquid composition; a condenser assembly disposed above and hermetically sealed to the vessel and having a wall defining a condensation chamber communicating with the evaporation chamber through the opening, an accumulator for receiving liquid condensed on the wall, and a drain for removing liquid received by the accumulator; a fluid drive disposed above the condenser assembly and adapted to produce fluid flow downwardly through the condensation chamber and into contact with the liquid composition in the evaporation chamber and then upwardly into the condensation chamber; a heating mechanism for heating the liquid composition in the evaporation chamber so as to cause evaporation thereof; and a cooling means for cooling the wall so as to produce condensation thereon of vapor included in the fluid flowing upwardly from the evaporation chamber.

Abstract: A method for analyzing muscle function including the steps of: (a) locating in a human control subject a predetermined muscle group activatable to produce a given torque; (b) fixing over each of a plurality of individual muscles in the group an electrode adapted to detect myoelectric signals generated therein; (c) activating of the muscles to generate myoelectric signals therein; (d) processing the myoelectric signals to determine a plurality of predetermined values thereof; (e) repeating steps (a), (b), (c) and (d) for each of a plurality of other control subjects; (f) determining a normative range of the predetermined values determined in steps (d) and (e); (g) repeating steps (a), (b), (c) and (d) for a human test subject; and (h) comparing the predetermined values determined in step (g) with the normative range determined in step (f). Dysfunction in the muscle group of the test subject can be determined by comparison of the processed myoelectric signal values.

Abstract: An evaporator including a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and a reservoir for a liquid supply; a blower for producing air flow in a path between the inlet and the outlet; a vessel retained by the housing above the reservoir and adapted to retain a liquid volume; a wick means retained by the vessel and comprising a source portion submerged in the liquid volume and an evaporative portion disposed in the air flow path, the wick means adapted to provide by capillary action liquid flow from the source portion to the evaporative portion; and a pump means for pumping liquid from the reservoir to the vessel so as to maintain the liquid volume therein. The output capacity of the evaporator is increased by pumping liquid from a reservoir upwardly to a supply vessel.

Abstract: A system for constraining a moving device to parallel plane translational movement, the system including a base; a frame fixed to the base and including frame portions disposed at the periphery of a region; a movable device disposed in the region; and a plurality of coupling elements connected between the frame portions and the movable device so as to provide support thereof, each of the coupling elements being capable of bending motion and incapable of twisting motion so as to guide movement of the movable device along a path including a series of planes all oriented substantially parallel to each other. The coupling elements restrict movement of the device to a desired sequential parallel plane path.

Abstract: A humidifier including a base defining a boiler cavity; a liquid supply supported on the base and having a discharge opening communicating with the boiler cavity and adapted to maintain a given level of liquid therein; an evaporation unit removably mounted on the base and including an electrically energized heater element projecting into the cavity and adapted to induce evaporation of liquid contained thereby, and a vapor passage defining having a receiving end communicating with the cavity so as to receive vapor therefrom and a discharge end for discharging the vapor received from the cavity; and an electrical supply for supplying electrical.

Abstract: A humidifier including a base defining a reservoir adapted to retain a liquid volume; the base having an open top and a horizontal cross section including a substantially rectangular portion, and a substantially circular portion intersecting and projecting into the rectangular portion; and the base including a substantially circular sidewall forming the circular portion, a substantially rectalinear endwall, a first substantially rectalinear sidewall extending between the circular sidewall and one end of the endwall, and a second substantially rectalinear sidewall extending between the circular sidewall and an opposite end of the endwall; the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the endwall forming the rectangular portion.

Abstract: A humidifier including a base defining a reservoir for retaining a liquid volume; an electrically energized humidification mechanism for inducing dispersion of liquid contained by said reservoir; an electrical supply for supplying electrical energy to the humidification mechanism; an electrical switch coupled between the supply and the humidification mechanism and having active and inactive states, the switch adapted in its active state to allow the supply of electrical energy to the humidification mechanism and adapted in its inactive state to prevent the supply of electrical energy thereto; and an operator coupled to the electrical switch and adapted for movement between active and inactive positions, the operator adapted in its active position to induce the active state of the electrical switch and in its inactive position to induce the inactive state thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a brake structure defining an annular surface; an annular magnet support disposed adjacent to the annular surface; a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pairs of circumferentially spaced apart permanent magnets mounted on the magnet support and circumferentially spaced apart thereon, each pair arranged with like polarities facing the annular surface and the polarities of the pairs of permanent magnets facing the annular surface alternating circumferentially; an annular pole piece support assembly; and a plurality of ferromagnetic pole pieces mounted on the pole piece support assembly and circumferentially spaced apart in positions between the annular surface and the permanent magnets, each pole piece disposed adjacent to a pair of the permanent magnets and having a circumferential length substantially greater than the circumferential length of either of the adjacent pair of permanent magnets.

Abstract: An arrangement wherein a proportional electromagnetic type pressure control valve is connected between a fluid pressure source and a shift actuator for changing speed stages of a vehicle transmission. The energizing current to the electromagnetic control valve is controlled by an output of an electronic-control device to provide a different shifting force for each transmission shifting operation.

Abstract: A fan apparatus including a housing defining an air inlet opening, an air discharge opening; and a bearing surface; a fan blade rotatably mounted in the housing and adapted to provide air flow in a given direction between the inlet and discharge openings; and a deflector rotatably mounted in the discharge opening on the bearing surface and shaped and arranged to interrupt and redirect air discharged thereby, the deflector adapted to be rotatably propelled in the discharge opening by air discharged thereby. Also included is a resilient member engaged between the deflector and the housing and exerting therebetween a force establishing a level of friction between the deflector and the bearing surface. The resilient member establishes smooth and uniform rotation of the deflector.

Abstract: A humidifier including a base defining a boiler cavity; a liquid supply supported on the base and having a discharge opening communicating with the boiler cavity and adapted to maintain a given level of liquid therein; and an evaporation unit removably mounted on the base and adapted to induce evaporation of liquid contained thereby, and a vapor passage having a receiving end communicating with said cavity so as to receive vapor therefrom and a discharge end for discharging the vapor received from cavity. Also icluded is an electrical supply for supplying electrical energy to the heater; a switch mounted on the evaporation unit and adapted in one condition for deactivating the electrical supply and in another condition for activating the electrical supply and an actuator for producing the one condition in response to separating movement between the base and evaporation unit.

Abstract: A humidifier including a base defining a cavity; a liquid supply tank removably mounted on the base and adapted to maintain a given level of liquid in the cavity; an electrically energized humidification unit for inducing dispersal of the liquid contained in the cavity; an electrical supply for supplying electrical energy to the humidification unit; and a sensing circuit for preventing electrical energization of the humidification unit with the tank removed from the base.

Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus including a base; a strut having one end supported by the base; a support retained by a portion of the strut opposite to the one end, the support adapted to project between a golfer's legs and to engage the groin regions thereof; and a rotational coupling allowing rotation of the support means in response to rotational movement of the golfer's hips. This structural combination desirably provides a steady base, allows the hips to pivot around a near vertical axis and keeps the groin area fixed in space.

Abstract: A piston for use in an internal combustion engine and including a central portion; a side wall portion adapted for sliding engagement with a cylinder; a connector end adapted for connection with a connecting rod; and a driven end adapted to receive combustion generated forces. The driven end defines a primary chamber adapted to receive fuel and accommodate combustion thereof; and the central body portion defines an auxiliary chamber, an inlet port providing a fuel injection path between the primary and auxiliary chambers, and outlet port means providing between the auxiliary and primary chambers a discharge path for combustion products generated by combustion in the auxiliary chamber.

Abstract: A change-over valve including a valve housing defining an inlet port for receiving fluid from a fluid pressure supply, a first outlet port for feeding operating fluid to a first fluid responsive actuator, a second outlet port for feeding operating fluid to a second fluid responsive actuator, and drain port means for draining fluid to a fluid reservoir; and a spool retained by the housing and movable therein between first and second positions, the housing and the spool in its first position providing communication between the inlet port and the first outlet port and preventing communication between the inlet port and the second outlet port, and the housing and the spool in its second position providing communication between the inlet port and the second outlet port, and preventing communication between the inlet port and the first outlet port.

Abstract: An arrangement wherein a concave portion on a support end of a connecting rod is slidably engaged with a convex portion formed in a lower part of a piston, and a retainer ring member supported on a skirt portion of the piston is placed in contact with the lower part of the concave rod end.