Abstract: A light-reflective device for determining positional information relative to an external magnetic field having a housing, a light-reflective compass assembly, a light generating and detecting assembly, a processor, and a display. The light-reflective compass assembly further includes a balanced disk magnet mounted on a compass card. The compass card includes a reflective pattern representative of the position of the housing with respect to the external magnetic field. The reflective compass assembly reflects light generated by the light generating and detecting assembly back toward the light generating and detecting assembly. The light generating and detecting assembly generates a signal representative of the position of the housing relative to the external magnetic field. The processor processes the signal received from the light generating and detecting assembly to determine the position of the housing relative to the external magnetic field and outputs the position to the display.

Abstract: A fishing lure of the spinner bait type having a coupling assembly for rapidly changing blades of one configuration for blades of another configuration. The lure is formed of two sections. The first section is a wire body provided with a first end having a hook secured thereto and a second externally threaded distal end. The second section includes a trailing blade assembly releasably secured to the first section. A quick disconnect coupling secures the trailing blade assembly to the wire body at the second, distal end thereof and permits the blade assembly to be quickly interchangeably with other blade assemblies having blades of varying configurations. Other blades mounted along the length of the body are also quickly interchangeable for blades of different configurations.

Abstract: A retrieval mechanism for extending an arm from a fallen elongated walking appliance, such as a walking cane or crutch, to enable the appliance to be retrieved without requiring any bending over by the person retrieving the appliance. An elongated arm is spring biased to an actuator mechanism and the actuator mechanism includes structure for retaining the arm in non-extended relation parallel to the axis of the elongated walking appliance and for extending the arm therefrom responsive to impact of a transverse member on the extendible arm with the surface upon which the walking appliance has fallen.

Abstract: An arm extending assembly for attachment to a walking appliance such as a walking cane, to enable the appliance to be retrieved without requiring the user to bend over. The device extends an extendible arm upwardly in a direction normal to the surface upon which the walking appliance has fallen. The arm is extended responsive to impact of the assembly on the surface, such as the ground. The arm extending assembly includes a base member for attachment to a cane, an actuating mechanism including a spring biased rotatable arm for imparting rotation to the extendible arm, a spring biased locking mechanism for releasably locking the actuating mechanism to the housing and ground engaging means operatively connected to the spring biased locking mechanism for release of the locking mechanism to permit rotation of the rotatable arm of the actuating mechanism and, thus, rotation of the extendible arm responsive to impact of said ground engaging means with the ground or surface.

Abstract: A fluid actuator system disposed for internally increasing fluid pressure therein. The system includes a first fluid actuator including a cylinder provided with a first axial bore having a first piston and piston rod reciprocally mounted therein. The first cylinder is provided with first and second inlet and outlet fluid passages communicating into the first axial bore for directing fluid in and out of the first axial bore. A second fluid actuator is provided which has a cylinder provided with a second axial bore having a second piston and piston rod reciprocally mounted therein. The second cylinder is provided with third and fourth inlet and outlet fluid passages communicating into the second axial bore for directing fluid in and out of the second axial. An end closure assembly common to the first and second cylinders for sealing one end of each of the cylinder is provided. The end closure assembly includes structure therein for internally increasing fluid pressure of the fluid actuator system.

Abstract: A veterinary medical leg splint for an animal. The leg splint includes a body having an elongated body portion. One end of the body portion is open to support the digital and metacarpal pads of the animal's foot therein. The other end of the elongated body portion is partially closed by an upstanding portion which is shaped to conform to the configuration of the animal's leg in the area of the elbow joint. The leg and splint are wrapped together to restrain the leg of the animal in the splint.

Abstract: A steam cleaning machine including a housing enclosing a steam generator including a tank provided with a water inlet and a steam delivery connectable to a hose having a cleaning tool attached thereto for steam cleaning a surface. A pressure responsive locking mechanism is provided to lock a cover member in place over the water fill plug of the tank to prevent access thereto while the tank is pressurized.

Abstract: A piston/piston rod assembly. The piston is an annular member which is provided with a longitudinal bore therethrough having internal threads therein. A transverse opening is provided through the piston. The piston rod is provided with a threaded end for threaded engagement with the threaded portion of the piston. A transverse opening is provided through the piston rod. A pin is seated in the transverse openings of the piston and piston rod, responsive to assembly of the piston and piston rod, to retain the piston securely on the piston rod. The transverse openings are disposed to retain the pin therein to prevent movement of the piston on the piston rod, but yet allow a certain amount of adjustment of the piston relative to the piston rod during the assembly thereof.

Abstract: An auxiliary frame having propulsion and steering devices is combined with a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle therewith. A coupling mechanism is provided to couple the auxiliary frame to a wheelchair. A steerable wheel is mounted on the wheelchair to steer and provide forward and reverse movement to the wheelchair, and, a control device is provided to permit the operator to control the direction the wheelchair is to be driven.

Abstract: A device for heating or cooling a fluid. A heat transfer probe (tubular member) is insertable into the fluid to heat or cool the fluid. The tubular probe has a plurality of thermoelectric modules mounted in the wall thereof and the modules are in contact with air in the center of the tubular probe and with fluid in the container. Each module is comprised of mating N and P semiconductors. Heat or cooling is generated by the modules dependent on the direction of electrical current flow through the modules. Fins are bonded to the modules and extend into the ambient air in the tube to facilitate thermal transfer between the ambient air which flows across the modules in the tube. Fins are also bonded to the opposite side of the thermoelectric module and extend into the fluid to facilitate thermal transfer in the fluid.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for extending an arm from a fallen elongated walking appliance, such as a walking cane or crutch, to enable the appliance to be retrieved without requiring any bending over by the person retrieving the appliance. At least one elongated arm is spring biased to the actuator mechanism and the actuator mechanism includes means for extending the arm therefrom responsive to impact of the actuator mechanism with the surface upon which the object or cane has fallen.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically controlling on-off operation of a battery-driven water rinsing system including a water supply system having electrically actuated actuation means for actuation of the water supply system to cause water flow therefrom. The on-off operation is responsive to approach and withdrawal of a user of the water rinsing system. A control circuit including an infrared transmitter, an infrared receiver, and control means is provided. The transmitter transmits infrared energy to a user in the vicinity of the water rinsing system for reflection from the user to an infrared receiver which transmits electric signals to the control circuit and control means for controlling actuation of the water supply system. A visible light sensor is provided for generating an electrical current responsive to the presence of the user, and this generated current is disposed for energizing the control circuit.

Abstract: A tornado warning system having means for monitoring seismic waves of a predetermined frequency range including long-period seismic waves and short-period seismic waves. The seismic waves are associated with and produced in the ground as a result of an approaching tornado. The warning system comprises means for detecting the seismic waves including the long-period seismic waves and the short-period seismic waves and for providing an electrical output indicative thereof. Circuit means are provided for processing the electrical output to provide an output signal indicative of the long-period seismic waves and the short-period seismic waves. Alarm means are provided for receiving the output signal from the circuit means to generate an alarm to warn of the presence of a tornado.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for producing composite cylinders having cylinder walls comprised of two adjacent diverse layers of metal material which are bonded together by application of radial forces thereto and then sintered to complete the bonding process. Mechanical locking of the layers is achieved by grain interlocking between the two layers of metal material.

Abstract: An impact sensor comprising a non-ferrous housing having a passage therein and an end member provided at each end of the housing for enclosing the passage at opposite end thereof. At least one pair of magnetic members is mounted in spaced relation in the passage with the first of the at least one pair of magnetic members being rigidly secured in the housing. The second of the at least one pair of magnetic members is slidably positioned in the passage. Each member of the at least one pair of magnetic members has opposite magnetic poles and are positioned in the passage with a pair of poles of like polarity facing each other and with only the repelling magnetic force between the poles of like polarity serving to maintain the spaced relation between the magnetic members of the at least one pair of magnetic members. An inductance coil is circumferentially mounted about the housing.

Abstract: A fluid actuator having a housing (cylinder) which encloses a piston actuated piston rod having at least one end extending through an opening in an end cylinder closure member secured in at least one end of the cylinder. The closure member is insertable into at least one end of the cylinder for sealing engagement therewith and is provided with a tapered seat which abuts against a similarly tapered seat provided in the cylinder to provide a metal-to-metal seal which also serves as an alignment mechanism for the extending piston rod.

Abstract: A substantially smokeless cooker is disclosed. The cooker includes a housing having a cooking chamber therein. A first heating element including at least one resistive element is carried in the cooking chamber to supply heat directly to food positioned adjacent thereto for cooking thereof. A steam producing apparatus independent of the first heating element is provided for producing steam. The vapors in the steam are disposed for permeating the food to provide moisture thereto during the cooking thereof.

Abstract: A gasketless connector for connecting a first tubular member having a flared end portion to a second tubular member. The connector member is provided with a substantially domical body portion having inner and outer surfaces and first and second side portions, a first tubular portion extending in a first direction from the first side of the domical portion and a second tubular portion extending in a second direction from the second side of the substantially domical portion. The first tubular portion is disposed for extending into the first tubular member for abutting relation of the flared surface of the first tubular member with the outer surface of the first side of the domical portion. The second tubular portion is disposed for secured relation with the second tubular member.

Abstract: A non-rotatable wheel cover assembly including a mounting assembly for mounting the wheel cover directly to a wheel supporting member of a vehicle. The wheel cover has inner and outer surfaces and the wheel supporting member is disposed for supporting wheels of the vehicle during rotation thereof. The mounting assembly includes a first attaching element mounted on the inner surface of the wheel cover and a wheel cover support assembly for secured relation of the first attaching element and the wheel supporting member. The wheel cover support assembly is disposed for non-rotational support of the first attaching element and the wheel cover during rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: An ice monitoring and detection system for determining the presence and thickness of ice on a surface is provided. The system includes an imaging device which includes at least one lens for providing image signals of the surface. The imaging device is operable in a predetermined portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Image signals from the surface are polarized into discrete polarization changes responsive to the camera receiving image signals proportional to amplitude modulated signals generated by the presence of ice. A processor is provided for converting the modulated signals into discrete polarization changes and for obtaining the difference between the discrete polarization changes which is proportional to the amount of ice on the surface. An indication device provides an output corresponding to the difference between the discrete polarization changes. The difference is indicative of the presence and amount of ice on said surface.