Abstract: An internal combustion engine having one or more power pistons reciprocating in one or more cylinders has at least one fuel inlet valve of the piston type at each cylinder. An inlet valve sleeve has an open end at the top of the cylinder and has fuel inlet ports situated away from the cylinder. A valve piston in the sleeve is movable towards the cylinder and away from the cylinder by an actuator system to open and close the valve. The actuator system varies timing and duration of the open periods of the valve to control engine power output thereby eliminating any need for a throttle valve and its attendant power losses. Valve piston movement also varies the effective compression ratio in the engine cylinder as a function of power output thereby further increasing fuel efficiency.

Abstract: A control device provides a variable control signal to electrical apparatus and has a control member, such as a stylus or a turnable or slidable member, that is manipulated to vary the signal. Photoelectric sensors detect and track movement of the control member. The control member is disposed at the face of an electronic image display screen which can display calibration marks, identifying labels, current setting and/or other graphics pertinent to operation of the control device. The display screen also operates as the light source for the photoelectric sensors.

Abstract: A method and device to emulate impedances includes a pair of impedances connected in series between two circuit nodes, the impedances forming a voltage divider having at its midpoint a reference voltage VX. An OP AMP includes a positive input connected to the VX—node and the negative input connected to the output thereof in a direct feedback loop. The OP AMP output is also connected to a load impedance that is connected either one of the nodes. A transistor may be interposed between the load impedance and the circuit node. The OP AMP may be provided with a negative gain to emulate an inductor. The voltage divider may be variable to emulate a variable impedance.

Abstract: One or more controls producing control signals for electrical apparatus are disposed at the face of an electronic display screen which display graphics pertinent to the operation of the controls. Controls having a cap which is slidable along a track include a tongue in the track connecting with signal producing components at an off screen location thereby enabling use of a track of minimal bulk. Controls having slidable caps or turnable knobs and controls such as joysticks and switches snap engage at the face of the screen enabling easy replacement and movement to different locations on the screen. Control signals may be transmitted to an off screen location without use of conductors extending along the screen.

Abstract: A method of carrying an animal bed includes placing a harness on an animal, folding the bed, inserting the bed in and between center-facing pouches of a pack, and attaching the pack to the harness. Apparatus for carrying out the method is described wherein the pack has a protective cover covering the openings of the center facing pouches, the cover having a body strap attached thereto.

Abstract: An attachment or locking apparatus which can effectively secure an implant, such as a stent or stent graft, to a vessel or hollow organ wall and which allows minimally-invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy, to be used to attach the implant. The locking element is inserted through an anatomic vessel or hollow organ wall and the implant from outside of the vessel or hollow organ. The locking element preferably is composed of a thin retaining element and a clamping element joined flexibly at one end of the retaining element. A fixing element is secured in position on the retaining element to secure or attach the implant in place. A positioning device, including a thin cannula with an attached locking element, may be inserted into the patient's body, such that the cannula penetrates both the vascular or hollow organ wall and the implant deployed within the vascular wall. The clamping element, held within the cannula, is then ejected into the vessel or hollow organ.

Abstract: A portable board or platform for playing cards outdoors where wind might blow away cards. A plurality of card engaging members may be placed in any orientation on the playing surface of the board to accommodate a number of cards at selected locations on the platform. The members are releasably secured to the platform by means of hook and loop Velcro type elements, placed on the platform and on the card engaging members respectively.

Abstract: A chin support pillow for supporting a person's head in an upright position while sitting. The pillow includes an elongate cushioning body with a cloth covered foam core and a zippered cloth outer cover. A flexible strap extends from one end of the body and is connectable to the other end of the body using interconnecting patches of hook and loop fastener material to bend the body at the center into a V-shaped configuration. The center of the body in such a V-shaped configuration fits between the chin and the upper chest region of the person with the first and second legs extending along and fitting between opposite lower edges of the jaw and the respective shoulder regions to support the person's head. The flexible member extends around the back of the person's neck and is of adjustable length to custom fit the person wearing the chin support pillow.

Abstract: A cork extractor tool for removing the cork from wine bottles has a cylindrical needle carrier with an attached axially directed hollow needle of sufficient length to penetrate through the cork. The needle carrier is slidably disposed within a tubular sleeve which closely fits within a handle. The handle and tubular sleeve are arranged to rotate the needle carrier and needle using a pair of helical grooves disposed through the tubular sleeve, with a pair of corresponding roller guides which extend radially inwardly from the handle through the respective helical groove and which are affixed to the needle carrier. A pair of radially oppositely disposed graspable positioning legs include lower arcuate bottle gripping portions which engage the bottle to facilitate placement of the cork extractor tool on the bottle.

Abstract: A poultry roaster for use on top of a gas-fired cooker includes a barrel-shaped cover that designed to resemble a beer keg and a carrying handle which resembles a pair of oppositely facing beer taps. An open bottom of the cover closely fits to a bottom pan having a plurality of upwardly punched lower heat distribution holes. The cover is retained to the bottom pan by a pair of latch hooks and mating headed pins. A heat deflector includes a circular plate for supporting a basting adapter, and a downwardly dependent annular rim which closely engages the bottom pan. The circular plate includes a plurality of upper heat distribution holes. A heat diffuser chamber formed between the bottom pan and the heat deflector provides even heat flow to an inner cooking chamber of the cover.

Abstract: Frames for ready reader eyeglasses are provided which include a permanent magnet protruding forwardly from the front frames adjacent each lense making the eyeglasses removably attachable to any ferromagnetic surface for temporary storage. A ferromagnetic strip is adhesively affixable to non-ferromagnetic surfaces such as computer monitors to allow attachment of the eyeglasses. A rigid carrying case with pocket clip protects the eyeglasses from damage during periods of non-use.

Abstract: The invention includes moveable magnetic devices, for use in conjunction with electronic displays associated with computers and electronic devices enable manual input devices and control devices to be joined to the display, whereby the electronic device may be controlled, inputs may be made thereto, and the electronic display may be altered in correspondence to these inputs. In one aspect, the invention includes a fader controller comprised of a longitudinally extending track having a portion thereof extending over an image area of an electronic display, and a fader cap joined to the track for longitudinal sliding translation therealong. A plurality of permanent magnets are spaced along the track, and the fader cap includes at least one electromagnet. Conductive rails extend longitudinally on the track, and the fader cap includes contacts that electrically engage the conductive rails.

Abstract: A refrigerant flow processor has a vessel with an inlet for receiving recirculating refrigerant from a motor driven compressor and a condenser and having an outlet for returning the refrigerant to an evaporator through an expansion valve. The vessel is configured to establish a vortexing motion of liquefied refrigerant as it travels from the inlet to the outlet. A helical flow guiding component at the vessel outlet causes a highly turbulent flow within the conduit which connects the outlet to the expansion valve. The flow processor reduces energy consumption and operating cost by reducing the load on the motor driven compressor.

Abstract: A method for rotational molding uses a mold having first and second mold components defining therebetween a mold cavity. The first mold component includes a mold insert adapted to translate toward the second mold component. A spring-biased latch mechanism restrains the mold insert in the outward disposition, and a touch pad is struck to trigger the latch mechanism and urge the mold inwardly while the mold is rotating. In another aspect, the invention includes a method for rotational molding that employs the rotational mold described above. With the mold insert latched in the outward disposition, the rotational mold charged with thermoplastic material rotated biaxially and heated. After heating, while the mold assembly continues to rotate, the touch pad is struck to release the latch and cause the mold insert to move inwardly. The mold insert includes structural features that are moved more proximate to opposed mold portions.

Abstract: A chambered doctor blade apparatus provides an automatic system for cleanup and replacement of coating substance, as well as operating a hydraulic head loading system that includes hydrostatic compensation, and integrates the head loading mechanism into the automated cleaning, flushing and replacement cycle. A programmable logic controller (PLC) is connected to a touch screen display that presents an interactive graphical user interface for control purposes. The PLC is programmed to carry out sequentially the required steps for cleaning, refilling, and running the chambered doctor blade assembly, and to alternate water-based and non-water-based coatings without necessitating removal of the doctor blade head from the transfer roller. Each coating run begins with a purge step in which a new coating material is pumped through the system to waste to remove any residual material from the previous coating run.

Abstract: Diagnostic strips of the kind which are exposed to biological fluids such as blood or urine to detect or monitor medical conditions are cut sequentially from elongated cards by a reciprocating shear blade. The cards may be ones which exhibit defective areas that should not be included in the finished strips. Blade motion seats each newly cut strip on a movable strip carrier which abuts the blade during the cutting operation. The carrier then travels a nondefective strip to a pickup location where it is precisely positioned and picked off of the carrier for emplacement in a housing. A strip with a defective area is carried further to a discharge location where it is released into a waste receptacle. This enables more economical manufacture of diagnostic strips by efficiently making use of nondefective areas of cards that have defective areas.

Abstract: A modular, reconfigurable, intelligent signal multiplexer for telecommunications purposes includes a rack or shelf adapted to support a plurality of printed circuit cards. The cards include feature cards and line cards, and at least one central controller card. All of the cards includes backplane connectors to connect to customer premises equipment and to telecommunications lines, and midplane connectors to interconnect all of the circuit cards for data exchange under program control. Each feature card contains an embedded microprocessor with associated embedded operating system, as well as RAM memory and flash RAM. The signal multiplexer processes digital inputs from a wide range of user equipment for transmission over digital facilities, including T1 and T3 lines. The system employs an Advanced Intelligent Multiplexer Network software package to perform network configuration and SNMP to obtain performance reports, statistics collection and alarm monitoring.

Abstract: An aquarium accessory allows captive amphibious animals such as turtles, salamanders and frogs to follow their instinct to sun themselves in a location which provides quick access to the safety of the water. An upper platform stage is supported by an upper ramp which inclines upward from an edge of a lower platform stage. An inclined lower ramp extends downward into the water from the same edge of the lower platform stage to enable the animals to climb out of the water. The accessory attaches to a wall of the aquarium. Upward facing surfaces of the platform stages and ramps are coated with high traction material. The configuration of the accessory minimizes obstruction of the body of water in the aquarium.