Abstract: Electrical circuit control devices are affixed to the front of an electronic image display screen, within the image displaying area, to provide instantly changeable labels and other graphics which convey information pertaining to operation of the controls. The control devices may be of any of a variety of types that are variously operated by depressing switch buttons, turning a knob, flexing or tilting a joystick or exerting force against an immovable knob. The control devices have compact and durable constructions which enable the devices to be wholly at the front of the display screen as opposed to extending through openings in a screen. Operator manipulation of the control devices is variously sensed by radio frequency sensors, Hall effect sensors, strain gauge sensors, touch sensitive circuits or electromechanical contacts.

Abstract: Operator interaction with electrical systems is facilitated by providing electromechanical control devices, which have switch buttons, rotary knobs or the like, with flat panel displays that convey information pertaining to the controls that can be changed instantly by a display controller. The display may identify the function of the control, the current setting, create calibration marks or provide other graphics. The images change automatically if the same control is used for multiple functions. In one form of the invention, the display screen has openings in the image area and the controls extend through and protrude from the screen enabling display of graphics in close proximity to the controls. In another form, the settings of controls which are secured to the face of a display screen are optically or magnetically detected by sensors located behind the screen.

Abstract: A beverage can holder for attachment to a person's belt, clothing pocket or the like has an open fronted holder body with a vertically extending back portion and a horizontal base portion on which a can may be rested. A pair of resilient arms extend from the back portion to clasp the can and have spaced apart front ends forming a gap into which a can may be forced by an at least partially sidewise movement of the can. A lid attached to the holder body by a flexible lid retainer has a circular lip proportioned to snap engage on the top of a beverage can and acts to seal opened cans. In the preferred form the lid has a plurality of lips with the lips being of progressively smaller diameter and being progressively closer to the underside of the lid thereby enabling engagement of the lid on cans of differing diameter.

Abstract: An electrical circuit control of the type having a knob which is turned by an operator to vary a circuit condition is affixed to the face of an electronic image display device and at least a portion of the knob overlays the image display area. This enables display of instantly changeable calibration marks and/or other graphics in close proximity to the circuit control including at locations immediately adjacent to the perimeter of the knob. Electronic components of the control are contained within the knob and a base member at the front of the panel. Components of this kind may be embedded in or attached to the knob itself enabling easy repair by simply replacing the knob and/or may be contained in an easily replaced carrier that fits within the base. Knob motion sensors include radio frequency sensors, capacitive sensors, Hall effect sensors and photoelectric sensors among others and enable the controls to be compact, durable and enable economic manufacture.

Abstract: Opening of an elevator door by occupants of a car which is stalled between building floors is prevented by a locking member which is movable by an electrical actuator between a door locking position and a door releasing position. Opening is permitted at unlocking zones at which the car is at or close to a landing site at a building floor. An infrared emitter and an infrared detector carried by the car pass along opposite sides of a series of opaque door zone vanes situated along the path of car travel. The actuator retracts the locking member in response to blocking of the infrared path between the emitter and detector by a door zone vane. A timer delays the retraction for a period at least equal to the time required for passage of the car through an unlocking zone when it is traveling at rated speed past a floor at which it is not to be stopped.

Abstract: A portable gas stove includes a rectangular housing defined by parallel front and rear panels joined to parallel, opposed side panels. A top opening at an upper end of the housing provides access to at least one burner, and a hinged cover is adapted to pivot to close the upper opening entirely. At the bottom end of the housing, a coffer is formed with a downward opening, and a pair of flanges extending inwardly at the side edges of the coffer are dimensioned to retain the disassembled stove legs disposed therebetween. A clamp is provided to secure the legs in the coffer for travel with the stove. Each leg includes a tubular main portion, and a top end having an L-section. The L-section is dimensioned to fit in complementary fashion over any corner vertex formed by the conjunction of a side and front or rear panel of the housing. Each corner vertex includes a slot extending vertically therein, and a nut is slidably supported by a nut holder for translation along the slot.

Abstract: A disposable replacement tip for caulking tubes includes a conical first end portion tapered acutely to a distal sharpened point. The exterior of the first end portion is provided with threads, and an intake port adjacent to the sharp point extends diametrically through the tubular member. Joined to the wide end of the first end portion is a generally cylindrical, tubular central portion. A second end portion extends from the central portion in opposition to the first end portion, both end portions being aligned along a common axis. The second end portion comprises another conical tubular member tapered acutely to an open end. A continuous flow space extends from the intake port, through the interiors of the first end portion, the central portion, and the second end portion to the open end thereof. The sharpened point of the first end portion may be driven into the end opening of a caulking tube, or through the sidewall of the tube, and the device is rotated manually.

Abstract: A method and instrument for thermal phacoemulsification includes, in one aspect, a process for introducing high temperature water into the lens capsule of the eye for emulsification purposes. The invention provides a mechanism for heating water to the desired temperature at the point of delivery, whereby the cannula that enters the eye is maintained at a temperature sufficiently low to avoid thermal damage to surrounding eye tissue. The invention provides an isenthalpic device for delivering heated water to the lens capsule for phacoemulsification. The device includes a intraocular cannula for delivering high pressure water, and a throttling mechanism at the point of delivery for converting the energy in the water stream from pressure to heat. The throttling mechanism may comprise a capillary passage, or a porous plug, or a micro-orifice which directs the fluid stream to strike a target in the cannula bore, after which the fluid is discharged from the cannula.

Abstract: Keys or buttons for operating switches contain flat panel displays for displaying changeable images that convey information pertaining to operation of the switches. Labels at the face of the keys can change instantly and automatically when the functions of the switches change during different modes of operation of an electronic system. The display including driver integrated circuit chips is contained within a transparent key cap and has a bezel free construction enabling display of images that may extend to the edges of the face of the display. The invention provides for durable moisture sealing at the edges of a display which contains very thin internal edge seals and, in one form, provides similar sealing at a passage through the active image area of the display through which a switch button or other control may extend. A single set of such keys may be used to control diverse different types of electronic devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding or watering animals within cages includes a food container having an upwardly opening, cup-shaped configuration, and a cantilever bracket for supporting the container. The container includes a closed curved sidewall and integral bottom wall, and a connector assembly extending downwardly from the outer surface of the bottom wall. The connector assembly includes a generally cylindrical lug having one end secured to the bottom wall, and a locking bar extending diametrically and secured to the other end of the lug. The locking bar includes opposed rounded ends that extend outwardly of the lug. The cantilever bracket includes a distal end having a web with a top surface, and an opening formed in the top surface to receive the connector assembly. The opening comprises a cylindrical hole dimensioned to receive the cylindrical lug in close tolerance fit, and a pair of radially extending, diametrically opposed slots radiating from the hole and dimensioned to receive the locking bar.

Abstract: An instrument for providing high pressure fluid pulses for cutting tissue including an internal pressure intensifying mechanism, and the provision of a suction force at the distal end of the instrument including an internal vacuum generating device to increase the suction force provided by a conventional suction source. A piston mechanism is provided for converting a low pressure fluid input to a high pressure fluid output, and a second piston mechanism is provided to intensify the suction force created by a conventional suction source at the surgical site.

Abstract: A pressure reduction mattress construction for a liquid or gel bed having a flexible basin forming a cavity with inclines head and foot for surrounding and supporting a liquid or gel filled flotation bladder that is anchored to the head of the basin. The inclines made of a soft yielding material allow the head or foot of the bed to be easily raised as the liquid or gel moves toward the center of the bed. The head incline also serves to provide a soft yielding surface to support a patient after liquid or gel has naturally moved to the sacral area. The entire structure is then covered with a flexible and yielding hospital fabric cover, giving the bed the appearance of a conventional hospital mattress. An optional heater pad may be used with a fiber filled sacral/pelvic bladder placed over the heater pad.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembly of laminated components to a card base includes a main platen secured to a pair of precision linear bearings to support the card base. Rows of vacuum holes in the platen secure the card by suction effect. A removable track location key at one edge of the main platen includes detent positions engaged by a track location lock, so that the main platen may be locked at any of those positions. A transfer platen extending parallel to the main platen is pivotally secured to the machine base. The transfer platen also includes rows of vacuum holes to hold component strips by suction effect. The transfer platen is rotatable from a loading position to the main platen to deliver a component strip to a precise position on a card secured on the main platen. The method of the invention includes placing a card substrate on the main platen and securing it thereto with vacuum suction.

Abstract: A hand tool for forming and installing wire ties to join rebar segments includes an extended barrel portion having a loop-forming yoke projecting distally therefrom. Within the barrel, a motor-driven wire cutting and twisting apparatus is closely proximate to the yoke. The yoke is provided with a hook shape to receive the bars, and a guide groove to form a half loop of wire about the pair of bars disposed within the hook confines of the yoke. An end plate at the distal end of the barrel includes a diametrical slot having a wire outlet opening at one end in registration with the opening of the wire guide groove in the yoke. At the other end of the slot, an inlet opening is disposed to receive the wire end from the half loop formed by the guide slot of the yoke. A wire guide mechanism directs the wire end from the guide groove of the yoke to the inlet opening of the end plate of the barrel.

Abstract: An electronic patching system includes a first plurality of ports connected to the terminations of a plurality of telephone and data lines from the utility central office, and a second plurality of ports wired to a plurality of telecommunications devices. Both pluralities of ports are coupled to inputs of a controlled switching matrix, which connects each of the telecommunications devices to one or more of the telephone and data lines. The switching matrix is operated by a programmable logic array that directs the matrix to establish and maintain the desired connections between the telephone equipment and the telephone and data lines, computer network lines, and the like. The switching matrix includes a high voltage switch portion to handle analog telephone instruments. An algorithm for controlling the programmable logic array is created using a personal computer, and stored in memory.

Abstract: A binocular indirect ophthalmoscope having an improved delivery system for a laser treatment beam includes a laser beam generator directed horizontally across the pupillary line of one eye path of the binocular arrangement. A single beamsplitter is placed directly in the one eye path to receive the laser beam and deflect it toward the visualized target. The beamsplitter is coated to reflect 90-100% of the laser beam, so that reflectivity of and visibility through the beamsplitter is optimized. A beam trap is disposed to receive the transmitted portion of the laser beam. Separate protective filters for laser protection of each eye of the physician are optimized for protection and visible throughput without limitations imposed by a combined beamsplitter function. The position of the beamsplitter in the optical axis of one eye eliminates losses in the illumination path.