Abstract: Fabrication of metal medical instruments and devices from a shape memory alloy which provides greater flexibility in design and avoids the need for substantial cold working of the alloy which is required in other methods. The new process provides a ductile alloy for ease of forming and a unique heat treatment which renders the fabricated orthodontic and medical components highly elastic, with a high resistance to kinking and with good corrosion resistance. In addition, this new process produces orthodontic and medical components useful over the temperature range of from −20 to +40 degrees C.

Abstract: A light assembly including a central axis along which a light source is intended to be located. A ring lens at least partially surrounds the central axis, the lens having a central projection along a projection axis for projecting the light passing through the lens along the projection axis. The central projection and projection axis are at an angle with respect to the central axis and the angle is not a right angle. The ring lens has a conical entry face which is at an angle with said central axis. Another embodiment of the light assembly includes a central axis on which a light source is located and a ring lens at least partially surrounding the central axis. The lens is constructed and arranged to provide collimated light horizontally about a plane which is at a right angle to the central axis, and non-collimated light vertically and in directions which are perpendicular to tangents at the exit points of the rays from the lens.

Abstract: A light assembly includes a radial beam projector for being positioned in the vicinity of a ceiling of a room and spaced from at least some of the walls thereof. There may be at least two reflectors or refractors on or adjacent to the walls or ceiling of the room, each for receiving a separate light beam from the projector in at least two spaced locations and reflecting or refracting light into desired patterns to provide light for such room. The radial beam projector may project at least two light beams, one toward each reflector or refractor. There is also a light assembly which includes a circular reflector or refractor element on or adjacent to the walls or ceiling of such room for receiving a radial light beam from the projector and reflecting or refracting light into desired patterns to provide light for such room.

Abstract: A device for lighting arrangements for a ceiling, includes means providing a light beam above a ceiling, reflector means for intercepting and reflecting light beams and located above the ceiling, means for mounting the reflector means for movement around two orthogonal axes and located above the ceiling, and remote movement means located above the ceiling for moving the reflector means selectively about the two orthogonal axes from a remote location to reflect the light beam to a location below the ceiling. The remote movement means has a control handle located below the ceiling. An arrangement can be provided so that there are a plurality of reflector means aligned to receive the light beam, and all but the last reflector means is a beam splitter.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving trays in a longitudinal direction and a position correcting device for the trays. The trays have opening in two opposite walls but do not have such openings in two other opposing walls. The conveyor is arranged to convey trays along a longitudinal path. A tray rotating arm is positioned adjacent to the conveyor and has a tray handle engaging finger and is constructed and arranged to only engage a tray handle when the tray is in an incorrect orthogonal position. There is also a bumper downstream of the arm for engaging the side of a tray so rotated for completing the tray rotation initiated by the tray rotating arm. The arm has a cam surface for being moved by a tray away from such tray on the conveyor, and the arm is biased toward contact with a tray as it moves past the arm on the conveyor. The finger projects in the same direction as the cam surface.

Abstract: In a light distribution system for producing a series of light beams remote from a quasi point source, a light collection means, a conveyance means having an axis, and a series of illumination directors are provided. The light collection means projects light from the quasi point source through the conveyance means to the series of illumination directors. The illumination directors are axially displaced from one another, and each illumination director directs a beam away from the system to provide illumination. At least one of the illumination directors comprises a beam splitting reflector having a predetermined ratio of reflection to transmission. Consequently, each illumination director in the series provides a measured amount of brightness in a predetermined ratio to the other illumination directors in the series. The light collection means and said illumination directors define brightness and size of the beams projected from the system.

Abstract: The disclosed &bgr; titanium alloys contain alloying elements of molybdenum between 10.0 and 12.0 weight percent, aluminum between 2.8 and 4.0 weight percent, chromium and vanadium between 0.0 and 2.0 weight percent, and niobium between 0.0 and 4.0 weight percent. Orthodontic arch wires and appliances of nickel-free &bgr; titanium alloys having pseudo-elastic properties associated with stress-induced martensitic transformation. These arch wires and appliances were found to possess a high strain recovery up to 3.5% strain of deformation, a lower stiffness yielding relatively constant force for tooth movement and improved formability over that of pseudo-elastic nitinol. Eyeglasses having parts made of such materials can be welded. Stents made of this material avoid problems which a certain percentage of the population have when nickel is included within alloys used in the human body. Other medical devices which are used in the body also have this benefit.

Abstract: A socket for a ball grid array integrated circuit package (BGA) with an array of electrical contacts that extend through holes in a slidable plate. The arrangement of spacing the holes and the electrical contacts therein provides entry openings that allow the ball contacts of a BGA package to enter the openings. The contacts are cupped or angled to mate with the side and top of the ball contacts of the ball grid array package. The contact surface of the ball grid array package is inserted into the socket without any interfering structure, and there may be guide surfaces to align the ball contacts with the openings. A manually rotatable cam actuated in one direction by an arm drives the plate parallel to the plane of the ball contacts to widen the openings to allow easy entry of the balls into the holes. Rotating the arm in the other directions drives the plate in the opposite direction reducing the openings.

Abstract: A system for controlling the divergence and directionality of a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a source of electromagnetic radiation for producing the beam, a conveying mechanism for conveying the beam in a preselected direction, and wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is positioned proximate one end of the conveying mechanism. At the other end of the convenying mechanism is a distribution component for distributing the beam therefrom. The distribution component has a reflective element for receiving the beam from the conveying mechanism and directing the beam with at least one preselected divergence to a plurality of different locations. In addition, the conveying mechanism and the distribution component can also affect the divergence of the beam being output therefrom.

Abstract: A miniature articulating tip for an endoscopic instrument comprising a jaw with a curved slot through which two pivot lugs pass and are anchored in or integral to a fixed outer tip. The two pivot lugs guide the jaw over a path defined by the curved slot and provide stops at the ends of the curve.

Abstract: Illumination system with a light source and a surrounding cylindrical array of refracting elements producing spokes.

Abstract: A medical instrument with a steerable distal end, having a handle for actuating the instrument, a distal operating section for performing a medical procedure, a middle section connecting the handle with the operating section, at least a portion of the middle section being bendable, and steerable means within the bendable portion for permitting the operating section to be controlled in direction at an angle with respect to the axis of the middle section. There are means for rotating the distal operating section into any desired angular position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the middle section. A control member control the direction of movement of the bendable section in three dimensions whereby the distal end may be positioned in any place on or off of the longitudinal axis of the middle section. A protective sheath may be disposed over the bendable section.

Abstract: An anti-hijack system which includes a nozzle arranged to be normally hidden from view mounted on the front section of a vehicle in the window well of the front windshield in such manner that the spray therefrom will impinge upon a person outside the vehicle and in the vicinity of the driver's door. As an alternative this can also be for both the driver's side and the passenger's side. The nozzle includes a diverter positioned to provide both cone and flat patterns of spray according to the arrangement thereof, and a spiral fluid director is positioned to effect the fluid spray as it ejects from the nozzle. There is a reservoir of incapacitating fluid adapted for mounting on a vehicle and hidden from view and a pump for forcing fluid from the reservoir through the nozzle under pressure to spray the fluid outwardly of the nozzle. If desired, a hot cap type capacitor can be used to provide voltage regulation so that vehicle voltage is always available for energizing the pump.

Abstract: A hair brush cleaner and sanitizer, having a hair remover section for removing hair from hair brushes placed into it. The hair remover section includes a pair of shafts with hair removing tines thereon, the shafts being mounted to rotate in opposite directions in such manner that the tines move between the hair brush bristles during operation, a motor for rotating the shafts, a drive train connected between the motor and the shafts to rotate the shafts in opposite directions, and switch means for actuating the motor for a predetermined period of time when it is desired to clean a hair brush located in the hair remover section by the moving tines contacting or moving between the bristles of a hair brush to remove hair therefrom. The device also includes a sanitizing section for sanitizing the hair brush and including a removable jar with a sanitizing solution disposed therein with an opening at the top of sufficient size to allow a hairbrush to be placed therein.

Abstract: Tile mosaics are created for architectural decorative surfaces or other purposes using mosaic design system linked with a manufacturing sequence to enable efficient design of mosaics and complex filings, implemented in a production line with elements for continuous cutting (46), drying (56), firing (58), glazing (52), glaze-firing, diamond film coating (64), application of resilient backing, labeling, and packaging (68) of matted sections of tiles (T) of ceramic or other materials, of any shape, size, or orientation, in which the tiles in a section are held together by embedded wires (39) or by bonding edge-to-edge.

Abstract: Viscometer with a spindle (4) mounted on a shaft (8) supported via axially spaced, e.g. three inches, bearings (12,14) and driving a transducer rotary member via a stiff rotationally resilient member, the latter providing substantially all the resistive torque to viscous drag imparted to the spindle by an outer driven rotating member (6) when the spindle and rotating member are immersed in a liquid whose viscosity is to be measured, the viscometer being constructed with a handle (38) that encloses motor drive and electronic components of the viscometer, these features, as a whole, providing explosion protection and portability of the viscometer with sensitivity appropriate to portable usage.

Abstract: A hydroponic device comprises a reservoir for containing culture fluid therein, one or more cultivation beds placed on the reservoir one above the other, a conduit extending vertically upwardly from the reservoir up to an uppermost cultivation bed and a fluid pump mounted on the reservoir for forcedly feeding the culture fluid to the uppermost cultivation bed through the conduit. Each of the beds includes a basin-like body which is provided with a bottom wall and an inclined side wall, the side wall having a plurality of fluid outlet holes. A canted support flange extends downwardly outwardly frame the side wall of the basin-like body. The support flange has a plurality of plant holding apertures, each of which is arranged to receive the culture fluid issued through the corresponding fluid outlet holes.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing particulate materials such as paper-making pulp, including a housing defining a working chamber having an inlet and an outlet for flow of particulate material therethrough. There is a rotary shaft supported in said housing, and rotors and stators are mounted on the shaft within said working chamber. Radially extending annular rigid refining surfaces are mounted on the outer portions of the rotor plates and stator plates and the rotor plates and stator plates provide complementary rigid refining surfaces mounted in the chamber and cooperating in confronting relation with the refining surfaces so that in the relative rotation of the refining surfaces particulate material flowing through the working chamber and between the refining surfaces is refined. The refining surfaces are capable of having a wobbling motion with respect to the portions of the plates mounted on the shaft.

Abstract: A shape memory effect actuated diaphragmatic anti-scald valve, including a valve housing having a fluid flow path therethrough and including a pilot chamber. There is a first valve seat within the housing and a second valve seat within the housing and downstream from said first valve seat. A pilot valve is located within the chamber of the valve housing for preventing fluid flow through the chamber in which the pilot valve element is located when the SME valve is in its normal flow position and a first valve element is retained seated on the first valve seat by the pilot valve. There are means for controlling the open and closed positions of the pilot valve depending upon the temperature of the fluid flowing through the SME valve.