Abstract: The electromechanical controller, or cursor control device, consists of a solid surrounded by a flexible bladder, the solid and bladder being received within a housing. The bladder is freely moveable relative to the solid. Movement of the bladder is sensed by X and Y transducers to generate signals which may be employed to control the visual display of a computer. In one embodiment, the device is physically connected to the computer; in another embodiment, the device incorporates a wireless transmitter to broadcast signals to a receiver associated with the computer.

Abstract: A multiple function cauterizing instrument having a housing and an illuminating optical fiber extending from a lens, through the housing, to a high intensity light source for supplying incident light to the targeted tissue area to be cauterized. A viewing optical fiber extends from a wide angle camera lens, through the housing, to a video monitor for supplying to the monitor a visual image of the targeted tissue area. An exhaust channel extends from an intake vent, through the housing, to a source of vacuum to suction gas and fumes caused by cauterizing the tissue area. A plurality of heating elements or cauterizing tips are selectively moved through the housing between a retracted position at which the elements are shielded by the housing and an extended position at which the elements are advanced outwardly from the housing for contacting the tissue to be cauterized.

Abstract: The improved watercraft of the instant invention includes design advantages such as solidly connected arm drive handles to augment power from the drive pedals; a fully pivoting drive assembly which pivots along with the steering mechanism; an angularly pivotable propeller, pivotable toward the outside pontoon during a turn to assist in turning; a compact structure for transmitting mechanical power from the pedals and the arm drive handles to the propeller; and other design aspects.

Abstract: The battery system and process of the present invention enables the increase of the specific energy of the lead-acid battery by using new starting pastes which will allow significantly higher utilization efficiencies of the positive and negative pastes. The invention enables the increased utilization efficiency of both electrodes, to thereby increase the specific energy of the battery. Two paste combinations have been found to be advantageous. First, a battery has at its positive terminal, a lead sulfate (PbSO.sub.4) paste and at its negative terminal, a tribasic lead sulfate (3PbO'PbSO.sub.4 'H.sub.2 O). In a second combination, a paste of lead sulfate (PbSO.sub.4) is used at the positive electrode and while a monobasic lead sulfate (PbO.PbSO.sub.4), is applied to the negative electrodes.

Abstract: Steelworks dusts or sludge is mixed into sewage preferably in the presence of a flocculating agent to provide a rapid separation of a clear effluent and a sludge which is dewatered and dried to form a solid material adapted to entrap harmful materials in the sewage such as heavy metals, pathogens and organic chemicals. The solid material is supplied to a smelt reduction furnace from which molten iron is recovered and a hot gas discharge is provided from which recovery of zinc and other materials may be achieved, other waste material being removed as a slag.

Abstract: The invention is a closed-loop, thermal process for remediating soil contaminated with hydrocarbon chemicals; it is particularly well suited for the remediation of soils containing hydrocarbons with relatively high boiling points and for the remediation of soils which contain clays or silts. The process uses a combination of at least one extraction well which is used to withdraw vapors from contaminated soil and at least one injection well, called a "fire" well which is used to burn both a source of hydrocarbon fuel and all of the hydrocarbons present in the recovered vapors and then inject the combustion gases into contaminated soil. The heat in the combustion gases is used to raise the temperature of the contaminated soil and volatilize hydrocarbons in the soil. Dielectric heating can be used to supplement the heating performed by the combustion gases.

Abstract: A pressure build-up pump sprayer to be interconnected with a liquid filled container and having a poppet assembly including inner and outer coaxially aligned pressure chambers. The inner pressure chamber communicates with the orifice outlet of the sprayer, and the outer pressure chamber is initially filled with air. Prior to priming the sprayer, an air-tight seal isolates the inner and outer pressure chambers from one another. During the priming cycle, the air-tight seal is broken and air trapped within the outer pressure chamber is exhausted through the orifice outlet by way of the inner pressure chamber. The outer pressure chamber is then filled with liquid that is sprayed therefrom through the orifice outlet during a downstroke of the liquid dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A multiple injection syringe system having a cartridge carrier that is loaded with three pre-filled cartridges which are to be selectively accessed so that the contents of the cartridges can be delivered to a patient in a particular, predetermined order. The syringe system of the present invention has particular application to facilitating the SASH process, such that two of the cartridges are filled with saline and one with heparin. A double ended needle cannula is carried by a rotatable manifold. One end of the cannula projects outwardly from the manifold for administering an injection, while the opposite end projects inwardly to communicate with a selected cartridge within the carrier. The manifold is rotated around the cartridge carrier to each of three positions corresponding to three steps of the SASH process, whereby the cannula is correspondingly rotated from one cartridge to the next.

Abstract: A modular battery rack system consists of a series of bi-polar cells having individualized connections for monitoring, charging, discharging, and electrical illumination of weak or damaged cells. Each bi-polar cell has a first surface and a second surface with the first surface being configured to interlock with the second surface of an adjacent cell. The configuration consists of a series of raised ribs on the first plate which interfit with a series of elongated indentations on the second surface of an adjacent cell to prevent the improper installation of a cell.

Abstract: A planar wave transducer assembly comprising a rigid, unitary structure formed by a pair of foot pads attached to a planar surface, each foot pad having an upstanding leg, and a span bar extending across the tops of the legs. A piezoelectric transducer element extends between the legs of the transducer assembly in spaced, parallel alignment with the span bar to convert wave motion in the planar surface into an electrical signal. That is, the movement of one leg towards the other in response to planar wave energy causes the one leg to flex or bend so as to apply a compressive force to the piezoelectric transducer element connected between the legs. The transducer assembly herein disclosed has been found to be particularly effective as a pick up when applied to a soundboard of a musical instrument, such as a piano, and the like.

Abstract: The goggle system of the present invention has a first embodiment which extends continuously between the goggle fittings and includes a first end which is webbing reinforced, threadedly attached through a standard tension lock buckle in a position to be drawn rearwardly along the side of the head of the user to tighten. Spaced from the fold, a patch of hook-like members is sewn to the strap in a position oriented away from the user's head to accept attachment of the reinforced end.The second embodiment includes a goggle strap which is not continuous, and is terminated at a patch of hook-like members. Between the patch of hook-like members and the tension buckle is a grommet sized to interfit with fittings on the side of the helmet.

Abstract: A tent to be quickly and easily attached to or removed from the rear of a motor vehicle (e.g. a pick-up truck) having a substantially flat and open bed. The tent includes a frame comprising a pair of pole assemblies that extend diagonally and cross one another above the bed of the truck. The tent also includes front, back and side panels and belts which extend laterally through channels in the front and back panels and down the sides of the truck to be removably connected to the undercarriage thereof. A pair of cup-like receptacles are slidably attached to each of the belts. The cups are adjustably positioned along the belts to receive respective ends of the pole assemblies which form the tent frame. Accordingly, the weight of the frame and the tent carried thereon is supported by the cups and the belts retained by the front and back tent panels so that the tent may be suspended above the bed without requiring any permanent connections to or modifications of the truck.

Abstract: An automatic screw feeder to be coupled to a conventional electric screw driver so that a plurality of screws may be successively and automatically grasped and relocated from a screw supply to the screw driver bit. The screw feeder includes a swing arm assembly that is rotatable between a screw feeding position, at which the screws are removed from the supply, to a screw installing position, at which the screws are driven into a flat surface, or the like. The swing arm assembly includes a pair of opposing swing arms and a rotatable cam therebetween to control the separation and closing of the swing arms and the grasping and removing of the screws from the supply. The screws are carried on a spirally wound bandolier that is loaded within and removable from a storage drum.

Abstract: A mechanism for measuring the running time of an internal combustion engine includes a numerical display of the engine running hours, such that the owner of the engine can better determine the appropriate time for changing the engine lubrication oil. A chronometer is controlled by a switch responding sensitively to engine temperature or vibration, so that the chronometer is actuated only while the engine is working. The mechanism is incorporated into the handle of an oil dipstick, which enables the engine owner to check the chronometer at the same time as he/she is checking the engine oil level.