Abstract: A characteristic pattern acquisition system featuring a block formed of a bundle of optical fibers and having one end face for projecting an image of a characteristic pattern placed on an opposite detecting end face of the block and a light source for projecting light onto the detecting end face to illuminate the characteristic pattern.

Abstract: An intraocular lens implant is provided having an optical lens and lens positioning and supporting haptics one of which has a pair of protrusions between opposite ends of an outer segment of the haptic which protrusions provide spaced discrete focal points of contact intermediate the length of the haptic segment and which cooperate with a broad arc formed by the other haptic for continuous surface-to-surface contact and improved centration and enhanced fixation upon implantation in an eye.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing snow which provide a stream of pressurized air and pressurized water; combine the air stream and the water stream to cool the water and provide a first stream of a mixture of the air and water; thereafter aspirate a portion of the air in a counter-flow direction from air into the first stream and mixing therewith, to form a second stream of a mixture of air and water, the second stream being coaxial with the first stream; and disperse the second stream into freezing temperature atmosphere to freeze the water in the second stream and produce snow. In the preferred embodiment, a central stream of water of pressure of at least 300 psig is combined with air of pressure no more than about 30 psig coaxially combined and creating the first mixture. Ice crystals are utilized as a nucleating agent to promote the freezing of water in the second stream.

Abstract: A positioning device having a chamber having a chamber exhaust valve in a first end and a chamber fluid inlet in a second end; a piston disposed in a chamber between the first end and the second end, the piston being slidable in the valve chamber between a first position toward the first end and a second position toward the second end; the fluid communication opening having a smaller cross-section area than the chamber exhaust valve; and a piston biasing spring urging the piston toward the chamber second end and away from the chamber first end, the piston biasing spring responsive to a fluid pressure differential between the first and second chamber ends above and below a predetermined level to move the piston into the first and second positions, respectively.

Abstract: In a thermal reductor unit for decontaminating soil of combustible and volatile fluids, as interior drum is mounted concentrically within a shell in surrounding relation to an ignition chamber. An annular space between the drum and shell provides a compartment wherein soil being processed is received to serve as an insulating medium for the ignition chamber.

Abstract: An insert installation machine is provided which features a power operated reciprocating quill mounted on a frame and an insert guide tube fixed to a carriage. The carriage is supported on the frame for reciprocation, toward and away from a workpiece, with the guide tube coaxially aligned with the quill. A shuttle is mounted on the carriage for transferring an insert from a stacking tube in the carriage to the guide tube in timed relation and in response to quill movements.

Abstract: In a forward converter power supply comprising a transformer having a primary winding connected to a primary circuit and a secondary winding connected to a secondary circuit, and a switching transistor in the primary circuit, an active network snubber in the primary circuit for receiving and storing continuing current from the transformer primary winding upon switching of the transistor and for returning current through the transformer primary winding so as to resent the transformer and thereby returning parasitic energy in the transformer caused by leakage inductance and magnetizing current to the energy source.

Abstract: In a manual spring pin inserter, a pair of jaws cooperate with a jaw preloading means to provide increased jaw clamping forces on a pin proportional to advancement of that pin into a hole of a workpiece.

Abstract: Blasting signal transmission tube comprising a length of elongated flexible hollow tube and a self-oxidizing combustible substance disposed within the tube for transmitting a blasting signal along the interior of the tube length, the hollow tube having a varying interior axial cross-sectional area at longitudinally spaced intervals along the tube length for reducing and controlling the velocity of the blasting signal. Also, a process for producing signal transmission tube comprising forming a length of elongated flexible hollow tube of predetermined interior cross section area; depositing a self-oxidizing combustible substance within the tube for transmitting a blasting signal along the interior of the tube length without destroying the tube; and introducing a plurality of discrete restrictions reducing the predetermined hollow tube interior cross-sectional area at longitudinally spaced intervals along the tube length for reducing and controlling the velocity of the blasting signal.

Abstract: A dispenser for flowable materials in which the flowable material is moved from a reservoir for such materials into a variable volume measuring chamber, the volume of which is adjustable only by an external key, and thereafter to a discharge opening remote from the measuring chamber, which opening has a closure to control dispersion of the granules.

Abstract: A tool is provided with an output extension head having parallel sets of drive trains drivingly connecting an input drive gear and an output socket gear. The drive trains each have individual idler gears in mesh with both the input drive gear and output socket gear to significantly increase the ultimate torque capacity of the tool without increasing the thickness of the gear components or the radial dimensioning of the output end of the extension head.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exercise device comprising a frame; a rotatable axle on the frame; a crank for rotating the axle; and a counterforce assembly wheel connected to the axle for producing a static counterforce to rotation of the axle. The counterweight assembly includes a tank for reservoir and valves for varying the predetermined fluid level in the tank, and counterforce assembly wheel drivingly connected to the axle and rotatable about a non-vertical axis. The wheels have a plurality of troughs spaced uniformly around the axis. The troughs are positioned to pass through the tank as the wheel is rotatably driven by the crank, receive at least a portion of fluid in the tank, carry the received fluid above the predetermined fluid level and discharge the received fluid at a position above the predetermined fluid level.

Abstract: In a tool bit driver, a body suitable for mounting on a square drive of a socket wrench is provided with a bit socket adapted for receiving a tool bit at one end of the body, and diametrically opposed grooves are formed to extend longitudinally within the socket. A spring is provided with resilient fingers seated within the socket grooves, and reversely bent ends are formed on each spring finger for engaging the bit in surface-to-surface contact for positively and releasably securing the bit in a driving position within the socket.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying a sheet of paper from a power feeder to an exit point including a frame for guiding the moving sheet along a preselected path and including a flexible member between the feeder and the exit point for normally guiding the sheet along the preselected path, the flexible member allowing the sheet to buckle in a direction normal to the plane of and away from the preselected path in response to an obstruction.

Abstract: A characteristic pattern acquisition system provides a block comprised of a bundle of optical fibers longitudinally aligned in parallel relation each having an imaging end perpendicular to a major longitudinal axis of the block and a detecting end which is angled, and a source of light directed toward through the imaging end to illuminate the detecting end, the detecting end serving to reflect internal light rays only when the medium outside the detecting end of each fiber has a refractive index less than the optical medium of the fibers. The composite reflection of light from the angled surfaces of the fibers create at the imaging end a reproduction of a characteristic pattern such as the relief features of a fingertip applied to the detecting end of the fiberoptic block. Means are directed toward the imaging end of the fiberoptic block for electronically transmitting an image thereon of the characteristic pattern which is placed on the fiberoptic block detecting end.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler and method of making same wherein a tap optical fiber free end is adjacent to and facing the unclad region in an intermediate portion of the length of a bus optical fiber at an angle permitting lightwave communication therebetween. A junction medium, preferably a cured resin, encapsulates the tap fiber free end and the bus fiber unclad region to provide a path for the lightwave communication.

Abstract: A dispenser for capsules or the like utilizes a turnstile member rotatable in only a single direction to transport the capsules from a reservoir to an exit port. Fingers on the turnstile arms interleave with corresponding fingers on the dispenser housing to prevent a capsule from being rotated beyond the exit port and back into the housing. A propeller member in the reservoir orients the capsules in a predetermined orientation before they are fed into the turnstile member. A cap on the exterior of the housing which rotates the turnstile member utilizes a bayonet-type detent mechanism to bias the cap into successive dispensing positions. The cap must be pushed toward the housing to be rotatable to the next dispensing position.

Abstract: A kiln is disclosed which includes an elongated housing formed by a plurality of interconnected longitudinally extending sections each forming an independent housing module. Each housing module has support means for rotatably supporting that housing module independently of any other module and power means for moving the support means of each housing module into contact engagement therewith for compensating for load variations applied to the support means and uniformly distributing the loading forces imposed thereon by the housing modules and their respective contents.

Abstract: A trigger for a fluid operated tool has a control with a pilot valve which when open pressurizes a chamber to cause a throttle valve to open. When closed, the pilot valve restricts fluid flow and reduces fluid pressure in the chamber, permitting the throttle valve to be closed. A continuously variable trigger control is also featured for varying the fluid flow rate to the tool.

Abstract: A jewelry clasp having a base and a cover mounted on the base for swinging movement and featuring a pair of elongated resilient S-shaped friction tongs on the base for snap-locking engagement within elongated grooves of a pair of complementary resilient friction flanges on the cover for releasably securing the base and its cover in locked position.