Abstract: An emergency exit revolving door apparatus includes a revolving door assembly that is generally comprised of a ceiling panel, a floor panel, and a pair of curved vertical panels extending therebetween to form a rigid, conjoint assembly. The revolving door assembly is disposed in a door opening of a building, and is mounted on a dolly that is disposed within a channel inset in the floor and extending outwardly from the exterior of the door opening. In an emergency situation, if a throng of people rush to the revolving door and push outwardly on it with sufficient force, the door assembly will be driven outwardly by the force. The dolly will translate along the channel so that the entire revolving door assembly translates outwardly from the door opening of the building and clear the door opening to enable a substantially unobstructed emergency exit path.

Abstract: A vacuum feedthrough heatpipe assembly includes a heatpipe having an inner end coupled to a heat generating device within a vacuum chamber, and an outer end disposed externally of the vacuum chamber. A vacuum flange seals the heatpipe to an opening in the chamber wall. The invention also includes an articulated arm assembly, each arm being a sealed heat pipe, the arms joined by angularly adjustable elbow joints. The heatpipe may comprise an electrically insulating construction formed of quartz or ceramic tube.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing device and method includes two prisms having a pair of coated, highly reflective opposed faces forming an etalon. A volume phase grating is sandwiched between the two prisms. The volume phase grating is positioned between the highly reflective opposed face portions so that a light beam incident on the etalon undergoes a preselected number of multiple reflections between the highly reflective face portions and a preselected number of traversals through the volume diffraction grating, whereby wavelengths satisfying a Bragg condition on each traversal are diffracted out of the volume grating means. One prism may be designed to separate TE and TM polarized light, and the other prism may be designed to combine the TE and TM modes so that the result is polarization independent. Each prism includes at least one transparent output face through which the separately diffracted wavelengths are transmitted at respective angles.

Abstract: A pump includes a piston rod and precision bearings that eliminate radial movement of the piston rod while permitting reciprocal axial translation. A piston extends axially from the piston rod, and is received in a cylinder in a pump head. A static seal assembly includes an annular ring received about the piston in a leakproof sliding engagement, the ring being formed of a soft polymer material. The annular ring is encapsulated in an outer ring formed of a stiff plastic material, defining a self-contained seal cartridge. The outer ring is dimensioned to be received in the pump head in a cylindrical recess that permits radial freedom relative to the axis of the cylinder. To assemble the pump, the seal cartridge is first assembled to the piston, thus assuring that the seal is aligned with the piston. Thereafter, the head is assembled to the pump body, the piston being inserted in the cylinder and the seal cartridge being received with clearance in the recess.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing non-contacting measurements of the voltage of a conductor includes a conducting membrane coupled to a transducer. The membrane is driven with an A.C. reference voltage, creating alternating attractive and repulsive electrostatic forces caused by the difference in potential between the membrane and the conductor. The transducer generates a signal having the same frequencies as the forces on the membrane, and the amplitudes of the A.C. components are proportional to the unknown voltage on the conductor. By dividing the amplitude of the A.C. components, an accurate determination of the unknown voltage is calculated A plurality of membranes and transducers may be arrayed to provide an image of multiple voltage readings. In addition, it is also possible to measure A.C. and D.C. voltage on the center conductor of an insulated wire without the need to pierce the insulation.

Abstract: A thermally stable etalon filter includes a pair of spaced apart mirrors defining a Fabry-Perot cavity and an optical medium disposed in the cavity. The optical medium is comprised two optically transparent materials, one having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is countervailing to the coefficient of thermal change of refractive index of the other. The thicknesses of the two materials are selected so that the thermal expansion of the optical medium offsets the thermal change in the refractive index, resulting in an etalon filter that is substantially immune to variations caused by temperature. In a further embodiment, the optical medium is comprised of a single material having having a coefficient of thermal expansion and a coefficient of thermal change in refractive index that are functionally opposite. These material properties lead to a beam insertion angle at which the beam refraction is not affected by temperature fluctuations in the material.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a plurality of sub-modules disposed in adjacent array and adapted to translate reciprocally parallel to a common axis. A plurality of shape memory alloy wires extend generally linearly and parallel to the axis, and are each connected from one end of a sub-module to the opposed end of an adjacent sub-module. The SMA wires are connected in a circuit for ohmic heating that contracts the SMA wires between the sub-modules. The sub-modules are linked by the SMA wires in a serial mechanical connection that combines the constriction stroke displacement of the SMA wires in additive fashion to achieve a long output stroke. Moreover, the sub-modules are assembled in a small volume, resulting in an actuator of minimal size and maximum stroke displacement.

Abstract: A scooter having a rider-operated mechanism for driving the scooter forward includes an endless chain loop for transferring propulsion to one wheel of the scooter. In one aspect, a first sprocket wheel is mounted in a vertical plane below the footboard, and a drive link extends from a pedal to an eccentric mounting pin on the sprocket wheel. A second sprocket wheel assembly, including a ratchet gear, is mounted on the shaft that supports the driving wheel, and an endless loop chain extends about the two sprocket wheels below the footboard. When the pedal is depressed, the link rotates the first sprocket wheel and the chain, driving the second sprocket wheel to rotate the drive wheel and propel the scooter. In another embodiment, a first gear wheel is mounted in a vertical plane below the footboard, and a second gear is mounted coaxially with the first sprocket wheel. and disposed to engage the first gear. A drive link extends from the pedal to an eccentric mounting pin on the first gear wheel.

Abstract: A transformational folding puzzle assembly is formed of 24 identical tetrahedrons hingedly secured in a chain or ring. The tetrahedrons are all-space filling, and may be isosceles or other configurations. This hinged structure provides: 1) the construction of a great variety of new shapes, more than a hundred with diamond faces and hundreds more without that limitation; 2) A variety of shape dependent puzzles including a family of geometric transformational magic shapes; 3) a transformational four year calendar/ball in which the twelve months of the year are expressed on the 12 diamond faces of the ball exteriorly while the other three years are hidden in the interior of the rhombic dodecahedron ball; 4) a mechanism for holding the shapes together and joining them to one another, forming for a construction set in which each chain can transform into hundreds of other possible pieces.

Abstract: A bicycle passenger carrier for a child includes a longitudinally extending body having a front end and a rear end, with a passenger seat disposed medially between the two ends. The rear end of the body includes a rear clevis to engage the seat post of a bicycle frame in close fit. The passenger seat includes a curved seat back extending upwardly from the body. At the front end of the body, a forward portion extends downwardly and includes a front clevis adapted to engage either the oblique down tube of a woman's bike or the horizontal tube of a man's bike. A pair of bolt holes extend through the forward portion to receive a bolt that retains the front end on the bicycle. Extending upwardly at the front end of the body is a pommel that provides a hand rest for the passenger, and also serves as a support for a foot rest assembly. The foot rest assembly includes a platform suspended by a strap assembly from the pommel.

Abstract: A foot driven vehicle utilizing a platform. The platform is motivated on a surface utilizing a foot pedal connected to a crank. The crank further includes an endless surface which is linked to a first wheel supported directly to the bottom of the platform. An element which is engageable by a foot or gripable by a hand, is linked to a second wheel supported by the bottom of the platform. The element is movable to turn the second wheel for the purposes of steering. A brake is also included in the present invention for arresting the turning of the first and/or second wheels. The brake includes a flange which is also operated by the foot of the user. A ratchet may also be used in the first wheel to bias rotation of the same.

Abstract: A metronome that marks musical time by displaying a clock face having a measure of music depicted about the periphery includes a rotating indicator that sweeps about the clock face to indicate the rhythm. In one aspect, a computer program generates a screen display having a clock face and a clock hand mounted in the center to rotate continuously in typical clock fashion. Using drag-and-drop techniques, notes and other rhythm symbols are placed on the clock face. As the clock hand rotates past each of the indicia, an audible sound is generated to denote that particular aspect of the rhythm in real time. In addition, a display of one or more regular polygons may be presented to indicate counting in a number equal to the number of sides of the polygon. Polygons may be overlaid to display and sound polymetric rhythms, each vertex corresponding to a counted beat.

Abstract: A device for projecting an escape path to direct evacuation from a fire includes a plurality of laser diode projectors secured within a housing and aimed to project successive rays or images along a predetermined escape path. The images may comprise arrow indicators, graphics, or alphanumeric indicators. The laser beams are emitted through the same window in the housing to minimize heat infiltration into the housing. The laser diodes are triggered by an alarm condition, such as direct actuation by a smoke sensor, IR detector, or the like, or secondary actuation in response to the audio alarm signal of a primary fire alarm. For actuation by a primary alarm system, a microphone input is amplified and fed to a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed to digitally filter and process the signal to determine the presence of a primary alarm signal, and actuate a fire escape path illuminating module.

Abstract: A foot driven vehicle utilizing a platform. The platform is motivated on a surface utilizing a foot pedal connected to a crank. The crank further includes an endless surface which is linked to a first wheel supported to the bottom of the platform. An element which is engagable by a foot, is linked to a second wheel supported by the bottom of the platform. The element is movable to turn the second wheel for the purposes of steering. A brake is also included in the present invention for arresting the turning of the first and/or second wheels. The brake includes a flange which is also operated by the foot of the user. A ratchet may also be used in the first wheel to bias rotation of the same.

Abstract: A device for non-contact, non-invasive measurement of current or power in a wire, cable or conductor includes a small coil having multiple turns and no ferromagnetic core. The coil may be secured to a wand or housing adapted to be used to place the coil in close proximity to the wire, cable or conductor, whereby a voltage is induced in the coil. An amplifier may be utilized to increase sensitivity. A readout indicates the magnitude of the induced voltage, and a scaling device renders the readout display indicative of the current or power in the wire, cable, or conductor. To measure direct current flow, the coil may be vibrated or rotated adjacent to the conductor to cause the magnetic field to induce a voltage in the coil. The readout may comprise a digital display, a series of light emitting devices, or a flashing light emitting device having a flash rate proportional to the magnitude of the voltage. The device may be constructed in a wand or pen-like fashion, with the coil incorporated into the wand.

Abstract: A foot driven vehicle utilizing a platform. The platform is motivated on a surface utilizing a foot pedal connected to a crank. The crank further includes an endless surface which is linked to a first wheel supported to the bottom of the platform. An element which is engageable by a foot, is linked to a second wheel supported by the bottom of the platform. The element is movable to turn the second wheel for the purposes of steering. A brake is also included in the present invention for arresting the turning of the first and/or second wheels. The brake includes a flange which is also operated by the foot of the user.

Abstract: A device for non-contact, non-invasive measurement of current or power in a wire, cable or conductor includes a small coil having multiple turns with a thin ferromagnetic strip. The coil may be secured to a wand or housing adapted to be used to place the coil in close proximity to the wire, cable or conductor, whereby a voltage is induced in the coil. An amplifier and or an analog or digital signal processor is utilized to increase sensitivity. A readout indicates the magnitude of the induced voltage, and a scaling device renders the readout display indicative of the current or power in the wire, cable, or conductor. The readout may comprise a digital display, a series of light emitting devices, an oscilloscope, a digital computer display system, or a flashing light emitting device having a flash rate proportional to the magnitude of the voltage. The device may be constructed in a wand or pen-like fashion, with the coil and strip incorporated into the wand.

Abstract: A device for limiting the intrusion of a shower curtain into a shower enclosure includes a clamp portion for releasably engaging the shower curtain rod, and an tail portion depending from the clamp portion for impinging on the shower curtain and urging it outwardly. The clamp includes an inverted U configuration adapted to extend about the curtain rod. The U-configuration includes one leg that is joined integrally to the tail portion, and the other leg is provided with a detent tip. A detent lever extends from the tail portion proximate to the detent tip, and includes an array of closely spaced detent teeth adapted to engage the detent tip. The detent lever is resiliently biased toward the detent tip, so that the tip remains engaged with the teeth unless otherwise disturbed. The two legs of the clamp may be squeezed together to engage the curtain rod frictionally to immobilize the device on the curtain rod, and the device will remain in this disposition until released.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a computer keyboard or laptop computer on the lap of the user is generally comprised of a top member, medial member, and lower member assembled in vertically stacked relationship. The top member includes an upper surface for supporting a computer keyboard or laptop computer. A raised ledge adjacent to the upper surface includes a pair of resilient pads to engage the wrists of the user in supporting relationship. An interior cavity extends laterally below the upper support surface to receive a drawer which may be withdrawn slidably from either end of the cavity. The drawer is formed in bilateral sections, one supporting a mouse pad, the other storing floppy disks. A removable copy stand may be erected by engaging a pair of holes formed in each bilateral portion of the drawer. The lower member is provided with a wedge form tapering from the distal edge to the proximal edge, with a pair of shallow troughs formed in the bottom surface to accommodate the legs of the user.

Abstract: Multifunctional blade designs for rotational oscillating cutting include, in one aspect, different cutting teeth segments and cutting agent segments arranged along separate portions of a common cutting edge to carry out various cutting tasks. In another aspect, non-circular cutting blades have separate cutting edge segments, each segment having different cutting teeth or cutting agents. The blade edge may include one portion having grit bonded to the cutting edge to cut hard objects, and another portion having cutting teeth for cutting softer objects. Likewise, the blade edge may include two portions, each having cutting teeth of differing size and pitch to cut differing materials. Another embodiment comprises a triangular blade, the sides of the triangle provided with cutting grit bonded to the edges. Alternatively, at least one side of the triangle may include cutting teeth, so that each side of the triangle is adapted to cut different types of materials.