Abstract: The housing of an oral hygiene device is attachable to a water faucet. A regulator within the housing responds to the water which is subject to pressure variation. The regulator accommodates that variation in developing automatically a stream of water at a constant pressure. A turbine within the housing is caused to rotate in response to energy in the stream. A piston pump draws water deflected by impellers on the turbine and forms that water into a series of pulses. A flexible hose coupled to the housing includes a handle for directing the pulses against the teeth and gums of a user at a desired pressure.

Abstract: A cathode has a pair of cavities in which are disposed respective electrically isolated electrodes. An inert gas is introduced individually into the cavities. Individually outletting from those cavities are a pair of respective apertures. Radio frequency energy is applied to the electrodes to establish a plasma.

Abstract: A blower for fluidized particulates has a housing with an inlet in one wall. The housing defines a chamber which also has an outlet. A rotatably mounted shaft projects into the interior of the chamber. Circumferentially spaced around and projecting laterally from the shaft are a plurality of blades which individually have a shape selected to substantially maximize the impulsive pressure on the particles delivered through the outlet upon rotation of the shaft. Each of those blades has a notch defined toward the shaft from the laterally outer blade periphery with that notch having a size and shape selected to significantly reduce noise created by movement of the blade across the outlet.

Abstract: An earth working apparatus features a horizontally-oriented rigid support frame across a forward end of which is disposed a generally vertical scraper blade. Mounted forwardly of the frame is a roller. A holding device projects rearwardly from the frame and is pivotally coupled to a steerable motive vehicle in a manner which permits vertical swinging of the frame. A ram is disposed vertically above the holder. The ram is pivotally coupled at one end to the support frame and at the other end to the vehicle so as to effect swinging of the frame. Also pivotally mounted on the vehicle to swing vertically is an elevator linkage. The holder is pivotally coupled to a swinging end of that linkage and the ram is pivotally coupled thereto. Also mounted laterally across the support frame and forwardly of the scraper blade is a drag blade.

Abstract: An ion source has the typical chamber wherein ions are produced and caused to be propelled outwardly through at least a pair of grids which have a mutually-aligned respective plurality of apertures. Thus, there are the usual cathode, anode, magnet assembly, ionizable gas inlet and supporting power supplies as well as neutralizing means. First and second grids each have an integrally-formed peripheral marginal portion. A support element has a shape which matches and overlies the marginal portion of one grid, while a clamp has a shape which matches that of and overlies the other marginal portion. The support element and clamp are secured together. First and second mutually-aligned seats are successively spaced around the respective marginal portions.

Abstract: A canopy assembly includes a frame composed of a plurality of elongated elements interconnected to form an array to which a fabric is secured and stretched. Portions of the fabric are secured in tension into corresponding different ones of the elements, and corresponding ends of respective elements are connected together to form the frame. At least some of the elements each respectively have an H-shaped cross-section with space-opposed pairs of each of mutually-spaced legs projecting individually away from respective opposite ends of the crossbar of that cross-section. A variety of different devices may be used alternatively to secure the portions of fabric to the different elements, while creating tension in the fabric. A number of different interconnectors may be used alternatively or in various different combinations to connect corresponding ends of respective different elements in the formation of the frame.

Abstract: A gas, ionizable to produce a plasma, is introduced into a region defined within an ion source. An anode is disposed near one end of that region, and a cathode is located near the other. A potential is impressed between the anode and the cathode to produce electrons which flow generally in a direction from the cathode toward the anode and bombard the gas to create a plasma. A magnetic field is established within the region in a manner such that the field strength decreases in the direction from the anode to the cathode. The direction of the field is generally between the anode and the cathode. The electrons are produced independently of any ion bombardment of the cathode, the magnet is located outside the region on the other side of the anode and the gas is introduced uniformly across the region.

Abstract: An air flow controller is associated with a cabinet which contains apparatus and components for performing operations or conducting processes. Associated with the cabinet is a housing within which is contained an air filtration material. Air is admitted and propelled for flow through that material and delivery into the confined space defined by the cabinet. The amount of propulsion is controlled in response to the rate of flow of air through the housing in order to maintain a selected rate of flow in compensation for changes in impedence to flow of air through the material. The amount of propulsion also is controlled in response to other parameters, such as pressure differential across the material, pressure differential across a prefilter upstream, a measure of the rate of air flow into the cabinet, ambient temperature within the cabinet, pressure differential between outside atmospheric pressure and each of the housing and the cabinet and relative humidity within the cabinet.

Abstract: A visor-mountable emergency light system includes a housing of a size and shape to be mountable to and carried by a vehicle sunvisor. One or two portions of the housing have a conformation receptive of a strobotron exposed for directing light outwardly away from the housing. Another portion of the housing is conformed to define a cavity within which is located a firing unit mounted and connected to cyclically ignite the strobotron. The strobotron includes a light-transmissive lens that has a central area which transmits light of one or more specific colors and a peripheral area which transmits at least primarily uncolored light.

Abstract: A vehicle is controllably powered to be steerably moved over an area. Mounted on the front of the vehicle is a cutter assembly. Also mounted on the vehicle is a hopper. Mowed cuttings are delivered by a conduit from the cutter to the hopper. An outlet mounted within the hopper is coupled in use to the conduit for distributing received cuttings on into the interior of the hopper. A driver mounted with respect to the hopper moves that outlet in a systematic pattern to vary the direction of distribution of the received cuttings.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device includes a supply of liquid, a pump for propelling the to a point of use. A housing defines a cavity within which the pump is seated and which also includes an inlet and an outlet. The pump is of a kind having a hollow body with a chamber defined in a first portion, a piston disposed for reciprocation in that chamber and a motor to drive the piston and thereby the pump. A second portion of the body is coupled to an outlet. A third portion of the body is coupled to an inlet. A first check valve is at least effectively disposed in a third portion of the body and poled to pass liquid only from the inlet to the chamber. A second check valve is at least effectively disposed in the second portion of the body and is poled to pass liquid only from the chamber to the outlet.

Abstract: A canopy assembly includes a frame composed of a plurality of elongated elements interconnected to form an array to which a fabric is secured and stretched. Portions of the fabric are secured in tension into corresponding different ones of the elements, and corresponding ends of respective elements are connected together to form the frame. At least some of the elements each respectively have an H-shaped cross-section with space-opposed pairs of each of mutually-spaced legs projecting individually away from respective opposite ends of the crossbar of that cross-section. A variety of different devices may be used alternatively to secure the portions of fabric to the different elements, while creating tension in the fabric. A number of different interconnectors may be used alternatively or in various different combinations to connect corresponding ends of respective different elements in the formation of the frame.

Abstract: Shelf brackets are each in the form of a unitary body which has a vertical back wall. Defined in the body is a platform that projects outwardly away from the back wall a given distance and is inclined in the outward direction upwardly at an angle substantially between one-half and five degrees with respect to the back wall. Also defined in the body is a ledge that projects outwardly away from that back wall generally parallel to the platform. The ledge is spaced above the platform by an amount to accommodate receipt of a shelf board inserted between the platform and the ledge. Defined in the body is an opening for enabling securement of the body to a mounting surface. A further feature is an enlargement communicating outwardly from that opening that forms a channel which may accommodate receipt of an end of a hanger or the like. As shown, the ledge does not project as far outwardly as the platform.

Abstract: An electronic infrared thermometer is disclosed comprising a housing forming an interior chamber, a pyroelectric sensor mounted within the chamber for sensing temperature change and generating an indicative electrical signal, means for directing infrared radiation from the object to be measured to the pyroelectric sensor, a shutter assembly for controlling the passing of infrared radiation to the pyroelectric sensor, an ambient temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature within the interior chamber and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof, an electrical circuit for processing the electrical signals to calculate the temperature of the object to be measured, and an indicator for indicating the calculated temperature.

Abstract: A controller is associated with a cabinet which contains apparatus and components for performing operations or conducting processes. Associated with the cabinet is a housing within which is contained an air filtration material. Air is admitted and propelled for flow through that material and delivery into the confined space defined by the cabinet by a blower unit. The blower unit is controlled in response to the rate of flow of air through the housing in order to maintain a selected rate of flow in compensation for changes in impedence to flow of air through the material. Operation also is controlled in response to other parameters, such as pressure differential across the material, pressure differential across a prefilter upstream, a measure of the rate of air flow into the cabinet, ambient temperature within the cabinet, pressure differential between outside atmospheric pressure and each of the housing and the cabinet and relative humidity within the cabinet.

Abstract: A vehicle is controllably powered to be steerably moved over an area. Mounted on the front of the vehicle is a cutter assembly. Also mounted on the vehicle is a hopper. Mowed cuttings are delivered by a conduit from the cutter to the hopper. An outlet mounted within the hopper is coupled in use to the conduit for distributing received cuttings on into the interior of the hopper. A driver mounted with respect to the hopper moves that outlet in a systematic pattern to vary the direction of distribution of the received cuttings.An elongated paddle is mounted to swing reciprocally in correspondence with movement of the outlet. Upon the occurrance of impedence against the swinging of that paddle, by cuttings collected within the hopper, a switch is actuated to energize an indicator.

Abstract: A first pulley is coupled by a flexible belt to a second pulley for delivering power from a source to a driven device. An idler pulley is urged against the belt to create tension therein. A cam, coupled for swinging movement to the idler pulley, faces against a cam guide in a manner to vary the spacing between the guide and the idler pulley in correspondence with the amount of swinging movement. A spring secured to the cam nudges the latter in a direction to incrementally increase the spacing between the guide and the pulley in order to maintain a pre-selected degree of tension in the belt upon the occurrence of a surge in power delivered from the source to the driven device with consequent incremental permanent stretching of the belt.

Abstract: Improvements in fireplace systems include several features some of which are separably usable in other heating apparatus. The features include a barometric damper adaptor, a grate structure, a manner of mounting hollow grate tubes in a fireplace assembly, an improved combustion chamber assembly, a combined damper and ducting system, a revised plenum system for a fireplace or the like and a tempering system cooperative with such a unit.

Abstract: A water filter has an elongated base with an inlet opening near one end thereof to which is secured an adaptor ring for attachment to a water faucet. A first outlet opening on the base dispenses unfiltered water and there is a channel defined within the base that leads toward the other end, with an externally-operable valve being included for selecting between unfiltered flow to that outlet and flow down the channel. Located near the other end of the base is a mounting on which sits a water filter cartridge that communicates with the channel, and the cartridge delivers filtered water to a second outlet. A number of features include a color indicator to exhibit degree of cartridge usage, a reversible adaptor ring to accommodate different faucets and there are different aerator structures. Of particular note is the replaceable cartridge which includes a deflector for obtaining better usage of the main filtering material, an exteriorally-mounted first filter and an internally-mounted second filter.