Abstract: A flow meter for monitoring liquid flow at low or intermittent rates, such as waste water gravity flow from a reverse osmosis system. Water flow from the system enters a meter chamber vented to atmosphere. Water drainage from this chamber is adjusted to match the incoming water flow, and the level at which this occurs is determinative of the rate of waste water flow. Various ways are disclosed to adjust the rate of water drainage from the chamber, including the use of multiple drainage tubes.

Abstract: To address the problem of continuing work while suffering from possibly debilitating carpal; tunnel syndrome, a working wrist splint is provided to restrain the wrist joint to a therapeutically advantageous neutral position, yet allowing sufficient movement of the thumb and fingers to enable keyboard functioning. The form of the splint is a stretch fabric sleeve with a thumb opening, a finger aperture, a resiliently deformable wrist support ball at the bottom of the splint and a stiffening batten in a pocket at the top over the back of the wearer's hand.

Abstract: A fully portable pillow-like device is provided, shaped for comfortable restrain of head movement, and including a sectioned inflatable bladder for shaping the support to conform to any particular user's requirements. The bladder is constructed in 3 independent zones, each separately inflatable to differing degrees of internal pressure and firmness. Inflation means is provided for each of the inflatable bladder zones, and in the preferred embodiment, the inflation means consists of independent pumps, one for each zone, which are fully contained within the perimeter of the bladder form. The pump means consists of a chamber enclosing a resilient volume of open cell foam rubber or other sponge-like material, which when pressed will draw air from an inlet valve and expel it via an outlet check valve into a connected inflatable chamber. A relief valve is also provided at each pump in order that the gas pressure in the inflatable chamber may be adjusted to the user's preference.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the viscosity of clogging hydrocarbons in an oil well. The apparatus is preferably trailer mounted for portability. It includes a tube type heat exchanger enabling heated gases to pass within feed water coils to heat the water to a predetermined temperature and at a pressure which prevents any flashing or phase change of the feed water within the heat exchanger. From the heat exchanger the heated feed water passes through a conduit which empties into the oil well. The well is open to atmosphere so that the feed water undergoes a phase change or flashing when it is introduced into the oil well. The resulting combined steam and hot water reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbons sufficiently to facilitate their flow out of the oil well. One embodiment of the heat exchanger includes special coil arrangements to promote heating efficiency.

Abstract: A vehicle speed limiting system for a vehicle having an engine which includes a plurality of fuel injectors coupled to a low volume fuel injection pump operative to successively trigger a flow of fuel directly to the individual fuel injectors. The vehicle speed is converted to a speed signal which, when it reaches a preset limit, is utilized by the system control to close a fuel control valve through which fuel normally passes to the injection pump. The system is characterized by a low fuel residual upon cutoff by the fuel control so that the engine speed is quickly slowed for lack of fuel.

Abstract: A scoop type patient carrier having separable halves to facilitate placement of the halves beneath a patient, and configured to enable radiographic examination. The joint between the halves, and the points where the pivot and latch mechanisms are located, are laterally offset from the midline or longitudinal centerline of the assembled carrier. This arrangement results in the absence of any joint or line of separation in the upper and lower sections that are aligned with the carrier centerline, and which support the head and feet. This enables the carrier halves to be joined or separated without any accompanying movement of the head and feet of the patient.

Abstract: An adhesive nostril patch that is precision cut and punched to provide a central opening, and to provide edge margins configured to approximate the configuration of the margins of the nostril opening for adherence thereto in fluid tight relation, in combination with a length of tubing having one end diagonally cut to facilitate forcible insertion of the tubing into the central opening of the patch, and having the opposite end flanged to engage the adhesive side of the patch, whereby air from the nostril is constrained to flow into the tubing for measurement of its pressure by external pressure measurement equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying or retrofitting an air gap arrangement for venting the discharge from an existing waste water source such as a household dishwasher, so that the arrangement will also vent the waste water discharge from a reverse osmosis system.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a baby stroller in which the wheel or wheels are mounted to the trailing portion of a linkage assembly that is pivotally carried at its midportion by a lower support. The leading portion of the linkage assembly is located ahead of the wheels and is connected by a tension spring to an upper support. Upward travel of the wheels is resisted by extension of the spring. The lower support mounts a lock movable into lock and release positions. In the lock position the lower support is prevented from rotating about a vertical axis relative to the upper support. In the release position such rotation can occur. Consequently, the baby stroller can be turned around and pushed in a direction opposite the original direction of travel once the wheel assemblies are properly oriented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precise measurement of low differential pressures existing between known high reference pressures and high test pressures. One or more scanner modules are used, each module enabling a reference pressure to be applied to a set of differential pressure sensors located in the module. Adding a second module allows a different reference pressure to be applied to a second set of sensors located in the second module, and using additional modules allows additional reference pressures to be applied to more sets of sensors. Each module enables the application of known calibration pressures to the sensors incorporated in the module. The present method and apparatus are more economical and less complex compared to prior art systems in which manifolds and associated valving are not integral with the modules but are located in separate patch panels and have to be connected to each sensor module by a multiplicity of pneumatic jumper lines.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly for use in a warm, humid environment to initiate operation of electrical equipment such as hot tub or spa pumps, blowers and heaters. The assembly includes a hollow enclosure having an access opening. An actuator extends through and is movable within the access opening. A rigid circuit board fixed in position within the enclosure supports a piezoelectric subassembly which is deformable by the actuator to generate an electrical signal. Resiliently deformable potting material fills all the open spaces around the circuit board, the piezoelectric subassembly and the actuator. The potting material prevents moisture intrusion but is resiliently deformable to allow operational movement of the piezoelectric subassembly and the actuator.

Abstract: A swimming pool debris collection trap for separating debris from water passing through a pool water recirculating system.The collection trap is located at poolside below pool deck level and comprises a tank having upper and lower seats dividing the tank into upper, lower and intermediate chambers.The intermediate chamber between the seats is connected to the pool by a trap suction line. Water from the suction line flows into the open upper end of a foraminous container resting upon the lower seat and extending into the lower chamber. The container traps debris but allows water to flow into the lower chamber for return to the pool through a trap discharge line.The container is removable through a cap opening provided in the intermediate chamber and normally closed by a sealing cap.A balance passage connects the pool to the upper chamber for filling it with water to a level above the upper seat.

Abstract: A swimming pool pop-up fitting having a pop-up head responsive to the intermittent application of water under pressure to reciprocate between retracted and projected positions for directing a jet of water over the adjacent inner surface of a swimming pool from a nozzle in the head.The pop-up fitting includes a fixed retainer having cams that are engageable by camming pins carried by the nozzle head to incrementally rotate the head during its movement between retracted and projected positions. The pins can be removed and the head constrained against rotation to convert the head from a rotary head to a pop-up head which is rotationally stationary or fixed.The pop-up head includes a stem which mounts the nozzle. The nozzle has diametrically opposed nozzle openings which are selectively alignable with an opening in the stem.

Abstract: A container closure for attachment to a threaded container neck and comprising a closure top having a pouring passage and an offcenter opening which receives a tube defining an air passage, the tube being adapted to extend to a position adjacent to the container bottom offset from its centerline, the tube including a check valve to admit air to the container while excluding liquid from the tube. The arrangement enables the pouring of a regular and steady stream of liquid from the container.

Abstract: An air gap apparatus particularly adapted for use in reverse osmosis (RO) units in which reject water must be carried off to a drain line. The apparatus is adapted for incorporation in an RO unit as original equipment or for addition later as an after market item. It provides air gap protection against backsiphoning, and also includes a deflector wall and supplemental opening for shunting to atmosphere any high velocity backflow from the drainage line. Various forms of check valves are disclosed for use with the air gap apparatus to provide further protection against contamination of the potable water system by backflows, the check valves being adapted in certain embodiments for connecting together conduit sections within which the check valves have been installed. Also, a compact and inexpensive form of trap is disclosed for use in systems which do not include a conventional drain trap.

Abstract: An air evacuable support comprising an elongated, airtight and flexible casing partially filled with a plurality of beads which are conformable to a person's body contours. The support can be formed into a seat configuration for placement upon a wheelchair or the like. Apertured baffles located within the casing slow the resulting downward movement of the beads, but also enable the beads to be forcibly moved through them by an attendant for proper bead concentration in areas needing greater rigidity or support. Such rigidity is developed upon evacuation of air from the casing. The seated person is cradled and closely supported by the compacted beads.

Abstract: An adjustable stand comprising a base with a pair of upstanding, spaced parallel friction plates having an upstanding arm with a lower end pivotally attached between the friction plates and an upper end connected to a supported load. The lower end of the arm has a friction member adapted to engage the friction plates. A counterbalancing tension spring extends between the arm and the base to substanatially balance the weight of the arm and the supported load whereby the counterbalancing spring and the friction member act to ensure tht the upstanding arm with its supported load will remain at any position to which the upstanding arm is pivoted.