Abstract: A resistance assembly for a hydraulic resistance exercise apparatus includes a single-action hydraulic cylinder having a longitudinal axis and extending from a first end to a second end. The single-action cylinder provides resistance to compression of the cylinder, one end toward the other, but provides little or no resistance to extension of the cylinder, one end away from the other. A first compression linkage compresses the hydraulic cylinder in response to movement of a first exercise resistance lever in a first direction. A second compression linkage compresses the hydraulic cylinder in response to movement of a second exercise resistance lever in a second direction directly opposed to the first direction. An engagement exercise lever includes an engagement pin for selectively engaging the engagement exercise lever to move in fixed relation to one or the other the first or second exercise levers in both the first and second direction.

Abstract: An endoscope cable for use in an endoscope viewing apparatus for viewing an objective has an image viewing cable end portion for association with an image viewing device, a distal, image forming end portion including image forming means for forming an image of the objective, an image transmission means for transmitting the image from the image forming means to the image viewing cable end and a plurality of illumination light conducting fibers extending from an illumination light receiving end at the image viewing cable end to an illumination light emitting end at the image forming end of the cable. A first set of the illumination light conducting fibers has an illumination light emitting end portion axis parallel to the cable image forming end portion axis. A second set of the illumination light conducting fibers has an illumination light emitting end portion axis at a first acute angle to the cable image forming end portion axis.

Abstract: An end portion of an elongate personal flotation device includes a hand-held tool. In one embodiment, a hand-held tool head assembly has a mounting cup with a cylindrical wall and a flat cup base. The cup is fitted over an end portion of a flexible, cylindrical, noodle-type flotation device. A boss extends from the cup base outward, generally along the longitudinal axis of the flotation device. In a first embodiment, a trigger actuated, plunger type hand pump for pumping water is pivotally mounted on the boss and may rotate about the boss axis. In a second embodiment, a scrubbing brush is so mounted.

Abstract: Electronic circuit prototype wiring board is fabricated with layers of electrically conductive material separated by layers of dielectric material. Contact pads of electrically conductive material are arrayed on a surface of the board. Columns of electrically conductive material extend upward from each of the conductive layers to selected contact pads, passing through perforations in any intermediate layers above, such that each of the pads is in electrical communication with only one of the conductive layers. All of the pads connected to a common conductive layer are of a similar geometric plan form which is associated with that layer and which is different and distinguishable from the plan form of pads in electrical communication with any other of the conductive layers. In an alternative embodiment, the wiring board is fabricated of an elastic dielectric material.

Abstract: A spark plug has a base with a bottom end portion adapted to be received and retained by a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. An insulator retains a central electrode within the base with a combustion chamber end of the electrode extending into a combustion chamber of the engine when the plug is installed in the cylinder head. The central electrode combustion chamber end includes a combustion chamber end face with a hole having the physical characteristics of an acoustically tuned pipe with an open and a closed end formed in its surface. A ground electrode is attached to the base and defines a spark gap between its inner surface and the central electrode face. The ground electrode has a hole passing through it which has the physical characteristics of an acoustically tuned pipe with two open ends.

Abstract: A two terminal pulse width modulated incandescent lamp dimmer using low frequency pulse repetition rate provides increased illuminating efficiency by compensating both for light producing inefficiency of a tungsten filament at dimmed level settings, and for internal resistance of a direct current power source. A preferred embodiment of the dimmer is designed for 3.5 to 9.0 volt operation.

Abstract: A recumbent bicycle has a tubular frame member with a longitudinal axis running from front to rear. A rear support module includes a saddle for nestingly embracing a rear portion of the frame member. Cantilever support members extend downward from the saddle to free ends which are attached to an axle for a rear wheel. A head tube and bearing attached to the front of the frame member support a head shaft and a fork with a bifurcated lower portion suitable for mounting a front wheel. The fork lies generally in a plane and is supported, set forward of the head shaft, by extension plates such that the head shaft axis intercepts the fork plane. A drive sprocket assembly is at the front of the frame member. A seat assembly has opposing track slides engaging a track at the top of the frame member. The slides can be drawn together to clamp the track and fix the seat.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery apparatus for removing refrigerant from a refrigeration unit includes a pump for pumping refrigerant gas. A first channel for conducting refrigerant from a fluid circuit of a refrigeration unit to the pump has an upstream end with a coupler for coupling the first channel in fluid communication with a refrigeration unit fluid circuit. The first channel downstream end is connected to the pump's suction side. A second channel for conducting fluid from the pump to a refrigerant storage container has an upstream end connected to the high-pressure side of the pump and a downstream end with a coupler for coupling the second channel in fluid communication with a refrigerant storage vessel. The recovery unit further includes a fluid vessel, a first fluid communication path for placing the vessel in fluid communication with the first fluid channel, and a second fluid communication path for placing the vessel in fluid communication with the second fluid channel.

Abstract: A refrigerant purification and recovery apparatus for removing refrigerant from a refrigeration unit and purifying the refrigerant includes refrigerant phase separation means for dividing a fluid refrigerant stream into a liquid phase and a gaseous phase stream, means for converting the liquid stream into a substantially gaseous stream and means for purifying the gaseous refrigerant stream including an oil polisher having a canister containing a porous, oleophilic, oil adsorbent material through which the refrigerant stream must pass.

Abstract: A nitrogen gas source for providing nitrogen gas at sequential work sites includes a channel for containing flowing gas at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure. A compressor provides compressed air at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to an up-stream end of the channel. A central portion of the channel includes a nitrogen module with a membrane wall portion for selectively constraining nitrogen within the channel while allowing other gases to escape from the channel through the membrane. A downstream portion of the channel includes a bifurcated channel section with a first bifurcated section passage having a first flow restrictor and second bifurcated section passage having a second flow restrictor. A two position valve allows flowing gas to be selectively directed through the first or second passage.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus (10) includes a hydraulic resistance member (50) with a single sided hydraulic cylinder (53) for pumping fluid through a fluid circuit (80). Lever members (31, 32) pivot in a common plane and extend outward to embrace the hydraulic resistance member (50) between them. Stop members (221,223) limit movement of the lever members (31, 32), and biasing member (230) biases 10 the lever members (31,32) apart. An immobilizing member (40) may selectively immobilize either one of the lever members (31, 32). An extension arm (17) supports an exercise member (16) which may move along an exercise stroke only by pumping cylinder (53). The fluid circuit (80) allows fluid to flow from the cylinder (53) only when pressure in the cylinder (53) exceeds a selected pressure corresponding to a selected exercising force determined in accordance with the position of the member (16) along the exercise stroke by a control linkage (100). During the return stroke, no exercising force is required.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery device is provided with a pressure sensing means, liquid sensing means, fluid flow measuring means, telephone dialer for dialing a telephone number, telephone signaler for transmitting a signal over a telephone line to a telephone communication device, and a controller for receiving a parameter value indicative signal indictive of pressure liquid or fluid flow in a predetermined range causing the telephone dialer to dial a telephone number and establish telephone communicaton with the telephone communicaton device and transmit a signal, indicative of pressure liquid or fluid flow, to the telephone communication device.

Abstract: An optical-fiber cable coupler for coupling an optical-fiber cable to an endoscope light source includes a heat conducting member which is in heat conductive contact with the end of a sheath of the light source end of an optical-fiber cable so that thermal energy may be drawn from the sheath to the member and flow to a heat sink during illumination of the cable by the light source. In a first embodiment, the heat conducting member is a finger of a collet which is drawn into contact with the sheath by a collet nut. In a second embodiment, the heat conducting member is a resilient, sheath-supporting finger.

Abstract: A firing apparatus includes a firing pin on a longitudinal axis and biasing means to urge the pin in a firing direction. A central trigger body with a pull end and base end extends along the axis and includes a fruste-conical surface surrounding the axis and expanding toward the base end to a base edge. An outer trigger body includes a base portion having a sheath with an inner cylindrical surface surrounding the inner body and extending to a base edge. Cooperating screw threads on the inner and outer bodies allow adjustment of the bodies longitudinally, one relative to the other, such that the inner and outer base edges are separated by a selected longitudinal distance.

Abstract: A refrigerant purification and recovery device which directly reitroduces the refrigerant to the refrigeration unit or to a storage container. The device is separable into two parts with one part containing a receiver-separator vessel and the other part containing a compressor and a condenser.

Abstract: A band-like safety bumper for an automatic guided vehicle has a hinge pin rigidly attached at either end with a lever rigidly attached to the pin. A proximity switch is located near the lever and sends control signals to stop the vehicle as a result of obstacle induced movement of the lever.

Abstract: A refrigerant storage container includes a temperature indicator to indicate the temperature of fluid in the container, a pressure gauge for indicating the pressure of the contained fluid and a temperature indexed vapor pressure scale on the face of the gauge. Another embodiment includes a thermal strip on the outside wall of the container which indicates a target pressure for a pure refrigerant contained therein. A third embodiment includes a temperature indicator, pressure gauge and a temperature pressure chart on an exterior wall of the container.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a diffuser comprising a rectangular frame with a tope edge and a bottom edge; a base plate attached to said bottom edge at a base plate perimeter and having a gas inlet through which gas can flow; a top plate with an upper surface and an inner surface said top plate attached to said top edge at a top plate perimeter and having an aperture through which gas can flow; a flexible, generally gas-impermeable membrane lying above said top plate and attached to said top edge at a membrane perimeter, said membrane including a central porous portion with a boundary defined by an ellipse.