Abstract: A rigid buccally positioned bar, placed above the upper teeth and stabilized anteriorly by a connector to a protruding bony anchor carries a variety of force systems to facilitate tooth/teeth movement in all three spatial directions. The bar can be stabilized posteriorly by insertion into tubes on the molar bands. Various attachments connect different teeth to the buccally positioned bar for exerting the desired forces on the teeth.

Abstract: An adjustable, resealable and reusable elastic strap worn on the outside of a soccer sock and used for locking the shin guard in its intended protective position. This external shin guard strap includes a piece of woven, braided or knitted elastic material and matched pieces of hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro.RTM.) attached at its ends. The elastic material is provided in different lengths to accommodate use at either the ankle, midpoint of the or knee position and for different sizes of the leg. The elastic material is compatible with inks, dyes or pigments for permanently labeling and/or coloring the device.

Abstract: Light is directed towards at least one eye of a user of a personal alert safety system (PASS), and the reflected light is sensed. When the eye blinks, there is an interruption of the reflected light signal indicating that the user is conscious. Electronic circuitry converts the variation in reflected light intensity into a corresponding variation in electrical signal. The PASS interprets this variable electrical signal as a reset indicator, so that as long as the wearer is conscious, the audio warning alarm in the PASS does not sound. The light is provided by a light emitting diode in the near infrared range, and the reflected beam may be sensed by a photodiode or phototransistor. Alternatively, ultra sound, or other light frequencies, may be used.

Abstract: A seismically triggered valve is designed to shut off gas supply during an earthquake. A valve member is pivoted within a valve body, the valve member being mechanically movable to the open position. A magnet is fixed to the valve member, and a ferromagnetic ball is free on a concave surface. The center of the concave surface is aligned with the magnet; but, when the valve is shaken, the ball moves and releases the magnet. The valve member moves by gravity, but is assisted by a spring bias towards the closed position. A control rod can engage the valve member to open the valve, and can mechanically close the valve if desired. Further, a bleed passage connecting the valve body with the outlet is controlled by the control rod selectively to bleed off pressure within the valve body. The valve body is formed integrally. with an open top, and the sensor is received within the open top to close the top and properly locate the sensor.

Abstract: A seismically triggered valve is designed to shut off gas supply during an earthquake. A valve member is pivoted within a valve body, the valve member being mechanically movable to the open position and movable by gravity to the closed position. A magnet is fixed to the valve member, and a ferromagnetic ball is free on a concave surface. The center of the concave surface is aligned with the magnet; but, when the valve is shaken, the ball moves and releases the magnet so the valve member closes by gravity. The valve body is formed integrally with an open top, and the sensor is received within the open top to close the top and properly locate the sensor. The valve can be closed at will by moving the ball off center, for example by a plunger, or by magnetically attracting the ball. To prevent inadvertent closing of the valve, baffles direct the incoming fluid away from the loose edge of the valve member.

Abstract: A dust mop head is formed of a single sheet as a backing for pile yarns, with flaps integrally formed, the flaps having slits therein. A mop frame has inwardly directed tongues, and the flaps wrap around the frame so the tongues extend through the slits to hold the mop head to the mop frame. The mop heads can be formed by die cutting, either separately or in a continuous strip of backings. Pile yarns are subsequently attached, and the individual mop heads are separated from the continuous strip. If the mop head is to be launderable, one would use loop pile yarns and serge the edges of the backing.

Abstract: An in-place automotive vehicle servicing system for servicing vehicles while in a parking lot or the like utilizes a servicing vehicle carrying a vehicle lifting apparatus. The vehicle lifting apparatus has a telescoping central beam with two pivotal cross-beams. The lifting apparatus is collapsed for carrying in the servicing vehicle, and is extended beneath a vehicle. Jacks carried at the ends of the cross-beams are positioned at the lift points of the vehicle to be serviced, and the jacks are operated to lift the vehicle. A control device is mounted with the lifting apparatus, and includes a computer to provide servicing information about the vehicle to be serviced, and preferably for assisting in aligning the jacks with the vehicle lifting points.

Abstract: A dehumidifier for use in a bathroom or the like utilizes the cold surface of a heat exchanger to condense moisture, and the hot surface of a heat exchanger to warm the air after the moisture is removed. The cold surface is provided by having the cold water supplied to the room pass through the cold heat exchanger; and, the hot surface is provided by having the hot water supplied to the room head pass through the hot heat exchanger. The heat exchangers may be concentric circles, so a recirculation fan centrally of the heat exchangers will move air across the two, or may be rectangular with a plenum at each end so air moves across the two. A drip pan beneath the cold heat exchanger catches the condensate. The circular heat exchangers may be less than a full circle, and a light housed in the space defined. Also, an exhaust fan may be mounted concentrically with the recirculation fan in the circular heat exchanger, or may be mounted in the output plenum of the rectangular device.

Abstract: A rug or mat having a pattern in relief is formed by printing a pattern on a rug having face yarns of a thermoplastic fiber, and subsequently heating the printed rug. The ink is applied by silk-screen, stencil or the like to apply enough ink to raise the melting point of the thermoplastic yarns, so the printed portions do not shrink as much as the untreated, or unprinted, portion of the rug. A plastisol ink has been found to protect the printed yarns. Because an ink is used to protect the yarns, the pattern can be defined by yarn height and color.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a first gas in a second gas uses a gas sensor made up of at least two pairs of electrodes, each pair of electrodes having different spacing between the electrodes. The electrodes of the gas sensor have surfaces that are reactive to the gases under investigation. The gas sensor is exposed to the gases, and the electrical resistances between the pairs of electrodes are measured over a period of time. `The results are compared with a calibration curve to determine if the first gas is present in the second, and to determine of the sensor is malfunctioning.

Abstract: A fire detector, for connection in a fire protection/alarm system, comprises an array of sensors, or a single sensor, of the semiconductor resistor type impregnated with a noble metal. The detector is responsive, by way of a decrease in its resistance, to an increase in any one or more parameters indicative of a fire, namely the atmospheric concentrations of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and water vapor, and temperature, so that a fire is detected regardless of which of these indicators is present. The sensor responds to all of the parameters, and the output signal simultaneously represents changes in all the parameters.

Abstract: A subperiosteal bone anchor has a base that is thin and moldable so the base can be conformed to bone where it is to be placed. The base is formed as a plurality of arms, and leaves with central holes in the leaves so screws can urge the leaves against the bone. The edges of the base are scalloped, and very thin to facilitate bone overgrowth. Central to the arms is a stem extending up, and having a variety of connection mechanisms for attachment of orthodontic appliances.

Abstract: A housing for a surveillance camera is generally dome shaped, the camera being movable therein, and the interior of the housing is under pressure to exclude contaminants. The housing is made up of an assembly plate having a central opening to receive a lower dome therethrough, with an upper enclosure placed on top of the assembly plate. The lower dome and upper enclosure are sealed to the assembly plate to retain gas under pressure within the interior. An accessory bracket is carried by the assembly plate within the upper enclosure, and a surveillance camera is mounted from the accessory bracket. An upper dome may be placed over the upper enclosure as a sun shield. In installing the housing, a mounting bracket is first installed, then the assembly plate is carried by the mounting bracket. The lower dome is put into place, followed by the accessory bracket, the upper enclosure, and finally the upper dome. Subsequently, the interior can be pressurized by the introducing gas through the valve.

Abstract: A measuring device hanger is engageable with one of the standard holes in a vehicle body, and suspends a conventional measuring device therefrom. A head is small enough to pass through the smallest of holes in a vehicle body; and, the head is expansible to lock within the largest of holes in a vehicle body. The head is in two parts, one part being on each of two jaws. The jaws are pivotal away from each other to separate the two parts of the head to lock the head within a hole. A body mounts a shaft fixed with respect to the body. The shaft carries a threaded stud which extends through a cam block. Thus, as the body and the shaft are rotated, the threaded stud rotates to move the cam block and urge the jaws away from each other. The body defines a hole that receives the standard measuring device, and a set screw secures the measuring device.

Abstract: A resistive gas sensor has a porous semiconducting oxide body in which the pore surfaces are decorated with a precious metal. The sensor operates at ambient temperatures for detection and measurement of target gases, especially carbon monoxide. The porous sensor body is formed of primary crystallites agglomerated together, the agglomerate size being less than 10 times the primary crystallite size, and the primary crystallite size having an average diameter of less than 5 micrometer. From 0.05 to 80% of the pore surfaces are covered by the metallic phase, the metallic phase consisting of particles having an average size of less than 50 nanometers. Presence of the target gas is indicated by a change in electrical resistance of the sensor.

Abstract: A window scraper has a drum that mounts four blades on its periphery, the blades extending generally tangentially so the sharp edges project beyond the drum. A shroud covers the drum and blades, and the shroud defines an opening where the blades project through the opening to engage a glass pane to be scraped. Switch actuators are placed beside the opening so the opening must be urged against a surface before the drum can be rotated. The motor and battery may be placed within the handle of the scraper. A safety shield is pivoted to the shroud, and can be used to cover the opening in the shroud when the scraper is not is use.

Abstract: A resistive gas sensor having a WO.sub.3 sensing element is especially useful for detection of low concentrations (1 ppm or less) of ozone in air. The WO.sub.3 element is a porous layer with a 30-60% porosity and less than 50 micrometer thick, having in general a sufficiently open porous microstructure and high surface area to give satisfactory response to ozone. The sensor is used for detection of low ozone concentrations at a working temperature in the range from ambient to 600.degree. C.