Abstract: A tool expanding assembly serves to greatly increase the usefulness and versatility of preexisting long-handled tools by providing a specially configured interconnecting approach which allows rapid attachment of various tool head types to the unmodified basic tool. The resulting combined tool may be rapidly reconfigured as needed, and allows the use of a wide range of tool types in groups of two, including the basic tool type and any one other of a variety of alternate tool head types. A two section tool expanding assembly is disclosed via a number of preferred embodiments, and both round and square variants of the alternate tool head interconnecting sections are presented.

Abstract: A multiple blow percussion drill assembly is specially configured to provide significantly increased maintainability and adjustability in the field, thereby greatly extending its service life and usefulness over a wide variety of drilling conditions. Both spring replacement and impact hammer delay time variations are rapidly accomplished by virtue of unique positioning and interactions of the internal components, without the need for dissassembly of the sealed high impact energy portion of the drill assembly. Advantageously, a first chamber housing the high impact energy transferring components is isolated from a second chamber housing the control components, such that the control components may be rapidly cleaned, adjusted, or replaced via a simple access port.

Abstract: A control circuit utilizing the impedence transforming attributes of ballast/filter networks is disclosed for energizing high intensity gas discharge lamps, wherein the output amplitude and/or duty cycle of a power frequency waveform produced by a switching inverter is controlled using feedback techniques. A basic embodiment teaches the use of energy removal from the input inductor of a low pass ballast/filter positioned between a switching inverter operating at 30 kHz and a gas discharge lamp load to serve as a feedback source, while an alternate embodiment teaches the use of this feedback source as a signal for controlling the duty cycle of the constant frequency square waves produced by the inverter.

Abstract: A dispenser adapter to improve the dispensing of thin webs from rolls of material contained in conventional dispensing boxes is specially configured to provide its benefits of antirecoil and risk free tearing to a wide range of dispensing boxes. The adapter is particularly suited to being retrofitted to commercially available dispensing boxes containing a wide range of materials such as plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and wax paper, while allowing the user to dispense these various materials by a single consistent, positively controlled, feeding and tearing action. In a preferred embodiment, a pressure plate loaded by one or more metal springs allows the user to easily exert a proportional braking action, and alternate embodiments teach the use of low cost resilient materials in various arrangements to provide the desired dynamic spring action. Additionally, a complete dispensing unit is disclosed which incorporates the teachings of the improved adapter.

Abstract: A commutatorless DC machine has axially oriented magnetic flux in the air gaps between interleaved stator and rotor disks, and the rotor disks carry one or more radially oriented armature winding elements consisting of electrical conductors serially interconnected in serpentine fashion and terminated at a pair of slip rings. The magnetic flux incident upon the two opposed planar surfaces of any one rotor disk are oppositely directed, producing electromotive forces or torques which are directly additive, resulting in heretofore unrealized electromechanical transducer action. A number of illustrative and preferred embodiments describe single or multiple rotor disk configurations, and further describe armature winding arrangements having various numbers of individual armature winding elements arranged in parallel between the slip rings.

Abstract: An automatic animal feeding system having a vertically adjustable inverted U-shaped cover disposed over a feed trough. Vertical adjustment of the cover provides for an advantageously settable feed discharge gap into the feed trough. The system comprises an automatically energized driving chain movable along the feed trough, which chain carries feed propelling paddles. The feeding apparatus is especially adapted for use in the feeding of wet ground corn to hogs, and provides substantially reduced probabilities of jamming due to feed build up, or of causing feed spoilage due to unwanted accumulation of feed in inaccessible areas.

Abstract: An electricity distribution unit has a plurality of electrical outlets integrated into an adjustably-sized unitary assembly having means for switchably energizing selected ones of the outlets. Other outlets remain continuously energized, and integral optical recognition means distinguish between the two types. The assembly further includes specialized mounting means to facilitate secure mounting to suitable surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimally performing dissolution testing of pharmaceutical dosage forms, agricultural products, and components of industrial products wherein the method uses dissolution profiles from a known drug dosage form, or product, as reference data for a predictive process; and the apparatus is organized to carry out the method via both closed loop and open loop operating modes under the control of a central processor. An illustrative embodiment teaches the serial usage of the two operating modes in a single flow-through dissolution cell configuration to optimally predict the time course of in vivo bioavailability from in vitro dissolution measurements, while an alternate embodiment teaches the use of a plurality of dissolution cells and the simultaneous use of the closed and open loop operating modes to implement an Internal Standard capability. Additionally, an optimally adaptive capability is provided in the dissolution testing process via a random input modeling mode of operation.

Abstract: A multimode digital display assembly is configured to provide a real time alphanumeric display of notes and chords being played on stringed musical instruments, such as a guitar, as a learning or teaching aid. The display assembly is particularly well adapted to be retrofitted to a minimally modified guitar, and the display generating circuitry is specially selected for a low cost/low complexity implementation. Basic operating modes provide both a track, and latch display type, and an alternate operating mode uses sound produced by the instrument to initiate and update displays of the notes and chords being played.

Abstract: A system for automatic feedback controlled administration of drugs (SAFCAD) is disclosed for the control of administration of drugs responsive to real-time processed physiological or pharmacological signals. Control apparatus implemented by analog, digital, or optimal-adaptive digital means is described using various combinations of proportional, integral and derivative control loop processes. A preferred digital embodiment uses optimal-adaptive, proportional-integral control which includes on-line physiological system modeling and control loop parameter tuning for the administration of anesthetics such as thiopental.

Abstract: A dissolution cell for use in automatic dissolution testing apparatus is specially configured to accommodate the iterative insertion of product specimens into the dissolution mechanism flow stream, and to perform the specimen insertion into a stabilized flow stream with minimal insertion disturbance. A basic multiple-injection embodiment utilizes a linear configuration to selectively insert two specimens into the flow stream, and a circular multiple-injection embodiment teaches the selective insertion of a plurality of specimens into the stream in a manner amenable to a programmable sequence. Both embodiments use air evacuation of the specimen flow chamber prior to its insertion into the instrumented flow stream, and both allow a high degree of fidelity in the dissolution measurements performed. The improved cell is especially useful for testing rapidly dissolving industrial products or drug dosage forms.

Abstract: A disposable container for used sharp surgical implements is formed of an outer casing lined with resilient pads, and is configured to fold into the closed position where it is retained via simple mechanical means which permit reopening if necessary. The basic device includes integral edge guards and a variety of closure retaining means, and includes an embodiment having a transparent outer casing to facilitate visual inspection and inventory of the surgical implements after container closure prior to final disposal.

Abstract: A method for accomplishing peak limiting of bipolar signal voltages wherein the signal is processed as a running series of half waves, each of which is individually examined and dynamically controlled in amplitude. A serially connected multiple section delay line technique is utilized to derive control signals for operating the amplitude control function. Illustrative apparatus for carrying out the method includes a thresholded light-dependent resistive attenuator controlled in part by a polarity sensitive zero-crossing detector. Also included are a number of serially connected delay stages, the output signals of which are polarity-sensed to form the bipolar signal being processed into the desired half wave sections, and are amplitude-sensed to provide the required amplitude control information.

Abstract: An improved disposable receiver, formed by foldably nesting a shaped cover element into a correspondingly shaped tray element, for securely encasing sharp disposable surgical implements features a combination of reopenable retaining and locking means for retaining the receiver in the closed, nested position. In a preferred embodiment, the disposable receiver may be formed of transparent plastic material into symmetrical tray and cover portions separated by an integrally formed flexible hinge, and a number of integrally formed pressure fit snap locks are arrayed around the periphery of the receiver to provide readily reopenable closure retaining means. Additionally, the tray and cover portions are slightly pyramidally shaped to produce a receiver of high rigidity when in the closed, nested position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for graphic conversion for electronic data processing wherein an image is converted to an electrical analog signal which is converted to digital data representing discrete segments of the image containing color value data. The digital data is converted to an analog signal by a curve fitting technique responsive to adjacent discrete segments and the analog signal drives a visual display means which recreates the original image. Means are provided to store and/or modify the digital data to effect predetermined changes in the recreated images.

Abstract: A receiver for securely encasing pointed disposable surgical implements comprises a tray having a bottom wall, side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and a flange extending outwardly around the upper periphery of the side walls. A device for receiving surgical implements is positioned on the bottom wall of the tray, and a cover having a configuration similar to the tray is hingedly connected to the tray and adapted to be folded to a closed, nested position relative to the tray with the bottom wall of the cover in close proximity to the bottom wall of the tray to securely encase surgical implements therebetween. The side walls of the cover are preferably shorter than the side walls of the tray to provide a space between the respective bottom walls to accommodate the receiving device and surgical implements.