Abstract: The signaling device of the present invention, in its preferred embodiment, generally comprises a switch or activator mounted on a facing of a door, a receiver or doorbell mounted within a home or other building, and mechanism for sending a signal from the switch or activator to the receiver or doorbell. The switch or activator of the present invention is preferably made of clear LEXAN or polycarbonate material bent to a generally U-shape and incorporating a pair of brass contacts wired to a receiver. In lieu of being wired to a receiver, there might be a wireless connection between the switch or activator and the receiver. A pet animal can readily actuate the activator or switch by leaning or pressing against the activator or switch to alert someone within the home or other building that it desires to enter the home or building.

Abstract: A patient rotation system for rotating bedfast patients (P) on a periodic basis from his back to either side, from either side to his back, or from one side to the other side. The system includes, in combination, two major elements, a patient rotation device (10) and a rotation sheet (90) which permits a smooth, continual and rapid rotation of the bedfast patient (P).

Abstract: A door and method for fabrication of unitary six panel steel doors wherein frames members (stiles and rails or headers) are fabricated by forming metal stock into a cross-sectional channel configuration, cutting and swaging the channels into predetermined lengths. The stiles and rails of the frame members are swaged to provide frictional interconnection at the corners thereof upon assembly of the frame members (stiles and rails) into a rectangular frame configuration. Assembly of the frame is accomplished in a shuttle having two assembly jigs. Upon assembly, each frame is moved by the shuttle into a molding press wherein a panel of foam is molded within the frame. The shuttle moves back and forth through the molding press in a manner which provides for removal of a completed panel and assembly of an additional frame from one jig of the shuttle while the molding operation is accomplished within the molding press upon a frame retained within the other jig of the shuttle.

Abstract: A portable cooking oven utilizes heat lamps to provide a low temperature slow cooking system. Independently operated dimmer control switches provide temperature control by controlling the power supplied to selected heat lamps.

Abstract: An above ground shelter that provides protection against dangerous events including micro-bursts, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and personal attack. The shelter is a low profile standalone structure that consists of top, bottom, and side walls and an access door. The shelter is specifically designed for installation in the crawl space below mobile homes, to be entered through an access hatch interior to the mobile home. The shelter is also designed to serve as an entry platform to mobile homes, and as such is configurable with steps, railings, canopies, and handicap access ramps. The shelter's exterior geometric shape was specifically developed to provide optimal deflection of air-born debris, and to provide aerodynamic down force in high velocity winds. In addition, the shelter geometry allows transport and installation by existing commercial equipment. The shelter is of sufficient weight that, in combination with down force aero loads, does not require mandatory attachment to the ground.

Abstract: A light-reflective device for determining positional information relative to an external magnetic field having a housing, a light-reflective compass assembly, a light generating and detecting assembly, a processor, and a display. The light-reflective compass assembly further includes a balanced disk magnet mounted on a compass card. The compass card includes a reflective pattern representative of the position of the housing with respect to the external magnetic field. The reflective compass assembly reflects light generated by the light generating and detecting assembly back toward the light generating and detecting assembly. The light generating and detecting assembly generates a signal representative of the position of the housing relative to the external magnetic field. The processor processes the signal received from the light generating and detecting assembly to determine the position of the housing relative to the external magnetic field and outputs the position to the display.

Abstract: An electric flatiron which substantially eliminates the scorching or burning of fabric material to be ironed. The electric flatiron comprises a housing having a handle attached thereto, a metallic sole plate in electrical contact with electric leads, and spring urged glide assemblies secured to the housing and up to 2.5 centimeters or one inch adapted to extend below the lower surface of the sole plate when there is no or little pressure upon the handle of the housing but moves upwardly in alignment with the lower surface of the sole plate when pressure is placed upon the handle of the housing during the ironing process.

Abstract: A portable stove that is especially useful for marine and recreational vehicle use in that the cooking vessel (pot or pan) holding the food or liquid is gimbaled to swing about perpendicular axes to remain upright despite substantial rolling or pitching of the marine vehicle and the movement of the recreational vehicle to prevent the spilling of the contents of the cooking vessel. The portable stove generally comprises a gimbal ring having two sets of gimbals or bearings therearound, a frame associated with one set of gimbals or bearings for pivotally supporting the gimbal ring, a hanger assembly associated with the other set of the gimbals or bearings and being pivotally supported by the gimbal ring, a fuel supply tank positioned within a basket formed in the hanger assembly, a burner assembly connected with the fuel supply tank, and a pedestal within the vehicle, associated with the frame for normally maintaining the frame in a vertical position.

Abstract: An animal habitat for housing animals which allows the animals to move between two or more modules or chambers. The animal habitat comprises a plurality of lower tier modules having passageways therebetween for allowing animals to move from a lower tier module to an adjacent lower tier module and a plurality of upper tier modules having passageways therebetween for allowing animals to move from one upper tier module to an adjacent upper tier module.

Abstract: A holder for assorted desktop articles such as pens, pencils, scissors, rulers, and the like. The holder comprises an annular top member, a cup-shaped container, a cylindrical sleeve, an annular base member, and a separate pen holder.

Abstract: A carrier for a collapsed wheelchair which allows a disabled person and persons of small stature to enclose and secure the collapsed wheelchair within the carrier and to lift and move the collapsed wheelchair with minimum ease. The carrier comprises a top and end panel member secured to a front panel and a rear panel to form a generally rectangular inverted housing with an opened bottom. An opened seam is formed adjacent the open bottom of the housing for receiving a drawstring which can be drawn to secure the collapsed wheelchair within the carrier.

Abstract: A fishing lure of the spinner bait type having a coupling assembly for rapidly changing blades of one configuration for blades of another configuration. The lure is formed of two sections. The first section is a wire body provided with a first end having a hook secured thereto and a second externally threaded distal end. The second section includes a trailing blade assembly releasably secured to the first section. A quick disconnect coupling secures the trailing blade assembly to the wire body at the second, distal end thereof and permits the blade assembly to be quickly interchangeably with other blade assemblies having blades of varying configurations. Other blades mounted along the length of the body are also quickly interchangeable for blades of different configurations.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus for use with band heaters for heating nozzles of plastic extruding and injection molding machines to maintain intimate contacts between the heater and the cylindrical surface being heated as well as a clamping apparatus of general application for maintaining intimate contact between the apparatus and the cylindrical object to be clamped. The clamping apparatus comprises a generally cylindrical strap incorporating a heater mechanism, or without a heater mechanism therein, which includes end portions, at least one of which has an upstanding tab with one or more openings therein for receiving a ratchet clip which upon movement thereof, causes the interior of the cylindrical strap to tightly engage the generally cylindrical object to be clamped.

Abstract: A veterinary medical leg splint for an animal. The leg splint includes a body having an elongated body portion. One end of the body portion is open to support the digital and metacarpal pads of the animal's foot therein. The other end of the elongated body portion is partially closed by an upstanding portion which is shaped to conform to the configuration of the animal's leg in the area of the elbow joint. The leg and splint are wrapped together to restrain the leg of the animal in the splint.

Abstract: An error correction circuit for an ATM header of an ATM cell uses a sequence of synchronous comparator circuits to generate a correction mask. The sequence of comparators, when used in a processor having a 32-bit bus, provide for near minimum processing delay at an ATM node. The error correction circuit also provides error status flags for an ATM cell processor, allowing for the processor to discard ATM cells with multiple errors.

Abstract: A steam cleaning machine including a housing enclosing a steam generator including a tank provided with a water inlet and a steam delivery connectable to a hose having a cleaning tool attached thereto for steam cleaning a surface. A pressure responsive locking mechanism is provided to lock a cover member in place over the water fill plug of the tank to prevent access thereto while the tank is pressurized.

Abstract: A piston/piston rod assembly. The piston is an annular member which is provided with a longitudinal bore therethrough having internal threads therein. A transverse opening is provided through the piston. The piston rod is provided with a threaded end for threaded engagement with the threaded portion of the piston. A transverse opening is provided through the piston rod. A pin is seated in the transverse openings of the piston and piston rod, responsive to assembly of the piston and piston rod, to retain the piston securely on the piston rod. The transverse openings are disposed to retain the pin therein to prevent movement of the piston on the piston rod, but yet allow a certain amount of adjustment of the piston relative to the piston rod during the assembly thereof.

Abstract: An auxiliary frame having propulsion and steering devices is combined with a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle therewith. A coupling mechanism is provided to couple the auxiliary frame to a wheelchair. A steerable wheel is mounted on the wheelchair to steer and provide forward and reverse movement to the wheelchair, and, a control device is provided to permit the operator to control the direction the wheelchair is to be driven.

Abstract: A multi-layered composite comprising a protective layer, a retaining layer, a conductive layer and a filler layer intermediate the retainer and conductive layers. The filler layer is impregnated with liquid absorbent particles. A protective layer having specific characteristic for protection against extreme temperatures, physical impacts and the like is specifically disclosed for use in combination with the retainer, filler and conductive layers. The protective layer provides additional protection of the person from catastrophic events such as exposure of a person to fire and/or severe impact such as may be caused by gunfire.

Abstract: A device for heating or cooling a fluid. A heat transfer probe (tubular member) is insertable into the fluid to heat or cool the fluid. The tubular probe has a plurality of thermoelectric modules mounted in the wall thereof and the modules are in contact with air in the center of the tubular probe and with fluid in the container. Each module is comprised of mating N and P semiconductors. Heat or cooling is generated by the modules dependent on the direction of electrical current flow through the modules. Fins are bonded to the modules and extend into the ambient air in the tube to facilitate thermal transfer between the ambient air which flows across the modules in the tube. Fins are also bonded to the opposite side of the thermoelectric module and extend into the fluid to facilitate thermal transfer in the fluid.