Abstract: A watchdog timer for a computer with a CPU and a peripheral controller. The watchdog timer includes a program in the peripheral controller and a corresponding program in the peripheral interrupt service routine of the CPU. When the watchdog timer function is enabled, the peripheral controller will interrupt the CPU periodically and check the response from the CPU. If the CPU is not responding, or wrong data is returned from the CPU, the peripheral controller will generate a reset signal to reset the CPU and reboot the system.

Abstract: An orbital implant motility peg comprising a means for placement in vivo in a non-drilled integrated orbital implant. The peg or portions thereof can be fabricated from titanium, a titanium alloy, stainless steel, a CoCr alloy, alumina, platinum or tantalum. The means for placement can comprise an external surface of the peg which comprises threads, to facilitate screwing into the implant, and/or a slot capable of receiving a screwdriver tip, a receptacle capable of receiving a Phillips screwdriver tip, a polygonal surface capable of being held by a wrench, or a receptacle capable of being engaged by an Allen wrench.

Abstract: A goggle having a close fitting interface with the wearer's brow, cheekbones and nose bridge, comprises a set of detachable foam strips for easy and rapid substitution or replacement. Foam strips of various thickness and density are permanently bonded to a carrier band removably attachable to inner portions of the goggle frame.

Abstract: A homogeneous sintered composite made by press-forming a homogeneous mixture of powders of an agglutinating component, a second component having a melting point higher then the agglutinating component, and an exothermically reactive component to form a compact; heating the compact, then inducing an exothermic reaction of the reactive substance which generates sufficient additional heat to melt the agglutinating component without melting the high melting point component. For electronic microcircuit heat-dissipation applications the agglutinating component is a high thermal conductivity metal, and the high melting point component has a low thermal expansivity, whose proportions are adjusted to match the thermal expansion characteristics of microcircuit material. To reduce porosity, the reacted compact is pressed again while the agglutinating component is still in the liquid phase. For low weight applications the second material has high specific thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A portable and compact cigar humidifier has a pull-out member encasing a slab of spongy material. A pair of circular windows cut through opposite walls of the member have a diameter slightly larger than the maximum diameter of a conventional cigar. A circular aperture in the spongy material slab is co-axiallly aligned with the windows, and has a diameter slightly less than the minimum diameter of a conventional cigar. The spongy material is implemented with an aromatic liquid. A cigar can be passed through the windows and aperture to humidify its outer skin.

Abstract: A display structure for flower pots, decorative vases and other similar containers comprises a series of tray-and-pot-holding brackets detachably secured to a mounting panel. Each holding bracket is formed by a plate having, along opposite edges, notches shaped and dimensioned to capture the brims of trays and containers.

Abstract: A compact, rugged, long-lasting, battery-powered light fixture suitable for use as an emergency signal, marker, or flashlight has a lighting element made from a phosphorous-based luminescent film section curled into an arcuate shape and packaged within a transparent tubular enclosure. The AC power supply and batteries are held in the center of the enclosure inside the lighting element.

Abstract: In a braking axle driven by a wheel of a trailer vehicle, wherein an axle-driven pumping mechnism is used to pressurize a volume of hydraulic fluid in response to a braking command, the fluid pressure activates a turbine which in turn drives a cooling fan aimed at a radiator used to dissipate the heat accumulating into the hydraulic fluid. The coaxially circular arrangement of the pumps, control valves and other components of the system yields a simple, efficient and sturdy mechanical structure that can withstand very high internal fluid pressure with a limited and controllable leakage rate.

Abstract: A patio table and outdoor barbecue combination in which a burner pit is positioned in the upper section of a table central, hollow-core pedestal, and can be covered when not in use by a lid flush with the upper surface of the table slab. In the charcoal-fuel embodiment, the cooking griddle, charcoal plate, and ash-collecting bucket are held at successively space-apart levels within the inner wall of the burner pit which has an inverted frusto-conical shape. In the gas-fired embodiment, a small propane canister is conveniently located under the table top.

Abstract: A porous structure for implantation into the orbital cavity of a mammal who has had an ocular enucleation, evisceration or who needs to have an orbital implant replaced, the structure comprising pores having a mean size of less than 200 micrometers. Also disclosed is a surgical method for placing an implant into a mammal who has had an ocular enucleation, evisceration or who needs implant replacement, whereby the implant obtains rapid ingrowth of connective and vascular tissues. The method comprises: selecting a porous ocular implant comprising pores with a mean size of less than 200 micrometers; and, placing the implant into an orbital cavity of a mammal.

Abstract: A disposable sterile cover, for the control lever of an instrument, comes packaged into a disposable sterile envelope. A central raised area of the cover fits loosely over the control lever while the remaining peripheral flat area of the cover remains in contact with the surrounding control panel portion, allowing the control lever to be manipulated during a surgical procedure by the surgeon without compromising the sterility of her hands.

Abstract: A billfold and credit card carrier engineered for minimum thickness has a pair of nested pockets shaped and dimensioned to hold adjacent stacks of banknotes, and series of credit card-sized pockets for holding credit cards, driver's license, and other similarly sized documents in side-by-side arrangements.

Abstract: An orbital implant motility peg capable of being placed in vivo in an orbital implant, wherein the peg is configured to permit rotation about a longitudinal axis of the peg during or following insertion of the peg into the implant, and wherein the peg comprises a means for removable attachment to an artificial eye. The means for removable attachment can comprise a convex surface capable of articulating with a concave surface on the artificial eye. The means for removable attachment can comprise a ball capable of providing a ball of a ball-and-socket articulation. The peg can contain a means for removable attachment that comprises a positive or a negative magnetic pole. The peg can define a cavity capable of containing a stint for attachment to an artificial eye. Also disclosed is a stint capable of being placed in such a peg cavity. The stint can comprise a means for removable attachment to an artificial eye such as a ball of a ball-and-socket articulation.

Abstract: In a hot and cold water plumbing installation, a volume of hot water is first drawn from the hot water line and stored in an insulated reservoir. When the temperature of the water near the most distal location of the hot water line falls below a predetermined level, the contents of the insulated reservoir are reinjected back into that line to flush the cooled down water back into the water heater. A second reservoir is used between the water heater inlet and the cold water source to absorb the excess water resulting from the aforesaid reinjection and prevent hot water from being injected into the cold water line.

Abstract: A removable pocket is formed over a flat surface such as the front of a shirt by adhesively securing to the fabric a treated and embossed label-type applique made of two plies of paper permanently bonded about their peripheries and in which a slit along a top edge allows access to the pouch thus formed between plies. The pouch may be filled with merchandise and temporarily sealed with a removable strip. A postcard format printed in the back of the removable pocket allows its use as a mailer. A type of pouch having a transparent front may be conveniently used as a document display. The above-described various devices are preferably manufactured using label printing presses that print a glue pattern that binds the edges of the plies.

Abstract: A container which can be held and opened by one hand has a dome-shaped cap formed by a series of adjacent, contiguous and ogee-shaped segments resiliently held together by an elastic ring. When the cap is forced down over the opening rim of the vessel, the ogee-shaped segment separate to expose the vessel opening.

Abstract: In a hot and cold water distribution system wherein the hot water is delivered from a water heater to a distant hot water tap adjacent to a cold water tap, a hot water recirculation pump assembly purges the hot water line of any cooled-down water in order to assure instant hot water delivery when the hot water tap is opened. The volume of water drawn from the hot water line is, in a first embodiment of the invention, cooled down through a radiator before being recirculated through the cold water line faucet. In a second embodiment, the volume of cooled down water is flushed back through the hot water line by admission of an equal volume of cold water in that line. That volume of cold water is immediately pumped back into the cold water line, and automatically replaced by hot water drawn from the water heater. Each embodiments prevent any drawing of lukewarm water from the cold water tap. The pump assembly includes a pressure-sensitive check-valve in the pressure region of each pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting a bone from a cut of meat comprises a frusto-conical blade against which the cut of meat is pushed in the axial direction of, and in line with the bone. The apical opening edge of the blade cuts and spreads the meat around the bone, allowing the bone to pass through the blade while the meat is crunched against the wall of the blade and its backing plate. The bone is grabbed by a pair of jaws terminated by barbed cylinders that rotate in opposite directions to further extract the bone from the cut of meat. The movements of the jaw and of a lever that pushes the cut of meat towards the blade are synchronized by a single camshaft mounting eccentric wheels acting on both the jaws and the pushing lever. These movements are driven for safety by the pull of coil springs. Electrical motors only return the jaws and lever to their rest position.