Abstract: A grommet strip including a metallic, elongated base having first base portions spaced apart along a longitudinal axis and each having a given width W; and second base portions each joining a longitudinally spaced apart pair of the first base portions, each of the second base portions having a width substantially less than W so as to allow bending of the elongated base in orthogonally related directions about the longitudinal axis. Also included are first fingers extending upwardly from longitudinally aligned first edges of at least some of the first base portions; and second fingers extending upwardly from longitudinally aligned second edges of at least some of the first base portions. The first edges are substantially transversely aligned with the second edges; and the first fingers, the second fingers and the base form a longitudinally extending channel for receiving an edge portion of a wall.

Abstract: A hair dryer having both a fan-forced convection heater and radiant heater which emits energy having wavelengths in both the infrared and visible spectrum. The housing of the dryer is translucent to visible light but absorbent of infrared radiation and arranged to facilitate the transfer of heat generated by the absorption of the infrared radiation into the fan-forced airflow. The visible light emanating from the dryer provides an indicator of the dryer's operation and a warning of the presence of the otherwise invisible and otherwise dangerous infrared radiation.

Abstract: A hair-curling roller heating system including a plurality of rollers supported on posts heated by both a resistive heating plate and a halogen bulb which emits both visible light and radiant heat in the form of infrared radiation. The posts have open top ends and the rollers have differently colored translucent upper tips which receive light from the posts and thereby identify different types of rollers.

Abstract: A movable magnet support tube and a stationary magnet support tube are aligned coaxially within a brake drum coupled to a rotational shaft. An array of magnets are supported at equal intervals on the outer surfaces of the magnet support tubes and proximal surfaces of ferromagnetic pole pieces are fixed to magnetic pole surfaces at ends of the magnets which are aligned annularly. Extreme end surfaces of the ferromagnetic members are juxtaposed to an inner peripheral surface of the brake drum and an actuator reversibly rotates the movable magnet support tube.

Abstract: A biosignal monitoring system including a plurality of sensors for disposition in predetermined positions on the body of a test subject; each sensor having contact surfaces shaped and arranged to detect a particular biosignal generated in the body, a sensor transceiver, a sensor antenna, a voltage supply, and a microprocessor programmed for processing the particular biosignal to provide given data; and a control station providing a wireless, bi-directional data communications link with the sensors; the control station having a station transceiver, a station antenna, and a computer for further processing the given data received from the sensors.

Abstract: A guide tube formed of a non-magnetically permeable material is coaxially disposed in a brake drum coupled to a rotational shaft and a magnet support tube formed of a non-magnetically permeable material is axially movably supported within the guide tube. A plurality of magnets are supported at equal annular intervals on the outer wall of the magnet support tube and proximal surfaces of ferromagnetic members are coupled to magnetic pole surfaces at opposite ends of the magnet. Actuators reciprocate the magnet support tube between a braking position in which extreme end surfaces of the ferromagnetic members are opposed to an inner surface of the brake drum and a non-braking position in which the ferromagnetic members are withdrawn from the brake drum.

Abstract: A cemetery planter including a box having a first box portion with a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, an end wall and an open end, and a second box portion with a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, an end wall and an open end; the open end of the first box portion being received by the open end of the second box portion during sliding engagement therebetween. Also included are a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart U-shaped brackets substantially parallel to the end walls and substantially conforming to the front, back and bottom walls of the box portions; each U-shaped bracket having one end defining an inwardly directed first hook portion for engaging an upper front edge of the box and an opposite end defining an inwardly directed second hook portion for engaging an upper rear edge of the box and the first and second hook portions being shaped to receive pairs of overlapped front and back wall portions of the slidably engaged first and second box portions.

Abstract: An eddy current reduction braking system in which with high speed rotation of a brake drum, magnetic flux produced by magnets is concentrated to increase magnetic flux density and thereby enhance braking force. According to the invention, there is provided a guide tube formed of a non-magnetic material and having a hollow portion in the shape of a rectangle in section disposed interiorly of a brake drum. A number of ferromagnetic pole pieces are disposed at annularly equal intervals on an outer surface of the guide tube and at least one magnet support tube is movably mounted in the hollow portion of the guide tube. Magnets are mounted on the magnet support tube such that their polarities with respect to the ferromagnetic pole pieces are alternately different.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a magnetically permeable rotatably mounted brake drum; an annularly distributed magnetic source generates a magnetic field within the brake drum; a control for selectively applying the magnetic field to the brake drum; a drive shaft rotatable during movement of the vehicle; and a rotational speed enhancing coupling between the brake drum and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A portable electrical heater including a portable housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air flow path therebetween; a blower for circulating air through the air flow path; an electrically powered heater element disposed in the air flow path; and a control board including a selector for effecting operation of the heater, and a digital display. An ambient temperature sensor and an electronic controller controls energization of the display and heater element in response to inputs from the selector and temperature sensor.

Abstract: A humidifier including a base defining a reservoir for liquid; a humidification mechanism for inducing dispersion of moisture withdrawn from the reservoir; a liquid storage tank having an outlet communicating with the reservoir and adapted to feed liquid thereto; and a container retaining a volume of a liquid treatment substance and defining a discharge opening communicating with the storage tank. Also included is an actuator mechanism operable to induce the discharge of a given dose portion of the treatment substance through the discharge opening into the storage tank.

Abstract: A humidifier including a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, an air flow path between the inlet and outlet and a liquid reservoir; a blower system for producing air flow between the inlet and the outlet; and a retainer removably mounted in the housing and shaped and arranged to support a liquid absorbent evaporator pad in the air flow path. Also included is an ejector mechanism movable relative to the retainer and operable to eject the evaporator pad from the retainer means. The ejector mechanism simplifies replacement of a dirt clogged evaporator pad.

Abstract: A portable humidifier including a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air flow path therebetween; a retainer disposed in the housing and defining key structure; and an air permeable, liquid absorbent cartridge element replaceably retained by the retainer and defining keyhole structure shaped and arranged to receive the key structure and at least one portion of the cartridge element being disposed in the air flow path. Also included is a blower disposed in the housing and activatable to produce air flow through the air flow path and cartridge element and a liquid supply for supplying liquid to the portion of the cartridge element.

Abstract: An evaporative humidifier including a portable housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, an air flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and a liquid reservoir; a blower system including a fan blade for producing air flow through the path between the inlet and the outlet; and a liquid absorbent evaporator pad disposed above the reservoir and in the path between the inlet and the outlet; the pad being a hollow cylinder and having a top surface, a bottom surface, and radially spaced apart cylindrical and coaxial inner and outer surfaces; and wherein the air flow path includes an axial section at least partially defined by the inner surface, and a transverse section communicating with the outer surface.

Abstract: A biomedical electrode including a flexible pad having a top surface and a bottom surface; an asymmetrical, linearly aligned array of signal contacts retained by the flexible pad and each having a contact surface projecting from the bottom surface and a coupling surface projecting above the top surface; and a connector including a plurality of connector contacts each being shaped and arranged for electrical connection to a different one of the coupling surfaces. The asymmetrical array of signal contacts facilitates proper positioning of the electrode on the skin.

Abstract: A grommet strip manufacturing apparatus including a supply mechanism for feeding a grommet strip; a feed mechanism for feeding a cushion strip; and a guide for joining the moving grommet and cushion strips into a composite strip so as to provide longitudinally aligned engagement between an engagement surface of the grommet strip and a contact surface of the cushion strip. Also included is a dispenser for dispensing an adhesive between the engagement surface of the grommet strip and the contact surface of the cushion strip; a compression assembly for maintaining, for a given length of the composite strip, compression between the engagement and contact surfaces; and a take up mechanism for receiving from the compression assembly the composite strip.

Abstract: An appliance includes a housing defining an air inlet and an air outlet facing opposite to the air inlet, an inlet detector for detecting objects in an inlet zone projecting away from the inlet and an outlet detector for detecting objects in an outlet zone projecting away from the outlet. Also included is a control for deactivating the appliance in response to detection of objects in either of the inlet or outlet zones.

Abstract: A machine adapted to be towed by a tractor and powered by the PTO and hydraulic power system of the tractor for transporting, processing and blending two different types of roughage of substantial size and weight into a desired ratio for a more efficient and economical nutritional balance and better palatability as well as dispensing the ratio to livestock. This improved machine is characterized by two independently hydraulically driven floor chains that are each capable of carrying a large bale (or bales) of roughage through a series of vertically aligned shredders at different rates of speed. This produces a blend of differing types of roughage consistent with the desired nutritional component considered most economical and efficient for the particular livestock being fed. The processed ration is dropped onto a conveyor chain and immediately delivered into feed bunks for livestock consumption. The shredders and conveyor chain are mechanically driven.