Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device comprising an external, flexible shell forming a fluid reservoir and housing a non-obstructive, self-regulating valve, having a folded membrane which forms a slit-like opening in a chamber. An inlet tube in communication with the chamber through an aperture in the membrane extends outwardly through an opening in the shell. The free end of the inlet tube, including holes, is in communication with the brain or cranial vault. There is an outlet tube in communication with the reservoir. The free end of the outlet tube, also including holes, is in communication with either the heart or the abdomen. If the outlet tube is in communication with the abdomen the preferred configuration of the free end includes rigid fins. Also disclosed is a method of using this device to treat hydrocephalus and a process for making the device.

Abstract: A cell block for housing a sensor cell within a gas analyzer is mounted on the front panel of the analyzer, holding the sensor within a horizontal plane. The cell block is made of inexpensive and non-permeable material such as aluminum which is brazed and anodized. Entry and exit of sample gas is unique as is sample gas exposure to the sensor. Dead space is minimized and response time is improved. An insulated thermister in the cell block maintains accuracy over a wide range of temperatures. The device is RFI and EMI protected.

Abstract: A respiration monitor includes a sensing element having a pressure chamber filled with gas. The sensing element is adapted to be placed in contact with a breathing subject, with the pressure in the chamber increasing as the subject inhales and decreasing as the subject exhales. A pressure switch in communication with the pressure chamber opens as the subject exhales and closes as the subject inhales to control the operation of a timing circuit. The timing circuit includes an audio alarm mechanism activated when the switch is not closed within a predetermined threshold period. The chamber has at least one gas port which places the chamber in communication with ambient air pressure, so that within a pressure equalization time interval the pressure within the chamber equalizes to that of ambient air pressure and the switch is opened.

Abstract: A tool is used to hold a food product upright while a user manually cuts the food product by slicing the food product from edge to edge with a blade of a knife. The tool includes a base having a top surface adapted to support the food product, a pair of knife blade guide members attached to the base opposite each other and spaced apart to provide a cutting zone, and a cutting pad in the cutting zone comprising a polyester based thermoplastic polyurethane having a Shore A hardness between 75 and 100 that resists being cut by the blade of the knife as the blade cuts through the food product.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a fork lock includes a cover which is adapted to be manually moved between a cover position where the cover overlies the fork lock and an uncovered position where the fork lock is exposed to allow a key to be inserted into the fork lock. The cover has a pivot member pivotally connecting the cover to the motorcycle to enable the cover to be rotated with respect to the fork lock to expose the fork lock so that the key may be inserted into the fork lock. A detent member maintains the relative position of the cover to the motorcycle so that the cover overlies the fork lock to cover the fork lock until a turning force is applied to the cover to move the cover between the cover position and the uncovered position.

Abstract: An on demand, real time billing equipment for a user of a radio telephone employs a telephone switching platform, including an unintelligent switch and a computer, which is in communication with a radio telephone transmitting system, a local telephone transmitting system, and long distance telephone transmitting system. The computer is programed to monitor, control and rate telephone calls made by customer to tally for each separate customer the identification of each individual phone number called, the date of each individual phone number called, duration of each individual phone number called, and the cost of each individual call and provide detail billing information on demand in real time. For rented radio telephones, an access terminal is in communication with the credit authorization center at which the identification of the customer is entered.

Abstract: A medical device includes a one-way flow valve in communication with fluid to be drained. The valve is connected to a primary distribution plate which has a raised perimeter with at least one opening in the perimeter. There is a secondary distribution plate having a raised perimeter with at least one opening in the perimeter. At least one pair of plugs, each having a central passageway, are inserted into the openings in the perimeters of the primary and secondary distribution plates, and an connecting tube places the primary and secondary distribution plates in fluid communication with each other. The tube is sized to fit inside the central passageway of the plugs, with the connecting tube having opposed ends, each end inserted to the passageway in the plugs. The distance between the plugs is adjusted by sliding the plugs along the length of the connecting tube.

Abstract: A protector for legs of a golf bag that is attached to an outer wall of a golf bag. The protector has recesses for receiving legs and an actuating member for the legs. The legs of the golf bag are pivotally connected at upper ends thereof to the protector. The protector protects the legs of the golf bag against external shock and causes the golf bag to be stably put on a cart.

Abstract: An infant gate includes a pair of rails mounted along opposed lateral edges of a stair substantially parallel to each other, and a first gate section and a second gate section connected together so that the first and second gate sections may be selectively moved laterally relative to each other. A first support member has a pair of leg elements connected together at ends thereof at a right angle. One leg element is connected to the first gate section by a hinge member and the other leg element is connected to one of the rails. A second support member has a pair of leg elements connected together at ends thereof at a right angle. One leg element is connected to the second gate section by a hinge member and the other leg element connected to the other of the rails.

Abstract: The horizontal base of an L-shaped blade is inserted within an existing incision performed as part of a traditional radial keratotomy procedure to permit an intrastromal cut to be made to urge corneal collapse and provide myopia correction without incurring glare and central vision distortion for the patient. The base of the blade extends approximately 1 mm to a very sharp vertical edge from the vertical arm attached to a blade holder to permit up to an equivalent length intrastromal cut until the end of the arm reaches the end of the preexisting incision through Bowman's membrane and the epithelium. The height of the base and length of the cutting edge is approximately 450 microns to prevent cutting or perforation of either of Bowman's or Descemet's membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an insect trap adapted to be folded for storage and unfolded for use. In the folded condition, the trap is in a substantially flat, planar configuration, and in the unfolded condition it has a box-like configuration with an exterior surface, a top, an internal chamber, and an entryway to the internal chamber in the top. The internal chamber has a sticky substance therein that captures insects on contact, and an adhesive strip on the exterior of the trap that allows the trap to be removably attached to a surface area.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isocapnic respiratory stimulator for providing a mixture of fresh air and CO2 enriched exhaled air. The respirator comprises a mixing chamber with a breathing port and at least one vent port. Fresh air is mixed thoroughly with exhaled air in the mixing chamber. Upon sustained breathing from the chamber, the minute ventilation of the insure is increased with experiencing any substantial change in arterial blood CO2 level. This provides methods to avoid or treat hypoxia experienced by an individual at altitudes above 5000 feet, to treat carbon monoxide poisoning, to induce losing weight, to assist in smoking cessation, to condition an athlete to minimize dyspnea, and to condition respiratory muscles.

Abstract: A golf bag holds golf clubs in a cavity in which a golf club receptacle structure is disposed. One version of the receptacle structure has an external, truncated, conical end portion at least partially extends outward from the cavity, with a plurality of openings which extend in a lengthwise direction through the receptacle structure. In another, the receptacle structure has a central, cylindrical portion and a marginal portion at a lower level than the central portion. A third version has a top with a first section at one level, a second section at an elevated level above the first section, and an intermediate section connecting said first and second sections. Unique features of the golf bag include foam insulation insert within a side pocket that receives a beverage can. A second feature is golf ball holder made of a flexible, tubular material with opposed open ends closed by fasteners to retain golf balls within the holder.

Abstract: The portable coaching device includes a thin, rigid support board having opposed sides and a perimeter. One side is covered with a white coating capable of being written upon with a dry erase marker and the other side bears an image of an area in which a game is played. This image is protected by a material which is capable of being written upon with a dry erase marker. There is handle in the form of an elongated opening near the perimeter of the board, and a case adapted to hold a dry erase marker attached to the board.

Abstract: Security equipment protects the relaying of account numbers and personal identification numbers (PIN) by telephonic or other communication link. The equipment includes a host computer an a remote portable transaction device that interact. A credit granting institution generates an account number and a series of unique personal identification numbers for each account number. This information is stored in the host computer's memory and is assigned as a reference series to an individual customer account number. An identical series of numbers in the same sequence is stored in the memory of the remote device. In operation, the customer account on the host computer is activated and the host computer's memory is indexed sequentially to the first number in the reference series. During the use of the remote device, a unique personal identification number is added to the customer account number and transmitted to the host computer.

Abstract: A golf bag holds golf clubs in a cavity in which a golf club receptacle structure is disposed. This receptacle structure has several versions. In one, an external, truncated, conical end portion at least partially extends outward from the cavity, with a plurality of openings which extend in a lengthwise direction through the receptacle structure, each opening sized to receive only one golf club. In another, the receptacle structure has a central portion and a marginal portion at a lower level than the central portion which surrounds, at least partially, said central portion. A third version of the receptacle structure has a top which has a first section a one level, a second section at an elevated level above said first section, and an intermediate section connecting said first and second sections. There are several unique features of the golf bag.

Abstract: A tooth brush 10 includes a handle 12 having at one end a head 14 to which bristles are attached. A substantial number of these bristles have ends which terminate at a surface that has a helical shape.

Abstract: A marine vest 10 designed to be worn by an operator of a personal watercraft while wearing a life jacket. The vest 10 includes a back section comprising a pair of shoulder straps positioned to fit over the shoulders of the operator. The straps are attached to a waist section which wraps around the operator's waist. This waist section has free ends which terminate near the middle of the front upper torso of the operator. Each free end has attached to it one component of a two-component buckle, so that the operator can manually buckle and unbuckle the two-component buckle while the vest is being worn. A pair of handles are attached to the waist section, each handle at one side of the operator. A second rider immediately seated behind the operator can thus grasp firmly these handles and more securely maintain his or her seated position on the watercraft. The vest 10 being sized to fit over the life jacket and is made of buoyant materials so that it will float in water.

Abstract: A device for holding a POG includes a disk-like, circular base. The base has a front face and a rear face, with the front face having a rim extending at least partially along the perimeter of the base which is adapted to grasp the POG and hold it snug against the front face upon placing the POG within the circumference of the rim. A gripping member on the rear face attaches the base to at least one spoke of, for example, a wheel of a bicycle.

Abstract: A golf bag comprising a pair of legs each and a U-shaped actuating member adapted to move the legs between their extended position and their retracted position according to the movement of a bag body between its tilted position and its upright position. The golf bag also comprises a driving member pivotally connected to both of the lower end of the U-shaped actuating member and the lower portion of the bag body and adapted to drive the actuating member in response to the movement of the bag body to its tilted position so that the actuating member moves the legs to their extended position. A resilient rubber band is provided for always urging the legs toward their retracted position. The actuating member may be installed in the interior of golf bag, there is no possibility that it is damaged by stones or branches of a tree.