Abstract: A curvilinear peristaltic pump for pumping liquids through a resilient tube. The pump includes a curved concave platen against which a resilient tube is placed. A multi-lobed cam is positioned adjacent to the platen and tube. A plurality of pump fingers, each carrying a pinch finger, are mounted between tube and cam in a manner permitting radially outward movement of the pump fingers toward the platen. As the cam rotates, the fingers are pressed against the tube sequentially so as to pump liquid through the tube. A strain gauge beam is secured to the pump just beyond each end of the pump finger set. A sensing member secured to the free end of the beam is pre-loaded against the tube next to each endmost pump finger. When an input occlusion occurs, the tubing will collapse causing the beam to deflect toward the tube, changing its pre-load state. This motion will cause a negative voltage change indicative of the input occlusion.

Abstract: A gate opening alarm for swimming pool fences and the like will sound an audible alarm when the gate is opened without first pressing a reset/pass switch button that is mounted out of children's reach. An alarm housing and a magnetically actuatable switch are mounted on either the gate or frame, with a permanent magnet mounted closely adjacent to the switch on the other gate component so that they will be separated when the gate is opened. A reset switch button is provided so that an adult may disable the alarm for a short period to pass though the gate. If the gate is not then closed, the alarm will sound. Opening the gate without pressing the reset button will cause the alarm to immediately sound. The switch is rearmed when the gate is closed after opening or after a short period if the reset button is pushed but the gate is not opened. If the gate is left opened, the alarm will sound for a period of typically 3 minutes, then will stop to check whether the gate has been closed.

Abstract: A golf training glove for emitting distinctive physically perceivable signals in response to a failure of a golfer to maintain a correct grip about a golf club during a golf swing. The basic glove is similar to a conventional golf glove with a hand access opening and plural finger stalls. A sensor is located in a region corresponding to the back of a golfer's thumb and/or in a region corresponding to an area around the intersection of the palm, and the middle, ring and little fingers. A physically perceivable signal is generated by an electrical device if one of said sensors senses an absence of pressure thereagainst. The signal is preferably an audible signal, having different characteristics for each sensor. Typically the sensors are pressure sensitive, capacitive or proximity switches. The electronic and signaling components are housed in a pocket on the back of the glove.

Abstract: A limb support assembly for typical use in supporting the legs of a person to keep the heels of a person suffering from a decubitus condition or burned areas on a limb above and out of contact with a bed. The assembly basically includes an inflatable tubular bladder, a soft absorbent sock over the bladder, attachment devices such as cords attached to the bladder ends and attachable to a bed frame, and a pump for varying bladder inflation pressure. The assembly is placed on a bed or other support at a suitable location for elevating a limb. The attachment is then installed by fastening the cords to the bed frame or other fixed part of the support. A board may be secured to the bladder assembly to further restrict movement of the assembly on the bed or other support surface.

Abstract: A sheath arrangement for spiral balloon catheters which permits improved perfusion during dilation of a body vessel. Methods of making the sheath and assembling the sheath onto a balloon and the resulting sheathed balloon catheter are included. A tube sized to fit over a spiral balloon is cut, preferably by laser cutting, to form ribs extending from the tube ends with collars at the distal ends of the ribs. Preferably, the tube ends are trimmed to match the balloon spiral lobes. The sheath is placed over the spiral balloon, bonded to the balloon lobes. The collars are secured to the catheter adjacent to the balloon. When the balloon is expanded to dilate a body vessel, blood can freely pass through the interlobe channels while the sheath prevents entry of arterial intima from entering into the channels. The rib and collar arrangement securely maintains the sheath in place on the balloon.

Abstract: A spiral balloon perfusion catheter assembly having a retaining wire and method of making the balloon. Also, a retaining wire for such a catheter and method of forming the retaining wire. A typical spiral catheter balloon has a spiral configuration of lobes and channels mounted on a catheter extending beyond the balloon ends. A retaining wire formed from a shape memory alloy is configured to have a central region having a spaced spiral configuration conforming to the spiral balloon channel and end regions configured to have a contiguous spiral configuration conforming to the catheter diameter. When placed over a spiral balloon, the central spiral region prevents expansion of the channel when the balloon is inflated, while the end regions secure the retaining wire to the catheter. Preferred shape memory alloys comprise nickel and titanium.

Abstract: A workpiece indexing and clamping system for machining the workpiece. Spherical or narrow cylindrical heads of index pins extend from holes in a base plate into workpiece holes to align and index the workpiece. The pin portions in the base plate holes can be expanded to lock them to the base plate. Each pin has relief flats parallel to the pin axis. Clamps engage workpiece edges with thread-like angled grooves on a cam surface to force workpiece edges against the base plate during machining of the workpiece. A central clamp has a pin extending from the base plate into a workpiece hole. Angled grooves in a cam surface are brought into contact with the hole sides to force the workpiece toward the base plate and hold the central area in place during machining.

Abstract: A combined flashlight, smoke detector and emergency alarm assembly. A housing contains a flashlight having a bulb, reflector and window at one housing surface for illuminating an area adjacent to the assembly. A smoke detector is enclosed by said housing and includes an alarm for indicating the presence of smoke. A relay automatically turns the flashlight on when the alarm is activated. Vents in the housing permit ingress of smoke to the detector. A battery assembly in the housing provides power for the flashlight, smoke detector and alarm. A manually operable, momentary, normally closed, switch is provide to permit the alarm to be disabled, with the alarm enabled if this switch is released. Another switch is provided to enable the alarm independent of the smoke detector system as an emergency alarm. A manual flashlight switch is further provided to permit the flashlight to be used in a normal manner in a non-alarm situation.

Abstract: A workpiece indexing and clamping system for machining the workpiece. Spherical or narrow cylindrical heads of index pins extend from holes in a base plate into workpiece holes to align and index the workpiece. The pin portions in the base plate holes can be expanded to lock them to the base plate. Each pin has relief flats parallel to the pin axis. Clamps engage workpiece edges with thread-like angled grooves on a cam surface to force workpiece edges against the base plate during machining of the workpiece. A central clamp has a pin extending from the base plate into a workpiece hole. Angled grooves in a cam surface are brought into contact with the hole sides to force the workpiece toward the base plate and hold the central area in place during machining.

Abstract: A connection apparatus for connecting a vehicle to a wheeled container for towing the container including a handle having at least a portion lying generally parallel to the container wheel axle. The apparatus is connected to the vehicle in a manner permitting the container to pivot and to roll slightly so as to track well during towing. A channel is formed between an elongated angle and one or more angular brackets for receiving the container handle. A clamping device is movable between positions closing the open side of the channel to clamp the handle in the channel and an open position for removal of the handle. The channel is adjustable in width and height and the angular bracket positions are adjustable to accommodate various handle shapes. A releasable locking device is provided to lock the channel closed around the handle during towing. The locking and clamping devices are adjustable to accommodate various handle heights and shapes. The apparatus is thus adaptable to almost any handle configuration.

Abstract: A secure servicing system for an automatic teller machine (ATM) or similar machine. An ATM is mounted on a rotatable/translatable baseplate in a kiosk with the operating side flush with an opening in the kiosk. By rotating and translating the baseplate, the ATM operating side is moved to a secure space inside the kiosk, providing access through a kiosk door for service. A blank side at least partially fills the opening. The baseplate is mounted on rollers and rotated by a driven bar connected between the baseplate and kiosk floor. An idler bar similarly connected guides translation of the baseplate during rotation. A sliding door, actuated by the baseplate translation idler bar, fills any space between one of the sides and the edge of the kiosk opening, where the side is narrower than the opening. A locking mechanism is provided to releasably lock the baseplate in either position. The kiosk is thus secure during service, adding of cash, when out of service, etc.

Abstract: A motor actuator for preventing a motor from drawing excess current for longer than a predetermined time delay period including dynamic brakes for simultaneously braking motor rotation when motor operation is terminated for any reason. Source voltage supplies an input to a voltage regulator which in turn supplies a regulated voltage to the motor. The actuator includes a comparator circuit that has one input connected to motor supplied regulated voltage and a second input connected to the source voltage with the voltage level from source voltage adjusted to a level that is equal to the regulated motor voltage level under normal motor operational loads. When the motor draws excessive current the voltages on the comparator inputs become unequal which causes the comparator to have an output voltage. An RC circuit from the comparator output to ground potential delays the comparator output voltage for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A device for training batters to properly shift weight to the back leg at the beginning of a swing and to shift weight to the front leg during a swing when striking the ball in baseball and similar games. The device includes a first strap for fastening to the leading leg just above the knee and a second strap for fastening to the leading wrist, "leading" being the side towards a pitcher. An elongated member connects the two straps and comprises an elastic portion and an adjustable length portion, which includes a separable buckle so that the elongated member can be separated without removing either strap. In use, straps are emplaced on the knee and wrist and the adjustable length portion is adjusted to be taut but not stretched with the batter in the "ready" position. At the start of a swing, the hands move back, stretching the elongated member to encourage weight movement to the back leg.

Abstract: A system for deploying a cover over an open-topped container, such as a truck trailer, and for removing and storing the cover requires only a single operator who need not leave the ground. The fabric cover is rolled on a storage roller at one end of the opening which includes a drive mechanism tending to roll up the cover. A pull rod is secured to the cover free end, extending across the opening and including guide disks riding along the outer edge of the opening. The pull rod and cover are pulled across the opening with a pull rope attached to the pull rod, which locks in place at the second end of the opening. A plurality of tie-down straps are provided along the cover edges. A tie-down rope is threaded through loops at the ends of the straps and corresponding hooks along the side of the container to hold the sides in place. Side flaps extending down from the cover can be provided to seal the edges. The flaps are foldable up over the cover.

Abstract: A cover system for covering open topped containers such as truck trailers carrying particulate material such as dirt, gravel, grain and the like. The cover is a flexible sheet material sized to cover the open top and can extend over the end and down the sides of the container, if desired. A roller is provided at one end of the open top for rolling up the cover to store the cover with the top open. A transverse rod runs through a hem at the opposite end of the cover. Edge guides on the rod maintain the cover in alignment with the container top when the cover is unrolled over the top. At least one freely rotatable roller or slide is provided on the rod near the rod center. A rope, strap or the like is secured to the rod to pull the rod and cover over the open top.

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating a central area of an eye by generally lamellar lighting during eye surgery. Basically, a support fixture carrying a light emitter is adapted to be placed adjacent to the surgical field. The support fixture, when in place on an eye, directs light from the light emitter toward the surgical field tangentially to the cornea, at an angle of from about 0.degree. to 90.degree. to the plane of the eye iris. The light entering the eye travels along the lamellae of the cornea in the manner of a light pipe. Very little, if any light reaches the back of the eye, avoiding patient discomfort, or is directed toward the surgical microscope as glare. This generally lamellar lighting combines scleral scatter and retro illumination. In preferred embodiments, the light emitter may be mounted on, or incorporated in, a conventional eyelid speculum or a fixation ring.

Abstract: A liquid processing and sorting system for sequential chemical processes such as electroplating. Several trays are mounted in a stacked relationship in a housing, at least all but the lowest tray being individually movable between a use position and a storage position. Each tray is configured to hold a livid and includes a drain tube extending from a lower position of the tray and extending out of the housing through a slot running parallel to the line of tray movement so that each tray can be drained in either the use or storage position. The movable trays preferably slide along edge rails extending under tray edges parallel to the line of movement. The lowermost tray can be either fixed in the use position or may be movable as are the other trays. Preferably, an automatic system, such as hydraulic cylinders controlled by a switch, is provided to move a selected movable tray between the use and storage position as desired.