Abstract: A casket comprises an outer structure, a tray and an insert. The tray is formed of corrugated fiberboard having a corrugation extending in a first direction, while the insert is formed of corrugated fiberboard having a corrugation extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The casket has either a full lid or a split lid, and the lid is either flat or optionally curved. The structural integrity of the casket is improved by provision of side wraps, end wraps and pads inserted between each end wall and its respective end wrap. Methods of constructing the various alternative casket lids are also disclosed. Components are made of wood, corrugated fiberboard and foam.

Abstract: A linear spool valve device is employed in a work exchanger system for directing flow of fluid therein. The device comprises a cylinder in which first and second pistons are movably disposed, a high pressure inlet located at substantially a central point along the length of the cylinder, and work exchanger ports located between respective ends of the cylinder and the high pressure inlet. Low pressure outlets can be provided at each end of the cylinder, or alternatively a single low pressure outlet can be provided. The design of the piston/cylinder arrangement is such that each of the work exchangers is alternately completely pressurized, partially pressurized, or completely depressurized, but only one work exchanger at a time is completely pressurized or completely depressurized.

Abstract: A flat-lid casket has a bottom, two opposing side walls connected to opposing sides of the bottom, and two opposing end walls connected to the opposing end of the bottom and to the two opposing side walls. Each of the two opposing end walls has a main panel, two side flanges, a bottom flange and a top flange. The two side flanges are fixed to the opposing side walls; the bottom flange is fixed to the bottom; and the top flange is folded against and fixed to the main panel. Further features of the casket include side wraps, end wraps and moldings. The main panels are trapezoidal in shape so as to form flared sides for the casket. Adjacent flat surfaces of the casket have mutually perpendicular corrugations for increased strength. The flat lid of the casket has a pair of elongate side members, a pair of elongate end members, a flat cover disposed over the top surfaces of the elongate side and end members, and a flat sheet disposed on the bottom surface of the cover.

Abstract: A carrier for carrying elongate materials of varying lengths comprises an outer container, an insert which fits and is slidable within the outer container, and a shelf assembly disposed within the insert for holding the elongate materials. The insert has top access ports (preferably, two) and side access ports for viewing and obtaining access to materials stored within the interior of the insert. The shelf assembly has, preferably, a T-shaped cross-section, and comprises a horizontal member for holding materials stored in an upper portion of the insert, and a vertical member dividing the lower portion of the insert into separate compartments. Further features include a retrieve handle connected to the insert and a pair of brackets for mounting the outer container to the top of a vehicle.

Abstract: A non-slip support shoe for attachment to the end of any crutch or other walking aid comprises an attachment cylinder for attaching the shoe to the bottom of the crutch or walking aid; a pair of strip leaf springs, at least one of which is connected to the attachment cylinder; and a rubber sole provided on the bottom surface of a lower one of the strip leaf springs. In operation, when the maximum weight of a body is exerted on the crutch or walking aid, the strip leaf springs change configuration (i.e., flatten) so that the entire sole located on the lower strip leaf spring contacts the ground, thereby preventing slippage during use of the crutch or walking aid. Once the maximum weight of the body is removed, the strip leaf springs return to their original configuration so as not to interfere with the angled forward and backward positions of the crutch during use.

Abstract: A cursor control device for use with a three-dimensional stereoscopic image display system comprises a housing defining a volume corresponding to a displayed three-dimensional volume, and a joystick operable by the user for moving and positioning a cursor in the displayed three-dimensional volume. The joystick has a knob which is movable within the volume defined by the housing so as to designate desired positioning and movement of the cursor within the displayed three-dimensional volume. There is, at any given time, both positional and movement congruency between the position and movement of the knob and position and movement, respectively, of the cursor.

Abstract: A small boat mooring system is provided for securing a boat to a dock, pier or pilings in such a way that the boat is free to move vertically with the normal changes in tide or wave action. The system comprises a plurality of nylon lines, a snaphook for connecting each line to the boat, a counterweight connected to the other end of each line, and hardware mounted on each of a plurality of pilings. The hardware comprises a steel plate section, a lag eye, a quick link, and a pulley connected thereto for conveying the nylon line through the hardware. The system of the present invention permits vertical movement of the boat, such as that caused by rise and fall of tides or rolling of the boat, while maintaining the boat centered in the slip and away from an associated dock, pier or piling. The system further redistributes or absorbs energy produced by the action of water, wind and other conditions on the boat.

Abstract: Tools for the disassembly of a universal joint comprise two embodiments, a pull-type tool and a push-type tool. In the pull-type tool, a pulling force is exerted on a yoke member other than the yoke member from which a journal bearing is to be removed, an opposite pushing force is exerted on that end or collar portion of the yoke member containing the journal bearing to be removed, and a cylinder/piston combination interposed between the pulling assembly and the pushing assembly operates to cause the exertion of the pulling and pushing forces, so that the journal bearing is forced out of the collar portion adjacent to the pushing assembly. With respect to the push-type tool, a cylinder/piston combination is mounted on a pushing or support assembly, and the cylinder/piston combination is operated to force the piston downward so as to exert a pushing force via the pushing assembly on the universal joint cross, thus forcing the far side journal bearing out of its yoke member.

Abstract: An adjustable blind for concealing a user comprises a concealing element having a surface defining a plane behind which the user is concealed, a shaft connected to and holding the concealing element, and a support stand positioned on a surface and connected to the shaft for supporting same. The shaft and support stand are interconnected by a bracket, the bracket being adjustable so that the orientation of the shaft relative to the support stand, and thus the orientation of the concealing element relative to the surface, can be varied. The support stand comprises a pair of telescopically mounted elements and a stop mechanism mounted on one of the elements, the positioning of the stop mechanism being adjustable so as to vary the length of the support stand.

Abstract: The invention provides the user with the capability of viewing a form positioned in a printer associated with a computer, a keyboard and a monitor. The printer has a camera and a lens positioned thereon, the camera including an image sensing array for providing video signals corresponding to images sensed on the form. The computer processes the video signals to display images sensed on various portions of the form. The user responds by entering via a keyboard data corresponding to the various portions of the form displayed. During the first use of a form, the computer memorizes the portions of the form for which data are entered and on which data are to be printed. For subsequent uses of the form the corresponding data are entered via the keyboard, and the printer automatically fills in the form.

Abstract: Tools for the disassembly of a universal joint comprise two embodiments, a pull-type tool and a push-type tool. In the pull-type tool, a pulling force is exerted on a yoke member other than the yoke member from which a journal bearing is to be removed, an opposite pushing force is exerted on that end or collar portion of the yoke member containing the journal bearing to be removed, and a cylinder/piston combination interposed between the pulling assembly and the pushing assembly operates to cause the exertion of the pulling and pushing forces, so that the journal bearing is forced out of the collar portion adjacent to the pushing assembly. With respect to the push-type tool, a cylinder/piston combination is mounted on a pushing or support assembly, and the cylinder/piston combination is operated to force the piston downward so as to exert a pushing force via the pushing assembly on the universal joint cross, thus forcing the far side journal bearing out of its yoke member.

Abstract: A container for a flat food product is formed from a one-piece blank to provide a multisided container having a front panel, first and second opposing side panels, third and fourth opposing side panels, first and second perforated portions interconnecting said first and third opposing side panels and said second and fourth opposing side panels, respectively, a rear panel, and a top. The six-sided design provides less air space in the container, thus contributing to the maintenance of the temperature of the food product contained therein. Lock tabs located on minor flaps of the front panel secure the first and second opposing side panels into an upright position by interlocking under portions of the side panels. The perforated portions provide continuity between the side panels, and automatically provide hot air ventilation outlets when the container is assembled.

Abstract: A container for receiving and containing items to be disposed of, such as medical waste (used syringes, needles, and the like), is assembled from a blank, and comprises bottom, front, rear, top and end panels. The top panel has a front flap provided with opposing flap tucks which, when the container is assembled, are inserted into spaces between respective end panels and respective minor flaps of the front panel, thereby securing the top panel against inadvertent opening. The top panel also has a syringe-shaped opening which serves as an access to an inner flap of the front panel below so that, when an item to be disposed of is deposited through the opening onto the inner flap, and when a force is exerted on the inner flap from above, the inner flap rotates downward, and the item is deposited in the container. The inner flap is biased to a closed position so that, upon removal of the force, the inner flap rotates back to the closed position.

Abstract: A speech-controlled device produces a visual representation (via a typewriter, printer or display device) of a spoken input. The device operates in real time without speaker-dependence, and comprises a fast speech analyzer (FSA) for analyzing the speech input as relatively fast speech and a slow speech analyzer (SSA) for analyzing the speech input as relatively slow speech. In a first embodiment, a selector is responsive to a determination that the speech input is relatively fast or slow speech for selecting the output of the FSA or SSA, as appropriate. In a second embodiment, an enable circuit is responsive to a determination that the speech input is relatively fast or slow for enabling a corresponding one of the analyzers for operation.

Abstract: A split-image, multi-power microscopic image display system and method wherein the image of an object positioned on a slide is split into two optical paths, and is magnified to a varying degree in each optical path, the resulting respective magnifications being displayed on respective monitor devices. The initial optical path includes an objective and a splitter; the path of lower magnification includes a converging lens, diverging lens, reduction lens, bending prism, TV camera and TV monitor; the path of higher magnification includes a trinocular microscope head, TV camera, and TV monitor.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system for obtaining a three-dimensional image of an object being scanned ultrasonically comprises a source arrangement for sequentially transmitting ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in a first scanning plane, followed by sequential transmission of ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in successive scanning planes parallel to the first scanning plane, a detector arrangement for receiving reflected energy and converting the reflected energy to electrical signals, and a processor for processing the electrical signals to develop reconstructed image data of the object, the reconstructed image data comprising forward projections of the object into a left image plane and a right image plane to form left and right images, respectively, the left and right images forming a stereo pair for composite display by a display unit.

Abstract: A split-image, multi-power microscopic image display system and method wherein the image of an object positioned on a slide is split into two optical paths, and is magnified to a varying degree in each optical path, the resulting respectively magnified images being displayed on respective monitor devices. The initial optical path includes an objective and a splitter; the paths of lower magnification and higher magnification each include a TV camera and a TV monitor, and may include various optical elements in accordance with the four disclosed embodiments.