Abstract: A multi-line accumulator/multiplexer for employment in a voice switching control system in order to provide that system with a plurality of full-duplex non-blocking lines with general purpose summing capacilities for the purpose of conferencing. The multi-line accumulator/multiplexer comprises the following basic elements: a sample data memory, a time slot memory, a summer, two accumulator memories, a digital-to-analog converter, a line map memory, a microprocessor, a slot control, and a alternate frame flip-flop.

Abstract: An oar or paddle comprising a shaft having two parallel grooves of circular cross-section extending throughout its length, each groove pivotally supporting a blade. The grooves have a peripheral extent which permits the blades to pivot between a position in which they are parallel and a further position in which they project in opposite directions in a common plane. The blades are located axially of the grooves by retainers which are mounted in the grooves at opposite ends of the portion of the blades disposed within the groove.

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly having a handle, a brush assembly releaseably interconnected with one end of the handle, and a massaging device connected with a second end of the handle. The brush assembly has a cylindrical base shaped to be received in a recess in the end of the handle and has an array of bristles arranged to provide a concave brushing surface. The massaging device includes a carrier having a container of liquid positioned in an internal cavity of the carrier. The container is positioned so as to be broken and dispense its contents when an end of a toothbrush is inserted into the carrier. A porous, absorbent material forms an outer surface of the device and absorbs the liquid for application to the gums of a user.

Abstract: A servo-linearized opto-electronic analog interface for interconnecting a signal generating device to a communications circuit comprises a first opto-isolator arrangement for transmitting signals from the communications circuit to the signal generating device, and a second opto-isolator arrangement for transmitting signals from the signal generating device to the communications circuit, a transmitting diode of the second opto-isolator arrangement being connected in series with a transmitting diode of a further opto-isolator arrangement forming a feedback path providing servo-linearization of the signal transmitted by the signal generating device via the second opto-isolator arrangement to the communications circuit.

Abstract: A permanent mooring method and arrangement for embedding a permanent mooring device in the sea bottom calls for the lowering of the permanent mooring device into the sea until the bottom end contacts the sea bottom, the transmission of fluid under high pressure via a hollow tubular body of the permanent mooring device to a nozzle portion thereof so as to create a fluidized area in the sea bottom around the permanent mooring device and to wash the permanent mooring device into and beneath the sea bottom, followed by transmission of a cementitious substance via the hollow tubular body to the nozzle portion so as to fill the fluidized area in the sea bottom with the cementitious substance. The permanent mooring device is vibrated during transmission of the high-pressure fluid, transmission of the cementitious substance, or consolidation of the cementitious substance, or during any combination thereof to assist in the embedding process.

Abstract: A pump-actuated sequencing valve for sequentially administering, to a patient, two fluids contained in separate respective reservoirs, wherein the fluid is pumped from a first one of the two reservoirs by means of a pump associated therewith. The valve comprises a first portion connected to the first reservoir, a second portion connected to the second reservoir, and a third portion connected between the first and second portions, on the one hand, and the patient, on the other hand. The second portion includes a ball valve which is pressure-responsive to operation of the pump for blocking flow of fluid to and from the second reservoir, thus blocking both forward flow from the second reservoir and backflow from the sequencing valve toward the second reservoir.

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly combining a toothbrush handle, a brush assembly releasably engageable with a head end of the handle, and an oral hygiene device releasably engageable with the tail end of the handle. The head end of the handle has a recess formed therein designed to provide a snap fit with a base of the brush assembly. The tail end of the handle is shaped to provide releasable engagement with a base of the oral hygiene device. The oral hygiene device can take numerous forms. For instance, the oral hygiene device can be used to apply an oral hygiene agent, such as a disclosing agent or a gum treating agent, or a herbal combination usable in oral hygiene, or a refreshing agent. Alternatively, the oral hygiene device can take the form of a stimulator.

Abstract: An apparatus for communication of instructing information comprises a transmitter (1), a receiver (2) and a data setting portion (5). A random access memory (22) of the transmitter (1) is in advance stored with a plurality of pieces of instructing data and any one of the pieces of instructing data, as stored, is read out and is displayed by a display (13). Any one of the pieces of instructing data is selected by a selection key (12) and the address data corresponding to the instructing data as selected is transmitted by the transmitter (18). On the other hand, the receiver (3) receives the transmitted address data. The receiver (3) is provided with a random access memory (37) for storing the instructing data as is similar to that of the transmitter (1). The corresponding instructing data is read from the random access memory (37) as a function of the received address data and the instructing information is reproduced as a speech sound by means of a speech synthesizing circuit (39).

Abstract: A lineman's climbing aid comprising an outer boot adapted to be worn over a standard workboot and a replaceable steel gaff rigidly fastened exteriorly against an inside wall portion of the outer boot, wherein the outer boot comprises a one-piece molding of electrically insulating, water-impermeable, plastics material defining a rigid shell and a steel reinforcing plate embedded within said inside wall portion of the shell, the gaff being fastened to the reinforcing plate by fastening means extending through said inside wall portion whereby said inside wall portion is rigidly clamped between the reinforcing plate and the gaff.

Abstract: A phonograph record and album frame having a base member, a frame member cooperating and releasably engageable with the base member to define an enclosed space for encompassing an article to be held in the frame, and a holding member selectively cooperating with the base member to hold an article in a desired position within the enclosed space. The base member preferably has a cylindrical recess formed in its upper surface for receiving a phonograph record. A bore extends through the base member to receive a shaft of a holding member than holds the record within the recess. When an album is positioned within the frame, the head of the holding member is positioned adjacent the lower surface of the base member.

Abstract: A toothbrush assembly having a handle, a brush assembly releaseably interconnected with one end of the handle, and a massaging device connected with a second end of the handle. The brush assembly has a cylindrical base shaped to be received in a recess in the end of the handle and has an array of bristles arranged to provide a concave brushing surface. The massaging device includes a carrier having a container of liquid positioned in an internal cavity of the carrier. The container is positioned so as to be broken and dispense its contents when an end of a toothbrush is inserted into the carrier. A porous, absorbent material forms an outer surface of the device and absorbs the liquid for application to the gums of a user.

Abstract: An apparatus for macrophotograph comprising a camera, an electronic flash unit having a variable power output, a bracket for connecting the electronic flash unit to the camera in such manner that an angle formed between an axis passing through a lens of the camera and an axis passing through the flash unit is adjustable, and a calculator device for calculating an appropriate power setting for the flash unit. The calculator device has a first set of indicia for determining the reproduction ratio between the size of the object being photographed and the size of an image of the object on film, a first set of cooperating scales for adjusting actual film sensitivity to obtain an effective film sensitivity based on the reproduction ratio, a second set of cooperating scales correlating the effective film sensitivity with the f-stop or lens opening, and a third set of cooperating scales correlating the flash to subject distance with different power outputs of the flash unit.

Abstract: A baking machine for cooking batter to form ice cream cones and the like comprises a plurality of griddles which are driven along a path of movement through heating zones for the purpose of cooking the batter. Principal features of the invention include: an automated and responsive gear-type control mechanism for starting and stopping griddle movement, include provision of means for ensuring proper meshing of the gears; and an efficient top-bottom burner system which ensures efficient and uniform cooking of the batter by provision of separate supply lines to the top and bottom burners, respectively, as well as a master-equalizer valve arrangement in which the master valve regulates flow to all burners and the equalizer valve provides for equal heating at top and bottom burners.

Abstract: The connection assembly includes two generally L-shaped brackets having arms with through bores defined in their end portions. One of the bores of the first bracket is alignable with a mounting bracket for other component of a linkage system. Similarly, one of the bores of the second L-shaped bracket is alignable with another component of the linkage system. Other bores of the L-shaped brackets are alignable with each other. A bolt is insertable through each of the pairs of aligned shafts to releasably interconnect the parts. A spring is positioned between the head of the bolt and one of the surfaces of the combined parts for exerting a biasing force tending to fix the relative positions between the parts. The connection assembly provides three adjustment axes so that an end of the linkage system can be positioned and releasably retained at any desired orientation.

Abstract: A speech-controlled phonetic device utilizes a two-tier approach for converting an audio input into visual form. The device basically comprises: various components for identifying different phonemes, such as a sound separator, various sensors and transducers, a vowel scanner, a vowel transducer, and a diphthong transducer; an input synchronizer; a transcriber processor; and a printer or display device. The two-tier approach involves a first tier, wherein the identified speech sounds are broken down into syllabits (groupings of classes of sound), the spoken sequence of those syllabits is separated into possible words, and the grouping of the syllabits is indicated. The second tier involves the use of stored words with those respective groupings, but narrowed down to essential phonemes only. Thus, the second tier acts to eliminate, from such possible words, all except a specific word (the actually spoken word), which contains each of the detected phonemes in the proper sequence.

Abstract: An electronic flash unit assembly having an electronic flash module separate from a power and control module. An assembly of articulated flash arms supports the flash module spaced from a camera. A power cord interconnects the power and control module with the flash module so that power is transmitted to the electronic flash tube from the power and control module when the power and control module is triggered. Preferably, a power cord connects the power and control module to the camera so that triggering of the module occurs upon movement of a shutter release member of the camera. The power and control module is connected to the tripod socket of the camera and supports the flash arm assembly. Alternatively, a mounting plate is connected to the tripod socket of the camera and supports the flash arm assembly, with the power and control module being in a separate unit.

Abstract: A method and system for automated training of a subject in manual skills, wherein body motion is measured so as to derive a set of motion variables, the motion variables are compared to a reference motion to derive a motion error value, the motion error value is compared to a threshold error value corresponding inversely to the proficiency level of the subject, and a training signal is provided to the subject whenever the motion error value exceeds the threshold error value.

Abstract: A remote recording and playback system comprises a recording unit for recording analog data received virtually simultaneously over a plurality of analog input channels, and a playback unit for playing back said recorded analog data for a given one of the plurality of analog input channels. The recording unit sequentially scans the plurality of analog input channels in succession to derive respective analog data samples, converts the respective analog data samples to digital form, and stores the digital representations of the analog data samples in a random access memory. The playback unit accesses the random access memory in the recording unit, converts the digital representations derived therefrom to analog signals, and displays the previously recorded analog data, one channel at a time. The system is further characterized by the storage and retrieval of "drift" and D.C.

Abstract: A computerized electro-oculographic (CEOG) system comprises an integrated system for automated administration of electro-oculographic tests and visual evoked response tests to a patient, and automated processing of the results derived from such tests. The CEOG system is responsive to operator selection of desired stimuli to be administered, as well as to operator specification of various test stimuli characteristics, for automatically administering to the patient the test stimuli having the desired characteristics. Electrode test data derived therefrom are immediately recorded on-line, and are immediately and automatically analyzed to provide critical information for immediate display in acceptable format and in a very short period of time. The integrated CEOG system compensates for the "offset voltage" phenomenon typically encountered with respect to electrode test data by provision of both manual and automated compensating capabilities.