Abstract: A self-defense/attack device comprises a rigid, tubular body having a blunt tip at one end that is adapted to deliver lethal/non-lethal blows to the chest or other regions of a human body. Joined to the tubular body at a substantially right angle to the longitudinal axis of the body and closer to the end opposite the blunt tip is a rigid projection shorter in length and smaller in circumference than the body itself. The projection terminates in a rounded blunt tip that can also deliver lethal/non-lethal blows to an attacker.

Abstract: A method and means for transporting a quantity of comestibles (preferably at lowered temperatures) where at least continual monitoring of at least the oxygen level of the atmosphere to which the comestible is subjected is carried out. Preferably the carbon dioxide level is also monitored. Automatic adjustment of the oxygen content and carbon dioxide content in response to the monitoring is carried out using a positive infusion of ambient air and the scrubbing of the gas atmosphere to which the comestibles are subjected respectively.

Abstract: A carburetion system for internal combustion engines includes means for heating and vaporizing fuel in a chamber to a very high temperature and for delivering the heated, vaporized fuel to a holding chamber for the fuel. From the holding chamber, the system draws the heated, vaporized fuel, by vacuum, into admixture with outside air in precise, predetermined ratios for delivery to the conventional carburetion system of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing the cathode emissions of an in-line gun cathode ray tube includes subsystems functionally identical to one another linked to each of the cathodes of an in-line gun cathode ray tube. During the time that the CRT beam is retracing vertically, each subsystem imposes a fixed, predetermined voltage on a cathode in the cathode ray tube, samples the current flowing to the cathode, compares the sampled current to a predetermined, desired reference current for the cathode, develops a differential signal representing the difference, if any, between the sampled current and the reference current, and then drives the current flowing to the cathode from its actual value to its predetermined, reference value so as to maintain a predetermined, desired ratio of the currents flowing to each of the cathodes.

Abstract: An automated system for adjustment of the white balance in a signal displayed on the screen of a color CRT includes a device attachable to the screen of a color CRT for detecting a first value for at least one of the following signal characteristics: Contrast, brightness, red/green/blue lowlights and red/green/blue highlights in a signal displayed on the screen; a mechanism for changing the first value to a second value within the control range of the CRT; a mechanism for detecting such a second value; a mechanism for storing at least one value within the control range of the CRT for at least one of the foregoing signal characteristics; a mechanism for recovering any such stored value; and a mechanism for conforming the value of one or more of such signal characteristics to a stored value.

Abstract: An injection-molded enclosure made of rigid thermoplastic material includes a first part having at its periphery a wall with an inwardly, downwardly slanted inner surface and a second container portion having an inwardly, downwardly slanted periphery. The first and second parts engage with, and disengage from one another when the first and second parts are pressed together.

Abstract: A condenser useful in ring-field optics includes a device for homogenizing light with little or no change in light cone angle, or in the polar distribution of light linked to a device for channeling the light emerging from the homogenizing device equally, but with variable intensity, into an arc of light spots having a predetermined intensity, radius, width and direction, a device for magnifying the width of the arc of light spots, and for reducing proportionately its cone angle in the direction of its width while converting its shape from elliptical to circular with substantially symmetrical distribution of light, a device for transferring the circular arc of light spots to, and focusing the arc at an image plane while homogenizing the light along the length of the arc, and a device for easily changing arc radius. This condenser may include an autocollimator for aligning the condenser elements with one another, and with the projection optics of a photolithographic device.

Abstract: An airbed mattress and support system includes an air reservoir and a device for controllably delivering air to the airbed mattress and for controlling and for maintaining, as the user desires, the air pressure in the airbed mattress.

Abstract: A system for photoablating a product blank such as a corneal lenticule includes a molding means having a predetermined size and shape to which the finished, molded product should conform. The system includes a source of photoablating light such as an excimer laser, a mechanism for aligning light from the excimer laser with the mold and a blank in the mold. The mold is made of material impervious to photoablating light so that the walls of the mold surrounding the cavity protect the product blank within the cavity when the laser beam is kept parallel to the top surface of the mold, essentially comprising a three-dimensional photoresist. With the moldable product blank held against the inner mold surface, and a portion of the product blank projecting from the mold, photoablating light directed onto the mold and onto the projecting portion removes only the projecting portion, leaving a finished product having a size, shape and conformation substantially identical to the inner mold cavity.

Abstract: A precision intraocular surgical tool for removal or severing and removal of tissue from the eyeball of a patient includes a first tube of very small diameter having a port near one end, with the port including a tissue-shearing portion and, towards the closed end of the tube, a portion of substantially smaller size than the tissue-shearing portion, and a second tube concentric with the first tube. The first and second tubes fit snugly together, and one of the tubes is slidable with respect to the other. The end of the second tube adjacent to the port has a sharp cutting edge portion, and may also include a second smooth portion. The tool includes a mechanism for drawing tissue into the port for moving one of the tubes so that the sharp cutting edge portion can cross the port and cut tissue sucked into the port or, alternatively, so that the opening in the port can be restricted to the smaller-sized portion for aspirating tissue from the eyeball of a patient without cutting such tissue.

Abstract: A device for measuring and displaying the time elapsed in increasing or in decreasing the speed of a vehicle from one predetermined velocity to another includes means for starting a clock at a predetermined, selectable speed, means for stopping the counter when a predetermined, higher or lower speed has been attained, means for displaying the time elapsed in increasing the predetermined starting speed to the predetermined, higher or lower ending speed, and means for resetting the clock counter.

Abstract: An implant system includes an anchor the accessible end of which is located substantially at the level of the gum tissue at the alveolar crest. A bendable adapter made of titanium or titanium alloy has one end inserted into the accessible anchor socket for rigid connection thereto, and a second distal end projecting into the dental crown region to support a superstructure. The projecting part of the adapter may take various forms. It may provide a simple coping upon which a single tooth replacement may be built, or it may provide a socket for connection to companion structures. The intermediate portion of the adapter is necked down to provide a bendable region close to the level of the gum tissue whereby the anchor can be positioned for maximum retention, and the projecting end can be positioned to avoid tissue interference, to achieve parallelism for detachable connectors, to achieve maximum occlusal and esthetic functions.

Abstract: A method and means for transporting a quantity of comestibles (preferably at lowered temperatures) where at least continual monitoring of at least the oxygen level of the atmosphere to which the comestible is subjected is carried out. Preferably the carbon dioxide level is also monitored. Automatic adjustment of the oxygen content and carbon dioxide content in response to the monitoring is carried out using a positive infusion of ambient air and the scrubbing of the gas atmosphere to which the comestibles are subjected respectively.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding time-varying, two-frequency, coherent-phase data, such as data from the stripe on a magnetic stripe-bearing medium, includes detecting flux intervals at the beginning of a bit cell of such data; timing with a clock or counter the length of such a bit cell; digitally determining the average length of at least the two bit cells immediately preceding the cell being measured; and digitally determining whether or not another flux reversal lies at or near the midpoint of the bit cell being decoded.

Abstract: An injection-molded photomask carrier includes a base with a round opening of sufficient size and shape to permit light to pass through during a photolithographic process; at least three wall members joined to, upstanding from and framing the periphery of the base to support the edges of a photomask or a photomask/pellicle array resting on the base; a flange projecting inwardly from one of the walls, and a clip on the side of the base opposite the flange for movable engagement with the portions of the photomask or photomask/pellicle combination at its edges. A container for the carrier is complementary in size and shape to the carrier, injection-molded, and includes an injection-molded cover for the container.

Abstract: A system for emitting, in sequence, a plurality of different scents includes a plurality of holders for scent-bearing chips; a mechanism for propelling these scents from a system; a mechanism for conveying, selectively, any desired scent holder into operative relation with the propelling mechanism; and a mechanism for actuating the propelling mechanism to propel scent from any desired scent holder in response to a programmed, predetermined sequence of scents of predetermined duration.

Abstract: A method for recovering precious metals such as gold and silver from precious metal-bearing materials that include other solids comprises treating the precious metal-bearing materials with an aqueous, basic solution having a pH in the range of about 12 to about 14 for a time sufficient to suspend the precious metals in substantially free form in the solution, followed by recovery of precious metals from solids and from the solution by known methods.

Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus for the sensible cooling of useable air by the evaporative process at a cost of operation substantially lower than that of mechanical refrigeration of the same capabilities, and advantageously comprised of modular evaporator and blower units and multiple stages thereof with the use of substantially permanent inexpensive plastic materials conducive to the efficient absorption of heat between separate columns of air, one column subject to the evaporative cooling process with no energy change, and the other column subject to the sensible cooling process with a subtraction of energy from the useable air.