Abstract: A valve for draining liquid from a pressurized gas system having a time-varying pressure comprises a housing defining an internal cavity communicating with (a) an inlet adapted to receive the time-varying pressure from the gas system, and (b) an outlet subject to ambient or subambient pressure. An inlet valve is movable in the housing between a first position that seals the inlet from the cavity and a second position that opens the inlet to the cavity in response to a predetermined pressure value. An outlet valve is movable in the housing between a first position that seals the outlet from the cavity and a second position that opens the cavity to the outlet. The inlet and outlet valves are biased so that the outlet valve is closed when the inlet valve is open, and the outlet valve is open for at least a substantial part of the time that the inlet valve is closed when the inlet pressure decreases below the predetermined value.

Abstract: An elastomerically-actuated syringe actuation device comprises a grommet that fits around the outlet tip of a syringe; an end cap, having a finger grip, that engages the distal end of the plunger of the syringe; and an elastomeric element that connects the grommet and the end cap. When the grommet is seated around the outlet tip, and the end cap is engaged against the distal end of the plunger with the plunger in its withdrawn position, the elastomeric element is stretched along the syringe, between the grommet and the end cap, thereby biasing the plunger toward its inserted position. As the elastomeric element restores itself to its unstretched configuration, it provides a driving force against the plunger to push the plunger into the barrel of the syringe, thereby expressing the fluid contained in the barrel out of the outlet tip.

Abstract: The wavelength of a light source (e.g., laser) is stabilized by introducing a collimated beam from the source into a "wedged" etalon, i.e., an etalon having a Fabry-Perot cavity that continuously decreases in width along at least one axis that is normal to the axis of beam propagation. A pair of photodetectors at the output side of the etalon detect respective portions of the beam traversing different cavity widths. The respective output signals of the photodetectors are employed in a feedback loop, whereby the wavelength of the light source is controlled so as to minimize the amplitude difference between the two photodetector signals. The wavelength of the light source can be tuned by varying the ratio of the amplitudes of the photodetector output signals. The wedged etalon can also be used as a multi-channel optical receiver, wherein a multi-wavelength collimated incident beam is introduced into the etalon.

Abstract: A retractable step or ladder is mounted to the rear of the personal watercraft. The retractable step has a pair of hollow channel members fixedly mounted underneath the riding platform. An elongated rigid member is mounted to each channel member by springs which permit substantially horizontal travel of each elongated member relative to the channel member until a stop is reached. The springs bias each elongated member into positions where the elongated members are not extended relative to the channel members, however the biasing force of the springs can be overcome by moderate effort of the user of the watercraft who wishes to climb aboard the watercraft from the water. Camming surfaces are formed substantially at the end of each channel member and at the end of each elongated member, and the camming surfaces mate and allow a downward pivoting motion of the elongated members about a hinge pin only when the elongated members are extended until the stop is reached.

Abstract: A watermattress includes a plurality of elongated water-filled tubes in a suitable frame, and each tube includes a wave dampening insert of foam or fiber. A base strip made of a substantially flexible material, such as vinyl, is fastened to each end of the tube. The wave dampening insert is fastened at a plurality of places along the length of the insert to the base strip, whereby the insert is substantially incapable of sliding or moving around in the tube even when one end of the tube is lifted. The foregoing feature prevents the insert from becoming dislocated and distorted in the tube as a result of extended normal use of the watermattress or even when the tube is moved or lifted for the purpose of draining, filling or moving the watermattress, and thereby makes the watermattress user friendly.

Abstract: A solid support for oligonucleotide synthesis has the structure ##STR1## where CPG represents a controlled pore glass matrix, the wavy line represents a carbon chain covalently linking the NH group with the controlled pore glass matrix, X is 2,2'-dimethoxytrityl or H, and R is alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroalkyl, or heteroaryl. The dimethoxytrityl group is removed from the solid support by treatment with acid, and the oligonucleotide is built, step-by-step in a conventional synthesizer after attachment of the 3' end of the first oligonucleotide unit to the hydroxyl function connected to the R group.

Abstract: An illuminated earring holder comprises an electric lamp with a rotatable lamp shade, wherein the shade is provided with a multiplicity of holes, each of which is dimensioned to receive the post of a straight post earring, or the hook of a hook-type earring. In a preferred embodiment, some of the holes are provided near the bottom edge of the shade, and a filament of thread, wire, or monofilament material is threaded through the holes near the bottom edge. Earrings, particularly hoop-type earrings, can be suspended from the filament. In the preferred embodiment, the lamp also includes a dish-like base with an upturned peripheral lip, for holding the earring backs.

Abstract: A closure structure or cap for a two compartment vial includes a resilient stopper having a cylindrical body with a lower shoulder portion adapted for sealing fit in the mouth of the vial and a second circumferential shoulder at is upper end. A substantially rigid hollow cylindrical sleeve is configured to surround the mouth of the vial, and has, at its upper end, integrally constructed downwardly projecting longitudinally split fingers dimensioned to embrace the stopper, with the bottoms of the split fingers engaging and resting upon the lower shoulder portion of the rubber stopper. An internal groove in the split fingers engages the lower edge of a second shoulder of the stopper thereby gripping the stopper. A locking member is disposed between the longitudinally split fingers and the inside walls of the hollow cylindrical sleeve or cap, forming means to prevent spreading of the fingers and thereby preventing the loosening of the grip of the fingers on the stopper.

Abstract: An improved shutter assembly construction includes a pair of vertically disposed side rails or stiles, a plurality of louvers or slats and an elongated member known as a tilt bar or tilt rod. The louvers are provided with a hole or aperture at each end. The side rails or stiles have a plurality of vertically-spaced notches which are configured to fixedly but yet removably receive louver/stile attachment inserts. The louver/stile attachment inserts, preferably made from plastic material, are also mounted to the louvers either by integrally constructed pins or by screws or like fasteners which engage the aperture. The louvers are pivotable relative to the louver/stile attachment inserts and are therefore pivotable relative to the side rails or stiles. The tilt bar or rod is vertically disposed and has a plurality of vertically-spaced notches each of which is configured to fixedly but yet removably receive a louver/tilt bar attachment insert.

Abstract: A molded plastic container top has an upper surface from which extends an extensible dispensing tube with a liquid dispensing orifice. The orifice is closed by a removable closure in the form of a cap-like, hollow, open-ended body. A plug is formed integrally with the upper surface and extends upwardly therefrom. Extending upwardly from the plug is an integral, cylindrical, rod-like stopper extension. In the preferred embodiment, the plug is axially fluted, with three radial vanes, dimensioned to be received into the interior of the closure to retain the closure thereon with a frictional fit. The stopper extension is dimensioned to be received within dispensing orifice with a fluid-tight fit, so as to provide an alternative closure for the orifice when the dispensing tube is extended to bring the orifice into the proximity of the stopper extension.

Abstract: A surface mountable miniature incandescent lamp assembly has an elongated substantially cylindrical glass envelope wherein a filament is contained in contact with metal members having glass-to-metal seals with the glass envelope. A substantial portion of the outer surface of the glass envelope is coated with a light reflective metal coating, with a non-coated elongated window transparent to light being left on the surface. The metal members extend axially to the outside from the envelope and, when mounted to a circuit board provide electric contact for the lamp. At least one of the end members includes a unique surface feature, such as a flat portion of an otherwise cylindrical surface, which is directionally coupled relative to the window of the glass envelope and which acts as a key or indexing surface for mounting the lamp assembly to the receiving surface (circuit board) with the window disposed in the desired direction.

Abstract: A battery drain limitation circuit, for use in engine-powered vehicles and equipment that rely on a battery for starting the engine and for operating accessories, disconnects the battery from all loads when the battery voltage falls to a level below which the battery charge may be insufficient to start the engine. The circuit is rendered inoperable, when the engine is running, by means of a microphone that detects engine noise. The circuit includes a reset mechanism that reconnects the battery to all loads. The reset mechanism may be automatic or manually actuated. A timing circuit delays the disconnection for a period of time sufficient to start the engine. The drain limitation circuit employs a latching relay that, in its preferred embodiment, includes front and rear coils in tandem, axially separated by a collar with an internal detent. A front plunger and a rear plunger are disposed for axial movement within the coils and the collar.

Abstract: A protective cover is foldable into a first configuration as a carrying case, and into a second configuration as an easel. Unfolded, the cover assumes a "T" shape, with first and second surfaces respectively defining the outer and inner surfaces of the carrying case. The cover has a longitudinal portion comprising first and second end sections and a central section, and a "cross-bar" portion comprising the first end section and a pair of flap portions extending laterally therefrom. Hook-and-loop fasteners are disposed on the cover so as to allow the first surface of the second end section to be folded onto and removably fastened to the second surface of the first end section, and the flap portions to be folded onto and removably fastened to the first surface of the central section, thereby forming the carrying case.

Abstract: A device for electrically connecting the conductors on a first PC board to the conductors on a second PC board includes a housing having a mounting surface for mounting on the first board, an exposed surface opposite the mounting surface, and a pair of opposed side walls. A plurality of channels open through the exposed surface, each having an interior defined between the interior surfaces of the side walls. A compliant contact element, formed as an integral conductive element, is disposed in each channel.

Abstract: A sigmoid heart valve annuloplasty prosthetic ring is disclosed which has a biocompatible stent molded into a scalloped shape, having three sinusoidal struts, to adapt to the anatomical shape of the annulus of the human sigmoid valves. The prosthetic ring is covered with biocompatible cloth. The prosthetic ring can be incorporated into the extremity of a biocompatible tubular cloth which serves as a vascular prosthesis in order to permit the total replacement of the ascending aorta or pulmonary artery without replacing the sigmoid valve.