Abstract: A draft control system for furnaces comprises an auxiliary channel in communication both with ambient air and the flue of the furnace, a main draft control means for regulating the entrance of ambient, auxiliary draft air into the flue, and auxiliary draft control means mounted in the auxiliary channel for dampening the effect of extreme changes in external conditions on the main draft control means. Thus, uniform draft and efficient combustion is maintained in the furnace under a wide variety of conditions. The main draft control means comprises counter-balanced draft control plates which are initially set in an open position so that they can either open or close in order to efficiently regulate the draft in the flue. The auxiliary draft control means comprises, in one embodiment, an isolation damper plate rotationally mounted in the auxiliary channel, or, in a second embodiment, a set of louvred panels.

Abstract: A flexible, compressible reservoir draws a substantially constant vacuum to permit uniform removal of fluid from a surgical incision through a wound drain catheter. The reservoir includes a compression spring interposed between a pair of congruent articulated plates. The spring provides biasing force to expand the reservoir and create a vacuum therein. Each of the articulated plates has a central member hinged on opposite sides to wing members. As the reservoir expands, the wing members pivot relative to the central members to decrease the effective area to which the spring force is applied. Such decrease in the effective area permits the spring force per unit of area to remain more nearly constant, and thus, reduces changes in reservoir vacuum.

Abstract: A cannula for insertion into a body cavity, duct, or vessel of a patient includes a parent cannula member and an integral radiopaque tip. The tip is configured so as to be distinguishable from internal body parts in an X ray or flouroscopic image, thus serving to precisely locate the position of the cannula within the patient without substantially obstructing the physician's view of such body parts. The cannula tip and parent member are separately pre-formed from a non-toxic polymeric material and can be constructed so as to have different hardnesses. In one embodiment, the tip is softer than the parent member in order to prevent internal injury to the patient, while in a second embodiment the tip is harder than the parent member for facilitating certain catheterization applications. The pre-formed tip and parent member are then dielectrically heated and welded securely together to form a unitary, integral cannula.

Abstract: Fiber optic device for controlling the state of polarization of light. In one embodiment, a strand of fiber optic material is bent into a generally planar coil of relatively tight radius to stress the material and form a birefringent medium having principal axes which are rotated to control the polarization of light passing through the strand. In a second embodiment, one portion of a fiber optic strand is twisted about its axis to change the polarization, and a second portion of the strand is formed into a coil which is free to change in radius without additional twisting as the first portion is twisted.

Abstract: An attachment which converts a single station, spring powered, temperature sensitive, fire alarm protection device into a remote signalling heat detector for a central fire alarm system, without affecting the internal apparatus of the alarm device or the environmental protection of such internal apparatus. The attachment includes a pivotally mounted member having a shield arm interposed between a magnet and a reed switch, and a lever arm which interacts with a winding key on the alarm device to move the shield arm from between the magnet and reed switch when the alarm is actuated. This movement of the shield arm permits the magnetic force of the magnet to activate the reed switch. The reed switch is connected by wire or radio link to a central monitor. Actuation of the reed switch, in response to actuation of the alarm device, produces an alarm signal at the central monitor.

Abstract: A device for immobilizing the knee of an individual is an open-ended, tubular shell formed of an integral piece of semi-rigid material having portions shaped to receive the lower thigh, knee, and upper calf of the individual. The device is easily slipped on and off by means of expansion of a longitudinal opening which bifurcates one side of the device. After the device is placed around the individual's leg, the opening can be closed to tighten the shell around the leg forming the shell into an essentially closed open-ended tube which has substantial structural strength to provide secure immobilization. The thigh and calf portions of the device have flat areas to prevent rotation of the individual's leg within the device. The thigh portion extends at an angle from the calf portion sufficient to immobilize the individual's knee in a flexed position in which the ligaments are relaxed.

Abstract: Apparatus for advancing flexible containers that are connected together seriatim in a continuous row, automatically, to a filling and capping station by preliminarily moving the filling spout of each container to a position adjacent the filling nozzle during the filling of the next previous container. Because the containers are flexible, excess container material forms a loop between the container spout at the filling station and the container spout at the pre-positioning station, and does not interfere with the filling operation, particularly since the empty flexible containers can be supported as they are advanced toward the filling station by guides which capture the filling spout itself.

Abstract: An electronic edge and center locator is a device for setting up a machine tool so that a tool holding chuck is aligned with a workpiece to be machined. The electronic edge and center locator has a metal probe for contacting a workpiece and the probe has an insulated shank for mounting in the chuck of a machine tool. The electronic edge and center locator includes electronic circuitry for detecting when the probe makes electrical contact with the workpiece. The circuitry provides visual indication of normal probe operation and indication when contact between the probe and the workpiece is detected. Mounting of the probe in the chuck of the machine tool provides a highly accurate method of precisely determining the spatial relationship between a workpiece and the machine tool.

Abstract: A device for immobilizing the thumb, hand and wrist of an individual is a shell formed of an integral piece of semi-rigid material having portions shaped to receive the upper forearm, hand and thumb. The device is easily slipped on and off by means of expansion of a longitudinal opening which bifurcates the upper side of the device. The bottom and top sides of a region of the forearm portion are flat to prevent rotation of the individual's forearm within the device. The forearm portion is also shaped to accommodate the protrusion of an individual's ulnar bone on the upper side of the wrist. The diameter of the thumb portion is easily adjustable.

Abstract: A circuit fuse assembly comprising a plurality of fuse elements which are simultaneously formed using printed circuit or through hole plating techniques and including means for easily substituting a different one of the plural fuse elements when the in-circuit fuse element burns out due to an overload current condition. In the preferred embodiment, the fuse assembly is (a) integrally formed with the printed circuit of the fused electrical apparatus and (b) formed with a common electrical connection such that a single electrical bridge of solder or other means enables substitution of a replacement fuse element. Other embodiments of the present invention provide a restorable printed circuit fuse for use in standard fuse holders, in-line plug connectors, conventional three prong plug connectors, edison bases, and plug-in triple outlets.

Abstract: A container for holding and dispensing fluid has a flexible bag to which a spout is connected. A specially designed adapter within the spout has an opening sealed by a plug. A tubular probe is inserted into the adapter opening and snapped onto the plug. The connected probe and plug are pushed into the bag to permit fluid to flow through apertures in the probe. The probe channel is filled with fluid before insertion into the bag, thus introducing substantially no air into the system. Withdrawing the probe snaps the plug back into the adapter to re-seal the bag without substantial introduction of air, and without any leakage.

Abstract: A lightweight hoist for use in living quarters or patient care facilities to transport disabled persons from one location to another. A flat, unitary, easily manufactured mounting plate provides a main frame that permits the hoist to be easily and inexpensively assembled. The hoist is suspended from an overhead rail and is driven along the rail by a motor. A release mechanism disengages the motor drive to permit the hoist to be manually operated. A flexible lift strap is provided to raise and lower the disabled person. The lift strap is attached to the take-up reel of a motor driven winch. A guideway is included to prevent the lift strap from twisting as it winds and unwinds on the take-up reel of the winch. The winch may be manually driven when the drive motor is deactivated.

Abstract: A container lid (12) is held open by a support plate (18) carrying a chamber (20) which expands at a predetermined point in a sterilizing cycle to react against the lid, moving the plate outwardly to permit the lid to drop onto the container base. A resilient gasket (16) prevents fluid flow into the container after the lid is fallen, but permits fluid flow outwardly past the gasket when interior pressure exceeds exterior pressure. When the container is to be opened, a relief valve (60) relieves the vacuum within the container and filters air entering the container at that time.

Abstract: A modular minicomputer is provided which is assembled from a central processor unit module and a plurality of memory modules. Small calculators on the memory modules are so interlocked that when the computer is powered up, memory address boundaries are calculated automatically. As a result, the bank of memory modules appears to the central processing unit the same as a single large memory unit.