Abstract: Touchless activation of a controlled element, such as a graphic element of a computer display, is provided in any one or more of several dimensions of multi-dimensional coordinate system on the display, in response to the presence of a controlling object, such as a finger, in a predetermined field of free space separate from the element. The field is cyclically optically, angularly scanned in timed relationship with the cyclic generation and counting of timing signals. The scanning causes energy in the field that is reflected from the object to produce triggering signals during each cycle of the scan. The time each triggering signal is received is a function of the angle traversed by the scan from the start of the scan until an object is intercepted. These triggering signals are then used to interrupt the counting of the timing signals, whereby the counted values represent the angles.

Abstract: Valve heads for modifying a pump to handling corrosive liquids are made of the thermoplastic UHMW-PE machined into a generally rectangular block having longitudinally extending front, back, and opposite side faces and transversely extending top and bottom faces, each of the faces being smooth and flat for convenient handling and storage. Each modified valve head is provided with an elongated cylindrical valve chamber adapted to slidably receive the standard valve body and a frusto-conical manifold recess intersecting and communicating with the valve chamber and having an outer opening that opens out of its front face. Inlet and outlet ports extend from opposite side faces through the valve head and communicate respectively with the lower and upper ends of the valve chamber.

Abstract: A window-screen combination wherein the screen is concealed when not in use but is readily accessible for servicing or replacement. The window-screen assembly includes a window frame circumscribing a window opening and including a peripheral outer frame portion providing an elongated header recess facing into the opening. The frame also includes a plurality of elongated inner frame members separable from the outer frame portion and disposed along the periphery of the opening. A first of the frame members, a header member, is positioned over the recess so that a passageway remains between the recess and the opening. The other of the frame members, jamb members, extend downwardly from the header member and form opposed vertical guideways adjacent to the window opening and aligned with the passageway.

Abstract: A safety apparatus and method for riding an animal using a rigging that assists a rider in maintaining balance on the animal but allows the rider to be quickly separated from the animal if a limb of the rider becomes caught in the rigging when the rider is thrown from the animal. The apparatus and the method of its use involve a rigging that can be cinched about the body of such an animal, that includes a holder or handle interfittingly engaged by a limb of the rider while mounted on the animal to aid the rider in remaining balance on the animal, and that further includes a latch that is normally closed but that can be released either by the rider if possible or by an attendant or otherwise if the limb if the rider is entangled with and caught in the rigging when the rider is thrown from the animal whereby the rider and the rigging can be pulled from or otherwise separated from the animal.

Abstract: A signal is transferred without brushes between rotatable and non-rotatable components of a machine. An input signal is applied to one of the components. An axially symmetrical electromagnetic field is generated in response to the input signal. The electromagnetic field is detected by the other component and an output signal is generated in response to the detected electromagnetic field. A rotating transformer couples an information signal or power from an auxiliary generator to an external device for processing. The rotating transformer includes a rotor assembly and a stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes a pair of rotor plates. The stator assembly includes a pair of stator plates and a pair of dielectrics. A dielectric is mounted to a stator plate and mounted adjacent and spaced apart from a corresponding rotor plate to form a capacitor between the stator plate and the rotor plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing exercises including a case for transporting the exercise device and for use in performing the exercises. The case can be a simulated briefcase, so that the exercise device can be carried around like ordinary luggage, or be another type of container. Included are elastic cables which can be moved from stowed positions in the case to exercising positions in which portions of the cables extend outwardly from the case. The portions of the cables remaining in the case are restrained against stretching thereby allowing essentially only the portions of the cables extending outwardly from the case to be stretched. In performing exercises, the outwardly extending portions of the cables are pulled against the case, thereby setting up isometric forces which resist the pulling action and enable the desired strength training. It is possible to exercise all of the major muscle groups and to replicate the exercises performed on popular stationary exercise apparatus.

Abstract: A machine and method for producing pressed items from coins, tokens, and like items. The machine includes multiple operating stations from where multiple operators can activate the machine; a press adapted to press coins, tokens, and like items delivered to it and to release pressed items therefrom; multiple collecting stations adapted to receive items that have been pressed; a gating device that delivers items to be pressed to the press in a predetermined order and in response to activation of the machine at the operating stations; and a dispenser that delivers pressed items from the press to the collecting stations in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A holder for use in building construction for holding anchor bolts, rebar, in-concrete plumbing, and the like, in predetermined positions during the pouring of concrete therearound The holder is molded in one piece from a suitable plastic and includes an elongated base plate, the front end which has an end hole therethrough; a sleeve projecting from the base plate over the end bole; elongated first and second re-enforcing side ribs providing from the base plate and connected to the sleeve; an end rib partially wrapped around the sleeve and integrally joining the sleeve and the forward ends of the side ribs where they meet the sleeve; a center rib projecting from the base plate between the side ribs and also connected to the sleeve; webs projecting from the base plate, interconnecting the side and center ribs, and having nail holes therethrough, and preferably also including an end plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for retaining parallels against vise jaws during the entire cycle of performing a machining operation. The subject method and apparatus apply sufficient forces at the places and angles necessary to avoid any flutter or movement of the parallels outwardly away from or transversely across the faces of their respective jaws. By use of the subject invention, the parallels are retained against the jaws of the vise over a range of jaw gaps from a very narrow gap to the maximum jaw gap of vises typically used in machine shops. Also, undesirable movement of the retaining apparatus relative to the vise and parallels is restricted. The apparatus has a low profile and is located in the space under the machining area so that it does not interfere with the machining operations, but if contacted by the machine tool, will be sacrificed rather than the more expensive tool.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for retaining parallels against vise jaws during the entire cycle of performing a machining operation. The subject method and apparatus apply sufficient forces at the places and angles necessary to avoid any flutter or movement of the parallels outwardly away from or transversely across the faces of their respective jaws. By use of the subject invention, the parallels are retained against the jaws of the vise over a range of jaw gaps from a very narrow gap to the maximum jaw gap of vises typically used in machine shops. Also, undesirable movement of the retaining apparatus relative to the vise and parallels is restricted. The apparatus has a low profile and is located in the space under the machining area so that it does not interfere with the machining operations, but if contacted by the machine tool, will be sacrificed rather than the more expensive tool.

Abstract: A faucet assembly including dual handles whose position indicates, both tactilely and visually, the volume and exit temperature of the water flowing from hot and cold water valves to a faucet outlet. Such indication is achieved by the mounting and controlled movement of the handles, by their configuration and perimeter, by surface exposure, and by their individual connections to hot and cold water valves. The proximity of the handles and their controlled movement enables the handles to be manipulated simultaneously by a single hand of the user without pinching the fingers. The handles are mounted to conceal their mountings and their connections to the valves and are thus the only parts of the faucet assembly visible to a user thereby enhancing the appearance of the installation. Further, the faucet assembly reduces plumbing costs and is universally adaptable to both rotary and linear water valves in a wide variety of bath and kitchen installations.

Abstract: A quick-connect coupling for interconnecting only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent connection of mismatched lines where there are matched and mismatched delivery and supply lines. The coupling includes first and second coupling members that are releasably slidably, axially interfitted with their passageways in fluid communication. In the disclosed embodiment of a coupling for use in a chemical extraction system, one coupling member is a male member connected to the supply lines in the typical fifty gallon drum and the other coupling member is a female coupling member connected to the delivery lines. Key coding elements on the coupling members are movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines are matched but are precluded from moving into matched interengagement when the lines are mismatched.

Abstract: The door stop comprises a stop block. One of the surfaces of the stop block has an angular recess therein with angular faces positioned at an acute angle with respect to the stop block surfaces. The stop block is configured to insert into the jamb when the door is opened and the angular faces engaged over the top corner of the hinge edge stile of the door to hold the door open. A handle is attached to the stop block so that it may be easily inserted and removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for watering a plant while it is supported in an elevated position is provided which includes an elongated tubular standard which has a longitudinal axial passageway and upper and lower end portions and which is mounted in an upstanding position. A flexible hose is threaded through the passageway of the standard and has upper and lower end portions respectively projecting from the upper and lower end portions of the standard. A hanger is provided on the upper end portion of the standard for supporting a plant, and a nozzle is attached to the upper end portion of the hose in a position to dispense water to the plant either by a drip irrigation method or by a spay or other method. The lower end portion of the hose is connected to a source of water under pressure for supplying water to the nozzle. The apparatus provides an attractive support for a plant while enabling it to be regularly watered.

Abstract: A hair restraint attachable to eyewear is provided so as to enable a person wearing long hair to maintain the hair in as natural a manner as possible while preventing the hair from falling forwardly when the person tilts his or her head forwardly and downwardly. The hair restraint provides a mounting bar releasably attachable to a temple of the eyewear and an arm that projects rearwardly and divergently from the temple to form a rearwardly opening notch that receives the long hair from the sides of the wearer's head and prevents such side hair from falling forwardly toward the front of the wearer's head particularly when the wearer's head is tilted forwardly and downwardly.

Abstract: A method provides for shooting a missile-rocket. The missile-rocket has two movable parts and a propellant. The propellant is disposed between the one movable part and the first end of the other movable part. The missile-rocket undergoes three phases of acceleration. During the first phase, the method includes the steps of activating the propellant, moving one of the movable parts in response to the activation of the propellant, and urging the one of the movable parts to engage the other one of the movable parts. During the second phase, the method includes the step of urging the other one of the movable parts in response to the engagement. During the third phase, the method includes the step of releasing gases formed by activating the propellant from the missile-rocket to further urge the missile-rocket. The movable parts are preferably a shell and a core. In one embodiment, the core is moved in response to the activation of the propellant and urged to engage the front end of the shell.

Abstract: A plastic shim or other work piece useful in the construction industry is provided and is an elongated tapered hard plastic body incorporating qualities of a shim lacking in wooden shims. Each shim has transverse breakable lines so that segments can be broken off to adjust its length. For handling, a plurality of such shims are molded in a sheet with adjacent shims being spaced along their thinner sections but separably joined by longitudinal, manually breakable lines extending along their thicker sections, whereby the shims can be detached from the sheet either individually or in multiples. The shims have pockets defining nailing portions of reduced thickness which minimize the grasp of nails by the shim and allow removal of nails without damage to the shim or adjacent wood and etching to avoid uncontrolled slippage.

Abstract: This invention consists of a process to create and maintain a perfect Figure 8 polishing pattern for polishing fiber optic connector end faces and the apparatus used to perform this process simultaneously on a multiplicity of fiber optic connectors, and similarly configured industrial components.

Abstract: A drain filtering device is disclosed. The improvement over the prior art .[.is comprised of.]. .Iadd.includes .Iaddend.reducing the filter size from an elongated device that spans the length of .[.the gutter.]. .Iadd.drain .Iaddend.system to a modular unit which is necessary only at the drain .[.sight.]. .Iadd.outlet.Iaddend.. The .[.invention also includes.]. .Iadd.filtering device has .Iaddend.an inclined upper face which is positioned on the upstream side of the .[.drain in the gutter and a downspout.]. .Iadd.channel of the drain and an .Iaddend.attachment which locates the .[.invention.]. .Iadd.filtering device .Iaddend.in the .[.gutter.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.such that the flow of filtered water passes through the .[.invention.]. .Iadd.device .Iaddend.and into the .[.downspout.]. .Iadd.outlet.Iaddend.. The debris that collects in the .[.gutter.]. .Iadd.channel .Iaddend.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a pulse oximeter which is based on the concept of an electrical interface between the testing instrument and the oximeter rather than an optical interface. The pulse oximeter signal processor is tested separately from the probe, and still further, the optical elements, that is, the LEDs and the photodiode, of the probe are tested separately from the probe cable. With the probe disconnected from the oximeter, a modulated electrical test signal representative of SpO.sub.2 values and other parameters is generated in response to an electrical signal from the oximeter, and the test signal is applied to the oximeter signal processor, whereby the display of the oximeter shows a value of SpO.sub.2 which is compared with the SpO.sub.2 value represented by the test signal. Independently, the probe including the probe cable, the LEDs and the photodiode are respectively and separately subjected to continuity and optical sensitivity tests.