Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for conducting local wireless audio signal transmissions from a local audio signal source to a person within a local signal transmission area. In certain embodiments, the transmissions are conducted over the 900 MHz local transmission band to a portable receiver unit supported on the headband of a stereo headphone unit. The receiver unit serves to down convert the 900 MHz signal to a local frequency band which is received by an FM receiver of the receiver unit which serves to reproduce the audio signals therefrom which are, in turn, converted to acoustic signals by electroacoustic transducers of the headphone. A transmitter unit includes a ceramic resonator stabilized FM transmitter, as well a filter for suppressing high frequency noise in an audio modulation signal, a stereo audio multiplexing unit utilizing a 3f.sub.H subcarrier and an overmodulation detection unit.

Abstract: A radio antenna which takes the form of a flexible elongated transmission cable. This cable encloses a pair of conductors which are insulated from each other. The cable is encased in an electrically conductive sheath. The received signal is picked up by the sheath and transmitted through an impedance matching network and into the pair of conductors. The length of the sheath is correlated to a preselected fractional value of the wavelength of the received signal.

Abstract: A dental matrix for use in dental procedures performed in a patient's mouth has a wide, flat central portion and at least one outwardly extending arm having ratchet-like teeth. The central portion has a slot cut therein to cooperate with the ratchet teeth to ensure the easy ability to tighten the matrix around the tooth. The ratchet teeth lie in the same plane as the central portion.

Abstract: A non-reusable syringe is provided with an annular locking groove having a seat proximal to the rear end of the barrel and a second annular locking groove with a second seat located near the proximal end of the barrel. The plunger for the non-reusable syringe is provided with a flexible disc preferably located directly behind the piston head so that when the plunger is inserted with the barrel, the disc can bend upwardly when sliding the plunger downwardly past the first seat of the annular locking groove and, yet, proximal relative movement of the plunger with respect to the barrel is precluded by the cooperation of the disc and the locking groove. When the plunger is fully pushd in the distal direction, the disc, again, can pass in one direction beyond the second locking groove and its seat and, yet, reciprocation or proximal movement of the plunger with respect to the barrel is precluded by the mechanical interaction of the disc with respect to the second locking groove and seat.

Abstract: In a soldering apparatus using a rotary station, a component holder is lowered and/or moved vertically by a stepper motor drive. A motor, lowers a drive shaft by a lead screw, and a second motor rotates the shaft via a toothed bearing wheel, the shaft having a hexagonal cross-section. A pivotable lobe couples the shaft to a shaft to lower the component holder and to rotate it (by rotation of shaft). The stepper motors allow for variable speed of vertical movement of the component holder and for selective rotation.

Abstract: A hair drying turban made from a single piece of absorbent cloth and having a cap portion and, extending forwardly, a hair basket portion. In use, the wearer places the cap portion on his or her hair with the hair extending forwardly over the forehead and face (the wearer bending at the waist). Then, with the hair placed neatly within the hair basket portion, the hair basket is twisted about the longitudinal axis of the hair. The hair basket portion is then folded backwardly along the center line of the cap portion and secured to the back of the cap portion. A loop is provided for allowing the turban to be easily hung on a door peg and/or, alternatively, to facilitate the tucking in of the hair basket portion beneath the cap portion.

Abstract: A package for an audio cassette tape and a booklet of lyrics. The container has a flip-top and, in the preferred embodiment, two separate compartments for the tape and the booklet. The carton is preferably made from a single sheet of card stock. Spacing legs projecting from the dividing panel ensure that the front panel is separated from the booklet-backing or dividing panel and provides a support or compartment for the booklet.

Abstract: A surgical clip intended to be used with conventional instruments for applying surgical clips, such as those marketed by the United States Surgical Corporation (U.S. Surgical), is disclosed in which the clip fits within and is operated by the movable jaws in the U.S. Surgical Applier but the clip is constructed so as to provide a circumferential closing of the clip around the duct or vessel. The conventional movement of the jaws of the applier operates with the initially open surgical clip, which under pressure by the parallel movement of the jaws, closes about the duct or vessel being occluded and firmly holds the duct in place by capturing the duct between upper and lower arms of the clip.

Abstract: Apparatus which transfers photos, motion picture films and slides to videotape (or other video recording media) by means of a video camera and recorder, such as a camcorder, is operable in three modes: first for film or slide to video transfer using a movie or slide projector to present images from motion picture film or slides to the camcorder; second to illuminate a photo or other print and present the image therefrom to the camcorder; and third to illuminate with concentrated light a slide or transparency to present an image projected by the illumination to the camcorder thereby enabling direct transfer of images from slides or transparencies. The apparatus includes a box with openings on opposite ends and on a side thereof.

Abstract: This invention discloses a wireless compact disc stereo playback system for use in automobiles. An FM transmitter is employed which is connected at the output of a portable CD player, the FM transmitter thereby producing a stereo FM signal which is transmitted to be received by the automobile antenna. The automobile's FM system is tuned to play the output of the CD player through the FM radio system of the automobile. The output power of the FM transmitter and its bandwidth are selected so that the distance from the antenna to the FM transmitter will be sufficient to ensure effective sound production in standard automobiles and vans.

Abstract: The subject invention teaches the use of mechanical vibration to enhance the electrostatic dispersion of sample solutions into the small, highly charged droplets that can produce ions of solute species for mass spectrometric analysis. Such vibration turns out to be surprisingly effective at ultrasonic frequencies for solutions with flow rates, conductivities and surface tensions too high for stable dispersion by electrostatic forces alone as in conventional electrospray ionization. Several embodiments of the invention are described for purposes of illustration. Other possible embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Abstract: A system and method to maximize fuel efficiency for a plurality of simultaneously operating engines is disclosed. The system includes means to determine the fuel consumption of the engine, measure the thrust of each engine and means to substantially equalize the ratio of the fuel consumption to the thrust between each of the engines. A pressure transducer is included to provide thrust data supply to each of the engines to a microprocessor, and a microprocessor is run to substantially equalize the ratio of the fuel consumption to the thrust to provide an increased fuel efficient system.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus comprising a cutting blade arranged along a pole pendent from a motor portion, a press rod having a cloth press attached to the lower end thereof, which is vertically movably arranged at a front part of the cutting blade, and a brake disposed to confront the press rod for controlling the vertical movement of the press rod, wherein a guard covering the cutting blade is attached to the press rod, a handle is provided with a lever to be actuated when the handle is gripped, a switch of the motor portion to be actuated by the operation of the lever is connected to open and close the brake, and a power source is separately arranged.

Abstract: A timepiece having a circular face for displaying analog time of day and using the same face to display the phases of the moon.

Abstract: An insecticide comprising about 50% to about 90% boric acid, preferably orthoboric acid, and about 1% to about 15% of a sugar preferably, confectionery sugar and about 1% to 15% of cloves, preferably finely ground. The sugar is preferably a powder, about 90% of which will pass through a 200 mesh grid. The insecticide may optionally contain an anticaking agent, corn starch, in the sugar component. The insecticide is used to kill crawling insects such as cockroaches or beetles and is relatively innocuous to humans.