Abstract: A switch point position detecting system and method uses a plurality of proximity detectors positioned proximate the switch point or points of a railroad switch. Additional proximity detectors are placed within a switch machine housing to detect the position of components therein, such as lock rods and lock bars. One or more Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC's) have inputs connected to the proximity detectors and outputs connected to relays or switches which control the switch machine and signals. The PLC's are programmed to operate the relays to give signals to proceed only when correct indications are received from all effected proximity detectors.

Abstract: A craft hoop assembly for securing material on which a craft is to be performed comprises an inner hoop or ring having an outer surface and a split outer hoop or ring having an inner surface which is positionable in circumscribing alignment with the inner ring such that the inner surface of the outer ring generally abuts against the outer surface of the inner ring. A bead is integrally formed on either the inner surface of the outer ring or the outer surface of the inner ring. A corresponding groove is formed in the opposing surface of the inner or outer ring respectively. Projections, ridges or bumps are integrally formed on the inner surface of the outer ring or the outer surface of the inner ring or both to increase the gripping effect of the rings on fabric secured therebetween. The projections are preferably formed on said bead. The projections may be randomly arranged or arranged in specific patterns to enhance the gripping effect.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a plunger-type switch having alternative open and closed conditions and having a plunger movable between an extended position and a retracted position whereby said switch condition is changed by the movement of said plunger comprises a flat spring, having a first spring end, a second spring end and a middle portion, and a housing having an upper surface wherein the plunger-type switch and spring are positioned within the housing such that the first spring end is positioned in closely spaced relation to the plunger in the extended position and the middle portion of the spring bows above the housing upper surface such that application of a force to the middle portion of the spring and directed towards the housing upper surface compresses the spring advancing the spring first end toward the switch a distance sufficient to move the plunger to the retracted position and upon removal of the force the first spring end advances away from the switch a distance sufficient to allow the plunger

Abstract: A fish hook setting device comprising a cylindrical housing containing a plunger and a compression-type coil spring. The plunger includes a head and a shaft. The shaft of the plunger extends through the coil spring which is positioned within the housing between an annular wall formed in the lower end of the housing and an overhanging edge formed by the head of the plunger. The shaft further includes a notch defining an upwardly directed abutment surface. The plunger may be drawn from the housing so as to compress the spring. When the notch is advanced out of the housing the plunger is advanced to one side of the housing so that the abutment surface may be placed in contact with the lower surface of the annular wall to prevent the plunger from retracting until an additional force is applied to the plunger preferably from a fish taking a baited hook secured thereto.

Abstract: A light panel for highlighting flaws and imperfections in the surface of an automobile body or the like includes a pair of lenses with one lens positioned on each side of a light source. The lens on one side of the panel is yellow with a painted black stripe thereon with the black stripe irregularly "bleeding" into the yellow to create diverse shadow lines. The lens on the opposite side of the panel is white with a similar black stripes. Each black stripe includes a narrow centerline of white or black, respectively which serves as a reference. A fluorescent lamp is positioned between the lenses to project a shadow line light pattern onto the surface to be inspected for dents or imperfections. The white and black shadow line pattern is more effective at highlighting flaws in darker colored surfaces while the yellow and black shadow line pattern is more effective at highlighting flaws in lighter colored surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for trimming a plastic covering from a mouth opening of a blow-molded universal urinal includes a retaining block for rigidly holding the urinal in position opposite a trimming apparatus. The apparatus mechanically moves a knife mounted thereon in an oval pattern in one plane while simultaneously moving the knife in an alternately concave and convex pattern in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane. The knife is mounted on a platform which is itself movable in the second plane independently of the movement of the knife. As the platform is moved toward the urinal mouth, the knife is moved in the described pattern, thus smoothly trimming the urinal mouth.

Abstract: An illumination system for a semi-tractor and trailer includes a pair of illumination housings, one attached to either side of the trailer just above the rear wheels. A reflector within each housing reflects light from a light source downward and outward through a clear lens to encompass an arc extending from the vertical to a predetermined angle, e.g. approximately 45 degrees from vertical. Light is thus directed onto the pavement and any objects immediately adjacent the trailer rear wheels to aid the driver in close quarter maneuvering, turns, and when changing highway lanes. A control circuit is connected to each light source and to the turn signal lead on the respective trailer side to provide steady power to the light source only when the turn signal and/or emergency flasher circuit is enabled. An optional amber lens can be provided on the side of each illumination housing to resemble the ordinary running lights on a typical semi-trailer.

Abstract: An envelope processing system includes a multiple envelope gripping and transfer apparatus. The system uses a conventional envelope delivery spider which has been adapted to deliver envelopes to an accumulating surface, such as a belt conveyor, in a position with the folded envelope seal flaps facing upward. A rotary guide is positioned with radially extending guide members extending just above the conveyor belt to guide envelopes onto the conveyor in an upright orientation. The conveyor moves the envelopes toward a series of three separately movable, vertically oriented finger supports. The three supports are cooperatively driven to accumulate, batch and compress horizontal stacks of predetermined numbers of envelopes which are then positioned beneath a gripper assembly with a pair of opposed gripper arms.

Abstract: A ballast distributing railroad car has a number of ballast hoppers, each with a selectively operable hopper door. The railroad car also has a pair of ballast distributing blades pivotally attached beneath it, one at either end of the car, with the blades being mirror images of each other. Each blade can be selectively raised and lowered via an independent hydraulic actuator. A remote control radio transmitter and car mounted receiver provide for remote, individual and selective control of hopper doors and blades on a car. When there are a plurality of ballast cars on a train, each car has a receiver which responds to a different address sequence. The remote transmitter is operable to selectively send any of the different address sequences so that a single selected car can be remotely controlled. In a modified arrangement, each ballast distributing blade has a pair of extendable wings on either side to allow the wider distribution of ballast where needed.

Abstract: A film strip cleaner apparatus includes a support plate having a plurality of film guide rollers journaled thereon to define a cleaning path of the film. A cleaning roller carrying arm is pivotally mounted on the support plate and has a pair of spaced apart film cleaning rollers journaled thereon and positioned on opposite sides of the film cleaning path. A position lock pin is mounted on an end of the roller arm and is resiliently urged toward the support plate. A pair of pin receiving apertures are formed through the support plate and are positioned in angularly spaced relation to the pivot axis of the roller arm.

Abstract: A sludge blanket-clarified liquid interface detector apparatus for a wastewater treatment process including a floating decanter assembly preferably includes a sludge detector light source and light sensor pair positioned in spaced apart relation on a sludge layer detector frame which is suspended in depending relation below the floating decanter assembly. The light sensor is interfaced to a process controller to which is also interfaced a decanter valve which flow controls the decant cycle of the process. As the decant cycle proceeds, the decanter assembly descends along with the falling level of liquid in the process reactor until the detector descends past the interface and into the sludge layer. The decrease in light transmission between the light source and sensor is signaled to the controller which causes the decanter valve to close to end the decant cycle to prevent the discharge of polluting sludge from the reactor.

Abstract: A heat resistant suit includes an inner garment designed to circulate cooling air against the wearer's body. The inner garment is connected to the cool air output of a vortex carried in a pocket in an outer, heat reflective coverall. A safety bottle is carried in another pocket of the coverall, with the safety bottle connected to a pressure valve which is also connected to an external source of breathing air. The vortex unit is connected to an external air compressor which can also be used to supply filtered, pressure regulated breathing air which is cooled by a second vortex unit. A safety harness is sewn into the coverall, with the safety harness connected to a pull ring attached to the rear of the coverall. The outer coverall is preferably constructed of KEVLAR cloth to which an external aluminum reflective coating is applied.

Abstract: An envelope flap up pick and place apparatus and method uses a conventional envelope delivery spider which has been adapted to deliver envelopes to an accumulating surface, such as a belt conveyor, in a position with the folded envelope seal flaps facing upward. A rotary guide is positioned with radially extending guide members extending just above the conveyor belt to guide envelopes onto the conveyor in an upright orientation. The conveyor moves the envelopes toward a series of three separately movable, vertically oriented finger supports. The three supports are cooperatively driven to accumulate and compress horizontal stacks of predetermined numbers of envelopes which are then positioned beneath a gripper assembly with a pair of opposed gripper arms. The gripper assembly is lowered into a position in which the gripper arms are inserted on either side of the envelope stack, pulled together and pivoted inward at the bottoms to squeeze the stack from the bottom edges.

Abstract: A method for minutia extraction from a digitized fingerprint array by twin tracker border line analysis includes scanning the array to detect ridge pixels, setting up a pair of tracker pixels or trackers on opposite borders of the ridge, moving the trackers along the borders of the ridge, periodically calculating the midpoint between the trackers to generate a centerline between the borders, calculating an average slope of the centerline, and periodically testing between the trackers for the presence of valley pixels. When such a valley pixel is detected, a sequence of aberration tests is conducted to identify the type of aberration. If the aberration tests all fail, the aberration is identified as a ridge diversion, the location and slope of which are stored as a minutia in a minutia location table. Ridge endings are detected by comparing the coordinates of the trackers after each move. If a ridge ending is detected, an attempt is made to jump to another ridge within a given proximity to the current ridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating pneumothorax and pneumohemothorax comprises a one-way valve having a top end and a bottom end and a suction port secured to and extending beyond the top end, a conduit secured to and extending perpendicularly away from the bottom end of the one-way valve in flow communication therewith a 90 degree elbow removably securable to a distal end of the conduit in flow communication therewith and a luer lock lug receptacle secured to the 90 degree elbow and adapted to threadingly receive luer lock lugs on a large bore needle or catheter. The 90 degree elbow is removably securable to the conduit and may be removed and replaced with a connection adapter. The connection adaptor has a first end removably securable to the distal end of the conduit and a second end removably securable to a chest tube surgically inserted in the pleural space. The apparatus may also include an injection port extending from and in flow communication with the conduit.

Abstract: A baseball pitcher game and training apparatus includes a free swinging target receptacle which is positioned at one end of an elongate enclosure with a player's station positioned at the opposite end of the enclosure. A target is removably positioned in the target receptacle, with the target including a target image printed thereon. An X-Y grid of conductive lines scanned by a target processor determines the position at which a thrown ball impacts the target and the direction and magnitude of spin of the ball. A radar gun positioned in the elongate enclosure has a beam directed across the flight path of the ball to determine the speed of the thrown ball. A game computer is programmed for a game strategy and methodology which rewards throwing speed and accuracy and includes an interactive voice module for verbal feedback to the player. An improved ball return mechanism permits balls to be selectively and reliably returned and dispensed to a player.