Abstract: A quick-set hydraulic coupler for use with the standard telescoping-type fluid or gas connectors on equipment within the agricultural, trucking, or tractor-trailer fields. The quick-set coupler includes a female half and a male half whereby the female half is mounted and includes a ring for engaging a lever. Depressing the lever will extend a spring biased inner member of the female half and expose a ring of retractable ball bearings that engage the male half. The lever is then released and the inner member retracts along with the coupled male member to form a tight seal.

Abstract: A control system for remotely controlling the application of electric power to a plurality of electrical apparatuses (10) includes a radio transmitting device (20) at a central location, and a radio receiving device (22) and a control unit (16) at each electrical apparatus location. During set-up of an electrical apparatus, programming signals designating the operating protocol or mode and the location of the electrical apparatus are transmitted by a radio programming signal to the control unit (16) associated with each electrical apparatus. Subsequently, timing reference signals containing a multiple-digit computer generated code designating the time of day and the time of sunrise and sunset on a particular day within particular latitudinal zones are transmitted by radio to the control units (16) of all electrical apparatus (10).

Abstract: A motivational game for enhancing obedience skills of a pet is disclosed which includes a board game having a board. The board shows a start identifier and a finish identifier for the game. A marker is included which is movable between the start identifier and the finish identifier. The board game includes obedience task indicia associated with it. The obedience task indicia identifies an obedience task to be performed by the pet during play of the board game. Movement of the marker is based on performance of the obedience task by the pet.

Abstract: A self-contained single-use apparatus for cleaning and hydrating a pair of contact lenses comprises a housing including a pair of hollow snap-lock lens containers in which opposed layers of a deformable relatively hydrophobic reactive material having surfaces arranged for non-abrasive contiguous wetted contact with the optical surfaces of the lenses when the lenses are enclosed in the housings. While in contact with the optical surfaces contaminants in the lenses are attracted to the contacting surfaces of the reactive layers. Upon removal of the lenses the attracted contaminants remain on the contacting surfaces and are disposed of with the housing. The container contains sufficient absorbed liquid for maintaining the lens in a hydrated condition while being treated in the container during the treatment process.

Abstract: A suspension system for supporting a frame member on one side of a vehicle chassis on the adjacent end of an axle includes first and second frame brackets, a single-leaf leaf spring, a leaf spring attachment member and a wear plate. The first and second frame brackets are mounted to the frame member on the outer sides thereof. The front end of the single-leaf leaf spring is pivotally connected to the frame member at the first frame bracket and the rear end thereof is connected to the frame member at the second frame bracket. The leaf spring attachment member mounts to the rear end of the leaf spring and connects the leaf spring with the second frame bracket. The leaf spring attachment member includes an arcuate upper surface and a bottom surface. A rebound bolt connects the rear end of the leaf spring and the leaf spring attachment member with the second frame bracket and restricts the movement of the leaf spring to a controlled range.

Abstract: A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a fault current in an electrical conductor is mounted on the test point of an elbow connector of the type commonly used in power distribution systems. An integral collar assembly encircles the connector housing to capacitively couple the fault indicator circuitry to the system conductor within the connector. The collar assembly includes an inner magnetic core which establishes the coupling and an outer core which shields the inner core from magnetic fields resulting from fault currents in adjacent conductors.

Abstract: A synchronous, pulsatile angioplasty system utilizes a control apparatus which controls balloon inflation and deflation in a pulsatile fashion synchronized with the heartbeat of a patient. A heart monitor provides an input, a signal to the control apparatus which serves as a baseline for operation of the pulsatile inflation and deflation of the balloon. A triggering circuit reads the baseline signal and generates a control signal to selectively generate valves interconnecting the angioplasty catheter with sources of inflation media and low pressure. Time delay circuits may be utilized which delay either the duration of the control signal or the receipt thereof by the control valves.

Abstract: A grounding assembly is provided for a cellular telephone and is integrated into a battery modules for the cellular telephone. The assembly permits a user to manually access the manual test pin of the telephone body portion from the exterior without necessitating removal of the battery module from the cellular telephone body portion. The grounding assembly provides a means for contacting the manual test pin by grounding it to the battery by way of a plunger pin, which after contacting the manual test pin, switches the operation of the cellular telephone into a test mode for reading or programming the parameters in its number assignment module ("NAM").

Abstract: An improved method is described for the fusing, joining or seaming of cellulosic materials. The method utilizes a solution of selected organometallic compounds or metal oxides to rapidly crosslink opposing, overlapping cellulosic surfaces to provide secure seams. Enhanced seam strength is achieved by a subsequent moisture treatment. The tubular cellulosic casings are well-suited for the manufacture of sausages and sausage-like products. The seams according to this invention have exceptionally high shear strength and wet strength.

Abstract: A lock-down security box including a security box and a lock-down plate. The lock-down security box is adapted to be detachably anchored to a mounting surface such as a table, wall or the like. The lock-down plate is fixed to a mounting surface by inserting fasteners through apertures extending through the plate. The lock-down plate includes a first anchoring member and a bolt-receiving slot extending therethrough. The security box includes a top panel which is pivotally mounted to one of the side panels of the box. The top panel includes a first lock set associated therewith for providing controlled access to the enclosure of the security box. The bottom panel of the security box includes a second anchoring member mounted thereon. The bottom panel further includes a bolt-passage slot extending therethrough which is adapted to receive a deadbolt of a second lock set mounted to one of the side panels of the box.

Abstract: A carrier tray assembly is provided for compactly supporting a plurality of individual items, such as packaged food products. The carrier tray assembly has an inverted T-shaped configuration and a handle and also includes a member for releasably securing a plurality of these individual items together and directly or indirectly to the carrier tray. A blank is also provided which forms the carrier tray upon assembly.

Abstract: A method of producing animal feed pellets wherein solid and liquid ingredients of the feed are premixed except for a liquid binder ingredient which is mixed in last. The resulting mash is extruded in a ring die pellet extruder without steam conditioning and the extruded pellets are cooled and/or dried as may be required. The liquid binder will have viscous and cohesive properties and preferably will be a condensed liquid byproduct from the grain, food or feed processing industries.

Abstract: A luminal endovascular graft or endoprosthesis having a tubular support which expands between a first diameter and a second, larger diameter is provided with an expandable porous coating which is applied over either or both of the internal cylindrical surface and the external cylindrical surface of the tubular support. The first diameter allows the introduction of the luminal endoprosthesis into human or animal body passages. The expandable coating preferably is made from biocompatible fibers formed into a structure which allows normal cellular invasion upon implantation, without stenosis or restenosis, when the support element is at its second diameter.

Abstract: The invention provides for the manufacture of food products. In one preferred form, methods and apparatus are provided for cutting individual confectionery products from a slab or strip of product material into a product with a particular silhouette. In another form, the invention provides methods and apparatus for both cutting and forming individual confectionery products from strips or ropes. The process can be used for simply forming products from pre-cut segments or other blanks of confectionery material, including imparting a relatively precise texture, finish or detail to such products. The products may, but need not, be subsequently enrobed in chocolate or another coating. The confectionery material may also include candied fruit bits, dry fruits, nuts, or the like.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for the preparation of puffed cereal cakes, in particular puffed rice cakes. The processes comprise molding puffed or unpuffed cereal grains under pressure with the application of ultrasound. The ultrasound assists bonding of the cereal grains to form a solid cake. The ultrasound reduces fouling of the mold and increases processing speed. In one aspect, the starting material is prepuffed cereal grains, and these grains are coated with a binder agent and then bonded together at low temperature using ultrasound energy. This permits the formation of puffed cereal cakes with edible inclusions of temperature-sensitive foodstuffs, and also the rapid formation of puffed cereal cakes with shaped or profiled top and/or bottom surfaces.