Abstract: A lens includes a medium which absorbs laser radiation that may be harmful to the eye or other high gain optics, raising its temperature and thereby changing its index of refraction, which causes a phase change in the radiation passing therethrough. The medium may be periodically bounded by thermal sinks, thereby providing a periodic differential in temperature rise, may be provided in a length which varies periodically or may have a density of absorbing material which varies periodically, thereby to have a periodic absorption characteristic. The periodicity, which may be regular or random, provides a periodic variation in total phase change, which causes interference (thermal blooming) that disperses the radiation sufficiently to lower the intensity at the retinal spot below that which would cause damage. Eyeglasses with mutually perpendicular periodicity provide degraded vision of useful images while being protected from harmful radiation.

Abstract: A gear wrench includes a lever 10 having a handle 11 at a distal end and a sector pinion gear 13 at a proximal end, rotatable in a cavity 26 of a fixed jaw body 18 by means of a pivot 14. The teeth of the pinion engage the teeth of a rack 21 disposed on a sliding jaw 25 so that rotation thereof adjusts the working size of the wrench. The pivot 14 is tangential to the sliding surface 85 of the sliding jaw thereby to ensure gripping pressure and turning of an object as small as the wrench is designed for. A spacer 27 causes the teeth of the rack to engage the pinion unless it is displaced to allow the rack to withdraw to the rear of the pinion, thereby to adjust the relative positioning of the sliding jaw and the fixed jaw. Gripping surface inserts 51, 52 have threads 59, 66 on one side for pipes, and are smooth on the other side for fittings, nuts and bolts; the inserts are held in place by thumb screws 53, 54 and stabilized by tabs 60, 61, 70, 71.

Abstract: An anchor 9 for a surgical dressing includes a sheet 12 with eyelets 13 therein, said sheet attached to a layer of elastic and flexible polymeric foam 20 having an adhesive layer 30, such as a hydrocolloid or polyisobutylene adhesive. The foam is at least 10 mils thick and preferably in the range of 70 mils to 90 mils thick. The eyelets may have reinforcements 18, 24.

Abstract: A wrench includes a fixed jaw (16) at one end of a handle (15) and a pivoted jaw (19) joined to the handle by a pivot (20) disposed in a plane (30). A spring (25) urges the pivoted jaw through a gripping position in which flat gripping surfaces (17, 18) are parallel and separated by a distance which equals the size of the bolthead or nut to be turned. The plane (30) extends through the proximal edges of the surfaces (17, 18) which are flat from the plane to the distal edges of the jaws, and perpendicular to the plane. An auxiliary lever (45) assists in ratcheting. The wrenches may be single ended, double ended, or adjustable, in which case, an integral pivot bar (50) slides within the wrench handle perpendicular to the gripping surfaces (17, 18). A plurality of springs (25b, 25c) may be used.

Abstract: An equine speculum has an extension (17b) to the upper jaw piece (17a) to which the speculum-controlling handle (28a) is joined by a pivot (30), there being a slot (44) in the handle to permit relative motion of a pivot (29) that joins the handle to the lower jaw piece (18). An extension (46) below the lower jaw piece provides additional teeth (47) to permit latching the speculum in various open positions.

Abstract: A snow shovel having a conventional blade (10) and handle (13) includes an auxiliary handle (18) tethered to the shovel by means of a resilient and/or flexible cord (19). The cord may be a folded bungee cord, the ends (20, 21) of which are secured to holes (30, 31) in the blade by means of hooks (28, 29) on the ends of the cord. A pliable tubing (33) may contain the bungee cord ends.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing its presence with a broadcast signal, the charge station receptacle may be raised until it senses a laser signal presented by the vehicle to indicate alignment of the receptacle with the vehicle probe. The vehicle and station communicate over a current loop to establish battery type and voltage, method of payment and credit card number, as well as the cost basis for the power. When communications are complete, the system switches over to utilize the same connections for the charging current. The computers include stop modes which they rest in, and to which they return if performance of vehicle and station diagnostics (respectively) indicate inoperability or if other faults occur.

Abstract: Cryosurgical probe tips (20,66) are in metallurgical contact with coils of insulated resistor wire (27, 27a) with one end connected through copper wire (75) to a pin (32) insertable into a switch (33, 34, 51-61) of a battery pack (35-50) which may be clipped (64) to cryosurgical apparatus (9-14), and the other end connected through cryogen liquid feed tube structure (19, 19a) and the cryosurgical apparatus to the other end of the battery pack.

Abstract: A ceiling closure above a portable wall (FIG. 6) includes wall panels (14, 15) having upper edges entrained by channels (17, 19) formed of legs (24-27) of a ceiling track. The closure is rendered demountable by having lower panel support channels formed by legs (31, 32) and L-shaped members (33, 34) having a lip (46) with a vertical component interfering with a corresponding lip 47 on a panel support track (36). The L-shaped member is held in place by virtue of the weight of the wall panel which it entrains. One and two panel embodiments are shown; vertical height adjustment (50) is provided.

Abstract: A fishing pole holder shell is attached to a stem that extends between the planks of a dock with a cross piece supporting the stem against the upper surface of the dock and either a cross piece or a bent portion supporting the stem against the bottom surface of the dock.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing its presence with a broadcast signal, the charge station receptacle may be raised until it senses a laser signal presented by the vehicle to indicate alignment of the receptacle with the vehicle probe. The vehicle and station communicate over a current loop to establish battery type and voltage, method of payment and credit card number, as well as the cost basis for the power. When communications are complete, the system switches over to utilize the same connections for the charging current. The computers include stop modes which they rest in, and to which they return if performance of vehicle and station diagnostics (respectively) indicate inoperability or if other faults occur.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing its presence with a broadcast signal, the charge station receptacle may be raised until it senses a laser signal presented by the vehicle to indicate alignment of the receptacle with the vehicle probe. The vehicle and station communicate over a current loop to establish battery type and voltage, method of payment and credit card number, as well as the cost basis for the power. When communications are complete, the system switches over to utilize the same connections for the charging current. The computers include stop modes which they rest in, and to which they return if performance of vehicle and station diagnostics (respectively) indicate inoperability or if other faults occur.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing its presence with a broadcast signal, the charge station receptacle may be raised until it senses a laser signal presented by the vehicle to indicate alignment of the receptacle with the vehicle probe. The vehicle and station communicate over a current loop to establish battery type and voltage, method of payment and credit card number, as well as the cost basis for the power. When communications are complete, the system switches over to utilize the same connections for the charging current. The computers include stop modes which they rest in, and to which they return if performance of vehicle and station diagnostics (respectively) indicate inoperability or if other faults occur.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing its presence with a broadcast signal, the charge station receptacle may be raised until it senses a laser signal presented by the vehicle to indicate alignment of the receptacle with the vehicle probe. The vehicle and station communicate over a current loop to establish battery type and voltage, method of payment and credit card number, as well as the cost basis for the power. When communications are complete, the system switches over to utilize the same connections for the charging current. The computers include stop modes which they rest in, and to which they return if performance of vehicle and station diagnostics (respectively) indicate inoperability or if other faults occur.

Abstract: In preparation of a building to have its roof structure secured to its vertical wall structure by tie-down straps, a plurality of anchors are secured to the foundation in pairs, on opposite sides of the building, and a tie-down strap guide is secured over the ridge of the building between the related anchors. The tie-down straps are connected to anchors by tensioning devices which include a ratchet and may include a connector to permit the ratchet to be disposed at a distance from the anchor. Ridge guides retain the straps above the rafters and/or gable ends. The anchors comprise eye bolts with reinforcing webs thereon. Blocks located at the eaves prevent the tie-downs from crushing the drip edge of the roof; pass-through holes in gutters permit the tie-down straps to pass through the gutters without crushing them; the pass-through holes in the gutters may have vertically extending wells associated therewith to prevent rainwater from flowing through the pass-through holes.

Abstract: A fishing pole casing consists of a tubular sheath of plain or canvas backed, smooth, solid plastic sheeting with a longitudinal, stitched or welded seam, and an elastic loop; only the portion of the rod ahead of the reel is inserted into the sheath and the elastic loop engages the reel of the pole to urge the rod into the sheath.

Abstract: A liquid cryogen withdrawal device includes a plug (14) for insertion into the neck of a cryogen-containing dewar (10) in gas-tight relationship. A withdrawal tube (17) passes through the plug to conduct liquid from the bottom of the dewar through a sintered bronze filter to a container to be filled with cryogen. Cryogen is stored in the dewar with a loose fitting cap thereon, with no withdrawal device in the dewar. When liquid is desired to be retrieved from the dewar, the withdrawal device is inserted into the dewar; the withdrawal device has a passive heat source (18) disposed at the bottom thereof to cause sufficient boiling of the liquid to create enough pressure to force a suitable amount of liquid from the dewar. The plug may have a handle and a gas pressure relief valve disposed thereon.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing its presence with a broadcast signal, the charge station receptacle may be raised until it senses a laser signal presented by the vehicle to indicate alignment of the receptacle with the vehicle probe. The vehicle and station communicate over a current loop to establish battery type and voltage, method of payment and credit card number, as well as the cost basis for the power. When communications are complete, the system switches over to utilize the same connections for the charging current. The computers include stop modes which they rest in, and to which they return if performance of vehicle and station diagnostics (respectively) indicate inoperability or if other faults occur.

Abstract: A vertical control system for a rotary winged aircraft receives inputs from a displacement collective stick and a sidearm controller. The system provides a set point for the vertical rate of change of the helicopter as a function of a vertical lift command signal from the sidearm controller. The set point is used as a reference for an altitude rate of change feedback path, and an integrated value of the set point is used for an altitude feedback path. The set point is also input to a feedforward control path having an inverse vehicle model to provide a command signal indicative of the command for aircraft collective pitch necessary to achieve the desired set point. Signals from all three paths (i.e., the altitude rate of change feedback path, the altitude feedback path, and the feedforward path) are summed to provide a signal to backdrive the displacement collective which controls main rotor collective pitch.

Abstract: A portable room divider comprises a plurality of slats (10-13) rotatably disposed between a pair of blocks (14, 15) by threads (19, 20) so as to spread the slats (10-13) away from the block (14) when rotated in one direction and draw the slats (10-13) toward the block 14 when rotated in the other direction, whereby the room divider (10-15) can be wedged between a floor and a ceiling, and thereafter released.