Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reworking printed circuit boards carrying surface mounted components by removing faulty or improperly connected components and replacing them with new components, incorporate an X-Y table for clamping the board with the target component positioned on a vertical working axis, using a heated, component-gripping vacuum head movably mounted for vertical movement and angularly rotatable pivoting adjustment, and jets of hot compressed air directed at the component's peripheral terminal leads, bringing them to solder-melting temperature, with a reversible angular drive motor connected to deliver torque to the head gently or abruptly or in reciprocating fashion, producing pivoting head movement over a small angle of rotation, shearing the adhesive which bonds the component in place, all under control of a programmed microcomputer governing operating sequences selected and initiated by the operator.

Abstract: An optical unit for inspecting the soldered surface of a printed circuit board incorporates a thick-walled translucent concave diffuser dome with a hollow central cavity facing the surface under inspection, lamps directing illumination on the exterior of the dome, inspection portals spaced around the diffuser dome for video camera inspection of the board surface, and X-Y maneuvering control means governing the relative scanning repositioning of the board surface and the dome. A light baffle between each camera and its inspection portal, incorporating alternately white and black conically chamfered rings, produces improved imaging of the inspected surface, and a flexible translucent skirt extending from the dome rim to the inspected surface, preferably formed of a large plurality of white plastic bristles, blocks direct illumination and assures substantially uniform diffused illumination of the inspected surface.

Abstract: Compliant connector pins for interfering force fit insertion in plated through holes of printed circuit boards are formed as elongated segments of wire stock with chamfered ends, with a stamped central board-engaging portion having a central web and a pair of lateral wing flanges extending sidewise in both directions from one edge of the central web, each wing flange being curved toward the other, opposite edge of the web, thus providing the board-engaging portion of each pin with a cross-section in the shape of the lower case Greek letter epsilon. The ends of the curved wing flanges are stamped inwardly to provide the central board-engaging portion with tapered ends, facilitating force fit insertion of the pins in holes in printed circuit boards.

Abstract: By providing an implantable insert incorporating a reservoir in which a therapeutic medication is stored, with said insert having a construction through which the medication is dispensed, a medication delivery vehicle is obtained which is capable of being inserted directly adjacent various organs in order to provide requisite medications directly to the organ. In the preferred embodiment, the medication delivery vehicle of this invention comprises a truncated conical shape, thereby allowing the delivery vehicle to be inserted into channel-like orifices, conduits, or vessels leading to the particular organ to which medication delivery is sought, without interfering with the normal bodily functions or the passage of fluids through the channel-like areas and without further movement from the site of implantation.

Abstract: A skier's exercise trainer has a base providing a front support and right and left rear lateral supports, with a transverse rear track portion extending laterally between the lateral supports. A pair of elongated ski plates are positioned side by side overlying the base with their front ends rockably and pivotally mounted near the front support of the base, and their rear ends spaced above the rear track. A truck assembly is rockably joined to the underside of the rear end of each ski plate, with an elongated tie bar pivotally connected to the underside of each truck, and a rolling support is rotatably secured to each truck in rolling contact with the rear track. A tension-carrying cable has a rear end connected to the central portion of the tie bar and extends forward under the ski plates between a pair of guide rollers rotatably mounted on the base in front of the tie bar. An adjustable tension spring assembly connects the front end of the base to the forward end of the tension-carrying cable.

Abstract: A vertically elongated resilient fender for deployment between a floating vessel and a dock or an adjacent floating vessel, defined by a flat rear wall and a convexly arched front wall integrally joined along their peripheral edges, together enclosing a hollow interior chamber, and having lateral wing flanges extending sidewise from the upper side edges of the rear base panel with securing eyes formed therein to receive a securing line employed to anchor the fender with its wing flanges flexibly bent backward behind the rear base panel. When this fender is cleated near the edge of a boat deck, its backwardly bent wing flanges rest on the deck, suspending the fender directly in front of the sheer line deck edge, firmly retaining the fender against dislodgement.

Abstract: Two ram air sections are included in a parachute canopy. The sections are arranged on opposite sides of a central axis, and face in opposite directions with respect to translational movement but the same direction with respect to rotational movement about the axis. The lower skins of the sections slope upwards from front to rear whereby the canopy rotates and the ram air sections create aero-dynamic lift slowing descent.

Abstract: By providing two cooperating, pivotable clamping arms, each of which incorporates an elongated, movement controlling plastic portion securely affixed to a die-cast metal or powdered metal section having a clamping face formed therein, a uniquely constructed, pivotable, jaw-clamping surgical instrument is attained. By employing die-cast metal or powdered metal sections, close tolerances and high quality is attained, while the expense of manufacture is substantially reduced. In addition, the integration of the die-cast metal or powdered metal sections with the elongated, movement controlling plastic arms achieves a trouble-free, dependable, inexpensive, disposable surgical instrument wherein the inherent advantages of both materials are optimized.

Abstract: By providing a flexible, easily applied carrier which incorporates a combination of cationic hair conditioning agents and a water soluble or emulsifiable silicone-based compound, a unique hair treatment system is achieved. Preferably, the flexible carrier or applicator is constructed for being wrapped either entirely or partially about a head of hair and also incorporates hair enhancing agents, such as plant and herb extracts and, if desired, coloring agents, to further condition and enhance the hair. In the preferred embodiment, the hair treatment applicator is wrapped about the entire head of hair after shampooing, with the hair conditioners and hair enhancing agent contained therein being transferred to all of the hair fibers by the application of a hot towel to the wrapped applicator and subsequent thorough rubbing.

Abstract: By providing a pressure responsive actuator in controlled actuating engagement with a latch mechanism in which a spring-loaded indicator is securely retained, with said indicator being movable from a non-visible, retained position to a visible, released position in response to pressure exceeding a desired level, a unique, precision constructed pressure sensor and indicator is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the latch mechanism comprises a plurality of elongated, resilient, spring-biased locking fingers, with the locking fingers being controllably disengaged from the indicator in response to the movement of the pressure responsive actuator. In addition, the present invention is also quickly and easily manually reset, thereby further enhancing the usability of the present invention.

Abstract: By providing a plurality of independent, readily identifiable, movable members, each of which represents a pre-defined food group and portion and positioning the movable members in cooperative association with meal designating zones, a unique, highly flexible food consumption, planning and control system is achieved. The plurality of movable members comprise in their entirety, all of the food to be consumed by an individual in one day, and the meal designating zones identify all of the meals to be eaten by that individual during one day. By moving each food designating member from an intake designating zone to a meal designating zone, for each food group and portion consumed during that meal, the individual can quickly and easily control and record the food to be consumed, as well as develop diverse, varied meals within the desired maximum caloric intake allowed.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive membrane and its cooperating, protective, underlying coated release paper are provided with retaining means and the membrane and paper layer are then formed into and maintained as a substantially cylindrical, rolled configuration, creating a unique easily handled, readily employable membrane dispensing assembly. In one embodiment, the retaining means comprises an adhesive which is applied to the non-release coated surface of the paper layer, thereby assuring maintenance of the rolled configuration while enhancing the deployability and the efficacy of the membrane. In another embodiment, a retaining band is affixed about the cylindrical, rolled pressure sensitive adhesive membrane in order to maintain the membrane in the desired rolled configuration.

Abstract: A low labor, highly efficient process and system for manufacturing chocolate coated ice cream cookie sandwiches is achieved by incorporating conveyor means for transporting the ice cream cookie sandwich through the various stages of its manufacture along with uniquely constructed ice cream brick slicing machines and a unique chocolate coating machine. In addition, a pass-through freezer is preferably employed prior to the chocolate coating, in order to assure a high quality, tasty product. The ice cream slicing machine of the present invention employed in the process and manufacturing system of this invention is constructed for receiving a plurality of ice cream bricks and cutting each brick into a plurality of slices in an efficient, automatic, integrated operational procedure and presenting each ice cream slice to a holding zone for placement on a cookie moving along the conveyor means.

Abstract: By incorporating chemical reinforcing additives into a polyurethane resin base, a unique, reinforced moisture vapor permeable membrane is achieved which comprises a substantially increased modulus of elasticity, rendering the membrane easier to handle and employ. In the preferred embodiment, the polyurethane resin base comprises a blend of polyurethane resins and the two chemical reinforcing additives comprise a non-urethane copolymer resin and silica. Furthermore, a moisture vapor permeable, pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to one surface of the membrane, thereby attaining a wound dressing which is easy to handle and employ for various surgical procedures.

Abstract: A cart loader assembles objects advancing along an infeed conveyor line into arrayed rows of parallel columns, and transfers these arrayed rows of columns to individual shelves of a multi-tiered rolling cart. The cart loader has an external frame enclosing a vertically elongated front elevator and a central staging zone fed by the infeed conveyor. A multi-deck elevator has decks spaced apart vertically by a distance corresponding to the vertical distance between shelves on the multi-tiered cart, latched to the frame for loading. A plurality of horizontally deployable and retractable pushers are each aligned respectively with one shelf, and positioned for delivery of objects from the elevator zone to the cart. A preferred deck-loading and cart-shelf loading sequence achieves minimum loading cycle time coupled with maximum time within each cycle for replacing each loaded cart with an empty cart for the next loading operation.

Abstract: A decorative neckwear device incorporates a simulated four-in-hand necktie knot positioned in front of the wearer's neck by an adjustable non-elastic neckband, and supporting a vertically elongated array of a plurality of independent thin flat panels hingingly joined together to form a flexible supple depending panel array. The thin flat panels may be formed of various different colorful decorative materials such as thin sheets of colored glass, plastic, metal or wood veneers, cemented to a supporting fabric strip. Matching pairs of panels bonded to the front and rear faces of the strip form thin sandwich panels, making the panel array attractive when viewed from either front or back.

Abstract: By providing two, interconnected fluid storing containers, each of which comprise piston members sealingly engaged therewith and manually movable along the inside surface thereof, a unique, linear gradient former is achieved which is capable of controllably providing precisely mixed linear gradients. In addition, the linear gradient former of the present invention is usable to quickly, easily, and precisely fill the fluid holding chambers, by manually moving the pistons in an opposite direction. One of the fluid storing containers incorporates outlet means for delivering the linear gradient to the desired chamber for use and, in the preferred embodiment, also incorporates fluid mixing means to assure uniform distribution of the fluids in the container prior to being dispensed.

Abstract: A unique, surgical stapling instrument is attained by incorporating staple guiding and supporting cam means positioned in active, cooperating relationship to the legs of the staple during its formation. In this way, unwanted angular pitching or wobbling of the staple during formation is substantially eliminated. In the preferred embodiment, staple tip positioning means are also provided in cooperative association with the staple being formed to assure controlled movement of the staple into the desired forming orientation, thereby substantially preventing jamming or double staple formation. In addition, the staple forming plate incorporates a unique construction which assures complete staple formation prior to exiting through the cooperating housing portal, while also providing a staple tip entry zone, allowing the tips of the next staple to be formed to be positioned in the desired plane prior to the crown portion thereof.