Abstract: A semiautomatic pneumatic gun is provided incorporating a reciprocatable striker-barrel which performs the normal functions of a barrel and a striker, sliding during firing from a cocked position in response to the urging of a striker power spring to impact upon a normally closed valve, which impact releases compressed gas for propelling a projectile from the gun and for recocking the gun. A slidable bolt serves to transfer the impact of the striker-barrel to the valve, and functions as a piston moving in a cylindrical recocking chamber in response to the urging of gas released by the valve to move the striker-barrel back to the cocked position.

Abstract: A safety cane incorporates an ambient light sensitive illumination device for conserving battery power. A tipping detector is also incorporated which sounds an audible alarm after a first time delay. If the cane is not retrieved by the end of the second time delay, the cane broadcasts an initiating instruction to a telephone dialing device.

Abstract: A rapid deployment system for recovering oil from beachers includes an articulated vehicle for propelling and suspending a vacuum head above a beach or the like. A selected area of the beach is irrigated with sufficient quantities of water to saturate the selected area. Oil deposited on the beach is driven to the surface. A sufficient quantity and velocity of air moves over the surface beneath the vacuum head to develop a water column upon which resides a frothy foam mixture of air, water and oil which is drawn into the head. In the vacuum head, the velocity of the air flow is suddenly and significantly reduced above a fluid sump wherein entrained oil and water droplets fall into a sump for processing outside of the vacuum head. A metal auger can be provided within the vacuum head to pump oil from pools and separate entrained oil droplets from the high velocity air flow. A special terrain vehicle which propels and supports the vacuum head is modular and can be transported by helicopter with the entire system.

Abstract: An electrical muscle stimulator converts electromyographic (EMG) signals to digital words for analysis and display by a computer program. The therapist selects a variety of different parameters appropriate for the individual patient, and instructs the device to initiate stimulating signals on command, or upon detection of a suitable EMG signal from the patient. The device that converts digital words representing the selected parameters into complex, bipolar therapeutic pulses. The device can digitally model a wide variety of wave forms and graphically assist the therapist in developing and shaping various wave pulse trains.

Abstract: A thin film membrane filtration system recovers particulate from the waste water stream of a wood panel fabrication process to a desired concentration of approximately 30-50% solid by weight. The high concentration level enables improved transport or disposal. Rather than discard the concentrate, however, the concentrate is added into subsequent wood panel "particle board" batches at a rate of approximately 0.5 to 0.65 gallons per 1000 pounds of wood product. The concentrate reduces press time, serves as a scavenger for tying up formaldehyde and serves as a resin extender for strengthening internal bonds of fabricated panels. The membranes capture the particulate into an accumulated concentrate, while passing permeate output to a recycle water stream.

Abstract: A sunlit world globe provides a realistic and constantly accurate day/night pattern on the surface of the globe. The globe employs an internal, rotating baffle for a light source. The baffle rotates with respect to a semi-transparent shell constituting a planetary model. The shell has an aperture at the bottom so that a motor, fixed to a frame can rotate the baffle through an axle. The shell pivots about a horizontal axis .+-.23.5 degrees to simulate the earth's orbit around the sun. An adjustment mechanism positions the polar axis of the earth with respect to an imaginary, ecliptic plane appropriately for the current time of year. In an alternate embodiment, the globe rotates with respect to the frame. The frame carries an arch having a day/night demarcation.

Abstract: A modular, portable intravenous solution preparation system consists of a plurality of reusable modular sections for creating ultra pure, intravenously injectable quality water and a consumable reagent module for producing an injectable quality solution. An intake mechanism advantageously prefilters raw water for input to the modules. A pressure regulating system maintains pressure in a reverse osmosis stage within a desired range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering open drains, such as rain gutters, uses at least one elongated tube constructed from a plurality of strands of flexible, resilient, durable, corrosion resistant material. An affixing system removably affixes each of the elongated tube in the open drain. A method and a kit for filtering open drains also are disclosed.

Abstract: A telephone headset on-line indicator uses a light emitting diode located on a boom of a headset to indicate that the user is on-line with another telephone. Circuits are described for use with use with conventional telephones, electronic telephones and PBX telephone base units.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable tool kit which allows the organization and transportation of a complete set of hand tools by an individual to a remote repair location while leaving the individual's hands free. The invention has a front panel, a back panel, a top, a bottom, and at least two sides. Arm straps are attached to the back panel to enable a user to wear the portable tool kit like a backpack. The portable tool kit also has a plurality of vertically oriented tool storage compartments wherein each tool storage compartment lies in a plane which is substantially parallel to the front and back panels of the tool kit. Tool holders of various configurations are attached to panels making up the tool storage compartments. The various configurations of the tool holders are designed to accommodate a variety of different types and sizes of hand tools while holding the hand tools in place when the tool compartments are closed for transportation.

Abstract: A self-cleaning vacuum head is disclosed which has the ability to discriminate between particles of different size, or the ability to separate fluids from particulate matter. The invention has two relatively moving surfaces which provide a changing locus of vacuum so that particles drawn against the surfaces are later separated therefrom. Each of the two surfaces has slots which are transverse to one another. The surfaces are moved relative to one another in a moving direction which is transverse to the orientation of the slots on the first of the moving surface, and also transverse to the slots on the second surface. The transverse arrangement of the slots, and the relative movement of the slots in a direction which is transverse to each of the slots causes particles drawn against the surface to roll about two substantially perpendicular axes to encourage thorough decontamination of the particles. An oil spill clean-up system is also disclosed utilizing the self-cleaning vacuum head.

Abstract: In a semi-automatic firearm is a simplified firing mechanism that includes a manual safety system and a doubly redundant automatic safety system. The firing mechanism includes a trigger, a trigger bar, a trigger lever, a firing pin safety, spring loaded striker with a firing pin, a sear, a dislocator and a manual safety. When the manual safety is in the safe position the striker is blocked and the trigger bar is disengaged from the sear and the dislocator. If the manual safety is in the firing position, but the trigger has not been fully released after each discharge, the trigger lever cannot move the firing pin safety out of the way of the striker, and the trigger bar cannot move the sear.

Abstract: A multi-segmented utility belt which employs a plurality of substantially rigid sections connected by flexible portions. A variety of different tool holders can be pivotally and rotatably supported from the belt. The belt is provided with a hinge mechanism permitting an intermediate section to be inserted or removed from the left and right hand sections thus grossly varying the size of the belt.

Abstract: A cylinder and plug assembly is released by depression of a springloaded release button. The release button engages a radially directed aperture in a unitary shell. The radially directed aperture has longitudinally directed, diametrically opposed extensions which facilitate engagement and disengagement of the release button with the aperture.

Abstract: A sterile fluid mixing reservoir for storing premeasured quantities of fluids for subsequent combination is disclosed. The reservoir has a flexible outer bag which fully encloses one or more inner containers. The inner containers have self-opening mechanisms thereon which are manipulable through the outer bag. The bottles can be manufactured from a flexible material which facilitates intermixing of the fluids contained within the bag and inner containers.

Abstract: A multiple-dose reservoir syringe and manifold fluid delivery system are disclosed. The multiple-dose syringe has an inner cylindrical chamber which is selectively communicable with an outer annular fluid reservoir. The fluid can be withdrawn from the outer reservoir to the inner chamber for subsequent ejection therefrom. Means are provided for maintaining the sterility of the fluid stored in the outer reservoir.

Abstract: A self-cleaning vacuum head is disclosed which has the ability to discriminate between particles of different size, or the ability to separate fluids from particulate matter. The invention has two relatively moving surfaces which provide a changing locus of vacuum so that particles drawn against the surfaces are later separated therefrom. An oil spill clean-up system is also disclosed utilizing the self-cleaning vacuum head.