Abstract: A coupling for non-metallic flexible electrical conduit is formed of a one piece lightweight molded thermoplastic cylindrical sleeve having a pair of threads extending inwardly toward opposite ends. Spaced axially inwardly from the inner end of each thread is an annular sealing ring having a sloped leading face and a perpendicular trailing face with the faces intersecting at a sharp annular edge. Lengths of conduit are engaged over opposite ends of the coupling and rotated to advance the conduit lengths over the sleeve. A liquid tight engagement is effective between each conduit length and the coupling when the conduit length advances past the sealing ring.
Abstract: A lug nut engaging retention for plastic wheel trim includes a plurality of tubular sockets which project axially from the inner face of the wheel trim. Each socket comprises three concentric arcuate lug nut engaging panels. Two of the panels include lips that snap over a peripheral flange of a lug nut, while the third panel is fixed relative to the wheel trim and serves as a centering guide. A circumscribing ring engages the periphery of the panels adjacent their apical ends to reinforce the radially inwardly directed bias of the lipped panels. Three legs are positioned about the socket center at a radius greater than that of the panels. Each leg includes a pair of axially spaced abutments which engage the ring to limit axial movement of the ring relative to the panels.
Abstract: A system for positioning a catheter includes a nerve stimulator needle carried within the lumen of the catheter. A microelectrode is configured as a needle tip precisely protruding beyond a tapered distal end of the catheter. The catheter and needle are fixed against axial movement relative to one another to maintain the precise configuration of the microelectrode needle tip conductive surface by a releasable clamp which is grasped by the practitioner to compress the catheter lumen against the needle without permanent deformation of the needle shaft while simultaneously advancing the needle and the catheter toward a target nerve.
Abstract: A rack for positioning food slabs in a horizontal cooking area such as over a grill includes a rectangular frame which carries a plurality of bent rod food slab supports at a rearward tilt. Each support includes a pair of outer risers having interned lower ends. The outer risers extend over opposite sides of the frame, with the interned ends extending through apertures in the frame sides. Between the outer risers, the rod is bent in a digital waveform and includes forwardly extending lower cradle having upwardly sloped shoulders for engaging the bottom of a food slab. Notches are provided in the upper edge of the frame sides forwardly of each aperture and a notch engaging post extends from the cradle shoulders which are adjacent each outer riser. The ends of the frame are lapped and hinged, so that the frame may be folded along a longitudinal axis for compact storage, with the slab supports nested within the folded frame.
Abstract: A motorized shower water diverter valve for a handheld shower is connected to a shower water inlet pipe in lieu of a conventional showerhead. A conventional showerhead is then connected to one of two valve outlets and a hose for the handheld shower is connected to the other valve outlet. The valve may be constructed as a rotary or linear type. A motor output shaft is coupled to a gear assembly to either rotate a valve core of a rotary valve or laterally displace the core of a linear valve. The gear assembly may include a slip clutch. There is also provided a control circuit for operating the motor, a wireless remote control and a sensor for enabling the control circuit to detect the position of the valve core.
Abstract: A subscription broadcast security system for preventing theft of an encrypted program datastream utilizes an encryption protocol with steganographic supplementation. A decoder includes a decryption chip containing numerous decryption codes and an ID chip having a continually changing unique identification code for authenticating subscriber access. The ID chip and the decryption chip each receive decoding instructions through a combination of hidden data in the audio signal and from service provider communication directly with the ID chip.