Abstract: Apparatus blending a diluent liquid, i.e., DI water, with a chemical concentrate, a flow duct and mixing tank forming a closed loop for mixing; a pair of flow duct portions each having a conductivity sensor inductively sensing chemical concentration in the blended liquid; a comparator for comparing the outputs of said parallel sensors; a single pump circulating blended liquid around the closed loop and drawing chemical concentrate from a source through an adding valve which cycles open and closed under control of the concentration sensors; the pump also propelling the blended liquid from the closed loop to the point of use, and conductivity sensors existing in individual housings through which the blended liquid flows upwardly to minimize any collection of bubbles adjacent the sensors.

Abstract: A device for sharpening dental instruments is disclosed. The device is particularly advantageous for sharpening and shaping dental curettes and universals. The device is comprised of a generally rectangular and elongate wedge-shaped ceramic stone. The stone has a planar front surface and a planar back surface, the surfaces are obliquely positioned with respect to each other. A rounded top lip and a rounded bottom lip join the front surface and the back surface. The top surface has a groove, semicircular in cross-section, extending lengthwise. The groove is sized to receive the toe portion of dental curettes or universals for sharpening and shaping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting parallel digital data bit patterns over a single line is disclosed. Parallel digital data bit patterns are transformed into analog signals that are representative of the digital data bit patterns. Each digital data bit pattern is assigned an analog representation (either frequency, phase, or amplitude depending on the transmission medium). Each analog representation of the digital signal is then combined with a carrier signal and transmitted to the receiving end of the apparatus where the carrier signal is stripped off and the original analog signal transmitted is transformed into the original parallel digital data bit pattern transmitted.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus for viewing gems that provides a magnified image simultaneously viewable by several individuals, and which allows a customer to manipulate the gem while restricting the customer's access to the gem and without any physical contact with the gem by the customer. The apparatus is comprised of a video image generator including a magnifying lens unit provides a viewing region for placement of a gem. A gem holder comprised of a pair of opposing grasping members pivotally and slidably mounted on a post extending from support structure. The opposing members are configured to grasp a gem, manipulate and reposition the gem in the viewing region as desired for viewing of the gem. A television monitor displays the magnified image of the gem. The device is particularly applicable in the retail sales of jewelry.

Abstract: A method for measuring the permeability of a gas through a material, wherein the steps include exposing the material to the gas to be measured and measuring the outgassing characteristics of the material over increments of time, to develop exponential expressions representative of the measured amounts, and solving the exponential expressions for the diffusion coefficient D and the solubility coefficient S; and then calculating the permeability of the material by forming the product of the diffusion coefficient D and the solubility coefficient S.

Abstract: An elevator apparatus for providing an elevated support structure. The apparatus is comprised of a base unit, a plurality of tower sections, and an elevating device. The tower sections may be individually inserted into the base unit where the elevating device operates to raise the base unit whereby an additional tower section may be inserted and connected to the previous tower section. The elevating device is then lowered to the just inserted tower section and repetition of the sequence affects an erection of the tower. Outrigger legs with pads extend from the base unit to provide vertical stability. Guy lines extend from the tower to the ends of the outrigger legs to a winch arrangement within the base unit permitting guy lines to remain taught during the raising or lowering of the tower. Further, ballast containers are provided at the base unit intermediate adjacent outrigger legs for providing additional stability against tip-over.

Abstract: A tree stand torso bar is attachable to a tree or post to support the torso of a hunter in a tree stand and prevent the hunter from accidentally falling out of the stand. The invention comprises a sturdy oval metal frame with vertical supports which engage the trunk of the tree, a lower cross-bar connecting the vertical supports, lower inclining struts which provide additional strength, and an adjustable strap which may be tightened by a ratchet mechanism to hold the device to the tree trunk or pole. The frame, supports, cross-bar, and struts are of integral, unitary construction. The device may be screwed into the tree by threaded stakes directed through apertures in the vertical supports. Alternatively, a second strap may be used in place of the threaded stakes.

Abstract: A container filling unit moveable from a filling position to cleaning, non-use or ready to use positions including a base and a vertically adjustable mast, which mast provides a manifold and valving system for a single or plurality of filling heads for the precise filling of containers. The unit includes a valving arrangement which provides for full or rapid flow, reduced or slow flow and positive shut-off of flow with the flows being controlled in response to weight or volume of material delivered to the container. The unit includes a turbulence reducing discharge head which includes a positive material shut-off. The unit is useable for surface and subsurface filling and a primary aspect of the invention is to initially fill containers at a rapid rate and thereafter provide a slower filling rate to insure accurate and precise filling.

Abstract: A reusable insulation jacket for splicing and termination of industrial tubing carrying extreme hot and cold materials comprises a rectangular fiberglass mat. The mat is of a width as to completely wrap the tubing and overlap itself whereat complimentary releasable fastening means securely hold the mat in place to insulate the tubing from fire and to prevent an individual from otherwise being burned from contacting the tubing. Optionally, a frustum-shaped reducing adaptor may be utilized when the insulation jacket is used in combination with preinsulated tubing.

Abstract: A dental instrument having a pair of elastomeric gripping handles is disclosed. The instrument is comprised of an elongate shaft with two end portions and two ends, the two end portions have knurled surfaces. Work pieces having shanks and working tips extend out the open ends of the shaft, the intersection of the workpiece and shaft defining a junction. Elastomeric gripping handles surround the shaft at the end portions, enclose the junctions, have cylindrical portions on the end portions and conical transition portions that taper onto the shanks of the workpieces.

Abstract: An exercise bench for strengthening the muscles of the lower back, having a seat mounted to an inclined beam and a knee brace mounted to the beam at a position spaced downwardly from the seat, and a first restraining belt affixed proximate the seat, and a second restraining belt affixed proximate the knee brace.

Abstract: Disclosed is a passive, highly efficient, low noise coupling device that includes a balun and noise reduction circuitry uniquely configured for converting an unbalanced video signal on a 75 ohm transmission line or connector to a balanced signal on a 100 ohm transmission line or connector and vice versa. The device efficiently allows use of a 100 ohm unshielded twisted pair, such as a conventional telephone cable, for multiplex transmission of video signals or the like in the frequency range of 50 to 500 megahertz. The preferred embodiment has a circuit board with a 75 ohm unbalanced side and a 100 ohm balanced side separated by a balun having a toroid core with a very high permeability. A common mode choke for noise rejection is inserted in the balanced side. The choke has a dual toroid core, one core of high permeability and one of low permeability, and has windings with a 100 ohm characteristic impedance. A common mode toroid shunt on the device's balanced side provides further noise reduction.

Abstract: A standardized mechanical interface (SMIF) pod for use in conjunction with SMIF systems is disclosed. The pod is utilized for transporting article, such as semiconductor wafers or the like, between locations such as SMIF processing stations. The pod includes a box having an open end and a box door which sealably engages and closes the open end. The box contains a removable carrier which seats on the box door and which has an open side for insertion and removal of the articles. The pod features a latching mechanism in the box door utilizing a star wheel with tips that rotate and extend out of slots in the box door into slots in the interior sidewalls of the box. The tips then move vertically downward to sealingly engage the box door to the box. The star wheel embraces a concentric cammed hub having angled cam surfaces engaged by cam follower pins extending radially inward from the star wheel.

Abstract: A tray for carrying a plurality of plant pots includes a base plate and a plurality of container sections. The container sections are provided in the base plate for receiving pots therein. Each of the container sections has an open top end, a peripheral wall and a bottom wall. Retainer members are disposed on the peripheral wall of each of the container sections and are operable to resiliently apply pressing forces to the side wall of a pot received within the container section so as to fixedly hold the pot in position.

Abstract: An improved intravascular catheter placement device for semi-automatic insertion, i.e. manually triggered self-propelled insertion, of an intravascular catheter into the interior of a blood vessel comprising a hollow needle, an intravascular catheter concentric with said hollow needle, a chamber in communication with said hollow needle wherein the pressure within said chamber is a vacuum pressure and self-propelling means for moving said catheter into a blood vessel upon penetration of the wall of the blood vessel by the tip of the hollow needle.The self-propelling means acting upon the catheter is manually actuated by the operator of the device upon visualization of the backflow of blood occurring upon penetration of the blood vessel by the tip of the needle, said backflow of blood being accelerated into said chamber by the vacuum pressure present within said chamber.

Abstract: An impact device includes a cylinder and a plunger which is received within the cylinder and movable in forward and rearward directions. The plunger includes a first and a second pressure receiving surface for receiving pressure of a pressurized fluid so as to apply force to the plunger in the forward and rearward directions, respectively. An additional pressure receiving surface is formed on the plunger for receiving the pressure from the pressurized fluid so as to apply force in the same direction as one of the first and second pressure receiving surfaces. A first control device is operable to selectively apply the pressure of the pressurized fluid to the additional pressure receiving surface.