Abstract: There is provided a distribution apparatus in which transmission losses at the connections between ends of transmission lines and input and output terminals of a mother board are reduced. These ends of the transmission lines are positioned on resin support pieces. A resin support piece (19) is provided at a dead end of each groove (6a) formed in a housing (1). An end portion of a metal rod (6b) is placed on the support piece (19). The end portion of the rod (6b) has a threaded hole (20) formed therethrough. The mother board (11) is provided with two first lands (22,23) each surrounding a screw hole (21). A screw (22a) is tightened in each threaded hole (20), which is part of a main line connection terminal (5b), thereby bringing the head of the screw (22a) into firm contact with the first land (22) and establishing an electrical connection between the first land (22) and the conductive rod (6b).

Abstract: A theft checking system that improves precision in detecting a tagged article. A transmission antenna (1) transmits a signal of a constant amplitude in which sine-wave sweep is made within a range of 7.4 MHz to 8.9 MHz at 140 Hz. A reception side is provided with a signal analyzing portion (9) that predicts from the occurrence timing of a signal received within the first half period of a period of the sweep, the occurrence timing of a signal to be received within the second half period, and that compares a received signal with the predicted timing and, if it is confirmed that the signals are in an opposite phase relationship, recognizes passage of the article.

Abstract: A probe for a biophysical skin measurement device includes: a disposable sensor; a handle for receiving a cable from the measurement device; a socket on the handle electrically interconnected with the cable; and means for removably engaging the disposable sensor device and the socket; when engaged, the sensor device being electrically interconnected with the cable through the socket for providing measurement signals to the biophysical skin measurement device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a soft finish on a fabric such as a suede tone, raised loops, broken loops or fleeced and for providing a faded effect such as a washed or faded denim. A fillet having a plurality of wires extending therefrom is wound on a cylinder of a finishing machine. The outer ends of the wires extending from the fillet are angled at approximately 80.degree. from vertical. The wires are covered with an abrasive coating which is applied by an arc spray system. The coating extends around the perimeter of the wire from at least just below the bend of the wires and extending to the outer tip of the wires. The fabric is driven over a nip roll that is adjusted to bring the fabric in closer contact with the wires on the cylinder which is rotating. An alternative embodiment of accomplishing the same type of soft finish such as suede or washed or faded denim finish is accomplished with multi rolls (or kiss rolls) finish machinery using the coated wire fillet on each roll.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for treating an irregularity in a wall of a vessel of a patient defined by an irregular or afflicted wall portion with adjacent normal wall portions comprises a catheter having a distal end portion for being guided through the vessel to the site of the irregularity. A balloon associated with said distal end portion of the catheter for selective inflating to contact the walls of the vessel urges a stent carried by the distal end portion of the catheter in a constricted condition for passage through the vessel into an expanded form with the stent spanning the afflicted wall portion and contacting the adjacent wall portions. The catheter is formed with lumens for inflating the balloon, for receiving a guidewire for guiding the catheter through the vessel, and for connecting a port in the catheter proximate the afflicted wall portion to enable delivery of a therapeutic agent into the vessel to contact the stent and the irregular wall portion.

Abstract: A fixed cutoff press is adapted to a variable cutoff press while maintaining the size of the blanket cylinders. A plate cylinder is mounted on a frame and includes a plate cylinder sleeve and a blanket cylinder is mounted on the frame, includes with a gapless blanket cylinder sleeve. The gapless blanket sleeve contacts the plate cylinder sleeve at a first nip. The press has an impression plate mounted on the frame in the case of a non-perfecting press or an identical, mirror image assembly of plate and blanket cylinders in the case of a perfecting press. A material to be printed passes through a second nip. Inkers are provided for transferring an ink film to the plate cylinder sleeve, the ink pattern being subsequently transferred to the blanket cylinder sleeve at the first nip and the ink pattern being subsequently transferred from the blanket cylinder sleeve to the material to be printed at the second nip.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling the state of a thermal process. The system applies a modulated heat input to a liquid in a vessel and a thermal response measured at the bottom of the vessel provides information for real time processing of thermal properties of the liquid as it is being heated. Detection and control of an unknown boiling point enables a steady simmer or boiling condition in the liquid to be maintained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for performing a desired operation in a wellbore. The system contains a downhole tool which includes a mobility platform that is electrically operated to move the downhole tool in the wellbore and an end work device to perform the desired work. The downhole tool also includes an imaging device to provide pictures of the downhole environment. The data from the downhole tool is communicated to a surface computer, which controls the operation of the tool and displays pictures of the tool environment. Novel tactile sensors for use as imaging devices are also provided. In an alternative embodiment the downhole tool is composed of a base unit and a detachable work unit. The work unit includes the mobility platform, imaging device and the end work device. The tool is conveyed into the wellbore by a conveying member.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a catheter with a distal anchor. Suture threads extend from the anchor to the control mechanism. A first body contains a reel with a radial port through which the suture threads extend to be received in a termination structure on a second, partially concentric and axially coextensive body of the control mechanism. Rotation of the second body wraps and unwraps the sutures about the reel thereby to remove or introduce slack into the suture threads after the anchor device forms. Removing slack in the suture threads prevents complete straightening of the anchor device and therefore inadvertent removal of the catheter from the patient.

Abstract: An improved roof edge ventilation strip serving as a starter strip to underlay the first course of shingling along a roof line. The roof edge ventilation strip comprises a roofing panel which is, in use, at substantially the same angle to the vertical as the roof to which it is attached. The material of the ventilation strip is wavy or corrugated for providing added strength. A horizontal soffit section of the ventilation strip has louvers which add strength to the ventilation strip and permit a ladder to be leaned against the strip outer edge. A vertical fascia section provides for fastening the ventilation strip in abutment to a vertical side of a house or a building. An alternate embodiment comprises a protruding drip edge to insure water run-off away from the house.

Abstract: A system for providing a liquid to a plant or tree stand comprising a liquid reservoir connected via tubing to a liquid control assembly having a liquid level control section positioned on the lower end of an adjustable vertical section with straps for attachment to a tree. The liquid level control section comprises a lever arm/float assembly positioned within the tree stand for maintaining a predetermined liquid level within the tree stand. As the liquid in the tree stand is depleted the float drops and the opposite end of a float lever arm penetrates a channel raising a metal ball which permits liquid to enter the tree stand through the liquid level control assembly connected to the tubing from the reservoir. As the liquid rises in the tree stand, the float is forced upward causing the opposite end of the float lever to drop resulting in the metal ball lowering to seal the channel thereby stopping the liquid flow into the tree stand.

Abstract: A container crusher, whereby a container is crushed from top to bottom into a compact neat form, to save extra space in the refuse bin or to save for recycling. The crusher has a central aperture or recess with cut out grooves for containers with handles. Surrounding the central aperture or recess is a concave area which rests or fits onto the container just below its neck. There is provided a separate insert for smaller sized containers, which slots into the central aperture or recess. At each end of the crusher are hand grips. To crush the container the crusher is placed onto the container and the cap is removed. With both hands, one at each end of the grips, pressure is applied downwards until the container is compressed.

Abstract: A data processing network including a local system and a geographically remote system. Each of the local and remote systems includes a data storage facility. The remote data storage facility mirrors the local data storage facility. In a normal operating mode, the local and remote systems operate in near synchronism or in synchronism. In an alternate operating mode, writing operations at the local system immediately update the storage devices in the local data storage facility. Transfers of corresponding data to the remote data storage facility are made independently of and asynchronously with respect to the operation of the local system.

Abstract: A benchmark testing system for evaluating the performance of large capacity disk storage systems with multiple disk controllers operating under a main operating system. The benchmark test utilizes a number of modules that establishes a pseudo-operating system having a dispatcher queue, I/O request objects and a request generator. The request generator selects an available I/O request object from a pool and transfers it to the dispatch queue. An inactive driver responds by making the I/O request object available as a task for the main operating system. When the transfer is complete, a driver effects the removal of the I/O request object from the dispatch queue. The maximum number of drivers, and hence the maximum number of tasks that can be provided to the MVS system, is established the number of central processors in the system.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance in the form of an oven for baking, roasting and broiling is associated with a bread making apparatus featuring a bread baking pan adapted to be selectively placed into the oven. The oven includes heating elements at least at the top and bottom of the oven chamber. The bread making apparatus includes a metallic pan with a structure for locating the pan at a predetermined position within the oven chamber. In this position, a drive mechanism can rotate a blade for kneading dough in the pan.

Abstract: A novel steering mode switching carriage is disclosed. A plurality of such carriages, if coupled to each other, can follow a single path without developing any discrepancy in turning radius between front and rear inner wheels when traveling on a curve. The carriage is used as a conventional cart if the front wheels are made to pivot freely and the rear wheels are fixedly aligned longitudinally. According to the present invention, a pair of pivotal shafts of the front wheels and a pair of pivotal shafts of the rear wheels are coupled by right and left parts of a reversing mechanism respectively. Each pivotal shaft is provided with an engaging member, which has a slider and a link lever extending therefrom. The front wheel is caused to pivot by the slider, and the reversing mechanism and the slider are coupled to each other by the link lever.

Abstract: A dual action, convex disc push-button switch assembly providing tactile feedback to the operator. Each convex disc contact comprises four tabs, each tab of which is fitted and secured in the base of the switch assembly making the switch easy to assemble and operate reliably. The tabs of a first convex disc contact are positioned forty-five degrees relative to the tabs of a second convex disc contact. The switch is sealed thereby permitting various ways to secure the switch terminals to an electronic board.

Abstract: An eyepiece adapter mechanism for providing a quick positive engagement to an interfacing instrument such as a B-styled endoscope. The adapter mechanism comprises a rigid back plate for providing a permanent attachment for the mechanism. A C-clip retainer positioned within a circumferential chamber of the back plate acts as a locking ring under the elastic force of the C-clip material itself to provide a grip around the interfacing instrument when installed into the back plate. An outwardly protruding portion of the C-clip, acting as a lever, releases the interfacing instrument when the level is moved toward a fixed post located a predetermined distance from the lever to facilitate single handed operation. An alternate embodiment provides a quick attach/release adapter without an eyepiece and employing a C-clip retainer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data from a donor storage device to a target storage device in parallel with requests from a host computer for transfers between the host computer and the target storage device. A copy subroutine operates in response to background and foreground mode controllers. The background mode controller normally copies data from an initial position in the donor storage device sequentially by data block. When a DTR command from the host processor requests a data element from a block that has not migrated to the target storage device, the foreground controller uses the copy subroutine to transfer the designated block. The storage areas are divided into statistical blocks. If a threshold number of consecutive DTR commands accesses a particular statistical block, the system resets the parameters for the background mode controller to effectively move the copy subroutine to begin background copying from the statistical block.

Abstract: A modified sports goal is adapted for training a sports player to direct objects into preferred target areas. A modified goalpost frame is formed in the shape of a preferred target area of a standard sports goal. A net is coupled to the goalpost frame. The goalpost and net capture objects, such as hockey pucks, directed into the preferred target area, and allow misdirected objects which otherwise would have been captured by the standard sports goal to pass thereby. In this manner, a participant is rewarded with the feeling of achieving a goal only if the object enters the target areas. Otherwise, the object passes by the goal. This goal reduces the need for goaltenders during practice sessions, mitigating the possibility of goaltender injury and improving the shooter's ability to develop skills.