Abstract: A universally adaptable battery charger connector which couples electrically a battery charger outlet to pairs of terminals of different types and kinds of rechargeable battery devices. The universal adaptable battery charger includes an attachment arrangement for engaging releasably one of the pairs of battery device terminals. The attachment arrangement includes a pair of electrodes coupled electrically to a battery charger outlet for helping to supply electrical current to the battery device terminals. The universal connector also includes a securing device for mounting removably on the battery device to be charged. Each one of the electrodes includes a resilient contact for pressing resiliently into engagement with the terminals to maintain an electrical and mechanical contact between the securing device and the battery device terminals.

Abstract: A new and improved display control system which includes a logic arrangement for causing auxiliary light information projected from a hand held light generating device upon a projected primary image to be integrated into the primary video image upon command from a user. A display control circuit causes the underlying primary image to be altered to include an accentuating image indicative of the path of travel followed by a spot of auxiliary control light as it is directed by a user via the hand held light generating device. A color control circuit responsive to user input commands enables the accentuating image to be displayed in one of at least eight primary colors. An erase control circuit also responds to user input commands to enable the user entered accentuating images to be deleted selectively individually or in total simultaneously.

Abstract: A simulation system includes a computer, and provides a mathematical model of the entity under investigation, and includes input apparatus for supplying desired variable change information to the mathematical model. The system generates model simulation information as modified by the variable change information, and controls the changes of the model simulation information in correspondence with real time, independently of the computer used. The system includes toggling apparatus for activating and deactivating selectively desired subsystems of the mathematical model, and is arranged to adjust selectively the number of subsystems and subsystem components of the mathematical model. In addition, the system allows the user to customize the information displayed about the mathematical model while the model is running without deactivating the simulation of any activated subsystem or subsystem component.

Abstract: A projector and a method of using it includes an expandable housing, which includes a display panel assembly, and an illumination and display panel projection optics arrangement. The housing includes housing portions which are movably mounted relative to one another, to increase the overall dimensions of the housing adjustably to accommodate the display panel optics arrangement during use as a projector.

Abstract: An animal bed includes an annular bed frame defining an interior chamber. A perforated top wall is supported at its periphery by the bed frame to receive and support the animal above the chamber. The perforated top wall is composed of a non-woven fabric material to provide a hammocklike suspension for the animal, and to permit small insects to fall through the top wall. The chamber is dimensioned to provide a space below the top wall sufficient to inhibit the insects from travelling upwardly through the top wall. An insect exterminating composition contained within the chamber receives the falling insects and destroys them.

Abstract: A plastic open frame basket is made by molding from plastic material, a tapered body portion, having integrally interconnected smoothly contoured longitudinal rib members and cross members in an interconnected, open frame configuration. A plurality of raised diagonal parting lines extend between said outer and inner corners formed by adjacent cross members to define a stepped configuration, thereby enabling the resulting plastic molded open frame basket to be made from a relatively inexpensive mold apparatus.

Abstract: A linear electrodynamic machine (10) includes mover (12) and stator assemblies (14). The stator assembly (14) includes an inner stator having laminations (30-45) and an outer stator having laminations (60-75) for defining a closed loop magnetic flux path. A magnet (95) mounted on an outside portion of the stator assembly (14) produces a constant flux extending through the flux path. The inner and outer stators form at least one pair of aligned spaced apart magnetic poles (50, 80) forming a gap. A group of slugs (24) mounted on the mover assembly (12) moves into and out of the gap to interact electrodynamically with the magnetic flux within the gap. A linear electrodynamic machine (10) includes a stator assembly (14) having at least one pair of elongated stator poles (50, 80) defining a flux gap and having magnets (283A-288A) disposed thereon to interact electrodynamically with a group of slugs (24, 26) mounted on a mover assembly (12) for moving into and out of the gap.

Abstract: A new and improved tax collection system and method collects and remits taxes in real time at point-of-sale locations. The system includes a group of point-of-sale terminals at merchant point-of-sale facilities that receive and store tax collection information under merchant control. A bank computer at a merchant bank accesses the stored tax collection information and wire transfers the collected sums periodically to at least one computer at a tax authority bank. For credit or debit transactions, a service computer receives the tax collection information daily from certain ones of the point-of-sale terminals, and wire transfers the credited or debited taxes to the tax authority bank computer.

Abstract: A fuel equalization line device couples in fluid communication vehicle tanks and has one or two conduits joined together by a removable coupling device, which provides for fluid communication between the conduits when engaged to equalize fuel levels within the tanks, and enables the fuel equalization line to be separated into two parts to free the tanks from the vehicle frame during a tank removal operation. A pair of shutoff valves enable the fuel to be retained in the tanks when they are removed from the frame.

Abstract: The radiation shielded and packaged integrated circuit semiconductor device includes a lid secured to a base to enclose the integrated circuit die within, wherein the lid and the base are each constructed from a high-Z material to prevent radiation from penetrating therethrough. Another embodiment includes a die attach slug constructed from a high-Z material disposed between the integrated circuit die and a base, in combination with a high-Z material lid to substantially block incident radiation.

Abstract: A pump for pumping shear sensitive material comprising a housing having an internal displacement chamber and a displacement rod. The displacement rod is reciprocable within the displacement chamber and the displacement chamber having an aperture through which the displacement rod is reciprocated. The aperture being sealed with respect no the displacement chamber by the displacement rod and an annular seal surrounding the displacement rod. The displacement chamber having an inlet opposite the aperture and an outlet radially disposed to the longitudinal axis of the displacement rod and in close proximity to the annular seal.

Abstract: A security apparatus for attaching a portable unit to be protected to a supporting surface. The security apparatus includes a normally deactivated passive locking unit, which is activated by an electronic key unit, which is portable and moved adjacent to the passive locking unit to power it. The key unit includes a device for coupling electromagnetically the key and the locking units to transmit electrical power therebetween. A magnet is concealed within the security device to activate the electronic key, only when it is placed in the proper position relative thereto. Additionally, a mechanical arrangement for a locking pin is employed to further provide a level of sophistication before the actual unlocking of the device occurs.

Abstract: A liquid crystal projection panel construction and a method of making it includes securing an interference color filter member and a lenticular lenslet array plate to a high resolution display panel to produce a bright, full color high resolution image. The panel construction is small in size, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A method for the removal of hydrogen sulphide from a hydrocarbon-water mixture. The method utilizes a sulphite or a bisulphite, preferably ammonium bisulphite. It may be added as a salt or in solution. It is used in amounts by weight of from 2:1 salt: hydrogen sulphide.

Abstract: A one-piece molded plastic computer workplace organizer can be screwed to a baseplane such as a pull-out keyboard shelf of a computer desk. A mouse pad is located to the front of the organizer unit which provides a passageway for retaining the mouse cord in place so as to overcome the common problem of the mouse unit working its way to the rear and falling off the shelf edge, especially when the shelf is being pulled out. Storage for several 31/2" diskettes is provided with asymmetrical bistable support positioning: a nearly upright rearwardly-inclined working position and a low profile forwardly-inclined storage position. With the organizer mounted on the pull-out keyboard shelf, upright diskettes will be automatically flipped forward to the low profile position by the shelf edge for storage under the desk counter top when the shelf is pushed back into the storage position.

Abstract: A process for making highly oxygenated drinking water includes initially preparing a stabilized hydrogen peroxide solution, and then adding a suitably small quantity of it to natural drinking water. The stabilized hydrogen peroxide solution is made by adding a complex polymer in the form of polyvinylpyrrolidone to a quantity of diluted hydrogen peroxide. Various different molecular weight compositions of polyvinylpyrrolidone are added at different times according to a preferred technique.

Abstract: The method of supporting the chest and abdomen areas of a person laying in a supine position includes applying pressure to one side of the chest or abdomen with a body engaging member. Similarly, pressure is applied to the other side of the chest or abdomen with another body engaging member to provide sufficient oppositely directed force to the chest or abdomen areas for providing lateral support thereto. The application of the pressure to both sides of the chest or abdomen is maintained, thereby restraining the chest or abdomen between the opposing body engaging members. A further embodiment includes applying pressure to the lower abdomen with a strap member coupled between a pair of upright members, and maintaining the application of the pressure thereon with a buckle.

Abstract: An ant habitat construction bowed in shape in a convex manner between its side edges, and large pad devices help to provide mechanical stability. Upper and lower hollow hinge devices enable similar units to be connected together in an articulated manner and in communication with one another to facilitate ant travel between the units, and yet have enhanced stability.

Abstract: This learning system includes a re-configurable learning zone composed of a large number of free-standing work/learn islands distributed about a large open interior space of a building structure, to provide for a variety of re-configurable areas to facilitate the learning of a variety of topics or subject matters to be learned. A series of fixed learning zones are disposed generally along the periphery of the interior space to serve as meeting and project areas to help facilitate a group of advanced learners that has progressed from initiatory activities at the re-configurable islands to cooperating with one another in complex team projects.

Abstract: An audio/video media package storage structure is formed using side rails, partition rails and spacer tubes. The side rail inner surface contains: a bottom flange; a row of interleaved long and short posts; a shelf beneath the posts and above the bottom flange, the shelf having notches centered between adjacent long posts. The rail can support packages of up to three different sizes at one time. Thin packages are supported between adjacent long and short posts and rest on the shelf. Thick packages are supported between adjacent long posts and rest on the bottom flange. Medium-sized packages fit within the notch on the shelf and rest on the bottom flange. The shelf and the bottom flange have protuberances centered between adjacent long and short posts and adjacent posts, respectively, to allow the packages to shift from a forwardly to a rearwardly-oriented display position. Each end of the side rail has a tunnel adjoining the bottom flange for inserting a spacer tube.