Abstract: In combination with a golf club holder, sometimes referred to as a golf bag, an alarm system reminds golfers when golf clubs are missing from the golf bag. The alarm system includes a plurality of signaling devices which can be light emitting diodes. The golf bag includes a plurality of stations into which the golf club shafts fit grip first. Each station includes a switch, the switches being electrically connected in parallel to a source of electricity. The switches are biased to such a position that the signaling device is energized when a golf club is withdrawn from the station and de-energized when the golf club is returned. The LED display may be mounted on the golf bag or may be connected to an extension cord to be mounted in the front of a golf cart.

Abstract: A portable hand held vacuum cleaner is disclosed as having a housing with a handle to lift and operate the vacuum cleaner, and a nozzle/debris container releasably locked to the housing. The housing contains a motor driven blower that draws air and debris (wet or dry) into the nozzle/debris container for depositing the debris therein, while allowing air to be exhausted through the blower and then through the housing to atmosphere. The blower is constructed with first and second jointly rotatable elements having a series of circumferentially spaced blower exhaust passageways and a transversely extending blower passageway adjacent the nozzle/debris container, for increased efficiency. A combined filter and seal is positioned in sealing engagement between the housing and the nozzle/debris container while affording filtering of debris from air between the nozzle/debris container and the blower in the housing.

Abstract: An electrical component, particularly a fuse for a surface-mount component, is formed by sputtering an aluminum conductor onto a square tube, sleeving the tube into an outer tube, filling the assembly with a room-temperature vulcanizing silicone sealant, cutting the assembly into segments, and metallizing the ends of each segment. In one embodiment, the sleeved tubes are mechanically separated from the surrounding silicone. In another embodiment, the silicone-coated tubes are mechanically separated from the outer tubes. In another embodiment fuses are made by sputtering the conductors onto a thin glass substrate, covering a link portion of the conductors with silicone adhesive, and dicing the substrate.

Abstract: Carpeted panels comprising a thermoplastic substrate and a synthetic fiber carpet are produced by bonding the respective parts to one another using a vibration welding apparatus for causing the generation of frictional heat at the interface between the substrate and the carpet. One of the platen of the welding apparatus confronting the carpet is provided with a pattern of closely spaced pins engaging the carpet and urging the carpet into forced engagement with the substrate. On account of the closely spaced pins and the relatively low amplitude of the reciprocating motion, a bond is achieved substantially over the entire interface between the carpet and the substrate.

Abstract: A convertible harness structure for fishing lures including an integral wire body bent at four spaced areas along the wire body to provide a three leg harness of generally U-shaped configuration with one leg being in a plane offset from a common plane determining the other two connected legs, with two of the bent areas serving to respectively receive the end of a fishing line and a spinner lure and the other bent areas being offset to accommodate the shank of a hook intertwined with the one offset leg.

Abstract: An absorbent pad for meat and poultry products and the like and a method for constructing same is disclosed. The absorbent pad includes upper and lower plastic film layers, at least one of which is perforated, and an intermediate absorbent layer disposed between the layers. The intermediate absorbent layer includes a series of juxtaposed and overlapping absorbent material fibers with superabsorbent granules dispersed throughout the absorbent layer and supported by the absorbent material fibers within interstices thereof. The superabsorbent granules are capable of absorbing and suspending liquids therein while being retained and supported by the absorbent material fibers even when the absorbent material fibers have liquid therein. The upper and lower film layers are attached to one another at least partially along opposite marginal edge portions thereof to retain the absorbent layer between the upper and lower layers.

Abstract: A fluid pressure monitoring system for a balloon catheter includes a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the interior of the balloon. The pressure transducer includes elements for providing an electrical signal which is a function of the pressure in the interior of the balloon. An electronic digital display is responsive to the electrical signal from the pressure transducer to display the balloon pressure measured by the pressure transducer. The system is especially suited for coronary angioplasty in which a catheter is inserted through blood vessels in the human body to the vicinity of a stenosis. The catheter carries an inflatable balloon to the vicinity of the stenosis, where it is inflated, and the fluid pressure monitoring system of the present invention detects and digitally displays to the cardiologist the pressure inside the inflated balloon.

Abstract: An improved portable pallet structure for supporting material carrying containers including a confined chamber having a plurality of access passages separate from the confined chamber to accommodate lifting members and including a material pervious support platform mounted above the confined chamber whereby materials spilled from containers supported thereby are collected in the confined chamber.

Abstract: A retrieval and sequencing system, preferably in the form of a tape cassette library is disclosed for automatically playing magnetic tape cassettes, such as video cassettes in regular television programming as well as spot broadcasting. The system includes a rotary cassette carousel for supporting, guiding and releasably receiving cassettes of the same or different size within cassette pockets. A multi-axis cassette transfer robot with a multi-axis cassette arm and associated gripper elements operates to automatically select and transfer cassettes from the rotary cassette carousel to a video cassette machine for playing or recording on cassettes, all of which are controlled and operated by a computer based programmable control system. One cassette is carried by one of the cassette gripper elements for loading into a video tape machine.

Abstract: An operating voltage change and motor rotation reversal device for a dynamoelectric machine in the form of an induction motor has simplified structure and improved operational features. For single phase operation, a pre-configured jumper plug having four electrically conductive jumpers interconnects a multi-receptacle connector socket to complete winding and power connections for any one of four unique circuit combinations. For three-phase applications, a different and separate jumper plug having six electrically conductive jumpers provides two different mating relationships with six pairs of electrical receptacles in the connector socket so as to provide two unique circuit combinations.

Abstract: A hermetic terminal assembly for a housing including a fuse-like area positioned in the outer pin segment of a terminal pin extending in sealed relation through the body member of the terminal assembly which body member can be sealed to a housing wall, the fuse-like area in the outer pin segment being covered with a thermally decomposable coating which in the event of decomposition includes an arc suppressant. A pin guard and lead wire end connection securing device is provided to protect the outer pin segment and to secure the lead wire end connection thereto.

Abstract: A retractable trailer hitch (1) for use on an intermodal railcar (C) supports an over-the-road trailer (T) of the railcar when the hitch is in its raised position. The hitch includes a hitch head (3) which is releasably securable to the king pin (K) of the trailer. The hitch head is supported by a first or generally vertical support strut (9) and by a second or a diagonal support strut (7), both of these struts being pivotally connected to the hitch head. The lower end of the first strut is pivotally secured in fixed position to the railcar and the lower end of the second strut is selectively locked in a fixed position with respect to the railcar when the hitch is in its raised position. A latch mechanism is carried on the lower end of the second strut so as to positively maintain the hitch in its raised position.

Abstract: A thermostat control for use in conjunction with a boat dock de-icer, wherein the thermostat control includes an electrical outlet, a plug for connecting the control to a source of electrical energy, a set point controller for controlling the operation of the thermostat, and a temperature sensor for sensing a fluid. A conventional boat dock de-icer is plugged into the thermostat control and the thermostat control is connected to a source of electrical energy. The temperature sensor is placed in water in the vicinity of a boat dock, and the set point is set to any desired temperature, but preferably to a temperature about freezing. When the control temperature of the water is reached, the thermostat control permits operation of the boat dock de-icer, so that the de-icer operates only when needed, instead of continuously.

Abstract: A unitary, self-contained device for sensing and signalling the flow of current through a conductor includes a toroidal coil of electrically conductive wire having two ends, and an illuminating device electrically connected to the two ends of the wire, responding to a level of current passing through the conductor by producing apparently continuous light.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine (10) has no external leads. A stator assembly (12) includes at least one set (14) of electrical windings (16) terminable at each end. A rotor assembly (18) includes a rotatable shaft (22) and the stator and rotor assemblies are installed in a housing (24). A terminal block (38) is internal of the housing and the ends of the winding set are terminated in this block. The housing has an opening (114) therein through which the termination unit is accessible. A receptacle (102) to which external electrical wires (W1, W2) are connected is matingly connectable to the material block through the opening to connect the machine to the external electrical wires.

Abstract: A control circuit (1) for use in a humidifier (H). A capacitor functioning as a humidity sensor (55) includes a sulphonated fluorocarbon material acting as the dielectric (57) of the capacitor. The material is sandwiched between sheets (59a, 59b) of a screen material which act as plates of the capacitor. An RC oscillator (53) has a variable frequency output and incorporates the capacitor. Changes in the dielectric value of the material due to sensed changes in humidity produce changes in the oscillator output frequency. A DC voltage is supplied to the oscillator. The amount of voltage impressed on the sensor at relatively high-humidity levels is controlled to prevent leakage currents caused when the material is exposed thereto. The generation of such leakage currents otherwise adversely effects sensor operation. Operation of the circuit to control operation of the humidifier is also described.