Abstract: A torque applying and indicating wrench is comprised of a pawl with a torque sensing end for both ratcheting, and direct sensing of torque during application. The torque sensing end is bifurcated into a cantilevered flexing beam and an optional reference beam. The flexing beam engages one or more ratchet teeth from a ratchet wheel contained in the wrench head of an elongated tool body. Torque is then transduced and indicated either mechanically or electronically.

Abstract: A bucket for a material handling apparatus which includes a bottom wall, a top wall and a pair of parallel side walls which connect the top wall to the bottom wall. The walls of the bucket define a housing having a chamber, a front opening and a rear opening. A divider plate is mounted to the side walls for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis between the front and rear openings. The bottom wall of the housing has an upper surface which is radial from the horizontal axis. The lower end of the divider plate remains close to the upper surface in all positions between a stop at the front opening and a stop at the rear opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electro-optical isolation system for coupling an electronic measuring device to a device under test for making accurate measurements of signals within a wide frequency range while the device under test is being subject to high power electrical disturbances. The invention provides an increased rejection of high common mode signals and reduction of undesired self-capacitance by implementing a shielded handheld transmitter unit having an integrated measurement probe. The transmitter unit converts the sensed signal to an optical signal which is transmitted through an optical medium to a receiver unit. Under control of a microprocessor, the level of the output signal from the transmitter unit is modulated by the signal received from the sensing probe. The microprocessor within the transmitter unit automatically controls the level of optical signal emitted by the optical converter, and further calibrates a driver circuit to maintain measurement accuracy.

Abstract: The force sensing device of the present invention provides an elastomeric spacer coupled between a base member and platform structure. The characteristics of the spacer material allow the spacer to be linearly deformable upon application of force, and this deformation region is known as the linear travel distance of the spacer. The remaining region has substantially no additional deformation with respect to force applied, and is known as the non-deformable distance of the spacer. A sensing mechanism built directly into the device provides a means for sensing the linear travel distance upon various applications of force. More specifically, the sensory mechanism includes a movable and fixed portion respectively, separated by a distance equal to the aforementioned linear travel distance.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates a unique system of attaching multiple headgear components upon the user so as to increase the overall effectiveness of the headgear during extreme sporting conditions. This is accomplished by providing a headgear apparatus having a visor member which is removably secured to and independently adjustable from a headband member. The visor member surface is uniquely designed with a lightwave transmissive gradient. An eye shield member is removably secured to the headband member by the same set of rivets and is adjustable to provide a desired distance between the eye shield member and the user's eyes. A sealant material is selectively placed between the headband member and the user's forehead so as to prevent water from interfering with the eyes and face of the user during use as well as provide a stabilizing grip. A protective hood member and mask may be removably secured by a set of rivets to the headband member and is securely fitted upon the head of the user by a chin strap.

Abstract: A therapeutic massaging apparatus having a pair of resilient balls adjustably positioned in a flexible container, wherein a strap assembly is connected to opposing ends of the container so as to maintain the container in a pre-selected position upon the user. The present invention also integrates other therapeutic principals by utilizing a pocket formed in the container for allowing the user to enjoy the benefits of traditional acupressure therapy while simultaneously enjoying the well known therapeutic effects of magnetism, gemstones, crystals and/or herbs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for producing series of high resolution color composite images. The digital camera has an optical assembly that directs visual images to a high resolution monochrome sensor and a lower resolution color sensor. These two sensors, which produce a succession of frames at the same rate, are encrypted with a frame number and time code and are stored in a frame buffer. The contents of the frame buffer can be transferred to a mass storage device, or a color rendering processor that produces a composite image from the monochrome frames and color frames. During the processing of the composite image, the monochrome grayscale value becomes the composite frame grayscale value, the color frame hue value becomes the composite frame hue value, and the color frame saturation value becomes the composite frame saturation value.

Abstract: An signal conditioning apparatus and method to condition a human voice signal for input to a time-domain voice recognition system. The signal conditioner normalizes sampled human voice inputs so that all inputs result in an output with substantially the same pitch and frequency bandwidth characteristics. The signal conditioner includes a pitch altering circuit that alters the pitch of the input human voice signal and a frequency band limiting circuit that limits the range of spectral information contained in a signal. The pitch altering circuit converts the input into a digital signal at a first conversion rate and converts the digital signal back to an analog signal at a second rate which is unequal to the first rate. The frequency band limit circuit is a plurality of filters at different points in the frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A total recovery drill assembly for providing a flowable cutting material discharging from a multiple orifice nozzle with the nozzle rotating around the longitudinal axis of the drill is provided herein. This assembly includes an outer tube that is connected to a vacuum source on a proximal end and terminates with grooves on the distal end. Within the outer tube is an inner tube that rotates within the outer tube. The proximal end of the inner tube is connected to a high pressure source for discharging a flowable material that is either a gas, a liquid or a particulate solid. The distal end of the inner tube is connected to a nozzle. The nozzle has a cutting orifice and an agitating orifice. The cutting orifice discharges the flowable material towards the grooves of the outer tube. Drilling is achieved by aiming the discharged flowable material as a laminar flow. Additionally, the nozzle has an agitating orifice designed to agitate the cut substance for removal by the vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight, portable drying apparatus which naturally, uniformly and quickly drys footwear and small items of apparel such as shoes, hats, gloves and scarves. The portable drying apparatus includes a flexible waterproof bag having an inner support structure for holding multiple pieces of footwear and small articles of apparel. The flexible bag may be rigidly supported by a top panel and a collapsible waterproof tri-fold support insert which defines the boundaries of an enclosed inner chamber. During operation, ambient air is circulated throughout the chamber using a blower assembly mounted on the support structure for drawing air into the chamber, and a vent formed in the flexible bag material for releasing the drawn air from the chamber. In a second embodiment, the support structure includes a base panel for defining a bottom portion of the chamber and two or more removable flexible rods bent in an arch shape to form a dome shaped structure.

Abstract: A portable hard disk drive connector with a parallel (printer) port control board including: a casing including an upper cover and a lower cover engaged with the upper cover; and a control board fixedly fitted in the lower cover and having a parallel (printer) port interface input connector partly protruding out the casing, a parallel (printer) port output connector partly protruding out of the casing, and a hard disk drive connector provided at its both ends with a rack thus forming a U-shaped frame for receiving a hard disk drive.