Abstract: An improved vise and an attachment for a conventional vise is disclosed that permits a user of the vise to machine all sides of a workpiece gripped between the jaws of the vise without having to remove the workpiece from the vise and incur operational downtime and expense. A plurality of grip blocks are removably attached either to the vise directly, or to a grip set attachment for the vise. The grip blocks may be selectively installed on either the vise or grip set at those areas which require holding power, and not installed from those areas along the gripped sides of the workpiece that the user desires to access. With a portion of the grip blocks selectively removed from the vise or grip set, the user can machine all sides of a gripped workpiece, including substantial portions of the sides of the workpiece gripped by the vise.

Abstract: A control mechanism includes a set of permanent magnets located within a cylindrical housing, the magnets being carried on a shaft which extends within the housing and is movable axially relative to the housing. The magnets are arranged in repulsion configuration and are coupled to the shaft and moved together as the shaft is moved relative to the housing manually from a stationary or retracted position to an extended position. Upon release of the shaft, repulsion forces produced by the magnets cause the magnets to move apart, moving the shaft relative to the housing from the extended position to the retracted position. In one embodiment, the control mechanism is coupled between a door and a door frame and operates as a door closer. In other embodiments, the control mechanism operates as an opening mechanism for opening the cover of a container, the opening mechanism also acting as a closer as the cover is being closed, to assist in closing the cover.

Abstract: An oximeter for non-invasively measuring the oxygen saturation in blood with increased speed and accuracy is disclosed. The oximeter includes a number of features which increase the functionality of the device including: a dynamic range control for monitoring a range of inputs from low level signals encountered in fetal and other applications to typical or high level signals; light emitting devices of different wavelengths for filtering noise and providing additional medial monitoring functions; and an improved method for calculating the oxygenation levels without the need to take peak and valley measurements. The device includes a sensor unit which can be attached to a patient and an oximeter which determines the oxygen saturation in the blood based on signals received from the sensor. The sensor can include light emitting devices in three or more wavelengths to provide additional functions. In the present invention, the detected signal is immediately converted to a digital value.

Abstract: An articulated snow plow system for use with a vehicle includes a blade center section having a moldboard section and left and right plowblade sections which are wider than the blade center section. The plowblade sections each include a moldboard section and are mounted to the blade center section at opposite sides thereof and pivotable relative to the center blade section about a substantially vertical pivot axis, to swept forward and swept backward positions. The snowplow assembly includes a support frame, the blade center section being coupled to the support frame through an intermediate pivot assembly which permits a limited amount of float to allow the blade center section, and the plowblade sections pivoted thereto, to follow the contour of the ground.

Abstract: A feed fortifier and enhancer for preruminant, bovine calves comprising animal plasma as well as other ingredients. The feed fortifier and enhancer may be mixed with any liquid feed to be fed to preruminant calves.

Abstract: A low fat peanut butter product having a water activity level of less than 0.80, which can be obtained without heating. A humectant can be used in an amount sufficient to provide a predetermined water activity level. Shelf stability is thereby obtained without discoloration or the formation of off flavors.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to display packaging of trading cards, alone or in combination with models. In particular, this invention relates to the packaging of trading cards in the shape of entertainment figures and the combination of such cards with model vehicles and display stands.

Abstract: A gamma ray collimator for use in a cardiac inspections system is disclosed which resolves energetically unperturbed gamma rays emitted from a patient and removes inelastic scattered gamma rays. A plurality of collimator elements each have walls, with each wall defining a plane comprised of a first material layer covered by a second material layer and absorbing inelastic scattered gamma rays, the planes being parallel to a central longitudinal axis in each of the collimator elements. The walls of each collimator element define an elongated longitudinal passageway having open ends through which the energetically unperturbed gamma rays enter and leave. The first material layer has a large absorption coefficient for gamma rays, and the second material layer has a large absorption coefficient for inelastically scattered gamma rays generated in the first material layer responsive to gamma rays emitted from the patient.

Abstract: Two vehicles are transported in tandem by a beam assembly connecting a lead vehicle to a trailing vehicle which is reversed end-for-end. The beam assembly includes an elongated beam which is connected to the rear and extends lengthwise of the trailing vehicle. The beam extends beyond the rear end of the trailing vehicle and is elevated and connected to the rear end of the lead vehicle at a height such that the rear wheels of the trailing vehicle are raised above ground. The connection of the beam to the lead vehicle permits the beam to swing both laterally and vertically.

Abstract: A method for dehydrating a porous material using electro-osmosis, includes applying a pattern of D.C. voltage pulses to an anode system embedded in the porous material, wherein the anode system is electrically interactive with a cathode structure embedded in earth, and wherein the pattern of D.C. voltage pulses, has a pulse period T in a range from about 3 to about 60 seconds, and each pulse period T includes a positive pulse duration of T+ from about 0.7 T to about 0.97 T, a negative pulse duration of T- from about 0.01 T to about 0.05 T, and a neutral pulse duration of T.sub.p from about 0.02 T to about 0.25 T. In another embodiment, each pulse period includes two or more positive pulses separated by at least one of either a negative pulse or a neutral pulse, with the positive pulse duration being the combined duration of the two positive pulses.

Abstract: A self-lubricating saddle which continually lubricates the rotational elements thereof as the saddle is in use. Generally, the saddle comprises a base, a surface plate, and a saddle head. A king pin extending substantially through the center of these three components, provides a pivot point for horizontal rotation. A grease fitting is located on an upper surface of the saddle head, in a position which is easily accessible to maintenance personnel. An inlet extends from the grease fitting through the saddle head to a grease reservoir defined by a conduit or duct on the lower surface plate of the saddle head. Grease or other lubricants are retained to provide continual lubrication of the rotational elements of the saddle, and also to provide lubricants directly to the rotational elements.

Abstract: A dual cam, reversible key includes first and second patterns of notches in first and second edges of the shank of the key on a common side of the key shank of the key, providing a dual cam key. The patterns of notches are formed to have complementary symmetry and to make the width of the shank constant along at least the portion of the shank that includes the notches. The first pattern of notches is identical with the second pattern of notches insomuch as they are "parallels" to each other. The key operates tumblers each of which has an opening defining a pair of staggered generally rectangular windows, each of the windows defining cam surfaces for accommodating the dual cam, reversible key. Also disclosed is a method for making the dual cam, reversible key.

Abstract: An electrical resistor having a resistance value and capable of withstanding high power surges, utilizing a thick film deposited on a substrate and trimmed with one or more cuts configured to maintain a level of current crowding while increasing the resistance value of the resistor. A surge resistor can be modified in a similar fashion.

Abstract: A dual cam, reversible key includes first and second patterns of notches in first and second edges of the shank of the key on a common side of the key shank of the key, providing a dual cam key. The patterns of notches are formed to have complementary symmetry and to make the width of the shank constant along at least the portion of the shank that includes the notches. The first pattern of notches is identical with the second pattern of notches insomuch as they are "parallel" to each other. The key operates tumblers each of which has an opening defining a pair of staggered generally rectangular windows, each of the windows defining cam surfaces for accommodating the dual cam, reversible key. Also disclosed is a method for making the dual cam, reversible key.

Abstract: A fluid jet cutting system for simultaneously making multiple cuts in a continuously moving layered web of paper or nonwoven material. The fluid jet cutting system includes a controller which monitors the web speed through an encoder feedback signal, and controls the travel speed and angle based on parameters stored in the controller memory and feedback signals. The user can select a cut length and other cutting parameters through an input device to the controller. Nozzles are mounted to a drive system including an adjustment device which allows fast easy and accurate adjustment of cut length.

Abstract: A lip guard is provided for protecting the lips of brass and woodwind players who wear braces. Each lip guard comprises a strip of thermoplastic material that is heated, molded into place over the teeth and braces of the musician, and then allowed to cool. The lip guards thus provide a smooth, protective barrier between the musician's lips and braces that protects the lips against chaffing that might occur as the mouthpiece of a musical instrument presses back against the musician's lips. The lip guards can be removed from the teeth quickly and easily between performances and can be reused from performance to performance. If adjustments are made to the musician's braces, the lip guards can be easily and conveniently reheated and remolded to accomodate the new shape.

Abstract: A dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable restraint systems for vehicles includes a control valve having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the air bag. The control valve includes a valve member actuatable between a flow preventing position and a position spaced away from the flow preventing position. The control valve supplies the high pressure fluid through the control valve to the inflatable restraint for inflating the inflatable restraint when the valve member is moved away from its flow preventing position. The control valve includes a valve spool which cooperates with a valve casing to define a plurality of flow paths. Consequently, the actuation of the valve member between closed and open positions is substantially independent of forces produced by flow of the high pressure fluid through the valve.

Abstract: A free-wheeling lock assembly includes a free-wheeling lock mechanism which prevents damaging forces from being applied to the components of the lock assembly if the lock cylinder is forcibly rotated by a key other than the proper key or by some other instrument. A detent mechanism, which functions independent of spring bias, couples the sleeve to the case in the presence of the proper key in the keyway. A clutch mechanism couples the cylinder to the driver, but decouples the driver from the cylinder for an over-torque condition. The cylinder lock assembly further includes a locking mechanism which prevents operation of the latching mechanism of the lock assembly if the cylinder is slam-pulled from the case. The tumblers are isolated from rotary motion of the tumbler ward.

Abstract: An articulated snow plow system for use with a vehicle includes a blade center section having a moldboard section and left and right extending plowblade sections which are wider than the blade center section. The extending plowblade sections each include a moldboard section and are mounted to the blade center section at opposite sides thereof and pivotable relative to the center blade section about a substantially vertical pivot axis, to swept forward and swept backward positions. The snowplow assembly includes a support frame, the blade center section being coupled to the support frame through an intermediate pivot assembly which permits a limited amount of float to allow the blade center section, and the extending plowblade sections pivoted thereto, to follow the contour of the ground.