Abstract: A garment to protect the user against insect bites, including an insect-impervious yoke extending from the neckhole across the shoulders and down into the chest and back area, having piping sewn to the bottom edges of the yoke to hold away from the body of the user the semi-rigid mesh material that is draped from the yoke in gathers, and with every opening of the garment other than the neckhole including a closure and gathers whereby the semi-rigid mesh material is held away from the body in the form of an undulating surface.

Abstract: A sailboard assembly is disclosed which has a body on which the user stands, a mast, boom and sail assembly for propulsion of the board. The mast-boom-sail assembly is mounted to the board by a mast mounting assembly which permits limited angular displacement of the mast about a generally normal orientation to the board for maneuvering of the center of pressure of the sail and yet provides support of the mast above the board upon release of the boom. The sailboard assembly also preferably includes a steering assembly having a rudder and foot-operated turntables that are used to turn the rudder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the concentration of a chemical substance in a test sample based on a technique of waveform distortion analysis is disclosed. The apparatus includes a waveform generator that generates a periodic signal, an antenna probe that transmits the signal into the test sample and receives from the test sample a corresponding periodic signal, the waveform of which has been distorted or otherwise transformed by the chemical, and a detector circuit that quantifies the transformation of the signal to determine the concentration of the chemical in the test sample. The waveform shape and frequency are selected so that the transformation is particularly responsive to the presence of a selected chemical substance, so that the magnitude of the distortion or transformation of the signal is directly related to the concentration of the selected chemical substance.

Abstract: An automatic, rail-based passenger and cargo transportation system which is particularly well suited for use as a moderate speed people mover is disclosed. The system includes a rail structure on which passive carrier cars are movably supported from opposite sides of the rail. In one aspect a plurality of drive wheels are rotatably mounted to the rail assembly and span across the width of the rail structure so as to drive the carrier cars along the rail in opposite directions on opposite sides of the rail. In another aspect of the invention, the carrier cars are cantilever supported from the sides of the rail so as to cause gravity biasing of the cars inwardly such that a shoe is forced into driving engagement with alternating toothed and smooth drive wheels mounted in the rail framework and sufficiently spaced so that only one toothed drive wheel interengages with the shoe assembly at any time.

Abstract: To detect impending deropement of a wire haul rope from supporting sheaves in an aerial tramway system, there is provided a magnetic assembly having sufficient field strength to support itself in a predetermined position by reason of attraction to the wire haul rope when running normally in the sheaves. When the wire haul rope begins to run off one of the sheaves toward an impending deropement, the magnetic assembly will fall from its armed position to a substantially moved position. The magnetic assembly carries at least one position-responsive switch which interrupts a detection circuit when the magnet moves to the moved position. The interruption of the detection circuit is utilized to detect the location of the potential deropement and to terminate tramway operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a latch assembly for a cargo bar of the type having at least two relatively displaceable members. A pivotally mounted handle is used to extend the members in opposite directions to engage in compression the opposite walls of a cargo container. The latch assembly includes housing having a latch element which is pivotally mounted by a pivot pin to the housing. The latch element is biased toward a latched position at which the latch element is in latching engagement with the handle of the extending bar assembly. The pivotal mount for the latch element is provided with clearance to enable displacement of the latch element relative to the pivot pin, and the housing is formed with a cap portion positioned proximate the latch for support of the latching force on the latch upon displacement of the latch relative to the pivot pin. The latch assembly also includes a ramp formed toward the base of the latch element to provide a method for easy release of the latch element.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming customized footwear, such as shoes, boots or inner bladders for shoes or boots, and particularly an athletic shoe or boot, is disclosed in which an impression of the foot is used to make a positive mold, around which the shoe, boot or bladder is constructed. In the improved process a range-of-motion measuring apparatus is used to accurately determine the neutral position of the bone structure of the rearfoot complex of the foot. The foot is maintained in that position by means of the apparatus while the impression or casting of the foot is being made. The process provides a shoe, boot or inner liner or bladder therefor which will evenly support the foot in a neutral position. The range-of-motion measuring apparatus includes a beam generating laser that is directed toward a mirror mounted on the leg of the person being fitted.

Abstract: A metallic substrate which is to be electroplated with a metal other than copper for use in high stress applications, such as band saw blades, is given improved resistance to stress fracture by electroplating with copper from an alkaline solution prior to the noncuprous metal.

Abstract: A haul rope grip assembly for an aerial tramway is disclosed which is suitable for both detachable and permanent gripping of the tramway haul rope. The assembly includes a gripping head having a pair of relatively spaced apart converging haul rope gripping surfaces oriented for gravity biasing of the surfaces into wedging engagement with the haul rope under loading of the grip. Additionally, the assembly includes a jaw positioned proximate the surfaces and formed to apply supplemental force to the haul rope in a direction tending to further wedge the haul rope between the gripping surfaces. The jaws are also formed to unwedge the haul rope upon movement from a closed to an open position. In the detachable grip assembly, a pair of independently movable jaws pivotally mounted and actuated by levers are biased closed with leaf springs that are spaced apart to allow for a hold down sheave.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing tactile feedback information to the operator of a remotely operated manipulator assembly, such as a robot arm, by mechanically coupling a vibration sensitive transducer to said assembly and audibly reproducing the transducer output for operator listening. The use of an accelerometer as a vibration sensitive transducer is disclosed as well as techniques for cancelling environmental noise.

Abstract: A wet suit boot having a foot portion attached to a tongue and an ankle portion in which the ankle portion includes two wrap-around flaps one of which is releasably connectable to the outside of the tongue and the other of which is releasably connectable to the outside of the first flap.

Abstract: The invention comprises an ergonomic support system for a person in a seated position comprised of torso support platform, a seat, a shin support platform all supported by a main frame generally the size of a common chair, related attachments for facial and arm supports, further includes a pelvic tilt seat for the system to allow alignment of the body and unimpeded movement of the arms and pelvis and a healthy and comfortable position of the spine.The support platforms are preferably padded and shaped to fit the users body telescoping legs for distance adjustment coupled to a pivotal joints for angular adjustment and sliding joints for height and lateral adjustment provide flexibility for these platforms to adjust to an individual body in various positions.

Abstract: The assembly of the present invention is particularly designed for the mounting of a windshield on a motor vehicle where the windshield is vulnerable to impact from outside or from inside the vehicle due to collision and the like, although the invention may have a more generalized application for the securing of a glass pane in window openings.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is designed for use with a source of natural gas which is substandard in that its BTU content is inconstant. The apparatus includes a fuel powered turbine engine having an air compressor section, a combustion section and a power turbine section which is connected to drive an electric generator which in turn is adapted for connection to the infinite bus of the local electric power distribution system for cogeneration of electric power. This is accomplished by an electronic circuit which senses the compressor inlet temperature (CIT) and the turbine inlet temperature (TIT) and automatically feeds the available substandard gas to the turbine engine in a manner maintaining a constant energy flow.

Abstract: An automatic valve operator provides manual override for selective manual and powered displacement of a valve. The valve operator includes a drive motor, a transmission assembly, and an axially shiftable coupling shaft for selective engagement or disengagement from the transmission assembly. Shifting the coupling shaft displaces electrical switches which substantially simultaneous de-energizing of the valve operator drive motor. The coupling shaft is maintained operatively in connection to the valve, during the axial shifting thereby permitting manual displacement of the valve independent of the transmission and motor. Adjustable limit switch actuating collars and a reversible electrical connector assembly also are disclosed.

Abstract: A container loader and transport assembly is disclosed which includes a horizontal bed formed for support of a container thereon during transport of the container and loader formed for lifting the container onto the bed from a support surface and lowering the container from the bed to the support surface. The loader is movably mounted to the bed and preferably includes a movable carriage and a lifting mechanism mounted to the carriage. The loader is formed to lift the container and lower it while maintaining the container in substantially horizontal orientation and preferably the carriage is mounted for translation on a pair of extensible rails that can be extended and retracted from an end or from the sides of the container support bed. A method for employing the motor and transport assembly is also disclosed.