Abstract: The compact disk carrying case includes, in one embodiment, an outer enclosure which is defined by two clam-shell members. Each clam-shell member has an interfacing edge which mates with the corresponding interfacing edge on the other clam-shell member. A mechanism is provided, such as a zipper, for closing the interfacing edges thereby forming a closeable outer enclosure within which is captured a plurality of compact disks. The clam-shell members are hinged together along a portion of each respective interfacing edge. The carrying case includes a plurality of compact disk carrying plates which are grouped together into n end pairs of plates by n hinges. Each hinge has a progressively increasing span distance between the respective connected plates. Accordingly, these hinges establish minimum, a plurality of intermediate and a maximum span distance between the respective connected plates.

Abstract: The rack for a basket or container is, in one embodiment, utilized in combination with a closet shelving system. This system includes at least two vertical, spaced apart stationary poles. The basket or container includes opposing lips extending from opposite sides of the basket or container. The rack includes a pair of C-shaped elongated channels, an inverted U-shaped cross-member and, in one embodiment, a rearward cross-member. Each C-shaped channel is attached to the rearward cross-member at the channel's rearward terminal end. At the forward terminal end, the C-shaped channel is attached to depending legs of the inverted U-shaped cross-member. The U-shaped cross-member has a bridge member spanning the distance between the two vertical, spaced apart poles. The depending legs of the U-shaped cross-member are removably mounted to the vertical poles. The rearward cross-member is mounted to the wall via an appropriate mounting system.

Abstract: The single cup coffee brewer system is adopted to retain a predetermined amount of ground coffee beans for a "perfect" single cup of brewed coffee. The brewing system includes an elongated handle, a basket formed at one end of the handle and a movable basket top member having a leg hinged to the handle. The basket defines a top, peripheral rim and a ground coffee impervious screen at a bottom region thereof. The basket has a predetermined size substantially equivalent to the correct amount of ground coffee for the single cup of brewed coffee. The volume or size of the basket is established below the top plane of the basket rim. The movable basket top member has an elevated basket top cover. The basket top cover includes at least one ground coffee impervious screen disposed over the basket. This permits liquid to flow through the basket and the retained ground coffee beans. The basket top cover has a complementary rim which cooperates with the basket rim to seal the ground coffee beans in the basket.

Abstract: The implantable stimulator in accordance with the principles of the present invention utilizes a high value, small sized capacitor having at least a capacitive rating of 0.1 farads which is completely contained within the implantable stimulator. This high value, small size capacitor or series of capacitors enables the implantable stimulator to deliver, on a controlled and continual basis, electric stimulation pulses to targeted tissues over at least an 8 hour period. Further, the capacitive power source is replenished via an external, RF coupled device on a daily or other long term periodic basis. During the replenishing cycle, the energy contained in the battery of the external transmitter is transferred to the internal capacitive power source in the implantable stimulator.

Abstract: The emergency reline system for an automobile is used in conjunction with an air bag system and a reclining seat system. The seat is pivotally movable by a motor upon application of a reclining motor control signal. The emergency recline system includes a sensor which detects unwanted deceleration and which generates a trigger signal. The trigger signal is delayed by a delay circuit for a predetermined period of time. The delayed trigger signal is then applied as the reclining motor control signal to the motor such that after the predetermined time, the delayed trigger signal reclines the seat. This relieves the pressure developed by the deployed air bag on the driver or the passenger in the seat. A method for reclining the seat includes sensing unwanted deceleration, generating a trigger signal, delaying the trigger signal for a predetermined time, and then applying that delayed trigger signal as the reclining motor control signal to the motor or motor control.

Abstract: A steering wheel and air bag antitheft locking apparatus for preventing theft of a vehicle or air bag having a steering wheel with a wheel rim and a wheel spoke includes a tubular outer wheel spanning member having a receiving end and a handle end; an elongate inner wheel spanning member having an entry end and an outwardly protruding end, the entry end being telescopingly fitted into the outer wheel spanning member receiving end; where the inner wheel spanning member protruding end has attached a first pair of outwardly opening wheel rim engaging hooks; where one of the handle end and the protruding end protrudes substantially radially from the steering wheel when the apparatus is engaged to prevent turning of the steering wheel sufficiently to drive the vehicle; and where a second pair of outwardly opening wheel rim engaging hooks is attached to the outer wheel spanning member between the receiving end and the handle end; and a key operated locking mechanism which releasibly secures the inner and outer whee

Abstract: The microprocessor based controller for the fractional horsepower actuator motor includes a capacitive power backup system. The motor is used as an actuator and is coupled to an air damper or valve. In the event of a loss of power to the controller, the controller must drive the air damper or valve to a predetermined, failsafe position. The capacitive energy source stores sufficient power to drive the motor and the coupled air damper or valve to the predetermined failsafe position. The controller includes a sensor for determining the presence or absence of power and generating a failsafe control signal. A switch receives the failsafe control signal and passes power from either the main power supply or the capacitive energy storage unit. The controller includes a microprocessor and a memory. During a failsafe operation, the microprocessor drives the motor and hence the air damper or valve to the failsafe position at full power.

Abstract: The method for comparing the sonic characteristics of two pair of audio interconnect cables includes the step of, in a first instance, switching, electrically connecting and transferring the analog electrical signals from an audio source to an amplifier driving a pair of speakers (sometimes speakers in a headphone set) via a pair of reference interconnect cables (sometimes referred to as a reference cable set). In a second instance, the method includes switching, electrically connecting and transferring the analog electrical signals from the audio source to the amplifier and speakers via a test interconnect cables set. The designation of cables as "reference" or "test" cables is not important. The steps of switching, electrically connecting, and transferring the analog signals to and from the reference cables and the test cables are conducted with substantially identical electrical losses and electrical signal distortion.

Abstract: The two channel remote control system activates the engine of an automobile and also activates predetermined accessories in the automobile such as a heater or an air-conditioner. A first paging system is activated by telephonic inputs originating from a user. This first paging system generates a start remote command. A first paging receiver is mounted in the automobile and receives the start remote paging command. The first paging receiver is acoustically or optically coupled to an audio receiver which is mounted in the automobile. The audio receiver, receiving the start remote command, triggers a controller circuit, a timing circuit, an ignition control circuit and a start motor circuit. The timing circuit generates periodic ignition trigger signals for the ignition control circuit. These trigger signals are generated a predetermined number of times. The timing circuit generates an ignition OFF signal after a predetermined period after receipt of the start remote command.

Abstract: The storage cache is utilized to contain, in an interior cavity, flat items such as keys, flat stamps, coins and other small flat items. The storage cache is a multiple layer, flat pack, composite unit. At least two of these layers are flexible magnetic material. One of these magnetic layers has a cut-out cavity sized to contain the flat item. In one embodiment, the storage cache includes a top and bottom layer of flexible plastic material which is translucent. The translucent plastic enables the user to see into the cavity in order to determine whether the storage cache carries the key, stamp and/or coin. Other embodiments include a view passage rather than a translucent plastic covering layers.

Abstract: The method of calibrating includes selecting discrete levels of cuff pressure and placing the artery under study at those discrete levels of induced pressure with a closed pneumatic cuff system, substantially continually sensing cuff pressures at each discrete level and thereby sensing blood volume change through the artery, electronically determining when a certain number of representative blood volume change signals are substantially equivalent, changing the volume in the closed pneumatic system at each discrete cuff pressure by a predetermined volumetric amount after determining substantial equivalency, and, correcting the blood volume change signal based upon the signals detected during the volume change of the closed pneumatic cuff system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the telescopic sleeve overlay for a garment hanger is used in conjunction with a common type hanger. Common hangers usually are made of wire or stiff rods which form a shallow, inverted U-shape depending from an inverted U-shaped hanger head. The hanger head is adapted to be hung on a clothing rod. The sleeve overlay includes an inverted U-shaped base and two longitudinally movable inverted U-shaped sleeves. The sleeves move inboard and outboard on the base and move with respect to a centrally located cut-out on the base. The hanger head from the hanger extends through the cut-out. The base extends longitudinally over substantially the entire length of the hanger wire. In one embodiment, the sleeves are guided on the base by guides formed either at the lower edges of the sleeves or at the lower edges of the base. Inboard and outboard stops prevent the sleeves from being completely withdrawn from the base or being forced towards the apex of the hanger.

Abstract: The method of calibrating the volume plethysmograph designed to detect atherosclerosis includes selecting discrete levels of cuff pressure and placing the artery under study at those discrete levels of induced pressure with a closed pneumatic cuff system, substantially continually sensing cuff pressures at each discrete level and thereby sensing blood volume change through the artery, electronically determining when a certain number of representative blood volume change signals are substantially equivalent, changing the volume in the closed pneumatic system at each discrete cuff pressure by a predetermined volumetric amount after determining substantial equivalency, electronically generating a calibration signal or factor at each discrete cuff pressure based upon changed blood volume change signal and, correcting the blood volume change representative signal based upon the calibration signal or factor at each discrete level of pressure.

Abstract: The radio frequency (RF) security system includes a central control unit and a plurality of portable transmitters (up to 128 transmitters) which are in radio frequency communication with the central control unit. This communication is one-way from the portable transmitters to the central control unit. The central control unit and the portable transmitters both include microprocessors and associated memory. Each portable transmitter is assigned a unique unit binary code. In order to detect destruction of the transmitter unit, a powerline is imbedded in an elongated band which is placed on the wrist of a child or attached to an inanimate object. When the band is severed, the powerline is severed and the microprocessor in the portable transmitter is shut down. During normal operation (without the band being severed), the portable transmitter has an RF transmitting circuit which is fed the unique unit code and which frequency modulates (FM) the RF carrier signal with the unit code.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing a plurality of ultrasound images of ductolobular systems in a breast. The operator scans each particular duct system in the breast and saves these axial scan segments. Further, the operator scans the ductolobular systems transaxially. The imaging system, interactively with the operator, aligns the axial scan segments of the duct. This is accomplished by electronically noting the radial direction of the axial scan or by identifying two like image points on respective, sequential axial scan segments. A composite axial scan image in compiled by aligning multiple, sequential axial scan segments together. The associated transductal scan images are mapped to the axial scan segment. The composite axial scan image is displayed with a clockface template of the breast, a vertical, cross-section template of the breast and a three dimensional composite image of the breast.

Abstract: The snorkel with a strobe light includes a strobe light mounted in a casing. A transparent cap covers the light at the top of the casing. A controllable strobe circuit also mounted in the casing. The strobe circuit includes a user actuatable switch and a battery which, in connection with the strobe circuit, electrically drives the strobe light to provide periodic illumination. The casing includes a coupler which provides an interference fit over an upper region of the snorkel. The strobe light unit is removably attached to the top end of the snorkel via the coupler.

Abstract: The golf swing training device includes a position sensing unit, a tee mounted on a tee platform and a visual and audio response unit. A taut, movable cord is attached to the hip of the golfer and to the position sensing unit. The position sensing unit generates forward, rearward and fore-strike position signals based upon a forward optimal position, a rearward optimal position and an excessive forward position of the hip of the golfer. This excessive forward hip position is preferable immediately prior to striking the ball and corresponds to the fore-strike position signal. The visual and audio response unit, located adjacent the tee platform, visually indicates to the golfer when his or her hips exceed the forward optimal position, and the rearward optimal position. These are negative feedback signals.

Abstract: The raft with a water displacing floor includes at least one peripherally disposed, inflatable tube. The raft includes a flexible floor which has a larger spatial area than the spatial area of the raft when the peripheral tube is inflated. The floor is attached to the raft along the floor's peripheral regions. When the raft is in an elevated, horizontal, free-standing position, a lower region of the floor hangs at least a distance fifty percent greater than the vertical cross-sectional dimension of the inflated peripheral tube. In other embodiments, the floor hangs a distance more than the vertical cross-sectional dimension of the inflated tube. The raft can be configured using two vertically stacked peripheral tubes. In such construction, the floor is attached at the interface between the two vertically stacked tubes. The method of enhancing the buoyancy of the raft includes buoyantly supporting at least fifty percent of the loaded raft with a displacement of water caused by the floor.

Abstract: The bolt, in the one-way nut and bolt combination, includes a head, a stem, and bolt thread on said stern. A longitudinal channel is defined on the stem by a plurality of aligned notches extending through the crests of the threads. Each notch is defined by a radially aligned surface and an angularly displaced surface. The nut has a threaded bore that is complimentary to the bolt thread and includes at least one longitudinal cut-out. The nut further includes a compressible tine extending into the cut-out. The compressible tine has a body portion and a substantially radially aligned distal end portion. The distal end portion of the tine and the cut-out defines a narrow mouth leading to a wider throat deeper in the cut-out. The nut thread and the bolt thread cooperatively permit a user to translate the nut along the bolt threads by means of one-way rotation. The tine is alternately flexed inboard into the cut-out, by the bolt threads, and then released when the tine is disposed in the longitudinal channel.