Abstract: A gate operator which provides for an opening and closing movement of a gate in response to an external opening and closing signal. The gate operator of the invention cushions the movement and reduces the impact against a fixed member at the fully opened and/or fully closed positions with a magnetically operable gate repelling and gate attracting arrangement. The repelling and attracting arrangement functions as a switching system and comprises a first magnetically operable member, such as a permanent magnetic, on a fixed member at the end position, or otherwise on the gate, and an electromagnet on the other of the fixed member or gate. In this way, the magnetically operable system applies a momentary force to the gate in opposition to the movement to that end position and then releases the force to reduce impact with any abutment at that end position. The magnetic force is then reversed and provides a magnetic locking action when the gate is at that end position.

Abstract: A method of treating and reducing a drug dependency such as a nicotine dependency is provided. The method comprises initially administering to a subject a drug, such as nicotine or an agonist of the drug in an amount which would normally provide the desired pharmacologic effects and at least partially satiate the needs for the drug by a user. The method also comprises administering to the subject an antagonist to the drug or an agonist in an amount sufficient to at least partially block the pharmacologic effects of the drug or an agonist while there is a substantial amount of the drug or an agonist present in the system of the user. In one embodiment of the invention, the drug and the antagonist are administered substantially simultaneously so as to occupy a substantial portion of the receptors of the user for that drug thereby blocking or attenuating the effects of any further intake of the drug or an agonist thereof.

Abstract: A manually powered swimming pool cover drive for extending and retracting swimming pool covers and which includes a pair of overrunning one way clutch devices for intermittent coupled rotation with and also freewheeling about a drive shaft. A drum rotates with the drive shaft and allows winding of a cover about the drum when retracted from a covered position over a swimming pool. A pair of one way clutches may be trained around a drive shaft and coupled for rotating a cable reel allowing for the winding of cables used to extend a swimming pool cover. The respective pairs of overrunning, one-way clutches are reciprocated back and forth respectively in a type of indexing operation, manually and with long lever handles for rotating the drive shafts.

Abstract: Electronic and mechanical apparatus utilizing a voucher and game ticket combination used in the play of a sweepstakes promotional game. The voucher may represent any document, receipt, stamp, or the like which evidences an expenditure or otherwise has utilitarian value and includes a game ticket. This sweepstakes game is used as a marketing inducement to sell the voucher or coupon. Preferably, the apparatus is a dispenser which dispenses the voucher and the game ticket combination and, in so dispensing, automatically allows the play of a sweepstake game. The game ticket and the game apparatus function as an effective marketing inducement for a purchaser to acquire a particular voucher as, for example, a prepaid telephone card. In this way, the user will be able to access a telephone service. The voucher portion contains information on the use of the voucher and the game ticket portion of the voucher contains indicia relating to a play of the sweepstakes promotional game.

Abstract: A vehicle theft prevention and recovery system is activated by a pager upon receiving a telephonic signal from a pager service, in response to a call from a vehicle owner or operator, to activate anti-theft means including a warning to a thief in the vehicle, means for disabling the vehicle engine, and visual and audible alarm signal devices to identify the vehicle as stolen. The means for disabling the vehicle engine preferably disables the engine after a predetermined count-down warning to any occupant in the vehicle. In addition, the theft prevention and recovery system includes a light display on the exterior of the vehicle to warn outsiders of an impending vehicle disoperation. In addition, an embodiment is disclosed in which radar can be used from another source as, for example, a law enforcement vehicle, to trigger the operation of the vehicle disablement.

Abstract: An operator for an overhead door, such as a garage door, to raise and lower the door. The operator comprises a chain drive which is rotated about upper and lower pulleys and powered by a drive motor. Preferably, a pair of spaced apart drive chains are employed. A carriage is secured to the one or a pair of drive chains and is releasably connected to the drive chains by connecting blocks extending outwardly from the carriage. The garage door is thereupon secured to the carriage for raising and lowering movement thereof. Each drive chain includes one double-pitch link for connecting the ends of the chain to form a continuous loop. Each connecting block is provided with a releasable pin which extends into the double-pitch link for releasably securing the carriage to the drive chains. Removal of the pin for each drive chain will allow manual movement of the carriage and hence, the door.

Abstract: A system for generating and delivering various types of sensory effects to a fetus or so-called "fetal child" through a mother's abdomen and simultaneously allowing for the monitoring of the effects on the fetus. In a preferred embodiment, the system relies upon the generation of light of various intensities, wavelengths or color to provide certain types of stimulation to the fetus. Vibrations or magnetic effects can also be transmitted across the abdomen wall of the mother to the fetus. The system utilizes a belt which is worn about the abdomen of the mother and includes transducers located in the region of the fetal child for imparting the desired sensory effect. A stethoscope or like device can be mounted in and carried by the belt and is designed for juxtaposition to the abdomen and in proximity to the fetus. The stethoscope head piece can be worn by the mother to determine the effects of the stimulus on the fetus.

Abstract: A device and a related method for entrapping both flying or crawling insects such as mosquitos, fleas and ants and the like and which is effective in attracting such insects to the device when they become mired in a tacky entrapping composition. The device is constructed so that it can be easily stored when not in use. The device comprises a box-like arrangement having two halves which are hingedly connected to one another and which can be opened to form a pair of trays and expose an insect entrapping composition in each tray. A highly reflective foil surrounds a perimeter of each half or tray and which may be provided with a luminescent paint to attract the insects and a highly reflective peripheral flange surrounding each tray acts as a mirror surrounding the luminescent paint thereby further enhancing the attraction. When contacting the entrapping composition, the insects are thereupon mired in the entrapping composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain improvements in the art of keratometry and, more particularly, to the use of television techniques to determine the shape of the corneal surface of an eye in essentially real-time. Paired television images of diffuse reflections from the cornea are produced by projecting an infra-red illuminated pattern onto the cornea. These diffuse reflections are compared by triangulation to define the corneal contour. The resultant data are processed by a conventional microcomputer to derive surface contour for display, the shape data so generated in a form for instant use. Compensation for image brightness at each location is provided by altering projected image brightness to compensate for inherent non-linearity of diffuse image brightness versus position in the image plane. The liberalization reduces the complexity of the digital signal processing required for producing a contour map of the cornea.

Abstract: A method of treating and reducing a drug dependency such as a nicotine dependency is provided. The method comprises initially administering to a subject a drug, such as nicotine or another agonist of the drug in an amount which would normally provide the desired pharmacologic effects and at least partially satiate the needs for the drug by a user. The method also comprises administering to the subject an antagonist to the drug or its other agonist in an amount sufficient to at least partially block the pharmacologic effects of the drug or its other agonist while there is a substantial amount of the drug or other agonist present in the system of the user. In one embodiment of the invention, the drug and the antagonist are administered substantially, simultaneously so as to occupy a substantial portion of the receptors of the user for that drug thereby blocking or attenuating the effects of any further intake of the drug or other agonist.

Abstract: A patching composition in the form of a putty composition for application to concrete surfaces. The composition comprises a substantial portion of a conventional cement, such as a Portland cement, and a silica sand selected to have the right consistency and density along with calcium oxide. The composition is then mixed in water and applied to voids or holes in a concrete wall. The composition, when applied as a single coating and fully cured, results in an appearance similar to that of the concrete and provides strength characteristics substantially equivalent to that of the original concrete.

Abstract: A track assembly for allowing movement of a flexible enclosure cover over an area to be enclosed as, for example, a body of water in a swimming pool. The assembly comprises a pair of spaced apart tracks mounted on opposite sides of the area to be enclosed with each being comprised of an elongate strip. Each track strip comprises a cable receiving channel with a gutter or debris trough located generally beneath the channel for collection of debris. Preferably, a slider can be located in the cable receiving channel for locking to the cable and for securement of the cover to the cable. The track can be constructed to also allow for lubrication of the cable receiving channel enabling a slider mechanism to freely move therein. When a slider is used, it extends into each channel at approximately a 45.degree. angle with respect to a vertical direction.

Abstract: A pet animal odor absorbing mat comprising a mat or pad formed of a fibrous material, such as a cellulosic material, and which is integrally incorporated with a zeolite mineral during the manufacture of the mat. The pad or mat is primarily based on the cellulosic or other fibrous material such as for example, wood fiber. The wood fibers are mixed with a binding agent such as an acrylic latex or other animal non-toxic binder, and the zeolite while in somewhat of a semi-viscous and semi-liquid state and then allowed to harden. The mat is highly effective for use as a bottom layer in cat litter boxes to absorb both urine or other wetness and highly effective, in literally entrapping odors, such as those odors arising from pet animals. The mat thereupon simultaneously releases oxygen. This type of mineral has been found to be particularly effective in removing those odors arising both from the animal urine, as well as other animal excreta.

Abstract: An electronic gaming apparatus which preferably corresponds to and effectively electronically automates games of chance as, for example, that game of chance known as "Pull-Tab." The apparatus is generally played by a single player and is designed to dispense a ticket containing indicia thereon. A large number of tickets are in the apparatus and the player actuates the apparatus and obtains a dispensed ticket. If the indicia which appears on the ticket constitutes winning or scoring indicia, the player obtains a reward as, for example, a pay-off in money. Only a limited number of the tickets contain any winning or scoring indicia. All tickets are pre-printed and may be dispensed from a bin containing pre-cut tickets. Otherwise, the tickets may be severed from a strip in the form of a roll containing all of the tickets sequentially. The apparatus comprises a display means which displays each of the indicia on a ticket.

Abstract: A gate operator with an extensible actuating arm adapted for light to moderate gate passing traffic. The operator comprises a small drive unit, such as an electric motor drive, and a rotatable drive shaft, such as a worm shaft driven through operation of the motor. An extensible shaft or so-called ball race shaft, cooperates with the rotatable shaft and extends inwardly or outwardly in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft. A microprocessor operated control circuit is used with or forms part of the operator, and measures a number of counts generated by magnetic elements rotatable with the worm shaft, and which are equivalent to distance units of measurement. In this way, the distance on the opening and closing movement is measured and stored in the microprocessor, so that on subsequent movements, the gate can open and close to precisely the open and closed positions without stopping short of or banging into such end positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for recapping of syringe needles while substantially reducing the risk of injury to the user during the recapping thereof. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cap holder with a base and a weight distribution such that a cap retained in the cap holder is always oriented in an upright position with the upper end thereof being opened. In this way the user of the syringe, can release a needle from the syringe with one hand, and drop the needle into the syringe cap where a cover may thereupon be placed over the open end of the cap. Thereafter, the needle and cap-cover arrangement can be discarded. In another embodiment, a needle retaining element, such as a piece of gauze, foam or the like can be located in the needle cap such that when the needle is inserted into the gauze or foam, it will be at least partially grasped to thereby hold the needle while the user releases the needle from the syringe.

Abstract: A liner for animal feeders designed to receive dry and moist food and liquid beverage to be consumed by the animal. Most animal feeders usually comprise a tray or dish in the nature of a bowl to receive the dry food or liquid. The liner is sized and shaped to fit over the bowl and has a base wall and an enclosing side wall with an open top. The side wall integrally merges into a rim and a downwardly struck peripheral flange with the latter to engage the exterior surface of the animal feeder sidewall. A plurality of liners are nestable in each other and are capable of being packaged in the nested condition. The liners are formed of a paper type material such as a wax-coated paper. By virtue of this construction, they are made waterproof and also capable of being effectively and easily conformed to the shape and size of the bowl with which they are used.