Abstract: An unlocking device for a supplemental door lock of the ball hook and U-shaped catch type is disclosed. The unlocking device consists of a thin elongated resilient member. The resilient member is designed to engage the perpendicular corner formed by the standard door stop and associated door jamb. The resilient member has a resilient integral compression recoil arm that exerts force on the U-shaped catch as the door is closed. Upon closing the door, the resilient member causes the U-shaped catch to release the ball hook.

Abstract: A sign assembly particularly useful for point of purchase displays is provided. The sign assembly provides an easily changeable sign portion, but when mounted remains securely in position. The sign assembly may utilize pre-existing structures for its support.

Abstract: A portable infant protective bed for protecting an infant especially when sleeping in close proximity to a sleeping adult is disclosed. The bed is sized to accommodate an infant and is provided with a resilient bumper member around the perimeter of the bed. The resilient bumper is provided with spring-loaded switch activation members as part of an alarm assembly that is so configured to sense if an adult rolls on to the bumper member, the alarm either sounds a loud alarm or vigorously vibrates the bumper member, or both, if desired.

Abstract: A device useful in slicing a melon is provided by the present invention. The device includes an elongated stand for holding the melon in a detachable cutting station with a cutting blade member and a movable butt plate that is adjustable to provide melon slices of the desired width. The device includes a blade retaining member to keep the blade member in an upright position while the melon is moved forward after each slice to contact the butt plate. The device is easily adaptable for both left handed and right handed operation. The device is especially useful for making transverse slices of the desired width of elongated melons such as a watermelon in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A puller useful in removing a pulley assembly from a crankshaft is provided by the present invention. The puller is particularly useful for removing a multiple pulley assembly where the pulleys may be damaged as a result of too much force on the outer part of the pulley. The puller is easily mounted in very tight locations and applies a force to the pulley assembly along the hub of the pulley so as not to damage the pulleys.

Abstract: A truck has been adapted to receive the unloading device of the present invention. The unloading device includes a removable rotatable jib frame which is mounted on the partition walls of the truck. An elongated hollow lever arm member is attached to the jib frame for unloading a load. The lever arm member utilizes a mechanical advantage for unloading a load. It incorporates a braking system together with a chain retraction system for ease in safety of operation.

Abstract: A collapsible, portable, one person log lifting and supporting device is disclosed for use as a saw-aide to raise and support one end of the log for ease in sawing the log. The device includes an inverted substantially U-shaped frame, sized to encompass the diameter of a log to be sawed. The removable stabilizer bars are provided for stability for the frame when raising and supporting one end of the log to be sawed. A reel is included which is operably attached to one end of the cable and when operated raises and lowers the log to be sawed.

Abstract: A brushless direct current motor with minimized current ripple and a method is disclosed. The motor system includes commutation current control for controlling the rate of turn-off of the current flowing in the phase being turned-off while simultaneously controlling the rate of turn-on of the current flowing in the phases being excited. This minimizes torque ripple in the motor.

Abstract: Voltage slew-rate control for inductive load connected to the drain of an insulated gate enhancement mode field effect transistor is disclosed. The voltage slew-rate control is accomplished by incorporating a current integrator between the gate and drain of the field effect transistor, thereby effectively annihilating the capacitance of the field effect transistor which has heretofore proven to be generally responsible for instability and oscillations when slew-rate control is attempted in such a circuit. The current integrator includes a capacitor and a current source in circuit with a high speed unity gain buffer amplifier. The buffer amplifier preferably has a low impedance through the frequencies of interest to prevent the natural resonances of stray capacitances with the inductive load.

Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement of electrical properties of a semiconductor wafer is disclosed. A top contact mercury probe for contacting the upper surface of a wafer body is provided. The mercury probe is held by a kinematically stable probe arm which provides for very controlled movement of the mercury probe. A semiconductor wafer body horizontal and rotational movement system is provided for moving the wafer body to provide mapping capability. A top side return contact for doing measurements on wafer bodies with insulating substrates is disclosed. The top side return contact is also provided with a self-levelling and raising function, which ensures the bottom surface of the contact member to intimately contact the upper surface of the wafer body when desired, and also to raise the contact member off the wafer body when the bottom contact underneath the wafer is utilized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measurement of electrical properties of a dielectric layer on a semiconductor wafer body is disclosed. The apparatus supports the semiconductor wafer body in position and two electrical contacts are utilized, one of which is a probe tip having a uniformly flat contact portion. Means are provided for establishing a planar contact between the flat contact portion of the probe tip and the dielectric layer of the semiconductor wafer. Measurements of the electrical properties of the dielectric layer can then be made without the use of patterned mesas.

Abstract: A starting and operating apparatus and method for a sensorless, brushless direct current motor is disclosed. During start-up, the excitation to the motor is turned off while the slope of the differential back electromotive force of the floating phases is sampled. This indicates when the proper rotation and torque of the motor is obtained. After starting the motor, the apparatus samples the slope of the back electromotive force of the floating coils and finds a zero or predetermined slope condition which has been found to be near the optimum switching point for commutation from one phase to the next. A masking circuit is included to prevent an unwanted commutation immediately after commutating to the next phase.

Abstract: A safety stirrup particularly adaptable to a western-type saddle is disclosed. The safety mechanism of the stirrup is entirely hidden and outwardly appears to be a standard stirrup. The stirrup utilizes a camming mechanism to release the foot portion of the stirrup upon a rider being in an unnatural position to prevent possibility of serious injury.

Abstract: A circular lamella clarifier is disclosed having a radially extending lip member to provide optimum flow straightening prior to entering the gap separation between the stacked lamella members. Other features of the circular lamella clarifier such as preferred gap separation is disclosed. A method for making the lamella members is disclosed.