Abstract: A ski-sled preferably formed of a single, unitary piece of molded plastic, resulting in a lightweight, durable, inexpensive and readily mass-produced item. The unitary ski-sled consists of three major components: an elongated runner, a seat, and specially designed vertical support members extending between and integrally connecting the top of the runner with the bottom of the seat. The article of manufacture may also include a strut or ridge extending along the longitudinal centerline of the runner for reinforcement purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which permits a power utility to have direct control of customers loads (CD) with a view toward facilitating enablement of a load management philosophy which includes peak shaving and load deferral. A master control station (MCS), which comprises a programmable microprocessor-based central controller, is in two-way communication with a plurality of substation injection units (SIU), one of each of which is positioned at a separate substation of the power utility. Each substation injection unit (SIU), under the control of its own microprocessor, responds to master control signals from the master control station (MCS) to inject a pulse code signal onto the power lines of the utility. The system includes a plurality of remote receiver units (RRU) which are positioned at and connected to control the on and off times of customer loads (CD).

Abstract: A method and apparatus which permits a power utility to have direct control of customers loads (CD) with a view toward facilitating enablement of a load management philosophy which includes peak shaving and load deferral. A master control station (MCS), which comprises a programmable microprocessor-based central controller, is in two-way communication with a plurality of substation injection units (SIU), one of each of which is positioned at a separate substation of the power utility. Each substation injection unit (SIU), under the control of its own microprocessor, responds to master control signals from the master control station (MCS) to inject a pulse code signal onto the power lines of the utility. The system includes a plurality of remote receiver units (RRU) which are positioned at and connected to control the on and off times of customer loads (CD).

Abstract: A fault detector for detecting shoot-through conditions in series connected solid state rectifiers (326, 329) of a power inverter (314) is disclosed. A capacitor (311) discharges when a shoot-through occurs and the discharge current is detected by a current transformer (315). An SCR (317) is gated on by the detector to short circuit the DC bus (327, 328) and prevent damage to the solid state rectifiers (326, 329).

Abstract: A rectifier controller for controlling bridge connected silicon control rectifiers (SCRs) (1 to 6) of a three-phase rectifier which is used to supply a direct current (DC) voltage to an inverter (314) used for injecting pulse coded audio frequency signals on a power line. The controller supplies gate control signals to the SCRs (1 to 6) of the rectifier bridge in accordance with the envelope of the three-phase supply voltages and provides for protection of the inverter (314) when shoot-through conditions occur in the inverter (314) and provides for output DC voltage adjustment by controlling the firing time of the rectifier bridge SCRs.

Abstract: A shoe sole construction which features an outer sole (18) having at least one opening (26) through which a protrusion (30) of a less dense midsole (16) extends. The cutout area (26) of the more dense outsole (18) decreases the overall weight of the sole (12), while the less dense protrusion (30) aids in cushioning the foot to provide greater comfort and support. Other protrusions (32 and 68) may also be provided through other openings in the outsole to further lessen weight and increase the cushioning effect on the foot. Additionally, grooves (42) may be provided on the upper surface (40) of the midsole (16) to increase flexibility of the sole (12) and further aid in cushioning the foot and providing peripheral support were needed. The invention may be applied to athletic shoes (FIGS. 1-9), a woman's high-heeled shoe (FIGS. 10-14), or other footwear.

Abstract: Compression and elevation apparatus particularly designed for use by an athlete immediately after sustaining a soft-tissue injury, and which also may be used during subsequent treatment of the injury. The apparatus comprises a substantially rectangular tank having a pair of apertures on opposed, parallel sides thereof, one aperture being positioned higher than the other. A waterproof, flexible tubing, such as rubber, is connected between the apertures and is adapted to receive the injured arm or leg. Immediately after sustaining an injury, the user inserts his injured limb through the tube and the tank is filled with a mixture of water and ice, which results in immediate cold compression on the injured limb while being maintained in an elevated position. During subsequent treatment, the tank may be filled with hot water to provide heat treatment for the limb, or two tanks, one having hot water and one having cold water, may be used for contrast therapy.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the potential level of the electromagnetic field present between a reference point and a test point of a living organism is disclosed. A reference electrode provides a first signal indicative of the potential level of the electromagnetic field at the reference point. A test electrode provides a second signal indicative of the potential level of the electromagnetic field at the test point. More than one test electrode and corresponding second signals can be employed. An analog-to-digital converter responsive to the first and second signals generates a digital signal as a function of the potential difference between the first and second signals. A processor provides an output signal indicative of a parameter or parameters of the living organism as a function of the digital signal. In addition, a low pass filter can be provided ahead of the analog-to-digital converter for filtering out undesired charges and alternating current signals from the first and second signals.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprising an electrically insulating housing, an overcurrent sensor in the housing, a stationary and a movable contact in the housing, and a latch mechanism coupled to the movable contact. The latch mechanism is tripped in response to a sensed overcurrent; an overcenter spring is coupled to the movable contact for opening and closing the contacts with a snap action when the latch mechanism is tripped. An elongated handle member extends through a handle opening in the housing and is movable axially between a contacts open position and a contacts closed position. Handle link means couples the handle member to the latch mechanism and translates a longitudinal movement of the handle member into a rotational movement of the handle link to urge the latch mechanism into the contacts closed position.

Abstract: A baffle system for use on a plate for mass transfer operations comprises at least one channel, the surface of the channel through which a two-phase mixture of liquid and vapor leaves the channel having a plurality of holes. A deflector is immediately adjacent to each hole, and the deflector is in line to deflect the two-phase mixture towards one end of the channel. A liquid return zone is defined by the space between two channels and laterally adjacent to each other. Disengaged liquid from the two-phase mixture collects in the liquid return zones and passes through slots in the channel sides to re-enter the channel. The baffle system has an inlet weir which blocks off one end of the or each two-phase channel, so that inlet liquid is fed to the liquid return zones. An outlet weir blocks off the other end of the or each two-phase channel and the liquid return zones.

Abstract: A cable assembly having a shielded conductor and a method of making same. The shielded conductor is formed by bonding a thin layer of conductive material to the outer surface of an insulated wire. The bonding may be achieved by coating the outside surface of the insulated wire with a metallic particle and solvent solution, and then heating the coated wire to flash off the solvent and achieve the desired bond. The outer conductive layer may be grounded by positioning grounding means adjacent thereto prior to encapsulation in an outer insulating jacket. The grounding means preferably takes the form of a center ground wire surrounded by a semi-conductive material whose outer diameter is substantially the same as that of the shielded conductor. The semi-conductor material contacts the outer conductive layer along its length, and physical and electrical contact is maintained by the outer jacket.

Abstract: A multi-conductor transmission cable which includes a plurality of parallel conductors each of which may be insulated with a relatively low loss, high velocity of propagation material. The insulations surrounding an adjacent conductor pair may be joined by a homogeneous integrally formed EMF window web formed of the same material as the insulations. The thickness and length of the window webs are selected to control the electromagnetic interference between the conductor pair, as well as the impedance and capacitance. Individual, uninsulated screen conductors may be positioned between adjacent conductor pairs to further minimize EMF interference. The insulated conductors, their EMF window webs, and the uninsulated screen conductors may be encapsulated by either upper and lower layers of laminated insulation or by an extruded outer layer formed of a material having a velocity of propagation different from the conductors' insulations.

Abstract: A ball game for indoor use comprising a playing surface or a court, a netting, rackets or bats, and a ball. The length of the court is between 1.5 feet and 6.5 feet. Each racket has a handle arranged at an angle with respect to the striking face of the racket. The edge portion of the striking face of the racket is provided with a sliding surface designed to contact the court during the game. The diameter of the ball is between 3/8" and 11/4", and the weight of the ball is between 0.0035 and 0.0180 oz.

Abstract: A communication system which supplements a hotel's in-house cable or off-air TV signal distribution network for permitting locally originated video messages, which may be commercial in nature, to automatically interrupt the regular TV signals on each of the TV receivers in the rooms of the hotel. The local signal may be generated by means of pre-recorded tapes played on a video tape player or, alternatively, may be generated from a live broadcast using a TV camera located, for example, in the lounge of the hotel. The locally generated TV signal, which is of a predetermined frequency, is frequency converted into as many frequencies as may be received by the TV receivers in the hotel establishment. An electronic timer may automatically and periodically interrupt the regular TV signals being received with the locally generated signal for a predetermined time period which may be set, for example, to correspond with the regular network commercial interruptions.

Abstract: An inverter controller for controlling a three-phase inverter used for generation and subsequent injection of pulse code signals on power lines in a utility load management system is disclosed. The controller includes read-only-memory devices (208, 210) for generating address bus information, read-only-memory devices (212, 214, 216) for generating gate control signals for inverter main valve SCRs, and read-only-memory devices (236, 238) for generating timing sequence control signals. The controller is responsive to microprocessor initiated control signals and features a state machine design.