Abstract: A tank washer comprising a housing which supports reciprocating spray nozzles for spaying the walls of a tank which is to be cleaned with a cleaning liquid. The reciprocation of the spray nozzles is controlled by a piston that reciprocates in the housing under the force of the cleaning liquid. A piston assembly for use in a tank washer comprising a piston head and a connecting rod having one end connected to said piston head. The piston is mounted in a piston chamber for reciprocation.

Abstract: An intraocular lens assembly and method. The assembly comprises an optic disc and an annulus surrounding the optic disc. Hinges connect the optic disc to the annulus to permit anterior and posterior movement of the optic disc relative to the annulus in response to contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle so that the eye accommodates to focus on a near object. The method comprises the steps of placing in the posterior chamber an optic disc and an annulus. The annulus surrounds the optic disc and is connected to it by hinges that permit anterior and posterior movement of the optic disc relative to annulus in response to contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscle whereby said eye accommodates to focus on a near object.

Abstract: A chair back assembly where the connectors for connecting the elements comprising the back assembly are hidden from view. The assembly includes a chair back having a lateral edge. First and second elements are connected to each other and to the chair back. One of the first and second elements connected to the remainder of the chair and means are provided for connecting the first and second elements to each other and to the chair back where the means for connecting the first and second elements to each other and to the chair back are hidden from view.

Abstract: An ergonomic chair comprising a frame having outer and inner peripheries and an upper surface. A mesh supporting surface is supported on the outer periphery of the frame. The mesh supporting surface deflects to at least a first predetermined angle when a person is sitting on the chair. The inner periphery of the frame is located below the angle of deflection of the mesh so that the mesh does not engage the inner periphery when it supports a person sits on the chair.

Abstract: A flexible chair back comprising a back supporting surface that is defined by a plurality of generally downwardly directed curvilinear shaped openings arranged in a vertical array. Each of the curvilinear openings is around the next adjacent lower curvilinear opening so that they define a plurality of upwardly directed back supporting members. The back supporting members bend to follow the curvature of the back.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a larger person to assist a smaller disabled person to learn to stand and to walk while keeping the hands of both persons free for other tasks. The apparatus comprises two body harnesses and a foot harness. One of the body harnesses is worn by the larger person and the second body harness is worn by the smaller person. The foot harness is worn by both persons. The first and second harnesses are connected to each other to enable the smaller person to have substantial freedom of movement while the larger person supports and assists the smaller person to walk. A apparatus for enabling a larger person to assist a smaller disabled person to learn to stand and walk while keeping the hands of both persons free for other tasks. The apparatus comprises a harness which is worn by the larger person. The harness is connected to the smaller person so that the smaller person has substantial freedom of movement while the larger person assists the smaller person to walk.

Abstract: An improved method and subconjunctival device for causing the eye to focus on a near object. The device automatically changes the focal length of the eye in response to a changing of the length of the medial rectus muscle or the inferior rectus muscle so that the eye can focus on a near object. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery and includes an electrode for stimulating the ciliary muscle as the length of the medial rectus muscle or the inferior rectus muscle changes.

Abstract: An upholstery furniture item comprising a casing of flexible non-air permeable material filled with a spherical beads of expanded polystyrene that flow around the body of a person seated in the item to closely follow the contours of the body as described earlier. In the bottom of the casing is an airtight inflatable air chamber for compensating for volume changes that arise from the crushing or abrading of the beads after repeated uses. Flexible elastic members are provided to help the furniture item retain its shape.

Abstract: An alpha-numeric character telecommunications address assignment system which distinguishes between first and second telecommunication addresses which are identified by the same alpha-numeric characters appearing in the same order by including a symbol having a distinctive symbol dialtone intermediate the ends of one of said addressees where the symbol dialtone is not used in an alpha-numeric telecommunications address assignment system so that either the first or second addresses can be selectively accessed by the selective use of the symbol dialtone.

Abstract: A laminating device for manufacturing a laminated printed circuit board comprising a frame that supports sets of heated rollers along the path of movement of said laminated circuit boards while they are being manufactured. Each of said sets of rollers including two rollers. The rollers on one side of the path of travel of the printed circuit board blank are driven to move the blank through the device. The rollers are heated, and means are provided for selectively moving the rollers in each of said sets of rollers toward and away from each other to apply pressure to said printed circuit board blank.

Abstract: An ergonomic chair having a shell that defines a seat and a back. The shell includes a lower back support that extends upwardly from the rear of its seat to about the middle of the back of the chair. An upper back support also extends upwardly from the rear of its seat. The upper and lower back supports can be resiliently flexed independently of each other to respond to movement of the user's back against the back. The shell is mounted to a base which enables multiple identical chairs to be telescopically stacked in a space-saving configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the density of the solids separated from a feed slurry by selectively recirculating the separated liquid component of the feed slurry to change the feed slurry's density when an unwanted density of the separated solids is detected. Further, the efficiency of the separation is increased by recirculating and recharging unused catalyst into the feed slurry where it is used to assist in the separation of the solids.

Abstract: An armrest to be connected to a chair. The armrest can be moved laterally so that the chair can accommodate people of different body widths. The armrest can be pivoted through a plurality of locations in a plane that is generally parallel to the seat of the chair to support the forearm of the person sitting. Additionally, the armrest can be raised and lowered to accommodate both tall and short people since their elbows are respectively further from and closer to the seat.

Abstract: A device for displaying a projected image comprising a housing having a rear projection screen, a projector and a plurality of reflectors. The projector and the reflectors define a projection path that is longer than the depth of the housing.

Abstract: A keratotomy apparatus that comprises a plurality of plates. One of the plates is kept on the eye during the keratotomy. The other plates support corneal thickness sensors and guides that enable both radial and arcuate keratotomy cuts to be made. A keratotomy knife that has cams that cooperate with camming surfaces to guide the keratotomy knife. A keratotomy method comprises the steps of measuring the thickness of the cornea, providing a plurality of keratotomy knife guides, positioning the keratotomy knife guides over the cornea, and making the keratotomy cuts in the cornea.

Abstract: An ophthalmic template that is used for cutting an opening in the anterior capsule of the eye. It comprises a first member that has the same shape as the opening that is to be cut. A vacuum selectively retains the first member on the anterior capsule. A conduit introduces irrigating fluid into the anterior chamber to keep it formed. A method of making an opening in the anterior capsule of the eye including the steps of placing a template on the anterior capsule in the place where the opening is to be made, retaining the template in place, and removing the portion of said anterior capsule adjacent to the template.

Abstract: A collapsible container having a base, side wall and a cap. The base includes means for supporting an article to be carried. The side wall is supported on the base and is enclosed by the cap. When the container is collapsed, the cap can engage the base so that a container of reduced size is formed. Further, a side wall for collapsible container is provided where the side wall is comprised of a plurality of sections that are interconnected for relative pivotal movement between adjacent interconnected sections so that they can be folded on each other. The folded sections can be placed on the base, the cap attached, and the collapsed container can be stored or shipped.

Abstract: A lighting fixture that has two light sources and a reflector that reflects each light source up to seven times to provide high efficiency and uniform illumination. At some angles some of the reflections are blocked by the two light sources so that depending on the angle, more or less light sources are available for illumination. A method of providing efficient and uniform illumination. The method comprises providing two light sources and then reflecting each of them in two steps to create a total of sixteen light sources. At some angles some of the reflections are blocked by the two light sources so that depending on the angle, more or less light sources are available for illumination.