Abstract: An improved electric cow trainer having a plurality of training members, each associated with a separate animal stall, is described. The design of the present invention permits all of the training members to be simultaneously rotated between their operating position just above the backs of the cows when they are standing in the stall to a second, elevated position well above the heads of people working in the barn. In this second position, the training members are neither a nuisance or dangerous to those working in the barn.

Abstract: An improved fishing mitt comprised of a main body and a double cuff is disclosed. The main body includes eight separate layers for warmth. The main body also has two adjoining break-apart edges so that the mitt can be peeled back over the forearm to expose the hand when landing a fish.

Abstract: A hydrophobic microporous membrane substrate can be coated with a plasma polymerizate coating in order to reduce the pore size of the substrate to a size smaller than the original pore size but not less than about 10 A. By selecting the particular plasma polymerizate coating, the surface of the substrate may be rendered either hydrophilic or hydrophobic, while the body of the substrate retains the substrate's original properties of mechanical strength and chemical resistance. Three different methods of applying plasma polymer coatings by plasma polymerization techniques are disclosed. These membranes are suitable for separating particulate larger than about 10 A from solutions. These membranes in the form of hollow fibers can be incorporated into separatory modules.

Abstract: A shear mechanism for cutting worn out vehicle tires into arcuate segments to facilitate storage and transportation. First and second vertically extending anvil members are mounted on a base in parallel, spaced-apart relationship to one another. The anvil members include removable female die members. Pivotally joined to the base is a blade member, the blade member also having a replaceable working edge. The blade is driven by a hydraulic ram and when a tire is positioned against the anvil and the ram is actuated, the blade will move into the gap between the spaced-apart anvil members and, in doing so, will sever through the side walls and tread surface of the vehicle tire.

Abstract: A method of attaching a plastic hub member to the proximal end of a Teflon-lined thermoplastic tubular catheter so as to prevent delamination of the Teflon lining at the site of the attachment. The thermoplastic outer layer of the tubular catheter is removed in a grinding operation for a predetermined distance from the proximal end of the tube to expose a short length of the Teflon lining. Next, a spinning forming tool is forced against the proximal end of the tubular catheter causing the exposed Teflon lining to be rolled back over the outer surface of the thermoplastic tube. Next, the proximal end of the catheter is inserted into the bore of the hub and because the Teflon layer has been rolled over the end portion of the tubular catheter, it is trapped against an internal flange formed in the catheter hub when the hub is adhesively bonded to the exterior of the thermoplastic layer and prevented from delaminating and possibly occluding the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: An article of footware comprising a shoe having a removable and replaceable heel. Attached to the sole surface of the shoe's upper is a outwardly projecting shaft which is adapted to fit into an internal bore formed in the core of the shoe's heel member. A latch mechanism is provided for inhibiting unintended separation of the heel from the upper.

Abstract: An anti-sway system for a steerable vehicle of the type employing a torsion bar suspension system. Operatively coupled to the torsion bar for each of the vehicle's steerable wheels or skis is a mechanism for increasing the effective spring rate of the suspension upon cornering over that prevailing when steering a straight line course.

Abstract: A wide dynamic range digital receiver for radar or sonar applications wherein the wide dynamic range is achieved by increasing the sampling rate of the received signals through the use of a special purpose microprogrammed digital receiver processor implemented with a plurality of processing elements especially designed for performing sum of products' computations on a pipelined basis. The processing elements utilize VHSIC technology to achieve multiplication of two 24-bit operands at nanosecond rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying air tanks of the type typically used by underwater scuba divers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a harness used to transport such tanks to or from a boat, a car or a vendor used to fill such tanks with air.

Abstract: Described is a surgical tool having a unique blade comprised of a blank made of electrically conductive material, a first insulative member, a plurality of electrically conductive members laminated to the first and insulative member and a second insulative coating. The blade acts as a capacitive device or as a resistive device depending upon the precise configuration of the second insulative coating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for suppressing the ventricular component from an atrial sensing lead used with a dual chamber cardiac pacer, thus obviating the need for an atrial sense refractory period to prevent oversensing of the ventricular interference. The invention utilizes an adaptive filter embodying the Widrow-Hoff least mean square (LMS) algorithm which is connected to receive signals from an endocardial lead having a bipolar ventricular electrode and a unipolar atrial electrode. The bipolar electrodes disposed in the ventricle are connected as the "input" X.sub.k signal to the LMS adaptive filter while the unipolar atrial electrode output is connected as the "desired" or reference signal d.sub.k.

Abstract: A tachyarrhythmia/fibrillation detector in which the Widrow-Hoff LMS algorithm is utilized for estimation of a transfer function. One or more LMS cancellers are placed between two separate sensing electrode pairs placed in or on the heart and by noting the convergence of the error signal or the lack thereof the type of tachyarrhythmia or a ventricular fibrillation condition can be discerned. With sinus rhythm, the error signal is small in power compared to the power of the desired response. With ventricular fibrillation, however the filter weights are unable to converge to cause the filter output signal to track desired signal and the filter output waveform becomes asynchronous with the desired response, yielding a detectably high error power.

Abstract: A refrigeration device includes an enclosed housing and a framework in the housing supporting an endless conveyor for movement in a helical path between inlet and outlet openings formed in the housing. Items of prepared food are provided to the housing at the inlet, then frozen as they are serially conveyed toward the outlet. The conveyor support framework includes pairs of radially inward and radially outward uprights, with elongate rods arranged radially and in a helical path between pairs of the uprights. Two flexible steel bands, provided with spaced apart apertures to slidably accommodate the rods, are installed upon the rods in concentric helixes. Low friction strips are installed with the bands and support the conveyor with respect to the bands.

Abstract: A pulmonary diagnostic apparatus includes a personal computer including a memory for storing expected values, each representing a predicted normal level for a pulmonary function. A parameter limit file stores abnormality limits, each related to one of the expected values. A configuration file contains a plurality of degree of severity labels and numerical breakpoints between severity degrees. Finally, a statement data file contains a plurality of textual statements concerning lung functions and diseases or conditions. The three files are operatively associated with the computer. Lung function measuring equipment also is connected to the computer, whereby measured values are compared with the expected values. Based on the comparison, the computer generates an output identifying certain measured values as abnormal, and the degree of abnormality. Also, appropriate statements from the statement data file are generated as output, based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A pressure cooker for use in microwave ovens includes a microwave permeable bowl shaped container, a microwave permeable dome cover, and a steel locking ring permanently attached to the cover for maintaining the container and cover in fluid-tight seal during use. A safety valve, formed of flexible tubing, encounters a projection of the container and is deformed into a closed configuration responsive to movement of the cover, relative to the container, toward a locking position. A pressure regulator valve, consisting of a metal core surrounded by an elastically deformable casing, is positioned over a pressure control opening in the cover to maintain a selected operating pressure level in the pressure cooker. A pressure indicator and relief assembly, contained in a pressure release opening through the cover, indicates positive pressure in the chamber and is ejected in the event of an abnormally high pressure inside the housing.

Abstract: An underwater acoustical transducer includes an annular, spring steel band supporting a diaphragm of a woven fabric held taut by the band. A flexible piezoelectric transducing element is attached with respect to the band, typically in contiguous relation to a portion of the fabric overlying the radially outward surface of the band. The transducing element can include an electrically conductive core surrounded by flexible piezoelectric material, or alternatively, a substantially flat strip of flexible piezoelectric material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cylindrical balloon mounted near the distal tip of a percutaneous transluminal laser angioplasty catheter. Proximal and distal neck sections of the balloon are sealed to the catheter tubing, and a balloon inflation lumen originating at the tubing proximal end is open to the balloon interior. An elongate cylindrical body of the balloon is joined to the distal neck by a substantially transverse distal wall. As the balloon dilates in response to fluid under pressure supplied to the lumen, the distal wall tends to position the distal neck and distal end of the catheter tubing in centered, coaxial relation to the balloon body.