Abstract: A crib sheet for retaining an infant in a central region of a crib or bed and preventing such an infant from displacing a blanket covering when unattended. The sheet includes a central pleat which extends along the entire sheet length and is sewed or otherwise fixed in a folded configuration at the ends thereof. A sleeper jacket is attached at an opening across the central pleat to form an integral sleeper unit. The extendable pleat between the fixed ends permits safe movement for the infant without binding the sheet or causing other discomfort.

Abstract: A photosensor system includes a housing in which are defined a primary passage, and a secondary passage intersecting the primary passage at substantially a right angle. A light source is disposed in the secondary passage to direct light toward the intersection of the passages, and a beam splitter plate is disposed at the intersection at about a 45.degree. angle with the primary passage to direct light from the light source toward one end of the primary passage. Disposed in that end of the primary passage is a lens for collimating the light rays and directing them outwardly of the housing. One side of the beam splitter plate contains a reflective finish or surface to reflect light impinging thereon, and the plate includes an aperture therein for allowing the passage of light. When light directed outwardly by the lens encounters a retroreflector, some of the light is reflected back through the lens and through the aperture in the beam splitter plate toward the other end of the primary passage.

Abstract: A power screwdriver for use with a flexible string of disconnected screws retained in head to tip orientation by attachment to a continuous length of plastic, paper or similar flexible material. The string of screws feeds into a rearward section of a reciprocating shaft of the power screwdriver where the screws are individually advanced into alignment with an engaging bit, the combination bit and shaft being continuously rotated during the course of use. As the forward screw is prepared for engagement by the rotating bit, the retaining plastic or similar material is severed, leaving the forward screw free for emplacement. The screw is engaged and advanced to a forward opening of the shaft by thrust pressure applied by the user to reciprocate the shaft rearward with respect to a power train which is keyed to continuously rotate the shaft and bit. When the thrust pressure is withdrawn, a spring compressed by the rearward motion of the shaft returns the shaft forward to a stable position.

Abstract: A field-effect transistor structure is utilized for detecting the concentration of oxygen in a substance to which the structure is exposed. The structure includes a semi-conductor substrate material having one doping polarity, a pair of spaced apart diffusion regions located at the surface of the substrate material and having a doping polarity opposite that of the substrate material, electrical insulator material overlying the diffusion regions and the surface of the substrate material lying therebetween, a membrane composed of an oxygen binding material overlying at least a portion of the insulator material, and a reference electrode connected in circuit with the diffusion regions and the substrate material. When the membrane is exposed to a substance containing oxygen, the work function of the membrane is changed and this change affects the conductivity between the two diffusion regions which may be measured to yield an indication of the concentration of oxygen in the substance.

Abstract: A timing control circuit for use in automatically and intermittently operating electrical appliances, such as lamps, for security purposes in homes, offices and other buildings. The circuit is adapted to plug into a conventional wall socket and to receive conventional two-prong plugs of electrical appliances. When enabled, the circuit intermittently applies power from the wall socket to a connected electrical appliance so that the appliance is turned on and off automatically over some period of time. The circuit includes manually operable switches to enable a user to select the intermittency or on-off pattern of operation of the appliance and the period of time over which such pattern is developed. Controlling turn-on and turn-off of lamps, radios, or the like gives the appearance of occupancy of a dwelling and therefore discourages would be burglars and prowlers.

Abstract: A window structure adapted for easy placement in and removal from a conventional window frame. The window structure includes a generally planar, rectangular window pane constructed of glass, acrylic resin, or the like. Also included are four frame members, each having a slot extending longitudinally therein to receive the edge of the window pane. Two of the frame members are dimensioned for placement on the top and bottom edge of the window pane and the other two frame members are dimensioned for placement on either side edge of the window pane. An elongate, wire element formed with a plurality of bends is placed in the slot of each frame member to bias the frame member away from the edge of the window pane and against periphery defining walls of the window frame to securely hold the window structure therein. The window pane includes four apertures each located near a different edge of the pane about midway along the lengths thereof.

Abstract: A portable data recorder for recording time-related information on tape cassettes. The recorder includes a briefcase shell in which the other components are mounted, a keyboard having a plurality of keys each of which, when depressed, produces a signal, and a plurality of key lines each coupled to a different one of the keys for carrying the signals produced thereby. A multiplexer, under control of a microprocessor, sequentially samples the key lines and transfers to the microprocessor any signals present on the key lines. The microprocessor then records on a cassette recorder data indicating whether or not a signal was present on each of the key lines sampled, and the time of sampling the key lines. The multiplexer successively samples the plurality of key lines so that both the identity of the keys depressed and the time duration of depression of the keys are recorded.

Abstract: A portable mixer includes a generally cylindrical housing open at one end thereof, and a mixer blade disposed to rotate within the housing. Located at the other end of the housing is a driven pulley coupled by a belt to a drive pulley mounted on a motor. The driven pulley is coupled through the end of the housing to the mixer blade so that when the driven pulley is rotated, the mixer blade is caused to rotate. The mixer blade includes an elongate, generally flat member which is disposed to rotate in a plane defined by the opening in the housing so that when the housing is placed upon a flat surface, the elongate member rotates just above the surface.

Abstract: A wearable heart rate monitor includes a wrist cuff or strap suitable for being placed about the wrist of a person, a display housing mounted on the wrist cuff, a pressure transducer element also mounted on the wrist cuff at a position to cover the radial artery when the wrist cuff is placed about the wrist, and logic circuitry disposed in the display housing for producing an indication of the pulse rate of the individual wearing the wrist cuff. The pressure transducer element detects expansion and contraction of the radial artery and applies a signal to the logic circuitry which then produces a visual display of the pulse rate.

Abstract: A support and cover restraining device for holding refuse containers including a post with mounting brackets for attaching a plurality of refuse containers and a guide rod projecting from the top of the post for mounting support arm structure having container covers attached at opposing ends thereof. The support arm structure includes first and second support arms attached to form a bowed structure. Central openings in the respective support arms permit placement on the guide rod and provide a separation distance between the respective openings to maintain the arms in a pivotal, radial orientation with respect to the post axis. A coil spring is positioned around the guide rod and between the respective support arms to impose a downward biasing force to maintain the lids in a closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a three-dimensional picture suitable for use with television systems. A set of representations of differing cross-sections of a scene is displayed on one or more display screens. These displayed representations are optically stacked along a common optical axis by an arrangement of beam splitters to form a composite three-dimensional picture. At least one positive lens is included within the apparatus for repositioning the composite picture forward toward a viewing audience. A method and apparatus are also disclosed for enlarging the picture, minimizing translucency therein and developing multiple viewing locations for increasing audience enjoyment.

Abstract: The invention comprises a connector which can be detachably fastened at one end to the rear of a sock at or above the heel region and which can be detachably fastened at the other end to the outside of the rear or heel region of a shoe. This connector, when fastened, completely restrains riding or sliding of the sock into the shoe.

Abstract: Apparatus for propagating electrical signals through a conducting dielectric fluid such as salt water includes a pair of electrodes, one of which is a point electrode composed of a nipple or finger-like member, and the other of which is a plane electrode composed of an annular plate. The two electrodes are immersed in the conducting dielectric fluid and spaced apart along an axis and then electrical energy is applied to the two electrodes to produce a varying voltage therebetween. The voltage difference is modulated in accordance with information to be transmitted and, as a result, a time-varying polarization field is produced in the conducting medium and this field propagates through the medium.