Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the movement of an electronic image on a video display includes a base member, a seat for an operator, a support assembly for mounting the seat on the base member in facing relation to the video display, such that the seat can be tilted relative to the base member. Two handles project upwardly from the base member, adjacent respective opposed sides of the seat for being grasped by the operator in the seat to impart tilting movement thereto by shifting the weight of the operator in a direction corresponding to a desired directional movement of the image. A plurality of electrical switches are provided for sensing the tilting movement of the seat and for generating an electrical signal indicative thereof. Video game control circuitry is responsive to the discrete electrical signal for moving the electronic image in response to the tilting movement of the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for monitoring the location of a person and for determining whether the person is in distress. The apparatus includes a transmitter and a transceiver, which are adapted to be worn at different locations on the person's body. The transmitter normally transmits a first electromagnetic signal, which is detectable by the transceiver and by at least one remote receiver. When the person is in distress, the transmitter transmits a second electromagnetic signal in lieu of the first signal. The transceiver is responsive to the second signal for generating a third electromagnetic signal, which also indicates that the person is in distress. The remote receiver is responsive to either or both of the second and third signals for generating an alarm signal indicating the distress condition.

Abstract: A device for supporting and transporting an injured person includes a generally rectangular board for supporting the person in a supine position. The board is formed of a radiolucent material and has relatively flat opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed first and second sides and opposed first and second ends. The board has a plurality of slots spaced longitudinally along the board between the top and bottom surfaces. Each of the slots is adapted to receive a radio-imaging plate with the plate oriented substantially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces for anterior/posterior radio-imaging of the person's body. First and second laterally spaced projections extend upwardly from the top surface adjacent the first side and third and fourth laterally spaced projections extend upwardly from the top surface adjacent the second side. The first and second projections define a first groove therebetween and the third and fourth projections define a second groove therebetween.

Abstract: A high brilliance step-cut gem stone is formed by cutting natural or man-made gem stone material at a cutting angle of 90.degree. along respective cutting machine indices of 96, 48, 72 and 24 to form a rectangular block and then shaping the rectangular block by cutting the block along respective indices 94, 2, 50, 46, 70, 74, 26 and 22, to define an octagonal prism. The pavilion portion of the stone is formed by cutting a plurality of pavilion facets in stepped increments along each of the indices 94, 2, 50, 46, 70, 74, 26 and 22. A first group of pavilion facets defining the culet is cut at the critical angle of the material and each successive group of facets is cut in successive stepped increments of 6.degree. relative the critical angle, up to the girdle. A plurality of crown facets are also cut in stepped increments along each of the indices 94, 2, 50, 46, 70, 74, 26 and 22, upwardly from the girdle to define a relatively flat table at the top of the stone.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for continually monitoring the flash point temperature of a liquid pertoleum product flowing through a pipeline. The apparatus is located adjacent the pipeline for periodically drawing product samples therefrom and for testing the samples to determine the respective flash point temperatures. The apparatus includes a microprocessor, which is programmed to control the operation of the apparatus, a testing chamber and a Wheatstone bridge circuit for measuring the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of a combustible gas-air mixture which is drawn through the testing chamber. The gas-air mixture ignites on the surface of an active resistive filament, thereby increasing its temperature and resistance, which causes a current to flow within the magnitude bridge circuit. The magnitude of the current is directly proportional to the change of resistance of the active filament and the LEL of the vapor-air mixture.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for adapting a container holder to support a container, such as beverage container, in a substantially upright position. The adapter includes a first adapter member, which is insertable into a receptacle in the container holder and a second adapter member, which is adapted for mating engagement with both the first adapter member and the container to support the container in a substantially upright position. The first adapter member is configured for snug fit mating engagement with the receptacle. The second adapter member includes a bottom portion configured for snug fit mating engagement with the first adapter member and a top portion configured for snug fit mating engagement with the container. In the preferred embodiment, the adapter cooperates with a beverage container holder having a cylindrical receptacle for supporting beverage containers of various sizes and shapes in a relatively stable upright position.

Abstract: A guide is provided for a shaping tool having a substantially cylindrical housing, a rotatable shaping member extending from one end of the housing and a drive motor for rotating the shaping member. The guide includes an elongated hollow member, a shaft telescoped within the hollow member such that a portion of the shaft projects outwardly from one end of the hollow member, and a tip adapted to at least partially surround the shaping member such that the shaping member protrudes a predetermined distance beyond a distal end of the tip member. A first mounting bracket is provided for mounting the hollow member with respect to the housing and for retaining the shaft in a predetermined fixed position with respect to the hollow member.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method are provided for locating and mapping sediment in a container, which is at least partially filled with liquid. A sonar transducer is mounted with the container for emitting acoustic energy into the liquid and for receiving reflected acoustic energy. The sonar transducer is rotatable about mutually perpendicular first and second axes to provide a dual-axis capability. The transducer is controlled to emit discrete acoustic signals and receive reflected acoustic signals along discrete scanning axes at each rotational position in a predetermined sequence of rotational positions. The distance between the transducer and a corresponding point of reflection along each scanning axis is compared to a predetermined reference distance along the corresponding scanning axis. The reference distance represents the distance between the transducer and an inner surface of the container along the corresponding scanning axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for adapting open-mouthed containers, such as 12- and 16-ounce beverage bottles, for use as a cuspidor. The converter includes a housing having top and bottom openings and an inverted frusto-conical member tapering downwardly and inwardly from a top edge of the housing to a predetermined position therebelow. The conical member has a bottom aperture which communicates with the top opening. An adapter is disposed beneath the conical member for connecting the apparatus to a container. The adapter has a central aperture communicating with the bottom aperture of the conical member for conducting material introduced into the housing through the top opening thereof into the container. The conical member cooperates with an inner wall of the housing to substantially prevent material from escaping from the housing through the top opening.

Abstract: An oil recovery system includes an inflatable boom wall, a plurality of inflatable storage tanks at spaced intervals along the boom wall, and a plurality of oil catchers adjacent to each of the storage tanks. Selected ones of the oil catchers are attached to the boom wall, adjacent to the storage tanks, while other ones of the catchers are free-floating and attached to corresponding storage tanks by means of a flexible line. The oil recovery system further includes a plurality of plow boats, each of which has adjustable, bow-mounted plates for pushing oil and other surface contaminants into the oil catchers. The material collected by the catchers drains by gravity into the corresponding storage tanks for temporary storage. The storage tanks are pumped out periodically to transfer the contents thereof to permanent storage tanks aboard a barge or other oil collection vessel.

Abstract: An improved adjustable seat having a supporting frame, a seat bucket type removable seat, and a connect-disconnect member disconnectably attaching the removable seat to the frame. The seat bucket and frame are provided with slides which permit relative change in attitude between the seat bucket and the frame in response to manipulation of seat reclining controls by the seat occupant. Included in the base frame are legs which are deformable under high acceleration-deceleration forces to absorb a portion of the energy resulting from the application of such excessive forces.

Abstract: A plurality of wood truss members and metal connector plates are assembled on a relatively flat conveyor surface and are transported to a first pressing station having two pairs of pressing rollers for partially embedding the connector plates into the wood members. The truss is then moved to a second pressing station having another pair of pressing rollers, where the plates are substantially completely embedded into the wood members. All of the rollers have substantially the same diameter and preferably have a diameter of at least ten inches to reduce the "rocking action" on the ends of the plates, particularly during the initial stages of the pressing operation. A plurality of guide rails are disposed beneath the conveyor surface for journally supporting the conveyor surface and the truss.

Abstract: A latching device for releasably securing a fence gate in a closed position includes an elongated catch member mounted adjacent a free end of the gate and projecting therefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the gate and a latch member mounted on an inner major surface of the fence for engaging the catch member when the catch member penetrates through an opening in the fence, to retain the gate in the closed position. The latch member includes first and second pivotally mounted arm members and a handle depending from the second arm member for co-movement therewith. The catch member includes an enlarged head for penetrating between the first and second arm members to spread the arm members apart sufficiently to allow the head to pass therebetween. After the head clears the arm members, the arm members return to their respective closed positions to retain the head of the catch member in a closed latch position.