Abstract: A fish trace (10) has a trace line (11) with projections (12) spaced along it, and the projections (12) are selectively engaged by two spaced legs (21) of a resilient clip (13), the leg ends being returned over the legs and the return portions (27) thereby defining a mouth through which the trace line (11) can be simply passed, and a projection (12) can be retained between the legs (21) in a clip (13) by the legs (21) and their return portions (27) and consequent entrapment of the trace line (11) adjacent opposite ends of the projection (12), the legs (21) having to be again deflected for the trace line and projection to come away from the clip. The entire trace can be free of knots which otherwise reduce the line strength.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit for a Li-Ion battery pack charging apparatus is disclosed. The monitoring circuit modifies charging time for a Li-Ion battery pack inserted in the charging apparatus to compensate for temperature effects on the charging current input to the battery pack. In one embodiment of the monitoring circuit, a comparator is utilized to compare a voltage across the battery pack, V.sub.charge, to a set point voltage value, V.sub.sp. The set point voltage value, V.sub.sp, is taken off a temperature sensor circuit comprising a voltage divider circuit. The voltage divider circuit includes at least one thermistor in a ground connected leg of the divider. In a second embodiment of the monitoring circuit of the present invention, a differential amplifier is coupled to opposite ends of a low resistance sensor resistor. The sensor resistor is coupled between charging circuitry and the Li-Ion battery pack to be charged. The voltage differential across the resistor, V.sub.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis assembly for percutaneous deployment on a balloon catheter is disclosed. The assembly includes a radially expandable stent overlied by a tubular, low profile stent cover wrapped over the stent. The wrapped cover is thermally set to maintain its low profile wrapped configuration during deployment of the assembly. At the treatment site, the balloon portion of the catheter is inflated causing the stent to expand radially and the stent cover to unwrap and open to conform to the expanded configuration of the stent.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided for delivering a diagnostic fluid to a diagnostic site within the vascular system of a patient comprising an elongated central tube that can be routed into and through a vascular system of a patient, the tube including a tube proximal end and a tube distal end, a flexible sleeve defining a space between the interior surface of the sleeve and an exterior surface of the central tube, the sleeve comprising a sleeve proximal end sealably connected to the exterior circumference of the central tube. The sleeve extends along a length of the central tube from the sleeve proximal end to a sleeve distal end, the central tube defining one or more openings that extend through a wall of the central tube so that the interior of the central tube is in fluid communication with the interior of the sleeve.

Abstract: A splash guard is adapted to fit any one of a set of vehicles having fender wheel well opening curvatures falling within a predetermined range while providing an aesthetic appearance of being custom molded for any vehicle of the set on which the splash guard is intended to be mounted. The splash guard includes a mounting section for connection to a fender, a splash arresting section connected to the mounting section and extending downwardly from the mounting section when the splash guard is in use, and a flange section connected to the mounting and arresting sections. The flange section includes a pleated portion enabling enhanced flange deformation to accommodate a wide range of vehicle configurations.

Abstract: A fixed position dataform reader reads a dataform printed on a substrate and passed through a desired target area. The reader comprises a housing, a first camera assembly, image processing and decoder circuitry, and a mounting support. The housing has a base surface, a face surface, and at least one side surface interconnecting the base surface to the face surface and defining an interior region. The face surface defines an aperture. The first camera assembly includes a two-dimensional photosensor array supported in the interior region and an optics assembly spaced from the two-dimensional photosensor array to focus an image of the dataform onto the two-dimensional photosensor array. The image processing and decoder circuitry is coupled to the camera assembly for generating decoded data representative of the dataform. The mounting support is secured to the housing for mounting the reader in a fixed position with respect to the desired target area.

Abstract: A proximity sensor assembly is molded with a connector support that extends from an outer side of a sensor housing and supports an electrical connector such that an axis of the electrical connector intersects at a fixed angle less than approximately 90 degrees a line tangential to the outer side from which the molded connector support extends. The orientation of the connector support helps facilitate mounting of the proximity sensor assembly to an actuator housing such that the axis of the electrical connector intersects a center line of the actuator housing at a fixed angle less than approximately 90 degrees and greater than approximately zero degrees. In this manner, two proximity sensor assemblies may be mounted relatively closer to one another at opposite ends of the actuator housing while shielding conductor cables mounted to the proximity sensor assemblies in a corridor or region between the proximity sensor assemblies.

Abstract: An ion source for use in an ion implanter. The ion source comprises a gas confinement chamber having conductive chamber walls that bound a gas ionization zone. The gas confinement chamber includes an exit opening to allow ions to exit the chamber. A base positions the gas confinement chamber relative to structure for forming an ion beam from ions exiting the gas confinement chamber. A portion of a cathode extends into an opening in the gas confinement chamber. The cathode includes a cathode body defining an interior region in which a filament is disposed. The cathode body comprises an inner tubular member a coaxial outer tubular member and an endcap having a reduced cross section body portion with a radially extending rim. The endcap is pressed into the inner tubular member. The filament is energized to heat the endcap which, in turn, emits electrons into the gas ionization zone. The filament is protected from energized plasma in the gas ionization zone by the cathode body.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for maintaining an ion beam along a beam path from an ion source to an ion implantation station where workpieces are treated with the ion beam. A beam neutralizer is positioned upstream from the beam implantation station and injects neutralizing electrons into the ion beam. A magnetic field is created upstream from the position of the beam neutralizer for inhibiting upstream movement of neutralizing electrons. A disclosed technique for setting up the magnetic field for inhibiting electron movement is with spaced apart first and second permanent magnets.

Abstract: A game board apparatus having multiple sets of playing space designators is disclosed. The playing space designators are adapted to be removably affixed to playing spaces of a playing board. Examples of sets would include professional baseball teams, computer and telecommunications firms, professional football teams, etc. When a set of designators is chosen, the players then affix individual designators to playing spaces on the playing board surface. Each playing space designator includes indicia representing one or more characteristics of the playing space designator.

Abstract: Apparatus for foot cleaning of articles of ceramic ware comprises a conveyor device which includes a pair of belt members independently movable in the same direction at different speeds, the belt members being tilted transversely relative to one another such that their adjacent edges are lower than their outer edges. Preferably there is provided a way for varying the angle of tilt of the belt members.

Abstract: A foldable bicycle including (a) a stem tube including a first section slidably mounted in a second section pivotally linked to a third section, a handle bar mounted on the first section of the stem tube, the third section of the stem tube rotatably mounted in a head tube and (b) a top tube comprising a first section pivotally linked to a second section, the first section of the top tube fixed to the head tube, the second section of the top tube fixed to a downtube and a seat tube wherein a seat post is slidably mounted.

Abstract: A vehicle windshield bug and debris deflector is mounted on a rearwardly extending flange portion underlying the front portion of a vehicle hood. The deflector, extending substantially the full width of the vehicle hood, comprises a shield having a linear portion, a sharply curved portion, and an upstanding bug deflection portion, at least one attachment strip, and at least one resiliently deformable stabilizer. The attachment strip, having adhesive on both top and bottom surfaces, attaches the upper surface of the linear portion of the shield to the rearwardly extending flange portion underlying the front portion of the vehicle hood. The stabilizer, having adhesive on one surface, attaches to the lower surface of the linear portion of the shield.

Abstract: A key switch comprises a disc-shaped switch contact suspended above a number of stationary terminals. The switch contact includes one or more cut-outs which isolate individual terminals in different angular orientations of the contact. The signals conducted through each terminal vary as different combinations are bridged by the contact in different angular orientations. By changing the pattern of the cut-outs through the contact, the signals conducted through the switch are changed. The switch is efficient to produce because it can be adapted to different circuits without substituting physically different terminal pieces.

Abstract: A method of restoring soil porosity and permeability to soils adjacent to home leach trench septic systems, increasing rates of aerobic decomposition of accumulated organic matter, breaking up and unplugging side walls of failed trenches, increasing leaching rates of waste liquids into surrounding soil. Soil is lifted from an 18" depth by a tillage tool. Bulk density is decreased.