Abstract: An orthopedic apparatus and footwear for distributing weight evenly so as to relieve pressure and discomfort from the ball, arch and heel region of the wearer's foot. This is accomplished by first and second embodiments in which two substantially parallel plates are mounted between an inner sole and an outer sole. The parallel plates are spaced apart by a spacer which is located at a point or region of attachment between the two plates in the arch region of the footwear. The lower plate is rigid and the upper plate is flexible. A layer of easily deformable foam material is provided between the two plates. In the first embodiment, sole spacers are provided in the toe region of the footwear. As a result of the attachment configuration, the plates are cantilever mounted both extending forward and rearward from the arch region.

Abstract: A laser apparatus of the end pumping kind in which an elongated transparent laser element is mounted in spaced relationship within a tubular waveguide which has a highly reflective inner surface. The arrangement is such that, at least along part of the laser element, the optical distances between different points on the surface of the laser element and the inner contour of the waveguide vary.

Abstract: A waterproof structure of a connector comprises a rubber waterproof plug (17, 61, 67, 71) engaged with a rear end portion (24) of a connector (23) for waterproofing of the connector, the rubber waterproof plug being formed with a plurality of wire insertion holes (27) through which wires (31) led out of the connector are passed under airtight condition. The plug is also provided with at least one non-used wire insertion hole (35) and with a waterproof plug cover (19, 63) also engaged with the rear end portion (24) of the connector for covering the rubber waterproof plug, the waterproof plug cover being formed with a plurality of wire leading holes (45) through which the wires (31) passed through the wire insertion holes (27) are led out to the outside.

Abstract: A computer integrated event management system is disclosed that coordinates the entire process of event planning and implementation using specialized software combined with a microcomputer network which includes a network file server, CAD/DATA station and DATA stations where facility personnel are able to efficiently plan and implement events. The system includes a fully relational database and a CAD module which are connected together using a third module such that, whenever a piece of information is changed in one place, it is automatically changed everywhere it is stored in the database. The connecting module permits the database and the CAD module to communicate by translating information from a database format into a graphic format readable by CAD software packages as well as translating the graphic information back into the database information stored in the database.

Abstract: An optical distance measurement apparatus comprises a system controller for controlling the entire operation of a system, a light emitting circuit for emitting a high-power pulse light beam as a distance measuring medium to an object in response to a drive signal from the system controller, a light receiving circuit for receiving a light beam reflected from the object, a trigger signal generation circuit for generating a trigger signal indicative of a start time point for measurement of a light moving time, and a time-distance conversion circuit for measuring the light moving time in response to the trigger signal from the trigger signal generation circuit and in response to an output signal from the light receiving circuit, and for converting the measured light moving time into a distance to the object.

Abstract: A body support platform comprises a foldable body support cushion formed of two wedge-shaped cushions covered with a washable fabric covering forming a hinge at which the cushion is folded. A head support cushion comprising three covered cushion components detachably affixed at one end of the body support cushion. The coverings of the body and head support cushions each have a pair of overlapping flap portions for inserting and removing foam elements into the coverings. The flap portions of the body support cushion also form a pair of pockets in the sides of the folded body support cushion for carrying the cushion components of the head support cushion and an ankle supporting bolster. A handle is provided adjacent the hinge for carrying the body support platform in its folded state.

Abstract: A layered fabric for constructing action sportswear. The fabric generally comprises the following two layers: (1) a shell fabric comprised of a blend of polypropylene filaments and DORLASTAN.RTM. brand spandex fibers, and (2) a waterproof membrane laminated to the back of the shell fabric. Optionally, a third layer, a crepe or mesh lining, can be attached to the back of the membrane. The fabric has the qualities of being waterproof, breathable, and elastic and possess a number of other qualities which are highly desirable in action sportswear.

Abstract: A system for detecting intrusion into a protected area by virtue of a change in detected infrared energy from an ambient level, and for generating an alarm signal in response thereto includes a first assembly having a Passive Infra Red (PIR) sensing element for generating a contrast signal representative of deviation in detected infrared energy, a second assembly for generating an ambient temperature signal, an amplifier for amplifying the contrast signal, and a processor for generating a threshold as a function of the ambient temperature. The gain and threshold are defined to generate an "alarm trigger condition", and an alarm activator responds to the "alarm trigger condition" for activating an alarm signal.

Abstract: A shelving assembly for stands, wall-mounted shelves, and the like, includes a plurality of posts each having at least two longitudinally-extending sections joined together at an angle to each other along a juncture section. Each post is formed with at least one transverse slot extending through the juncture section and partly through the two longitudinally-extending sections, and is further formed on the inner face of the juncture section with a pair of coaxial eyelets on opposite sides of the slot. A panel is received within the slots of the posts, and a pin passes through each pair of eyelets and the panel for securing the panel to the posts.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device for removal of excess intraocular fluid from the eye, the device having a general shape resembling that of a thumbtack and comprising a head portion, and a leg portion essentially normal to the head portion. The head portion is dome-shaped with its edges defining an essentially planar surface which together with the dome-shaped portion defines a captured space. The leg portion has one end attached to or integral with the head portion within the captured space, and has another, free end, provided with an annular shoulder tapered in the direction of the free end. The leg defining a duct leading from one or more first opening at the free end to one or more second openings at the proximal end, with the one or more second openings leading into the captured space, the duct being provided with one-way valve means permitting flow of fluid only in the direction of the first openings to the second openings.

Abstract: A bar storage apparatus comprises: a shelf frame (19) provided with a plurality of pallet accommodating shelves (17) each for movably accommodating a pallet (15) on which a plurality of bars are mounted; an elevator device (23) disposed on one side of the shelf frame so as to be movable up and down and provided with a traverser (21) for moving each pallet into and from each of the pallet accommodating shelves; and a bar supplying device (25) for supplying a bar, mounted on the pallet moved from the pallet accommodating shelf and further located at a predetermined position by the elevator device, to a bar processing machine (3). The bar storage apparatus can store a great number of bars of various kinds and various dimensions, select any required bars from a great number of bars, and supply the selected bars to a bar processing machine easily and quickly.

Abstract: A multiple blood pressure cuff system comprises a plurality of inflatable cuffs of a range of widths and lengths which collectively share a common pressure source and a common pressure measuring device. A manifold pneumatically connects each cuff to the common pressure source and pressure measuring device and stopcock valves allow airflow to be directed to only the particular cuff in use. A mounting board is provided for affixing the system to a wall or cabinet and for conveniently supporting and displaying the cuffs that are not in use.

Abstract: Spray drying system for drying a liquid feed which is made up of a solution or suspension of particles in a fluid medium. The system enables the spray drying of wet material and converting the material into powder by evaporation of a liquid medium at reduced pressure or at a vacuum. The system includes a heating chamber and an evacuation device, communicating with the interior of the heating chamber. This provision enables creation of reduced pressure within the chamber, accompanied by evaporation of the fluid medium at temperatures lower than needed for evaporation at normal pressure, and evacuation of the moisture vapor generated during evaporation.

Abstract: A composite source wire for use in a patient's body to irradiate preselected tissue by localized in vivo radiation with a radioactive source, via a path from a point external to the body to the site of the tissue to be irradiated. The source wire includes a thin elongate stainless steel wire with a substantially cylindrical central aperture at its distal tip, a cylindrical radioactive fiber core tightly sealed without welding within and abutting at one end the floor of the aperture and at the other end a cylindrical plug sealing the aperture at the distal tip of the source wire, the distal tip being securely enclosed about the plug and forming a tapered tip portion at that point. The source wire has an overall diameter sized to permit ease of movement through the path formed by a vessel or duct in the patient's body during advancement to the site of the tissue to be irradiated and to allow its retraction along the path from the point external to the body.

Abstract: A plate material separating apparatus comprises: a horizontal beam (9) movable up and down; a plurality of vacuum hanger members (11) fixedly arranged at regular intervals on both sides of the horizontal beam so as to extend horizontally; a plurality of support vacuum pad devices (13B, 13C) attached to each of the vacuum hanger members at regular intervals in a direction perpendicular to an end surface of a plate material (W); a plurality of pivotal take-up vacuum pad devices (13A) each attached to an end of each of the vacuum hanger members so as to be located near the end surface of the plate material; and a plurality of driving devices (37) each associated with each of the pivotal take-up vacuum pad devices, for pivoting the pivotal take-up vacuum pad device to bend the plate material only at and along the end surface thereof so that air can be introduced between an uppermost plate material and a second plate material, thus allowing the plate material to be separated easily from the stacked materials.

Abstract: A distributor head (1) for forming a tubular profile from one or more streams of thermoplastic material, which distributor head comprises at least an inlet orifice (10, 12, 14) for a stream of plastics material, which can be connected to an extruder, and an outlet orifice (20, 22, 24) of annular cross section. The distributor head comprises at least one flow channel system (30, 32, 34) which is connected to an inlet orifice of the distributor head by means of an inlet channel (36, 38, 40), which inlet channel, in a number of stages of branchings and intermediate flow channels (60, 62, 64), branches into a number of outlet channels (66, 68, 70) terminating on a periphery around the center line of the outlet orifice, which outlet channels open into the outlet orifice.

Abstract: A mold for forming a waterproof cable has wire introducing openings 3a, 3b at both ends and a cavity 7 for loosely receiving a plurality of wires. Ridges 35a, 35b, which extend in such a transverse direction relative to a wire insertion direction, are arranged on an inner surface 7a of the inner space 7. Thereby, the mold for forming waterproof cables can provide an improved waterproof structure of the electric wire bundle.

Abstract: A microcontroller for use in battery charging and monitoring applications is disclosed. The microcontroller includes a microprocessor and various front-end analog circuitry including a slope A/D converter and a multiplexer for allowing a plurality of analog input signals to be converted to corresponding digital counts indicative of signal level. The microcontroller further includes an on-chip temperature sensor, used in conjunction with the A/D converter, to monitor the temperature of the microcontroller. The temperature sensor generates and uses a differential voltage that is obtained across the base-emitter functions of two compatible bipolar transistors having dissimilar emitter areas. This differential voltage is proportional to temperature and may be sampled by the A/D converter to obtain a digital count indicative of the temperature of the microcontroller.

Abstract: A photoacoustic device for analysis of fluids. The device is made up of (A) a source of a pulsating beam of light, preferably of the chopper type, and (B) an enclosure, preferably an elongated structure having a generally cylindrical, e.g. essentially tubular shape; and containing and holding--in sonic insulation--at least one reference chamber and at least one measuring chamber in an essentially linear or serial arrangement in a common cell within the enclosure, preferably in an essentially coaxial arrangement; the enclosure and the common cell provide a path P for the pulsating beam of light through the reference chamber and through the measuring chamber. For most purposes, it is preferred that the light beam pass first through the reference chamber and subsequently into the measuring chamber. Optionally, a second reference chamber is arranged at the end of the measuring chamber and a second measuring chamber may follow.

Abstract: A process for depositing amorphous or nanophase diamondlike carbon (DLC) and a-C:H carbon/hydrogen films with variable and controllable properties on the surface of a substrate is disclosed. The process utilizes a combined hydrocarbon ion beam and plasma-activated hydrocarbon gaseous radical flux produced by an end-Hall ion source to yield a film with good electron-emissivity characteristics or high hardness and good optical transparency, as desired. A second ion source providing a beam of argon ions above or together in nitrogen is optionally directed at the substrate for cleaning prior to deposition and for ion-assisted deposition during deposition or for doping.