Abstract: A carburetor priming system for an internal combustion engine includes a porous wick disposed in the inlet of the carburetor and a system for initially saturating the wick with liquid fuel prior to starting the engine. The priming system which may be remotely located or adjacent to the engine, which saturates the wick, consists of a depressable flexible bulb which withdraws fuel from a fuel supply and, when depressed, forces the fuel from the interior of the bulb into the wick. A check valve between the bulb and the wick is mechanically actuated to open when the bulb is depressed rather than being opened by fluid pressure as in conventional systems.

Abstract: A method for administering vitamins to an air-breathing animal consists of introducing the vitaminic aerosol containing a breath freshener into the nose or mouth opening of the animal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing the effect of at least one of a plurality of forces acting upon a structure. Structural moment detectors, combined with external signal and data-processing components or structural information detectors which are unitary devices which include the signal and data-processing functions, are employed as an integral component of these systems. These systems include basic measurement systems, structural integrity measurement systems, applied structural measurement systems, applied load measurement systems, applied communication-detection systems and additional miscellaneous systems.

Abstract: Security for computer software is achieved by providing each purchaser of a software package with an electronic security device which must be operatively connected to the purchaser's computer. The software sends coded interrogation signals to the electronic security device which processes the interrogation signals and transmits coded response signals to the software. The program will not be executed unless the software recognizes the response signals according to preselected security criteria.

Abstract: A system for assessing the structural integrity of offshore drilling platforms employs structural moment detector and associated electronics, microprocessor and software, which monitors the condition of the offshore platform structure and continuously provides useful information concerning the effects of external forces on the structure and its remaining life.

Abstract: A system employing structural moment detectors for collecting and interpreting data reflecting the effect of at least a selected one of a plurality of forces acting on a structure such as a machine tool. The output signals from the moment detectors are processed to modify the information content (including rejecting components of the signals which reflect extraneous forces other than the selected one). The processed signals are then manipulated to provide secondary signals which are responsive to the condition of the structure as a result of the application of the selected force.

Abstract: A self-contained, unitary device for collecting and interpreting data reflecting the effect of a force acting on a structure includes a housing adapted to be attached at spaced points to the surface of the structure, an optical sensor within the housing for detecting the relative orientation of spaced surface coordinate vectors of the structure, circuitry within the housing for converting signals from the optical sensor to a form usable by signal-processing electronics also located within the housing. The output of this structural information detector embodies useful information which directly indicates the effect of the force acting on the structure.

Abstract: A device for treatment of barotrauma of the middle ear includes a flexible backing portion carrying a peripheral annular cushion portion which fits over and encloses the outer ear. The cushion portion is deformable under hand pressure applied against the flexible backing to fit the contours of the exterior portion of the head around the outer ear. A hand pressure-activated chemical heating package is carried in the device. The package contains chemicals separated in separate compartments. When one of the compartments is ruptured and the chemicals subsequently mixed, an exothermic reaction is produced.The heat generated by the exothermic reaction, when the device is held over the outer ear, is transmitted to the inner ear to treat the barotrauma by directly reducing its painful effects and by increasing the volume of the air in the middle ear.

Abstract: Sensors are carried by structural components, such as floors, walls, etc., of the building within the secure area. The sensor detects deflections of the various structural members in response to changes of the loading of structural members caused by the intruder and generates signals which are transmitted to a control center which receives the intrusion signals and generates alarm signals.The intrusion signals are transmitted to the control center through the building structure as impulsive loads applied to the building structure by transducers located in the secure area which are responsive to the signals generated by the sensors.The alarm signals generated in the control center are transmitted to security systems located in the control center, such as automatic door locking mechanisms, lights, audible alarms, disabling gas injecting systems, etc., by means of coded impulsive loads applied to the building structure by transducers located in the control center which are responsive to alarm signals.

Abstract: A treatment for herpes virus infections topical application of a suspension of tannic acid, and salicyclic acid, preferably in an ethanol solvent/carrier. After treatment, herpes lesions disappear within 4-5 days.

Abstract: An improved chuck for holding an object such as a tool or work piece. The chuck includes circumferentially spaced jaws for grasping an object and a gear mechanism for adjusting the radial position of the jaws to grasp object of varying size. The jaws of the chuck are movable radially outwardly to an open position to permit insertion of an object there between and are adapted to move radially inwardly to an object grasping position. The improvements in the chuck include inclined key threads on the jaws; a rotatable jaw positioning collar around the jaws, including inclined, inwardly extending, circumferentially spaced key threads adapted to cooperatively engage and disengage the key threads on the jaws; a member positioned around the collar for engaging and rotating the collar to engage and disengage the key threads; and, a spring for normally yieldably urging the jaws axially outwardly and radially inwardly when the key threads are disengaged.

Abstract: Insects are attracted to and killed by a poison bait which includes an attractant-producing composition. The attractant-producing composition includes a sugar, a spore-producing bacteria of the genera Bacillus, and a carrier for the sugar and the bacteria.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for effecting anastomotic procedures. A deformable annular member has two operative modes, a deformed mode in which the member is shaped to be inserted through an opening in the wall of a hollow body member and a normal mode in which the member is retained within and around the opening. A tubular elastic membrane is attached in one open end to the annular member and extends through the opening to the exterior of the body member. A split ring attached to the other end of the tubular membrane radially tensions the membrane and sealingly engages it with the edges of the opening in the body member.

Abstract: An exercise machine with a user-actuated force-applying member utilizes a spring to resist the physical force applied by the user. The physical force is applied to the spring through a cam arrangement which equalizes the force required throughout the exercise stroke.

Abstract: A toy parachute for being attached to and traveling up a kite string with the wind and for being released from the string for free flight to the ground. The toy includes a weight, a parachute having shroud lines attached to the weight, a carrier mechanism connected to the weight for movably engaging the kite string, and a mechanism for releasing the carrier device from the string. One embodiment of the toy parachute includes an aerodynamic device having an aperture which permits the carrier mechanism to pass therethrough and engage the string, and which prevents the weight from similarly passing through the aperture. When the carrier mechanism is released from the string, the aerodynamic device and parachute toy separate and individually free flight to the ground. In a second embodiment of the invention, the carrier mechanism comprises a pulley having a groove formed therearound for rotatably engaging the kite string.

Abstract: A weather protective cover for a motor vehicle is stored within a protective storage compartment having a pop-up access cover which functions to withdraw part of said weather protective cover from said storage compartment when the cover has been in storage and the access cover is opened. Said access cover acts further to secure said weather protective cover to said storage compartment while said cover is deployed to protect the vehicle and the access cover is closed.

Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical energy consumption in a circuit in which signals from the current sensor are correlated with a time signal received from a remote location.

Abstract: An energy management method employing apparatus for automatically limiting the total instant consumption of electrical energy in a residential circuit having a plurality of energy-consuming variable demand loads having different nominal current demands. A predetermined load shedding sequence is established which is independent of the nominal current demands of the load. The actual current consumption value of each load shed is measured. Shed loads are restored which, according to their actual values and independent of their nominal values, can be restored without causing the total current in residential circuit to exceed the preselected demand. Measurement of the consumption values of the shed loads enables load restoration selections based thereon without modification of the energy management apparatus to account for variations in the nominal demands of the loads.

Abstract: Rail fence construction utilizes slide-fit sleeves fastened to fence post to slidably accept and support fence rails. Slide-fit end caps may be joined at selected angular dispositions to each other so as to permit the fence run to follow the contours of the land and to establish a fenced enclosure of the desired. Little or no cutting of rail lengths is required and the rail fence may be readily disassembled.

Abstract: A machine for repetitively performing processing steps at spaced points on a moving strip of paper includes apparatus for timing the repetition of the processing steps. The timing apparatus consists of two generally circular cam plates, adjustably mounted co-axially on an end of a processing roller. The cam plates are adjustably rotatable with respect to each other around the axis of rotation of the processing drum to adjustably vary the angular displacement of the cam lobe surfaces of each plate to the other. Cam follower means are provided which are responsive to the combined effective length of the superimposed cam lobe surfaces. The cam follower means actuates the processing apparatus which performs the repetitive steps on the paper passing onto and partially around the processing drum.