Abstract: A puncturing device for insertion into the body, which has an ultrasonically coded displacement scale of gaseous inclusions regularly spaced along the length of the device. Owing to the acoustic reflectiveness of the gaseous inclusions, the precise location of the puncturing device can be directly and readily detected by an ultrasound visualization system. The acoustically reflective displacement scale enables the calibration of distances to be made directly from the ultrasound viewing screen. Located at the tip of the puncturing device is a gaseous inclusion which reveals the precise location of the tip of the device in the body.

Abstract: A gate-type feeder control system has level and weight sensors for monitoring the output of the system to a conveyor or other receiver, an electronic control circuit responsive to the sensors, and a hydraulic actuator circuit including a plurality of valves to provide the desired output of a feeder gate. In the electronic circuit, a master set point signal is entered and compared with the output signal from the sensors. The output flow to the receiver of the system is continuously adjusted by a deviation controller to reduce the deviation in these two signals. Erratic changes in system output are avoided by a deadband circuit introduced into the electronic circuitry to buffer excessive oscillation, overresponse and even instability caused by transient size change and lumping associated with bulk materials. The electronic circuit also includes an averaging module to average the level/weight of the material being discharged to obviate responding to peak levels.

Abstract: A twist drill is provided with a countersink and collar assembly. The countersink includes a body with a face which cooperates with a similar face of the collar to trap a pair of balls between them. The faces being conical, enable the balls to be driven radially inward into the drill flutes by tightening the collar onto the countersink. A chip deflector is provided at the cutting edges of the countersink.

Abstract: A portable computer based motor vehicle performance monitoring system which performs vehicle characteristic measurements and calculations. The system uses a distance sensor means, a fuel volume flow sensor means, and a fuel temperature sensor means for sensing various vehicle performance characteristics. The system has a computer controlled start/stop feature. It also has a user-prompting programming feature. It also has a combined liquid fuel volume and mass meter which uses a mathematical algorithm which converts volume data to mass data using a temperature sensitive function.

Abstract: A simulator device for demonstrating the advantages of wearing a vehicle safety harness comprises a track and a seat connected to and moveable along the track. A dummy object comprising an egg is used to simulate a person seated in a vehicle. A safety harness is mounted to the seat and, in a first mode of operation of the device, harnesses the dummy object in the seat. A means is provided for propelling the seat forwardly along the track while a stop means limits the forward movement of the seat along the track. An impact shield is mounted at one end of the track for impacting the egg thereagainst in a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the egg is harnessed on the seat to simulate the restraining effect of a safety harness on a person harnessed in a seat during a vehicle crash. In the second mode of operation, the egg is left unharnessed in the seat to simulate the impact effect on an unharnessed person involved in a vehicle crash.

Abstract: A rubber tired wheel assembly is provided with two wheel rim blanks welded together after the installation of ball bearing assemblies in each of the rim blanks. The bearing assemblies are retained by casing caps confining the bearing outer races in wells in the rim blanks, the casing caps being projection welded to the rim blanks to locate and secure the bearing assemblies concentric with tire receiving surfaces of the rim blanks.

Abstract: A sheath comprising a tubular structure formed of a flexible material which is compatible for insertion within the body and having proximal and distal ends. In one embodiment, the tubular structure includes one slit having an open and a closed end. The tubular structure is further comprised of a tab defined by the slit whereby, when the tab is pulled apart from any object extending through the lumen of the tubular structure, the tubular structure tears longitudinally removing the tubular structure from the object. In another embodiment, the tubular structure is cuffed between the closed end of the slit and the distal end of the tubular structure, the cuff defining the proximal end of the tubular structure. The cuff prevents the slit from tearing prematurely and further provides a blunt, smooth open end at the proximal end that permits closure thereof by thumb pressure only in order to temporarily block blood flow or air aspiration during use.

Abstract: An endovascular stent formed of stainless steel wire of 0.018 inches diameter and arranged in a closed zig-zag pattern. The stent is compressed into a reduced size shape of an outer diameter which is many times smaller than its expanded shape. The stent is positioned in a passageway in the vascular system by means of a sheath while the stent is retained in the compressed reduced size shape. A flat-ended catheter is used through the sheath to hold the stent in place in the passageway while the sheath is withdrawn from the passageway allowing the stent to expand in the passageway into its expanded shape to hold the passageway open and enlarged. Other possible applications of the stent are in the respiratory, biliary and urinary tracts to reinforce collapsing structures.

Abstract: A tandem towing device for towing a pair of water skiers with one boat has a hook for attachment to a boat, a plate rotatably mounted on the shaft of the attachment hook, and a pair of diametrically opposed holes in the plate for attachment to two towlines. The holes receive the towlines through corresponding channels disposed about the perimeter of the plate. The towlines are retained in the holes in the circular plate by sleeves which slide about the towlines and into the holes. When the towlines are put in tension by normal use, the plate rotates to eliminate any tangling of the lines which may exist.

Abstract: An improved electronic proximity sensor and crack detector that is primarily responsive to the induced resistance in a coil; including an LC resonating circuit that utilizes constant current and a DC power source. By sensing changes in the induced resistance, the invention detects various conditions of parts present and probe fault and can detect a crack in a rotating metal object that is in proximity with the probe. This is accomplished by sensing changes in the induced resistance that occur at the same frequency at which the metal object is rotating.

Abstract: A treadmill is provided in a tank in which there is sufficient water to provide considerable buoyancy to a person walking or running on the treadmill. The treadmill operates a water pump, and means are provided to restrict the pump output to the extent desired to provide the desired load or resistance to movement by the treadmill.

Abstract: A mold assembly for producing a plastic container having internal compartments separated by partitions. A male mold is slidably moveable into a female mold and includes a plurality of upstanding cores to form the container with injectors provided to force plastic melt between the molds and between the cores. A plurality of side locking members are reciprocably mounted in the cores and when extended contact adjacent cores limiting relative motion therebetween. The locking members form holes in the partitions formed between the cores. The locking members are withdrawn only after the plastic melt is cooled.

Abstract: A quick disconnect arbor and die head for a tube stock sizing apparatus. A plurality of arbors and die heads are slidably mounted to a tube stock sizing apparatus and are respectively urged into engagement with the inwardly facing and outwardly facing surfaces of a section of tube stock. A hydraulic piston arrangement is operable to move the arbor members and die heads to and from the tube stock. An annular member surrounds the arbor members and die heads. Spring biased pins mounted in the annular member releasably engage and secure the arbor members to the annular member. An external tool is engageable with the top end of each pin to pull the pins upwardly disengaging the arbor members. A rod extends through the annular member and contacts the pin and secures the pin in the upward disengaged position. Each die head includes a leg with a recess extending freely into a hole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method relating to an improved die for homogeneously stretch forming sheet metal in standard sized presses without also drawing the sheet metal. The die is comprised of complementary male and female die halves moveable between open and closed positions, and a blank holder member moveable between open and closed positions relative to the female die half. A pair of grippers having mutually facing surfaces is carried by the female die half and the blank holder member. One of the gripper surfaces defines exactly two rectangular shaped beads which extend entirely around the circumference of the male and female die halves, while the other of the gripper surfaces is flat. The beads are equally spaced apart along their lengths and each includes a pair of relatively sharp edges for biting into the sheet metal.

Abstract: A die-casting apparatus for the die-casting of metal into a specific part shape includes a pair of die-cast mold portions which are movable relative to one another and which define a die-mold cavity therebetween. The mold portions are initially separated so as to provide a venting gap and further include a communicating passageway between the die-mold cavity and the shot tube for the apparatus. The shot tube includes a metal inlet port and a cooperating plunger which is suitably designed and arranged to push the molten metal into the die-mold cavity. The shot tube is also fitted with gas inlets which are coupled to a supply of oxygen and a supply of combustion gas whereby an ignited flame may be injected into the shot tube.

Abstract: An automatic pill dispenser for dispensing medical pills having different prescribed administration schedules includes a plurality of pill storage compartments each capable of holding more than one pill, an automatic release mechanism for dispensing pills at predetermined time intervals corresponding with their respective administration schedules, and a pill receptacle coupled to a pill detector such that a pill dispensed from the pill dispenser and received by the receptacle causes the pill dispenser to generate a signal to alert the patient to take the dispensed medicine. Twelve storage compartments, arranged in a ring about a vertically rotating wheel, are preloaded by a patient with all pills prescribed to be taken during a 24-hour period. The patient loads pills into individual storage compartments according to a loading code corresponding to the respective administration schedules of the pills.

Abstract: A device for extending a phalangeal bone in the thumb or one of the fingers of a hand. The device includes proximal and distal pairs of bone pins, a pair of screw threaded bars for adjusting the distance between the pairs of bone pins, first and second pairs of guide posts and four pairs of pin retaining members. The guide posts and pin retaining members retain the bone pins in relative alignment as the thumb or finger is progressively extended by adjustment of the bars. Each bar is laterally offset from the corresponding pair of guide posts, while each pair of guide posts is symmetrically positioned relative to the bone pins. The device further includes a brass bushing press fit within each of the apertures which serves to maintain accurate alignment of the bone pins as the thumb or finger is extended. A retaining clip is removably attached at one end of each of the guide posts.

Abstract: A battery powered lamp unit in the form of an electric lamp integral with a compartment to contain at least one electric battery to power the lamp, or electrical circuit whereby the lamp is powered by the battery, and a tubular supporting container having an open end into which the electric lamp is insertable for support thereby with the container surrounding the compartment and the lamp projecting beyond the open end. Engageable elements on the unit and interior of the tubular container are arranged such that the elements engage one with another some distance within the container from the open end when the unit is inserted so as to prevent removal of the unit. The interengaged elements can be unlocked by a key which can be inserted into the tubular container.