Abstract: A can holder assembly adapted for use with a commercially available thermal mug which includes a cap rim extending a ball structure for holding a beverage can so that the cap is tightly secured over the thermal mug while extending the can down within the mug and a coolant contained therein. A snap ring tightly received around the inner extremities of the cap rim then maintains a flexible sealing ring in tight, sealing grip around the beverage can.

Abstract: A cabinet includes a rigid housing having an opening at the forward side thereof with vertical guide tracks defined at opposite sides of the opening. A roller subassembly is mounted in the upper portion of the housing over the opening and is driven in rotation about a horizontal axis by a motor. A segmented glass curtain made up of contiguous, elongated, parallel glass slats of rectangular configuration closes the opening in the housing. Each glass slat is supported in metal corner brackets interconnected so that adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent slats are in close proximity, and the slat ends project into the guide tracks. Flexible cables interconnect the corner brackets to maintain the spacial relationship of the slats. Ends of the cables are connected to the roller subassembly and the curtain is rolled up on the roller subassembly to open the opening in the housing.

Abstract: An iterative process, implemented by a feedback loop, responds to all the image data in the respective analysis regions of three consecutive frames of a motion picture, to provide, after a plurality of cycles of operation thereof, an accurate estimation of the motion of either one or both of two differently moving patterns defined by the image data of these respective analysis regions. The analysis region of each frame is preferably large, and may occupy the entire frame area of a frame. The type of differently moving patterns include (1) separation by a motion bounty, (2) overlapping transparent surface in motion, (3) "picket fence" motion (4) masking of a small and/or low-contrast pattern by a dominant pattern, and (5) two-component aperture effects. Also, the operation of this iterative process inherently accurately estimates the motion of image data defining a single moving pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading open top railroad cars (46) utilizing a conventional material handling equipment item attached to a slidable structure (20). The material handling equipment item is equipped with a boom structure (64) and material handling device (66). During railcar loading and unloading operations, the operator positions and attaches the material handling equipment item onto the slidable structure (20) which is positioned adjacent to an end of the railcar (46). The front of the structure is engaged with the top surface of the railcar endwall (72) and the material handling device is positioned on the railroad bed (52) adjacent to the rear of the slidable structure (20). The boom structure (64) is then extended to position the apparatus atop the railcar (46). The apparatus (18) is then supported on the sidewall (76) upper surface of the railcar by support members (22) which are hydraulically extendable from the structure ends (36).

Abstract: Fluid reservoirs are often provided with a means by which the severity of fluid contamination may be monitored. One method of checking the condition of the fluid, requires the disassembly or removal of one or more components from the associated reservoir in order to read the monitoring device. Another method is utilized in conjunction with the filtration system of the fluid and an indication is observed when the level of contamination reaches a predetermined point. The present invention provides an apparatus whereby the condition of a fluid may be continually observed without requiring the disassembly or removal of any components attached to the fluid reservoir, regardless of the condition of the fluid.

Abstract: A veneer dryer has an entry end and an exit end. A conveyor conveys sheets of veneer through the dryer from the entry end to the exit end. A drying medium is applied to the veneer in the dryer. The conveyor includes a first plurality of drums, each having an axis of rotation and being rotatably mounted in the dryer and a pair of belts permeable by the drying medium. The belts run together around the drums. The sheets are captured for conveyance through the flow of drying medium in the dryer between the belts.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device (LCD) display includes a grid of conductive row select lines and column data lines which are used in conjunction with thin-film transistors (TFT's) to address pixel electrodes in the display. The LCD display includes two shift registers for receiving and propagating the select signals for the row select lines, each shift register has a plurality of shift register stages, one connected to each row select line. A plurality of combiner circuits are provided, one for each stage of each of the shift registers. Each combiner circuit is configured to provide an electrical conduction path for the select signal between successive stages in each of the shift registers. When a fault is detected in a stage of one of the shift registers, the combiner circuit coupled to the output of the defective stage reconfigured to route the select signal from the corresponding stage of the other shift register to the next stage of the one shift register.

Abstract: A time series of successive relatively high-resolution frames of image data, any frame of which may or may not include a graphical representation of one or more predetermined specific members (e.g., particular known persons) of a given generic class (e.g. human beings), is examined in order to recognize the identity of a specific member if that member's image is included in the time series. The frames of image data may be examined in real time at various resolutions, starting with a relatively low resolution, to detect whether some earlier-occurring frame includes any of a group of image features possessed by an image of a member of the given class.

Abstract: Suction transfer assembly for a medicament liquid, formed of a vial having a chamber filled with the liquid and an open end closed by a penetrable stopper on which the vial is slidable longitudinally, and an adapter having a front end with a nozzle lockably connectable to a mechanical probe-containing counterpart nozzle of a suction device, e.g. a syringe, a rear end with a hollow needle, and an internal flow path therebetween. The adapter rear end is insertable into the vial open end and fastenable to the stopper for penetrating the stopper by the needle. The adapter front end has a mechanical probe-openable and self-closing check valve in the flow path adjacent the nozzle so that on locking the counterpart nozzle thereto, its probe opens the valve for suction transfer of liquid from the vial to the device and simultaneous compensating vial movement relative to the stopper under external atmospheric pressure to reduce the chamber volume by an amount generally equal to the liquid transferred.

Abstract: A portable infusion device which can be user operated almost anywhere for administration of a solution at a substantially steady flow rate from storage, the device comprising in combination a flow restrictor and a propulsion system using a pressure medium carried in a flexible extendible container for causing the solution to be administered to a patient at a substantially steady rate of flow through the flow restrictor.

Abstract: A quick-draw handgun holster is contoured and designed to be worn beneath clothing in the abdominal area with the gun lying obliquely with its butt only extending angularly upwardly for engagement by a lateral, substantially horizontal movement of the hand of the wearer.

Abstract: A modular system of equipment for physical exercise includes various devices designed for the exercising of different muscles. The system includes a number of separate frame modules, each having an essentially rectangular form and provided with coupling elements enabling the modules to be linked together, or mounted individually on a wall. In addition, the frame modules are provided with mounting elements enabling separate exercising devices without frame structures to be mounted on and supported by the modules.

Abstract: The optoelectronic interconnection of the present invention provides a means for interconnecting a plurality of integrated circuits and each having at least one termination. The termination includes a transmitting section and a receiving section. Each transmitting section includes means for converting an output electrical signal from the integrated circuit to an optical signal in the form of a beam and an output grating for emitting the optical beam from the integrated circuit. Each receiving section includes an input grating for receiving an input optical signal in the form of a beam, means for amplifying the optical signal and a photodetector for converting the optical signal to an electrical signal which is fed to the circuit. The integrated circuits may be mounted adjacent each other with the output signals being emitting from the integrated circuits in the same direction.

Abstract: A liquid level and composition sensor includes a first interdigitated capacitor mounted substantially vertically in a tank, and a second interdigitated capacitor mounted substantially horizontally in and near the bottom of the tank. An electronic processor is responsive to the value of capacitance of the first capacitor for producing a first voltage signal proportional to the level of the liquid in the tank and is responsive to the value of capacitance of the second capacitor for producing a second voltage signal having a voltage level corresponding to the composition or dielectric constant of the liquid. The processor also multiplies the first and second voltage signals together to produce a liquid level voltage output signal having a constant slope for voltage amplitude versus liquid level, regardless of the composition of the liquid in the tank.

Abstract: A passive rewarming article for use with traumatized individuals, e.g. those victims suffering from hypothermia, shock, or expsure is made from a closed-cell foam material. The preferred rewarming article comprises a body portion, at least one independent side flap, a foot flap, and a detachable head pocket. The rewarming article is enconomical to construct, yet provides high body heat retention capability under both wet and dry conditions.

Abstract: A protection device for an integrated circuit includes short and longer channel length structures, each of which provides a parasitic bipolar transistor, connected between a terminal of the integrated circuit and a source of reference voltage. The short channel length structure has a breakdown voltage greater than the supply voltage for the integrated circuit, and less than the insulator damage threshold of the integrated circuit. The conduction through the short channel length structure after initiation of a transient phenomena causes the longer channel length structure to conduct before the transient exceeds the breakdown voltage of the integrated circuit and the short channel length structure. The longer channel length structure operatges in the "snap-back" conduction mode when the current density exceeds a critical value to conduct away the transient energy.

Abstract: A redundancy circuit that substitutes a redundant circuit element for a corresponding defective circuit element includes a severable fuse link and a redundancy control circuit with an input connected to the severable fuse link and first and second outputs. When the fuse link is intact, the first output of the redundancy control circuit is in a first state and the second output is in a second state. When the fuse link is severed, a momentary signal on power up places the first output in the second state and the second output in the first state. The first output is coupled to the one circuit element and the second output is coupled to the corresponding redundant circuit element. If the one circuit element is defective, it is disabled by severing the fuse link.

Abstract: In the manufacture of printed circuit boards, a first photoresist post is patterned on the substrate where via holes are to be made. A dielectric layer is put down, a second photoresist layer patterned so as to have openings over and in alignment with the photoresist posts, and the dielectric removed from the via holes. Barrier layers to reduce interaction between layers of copper, dielectric and photoresist during filling of the via holes with a conductor via fill ink are also described.

Abstract: A restraint for dogs and cats for the purpose of automobile travel. Constructed of webbing or leather harness with buckles and snaps. It restricts pet behavior while anchoring to safety belt.