Abstract: Convenient disposable marker tip design minimizes marker passing distance and provides a constant width trace line independent of the angle at which the marker tip engages the writing surface. The marker tip comprises a nib shank, surrounding and supporting a nib having a partially spherical tip. The nib shank is shaped to provide maximum coverage of the nib surface and minimum passing distance between adjacent nib tips.

Abstract: Easily removable instrument pen tip comprised of a body formed of resilient plastic with an ink passageway adapted to receive and sealingly engage an ink supply tube associated with a pen arm, the other end of which is adapted to receive and sealingly engage an elongated nib element, such as a stylus or fibrous nib. The pen tip body is a flat shaped member in which the passageway lies. The body may converge toward the ink passageway to serve as a visually indicating pointer. The body may also include locators or positioning ribs and reinforcing ribs. Preferably, the body and passageway include bent sections and the nib element and passageway are adapted for engagement only in the bent section passageway.

Abstract: Disposable instrument pen with integrally-formed spring member simplifies installation and provides its own biasing means for urging the pen nib into engagement with a writing surface and/or for retaining the pen in a pen mounting carriage. In various alternative embodiments, the spring member may consist of a cantilever arm, a torsion bar with end mount fixtures, a helical spring, flared wings, etc.

Abstract: Disposable instrument pen with integrally-formed spring member simplifies installation and provides its own biasing means for urging the pen nib into engagement with a writing surface and/or for retaining the pen in a pen mounting carriage. In various alternative embodiments, the spring member may consist of a cantilever arm, a torsion bar with end mount fixtures, a helical spring, flared wings, etc.

Abstract: A disposable biomedical electrode which includes a vaulted dome-like electrolyte-containing chamber or cavity bridged at its open bottom by a highly flexible and conformable microporous membrane, the latter being covered with an adhesively-secured protective film the film being strippable preparatory to adhesively securing the electrode to a body surface. The electrode material and shape are such that the vaulted housing is physically distortable upon downward pressure applied thereto, thereby to force the electrolyte to diffuse through the microporous membrane into positive and low-electrical-resistance contact with the skin surface of a subject.

Abstract: A body electrode including a visual indicator to ensure optimal parallel positioning and electrical current distribution between the electrode and the body. The indicator comprises a flap imprinted with alternating areas of green and red indicia, and an exterior sheet overlying the flap and defining three windows. The flap and the exterior sheet are attached at longitudinally spaced locations to a stretchable, insulating cover sheet. Stretching the electrode to a predetermined optimal degree of tension aligns green indicia with the windows, and presence of red indicia in the windows indicates either excessive or insufficient applied tension.

Abstract: Recording instrument marker mounting assembly is provided so that the marker can be pivoted relative to a mounting leg of the assembly which mounting leg is to be connected to an operating shaft of the recording instrument. In this manner, the lateral position of the marker can be adjusted relative to the recorder paper or chart which is to be imprinted upon. The mounting assembly comprises a mounting leg to be connected with the operating shaft, a cam connecting a marker support arm and the mounting leg, and cam follower means positioned on the support arm. Pivotal movement of the support arm relative to the mounting leg is actuated by rotation of the cam. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cam is formed integrally with a manually engageable precision adjustment knob, which includes a notch or the like so that the operator may gauge the position of the marker relative to the mounting leg.

Abstract: Insert molded instrument marker pen with a stylus tube firmly secured therein by the provision thereon of an anchoring projection embedded in the insert molded body of the marker. Preferably, the anchoring projection includes a "U-shaped" portion conforming to a section of the outer surface of the tube and outwardly extending flanges at the top of the U-shaped portion, the projection being metal and being welded to a metal stylus tube.

Abstract: An instrument marker holder clip is provided for positioning and retaining an instrument marker of the type having a hinged member adapted to engage and lock against a portion of the marker body. The clip comprises an elongated band with a decreased width portion formed therein between the forward and rearward band ends. The hinged member of the marker is locked around this decreased width portion and reliably positioned against the edge features thereof.

Abstract: A heat sensitive recording member capable of acquiring a stable color in selected regions contrasting with the background color of the coated substrate upon exposing these regions to an elevated temperature and comprising a paper or polymeric film substrate and a heat sensitive coating comprising (1) an adduct or mixture of color-forming lactones or spiropyrans with a cyclic polyketo color precursor, (2) a polymeric binder which bonds the reactants to the substrate and optionally (3) a molecular complex between a phenolic compound and an amine and/or an activator to lower the temperature of color formation.

Abstract: Novel apparatus for mounting a pen to a tubular recorder pen arm includes an elongated resilient clip with two apertures formed therein that are axially alignable with each other. Fastening and positioning means, such as pronged projections, located on the clip, securely position the desired pen on the clip. The recorder pen arm is inserted through the clip apertures, upon alignment thereof against the resilient urging of the clip, so that the pen is accordingly mounted to the recorder pen arm.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive coating adapted to acquire a stable color contrasting with the background color in selected regions that are heated to an elevated temperature. The coating comprises (1) a piperidine derivative substituted in the 4 position with an aromatic group and a hydroxyl group or a hydrogen atom, (2) a cyclic polyketo compound reactive with the piperidine derivative to form a dye, and (3) a polymeric binder for binding the reactants to a substrate.

Abstract: Convenient disposable marker design facilitates manufacture of disposable markers at low cost within a wide range of configurations and writing capacities. Marker comprises tubular, plastic-sheathed fibrous ink reservoir material cut to predetermined length for a particular marker and capped at one end. At the opposite end, a tip cap with nib projection is sealingly mounted on the plastic sheathed reservoir material.In another form of the invention, the tubular outer body fits snugly over a tip cap projection and is sealed by an external sealing rib to flushly mate with the tip cap body. A metallic holder clip fastens the disposable marker securely to the recorder pen arm.

Abstract: Improved upper and lower paired pen markers adapted to pass over one another with minimum spacing utilize interchangeable pen cartridges which are generally flat and rectilinear with the nib of the upper cartridge being slightly longer than that of the lower cartridge. The upper cartridge is supported from above in a holder with a front overhang lip, a sidewall positioning holding member and rear spring clips. As the bottom cartridge holder supports the bottom surface of the cartridge it also includes a sidewall positioning holding member and rear spring clips. Mispositioning of cartridge and holder is minimized despite the generally flat cartridge configuration.

Abstract: Truncated pen with ball point writing tip, designed to contain a large volume liquid ink supply within a short axial length body includes a short axial length, wide diameter pen barrel. A liquid ink reservoir, housed inside of the barrel, is separated from a pressure regulation mechanism by a thin diaphragm. The pressure regulation mechanism constantly applies pressure on the ink supply contained within the ink reservoir, so that ink will be supplied to the writing tip regardless of the position in which the pen is disposed or the volume of ink remaining in the reservoir.

Abstract: Marker includes a three-phase ink circuit to transport ink from a large capacity reservoir through an intermediate capillary phase to a generally porous writing tip. Each phase of the ink circuit contains capillary ink transporting material. Arrangement of the phases in order of increasing capillarity draws ink from the low capillarity reservoir through a small diameter intermediate conduit to the generally porous writing tip.

Abstract: A thermographic stylus apparatus includes a bimetal spring element in the pen arm and a resistive heating means. The pressure exerted by the scribing element on the writing platen is varied in linear proportion to the total power consumed in the resistive heating means which causes bending or at least a tendency to bend in the bimetal.

Abstract: A pen for use in recording instruments includes integral hinged member which folds over and locks in place on a pen arm and thus facilitates attachment of pen and pen arm. Preferably, integrally molded ribs are included to press into and to better secure the pen arm upon locking engagement of the hinged member.