Abstract: An external combustion engine having an exhaust flow diverter for directing the flow of an exhaust gas. The external combustion engine has a heater head having a plurality of heater tubes through which a working fluid is heated by conduction. The exhaust flow diverter is a cylinder disposed around the outside of the plurality of heater tubes and includes a plurality of openings through which the flow of exhaust gas may pas. The exhaust flow diverter directs the exhaust gas past the plurality of heater tubes. The external combustion engine may also include a plurality of flow diverter fins coupled to the plurality of heater tubes to direct the flow of the exhaust gas. The heater tubes may be U-shaped or helical coiled shaped.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a folding ottoman which is convertible to a chair having the usual seat and back rest. A seat frame extends between a pair of opposing arm panels. A storage compartment is slidably connected to the arm panels below the seat frame. The storage compartment is adapted to slide outwardly relative to the seat frame in response to a pulling force applied thereto so as to enable a user to gain access to a storage space at the interior of the storage compartment. A flip-up back rest is pivotally connected to the pair of arm panels by way of a pair of machine bolts extending therebetween. The back rest is rotatable relative to the seat frame from a horizontal, closed position lying atop the seat frame at which the ottoman is established to a vertical, open position standing upwardly from the seat frame at which the chair is established.

Abstract: A break-down sofa having a frame that is adapted to be disassembled to facilitate transport and storage in a substantially flat shipping configuration. The frame of the sofa includes a seat platform to support the weight of a user, a front panel detachably connected to the front of the seat platform, opposing side panels detachably connected to opposite sides of the seat platform, and a back panel detachably connected to the back of the seat platform. To better enable the back panel to withstand a rearward pushing force applied thereagainst by a user who is seated upon the seat platform, complementary male and female interlocking members are moved into mating engagement with one another to hold the back panel in place between the opposing side panels.

Abstract: Sort-on-the-Fly/Search-on-the-Fly data retrieval or analysis provides an intuitive mechanisms for accessing databases, allowing a user to access or obtain information about data in the database without having to know anything about the database structure. A user selects a desired term, and the method or apparatus delivers all instances of the desired term, even if a specific file or table does not contain the instance. The database need not have a specific file (in a flat database) or a table (in a relational database) of names. The user may specify other criteria, or constraints to narrow the search results, or for other reasons. The method or apparatus then conducts further analysis or searching using this criteria and produces a second result. Further narrowing or broadening of the process is permitted, with search-on-the-fly returning results based on any new constraints.

Abstract: A breathing circuit comprising first and second conduits, wherein at least one of the conduits is a non-conventional conduit. In an embodiment, a multilumen unilimb breathing circuit has first and second conduits, wherein when the proximal ends of said first and second conduits are each connected to an inlet and outlet fitting, respectively, axial extension or contraction of the second conduit causes a corresponding axial extension or contraction of the first conduit. In an embodiment, at least one of said conduits is coiled. In another embodiment, a coiled conduit is contained within an outer flexible conduit that is axially extendable and compressible, forming a unilimb, multilumen respiratory circuit. The outer flexible conduit may be pleated to provide for non-rebounding axial extension and contraction. The multilumen respiratory circuit can provide a variable rebreathing volume.

Abstract: A breathing circuit comprising first and second conduits is disclosed, wherein at least one of the conduits is a non-conventional conduit. A multilumen unilimb breathing circuit is also disclosed having first and second conduits, wherein when the proximal ends of said first and second conduits are each connected to an inlet and outlet fitting, respectively, movement of the distal end of the first conduit causes a corresponding movement of the distal end of the second conduit. In an embodiment, inner and outer flexible conduits are formed of pleated tubing that is axially extendable and compressible to form a unilimb multilumen respiratory circuit. The pleating provides for axial extension and contraction. The multilumen respiratory circuit can provide a variable rebreathing volume. In an embodiment, at least one tube in a multilumen respiratory conduit is radially collapsible and radially expandable to a maximum radius for carrying respiratory gases to and from a patient.