Abstract: Dental apparatus which can determine a patient-specific reference plane so that the patient's teeth can be aesthetically oriented to an aesthetic axis-horizontal reference plane. The apparatus includes a face bow, an adjustable nasion relator assembly, a level gauge and a bite fork. The nasion relator assembly, along with the level gauge, enables the face bow to be moved to a level orientation.

Abstract: A leg support system for use with a medical examination table in gynecological examinations has compressible thigh supports with five degrees of freedom. Four of the degrees of freedom adjust automatically and the fifth degree of freedom is manually adjustable. The system has foot rests that are in a fixed position. The system is more comfortable for users then previous systems and can accommodate users of various different sizes.

Abstract: Self diagnostic devices and methods for detecting a physical condition of a female based on a property of a vaginal secretion of the female are provided. The device comprises: a region of the device which receives the vaginal secretion from a body of the female and changes in appearance based on whether the vaginal secretion has a selected physical property; and a mounting mechanism for mounting the region of the device on the body adjacent to and external from the vagina such that the region receives secretions from the vagina and does not substantially lose water or other volatile components of the vaginal secretion due to vaporization. The device can be used for convenient diagnosis of vaginal infections such as infections caused by yeast, bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyamide resin by reacting with at least one diamine compound, at least one linear polyester resin consisting of at least one dicarboxylic acid component and at least one diol component and having an intrinsic viscosity of not less than 0.2 dl/g, the at least one diamine compound being used in an amount of 0.5-1.5 mol per 1 mol of the at least one linear polyester resin as calculated in the repeating unit thereof, the linear polyester resin and the diamine compound being reacted in a reaction medium comprising at least one solvent selected from aprotic protophobic polar solvents, so that the at least one diol component of the linear polyester resin is substituted by the diamine compound, resulting in the polyamide resin as a reaction product.

Abstract: A new apparatus and methods for automatically unloading or removing an article from a printing machine, and preferably transferring the same to a suitable drying surface is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus includes a support frame, an extendable gripping means attached to the support frame for engaging the article, and a conventional controller for controlling operation of the extendable gripping means. Additionally, at least one platen attached to the printing machine in a manner allowing the extendable gripping means to vertically extend from the support frame to an area of the platen(s) is also disclosed. To permit gripping of the articles, the platen are notched at the area corresponding to the extendable gripping means.

Abstract: A kettle for boiling water which uses steam power to drive a rotatable outer housing for providing animation is disclosed.

Abstract: Water-cooled pipes of the type utilized to support steel workpieces in reheat furnaces and the like are insulated by preformed, rigid refractory members. Threaded studs are welded to opposing surfaces of the pipe or the web between a pair of pipes. The pipe(s) are then covered by a ceramic fiber blanket. A pair of the refractory members, each of which contains an aperture through which one of the studs is received, is positioned so as cover the pipe(s) and blanket. Nuts are fastened to the studs to hold the refractory members in place. The refractory members are sized and positioned so that gaps exist between them so as to allow for thermal expansion. These gaps may be filled with blanket insulation or heat-resistant plastic. The remaining portions of the apertures are also filled with heat-resistant plastic.

Abstract: The assembly relates to a way of hanging and removing a shower curtain. The curtain eliminates the tedious job of attaching the curtain holders, then taking them off one at a time to remove the curtain when it is time to wash or replace. Bead attachment members can be placed on the curtain and left even during washing. They can be changed to different colors or styles for decorative purposes. The bead attachment members replace the standard ring connectors. They can be manually attached or can be fixed on the curtain. The specially designed shower curtain rod receives the bead attachment members with ease. The telescoping rod is then placed in the U-shaped socket rod holders for easy assembly and disassembly.

Abstract: A can opener is provided including a housing and an elevator mounted on the housing. Next provided is a blade assembly having a rotating blade. The blade assembly is coupled to the elevator for being moved downwardly upon a can such that the blade engages a lid of the can for removal purposes.

Abstract: An impulse radar system useful, for instance, for ground penetration provides three dimensional images of targets. The radar system includes an antenna array with an arrangement of elements that is irregular so that the spacing between elements is different, thereby minimizing redundancy of path geometry between the array elements and the target. This feature reduces unwanted array sidelobes. The radar system incorporates circuitry which permits the utilization of each array element as either a transmitter or receiver antenna element. This dual utilization increases the effective number of elements in the antenna array, providing increased gain and system resolution. The radar system receiver utilizes multiple antenna array receiver elements, each of which is connected sequentially, through a solid state switch, to a single analog to digital converter, thereby providing a digitized signal for processing and display.

Abstract: A belt buckle used for advertising and novelty purposes includes a base frame which houses an electronic circuit for backlighting replaceable face plates that contain logos, slogans, or novelty designs, the electronic circuit provides an optional strobe effect, flashing the backlighting at an intermittent rate that draws attention to the logo, slogan, or design on the faceplate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronically tunable resonating apparatus which uses a tunable dielectric material which is biased by an electric field to alter the resonant frequency in a resonating cavity. The electrodes which apply the electric field are connected to a variable voltage source. The electrodes can therefore apply a plurality of electric field strengths and provide a range of resonant frequencies in the resonating apparatus. The resonating apparatus is particularly useful for microwave and millimeterwave electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A low-cost atomizing nozzle suitable for use with viscous fuels and other liquids in high and low temperature environments. The nozzle structure comprises a cylindrical hollow tube forming a venturi having inlet and outlet ends, a cylindrical hollow barrel and a fuel catheter. The nozzle provides maximum surface contact between the liquid fuel and atomizing air streams.

Abstract: A method and device for filling a container with liquid up to a predetermined level. The device includes a cylinder and a piston movable within the cylinder between a rest position and a fill position. A supply of liquid for filling the container is provided to a first end of the piston at alternating pressures to cycle the piston back and forth between the rest and fill positions. Each time the piston reaches its fill position, supply liquid is added to the container. With each cycle the device draws fluid from the container and then attempts to compress the drawn fluid with a second end of the piston. When the fluid drawn is gas, the piston can compress the gas to continue moving to the fill position. When the drawn fluid is liquid, the piston can not compress the liquid and thus is stopped to prevent further filling.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling congestion on a packet switched radio channel (PRCH) is disclosed. A PRCH congestion control function determines if the average time delay for packet calls on the PRCH is within a delay alarm level. If the average time delay is not within the delay alarm level, it is then determined which packet calls to expel from the PRCH in order to decrease the average time delay. The determination of congestion may be made for each of the uplink and downlink of a PRCH separately, or, on the combined uplink and downlink of the PRCH.

Abstract: Selective isolation between a microcellular communication network and a signaling channel of a macrocellular communication network that is relatively larger than the microcellular network is achieved by receiving communication signals from the microcellular network, and using a communications protocol stack to translate the communication signals into further signals for transmission over the signaling channel. Some of the communications signals are translated into the further signals, but some of the communications signals are selectively denied translation into the further signals.

Abstract: An accessory item for performing an ancillary function for a mobile radio subscriber station includes a separate memory within which parameter values calculated by the processor of the mobile station and related to performance of the ancillary function are stored. The parameter values are retrieved by the same or a different mobile station on a subsequent occasion and used to perform the ancillary function without having to recalculate the parameter values.

Abstract: A wheel supported grain wagon includes a box or container with sloping side walls extending to a bottom wall, and a discharge opening is formed within one of the side walls adjacent the bottom wall. An inner metering door or panel and an adjacent outer closure door or panel are supported by parallel spaced dual tracks for movement between lower positions closing the discharge opening and retracted upper open positions. An actuator first raises the outer closure panel to permit grain to flow through a metering passage defined by the bottom edge of the metering panel and to release grain pressure on the metering panel. The metering door is then elevated in response to further elevation of the outer closure panel so that grain flows smoothly under both panels without obstructions.

Abstract: A mold core positioning device includes a cam member carried by a first mold segment that is configured to engage a cam follower carried by a second, cooperating mold segment. The cam follower is provided on a core slide to which an outwardly extending core member, such as a core pin, is connected. The core slide is movable toward and away from a mold cavity to move the core pin into and out of a position within the mold cavity. The cam member includes an extension cam surface and a withdrawal cam surface. The withdrawal cam surface includes a breakaway cam surface that causes slow retraction of the core pin relative to the molded part, and a retraction cam surface that causes more rapid withdrawal of the core slide and core pin after the core pin has been initially separated from the molded part.