Abstract: A tumbler apparatus for abrading and polishing small parts and rocks includes a cylindrical barrel with a closed end and an open end. The inner surface at the open end has a circular sealing edge. A sealing closure for the sealing the barrel at the open end includes a first and a second rigid disc. A resilient band, either an O-ring or a cylinder, is held between the discs. A translating mechanism draws the discs toward one another in a sealing mode, that compresses the band to bulge outwardly to sealingly engage the inner sealing surface of the barrel open end. In a releasing mode, the discs are moved apart, allowing the band to resume it original shape, thereby unsealing the barrel to facilitate removal of the closure for access to the barrel contents. A pressure relief valve at the center of the discs may be optionally provided.

Abstract: Sensors for mounting in fluid chambers respond electrically to low pressures in the fluid, while resisting damage or leakage at high pressures. A flexible diaphragm, mounted at one end of a housing, is sandwiched between first and second annuli, leaving a center portion free to move in response to fluid pressure changes. The diaphragm moves a cylinder, which reciprocates in the second annulus against an adjustable spring bias. Travel of the cylinder away from the fluid is limited by a stop. Once the stop is reached, increased pressure on the diaphragm forces it against a fixed wall composed of a face of the second annulus and a face of the cylinder. The forces on the diaphragm are then all compressive. This enables the use of an easily flexed diaphragm for low pressure sensitivity, while resisting damage from high pressures. The moving cylinder is used to move a magnet that actuates a Hall effect switch, a Hall effect analog output transducer, or a reed switch.

Abstract: A target flow meter has a target with a broad face attached to the free end of an elastic stalk. The stalk has at least a portion with an oblong cross section. A fixed end of the stalk is attached to a rigid support secured in the system to be measured with the broad face disposed transverse to the fluid flow. Strain gauges are affixed to the longer sides of the oblong portion. A temperature sensor may also be affixed there. The strain gauges are immersed in the fluid to be measured. Wires to the gauges and sensor pass through a fixed seal to the outside. They may be protected from the fluid by an impervious coating. By applying the strain gauges within the fluid, the system may be reduced in size, achieve greater sensitivity, and better temperature compensation.

Abstract: A joint connects one end of a tube to the side of a hollow member. It employs a pair of wedge elements that have sloping sides. A threaded fastener passes freely through a proximal wedge and then is threaded through a distal wedge. The fastener first passes through a hole in the side of the member and the wedges are inserted into the end of the tube. Tightening the fastener draws the wedges toward the member and causes the wedges to cooperate with one another to grip the inner surfaces of the tube to create a strong joint stable in many directions. Joints shown for tubes with various shapes.

Abstract: A valve assembly senses the cumulative volume of hydraulic fluid that has passed to an actuator and senses and subtracts from that cumulative volume the volume of return fluid that has passed from the actuator. When the difference between the volumes exceeds a preset value, the system shuts off the flow to the actuator to prevent further loss of fluid from a leak. The assembly may employ separate sensors in separate pressure and return lines or a common line with a common sensor which reverses signal polarity when flow reverses. Target flowmeters with signal adding and subtracting circuits may provide the differential volume information.

Abstract: A portable container device for carrying various items such as tools, instruments and photographic equipment has a flat top or cover strong enough to provide an elevated platform for a user. To raise the user even more when required, the device is provided with an extending mechanism to raise the entire container even more above a support surface. The device has at least two configurations, a compact configuration when the lifting mechanism is withdrawn and a raised configuration when the lifting mechanism is extended. The raising or lifting mechanism may take the form of a sleeve surrounding the container or extendable legs that withdraw into the container.

Abstract: A holder for valuables includes a thin flat container body (1) with one or more compartments with an open top edge and a closure flap (5) extending from a back panel and fastening onto a front panel. One or more elongate narrow strips of material (11) each have a first end secured to the upper portion of the back panel. A second end of each strip terminates in a belt loop (14) for threading onto a belt worn on trousers or skirt. The distance (20) between the loop and the container body of each strip is greater than the height (21) of the container body. This permits the container body to be moved between a concealed position behind the trousers or skirt and accessible position in front of the trousers or skirt while fastened to the belt without bending the container body or disarranging the clothing.

Abstract: A holder for valuables includes a thin flat container body with one or more compartments with an open top edge and a closure flap extending from a back panel and fastening onto a front panel. A pair of elongate narrow strips of material each have a first end secured to the upper portion of the back panel. A second end of each strip terminates in a belt loop for threading onto a belt worn on trousers. The distance between the loop and the container body of each strip is greater than the height of the container body. This permits the container body to be moved between a concealed position behind the trousers and and accessible position in front of the trousers while fastened to the belt without bending the container body or disarranging the clothing. The container body slips past the waistband of the trousers in moving between concealed and access positions without bending the container body or the contents thereof making it suitable for storing passports, credit cards and the like.

Abstract: A system for constructing a variety of moving toys from flexible sheet material uses the vibrations of a loudspeaker to move the toy. The toy is provided in the form of an elongate strip that is assembled into the complete toy by simply bending the strip along its long axis into a generally cylindrical shape and fastening together. The strip has a top portion defining one or more animate or inanimate objects, an intermediate portion for fastening the assembled toy together and a bottom portion with parallel ribbons or strips extending downward. When assembled into the cylindrical shape, the toy is self-supporting and rests upon the ribbons. When a box with an open side is applied with the open side against a loudspeaker, music will vibrate the top of the box. When the toy is on the box, it will move or dance to the music. When the ribbons extend downward at a slanting angle, the toy will rotate in one direction.

Abstract: A lancet blade assembly for an automatic, spring-loaded skin puncturing instrument provides shielding to the point of a replaceable blade during insertion of the blade into the instrument. It provides free movement of the blade during the puncture operation. After use, the assembly provides shielding of the point during removal. The assembly securely holds the blade with point protected before use and after discarding to prevent accidental puncture with a blood-contaminated blade.

Abstract: A quick change oil filter assembly for installation and removal of an oil filter on an engine without tools, skills or adjustments. A toggle action tightening band has two positions. In an open position the band is captive on the flange of a filter support plate with engine oil connections. A filter with a base flange is freely inserted or removed from the support plate. In the closed position, the band engages the flange on the filter base and draws it down against the flange of the support plate, compressing a sealing gasket between the flanges with a preset force. The tightening force is derived from inclined plane action of a sloping surface on the band engaging a sloping surface on a flange as the band diameter is reduced by the closing of the toggle lever. The toggle action of the closure ensures reproducible tightening forces to ensure leak proof sealing without adjustment.

Abstract: Electronic device which may be worn by a user while moving about. Senses muscle actions of lower leg by switch under foot and is capable of monitoring ankle motion. Signals to user when ankle flexing motion is not of sufficient amplitude or leg muscle action is not performed frequent enough to enhance the circulation of blood, which helps to prevent vascular stasis and dependent edema associated with prolong periods of sitting or standing without muscle activity. Signals to user when ankle flexing motion is not of sufficient amplitude or leg muscle action is not performed frequently enough to enhance the circulation of blood, which helps to prevent vascular stasis and dependent edema associated with prolonged periods of sitting or standing without muscle activity. One embodiment may be worn while standing or sitting in a vehicle.

Abstract: A window assembly controls ventilation and prevents passage through the window opening. Provides hardened steel horizontal bars spaced apart vertically a distance that prevents passage. The bars are welded to hardened steel frame members. The steel assembly is anchored in the wall by resistant anchoring elements. The bars may be secured in place by other means. Glazed aluminum vents have top rails that enclose the bars and pivot upon them. Aluminum frame members enclose the steel frame members and support operator means that rotate the vents on the bars to open and close the vents. The angle of opening may be limited to prevent the vent extending beyond the wall at walkways.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intermittent administration of supplemental oxygen to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients programmed for specific oxygen needs for each patient. Patient's arterial blood oxygen level is measured while supplying oxygen to determine the time required to reach a desired level and it is again measured without supplemental oxygen to determine the time required to diminish to a second, lower particular level. These two time intervals are applied as a program to apparatus connected to a supply of oxygen having valve and time controls to provide a regulated flow of supplemental oxygen to a nasal cannula for a preset time and to shut off the flow for a preset time sequentially and repetitively. The apparatus is powered by the energy of the gas itself either directly by gas powered controls and valves or indirectly with electrically powered controls and valves with gas power operating an electric generator to supply the necessary electrical power.

Abstract: A keycase enclosing a sliding blade knife. Blade exposed and sheathed with one hand by thumb action. Provides protection going to and from locked automobile and residence while holding preselected key. Spring loaded detent holds blade open or closed. Keycase serves as knife handle and sheath. Thin flat knife enclosure lies snugly against keycase wall occupying little space and not interfering with key holder function.

Abstract: Hand held electronic apparatus for supervising and controlling operations requiring a worker to travel to multiple sites, correctly identify subjects or objects, and treat each one according to special instructions on the basis of that identification. The apparatus disclosed provides machine reading means to ensure positive identification, audible and visible displays, internal data storage and processing and means for communication with a central computer system. Applications are described for control of a parcel delivery service and supervision of a hospital medication program and a patient blood sample identification system for a hospital laboratory service.

Abstract: A plastic film bottom tray is held in shape by a rigid bottom rim. A plastic film top is held in shape by a rigid top rim above the tray. Substance to be lyophilized is frozen in the tray. The assembly is lyophilized in a vacuum chamber. Apertures formed between the top and the tray provide fluid pathways for efficient sublimation. After dehydration, the top rim is pushed down into the bottom rim, obliterating the apertures and pressure sealing the two films together in-vacuo.After removal from the vacuum chamber, the two films are heat sealed together, forming a lyophilized product vacuum sealed within a plastic film bag. Rims and film beyond the heat seal are trimmed away.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for intermittent administration of supplemental oxygen to patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. The apparatus is programmable for the specific oxygen requirements of the patient and is responsive to changes in requirements with increased patient activity. Patient's arterial blood oxygen level is measured while supplying oxygen to determine the number of respiratory cycles required to reach a first desired arterial blood oxygen level and it is again measured without supplemental oxygen to determine the number of respiratory cycles required to diminish to a second, lower particular level. These two cycle numbers are applied as a program to apparatus having respiratory cycle sensing and counting and control valve means to provide a regulated flow of supplemental oxygen to a nasal cannula for a predetermined number of on respiratory cycles and to shut off the flow for a preset number of off respiratory cycles sequentially and repetitively.

Abstract: System for imaging the distribution of radiation from a distributed radiation source including a scintillator, and photodetectors viewing the scintillator. System enhances image quality by rejecting off-axis radiation passing through collimator holes which degrade image resolution when source is away from collimator surface.

Abstract: An improved foot exercising device having pedals pivotally secured to a support. Leg exercise can be obtained by regularly pumping pedals up and down. A control system registers number of pumping motions and signals user when an inadequate number of motions has been registered in a particular time period. A control regulates the amplitude of motion to ensure adequate contraction and relaxation of the leg muscles. The combination satisfies the physiological requirements to prevent dependent edema in seated users. A wheelchair application is disclosed.