Abstract: A window cover system includes an extendible window cover with a pair of lift cords. A lift cord pulley shaft is coupled to a pair of spaced apart lift cord pulleys. A spring drive unit has a beveled gear system with a first gear that is spring biased to resist rotation of first gear in one direction of rotation, and a second gear meshed with the first gear. The lift cord pulley shaft extends through the second gear and is configured to rotate therewith.

Abstract: A reversible control rod mechanism adapted for selectively and repeatedly rotating a shaft bidirectionally and thereby moving an attached load bidirectionally.

Abstract: A reversible control rod mechanism adapted for selectively and repeatedly rotating a shaft bidirectionally and thereby moving an attached load bidirectionally.

Abstract: Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape.

Abstract: A reversible pull cord mechanism adapted for rotating a shaft in one direction when the pull cord is pulled in a first direction and rotating the shaft in the opposite direction when the pull cord is pulled in a second direction.

Abstract: A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube which facilitates rapid intubation of the trachea, especially in situations where anatomical variation creates difficult intubating conditions, includes a portion that can be bent during placement to control the position of the distal end of the tube. The distal end of the endotracheal tube may be selectively curled or bent by a mechanism or fluid passage accessible from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube provides for manipulation of the insertion end without occluding the lumen of the tube, to facilitate placement of the tube.

Abstract: A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.

Abstract: A hinge for assembling window covers is disclosed, along with associated window cover systems, including single blind systems and dual blind systems.

Abstract: Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape.

Abstract: A spring drive system useful for window covers is disclosed, which comprises one or more coil spring drives or flat spring drives and the combination whose elements are selected from one or more of a group which includes (1) a band or cord transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed; (4) crank mechanisms; (5) brake mechanisms; and (6) recoiler mechanisms. The combination permits the spring drive force to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of an associated window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.

Abstract: A hinge for assembling window covers is disclosed, along with associated window cover systems, including single blind systems and dual blind systems.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube which facilitates rapid intubation of the trachea, especially in situations where anatomical variation creates difficult intubating conditions, includes a portion that can be bent during placement to control the position of the distal end of the tube. The distal end of the endotracheal tube may be selectively curled or bent by a mechanism or fluid passage accessible from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube provides for manipulation of the insertion end without occluding the lumen of the tube, to facilitate placement of the tube.

Abstract: Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube which facilitates rapid intubation of the trachea, especially in situations where anatomical variation creates difficult intubating conditions, includes a portion that can be bent during placement to control the position of the distal end of the tube. The distal end of the endotracheal tube may be selectively curled or bent by a mechanism or fluid passage accessible from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube provides for manipulation of the insertion end without occluding the lumen of the tube, to facilitate placement of the tube.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube which facilitates rapid intubation of the trachea, especially in situations where anatomical variation creates difficult intubating conditions, includes a portion that can be bent during placement to control the position of the distal end of the tube. The distal end of the endotracheal tube may be selectively curled or bent by a mechanism or fluid passage accessible from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube provides for manipulation of the insertion end without occluding the lumen of the tube, to facilitate placement of the tube.

Abstract: A hinge for assembling window covers is disclosed, along with associated window cover systems, including single blind systems and dual blind systems.

Abstract: A spring drive system for window covers is disclosed, which comprises a so-called flat spring drive and the combination whose elements are selected from a group which includes (1) a band transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; and (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed. The combination permits the spring drive force at the cover to be tailored to the weight and/or compression characteristics of the window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the cover is opened and closed.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube which facilitates rapid intubation of the trachea, especially in situations where anatomical variation creates difficult intubating conditions, includes a portion that can be bent during placement to control the position of the distal end of the tube. The distal end of the endotracheal tube may be selectively curled or bent by a mechanism or fluid passage accessible from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube provides for manipulation of the insertion end without occluding the lumen of the tube, to facilitate placement of the tube.

Abstract: A coil spring drive unit for window covers is disclosed, which comprises a coil spring drive and the combination whose elements are selected from (1) a band shift transmission which provides varying ratio power transfer as the cover is opened and closed; (2) gear means comprising various gear sets which provide frictional holding force and fixed power transfer ratios; and (3) a gear transmission which provides fixed ratio power transfer as the cover is opened or closed. The combination permits the coil spring drive torque to be tailored to the weight characteristics of the window cover such as a horizontal slat or pleated or box blind as the blind is opened and closed, and permits the length of the blind and the distance between the open and closed positions of the blind to be altered for a given rotational distance of the coil spring.