Abstract: An automated wrist restraint system providing a safe and simple device to immobilize a suspect. A conformal flexible band is employed in a loop configuration, to allow, in the open position, the entry of the largest sized hand encountered in the field. In the closed position the band conforms to the geometry of the wrist to minimize contact forces and prevent wrist injury. Additionally, a microprocessor, controlled servomechanism opens, closes and slackens the band to further prevent wrist injury. A simply activated, holster worn, radio transmitter allows the operator to remotely activate the system, while maintaining a safe distance from the suspect. Among the many possibilities contemplated, the system may be fitted to a law enforcement vehicle, or a robot.

Abstract: An automated wrist restraint system providing a safe and simple means to immobilize a suspect. A conformal flexible band is employed in a loop configuration, to allow, in the open position, the entry of the largest sized hand encountered in the field. In the closed position the band conforms to the geometry of the wrist to minimize contact forces and prevent wrist injury. Additionally, a microprocessor, controlled servomechanism opens, closes and slackens the band to further prevent wrist injury. A simply activated, holster worn, radio transmitter allows the operator to remotely activate the system, while maintaining a safe distance from the suspect. Among the many possibilities contemplated, the system may be fitted to a law enforcement vehicle, or a robot.

Abstract: A guard for protecting a cook or chef from burn injury from accidentally touching a hot oven rack comprising a sleeve of material mounted on the front rail of a metal oven rack. The sleeve is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity that is lower than than the thermal conductivity of the metal oven rack, so that when the guard is accidentally touched, insufficient thermal energy is transferred to an oven user to cause a burn, allowing the oven user to withdraw from the sleeve before injury can result. Preferably, the material forming the sleeve is heat resistant and has a lower thermal mass and thermal conductivity than the metal oven rack.

Abstract: An attachment for a hair dryer, to be secured to the outlet end of the hair dryer, to cause air coming from the hair dryer to orbit and diverge, includes a tubular housing having air inlet and air outlet ends, means associated with the air inlet end to secure the housing to the air outlet of a hair dryer, an air deflector within the housing proximate to the air outlet end, the air deflector being mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, the deflector including opposed angle vanes on the end thereof nearest the air inlet and having an angled deflector on the end thereof nearest the air outlet, so that air from the dryer passing through the housing will flow past the opposed angled vanes and cause the air deflector to rotate and the air will thereafter be orbitally deflected to one side by the angled deflector. Alternatively, the air deflector can be mounted in a hair dryer itself near the air outlet end.

Abstract: An orbiting nozzle dispersion apparatus is adapted for use in combination with a robot to form a dispensing system. The orbiting nozzle dispersion apparatus has a dispensing tube with a first end for receiving the materials to be dispersed and a second or nozzle end from which the material is finally dispersed onto the workpiece. The dispensing tube is compliantly supported at one end and supported at the nozzle end for orbital but not rotational motion about an axis.

Abstract: A combined image sensing and welding torch hand is provided for programmable manipulator welding apparatus. During a sensing operation the sensing components emerge from a protective enclosure which surrounds the welding torch and move linearly downwardly to a sensing position outside the protective enclosure. During the welding operation, the sensing components are retracted back into the protective enclosure and staging doors, which are pivotally mounted on the bottom edge of the protective enclosure are closed so as to completely shield the sensing components from welding fumes and splatter. In addition, when the sensing assembly is in the retracted position within the protective housing, air under pressure is supplied to the interior of the enclosure to provide a purge during the welding cycle and prevent fumes from entering the enclosure and damaging the optical components of the sensing assembly.

Abstract: Manipulator apparatus with weld seam tracking capabilities is provided with a sensing hand attached to the manipulator arm. The manipulator apparatus traverses a taught welding path on a workpiece to determine any deviation between the workpiece path and the taught path. The sensing hand includes a projection unit for projecting an optical slit pattern onto the workpiece. The sensing hand also includes a path sensing unit including an objective lens and a fiber optic cable for receiving by reflection from the workpiece the projected optical slit pattern. The fiber optic cable is connected to a camera located remotely from the sensing hand. The image received by the camera is utilized by the manipulator apparatus to determine the deviation between the path traversed by the manipulator during sensing and the sensed workpiece path. The deviation is then utilized to calculate the workpiece path data.