Abstract: A portable fluid pumping device includes a piston-cylinder drive in which the piston head is formed with a central section of smaller diameter than the cylinder, and a peripheral flexible section slidably engageable with the side wall of the piston, to thereby produce a slidable seal which obviates the need of a rolling diaphragm. The device further includes a noise-muffling construction, a relief valve presettable for presetting the degree of suction, and a detachable collection container having a cut-off valve for disconnecting the container when it is full with liquid.

Abstract: Ventilator apparatus comprises a cyclically-operated reciprocating pump, a delivery tube for delivering pressurized air to a patient, an exhalation valve assembly producing breathing cycles in which the delivery tube is first connected to the patient to effect inhalation and then is vented to the atmosphere to permit exhalation, and a control valve operated by the pump for controlling the breathing cycles of the exhalation valve. The pump has a low volume-displacement and operates at a relatively high cyclical speed, thereby enabling the apparatus to be selectively operated to perform the functions of any one of a large number of different types of ventilators.

Abstract: Portable ventilator apparatus, particularly useful for providing mechanical ventilation of a patient at home or during transport, comprises a pump unit and a separate humidifier unit and a separate fluid-collector unit selectively attachable to the pump unit. When the apparatus is to be used for mechanical ventilation, the pump unit, including a delivery tube, may be used alone or with the humidifier unit which is attached to the positive-pressure outlet of the pump unit; and when the apparatus is to be used for withdrawing fluid accumulating in the patient's lungs, the fluid-collector unit, including the delivery tube, is attached to the negative-pressure inlet of the pump unit. A solenoid valve controls the air pulses applied to the patient via the delivery tube to permit a wide variety of operations according to the particular situation.

Abstract: A ventilator apparatus comprises a pump; a delivery conduit for delivering pressurized air to a patient; a relief valve preventing the pressure in the delivery conduit from rising above a predetermined peak value; a sensor for sensing the pressure in the delivery conduit; a storage device for storing the sensed peak pressure; and a comparator for continuously comparing the sensed pressure with the stored peak pressure and effective to energize the pump whenever the sensed pressure is below the stored peak pressure, and to deenergize the pump whenever the sensed pressure is generally equal to the stored peak pressure.

Abstract: A rolling diaphragm for attachment between a piston and a cylinder, comprises: an inner radial section of circular configuration attachable to the piston, an outer annular skirt attachable to the cylinder, and a rolling wall between said inner radial section and said outer annular skirt. The inner face of the juncture of the inner radial section with the rolling wall is formed with an annular bead receivable within an annular groove formed in the piston for securing the inner radial section of the rolling diaphragm thereto independently of other fastening means. In addition, the outer annular skirt is formed at an intermediate portion of its outer face with an annular groove receivable over the end of an annular wall of the cylinder for clamping the outer annular skirt between the annular wall and an end wall of the cylinder, also independently of other fastening means.

Abstract: A fluid collection container formed in its top wall with a fluid inlet port connectable to a source of the fluid to be collected, and a suction port connectable to a suction source. A closure member is normally disposed in an open position spaced below the suction port but is movable to a closed position against the suction port when the container is full, to prevent passage of fluid from the container to the suction source. The closure member is supported on a stem carried by a release button passing through an opening in the top wall of the container adjacent to but laterally of the suction port. The stem passes through an opening in the closure member and is formed with an enlargement at its lower end normally supporting the closure member in its open position spaced below the suction port.

Abstract: A portable fluid pumping device, comprises a piston carried within a compartment by a rolling diaphragm and defining, on one side thereof, an expansible-contractible pumping chamber communicating with the inlet and outlet ports; a drive for the piston including an electric rotary motor and an eccentric bearing coupling the motor to the piston to reciprocate the piston upon the rotation of the motor; a flywheel coupled to the motor; and valves permitting fluid to enter the pumping chamber from the inlet port during the forward strokes of the piston, and to exit from the pumping chamber via the outlet port during the return strokes of the piston. The strokes of the piston are limited such that the volume of the pumping chamber in the contracted condition is more than 1/5 its volume in the expanded condition.

Abstract: A modulating pump is disclosed including a pumping member that is initially operable by a solenoid device in a relatively long full-stroke condition to effect rapid pressure build-up of the fluid supplied to a load, the pumping member being subsequently operated by the solenoid device in a relatively short stroke condition to effect further pressure build-up in the load. A main spring device normally biases the armature of the main solenoid device to achieve the full-stroke operating condition, and when the pressure of the load reaches a value to cause the return force of the main spring to be overcome, a resilient abutment device becomes operable to achieve the desired short stroke pumping condition. A self commutating pump device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cassette for a printer for supplying mobius loop ink ribbon to the print head which includes a means for inking the ribbon as it is returned to the cassette and a means for storing the ribbon by randomly stuffing the ribbon in convolutions therein. The cassette also includes a driving means located between the inking means and the storage means for storing the ribbon through the cassette as the print head traverses the record media. In the embodiment disclosed, this driving means includes a one-way clutch actuatable by means carried by the print head. An important aspect resides in the intallation of the cassette in the printer in that there is no direct interengaging of the driving means with the printer so that the position of the print head at the time of installation of the cassette is immaterial. The disclosure also includes new and improved pulley guides for the ribbon as it is being transported to and from the cassette.

Abstract: A combined printer and cutter for simultaneously cutting and printing on a record media such as a paper tape for a customer receipt, including a stationary knife blade and a rotary knife blade which, upon rotation, severs the tape therebetween. Rocker arms are provided for rotating the rotary knife through its cutting operation and to drive the print head from a position against an ink source to a position against the record media simultaneously performing the cutting operation so as to print a trademark or other indicia on the record media concurrently therewith. The stationary knife is itself the printing platen and the rocker arms are mounted on the rotary knife so that all forces involved in oscillating the rotary knife and rotating the print head are taken by this relatively large shaft.