Abstract: A surgical illumination probe includes an optical fiber with a proximal end and a distal end, a connector disposed at the proximal end of the optical fiber (the connector being adapted for connection to a source of illumination and for holding the proximal end of the optical fiber in position to accept light from the illumination source), and a handpiece disposed generally at the distal end of the optical fiber. The handpiece has a handpiece body and a needle extending distally from the handpiece body, with the optical fiber extending generally through the handpiece and extending slightly past the distal end of the needle. The handpiece is of a size suitable for one-handed operation by a human user, and the needle is of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a "rifle sighting system" on the top surface of the clubhead which allows the golfer at the address position to align the ball where the center marker on the clubface will be at impact. This system factors in the effect the downward bowing of the shaft on the forward swing has on the center of the clubface's position at impact. It also factors in the parallax visual error the golfer experiences as he tries to align the center of the clubface to the ball.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of manufacturing vacuum cleaner bags with a unique tri-lock top and bottom seal. The paper end of at the end of the open bag length is sealed onto itself with seam-paste glue three times providing an extra strong seam to accommodate the ever increasing air pressure created by today's powerful cleaners.

Abstract: A urinal drip guard for use with wall urinals comprising a strip of flexible material having top edge, a bottom edge, and an intermediate portion therebetween, the bottom edge formed with a pair of opposed and spaced lips extended downwards therefrom and thereby defining a mouth for coupling about a rim of a urinal and with the intermediate portion extended to the top edge, whereby when a rim of a urinal is disposed within the mouth, the strip is coupled to the rim and extends to a position for directing urine drippings towards the urinal.

Abstract: In a video telephony system, a coaxial cable network, which is preferably a part of an existing cable television system, provides a local link for the transmission of the video telephone signals between each originating and destination location and a respective "head end" located on the cable company premises. Each of the head ends is connected to a "point of presence" of a telephone interexchange carrier so that a connection between pairs of head ends, and thus between a pair of video telephone locations, can be made via a switched digital network maintained by the carrier. Certain of originating and destination locations comprise a standard television set, serving as the audio/video display, and a consumer-type camera or camcorder, serving as the audio/video source. Others of the originating and destination locations comprise ISDN video telephones which are connected to the various points of presence of the interexchange carrier via local exchange carrier telephone networks.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for establishing connections over a public switched telephone network to a customer whose telephone number is in a block associated, for routing purposes, with a first telephone switching system, but who is actually served by a second telephone switching system. The facility for carrying out this method is desirable in order to serve customers who need the advanced functions of a digital switching system, who are currently served by an analog switching system, and do not wish to have their telephone number changed when they switch to being served by the digital switching system. In accordance with the invention, a centralized database is queried to find the identity of the switch serving the called customer. The database returns a routing index for routing the call to that switch.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery has a pair of electrodes, one having nickel hydrox as the active component and the other comprising as active component an amorphous alloy of at least one element selected from the group consisting of early transition metals and rare earth metals; and at least one late transition metal; the battery displays superior characteristics as compared with conventional Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries; essentially the battery functions as a hydrogen cell, involving intercalation of hydrogen into the amorphous alloy; a new method of charging involves charging a rechargeable cell and periodically interrupting the charging for a short interval and electrically shorting the cell during the short interval.

Abstract: An exterminating arrangement for exterminating the Argentina Fire Ant is disclosed. The arrangement includes a holding and pressure tank, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the holding and pressure tank, a superheater in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, and a dome in fluid communication with the superheater.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal analysis of a solid or liquid sample which evolves or absorbs gas on heating or cooling, wherein the sample is heated or cooled in an enclosed space, the temperature of the sample and the pressure of the gas are continuously monitored by temperature and pressure sensors respectively, and measurements of sample temperature and gas pressure are input to a data processor which also controls the temperature change of the sample. The value of gas pressure as a function of sample temperature and the rate of change of this value with respect to sample temperature are calculated; these functions are characteristic of the sample or of a component of the sample under analysis.

Abstract: A device for holding together a male plug and a female plug of an electrical connector in a connected state, each of the male and female plugs having an electrical cord extending therefrom, comprises a pair of hollow members each capable of accommodating a plug. The members each have an open end through which a plug can be accessed, and a substantially closed end, with a slot extending from the closed end to the open end, through which slot the electrical cord can be passed. The hollow members are adapted to be joined together by complementary helix threads of a sufficient large dimension to maintain the male and female members in their connected state.

Abstract: A short circuit proof driver and alarm circuit for a solenoid actuator in a glassware forming machine is disclosed. Power to the solenoid is switched from a power source by a VMOS enhancement mode power transistor. Under normal operating conditions, the power transistor will be operated in saturation, whereby very little voltage is dropped between the drain and the source. When a short circuit condition occurs in the solenoid or connecting cable, the power transistor will be pulled out of saturation and the amount of voltage drop will become significant. Circuitry is provided for limiting current flow through the power transistor to a value somewhat above the maximum normal load current. The components of the system are selected to operate properly in the short circuit condition, thereby preventing the accidental activation of a solenoid in the glassware forming machine.

Abstract: A control system for a glassware forming machine determines the machine speed in accordance with the physical characteristics of the molten glass and the type of glassware being formed. The control system is loaded with timing data representing predetermined forming steps and a machine cycle speed and a control program for generating control signals to the machine forming mechanisms for forming the selected type of glassware. As the machine is operated, one or more physical characteristics of the molten glass entering the machine are sensed and utilized by the control system to adjust the machine speed to an optimum value. The control system also can utilize signals representing the operation of the forming mechanisms to adjust the timing within the machine cycle.

Abstract: A cooling system includes means for maintaining electronic control components of a glassware forming machine at a safe operational temperature. A circuit board heat sink is attached to and substantially covers the component mounting surface of a printed circuit board. The circuit board heat sink includes a thermoconductive pad for each component and a metallic panel. Thermoconductive means engage a portion of the circuit board heat sink to transmit heat energy from the components through the heat sink to a coolant manifold. The thermoconductive means includes at least one card guide for frictionally engaging the circuit board and the circuit board heat sink, and a card rack for supporting the card guide. A coolant manifold has a plurality of passages formed therein for the passage of coolant throughout. The manifold is attached to a housing which encloses and is attached to the card rack and receives the heat energy from the components.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the volume and shape of a falling gob of glass. Two cameras are used to make section by section measurements of the horizontal extent of the moving gob. Timing of the measurements is controlled so as to cause measurements to be made at equal increments of the motion of the gob. The measurements are made 90.degree. apart with respect to the gob and are utilized to determine the volume of each section of the gob. The volumes of the individual sections of the gob are then summed to determine the total volume of the gob. An image of the gob is generated on a television screen to aid in the determination of the shape of the gob.

Abstract: A solderless coaxial cable connector for securely holding coaxial cable without indentation to the cable dielectric and offering a high strength joint at the connector. A conductive cylindrical body having four annular ratchet teeth keeps the connector from rotating when mated. The small end of the body accomodates a screw sleeve or a crimp sleeve for the outer conductors of the coaxial cable connector. The large end of the body accommodates a tubular insulator with a bore for a crimp type contact for a solid or stranded center conductor of the coaxial cable. A female nut is held in place at the center portion of the body between the large diameter section and the sleeve, either crimp or screw, to act as a coupling nut when the connector is mated.

Abstract: A gas discharge display/memory device in which the driving circuitry is coupled to the panel electrodes through a plurality of gas discharge cells. Along one edge of each of the panel electrode arrays, there are formed a plurality of gas discharge shift cells each defined by a pair of crosspoints, one crosspoint formed by one of a plurality of shift electrodes and a common electrode means and the other crosspoint formed by the common electrode means and one of the panel electrodes. The shift electrodes associated with each electrode array are connected to individual shift voltage generators which generate phased shift voltages to shift a discharge along the common electrode. The discharge associated with each electrode array can be transferred to a selected panel electrode by applying a transfer pulse voltage to the electrodes forming the second crosspoint such that a discharge is initiated in the panel cell defined by the crosspoint of the selected panel electrodes.

Abstract: A circuit and method for obtaining gray scale in gas discharge display panels which uses only one discharge site per resolution element, does not require extensive electronic memory and provides a continuous, broad intensity range. A video signal is sampled at predetermined time intervals and the samples are stored as potentials proportional to the magnitude of the video signal at the moment of sampling. Trigger signals are then generated from the samples, each trigger signal having a wave form with at least one dimension proportional to the potential of the associated sample. A maintain voltage is applied to all elements of the matrix display panel which has a magnitude somewhat less than the lower limit of the bistable region in which gas discharge panels are normally operated. Thus, a site cannot be turned "on" in the normal sense of initiating a sequence of discharges which continues indefinitely.

Abstract: A flat strip of metal, preferably coiled upon itself, is fed into a draw press and subjected to pressure to produce a generally bowl-shaped workpiece having irregular outer edges within which is defined a pair of mirror-imaged toe cap parts. The toe cap parts occur in angularly opposed relation to one another and are surrounded by irregular edge portions. The toe cap parts are separated and gauged by a press operation in which parting is combined with a trimming operation in a unique manner. An improved tool construction for processing the workpiece includes mating die bodies which are progressively moved toward one another in contact with the workpiece. During a first movement inner sides of the toe cap parts are located in a centered position on one of the mating die parts. Further die movement operates to separate the toe cap parts. Completion of the die motion trims away irregular outer edges of each toe cap part and simultaneously die cut edges of the toe cap parts are conformed to a desired shape.

Abstract: A method of trussing a poultry carcass including folding the neck skin over the back of the carcass, placing the central part of a cord over the neck skin and passing the end portions of the cord over the wings, about the body, under the keel and back on the other side of the body, tieing the cord over the neck skin. A modified trussing method includes making a slit in the skin of the body of the carcass, tucking the end of the humerus section of the wing into this slot and, if desired, binding the wing section in position by placing a cord over the wing section, suitably over the body skin covering the end of this section.

Abstract: A white rose plant intended for greenhouse culture and production of cut flowers distinguished by its prolific growth habits, disease resistance, and its abundant production of flowers of a medium large size offering versatility in usage for corsages, low-profile centerpieces and hospital arrangements.