Abstract: Provided is an animal leash with leash strap retractable through an ergonomic hand grip which is releasably fixed to said leash at any length position along the leash strap, and is quickly adjusted by simple push button release and manual repositioning. Leash is fixed against being pulled through handle in either direction until user presses release button, at which time leash may be pulled back to quickly restrain the animal, or pulled forward to allow more length freedom. Handle is equipped with wrist strap to better secure it to handler.

Abstract: Provided is an animal leash with leash strap retractable through an ergonomic hand grip which is releasably fixed to said leash at any length position along the leash strap, and is quickly adjusted by simple push button release and manual repositioning. Leash is fixed against being pulled through handle in either direction until user presses release button, at which time leash may be pulled back to quickly restrain the animal, or pulled forward to allow more length freedom. Handle is equipped with wrist strap to better secure it to handler.

Abstract: A device and method for marking a treatment isocenter on a patient's body. One embodiment includes a base including alignment indicia, a marker disposed over the base and positioned relative to the indicia for marking the isocenter on the patient's body and an actuator for actuating the marker and causing a mark indicating the isocenter to be made on the patient's body. The actuator can include a button and a spring coupled to the marker. Compressing the actuator causes the marker to travel through an ink well prior to piercing the patient's skin.

Abstract: A device and method for marking a treatment isocenter on a patient's body. One embodiment includes a base including alignment indicia, a marker disposed over the base and positioned relative to the indicia for marking the isocenter on the patient's body and an actuator for actuating the marker and causing a mark indicating the isocenter to be made on the patient's body. The actuator can include a button and a spring coupled to the marker. Compressing the actuator causes the marker to travel through an ink well prior to piercing the patient's skin.

Abstract: A portable solar power collection and storage system integrated into a body affixed to a towable trailer vehicle, which in a preferred configuration may require no complicated setup steps or even no setup steps at all, and may be not wind vulnerable due to integrated body construction with substantially contained rather than extended solar panel(s). The system may further include water pumping and treatment equipment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards apparatuses for rotating a gimbaled platform with rotatable actuators. Gimbal springs comprised of component springs with compliant axes that intersect at a nonzero angle are coupled to the gimbaled platform. Preferably, the compliant axes of the component springs are oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the actuator rotation axes. Wraparound lever arms coupling the rotatable actuators with the gimbal springs serve to increase the leverage ratio, thereby permitting greater platform rotation for a given actuator rotation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards apparatuses for rotating a gimbaled platform with rotatable actuators. Gimbal springs comprised of component springs with compliant axes that intersect at a nonzero angle are coupled to the gimbaled platform. Preferably, the compliant axes of the component springs are oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the actuator rotation axes. Wraparound lever arms coupling the rotatable actuators with the gimbal springs serve to increase the leverage ratio, thereby permitting greater platform rotation for a given actuator rotation.

Abstract: A computer disc drive includes a disc with circumferentially arranged tracks, a number of sectors on each track, with each sector including positional and data fields. The disc drive also includes a servo system with a magnetic head, arm, motor, and servo signal processor. One track of the disc drive includes a number of sectors, with each of the sectors including a positional field. A second track of the disc drive includes a number of sectors, with each of the sectors including a positional field. The positional fields of the second track are in a phase variant relationship, or staggered configuration, with the positional fields of the first track. Thus, the magnetic head reading from the first track or the second track is assured of producing a coherent signal with positional information that is sufficient for the servo system to process, despite interfering magnetic patterns between the two tracks.

Abstract: A shipping container for computer peripherals such as disk drives or other payloads is provided in which a bottom cap (21a) and apertured block (23a), both of resilient foam material, are partially adhesively bonded (as to 27, 28) and inserted separately or as a unit into a closed end of an outer box (10). The payload, contained in an inner box (30,50), is inserted into an aperture (25) in the block (23a). A second spaced apertured block (23b) and partially bonded top cap (21b) are inserted into the top of the box (10) separately or as a unit with the aperture (25) in block (23b) holding the top (31) of inner box (30, 50) in suspended position. The box (10) flaps are then closed over the top of block (21b). Slits (40) are provided at the corners of the apertures in the blocks to prevent tearing due to repeated shocks to the package.

Abstract: A device for sealing a gateway between interconnectable pools in a nuclear facility comprising a frame supporting a liquid impermeable sheet positioned in a U-shaped gateway between the pools. An inflatable tube carried in a channel in the periphery of the frame and adjoining the gateway provides a seal therebetween when inflated. A restraining arrangement on the bottom edge of the frame is releasably engagable with an adjacent portion of the gateway to restrict the movement of the frame in the U-shaped gateway upon inflation of the tube, thereby enhancing the seal. The impermeable sheet is formed of an elastomer and thus is conformable to a liquid permeable supportive wall upon application of liquid pressure to the side of the sheet opposite the wall.

Abstract: An accurately formed straight edge member serves as a track for a carriage movable along the length of an elongated component. Distance measuring devices supported by the carriage engage the adjacent surface of the component by which flatness, bow and twist of the component can be determined.