Abstract: A liquid flow meter (50), including a microcontroller (60) and associated algorithm, monitors urine flow through a cartridge trap (20). Measuring the duration of such flow and the number of times the urinal is used will determine, in accordance with preset criteria, when servicing or replacement is needed, and alerts a service person to that effect by a warning light (68) or other signal. Because urine has a high mineral content, it is electrically conductive, effective to complete circuits between closely spaced metal contacts (62a-62c, 64a-64c) coupled to the PROM, which allows the manner and existence of the urine to be detected. The liquid flow meter is installed in the cartridge trap by utilizing and placing a split ball stem (52) located at the base of the meter into a mounting hole (42) located in the center of the drain holes (36) on the cartridge cover (26).

Abstract: A dual use roadway or railroad travel vehicle such as a railcar mover (10) is disclosed which includes an inner set (24) of wheel assemblies (28, 30) designed for alternate roadway or rail travel, together with fore and aft rail wheel assemblies (32, 34) which may be alternately retracted for roadway travel or lowered for rail travel. The wheel assemblies (32, 34) each have a pair of rail wheels (36, 38) mounted on fixed spindles (48) so that the rotational axes A of the wheels (36, 38) are oriented at an oblique angle &agr; of less than 6° relative to the horizontal H; this wheel orientation, together with a rail wheel geometry including a rim surface (40, 42) parallel with the associated rotational axis A and a reduced radius of curvature R between the rim surface (40, 42) and the flange (44, 46), significantly decreases the problem of rail wheel climb encountered with conventional movers (10), while also reducing flange wear.

Abstract: A multiple lumen catheter having a soft, tapered multiple lumen distal tip for insertion into a body vessel. One of the lumens is sized to pass over a guidewire such that the catheter can be inserted into the body vessel using the Seldinger technique. At least one medical implement lumen is used for placement or positioning of a biomedical sensor or other medical implement. For example, at least one optical fiber passing through the medical implement lumen may transmit and receive light at the distal tip for measuring oxygen saturation of the blood. The catheter may have a cylindrical catheter body to which the soft distal tip attaches. The soft tip reduces the possibility of vessel or tissue puncture and abrasion. The tip is constructed of a soft plastic or pliable material that yields easily when force is applied.

Abstract: A multiple lumen catheter having a soft, tapered multiple lumen distal tip for insertion into a body vessel. One of the lumens is sized to pass over a guidewire such that the catheter can be inserted into the body vessel using the Seldinger technique. At least one medical implement lumen is used for placement or positioning of a biomedical sensor or other medical implement. For example, at least one optical fiber passing through the medical implement lumen may transmit and receive light at the distal tip for measuring oxygen saturation of the blood. The catheter may have a cylindrical catheter body to which the soft distal tip attaches. The soft tip reduces the possibility of vessel or tissue puncture and abrasion. The tip is constructed of a soft plastic or pliable material that yields easily when force is applied.

Abstract: An odor trap apparatus (20) includes a housing (32) having an interior and an opening (48) extending from the interior to the external drain, and a cartridge (22). The cartridge has an exit opening (78) disposed to communicate with the housing opening. The cartridge and the housing have positions of final secured interconnection, when openings (26, 48) are aligned, and of initial unsecured interconnection, when their openings are not aligned. A lever (52) is swivelably secured to the housing bottom wall (46), and has a cap (54) for closing the housing exit tube (28) and a projection (56) engageable with the cartridge for effecting the closure when the housing opening (48) is not aligned with the cartridge exit opening (78). Three L-shaped keyways (60) in the housing interior are adapted to mate with three keyways (82) in the cartridge, and have corrugated surfaces to provide a ratcheted secure connection between the cartridge and the housing when in the secure orientation.

Abstract: A liquid flow meter (50), including a microcontroller (60) and associated algorithm, monitors urine flow through a cartridge trap (20). Measuring the duration of such flow and the number of times the urinal is used will determine, in accordance with preset criteria, when servicing or replacement is needed, and alerts a service person to that effect by a warning light (68) or other signal. Because urine has a high mineral content, it is electrically conductive, effective to complete circuits between closely spaced metal contacts (62a-62c, 64a-64c) coupled to the PROM, which allows the manner and existence of the urine to be detected. The liquid flow meter is installed in the cartridge trap by utilizing and placing a split ball stem (52) located at the base of the meter into a mounting hole (42) located in the center of the drain holes (36) on the cartridge cover (26).

Abstract: Battery operated security system for valuable object/equipment protection, involving motion sensing means to act on latching means to activate a sound emitting alarm which can be deactivated only by a security key opening the latched circuit—all involved elements of the said security system being affixed to the valuable object/equipment or objects rigidly associated with it like cases or the like.

Abstract: An odor trap apparatus (20) for conveyance of waste water to an external drain includes a housing (32) having an interior and an opening (48) extending from the interior to the external drain, and a cartridge (22) receivable in the housing interior. The cartridge has an opening (26) for receiving the wastewater, and an exit opening (78) disposed to communicate with the housing opening. The cartridge and the housing have positions of final secured interconnection, when openings (26, 48) are aligned, and and of initial unsecured interconnection, when their openings are not aligned. A lever (52) is swivelably secured to the housing bottom wall (46), and has a cap (54) for closing the housing exit tube (28) and a projection (56) engageable with the cartridge for effecting the closure when the housing opening (48) is not aligned with the cartridge exit opening (78).

Abstract: A motor vehicle security device for protecting against the cutting and/or turning of an automobile steering wheel which includes a pair of clam shell halves made of cut-resistant material for covering the steering wheel rim and an anti-rotation arm. The clam shells radially and circumferentially overlies the steering wheel rim to limit access to the rim and protect against cutting of the rim. Second and third layer motion detector, siren and lights all having a battery and a backup power source are housed in the center of the clam shells.

Abstract: A chock-type wheel lock has two V-shaped cradles joined at the lowermost part of the "V" horizontally at the tire's center. A sliding bar and cylinder lock engage the cradle members together. Alternatively, a series of adjustment blocks join the cradles together for differing tire sizes. The chocks may be adjustable having an axle which slides into notches in a cradle housing to provide for multi-size tire use.

Abstract: A method for testing a bumped semiconductor die (14) is accomplished without excessively deforming the conductive bumps (200). In one form, testing is accomplished using a test contactor (12) which includes a deformable layer (204), such as an elastomer, which is patterned to include a plurality of openings (202) corresponding in pattern to the conductive bumps (200). The die is positioned next to the test contactor and the two are compressed together. The walls of the openings in the elastomeric material constrain the deformation of the conductive bumps in the X-Y plane due to the lateral pressure exerted on the sides of the conductive bumps. In a second form, a mechanical standoff (216) limits the extent to which the die and the test contactor can approach, thereby limiting the deformation in the Z-axis. In a third form, both elastomeric material and mechanical standoff act to constrain the deformation in the X-, Y-, and Z- axes.

Abstract: A biomedical pressure sensor having a pressure sensing diaphragm is provided with a distensible membrane overlying the diaphragm, and the diaphragm is provided with one or more holes. During normal operation, externally applied pressure forces the membrane against the diaphragm so that the membrane and diaphragm deform under pressure as a unit and transmit pressure-applied forces to a force transducer within the probe housing. When a reference pressure exceeding the externally applied pressure is supplied within the probe housing, such reference pressure passes through the hole in the diaphragm and forces the membrane away from the diaphragm, thereby isolating the diaphragm from the externally applied pressure and bringing the diaphragm to a zero-differential pressure condition. Use of a hole in the diaphragm permits an extremely compact construction.

Abstract: A digital image preprocessing method for eliminating background patterns and scenes from digitized gray level document image data. The method accepts multi-gray level image data as input and produces a gray level output image containing a "white" background. Document image backgrounds are eliminated (or suppressed) by computing a separate (and typically different) threshold value for each gray level pixel of the original document image. Input image pixels whose gray level is greater (brighter) than the threshold value are assumed to be background picture data and are modified to be "white" pixels in the output image. The pixel threshold value is determined dynamically pixel-to-pixel based on gray level pixel data observed within the input image. Additionally, the pixel threshold can be automatically controlled to insure retention of written and/or printed information present in the input image.

Abstract: A computer output printer is provided with a communications interface having a plurlaity of input ports. Each port can be configured to emulate a different manufacturer's printer, and is provided with a buffer to store print messages while print messages from another port are being printed.

Abstract: A computer output printer includes a host computer interface that enables the printer to emulate a color pen plotter. Pen select commands are interpreted to select a halftone dot pattern, and plot commands are interpreted to define an outline of the line to be plotted, and fill the outline with the selected halftone dot pattern.

Abstract: A fish lure that alternately dives and surfaces has a hollow body through which water flows as the lure is drawn through water on a line, and an air catching means such as a skirt on the trailing end of the body. The trailing end can be made of a material relatively heavier than water and can be flared to produce an air-retardation low-pressure area at the trailing end. When the air catching means holds water only, the lure is directed upwards to the surface, causing ingestion of air. The ingested air trapped in the air catching means offsets the trailing end weight and causes the lure to tilt downwards temporarily, until the air is lost. The alternating effect may be enhanced by movable-body noisemakers attached within the hollow body and having weighted balls that roll fore and aft as the lure tilts. The variations in lure depth, bubble emission and in emitted sounds due to variations in tilt and air content make the lure especially interesting to fish.