Abstract: Finger cuff adjustability is provided in a measurement cylinder assembly in a unique manner which accommodates the size and space limitations inherent in a mouse-based blood pressure measurement device. The exterior radial surface of the inflatable cuff is adhered to a pull-tab which is longer than the cuff length and has a tab end channeled through a pair of rings, one of which is fixed or stationary and the other of which is an adjustment ring. Rotation of the adjustment ring either pulls or pushes the tab end through a slit in the fixed or stationary ring depending upon the direction of ring rotation. Pulling the tab end causes the adhered finger cuff to forcefully collapse around the user's finger in firmer engagement therewith and to compensate for a finger of smaller diameter. Pushing the tab end causes the adhered finger cuff to forcefully open to a larger profile to loosen the engagement with a finger and to compensate for a finger of larger diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for removing hair employs two overlapping thread portions (14) and (16) wherein one thread portion is helically wound or coiled around the other to form at least one hair trap (18) to grasp and pull strands of hair. A motorized oscillation arm (32) alternately tightens and loosens each side of one thread portion to manipulate the hair trap. The thread is held in tension in a readily removable and replaceable yoke (12) to facilitate disposal of the used thread and replacement with unused thread. A housing (20) contains a battery-operated motor (24) to move the oscillation arm which has hooks (36) to engage the thread.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer cuff assembly, air pump, pressure sensor and release valve are contained in an otherwise conventional computer mouse controller. Various alternative embodiments are illustrated and discussed herein. In one such embodiment the sphygmomanometer cuff is nominally positioned within the mouse structure and is extended outside the mouse housing during the measurement. In another embodiment, the cuff is always external of the mouse structure and is easily connected to the mouse at special ports during the measurement. In yet another embodiment, the cuff is always internal of the mouse structure and is readily accessible through an aperture in the housing surface of the mouse to permit the measurement to take place. Preferably, in each of these alternative embodiments a hinged or slidable door or panel protects the cuff or cuff ports between measurements.

Abstract: A manicuring appliance comprising a hand held center section with proximal and distal end sections each of which may be detachable from the center section. Each end section may have a lip shaped to bear against the base of the cuticle. The distal end section comprises a pusher for shaping the cuticle and prepare it for cutting by the proximal end section. The proximal end section includes a cutting blade positioned to properly cut or trim the cuticle along an arc which follows the arc of the cuticle base as the user moves the appliance along the cuticle. Various alternative embodiments of the proximal cutting section are disclosed.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer cuff assembly, air pump, pressure sensor and release valve are contained in an otherwise conventional computer mouse controller. Three alternative embodiments are illustrated and discussed herein. In one such embodiment the sphygmomanometer cuff is nominally positioned within the mouse structure and is extended outside the mouse housing during the measurement. In another embodiment, the cuff is always external of the mouse structure and is easily connected to the mouse at special ports during the measurement. In yet another embodiment, the cuff is always internal of the mouse structure and is readily accessible through an aperture in the housing surface of the mouse to permit the measurement to take place. Preferably, in each of these alternative embodiments a hinged or slidable door or panel protects the cuff or cuff ports between measurements.

Abstract: Provision is made in the housing of a host to provide a socket, or sockets, to which a peripheral piece of equipment can be connected for receiving directly from the host the low voltage DC power it requires. The socket(s) are connected electrically to the outputs of a power supply (or regulator) of a host for providing the low voltage needed to power the peripheral. The power supply may be mounted on the rear face of a computer. The principal feature of the invention resides in the use of a connector for connecting the host DC power to the peripheral DC power usage device. The connector comprises pins connected to a selected resistor in the power supply. The resistor value (i.e., resistance) is selected to produce a pre-determined control voltage which is fed back to a DC to DC converter in the host's internal power supply. The converter comprises a pulse width modulation control device. The control voltage determines the duty cycle (i.e.

Abstract: Electrical equipment such as a personal computer includes a plurality of internal components which require different voltages including low voltages of about five volts for operation. The different voltages are supplied by an internal power supply, with a voltage regulator, which is itself connected to an appropriately transformed high voltage supply typically from an in-the-wall source. Peripherals such as a FAX/modem, CD ROM, or tape recorder are powered by special connectors in the face of the computer housing and connected to the appropriate outputs of the internal power supply to obtain low voltage power directly from the host computer in the absence of a transformed connection to a house supply.