Abstract: An illuminated walking assistance apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides an elongated staff having a ground-engaging tip portion at a first end and a handle at an opposing second end. The staff provides a light pipe positioned proximal the tip portion and having a light-emitting member disposed therein to selectively illuminate the ground proximal the tip portion. The staff further provides a red nightlight which is always on so as to facilitate locating the apparatus in a dark environment.

Abstract: An illuminated walking assistance apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides an elongated staff having a ground-engaging tip portion at a first end and a handle at an opposing second end. The staff provides a light pipe positioned proximal the tip portion and having a light-emitting member disposed therein to selectively illuminate the ground proximal the tip portion. The staff further provides a red nightlight which is always on so as to facilitate locating the apparatus in a dark environment.

Abstract: An illuminated walking assistance apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides an elongated staff having a ground-engaging tip portion at a first end and a handle at an opposing second end. The staff provides a light pipe positioned proximal the tip portion and having a light-emitting member disposed therein to selectively illuminate the ground proximal the tip portion. The staff further provides a red nightlight which is always on so as to facilitate locating the apparatus in a dark environment.

Abstract: A walking assistance apparatus that includes an elongated staff having a handle at one end and a ground engaging tip at the other with the staff including a light pipe having a high intensity light emitting member disposed therein to produce light around the user's feet and a source of electrical energy coupled through a control circuit to energize the light emitting member. A plurality of switches are disposed on the handle to energize the light emitting member and the apparatus also includes a motion sensor which automatically turns the light emitting member ON when the apparatus is in use.

Abstract: An illuminated walking assistance apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides an elongated staff having a ground-engaging tip portion at a first end and a handle at an opposing second end. The staff provides a light pipe positioned proximal the tip portion and having a light-emitting member disposed therein to selectively illuminate the ground proximal the tip portion. The staff further provides a red nightlight which is always on so as to facilitate locating the apparatus in a dark environment.

Abstract: An illuminated walking assistance apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides an elongated staff having a ground-engaging tip portion at a first end and a handle at an opposing second end. The staff provides a light pipe positioned proximal the tip portion and having a light-emitting member disposed therein to selectively illuminate the ground proximal the tip portion. The staff further provides a red nightlight which is always on so as to facilitate locating the apparatus in a dark environment.

Abstract: A walking assistance apparatus that includes an elongated staff having a handle at one end and a ground engaging tip at the other with the staff including a light pipe having a high intensity light emitting member disposed therein to produce light around the user's feet and a source of electrical energy coupled through a control circuit to energize the light emitting member. A plurality of switches are disposed on the handle to energize the light emitting member and the apparatus also includes a motion sensor which automatically turns the light emitting member ON when the apparatus is in use.

Abstract: A system for treating target cells with both positive and negative ions comprises a bi-polar beam delivery system configured to create and deliver both positive ion beams and negative ion beams. The bi-polar beam delivery system comprises a bi-polar accelerator configured to accelerate positive and negative ions in the same direction making such a bi-polar beam delivery system practical.

Abstract: A system for treating target cells with both positive and negative ions comprises a bi-polar beam delivery system configured to create and deliver both positive ion beams and negative ion beams. The bi-polar beam delivery system comprises a bi-polar accelerator configured to accelerate positive and negative ions in the same direction making such a bi-polar bema delivery system practical.

Abstract: An illuminated walking assistance apparatus in the form of a staff having a light pipe in the lower portion thereof which provides diffused illumination in the immediate vicinity of the apparatus and at the same time, a bright light visible for a substantial distance to alert or signal others.

Abstract: A cooling fan for dissipating heat requiring relatively little electrical power to operate. The fan includes a fan blade, constructed from flexible metal or plastic, anchored at one end and having a permanent magnet mounted at the other end. An external drive mechanism, such as a position sensor or an oscillator, provides a drive pulse to the coil. The fan blade is placed in motion by energizing a coil which is disposed about a core constructed of magnetically permeable material and positioned adjacent the magnet. Upon energization of the coil, the magnet mounted on the blade reacts to the magnetic field generated by the coil, causing the blade to move away from the coil. When the magnet, due to the flexibility of the fan blade, moves back towards the coil, a voltage is induced in the coil by the magnet, thus causing current to flow through the coil to apply a kick or power pulse of magnetic energy to the magnet. This process continues as the blade moves from side to side.

Abstract: Optical membranes having embossed data on their surfaces are made by dispensing the polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable supporting surface bearing the embossed data, spinning the rotatable surface under conditions sufficient to form the membrane from the polymer and removing the membrane, after formation, from the rotatable surface. Such membranes can be light-transmissive, light-reflective or, as desired, partially reflective and partially transmissive.

Abstract: An injection-molded photomask carrier includes a base with a round opening of sufficient size and shape to permit light to pass through during a photolithographic process; at least three wall members joined to, upstanding from and framing the periphery of the base to support the edges of a photomask or a photomask/pellicle array resting on the base; a flange projecting inwardly from one of the walls, and a clip on the side of the base opposite the flange for movable engagement with the portions of the photomask or photomask/pellicle combination at its edges. A container for the carrier is complementary in size and shape to the carrier, injection-molded, and includes an injection-molded cover for the container.

Abstract: Edge-supported and fully supported membranes having substantially uniform thickness, and substantially parallel surfaces, and having the capacity to transmit at least about 90% of incident light with very little diffraction, dispersion or absorption of incident light are made by forming a polymer/solvent mixture, spin-coating a film of the polymer from the mixture onto a rotatable surface, which may have a release agent thereon, and, where a release agent is present, joining a frame or other support to the membrane and removing the membrane with its attached support from the surface. Apparatus for making such membranes includes a dispenser for dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable support; a device for spinning the rotatable support at gradually increasing speeds from a first to a second speed; and a device for maintaining the speed of rotation of the support at the second speed until the membrane forms.

Abstract: A method for measuring accurately the optical thickness and index of refraction of thin, optical membranes includes directing light onto the membrane at one or more known angles of incidence, finding at least one angle of incidence, called a null angle, where the membrane reflects substantially none of the incident light, then calculating the optical thickness of the membrane, its index of refraction, or both, from one or more such null angles. Apparatus for this purpose includes means for directing a light beam onto thin, optical membranes, means for varying the angle of incidence of a light beam upon the membrane, and means for detecting the angles of incidence of the light beam on the membrane, including the null angles.

Abstract: Edge-supported and fully supported membranes having substantially uniform thickness, and substantially parallel surfaces, and having the capacity to transmit at least about 90% of incident light with very little diffraction, dispersion or absorption of incident light are made by forming a polymer/solvent mixture, spin-coating a film of the polymer from the mixture onto a rotatable surface, which may have a release agent thereon, and, where a release agent is present, joining a frame or other support to the membrane and removing the membrane with its attached support from the surface. Apparatus for making such membranes includes a dispenser for dispensing a polymer/solvent mixture onto a rotatable support; a device for spinning the rotatable support at gradually increasing speeds from a first to a second speed; and a device for maintaining the speed of rotation of the support at the second speed until the membrane forms.