Abstract: A medical lift-assistance device includes a bracket, a variable assist mechanism, a lifting arm, and a pad sub-assembly. The variable assist mechanism has a strut attached to the bracket and a height-adjustment feature including a lower end, an upper end, and an attachment location between the lower end and the upper end. Here, the distal end of the strut is attached to the height-adjustment feature at the attachment location. The variable assist mechanism also includes a first gear, a first axle, a first rotational axis extending along the first axle, and a first rotational direction. The first gear is rotatably attached to the first axle. The variable assist mechanism also includes a second gear, a second axle, a second rotational axis extending along the second axle, and a second rotational direction. Here, the second gear is rotatably attached to the second axle and engages the first gear.

Abstract: A medical procedure facilitation system for use with an operating platform. The medical procedure facilitation system has a pair of assisting arms and lifting arms secured to the operating platform that may swing along a path of rotation. A chain and sprocket mechanism connects the lower end regions of the assisting and lifting arms for communicating a lifting force from the patient to supporting thigh pads that raise a patient's legs.

Abstract: A medical procedure facilitation system for use with a bed. The system has a pair of assist arms secured to the bed that may rotate in relation to the bed along a path of rotation. A spring assembly is connected to the assist arms for helping raise a patient's legs. Supportive thigh pads associated with the assist arms give support under the knees and thighs and adjust their angle to accommodate the size and position of the patient. Hand grips are mounted on the support arms that allow the patient to contribute to lifting forces.

Abstract: A sports-inspired dart game and method of playing the dart game are described. Embodiments of the sports-inspired dart game can include, but are not limited to, a dart board including indicia of a field of play, a mat including distance markers from which players throw darts, and a plurality of game pieces removably coupled to the dart board and implemented as targets and anti-targets on the dart board. Different rules can be implemented for a particular sports-inspired game being played.

Abstract: A sports-inspired dart game and method of playing the dart game are described. Embodiments of the sports-inspired dart game can include, but are not limited to, a dart board including indicia of a field of play, a mat including distance markers from which players throw darts, and a plurality of game pieces removably coupled to the dart board and implemented as targets and anti-targets on the dart board. Different rules can be implemented for a particular sports-inspired game being played.

Abstract: The invention relates to various systems and methods for conveying information associated with one or more entertainment and/or social events to one or more potential participants and/or one or more places of business to one or more potential customers. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a system and method that permits an individual user to find one or more desired entertainment and/or social events based on one or more criteria (e.g., location, date, geographical proximity, etc.). In another embodiment, the present invention permits one or more business users to advertise, interact and/or promote one or more entertainment and/or social events based, and/or their place of business to one or more individual users/customers.

Abstract: A fire suppression system and method thereof is provided. The fire suppression system includes at least one inlet pipe, at least one outlet pipe, and a valve. The inlet pipe is at least partially filled with a fluid substance, wherein the fluid substance creates a first pressure in the inlet pipe. The outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and contains a gaseous fluid, wherein the gaseous fluid creates a second pressure in the outlet pipe. The valve is in fluid communication between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, wherein the fluid substance enters the outlet pipe through the valve when the second pressure is altered to a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A non-differential dry pipe valve and fire suppression system are provided. The fire suppression system includes at least one inlet pipe, at least one outlet pipe, and a first valve assembly. The inlet pipe is at least partially filled with a fluid substance, wherein the fluid substance creates a first pressure in the inlet pipe. The outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and contains a gaseous fluid, wherein the gaseous fluid creates a second pressure in the outlet pipe. The first valve assembly is in fluid communication between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, wherein the fluid substance enters the outlet pipe through the valve when the second pressure is altered to a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided, and includes at least one inlet configured to be at least partially filled with water, the water creating a first pressure in the at least one inlet, at least one outlet in fluid communication with the at least one inlet, the outlet configured to be at least partially filled with a chemical fluid, wherein the chemical fluid creates a second pressure in the at least one outlet, and a valve assembly in fluid communication between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein the valve is configured to be in a closed position when the first pressure is less than the second pressure, and the valve is configured to be in an open position when the first pressure is greater than the second pressure, such that said valve fails open when the second pressure is less than the first pressure.

Abstract: A fire suppression system and method thereof is provided. The fire suppression system includes at least one inlet pipe, at least one outlet pipe, and a valve. The inlet pipe is at least partially filled with a fluid substance, wherein the fluid substance creates a first pressure in the inlet pipe. The outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and contains a gaseous fluid, wherein the gaseous fluid creates a second pressure in the outlet pipe. The valve is in fluid communication between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, wherein the fluid substance enters the outlet pipe through the valve when the second pressure is altered to a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing silicon nitride wherein the crystal morphology is controlled. The method involves heating a mixture consisting essentially of a chlorosilane and ammonia at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to produce a nitogen containing silane as an intermediate. The bulk density of the intermediate is controlled to less than about 0.1 g/cc to result in the silicon nitride having a crystal morphology which is essentially all fibrous, or the bulk density can be controlled to greater than about 0.3 g/cc to result in the silicon nitride having a crystal morphology which is essentially all equiaxial, or the bulk density can be controlled to between about 0.1 g/cc and about 0.3 g/cc to result in the silicon nitride having a crystal morphology which is a mixture of fibrous and equiaxial. The intermediate is then heated at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to produce the controlled crystal morphology silicon nitride.

Abstract: Fired phosphor powder is deagglomerated by introducing a slurry thereof to the bottom of a vibratory mill while water is added to the top of the mill. This establishes a vertical gradient in the phosphor concentration in the slurry, the bottom being thicker than the top. The fine phosphor particles move out faster through an outlet at the top, while the coarse particles receive longer milling time.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling electrical connectors to multi-conductor insulated cables, comprises a table which is movable along a first path past a fixed cable clamp, the table carrying a cable stripper assembly and a connector applicator assembly, which are independently movable on the table along paths perpendicular to the second path. The table and the two assemblies are arranged to be moved cyclically so that first a cable held by the cable clamp has the insulation stripped from an end portion thereof by the stripper assembly, whereafter a connector previously fed to the applicator is applied to the end of the cable. The stripper assembly may have cable shield slitting means and the applicator may have cable shield folding back means.

Abstract: A process for the growth of silicon nitride whiskers consists of reacting a mixture of carbon and silicon dioxide powders at elevated temperature in a stream of nitrogen, said reaction mixture containing small amounts of metals such as chromium, magnesium, and nickel which promote the growth of silicon nitride whiskers by vapor phase transport. The whiskers obtained as a result of this invention are of much higher purity than those obtained by prior art.

Abstract: An applicator for applying an electrical connector to a cable, comprises a roller having a recess in which is an anvil. The roller can be moved between a first angular position to allow a connector to fall from a connector magazine into the recess and a second angular position in which the anvil is opposite to a crimping die which is actuable to cooperate with the anvil to apply a connector in the recess to the cable.

Abstract: A chuck accessory for grasping a tubular workpiece at the interior wall by action originating in the jaws of a conventional three-jaw chuck makes use of an internal split jaw mandrel, the jaw elements of which are forced into outwardly directed engagement with the interior wall of the workpiece. To transfer conventional chuck action to the interior split jaw mandrel use is made of a transfer assembly in which a set of circumferentially disposed tilting fingers in the form of bell crank levers mounted on an accessory body have extensions which project endwardly against one end of an axially movable draw sleeve. There is an expansion plug at the opposite end of the draw sleeve which, when drawn into the expanding portion of the split jaw mandrel, expands the jaw elements into engagement with the workpiece. A spring return disengages the mandrel.

Abstract: Optical waveguide terminating apparatus applies a pair of plug members of the type having metal retention sleeves therein to cut and strip the ends of a jacketed optical waveguide cable. Plug members are delivered to a insertion station attached to a metal carrier strip and are clamped securely between an anvil and an upper clamp which move together vertically under the action of followers riding in cam slots in a moving cam block, which also determines movement of other components. Cable is positioned relative to insertion station by aligning exposed fibers in narrow channels in top of shear bar which drops to remove carrier strip and positions cable guide channels in cable feed path. A pair of cam actuated jaws grip the cable and advance the ends toward the terminating station; the guides drop away during this advance to permit the jaws to fully insert the cable ends in the plug member.

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacture of brushite, CaHPO.sub.4.2H.sub.2 O, is disclosed. Calcium and phosphate ions are mixed in a container to produce brushite precipitate, which is then continuously introduced into second and third containers where the pH is raised to reduce brushite solubility. The brushite is then filtered in a continuous process, washed, refiltered, and rewashed before being converted to anhydrous calcium hydrogen phosphate.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for pre-assembling a connector housing, which is pre-loaded with a plurality of terminals, with a respective connector cover and subsequently applying the pre-assembled connector to terminate a multi-conductor flat cable. The pre-loaded connector housings and the covers are separately fed to the apparatus by magazines. Each cover is positioned with respect to a housing and applied thereto with the assembly thereafter being rotated and moved to a termination station where a multi-conductor flat cable is terminated by the connector. The feed arrangement assures that only a single cover and connector will be fed from the respective magazines for each pre-assembly operation thereby obviating the possibility of jamming.

Abstract: Terminating apparatus for flat multi-conductor cable comprises a gravity discharge magazine which dispenses connector having a cover partially assembled to a housing preloaded with terminals at a delivery station. A carriage which reciprocates transversely beneath the magazine transports the connector from the delivery station to a terminating station where the cable is inserted between the cover and housing from the opposite direction. A ram presses the housing against the cover to terminate the cable in the terminals while the carriage holds the connector at the terminating station and a clamp holds the cable in a guide channel which aligns the cable for termination.