Abstract: Methods and kits of the invention are useful for calculating 24-hour excretion of sodium without the need to collect urine for 24 hours.

Abstract: A control system for downhill skis enables effective, continuous control of ski-to-surface resistance, to accommodate changing steepness and other conditions during a downhill ski run. Controllably positionable brake elements are mounted on the skis, centrally between the side edges thereof. Positioning motors are mounted on each ski and are operable to controllably project or retract the brake elements relative to the ski bottoms, continuously or in finite increments, allowing the skier to maintain a safe and comfortable skiing experience over almost any ski slope under a wide variety of ski conditions. The braking elements, preferably blade-like and oriented at right angles to the ski axis, are positioned close to the skier's feet, allowing the skis to be easily controlled in turns and other maneuvers. A spring-loaded, hinged mounting arrangement allows the mechanisms to momentarily pivot to retracted positions whenever the braking elements engage a rock or other immovable object.

Abstract: A control system for downhill skis enables effective, continuous control of ski-to-surface resistance, to accommodate changing steepness and other conditions during a downhill ski run. Controllably positionable brake elements are mounted on the skis, centrally between the side edges thereof. Positioning motors are mounted on each ski and are operable to controllably project or retract the brake elements relative to the ski bottoms, continuously or in finite increments, allowing the skier to maintain a safe and comfortable skiing experience over almost any ski slope under a wide variety of ski conditions. The braking elements, preferably blade-like and oriented at right angles to the ski axis, are positioned close to the skier's feet, allowing the skis to be easily controlled in turns and other maneuvers. A spring-loaded, hinged mounting arrangement allows the mechanisms to momentarily pivot to retracted positions whenever the braking elements engage a rock or other immovable object.

Abstract: A control system for downhill skis enables effective, continuous control of ski-to-surface resistance, to accommodate changing steepness and other conditions during a downhill ski run. Controllably positionable brake elements are mounted on the skis, centrally between the side edges thereof. Positioning motors are mounted on each ski and are operable to controllably project or retract the brake elements relative to the ski bottoms, continuously or in finite increments, allowing the skier to maintain a safe and comfortable skiing experience over almost any ski slope under a wide variety of ski conditions. The braking elements, preferably blade-like and oriented at right angles to the ski axis, are positioned close to the skier's feet, allowing the skis to be easily controlled in turns and other maneuvers. A spring-loaded, hinged mounting arrangement allows the mechanisms to momentarily pivot to retracted positions whenever the braking elements engage a rock or other immovable object.

Abstract: A power winch for handling running rigging of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a drum for winding and storing the line as it is brought in and for controllably releasing line as it is let out. A novel level wind mechanism is provided for uniformly winding, storing, and releasing lines under operating conditions. During release of line, the line is positively drawn from the unwinding winch drum by the level wind mechanism. The arrangement enables lines to be released from and retrieved by a winch, as when tacking or resetting sails, as well as when hoisting, lowering, furling or unfurling of sails, with no line handling by crew members, with resulting improvement in the safety and convenience. A novel form of primary clutch is also provided to enable the winch to convert easily from power to manual operation, in case of malfunction of the power system.

Abstract: A power or manually operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, which winds and stores the line during line retrieving operations and controllably releases the line when desired. The new winch, while intended to be driven by on-board electric or hydraulic power, includes a novel mechanism, actuated by a conventional winch handle, for converting the winch to a multi-speed manual operating mode in the event of failure of the on-board power system. A clutch mechanism enables controlled release of line from the winding drum during manual operation, and enables adjustments and emergency release operation when operating in a power mode. Novel level wind features enable the lines to be appropriately tensioned during retrieval, and positively drawn from the drum when the line is not under load. Significant improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew is enabled.

Abstract: A power operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, which winds and stores the line during line retrieving operations and controllably releases the line when desired. A pair of the new winches can be controllably operated using a portable or fixed control device, with one winch controlled to retrieve one line while another winch controllably releases line in a coordinated procedure. Among other things, such coordinated operations can be useful in carrying out tacking and gybing maneuvers without crew involvement in line handling operations. Novel level wind features enable the lines to be appropriately tensioned during retrieval, and positively drawn from the drum when the line is not under load. Significant improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew is enabled.

Abstract: A power or manually operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, operating in conjunction with a level wind mechanism. A special, manually operated line release clutch allows controlled release of line independently of the power or manual drive mechanisms of the winch, providing for quick release under emergency conditions as well as for a convenient, manually controlled release for sail control purposes. During line release by power or manual rotation of the winding drum, the line is tensioned by the level wind mechanism and thus positively drawn from the unwinding winch drum The arrangement enables lines to be automatically released from one winch and retrieved on a second winch, under a common control, as when tacking or resetting sails, without any physical line handling by crew members, with resulting improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew.

Abstract: A power operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, which winds and stores the line during line retrieving operations and controllably releases the line when desired. A pair of the new winches can be controllably operated using a portable or fixed control device, with one winch controlled to retrieve one line while another winch controllably releases line in a coordinated procedure. Among other things, such coordinated operations can be useful in carrying out tacking and gybing maneuvers without crew involvement in line handling operations. Novel level wind features enable the lines to be appropriately tensioned during retrieval, and positively drawn from the drum when the line is not under load. Significant improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew is enabled.

Abstract: A power or manually operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, which winds and stores the line during line retrieving operations and controllably releases the line when desired. The new winch, while intended to be driven by on-board electric or hydraulic power, includes a novel mechanism, actuated by a conventional winch handle, for converting the winch to a multi-speed manual operating mode in the event of failure of the on-board power system. A clutch mechanism enables controlled release of line from the winding drum during manual operation, and enables adjustments and emergency release operation when operating in a power mode. Novel level wind features enable the lines to be appropriately tensioned during retrieval, and positively drawn from the drum when the line is not under load. Significant improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew is enabled.

Abstract: A power or manually operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, operating in conjunction with a level wind mechanism. A special, manually operated line release clutch allows controlled release of line independently of the power or manual drive mechanisms of the winch, providing for quick release under emergency conditions as well as for a convenient, manually controlled release for sail control purposes. During line release by power or manual rotation of the winding drum, the line is tensioned by the level wind mechanism and thus positively drawn from the unwinding winch drum The arrangement enables lines to be automatically released from one winch and retrieved on a second winch, under a common control, as when tacking or resetting sails, without any physical line handling by crew members, with resulting improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew.

Abstract: A power or manually operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, operating in conjunction with a level wind mechanism, which winds and stores the line during line retrieving operations and controllably releases the line when desired. Novel level wind features enable the lines to be appropriately tensioned during retrieval, to assure proper windup of the line in organized coils on the drum. During line release, the line is placed under tension by the level wind mechanism and thus positively drawn from the unwinding winch drum even when the line is not under load from the sail to which it is attached. The arrangement enables lines to be automatically released from one winch and retrieved on a second which, under a common control, as when tacking or resetting the sails of a yacht, all without the necessity of any physical line handling by crew members, resulting in a significant improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew.

Abstract: A multi-function winch for handling multiple lines of the running rigging of a sailing yacht. The winch incorporates multiple winch drums capable of releasing, retrieving and storing working lines of the yacht. The multiple winch drums are mounted in an axially stacked relation on a single drive shaft. Individual ones of the drums can be engaged to be driven by the main shaft of the winch, while the others remain stationary or, where appropriate, free wheel and controllably release lines stored thereon. A rotatable selector lever, located at the top of the winch, is manipulated to engage a selected drum for driven operation. Level wind features can also be provided to assure neat and compact winding of retrieved lines.

Abstract: A multi-function winch for handling multiple lines of the running rigging of a sailing yacht. The winch incorporates multiple winch drums capable of releasing, retrieving and storing working lines of the yacht. The multiple winch drums are mounted in an axially stacked relation on a single drive shaft. Individual ones of the drums can be engaged to be driven by the main shaft of the winch, while the others remain stationary or, where appropriate, free wheel and controllably release lines stored thereon. A rotatable selector lever, located at the top of the winch, is manipulated to engage a selected drum for driven operation. Level wind features can also be provided to assure neat and compact winding of retrieved lines.

Abstract: Methods and kits of the invention are useful for calculating 24-hour excretion of sodium without the need to collect urine for 24 hours.

Abstract: A power or manually operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, operating in conjunction with a level wind mechanism, which winds and stores the line during line retrieving operations and controllably releases the line when desired. Novel level wind features enable the lines to be appropriately tensioned during retrieval, to assure proper windup of the line in organized coils on the drum. During line release, the line is placed under tension by the level wind mechanism and thus positively drawn from the unwinding winch drum even when the line is not under load from the sail to which it is attached. The arrangement enables lines to be automatically released from one winch and retrieved on a second which, under a common control, as when tacking or resetting the sails of a yacht, all without the necessity of any physical line handling by crew members, resulting in a significant improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew.

Abstract: A kit for an ear piercing cartridge includes a container having preferably a plurality of chambers or cells therein, in each of which is disposed a retaining assembly adapted to releasably receive an ear piercing cartridge. A portion of the retaining assembly is removable so that an ear piercing cartridge having different dimensions can be removably mounted in the same cell. The cassette has double sidewall construction to protect the cells which are hermetically sealed with a material sheet displaceable to access a particular one of the cells.

Abstract: A kit for an ear piercing cartridge includes a container having preferably a plurality of chambers or cells therein, in each of which is disposed a retaining assembly adapted to releasably receive an ear piercing cartridge. A portion of the retaining assembly is removable so that an ear piercing cartridge having different dimensions can be removably mounted in the same cell. The cassette has double sidewall construction to protect the cells which are hermetically sealed with a material sheet displaceable to access a particular one of the cells.

Abstract: An ear piercing assembly includes a disposable cartridge assembly including a first and second ear piercing earring and an ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly for releaseably supporting the ear piercing earring therein. A clutch retaining sub-assembly is integrally formed with the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and releaseably supports a first and second clutch therein. An ear piercing instrument is adapted to receive the cartridge assembly and includes a plunger assembly for ejecting an ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and is displaceable for selectively moving between a first position for ejecting the first ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and a second position for ejecting the second ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly.