Abstract: An optical blood monitoring system with a ratiometric model determines hematocrit values for a hemodialysis patient, from which hemoglobin values for the patient are estimated. The ratiometric model is calibrated, normally against a cell counter, using blood from a blood bank. The blood from a blood bank is preserved in a long term preservative which is typically different than that found in clinical settings. The hematocrit value determined by the ratiometric model is scaled by scaling factor so that the estimated hemoglobin level output from the monitor consistently matches that measured in a clinical setting. The hematocrit scaling factor is substantially about 1.033 when the patient's blood sample is stored in a short term preservative ethylene diamine tetra acetic, and is substantially about 1.06 when the hematocrit is measured in the blood sample without preservative being added to the blood sample. The hemoglobin value can also be adjusted for altitude.

Abstract: A rainfly (24) for a tent (20). The rainfly (24) includes a fabric having first and second sides (26, 28), the first side (26) being configured to reflect radiant heat energy of the sun so that the inside of a tent on which the rainfly is placed is maintained cooler than a tent not having such a rainfly, and the second side (28) being configured to absorb or retain radiant heat energy of the sun and keep the tent inside warmer in the winter than a tent not utilizing such a rainfly.

Abstract: A backpack (160) with an air frame (162). The backpack includes a storage compartment, an air frame (162), and at least one strap (168) for securing the bag to a person. The air frame (162) includes an air bladder, which stiffens as it is inflated. The air frame (162) may include portions that are individually inflatable, and a pump (26) may be included for inflating the air frame (162). The backpack (160) may include inflatable portions (22) designed to provide support to specific portions of a user's body.

Abstract: An earth bit includes a cone rotatably mounted to a shaft with a hub unit and thrust roller bearings. The hub unit is moveable between mounted and unmounted positions on the shaft, as a single unit, in a repeatable manner. The hub unit includes a pair of roller bearings positioned between inner and outer races. The outer race includes a recess extending around its outer periphery. A sealing structure is slidingly engaged with the recess to provide a seal between the cone and shaft.

Abstract: A cooler having two compartments connected together along a common edge. The cooler is configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration by rotating the compartments about the edge. The cooler may include a handle connected to each compartment near the edge, and the two compartments may be secured to one another by a zipper or other fastener. A cooler is also provided having a bag with a zipper with sets of teeth extending along portions of the top edge of the bag. The cooler may be closed by closing the zipper and folding the bag in a manner so as to create flaps that can be folded downwards and secured to the bag.

Abstract: A valve (20) for an inflatable product. One valve includes a cap (56) that provides a double seal (58, 60). An inner seal (58) closes an opening (66) for the valve (20). The inner seal (58) and the opening (66) are mounted in a chamber, and the chamber is closed by a second, outer seal (60) that provides a backup in case of failure of the inner seal (58). A flapper valve (22) may be used as another seal. Another embodiment of a valve (120) includes a rigid cap (124). Still another embodiment of a valve (220) includes a plug (232) that is attached to a valve opening. Moving the valve opening forward and backward plugs a rear opening (230) in the valve, closing the valve (220).

Abstract: A tightly rolled sleeping bag. The tightly rolled sleeping bag is rolled using conventional equipment, but pressure is applied to an end of the sleeping bag so as to cause the sleeping bag to be more tightly rolled than previous sleeping bags. Rolling tines for a rolling machine for rolling the sleeping bag are tapered so as to aid in removal of the tightly rolled sleeping bag. A storage sack is provided for holding the sleeping bag. The storage sack is configurable between a first arrangement where the storage sack holds the sleeping bag in the tight configuration, and a second arrangement where the storage sack may be released and expands to hold the sleeping bag in a less tightly rolled configuration. To provide such a function, an expansion section is provided on the storage sack. A closure is provided on the expansion section.

Abstract: A mailer type business form is constructed from an intermediate having a plurality of pressure activated cohesive cooperating patterns, and a card is mounted on or with the intermediate. Despite the fact that a card is included, because of the provision of surface manifestations in the intermediate, and/or because of the relative thicknesses of the card and the intermediate, the mailer may be sealed by steam rolling rather than requiring selective edge sealing. A surface manifestation may comprise a cutout with a patch, or a folded over portion of the intermediate, retaining the card with the intermediate during processing. Alternatively, first and second thinned portions of the sheet of paper, disposed on opposite sides of a fold line so as to cooperate and hold the card when the sheet is folded about the fold line, may be provided, the thinned portions provided by embossing, for example.

Abstract: A mailer type business form is constructed from an intermediate having a plurality of pressure activated cohesive cooperating patterns, and a card is mounted on or with the intermediate. Despite the fact that a card is included, because of the provision of surface manifestations in the intermediate, and/or because of the relative thicknesses of the card and the intermediate, the mailer may be sealed by steam rolling rather than requiring selective edge sealing. A surface manifestation may comprise a cutout with a patch, or a folded over portion of the intermediate, retaining the card with the intermediate during processing. Alternatively, first and second thinned portions of the sheet of paper, disposed on opposite sides of a fold line so as to cooperate and hold the card when the sheet is folded about the fold line, may be provided, the thinned portions provided by embossing, for example.

Abstract: A network communications adapter interconnects a plurality of digital computing resources for mutual data exchange in which a high performance, large capacity common memory is provided with a pair of external buses which allows multiple processors to store information in and read information from the common memory. The common memory is configured into two banks, each bank operating independently and concurrently under control of bus switching logic with separate address, control and data buses. The common memory typically provides 400 megabits per second of bandwidth to the multiple attached thirty-two and sixteen bit processors which may be coupled either to both buses simultaneously or individually to the two buses. The bus switching logic then allocates all of the available bandwidth to the individual processors coupled to the buses based upon a predetermined profile established at the time of system installation. Also included in the bus switch logic is circuitry for broadcasting a processor I.D.

Abstract: A loader vehicle includes a loading implement movable to a dump and a rack-back position by means of actuation of cylinders. The movement of the cylinders is provided by fluid control valves in turn operated by actuator means which provide for both a slow dump and a fast dump movement of the implement.

Abstract: A priority system has a valve assembly which has an inlet, first and second outlets, and apparatus for controllably limiting fluid pressure at the first outlet to a preselected maximum value by controllably communicating the second outlet with the inlet. The priority system has a fluid reservoir, a work element and control apparatus connected to the work element, second outlet and reservoir which receives fluid from the second outlet and passes the fluid to the fluid reservoir or work element.

Abstract: A loader vehicle includes a loading implement movable to a dump and a rack-back position by means of actuation of cylinders. The movement of the cylinders is provided by fluid control valves in turn operated by actuator means which provide for both a slow dump and a fast movement of the implement.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake system with pilot actuation for the braking of a vehicle is disclosed. The brake system includes a service brake valve, a park brake valve and a retard brake valve. The hydraulic brake system further includes an additional brake valve including two separate spools slidably disposed within a valve body, each being responsive to pilot pressure from the above-disclosed valves. The first of the spools in the additional brake valve communicates pilot pressure from a fluid pressure source to the rear brakes of the vehicle and from the rear brakes to a fluid pressure reservoir or sump. The second spool communicates fluid from the fluid pressure source to the front brakes and from the front brakes to the fluid pressure reservoir. The first spool of the additional brake valve is also independently responsive to pilot pressure from at least one of the above disclosed valves which responsiveness allows for a variance in braking force between the front and rear brakes.

Abstract: A method and plural embodiments of apparatus for delivering a pressure-compensated supply of fluid to a hydraulic steering circuit, wherein first and second pumps are respectively operated by a vehicle engine and by a ground wheel when the vehicle is in motion, output fluid from the two pumps being simultaneously directed to the steering circuit by a control valve with inlet relief valve means modulating output pressure of the sources in response to operation of the control valve. One embodiment contemplates dual inlet relief valves for separately modulating output from the two pumps while another embodiment contemplates one of the pumps having a variable output.

Abstract: A pressure responsive check valve permits fluid flow therethrough in a first direction and blocks fluid flow therethrough in the reverse direction until the fluid pressure at the blocked side exceeds a preselected pressure level at which time the check valve is controllably opened for reverse flow therethrough.

Abstract: A pilot operated, control valve providing for two speed operation of a hydraulic jack in a first direction, the control valve including centering spring means for resisting movement of its spool in either direction and additional spring means for resisting movement of the spool in the first direction in order to establish two operating positions of the spool corresponding to the two speeds of operation for the jack, the first operating speed being accomplished by communicating the rod end of the jack with a drain and simultaneously communicating a source of fluid under the pressure with a head end of the jack, the second operating speed being accomplished by communicating both ends of the jack with the pump, a pilot valve being manually operable to regulate the control valve and having first and second springs to indicate the operating position of the control valve spool and the corresponding speed of operation for the jack in the first direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the velocity of an engine driven vehicle having a hydraulic system pump driven by the engine. Means are provided for controllably restricting the passage of fluid from the pump of the hydraulic system for controllably loading the engine and thereby controlling the velocity of the vehicle.

Abstract: Flow sensing and control apparatus is provided to selectively combine the fluid output of an auxiliary pump with a hydraulic system. The apparatus includes a valve body having a primary pump passage therein through which fluid from one of a pair of primary pumps is conducted to its respective inlet of a control valve, an auxiliary pump passage interconnected between the auxiliary pump and the primary pump passage and a fluid receiving passage which is connected to the auxiliary pump passage. A pilot operated valve is disposed within the fluid receiving passage and operative in response to fluid flow through the primary pump passage for selectively controlling fluid to the fluid receiving passage so as to permit the combining of any available fluid from the auxiliary pump with that of the primary pump up to a predetermined minimum flow rate through the primary pump passage and for diverting any excess fluid from the auxiliary pump to the receiving passage above that necessary to maintain the minimum flow rate.