Abstract: A method for reducing at production levels sticky, abrasive waste shingles and portions thereof into a reduced shingle material for use of a patch for potholes and cracks and as paving for roads and the like comprises shredding of the shingles to pieces, milling the pieces to particles and granules and impinging the particles and granules with intermittent blasts of compressed air to prevent clogging and sticking and to assist in discharging of the reduced shingle materials. The method may also include the step of spraying water upon the shingles and inside of the apparatus. The apparatus includes an improved hammermill with a compress air manifold with apertures therein for intermittently discharging compressed air which impinges upon the inner chamber of the hammermill and upon the pulverized waste materials. A pressurized water manifold with apertures may also spray the mill chamber of the hammermill with water to prevent clogging or sticking of the hammermill.

Abstract: A containment boom has at least a portion of a semi-flexible pipe on which a containment skirt is mounted. The boom is permanently anchored to anchors on the sea bottom. A compressor is connected to pump air into the pipe to render it buoyant, to surround a moored vessel. The boom may be sunk, to permit movement of the vessel by pumping water into the pipe.

Abstract: A fish diversion apparatus uses a plane screen to divert fish for variety of types of water intakes in order to protect fish from injury and death. The apparatus permits selection of a relatively small screen angle, for example ten degrees, to minimize fish injury. The apparatus permits selection of a high water velocity, for example ten feet per second, to maximize power generation efficiency. The apparatus is especially suitable retrofit to existing water intakes. The apparatus is modular to allow use plural modules in parallel to adjust for water flow conditions. The apparatus has a floor, two opposite side walls, and a roof which define a water flow passage and a plane screen within the passage. The screen is oriented to divert fish into a fish bypass which carries fish to a safe discharge location. The dimensions of the floor, walls, and roof are selected to define the dimensions of the passage and to permit selection of the screen angle.

Abstract: A synthetic cover for waste piles may be formed from a mixture of liquid, binder, and fibers. These constituents may be mixed and applied to cover a waste pile. The cover will harden to minimize odor and affinity to birds, flies and other insects. The liquid may include water; the binder may include cement kiln dust with or without bentonite, or portland cement with flyash or stone dust. The fibers may comprise shredded paper or wood.

Abstract: A conduit weighting device comprising containment device adapted to supportingly receive a superposed charge of ballast material, in contained relation within an at least one enclosure circumscribed on all sides by upwardly extending containment device walls adapted to retainingly confine the charge between the walls. The device is adapted to be positioned in straddling, superposed relation over a conduit, to thereby at least partly counter displacement forces effecting the conduit means.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for conveying flow across a traffic way between a first flow conduit and a second flow conduit. The apparatus includes a ramp member defining an interior region, a first coupling attachment coupling to the first flow conduit for delivering flow to the interior region, a second coupling attachment coupling to the second flow conduit to deliver flow from the interior region to the second flow conduit, and connectors for connecting both coupling attachments to opposite ends of the ramp member. A kit having components to allow assembly of such an apparatus in the field is also provided. A method for conveying flow across a traffic way between a first flow conduit and a second flow conduit is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water area structure using a placing member for underwater ground, which is used as, e.g., a water area structure for discharge such as a shore-bridge and a jetty, a bulkhead structure, a breakwater structure, a dike structure, and the like.

Abstract: An elongated channel beam for supporting the surface of an underground rock formation includes a base portion with a bearing surface for contacting the rock strata and an opposite surface having a longitudinally extending central rib and flanged edges for resisting deflection and bending of the channel beam under the load of the rock strata. A plurality of openings spaced a preselected distance apart extend through the central rib. A bearing plate is positioned in overlying abutting relation with each opening in the channel beam. The bearing plate includes embossed areas and longitudinally flanged edges that overlie in abutting relation the central rib and flanged edges of the channel beam. The bearing plate is restrained from longitudinal and lateral movement on the channel beam. Anchor bolts extend through the aligned openings in the bearing plate and channel beam into bore holes drilled in the rock formation.

Abstract: A connector delivery system delivers an electrical connector component from a storage container to a processing station regardless of the relative orientation of the storage container to the processing station. The storage container contains a plurality of the connector components. A delivery conduit communicates between the storage container and the processing station. An air jet is located within the delivery conduit for effecting a pressure differential therewithin to create a vacuum to cause movement of the connector components in the delivery conduit in a downstream direction from the storage container to the processing station without the use of gravitational forces. A selector pawl upstream of the air jet feeds the connector components through the delivery conduit one component at a time in an incremental fashion. An orientation track between the selector pawl and the air jet is effective to deliver the connector components in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A tie-down system for securing articles to a load bearing structure for storage or transportation is shown. Also shown is a method for using this system. The disclosed tie-down system includes a securing member having first and second ends and a fastener for fastening the securing member to the load bearing structure. The fastener includes two clip members connected to the securing member to accomplish this purpose. A tensioner is connected to the securing member and is placed between the two clip members. One of the clip members fixedly connects the securing member to the load bearing structure and the other clip member works in cooperation with the tensioner to apply the desired tension to the securing device and maintain that tension for securing articles to the load bearing structure.

Abstract: An operating head for automatic machine tools, which includes a fork fitted on a support having various degrees of freedom; a mechanism for the numerical control of rotation of the fork around its axis; a support for a chuck, being fitted up on said fork and rotatably relative to it around an axis which is orthogonal to the former, under a numerical control; a shaft coaxial with the axis of rotation of the support for the chuck and connected, by the use of bevel gears, at one end to devices for the transmission of motion and, at its other end, to the shaft of the chuck wherein devices are provided for allowing change of the angular position of both the fork and support for the chuck, keeping the tool in contact with the piece to be machined.

Abstract: A device is provided for charging a pressurized enclosure, particularly a blast furnace. The device comprises a closing off bell which is movable inside a hopper and is used to close off a discharge opening. A lower sealing member encompasses a closing off element set out below the bell and is capable of moving axially with respect to the latter, and a seat is mounted below the discharge opening. The closing off element is equipped with an inflatable seal, and its seat is equipped with a first peripheral sealing surface which is substantially vertical or points downwardly. The inflatable seal interacts with the first sealing surface in order to ensure sealing of the pressurized enclosure with respect to the hopper.

Abstract: A method for transferring articles between containers to vary the mix of articles in the containers. A plurality of containers are moved to a mixing station and apparatus including a robot removes selected articles from the containers and places them into other of the containers to provide the desired mix of articles. In the arrangement disclosed, the articles are cups and the method is employed to change the color mix of the cups in the containers.

Abstract: A radial extrusion thread-forming screw (20) comprises a lead thread (36), load-bearing threads (34), and a forming thread (38). The forming thread (38) has a plurality of forming elements (50) that extend outwardly from the forming thread and which are spaced substantially circumferentially equidistant from each other. The forming thread (38) is tapered about its circumference such that the first forming element (50) moves the greatest amount of material and subsequent forming elements (50) move successively less such that each of the forming elements require substantially the same deformation force to move through the workpiece. The forming elements (50) are of a geometry which promotes deformation along slip planes in the material of the workpiece. The lead thread (36) and the load-bearing threads (34) do not have any forming elements (50) located thereon.

Abstract: Lift truck accessories for stacking and moving stacks of tires are disclosed. The tire-stacking device includes an elongated platform upon which a plurality of tires may be placed side by side when the device is in its horizontal position. The tire-stacking device can be raised by the lifting apparatus of a lift truck from its horizontal position to a vertical position. When in its vertical position, the stack of tires is supported by a clamping arrangement that is attached to the base end of the tire-stacking device. A second embodiment of the invention is a tire transporter that is always maintained in a vertical position but includes a clamping arrangement which is similar to the tire-stacking device. The tire transporter is relatively shorter than the kite-stacking device and enables a lift truck operator to move stacks of tires through low-clearance areas such as under doorways as well as into and out of trucks.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for transporting articles (24), and a pick and place apparatus (10) for implementing the method. The apparatus includes a suction tube (12) coupled to a pickup cam (11) and a pin (22) coupled to a hold-down cam (18). The pickup cam (11) and the hold-down cam (18) share a common cam shaft (15). In addition, the suction tube (12) is coupled to a pressure reduction apparatus (16) which is enabled throughout the transport process. The cam shaft (15) is rotated in a first direction to couple the article (24) to a suction cup (14). The article (24) is transported to a desired location and released by reversing the direction of rotation of the cam shaft (15). The article (24) is released by the pin (22) pushing the article (24) away from the suction cup (14).

Abstract: A centrifugal pump with an open-faced impeller for conveying a working liquid, the pump comprising at least one open-faced impeller provided with blades placed inside a casing defining a suction pipe facing the bottoms of the blades in the vicinity of a central shaft that drives the impeller and forming a part of a rotary assembly, and a delivery pipe fitted with a fixed diffuser disposed facing the peripheral ends of the blades. An active axial balancing system for the rotary assembly, which balancing system is integrated in the impeller and comprises a balancing chamber interposed between the rear face of the body of the impeller and an outer rear portion of the casing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugal liquid pump, preferably of the rotary disc type, which incorporates a gas injection assembly of very simple yet efficient structure, whereby up to 15% per volume of a gas such as air, may be mixed with the pumped liquid. The gas injection is achieved with a gas feed pipe that enters the pump through its axial inlet and with a plurality of gas injector pipes that projects from the gas feed pipe radially within the impeller.

Abstract: A pump casing made of sheet metal has a substantially cylindrical cup-shaped sheet-metal pump casing having a bottom on one axial and thereof and an opening defined in an opposite axial end thereof. The interior of the pump casing is divided by a partition wall disposed therein into a suction chamber and a hydrocasing chamber with an impeller rotatably housed therein. A suction nozzle is mounted on a cylindrical side wall of the pump casing and communicates with the suction chamber. The partition wall is joined to the bottom of the pump casing. The suction nozzle is positioned over the suction and hydrocasing chambers.

Abstract: A multi-stage open impeller centrifugal pump, primarily used for charging service. The pump uses multivane, 27 vanes, impellers, mounted on a single shaft. Rotor parts are a loose fit to the pump shaft and channel rings are pulled together with bolts. Jackbolts are used to separate the channel rings. A channel ring bushing is provided with a loose fit. The channel ring bushing is axially and radially retained by the channel ring and diffusor.

Abstract: A rotary separator turbine having inlet structure for mixtures of gas and liquid, rotary shaft structure comprising separator structure to receive the mixture of gas and liquid and to separate the mixture into a stream of gas and at a stream of liquid; first structure to receive the stream of gas for generating torque exerted on the shaft structure, and; second structure to receive the stream of liquid for generating torque exerted on the shaft structure; whereby the first and second structure separately operate to generate shaft power.

Abstract: An axial flow pump for handling debris-laden viscous fluid flow, for example of the type encountered in cleaning up oil spills in off-loading stricken oil tankers. The pump includes a bell- or venturi-shaped intake, rotating impeller mounted in the intake, a fixed stator downstream of the impeller, and suitable hydraulic motor means for rotating the impeller to pull oil through the pump from the intake inlet to an outlet. The surface of the intake is specially contoured at a first region from the inlet to the throat or impeller face to reduce and compensate for cavitation and viscous boundary layer growth in that region. A second portion of the intake from the throat or impeller face to the impeller exit is also specially contoured to compensate for viscous boundary layer growth, but modified in view of the impeller-generated forces and debris concentrations in that region which affect viscous boundary layer growth.

Abstract: A multibladed propeller shaped agitator includes a plurality of impellers having made blades, blade roots and hub segments made of plastic material. A metallic hub element is inlaid only in the hub segment. The impellers are connected to the hub segment such that stress peaks, imparted from a driving force, in the region of the blades, blade roots and hub segments are substantially prevented.

Abstract: A compressor arrangement for producing compressed air includes a compressor connected through a line to devices using the compressed gas and a supercharger driven by the exhaust of a heat engine. In order to improve the overall efficiency of the arrangement, the compressor is driven by the drive side of the heat engine and the supercharger is arranged in one of an intake line and a pressure line of the compressor. The pressure line forms the connection between the compressor and a pressure reservoir which is connected through another line to the devices using the compressed gas.

Abstract: A reciprocating-piston-type refrigerant compressor provided with a cylinder block having formed therein a plurality of cylinder bores in which a plurality of pistons are reciprocated to effect suction, compression and discharge of refrigerant gas in response to rotation of a drive shaft, a rotary valve element connected to the drive shaft to be rotated together with the drive shaft within a recessed chamber formed in the cylinder block, the valve element having an outer circumference in sliding contact with the inner wall of the recessed chamber and a suction passageway for sequentially introducing the refrigerant gas before compression into the plurality of cylinder bores during the rotation of the rotary valve element.

Abstract: A swash-plate type compressor comprising a cylinder block, front and rear valve plates, and front and rear housings attached to either end of the cylinder block over the valve plates. A swash-plate is accommodated in the cylinder block to reciprocally move a plurality of double headed pistons which form compression chambers on either side thereof. A drive shaft carries the swash-plate and is supported by a pair of tapered roller bearings. Each of the tapered roller bearings is secured in the central hole of each valve plate. Also, each valve plate is coupled to the cylinder block in a locating projection-locating hole fitting relationship to effect centering the drive shaft relative to the cylinder block. In addition, a suction passage is arranged to introduce the refrigerating gas from the swash-plate chamber to each of the compression chambers in such a manner as to reduce the radius of the cylinder block.

Abstract: An improved water pressurizer comprises a pair of piston and plunger type intensifiers each driven by pressurized oil on one side of the piston and returned to the starting position by air pressure on the opposite side of the piston. Magnetic sensing switches detect proximity of the piston as it nears the end of a power or return stroke and send enabling signals to electropneumatic relays controlling air actuated ball valves on input and output oil lines. Because of the displacement volume and piston to plunger ratio, the intensifiers reciprocate at unusually low frequencies, reducing down time for maintenance or repair and thereby increasing reliability and capacity factor. Installed on a trailer for transportation, the apparatus can be attached to any available water supply for providing pressurized working fluid to a remote site.

Abstract: A refrigerant compressor system utilizing a plurality of motor-compressors in a single shell in order to provide capacity modulation, wherein each motor-compressor is of the welded hermetic type having a minimum of modification, in order to take advantage of the low cost and optimized efficiency of such motor-compressors. Several related embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bearing device for use in a canned motor includes a bearing housing detachably mounted on a motor frame of the canned motor, and a radial bearing supported by the bearing housing. A pair of axially spaced stationary thrust sliding surfaces is mounted on the bearing housing, and a pair of axially spaced rotating thrust sliding surfaces are mounted on the rotor in confronting relationship to the stationary thrust sliding surfaces, respectively. A resilient member such as an O-ring is interposed between the motor frame and the bearing housing for holding the bearing housing in radial position with respect to the motor frame.

Abstract: An electronic variable orifice flow control valve includes a valve body mounted on a hydraulic pump housing in a valve bore of the housing, a valve seat on the valve body, a metering rod cooperating with the vale seat in defining a variable orifice, and a solenoid having an armature connected to the metering rod and mounted on a body of the solenoid for bodily shiftable movement between retracted and extended positions. The solenoid body has a concentric discharge type discharge port therein, i.e. a discharge port through which fluid flows concentric with a longitudinal centerline of the valve bore, and the solenoid armature is tubular so that a fluid flow path is defined from the variable orifice to the concentric discharge type discharge port through the armature.

Abstract: A pump for the hot chamber die casting of corrosive light alloys including a body (2) wherein a cavity (3) is formed in which a piston (4) vertically reciprocates and on whose side wall (5) an opening (11) for the introduction of the molten alloy (1) and the mouth of a sprue (9) for the connection with the mold (10) are formed. The diameter of the piston (4) is smaller than that of the cavity (3) so that it may move without rubbing on the wall (5) as it is guided by a seal packing (6) detachably constrained to the mouth of the cavity (3), the opening (11) being closed during the compression of the alloy in the cavity (3) by a valve (12) controlled from outside through a lever (13).

Abstract: A positive displacement device is presented. The mechanism comprises a nutator capable of nutating within a nutating chamber defined by the interior surface of the body of the positive displacement device between an inlet into and an outlet out of the positive displacement device, an inverted pendulous, low friction, substantially non-sliding nutator, vertically elongated double pivoting fulcrum; a magnetic signal pickup mechanism comprising a pivoting cruciform shaped magnet element low inertia wire magnetically tracking a nutator and a means of sensing movement; a third magnetic element to dampen or amplify movement of the cruciform wire; a balance plate bearing on the basic elements of the positive displacement device by means of a resilient spring force; and static elements which provide magnetic attraction to the moving elements effecting a sealing influence between the static and moving elements.

Abstract: An improved vane-type rotary compressor includes a rotor which is constructed by four similar plates having evenly spaced slots and containing three sets of links with hooks and pistons in their central sleeves, and four vanes which are engaged with the hooks of the links and slidably mounted in the slots of the rotor while the edges of every vanes are lightly contacting with the inner surface of the cylinder having a gas inlet and a gas outlet of the compressor. The slidable vanes accompanying with the pistons in the sleeves of the links can reduce the contacting force of the vanes against the cylinder during the rotation to prolong the life of the vanes and to prevent the vanes from wear.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon polymers with grafts of polyethers, polylactones, or polyesters from the reaction of phosgene with glycols having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms are disclosed as having good release properties or low adhesion to hydrocarbon rubber materials. The hydrocarbon backbone polymers include EPDM, hydrogenated polybutadiene, and hydrogenated poly(styrene-butadiene) all said polymers having pendant succinic anhydride groups or brominated p-methylstyrene-isobutylene copolymers. The above-referenced graft copolymers along with butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber or epichlorohydrin polymers or copolymers are described as useful polymers to make self-release curing bladders or sleeves for use in making molded articles such as pneumatic tires.

Abstract: An apparatus for making an endless, flat, flexible belt of pourable plastics include a core, especially a multiple core, as tension bearer, for example in a conveyor belt of polyurethane. The apparatus includes a drum-like frame adapted for use in a centrifugal casting mold utilized for casting an endless, flat, flexible belt of pourable plastic material having a multiple strand core as a tension bearer at the generally center plane of the belt.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injection molding die unit having a simple construction and an injection molding method employing the injection molding die unit and capable of molding a composite molding in a short cycle time. After molding a first molding (70), a male die (30) is moved together with the first molding (70) by a distance (Gb) in direction (L) and, at the same time, a movable female die (14B) of a composite female die (14) is moved by the same distance (Gb) in the same direction (L) by a coil spring (29) to form a space (72) between the male die 30 and the composite female die (14) consisting of the movable female die (14B) and a fixed female die (14A), and a second molding material is injected into the space (72) to form a second molding (80).

Abstract: A vent hole 3 for exhausting a gas component generated from a melted resin is provided at a heating cylinder. A gas staying chamber is formed at the interior by covering the upper portion of the vent hole, and there are provided a vent hole cover having a gas exhaust port at its upper portion and an inert gas supply unit for supplying an inert gas to the inside of the vent hole cover. Thereby the inert gas stays in the gas staying chamber, and a gas shielding layer for shielding the vent hole from the atmospheric air is formed.

Abstract: A control system for automatically controlling a continuous vulcanization line for manufacturing sponge rubber products, which includes a sensor for monitoring an outside dimension of a sponge rubber product produced by the continuous vulcanization line, a discriminating circuit for determining whether the monitored outside dimension is within a predetermined criterion defined by designated upper and lower limits of an acceptable rubber product, an arithmetic circuit for deriving an offset amount of the outside dimension, offsetting from the criterion, and a control circuit for controlling an output power of microwave generated by a microwave vulcanizer employed in a primary heating system for pre-foaming a sponge rubber material, depending on the offset amount of the outside dimension.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically dispensing food product, such as hard ice cream, comprising an insulated housing having a refrigerated chamber therein and a receptacle in the chamber for holding a supply of food product under refrigeration. The receptacle has an open upper end to permit loading of food product into the receptacle and a lower end.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermoforming plastic sheet material which has a frame and complementary mold halves mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from one another. The apparatus has an indexing means which moves along a vertical path to pull the plastic material through the mold and a clamping means disposed between the mold halves which operates with the mold to clamp the plastic sheet around the edges of the forming tool of one mold half. The indexing means and clamping means operate to reduce sag of the plastic material and improve uniformity of the finished article. Operation of the apparatus is enhanced by the use of air pressure, vacuum and cooling during molding and release.

Abstract: A face block (10) for an injection blow molding machine of the type used in producing thermoplastic containers. The face block has a lateral series of openings (14) extending axially therethrough, and each opening receives an end portion of an elongate tubular core rod (16). The core rod has an annular bushing (18) secured to the end portion that is received in the opening, and the opening is sized to permit radial movement of the annular bushing therein to permit the core rod to move relative to the face block. The annular bushing has an annular recess (18a) in an end surface thereof and the recess carries an elastomeric O-ring (20) which sealingly engages an inturned annular flange (14a) at the rear of the opening. The core rod is axially positioned relative to the annular flange to maintain the O-ring in sealing engagement therewith by a U-shaped retainer (22) which is secured to the front of the face block. The retainer has legs (22a, 22b) which engage a recess (16a) in the outside of the core rod.

Abstract: In a method of combustion designed to achieve a further reduction in harmful emissions, especially of NOx and CO, which is viable at advantageously reduced noise levels and lower cost with any burner of a type comprising a slotted or pierced diffuser of thin sheet metal in receipt of fully or partly mixed gas and air supplies, typically in appliances comprising a heat exchanger such as the boilers of central heating systems, the essential steps are: a) supplying a uniform flow of fuel-air mixture to the slots; b) discharging the mixture from a pierced surface of substantially doughnut geometry comprising a slotted peripheral area (Ap) and an essentially solid central area (Ac) of prescribed proportions; c) bringing combustion to completion in a slender lamellar flame; d) regulating the rate of aeration to a value between 0.9 and 1.4, or e) to values less than 1.6; f) effecting a recycle of post-combustion gases.

Abstract: A holder assembly for a medical instrument having two sections releasably coupled together. One section is mounted to a support, while the second section, which contains a holder for a medical instrument, can be easily detached from the first section without the use of tools, such that the instrument holder may be sterilized along with the instrument.

Abstract: The invention provides a tubular dental mold form with at least one scalloped end and a method, utilizing the form, for forming a universal crown in situ on a tooth stump. In a preferred form, scalloped edges, of different depths, are formed at both ends and are circumferentially offset on one end with respect to the other end.

Abstract: Articulator for simulating jaw movements comprising an upper and a lower part for carrying an upper-jaw and/or lower-jaw model and connected by joints permitting one or more swivelling and linear motions, in which in the joint the lower part is guided relative to the upper part in one or more directions comprising components of motion in the cranial and/or dorsal direction and corresponding to surtrusion and/or retrusion.

Abstract: A dental instrument comprising a grasping device in the form of a tweezer member having a finger receiving ring detachably connected to one of the legs of the tweezer member is disclosed. The instrument is used for holding and inserting a Cerec inlay, manufactured by a dental Cerec machine, in a tooth undergoing a restorative procedure. The instrument may further include a threaded axle which coacts with each leg of the tweezers and protrudes from one of the legs. The instrument may also further include a plunger mechanism which facilitates the insertion of an inlay in a prepared tooth cavity.

Abstract: A educational water toy designed for mounting on a vertical surface, such as a bathtub wall, is disclosed. It consists of a variety of interlocking parts which can be arranged in various sequences. The various parts are designed to conduct water; control, or respond to, water flow; or to attach other parts to the vertical surface. The fluid-conveying and -operated toy has a reservoir, at least one activity component, a fluid conduit which provides fluid communication between the reservoir and the activity component, with the activity component being placed into motion by fluid exiting from the conduit, coupling structures interconnect the components in fluid communication, and attaching devices for removably attaching the components to the vertical surface in an orientation such that the fluid flows along the fluid flow path under the force of gravity. The various activity components may include a paddle wheel, a turbine, an hourglass member, a dipper, a sprayer and a squirter.

Abstract: A polyhedra for emulating an object or other phenomena with marked surfaces, includes a plurality of faces, some with markings and some being blank. The surfaces are arranged about the polyhedra so that each marked face is opposite a blank face. The polyhedra may be used for conducting and/or demonstrating the principles of probability in conjunction with a projection device.

Abstract: A method of simulating anesthesiology and operating room conditions including the steps of displaying initial patient simulated vital sign information from a memory to signify an initial patient condition, randomly modifying the displayed patient vital sign information according to a script matrix in a manner analogous to that in which a patient's vital signs would be effected in the operating room by drugs and other external effects, thereby indicating a deteriorating condition, displaying user options, evaluating the timeliness and appropriateness of user input selections from the options in response to the changes in patient vital sign data, and causing the patient vital sign information to improve to its initial state or deteriorate to a critical state in accordance with the successive script blocks in the script matrix depending upon the user's response and timeliness.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and presenting a lesson plan comprising audiovisual materials to a classroom. The system enables the automatic connection of audiovisual output signals from one or more audiovisual resources to classroom monitors in accordance with a predetermined sequence called a "lesson plan." The lesson plan includes labels for identifying selected ones of the audiovisual resources, and control commands for controlling the selected audiovisual resources. At a scheduled date and time, the lesson plan is loaded into the system and processed to automatically connect the output signals from selected audiovisual resources to specified monitors, and also to control the playback of the resources.The system also includes a software program for generating the lesson plan and saving it for a future presentation. To assist with the generation and presentation, a database of available materials and a scheduling program are also provided.