Abstract: A sensor is employed in conjunction with an internal combustion engine having at least one hydrocarbon fuel combustion chamber and an air inlet for introducing air into the combustion chamber to sense termination of operation of the internal combustion engine. The sensor closes a valve leading to a carburetor inlet of the engine when termination of operation of the internal combustion engine is sensed. The valve and associated structure improve the performance of the internal combustion engine when the valve is in open position by enhancing fluid flow through the air inlet leading to the carburetor during operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Cylinder to cylinder variation in developed cylinder torque is suppressed by correcting ignition timings for the individual cylinders or by correcting fuel injection amounts allocated to the individual cylinders. Amounts of correction to be made to the individual ignition timings or fuel injection amounts are determined as results of comparison of individual cylinder pressure averages with a multiple cylinder pressure average that is an average of the individual cylinder pressure averages.

Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine is provided for enhancing engine startability and performance by simultaneously controlling the volume of air flowing through a carburetor and the ratio of an air/fuel mixture through a single manual operation. The starting system is constructed to utilize atmospheric air control feed back to a carburetor and includes a piston disposed with a chamber which accesses two atmospheric ports. When the piston is positioned to fully close a first of the ports, a second of the ports is fully open. Similarly, when the piston fully opens the second port, the first port is fully closed. The two atmospheric ports access the carburetor idle system and intake manifold of the engine respectively. For starting of the engine in cold temperatures, the starting system also includes a fuel prime arrangement for enriching the ratio of air/fuel delivered to the engine.

Abstract: An improved, full-authority, digital-electronic-controlled cylinder fuel injection system for internal combustion engines is conceived that utilizes positive displacement metering and electrohydraulic actuation with pressure amplification, positive feedback control and self cooling. The injectors operate from a relatively low pressure common rail fuel supply that may be fed by either pumping or from a pressurized fuel tank. The injectors incorporate self cooling passages that enable continuous operation independent of engine cooling, if any. The injectors comprise a stepped piston freely oscillating in a cylindrical housing providing an actuation chamber at the large end and a metering cup and injection nozzles at the other. A third chamber is provided in between for handling a degree of piston leakage and ullage.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system and method for providing fuel to a fuel injected engine using an engine control unit (ECU) to determine engine fuel demand and adjust fuel pump operation accordingly to supply at least as much fuel as demanded by the engine. The ECU determines a fuel pump control signal based upon fuel demand and applies the signal to a fuel pump driver that controllably drives the pump in response to the control signal. The ECU determines fuel demand by monitoring engine operation and calculates a control signal that controls the duration of time the fuel injector stays open during an upcoming intake stroke of engine operation. The pump control signal is proportional to engine fuel demand multiplied by a constant that ensures more fuel will be available for delivery to the injector than demanded by the engine. Engine fuel demand is proportional to the duration of time the injector will stay open multiplied by the engine speed.

Abstract: A fuel control system is provided. Fuel is delivered into a main canister from a low-pressure pump, where it gathers in a reservoir or bottom area. The fuel in the reservoir is taken up by a small high-pressure pump inside the housing, which drives the fuel to the fuel injectors of an engine. The low-pressure pump has a flow rate exceeding that of the high-pressure pump. A vapor trap captures accumulating fuel vapor. Volumetric excess fuel and vapor are vented back to the fuel tank and atmospheric pressure. Vapor lock is reduced or avoided, and particulate and water filters are provided to avoid contamination.

Abstract: A single exhaust gas recirculation valve selectively provides flow distribution of exhaust gas from an engine manifold to a turbocharger or exhaust gas recirculation system, and simultaneously provides back pressure for driving the recirculated exhaust gas to the intake manifold of the engine when the valve is positioned to recirculate all or part of the exhaust gas. A "wing-type" throttle blade is rotatably positioned within the valve and is selectively positionable between a first blocking position at which the exhaust gas recirculation port is blocked, and a second position at which the flow of exhaust gas to the turbine section of a turbocharger is blocked, as well as intermediate positions between the two blocked positions. The bearings supporting a shaft, to which the throttle blade is attached, are water cooled, as well as a mounting flange and shell surrounding an electric stepper motor coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with an exhaust gas recirculation system and an exhaust gas turbocharger having a turbine arranged in an exhaust gas duct and a compressor operated by the turbine and being disposed in an air supply duct for supplying charge air to the engine, an exhaust gas recirculation line extends between the exhaust gas duct upstream of the turbine and the air supply duct and downstream of the compressor. Cooling means are arranged in the exhaust gas duct and heating means are arranged in the air supply duct upstream of the compressor to permit the generation of a pressure differential between the exhaust gas duct and the air supply duct which provides for an exhaust gas recirculation flow through the exhaust gas recirculation line over a large engine operating range.

Abstract: An igniter circuit is placed inside the sealing container of an associated ignition device to be sealed. The circuit is accommodated behind a partition wall inside the sealing container. The igniter includes a metallic circuit case, a substrate attached to the inner bottom surface of the circuit case, circuit elements attached to the substrate to form an ignition circuit and silicone gel that fills the circuit case. Using the adhesive properties of the silicone gel, a sheet-like protective member is place over the silicone gel to face the partition wall. The protective member may be made, for example, of aramid paper. The protective member is preferably adhesive to silicone gel, can contain gas (air) and is elastic. When the sealing container is filled with insulating resin, a portion of the insulating resin flows to the igniter from an opening of the partition wall. At this point, the protective member protects and separates the silicone gel from the inflowing insulating resin.

Abstract: This invention discloses a "ceramic" piston and cylinder/sleeve pair for an internal combustion engine. The pair has low coefficients of thermal expansion for closer parts tolerances without danger of seizing and/or breakage/cracking from dissimilar part expansions. A piston is formed of a structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material and then a combined first erosion-resistant and self-lubricating material is applied to a surface of a skirt portion of the piston. A cylinder/sleeve is formed of a structural fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite material and then a second combined erosion-resistant and self-lubricating material is applied to the surface of the cylinder/sleeve.

Abstract: A combination of a gas stove with oxygen device is provided. The disclosure comprises generally a pair of valves secured to the front side of a gas stove. The valves each has a rotor plug therein and each rotor plug has an elongate shaft axially connected and extended outward through the central hole of the valves with one of the shaft connected to a knob at a free end. Each of the shafts has a gear perpendicularly secured to an appropriately middle periphery and meshed each other. So that the two valves can be operated in concert when turns the knob. One of the valves supplies gaseous fuel and other supplies oxygen to the same burner in proper rate and mixed in the burner before burnt at the apertures. Both the gaseous fuel and the oxygen are supplied via a branched pipe so that they can enter into every portion of the burner.

Abstract: A mobile or modular home hot air heating and humidifying system including a counter-flow furnace having a base pan and a housing resting on the base pan and containing a heat exchanger and a blower located above the heat exchanger for directing air downwardly within the housing in heat exchange relation to the heat exchanger and to and through an air outlet opening in the base pan. A humidifier unit resting on the floor below the furnace and structurally supporting the furnace defines a passageway communicating with the air outlet and with a feeder duct which extends downwardly through the floor and connects to a heat distribution duct system below the floor. The humidifier operates in response to operation of the blower. A method for installing a humidifier unit in an existing heating system of the aforedescribed general type is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable retracting oral airway for reversibly establishing a maximum flange-blade dimension of the distal portion of an intra-oral extension with respect to a dental flange. Several alternative extension retraction means coupled to a dental flange are used to establish varying degrees of freedom of motion of the intra-oral extension (including the blade) with respect to the flange. Mating surfaces of the blade extension and the extension retraction means may be frictional or may have positive interlock (as, for example, with ratchet or gear teeth). Living hinges of plastic material are used in low-cost embodiments, including an embodiment having a single wedge-lock hinge. Self-coiling tension members are found in low-profile embodiments allowing mask ventilation with a retracting oral airway in place.

Abstract: A powder dispenser includes a powder housing for holding a supply of powdered material to be dispensed, the powder housing including an inhalation conduit provided displaced relation to the powdered material supply; a metering plate including a metered dose hole for holding a metered amount of the powdered material, and positioned below the powdered material supply, the metering plate and the powder housing being relatively rotatable with respect to each other about a common central axis; a counter providing a visual count of the number of doses of the powdered material that have been dispensed or remain to be dispensed in response to the relative rotation, the counter including counter rings providing the visual count, the counter rings being rotatable about the common central axis and having indicia thereon which display the visual count, and an actuating mechanism rotatable about the central axis for incrementally rotating the counter rings in response to the relative rotation; a nozzle for breaking up agg

Abstract: A dry powder inhalation device comprising a housing defining a chamber in communication with a patient port in the form of a mouthpiece or nasal adaptor, and an elongate carrier bearing a powdered medicament, the device being constructed and arranged such that areas of predetermined size of the elongate carrier may sequentially be exposed within the chamber, the device comprising one or more air inlets such that when a patient inhales through the patient port an air flow is established from the air inlet(s) to the patient port through the chamber such that particles of the powdered medicament of respirable size from said exposed area of the elongate carrier are entrained within the air flow.

Abstract: A method for aerosolizing a powdered medicament comprises coupling a powder inlet end of a feed tube with a penetration in a receptacle containing the powder. Powder is drawn upward through the tube and dispersed in a high pressure gas stream flowing past a portion of the feed tube. Apparatus comprise the feed tube mounted within a base enclosure proximate a holder for one or more receptacles, which may be in the form of a cartridge containing a plurality of receptacles formed in a continuous web. The cartridge may be reciprocated relative to the feed tube and a separate piercing mechanism in order to sequentially piercing the receptacle and thereafter couple the feed tube through the resulting penetration for extracting the powder. Alternatively, penetration(s) through the receptacle may be formed as the feed tube is coupled, or some penetrations formed prior to coupling with other penetrations formed at the time of coupling.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the estimation of flow and the detection of breathing (respiration) in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment are disclosed. CPAP apparatus typically includes a flow generator for supplying air to a mask via a gas delivery tube. With changing air flow, the flow generator's speed and/or driving electrical current will alter in a manner defined by the controlling circuitry. Signals can be derived from measurements of motor speed and current, and these signals vary cyclically with patient respiration. By filtering to reject non-respiratory components, the resultant signal can be utilised to determine the instants in time at which the patient starts to inhale and exhale. The filtered signal also can be linearised using a predetermined knowledge of the pressure/flow/speed characteristics of the flow generator, and thus to derive a volumetric measure of airflow.

Abstract: A ventilator system has an inspiratory line, an inspiratory pressure meter arranged to sense pressure in the inspiratory line, and expiratory line, an expiratory pressure meter arranged to sense pressure in the expiratory line, and a connector device for connecting a patient to the ventilator system. The connector device includes a first gas line connected to the inspiratory line, and a second gas line connected to the expiratory line so that gas will only be able to flow in one direction through the lines. Pressure in the lungs can accordingly be directly measured by the expiratory pressure meter during inspiration and by the inspiratory pressure meter during expiration.

Abstract: A cardiac synchronized ventilator includes a balloon, a balloon pump arranged to inflate and deflate the balloon in synchrony with cardiac function, and a conversion unit. The conversion unit includes a chamber which is fillable with a ventilation medium and which contains the balloon and one or more conduction lines arranged to carry ventilation medium from the chamber to the patient's lungs and from the patient's lungs. Inflation of the balloon is synchronized to occur during systole and pressurizes the conduction line to deliver ventilation medium to the patient's lungs. Deflation of the balloon is synchronized to occur during diastole and negatively pressurizes the conduction line to remove ventilation medium from the patient's lungs. The pump is an intraaortic balloon pump. A conduit attached to a source of ventilation medium is in fluid communication with the conduction line. The ventilation medium may be a liquid or gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable nasal band filter (20) to be applied to a user's nose having a filter element (22) which seals around and surrounds the nostrils and two sheer adhesive strips (24a,24b) which overlap the filter element and adhere to a user's nose. The filter element includes an elastic strand (28) which is stitched around the outer edge (23a,23d) of the filter element so that the filter element will grasp, seal around and snuggle a user's nose when the band is applied.

Abstract: A device for the supply of oxygen and/or other gases to a patient comprises a flow conduit which is, at its one end, provided with means for fitting with e.g. an oxygen supply and, at its other end, closed, and having between its two ends a patient connection member (1) comprising upstream and downstream tubular members for insertion into a patient's nostrils and wherein the patient connecting member is provided with means (7) to increase the flow resistance beyond the first tubular member so as to create substantially even outflow amounts through the two respective tubular members.

Abstract: A medical information system manages clinical pathway order selection. The medical information system includes a medical database and a user terminal having a display screen. Clinical pathways are defined in the medical database. Each of the clinical pathways is associated with a patient condition and includes a sequence of time intervals and a plurality of clinical pathway order sets. Each of the clinical pathway order sets is associated with a selected one of the time intervals. A selected clinical pathway is associated with a patient in accordance with the patient's condition. When a user selects the patient's clinical pathway order sets, a next order set, which is the first unused order set in the patient's clinical pathway order sets, is determined. A list of the clinical pathway order sets associated with the selected clinical pathway may be displayed on the display screen. The next order set is identified on the list.

Abstract: A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images includes a storage device for storing, for each one of a plurality of users of the system, or for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, or for each one of a plurality of input or output devices, information that indicates one or more processing operations to be performed on images obtained by an input device. A system processor responds to an identity the user who is currently using the system by performing processing operations on the obtained images and applying the images to an output device based on the stored information that corresponds to the current user.

Abstract: An interactive surgery planning and display system mixes live video of external surfaces of the patient with interactive computer generated models of internal anatomy obtained from medical diagnostic imaging data of the patient. The computer images and the live video are coordinated and displayed to a surgeon in real-time during surgery allowing the surgeon to view internal and external structures and the relation between them simultaneously, and adjust his surgery accordingly. In an alternative embodiment, a normal anatomical model is also displayed as a guide in reconstructive surgery. Another embodiment employs three-dimensional viewing.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for locating the center of the entrance pupil of an eye after the pupil thereof has been dilated. A first image of an eye is formed prior to pupil dilation. The center of the undilated pupil is referenced to a reference image of an anatomical landmark of the eye that appears in the first image. A second image of the eye is then formed when the pupil is dilated. When the reference image is positioned on an image of the anatomical landmark appearing in the second image, the center of the undilated pupil referenced to the reference image defines the center of the entrance pupil of the eye.

Abstract: A ultrasonic probe for use in transthoracic echocardiography to produce panoramic images of the area of interest and comprising a transducer array connected to a first and second rotating mechanism, wherein the rotating mechanisms are driven using open loop control signals. The first and second rotating mechanisms comprise first and second stepper motors to accurately rotate the transducer array through a particular scan plane and adjust the scan plane. Microstepping techniques are utilized to permit greater accuracy and control. Further, the first and second rotating mechanism comprise gear assemblies which permit the transducers to rotate through a wide angle to generate panoramic ultrasound images.

Abstract: The disclosed ultrasound system processes ultrasound signals having centroid frequencies that decrease as a function of time. The system includes transducers for receiving the ultrasound signals and generating electrical signals representative thereof. The system further includes data samplers for sampling the electrical signals with a sampling frequency. A controller controls the sampling frequency so that it decreases according to a function of time and the centroid frequency.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system enables 1.5D image information to be generated from a single firing of a linear transducer array by permitting dynamic control over the receive aperture. The imaging system comprises a transducer having a linear array of piezoelectric elements arranged in a plurality of distinct rows of the elements. The transducer is operable to provide acoustic pulses from elements of a first one of the rows in response to respective driving signals and to provide corresponding return signals in response thereto at elements of additional ones of the plurality of the rows and at the first one of the rows. A receiver is coupled to the transducer to receive a summed signal corresponding to the return signals from the elements. The receiver comprises a plurality of low voltage switches that couple to respective ones of the additional ones of the plurality of the rows, and a high voltage switch disposed in series with the low voltage switches.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging technique is disclosed which uses microbubbles as echo contrast agents. In general the method employs maitenance of an ultrasound signal while the contrast agent is intravenously injected into a mammal. Once all the contrast agent has been injected and transmission of the signal is suspended for a period of time sufficient for the microbubbles perfuse the organ of interest. Transmission of the ultrasound signal is then resumed and peak contrast images are obtained which rival more complicated imaging procedures such as nuclear resonance imaging.

Abstract: A catheter tube carries an operative element, such as, for example, an imaging element to visualize tissue. The catheter tube also carries a support structure, which surrounds the operative element. A steering element moves the operative element relative to the support structure. A guidance element generates an electric field within the support structure, while sensing spatial variations in the electric field during movement of the imaging element. The guidance element generates an output that locates the imaging element relative to the support structure based upon an analysis of the sensed spatial variations. The support structure preferably carries an identification code, which represents the specific spatial geometry of the support structure. The support structure outputs the identification code to the guidance element for consideration when generating the location-specific output.

Abstract: This invention detects blood flow disorders by comparing the core body temperature, defined by a tympanic membrane measurement, to temperature measurements at various locations within the eye. The differential between the temperature measurement of the core body and that of selected site locations can yield an accurate indication of blood flow disorder within the eye. Areas at the back of the eye can be scanned at selected sites to obtain a temperature measurement profile, and again these temperatures will provide a difference when compared to the core body temperature and that can indicate abnormal blood flow. The use of additional instrumentation via computer technology or photography can be employed to map the fundus area of the eye and produce hard copies of results. The same principle can be utilized to determine abnormal blood flow patterns at subsurface skin locations caused by infections, disease, peripheral circulation, soft tissue intimation due to sprains, arthritis tendinitis, etc.

Abstract: A flush device for an intravenous blood pressure monitoring system has a main body which includes a continuous capillary flow channel and a fast flush channel. The continuous capillary flow channel is separated from the fast flush channel by a median wall. A fast flush opening in the median wall is blocked by an elastomeric member. When the member is distended, the fast flush opening is unblocked. An alternative embodiment of the fast flush device has a tubular body with a capillary channel formed on an inner wall. An elastomeric member contained within the tubular body enables flow to the capillary channel when the elastomeric member is in an initial position. When the elastomeric member is in a distended position fluid is allowed to overflow the capillary channel thus permitting a fast flush flow.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for physiological signal processing, a number of measured physiological signals are obtained in vivo from a subject and at least one of these measured physiological signals is supplied to the input of each first signal processing unit in a group of first signal processing units. Within each signal processing unit, the physiological measurement signal (or signals) supplied thereto is/are subjected to at least one transfer function so as to produce a pre-treated signal at the output of that first signal processing unit. The pre-treated signals from all of the first signal processing units are combined in a second signal processing unit so as to produce at least one synthesized ECG signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of providing brainwave biofeedback to a user while the user is simultaneously doing other tasks, for example, while the user is responding to a computer learning lab, working with another computer program, or playing a game. For example, a user could wear a headphone sensor unit, a virtual reality headset sensor unit, or a similar enclosure incorporating sensors made of comfortable compound sponges soaked in an electrolyte solution. The unit can detect brainwave signals which are then processed and interfaced with a computer. Audio and/or video feedback is provided to the user which indicates the user's focus or alertness. While the sensor unit could have therapeutic uses, the current embodiments relate to educational and recreational uses and for uses related to increasing personal performance.

Abstract: In order to obtain an index which generally shows the work burden extent of various works carried out in an automobile assembling factory or the like, for each work content, the maximum muscle contraction ratio is measured after the work has been continued for 5 seconds, the work burden index (L) is calculated from the measured ratio value, and the equivalent work burden in a standard work is calculated from the calculated work burden index (L) for 5 seconds. The work burden index (TVAL) of actual work is calculated from the equivalent work burden and the actual work time. Suitably, a work routine plan is corrected such that the obtained TVAL is normalized with an apparatus comprising means for storing the equivalent work burden for each work content, means for displaying an image of the work content, and means for inputting work content parameter and so forth while watching the displayed image.

Abstract: A condom in a nut novelty, wherein a condom is contained with a natural nut. The nut is drilled to create a hole. A blade is inserted through the hole to quarter and then macerate the nut meat. The macerated nut meat is removed through the hole. A condom is inserted into the nut shell by introducing a piece of the condom into the hole, and then repeatedly twisting the condom around the hole and pushing the condom into the hole. The hole is sealed, and then painted to match the nutshell. The nut is cracked by the novelty victim to reveal the condom.

Abstract: A method of surgically treating an eye of a patient to correct astigmatism in which values of astigmatism are measured topographically and refractively, and limit values of targeted induced astigmatism for the topographically and refractively measured astigmatism values are obtained by summating the topographically value of astigmatism with the refractive value of astigmatism and vice versa. Respective target values of astigmatism for refraction and topography based on the limit values are obtained and surgical treatment is effected with a target induced astigmatism which is intermediate the limit values and provided respective topographical and refractive non-zero target astigmatism values whose sum is a minimum.

Abstract: A smoking accessory which functions as a cigar hole punch. The implement contains a hidden and detachable cigar hole punch and puncturing awl. The outward or exterior element of the device serves as a storage compartment for housing the puncturing awl and cigar hole punch when they are not in use. The implement itself should be manufactured of a material which enables a user to display the implement as an item of jewelry. Such an implement serves the dual purpose of denoting status for the user as well as providing the user with a useful device for cutting or otherwise opening the sealed end of a cigar.

Abstract: A process for treating smoking material comprising the steps of (i) heating smoking material having a moisture content of from 5 to 75% by weight at a temperature of from 70.degree. to 220.degree. C. at about or above atmospheric pressure in the presence of air and (ii) reducing the pressure on the heated smoking material to a level of from 0.1 to 50 kPa at a rate such that the water contained within the smoking material evaporates causing the smoking material to expand, the smoking material being heated during pressure reduction to accelerate water evaporation.

Abstract: A process for securing supplemental hair to a persons natural hair including forming a bound weft of supplemental hair by binding a weft of supplemental hair around a binding portion of the weft located between three and six inches from a first end thereof by sewing a series of blanket stitches around the binding portion with a length of thread and then pulling the thread taut to create a bound weft leaving a top length and a bottom length of thread extending from the binding portion; and then utilizing a combination of braiding and sewing to secure the bound weft of supplemental hair to a persons natural hair.

Abstract: A hair roller includes an elongated body, a hair clip, and an elastic anchoring element. The body has an annular shape around which hair can be wound for styling person's hair. The hair clip has a hair-engagable blade portion and a lever portion. The blade portion is disposed along an exterior side portion of the body and has an arcuate shape conforming to the shape of the body. The lever portion is attached to and extends from the blade portion for actuation by a finger of a user.

Abstract: A cleaning system capable of passing through a manway entry point into a storage tank to be cleaned is disclosed. A remotely controllable robotic cannon for spraying diluent or water is provided which has a light source and CCTV camera axially mounted on the cannon nozzle assembly. Mounting systems permit sidewall or overhead deployment of the system as desired. Operators situated remotely can view and control the cleaning system via TV monitors.

Abstract: A patio set including having a table having an upper surface and an opening in the upper surface, and an umbrella positionable within the opening in the table. The umbrella includes a shaft dimensioned to be inserted into the opening in the table, and a canopy having an upper end that is slidable relative to the shaft. Preferably, the canopy is movable between a raised position adjacent an upper end of the shaft and a lowered position adjacent a midportion of the shaft. A skirt extends down from the canopy and is movable relative to the canopy between a retracted position and an extended position. The skirt is designed to be in the retracted position when the canopy is in the raised position, thereby allowing standard use of the patio set, and is designed to be in the extended position when the canopy is in the lowered position, thereby providing substantially complete coverage to the table and chairs.

Abstract: An automatic umbrella includes: a central shaft having a lower tube and an upper tube telescopically engageable with each other, a rib assembly pivotally connected to the central shaft having a lower runner slidably held on the central shaft, an opening spring retained in the central shaft, a control device installed within the grip of the central shaft without protruding any acute portion of the control device for safety purpose, and a drag device including a rod and a rope connected to each other to be retained between a lower portion of the lower tube and the lower runner slidably held on the central shaft, whereby upon actuation of the control device, the upper tube will be extended above the lower tube by the opening spring and the rib assembly may also be upwardly outwardly extended as dragged by the rope and the rod of the drag device for opening the umbrella, with the upper tube slidably telescopically engageable with the lower tube without forming any joint at the coupling location where the upper an

Abstract: Disclosed is an umbrella with a stretch structure for selectively collecting rainwater mainly including a stick with a handle, an upper hub member and a lower hub member vertically movably put around the stick to respectively pivotally connect umbrella main and secondary ribs around them, and an umbrella cover fixed to and centered at a top end of the stick with its outer edge connected to outer ends of the main ribs and a middle portion to outer ends of the secondary ribs. The upper hub member has a downward extended retaining block to detachably engage with a control block pivotally connected to a push-button switch fixed to one side of a lower tube portion of the lower hub member. A push pin is provided to a lower end of the tube portion to selectively extend into different holes formed on the stick.

Abstract: An articulated stair walker for traversing staircases including a frame with first and second side sections. Each side section includes a vertical front leg, a vertical rear leg, a horizontal upper tie bar and a horizontal lower tie bar. Each tie bar is pivotally coupled to a front and rear leg of a side section. The side sections are coupled together by an upper and a lower cross bar rigidly affixed between the vertical front legs. Further provided is a lock pin being slidably coupled to each of the side sections and operated by a lever in an L-shaped configuration. One quadrant cam with a plurality of slots is coupled to each of the lower horizontal tie bars. Associated therewith is a lock pin movably coupled to one of the sections and positionable within a slot of the quadrant cam. By this structure, the user may lift the lock pin upwardly to allow the rear legs to be moved downward relative to the front legs.

Abstract: A collapsible storage structure for the storage of an object includes a base having front and rear ends and on or over which the object can be placed. The base comprises a pair of longitudinally extending, spaced, parallel rails. A plurality of inverted, substantially U-shaped canopy supports span the base from one rail to the other and are mounted so as to be foldable with respect to the base. A canopy is carried on the canopy supports, the arrangement being such that, when the canopy supports are in a collapsed configuration, the object can be positioned with respect to the base, whereafter the canopy supports can be displaced to an configuration in which the canopy covers the object. A transport mechanism comprises a pair of carriages. One carriage is slidably arranged on each rail, the carriages carrying at least certain of the canopy supports and being displaceable between a first position in which the canopy supports are collapsed and a second position in which the canopy supports are erected.

Abstract: A new Tent Anchoring System for allowing users to set up a tent without the tent poles falling over. The inventive device includes an elongated bar which includes an elongated bar and at least three tent pole supporting posts mounted thereon.

Abstract: A collapsible shelter includes an arcuate roof section which includes a left and a right edge having a downwardly extending lip portion. A plurality of left and right arcuate sections have a left edge provided with a downwardly extending lip portion and a right edge with an upwardly extending lip portion adapted to cooperate with downwardly extending lip portions of the arcuate roof section. The remaining left and right arcuate sections have a left edge provided with a downwardly extending lip portion and a right edge provided with an upwardly extending lip portion for cooperating with the downwardly extending lip portion of a previous left and right arcuate section. The base section has an arcuate extending base member and an upwardly extending lip adapted to cooperate with the downwardly extending lip portion of a left section. An arcuate door section has a door member portion that mates with the base member extending portion that may include locking means to prevent the dome shelter from collapsing.

Abstract: An outlet opening (14) to a branch line 40 in a pipeline 10 is sealed without interrupting the flow of gas in the pipeline 10 by cutting an access opening 60 in the wall 62 of the pipeline 10 opposite the branch line 40. A seal 100 is inserted through the access opening 60 using a sub-assembly 70, which consists of a flange 74 having a screw-threaded through aperture, an externally screw-threaded tube 82 received in the aperture and a rod 80 carrying a handle 72 at one end and the seal 100 at the other. The seal 100 has a sealing face 102 which is part-cylindrical in shape and is held in the correct orientation by the handle 72 while the tube 82 is screwed home. When work on the branch line 40 has been completed a temporary seal 160 is installed in the joint-flange 16 which is welded to the pipeline 10 allowing removal of the isolation valve 64 which is replaced by a blanking flange fitted to the joint-flange 16.