Abstract: A miter saw fence construction is provided by which accurate length measurement of an elongate work piece to be cut from stock material may be made. The construction includes a carrier platform slidingly and lockingly mounted to the miter saw fence. Extending rearwardly towards the fence from the front portion of the carrier platform is an elongate bar pointer whose free end is notched to receive the cut first end of stock material. Also included are measuring means having cooperative static and mobile components. The static component is secured to the fence and the mobile component is mounted to the carrier platform.

Abstract: A curable nitrocellulose based coating composition having four essential components: nitrocellulose, polymerizable reactive diluents whose homopolymers have glass transition temperatures both above and below 25° C. and acrylated urethane. The composition may also contain an initiator whereby thermal or light curing of the composition can be achieved.

Abstract: An atomic frequency standard based on the ground state hyperfine resonance line observed by means of coherent radiation fields creating Coherent Population Trapping (CPT) in an alkali metal atomic ensemble contained in a cell. The radiation fields are created by frequency modulating a laser at a subharmonic of the hyperfine resonance frequency of the alkali atomic ensemble chosen or by using two lasers whose frequency difference is equal to the hyperfine frequency of the alkali atoms. The hyperfine resonance signal is observed either on the fluorescence emitted by the alkali atoms contained in the cell or on the light transmitted through the same cell. This signal is used, through synchronous detection, to lock the frequency of the microwave generator used to modulate the laser (or to maintain the frequency difference between the two lasers), to the hyperfine resonance frequency of the alkali atoms, thereby implementing an atomic frequency standard.

Abstract: An atomic frequency standard is disclosed where optical pumping of the resonance cell is achieved by coherent light and the pumping results in Coherent Population Trapping of the resonant alkali metal atoms. The fabrication of frequency standards of substantially reduced size and weight is permitted by use of solid state laser sources having certain integrated optical modifier elements and a resonance cell of metallic construction.

Abstract: An atomic frequency standard based on coherent microwave emission from an ensemble of hydrogen or alkali metal atoms at their ground state hyperfine frequency. Hydrogen or alkali metal atoms are prepared in a coherent state by means of a radiation field resonant with the atoms at their hyperfine frequency prior to their entering into the emission region. The coherent microwave radiation emission results from the phenomenon of stimulated emission of radiation in a storage bulb placed in a cavity tuned to the hyperfine frequency. Because the atoms enter the cavity already prepared in a coherent state, radiation is emitted without threshold regarding the atomic flux or the cavity quality factor. The atoms emit their energy at their natural frequency perturbed only slightly by secondary effects such as spin exchange collisions, wall collisions and second order cavity pulling.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ion pump construction having constructional components to avoid etch through failure of the vacuum housing and, additionally, constructional features to reduce the latent period within which the ion pumping function is initiated.

Abstract: An improved optically pumped atomic frequency standard in which excitation light intensity entering the resonance cell is controlled and maintained independently of the optical pump.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a cell construction for use in optically activated atomic frequency standards. The cell includes a stiff non-magnetic metallic chamber body having an integral cold weldable tubulation through which the atomic source material may be charged and the tubulation pinched off to seal the chamber. Optically transparent windows for introducing light radiation into the chamber and receiving light signals generated therein are sealed to the chamber.

Abstract: A lacrosse stick is provided having improved playability characteristics. The lacrosse stick involves a specified relationshp between the plane defined by the uppermost surface of the stick element relative to the location of the center of gravity of the head frame.

Abstract: A method for aeroponically growing plants which involves an elongate vertically oriented plant chamber having a plurality of plant receiving apertures through its side wall. Plants are stationed in the apertures with their roots extending into the bore of the plant chamber and nutrient solution is sprayed downwardly into the chamber to wet the plant roots. During the spraying of the plant roots atmospheric air is inducted into and stale air exhausted from the chamber. In preferred alternatives of the method the motive energy for the air induction is provided by the spraying step, the nutrient solution is sprayed as a mist and the spraying is undertaken cyclically.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an elastic cord tie-down of the bungee or shock cord type and in which means are provided by which to manually adjust the article-engaging loop of the tie-down to articles of diverse geometries and dimensions.

Abstract: Aeroponic plant growing apparatus which includes an elongate vertically oriented plant chamber having a plurality of plant receiving apertures through its side wall. Stationed at the top of the chamber are one or more spray nozzles through which nutrient solution is sprayed into the chamber, thereby wetting the roots of the plants stationed in the apertures. The apparatus includes structure by which fresh atmospheric air is inducted into the chamber and stagnant air is exhausted during the spraying of the plant roots. In a preferred alternative the motive energy for this air induction into the plant chamber is provided by the spray nozzle(s) and an air induction manifold cooperates with the spray nozzle(s) to establish a low pressure Venturi zone therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an energy managing shoe sole construction wherein, during the stance phase of the wearer's gait cycle, the impact energy of the heel strike is absorbed, stored and, at least in part, returned to the underside of the forefoot during the propulsive phase of the gait, thereby aiding in the locomotion of the wearer. Following the propulsive phase of the gait cycle the sole construction is restored to a condition suitable for absorption and storage of the impact energy of the next heel strike event thereupon. Included within the sole construction is a control system which is responsive to the changing anatomy of the foot during the gait cycle and which control system manages the timing of the transfer of the absorbed and stored heel strike energy to the forefoot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lacrosse stick construction and a head frame therefor having improved playability characteristics. The lacrosse stick involves a specified relationship between the plane defined by the uppermost surface of the stick element, taken at its forward end, relative to the location of the center of gravity of the head.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a beverage cup which is composed essentially of biodegradable paper elements and is thermally insulated to both preserve the thermal state of beverages contained therein and to render the cup comfortable in its use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf swing practice device or training aid which aids a golfer in developing and/or maintaining the rhythm and dynamics of a proper swing based principally on the smooth application of an accelerating centrifugal force to the clubhead. The device includes a shaft having a lower portion and a grip disposed over its upper portion. An elongate tubular elastomeric member, whose bottom end may be weighted, is coaxially affixed to the lower portion of the shaft. At least a portion of the length of the tubular elastomeric member extends below the tip of the shaft, thereby being unsupported, and is stretchable in response to the centrifugal force imposed on the member during practice swinging of the device.

Abstract: Described herein are artificial leather sub-composite and composite materials which are prepared with minimal or no use of solvents and which exhibit improved resistance to the phenomenon of "read through". The sub-composite and composite materials each include a thermoplastic film facing layer thermally embossed with a simulated leather texture and a barrier layer thermoplastically bonded to the facing layer. The composite material includes a flexible backing layer adhesively bonded to the barrier layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a resiliently padded laminate adapted for use as an in-mold aesthetic padded facing material for injection molded thermoplastic articles. The laminate is characterized by improved resistance to collapse of the cellular polymer padding thereof under in-mold conditions. In addition, the laminate forms a continuous thermoplastic bond with the injection molded thermoplastic article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dynamically interactive combination of a shoe and an externally adjustable internal orthotic foot cradle formed of a fabric strap material. The disclosed combination attenuates and beneficially disperses the deforming forces experienced by the foot in weight bearing, limits the extent of pronation and excursions of the various joints of the mid and hind foot during weight bearing and the cradle can store mechanical energy absorbed during weight bearing and return at least a portion of such stored energy in the form of restorative forces applied to the mid and hind foot during the non-weight bearing phase of the gait cycle.