Abstract: A modified air intake mechanism for an internal combustion engine. The air intake mechanism includes an air passageway that contains a fixed vane located in a plane that is parallel to the air flow within the passageway. More specifically, the vane is stationary and is located in the air horn or the air intake passageway of the cylinder head.

Abstract: A heating system for a building that includes a furnace having a water jacket surrounding a burner unit. Heated water is circulated from the water jacket to a heat exchange system in the building such as radiators and the water is returned to the water jacket through a return conduit to be reheated. Water from the jacket is also circulated through supplemental conduit through a gas tube water heat exchange apparatus located at the exhaust flue from the furnace for recovering heat from the exhaust gases. Water heated from the exhaust gases returns to the primary circulation system. More specifically, water flows from the cooler portions of the water jacket and/or the return conduit of the main circulation system to the gas-to-water heat exchange unit. Water flows from the gas-to-water heat exchange unit to the relatively warmer portions of the jacket and/or to the primary conduit that delivers water from the jacket to the heat exchange system of the building.

Abstract: A kneeboard formed of upper and lower polymeric shells about a core material and having a internal, generally vertical stiffener to impart strength to the kneeboard and to provide a low profile strengthened kneeboard.

Abstract: In general, the invention consists of an indicator means for indicating the usage of an endodontic instrument by providing a visual indication of the number of sterilizations of the instrument. The indicator includes a modified “stop” or “washer” which is used with each endodontic instrument. The “stop” includes a dye compatible base which is impregnated with a diffusible dye composition. The base is made of a dye compatible material which enables the diffusible dye to migrate or diffuse as a result of a specific number of sterilizations at a specific temperature from an interior portion in the base where the dye is not visible to an exterior position where the dye is visible. Since the “stop” is also sterilized along with the instrument, the “stop” will change color after a specified number of sterilizations of the instrument has occurred.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method, materials, and products involving the joining of titanium aluminide to steel by welding each to an iron-based alloy interlayer or connecting piece. The interlayer can be friction welded to the steel and friction welded to the TiAl. The interlayer alloy can be an iron-based superalloy such as A-286. The friction welding of the TiAl to the interlayer can be done in three steps, each with increased pressure between the parts, with a total time of about 30 seconds. Joint strength of 412 MPa can be achieved for a 25.4 mm weld face diameter. The product can be a turbocharger rotor. The connecting piece (4) is composed of an alloy comprising the following composition in weight percent, Ni, less than or equal to 31.99, Fe, greater than 45.69, preferably, Ni, less than or equal to 30, Fe, greater than 50; and optimally, Ni, less than or equal to 28, Fe, greater than 52.

Abstract: A hydraulic braking apparatus for an orthopedic apparatus having a main base which is adapted to rest on the floor and a support frame mounted on the main base. A head table, a center table, and an end table are mounted on the support frame. The end table is capable of sliding movement along the centerline of the frame, of rotative adjustment movement about the centerline, and of a swinging adjustment movement about a vertical pivotal axis passing through the centerline. An adjustment mechanism is located between the support frame and the end table to provide for the movements of the end table in adjustment and to hold the end table above the frame at the same general level as the head and center tables. The adjusting mechanism includes a cylindrical bar along which the end table is slidable and which provides for the rolling mode adjustment of the end table. The bar also pivots about a vertical axis at one end to provide for swinging adjustment movement of the end table.

Abstract: A weight training and toning device that has a frame which supports a horizontal platform. A roller assembly is mounted on the frame for movement between an inactive position to an active position. When the roller is in the active position, the device is supported on the roller and can be rolled easily from one location to another location. More specifically, a pulley stand is attached to the bench and storage racks for weight plates and barbell assemblies are supported on the frame.

Abstract: A reusable insert designed for off-the-shelf covered containers, such as infant feeding bottle having a storage compartment for powdered formula, a top opening (32) to the compartment, a bottom opening (36) to the compartment, closure (40) for closing the bottom opening (35), and an actuator (20) that is guided for vertical movement within the housing for operative engagement with the closure. The upper end of the actuator extends below the nipple which is attached to the infant feeding bottle so that the user can apply downward pressure on the actuator through the nipple. Downward movement of the actuator causes the closure to move from its upper closed position at the bottom opening to a lower open position spaced from the bottom opening of the housing to enable powdered formula to be released into the chamber of the infant feeding bottle.

Abstract: The bracket system of the present invention includes four brackets. The first bracket can be screwed into the side walls of a closet for supporting the ends of a shelf. The second bracket is attachable to the shelf for supporting a cylindrical rod for hanging clothes. The third bracket is adapted to be screwed into the wall of a closet and connected to a first bracket for supporting the end of a shelf at any point along the length of the wall. The fourth bracket is adapted to be attached to the end of a shelf for supporting the end of a second shelf which forms a continuous shelving with the first shelf.

Abstract: A lip balm containing from 0.2% to 2.5% hydrocortisone in a base of beeswax mineral oil and petroleum jelly. The amount of petroleum jelly is not more than that of the beeswax and mineral oil combined and the amount of mineral oil is roughly equal to the amount of beeswax.

Abstract: Methods are described for two parties to use a small shared secret (S) to mutually authenticate one another other over an insecure network. The methods are secure against off-line dictionary attack and incorporate an otherwise unauthenticated public key distribution system. One embodiment uses two computers Alice and Bob, and a Diffie-Hellman exponential key exchange in a large prime-order finite group. Both parties choose the same generator of the group (g) as a function of S. Alice chooses a random number RA, and sends gRA to Bob. Bob chooses a random RB, sends gRB to Alice. Both compute a shared key K=g(RARB). Each party insures that K is a generator of the group, verifies that the other knows K, and then uses K as an authenticated key. Constraints are described to prevent passive and active attacks. An extension is described where Alice proves knowledge of S to Bob who knows only a one-way transformation of S.

Abstract: A breech plug assembly for a muzzle loading firearm. The breech plug assembly is screwed into the back opening at the breech end of the barrel of the firearm. The forward end of the conical projection has a tapered or conical projection for supporting the end of a pre-formed explosive pellet.

Abstract: A self-adjusting accessory for a table saw that includes a guide for sliding in the guide groove of the work supporting table of a table saw and which is biased against the edge of the guide groove which is closest to the cutting blade. The guide bar is used in conjunction with the plurality of table saw fixtures such as a miter gauge, an alignment gauge and a stop gauge. The alignment gauge also forms part of apparatus for carrying out a method of verifying the straightness of the arbor for the cutting blade, the alignment of the arbor relative to the guide groove of the work supporting table and the flatness of the cutting blade. The invention also includes an apparatus for adjusting the alignment of the arbor relative to the guide groove of the work supporting table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for organizing the assembly of a retailer's order. The system of the invention includes a system computer, conveyor assemblies and multiple sections. Each section includes an assembly section computer which controls multiple picking machines, a section conveyor, printers, and bundlers. Multiple bins are filled with articles, such as magazines, by the picking machines; the section conveyor then transports each bin to their next respective picking machine to be filled with that title location's magazine. Once a bin has been serviced by each picking machine of each title location, the contents of the bin are ejected and bundled by a bundler. Then, all bundles of a retailer's order are assembled at a palletizing area awaiting to be loaded into the delivery truck.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for continuous physical integrity monitoring of large civil structures such as bridges and high-rise buildings . . . wherein the relevant sensor data stream is generated continuously and transmitted to the data gathering location without the need for an incoming triggering signal of any kind; i.e., it is a one way transmission system. Specifically, it is a concept for an interlinked multi-parameter Early Warning Sensor system with a fill time data management capability for structures. The invention is also directed to both the system construction, with its communication capability, and also designs of specific sensors applicable to the system as a whole. As a practical example of application of the present invention to a structure, the description in this application is directed primarily towards system applications for bridge integrity early warning systems.

Abstract: A fixture for use with a saw table or router table for supporting an elongated workpiece used in conjunction with the rip fence mounted on the table. The fixture has a first rail pivotally connected at one end to one end of a second rail. The first rail is adapted to be guided along the rip fence, while the second rail can be pivoted to an angular positions relative to the first rail. The second rail has a longitudinal guide surface that can assume a plurality of angular positions relative to the rip fence. A head end retaining mechanism is connected to one of the rails for holding one end of a workpiece at a fixed point relative to the longitudinal guide surface. A tail end retaining mechanism is connected to one of the rails for maintaining the opposite end of a workpiece at a fixed point relative to the longitudinal guide surface. The tail end retaining mechanism is adjustable vertically and horizontally toward and away from the longitudinal guide surface.