Abstract: A method for pretreating and re-refining used oil that requires only moderate heat and only one re-refining step. The pretreatment involves mixing the used oil with a basic solution and optionally a phase transfer catalyst. The phase transfer catalyst aids the chemical reaction which allows removal of impurities in used oil. The basic solution preferably includes more than one base. The used oil, basic solution and phase transfer catalyst are mixed under low heat. The pretreated oil is then mixed with liquid propane in a non-turbulent manner, such as by use of a globe valve or orbit valve. The mixture of used oil and liquid propane are then placed into an extraction vessel and impurities are allowed to settle out of the oil and propane mixture. Heavy fraction may be removed from the extraction vessel. Preferably, a second vessel called a settling vessel will be used to cause further settling of impurities out of the used oil. Light fraction is produced which may be re-refined to produce base oil.

Abstract: This invention relates to a decoupler for the exhaust pipes of automobile.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a laser beam that is varied, such as being pulsed or modulated, rather than being a laser beam of constant intensity. Specific circuitry that includes timing and triggering means for pulsing a laser beam is disclosed, and methods and software for modulating a laser beam are disclosed. Pulsed and modulated laser beams have wide variety of applications, including curing polymeric materials such as dental composites. Modulated light from sources other than lasers may also be used for such curing.

Abstract: Various video camera supports for use in taping the swing of a golfer during real golf play are disclosed. The supports may be attached to a golf bag, a riding golf car, or used with a hand-pulled golf car. The supports may be modified to support an umbrella as well, or separate umbrella supports that accommodate using an umbrella during golf play are provided.

Abstract: A snow scooter is disclosed. The scooter has elongate board upwardly curved at one or both ends. A receptacle is formed in the board to placement of a steering and braking mechanism therein. A steering and braking handle projects upwardly from the steering and braking mechanism and is used to move the steering and braking mechanism in all 3 directions. A rudder or fin is located at the bottom of the steering and braking mechanism and projects downwardly into the snow. The rudder or fin is turned when the steering and braking handle is turned, effecting steering of the snow scooter. The steering and braking handle may also be angularly moved with respect to the board longitudinal axis in order to cause the control disk to project downwardly from the board bottom into the snow in order to cause braking. Steering and braking may be effected simultaneously from a single handle for a snow scooter that provides ultimate maneuverability and ease of use.

Abstract: A dental bleach storage, mixing and delivery device and related method are disclosed. The device includes a barrel with at least two chambers. The chambers store components that when mixed can form a dental bleach or whitener. A plunger is provided that can be reciprocated within the barrel to force such components from their chambers. A mixing tip is provided for the end of the barrel. The components may be forced through the mixing tip which thoroughly mixes them together. The resulting bleach or whitener is applied to a patient's teeth where oxygen ions released from the bleach or whitener and will whiten the patient's teeth.

Abstract: A wheelchair seat back having width adjustable wings, a mechanism to permit forward and backward angular adjustment of the wheelchair seat back, a clamping assembly for mounting the wheelchair seat back to wheelchair uprights, and a width adjustable cushion for a width adjustable wheelchair seat back.

Abstract: A novelty item in the form of a fishing lure made from a plurality of coins and a fishing lure of the same configuration. The coins form the body of the lure, with one or more attached fishhooks and a means for attaching a fishing line. Other embodiments of the invention add headpieces and tailpieces shaped like the heads or tails of fish, optionally with hooks attached to these pieces. The elements of the invention may be connected so as to provide independent motion with respect to each other, in other embodiments may be connected rigidly, or in other embodiments are connected to allow motion in one plane only. Streamers and feathers may be incorporated so as to conceal the hooks and to provide an attractive appearance.

Abstract: A structural member for use in a wheelchair which includes an elongate section having side members connected by at least one central member and movement accommodating channels. Preferably, the elongate section has a W-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The preferred cross-section has a generally round outline. The preferred wheelchair structural member also includes a mechanism for imparting torsional stiffness thereto. Preferably, that mechanism includes stiffening disks which have a solid, circular cross-sectional appearance, and which are formed integrally with the elongate section. Similarly, the preferred structural member may include a mechanism for imparting bending strength. Stiffening disks, as well as increased cross-sectional diameter and increased wall thickness may be used to reduce the tendency of a structural member to bend. A preferred injection molding method and the preferred use of fiber-reinforced plastic materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A golf club that is preferably made from fiber-reinforced plastic composite by an injection molding process. The preferred golf club head includes a striking face for striking a golf ball, an outer periphery, a cavity formed between the outer periphery and the back of the striking face, a sole enclosing the bottom portion of said cavity, and at least one elongate power bar extending across the cavity from the striking face to the outer periphery. The sole is preferably integrally formed with the face plate and outer periphery. The cavity of the golf club head opens to the top of the club head. Each elongate power bar separates the cavity into receptacles. Inserts may be placed within the receptacles for aesthetic, aerodynamic, acoustic, and other purposes.

Abstract: A cushioning element that has a number of substantially parallel elongate columns which buckle under an appropriate load. The cushioning element may be formed from a soft, easily deformable elastic or visco-elastic cushioning media. As a force is exerted against the cushioning element generally parallel to a column, the cushioning media may compress, and eventually the walls of the column may buckle. This equalizes pressure across the contact area of the object being cushioned.

Abstract: A composite mixture of spherical objects and lubricant useful for its cushioning properties is disclosed and claimed. The composite mixture may be composed of microspheres typically less than 2000 microns in diameter with inert atmospheres sealed within their interiors and any of a variety of lubricants facilitating sliding and rolling movement between microspheres. Typically the composite mixture includes lubricant in a quantity sufficient to substantially coat the exterior surface of essentially all of the spherical objects, but in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of the spherical objects in the lubricant sufficient to physically separate the spherical objects from each other and substantially reduce the sliding and rolling contact of the spherical objects with each other. Low specific gravity, low thermal mass, low coefficient of heat transfer, lack of head pressure, insulative and flotation qualities are provided by the invention.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint with polycrystalline diamond compact coated interfaces and a method for making the same are disclosed. The prosthetic joint has a diamond layer formed on at least one of the interacting, load-bearing surfaces of the joint. The diamond layer adds resistance to damage from impacts and, when polished, gives the joint a low coefficient of friction, thereby increasing the life of the joint. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the diamond layer is formed of polycrystalline diamond compact having a common diamond particle diameter of less than 1 micron to further reduce friction.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for curing polymeric materials including dental composites. Preferably, modulated light is used to control the formation of polymer chains in the polymeric material so that a cured polymeric material that has the desired physical characteristics for its intended function. Formation of short chain and long chain polymers from monomers in the polymeric material is initiated and controlled by using a light source with a wavelength suitable for one or more initiators found in the polymeric material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coupler for the exhaust pipes of automobile.

Abstract: A page turner useful for turning the pages of sheet music and other materials. The preferred page turner has a plurality of page disks located within a housing. Separator disks are sandwiched between page disks. Each page disk has associated with it a page index that is intended to be attached to a page to be turned. Page disks are rotated and pages turned by rotating a cable which has a roller that rotates a page disk. The cable is powered by a foot operated gear drive or an electric motor.

Abstract: Multi-adjustable wheelchair with adjustability features which accommodate the physical size and comfort of the wheelchair user is disclosed and claimed. The wheelchair includes (1) wheelchair frame width adjustment, (2) wheelchair rear axle position adjustment, (3) wheelchair seat height and bucketing angle adjustment, (4) wheelchair seat base width and length adjustment, (5) wheelchair seat back angle adjustment and (6) wheelchair seat fore and aft position adjustment. The wheelchair also includes a truss structure wheelchair wheel caster fork that is lightweight, attractive, strong, durable, and inexpensive to produce.

Abstract: A wheelchair seat back having width adjustable wings, a mechanism to permit forward and backward angular adjustment of the wheelchair seat back, a clamping assembly for mounting the wheelchair seat back to wheelchair uprights, and a width adjustable cushion for a width adjustable wheelchair seat back.

Abstract: A wheelchair seat back having width adjustable wings, a mechanism to permit forward and backward angular adjustment of the wheelchair seat back, a clamping assembly for mounting the wheelchair seat back to wheelchair uprights, and a width adjustable cushion for a width adjustable wheelchair seat back.

Abstract: A bladder for containing a cushioning medium. The bladder includes open compartments which are created by welding or otherwise fastening a first bladder wall against a second bladder wall. The periphery of the bladder walls are welded or otherwise sealed together so that the bladder will contain a cushioning medium without leaking. The bladder is partially filled with cushioning medium so that it will be able to conform to the shape of a cushioned object and create a desired hammocking effect. The bladder is otherwise permanently attached to a base that is smaller than the bladder in at least one direction, resulting in a bladder which has loose skin and which has numerous random folds and creases on its skin. The base is a substantially non-stretchable fabric or other attachable non-stretch material. The cushioning medium is preferred to be lightly lubricated microspheres.