Abstract: A combination food and beverage tool includes a housing, at least one of a blade and a can opener slidably mounted within the housing and a slide mechanism for slidably moving the at least one of the blade and can opener between a first position in which the at least one of the blade and can opener is recessed within the housing and a second position in which at least a portion of the at least one of the blade and can opener is exposed outside the housing. At least one container has a first end, and a second end, and a removable lid. The first end of the container is mounted within the housing, the lid covering the second end of the container.

Abstract: A bellows has a first portion that is formed with a hollow protrusion and can be actuated by pressing on it and a second portion formed with an annular wall defining an opening. The hollow protrusion fits within the opening. Actuation of the first portion causes a fluid to flow through the hollow protrusion and opening, and the fluid tends to force the protrusion against the annular wall. In another embodiment, the first and second portions are sealed along planer front and rear walls. A nut us provided having teeth for clamping the device to an air tube. The bellows can be used to control any device, including a pressure switch, valve or gauge, that is controlled by a change in fluid pressure applied thereto.

Abstract: A shading spacer for liquid crystal consisting of a cross-linked polymer particles containing a dyestuff which is fixed in said polymer particles by taking a dyestuff compound having a silyl group which can be hydrolyzed in said polymer particles having a silyl group which can be hydrolyzed when said polymer particles are cross-linked, is provided in the present invention. In said shading spacer, removal of dyestuff from said polymer particles is prevented.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a location determination and reporting (LDR) system for clandestinely or surreptitiously determining and reporting a missing vehicle present location. The vehicle may be stationary or moving and may be anywhere within reach of a cellular central station to which the location is reported. The vehicle is equipped with a location determination (LD) unit (preferably hidden on the vehicle) that receives LD signals and determines the LD unit present location, a specially configured cellular telephone, and a call interceptor. When the vehicle is reported missing, a central station or the vehicle operator interrogates the vehicle LDR system by transmitting a location interrogation signal, commanding the LD unit to transmit its present location. The vehicle phone does not signal receipt of an incoming call for an initial time period of selected length .DELTA.t.sub.d, awaiting possible receipt of a location interrogation signal.

Abstract: A Satellite Weather Modification System (SWMS) uses earth satellites to harness solar energy to modify the thermodynamics and composition of the earth's atmosphere. SWMS has three subsystems: The first subsystem includes a network of earth satellites called Satellite Engines (SEs) used to reflect solar energy and/or transform solar energy into other forms of energy beams discharged at specified locations. The media at these locations and the media through which the energy beams pass absorb these energies and change them into heat. The second subsystem includes a large network of Remote Sensing Devices (RSDs). These sensors are used to measure local media compositions, dynamic parameters and thermodynamic properties. Sensor measurements are fed back to the third subsystem, which includes a network of Ground Control Stations (GCSs). GCSs provide energy beam guidance by estimating each beam's characteristics and its aim point trajectory as functions of time.

Abstract: A wood-cement board is manufactured by a method comprising mixing 30 to 40% by weight of cement material, 20 to 27% by weight of wood flake, and 30 to 40% by weight of fly ash to prepare a raw material mixture, strewing said raw material mixture on a mold panel to form a mat, pressing and pre-curing said mat with moisture, and main-curing said pre-cured mat in an autoclave. Preferably the particle size of said fly ash is selected so that less than 10% by weight of fly ash may remain on the sieve whose opening size is 150 .mu.m and said main-curing process is carried out at a temperature of the saturated aqueous vapor in a range between 140 to 165.degree. C. for 7 to 10 hours.

Abstract: A Satellite Weather Modification System (SWMS) uses earth satellites to harness solar energy to modify the thermodynamics and composition of the earth's atmosphere. SWMS has three subsystems: The first subsystem includes a network of earth satellites called Satellite Engines (SEs) used to reflect solar energy and/or transform solar energy into other forms of energy beams discharged at specified locations. The media at these locations and the media through which the energy beams pass absorb these energies and change them into heat. The second subsystem includes a large network of Remote Sensing Devices (RSDs). These sensors are used to measure local media compositions, dynamic parameters and thermodynamic properties. Sensor measurements are fed back to the third subsystem, which includes a network of Ground Control Stations (GCSs). GCSs provide energy beam guidance by estimating each beam's characteristics and its aim point trajectory as functions of time.

Abstract: A mold used for manufacturing an inorganic board and a method of manufacturing an inorganic board by employing said mold are provided in the present invention. Said mold consists of a mold part made of a fiber reinforced plastic and a metal part attached to the back of said mold part, and because of said metal part, the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between said mold and an inorganic board manufactured on said mold is small.

Abstract: An antenna structure has a radiating element and a ground plane. The ground plane has a central region relatively closely spaced apart from the radiating element and a peripheral region extending away from the central region. The peripheral region comprises at least the conductive layer that extends radially beyond the radiating element and provides a sheet resistivity higher than that of the radiating element. Though physically small, the ground plane simulates an infinite ground plane, and the antenna structure reduces multipath signals caused by reflection from the earth.

Abstract: A portable lock for locking a door has a lock bar for insertion and retention between a door jamb and the latch side of a door. A housing is movable along the lock bar between a retracted position enabling pivoting movement of the door about its hinge between closed and open positions and a forward position engageable with the door in the closed position. A lever arm locking mechanism is movable between first and second positions for locking the housing in the forward position to prevent movement of the door from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: An inorganic board consisting of an inorganic base layer formed by a paper making method and an inorganic surface layer formed by the dry method on said inorganic base layer is provided in the present invention. A synthetic resin emulsion and/or a rubber latex is coated on and permeates said inorganic base layer so as to supply the water to said inorganic surface layer and improve the delamination strength between said inorganic base layer and said inorganic surface layer.

Abstract: A bellows has a first portion that is formed with a hollow protrusion and can be actuated and a second portion formed with an annular wall defining an opening. The hollow protrusion fits within the opening. Actuation of the first portion causes a fluid to flow through the hollow protrusion and opening, and the fluid tends to force the protrusion against the annular wall. In another embodiment, the first and second portions are sealed along planer front end rear walls. A nut is provided having teeth for clamping the device to an air tube. The device can be used in hot tubs, saunas, on vending machines, and has many medical uses.

Abstract: A wood cement board substantially consisting of reinforcing wood material and a cement wherein said reinforcing wood material is treated by a method comprising attaching an aqueous solution of a mineral acid and adding and mixing an alkaline metal silicate in said reinforcing wood material to prevent the inhibition of hardening of cement by sugar contained said reinforcing wood material is provided in the present invention. According to the present invention, a wood cement board having a high strength is constantly manufactured by using reinforcing wood material made from wood having a big amount of sugar as an inhibiter of hardening of cement such that reinforcing wood material regenerated from wood scrap can be used in wood cement board without any problem.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a location determination and reporting (LDR) system for clandestinely determining and reporting a missing vehicle present location. The vehicle is equipped with a handheld cellular phone unit and controller that are accepted and held by a cellular phone cradle that can include electrical power and/or a location determination (LD) unit to determines the LD unit present location. The cellular phone unit can operate on one cellular channel or on two distinct cellular channels. When the vehicle is reported missing, the central station interrogates the vehicle LDR system to determine the vehicle present location. A location interrogation signal is transmitted, commanding the LD unit to transmit its present location. The cellular phone does not signal receipt of an incoming call for an initial time period of selected length .DELTA.td, awaiting possible receipt of a location interrogation signal on the first cellular channel.

Abstract: The timing system for GPS has a week counter that recycles at intervals of about 20 years. The first recycling will occur on Aug. 22, 1999, producing a time ambiguity in GPS signals. The invention employs a count of leap seconds to resolve the ambiguity and extends the useability of GPS in its present format by more than a century.

Abstract: A mobile communications system for transmitting or receiving a broadcast signal and designed for mounting on in a vehicle has a transmitter or receiver and one or more antennas electrically connected to the transmitter/receiver. The system is mounted on or in a vehicle so that the transmitter/receiver and the antenna(s) are concealed. The system includes a GPS unit for receiving and processing a GPS and signal a cellular telephone unit for transmitting a fix of the vehicle location (to the police, for example). The system is particularly useful in recovering stolen vehicles and deterring theft.