Abstract: A metal baseball or softball bat may be improved both for durability and performance by selectively placing a layer of fiber reinforced composite material around portions of the bat. In one embodiment the barrel portion of the bat may have a fiber reinforced composite layer directly laid up upon the metal bat frame. In a second embodiment, the barrel portion of the bat may include an outer metal sleeve placed about the metal bat frame, with an exterior fiber reinforced composite shell being formed on the outer metal sleeve. In a third embodiment, an intermediate portion of the bat adjacent a zone of maximum bending stress may be reinforced by the placement of a fiber reinforced composite outer layer on the metal frame of the bat adjacent the area of maximum bending stress.

Abstract: A deformable, artificial intraocular contact lens for implantation into the human eye to correct normal-vision problems. The lens may be positioned posteriorly from the iris, resting against the anterior surface of the posterior capsule's natural lens. Alternatively, the lens may be positioned in the anterior chamber of the eye. The implanted lens works in conjunction with the cornea and natural lens to provide proper vision, as a substitute for regular contact lens, spectacles, and radial keratotomy. The lens may be designed from a rigid or semi-rigid material. Due to the thinness of the structure, the lens may be rolled and inserted into the eye, minimizing both the length of the corneal incision and the stretching of the cornea.

Abstract: A metal baseball or softball bat may be improved both for durability and performance by selectively placing a layer of fiber reinforced composite material around portions of the bat. In one embodiment, the barrel portion of the bat may have a fiber reinforced composite layer directly laid up upon the metal bat frame. In a second embodiment, the barrel portion of the bat may include an outer metal sleeve placed about the metal bat frame, with an exterior fiber reinforced composite shell being formed on the outer metal sleeve. In a third embodiment, an intermediate portion of the bat adjacent a zone of maximum bending stress may be reinforced by the placement of a fiber reinforced composite outer layer on the metal frame of the bat adjacent the area of maximum bending stress.

Abstract: A game ball comprising a spherical core and two-piece cover. The cover includes two figure eight-shaped pieces adhesively attached to the core. Furthermore, each figure eight-shaped piece may be separately stitched around the edges, given the appearance of a stitched ball once the cover pieces are in place. Preferably, the stitching pattern is a traditional herringbone pattern. Also provided is a process for making a game ball. This process comprises providing a spherical core and cover material comprising two stitched figure eight-shaped pieces. The stitched figure eight-shaped pieces are placed around the core using an adhesive.

Abstract: An oxygen mask made of clear flexible material, for example, polyvinyl chloride, has a gas pocket just inside two holes in it, below the nose and in front of the mouth, the holes adapted to lead via tubing, one to an oxygen source and the other to a respiratory gas or carbon dioxide monitor, the rest of the mask being gas-proof except for permissible small openings at about ear and cheek level. The gas pocket is formed by the mask extending outward in front of the face, particularly the nose and mouth, and having the holes in the floor thereof, tubes and connectors being adapted to fit through the holes and go to an oxygen source and a carbon dioxide monitor.

Abstract: An automatic telephone line call monitoring and line assignment device is installed at a subscriber location to assign incoming calls on a master ringing line to a user selected slave line in response to taking that line off-hook. A programmable logic unit detects incoming calls, off-hook lines, and directs the device to automatically dial a central office call intercept service to move incoming calls off the master line to the slave lines.

Abstract: The present device relates to an agricultural chemical applicator for applying herbicides. The system is activated by a sensor bar having a plurality of conductive wire rod sensors. When a sensor contacts an unwanted plant, a detector and control circuit detects the current leakage and activates a time delay circuit which uses two timers in series and an opto-isolator to activate a solenoid valve. When a particular sensor is activated, a particular valve will be opened, thereby sending chemicals through a specific nozzle. Each sensor has its own circuit and its own nozzles.

Abstract: A waste airstream decontamination unit has a series of grounded electrodes extending vertically from rotating shafts mounted transversely across a decontamination chamber. Corresponding upper and lower positive electrodes extend toward the rotating grounded electrodes in an angular relationship. Rotation of the shafts causes the charged electrodes to produce and sustain a repeating sequence of arcs which ionize and control the airborne contaminants which are passed through the chamber.

Abstract: A system for recycling and tracking of reusable surgical instruments includes a remotely located instrument sterilization and maintenance facility, electronically linked to a shipping carrier and a hospital facility. Orders for surgical instrument kits needed during a predetermined surgical schedule are placed electronically from the hospital site and transmitted to a host computer at the remote sterilization and maintenance facility. Instrument kits are stored at the sterilization and maintenance facility which also receives used instrument kits from the hospital. Decontamination, inspection, repair, recycling, and sterilization stations at the sterilization and maintenance facility allows for rapid, efficient, and low cost maintenance and repacking of used instruments for reuse at the hospital.

Abstract: A microchannel plate detector device is intended for use in the detection of low energy electrons and negative ions in particle time-of-flight measurement systems. A vacuum isolator isolates the microchannel plate signal output from ground as well as from the vacuum chamber of the meaurement system. A coupling unit includes a pulse isolator for separating pulse signals from the microchannel plate DC bias voltage. Electronic circuitry matches the output impedance of the coupling unit to the input impedance of the measurement system signal processor, thereby minimizing reflection and distortion of high frequency pulse signals.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a singulation system for recyclable materials which has a vacuum chamber having a slot down the middle. The vacuum chamber is substantially hollow such that air being pulled through one side of the vacuum chamber is pulled through the slot. Air is pulled through the vacuum chamber using a vacuum. A belt is rolled around the vacuum chamber, and the belt has hole arrays. The vacuum pulling air through the slot pulls air through the hole arrays, thereby allowing the belt to grab hold of and pull containers up the belt. Various outlet hoses can be provided from the vacuum to blow containers off the belt which are not firmly attached at the hole arrays, or to blow air against the diverter which then blows air across the belt, or to blow air through the hole arrays on the underside of the vacuum chamber to clear out holes which may be clogged from time to time.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hand gun case having a top section hingedly attached to a bottom section. Into the top section there is placed a top insert that supports the front and two sides of the top section against prying and also has an additional guide through which the bolt of the lock is directed. A lock is attached proximate to the front of the top section. A bottom insert is placed into the bottom section which has a block which aligns underneath the lock when the top section is in a closed position. The bottom section also has a lock protection bar.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an endoscopic retractor for use in minimal invasive surgery. A retractor blade is pivotally attached to an elongated hollow cylinder. An elongated shaft slides and rotates within the cylinder. At one end of the shaft is a handle. The other end includes a locking surface which bears against the blade. The blade can be positioned for movement of the retractor through a cannula, then moved into a closed position for use during the procedure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a panel system and method for building construction in which standing seam panels are attached to one another such that the inner flange of one panel attaches to the outer flange of an adjacent panel such that the tongue of the inner flange is received by the groove of the outer flange. Multiple panels are joined together to form wall, ceiling, and roof sections. Clips are used to secure wall sections to ceiling sections.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a greeting card holder having a base and a top joined by support. Around the support there are placed plural rods which are received by the base at one end and the top at the other. The greeting cards are placed initially in between any two of the rods with the end of the greeting card being deflected by the support to come back such that the spine of the card resides along one of the rods. Rods are sufficiently flexible so that they may be temporarily bent to allow placement of the cards yet sufficiently rigid so that the cards have consistent spacing thereby preventing bunching of the cards along their respective spines.

Abstract: An electronic wheel balancer apparatus includes an operator interface which adapts the device for concurrent use by multiple operators. A microprocessor works in conjunction with internal memory units to save and retrieve data associated with each operator for use by the processor when a selected operator is actively in control of the balancer.

Abstract: A bone-in ham steak is made by separating the muscle, fat, and femur bones from green hams and curing the muscle in a conventional manner. The femur bones are cut into linear segments and aligned lengthwise on a skewer. The aggregated and cured ham muscle and fat are placed into a casing so as to concentrically surround the skewered bone. The product is then cooked and, after removing the skewer, sliced into ham steaks of uniform size and weight with a central bone piece.

Abstract: A robotic joint for use in toys or other robotic assemblies to provide locomotion to animated figures, sub-assemblies, and toy construction building sets. The robotic joint is particularly adaptable because one side of the joint carries the motor that is powering the joint. It also provides for four-way action in a joint in a very compact space by attaching a motorized joint directly to the shaft of another motor. It can also provide omni-directional action in a joint, since each motor turns the shaft or turns the motor housing based on the amount of resistance applied to the shaft. This can be demonstrated in a joint that is used to support a leg in which the joint has two motors attached by their shafts, perpendicular to each other in the same joint. A joint structure is provided in which two parallelograms are placed substantially perpendicular to one another to distribute the weight.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation is projected through various types of plastics materials such as plastic containers. The readings from the electromagnetic radiation transmitters are received by a sensor array. Plural readings are taken from each plastic bottle as it passes under the sensor. The measurements from the sensor array output are then fed into a computer. The materials are then separated into three classes. The first class contains polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene teraphalate (PET) containers. The second class contains polypropylene (PP) and natural (primarily milk containers) high density polythylene (HDPE) containers. The third class contains opaque materials such as rigid, mixed color high density polythylene (HDPE) containers, opaque polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers, opaque polystyrene (PS) containers, and opaque polypropylene (PP) containers. The groups of plastics contained in each of the classes are then separated out using the same or other detection means.