Abstract: A pull exerciser includes two attachment members, two positioning devices respectively attached to the attachment members, and at least one resilient cord. Each positioning device includes two positioning plates each having at least one positioning hole that is communicated with outside via a reduced opening having a width smaller than a diameter of the positioning hole. The resilient cord is inserted into the positioning hole of each positioning plate through a respective reduced opening. An end piece is fixed to each end of the resilient cord and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the positioning hole of each positioning plate. The resilient cord can be replaced with other resilient cord having a different elastic coefficient. When several resilient cords are used, the user may attach additional resilient cords to or remove some of resilient cords from the pull exerciser when desired.

Abstract: A camera system for tracking a target from an aircraft includes a camera with a moveable head, a user interface, and a control circuit. The target has target data indicative of a position of the target, and the aircraft includes a navigation system for generating aircraft data indicative of a current position of the aircraft. The user interface generates the target data, and the control circuit generates pointing data based on the aircraft data and the target data. The pointing data is provided to the camera to cause the camera to direct the camera head at the target. A video display within the aircraft may then display the images from the camera.

Abstract: Apparatus for splitting, imaging, and measuring wavefronts with a reference wavefront and an object wavefront. A wavefront-combining element receives and combines into a combined wavefront an object wavefront from an object and a reference wavefront. A wavefront-splitting element splits the combined wavefront into a plurality of sub-wavefronts in such a way that each of the sub-wavefronts is substantially contiguous with at least one other sub-wavefront. The wavefront-splitting element may shift the relative phase between the reference wavefront and the object wavefront of the sub-wavefronts to yield a respective plurality of phase-shifted sub-wavefronts. The wavefront-splitting element may then interfering the reference and object wavefronts of the phase-shifted sub-wavefronts to yield a respective plurality of phase-shifted interferograms. An imaging element receives and images the phase-shifted interferograms.

Abstract: A container for retaining articles includes a pliable sack and a closure attached to an opening of the sack. The closure includes a substantially flexible member having a pair of anchors and a substantially rigid member having a pair of pivotal seats. Each of the pivotal seats is adapted to receive a respective one of the anchors of the flexible member. The closure is positionable between a closed position in which the flexible member is substantially proximate to the rigid member and an opened position in which the flexible member is substantially separated from the rigid member. The closure may be configured to have a generally circular shape when in the opened position and a generally crescent shape when in the closed position. The seats may be configured to slidably receive the anchors to minimize complexity in the manufacturing process. Each of the rigid and flexible members preferably has a unitary construction to further reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A customizable configurable photocube system includes a photocube and a label sheet. The photocube has a plurality of blocks each having a plurality of sides. The label sheet has a plurality of labels that are attachable to corresponding sides of the blocks. The label sheet is configured to be printed upon in a commonly used office printing machine such as an inkjet printer or a color copier. A user may print a number of images onto the label sheet, thereafter removing the labels from the label sheet and attaching the labels to sides of the blocks in such a manner that a configurable photocube is formed.

Abstract: A method of increasing the power output of existing permanent magnet motors along with apparatus is disclosed. Increased power output is achieved by more completely utilizing the magnetic field of motor permanent magnets during running. The apparatus is external to the motor and therefore eliminates the need for modifications to the motor itself. The method involves providing a source of power to a permanent magnet motor which is capable of demagnetizing the motor permanent magnets at stall, and reducing the power at start up to a level sufficient to prevent demagnetization. Full power to the motor is provided when the motor speed reaches a level sufficient to prevent demagnetization of the permanent magnets.

Abstract: An energy generating system includes a conduit in the form of a loop with an upflow section and a downflow section. A working liquid such as water is received within the conduit and has an ambient temperature and a boiling point. A supply subsystem including a vessel in communication with an input port at a lower portion of the upflow section of the conduit is configured to provide to the conduit a pumping liquid. The pumping liquid has a boiling point greater than the ambient temperature and less than the boiling point of the working liquid. A heating subsystem is configured to heat the working liquid within the conduit to a temperature greater than the boiling point of the pumping liquid by a predetermined differential. Accordingly, the pumping liquid is vaporized after passing through the input port into the working fluid, thereby generating pumping gas.

Abstract: A customizable leaf for retaining visual material includes a first assembly and a second assembly. Each of the assemblies includes a front sheet and a back sheet attached together to form a margin and an accessible pocket. The sheets are made from an optically transparent material such as polypropylene. The sleeve is adapted to receive a background that may include graphics. The background is visible in the margins when received within the sleeve. One or more backgrounds may be provided, each with graphics, so that a user may select one of the backgrounds and then insert the selected background into the sleeve. When visual material such as a photograph is then inserted into one of the pockets, the background, particularly the graphics, is visible at the margins. The leaf is particularly suitable for albums, such photo albums, scrap books, card-collecting albums, and so on.

Abstract: A surfboard includes a body, a fin, a chamber disposed in the body, and a fastener. The fin is receivable in the chamber and projects from the body at a cant when received in the chamber. The chamber and the fastener may be components of a fin box disposed on the body of the surfboard. The chamber is configured so that the fin is adjustable in a variety of cants. The chamber may be configured to allow a foot of the fin to pivot within the chamber. When the fin is positioned in a desired cant, the fastener secures the fin in the chamber at the desired cant. To adjust the cant, the fastener is actuated to release the fin, the fin is repositioned at another cant, and the fastener is actuated to secure the fin at the new desired cant. This adjustment of the fin may be repeated any number of times.

Abstract: A controller is provided for several sets of flash lamps that shares a common power source. The controller comprises a high-voltage charging/discharging circuit and several sets of flashing circuits that shares the high-voltage charging/discharging circuit. The high-voltage charging/discharging circuit is a voltage-increasing loop. comprising two diodes, two capacitors, and a choke coil. Each flashing circuit is a self-activating flashing circuit comprising a resistive-capacitor charging circuit, an activating coil, a silicon controlled rectifier, and a flash lamp. Each set of flashing circuit includes a power source end that is electrically connected to an output end of the high-voltage charging/discharging circuit.

Abstract: A radio for a half-duplex communication system includes a warning circuit for indicating when a transmission of a signal is taking place. The radio includes a transceiver for providing a voice signal, and the warning circuit includes a pulse generator for providing a beacon signal. The voice signal and the beacon signal are combined into a transmitted signal. The warning circuit includes a power splitter for receiving a remote signal from an antenna and for dividing the remote signal into the voice and beacon signals thereof. The power splitter then provides the voice signal to the transceiver. A comparator compares a level of the received beacon signal with a reference and provides an output to an indicator (such as an LED) when the level of the beacon signal is greater than the reference. As such, the indicator illuminates in the presence of a beacon signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for splitting, imaging, and measuring wavefronts with a reference wavefront and an object wavefront. A wavefront-combining element receives and combines into a combined wavefront an object wavefront from an object and a reference wavefront. A wavefront-splitting element splits the combined wavefront into a plurality of sub-wavefronts in such a way that each of the sub-wavefronts is substantially contiguous with at least one other sub-wavefront. The wavefront-splitting element may shift the relative phase between the reference wavefront and the object wavefront of the sub-wavefronts to yield a respective plurality of phase-shifted sub-wavefronts. The wavefront-splitting element may then interfere the reference and object wavefronts of the phase-shifted sub-wavefronts to yield a respective plurality of phase-shifted interferograms. An imaging element receives and images the phase-shifted interferograms.

Abstract: A container for retaining articles includes a pliable sack and a closure attached to an opening of the sack. The closure includes a substantially flexible member having a pair of anchors and a substantially rigid member having a pair of pivotal seats. Each of the pivotal seats is adapted to receive a respective one of the anchors of the flexible member. The closure is positionable between a closed position in which the flexible member is substantially proximate to the rigid member and an opened position in which the flexible member is substantially separated from the rigid member. The closure may be configured to have a generally circular shape when in the opened position and a generally crescent shape when in the closed position. The seats may be configured to slidably receive the anchors to minimize complexity in the manufacturing process. Each of the rigid and flexible members preferably has a unitary construction to further reduce manufacturing costs.