Abstract: A gliding mechanism for a chair or sofa includes a bottom frame having a pair of parallel sides, a pair of swing arms pivotally connected to the interior of the sides near each end thereof defines a parallelogram linkage. A tube connected to and extending beyond the bottom ends of one pair of swing arms pivotally supports a pair of bars at the bottom of a chair or sofa support frame, and a second tube rotatably connected to the other swing arms supports a linkage which also defines part of the chair support frame, whereby the swing arms and support frame glide in unison.

Abstract: A protector for the inlet into a sewer system includes a straight or annular, porous tubular casing for placing on or around the periphery of a sewer grate; a skirt extending inwardly or outwardly from the bottom of the casing for overlapping the side edges of a sewer opening so the grate retains the protector in the use position; and a filler in the casing for maintaining the casing in an expanded condition, at least one of the casing, the skirt and the filler being permeable to water and impermeable to contaminants, whereby water can flow into the system while contaminants are blocked.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are formed on carbon paper by first depositing a metal catalyst on the carbon paper, and passing a feedstock gas containing a source of carbon over the substrate while applying an electrical current thereto to heat the substrate sufficiently to generate a reaction between the catalyst and the feedstock gas. Alternatively, inert gas under pressure is passed through a tubular metal cathode while passing an electric current through the cathode to produce a plasma of fine catalyst particles which are deposited on a porous carbon substrate, and a feedstock gas containing a source of carbon is passed over the substrate to cause a reaction between the catalyst and the carbon source resulting in the formation of carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method for geographical surveying includes the steps of determining an observation grid comprising observation points above a solution volume in the ground; making gravitational measurements at the observation points over a survey area; compiling a matrix having elements relating a set of gravitational accelerations and gravity gradient values at the points to the mass values for volume elements in the solution volume; and calculating the three-dimensional density distribution of the volume under the survey area based on the gravitational measurements and the inverse of the matrix. By measuring the magnetic field and gradient at the observation points, the three-dimensional magnetic susceptibility distribution of the volume under the survey area can be determined.

Abstract: Polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) of an optical device, i.e. fiber or component is effected by launching a first pump laser beam of a fixed wavelength, a probe laser beam with a second fixed wavelength and a second pump laser beam having a variable wavelength and a polarization direction orthogonal to the other two beams into an optical device to generate three output signals which are input into a semiconductor optical amplifier to generate four-wave mixing (FWM) products. The average PMD of the device is computed by measuring the power of the FWM products versus the wavelength of the second pump laser beam.

Abstract: A toolbox assembly for mounting in the box of a pickup truck includes a rectangular casing with an open front end; a drawer slidable in said casing; a lock on said drawer for locking the drawer in the casing; a pair of L-shaped brackets for mounting on the floor of the box immediately rearwardly of the wheel wells, the brackets slidably receiving the casing; and a lock mechanism for releasably locking the casing in said brackets.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are produced using a silane procedure, in which a substrate such as carbon paper or stainless steel mesh is immersed in a silane solution of a metal catalyst, preferable Co:Ni in a 1:1 ratio; and a feedstock gas containing a carbon source such as ethylene is fed through the substrate and the catalyst deposited thereon while the substrate is heated by applying an electrical current thereto. Thus, a reaction occurs between the catalyst and the gas to yield carbon nanotubes supported on the conductive substrate. These composite electrodes may be used in electrochemistry or in field emitting applications.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is combined with a two-stage actively controlled isolation system. The gravity gradiometer and two stage isolation system may then be mounted within (or on) a mobile vehicle such as, for example, an aircraft. It has been recognized by the inventors herein that the accelerations imparted to an aircraft during normal operations can be separated through system design into two relatively distinct regimes within the frequency domain. The invention provides a first isolation mount, which forms part of the isolation system, to isolate accelerations (and resulting translations) falling within a first of the two frequency regimes. The second isolation mount, which is mounted to the first isolation mount, isolates accelerations falling within the second of the two frequency regimes. A gravity gradiometer can then be mounted to the second isolation mount.

Abstract: Two dimensional COSY magnetic resonance spectroscopy of human stool can be used in a non-invasive method of detecting the presence of colorectal cancer. The spectrum of a patient's stool is compared with that of stool from non-cancerous subjects, observed differences in spectra being indicative of cancer.

Abstract: An auxiliary door lock for a dead bolt lock includes a relatively flat rectangular housing for mounting on a door over the interior operating knob of the dead bolt lock; and an actuator slidable and rotatable in an opening in a front wall of the housing. The actuator includes a hollow handle, which is used to rotate the knob. Teeth on the actuator mesh with teeth in the housing in one position of the actuator so that the latter and the knob cannot be rotated when the door is locked. Thus, even using a key, someone outside of the door cannot unlock the dead bolt lock. By pushing the actuator into the housing to a second position, the teeth are disengaged and the actuator can be rotated to unlock the dead bolt lock.

Abstract: An aesthetic, hangable ornament is produced by cutting a blank in the shape of, e.g. a bird or a butterfly from a laminate of three layers of vinyl, the outer two layers of which are holographic, cutting a hole in the blank, cutting slits in the blank to form a body including strips extending radially from a planar annulus around the hole to the periphery of the body, crimping the strips to incline them by 20-30° from the plane of the annulus, and mounting a multifaceted, polyhedral crystal in the hole using a hook, which is also used to suspend the ornament from a clear line.

Abstract: A fence assembly for a table saw includes a track for mounting on one edge of the table saw perpendicular to a slot in the table top of the saw and a blade in the slot, a carriage slidable on the track, a fence rotatable on the carriage for defining a straight guide edge at any angle from 0 to 90° with respect to the blade, and a guide plate above the fence with indicia thereon for accurately positioning the fence. A pair of bolts extend upwardly from the carriage through arcuate slots in the fence to the guide plate for slidably supporting the fence. Knobs on the top of the bolts are used to releasably clamp the fence between the guide plate and the carriage.

Abstract: A fly fishing assembly includes a rod with an elongated sleeve mounted thereon and a cowl on one end of the sleeve for partially surrounding the rod in the vicinity of the reel to inhibit sliding of the hand of a user from the handle. By providing a flange on the bottom trailing end of the cowl, contact between the little finger of the hand holding the rod and the reel is prevented. Thus, the little finger can be positioned in front of the flange so that the caster can safely use it to lead the proper timing of casing.