Abstract: A new pan face sign construction comprises an opaque frame of extruded structural plastic and a pan face of clear plastic, such as acrylic or polycarbonate. Corners of the frame are simply mitered with a common miter saw and the frame pieces and pan face assembled with a suitable liquid plastic adhesive. The new pan face sign construction allows the sign lettering and graphics to be printed on the flat backside of the pan face with a modern ink jet printer and ultraviolet cured inks prior to assembly. After printing, the frame is assembled to the pan face and the sign is ready for installation.

Abstract: A new reinforced monopole cellular telephone tower comprises a plurality of flanged pipes strapped to the exterior of the monopole tower. The straps retain the pipes to the monopole tower in a spaced relationship, and the flanges permit the pipes to be bolted together. The flanged pipes form columns about the monopole tower. Elastomeric pads are placed between the flanges at some or all of the bolted flanged connections to reduce the bending moment at the connections. The thickness of the pads may vary depending on vertical location, and some connections at lower levels may not require the pads. The elastomeric pads allow the upper portion of the monopole tower to retain most of its flexibility without unduly overstressing the pipe reinforcing that is undergoing high compression during high wind conditions.

Abstract: A plug and socket combination positions a plug and electrical cord at an orientation perpendicular to a wall socket, thus reducing the required clearance to substantially that of the plug width without the electrical cord or less than half of the clearance normally required. Two-pronged and three-pronged plug and socket combinations have been developed that are substantially the same width, length, and depth as the typical plug on a two or three wire electrical cord.

Abstract: In an integrated glow plug and pressure sensor having a passage leading to the pressure sensor, a porous filter is inserted in the passage. The porous filter provides a four-fold improvement in pressure measurement by (1) acting as a trap for combustion deposits, (2) burning combustion deposits when the glow plug heater is on, (3) acting as a heat shield for reducing thermal shock error of the pressure sensor, and (4) damping acoustic high frequency ringing associated with the pressure passage.

Abstract: A pressure-sensing element for an internal combustion engine is located in the sleeve of a ceramic glow plug heater having axial and radial pressure channels connecting the sensor diaphragm to the combustion chamber. The sensor signal conditioner is encapsulated in an automotive-type connector either directly attached to the glow plug body or located at the end of a cable pigtail containing the sensor fibers and the heater positive potential wire. A high temperature rated fiber optic pressure sensor capable of measuring either dynamic or absolute pressure is used. The absolute pressure sensor relies on three optical fibers combined in a common ferrule in the sensor head area and connected to one light source (LED) and two detectors (photodiodes) in the signal conditioner area. The fibers can either be identical by being spaced unequally in the ferrule or can have different diameters, numerical aperatures, or both, and be spaced equally or unequally.

Abstract: A new nostril support device for a horse comprises a shaped body for insertion into the nostril and an integral clip that retains the body in position by pressing on the outside of the nostril. The shape of the body is generally convex toward the clip and concave away from the clip. In a direction substantially parallel to the clip the body is substantially straight at the bottom of the concavity. Overall the body tapers to a substantially parabolic edge to ease insertion into a nostril.

Abstract: A single loudspeaker has a substantially single-point source of sound energy derived from multiple drivers to provide a surround sound effect. The surround sound is effective for listeners close to the single loudspeaker or substantially distant within a room. The physical size of the loudspeaker is convenient for placement on top of a computer monitor or television set. The single loudspeaker produces a dynamically variable energy gradient between the listener's right and left ears and the perception of sound emanating from changing locations in the space surrounding the loudspeaker. The placement of a plurality of these loudspeakers surrounding the expected listener location allows the coverage of larger spaces with separate dynamically variable energy gradient pairs.

Abstract: A sports training device comprises a substantially vertical standard with a suitable ball at the top for practicing sports such as baseball or tennis or a bent over standard with a ball close to the ground for practicing sports such as golf. The ball is attached to an arm that is, in turn, attached to a pivot and a spring both on the standard. Striking the ball in the normal manner for the particular sport causes the ball to move away from the bat, racket or club until clear. The ball then returns under the influence of the spring and oscillates about the starting location of the ball. Depending on spring tension and damping effects of the arm, spring and standard, the ball will become stationary very quickly or continue to oscillate widely. For some sports, heavy damping is preferred. For other sports, light damping may be preferred.

Abstract: Several associated techniques and fiber optic constructions are disclosed to protect a diaphragm type fiber optic cylinder pressure sensor from the effects of maximum under hood temperatures and to minimize errors associated with rapidly changing under hood and engine temperatures. The techniques include electronic compensation in response to temperature change, fuel system cooling of the optoelectronic interface, construction of the interface and construction of the sensor tip.

Abstract: A plurality of two-dimensional template-shaped gauges to quickly determine the amount of liquor poured from a corresponding bottle. Since each style of gauge fits a complementary bottle style, the ounce, shot or metric vertical markings on the gauge can be spaced to reflect the change in bottle cross-section. A bartender or server can quickly, literally at a glance, determine the amount remaining in the bottle. The result is a more accurate pour and better control over the sales of expensive liquor and similar beverages. The new gauges are reusable an indefinite number of times depending on the plastic or other material from which they are constructed. Moreover, the new gauges are ideal for displaying brand names and logos. The template shapes may be formed on both side edges of each gauge, therefore each gauge can be used with two bottles of differing shape.

Abstract: In evaporative cooling by injecting extremely fine water droplets into an airstream, the addition of cyclic injection provides superior control of the temperature drop of the air. The cyclic operation of the injection enables effective air cooling of outdoor and semi-outdoor areas, such as outdoor restaurants, even under conditions of high humidity. Small high pressure pumps that can be cycled on and off every few seconds for many millions of cycles make the air cooling method practical and effective.

Abstract: Windshield wiper apparatus is provided to substantially increase the amount of heat and the speed with which the heat is delivered to the wiper mechanism and blade to clean the ice and snow accumulation. Hot air is provided from either or both the exhaust system or a special electric heater directly into the modified windshield wiper and onto the windshield.

Abstract: A novel brake assembly is provided for a bicycle. The assembly is composed of an arrangement of a pair of brake pads each connected to a rod member in turn guided for axial movement by a base fixed on the bicycle frame. A bifurcated control cable actuates wedge members causing movement of the pads against a wheel rim. Return springs on the rod members cause the assembly to return to the original non-braking position in response to release of the control cable.

Abstract: A folding hacksaw having the back of the saw and the saw handle pivotally joined together and pivotally connected to a four-bar linkage comprising the blade, side frames and a back frame. The back frame is enclosed within the back of the saw. Movement of the handle relative to the back of the saw causes the saw blade to extend from the back or retract into the back in the manner of a folding knife. The movement of the handle places the handle in the proper cutting position when the blade is extended. A top latch maintains the handle in line with the back in the retracted position. A blade latch maintains the saw blade and the handle rigidly in the blade extended position.

Abstract: A device for the generation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional virtual color patterns by the single or multidirectional rotation of a movable body containing light emitters of differing colors. The light emitters may be intermittently or continuously flashed by a wind-powered alternating current generator that also serves as a bearing for rotation. In the preferred embodiments, wind reactive blades take the form of various horizontal or vertical shaft windmills with slender or broad blades.

Abstract: A new and distinct viburnum plant named ‘Duvone’ which is distinguished by the same characteristics which make it a valuable ornamental plant; specifically, abundant spicy fragrant flowers, glossy foliage, multi-hued autumn color developing and holding after most deciduous plants have defoliated, and slow growth and tidy habit suitable for smaller scale low maintenance landscapes.