Abstract: A recreational structure for providing a cat with adequate shelter and play area. The structure comprises a central main living unit that connects to a rectangular litter housing member by means of hollow tubes. A multi-tiered unit is disposed on top the main living unit. The top tier of this unit connects to the first tube by means of a slanted second tube. An entrance/exit member provides access to the structure. This member is connected to the bottom tier of the multi-tiered unit by a third tube. The tiers connect to one another by means of stairs.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing circumcision includes a hollow body having each of an anterior open end and an axially opposed posterior open end. A dome shaped member is attached to or formed integral with the anterior end of the hollow body and has a generally semispherical shape. At least one aperture is formed through a wall of the dome shaped member and is sized to pass urine therethrough. An elongated handle is centered on the longitudinal axis and has a portion thereof positioned adjacent a juncture with one of the anterior end of the hollow body and the apex of the dome shaped member being weaker than any other portion of the body or the generally dome shaped member, whereby a reciprocation of the elongated handle causes the elongated handle to fracture at the juncture and become detached from the hollow body or the generally dome shaped member.

Abstract: A method of making a compressible elastomeric spring including at least one compressible elastomeric pad enclosed by a pair of metal plates includes the steps of forming plates with a center aperture and a plurality of prongs positioned about a peripheral edge thereof, forming each end of the pad with an axial projection and abutting groove, aligning the plurality of prongs with each respective projection and respective groove and applying axial force to one end of the spring to frictionally interlock the plurality of prongs with such projection and groove. The method also provides for making a multi-tiered stack of pads separated by plates in the above described manner and pre-shortening the spring prior to installation into the conventional yoke. The above described method additionally improves axial straightness and lateral stability of the multi-tiered spring assembly.

Abstract: A process for producing preshrunk hardwood floors. The process comprises the steps of selecting untreated hardwood flooring having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined width and then placing such untreated hardwood flooring in a drying kiln. Another step is operating the drying kiln for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature in order to remove moisture from the hardwood flooring and then determining one of the moisture remaining in the hardwood flooring or the moisture that was lost during the operation of the drying kiln. Another step is removing the hardwood flooring that was dried in the drying kiln in the previous steps. This is followed by sealing the pores of the hardwood flooring, while the wood is still hot, that was kiln dried in the previous steps, with a sealer.

Abstract: A method immunizing an individual that minimizes the amount of antigen or attenuated organism needed and the number of doses and clinic visits required, while making possible polyvalent simultaneous immunizations. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a sample of blood. Exposing at least a portion of this sample to at least one immunogenic antigen, attenuant or other immunogen. Incubating the exposed sample under specified optimal conditions and introducing this exposed sample into the individual to effect immunization thereof. The method of the invention also provides a method of delivery of materials, other than antigens, throughout an individual's body such as therapeutic drugs, virus vectors, genes, DNA, RNA, isotopes, and other therapeutic substances. A method for the delivery of treatment material to an individual is also provided by this method.

Abstract: A system for converting marine surface wave energy into electric energy includes a barrier disposed generally vertically and having at least a portion thereof disposed above a surface of a body of water. The portion has a substantially planar surface disposed generally transverse to direction of marine surface waves. Bottom edge of the barrier is pivotally connected to one of a floor bed, a rigid formation and a rigid structure. At least one linear electric generator is coupled to storage of electric energy and is operable by a pivotal movement of the barrier. One type of electric generator is disposed external to the barrier while another type is mounted within a barrier chamber.

Abstract: A solar heat collector for using solar energy to heat a fluid flowing therethrough includes a housing having a portion facing the sun. A predetermined plurality of tubular members are disposed within the housing with each tubular member connected to a fluid input and a fluid output for carrying a fluid through the housing. An absorption film is attached to the sun facing portion of the housing. A filler member engages the absorption film and a predetermined portion of each tubular member for improving heat transfer efficiency of the absorbed solar energy from the absorption film to each tubular member. A material of the filler member has thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of air at zero degrees Celsius.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing at least one product to consumers includes a housing and a plurality of belt conveyors for storing a predetermined quantity of such product. A serving tray is positioned externally to the housing for incrementally receiving one of the predetermined quantity of such product. Another belt conveyor is provided for incrementally obtaining such one of such product and for delivering it to the serving tray. A controller for selectively operating storage and delivery conveyors. A manually operable switch activates the controller to operate the delivery conveyor in order to deliver such one of such product. The apparatus is capable of capturing consumer personal data. Various methods contemplate use of these devices for delivering targeted marketing information, distributing product samples and for cross-marketing products.

Abstract: An apparatus for connection to a bottle to assist with pill ingestion includes a generally cylindrical hollow base portion manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size for insertion into a mouth of such bottle. A mechanism is disposed at a predetermined location on such base portion for sealingly engaging such base portion to an interior surface of such mouth of such bottle. A generally cylindrical hollow top portion is operably connected to such base portion closely adjacent an upper end of such base portion, such top portion is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined size and includes an open top end. A mesh material is fixedly disposed at a predetermined location within one of such base portion and such top portion for supporting at least one pill thereon.

Abstract: A system for milking cows including a structure for retaining cows therein. Such structure includes at least one holding area within such structure, at least one exit alley connected to and extending from a predetermined portion of such at least one holding area to at least one of a predetermined housing area, at least one additional holding area, and a combination thereof. At least one of at least one milking robot, at least one automated milking machine, and a combination thereof is disposed within such at least one holding area for automatically milking at least one predetermined cow when such at least one predetermined cow is closely adjacent a predetermined side of such at least one of such at least one milking robot, such at least one automated milking machine, and such combination thereof. A method for milking cows is also provided.

Abstract: A sanitary shield for preventing direct contact of a user with an exterior surface of an elongated handle includes a flexible sheet having each of a predetermined width, a predetermined length and a predetermined thickness. The flexible sheet is formed from a flexible plastic material. A first row of interposed tabs and notches is formed in a first side edge of the flexible sheet and a second row of interposed tabs and notches is formed in a second side edge of the flexible sheet, whereby each tab in one row is aligned with a notch in an opposed row. The respectively aligned tabs and notched are interlocked with each other for firmly securing the flexible sheet onto the elongated handle, whereby the interlocking tabs and notches along with the first and second side edge lie within confines of the predetermined thickness of the flexible sheet. The sanitary cover may be also provided as a tubular member.

Abstract: A headset includes a housing having an inner side thereof engageable at least with a human ear and a curved member for attaching the housing behind the ear. An audible sound emitting speaker is mounted within the housing and a microphone capable of receiving sound wave and for converting the sound wave into an electrical signal is connected to one end of a boom. The other end of the boom is attached to the housing. An amplifier is disposed within the housing and is operatively connected to the speaker and the microphone for amplifying the electrical signal. A manually operable variable volume control resistive switch is operatively disposed between the amplifier and the microphone for controlling amplification of the electrical signal. A battery is contained within the housing and supplies a predetermined voltage to the amplifier and microphone. A manually operable switch controls voltage supply from the battery.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly for a railway car includes a ratchet mounted for rotation on a threaded piston rod of a brake actuator and a holding pawl engageable with the ratchet for maintaining a push rod of the parking brake assembly to apply braking force when the air pressure is lost in the brake pipe and releasing the push rod to accordingly release the braking force when the supply of air pressure in the brake pipe is restored. An operating lever and a cylinder connected thereto are provided for selectively rotating the holding pawl. Valve is provided for supplying air pressure to and evacuating it from the cylinder. Release mechanism is provided for manually releasing the braking force. The parking brake assembly is employed with either truck-mounted or carbody-mounted braking system.

Abstract: A continuous electro-cleaning, pickling and electroplating apparatus and method using a plurality of elongate tubes that are electrically conductive.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an air filter includes a body, a closed chamber formed within the body, a fluid dispersing member having a portion thereof mounted for rotation within the body and passing through the chamber, a plurality of orifices formed through the wall of the fluid dispersing member and an arrangement for rotating the fluid dispersing member. The arrangement either includes a combination of nozzles secured to the fluid dispersing member and positioned within the chamber and an irregular inner wall surface of the chamber capable of providing resistance to a fluid flow discharged into the chamber or fins disposed on the fluid dispersing member and a passageway through the body for directing fluid under pressure onto the fins. Fluid supplied under pressure to the fluid dispersing member exits through the plurality of orifices toward an inner surface of a air filter filtering medium causing contaminants to exit therefrom.

Abstract: A data input device for use with at least one of a touch screen, a keyboard, and a combination thereof is provided. Such data input device includes a stylus member engageable at a first end thereof with at least one of such touch screen, such keyboard, and such combination thereof. Such stylus member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A securing mechanism is at least one of disposed on such stylus member and formed integrally with such stylus member for securing such stylus member to at least one of a user's finger, a user's thumb, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly for a railway car includes a ratchet mounted for rotation on a threaded piston rod of a brake actuator and a holding pawl engageable with the ratchet for maintaining a push rod of the parking brake assembly to apply braking force when the air pressure is lost in the brake pipe and releasing the push rod to accordingly release the braking force when the supply of air pressure in the brake pipe is restored. An operating lever and a cylinder connected thereto are provided for selectively rotating the holding pawl. Valve is provided for supplying air pressure to and evacuating it from the cylinder. Release mechanism is provided for manually releasing the braking force. The parking brake assembly is employed with either truck-mounted or carbody-mounted braking system.