Abstract: A multipurpose exercise device comprises a pair of side members each having a concave surface adapted to engage one of the thighs of a user. Each of the side members is supported in sliding engagement by a corresponding frame and operatively attached to a resilient member that urges the side member toward the open side of the concave surface. The frames can be fixed in various orientations. In one orientation of the frames, the side members face each other with the concave surfaces both opening inward. The user's legs are placed between the side members and moved apart against the urging of the resilient members to exercise the thigh abductor muscles. IN another orientation, the frames are oriented so that the side member face away from each other with the concave surfaces both opening outward. The device is placed between the user's legs and the user moves his/her legs together against the urging of the resilient members to exercise the thigh adductor muscles.

Abstract: An exercise device of the type employing an elastic cable to provide a restoring force comprises a handle attached to a plurality of elastic cables. The plurality of elastic cables are selectively attachable to a retainer assembly to provide a wide range of variation in restoring force exerted against the handle. The plurality of cables may also be enclosed in a flexible sheath to prevent the unattached, inactive cables from becoming entangled with each other or with the attached, active cables.

Abstract: An LCD backlight (30) comprises generally rectangular parallelepiped light guide (36) with an exit aperture (31) that is smaller than the surface area light guide (36) and illuminates a LCD (49). The light guide is illuminated by a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LED) dies (32) disposed along at least one edge of the light guide. A translucent fluorescent film (40) is disposed immediately above the exit aperture to diffuse the light exiting the exit aperture and also the change in the dominant wavelengths. Further, the light guide (36), the LEDs (32), fluorescent film (40), and additional light redirecting layers (42 and 44) are completely surrounded by and optically coupled to a diffusively reflective film (50), which covers the back surface, the edges, and the front surface of the light guide except for the exit aperture. This diffusively reflective shielding is covered by a conventional reflective material layer (51) to ensure no light escapes the backlight except through the exit aperture.

Abstract: A power assisted crimping tool is disclosed particularly suited to crimping and dimpling of structural steel decking and roofing panels together. The invention comprises a frame supporting a pair of jaws which are opened and closed by means of a toggle linkage that is driven by an operator-controlled pneumatic cylinder. The input pivot of the toggle linkage is constrained to move linearly by means of a cross head formed in the frame which, in turn, causes the jaws to move in unison rather than one jaw moving against the other. According to one embodiment, the jaws are provided with a plurality of punch and die sets disposed in opposite orientations, such that as the decking or roofing panel joint is crimped by the jaws, the punch and die sets raise a plurality of dimples having alternating orientations.

Abstract: An exercise device for exercising all of the major muscles comprising the upper and lower abdomen and back, while avoiding undue stress on the lumbar and cervical spinal discs and the muscles comprising the lower back and hip flexors. The device provides rigid upper and lower back supports which are pivotally joined at a point which restricts flexure of the spine to the T10-L1 region. Resistance means attach to the pivotal portions of the device to allow adjustable resistance to exercise motions.

Abstract: A method is provided for bonding a ceramic thermal barrier coating to a nickel or cobalt based superalloy substrate for use in high temperature applications such as gas turbine engines. The method comprises roughening the superalloy substrate itself to produce a surface roughness, preferably from 100 to 350 microinches Roughness Average (RA). The roughened surface of the substrate is treated with a diffusion coating, preferably aluminide or platinum-aluminide to provide oxidation and hot corrosion resistance, while substantially preserving the micro-topography of the roughened surface. A ceramic thermal barrier coating is applied directly to the diffusion treated surface, preferably using an air plasma spray. The surface roughness, which is left substantially undisturbed by the diffusion coating treatment, is altered by the air plasma sprayed ceramic to form a series of interlocking microstructures that firmly attach the ceramic thermal barrier coating to the diffusion treated superalloy substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mobile hammermill apparatus for pulverizing and compacting waste and soil in road construction, disaster cleanup, forestry, agriculture, and particularly at landfill sites, in a single operation. The mobile apparatus achieves superior compaction densities by using a plurality of compacting and pulverizing members that are mounted rotatably on a plurality of eccentrically mounted shafts running parallel to a main shaft, which rotates to cause the compacting and pulverizing members to impact the surface beneath the apparatus. The rear of the apparatus is supported by a compactor drum which provides a shield to prevent debris from being ejected from the rear of the compactor and provides a mass to compact the pulverized waste and soil as the apparatus is moved across the surface of the landfill.