Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a plumbing system in a more dependable and cost-effective manner. During the rough-in plumbing phase of construction, the drain pipe leading from the plumbing system in a building to the city sewer main or main sewer line is positively sealed off by a test cap welded in the pipe at the location of the clean-out. Access to the test cap is maintained through the clean-out. Pressurizing the rough-in plumbing to test the same can then proceed knowing that if any leaks occur, they are in the branch plumbing on the building side of the test cap, and not at or in the test cap. Following successful completion of the initial test, the top-out plumbing job is completed, leaving the test cap welded in the clean-out or drain pipe. After the roof vents are in, the second test of the plumbing system is made, again knowing that if the system shows any leaks, they are the result of a failure in the plumbing work and not a failure of the test cap.

Abstract: An intravitreal medicine delivery device and method that includes an implant device through which a wide variety of beneficial medicines including drugs or other pharmacological agents can be introduced into the vitreous cavity over an extended period of time with only a single initial surgery to implant the device. The device and method minimize the surgical incision needed for implantation and avoid future or repeated invasive surgery or procedures. Additional amounts of the initial medicine can readily be introduced or the medication can be varied or changed, as required. Furthermore, the device and method allow the dosage delivered to the vitreous cavity to be controlled, and the device is constructed so as to filter medicines delivered to the cavity and also avoids damage to or interference with other parts of the eye during implantation or during use.

Abstract: A key ring opener for spreading apart the adjacent end and intermediate portions of a split key ring that are spring-urged against each but are spreadable to allow a key to be placed on or taken off the ring. The opener includes an annular band having sharp circumferential wedging edges and is adapted to encircle such a key ring in the same way as a key, and along with keys on the ring, and a wedging bar extending diametrically of the band and having sharp wedging edges. The opener is slipped on and off the key ring like a key but is easier to do because of the sharp circumferential edges. While on the key ring, the bar can be wedged, again because of its sharp edges, between adjacent segments of the ring, ahead of a key, thereby to spread the segments apart. Thereafter, the band is rolled between the thumb and forefinger causing the bar to leverage the segments of the key ring farther apart thereby to facilitate entry and removal of a key to and from the ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for weighting of golf club handles that basically includes three components, namely, a sleeved receptacle, a weighted rod, and an adhesive. The sleeve is radially resiliently compressible and resiliently compressibly slidably fits inside of the shaft of a golf club at its upper end and resiliently compressibly slidably receives the weighted rod. The adhesive secures the receptacle-rod combination together and in the shaft. More specifically, the receptacle and the adhesive hold the weight centrally in the shaft and cushion it against vibration caused by forces traveling along the shaft when a golf ball is struck. The adhesive is initially placed in the receptacle and the rod is inserted into the receptacle immersing it in adhesive and forcing adhesive out through perforations in the receptacle to coat the exterior of the receptacle.

Abstract: A ground covering enclosure for obscuring undesired vegetation around plants and inanimate objects upstanding from the ground and for promoting the growth of a plant when the object is a plant. The cover includes a water and light pervious, vegetation impervious membrane, preferably a plastic weed cloth, for receiving a plant or other object in circumferential engagement therewith and preferably incorporating an insect barrier; a heat-absorbing wall, in one embodiment an annular cut-out section of a used automobile tire or otherwise made of recycled used-tire rubber, maintained by its inherent weight in engagement with the ground circumferentially of the object or nearly so, and supposing the membrane in relatively closely spaced relation to the ground so that the object, the membrane and the ground form a chamber around the base of the object; and a hose mounted on the inside of the wall and within the chamber for delivering water and/or other liquid-borne nutrients to the ground around a plant.

Abstract: A battery monitoring method and apparatus for delivering current to a battery, particularly a lead-acid battery, in standby condition after it has been charged and in such a manner as to maintain the rated ideal charge on the battery at the ambient temperature while minimizing damage to the battery cells. In particular, the apparatus and method apply pulses of current of variable width when the battery voltage hovers about its ideal voltage, apply continuous current when the battery voltage is below its ideal voltage by a certain amount thereby to raise the voltage toward its ideal voltage, and turn off the current when the battery voltage exceeds an upper limit indicative of overcharging or when the battery voltage is at a lower limit indicative of a defective battery or reversed connections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for projecting multiple patches of full spectrum, rainbow colors to multiple, widely distributed locations is provided. The invention enables the display of such patches on a surface area toward which a source of light is directed, for example the walls and ceiling of a room from sunlight entering the room through a window in the room. The method and apparatus provide first for the refraction of the light from the source of light, and secondly for both the refraction and the reflection of the initially refracted light. The initially refracted light is projected onto a surface of the room as main multiple spectral patches; and the refracted-refracted light, and the reflected-refracted light are projected onto other surfaces of the room laterally of the main patches as additional spectral patches, creating in all, multiple spectral displays of full spectrum, rainbow colors nearly surrounding a viewer and changing in position and shapes with the movement of the sun or other light source.

Abstract: An article having a hard surface of oriented particles for abrasive or wear-resistant applications is provided and includes a plurality of synthetic single crystals of diamond or cubic boron nitride, or like materials, oriented in a formation so that their corresponding crystallographic directions of maximum hardness, i.e., maximum abrasive resistance, are aligned, whereby the group of crystals, which form a working surface, exhibits a common direction of maximum hardness across the surface, and to a method of making such an article.

Abstract: An oven occupancy warning apparatus for domestic cooking ovens which senses the presence of an object within the oven and provides a warning of such presence. Except for the subject apparatus, the oven is of conventional construction and thus has a heating chamber and a food rack supported in the chamber. The apparatus supports the rack for slight pivoting or rocking movement about a horizontal axis in response to the presence of an object resting on the rack, regardless of where on the rack the object is located. An alarm activator associated with the rack is activated when the rack pivots in response to the presence of an object thereon, and an alarm is activated by the alarm activator to alert a user of the oven that an object is in the oven. The apparatus is useful with both gas and electrically heated ovens and is especially useful to alert a user of an object in the oven before preheating the oven, an action frequently taken without opening the oven.

Abstract: A pacifier clamped to a cloth handle by two interconnected members, one on each side of the cloth.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an article providing a hard surface of oriented particles for abrasive or wear-resistant applications which includes a plurality of synthetic single crystals of diamond or cubic boron nitride, or like materials, oriented in a formation so that their corresponding crystallographic directions of maximum hardness, i.e., maximum abrasive resistance, are aligned, whereby the group of crystals, which form a working surface, exhibits a common direction of maximum hardness across the surface, and to a method of making such an article.