Abstract: A signaling apparatus indicates when a disposable animal trap has been triggered. The apparatus detects movement of the bail, indicating that the trap has been triggered. A visual or audible alarm is used to notify the user. This allows the trap to be reset if the bait is lost, or replaced if an animal has been trapped. Advantages of a signaling apparatus have now been extended to a disposable trap.

Abstract: The invention provides a system comprising a separator device used in conjunction with a tying device to hold flowers in a bouquet in a manner so as to make the bouquet larger and seem fuller and more voluminous. The separator of the invention separates the floral stems and forces them outwardly by means of angled holes. The tying device holds the stems of the flowers together at a point below the separator. The overall effect is that the flowers of the bouquet are held in a position so that the top of the bouquet is larger than standard bouquets.

Abstract: A sprayable coating composition is useful for forming a simulated granite surface having high-impact strength, superior hardness and an aesthetically-pleasing look. The coating composition has a gel coat and granules which include thermoplastic and thermoset plastic components. The gel coat and granules are visually differentiatable, substantially immiscible and substantiatly isopycnic in density. The composition, when combined with a hardener, may be sprayed into a mold and backed with fiberglass, plastic or other suitable resin to form a panel or similar structure, or may be directly applied to surfaces to provide a simulated-granite appearance.

Abstract: A rotation sensing device for detecting a fine displacement of a handle and control system for use in an electrical power steering device in vehicles and a motor driving device in industrial machines. The rotation sensing device has a fixing member with a support plate and a plurality of polarity plates fixed to one side of the support plate at a predetermined interval, and a dielectric member with a plurality of dielectric plates fixed to one side of a handle shaft of the handle at a predetermined interval and movingly inserted into the interval between each of the polarity plates. Therefore, the capacitance of the dielectric member can be variable based on a mechanical displacement of the handle.

Abstract: A decorative facing can be placed on a block so as to render an ordinary block decorative. This provides the advantage of reducing transportation costs, since locally produced construction blocks can be used in place of the glazed blocks produced at a relatively limited number of facilities. The facing in addition to being decorative enhances the water impermeability of the block and facilitates clean-up.

Abstract: A process for the selective metallization of a substrate and the product formed thereby. An extremely thin (substantially less than the wavelength of light) coat of metallic particles is deposited on a transfer agent. A thin coat of varnish is selectively applied to either the substrate or the transfer agent, the substrate and the transfer agent are laminated together and the varnish is cured. The metallic particles will become absorbed within the varnish and the substrate and transfer agent are then separated. The substrate is provided with a highly polished specular metallic finish in predetermined areas.

Abstract: Game apparatus comprising a ring with a flight stabilization member attached to the ring, with the axis of the flight stabilization member being generally parallel to the plane of the attached ring during flight. A launching device is used to launch the ring from a first player to a second player, and the characteristics of the ring and attached flight stabilization member cause the ring and attached flight stabilization member to rotate in flight, such that the ring can be caught by an opposing player and relaunched to the first player, or launched toward a target, providing greatly enhanced play value over prior art toys.

Abstract: An interchangeable clasp is formed from a body having at least one recess, a connector configured to fit within this recess and a member for retaining the connector within the recess. This clasp is aesthetically appealing to the viewer and may be used in numerous applications. Through the use of this interchangeable clasp, jewelry variations can be geometrically multiplied, while reducing the cost to the consumer.

Abstract: An automatic warming-up apparatus and a warming-up method applied in various hydraulic systems which are equipped with an engine and a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, and controlled by a microcomputer. The warming-up apparatus has at least one hydraulic actuator operated by an oil discharged from the hydraulic pump, a first temperature sensor detecting the temperature of a lubricant oil of the engine, a second temperature sensor detecting the temperature of a cooling water of the engine, a third temperature sensor detecting the temperature of a pressurized oil of the hydraulic system, an input/output unit sending to the controller the temperature signals received from the sensors.

Abstract: A stop sign and/or crossing arm deployment system is secured to a side and/or the front, respectively of a school bus for deploying a safety stop sign and/or crossing arm between a retracted normal state and a deployed safety state. A dual power circuit is provided for providing maximum power at the instance of deployment and at the instance of final retraction. Otherwise, a lower power is used to operate a bi-directional DC motor which receives power for the entire time period between deploying and retracting the system. The system provides the lower power level while simultaneously heating the circuitry including the motor for use in cold climates. A single ground switch is used for coupling the motor directly to ground both during the deployed state and retracted state to provide maximum power in momentary cycle times to the motor.

Abstract: A system, method and kit for scheduling, monitoring and improving physical exercise is provided. These goals are achieved by the use of a hand-held computer for programming the inputs of activity, individual parameters and environmental conditions; a user's manual having instructions and a diary; a guide book giving access to expert advice; and system of cards providing questions and advice. Data is entered into the computer where it is analyzed. By combining the computer analysis with the user's manual, guidebook and cards, the benefits of a personal fitness trainer are obtained.

Abstract: A ferrite chip bead includes a ferrite substrate, a plurality of outer electrodes formed at opposite sides of the ferrite substrate, and a plurality of conductive leads each extending transversely through the ferrite substrate and having opposite ends protruded outwardly of opposite side surfaces of the ferrite substrate and connected to corresponding outer electrodes. Conductive leads are embedded in the ferrite substrate by introducing conductive leads in a central portion of a nozzle for extruding the ferrite substrate such that the conductive leads are embedded in the ferrite substrate being extruded, or by introducing conductive leads between ferrite substrate sheets being fed to be bonded together for forming the ferrite substrate such that the conductive leads are interposed between the ferrite substrate sheets being bonded. The ferrite chip has no tendency for outer electrodes to short-circuit from the ferrite substrate upon carrying the chip bead on a circuit board.

Abstract: A baseball practice device in which a baseball is releasably attached to a "Y" shaped tether system which, in turn, is supported by two horizontal arms arranged in a "Y" shaped configuration. The combination of the horizontal arms and the tether system allows simulation of a pitching environment where the baseball may be presented to the batter with a uniform and repeatable flight path to enhance batting practice.

Abstract: A polycentric reamer having a body thrust unit and reaming unit is especially useful for locally reaming a borehole beneath a casing string. By asymmetrically positioning a reaming unit within a body formed from non-coaxial mated cylinders, superior results are achieved. These results include minimizing wear on the casing string.

Abstract: Ecologically safe constructional materials, and particularly large-sized constructional structures such as wall plates can be economically produced. Wood or another vegetable material ground to the particle size of not more than 2.times.10.sup.-3 m, dried to 9-11% moisture content, heated by heating the press-mold to the 200.degree. to 220.degree. C. temperature and adding ground material heated at least 120.degree. C., and loaded it into the press-mold for 1 to 1.5 min. per 1.times.10.sup.-3 m of produced pressed material. After that, pressing is done in a hermeticly sealed press-mold at this temperature at a pressure of not less than 30.0 MPa with exposure to this pressure for 1 to 1.5 min. per each 1.times.10.sup.-3 m of produced pressed material followed by cooling of press-mold without depressurization at full pressure.

Abstract: A continuous flow method for processing soap involving providing soap heated to a pliable consistency, mixing the soap to homogeneity, cooling the soap, and extruding the soap is provided. Also provided is a processing system. One embodiment includes a device for heating the soap, a continuous mixer and a continuous heat exchanger connected via conduits. The conduits continuous mixer and heat exchanger may be adapted to be further inputted with additional ingredients, such as a gas. Using this method and system, low cost, high volume processing of soap is possible.

Abstract: A method for producing machined parts with curvilinear profiles allows for selection of the optimum rotational frequency of a part to be machined by analyzing wave process energy created by interaction of the machining instrument and the machined part while creating the curvilinear profile. During preliminary machining at several rotational frequencies, integral values of the wave process energy are determined and the relationship between these values and the rotational frequencies are identified. The optimum rotational frequency is then selected according to the minimum value of the aforementioned relationship. Increased accuracy in selecting the proper rotational frequency reduces wear of the machining (or cutting) instrument and produces higher quality machined parts in a reduced amount of time.

Abstract: A two-part frame and a pre-tensioning device useful for installing a taut sheet of material within a frame are disclosed. These devices are useful for preparing silk screens used by the printing industry. Since the subject devices can automate the preparation of silk screens, lower production costs and improved quality result.

Abstract: Multiple-hull catamaran vessels equipped with hydrofoils have two hulls connected by a deck. Transverse to the hulls below the waterline are three or more hydrofoils, the trim bow and stern hydrofoils, and the relieving middle hydrofoil or a group of hydrofoils. The bow and stern hydrofoils are mounted at a distance not less than 30% and 20% of the hull length to the bow and stern, respectively, from the center of mass. Lift arising on all hydrofoils when sailing at a maximum calculated speed in calm sea reaches 60-70% and in calculated rough seas 20-40% of the catamaran's full weight. The bow foil, middle and stern foils account for 0.05-0.15; 0.15-0.30; 0.10-0.25 shares of the catamaran's full weight, respectively. When sailing in rough sea and during vertical travels of the hulls (vertical rocking), "submergence--emergence" takes place which leads to "increase--decrease" of the lift thereby reducing vertical travel amplitude.

Abstract: A method for making a ferrite chip bead array in which a plurality of reinforcing outer electrodes are formed at the upper and lower surfaces of a ferrite substrate structure having a pair of substrate sheets and a plurality of uniformly spaced conductive leads interposed between the substrate sheets to enhance the bonding force between each electrode and each corresponding inner conductive lead, as well as the bonding force between each outer electrode and each corresponding inner conductive lead as well as the bonding force between each outer electrode and the ferrite substrate structure. The reinforcing outer electrodes eliminate a tendency for outer electrodes to short-circuit from the ferrite substrate upon placement of the chip bead array on a circuit board. The subject method simplifies manufacture and prevents short circuit, thereby enhancing reliability and productivity.