Abstract: Eyeglasses worn in winter weather conditions are subject to fogging due to condensation of water vapor. A method of removing condensation from eyeglasses is provided. The method involves heating the lenses of the eyeglasses, by making the lenses a part of an electrical circuit. Electric current is supplied to the electric circuit from a power source external to the eyeglasses. The size and weight of the power source may be minimized by utilizing a timer or a power regulator. A smaller power source is also made possible by selectively heating the lenses, applying more power in the area of the lenses most likely to experience fogging.

Abstract: Strip lighting assemblies are useful for supporting and illuminating light bulbs in a variety of contexts, including bookshelves and display cases, while maintaining the lighting hardware and wiring in relative obscurity, to avoid detracting from the display being illuminated. A strip lighting assembly is provided which arranges two conductive strips in vertical fashion, to achieve a relatively narrow and nonobtrusive assembly. A special socket design is also provided, which may accommodate a variety of light bulbs or power chords. The socket includes a movable insert which may be adjusted to alter the size of the receptacles of the socket, increasing the receptacle area to accommodate larger light bulb terminals or power chords, and decreasing the receptacle area to snugly fit smaller light bulb terminals.

Abstract: Snow accumulating on sheet metal roofs may fall in large masses, causing damage to property and persons in its path. A method of impeding snow from sliding off metal roofs is provided. The method involves installing a series of attachment mechanisms which are generally U-shaped, so that each attachment mechanism straddles a roof seam. Each attachment mechanism is secured by screwing a blunt edged screw into a hole in a prong of that attachment mechanism to tighten that mechanism against the roof seam, without penetrating the seam. Each attachment mechanism is provided with a bar receiving channel to hold a bar perpendicular to the seams, to prevent large masses of snow from sliding off the roof.

Abstract: The effectiveness of a radon mitigation system is in large part a function of the vacuum and air flow produced by a fan. Since a relationship exists between the vacuum and air flow of any given fan, it is advantageous to be able to identify any malfunctions in the system which result in fan air flow being increased or decreased. Such changes in air flow may impede the ability of the system to alleviate radon concentrations. Fan air flow may be monitored by measuring current draw of the fan with an ammeter or other electric current measuring device. Such measurements may be facilitated by mounting the ammeter in a control unit including a reduction transformer, which feeds 24 volt electric current to the fan. After measurements of fan current draw have been measured and indicated, current may be increased to 120 volts by a fan voltage booster, to power the fan.

Abstract: Light-weight items or components may be picked-up and moved from space restricted areas. The method of lifting and placing such items involves the use of a hand-held tool, comprising a hollow tube containing a suction creating device, which suction creating device may be engaged by pressing an actuator member located in a hole in the hollow tube. A tip is attached to an open end of the hollow tube, so that air is expelled from and drawn into the suction creating device in the hollow tube through the tip. A gripping member is removably attached to the tip. The gripping member comprises a suction cup, an extension tube, and a fitting by which the gripping member is attached to the tip. A variety of gripping members, with suction cups of varying sizes and extension tubes of differing angles, may be used with the pick-up device.

Abstract: A light fixture suitable for supporting and illuminating a parallel string of lamps with contacts on opposite ends permits light to be emitted from those lamps over a wide area, with little obstruction by the leaf fixture itself. The fixture may comprise a flat support, two conductive strips attached to the lower side of the flat support, and a plurality of U-shaped conductive conductors attached to the upper side of the flat support. The conductive strips are positioned parallel to the flat support, and parallel to each other, with an area of separation between them. A plurality of first U-shaped conductive connectors are attached directly above one of the conductive strips, in contact with it, while a plurality of second U-shaped conductive connectors are attached directly above the other conductive strip, in contact with it.

Abstract: The safety of a user of an extension ladder may be increased by a method of testing whether a fly section has been properly extended and locked into position, which method also impedes inadvertent descent of the fly section. The method of increasing safety of using an extension ladder involves the use of a locking device, comprising an insertion pin designed to be inserted into an insertion hole extending from side to side of a rail on one section of the ladder. The insertion pin is attached to the side of a corresponding rail on the other section of the ladder. The attachment of the insertion pin and the location of the insertion hole are designed so that the insertion pin may be inserted into the insertion hole only when the fly section is properly positioned with respect to the base section, to ensure that rung locks are engaged to hold the fly section in place.

Abstract: An object may be easily moved across a surface by means of a rotatable roller mechanism, and may be secured in a desired location on that surface by rotation of the roller mechanism. The rotatable roller mechanism comprises a rigid plate containing a slot, a bar designed to seat within that slot, a holding mechanism allowing the bar to rotate in close proximity to the slot in the rigid plate, and a roller mechanism attached to the bar. The roller mechanism may consist of wheels or flat rollers surrounding an axle, which is attached to the bar by two connecting pieces. The rigid plate is attached to the underside of the object. When the object is lifted, the bar rotates in the holding mechanism to a position perpendicular to the rigid plate. The bar is held in this position when the object is lowered, by means of the bar fitting into the slot. In this manner the rollers are held against the surface, and the object may be easily moved across the surface.

Abstract: Ore may be mined from an irregular ore body using a mining structure which conforms to the shape of the ore body, and which relieves stress that might otherwise hinder caving through bridging and compacting. The conic mass caving structure comprises a series of ore passes, extending from an upper position to a lower position in a tapered fashion. The ore passes intersect each of a series of hyperbolic drifts, which are shaped to surround the portion of the ore body to be mined. The hyperbolic drifts are parallel, and each hyperbolic drift surrounds a smaller area then the hyperbolic drift directly above it, to form an essentially conic shape. Secondary drawpoints are located at the intersection of each ore pass and each hyperbolic drift, while the primary drawpoints are located in a apex surrounded by the lowermost hyperbolic drift.

Abstract: A transmission is described which provides a continuously and infinitely variable number of ratios within a finite range of gear ratios. The transmission comprises two rotary disk assemblies, one of which is driven by an input shaft, and the other of which drives an output shaft to which varying loads may be applied. The two disk assemblies are connected by a coupling mechanism, such as a coupling ring, which rotates in response to the rotation of the input disk assembly, causing the output disk assembly to rotate in the same direction. The coupling ring rides on contact pads located within slots in each of the disk assemblies, which contact pads form two circles with continuously variable diameters with respect to the center of each disk assembly. The contact pads move along slots of differing angles on two disks within each disk assembly at a position determined by the intersection of the angled slots.

Abstract: Leaded and leadless surface mounted devices are removed from or attached to a printed circuit board at various locations, without interfering with or adversely affecting other chips on the printed circuit board. The method of removal involves placing a tool on the substrate, comprising a rigid plate containing a hole, and a hollow tube extending beneath the hole from the rigid plate to the substrate. In this way a surface mounted device to be removed may be surrounded completely by the hollow tube, without encompassing adjacent chips. When heat is directed through the hole in the rigid plate and through the hollow tube to the surface mounted device, the soldered connections attaching the surface mounted device to the board may be melted. A disconnecting means is utilized to remove the surface mounted device from the substrate at the moment the soldered connections are melted or, in the case of non-eutectic solder, changed to a plastic phase.

Abstract: A lifting table top mechanism is provided wherein a table top can be raised or lowered between two stable positions with respect to the table base, by means of moving a handle. The handle is incorporated into a rotating bar which is configured so that, when attached to the lower faces of a lower plate attached to the table base and one or two upper plates attached to the table top, movement of the handle causes the upper plates to be drawn toward or pushed away from the lower plate. A connecting bar, configured to be attached to the lower plate and upper plates, rotates in tandem with the rotating bar. A linear linking member links each end of the rotating bar to the corresponding end of the connecting bar. The upper plates are stablized in one of two positions: adjacent to the lower plate or at a maximum distance permitted by the configuration of the connecting bar and rotating bar.