Abstract: A cosmetic accessory device for teeth that simulates the appearance of an assemblage of teeth and gum. The device includes a gum portion and a tooth portion shaped and dimensioned to cover the user's upper or lower front teeth. The device is made of a nontoxic, nonirritating, tasteless, odorless, resilient, easily cleaned and chemically stable material that does not stick to natural teeth, gums, or most dental work. In use, the device is held in place by custom-fitted inner projections that match the spaces between the user's own front teeth and (optionally) a shelf extending just across the front teeth. Unlike typical conventional novelty dental devices, the natural teeth and gums are not completely covered, so the device is comfortable to wear and does not interfere with natural speech or bite closure.

Abstract: Protective footgear consisting of a multilayered material shaped into an overshoe that protects the foot and lower leg of the wearer from injury due to exploding land mines. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the overshoe includes a heat-resistant layer, a water-impermeable layer, and a puncture-resistant layer. It may be formed into an overshoe of conventional appearance, or assembled by cutting and folding a suitable multilayered sheet material into a box-like structure that is worn over the user's regular shoe or boot. The multilayered structure consists of materials that, in combination, substantially dissipate the shock of an exploding land mine and thereby reduce the risk of injury to the wearer. The invention is easy to manufacture of readily-available materials, light-weight, reasonably comfortable to wear while walking, reusable and repairable, and provides remarkably effective protection against blast and shrapnel injuries caused by exploding land mines.

Abstract: An enclosure for isolating material from the ambient atmosphere yet allowing free access to the interior. The front wall of the enclosure includes a window portion and at least one opening with a frame assembly mounted therein. The frame assembly includes a first movable access frame and a first flexible curtain; at least one second movable access frame and a second flexible curtain are mounted in the first frame. The first frame is movable from side to side across the opening; the second frame is movable from side to side across the first frame, perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first frame. As the first and second frames are moved, the first and second curtains move also, such that the only opening through the front wall is through an access port in the second frame. By moving the first and second frames, the user has ready access to substantially all the interior of the enclosure, and can position the access port wherever convenient for the task at hand.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for leakage testing of a pressurized/suction piping system. The apparatus includes a pump assembly for pressurizing the test system formed by the apparatus and the piping system, a pressure source connected to at least one input line assembly, an input line for supplying test fluid to the apparatus, an output line for discharging test fluid, and suitable adapters for connecting the input line assembly to the pipes being tested. In use, the apparatus is installed near the pipeline system to be tested. After all system pumps are turned off and the crash valve on each line is closed, the apparatus is initialized and a test pressure ramping procedure is initiated. The test pressure is maintained for at least approximately 30 minutes. If the measured leakage rate over a 30-minute period is less than a preselected rate, the pipeline system meets applicable standards.

Abstract: An ergonomically-designed, multipurpose tool including a handle, a blade with a shank and a tip, and a fastener for attaching the handle to the shank. The blade has a curved outer edge extending substantially from the shank to the tip, with, preferably, an integrally-formed gut hook positioned near the shank and opening toward the tip. A portion of the outer edge is sharpened to form a cutting edge. The fastener is user-operable for moving the blade from a first operating position where it opposes the handle to at least one next operating position, for example, extending forward of the handle for use as a hatchet. Regardless of the position of the blade, the user can control the length and direction of a cut by pivoting the wrist alone, the forearm at the elbow, the entire arm from the hand gripping the knife to the shoulder, by pushing or pulling the knife with the hand and forearm, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: An iontophoretic system for promoting tissue healing processes and inducing regeneration. The system includes a device and a method, a composition, and methods for making the composition in vitro and in vivo. The system is implemented by placing a flexible, silver-containing anode in contact with the wound, placing a cathode on intact skin near the anode, and applying a wound-specific DC voltage between the anode and the cathode. Electrically-generated silver ions from the anode penetrate into the adjacent tissues and undergo a sequence of reactions leading to formation of a silver-collagen complex. This complex acts as a biological inducer to cause the formation in vivo of an adequate blastema to support regeneration.

Abstract: A duct cleaning device, including a flexible conduit with a first, inlet end and a second, outlet end. An end cap with a central hole is attached to the first end; a connector adapted for coupling the device to a vacuum hose (or the inlet of a vacuum cleaner) is attached to the second end. A flexible, radially-projecting brush is attached to the exterior of the conduit, extending helically about the conduit; a plurality of throughholes (some of which carry flexible, radially-projecting tubes) are positioned near the brush. In operation, the device is connected to a source of vacuum. The first end is rotated while being moved into (or removed from) a duct, while the brush sweeps the interior surface of the duct to dislodge particulates of house dust and other contaminants from the surface. The particulates are swept into the conduit through the hole in the end cap and the throughholes in the conduit.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe and optical coupler assembly for light scattering measurements, and a method for making the assembly and aligning a plurality of optical fibers therein. The probe includes a probe body with a window across its tip for protecting the interior, at least one light-transmitting fiber, at least one light-receiving fiber, and (if desired), in-line devices such as filters and lenses positioned in optical communication with the fibers. A fiber optic coupler maintains the relative alignment of the fibers, which can be cut to install filters and other in-line devices. The coupler allows the cut ends to be re-aligned quickly and accurately without the need for time-consuming procedures or costly precision alignment equipment. The probe is simple, rugged, requires no high-precision machining or optical alignment procedures in assembly, and is economical to manufacture.

Abstract: A candle holder having a base with a seat for receiving a candle, a housing, a cover, and spring-loaded connecting means for detachably connecting the housing and the cover to the base. Air passage means formed in the base and the cover allow movement of air into and out of the housing; throughholes formed in the cover direct entering rain away from the candle. The base and cover are preferably made of bronze or some other substantially rust-resistant metal; the housing is made of an optically transparent or translucent material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a heat shield is positioned inside the housing to evenly distribute heat from a burning candle and prevent the formation of hot spots. The base may be provided with adapters for attachment to a cemetery marker or insertion into the ground.

Abstract: A bow sight apparatus, including a housing with a front sight and a back sight mounted therein, means for illuminating the interior of the housing, and means for attaching the housing to a bow frame. The back sight is an elongated rod having a generally "V"-shaped notch formed at one end thereof; the front sight is an elongated rod having one or more sighting balls mounted thereon. In use, the bow sight is mounted to the bow frame, and its vertical and lateral positions adjusted to suit the user. The light is used to illuminate the interior of the housing under low ambient light conditions; red light is preferred so as not to alert game.

Abstract: An ergonomically-designed, multipurpose knife having a handle, a blade with a shank and a tip, and a fastener for attaching the handle to the shank. The blade has a curved outer edge extending substantially from the shank to the tip, with an integrally-formed gut hook positioned near the shank and opening toward the tip. A portion of the outer edge is sharpened to form a cutting edge. The fastener is user-operable for moving the blade from a first operating position where it opposes the handle to a second operating position where it extends forward of the handle for use as a hatchet. In the first position, force exerted on the handle and directed toward the blade is distributed approximately uniformly along the entire length of the outer cutting edge.

Abstract: A system for separating waste by type and collecting the separated wastes, preserving the integrity of the separation during the collection and consolidation, including a multi-compartment inside container for the initial separation, an outside container that interfaces with the inside container so that the separated contents of the latter can be dumped into the former, a mobile collection unit that transfers the separated wastes from the outside container to a plurality of bins, again preserving the separation, and transports the waste to a distribution facility. The volume of the separated waste is reduced by the collection vehicle as it is dumped through hatches on the top of the vehicle into chutes that lead to the appropriate bin for that type of waste. The collection vehicle grips, lifts and inverts the outside container, made up of three subcontainers, and then separates them so that each can be positioned over and aligned with a different hatch on the top of the vehicle.

Abstract: A post hole digger having a bracket plate, a center shaft and two side shafts, each shaft with a first end and a second end. The first end of the center shaft is mounted to the bracket plate. A pair of digging blades are pivotally attached to the second end of the center shaft, with a blade pivotally attached to the second end of each side shaft. A handle is pivotally attached to the bracket plate and to the first end of each side shaft. As the handles are rotated with respect to one another, the side shafts move axially with respect to the center shaft to open and close the digging blades. The shafts are held approximately parallel and in spaced relation to one another during operation of the digger so that the hole has an approximately constant diameter. A detent mechanism is provided for indicating when the digging blades are oriented approximately parallel to one another for insertion into the ground. Extension rods increase the operating length of the shafts to allow digging deeper holes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for evaluating a radiograph, such as an X-ray being diagnosed for chiropractic treatment. The apparatus includes a scanner, a monitor, a central processing unit, user interface equipment, a laser printer and a modem. The X-ray is scanned by the scanner that generates a series of binary values for each segment of the X-ray and representing the relative transparency of each segment. The CPU receives the binary values and constructs a bitmap corresponding to the X-ray image for display on the monitor. Then the CPU enables the user to enhance the image on the monitor to assist in extracting information related to the analysis, diagnosis and prognosis of the condition indicated by the features of the X-ray. Enhancements include increasing brightness, contrast, edge detection and histogrammic equalization. The enhanced image can be used to determine relationships among the features by their separation distance and orientation with respect to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the bark of whole, or tree-length, logs has an open frame with a feed end, a discharge end, a base and two generally sloping sides, and a plurality of spaced-apart conveyor assemblies positioned along one side of the frame, each conveyor assembly having a plurality of lifters moving in channels. The lifters simultaneously lift the whole logs while advancing the logs incrementally toward the discharge end of the frame, then release the whole logs to fall onto the rest of the logs. The whole logs are maintained in continuous rolling, tumbling, abrading contact to remove the bark without damaging the underlying wood. The apparatus may be supplied with a canopy for use in winter and/or in cold climates in trapping heat of warm water or steam sprayed onto the logs to thaw them. The apparatus may be assembled from trailer-transportable modular units.

Abstract: A cutter head, for a non-rotary power lawn mower, having a multiple-blade, multiple levels of blades assembly. The cutter head includes a stationary assembly in the form of a plurality of fingers arranged in several levels that cooperate with a continuous plurality of blades moved by a blade-carrying assembly. The fingers preferably extend parallel to the lawn mower's direction of motion in order to catch the grass and set it up for cutting. The blade-carrying assembly is preferably a chain conveyed around a pair of sprockets that carry the plurality of blades. These blades are arranged in several levels and interleave several levels of fingers. The grass entering the spacing between the fingers is sheared at each level of the stationary assembly by movement of the blades across the fingers. The cut grass is directed to the rear area of the cutter head, where it falls below the cutter head as mulch.