Abstract: A gel-like emulsion containing natural rubber and crumb rubber from used vehicle tires which may be added to an asphalt paving emulsion at ambient temperature for chip coating, slurry sealing, microsurfacing, soil stabilization or pavement recycling.

Abstract: A dental appliance consisting of a biocompatible, non-absorbable retrievable membrane material may be used as a separation and isolation barrier following periodontal surgery to promote tissue regeneration. The appliance is configured with a cord woven into the inferior aspect of the membrane and extends up from the apical border of the membrane through a loop in the superior border. The free end of the cord extends through the gingival sulcus and remains exposed while the membrane is in place. At the appropriate time for membrane removal, the sutures holding the membrane in place are released and the membrane removal cord is use to lift the membrane through the sulcus by gently pulling on the cord. The non-surgical removal of the membrane using this method reduces further surgical trauma to the patient and eliminates the risk that surgical removal of the membrane could damage the newly regenerated tissue.

Abstract: A middle expanded, removable disk implant for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. The implant is detachably mounted to an applicator for insertion into the anatomical region between two adjacent vertebrae from which a portion of the intervertebral disk has been removed, and once inserted, is positioned by anterior-posterior movement in the disk space to the position in which both the expanded, larger diameter middle portion and the smaller diameter end portions of the implant engage the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. Also provided is a method of lumbar intervertebral disk stabilization using a stabilizer comprised of implant and applicator.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in transporting a sheet stack comprises a wedge-shaped sheet stack holder with a cantilever arm extending from the back of the wedge. A suspending tether is joined to the cantilever arm. A primary tendon extends between the suspending tether and a lever joined to the stack holder. A secondary tendon extends between the suspending tether and the cantilever arm, passing over a clamp on the arm. When the lever is retracted, the stack support is suspended by the suspending tether and the primary tendon. When the lever is extended, the stack is supported by the suspending tether and the secondary tendon, thereby driving the clamp closed. The surface of the stack support arm comprises a dimpled air table.

Abstract: A crossbow or other weapon with an adjustable sight mounting member is provided with an indicator mechanism which provides a read-out indicative of the disposition of the sight mounting member, the indicator being of a size substantially greater than the range of adjustment of the sight mounting member so as to provide a readily legible visual indication of said disposition. The indicator comprises a pointer rotatably movable over an arcuate scale and driven by a rack and pinion connection with an operating member which is coupled with the sight mounting member. The sight mounting member is adjustable by means of a screw which is operable independently of the indicator.

Abstract: An improved alternative breathable gas source for underwater breathing to be used in combination with a main air tank and a pressure regulator connected to a main air tank. The improvement comprises combining an auxiliary air tank having a manifold and pressure regulator, where the manifold is in fluid communication with the main air tank and is provided with a check valve therein for precluding air flow from the manifold to the main air tank. Thus when the main air tank is filled with pressurized air, the auxiliary air tank is also filled with pressurized air, but should the main air tank become depressured, the check valve prevents air flow from the auxiliary air tank to the main tank. The improvement also comprises an alternate air supply system having an auxiliary air tank where the auxiliary air tank is in combination with a pressure regulator that regulates air to a pressure for comfortable breathing.

Abstract: A locking mechanism used to provide heightened security for storage containers. The locking mechanism uses a padlock to lock the doors, but unlike past inventions the padlock has only limited exposure to the outside of the storage container. This prevents thieves or vandals from being able to pry or break the lock open. Further, the essential components of the locking mechanism are all housed in a protective frame which prohibits tampering with the individual components of the door lock mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the isolation and specific targeting of any single stranded DNA sequence to be acted upon by any desired double stranded DNA genetic element or recognition sequence in a cis-oriented fashion. The invention involves construction of a vector comprised of single stranded sequences that form "stem-loop" structures wherein the "loop" comprises the single stranded target sequence and the "stem" comprises the double stranded "functional" cis-acting genetic elements or recognition sequences. The in vivo formation of this single stranded intermediate (prior to stem-loop folding) is performed by genetic elements which direct the normal DNA replication of any one of a number of prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses during their life cycles. Constructs containing these replicative functions are used to produce the desired single stranded intermediates. Also included in the stem-loop structure is an appropriate inverted tandem repeat which, forms the "stem" of the stem-loop structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the slinging of the slop, or slurry, which results from the use of liquids such as water during cutting, coring, or drilling operations on concrete and other strata. A shield fits around the cutting element and is positioned closely enough to a vacuum ring to effectively close off the area around the strata which is being cut or cored so as to contain the slop that is flung about by the cutting element. The vacuum ring is coupled to a wet/dry vacuum so that when a vacuum is applied into the area which is closed off around the strata which is being cut, the slop is suctioned into the vacuum ring and on through a hose into the vacuum.

Abstract: A dental prosthodontic apparatus including an abutment which is implanted into the jaw of a patient and which is provided with a slot which accepts fitted risers of different lengths. The end of the riser is substantially flat and forms a shelf and the length of the riser is selected so that when the riser is inserted into the slot, the end is approximately level with the gum line of the patient. When a prostheses is mounted to the abutment, the proximal margin of the prosthesis forms a gap between the margin of the prosthesis and the shelf formed by the inserted riser. The gap provides opposed surfaces against which a prying instrument can be worked in the event the prosthesis needs to be removed from the abutment.

Abstract: A wall frame has C-shaped vertical studs each with a web having vertically spaced openings with an outline conforming to the cross-sectional shape of a short channel member. The two legs depending from the web have a plurality of depending tabs punched therefrom. These tabs extend into vertical registration with the top and bottom edges of each opening such that when a short channel member is inserted through the stud it is supported by the opening and by the tabs and is thereby stabilized in position. The short channel members have plastic spring clips snapped thereto. A gypsum board panel with clips attached thereto may then be mounted to the wall frame by clipping the clips to the horizontal channel members. The spring fingers of the plastic clips on the short channel members abut the gypsum board panel to dampen vibration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exercise machine having parallel ski bases on which skis are rollably or slidably engaged, the skis having foot restraints for receiving a user's feet. An upright ski pole is attached at an end to each ski using a pivot connection, and the ski pole is also pivotally connected to a fulcrum at a point near the midpoint of the ski pole. The fulcrum comprises a brace attached to a frame. The ski poles provide support to a user and are pushed and pulled for upper-body exercise. Where the user has little or no lower-body muscle control, the ski poles function as supports and levers to transfer a passive, reciprocating, back and forth motion to the user's legs. Alternatively, the exercise machine can be used for active exercise of both the upper and lower body. The exercise matching provides access for persons with physical handicaps and support for such users in the standing position, thereby allowing such persons to exercise while standing.

Abstract: An apparatus for forcing a member or device, such as a sample tube or seismic or geological instrument, through a material such as soil along a selected line of action. The apparatus includes a derrick with first and second plates mounted thereto, the second plate having a locking dog extending through a hole therein for engaging the material, and the first plate being provided with a hydraulic cylinder or other device for forcing the member through the material. The first plate is also provided with an extruder head for releasably mounting the sample-containing sample tube thereto, and the hydraulic cylinder is provided with a plunger releasably mounted to the ram thereof for extruding the sample from the sample tube. The locking dog positively engages the material to provide an apparatus for transmitting the reactive forces resulting from forcing the member through the material to the material.

Abstract: A middle expanded, removable disk implant for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. The implant is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape with a minimal height and a width greater than the height. The implant is detachably mounted to an applicator for insertion into the anatomical region between two adjacent vertebrae from which a portion of the intervertebral disk has been removed. Once inserted, the implant is positioned by anterior-posterior movement in the disk space to the position in which both the expanded, larger width middle portion and the smaller diameter end portions of the implant engage the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae and the implant is then rotated to bring the sides of the rectangularly-shaped implant defining the width of the implant, with its larger dimension, into engagement with the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. A lock is then secured to the implant to prevent further rotation thereof.

Abstract: A device for electron beam processing of materials in space designed for the performance of the technical operations of welding, cutting, heating, filler welding, tube welding, brazing, coating deposition by the method of thermal evaporation of materials under vacuum by an operator in a spacesuit during EVA. The device includes a range of replaceable electron beam handtools, control and power supply modules, connection cables and a module for monitoring the condition of the device which is placed inside the space vehicle.

Abstract: A radio conferencing method and apparatus for transmitting packets of data from a plurality of radios over a transmission channel within a series of frames of predetermined duration, each packet of data having a predetermined time length, which method comprises the steps of: sensing the status of the channel; if the channel is idle, then transmitting the packet of data; if the channel is busy with another packet of data being sent, then disposing the packet of data and re-scheduling the transmission of the next packet of data to a time equal to a fraction of the time length of the packet of data plus the duration of the frame; and repeating the above steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for cross-linking a proteinaceous material. The process comprises: i) soaking the material to be cross-linked in an agueous solution of high osmolality; ii) incubating the material in an agueous buffer including an amount of a photooxidative catalyst sufficient to catalyze photooxidation of the material; and iii) irradiating the material and the catalyst of step (i) with light that includes a range of wavelengths selectively absorbed by the catalyst. Irradiation is effected under conditions such that cross-linking of the material occurs. In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a cross-linked product produced by the above-described method.

Abstract: A honk strip comprising an electrical power source, electrical leads, electrically conducting members and an alarm. The honkstrip being useful for detecting vehicular impact with other objects and signaling a vehicle operator that an impact has occurred.