Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for determining vane wear in rotary vane pumps that operate using slideable vanes. A view port is formed in an end of the pump housing. The view port is dimensioned such that a width of the port represents a predetermined amount of vane length loss. The view port is positioned in relation to the slots such that an end of the vane not in engagement with the wall of the pump will appear in the port only after a predetermined amount of vane loss occurs, and relative to the slots and the vanes to allow a determination of vane length for each vane when the vane is in engagement with the wall.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for the purification of air in a nail salon by removing particles and fumes close to the point at which such pollutants are generated. In a first aspect of the invention, a nozzle connected to a vacuum source by a hose is supported on an articulated arm so as to be positionable immediately above a workbench surface and the hand of the customer. With the vacuum source activated, the nozzle collects small dust particles and fumes. The articulated arm is fitted with a moveable weight to stabilize the arm in a selected position. A further vacuum inlet is provided at the workbench surface to receive heavier particulate matter, such as nail and cuticle clippings. In a second embodiment of the invention, a hood with hand holes is mounted on the workbench surface for collecting dust and particles from clipping and grinding of nails. The hood has an upper vacuum inlet for collecting dust particles as well as fumes.

Abstract: A system for the operation of a number of commercial washing machines and automatically feeding liquid chemicals to the washing machines. The system has chemical reservoir pods with a pressure sensor and an output valve on each. The chemical pods are supplied with liquid chemical by refill pumps. The quantity of chemical in a chemical pod, and the quantity of chemical dispensed from each chemical pod is calculated from information received by a controller from the pressure sensor to determine when to open and close the valve. A further pressure sensor is provided in the supply pipe to each washing machine to verify and measure flow quantity of water and chemical to the machine.

Abstract: A full-support brassiere that can be removed without the need to first remove outer garments such as a blouse. The Fall-Away Brassiere is designed with shoulder straps for support and comfort. The release of a single fastener, releases both the back band and the shoulder straps, allowing the brassiere to fall-away from the wearer's body. The wearer can then slip the brassiere out from under her blouse.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely operating a heavy duty tailgate on a heavy-duty dump truck body incorporates a power-assisted mechanism to remotely unlatch the tailgate for unloading of the truck body contents and to remotely latch the tailgate during transit. Another power-assisted mechanism remotely positions the tailgate so that it either pivots about either a horizontal axis or rotates about a vertical axis as desired for unloading of the contents of the truck body. The controls for the power-assisted mechanisms are situated in the cab of the truck so that the driver has full control of the tailgate positioning and dump of the load from within the cab of the dump truck.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable enclosure for use in protecting an all-terrain vehicle or another open-topped vehicle against damage and degradation from exposure to the weather. A further use of the portable enclosure of the invention is as a blind for use in hunting. The portable enclosure includes bendable support beams that arch from front to rear mounting brackets attached to the vehicle. The support beams are held parallel to one another by cross braces and a top panel. Additional front, rear, and side panels, each being equipped with a transparent window, are attached to the top panel and each other by Velcro® or zipper fasteners. The support beams and cross braces are segmented to pack into a carrying case along with the folded fabric panels.

Abstract: A method for remediating aquifers and groundwater contaminated, for example, by toxic halogenated organic compounds, certain inorganic compounds, and oxidized heavy metals and radionuclides, using the introduction of an innocuous oil, preferably an edible, food grade oil such as soybean oil, formulated into a microemulsion preferably by mixing with a natural food-grade emulsifier (such as lecithin) and water.

Abstract: The invention provides a dining table including an integral dishwasher unit. A hinged access cover to the dishwasher is provided in the dining surface and adapted for being recessed below the dining surface while the user is dining. A tray that is stored in the dishwasher is moved upwardly and positioned flush with the dining surface for dining. A perforate chute extending from below the dining surface into the dishwasher is used for placing and retrieving dishes and for storing dishes during washing. A lower access door is used to place pots and other large utensils into a second compartment in the dishwasher. Each portion of the dishwasher has its own water distributor arm.

Abstract: A releasable suction cup is formed with a tab formed integral with its rim, and with a release filament attached to the tab. On assembly of the suction cup with a panel to be mounted to a smooth surface by the suction cup, the release filament is threaded through a hole in the panel so that an end of the release filament is accessible adjacent the panel surface that is opposite from the suction cup. When the panel is mounted with the suction cup to the smooth surface, the suction cup can be released by pulling on the accessible end of the release filament. A second embodiment of the invention consists of a double-sided suction cup wherein each cup member has a tab with a release filament attached to its tab and threaded through a hole in the panel to be mounted to a smooth surface. With one side of the double-sided suction cup attached to the smooth surface, the release filament connected to that suction cup side remains accessible through the panel to be pulled to release the suction cup.

Abstract: An ornamental lighting device in which the housing decorative design may be varied by the user. The light device has an inner housing and an outer housing with an open space between them. The inner housing surrounds the light bulb and the outer housing surrounds the inner housing. The open space is completely or partially filled with light-altering objects such as, for example, multi-colored marbles. Light from the bulb passes through the marbles so as to create a multi-colored effect.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus and method for producing microcavitational activity in aqueous fluids for non-invasive macromolecule delivery into living cells. A standard electrohydraulic shock wave lithotripter is fitted with an adjustable ring reflector that shares the same foci as the standard lithotripter hemi-ellipsoidal reflector. A small portion of the spherical shock wave, generated by the spark discharge at the first focus (F1), is reflected and diffracted by the ring reflector, resulting in a weak preceding shock wave approximately 8.5 &mgr;s in front of the lithotripter shock wave reflected and diffracted by the hemi-ellipsoidal reflector. The peak negative pressure of the preceding weak shock wave or pulse at F2 can be adjusted from −0.96 to −1.91 MPa, using an output voltage of 25 kV. Living cells are exposed to the preceding shock wave and the lithotripter shock wave.

Abstract: The invention provides a stethoscope support assembled onto a garment to be worn by a medical practitioner. The garment is provided with a stethoscope bell holder pocket adjacent one shoulder thereof that is sized to slidingly hold a bell of a stethoscope. A first attachment component is connected to the garment adjacent a second shoulder thereof. A complementary attachment component is connected to the stethoscope in the area of its headpiece. The bell holder pocket and the first attachment component are assembled to the garment at respective positions so that when the stethoscope is worn, the transmission tube does not cause pressure to the neck of the medical practitioner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing an extruded cooked food product including use of an extruder having a barrel, at least one screw contained therein, a feed element at the discharge end of the screw, and a die head containing an expansion chamber. The discharge feed element is formed with a large pitch for pushing a large volume of cooked food mix into the expansion chamber. The large volume of cooked food mix is extruded as extrudate strands through relatively large orifices extending through the die plate of the die head to dimensionally expand upon exiting the orifices. The extrudate strands are conveyed over a sole support bar located a significant distance from the die head and then to a cutter. An air flow is applied to the extrudate strands for further cooling and drying before being cut. The cutter is located approximately 90 inches from the die head. The extruded food product is uniform in cross-section.

Abstract: The maze game consists of a plurality of horizontal segments and a plurality of vertical segments that define a two-dimensional array of m×m squares or spaces where the size m is selectable by the user. In each potential segment location the present invention randomly locates: (1) a solid wall corresponding to a portion of the maze walls; (2) an opening creating a passage way through the maze; (3) special feature; or (4) the refuge, of which there is precisely one per maze. At the beginning of the game, the maze is invisible to all players. As the players move through the initially invisible maze, the maze walls adjacent each player's position become visible in a manner dictated by a particular vision setting selected at the beginning of the game. The goal of one player, who may be represented in the game as a cat, is to catch the other player, which may be represented in the game as a mouse, by occupying the mouse's location, i.e., by landing on the mouse.

Abstract: An electrical integrity test system for boats provides circuitry for evaluating the integrity of the boat's galvanic isolator. The integrity test system includes two single reference diodes and a circuit for applying DC voltages across said reference diodes and said galvanic isolator. Another micro-controller stores the values of the voltage drops across the galvanic isolator and the voltage drops across each reference diode and subsequently determines if the voltage drop across the galvanic isolator is that to be normally expected. If it is not, then the system informs the operator that the boat's galvanic isolator is not operating properly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and maintenance of unattended robot liquid storage and dispensing sites, including a site controller and site monitor. The site monitor continuously appends text strings received from the site controller to HTML text log files and HTLM text report files and simultaneously compares the stored text strings representing site events to be monitored with evaluation messages. Each evaluation message is linked to an alert code, which in response to an evaluation message text string match initiates a particular set of responses, including sending notice of site failures and other remote site information to a home office via fax, pager and/or email. The site monitor also collects the information gathered from the site controller, the tank monitor, alarm system and any other site devices and stores the information in a one or more HTML text files, which information then takes the form of a web page with hypertext links to images related to the stored information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molded boat hull with a novel structural stiffening system. The boat hull has a number of laterally positioned compartments molded into the inner shell with vertical partitions that are integrally welded to the outer shell and are interconnected to each other and to the transom. A keel plate and a transom support are molded into the transom, the inner wall, and a bridge along the longitudinal center line of the boat. A keel support beam is placed along the keel, connected to the keel plate, and adhered into a channel in the boat hull inner shell. A pair of stringer braces is assembled between the integral stringers to provide transverse stiffness of the boat hull.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides an automotive fan shroud and method of making. The invention fan shroud includes an integral liquid reservoir at its left and right upper corners. The fan shroud has separate upper and lower halves formed by injection molding. The upper and lower halves have interengaging flanges for being assembled to each other to form a full fan shroud, thus simplifying assembly and subsequent servicing. The liquid reservoirs are initially formed with open tops that are closed by the insertion of a fixedly attached reservoir cover, each cover having a filler neck and a cap.