Abstract: A banana shaped weight has a connecting eyelet on a forward end of a top side to which a line is attached to the decoy and a wider tongue member extending from a bottom side beneath the connecting eyelet. A reinforcing rib reacts any forces the tongue member may experience as it digs into the soil beneath the water into the central portion of the body of the weight to resist possible bending or breakage of the tongue.

Abstract: A cylindrical sleeve is inserted between the body of a competition shock absorber and its adjustable compression spring to protect the body from undue wear created by rubbing of the spring on the threads formed on the external surface of the shock. Different color sleeves can be used on shocks having different performance characteristics to facilitate change out to accommodate varying track conditions.

Abstract: An offset mold process deflects a mold assembly being conveyed along a first path laterally of that path into engagement with a nozzle using a shuttle car. Molten metal is pumped into the mold assembly, which is either a cope and drag mold or a lost foam mold, from below the molded part to eliminate eddy currents which can create incongruities in the molded part. One method of flow cutoff involves movement of a first mold component relative to the bottom board cuts off the flow of molten metal and locks the mold fill in the mold assembly. A second method of flow shutoff usable in the lost foam process involves the engagement of a flow cutoff plunger to cut the flow stream once filling the mold has been completed. In both the cope and drag and lost foam apparatuses, withdrawal of the shuttle car enables molten metal in the feed line to drain into a catch ladle obviating the need to burn embedded sand from the scrap prior to its recycling into the melt.

Abstract: A hermetic package for electronic components which is made of metallic silicon is disclosed. The package includes a plurality of silicon elements which are bonded together. A metallic layer of platinum or gold is bonded to an internal surface of the hermetically sealed enclosure. While either metallic layer may serve as a heating element by subjecting the electronic circuit connected thereto with a large current, the platinum layer can also be used as a thermal sensor by passing a lower current there through. An internal heater is included to stabilize the performance of the electronic components.

Abstract: An oral appliance (20) includes first and second mouthpiece elements (22,32) each equipped with adjustable ribs (30,40) on an anterior portion (24) and ramp surfaces (28,38) on each of its posterior arms (26). The ribs (22,32) slope upwardly, front to back at a steeper angle than the ramp surfaces. Preferably, the ribs (22,32) and the ramps (28,38) surfaces have maximum height which define a ratio in the range of between 2 and 2½ to mimic the differential in mouth opening between incisors and molars. The appliance has a plurality of laterally extending protrusions (42,44,46) that are engaged by elastic bands (48) to exert a force which simultaneously pulls the wear's mandible forward and biases the lower mouthpiece toward the upper mouthpiece. Adjustable ribs extend laterally to permit relative movement of the two mouthpiece elements to eliminate the buildup of tension in the wearer's jaw.

Abstract: A spring clip having integral, self-penetrating attachment tangs and an orientation tab can be manually installed in a window opening formed by a foam core sandwiched by a pair of OSBs. A first planar surface has a second planar surface attached along one lateral edge thereof and oriented at an angle in the range between 60° and 85°. This spring finger deflects out of the way permitting the window's insertion, snapping back to engage a vertically extending flange on the window to retain it in the opening. A modified spring clip for use with solid wood headers and sills utilized with multi-unit windows is also disclosed.

Abstract: First and second C-shaped clamping members are provided to engage a ladder and a roof rack. One of the clamping members is mounted on an actuator rod, the other on an actuator housing. A pistol grip handle and trigger mechanism enable the two clamping members to be ratcheted into secure clamping engagement with the two items. A quick release plate allows the clamp to be easily opened for disengagement. In a second embodiment, a compression spring draws the two clamping members together when the quick release plate is engaged.

Abstract: An insulative block of foam insulation has interspersed on an upper angled surface, a series of ridges and valleys. The valleys afford passageways for air circulation through the soffits and out the attic vents, be they ridge vents or attic turbines. This eave insulation prevents/reduces the thaw freeze phenomenon resulting from heat escaping in the vent region which results in the formation of ice dams which often produce roof damage.

Abstract: A work-holding chassis is constructed of at least one lower manifold/bracket and at least one upper manifold/bracket with fixture plates attached thereto. An optional center manifold/bracket can be included for additional strength. This chassis is light-weight since the center is essentially hollow. In addition, the modular construction allows the components to be reconfigured and reused for sequential applications. The manifold/brackets have any of a number of differing geometric shapes to which the fixture plates may be attached. The manifold/brackets and fixture plates may be customized to have internal plumbing to afford fluid pressure to activate hydraulic clamps, components, etc.

Abstract: An accessory attachable to a backup mirror provides safety features to reduce vehicular accidents and includes a high density light bar 22 extending in vertically; a halogen bulb 24 directed laterally of the vehicle to illuminate the region immediately adjacent the vehicle; a strobe bar 26; a series of red LED lights 28 extending about the periphery of accessory 20; a laser light 30 mounted by a spring 32 in vertically oblong slot 34; and a graphic depiction 36 of the narrowing distance between the rear bumper 13 of vehicle 11 and building 15.

Abstract: A rotary engine is provided with solid vanes which extend through the rotor and engage opposing interior wall portions of the stator housing. A series of grooves in the interior wall permit the expanding exhaust gases to by-pass the minimal surface area of vanes proximate to the combustion chamber to engage the larger surface area of a vane which is protruding more significantly from the rotor. This robust rotary engine is preferably made of cast iron, having internal portions coated with ceramic so that it readily can operate at temperatures exceeding 850° F. The heat energy is utilized to obtain maximum productive work rather than being discarded as a waste product as is typical with most state of the art power plants, resulting in an efficiency rating exceeding 60%.

Abstract: A compound bow includes a cam configuration permitting the force line of the harness cable to effectively act through a portion of the axle pin. This permits, in this bow design, 100% let-off. An adjustable bushing or a modular cam portion enables the archer to adjust the let-off in a range of between 85% and 99+%. Single and double cam bows are disclosed.

Abstract: A hermetic package for electronic components which is made of metallic silicon is disclosed. The package creates a cavity for receiving the electronic component, preferably a piezoelectric device, which provides a evacuated environment in the range of 1×10?5 to 1×10?11 torr. In a first embodiment, the single crystal metallic silicon is p-doped to make it electrically conductive, obviating the need for lead wires which could compromise the hermeticity of the package. Silicon-to-silicon bonding is preferably accomplished using brazing of the cover to the base member using gold indium eutectic alloy at 495° C. A method of making a surface mountable electronic component having an internal hermetic environment is also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing self-adhering footwear including the steps of a) cleaning at least an upper surface portion of the mat with MEK solvent; b) applying a first adhesive to the cleaned surface; c) applying a second adhesive to the cleaned surface; d) applying and smoothing a fabric layer while the second adhesive is still wet; e) applying three light coats of the second adhesive to an upper surface of the fabric allowing adequate drying time between each successive coat.

Abstract: The blade lifting mechanism includes a counterbalance offsetting the weight of the snowplow blade assembly and enabling the double-acting actuator to position the blade much more easily. IN a first embodiment, heavy duty download pressure springs in conjunction with a toggle link enable the downward force on the blade to be varied between a value which is a fraction of the weight of the blade to an amount which is several multiples of the magnitude of the weight of the blade assembly. In a second embodiment, the toggle link is replaced by a linear slide link.

Abstract: A stroller has a pivotable seat which may be latched at any rotational angle desired. In addition, a support tray positioned beneath the seat can be folded into a stored position and the height of the support platform adjusted to accommodate the height of the baby occupying the seat, which permits the stroller to be used as a walker and as a play station.

Abstract: A novelty item and method of making same, include a non-germinated dicot seed with a word, symbol, or the like, etched through the seed coating to the cotyledon which remains visible from the time the seedling sprouts through the surface of the soil throughout the germination period.

Abstract: A generally horizontal platform has connected to a first end thereof a sloping ramp that extends into the water of a swimming pool. The ramp is provided with traction enhancing ribs to enable a pet to extricate itself from a pool should it accidentally fall in or tire from swimming. In a first embodiment, adjustable legs sit on the bottom of the pool and support a first end of the ramp while the horizontal platform is secured to decking to prevent its horizontal and vertical movement relative to the upper edge of the pool. In a second embodiment, a second ramp is connected to the opposite end of the horizontal platform and legs support the second ramp on a ground portion external to the pool. In a third embodiment, the ramp is cantilevered over the pool and buoyancy within the submersed sloping ramp provides support.

Abstract: A drink holder which may be used in a tree stand or attached to a golf cart. A T-shaped clamping element has a pair of differing width flanges permitting the clamping of tubular members having different thicknesses. The clamping element is bolted to a first member having a ratchet face on one surface which engages a second ratchet face on a second element to permit angular adjustment between the first and second elements. The second member has a ring portion interconnected to a secondary cruciform-shaped support which may receive a drink, such as a beverage can or water bottle. A secondary support is attached to a bottom surface of the cruciform-shaped support and has a pair of horizontally extending arms which can suspend a handle of a Thermos® bottle or lunch pail.

Abstract: A first embodiment of carousel device provides a bouncer which cannot be tipped over accidentally. Further, a oscillating circuit enables a battery-operated motor to gently oscillate the bouncer through an 80° arc. A pair of retractable rockers are provided on the bottom of the stationary base to afford the baby additional motion while bouncing. A second embodiment provides a straddlable vehicle which a youngster can peddle, a sound circuit being activated by the pedaling as inducement to continue exercising.