Abstract: An improved sealing means for internal combustion engines comprising a combination of a metal primary sealing ring positioned substantially within a groove on the piston, and a compliant secondary sealing ring positioned in the groove behind the primary compression ring so that the compressed combustion gases force the compliant secondary sealing ring to form a seal between the groove and the primary sealing ring. In the preferred embodiment, the gapped ring is non-planar in order to provide effective sealing in a ported fixed-piston, rotating and translating cylinder engine such as the Deckard engine. Alternate embodiments include gapless rings with only a primary compression ring, and gapless rings with a compliant secondary sealing ring. An alternate embodiment is a single piece metal-capped compliant secondary sealing ring.

Abstract: A self-cleaning swimming pool with an improved skimmer and floor drain design. Two skimmers are preferably located approximately across the pool from each other, and each skimmer is located approximately across the pool from two upper return nozzles such that the nozzles tend to direct a flow of water toward the skimmers. A plurality of capped floor drains are located preferably not more than twelve feet apart or more than six feet from each pool end; and a plurality of lower return nozzles are preferably located 6 to 12 inches from the pool bottom to direct debris on the pool bottom towards the floor drains.

Abstract: An improved aquatic flotation device particularly useful for dogs. The preferred embodiment of the device includes a relatively flat rectangular platform supported by two floats located on opposite sides of the platform. Each float is connected by two or more straps to the platform. The device is designed so that it can be thrown from shore or from a boat, and land in a manner that the platform is submerged about 1 to 8 inches without a load, and approximately 2 to 15 inches with a load. When a person or a dog attempts to crawl onto the platform, the platform will tip toward the animal to permit the animal to climb aboard the platform. The platform will then stabilize in a level position. The device thus allows for mounting and dismounting with little or no assistance from an outside source.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of an emergency shelter to be used under the floor of a residential or commercial structure. In the preferred embodiment, a prefabricated acrylic shelter is sized to accommodate at least one individual in a crouching or sitting position. The shelter is placed prior to the pouring of a slab foundation or the building of the floor in a pier and beam foundation. The shelter is preferably fabricated by vacuum forming a top sheet and a bottom sheet of ⅛ inch acrylic sheet on molds to form top and bottom sections which are then sprayed with an epoxy-fiberglass composition for reinforcement.

Abstract: A method of installation of an emergency shelter to be used under the floor of a residential or commercial structure. In the preferred embodiment, a prefabricated acrylic shelter is sized to accommodate at least one individual in a crouching or sitting position. In the preferred embodiment, the shelter is placed prior to the pouring of a slab foundation. In an alternate embodiment, the shelter is placed prior to building the floor in a pier and beam foundation.

Abstract: An improvement is proposed in the design and manufacturing of the frame-supported pellicle used to protect the photomask- a lithographic template employed in semiconductor manufacturing for creating integrated circuit devices- from airborne contaminants. Addressed, is that the industry's current pellicle frame design always results in the destruction of the frame-supported pellicle and sometimes the photomask itself when- as is frequently the case- defects are found underneath the frame-supported pellicle necessitating its removal to permit photomask repair and/or cleaning. In addition, imperfections in the flatness of the current pellicle frame induce physical distortions in the photomask that result in degradations to the photomask's pattern placement accuracy.

Abstract: An emergency shelter to be used under the floor of a residential or commercial structure. In the preferred embodiment, a prefabricated acrylic shelter is sized to accommodate at least one individual in a crouching or sitting position. The shelter is placed prior to the pouring of a slab foundation or the building of the floor in a pier and beam foundation. The unit is sealed to prevent moisture infiltration and provides the benefits of a relatively pleasant surface without the accumulation of moisture. Additional advantages are the relative lower expense, light weight, and ease of installation of the prefabricated shelter. Other uses of the shelter include security and storage.

Abstract: A self-contained unit intended primarily for tracing the circuit connection between an electrical outlet or lighting receptacle and its corresponding circuit-breaker. The preferred embodiment includes a housing, a male two prong electrical plug, and a sound-producing means. A second embodiment includes a male three prong electrical plug. A third embodiment incorporates a momentary switch which permits testing of a ground fault interrupt across either a hot wire and a neutral, or across a hot wire and the ground. Adapters are used to temporarily adapt bare wires or a lighting receptacle to a female plug so that the device may be used.

Abstract: This window covering cord tie-down device permits a cord to be wrapped out of reach of a small child or pet. The preferred embodiment includes a base with two cleats to enable the wrapping of a window covering cord, two suction cups for holding the device in place on a glass window pane, and two side clips to prevent the cord from unraveling. The key aspects of the invention include a removable, reusable, and universal cord tie-down device that is hidden when the window covering is lowered and is neat in appearance and relatively unobtrusive when the covering is raised; that can be mounted directly on a glass window pane without the need for tools; and that effectively secures the window cord.

Abstract: An efficient integrated electronic method and system apparatus for tracking the carcass of a slaughtered animal through a processing plant so that quality assurance source verification data and performance tracking are provided for individual animals throughout the production cycle. The preferred embodiment includes a trolley, a unique trolley code, a hole pattern vision recognition system with an integrated data logger, an industrial tag reader, a unique animal code, an electronic identification transponder, an electronic identification transponder reader, an electronic identification transponder reader antenna, a reclamation barrel and a plastic funnel.

Abstract: In an automatic chip test machine for testing electronic components, a novel quick disconnect articulated chuck for securing a chip nest, allowing rapid changes of the chuck and plunger head with minimum production downtime. The preferred embodiment of the chuck is comprised of a chuck base and a quick disconnect assembly. The quick disconnect assembly includes a vacuum seal, a retractable piston with vacuum cup attachment for securing a chip, a plunger head, alignment pins, and accessible disconnect screws. The base housing is mounted in a manner that permits articulation of the chuck to allow the chuck to align with the electrical test fixture; and a vacuum introduction port. In an alternate embodiment, a roller ball and detent mechanism is employed to permit relatively low forces of the initial mating action between the chuck and the fixture to move the chuck into a position of better alignment, and therefore lower stress and wear.

Abstract: An efficient method and system for manual data entry into an integrated livestock management and data collection system is described to provide quality assurance source verification data and performance tracking for individual animals throughout the production cycle. The preferred embodiment includes a data card having a unique animal identification bar code for each animal; code cards showing abbreviated codes to be used when completing the data card; an individual animal radio frequency identification device having a unique code for the animal which corresponds to the unique animal identification bar code for the animal contained on the data card; a visual identification tag that contains a unique code to uniquely identify an animal; a bar coded event/detail listing; a bar code scanner for reading the bar codes on the data card; and BEEFLINK™ software as the integrated electronic database or system for processing and keeping track of the information.

Abstract: A transparent toilet bar with an embedded decorative concentric pattern comprised of colored transparent soap formulations, and a method for producing the bar. The preferred embodiment of the bar is a transparent semi-circular rainbow pattern of three or more colors embedded in a transparent rectangular bar with a glittering agent. The preferred method of producing the rainbow is to pour a first color into a small circular mold and then to place that circular soap article into a larger mold and pour a second color around the soap article. A third concentric ring is created by repeating the process with a larger third mold. The finished disk is cut in half to create two rainbow soap articles. In the preferred embodiment of the method, all soap compositions are identical except for color or glitter additives.