Abstract: A currency exchange and merchandise sales system includes a point-of-sale (POS) computer for inventorying currency and merchandise and for recording transactions involving same. A cash/currency processing computer (CPC) is located remote from the POS computer and receives data therefrom and transfers data thereto. The system is adapted for conducting currency exchange and merchandise sales transactions among passengers on a vehicle, such as an airliner, particularly on international flights. A security drawer is removably mounted in an airliner service cart packed with merchandise. The security drawer receives currency used for foreign currency exchange (FX) and for merchandise sales transactions. A currency exchange and merchandise sales method includes the steps of inventorying the currency and merchandise and loading same in the security drawer and the service cart preflight. Currency exchange and merchandise sales transactions are conducted by the aircrew in-flight and recorded on the POS computer.

Abstract: A limestone furnace calcination process involves injecting finely divided limestone particles into a zone in a furnace at which the temperature of the flue gas stream, as it passes through the zone, is above the minimum calcination temperature and below the minimum effective quicklime utilization/sulfation temperature. In conventional furnaces, the minimum calcination temperature, or the calcium carbonate decomposition temperature, ranges from about 1,365 to 1,430° F. The minimum effective quicklime utilization/sulfation temperature refers to the temperature below which the rate of quicklime sulfation of the lime produced by calcination of the limestone is sufficiently slow to result in negligible calcium sulfate formation on the resultant lime, and in conventional furnace applications ranges from 1,600 to 1,800° F.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a safety lock device for an automobile lift having a lifting carriage slidably connected to a post and supported by a flexible lifting member, such as a chain or cable. The safety lock device comprises a ratchet lock mechanism which prevents inadvertent lowering of the carriage and a fail-safe mechanism which automatically engages the ratchet lock in the event that the flexible lifting member should fail or otherwise become slack while the ratchet lock is disengaged. The ratchet lock mechanism includes a ratchet track connected to the post and a ratchet pawl connected to the lifting carriage. When the ratchet pawl is in the track engaging position, the pawl allows the lifting carriage to move upward but prevents it from moving downward. The pawl is moved into the release position by a release lever pivotally connected to the ratchet pawl.

Abstract: A system and method for installing plumbing spouts, such as shower heads and tub spouts, includes providing a stub out which protrudes out of a wall at shower height. A specialized adapter is then slid onto the protruding stub out until the adapter abuts the wall. The adapter is internally threaded with an integral ferrule, and may also be equipped with a one-way gripper ring and an O-ring to sealingly secure the spout to the stub out. The stub out, if closed, is then cut off outside the adapter and a standard shower arm or nipple for a tub spout is threaded into the adapter. A threaded end of the shower arm or nipple engages the ferrule and compresses it against the stub out creating a seal therebetween. When installing a shower head, an escutcheon plate is adapted to be slid over the shower arm to engage peripheral fingers of the adapter to secure the escutcheon in place. A shower head is then threaded onto the shower arm to complete the installation.

Abstract: A dental and orthopedic densitometry modeling system includes a controller with a microprocessor and a memory device connected to the microprocessor. An input device is also connected to the microprocessor for inputting diagnostic procedure parameters and patient information, which may include a pre-existing densitometry model. X-ray equipment including an X-ray source and an X-ray detector array are connected to a positioning motor for movement relative to a patient's dental or orthopedic structure in response to signals from the microprocessor. The output consists of a tomographical densitometry model. A dental/orthopedic densitometry modeling method involves moving the X-ray equipment across a predetermined scan path, emitting dual-energy X-ray beams, and outputting an image color-coded to correspond to a patient's dental or orthopedic density.

Abstract: A self-sealing flexible metal hose includes a band adapted for winding on conventional winding equipment. The band includes receiver and insert assemblies adapted for interlocking with adjacent windings or turns of the band. A sealing flange provides continuous contacts and is urged into sealing engagement with the band by exhaust gas pressure within the hose bore. Alternative embodiments include different configurations of the flanges and legs which form the contacts, and accommodate packing material for greater sealing performance.

Abstract: A quick connect coupler for connection to a stud includes a female coupler body having a plurality of balls in ball receiving bores which are advanceable into a stud bore in the female coupler for engaging a stud upon advancement of the stud into the stud bore. The balls are held in engagement with the stud by a locking collar having an annular groove. The female coupler is disengaged from the stud by pressurized air acting against a plunger mounted within the stud bore and connected to the locking collar to drive the locking collar forward such that the annular groove is advanced into alignment with the ball receiving bores in the female coupler body. A blocking sleeve is mounted on a plunger shaft and biased forward to slide across the ball receiving bores as the stud is withdrawn to hold the balls out of the stud bore.

Abstract: An underground storage tank monitoring system and method uses special micropower impulse radar probes, with one such probe being inserted into each storage tank. The micropower impulse radar probes use flexible waveguides which extend downward to the tank bottom such that micropower radar impulses travel to and from the liquid surface via a wave guide, with the lapse between emission and reception of the impulse indicating a distance from the probe, and thus a liquid level. Each micropower impulse radar probe is connected to a dedicated spread spectrum transmitter which collects level and status information from the probe, encodes and transmits it to a matching spread spectrum receiver nearby. The receiver converts the coded signals into electrical signals and forwards them to a processor, a modem and a back-up battery are located. The processor stores the liquid level information for later transmission, along with liquid dispensed and liquid replaced information, to a central monitoring site via the modem.

Abstract: A utility pole crossarm assembly includes a crossarm comprising a plastic base material with fiber reinforced plastic fill material and a foaming agent. The crossarm is adapted for bolting on a utility pole and for being supported thereon by a pair of diagonal cross braces.

Abstract: A drain closure is provided for mounting in the drain hole of a vessel such as a bathtub. The closure includes a strainer for mounting within the drain hole. A post extends upwardly from the strainer. A pair of bayonet pins extend outwardly from the post. The drain closure further includes a drain plug having a central aperture in sliding engagement with the post. The plug includes a pair of bayonet slots positioned for slidingly engaging the bayonet pins. An annular plug flange on the plug extends radially outwardly from the plug. An elastomeric seal is positioned beneath the plug flange for sealingly engaging the strainer flange. A cap is positioned on the drain plug over the top of the central aperture. A conical helical spring is positioned between the upper end of the post and the cap and acts to bias the plug upwardly away from the strainer.

Abstract: A dental care device combines a flossing tool for dispensing dental floss and holding a length of the floss under tension with a double-edged tongue scraper. The dental care device includes an ergonomic handle. A floss fork is connected to one end of the handle and includes a pair of prongs extending outwardly from the handle, the prongs each having tips adapted to support a length of dental floss across the gap between the prongs. The device includes a floss tensioner having a floss cog rotatably mounted in the handle. The handle includes a tool storage compartment which may be used to contain dental hygiene tools such as a microbrush and a pick. The tongue scraper is attached to the end of the handle opposite the floss fork and includes a semicircular blade having opposing edges which are formed so that one of the edges is sharper than the other.

Abstract: A laser based vehicle alignment kit is installed on an existing centerline gauge system to provide a pair of laser beams directed towards one end of a vehicle and a center laser which may be rotated 360° to simultaneously direct a beam towards the opposed end of the vehicle. The system includes a plurality of horizontal mounting bars, each equipped with structure for coupling with the center assembly of a centerline gauge and a pair of dependent blocks for leveling engagement with the gauge crossbars. One bar is equipped with a laser at each lateral end as well as a laser mounted above the center point of the gauge assembly. The center laser is rotatable 360° about an axis perpendicular with the bar. The remaining bars each include three upstanding transparent targets for sighting alignment with the lasers. The rotatable center laser is coupled with a scale and a series of stops for parallel or perpendicular alignment of the beam with respect to the lateral beams.

Abstract: An exhaust piping system is provided for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an exhaust system including an emission control device. The exhaust piping system includes an exhaust pipe connected to the engine and an emission pipe connected to the emission control device. The exhaust and emission pipes include ends which are tapered to form reduced outside diameters. A flexible hose coupling includes a bore which telescopically receives the exhaust and emission pipe ends. First and second annular clearances are formed between the reduced-diameter pipe ends and the flexible hose coupling bore, which clearances reduce wearing and abrasion of the flexible hose coupling associated with vibration and relative movement between the pipe ends and the flexible hose coupling.

Abstract: Advertising materials are provided for cooperative promotions. The materials consist of a set of coupons and a promotional piece or flare. Each coupon includes a back face with award structure information printed thereon and a front face with product advertising printed thereon. Each coupon entitles its purchaser to a substantial discount on a product, which discount exceeds the purchase price of the coupon. Multiple break-open windows are formed in the coupon and are movable between closed and open positions respectively concealing and revealing outcome-determining indicia. The indicia comprise symbol combinations and identify respective coupons as either losers or winners entitled to pre-determined awards. A cooperative promotional method utilizing the advertising materials is also disclosed.

Abstract: A length adjustable extension bar for connecting a mold ejector plate to a press ejector plate comprises a rotatable member threadingly secured on one end of a threaded stud. An opposite end of the threaded stud is connected to the press ejector plate and a distal end or head of the rotatable member is connected to the mold ejector plate. Rotation of the rotatable member relative to the threaded stud increases or decreases the overall length of the extension bar. A locking assembly comprising a locking sleeve biased by a spring into engagement with a locking nut is mounted on the extension bar to prevent adjustments in the length of the extension bar without first advancing the locking sleeve out of engagement with the locking nut. The locking sleeve is slidably mounted on the rotatable member shaft but is prevented from rotating relative to the shaft by a pin extending through the rotatable member shaft and aligned slots formed on opposite sides of the locking sleeve.

Abstract: A slot diffuser includes a pair of elongate and parallel side walls spaced by pairs of bridges. The bridges include feet that slide along receivers in the side walls such that the bridges can be positioned at any location therealong and provide support to the bridges and stability to the diffuser. The bridges include slots that extend between the side rails and that receive ends of air flow control blades. The air flow control blades include an elongate planar portion supported by rods extending outwardly on either side of the planar portions to support the blades in the slots. At a lower end of each planar portion opposite the rods is a foot that extends perpendicularly outward therefrom. Each side rail includes an inwardly projecting flange that is sized and positioned to slidably receive the foot of an associated blade such that the blade may be manually moved both within the slot and along the flange to properly position the blade during the installation or subsequent modification.