Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus (A) has an outer casing (12) with a central longitudinal bore (10) with a first and second ends (20,22) to ionize the fluid to be treated. First and second adapter sections (24, 26) have central bores (28, 30) for joining the outer casing (12) with pipes. A plurality of elongated magnets (32) have their longitudinal axis (34) parallel to the longitudinal sides (14) of the casing (12). At least one first support (36) extends between the longitudinal sides (14) of the casing (12) in the longitudinal bore (10) and is supported in proximity to the central bore's first end (20). At least one second support (38) extends between the longitudinal sides (14) in the longitudinal bore (10) and is supported in proximity to the central bore's second end (22). At least two magnets (32) are held between the first and second supports (36, 38) to form a row section (40) of magnets.

Abstract: A spare tire is mounted on a hoist having a hoist shaft. A rear bumper has a vertical portion with a hole providing access to the hoist shaft, a horizontal portion attached to the vertical portion and extending forward, and a lip extending downward from the horizontal portion, wherein the lip of the bumper has a arcuate notch aligned with the hole in the vertical portion of the bumper and the hoist shaft. A forward connector is attached to the forward end of a winch tube cover and adapted to cover one end of the hoist shaft, and has an open bore to provide access to the hoist shaft. A rear connector is attached to the rearward end of the winch tube cover and adapted to extend through the opening in the rear bumper, and has an open bore to provide access to the hoist shaft. A lock is temporary attached to the rear connector to prevent access to the hoist shaft through the rear connector.

Abstract: A protective covering, carriage and storage device for use upon a compound bow. The device generally consists of marked upper and lower stitched cover sections designed to fit closely over the respective limb of a compound bow, including pulley devices and end portions. The sections are interconnected by a nylon webbed strap with a fastening buckle. The cover sections constitute the invention disclosed herein, called bow limb protector. The invention safeguards against damage to the compound bow limbs and mechanisms of the compound bow from environmental contaminants such as mud, dust, thorns and branches during general transportation.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator is disclosed. In one arrangement, a louvered window covering, such as a vertical or horizontal venetian blind, is provided with a thermal actuator to automatically rotate slats forming the louvered window covering between open and closed positions. The actuator includes at least one shape memory alloy spring that, when heated above a predetermined temperature, extends to engage and move a rack that drives a pinion gear. The pinion gear rotates, through a coupling mechanism, a rod extending the length of the blind. A second shape memory alloy spring may be installed to rotate the rod in the opposite direction. The rod intercouples the slats in a manner such that the rotation of the rod rotates the slats in unison between closed and open positions. The shape memory alloy spring may be heated with a current supplied by a controller in response to a predetermined environmental condition.

Abstract: A golf club head (H) having a head body (10) adapted to be secured to a club shaft (12) includes a first vertically oriented surface (14) that defines a ball striking face containing a sweet spot (16) thereon. A first sighting indicia (42) has a plurality of stepped surfaces (46) having an elongated longitudinal axis (52) extending parallel to the first vertically oriented surface (14). A second sighting indicia (44) has an elongated slender stripe (54) having a longitudinal axis (56) perpendicular to the elongated longitudinal axis (52) of the stepped surfaces (46) and intersecting the sweet spot (16). The first and second sighting indicia (42, 44) enable a user 58) of the club to visually align the sweet spot (16) of the first vertically oriented surface (14) relative to a golf ball (B) to be struck and a desired direction of travel 28) for the golfball (B).

Abstract: A piece of transparent material has a hollow form extending away from a planar surface. The hollow form has a crown section and a bill section, both sections having a common bottom face. The inner dimensions of the crown section correspond to the outer dimensions of the crown when the back half of the crown is folded in back of the front half of the crown. The inner dimensions of the bill section correspond to the outer dimensions of the bill. A baseball style cap fits within the cavity formed by the crown section and the bill section. Backing material contacts the window piece against its rear surface and can be seen through the window piece. A frame holds the window piece, the backing material, and a rigid back piece together. The entire structure is mounted on a vertical surface such as a wall, for displaying the cap. A secondary display area below the hollow form is created by removing some of the backing material.

Abstract: A modem-controller for auto switching and controlling the transmission and receiving of voice and error-free transmission of standard data signals, fax data signals and voice communications over telephone line service, radio frequency networks, satellite systems, as well as cellular telephone systems includes analog switches that receive control signals from the micro-controller for controlling and switching the audio or data path of an internal voice board and the analog signals from a modem to and from a radio frequency transceiver via a radio frequency transceiver interface/logic board, a cellular telephone transceiver via a cellular telephone transceiver interface, a telephone landline via a data access arrangement (DAA), a satellite system via a telephone landline through the DAA. A method selects the DAA which either connects to the telephone line, the satellite system or the cellular telephone, and another method bypasses the DAA, selects and controls radio frequency telemetry modules or packet radios.

Abstract: A modem-controller for auto switching and controlling the transmission and receiving of voice and error-free transmission of standard data signals, fax data signals and voice communications over telephone line service, radio frequency networks, satellite systems, as well as cellular telephone systems includes analog switches that receive control signals from the micro-controller for controlling and switching the audio or data path of an internal voice board and the analog signals from a modem to and from a radio frequency transceiver via a radio frequency transceiver interface/logic board, a cellular telephone transceiver via a cellular telephone transceiver interface, a telephone landline via a data access arrangement (DAA), a satellite system via a telephone landline through the DAA. A method selects the DAA which either connects to the telephone line, the satellite system or the cellular telephone, and another method bypasses the DAA, selects and controls radio frequency telemetry modules or packet radios.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for suturing wounds (12) in a patient includes a first elongated hollow body (14) having a bore (16) therethrough. The hollow body (14) has a first end (18) adapted to receive a suturing element (20) and a second end (22) adapted to penetrate a tissue layer (24). A second elongated member (28) has a first end (30) and a second end (32) with an aperture (34). A first alignment device (38) is disposed with the first end (18) of the hollow body (14) and a second, cooperating alignment device (40) is disposed with the first end (30) of the second elongated member (28) such that the joining of the first alignment device (38) and the second alignment device (40) holds the hollow body bore (16) in alignment with the second elongated member aperture (34).

Abstract: A composition for use in refinishing optical discs comprises a mixture of volatile organic solvents having solubility parameters within a defined range, a chemically reactive nonvolatile binder, insoluble particulate material for polishing, and an immiscible phase forming an emulsion with the other components, thereby holding the particulate matter in suspension. Anionic surfactants are added to improve wetting, along with a conventional wetting agent. The mixture of solvents promotes reflow of the disc surface, while the binder fills in deformations and provides a permanent protective coating.

Abstract: A secure transaction card (C) accepted for transactions by a customer has usable customer identifying information (I). The card (C) has a card body (16) with an upper surface (18). The upper surface (18) has an indicator area (20) indicating that the secure transaction card (C) should not be accepted for a transaction by the customer. A layer (22) removable from the card body (16) is adapted to be superimposed over the indicator area (20) such that the secured transaction card (C) is in an acceptable state (24) when the removable layer (22) covers the indicator area (20) and in an unacceptable state (26) when the removable layer (22) is absent or damaged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for draining used oil from a motor (M) having a drain hole (12). A valved drain plug (P) is removably mounted in the drain hole (12). A transportable lubricant drain container (C) is adapted to be positioned beneath the vehicle (V) to be drained. The drain container (C) has a handle (16) that is adjustable to correctly position the container (C) beneath the drain hole (12) of the motor (M) depending on the type of vehicle (V). The valved drain plug (P) can be remotely operated to open a passageway (22) through which the used oil drains from the motor (M).

Abstract: A binding (B) for a plurality of sheets (10) has a front cover (12) attached to a rear cover (14) along a fold line (16). The front and rear covers (12 and 14) each have an interior and an exterior surface. A movable closure flap 26 is attached to the rear cover 14 joins the front and rear covers (12 and 14). A first retainer (34) attached to the front cover 12) and a second retainer (36) complementary thereto releasably secures the closure flap (26) to the front cover (12) in a closed position (32). A display jacket (38) has a front panel (40) connected to a rear panel (42). The front panel (40) has a passageway (46) through which the second retainer (36) releasably engages the first retainer (34). A front pocket (40) is formed with the interior side (20) of the front cover (12) and has an opening (50) facing a top edge (52) of the front cover (12) for receiving a flap (54) of the rear panel (42) of the display jacket (38).

Abstract: A lightweight, personal, portable dispenser of medically pure oxygen at appropriate temperature and delivery rate for direct inhalation is disclosed. The dispenser contains an oxygen producing generator to initiate the creation of oxygen instantaneously from a fuel-less self-contained chemical reaction of extended shelf-life inert compounds in a totally safe and reliable generator. The oxygen initially enters an expansion chamber. A cylindrical dispenser body houses the oxygen producing generator and forms an annular space between the cylindrical dispensing body and the oxygen producing generator. A bottom web attached to the periphery of the bottom of the cylindrical dispenser body allows air from outside of the dispenser to enter the annular space formed between the cylindrical dispensing body and the oxygen producing generator and flow out the top of the cylindrical dispenser body.

Abstract: A cylindrical winch tube cover is placed over the rear end of the hoist shaft for blocking access to the rear end of the hoist shaft. A lock bracket is mounted on the winch tube cover, and a padlock secures the lock bracket to the winch tube cover and prevents removal of the winch tube cover from the hoist shaft. The shackle of the padlock passes through a pair of aligned holes in the lock bracket and a groove in the winch tube cover.

Abstract: A drill bit (10) for drilling geophysical exploratory holes using a non-rotating drill approach is disclosed. The bit (10) includes a tubular body (12) threaded at one end for engagement with a pipe stem. The elements (16a -b) of a divided conical tip (14) are hinged to a second end (20) of the bit body (12). The wall thickness of the bit body (12) gradually increases from the first end (18) to the second end (20) to create, when the divided elements (16a-b) of the tip are closed, a generally diamond-shaped cross section facilitating burrowing when forced into the soil. An O-ring (36) installed in a groove (34) about the outer circumference of the tip (14) biases divided elements (16a-b) closed until a selected tool is loaded through the interior of the bit body (12), whereupon the divided elements (16a-b) are forced to rotate radially outward. The bit (10) can then be raised and removed from the borehole as desired.

Abstract: A signal intercept system intercepts an international calling frame, modifies a specific set of bits and then retransmits the frame in real time. The signal intercept system includes a communications processor and a signalling link interface. In one arrangement, the signalling link interface includes two intercept and transmit connectors and a coprocessor connector. In one arrangement, the communications processor includes a computer and a communications coprocessor. The computer maintains a data base with tables of such data as invalid calling card numbers. A computer program initializes and starts the communications coprocessor which handles high speed signal capture, manipulation and high speed signal retransmission. The communications coprocessor also interacts with the computer's data base to alter table parameters.

Abstract: A method for changing brain wave frequency to a desired frequency determines a current brain wave frequency of a user, generates two frequencies with a frequency difference of a magnitude between that of the current actual brain wave frequency and the desired frequency but always within a predetermined range of the current actual brain wave frequency, and produces an output to the user corresponding to the two frequencies. One apparatus to accomplish the method has a computer processor, a computer memory, EEG electrodes along with an amplifier, a programmable timing generator responsive to the computer processor for generating the two frequencies, audio amplifiers and a beat frequency generator driving a visual frequency amplifier.