Abstract: A bar clamp of the type operated with one hand to advance a movable jaw toward a fixed jaw to clamp workpieces and having a holding brake with release mechanism is modified according to the invention to provide a quick set up apparatus. The modified bar clamp adds a spring and adjustable stop to allow opening the clamp to a wide position. The release mechanism then is triggered to close the jaws on the work before operating the advancing mechanism in the usual manner.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a rotation sensor for use in a fiber optic gyroscope including a centrally-located cylindrical hub having an improved slip interface positioned there around. The central hub has a substantially planar mounting flange extending from one of its ends, where the axis of rotation of the central hub is orthogonal to the plane of the mounting flange. A sensor coil comprising a plurality of layers of coaxial turns of optical fiber embedded in a potting material is formed around an outer surface of the interface. The interface allows the potted coil to expand or contract along the axial direction of the central hub due to thermal expansion while maintaining a constant thermal and mechanical connection between the interface and the potted coil. In this manner, the present invention maintains the integrity of the potted coil and its connection to the interface during thermal expansion of the potted coil, thus minimizing temperature-induced Shupe bias errors in the rotation sensor.

Abstract: A phase and intensity modulated IFOG has a light source responsive to an intensity modulation signal for providing an intensity modulated light signal. A Sagnac interferometer has a fiber optic coil. The coil receives and circulates a clockwise and counter-clockwise beams. The Sagnac interferometer is responsive to an intensity modulated light signal at a first input port, and to a phase modulation signal at a phase modulation input terminal for outputting a non-reciprocal interference signal. A PSD detector system responds to the non-reciprocal interference signal and provides a demodulated bias signal. An intensity signal generator has an output that provides the intensity modulation signal. A phase signal generator provides the phase modulation signal to the phase modulation input terminal. The intensity signal generator and the phase signal generator have a common frequency.

Abstract: A method for measuring intensity-type polarization non-reciprocity (PNR) bias error in an interferometric fiber optic gyroscope (IFOG) using birefringence modulation. The counter-propagating waves in the fiber optic loop of the IFOG are modulated with a slowly varying voltage signal, such as a triangle wave, ramp or sine wave signal, to cause birefringence modulation. A peak-to-peak amplitude of a resultant output signal is measured to determine the intensity-type PNR bias error of the IFOG.

Abstract: A lift-up tab opener for a beverage can is improved by providing an actuator with a finger loop and pressure tab to push open a closure tab as in the prior art. The actuator is modified to elevate the pressure tab with a bend forming a fulcrum, so that the pressure tab can be pushed to elevate the finger loop for ease of grasping it to operate the actuator.

Abstract: A ladder caddy with a tray and handles for carrying tools, supplies or paint cans, which attaches to the side of a ladder by self-clamping action due to the weight of the caddy, but which releases when lifted by its carrying handles to move to another location.

Abstract: A ground-loading conveyance for refuse or heavy objects. The frame is tipped with the handle to allow a two wheel carriage on pivoting support legs to swing beneath the frame, so as to support the load for transporting.

Abstract: A dolly with a U-shaped frame which is adjustable both in length and width, has a pair of wheels and a pair of brackets on the ends of the U-shaped frame. A heavy object to be moved includes two transverse members extending between opposite legs. At least one of the transverse members has retractable arms. The heavy object is first lifted at one end by the brackets beneath one transverse member then the retractable arms are extended and the other end of the heavy object is lifted onto the pair of wheels. A removable set of auxiliary wheels assists in transporting the object to a new location.

Abstract: A ground-loading conveyance for refuse or heavy objects. The frame is tipped with the handle to allow a two wheel carriage on pivoting support legs to swing beneath the frame, so as to support the load for transporting.

Abstract: A resilient, supportive material provides low friction contact with moving parts, and includes a plurality of small diameter, resilient bristles disposed on at least one surface of a substrate. The plurality of bristles include at least a first and second group of bristles, where the first bristles of the first group have a first spring constant and a first bristle height for low friction contact with a moving part, and the second bristles in the second group have a second spring constant and a lower, second bristle height for low friction contact with a moving part. The second bristles in the second group are positioned to inhibit damage to the first group of bristles due to contact with a moving part which deviates from an intended path. As well, the first and second bristles provide two levels of resilient support to a part which is subjected to lateral forces.

Abstract: A rotatable horizontal sighting ring at the upper end of a vertical support post has a ball/club path marker extending thereacross and outwardly therefrom and a clubhead alignment marker extending transversly across the sight ring to form a cross hair sight at the center of the ring. A smaller ball sight ring approximately the same diameter as a golf ball is disposed within the larger sighting ring at one side of the clubhead alignment marker. In use, the larger sighting ring is positioned such that when viewed by a golfer in a standing position, the smaller ball sight ring is superposed over the golf ball and the ball/club path marker is aligned with the desired ball path and the clubhead alignment marker will be perpendicular to the desired golf ball path. A lower ball alignment member may also be installed on the lower end of the post vertically below the sighting ring or used separately.

Abstract: A container with a lid which is provided with scorelines defining a plurality of long narrow lugs. A tab is secured by its midportion to the central portion of the lid and has at one end a plurality of fingers which respectively terminate over the lugs for pushing the lugs into the container when the tab is lifted. The displaced lugs leave parallel, narrow slits which preclude the entry of insects, such as bees, into the container.

Abstract: A prefabricated fireplace foundation in which the fireplace's floor is installed directly on top of a structurally rigid foundation box. The foundation box incorporates an intake air chamber which opens into the fireplace through use of an exhaust air stack that projects through the fireplace's floor from the box's top wall, and that opens into the outside atmosphere at an intake port in the box's sidewall. A valve is provided to open and close the intake port as desired by the user, the valve being operable through use of a handle accessible at the front of the fireplace. The foundation box also incorporates an ashes chamber which opens into the fireplace through use of an ashes trap that projects through the fireplace's floor from the box's top wall. The ashes trap allows fireplace ashes to be discharged into the box's ashes chamber, an ash door being provided by which the ashes can be withdrawn when cleanout is required.

Abstract: Plastic extender rings for manholes are produced and are seated on the top ring of a manhole by the use of caulking or other adhesive material. The manhole cover, which is elevated by the plastic ring or rings from the old pavement level to a new pavement level, renders the manhole cover less noisy to traffic and seated more evenly. Recessed or notched portions of the rings receive the asphalt to arrest rotational and upward movement of the rings. Composite adapter rings are provided to adapt an off size manhole top rings, to a standard size manhole cover. Plastics are employed which will not melt at the application temperature of asphalt but will soften somewhat to conform better to the contour of the manhole cover and/or underlying manhole top ring.

Abstract: Plastic extender rings for manholes are produced by molding as a unitary member or extrusion or in molded segments and are seated by the use of caulking or other adhesive material. The manhole cover, which is elevated by the plastic ring from the old pavement level to a new pavement level, is rendered more silent to traffic and is seated more evenly. Plastics are employed which will not melt at the application temperature of asphalt but will soften somewhat to conform better to the contour of the manhole cover and/or underlying manhole top ring. Plastic fillers may be employed in the product to regulate plasticity and increase resistance to deterioration from the elements and from ultraviolet.

Abstract: A forced air home heating system includes a prefabricated metal fireplace having a combustion chamber surrounded by a heat collection distribution chamber. The fireplace distribution chamber functions as the central distribution chamber for the forced air home heating system to which air is supplied from a furnace or other heat source and from which it is distributed throughout the home. If there is a fire in the fireplace, fireplace generated heat then supplements or replaces heat from the primary home heating source in the forced air system.

Abstract: Heat softenable adhesive, particularly in film form, and based on polyurethane from reaction of a diisocyanate and a polyester glycol including terephthalic acid and hexane diol, 1,6 units, especially useful in a shoe making method in which a film of the adhesive is disposed between the attaching surface of a shoe upper and edge portions of a mold and hot molten plastic is injected into the mold to melt and activate the adhesive and to form a tread member strongly adhered to the shoe bottom with the aid of the adhesive.