Abstract: A drain field and a drain field assembly for use with a sewage disposal system are provided that do not require the use of aggregate in the form of rock, gravel, shale, or the like. The assembly contains a distribution pipe having a plurality of holes disposed along its bottom half for receiving liquid effluent. Alongside and beneath the distribution pipe are positioned a plurality of void pipes that serve to retain and distribute the effluent received from the distribution pipe. Draped over the top and along the sides of the assembly is a protective sheeting that is impervious to soil and liquid permeable that serves to keep soil from entering the pipes and also to aid in evapotranspiration. The drain field of the present invention contains the assembly positioned within a trench and covered in backfill material.

Abstract: Magnetic point pole placements in a generally spherical arrangement of electromagnets forms a magnetic field. The magnetic arrangements use five regular geometric structures and geodesic triacon breakdowns of these geometric structures. Magnets are placed at the corners of each of the solids, oriented along the radii of the solid, with similar poles pointing inward. The magnets are at the same distance from structure center, and are identical in length and strength. Magnetic vector maps of fields within the structures are compared to current magnetic mirror plasma confinement fields. Non-symmetrical arrangements of magnets using regular geometric structures include specific magnets removed and new magnets added, resulting in a local monopole magnetic field and local inner field reversed mirror, depending on whether just one or both poles of the additional magnet are within the structure. Finally, the nesting of solids is presented.

Abstract: A system and method for pasteurizing citrus juice with the use of microwave energy provide a plurality of microwave chambers through which juice is continuously flowed, the sequential flowing permitting a gradual increase in juice temperature that is sufficient to pasteurize the juice but insufficient to cause a detectable loss of flavor.

Abstract: A low rebound sports target useful in baseball pitching and fielding drills freely suspends horizontal and vertical elements for defining target zones wherein the elements are able to absorb the energy delivered by a high speed baseball tossed at the target and provide for rebounding of the ball from the target in a safe manner with regard to concerns by a player using the target. A target comprising vertical chains and horizontal rods freely suspended in a spaced relation to a frame holding the chain is described. Tubing sections provide shrouds for the chain and rods while also providing for easy adjustment of the target in creating various target zones. Further, a bag collects successful target hits while a netted backstop collects errant tosses by the player. A support used in suspending target elements further provides for suspending sports images useful for simulating realistic game conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for irradiating an inflamed joint of a patient having rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis are presented. A noncoherent source of radiation having a predetermined wavelength range is utilized to transilluminate affected tissues of the subject for a predetermined duration. The radiation source has sufficient intensity and is applied for sufficient duration to reducing inflammation and substantially halt disease progression.

Abstract: A device for effecting progressive elongation of a sectioned bone having no extracutaneous elements, and a method for using the device, are presented. The device, which includes a pair of telescopically engaged cylindrical members, is inserted into the medullary space of the bone, and one cylindrical member is affixed to each section of bone. Under the normal torsions experienced by the affected limb, a clutch mechanism is provided that causes the cylindrical members to be forced apart, separating the sections of bone, at which site new bone growth is stimulated. Rotations as small as 1 degree are sufficient to activate elongation. In order to limit excessive rotational displacement, a keyring mechanism is provided that limits rotation to that which is physically tolerated yet provides sufficient lengthening, typically between 3 and 5 degrees.

Abstract: Golf clubs are fitted with either plural grooves extending along the face in at least two non-parallel directions or with pads, or both, for purposes of achieving a variety of different corrective actions to a golf ball struck by the face.

Abstract: A training method for achieving a repeatable putting stroke incorporates an elongated rod affixed to a shaft of a putter. The putter head displaced from the ball while keeping a separation distance between the elongated rod and a plane passing through the ball. By repeating straight back and straight forward stroking of the ball while maintaining the separation distance, a repeatable putting stroke is achieved. Once achieved, the elongated rod is removed from the putter shaft for repeating the straight back and straight forward stroke developed from the feel using the elongated rod. Attachment rod is provided in an alternate embodiment for aligning the elongated rod perpendicular to the putter face. Indicia are placed on the elongated rod for providing a measurement of a displacement distance between the putter head and the ball during the straight back stroking portion. With such a device and training method, repeatable putting stroke is achieved.

Abstract: A guidewire includes an elongate flexible unitary body with a plurality of spaced apart grooves in its outer surface and defining a tip support section. In one embodiment, the plurality of grooves take the form of a series of equally axially spaced apart transverse grooves which extend circumferentially around the outer surface of the elongate flexible body. A cross section of each groove may have a V-shape or U-shape, with each groove having rounded over opposing outer edges. A distal tip section is connected to the tip support section, and a main section is connected to the tip support section opposite the distal tip section. Preferably the main section, tip support section, and a portion of the distal tip section are formed of a unitary metal body or wire. The distal tip section also preferably includes a flattened wire portion surrounding by a wound coil.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer for injecting pesticide into an airstream being directed at foliage to protect the foliage from insects, vermin or the like. The air is generated using fans that pulls in air axially and directs the air outward in a radial direction. The radial outwardly directed air is then fed through a plurality of rotating vertically aligned elliptical paddles to create turbulence in the air. Pre-charged liquid pesticide droplets are then injected through a plurality of nozzles into a second airstream which directs the droplets into the outwardly directed air to regulate the droplet size. An oscillating sensor detects the foliage location and turns nozzles "off" and "on" to spray different foliage locations.

Abstract: An exercise frame includes an upstanding back rest and an intersecting seat, with a pair of exercise arm assemblies supported along corresponding sides of the back rest and exercise leg assemblies supported along corresponding sides of the seat. Each arm and leg assembly is segmented and linked together so as to limit and restrict movement of the distal ends of each arm or leg assembly along a straight line passing through the corresponding proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A pressurized container end has a frangible member covering an opening in the end. The frangible member is cut away from the end by the action of increased pressure from within the container against the member. A protrusion in a portion of the end is depressed into the container for increasing pressure in the container. In an alternate form of the invention, the container itself is depressed inwardly for causing the increased pressure sufficient to cut the frangible member away from the end. Various opening geometries are each formed with a cutting edge.

Abstract: A power boat hull has an inner running surface with a central running surface and an outer running surface that flanks the inner running surface. The outer running surface forms a channel with concave curvature which extends from the bow to the stern. An improved channel is shaped so that pressure builds in the channel during turning of the boat to lock the hull to water throughout the turn. A transom is provided with a deflector plate having a curved surface that is lifted out of the water during high speed running of the boat and operatively deflects water downward to force the bow of the boat into the water during low speed running of the boat. The transom dimensions are altered to accommodate varying length boats.

Abstract: The bed handle system of the present invention, which includes a pair of handle elements, is used for facilitating movement into and out of a bed. Each handle element can be anchored to a bed mattress and has an upwardly extending handle section dimensioned to extend above the bed mattress. In use the handle portion is positioned adjacent a first side of the mattress, and the pair of handle elements are positioned in spaced relation to each other. The spacing between the handle elements may be adjusted to permit a user to grasp one handle section with each hand and to sit between the elements on the mattress preparatory to moving into or out of the bed.

Abstract: An ergonomically developed, dome-shaped, alphanumeric interface apparatus for use with a electronic system, such as a computer or electric typewriter is described. The apparatus is configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and uses chording of both hands to type the characters of any user-defined alphabet. The device includes a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user's hand. Each dome is capable of movement in a plurality of discrete lateral sectors. The domes used together, utilizing a chording principle, can generate up to 144 characters depending on how many discrete movements are defined by the user. In a nonchording mode of operation, each dome is capable of producing up to 12 characters independently of the other dome.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (SAW) device is described that comprises a piezoelectric medium using input and output transducers for launching and detecting a surface acoustic wave on the piezoelectric medium. In particular, a device is described that uses a special combination of transducers for the direct generation of a coded minimum shift keyed (MSK) waveform from an input impulse waveform. The same device is used for the direct detection of an input MSK waveform in order to generate an impulse waveform with sidelobe characteristics similar to those expected from a specific code. The SAW device provides the advantages of MSK encoded waveforms for spread spectrum applications and the advantage of implementing such entirely on a SAW substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining a plurality of textile webs together in side-by-side relation includes a feeder for positioning a first textile web overlying a second textile web and advancing the textile webs along a predetermined path of travel, an ultrasonic horn and anvil for forming a relatively narrow flexible joint between the textile webs by heat fusing together adjacent portions thereof, and an unfolding frame for unfolding the textile webs about the joint so that the textile webs lie in a common plane to define the relatively wide textile fabric. More particularly, in order to form the convolute roll of the relatively wide textile fabric, the apparatus also preferably includes a driven take-up spindle positioned downstream from the unfolding frame to wind the relatively wide textile fabric into successive convolute wound layers.

Abstract: A method is provided for safely rotating and applying flammable tank coating materials in a spark free environment. The tank is continuously rotated for drying while being relocated to a drying position permitting another tank to be brought to a position for the tank coating process. A hydraulic motor assembly is used to drive the apparatus in its rotational and relocation modes. A hose festooning array permits the continuous rotation and relocation of the rotating tanks while maintaining the safe environment. The hose festooning array provides automatic storage and distribution of the hose between the motor assembly and the remotely positioned pump. A chain driven by another hydraulic motor provides the driving force to reposition the tanks using a track system.