Abstract: A connecting member having an elongated passageway defined by a tubular wall extends from a first end to a second end, with the first end adapted to mate with a main air handling system. The tubular wall is provided with a bead adjacent to, but spaced from the first end, and an independent collar having a central opening dimensioned to correspond to the dimension in the bead is fitted about the outer periphery of the tubular wall in the bead. A gasket having an adhesive outer surface is fixed to the collar and facing toward the main air handling system, with the portion of the tubular member at the bead extending through and protecting the gasket from fire risk and deterioration from an air stream passing through the connecting member.

Abstract: The system in the present invention is an outside air ventilation cooling and room dehumidification system for use in commercial HVAC applications. The system includes a high-efficiency air filter, chilled water or evaporator precooling coil, a refrigeration compressor, an evaporator coil, a heat exchanger for removing heat and moisture from the air entering the evaporator coil and supplying heat to the air leaving the evaporator coil, a condenser coil located in the discharge airstream that reheats the air, and a fan to move the air through the coils. The heat exchanger can be a phase-change heat-pipe-type heat exchanger; a water cooling/heating coil "runaround loop"; an air-to-air plate-type heat exchanger; or a rotary heat exchanger.

Abstract: A healthcare mattress useful in avoiding pressure ulcers while providing long-term patient comfort, is comprised of a foam support with a bottom and sides that define a cavity adapted to accomodate a plurality of bladders with first and second bladders placed upon the support with the first bladder positioned above the second bladder, each bladder formed of plural, generally parallel plastic sheets forming a plurality of elongated chambers extending in a generally parallel direction across each bladder with adjacent chambers in fluid communication, with an elongated foam member disposed in each of the elongated chambers of at least the second bladder and means for maintaining a fluid pressure within each of the elongated chambers of the first and second bladders, wherein the first and second bladders are disposed with the parallel direction of the elongated chambers of the first bladder substantially normal to the parallel direction of the elongated chambers of the second bladder.

Abstract: A submersible cleaner relying upon the to and fro motion of an oscillator for forward movement over a submerged surface has a housing with a peripheral edge, an oscillator rotatably affixed to the housing and bristle elements extending away from the skirt at an angle for imparting the forward movement to the cleaner during the to and fro motion with the angular relationship of the bristles being greater at the trailing edge than at the leading edge. The cleaner also employs impact-absorbing buffer formations affixed at the leading edge so as to absorb impacts during the to and from motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for safely rotating large for apply 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.

Abstract: A bowling alley bumper system and method selectively guards against a bowling ball rolling into a gutter. A bungee cord extends along each side edge of a bowling alley lane and in a first position below the lane surface receives bowling balls rolling within a gutter and against the lane edge for protecting the edge of the lane from damage. A lifting mechanism raises the bungee cord to a position above the lane surface for receiving bowling balls rolling on the surface toward the gutter and redirecting the bowling balls towards the center of the lane and away from the gutter. The bungee cord is lifted to its second position by a plurality of elongated rods positioned to move alongside the lane below the gutter surface. A connecting rod raises and lowers the elongated rods through a lever action thereby positioning the bungee cord at its first stored position or its elevated position for guarding the gutter.

Abstract: Preassembled drainage line units for a septic tank nitrification field employ a predetermined length of perforated conduit having an aggregation of discrete, crush resistant, light-weight elements surrounding the length of conduit and a perforated sleeve member enveloping the aggregation and bounding the same relative to the conduit with the ends of the conduit extending beyond the sleeve. The drainage line unit is provided with connecting means at each extending end, for end-to-end interconnection with an adjacent drainage line unit.

Abstract: A submersible suction cleaner includes a chamber, an oscillator pivotably mounted within the chamber for movement to and fro with a gap between an edge of the oscillator and a wall of the chamber through which water containing grit flows during operation. The chamber wall or the oscillator has a slidable, retractable seal operable to open when grit lodges between the oscillator and the chamber wall to thereby open the gap and allow the passage of grit therethrough.

Abstract: An interface printed circuit board is configured to be placed between a leadless component such as a surface mount package used to house a SAW device and a standard printed circuit board configured for solder joints in a leadless contact with the printed circuit board. The interface device is made using materials having similar characteristic thermal expansion properties as that of the printed circuit to with it is affixed. Solder pads are placed in offset pairs and interface board material is removed such that the combination causes the interface board to flex from the forces caused by the differing expansion coefficients of the solder, the package and the printed circuit boards. The configuration causes the relative movement between the leadless carrier and the printed circuit board to occur along a length of epoxy and glass board material by bending the epoxy and glass as opposed to applying tensional or compressive forces to the solder joints.

Abstract: A golf putter is provided having a putter head with a bore therein capable of affixing to a golf ball and lifting it without the golfer having to bend over to pick it up from the ground and in particular capable of retrieving the ball resting at the bottom of a cup. The putter shaft contains a vertical portion at the shaft connection to the head dimensioned to lower the head into the cup. The combination of head size and orientation of the head to the shaft permits the successful removal of the golf ball from its resting position within the cup.

Abstract: A catheter device is described for the localized introduction of pharmaceutical material into the uterine cervix and the upper vagina. In one embodiment the catheter device comprises a flexible tube having a port at the proximal end and a rounded closed tip and an aperture away from the tip at the distal end. A diaphragm having a hole through which the tube may pass is used to seal off the cervix and upper vagina from the lower vagina, and a syringe is used to administer the pharmaceutical material through the port in the flexible tube. In a second embodiment two ports are provided in the flexible tube, enabling a flushing material to be ejected into the tube after the pharmaceutical material, thus ensuring that the entire dose of pharmaceutical material is delivered to the cervix and the upper vagina.

Abstract: A water sampling station installed adjacent the user of a residential water supply includes a housing, a cover removably fitted to the housing, a quick connect-disconnect coupler within the housing and a back flow preventer between the municipal water supply and the coupler. An elongated probe is provided with first and second ends and a quick connect-disconnect key at the first end and dimensioned for mating with the coupler of the sampling station, and with a shut off valve and back flow preventing valve adjacent the first end to prevent contamination at each sampling station. The sampling station may be installed in a residential user's meter box.

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 tool system and method useful in the preparation of a surgical wire pin extending from a toe of a patient undergoing a hammer toe operation comprises a shearing tool which forms and cuts the wire pin for affixing a protective cap to the end of the pin. The protective cap is affixed using a capping tool dimensioned to receive the wire pin formed by the shearing tool. The capping tool comprises a cartridge holding a plurality of protective caps.

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: A towing truck incorporating both an elevated deck and an improved elevated wheel lift for towing and hauling vehicles is described. The elevated wheel lift comprises rotatable tire braces to aid in smooth loading and firm support of the towed vehicle's tires during towing.

Abstract: An electronic coin detector and method for sensing the presence of a valid coin and for providing an indication of the valid coin's type. A coin is guided into position between a first set of inductor coils. The coin is then guided through a channel surrounded by a second inductor coil. A first oscillating signal is then fed to the first set of inductor coils and a second higher frequency oscillating signal is fed to a second inductor coil. An altered signal is then provided in response to the effect of the coin passing through the inductor coils. After the coin has passed adjacent one of the inductor coils, the inductor coils are fed a calibration signal to produce a calibrated signal. This calibrated signal is then used to scale the altered signal. The frequency and amplitude of the scaled altered signal for the first set of inductor coils and the second inductor coil are combined with prestored statistical variables corresponding to frequency and amplitude values of a sample of valid coins.

Abstract: A sport of Rumohara adiantiformis (Leather Leaf Fern) is described. The sport is characterized by difference in the fronds, which are denser, much flatter, darker in color, and larger and possess a more pronounced point at their terminal end.