Abstract: A dry powder inhaler comprises a body 1 defining a storage chamber for a powder and further defining an inhalation passage 2 through which air is drawn via a mouthpiece 3. A flow duct passing through the mouthpiece includes a circulatory section 25 in which the flow duct is in the form of one or more passageways. The flow duct further includes a cyclone chamber 35 between the circulatory section and the outlet of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: Changing the locking mechanism in a U-lock, cable lock or other tie lock as often as desired is achieved without compromising the lock's resistance to physical damage. This function is achieved by an auxiliary sleeve that removably fits over the U-lock's crossbar or the cable lock's end bar. Either bar provides an aperture, which is too small to permit the locking mechanism to be picked or pried, but which is operatively positioned and sufficiently large to provide access for a key to the keyway of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A well styled, single layer shell jacket is waterproof and windproof, yet possesses the various characteristics of conventionally comfortable clothing, and permits the stitching of emblems thereon without impairing waterproof and windproof characteristics. A seam of stitching joins each pair of the contiguous edges of adjacent sections of this jacket. Superposed on the waterproof and windproof fabric of each sleeve and forming a pocket thereon is a superposed upper patch, which appears to be a continuation of the yoke and the edges of which are joined to the sleeve by seams of stitching. In the patch is a zipper or other closure. This closure, when opened, permits entry into the pocket and sewing of an emblem or the like on the patch without affecting the waterproof and windproof construction of the remainder to the jacket. This closure, when closed, permits easy access to gloves, eye wear, medicines, or other items stored in the pocket.

Abstract: An anchor device for use with a security slot in a portable electronic article that provides an anchor for attaching a cable or other security device. The anchor device includes an internal member, an external member, and a securement for securing them together. The internal member includes a right angle portion inside the portable article that is approximately parallel to the inside wall. The external member has a clamping surface that abuts the outer surface of the portable article. The external member has an aperture into which the internal member fits and is secured either permanently or removably. The preferred removable securement is a screw that extends through the external member and into a threaded hole in the internal member. The securing device denies access to the screw when engaged with the external member. The external member provides an anchor for removably attaching the security device.

Abstract: A keyway plug that provides a means for preventing the correct key from opening a tumbler lock, including a plug and an extractor. The plug fits into the keyway to block complete insertion of a key. An arm extends from the tip of the plug across the tumblers, but is short enough so that the outermost tumbler drops to hide the plug. The extractor includes a narrow finger, the end of which pushes the innermost part of the plug upwardly, while the tumblers push the outermost part of the plug downwardly. A chamfer at the outer end of the plug arm pushes the outermost tumbler up out of the way so the plug can be removed. The upper edge of the finger includes a hook that mates with a matching notch in the lower edge of the plug arm. As the extractor is removed, the hooks and notch interlock, pulling the plug from the keyway.

Abstract: A light beam deflector comprises an initial beam deflector that imparts a small initial deflection, and a beam deflection amplifier that increases the initial small deflection by a multiplication factor. There are five embodiments of the initial beam deflector. The first four use a pair of lenses and a piezoelectric actuator affixed to one lens. When the parallel lens axes are separated by a distance, the incident light beam will be deflected by a small angle, typically up to about 5°. The fifth embodiment comprises a mirror affixed to a piezoelectric actuator, which tilts the mirror. The beam deflection amplifier has five embodiments. The first is a Keplerian telescope lens first stage and a negative lens system second stage. The first is a Galilean telescope lens first stage and a negative lens system second stage. The third embodiment is either a Keplerian or Galilean telescope lens alone. The fourth embodiment replaces the single second lens of the first stage with a compound lens system.

Abstract: A shelf with a platform and a pair of brackets, whereby the platform has an upper panel and a lower panel at right angles. The upper panel has coaxial trunnions that fit into groove in the brackets. The groove has a vertical back wall, a shaped front wall, an opening in the top of the bracket, an upper pocket in the front wall, and a lower trough where the front and back walls meet at the bottom of the groove. The pocket and trough are connected by a 45° slope. The platform has a down position maintained by gravity where the upper panel is horizontal. The trunnion resides in the groove pocket and the lower panel abuts a vertical retaining wall that is parallel to the vertical back wall of groove. The platform has an up position maintained by gravity where the lower panel is horizontal. The trunnion resides in the trough and the upper panel abuts the retaining wall.

Abstract: A light beam deflector comprising an initial dynamic beam deflector and a beam deflection amplifier. The initial deflector can be any currently available device for providing a small angle deflection. The beam deflection amplifier has two embodiments: a Keplerian telescope lens first stage and a negative lens system second stage, and a Galilean telescope lens first stage and a negative lens system second stage.

Abstract: A mounting plate for securing the heating pipe of a radiant heat system to the subfloor. The plate is a flat sheet with a groove in the upper surface and a plurality of legs underneath. The plate is composed of a rigid and highly heat-conductive material, preferably aluminum and aluminum alloys. The legs form large air gaps which can be left empty or filled with insulation to raise the efficiency of the system. The groove runs from one edge of the plate to another. The bottom of the groove is preferably semicircular, with a diameter the same as the outside diameter of the pipe so that heat transfer is maximized. The pipe is retained in the groove by a ridge running the length of the groove or by forming the groove in an omega shape so that the pipe must be snapped into the groove.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying short pulsed waveforms, on the order of 1 &mgr;s pulses at a frequency of about 5 kHz, to a discharge lamp, such as a low-pressure mercury/argon lamp, in order to shift the ratio of the intensities of two of the mercury lines, in particular the 254 nm and 365 nm lines, of which for a sinusoidal excitation signal the 254 nm line is predominant, towards the higher wavelength. This greatly increases the efficiency of a lamp using phosphors excited by these UV emissions, because of the reduced Stokes shift.

Abstract: A keyway plug that provides a device for preventing the correct key from opening a double-sided tumbler lock, including a plug and an extractor. The plug fits into the keyway to block complete insertion of a key. In one embodiment, a pair of arms extend from the tip of the plug across both rows of tumblers, but is short enough so that the outermost tumblers drop to hide the plug. In the second plug embodiment, the outermost tumblers drops into a notch in the arms to prevent the plug from going too far into the keyway. Alternatively, only one arm has a notch. The extractor includes a narrow finger, each edge of which include a hook that mates with a matching hook in the inner edge of each plug arm. As the extractor is removed, the hooks interlock, causing the plug to be removed.

Abstract: A single extruded cross-section and a single milled cross-section provide the rails and stiles of window sashes with the trouble-free functionality of vinyl and the esthetic functionality of wood. A few accessory extruded cross-sections provide weatherproof meeting rails and jambs and out-of-plumb compensation. Assembly of the extruded and milled components is accomplished simply and securely. This structure is characterized by plastic extrusions that feature a few interactive primary cross-sectional profiles, and milled wood or otherwise-shaped parts that feature a secondary cross-sectional profile. The primary and secondary profiles coact simply, securely and attractively.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for searching a geographic database for properties within a specified range of distances and range of directions from a selected hub location. The invention includes a global computer network, the database, and a search program. The network includes a database computer, a user interface computer, and a search computer. Each database record includes a physical location of the property. The search program takes as inputs a selected hub, a range of distances, and a range of directions. The search program iterates through the records to find those properties the fall within the parameters and displays them to the user.

Abstract: A device and method for use in conjunction with exercise of about one hour or less which enhances convenience, and encourages compliance with a regimen of exercise beverages to accomplish preexercise hydration and postexercise hydration and muscle glycogen replenishment, and which includes a preexercise beverage formulation and a postexercise beverage formulation combined in a unified package with indicia and instructions. The preexercise beverage has a carbohydrate concentration of not more than about 9%, and the postexercise beverage has a carbohydrate concentration of at least about 13%.

Abstract: The construction of bearing walls is facilitated by use of superposed courses of planks that are characterized by a novel combination of composition, geometry and arrangement. These planks are composed of a homogenized dispersion of fiber and binder. This material has been found to have a suitably high compression coefficient, to be chemically inert as a practical matter from the standpoint of resistance to atmospheric conditions, and to be inexpensively produced, for example, from used newsprint and the like. The planks generally have identical dimensions, thereby enabling standardized production and ease of assembly. The planks generally are substantially greater in width than in thickness. Pairs of the planks are provided at matched end locations with aligned notches for the reception of inserts that establish spacing and weather-tight joints. The planks are nailed or otherwise interlocked in staggered courses, by which the integrity of the construction is securely maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for extending the light deflection angle, so a light beam can be dynamically controlled within ±90°, pitch and yaw. The device comprises an initial dynamic beam deflector and a compound light beam direction mapper. The beam direction mapper includes a beam size reducer, a beam transmission adapter, and a projector. An initial light beam from a light source is deflected a small amount by the initial dynamic beam deflector. The initially deflected light beam is focused by the beam size reducer to a light energy spot on the beam transmission adapter, which transfers the light spot to the projector. The projector emits an output light beam at the far field of its output space with an output deflection angle larger than the initial deflection angle. All components are based on classical geometry optics and the energy of the output light beam is within an order of magnitude of that of the input light beam.

Abstract: A real-time scheduler for scheduling periodic access to a shared resource by a number of channels. The channel period for each channel is represented by a channel value partitioned into an extra-fine value, a fine value, and a coarse value. The fine value is in units of access intervals, the length of time of each access. The coarse value is in units of scheduling periods, the maximum number of access intervals that can be represented by the fine value. The extra-fine value is in units of a number that evenly divides the access interval. During each scheduling period all non-zero coarse values are decremented by one and then if zero, indicate that the next cell send time for that channel falls in the next scheduling period. Concurrently, a fine process executes repeatedly in which all fine values that had a zero coarse value at the end of the previous scheduling period are compared to find the smallest value.

Abstract: A swab dispenser comprising a bin adapted to store swabs, a fluid reservoir, and optionally, a cover. The bin may be compartmentalized. The reservoir ceiling has a depression in its outer surface and an aperture at the low point of the depression. A membrane covers the aperture. The membrane has at least two intersecting slits that allows a swab to be inserted into the reservoir by temporarily deforming the membrane. Preferably, the slits extend completely across the aperture. Preferably, the floor of the reservoir is concave with the low point directly below the aperture.

Abstract: A modular construction system and method of use for creating a concrete wall system which has a wall system which complies with a modular construction system. The system uses wall form panels having connectors and structural tie plates. The wall form panels have interlocking protrusions around the edges such that the panel is reversibly symmetric. The panels are specific lengths to minimize the number of panels required to achieve a set length. The structural tie plates have connectors to tie in with the wall form panels and in addition carry and position reinforcement bars with the wall. The modular wall system ensures ease and integrity of alignment of the wall form panels by the self-aligning structural tie elements. In a preferred embodiment, a footing is continuously integral with the wall. A heat retention cap form allows for a more uniform cure temperature in adverse temperatures.

Abstract: A device for assisting in anastomosis of tubular structures. The basic device has a generally cylindrical shape with a pair of insertion arms and a central depression that provides a space for the needle to move through within the tubular structures while simultaneously providing support so that the suture needle thrust does not collapse the tubular structure wall. The depression may be configured to guide the path of the needle. A bridge connects the arms and prevents the needle from inadvertently coming in contact with the wall opposite that of the wall being sutured. The method includes an initial suture to join the sutures, inserting the device into the openings of the two structures, placing sutures in the walls adjacent to the depression, optionally rotating the device so the depression is aligned with each suture as it is being placed, removing the device, and tightening the sutures to complete the anastomosis.