Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize a received signal to provide low cost, low power, high sensitivity radio frequency hopping communication. A transmitting system prepares a data packet that is to be communicated to a receiving system. The data packet includes a header, a network identification, and transmission data. A transmission frequency is identified and a phase lock loop (“PLL”) is set to the transmission frequency. The data packet is gathered, and frequency modulation and Differential Manchester encoding is performed. The signal is sent through a power amplifier and an antenna to a receiving system, which continually scans all channels of a frequency range for a valid signal. When a pulse is received, the signal is passed through a low noise amplifier, mixed down to 10.7 MHz, passed through one or more filters and one or more high gain amplifiers, mixed down to baseband, sent through a low pass filter, and then sent through a comparator.

Abstract: A flag holder for vehicles—such as motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles—mounts on a generally horizontal panel having a bolt hole stamped, punched or drilled therein. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flag holder includes a cylindrical main body having an axially-aligned cylindrical aperture for receiving the staff of a flag. The holder also includes a hollow threaded retaining fastener that is coaxial with the cylindrical aperture. A staff ejector pin, retained within the hollow threaded retaining fastener, may be employed to eject a broken end of the flag staff. Two alternative embodiments are provided. The first utilizes a threaded main body and a hollow retainer bolt. The second utilizes a threaded hollow stud and a nut.

Abstract: A hunting broadhead for an arrow has a main body fabricated from high-strength steel, and three laminar carbon steel blades which install within the main body. The main body has a manually sharpenable trocar chisel point tip with three razor-sharp apices. The main body is equipped with three slots, each of which is continuous with one of the three apices of the trocar tip and includes a forward-facing recess at the front end of each slot. A laminar carbon steel blade is inserted into each slot and locked in place by a tab on the front of the blade, which fits into the forward-facing recess, and a notch which engages an annular retainer ring that slips over a rear portion of the main body. Each blade forms an extension of its associated apex, with each apex and its associated blade forming a generally straight line.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a chamfer on an upper edge of a concrete slab includes a hub designed for installation on the threaded output spindle of an angle grinder, and a specially-modified diamond-grit-edged rotary blade which mounts on the hub. For a preferred embodiment of the hub, an attachment collar is unitary and concentric with both a blade mounting flange having countersunk attachment screw holes and a blade centering shoulder on the flange. The attachment collar has at least one pair of flattened parallel sides for receiving a wrench used to tighten the hub on the output spindle. The blade, which is equipped with both countersunk attachment holes and a central positioning aperture sized to fit closely over the blade centering shoulder, is attachable with countersinking screws to the mounting flange so that the head of each screw is flush with the surface of the blade.

Abstract: An emergency utility backup system, for a building normally supplied with culinary water, electric power and natural gas by public utilities, includes at least one water storage reservoir having an upper input coupled to a public water utility main line; an electric generator powered by an internal combustion engine; and an electric air compressor having a compressed air storage tank which provides elevated air pressure to the water storage reservoir(s) in the event that water pressure from the public water utility main line fails. The electric air compressor is operable from power supplied by either a public electric utility or said electric generator. The emergency utility backup system may also include a tank for storing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel that may be utilized for both the electric generator and a heating system for the building.

Abstract: A case for storing, carrying and displaying a handheld stringed musical instrument includes a main body incorporating an instrument receptacle, the body having a narrowed upper end portion for receiving the neck of the instrument and a widened lower end portion for receiving the body of the instrument, the case further including an articulated cover securable to the main body for reversably covering the instrument receptacle, the cover also being hingeably connected along a linear edge of the widened lower end portion of the body, foldable beneath the main body, and attachable to a medial portion of the back side of the main body. The case may also incorporate a humidifier in a portion of the case below where the neck of the instrument is positioned. The humidifier includes a container having a perforated lid. A damp sponge is placed within the container, thereby maintaining a relatively constant level of humidity within the case, when closed.

Abstract: A method and tool are disclosed for removing a plastic water closet flange from the waste pipe to which it is attached so that a new flange may be chemically bonded to the existing waste pipe. A preferred embodiment of the water closet flange removal tool includes an axial shaft, a cylindrical guide body attached to a lower end of the shaft, the guide body having an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the waste pipe so that it is slidably insertable therein, and a cylindrical-walled cutter, having an inside diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the waste pipe, mounted above the guide body. For a preferred embodiment of the tool, both the guide body and the cylindrical-walled cutter are coaxially mounted on the shaft. The cylindrical-walled cutter is open at the lower end thereof so that it can slide over the waste pipe as the flange is cut therefrom.

Abstract: A dust abatement vacuum hood, provided for a flush-cutting concrete saw, includes a rigid shell that is preferably either vacuum formed or injection molded from a tough polymeric material that may be reinforced with structural fibers. Alternatively, the vacuum hood may be stamped or cast from a durable metal. The vacuum hood is equipped with a vacuum port to which one end of a vacuum hose may be attached. The opposite end of the vacuum hose is attached to a vacuum cleaner system. The vacuum hood has a spring-mounted attachment bracket that can be bolted directly to the concrete saw. As the blade of the concrete saw rotates, pulverized concrete is discharged into a chamber opening of the vacuum hood. Internally, the vacuum hood is shaped so that the pulverized concrete is directed toward the vacuum port, from where it is directed to the vacuum cleaner system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for protecting internal aluminum components of a plasma reactor from plasma-induced erosion. The components are coated, first with a dielectric layer, then with a thin layer of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of gold, chromium, platinum, silver and rhenium. The dielectric layer may either be grown or deposited. The metal layer is deposited, preferably using evaporative deposition.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a chamfer on an upper edge of a concrete slab includes a hub designed for installation on the threaded output spindle of an angle grinder, and a specially-modified diamond-grit-edged rotary blade which mounts on the hub. For a preferred embodiment of the hub, an attachment collar is unitary and concentric with both a blade mounting flange having countersunk blade-attachment screw holes and a blade centering shoulder on the flange. The attachment collar has at least one pair of flattened parallel sides for receiving a wrench used to tighten the hub on the output spindle. The blade which is equipped with both countersunk attachment holes and a central positioning aperture sized to fit closely over the blade centering shoulder, is attachable with countersinking screws to the mounting flange so that the head of each screw is flush with the surface of the blade.

Abstract: The present invention provides both a process and apparatus for treating tubers in storage with chlorpropham (CIPC) dust or the dust of any other similar organic compound. The process includes the steps of forming minute particles of solid CIPC particles from a larger block or chunks of solid CIPC, and inducting the particles into an airstream which transports the particles to a tuber storage shed. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocks or chunks of solid CIPC are fed into a hammer mill or like apparatus, which pulverizes the solid CIPC. Insufficiently fine particles are returned to the mill for further pulverization. Fine powder consisting of particles, each of which has a major dimension of less than about 5 micrometers, is transported by the ducted airstream from the separator to a storage shed containing a pile of tubers. The powder filters through the pile and coats exposed surfaces of the exposed tubers.

Abstract: A washable cloth vacuum cleaner filter bag for use on wet/dry vacuum cleaners and in central vacuum cleaner systems includes a first opening for receiving vacuumed debris, means for attaching the first opening to the inlet of the vacuum cleaner or system, and a second opening, which is reversably sealable, for removing the vacuumed debris from the bag. In combination with the bag, the vacuum cleaner or system may be successfully used to suction up fine particulate debris, including gypsum dust and MDF dust. For a preferred embodiment of the new vacuum cleaner filter bag, the bag, which is of generally rectangular shape, is fabricated from a tight weave, synthetic-fiber cloth having a warp of about 160 threads per inch and a weft of about 68 threads per inch. A variety of fastener types may be employed for the reversably sealable second opening. The second opening incorporates a cuff on one side of the opening which is turned inside out to fold over the edge of the other side of the bag.

Abstract: A boiler tube clamp, for securing boiler tubes in an equal-spaced, parallel arrangement, includes a pair of mating half-clamps having multiple opposed recesses sized to snugly cradle boiler tubes of a given diameter. The half-clamps are brought together around the boiler tubes and either welded or bolted together, thereby aligning the tubes in the desired arrangement. The bolts and/or clamps used to secure together the mating half-clamps of each of the embodiments of the invention are unaffected by downward abrasive action that typically occurs in boilers. For welded-together half-clamps, the welds are on top and bottom surfaces where they are shielded from abrasive action. For bolted-together half-clamps, the bolts are protected from abrasive action by recessing the bolt heads and retaining nuts.

Abstract: A self-propelled aircraft cargo belt loader is both propelled and operated hydrostatically. An engine, an electric motor, or a hybrid combination of both provides a power source to operate first and second hydraulic pumps. The first, or primary pump, provides variable fluid pressure used to propel the vehicle., while the second, or secondary pump, provides constant fluid pressure used to drive the conveyor belt, operate the hydraulic cylinders used to raise and lower the conveyor belt, and operate the vehicle's steering. The use of a hydrostatic drive system facilitates off-center placement of both the powerplant and the conveyor belt system, with the powerplant and conveyor belt system being positioned on opposite sides of the vehicle. As the powerplant is not covered by the conveyor belt system, engine access for maintenance and replacement is greatly enhanced.

Abstract: An improved interconnection system for attaching an improved cylindrical magnetron target to a rotatable flanged spindle incorporates an annular extension on the target, which fits over the edge of the spindle flange, facilitates centering the target on the spindle, and helps shield target sealing surfaces. The annular extension terminates in an inwardly-angled circumferential step. The target-spindle interconnection system includes a split clamping collar and a generally annular retainer ring that slidable over the spindle shaft and rotatable against the spindle flange, the retainer ring having external circumferential threads that are angled away from the flange. The split clamping collar has, at one end, an inwardly-angled lip that engages the overhanging step and, at the other end, inwardly-angled, internal, circumferential threads that engage the threads of the retainer ring to draw the target and spindle together as a unified assembly as the retainer ring is rotated.

Abstract: A method and tool for chipping the edges of natural stone tile may be used to give the tile a used or rustic appearance. The tool includes an axially-rotatable, cylindrical member having an array of studs affixed or embedded in the cylindrical surface. A drive shaft, affixed to one end of the cylindrical member, may be inserted within the chuck of a powered drill motor or other similar powered device. A handle is rotatably coupled to the opposite end of the cylindrical member. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle consists of a tubular sleeve which is rotatably mounted on bearing races over a support shaft that is rigidly and coaxially affixed to the cylindrical member. In order to use the tool, the drive shaft is secured within the chuck of a drill motor or other similar device designed to provide powered rotary motion to a shaft.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable wall hanger includes a main body that is securable to a vertical surface with mounting screws, nails, or other similar fasteners, and an adjustable bracket. The main body includes a pair of mounting apertures and is generally symmetrical about a plane passing through the axes of the mounting apertures. The main body also includes a vertically-oriented linear ratchet having a plurality of teeth, and a pair of parallel, outwardly-facing, spaced-apart peripheral tracks or grooves. Each of the tracks is open at the top of the main body. The adjustable bracket includes a pair of cylindrical locator pins that enter the tracks at the top of the main body and slide within them. The adjustable bracket also includes a pawl that engages the linear ratchet. The locator pins allow the adjustable bracket to be rotated upwardly, so that the pawl may be disengaged from the linear ratchet, the adjustable bracket moved up or down, and the pawl re-engaged with the ratchet.

Abstract: An improved track-mounted movable target system is disclosed. Power is inductively transferred to a target carrier movable between first and second locations. The transferred power is used to power electrical equipment on board the target carrier. The electrical equipment may include electric motors, lights, solenoids, and control circuitry for the motors and solenoids. Preferred embodiments of the invention are implemented as track-based systems, as the track provides not only stability to the target carrier, but also protection from stray bullets to the conductive cable. For a first embodiment of the invention, power is transferred to a target carrier via a stationary inductor and a movable cable, which also provides motive force to the target carrier. For a second embodiment of the invention, power is transferred to a target carrier via a stationary cable and an inductor movable with the target carrier.