Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and storing a boat above water and particularly for shallow water, is made up of a pair of laterally spaced floats fixedly secured to inner ends of a pair of beams whose outer ends are pivotally secured to a dock, a set of fixed posts, a bulkhead or other fixed structure. The floats and beams form a well having an entrance away from which is mounted a rear bar and further away from the rear bar and on the beams is mounted a front bar. A boat mounting frame onto which a boat can be driven under its own power is pivotally mounted on the rear bar such that after a boat is loaded on the boat mounting frame, the frame can be tilted such that its leading end engages the front bar and maintains the boat above the water in a position suited for storage. A method of forming the apparatus and a kit containing the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The dining table comprises a table structure having one or more openings adapted to receive in a snug fit either a dining tray or a pair of operatively associated access covers, which in either case fill the opening. An inner one of the access covers is connected to the table structure by a hinge and an outer one of the access covers is suspended by a lever and latching arrangement. In a raised position, the covers abut each other and provide a substantially smooth dining surface. In a lower position, the covers are stored below the dining tray.

Abstract: A fold out seat assembly is attached to a support structure having a substantially vertical mounting surface. The seat assembly comprises two sections: a backrest that is fixedly attached to the mounting surface above the seat assembly, and a seat unit that is movable from a vertical stored position against the mounting surface to a horizontal seating position the major portions of which are detachable from the mounting surface when not needed.

Abstract: A braided rug method and construction is based on securing by stitching a relatively small auxiliary strand over the junction of large stitched together strands of braid. By selection of auxiliary strand color, alternating the side of the rug on which the auxiliary strand appears or by employing auxiliary strands on both sides of the rug new appearances in braided rug color, texture and appearance are achieved.

Abstract: A plurality of thin wall ceramic-metal segments are brazed together to form a gas laser tube assembly. Within each segment there is mounted a ferrule with a central hole. The series of holes formed in the ferrules define the discharge bore and gas return paths are formed in the wall of structure supporting the ferrules.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a flow cytometer or fluorescent microscope is based on a set of highly uniform microbeads associated with a fluorescent dye in such a way that the microbeads have the same excitation and emission spectral properties as the samples which are to be measured. The calibration values of the microbeads are plotted against the relative fluorescence intensity peak channel for each microbead in the set. From this calibration plot, the relative fluorescence intensity peak channel of the sample is translated into equivalent soluble fluorescent dye molecules per sample particle. The calibration values of the standard microbeads are determined against solutions of the dyes.

Abstract: A braided rug method and construction is based on securing by stitching a relatively small auxiliary strand over the junction of larger stitched together strands of braid. By selection of auxiliary strand color, alternating the side of the rug on which the auxiliary strand appears or by employing auxiliary strands on both sides of the rug new appearances in braided rug color, texture and appearance are achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing frozen food products is based upon the frozen food product, e.g. ice cream, being packaged in a coiled tubular casing and providing means for cutting off incremental lengths after removing the casing and then forming a scoop of the food product with a scoop which transfers the charge to a dumping position where the charge is released into a suitable food container.

Abstract: A laser-energizable thermal probe comprising a probe assembly connected to the distal end of an optical fiber, the proximal end of the fiber being connectable to a source of laser energy. The probe assembly comprises a thermally conductive probe body, including a curvoidal tip and a neck portion, and contains an interior passage receiving the distal portion of the optical fiber. At the extremity of this interior passage may be disposed a mass of high emissivity material, to facilitate conversion of laser energy to thermal energy. The probe body is fixedly secured to the optical fiber by a helically wound conductive wire joined at its distal portion to the neck of the probe body and at its proximal portion to the optical fiber, to provide an extended heat transfer dissipation path for heat generated by the probe in use.The disclosed device is useful for recanualization of occluded arteries, to remove intravascular plaque and thrombi therefrom.

Abstract: Fabric made up of a series of knitted collars, sleeve bands, bottom bands, plackets, or the like, intended for use on knitted sport shirts, blouses, and the like, and held together by a separator thread with a relatively high melting point is separated by means of gradually heating the fabric to near the melting point of the separator thread and then to the melting point while holding the fabric under tension.

Abstract: An automatic trailer hitch assembly mounts a shank unit on the trailer and a receiving unit on the towing vehicle. The shank unit provides an elongated shank member which mounts the trailer ball at one end coupled to a conventional trailer hitch ball socket housing secured to the trailer and at the opposite end is formed to slide on funnel-like guide passages into the receiving unit. A spring leveler assembly is detachably and adjustably secured as a subassembly to the trailing end of the shank unit, releasably grasps the ball socket housing and retains the shank unit properly positioned for coupling.

Abstract: An outlet box (the term "outlet box" is also intended to encompass a junction box) mounting bracket has four groups of slots arranged to accept the shanks of the mounting screws of either a standard small size outlet box or a standard large size outlet box. The bracket includes a portion adapted to be secured to a stud and a front wall with a central opening which registers with the interior of the outlet box. The four groups of slots are substantially at four corners of the central opening. Enhanced support strength is obtained by providing elongated formed depressions on at least one and preferably on at least two opposed edges of the front wall.

Abstract: An improved electrical switch box mounting bracket is formed of a single piece of sheet metal in an L-shape or T-shape with right-angled plate portions at one end, one of which plate portions is adapted to serve as a stiffening arm between the walls. At the opposite end another flat plate portion is adapted to be secured to either another bracket of the same type or of another type in piggyback fashion or to an extension plate in turn secured to a stud. A recessed plate portion between the ends of the bracket provides an opening which registers with and receives either a one ear or two ear type electrical switch box for mounting using bendable tabs forming part of the bracket. An alternative embodiment does not employ the stiffening arm.