Abstract: The present invention is a hand-held tool for embossing a sheet of paper or other media, and a method for performing the embossing. The tool is preferably a two-ended embossing tool, wherein each end has differently-sized roller ball that rotates/rolls in all directions inside a retainer. Each roller ball is biased outward, for example, by a detent-style spring unit. The preferably spring contacts the ball, so that the ball(s) and the spring(s) is/are the only moving parts of the tool. To use the tool, preferably the user applies pressure to the tool over paper or other media on top of a template with open channels in the shape of a desired design. The ball is received in the channel with the paper or other media lying between the exposed ball surface and the template. A guide surface extends out from the ball to be generally parallel to the surface of the paper beside the channel area.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic circuit assembled onto a miniature printed circuit board and assembled into an AC plug body such that the AC mains connect to terminals on or connected to the printed circuit board. The circuit contains a filtered power supply, microcontroller, and external interface, such that the plug may be connected to a special interface connector in order for data to be exchanged with a PC or computer or other programmer/reader device. A current sensor is employed and a voltage sensor is also employed. From the combined readings from the voltage sensor and the current sensor, the embedded program running on the microcontroller can determine the power being consumed by the loading device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a wrist-worn instrument face display that has dot matrix indicating icons for programming or prompting the instrument. The icons may be single or combinations of symbols, numbers and text. In particular, the icons indicate a function of the instrument, and “point” to a specific function key located near the instrument face to indicate which key is to be pressed, and how many times it is to be pressed, and/or what plurality of keys are to be pressed and in what order, in order to obtain an identified, desired read-out on the instrument face or display. This way, operation of several functions, even ones requiring multiple keystrokes, may be easily accomplished by the user without referring to the operations manual.

Abstract: A process for treating earth materials such as rock heaps to prevent acid rock drainage therefrom is disclosed. First, the oxygen concentration in the gas-phase of the rock heap is decreased, that is, displaced and/or depleted. This first step may be accomplished physically, chemically or biologically. Then, the gas-phase oxygen concentration in the heap is maintained at a low level. This second step may be provided for in a self-sustaining manner, like, for example, by covering the rock heap with soil and vegetation so that acid rock drainage is prevented indefinitely. Alternatively, the density of the gas-phase of the rock heap may be increased, and maintained at an elevated level indefinitely. The process is applicable to waste heaps from mining and industrial operations such as power generation and minerals processing, and to rubble collections in open and closed mines.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for laboratory and field use in detecting and measuring Hg+ and Hg2+ in sample. A selective mercury binding agent, such as a chelating agent or clathrating agent, is covalently bound in a copolymer and deposited as an electrode layer. To prepare the preferred apparatus of the invention, thiophene, or other, similar monomer, is derivatized by covalent attachment thereto of Kryptofix-21™ (1,4,10-trioxa-7,13-diazacyclopentadecane) in the 3-position. The thiophene monomer and Kryptofix-21™ are co-polymerized and electrodeposited by known techniques onto a conductive substrate, such as platinum or glassy carbon, to obtain a multi-layer polymer coating of desired thickness. The resulting coated electrode has selective coordination sites for mercury of the order of Kf=1016, compared to Kf=103 for cadmium, Kf=105 for lead and Kf=105 for silver.

Abstract: A back-up clamp component for use in a back-up clamp and adapted to fit with other sections of the back up clamp, the component carrying a number of shoes which can be moved radially inwardly and outwardly, each shoe being connected to a respective piston and cylinder arrangement, each piston having a first side and a second side, first means permitting pressurised fluid to be introduced to the first side of a piston and second means permitting pressurised fluid to be introduced to the second side of a piston so that the shoes can be positively driven outwardly and inwardly, the first means and the second means including respective first and second conduits within the body, which conduits open at an end face of the component.

Abstract: A broadband compact antenna comprises an electric dipole or monopole coupled or connected in parallel to a slot antenna. The slot antenna is composed of a flat, square or rectangular conducting sheet with a slot having a variety of possible shapes including a bow-tie or rectangle. The slot is then fed at the center by a coaxial transmission line with its outer conductor bonded to the sheet. To obtain broadband characteristics and compactness, a dipole or monopole, formed using either wire, flat strips or shapes formed in sheets of metal, is located in close proximity to the center of the slot.

Abstract: The present invention is a pole-attached fishing line cleaning and/or conditioning tool. Preferably, the tool is removably attached to a fishing pole with a convenient clamp or friction fit. The tool has a housing for receiving an absorbent and abrasive pad. Preferably, the housing opens like a book, and the pad is removable. Also, the housing has an aperture for receiving the fishing line. When the fishing line passes through the tool housing in its closed position, the line comes in firm contact with the pad, and with any cleaning and/or conditioning material absorbed in the pad.

Abstract: The invention is a lightweight, economical and durable concrete which is easily manufactured from commonly available materials, and its method of manufacture. The concrete composition comprises cement, perlite, pumice and water. The cement is common Portland cement. The perlite is an expanded perlite available. Preferably, the perlite is {fraction (3/16)}″ minus to dust in size. The pumice is common pumice aggregate. Preferably, the pumice is ¾″ minus to dust in size. Additional, optional, conventional components for adhesiveness, color, texture, hardening and drying time may also be added.

Abstract: A back-up clamp suitable for backing up a weld to be formed between adjacent pipe lengths in a pipeline, the clamp having a rigid clamp body, at least one set of clamping members mounted upon the clamp body, a set of back-up shoes mounted upon the clamp body, the set of clamping members and the set of back-up shoes being movable relative to the body, movement of the set of clamping members and the set of back-up shoes being controlled by fluid pressure applied to at least one location of the clamp, the clamp having a number of conduits adapted to deliver pressurised fluid to the location(s), all of each conduit being located within the body. The invention permits the provision of a back-up clamp which requires no flexible or external fluid hoses, and permits the manufacture of a back-up clamp suitable for use with small-diameter pipelines.

Abstract: Embodiments of an alarm system are described, which may be mounted or built-in to a bicycle or other device which is in need of anti-theft protection. A loud alarm is connected to or mounted in the protected device, and is operatively connected to either or both: a lock that anchors the device to a stationary object, and/or parts of the protected device that might be stolen or vandalized. The alarm unit is built and wired in such a way that the lock or parts of the protected device may not be significantly tampered with or removed without triggering the alarm. Externally-mounted alarm units preferably include a weather-proof casing, which contains a unique clamping feature that makes the alarm tamper-resistant or tamper-proof. The alarm casing may contain a sound chamber that preferably amplifies the alarm sound, waterproofs the alarm component, and prevents a thief from muffling the sound.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing litter from being scattered upon the floor outside the litter box and beyond, whether strewn by the cat during or after using the litter box, or by the owner when cleaning the litter box. The present invention comprises an enclosure having a front side, a left side, a right side and a base. The present invention is designed to encourage the cat to step out of a litter box and into a tracked litter receptacle for collecting tracked litter. The front side, or the left and/or right sides near the front side of the enclosure, has/have portal(s) allowing a cat to step into the enclosure. The present invention is further designed to corral not only litter tracked on the bottom of the cats paws, but litter tossed, flipped and spilled out of the litter box.

Abstract: Embodiments of an punch machine and a quick-change die assembly are shown and described. The die assembly may be quickly installed and removed from the punch machine, without bolting or unbolting of either machine housing or the die assembly itself. The die assembly is slid into the machine through a hole in the machine housing and into a position which mates part of the die assembly with the push-bar. A clamp, with a handle outside the machine, is then pivoted against the die assembly. The push-bar is adapted to be self-supporting without being bolted to the die assembly, keeping the push-bar in place without manual adjustment and alignment. The die assembly preferably includes a die, pin retainer, and punch pins, and preferably includes a flexible, pivotal, or hinged pin strap to secure the pins to the retainer.

Abstract: Embodiments of a remediation reactor and mixer/contactor blade for the reactor are shown and described, the reactor (11) being for containing a liquid slurry, suspension or settled bed of solid particles containing microorganisms. Inside the vessel is a supply conduit and at least one generally horizontal stirrer blade (27) in fluid connection with the supply conduit. The stirrer blade is a mixer/contactor which has a leading side having openings through which fluid may pass. The stirrer blade rotates in the vessel, and this rotation is made easier by the hydraulic forces of fluid flowing out from the stirrer blade. The flowing fluid creates a fluidization zone in the slurry, suspension or settled bed at or near the leading edge of the stirrer blade. The fluidization zone is less dense than the rest of the sediment bed, and the stirrer blade tends to rotate into the fluidization zone.

Abstract: Embodiments of an ergonomic stringed instrument pick are shown and described. The pick includes curved or depressed surfaces generally conforming to the shape of the thumb and index finger that grasp the pick. Preferably, the pick includes a depressed area on one side of the pick near the front tip of the pick for receiving the tip of the index finger, and includes a hump rearward of that depressed area for contacting the first joint area of the index finger. Preferably, the opposite surface of the pick includes a depressed area near the rear end of the pick for receiving the pad of the thumb, and includes a hump nearer the tip or the pick against which the thumb, in effect, pushes or braces. These features preferably take the form of a generally S-curved pick, with both the bottom surface and the top surface making two curves to form the desired shape, which reduces hand and wrist strain due to the increased comfort, and provides a more sure grip of the ergonomic shape.

Abstract: The present invention describes a safety suction valve that releasably secures a residual limb to an artificial limb. The safety suction valve synchronously actuates a latch mechanism and a valve mechanism, thereby providing superior retention of a residual stump in a stump socket and resulting in ease of donning and doffing of a stump socket by an amputee. The consolidation of the latch and valve mechanisms of the safety suction valve is an improved feature over conventional artificial limb supporting devices. This consolidation provides a redundant system for reliably suspending an artificial limb from a residual limb.