Abstract: A golf club, comprising a head having a striking face, a front toe, a rear heel, and opposing top and bottom edges. The club also includes a shaft joined to the heel of the head, and so as to define a juncture portion therebetween. Also at least one opening is formed through the juncture portion so as to define a pair of spaced branches on opposing sides of the opening.

Abstract: A garment for use in electrically-scored contact sports competitions is described. The garment is designed to cover at least the upper torso of a wearer, and is fabricated from electrically conductive yarns which cooperate with an electric sports implement to register a score when the implement contacts the electrically conductive garment. At least a portion of the upper torso portion is made from a stretchable, electrically conductive material. The garment is particularly adapted for use in fencing competitions, and can be made substantially entirely from the stretchable electrically conductive material or from a combination of stretchable and non-stretchable conductive materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the throat area, expansion ratio and thrust vector of an aircraft turbine engine exhaust nozzle, includes means, such as deflectors and/or injected air, for producing and controlling regions of locally separated flow. The exhaust nozzle also allows control of the thrust vector angle defined by the gas exiting the nozzle to provide increased directional control of the aircraft.

Abstract: The variable speed drive mechanism includes an input member (17) and an output member (18), each rotatable within a housing (11) filled with fluid. The input and output members each have helical vanes (26) that are in a close running fit with sleeves (21, 22) within the housing. The amount of axial overlap of the sleeves with the helical vanes of either the input member or the output member is adjustable. Rotation of the input member causes the helical vanes of the input member to pump the fluid towards the helical valves of the output member, causing the output member to rotate. The ratio of the speed of the output member with respect to the input member is varied, by varying the axial length of overlap.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating or clarifying a turbid wastewater containing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of proteinaceous materials, fats, oils, and other biological contaminants. The methods of the present invention include the steps of (a) contacting turbid wastewater to cellulose ester fibrets under conditions sufficient to flocculate the contaminant to form a treatment suspension, and then (b) separating the flocculants from the treatment suspension to provide a clarified wastewater.

Abstract: A hairdressing comb (10) comprises a series of spaced pairs of hair-lifting teeth (16.1, 16.2), the teeth of each pair defining between them a gap 18 into which hair can enter. Each hair-lifting tooth has a hair-lifting formation (20.1, 20.2), the hair-lifting formations of each pair of teeth both extending into the corresponding gap (18). The hair-lifting formations (20.1, 20.2) of each pair of teeth (16.1, 16.2) are staggered with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the teeth (16.1, 16.2), and the one hair-lifting formation (20.2) extends into the gap (18) to a point laterally beyond that to which the other hair lifting formation (20.2) extends into the gap (18).

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear wheel stowage structure including a wing rear spar extending laterally across the aircraft; a mid bulkhead extending laterally across the aircraft and displaced rearwardly of the wing rear spar; a pressure bulkhead extending laterally across the aircraft and displaced rearwardly of the mid bulkhead; first and second longitudinal keel structures laterally spaced on each side of a longitudinal axis of the aircraft and traversing the wing rear spar, the mid bulkhead and the pressure bulkhead. The wing rear spar, the mid bulkhead, the first keel structure, and the second keel structure form a first forward outboard wheel well compartment that is outboard of the first keel structure, a second forward outboard wheel well compartment that is outboard of the second keel structure, and a forward central wheel well compartment that is between the first keel structure and the second keel structure.

Abstract: Methods of forming field effect transistors include the steps of forming a composite of layers including an amorphous silicon layer (a--Si), a silicon dioxide layer thereon and a silicon nitride layer on the silicon dioxide layer. A polycrystalline silicon conductive layer is then formed on the silicon nitride layer by depositing and patterning polycrystalline silicon. The polycrystalline silicon conductive layer is then oxidized using thermal oxidation techniques to form an oxide outerlayer. During this step, a portion of the polycrystalline silicon conductive layer will be consumed to define a gate electrode. Dopants of first conductivity type are then implanted into a top surface of the silicon nitride layer, using the oxide outerlayer and the gate electrode as a mask, to form relatively lightly doped preliminary source and drain regions in the amorphous silicon layer. The oxide outerlayer is then removed preferably using a buffered oxide etchant (BOE) solution which does not etch silicon nitride.

Abstract: The fiber optic laser system and associated lasing method amplifies and divides a primary laser signal into a plurality of secondary laser signals. The fiber optic laser system includes a distribution means, such as a distribution module, for dividing a primary laser signal, generated by a master oscillator into a number of secondary laser signals. The distribution module can include amplification means, such as an optical fiber amplifier, for amplifying the primary laser signal and a signal power splitter for dividing the amplified primary laser signal into a number of secondary laser signals. The secondary laser signals can then be further amplified, such as by a power amplification module including another optical fiber amplifier. The secondary laser signals can be recombined to produce a laser output having a power level greater than the predetermined power level of the primary laser signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding continuously produced cable about a take-up spool includes a frame, a traveler assembly, multiple take-up spool assemblies, and a translation system for automatically moving the traveler assembly into an aligned position with each spool assembly. The traveler assembly is movably mounted to the frame for receiving and for paying out continuously produced cable. Each spool assembly comprises a pair of opposing arms and a cable snagger. Each pair of opposing arms is configured to rotatably mount a spool therebetween. The cable snagger is secured to a member rotatably mounted on one arm and is configured to extend through an aperture in a flange of a spool in order to engage a free end of a continuously produced cable. A release mechanism for disengaging the snagger from the cable, once at least one wrap of the cable has been wound about the spool, is also provided.

Abstract: An improved die for a superplastic formation process and the process that uses an interface for pressurized gas that is part of the forming die so that tube welding to the forming pack can be eliminated. In one embodiment, the interface is fixed to the die and in a second, for use to pressurize the interior volume of finished parts with inert gas when the finished parts are to be removed from the die hot (1400.degree. F.), the interface becomes welded to the pack during the forming process so that the interior of the part can be flooded with inert gas during the cool down process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the progress of a superplastic formation process that uses cumulative gas-mass outflow from a forming part being formed from generally one or more sheets of superplastically formable material, a process that may include selective diffusion bonding of the sheets together. The method includes using the expected initial conditions of the process to determine the gas-mass cumulative exhaust at room temperature and pressure. The method is advantageous over inlet measuring methods where high pressure gas must be measured and any small hole in the system results in large errors.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences encoding the murine .beta.3-adrenergic receptor are provided. Use of the sequences as probes, in vectors, and for the expression of peptides are discussed. Methods of screening substances for agonist or antagonist action towards .beta.3-adrenergic receptors, and for detecting the affinity of various substances for .beta.3-adrenergic receptors, are described.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine and a jacquard pattern control mechanism therefor is provided in which knitting instrumentalities slidably mounted in grooves in a rotating member, such as a needle cylinder, sinker cap or dial, are controlled by a rocker bar supporting member slidably mounted in each groove behind the knitting instrumentality, the rocker bar supporting member having at least one butt thereon, a rocker bar pivotally mounted on the rocker bar supporting member and having magnetically attractable sections at opposite ends thereof, a magnetic attraction device selectively attracting the magnetically attractable sections of the rocker bar to pivot the rocker bar to control the selection of knitting instrumentalities to be moved from inactive to active positions and a cam system for moving the rocker bar supporting member and selected knitting instrumentalities.