Abstract: A container or "card cage" for rectangular printed circuit boards. The container includes a pair of rectangular vertical end caps which are removably connected by horizontal beams. The horizontal beams have spaced transverse slots for receiving the corners of printed circuit boards and for supporting the printed circuit boards within the enclosure in a spaced relationship. In one form of the container, each beam comprises a rigid connecting rail which is removably connected to the end caps and a spacing rail which is slidably mounted on the rigid connecting rail for longitudinal movement between an inner position within the container and an outer position substantially outside of the container with one of the end caps removed. Each spacing rail contains the transverse slots for receiving the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A self-adjusting accessory for a table saw that includes a guide for sliding in the guide groove of the work supporting table of a table saw and which is biased against the edge of the guide groove which is closest to the cutting blade. The guide bar is used in conjunction with the plurality of table saw fixtures such as a miter gauge, an alignment gauge and a stop gauge. The alignment gauge also forms part of apparatus for carrying out a method of verifying the straightness of the arbor for the cutting blade, the alignment of the arbor relative to the guide groove of the work supporting table and the flatness of the cutting blade. The invention also includes an apparatus for adjusting the alignment of the arbor relative to the guide groove of the work supporting table.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for use in developing abdominal muscle. The exercise apparatus includes a supporting structure adjustably mounted on a platform and a lever structure mounted on the upper end of the supporting structure for pivoting about a horizontal axis. The lever structure has a first arm which is connected to a handle and a second arm which supports an impact member such as a medicine ball. The exercise apparatus is used by an individual by standing on the platform and pulling the handle toward his or her chest. The individual then pushes the handle away from his or her chest which causes the impact member to swing toward the individual's abdomen. The supporting structure is adjustable so that the impact member can be positioned to strike the abdomen of individuals of different height.

Abstract: A bicycle security mount which includes a base and a pair of spaced supporting arms extending outwardly from the base. Each supporting arm has a threaded aperture for receiving a bolt. A shield is mounted on each bolt. Each shield has a bore and a counterbore. The shank of the bolt extends freely through the bore and lies entirely within the counterbore of the shield. The tines of the front fork of a bicycle are positioned on the security mounts so that the tines straddle the supporting arms. Each tine is positioned between a supporting am and a shield. The bolt lies within the downwardly facing open ended slot of the tine so that the tine is clamped between the shield and the supporting arm. The clearance between the bolt and the inner surface of the counterbore is too small to receive a conventional socket wrench but large enough to receive a socket wrench which is specifically designed for the bicycle security mount. More specifically, the bicycle security mount includes a cap for each shield.

Abstract: A firearm having a trigger which is pivoted to the frame, a hammer which is pivoted to the frame and biased in a forward position, a barrel which is pivotally mounted on the frame so that the breech end of the barrel can be moved between a closed position and an open position. A latch is operatively connected to the hammer and to the trigger for positioning the trigger in its cocked position when the hammer is in its cocked position and for releasably maintaining the hammer in its cocked position, and for releasing the hammer to its firing position upon manual actuation of the trigger. A first locking means is operatively connected to the barrel for preventing the barrel from moving to its open position when the hammer is in its cocked position. A second locking means is operatively connected to the barrel and to the hammer for preventing the hammer from moving to its cocked position when the barrel is in its open position.

Abstract: The alignment mechanism includes a main body, a clamp which is connected to the main body for clamping the main body to the frame of a jointer and for creating a tension on the rotor of the jointer against rotation of the rotor about its drive axis. The clamping elements also include rotor adjusting elements connected to the main body for applying torque to the rotor to overcome the clamping tension on the rotor. The alignment mechanism also includes a reference member connected to the main body to provide a reference surface for aligning the cutting blades of the rotor to the top dead center position.

Abstract: This invention involves a prepreg composition and procedure for use in forming printed circuit boards with reduced and uniform dielectric constant, improved thermal expansion characteristics, and uniform appearance. The prepreg composite is a resin impregnated substrate and has a reduced dielectric constant as low as 3.5. It contains 5-30% by resin volume of hollow inorganic microsphere filler whose diameters are less than 40 micrometers, and the uniform distribution of the hollow inorganic microspheres is controlled by the presence of hydrophobic fumed silica or other similar flow modifier.

Abstract: A safety shut-off device is disclosed. The device is adapted for use with a gas welding apparatus, the apparatus having a torch handle and a supply of a pressurized combustion reagent. The safety shut-off device has a valving assembly that is adapted to be positioned between the torch handle and the supply of pressurized combustion reagent. The valving assembly is actuatable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the torch handle is operatively connected to the supply of pressurized combustion reagent. In the second state, the handle is operatively disconnected from the supply of pressurized combustion reagent. The valving assembly is biased towards the second state and actuatable from the first state to the second state substantially instantaneously. The safety shut-off device also has an actuating mechanism. At least a portion of the actuating mechanism is adapted to be positioned on the handle for being grasped by the user of the gas welding apparatus when the user grasps the handle.

Abstract: A slot machine glove is disclosed, which is adapted for use on the hand of a slot machine player. The glove has a front glove portion for covering the palm and the palm side of each digit. The front glove portion is also for extending around the end surface of the tip of each digit, and for covering at least a part of the upper surface of each digit. The front glove portion has a rear peripheral edge, a pair of lateral peripheral edges and a forward peripheral edge. The glove also has a back glove portion, for covering the portion of the back of the hand not covered by the front glove portion. The back glove portion has a rear peripheral edge, a pair of lateral peripheral edges, a forward peripheral edge, and an outer surface. The front glove portion and the back glove portion are joined at their lateral peripheral edges and their forward peripheral edges so that the front glove portion is seamless at the end surface of the tip of each digit.

Abstract: A recreational cart is disclosed which is used for transporting recreational paraphernalia and for providing a utility surface. The cart has both a framework, and a generally horizontal lower planar panel which is fixedly mounted on the framework. An upper planar panel is operatively connected to the lower panel. This upper panel has an upper surface with a periphery and is movable with respect to the lower panel between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the upper panel overlays the lower panel and is parallel thereto, while in the second position the upper panel is generally coplanar with the lower panel. The recreational cart has at least one wheel which is operatively connected to the framework. A handle, for pushing and pulling the cart, is also operatively connected to the framework.

Abstract: An energy and water conservation laundry mechanism which includes a plurality of automatic washing machines, a rinse water storage tank, plumbing which connects the storage tank to the each of the washing machines, and electrical controls which are tied into the existing control circuitry of the washing machines for selectively directing the flow of rinse water between the storage tank and the washing machines. The plumbing includes pumps and valves which enables rinse water, as stored in the storage tank, to be delivered to each washing machine at the beginning of a wash cycle and waste water from the wash cycle to be discharged into a conventional sewer line. Rinse water from each washing machine at the end of each rinse cycle, is pumped to the storage tank for reuse for subsequent wash cycles of the machines. The invention also includes a filter for the rinse water which includes a toroidal shape filter element.

Abstract: An access door cover system for an access port of a utility pole. The cover system includes a removable cover which has grooves for receiving straps. The straps engage the cover along the grooves of the cover and surround the utility pole when the cover is applied to the access port in front of the pole. The straps are secured in a tight bands by locking clips.

Abstract: A barrel for a muzzle loading firearm. The inner cylindrical surface which defines the bore of the barrel has a main portion which is provided with rifling and a muzzle portion which is integral with the main portion which extends from the main portion to the muzzle opening. The muzzle potion of the inner cylindrical surface has a diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the main portion of the inner cylindrical surface. The barrel of the present invention is made by drilling a cylindrical bore along a longitudinal axis of a solid barrel stock and forming rifling along the inner cylindrical surface which defines the bore with the use of a traditional rifling tool. A counterboring tool is then inserted to the muzzle opening to enlarge the muzzle end of the bore to form the muzzle portion of the inner cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A security system for determining intrusion status in a defined area. The system uses a sensor unit, a transmitter, and a receiver. The transmitter sends a unidirectional repetitive coded signal to the receiver. The receiver is capable of receiving the signal, decoding it and displaying the intrusion status to a display. The transmitter uses a novel electric connection and orientation in which the sensor and status decoder is electrically connected to a detection memory, an encoder and transmission control unit is electrically connected to a status collector, and a radio frequency transmitter is electrically connected to an encoder and transmission control unit. The unit provides sophisticated intrusion status detection based on the combination of the parts, organization and electrical connections. The system avoids false alarms due to the unidirectional and repetitive coded signal which is sent to and from the transmitter to the receiver.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for releasably securing a tool to the linkage of a tractor such as a backhoe. The coupling apparatus includes a second coupling element which is fixed to the lower end of the linkage and a first coupling element which is fixed to the upper end of the tool. One of the coupling elements has a generally upwardly facing first engaging surface for engaging a downwardly facing first engaging surface of the other coupling element which provides the main coupling connection between the first and second coupling elements. Each of the first and second coupling elements has a second engaging surface which is spaced from the first engaging surface. When the first and second coupling elements are brought together in a coupling mode, the second engaging surfaces engage and provide a fulcrum about which the linkage pivots relative to the tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of coating an article by the use of electro-static attraction of ionized particles which are subsequently cured. The apparatus includes a first foraminous conveyor for carrying the article through a powder coating zone and a second conveyor for carrying the article through a curing zone. The surface of the article which rests on the foraminous conveyor is cleaned of particles as the article is transferred from the first foraminous conveyor to the second conveyor. The first foraminous conveyor is also cleaned of particles after the article has been transferred. After the articles have been cured to form a coating on the article, the article is put through the coating system again except that the article is supported on the conveyor so that the surface which was not coated in the first pass through the system is out of contact with the conveyor.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a firearm a striker which is slidably mounted in the breach end of the barrel of the firearm for movement between a rearward cock position and a forward firing position. The striker is biased toward the firing position and is moved to the cock position against the bias by an actuator. The fire control mechanism includes a trigger housing which is fixed to the breach end of the barrel and a trigger which is mounted for pivoting movement between a cocked position and a firing position. The sear is also mounted on a housing for pivoting movement between a striker holding position and a striker release position. The sear is effective to hold the striker in its cocked position and is, in turn, held in its regular holding position by the trigger.

Abstract: A clamping heat sink formed of a thermally conductive material for releasable attachment to an electronic component. The clamping heat sink includes a horizontal base wall, a pair of vertical side walls extending upwardly from the base and a resiliently deflectable clamping element which extends downwardly from the top of each vertical wall into the rectangular channel which is formed by the base wall and vertical side walls. Each clamping element has an upper portion which extends downwardly at any angle toward the base wall and the opposite side wall and a lower portion which extends downwardly at an angle from the lower end of the upper portion toward its own side wall, the upper portion of the clamping element forming a juncture with the lower portion.

Abstract: This invention is a system for enhancing the performance of a forging press by increasing the size of the workpiece which can be effectively forged within the capacity of the forging press. The system includes the provision of a die set in which one or more of the dies is segmented, that is divided into two or more, and preferably three or more parts. The segmented die is provided with advancement means which allow each of the segments to be selectively advanced ahead of the other segments along the forging axis. The dies are installed in the forging press by mounting each die directly or indirectly to a respective die bed. In advancement means is employed to cause one of the segments to advance and be locked ahead of another segment. The workpiece is forged so that the advanced segment is a primary forging agent, that is, it transfers the vast majority of the force to the workpiece.