Abstract: An improved pre-heating, contiguous in-line water heater is described. The in-line water heater utilizes a passive heating means to passively heat at least a portion of the input water received by the in-line water heater. The result is a more cost efficient water heater. The in-line water heater is integrated with a control means to receive input from various sensor and to regulate the operation of the in-line water heater.

Abstract: A storage device for fishing lures comprising a rigid spool, having a hollow interior, and a hollow lure storage element extending across the hollow interior is described. The spool has an outer surface defining an annular channel comprising a floor and two side walls extending from said floor for receiving a leader line of a fishing lure. Each of the ends of the storage element intersect with the floor of the channel to define openings in the floor of the channel. In one embodiment, at least a portion of at least one of the openings is curved to reduce the possibility for “kinking” the leader line. At least one of said walls contains a plurality of slots that will receive the end of the leader line as will also be explained below. A small aperture located on the floor adjacent to at least one of the openings receives the lead hook of a fishing lure. A tab having a hole extends from the periphery of one of said walls to permit hanging of the device.

Abstract: A locking segment for use in connecting two lengths of pipe has a radically extending heel that serves as a rotational brake. By mating the brake into an annular trough, that is, by placing it between two walls, the rotation of the segment can continue only until points on the brake mure between the two walls. Rotation of the segment in response to increasing thrust pressures can thereby be arrested before the rotation causes the segment to bear on the spigot with a radically inward force great enough to penetrate the spigot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing or refurbishing thermoplastic drums, by which a damaged drum, or at least a damaged portion thereof, is heated until it reaches a softened state and is then drawn over a template, or mold, having the substantially the same shape and size of an undamaged drum. The drum is allowed to cool sufficiently to return to its hardened state, whereby it substantially assumes the shape of the template. The refurbished drum is then removed from the template and is essentially ready to be used again.

Abstract: A transportation system is provided that accommodates varying angles of slope along the path of its movement, while maintaining a level transportation platform without the need of mechanical leveling devices or systems. The platform may be connected to the rail by wheels, the closest of which to the platform is above the rail, and the other below the rail. Accordingly, the platform is torqued downward to maintain contact between the wheels and the rail. As the slope of the terrain, and thus the rail, increases, the rail is widened to maintain the platform at level. As the slope decreases, the rail is narrowed to the same effect. The platform also may be tilted for loading or unloading by this rail-widening method, as may be desired.

Abstract: A portable workstation computer is disclosed. The computer includes a display assembly adapted to be mounted between a frontal concave member and a rearward concave member. A keyboard, mouse, and accessories may be stored in the frontal concave member. Processing, memory, and storage components are housed in the rearward concave member. The display assembly may be interposed between the frontal concave member and the rearward concave member in a briefcase configuration, forming a casing for the computer.

Abstract: A method is described whereby dendritic cells derived from the CD34+ and CD 34-hematopoietic cell lineages are directed to become programmable antigen presenting cells. The programmed cells may be pulsed with tumor cell RNA or tumor cell RNA expression products. The protocol provides for directing the maturation of dendritic cells to become antigen presenting cells. The protocol further provides for isolating tumor cell RNA from biopsy material that has been prepared in paraffin block storage. The directed dendritic cell is provided with a plurality of tumor markers by using tumor RNA in toto, the poly A+RNA fraction or the expression product of such RNA. Once activated the dendritic cells are incubated with T4 and T8 lymphocytes to stimulate and sensitize the T lymphocytes which upon introduction either into a donor host or a nondonor recipient will provide immune response protection.

Abstract: Disclosed is an X-ray imaging system that comprises a high ratio, high primary transmission anti-scatter grid in combination with a dynamic X-ray tube output function to eliminate or reduce gridline artifacts. Conventional X-ray imaging systems utilizing conventional anti-scatter grids generally require that the grid be moved a distance of at least 20 grid pitches to eliminate gridline artifacts. Through the use of the anti-scatter grid and dynamic output function described, such artifacts are eliminated or substantially reduced when the grid travels a short distance. Any function that has zero frequency components at positive integer multiples of the reciprocal of the grid repeat time will completely suppress gridline artifacts. Any function that is equal to the convolution of an arbitrary function with a rect function whose width is a positive multiple of the grid repeat time will fit this criterion, and its use will completely suppress gridline artifacts.

Abstract: The inventor discloses and claims a device for signaling the inflation condition of tires, as externally visible or as may be registered by remote audio or visual cues. The device generally is adapted to be attached to the stem valve of a tire without causing substantial loss of air pressure in the tire. The device may be loaded to register the inflation condition of the tire, following which loading the device may continue to register the inflation condition, without causing substantial loss of pressure in the tire.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a self-powered fluid meter that uses the kinetic energy of a fluid being measured to provide power for circuitry that may perform functions related to the fluid measurement. An element is placed within a rotating magnetic field created from the kinetic energy of a fluid. This element creates an electrical pulse to power the circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for measuring both the magnitude of rotation of a rotating magnetic field as well as the direction of rotation of a rotating magnetic field. The present invention may be used to measure the magnitude and direction of fluid flow by converting the kinetic energy of a moving fluid into a rotating magnetic field. At least two stationary sensors are placed in the magnetic field to detect the resulting changes in magnetic flux polarity occurring and provide therefrom a determination of the magnitude and direction of fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric sharpening machine for chain saws capable of correctly sharpening the teeth at any number of desired cutting angles within a given range; this system according to the invention allows rotation of an upper portion of the saw, including the motor and the grinding wheel. The chain to be sharpened can be progressed and automatically gripped by the lowering of the grinding wheel into a grinding position. The chain may be turned 180° for grinding opposing teeth when the upper part is rotated into a complimentary position. In this way it is possible to let the abrasive grinding wheel sharpen the saw teeth, both in case of left and right teeth, with rotation occurring towards the inner part of the teeth and opposite to the position of the operator for avoiding ejecting dangerous sparks and materials at the operator.

Abstract: A method is described whereby dendritic cells derived from the CD34+ and CD 34− hematopoietic cell lineages are directed to become programmable antigen presenting cells. The programmed cells may be pulsed with tumor cell RNA or tumor cell RNA expression products. The protocol provides for directing the maturation of dendritic cells to become antigen presenting cells. The protocol further provides for isolating tumor cell RNA from biopsy material that has been prepared in paraffin block storage. The directed dendritic cell is provided with a plurality of tumor markers by using tumor RNA in toto, the poly A+RNA fraction or the expression product of such RNA. Once activated the dendritic cells are incubated with T4 and T8 lymphocytes to stimulate and sensitize the T lymphocytes which upon introduction either into a donor host or a nondonor recipient will provide immune response protection.

Abstract: A device for retrieving balls, such as golf balls, is disclosed. The device comprises an elongate shaft attached to a hollow cylindrical head of a resilient material, such as PVC. The head has an open end, the diameter of which allows it to accept the ball and hold it. The head has at least one notch extending from the edge of the forward end towards the rear of the head, and a pin affixed diametrically through walls of the head forward of the terminus of the notch. In a preferred embodiment, there are two notches in the forward end of the head diametrically opposed from one another and the pin is offset approximately ninety degrees from the notches. With this device, a golf ball lying on the ground, partially buried in the ground, underwater, obscured in brush, leaves, or tall grass, can be retrieved from nearly any angle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a musical training device to determine when the air support applied to a musical instrument is sufficient to produce an acceptable musical tone, and to alert the musician when the air support required to produce an acceptable musical tone has been achieved. The device can be incorporated into a musical instrument without altering the manner and style in which the musical instrument is played, allowing the musician to correlate the feel of producing an air support sufficient to produce an acceptable musical tone, with the sound of the correct musical tone.

Abstract: A porous diffuser is disclosed. The porous diffuser can be in the form of a hose or other structure, the wall of the hose or structure having many small and irregularly shaped channels and pores that allow gas to seep out of the hose into the liquid. The diffuser receives air, oxygen or other gasses, and releases these gasses as bubbles into the liquid through the channels and pores. As the bubbles migrate in the liquid, they diffuse their gas into the liquid, as well a mix the liquid. The porous diffuser also provides for convenient methods to purge the system of liquid that has seeped into the diffuser during normal use and to retrieve the diffuser when maintenance, repair or replacement is required. An anchoring system can be incorporated with the porous diffuser to overcome buoyancy problems associated with gas in a liquid environment which can reduce or prevent proper gas distribution.

Abstract: A mobile table for batter dipping and breading food products such as chicken pieces, shrimp, fish pieces and other food products prior to cooking such as by deep frying. The table includes a batter pan and a breading pan oriented adjacent to each other and supported in a table top. A self-contained refrigeration system is provided in a cabinet underneath the table top to cool the batter pan, the breading pan and to chill water in a refrigerated water reservoir to supply prechilled water to the batter pan. The refrigeration system maintains the batter material in the batter pan and breading material in the breading pan at a temperature to retard or substantially reduce bacteria growth.

Abstract: A conventional length golf club with a grip including a heavy counterweight, the mass of which is sufficient to cause the center of gravity of the whole golf club to be located within the boundaries of the grip. The counterweight may be an elongated member with a bore through its interior, and in order to achieve the object of placing the center of gravity within the boundaries of the grip, it must have a substantially larger cross-section than the standard-diameter shaft of a golf club. The grip may include a lower support section made of a substantially less massive material than the counterweight. In a preferred embodiment, the grip has an elliptical cross section with the major axis of the ellipse perpendicular to the face of the club head. The heavy weight of the grip, and the placement of the weight outward of the shaft, effects a substantial increase in the moment of inertia of the golf club and therefore minimizes the effects of unintended forces on the club during the putting stroke.