Abstract: A single-use disposable cartridge and reusable interrogation platform for interrogating particles in a fluid carrier medium. The cartridge includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) embodied in a chip to perform electrical property interrogations of fluid flowing in a micro channel. Desirably, the microchannel is sized to cause single-file particle flow past a sensor portion of the MEMS chip.

Abstract: A rigging structure for a compound archery bow includes first and second pulley assemblies, pivotally mounted on axles at tips of corresponding first and second limbs of a compound bow and interconnected by cables. Each pulley assembly includes a dynamic synchronizing component, and the rigging preferably also includes structure adapted to avoid the usual leaning moment imposed upon the pulley assemblies by the cables of conventional riggings.

Abstract: An improved skateboard truck in which a curved support surface is configured to make line contact that sweeps back and forth along a working surface associated with a truck's axle as the axle oscillates through a cycle including left-turn and right-turn orientations. The axle pivots around the locus of line contact during at least a portion of the cycle. From a frame of reference associated with the support surface, the lines of contact are parallel at max-left and max-right turn configurations. Preferred embodiments include structure arranged to resist departure from a zero-turn configuration while permitting micro-turn adjustment. Structure may be included to limit the range of rolling rotation of the deck about its length axis.

Abstract: Clothing adapted for a child to wear while traveling in a car seat. The clothing includes sleeves, legs, and a hood connected to a back panel to form an always-open area over the child's chest. The always-open area avoids trapping material of the clothing between seat belt straps and the child's chest. Certain embodiments include a blanket that is sized to form a covering over the always-open area. Desirably, the blanket is optionally removable, to permit its use for other functions. When present, it is currently preferred for an edge of the blanket to be affixed to a visor of the hood. The distal ends of sleeves and legs in certain embodiments are permanently closed. In other cases, the ends may be optionally closed, or structured to remain open-ended. The clothing may include a plurality of layers to provide variable insulation.

Abstract: A method to manufacture microfluidic sensors, typically including componentizing substrate layers One such method includes providing a plurality of layers of material configured to permit their stacking to form at least a first cap layer, a first channel layer, an interrogation layer, and a second channel layer During assembly, ribbon sections of substrate layers are sandwiched to cooperatively align elements through-the-thickness of the sandwich Individual sensors are then removed from the sandwich ribbon A componentizing step includes forming one or more elements for successive sensors spaced along the axial length of a ribbon Certain elements include electrically conductive patterned structures preferably printed onto a substrate using conductive ink and a printing process, sometimes placing material in operable position to conduct electricity through the thickness of at least one nbbon Other elements may include channels, tunnels, and vias that can be machined, stamped, or cut into a ribbon section.

Abstract: A Coulter-style, microfluidic sensor formed by stacking a plurality of substantially non-electrically conductive layers, typically formed from thin polymer films. Certain layers carry patterned electrodes that are arranged to permit their connection to an electrical interrogation circuit. Electrodes may be disposed in a 3-dimensional array in the sensor. A fluid path through the sensor includes an orifice sized to promote single-file travel of particles. The orifice may be defined by a tunnel passing through at least one layer. Particles entrained in an electrolytic carrier fluid may be detected, or otherwise characterized, by interrogation circuitry connected to the sensor. Certain sensors may include portions of a fluid path disposed parallel to the layers. In certain preferred embodiments, the sensor is carried by a cartridge, which is adapted to couple with an interrogation platform.

Abstract: The axles of the eccentric pulley assemblies of a compound bow are journal mounted in pillow blocks carried by the limbs of the bow.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting particles of interest that are dispersed in a fluid mix, which typically includes other particles. The apparatus typically is associated with an interrogation platform arranged to operate in harmony with an opaque member having an orifice sized to promote single-file travel of the particles there-through. A currently preferred embodiment includes a light pipe configured to impinge stimulation-radiation substantially transverse to a direction of fluid flow through the opaque member. Particles of interest may be tagged using antibody-binding, fluorescing molecules. Stimulation radiation from the source causes the tagged particles to undergo a Stokes-shift emission of fluorescence. The resulting fluorescence is detected by the radiation detector and indicates passage of the particles of interest. One workable opaque member is advantageously included in a thin film assembly carried on a removable and disposable card that is adapted for reception in the interrogation platform.

Abstract: A vibration dampening device for use on compound archery bows. A device may be associated with one or more bow limb, with each device disposing a vibration damping bumper in position to shorten the vibrating length of the bow string at brace, compared to the vibrating length of a bow string of a comparable bow lacking the device(s). Certain embodiments couple bowstring vibration at brace with one or more cable. Preferred embodiments include a limb anchor adapted to distribute string-induced loading onto a bow limb at both sides of a string cam.

Abstract: A method for an explosion welding process to form composite pipes, such as for nuclear power equipment. The explosive welding process includes: (1) An explosives preparation method in which low detonation velocity explosives are produced by using powdery emulsion explosives as a base. The base is mixed completely and evenly with a certain amount of powdered pearl salt, wherein the size of the pearl salt particle is 100-200 mesh, and the ratio of emulsion explosives versus pearl salt is between about 3-5:1. (2) A method of inhibiting the negative influence on welding quality caused by the gap between a base tube and a mold, wherein: the roughness of the base tube outer surface is kept less than that of the mold's inner surface, with the difference in surface roughness being maintained within two-grades. In certain cases, a layer of 1.0.±.0.1 mm copper may be added between the outer wall of a base tube and the inner wall of the mold.

Abstract: An improved pipette tip (100) including an elongate body stretching between a proximal end (116) and a distal end (114). The body (112) is typically made from a plurality of layers (e.g. 130, 132, 134, 136, 138) configured and arranged to provide a fluid path extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. The improved pipette tip (100) includes a sensor component disposed to electrically interrogate fluid flowing along the fluid path. An operable sensor component includes an electrode (e.g. 154, 192) that is disposed in the fluid path to contact fluid therein. A pipette tip (100) may be embodied to: count particles, verify sample integrity (e.g. freedom from bubbles), monitor sample flow rate, and confirm an inspired volume, among other uses.

Abstract: Rigging for a compound archery bow including first and second pulley assemblies disposed at ends of opposite first and second bow limbs. Each pulley assembly includes an integral pivot axle, mounted to rotate about an axis at the tip of a limb on which it is mounted. Each pulley assembly also includes a string pulley component fixed to the axle, and having a non-circular peripheral string groove; a cable pulley component fixed to the axle, and having a peripheral cable take-up groove; a bowstring with opposite ends connected to the first and second pulley assemblies such that, at rest condition of the bow, the peripheral string grooves are substantially occupied by wrapped bowstring; a first cable segment, extending from the entry of the peripheral cable take-up groove of the first pulley assembly to an attachment carried by the second limb; and a second cable segment, extending from the entry of the peripheral cable take-up groove of the second pulley assembly to an attachment carried by the first limb.

Abstract: A holder effective to hold a telephone in operable association with a user's ear. The holder includes a band with a clamp formed by a cantilevered lever arm affixed to the band. Desirably, the band is adjustable to fit heads of different sizes. A telephone may be installed between the free end of the lever arm and the user's ear and cheek. An installed telephone is pressed in compression against a user's ear and cheek by a bias caused in the cantilevered arm by installation of the telephone. Preferred embodiments include provisions to adjust the clamp to fit telephones of different size and conformation.

Abstract: A rigging structure for a compound archery bow includes first and second pulley assemblies, pivotally mounted on axles at tips of corresponding first and second limbs of a compound bow and interconnected by cables. Each pulley assembly includes a dynamic synchronizing component, decoupled from the string and cable pulley components of the assembly.

Abstract: A platform of the type holding a plurality of normally-open electric switches in position for activation of a selected individual switch by application of a force in a direction normal to a surface of the switch by a portion of a human body. An exemplary platform according to the invention forms a dance platform on which a user steps to activate switches in accordance with instructions viewed on a video display device. A joining structure may by used to hold two platforms in a side-by-side competition arrangement. A security vault may be affixed to structure associated with platform to resist theft of a commercially available game controller adapted to operate the video display and to receive switch input from a platform. Certain aspects of the invention include one or more, typically inert, practice platforms structured to represent the user interface surface of an activatable platform. A method for using a system of active and inert platforms is also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery hold-down clamp effective to resist theft of a battery from a vehicle, such as an RV, boat, automobile, and the like. One version includes a metal strap that is bent to form a loop having a cross-section profile substantially in agreement with a held cross-section of a battery, or battery container. The metal strap is hinged, to permit the loop to be opened for its installation. A portion of anchor structure and the battery are then enclosed within the loop. The strap resists moving the battery away from the anchor structure. After the strap is placed around a battery and anchor, a lock is installed to resist opening of the loop and extraction of the battery in a radial direction. A structural interference may be formed between the installed strap and protruding structure associated with the battery, thereby resisting extraction of the battery from the loop in an axial direction.

Abstract: An actuator device operable to retract the cam elements of a spring-loaded camming device (SLCD) used in the sport of rock climbing. The actuator includes a remote finger and a remote thumb. The remote finger is mounted in a handle to permit translation of the remote finger along an axis, and rotation of the remote finger about that axis. In use, the remote finger can be rotated to present a narrow profile to pass between the trigger bar of a SLCD and a wall of a crack. Subsequent to its insertion behind the trigger bar, the remote finger can be rotated by about 90 degrees to capture the trigger bar. Then, the remote finger and remote thumb can be urged toward each other, effective to squeeze the SLCD and rotate its cam elements, to effect removal of the SLCD from the confines of the crack.

Abstract: A solar-rechargeable light fixture. A preferred embodiment is adapted for attachment to the horizontal cross-bar of a yard-mounted real estate sign effective to illuminate both sides of the sign after dark. The light fixture includes a solar panel adapted to charge a battery which powers a plurality of lights, such as incandescent bulbs or LEDs. Sometimes, a microprocessor is included in-circuit to control operation of the light fixture, and may also provide diagnostic feedback to a user. Desirably, the light fixture can be switched into a storage mode to avoid discharge of the battery during periods of non-use.