Abstract: An article is disclosed which provides for powering or charging the battery of a variety of different electronic devices, with the article being in two parts. The first part has components such that it is "universal" for use with all of the variety of different devices, and the second part has components which are specific to the operation of only a single model, type or brand of such device or of closely related devices which operate with the same voltage and plug-compatibility requirements of the specific device. In particular, the article with both parts (modules) present will operate a specific model, type or brand of device. However one can disconnect the two parts from each other and connect a different second part for a different device to the same first part, thereby being able to operate two different devices with substitution of only one part (the second) rather than requiring substitution of the entire article when a difference device must be powered or its battery charged.

Abstract: A method of producing coated powder material is provided. In the method, molten metal or metal alloy is caused to fall in a stream (3) and is then atomized into a spray. A liquid or solid material of different composition is introduced and caused to contact the stream or spray so that a coating is formed over all or part of the surface of the atomized droplets. The coating may be the introduced material or a reaction product.

Abstract: A two position motor vehicle safety screen is adapted to be mounted in either a front or rear position within the vehicle interior. The screen is fixedly secured in the front position by a pair of short length upper securing straps, each of which has its forward end attached to the screen and its rear end secured to the vehicle roof by a quick release connector and a pair of relatively long bottom securing straps each of which has its forward end releasably attached to the screen and its rear end pivotally attached to an anchorage fitting in the vehicle floor. In the rear position, the screen is secured in position by the upper straps and also by means of a pair of hook forming attachment lugs depending from the bottom end of the screen and which are arranged to releasably interlock with the anchorage fittings, in which position the bottom securing straps are disengaged from the screen and swung inwardly to a storage position in front of the screen.

Abstract: A process, composition and apparatus for the removal of water from moist non-corrosive gases (such as those containing oxygen or CO.sub.2) down to .ltoreq.10-20 ppb water concentration are described. The dehydrating agent is an oxide or salt of an electropositive metal and has a surface area of at least 140 m.sup.2 /g, preferably 140-500 m.sup.2 /g, is compatible with the gas, and preferably is capable of dehydrating such gases to .ltoreq.1 ppb, preferably to as low as 500 ppt. The electropositive metal will be a Group 3b, 4b or lanthanide metal or vanadium. The preferred agent is a high surface area titania, zirconia, yttria or vanadia, with titania most preferred. The dehydrating agent can be in the form of a pelleted or granular bulk material or a coating on or within the pores of a substrate. The agent is retained in a simple container which is easily installed in a gas supply line for the gas, such as to a gas- or vapor-deposition manufacturing unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a toy building block made of a semi-rigid plastic material and joinable to at least one other building block, including a plurality of projections extending from at least one surface of the block, and undercut recesses disposed on the surface opposite to the at least one surface, at least some of which recesses being in substantial alignment with the projections, the projections having a head portion and a neck portion of reduced size and constituting male joining elements, the undercut recesses constituting female joining elements, being at least partial counterparts of the projections, wherein, by application of pressure on two blocks to be joined, elastic deformation of at least the female joining elements will cause the head portions of the male joining elements and the undercut portions of the recesses to snap into mutual engagement.

Abstract: A portable armrest (100) provides assistance in rising from or descending into a armless sitting device (10) such as a chair, sofa, couch, bench or vehicle seat. Two handles (110, 112) are connected to a base having a shape that allows the user to sit directly on the seating surface (20) of the armless sitting device (10).

Abstract: A light fixture comprising a metal housing and at least one lamp assembly mounted inside the housing. The housing, includes a metal backing plate and a metal cover secured to the backing plate. The lamp assembly is mounted in an interior of the housing providing light through an aperture in the metal cover. The backing plate is formed with at least one projecting tongue that can be inserted between the base and cover section of a metal raceway. Electrical conductors may be pulled through the raceway for connection to the lamp assembly.

Abstract: A tower guillotine cigar end cutter has spaced twin towers with an upper crossbeam on a base, with a moveable cutter block and blade that is raised vertically by a rope, between the towers. Upon release, the cutting blade and block falls on a lower block having a channel for the blade, thereby cutting the end off a cigar. The cutter block has adjacent half-circle openings for receiving a cigar end. The moveable cutter block when raised by a rope is released when a release mechanism on the rope, contacts the crossbeam. A locking device locks the cutter block from being vertically moved from the lower block, when not in use.

Abstract: A campfire box forms an enclosure having an open top, a closed bottom floor, and inner and outer side walls extending around the periphery of the enclosure with the inner side walls being of insulating material. One or more layers of fire insulating material cover the floor. The insulating side panels and floor provide a cavity formed of fire insulating material for enclosing combustible material.

Abstract: A multilayer printed circuit board has prefabricated inner signal layers and unfinished top and bottom layers for customizing the board for a particular test installation. Each signal layer has a predetermined arrangement of circuits, each circuit having first and second via pads at opposite ends of the circuit. The first via pads form a virtual grid for selective connection to test points of a unit under test. The top layer is processed to provide a test pad aligned with each test point on a unit under test, a via pad for each test pad which is aligned with the closest available virtual grid via, and a connecting trace between each test pad and the associated via pad. Plated through holes are drilled through the board at each outer layer via pad for connection to the aligned virtual grid via. Similar processing of the bottom layer connects the via pad at the opposite end of each assigned inner layer circuit to an interface pad for connection to a respective terminal of automated test equipment.

Abstract: A method of heating a surface in which a wire mesh or netting heating element is spread evenly over or just under an area to be heated, and through which an electrical current is driven. The two ends of the heating element are connected to the secondary terminals of a transformer, which converts the supply voltage to a low and safe level.

Abstract: A skimmer valve system for a swimming pool includes a skimmer mounted in a wall of the swimming pool that has an intake port coupled via a primary suction pipe to the suction system of the swimming pool, and further includes a valve mounted in the intake port of the skimmer, and a secondary suction pipe coupled into the primary suction pipe. The other end of the secondary suction pipe terminates at a coupling in a wall of the pool or a similarly convenient location for connecting a conventional pool cleaner. Adjusting the valve controls the division of the total suction between the skimmer and the pool cleaner.

Abstract: The procedure for Over-The-Air Parameter Administration (OTAPA) utilizes the over-the-air programming protocol and procedures which support the Over-The-Air Service Provisioning (OTASP) feature in accordance with established industry standards (TIA/EIA/IS-683). The mobile phone is programmed with a service option for changing the NAM parameters including an identification number for this option. The network base station sends a message to the mobile phone using the identification number and, if the mobile phone has OTAPA capability, it responds indicating support. The base station then transmits message telling the mobile station to proceed to the Traffic Channel and inquires whether the encryption mode is enabled, proceeding with the OTAPA only if the encryption mode is enabled. Once on the Traffic Channel, a Parameter Change Code (PCC) is sent. If the PCC is verified by the mobile unit, the base station proceeds to update the parameters and store the updated parameters into the phone's memory.

Abstract: A foam of very small, microscopic bubbles of surfactant, each bubble containing a small quantity of water, is mixed with a water/cement mixture having a water to cement ratio of less than 0.33. The small bubbles have a ball bearing effect on the smaller cement and sand particles, increasing plasticity or flowability and thus reducing the water requirements of the mixture. The foamed cement mixture is laid to form a desired concrete structure, and the bubbles disintegrate or transform to leave voids of similar size uniformly dispersed throughout the concrete structure.

Abstract: A shower head has an array of spray nozzles arranged over an outlet face. A first set of nozzles is connected to a cold water supply to provide cold water spray nozzles, and a second set of the nozzles is connected to a hot water supply to provide hot water spray nozzles. A third set of nozzles surrounds the hot and cold water nozzles, and is connected to a mixed water supply at a temperature between the hot and cold water temperatures.

Abstract: A bending machine has a machine bed on which a pipe supporting carriage is mounted to move a pipe in a first direction toward a dual bend head assembly at the forward end of the machine bed. The assembly has a support frame and first and second spaced bend heads each rotatably mounted on the frame for rotation about a horizontal bend axis aligned with the bend axis of the other bend head. Each bend head has at least one pair of opposing bend and clamp dies defining a die cavity. The dual bend head assembly is movably mounted on the forward end of the machine bed for movement in a horizontal direction transverse to the pipe axis between at least two horizontally spaced positions in which the pipe is aligned with the die cavity of the first and second bend head, respectively.

Abstract: A needless valve is described which avoids the suctioning problems of the prior needleless devices upon deactivation and which preferably provides a positive self-purging effect. The valve is self-purging at the end of an administration cycle, avoiding clogging of attached catheters or other devices, and ensures that substantially all of liquid received into the valve is delivered to the receiver. The valve is also extremely simple in design and easy to construct and assemble, since it consists of only three pieces. The valve has a base with a connector for fluid communication attachment to tubing or other device, a solid elongated fluid channeling rod, and an internal fluid flow conduit; a flexible hollow expandable and contractible plug fitting over and moveable along the rod; and a tubular housing fitting over the plug and attached to the base.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus has a support frame and a bench press assembly rotatably mounted on the support frame. The bench press assembly includes a yoke having a central portion pivotally linked to the frame for swinging movement about a first pivot axis, and opposite side portions, a biassing load linked to the yoke for resisting movement about the first axis, and a pair of handle arms each pivotally connected to a respective one of the yoke side portions for independent articulation. Each handle arm has a handle at each end and is connected to the yoke at a location intermediate the ends of the handle arm.