Abstract: A bottom roller drive mechanism for a subterranean soil processing tool is provided. The tool is connected to a string of Kelly bar sections. Each Kelly bar section has a preferably square, or other polygonal, cross-section. A plurality of roller wheels is mounted in a drive assembly connected to the bottom rotary drive plate. The roller wheel assembly engages the faces of each Kelly bar section and rotates the Kelly bar around a vertical axis A-A. The upper and lower ends of each Kelly bar section are tapered to form a reduced cross-section at each joint. The roller drive assembly is free to rotate at each joint without rotating the Kelly bar. This allows misaligned Kelly bar sections to pass through the drive mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for lowering the fundamental frequency of a cajon drum. A first side wall of the cajon drum is the drumhead. An opening is formed in a second side wall, wherein the opening may be circular, oval, rectangular or other shape. An insert having a cross-section conforming to the shape of the opening is slid into the opening and mounted to the side wall in which the opening is formed. Various techniques for connecting the insert to the side wall of the drum are disclosed. The insert may be fitted into the drum opening during the initial manufacture of the drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming an in situ subterranean soil cement structure wherein a soil processing tool incorporates a novel cyclonic mixing region. The cyclonic mixing region is formed by deflecting a jetstream which initially moves away from a hollow Kelly and, after being deflected, the jetstream is redirected into a direction flowing towards the hollow Kelly. A contoured flight is provided having an exterior contoured surface extending upwardly from a central section of the contoured flight and bends through an angle greater than 110° in order to deflect a jetstream which is directed outwardly from the hollow Kelly back towards the hollow Kelly. By preventing any of the high pressure jetstreams from impacting the side wall of the hole, higher jetstream velocities and pressures may be utilized. Two or more jetstreams may also be utilized to direct their jetstreams around a central horizontal axis to provide the cyclonic mixing region.

Abstract: A fire and/or water resistant enclosure is provided for housing an operable digital data storage device. The enclosure is a low cost, preferably molded gypsum enclosure having various embodiments for providing resistance to fire occurring outside said enclosure and/or to water. In one embodiment, a fan cooperates with one or more hatchless ventilation passageways to cool the digital data storage device. Another embodiment provides a water resistant pouch surrounding the data storage device which may be made of flexible foil or of finned relatively robust and non-flexible thermal conductor. The enclosure in some embodiments utilizes a fan and in some embodiments operates without a fan. Similarly, the enclosure in some embodiments utilizes movable hatches and in other embodiments is hatchless in design.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning accumulated silt from the floor of a percolation basin are provided. An underwater terrain vehicle (UTV) moves along the basin floor and carries a series of blades that cut and lift the accumulated silt. An eductor driven vacuum head also carried by the UTV vacuums fragmented silt and transports the entrained fragmented silt through a vacuum hose into a location where the silt particles are separated from the water in which they are entrained. The UTV carries a first sonar for continuously scanning the basin floor and which is utilized to guide the UTV. A second sonar is placed in the basin in a known location and continuously scans and continuously monitors the location of the UTV on the basin floor. An operator remotely guides the UTV from an onshore location.

Abstract: A disaster resistant data storage module is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the module is sized to fit into a standard drive bay inside the chassis of a personal computer or server. Standard sized hard drives may be utilized. For example a 2.5 inch standard hard drive may be placed in a protective enclosure which is in turn sized to fit in a standard 3.5 inch drive bay. Another aspect of the invention is to provide a highly reflective exterior surface or coating which reflects radiant energy from a fire but which simultaneously conducts heat generated by a data storage device carried within the module.

Abstract: A multi-layer laminate media is provided on which information may be applied in machine or human readable form on a visible front surface by the output of one or more lasers, or other high intensity light source. In a preferred embodiment, the media has three layers including a substrate, a thermochromic layer and a light absorbent layer such as carbon black located intermediate the media substrate and the thermochromic layer. The light absorbent layer is adapted to absorb light from the light source and convert the absorbed light into heat. The heat is immediately conducted into selected portions of the thermochromic layer which is in thermal contact with the light absorbent layer, causing portions of the thermochromic layer to change visual appearance such as color to create the desired mark. The invention includes a method and apparatus for using the media in conjunction with labeling produce items.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus for applying labels to produce is provided which utilizes three or more label cassettes angularly disposed in coplanar fashion adjacent a rotary bellows applicator. The cassettes may include labels indicating different sizes or grades of produce, for example, and each produce item being labeled may have a label selected from any one of said multiple cassettes. High label speeds in excess of 1000 labels per minute are achieved along with selective labeling.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing apples is provided. The slicer utilizes thinner blades than known in the art, with a thickness less than 300 microns, and preferably between 180 and 220 microns. Each of the thinner blades is supported against bending, warping or twisting by a novel clinch buckle which rigidly supports the outer end or ends of each blades. The clinch buckle is rigidly connected to bent tabs formed at the outer end or ends of each blade and supports the outer ends across the full width of the blades. The clinch buckle is supported by an outer blade support ring and is captured by the outer support ring to prevent rotation of the clinch buckle. The thinner blade reduces cell damage, reduces the amount of sealant or neutralizer needed to slow or prevent oxidation of enzymes released from cells ruptured by slicing, and delays the onset of browning. A serrated blade is used to further reduce the extent of cell damage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for maximizing the punch of a bass kick-drum and simultaneously minimizing the ringing of the drum. An insert is provided having a cylindrically shaped body adapted to be slid into a conventional circular opening formed in the resonant membrane of the drum. The cylindrical insert is held in contact with the resonant membrane by one of several mounting techniques. The weight of the insert and the length and diameter of the body of the insert are sized in a manner to lower the fundamental frequency of the resonant membrane and to increase the amplitude of the fundamental resonant frequency and to simultaneously dampen the vibration of the resonant membrane, which three factors are all part of increased “punch.” The ringing of the drum is minimized by quickly dampening the vibration of the resonant membrane wherein the increased dampening is caused by the weight and shape of the insert.

Abstract: A three wheeled baby stroller is provided with a single steerable rear wheel. The stroller preferably has the three wheels positioned to form an equilateral triangle, resulting in a highly maneuverable stroller. The stroller has a minimized turning swath and is easily steered. The stroller has a simple and relatively lightweight design. The seat for the infant is positioned relatively low to the ground to increase stability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically drying a tennis court or other flat surface after rainfall is provided. A robotic vehicle cooperates with a sensing unit preferably mounted on a fence adjacent the court or other paved surface. A sensing unit detects the onset and cessation of rain and then waits a predetermined amount of time. After waiting, the sensing unit transmits a signal to the robotic vehicle which actuates the vehicle. The robotic vehicle includes an on-board controller which is internally programmed with a map of the court including obstructions. The robotic vehicle automatically sponge rolls the entire court. A thermal imaging camera connected to the sensing unit then scans the court to determine if any wet spots remain. The location of any remaining wet spots is recorded and transmitted to the on-board controller of the robotic vehicle. The robotic vehicle then returns to the location of the wet spots and automatically sponge rolls and fan dries those remaining wet spots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for building a reinforced sea wall or levee. The reinforced structure is designed particularly for use in areas of soft sub-soil such as those sub-soils found near the Gulf of Mexico which are capable of bearing loads of less than 5 pounds per square inch of weight. The structure includes first and second rows of soil-cement columns formed on opposite sides of the centerline of the structure. Soil-cement columns are formed by mechanically cutting the soft sub-soil and simultaneously hydraulically mixing the cut soft soil with a cement slurry injected at velocities of 200 feet per second or more. Reinforcing structural elements, preferably H-beams, are embedded in at least some of the soil-cement columns in each of the two rows. Tensile load bearing members, such as cables or beams, are interconnected between some of the reinforcing structural elements in the first row of soil-cement columns with some of the structural elements in the second row of soil-cement columns.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically and periodically measuring a patient's blood glucose level wherein the patient has a catheter in a blood vessel and is receiving infusion fluid through the catheter. A testing unit is provided which has a main infusion channel and, in a preferred embodiment, the testing unit includes a side channel. The side channel has a restrictive cross-sectional area compared with the main infusion channel. A glucose test chamber is formed in the side channel. First and second valves are placed adjacent the test chamber in the side channel to isolate a blood sample for testing. The isolation of the sample provides more accurate blood glucose measurements than those provided by systems of the prior art. A second embodiment of the invention has an isolatable test chamber placed in the main infusion line and no side channel is utilized.

Abstract: A fire and/or water resistant enclosure is provided for housing an operable digital data storage device. The enclosure is a low cost, preferably molded enclosure having various embodiments for providing resistance to fire and/or water. In one embodiment, a fan cooperates with one or more hatchless ventilation passageways to cool the digital data storage device. Passageways are sized to be sufficiently small to limit the transfer of heat through those passages sufficiently to prevent damage to the data storage device and to prevent loss of data stored thereon. Another embodiment provides a water resistant pouch surrounding the data storage device which may be made of flexible foil or of finned relatively robust and non-flexible thermal conductor. The enclosure in some embodiments utilizes a fan and in some embodiments operates without a fan. Similarly, the enclosure in some embodiments utilizes movable hatches and in other embodiments is hatchless in design.

Abstract: A single-use lancet device is provided for drawing capillary blood samples. The device includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion and a trigger carried by the upper portion of the body. The trigger is movable between a first raised position wherein the device is cocked and a second depressed position wherein the device is fired. A needle assembly is provided which is movable between a cocked position and a striking position. A free-floating drive spring is provided for moving the needle assembly from its cocked position to its striking position. A bounceback spring is integrally molded with the needle assembly and includes a pair of generally V-shaped spring arms. A trigger bar has a first position wherein it holds the needle assembly in its cocked position, and the trigger bar has a second position wherein it allows the needle assembly to move to its striking position as the drive spring expands.

Abstract: A bi-directional (BiDi) electrical to optical converter (transceiver) module is described that contains means for communicating in a full duplex fashion over one fiber. Furthermore, an automatic fail-over capability is included which allows redundancy to be build in to the transceiver. In one configuration, a BiDi transceiver module contains two lasers at different wavelengths and a means for establishing which wavelength to communicate with. An example of an application for the described invention is a storage area network application which requires redundant links and are currently bound by the number of fibers connecting to the front panels of switches.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting users of surfboards, kayaks and other personal water activity apparatus against sharks and other water-borne predators is provided. A plurality of lights is provided on the bottom and side surfaces of the personal water activity apparatus. The lights are actuated to mask and distort the shadow, shape or outline of the user together with the personal water activity apparatus, in effect camouflaging the user and his or her personal water activity apparatus. The lights may be actuated either manually or automatically. Sensors are provided to detect the stage of ambient light in order to automatically actuate the light sources.

Abstract: A multiple stage, single pass and non-recirculating refrigeration system is provided for either outdoor use or for use with temporary structures such as emergency firefighter tents. The refrigeration system utilizes, for example, three evaporative coils in series to achieve a 48° F. reduction of temperature and 70% reduction of humidity in a single pass, i.e., the output airstream from the refrigeration system is not recirculated to the blower as it is in the case of conventional air conditioning systems. The large amounts of super cool air provided by the invention can be used to cool athletes on the sidelines of a football field or firefighters who need to cool off to prevent heat stroke.