Abstract: A wheelchair lifting apparatus attachable beneath an undercarriage of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame positionable directly beneath and attachable to the undercarriage, a carriage slidably carried for horizontal movement on the frame lateral to the vehicle, and a lifting platform slidably carried on the frame in end-to-end proximity to the carriage for horizontal movement dependent upon movement of the carriage. An actuator is connected between the frame and the carriage and being operably arranged to effect movement of the carriage and the platform between the retracted and extended position of the platform. The frame and the actuator are cooperatively configured with the platform to lower and raise the platform while in the extended position with the wheelchair and user thereatop.

Abstract: A method of reducing infections associated with vascular access procedures. A powder containment device (PCD) is preferably adhesively attached to a skin area, the PCD having a hole formed centrally therethrough adapted to completely surround the catheter wound site. The open cavity formed by the PCD being attached to the skin is filled with a hemostatic agent of a salt ferrate and an insoluble cation exchange material. The salt ferrate combines with blood to form a trivalent Fe+++ ion promoting blood clotting and producing oxygen at the wound site for bacteria reduction. The cation exchange material also forms a protective cover over the wound site as the trivalent Fe+++ ion is formed. Semi-occlusive pressure is applied against the hemostatic agent for a time sufficient to arrest blood flow from the wound site right after inserting or removing the catheter. The PCD and hemostatic agent are then covered with an adhesive dressing.

Abstract: A golf club including a club head having an upright golf ball striking face and an elongated upright cavity formed into an upper surface of the club head and being positioned in close proximity to the striking face. A separate hosel sized for close fitting insertion into the cavity has a height greater than the depth of the cavity so that the hosel extends above the cavity after mechanical securement of the hosel within the cavity for viewing prominence and interchangeability. The hosel also has a diagonally upwardly extending hole for receiving and lockably supporting a distal lower end of the club shaft, the axis of the hole selectively oriented at an acute angle rearwardly with respect to a bottom surface of the club head to establish a lie angle of the golf club.

Abstract: A golf swing training apparatus including a golf club guide and, preferably, a support frame having spaced apart front and rear frame members connected together by a base frame member. The support frame is adjustably inclined at the lie angle of the golf club by a support arm. The golf club guide includes closely spaced apart front and rear guide ring segments which define a substantially planar circular shaped golf club swing slot therebetween, the swing slot having an unobstructed preferably adjustable width for free swing a golf club therewithin. The front guide ring segment is attached to and is supported by the front frame members while the rear guide ring segment is attached to and is supported by the rear frame member. An economy embodiment is also provided. A substantially flat club shaft guide supportively aligns the golf club shaft at the lie angle of the head.

Abstract: A high-pressure joint for sealing the high pressure at the tubing ends for a high-pressure fuel system on diesel and gasoline engines. One form of the invention of such a method is disclosed using a harder male fitting and a hard tube end and introducing a replaceable insert made out of a softer material of lower yield strength which will deform at both ends and seal the two mating harder components. This insert will be a throw away part to be replaced every time the system is serviced or repaired and the joint is broken. The cost for this insert is minimum and will reduce the fuel system service or repair cost saving money for the customer.

Abstract: A system for collecting the flow of sand and sediment in a water current including a catch basin and a seawater pumping arrangement. The catch basin includes a basin and a transfer tube, the basin having a bottom and a plurality of angled sidewalls defining a basin. The bottom basin aperture therethrough aligned with an aperture formed in the transport tube affixed horizontally below the bottom. The transfer tube preferably includes a wedge-shaped flow-enhancing cavity immediately downstream of the aligned apertures which enhances the flow of the sand and sediment from the basin. A longitudinal catch plate extending within a midportion of the transfer tube below the apertures prevents the sand and sediment from clogging the transfer tube when water flow through the transfer tube is off.

Abstract: Composite concrete/bamboo structural members and process of manufacture therefor. The bamboo material includes layers formed of bamboo segments which have been dried and glue coated. The segments are substantially free of outer nodes and husk and inner membrane material prior to application of glue. The longitudinal axes of the segments in each layer are generally parallel to one another and are arranged in a mold to surround the surface of a cured concrete core. The layers of segments are heated, compressed and bonded together until the glue cures around the concrete core into a single integral structure. The concrete core is preferably reinforced with steel REBAR rods.

Abstract: A manually manipulated assistive device for facilitating opening and closing a door by a handicapped person, especially one in a wheelchair. An elongated slender body preferably formed of a single transparent rigid plastic rod has a straight central portion, a hook formed at one end like a shepherd's hook and a hand or finger grasping handle at another end of the rod. The hook is adapted for snug snapping engagement over a neck area of a doorknob and, thereafter, for loose swinging supported movement relative to the doorknob. The rod has a length sufficient for the device to be held and pivoted on the hook about the neck area into a generally horizontal position by user grasping the handle to open or close the door. A retaining clip attached to the door at a height above the floor similar to that of the doorknob holds the device in a generally horizontal orientation stored ready for use.

Abstract: A cremation niche including a concrete masonry block formed as a single unit having an uninterrupted cross section which includes rectangular sides, top and bottom panels and open rectangular front and rear openings providing access into a hollow horizontally disposed interior of the concrete block. The concrete block material consistency and overall outside dimensions are equal to those of a conventional concrete building block. A plastic liner having an open front is snugly fit within and mating against inner surfaces of the concrete block which define the interior. A decorative faceplate covers the front opening, mating with the front surface and against a perimeter of the front opening of the liner.

Abstract: A method of matching a golfer's skills to a particular brand of golf balls by first testing a golfer's skills using a golf launch monitor, the data derived from this test being entered into an extensive computerized system of research databases. Further test results are taken for putting comparisons between all brands within the system. A final category known as “the feel index” is also tested and entered into the computer database. Based upon the results and golfer preference towards distance, accuracy, putting and feel, the top brand is selected for that person. This brand is then subjected to a series of air cannon tests to determine the performance characteristics of each ball. The balls are then subdivided into groups and performance rated for consistency.

Abstract: A putting training device for improving consistency of body position, putter path, putter face angle, and timing during a putting stroke. A body alignment target within a putter data module helps position the golfer's head directly over the ball for shoulder joint consistently relative to the ball. A magnet is securable to the C.G. of the putter head which is tracked by sensors within the module to help insure that the putter travels in a straight line on approach to ball strike. Optical sensors determine the putter face angle at ball impact. A metronome is also provided to practice swing timing. An end-of-swing delay indicator helps to hold the golfer's body in the correct position until the follow-through is complete. A series of lights and tones provides feedback indicating putter path to the ball and the putter face angle at ball impact.

Abstract: An air cannon apparatus and system for test launching golf balls. The apparatus includes a barrel sized to slidably receive a golf ball, an air pressure tank coupled to the barrel by an air control valve, a golf ball air clamp assembly for holding a golf ball for rotation about a spin axis within and transverse to the barrel, and a servomotor coupled to the air clamp assembly for controlledly spinning the golf ball prior to launching. The air control valve releases a charge of pressurized air from the air pressure tank into the barrel against the spinning golf ball simultaneous with releasing the clamp whereupon the golf ball is launched from the barrel. The system also includes a frame assembly for lockable positioning of the apparatus at a selected inclination angle and a system controller. The apparatus is selectively rotatable to vary the angular orientation of the spin axis.

Abstract: A pair of eyeglasses including right and left lenses, each having a top edge having a downwardly extending notch formed into a central portion of each said top edge, the notches preferably being sized to receive a tubular shape of an eyepiece of a microscope or other such optical device. A frame includes lens support structure to be worn over the bridge of the wearer's nose and carries the lenses so that, when the frame is worn in a normal wearing position, the lenses are in optical registry with the corresponding eye of the wearer and define a substantial lower vertical corrected field of vision for viewing objects close up through the lenses and a substantial upper vertical uncorrected field of vision extending upwardly from the top edges of said lenses for viewing distant objects by looking above the top edge of the lenses without repositioning the eyeglasses to utilize said upper and lower vertical fields of vision.

Abstract: A dehooking device with treble hook guard including an elongated rod having a handle disposed at a first end thereof. A spiral looped hook removal end is formed at a second end of the rod and a looped treble hook guard positioned in close proximity to the hook removal end is formed being transversely oriented to the rod. The hook guard defines a perimeter at least as large as that defined by the distal ends of the hooks of a treble hook to shield the hooks from reengagement with the fish as the treble hook is being withdrawn from the fish along with the device.