Abstract: A golf putter has a head and a shaft connected to the head at a toe end. The head has an L-shaped cross section and a lower edge of a putting surface is smoothly curved with a lowermost point at an approximate midpoint between the toe and a heel of the head. The head has a hosel thereon that is integral with the head for receiving the shaft at a fixed angle. The shaft is straight.

Abstract: A new high resolution confocal and non-confocal scanning laser macroscope is disclosed which achieves fine focus and control of focus position by moving a lens in the intermediate optics. This arrangement is particularly useful for imaging specimens where it is difficult to focus by changing the distance between the scan lens and the specimen, for example for in-vivo imaging, photodynamic therapy, and image-guided surgery. It is also important to keep the lens-to-specimen distance constant when a liquid-immersion scan lens is used, in order to maintain a constant thickness of liquid between the lens and the specimen. In addition to being useful for confocal slicing, motion of the intermediate lens under computer control also enables dynamic focus and the ability to move the focal spot along a general path inside the specimen. Several applications of the imaging system are described.

Abstract: A work boot has an anatomical tongue that is asymmetrical about a longitudinal line of the tongue extending vertically upward from a mind-point of a bottom of said tongue. The tongue contains memory foam and shapes itself to a particular user. The memory foam causes the tongue to retain its shape. The side walls of the boot have J-bars extending inward therefrom. The J-bars also contain memory foam to comfortably fit the foot of a particular user.

Abstract: An emission control device and a method of operation thereof removes particulates from air. The air is directed into the device after finely divided mist has been added to the air. The air is abruptly forced to change directions within the device and the added moisture is removed along with the particulates. A fan with inner vanes and outer blades is located within the device to direct the flow of air and to remove the moisture and particulates.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for identifying and categorizing the weight and characteristics of the occupant currently occupying a vehicle seat. The method for identifying and categorizing the occupant or object involves measuring the deflection of the upper surface of the seat cushion at one or more points due to compression of the cushion produced by the weight distribution of the occupant. The system contains multiple sensor/emitter pairs for detecting the deflection. The system also includes a sensor to measure ambient temperature, preferably for temperature compensation due to the effects extreme temperatures may have on the compression properties of the seat cushion material and sensor/emitter pairs. A system processor interprets the data acquired by the sensors, and utilizes an algorithm and training tables to output a control signal indicative of the categorization of the occupant or object.

Abstract: An articulating arm is infinitely adjustable within a pre-determined range. A pivot arm has arcuate surfaces extending therefrom with a brake pivotally mounted to intersect a path of rotation of the arcuate surfaces. Two heat treated shoes provide the arcuate surfaces. The brake is a plate that is controlled to lock or unlock the pivot member relative to a bracket to which the pivot member is pivotally connected. A support is pivotally connected to the pivot member at an end opposite of the bracket. The brake is unlocked manually by forcing the support upward when the support is in a locked position relative to the pivot member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for identifying and categorizing the weight and characteristics of the occupant currently occupying a vehicle seat. The method for identifying and categorizing the occupant or object involves measuring the deflection of the upper surface of the seat cushion at several points and therefore the weight distribution of the occupant. The system contains multiple weight sensors arrayed for detecting the distribution of the load causing the seat deflection. The system also includes a sensor to measure ambient temperature, preferably for temperature compensation due to the effects extreme temperatures may have on the compression properties of the seat cushion material and the weight sensors. A system processor interprets the data acquired by the sensors, and utilizes an algorithm and weight tables to simulate a neural network in providing an output a control signal indicative of the categorization of the occupant or object.

Abstract: An improved double wall tank has two or more threaded fittings, with a steel outer tank and a thermoplastic inner tank. The inner tank is formed within the outer tank by rotational molding. The inner tank is bonded to the outer tank in an area of the fittings, but is otherwise separate and apart from the outer tank. Before carrying out the rotational molding process, bonding material is applied to the outer tank in the area of the fittings. The thermoplastic material is in powder form and includes mold release material. The thermoplastic material is inserted into the outer tank before rotational molding. The degree of shrinkage of the inner tank can be controlled by air pressure including an area between the fittings.

Abstract: A light assembly for a barbecue grill has a body with an extension at one end and a light at the other end. The barbecue grill has a hollow handle extending from one side of a lid. The handle is hollow and the extension is sized to fit with the handle. The light assembly and barbecue grill are used in combination.

Abstract: A portable folding chair without legs has a seat and a backrest. In a compact position, the seat and backrest lie substantially in the same plane with the backrest located immediately to the rear and sides of the seat. The chair has an upright position where the backrest is mounted at an angle that is greater than substantially 90° relative to the seat.

Abstract: A V-shaped flavor plate is used in a barbecue in place of briquettes. The V-shaped flavor plate has three inverted V-shaped sections forming three peaks and two valleys. A plurality of spaced oblong openings are located along a lowermost surface of the valleys. The openings are separated by ridges that prevent the collection of flammable liquids.

Abstract: An air valve assembly for a fire hydrant includes a pressure responsive valve means removably mounted at or near a top of a fire hydrant and more specifically to a fire hydrant bearing housing. The pressure responsive valve means is adapted to open when the fire hydrant is not in use and to close when the fire hydrant is in use.

Abstract: A dispensing machine stores and dispenses containers longitudinally within the machine up to the time that a container is released to the outlet. The containers are arranged in vertical columns within the machine with four adjacent columns making up one set. Each set has a separate motor and the machine has a maximum selection equal to the number of sets. Each set has an upper abutment and a lower abutment that together control the movement of containers of each set to the outlet in succession. The two abutments are located a distance of less than the height of one container apart from one another. The containers are narrower at a top than at a base.

Abstract: A microwave cavity has a cut resonator therein that is conductor-loaded. Filters made from one or more cavities having cut resonators therein have improved spurious performance over previous filters. A filter can have two conductor loaded resonators in one cavity or a combination of conductor loaded resonators and dielectric resonators in different cavities.

Abstract: A heating unit has a cartridge that constitutes a single component, which can be readily removed and replaced with a new cartridge. The cartridge is a plurality of non-flammable layers bound together in a border. The layers include a stainless steel mesh located above a layer of ceramic wool. With the cartridge, replacement can be accomplished in less then fifteen minutes compared to a downtime of a week or more previously.

Abstract: A vaporizer is connected to a liquid propane supply. The vaporizer contains a helical coil immersed in a bath. A pressure regulator at an inlet to the coil reduces the pressure and vaporizes part of the propane. A burner connected to the outlet of the vaporizer is used to heat the bath. Part of the vapor is returned to the supply to pressurize the supply. The main part of the vapor from the outlet is used to power a fuel powered device.

Abstract: A hydroelectric power plant uses a plurality of windmills connected to compressed air generators to produce pressurized air. Pressurized air is used to drive water through a turbine to produce electrical power. The water is recycled and the power plant includes reserve pressurized air tanks to allow the plant to continue to operate when the wind levels are not sufficient to produce high pressure air. The power plant is designed to be operated on a continuous basis based on wind power. When the wind subsides and the reserve capacity has been exhausted, electricity can be drawn from the local utility supplier. When excess power is generated by the power plant, electricity from the power plant can be added to the grid of the local electricity supplier.

Abstract: A hydroelectric power plant uses a plurality of windmills connected to compressed air generators to produce pressurized air. Pressurized air is used to drive water through a turbine to produce electrical power. The water is recycled and the power plant includes reserve pressurized air tanks to allow the plant to continue to operate when the wind levels are not sufficient to produce high pressure air. The power plant is designed to be operated on a continuous basis based on wind power. When the wind subsides and the reserve capacity has been exhausted, electricity can be drawn from the local utility supplier. When excess power is generated by the power plant, electricity from the power plant can be added to the grid of the local electricity supplier.

Abstract: A heating unit has a cartridge that constitutes a single component, which can be readily removed and replaced with a new cartridge. The cartridge is a plurality of non-flammable layers bound together in a border. The layers include a stainless steel mesh located above a layer of ceramic wool. With the cartridge, replacement can be accomplished in approximately fifty minutes compared to a downtime of a week or more previously.

Abstract: A PCMCIA card is provided with integrated connectors for standard telephone or LAN or other communication medium for use in corresponding slots of a laptop computer. The card has a first assembly and a second assembly that are movable relative to one another. The card can be operated in a fully contracted position or in a fully extended position or in a number of intermediate positions. In the extended position, the card can be connected to a telephone line or LAN using industry standard cables while occupying only one slot of the laptop leaving the other slot accessible to a second card. In the contracted position the card can be used in a laptop with two standard PCMCIA slots while being fully inside the PCMCIA card slot and connected to a telephone line and/or LAN using industry standard cables. The card has a sliding cover for connectors located at one end thereof.