Abstract: The system uses a microcomputer (81) to provide a practical and useable graphic representation of the fairways (12) and greens (11) for any golf course in order to record shot locations (14) and measure playing performance during an actual round of golf as contrasted to a simulation of a golf game. A player will interact with the diagrams produced by the system's software and illustrated on a display or monitor (80). The design of the system enables the player to accurately determine the locations of all shots and calculates and displays:(a) shot or club distances (FIG. 6 );(b) shot or club accuracy (within 1-2 yards) to the center of the green from ball locations (14) ranging up to 200 yards from the center of the green;(c) shot or club accuracy (within 1-2 feet) to the pin (cup location) from ball locations (14) ranging up to 200 yards from the center of the green even though the pin location may be different each time the course is played;(d) statistical data, i.e.

Abstract: A system for scanning or tracking, which includes a polygon rotatable about a rotational axis. The system further includes a fixed radiation source directing radiation at the polygon along a path whose extension would intersect the rotational axis of the polygon. The intersection of the extended path with the rotational axis of the polygon constituting an original imaginary intersection point. Finally, the system includes a scanned region onto which the radiation is projected, the projection being characterized in that radiation emanating from the radiation source is reflected from the polygon and is made to propagate, prior to impinging on the scanned region, along a path which includes at least one additional path segment with the additional path segment passing through or directed at an additional intersection point, the additional intersection point being a real or imaginary image of the original intersection point.

Abstract: For use in a gas barbecue, a pair of smoke generating plates (18L and 18R) are mounted in an anticline arrangement between the gas burner (12) and the cooking grid. Drippings from the food will be vaporized into smoke upon falling onto the hot plates, thereby generating smoke which envelops and penetrates the food on the grill, imparting to it a desirable smoky flavor. The plates are mounted upon a bent wire stand (20) which rests upon the floor of the barbecue and extends around and over the burner. The stand has a center peak (20C) over the burner and shoulders at the sides so as to support the plates in the anticline arrangement.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing uncontrolled burning in wick-fed liquid fuel burners employs a solenoid (76) and a thermocouple (18) in combination with a microswitch (80). When excess fuel enters the fuel chamber (40), a float (30) is urged upward, which forces a pin (28) upward, causing a microswitch (80) to open, thereby interrupting the electrical communication between the solenoid and thermocouple. As a result, a spring (24) can act to force an arm (14) upward, actuating the automatic wick extinguishing unit (42). Also, the mechanism prevents re-ignition of the wick (54) until the excess fuel is removed from the fuel chamber. When the fuel in the fuel chamber exceeds a predetermined level, a warning gauge needle (84) is deflected, alerting the user of the liquid fuel burner to a dangerous condition.

Abstract: Apparatus for shielding the submerged portion of a moored water vessel, such as a boat hull and driving gear, from direct contact with water. The apparatus protects the hull and driving gear from marine growth, electrolysis, water deterioration of underwater hull fittings and driving gear, fiberglass hull blistering, wood rot, and water leakage. The preferred form of the assembly includes a rigid frame which is secured to support brackets which are attached to a boat dock. This frame is larger than the perimeter of the water vessel hull above the water line. The rear of the frame includes a gate which is attached to the front portion of the frame by horizontal lag bolts. Attached to and dangling below the frame and gate is a water-impervious bag which is larger than the underwater portion of the water vessel. Gate lines which extend from the gate to cleats on the boat dock are lowered, thus lowering the gate to allow the water vessel to enter the bag.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing uncontrolled burning in wick-fed liquid fuel burners employs a thermal barrier between the heat of the combustion process and a removable fuel tank 60. Also, a fuel containment compartment (24) and fuel containment sump (44) are provided to receive fuel from the fuel chamber (40) when excess fuel is delivered to the fuel chamber from the removable fuel tank. When the fuel in the fuel chamber exceeds a predetermined level, a warning gauge needle 90 is deflected, alerting the user of the liquid fuel burner to a dangerous condition.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing a helmet (44) on a motorcycle includes a set of straps (12 to 18) attached to each other at a generally central point and extending downwardly in radial directions to form a cage (10). One of the straps is a lockable strap (12) and includes a hole (38) disposed at a lower end. The lateral straps (16 and 18) each includes a hook (26) at a lower end for engaging the edges of the motorcycle's fender (28), and the rear strap (14) includes a hook (32) for engaging a hoop member (30) attached to the rear of the fender. A T-shaped anchor (42) with a hole (40) thereon is attached to the front of the fender. When the lockable strap is unlocked and raised, the helmet can be positioned within the cage. The lockable strap can then be lowered so that its hole aligns with the hole on the T-shape anchor, and a lock (46) can be inserted through the holes to lock the helmet in the cage. The helmet is thereby securely protected from theft and accidental damage.

Abstract: A traffic monitoring system includes many monitoring nodes (10) distributed along many roads. A sonar ranging module (12) in each node continually measures the height of vehicles (19) crossing thereunder with repeated sonar pulses. A microcontroller (14) contains suitable instructions for estimating the speed of the vehicle by assigning a length to the vehicle based on its measured height, and dividing the length by the crossing time that the vehicle took to cross under the sonar module. The speed information from each node is transmitted to a central station (11) via a communication link (17). In a second embodiment, each node (10A) includes a pair of sonar modules (12A) spaced apart along a road. These measures the height of the vehicle, as well as the traversal time it takes to travel between both sonar modules. The microcontroller (14A) contains suitable instructions for dividing the modules' separation distance by the traversal time to accurately calculate the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bookmark (10) includes a head member (11) connected to an elongated, flexible tail member (13). Removable adhesive (12) is disposed on the head member for attaching the bookmark to the spine (15) of a book (16). The tail member is draped over the top of the book and positioned between two selected pages. A removable adhesive dot (14) disposed on the tail member allows it to be removably attached to one of the pages, thereby marking a specific piece of information and directing the attention of the reader thereto. In another embodiment, the head member (21) is U-shaped so that the title (27) of the book (26) is visible between the arms of the head. In yet another embodiment, the tail (55) includes several adhesive markers (56) that can each be independently attached to a different location on page. In still another embodiment, the tail (34) is separable along lines of perforations (33) into multiple tails (35) for marking different pages in the same book.

Abstract: A funnel (20) for use in dumping volatile solvents into an underlying carboy (16) is ecologically friendly in that it blocks solvent from evaporating from the carboy into the atmosphere. The funnel has (a) an extended stem (22), the bottom open end of which is below the surface of the solvent (18) in the carboy to reduce surface evaporation, (b) an occluder or obturating ball (24) in the throat of the funnel to block evaporation through the stem of the funnel, and (c) a lid (28) on the funnel to block evaporation. The ball may be float operated, with or without a captivating cage (26), or it may be operated by lifting the lid, which may be performed manually or via a foot pedal (38).

Abstract: A positioning device for magnetic head and disk tester comprises a base plate (100) which supports a rotary spindle (170), for rotating a magnetic disk (168) with a medium to be tested or to be used for testing, and a rotary platform (150) which may slide in one direction (A) along guide shafts (106 and 108) attached to the base plate (100). The rotary platform rotatingly supports a tool support (208) which supports a mechanical arm (218). The latter supports a pair of head holders (220 and 222) with respective read-write heads (228 and 222) to be tested or to be used for testing the disk. The positioning device of this type makes it possible to replace the heads in a convenient position unobstructed by other parts. This is achieved by unlocking the tool support (208) from the rotatable platform (150) by pushing down a lock finger (234) and turning the tool support with the head away from the working position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the error rate of a magnetic recording device, such as a hard disk storing a set of data. The apparatus has a partial response maximum likelihood data detecting channel (PRML channel) which differs from a conventional PRML channel by including a noise processing unit (66) which is connected between the output of an A/D converter (54) and the input of a sequence detector (60), and a histogrammer (70), which is connected to the output of a noise processing unit. The method consists of estimating a sequence of noise samples received from the output of the A/D converter (54), processing the sequence of noise samples according to a plurality of predetermined sets of processing coefficients, accumulating a plurality of histograms of segregated processed noise samples, and processing the plurality of histograms so as to determine a dependence of a number of errors on a preselected criterion which characterizes a signal-to-noise ratio of the PRML channel.

Abstract: A technique for detecting defects in stationary products or in products moving on a production line (102, FIG. 1) by analyzing their images uses a matrix or line-scan camera (104, FIG. 1) for taking images of products (102). The product's dimensions are measured with accuracy and the sizes and positions of their surface defects are determined. The technique is much faster and more accurate than current techniques and is based on an analysis of the histogram vectors of the full image (FIG. 5). A carefully selected template image (A1, FIG. 2) composed of templates (B1, FIG. 2) is created and saved in the memory of a computer (106, FIG. 1). The method also includes the steps of creating and saving a histogram vector of the template image loading Look-Up Tables with a shifting and quantizing function for the image gray levels saving a product image in memory to be superposed onto template image (FIG.

Abstract: An improved bicycle rear suspension system comprises a main frame (20) and a swingarm (22), the former having a seat (32) and the latter having a rear wheel (34) and a pedal crankset assembly (38) mounted on it. The suspension has predetermined proportions which provide long travel, or bump absorbing motion, without exhibiting pedaling-induced motion. The swingarm (22) is hinged to the main frame (20) at a single pivot axis (24). The specified location of the pivot axis is such that the suspension is several times firmer when the rider is standing than when the rider is sitting. This pivot location also ensures that the pedaling forces applied to the swingarm (22) are substantially balanced throughout the pedal stroke. This mechanism also provides a frame geometry which can adjust to different terrain conditions. A lightweight structure for the swingarm (22) provides high strength and stiffness. The swingarm (22), when viewed from the side, presents a diamond shape divided into a plurality of triangles.

Abstract: A key chain note holder includes a fiat housing (10) having a transparent side (17) and an opaque side (18). An elongated slot (12) extends into the housing between the sides for slidably receiving a note card (13) having a white, reusable writing surface (13A), and a brightly colored opposite surface (13B). The housing also includes a hollow shaft (20) extending thereinto for slidably receiving an erasable marking pen (21), and another hole (14) for receiving a key ring (15) for carrying one or more keys (16). The note card and pen can be removed from the housing for note taking, and replaced therein for convenient storage when done. The note card can be reinserted into the slot with the writing surface facing the transparent side of the housing, so that the notes are conveniently visible; the housing also protects them from accidental erasure.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing uncontrolled burning in wick-fed liquid fuel burners employs an excess fuel containment compartment (24) which receives any excess fuel which might be fed to the fuel supply chamber (40). The excess fuel causes a receptacle (20) in the compartment to move downward. Through a retaining arm (82) and actuating arm (78), such movement communicates with a removable tank lift mechanism in response to the excess fuel condition. Also the mechanism prevents re-insertion of the removable tank (60) to its proper seating position until the danger of flareup is removed. This safety device also alerts the user of the liquid fuel burner to a dangerous condition by a mechanism comprising a highly visible warning gauge needle (34). In addition, the burner can be readily serviced and restored to operation should an excess fuel malfunction occur.

Abstract: A comb (10) for precision haircutting includes a pair of removable legs (14) extending orthogonally from its end portions (13). The legs have free ends with feet (16) extending therefrom. In use, the comb is used to comb out and hold a tuft of hair away from a scalp. The feet are placed against the scalp to space the comb a predetermined distance from it. A cutting implement is used to cut the hair above comb, so that the tuft of hair is precisely and evenly cut at an exact length. The widely spaced legs and the feet stably support the comb on the scalp to ensure a precise cut. This procedure is repeated over each area of the scalp for which the hair is to be cut at the same length. Legs of other lengths can be installed for cutting hair at other lengths. Uneven legs (17, 18) can also be installed for spacing the comb at an angle from the scalp, so that tapered cuts can be made.

Abstract: A cylindrical bit is made from an elongated shaft with a spiral blunt pointed cutting element secured to one end by welding or molding. The upper end of the shaft is held in the chuck of a hand-held drill. The drill, battery or mains powered, rotates the shaft. The rotating shaft is repeatedly plunged into the compost mixture to add air and air holes to improve biological decomposition and conversion of organic material into a humus-like mixture (compost).

Abstract: A method for amplifying optical signals without dependence of output signal intensity on an input-signal phase is provided. This method is based on nonlinear interaction of three phase-synchronized modes in one core of a waveguide. The method may be realized by passing the above-mentioned signals through an optical element with a waveguide (200) having pulse interaction and propagation portions (205 and 207) which receive impulses in first and second coherent waveguide modes which cause a nonlinear interaction between the first and second waveguide modes and generate a third waveguide mode. This third mode is phase-synchronized with the first and second waveguide modes. The method may be realized in optical amplifiers, switches, as well as logical optical AND gates, OR gates, etc.