Abstract: A method for preparing laminating materials and a composite prepared therefrom, the method including providing at least one layer of interleaf, extruding a thermoplastic adhesive with a die, forming a composite by applying the at least one layer of interleaf to the adhesive before cooling the adhesive, and pressing the composite with rolls to adhere the at least one layer of interleaf to the adhesive.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strap comprising a plurality of handle strips, wherein each handle strip forming the plurality comprises a handling element, e.g., a loop, whereby a user can grasp the handle strip; and an anchor strip, wherein the anchor strip secures the plurality of handle strips to a receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a linear adjustment device for altering the position of a load comprising, wherein the linear adjustment device comprises a positioning mechanism comprising: a rod; a first pipe slidably engaged with the rod; and a second pipe slidably engaged with the rod. The linear adjustment device further comprises a load sleeve, wherein the load sleeve is secured to the first pipe; and an anchor sleeve, wherein the anchor sleeve is secured to the second pipe. Further disclosed herein is a system incorporating the linear adjustment device disclosed herein, and a method of use.

Abstract: A support component comprising: a front portion; a back portion; a top surface joining the front and back portions; and a securing element, wherein the securing element comprises at least one horizontal tab, a first set of vertical tabs, or a combination comprising a horizontal tab and a set of vertical tabs, wherein: the horizontal tab(s) extends through a space formed between the front and back portions; and the first set of vertical tabs comprises a first vertical tab disposed on the front portion and in direct alignment with a second vertical tab disposed on the back portion; wherein the horizontal tab(s) allows the support component to rest lengthwise on an anchoring surface, and the set of vertical tabs allow the support component to rest crosswise on an anchoring surface. Further disclosed herein are grounded holding devices comprising the support component(s) disclosed herein, and methods of use.

Abstract: A manipulative tool for demonstrating the relative positions and configurations of articulators and other oral structures, when making phonetic sounds. The tool comprises a tongue, upper and lower palate, and upper and lower teeth, as well as, adjustable and positional lips, any one of which may be manipulated and posed so as to retain placement once released by a user. In this regard, the manipulative tool is used to demonstrate proper formation of certain phonetic sounds to assist in speech therapy or training of persons who are affected by speech impediments, or to assist in the training of future clinicians.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a level comprising a horizontal component comprising a first terminal end and a second terminal end; a first vertical component comprising an end joined to the first terminal end of the horizontal component, wherein the first vertical component is attachable to a first vertical side of a jamb; and a second vertical component comprising an end joined to the second terminal end of the horizontal component, wherein the second vertical component is attachable to a second vertical side of a jamb; wherein the level squares, levels, and plumbs the jamb. Further disclosed herein is an assembly comprising two levels disposed on a jamb such that the sides of the jamb are held rigid and secure, and the angles of the jamb are held at a constant angle to increase the ease of installation of the jamb.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a support component for suspending a load, comprising: a main body, wherein the main body comprises: a hollowed portion bordered by a top side wall opposite to a bottom side wall, and a proximal lateral side wall opposite to a distal lateral side wall, wherein the proximal and distal lateral side walls join the top side wall to the bottom side wall; a top surface extending perpendicularly outward from the top side wall; and an extension element extending perpendicularly outward from the bottom side wall. Further disclosed herein is a suspension holding device suitable for suspending loads from a hanging element and a method of use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structural element comprising a longitudinal vertical component and a longitudinal horizontal component extending from and parallel to the longitudinal vertical component. The longitudinal vertical component comprises a top side joined to a discontinuous bottom side by a first and second end wherein the discontinuous bottom side comprises a first portion and a second portion separated by a cavity. The longitudinal horizontal component comprises a distal end comprising a shoulder, wherein the shoulder extends through the cavity. Further disclosed herein is a load suspension device comprising two structural elements as disclosed above joined by an axle.

Abstract: The present invention is a pre-assembled fitting or coupling having a body, a sleeve, and a nut. One end of the nut has a through bore that is tapered and decreases in diameter toward the end of the nut. The outer surface of the sleeve is tapered as well which facilitates the radial movement of the sleeve segments upon tightening locking the sleeve segments into the proper position on the corrugated tubing. The body contains an inner seal surface with improved geometry that effectively concentrates the sealing load over a pre-determined surface and prevents overloading of the seal surface area. The sleeve of the present invention is divided into four separate segments. The inner surface of the sleeve contains an annular spring. The spring on the inner surface facilitates the removal of the corrugated tube from the nut and coupling body by forcing the segments outward upon loosening the nut.

Abstract: The invention teaches the combination of a common toy, the yo-yo, and an electronic hand-held game playing device. To date, these two areas have not been combined and certainly have not been interactive. Specifically, the invention consists of an electronic circuit embedded into the disk of a yo-yo such that typical yo-yo game playing interfaces with the electronic game. The electronic game may be the LCD-type games similar to current hand-held games with the exception that the player must use typical yo-yo game playing actions to play the LCD game. The electronic LCD game will utilize the LCD to display game results and graphics while the yo-yo sensor and switches will provide game input. In addition, the invention discloses electronic games based on audio sound effects, similar to current non-LCD electronic hand-held games with the exception that player must use typical yo-yo game playing to play the game.

Abstract: The Electronic RPM Yo-Yo will contain electronics for purposes of measuring typical yo-yo game play including the speed and RPMs, the duration of the spin of the yo-yo and it will also calculate overall score based upon a combination of the speed and duration. It may also calculate the scale speed in miles per hour and the distance which the yo-yo would have traveled had it been rolling along a flat plane. The electronics will save high scores for each of the result categories. The high scores can be recalled. The electronics will include a sound transducer to provide audio signals that will alert a player when his current play has exceeded a high score. Results of game play will be conveyed using LCD read-out, a bar graph comprised of colored LEDs or heard audibly via a speaker and electronic speech. Results can also be transmitted to similar yo-yo's via IR (infrared) or IF radio frequency technology.

Abstract: The present invention is a swinging toy intended for the purpose of recreation, physical and mental health, agility and leisure purposes. The present invention includes a padded object and a cord with a hand or finger loop. The object includes a central cavity that may selectively or permanently contain a substance. The substance may include colored water, beads which may glow in the dark, chemiluminescent fluid, batteries together with a light, reflective material, e.g, tin foil, chemical compositions that alternate between colors or other such substances, or magnetically powered light sources. Further, a decorative tail may be attached to the end of the object to enhance the user's enjoyment of the toy.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement to LCD game playing devices whereby a colored reflective surface is added that is larger than the LCD viewing area which allows the LCD to move over the background with intelligence. Thus, the LCD's normally static colored background will change. This change can be used to have a scrolling landscape or to move to new background graphics that reflect new game playing themes. The reflective surface as a whole remains static but as viewed through the moving LCD it will appear to be scrolling or changing. The LCD will light up to reveal different images most likely relative to the current background. The reflective surface can be printed in a circular path, a linear path, a two-dimensional surface, intersecting linear paths or a perimeter shape. The computer chip housed within the game playing device will know where the LCD is relative to the background. This knowledge and the physical movement of the LCD is used to enhance game play.

Abstract: Disclosed is a weight-lifting apparatus for use by bodybuilders and professional power lifters. The apparatus includes a specially designed dumbbell and dumbbell suspension hook. The dumbbell has ends to which weights may be added and removed to reach certain lifting weights. The dumbbell further has an attached handle from which the dumbbell may be suspended from the hook, which is located on a weight bench. The handle is U-shaped so as to work in unison with the specially designed J-shaped hook. The hook is designed to catch and hold the U-shaped handle, allowing it to drop down into the hook and to self-center the dumbbell at its equilibrium position. The dumbbells and suspension hooks are intended to be used together to eliminate the need for spotters, while optimizing safety.

Abstract: The Hand Grader tool is designed so as to allow the user to grade material such as sand, loam, gravel, stone or wet concrete and due to the angle of the faces it eliminates the need of the user to apply pressure upwardly or downwardly on the tool to carry the materials to grade. The tool will thus save energy and assist in efficient completion of a task. The tool consists of a hoe type handle approximately 5 feet long made of an appropriate material and approximately 1⅛ inch in diameter connected through a split pipe member to a single piece of five gauge steel 6¾ inches long by 6 to 20 inches wide. The steel is bent to 140° inclusive angle. The angle is bent in the center leaving two faces of 3⅜ inches in width. The handle is engaged at an angle greater than 90° with one face and centered along the length of the face.

Abstract: A cast iron cylinder liner for use in an engine block. The liner is cast to have a number of longitudinal grooves and machined to have a number of intersecting annular grooves to create an inverted waffle-like pattern of ridges and grooves on the outer circumferential surface of the liner. This pattern significantly increases the surface area through which cooling of the liner occurs and, thus, increases the liner's cooling capacity by approximately 30 to 40 percent. In addition, the pattern of ridges and grooves acts as a locking mechanism whereby the liner will not move within the cylinder block.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for suspending loads that also allows for adjustment and focusing of the load at desired elevation and azimuth angles. The device can be used interchangeably with loads of various geometric attributes because it is designed to operate based on a load's center of gravity. Furthermore, the device has linear control function to enable easy and precise focusing of the elevation of the load.

Abstract: The invention is a set of two structural tubes joined by an axle with friction bearings. The axle allows the two tube sections to rotate in a plane with respect to each other, producing a relative angle (azimuth) between the two tubes. The axle is made of high strength steel and is threaded. Machined holes are in an evenly distributed pattern on the spines of the tubes. The utility of the invention derives from the uniform section shape of a square tube with a spine, where the spine has a pattern of through holes. The hole pattern is symmetric about the center hole in the pattern. When adjusting the relative angle a between the two structural tubes, four Vernier scales are exposed, two on each structural tube. The four Vernier scales may be viewed for use from the top-left, top-right, bottom-left or bottom-right approach to the device.