Abstract: A frame system for displaying panels such as signs, artwork, photographs, text etc., on a surface such as a wall. Two long tracks have fasteners for fastening them to a surface. Two corresponding cover bars are shaped to slide longitudinally over the tracks while being retained on the tracks. The cover bars have lengthwise grooves for supporting edges of one or more panels between opposite cover bars while allowing the panels to slide along the grooves. Caps are fastened over the ends of the cover bars with removable, tamper resistant, fasteners to prevent the cover bars from being slid out of the tracks until the caps are removed. The system may be mounted on a surface with the tracks horizontal, vertical or any angle in between. While the tracks will ordinarily be mounted parallel to each other, they may be mounted at angles to each other to accommodate panels of shapes other than rectangular.

Abstract: A connection system for securing structural members such as posts and beams together with all connection components hidden within the structural members. Cylindrical connectors fit in apertures in the members. Each connector has transverse holes and end holes, at least some of which are threaded. Each connector is secured in the aperture by bolts or pins extending through aligned holes in a member and a transverse hole. Bolts and pins extend through one structural member into holes in the connectors in the second members to secure the members together. In some embodiments, two cooperating cylindrical connectors are secured in two apertures in ends of structural members, with bolts extending between the two connectors to secure them and the structural members together.

Abstract: A structural truss system and electrical conduit for suspended mounting of electrical components such as stage lighting and remote controlled equipment featuring an elongated support beam with removable endcaps and a sidewall. The sidewall is cooperatively engageable with the support beam along substantially its engire length and allows access to the conduit formed inside when engaged with the support beam. A mounting track formed on the exterior surface of said bottom wall of the support beam and provides a slidably engageable mount for component mounts that attach to electrical components such as lights thereby providing positioning ability for the attached components. One or a plurality of electrical plugs or similiar attachments communicate through the sidewalls with wires running in the conduit and allow the electrical components to be properly situated in the mounting track and then plugged into the electrical power or control signals provided by the internal wiring.

Abstract: A protective helmet apparatus of modular construction to be worn by anesthetized patients for facial support during surgery. The helmet apparatus is assembled using one of a plurality of interchangeable, substantially transparent helmet casings, which are removably attachable to a plurality of dismountable facial cushions providing even support to the facial surface of a patient. The removable facial cushions are dimensioned on and interior surface to accommodate different sized facial structures of different patients to yield maximum pressure diffusion on the face and chin of the patient and are replaceable when worn. The exterior surface of the facial cushions are dimensioned for cooperative engagement with the interior surface of the helmet casing. A plurality of different facial cushions and helmet casings are modular in design and dimension to be interchangeable with each other thus providing accommodate the broad differences in facial structure and size of patients using them for surgery.

Abstract: A DC power converter consisting of a series-resonant branch used to transform a DC voltage source into a DC current source exhibiting, a uni-polar, zero-current-switching characteristic. Frequency of the series-resonant branch, acting in concert with reflected load parameters, provides a forced oscillation frequency, Fo, component to an AC voltage source generated across the input winding of a power transformer by the resonant capacitor. Complex load parameters allow AC input current, displaced by 90° from the AC voltage source, to flow in the transformer primary winding throughout a composite, carrier-frequency cycle. Another component of the carrier-frequency consists of a resonant, natural oscillation frequency, Fn, resulting from resonance by the AC voltage source capacitance with the open-circuit inductance of the primary winding on the input power transformer.

Abstract: An adjustable two piece hinge having a first hinge member for attachment to a wall surface and a second hinge member attachable to a door. The device is adjustable by rotating the hinge pin which communicates thorough two off-center cooperating apertures communicating axially through two body bushings located inside the second hinge member. Rotating the hinge pin rotates the circular body bushings inside the second hinge member thereby translating the second hinge member around the center axis of said first hinge member and toward and away from the first hinge member due to the eccentric formed by the off center apertures inside of a circular bushing. The device can optionally be supplied with a kit featuring a plurality of different body bushings having the off center apertures a different distance off center.

Abstract: A motorcycle rear view mirror assembly for addition to motorcycles and like vehicles providing a view of both the rear sides, and directly behind and adjacent to the rear of the motorcycle which will increase the safety of the operator when changing lanes and will make the rider aware of vehicles approaching too close behind them. The device features a first mirror positionable to an angle to reflect the area to the side of a motorcycle into the view of the rider and a second mirror attached to said assembly adjacent to an outside edge of first mirror and a provision for adjustment of the face of the second mirror toward the inside edge of the first mirror to an operative angle between 3 and 25 degrees.

Abstract: An elongated clear fluid orifice device which includes a plurality of different exterior widths for accommodating the mounting of different sized hoses thereon while having a constant interior width. The device may be used in any liquid cooled engine having heated fluid flowing therethrough. The device is best made pressure resistant and high temperature resistant polycarbonate material such as EMS Grliamid TR-55 (clear nylon) compound and having an interior fluid tube with a cylindrical center section having a predetermined, constant interior width. The exterior tube levels have a raised ridge at each level to assist in securing a clamp to hold the hose in place at each level.

Abstract: An improved brush assembly for mounting on horizontally rotating brushes on street sweeping machines. A circular disk carries brush holders holding bristles in the desired configuration. The brush holders are clamped to the disk by a clamp having a clamp bar that engages the brush holder and is maintained parallel to the brush holder with an offset support. A bolt and nut combination between the brush holder and disk presses the clamp bar firmly against the brush holder to hold it in place. Alignment holes in the brush holder cooperate with pins on the clamp bar to maintain the brush holder in the proper position. Holes through the brush holder have transverse walls so that U-shaped bristles can be extended through the holes with legs of the U-shape on opposite sides of the transverse walls. The brush holder can be configured with a reinforced strip area for extra strength and a pair of reinforced tabs to provide further strength to resist cracking and fatigue failure during use.

Abstract: An improved gun barrel for use in combination with an air gun body for firing soft walled projectiles having a substantially fluid interior such as paintballs. The barrel features a plurality of longitudinal grooves operatively positioned on the interior wall of the axial chamber of the barrel to cooperatively engage portions the sidewall of the deformed soft projectile traveling therethrough. The soft projectile, such as a paint ball, is thereby prevented from rotating due to contact multiple contacts within the slots in the wall surface of the axial chamber and exits the barrel substantially void of any spin. Additional utility is provided by a scavenger located on the distal end of the barrel communicating through the barrel wall to the axial chamber to thereby vent compressed gas creating eddies behind a soft projectile during exit from the barrel.

Abstract: A garment for the transporting, training and displaying pet birds on the shoulder of their owners. The garment consists of two front panels and a back panel joined at the shoulders with the front panels removably attachable to each other using adjustable fasteners. At the apex of the shoulders are removable wooden dowels that are attachable with ties or similar mounting, which provide perches for the pet birds to hold onto. The ties or similar fasteners also provide attachment to the garment for toys and paraphernalia to entertain the bird and to adorn the garment. This garment allows that the bird has a natural removable wooden perch to hold onto and the owner has the ability to hold and transport his pet bird without damaging or soiling his clothing. Also, the owner can remove the perches for laundering the garment and the perches may be provided in a plurality of different diameters to allow mounting of the appropriate sized perch for the grip size of the bird.

Abstract: An electronic device for holding medicines, typically pills, to be taken at different times and to remind the user to take particular pills at specific times. A first container has a plurality of pill holding compartments, with a hinged lid closing each compartment. A second container, which is releasably fastenable to the first compartment, contains a microprocessor, an alarm, a display and buttons for controlling the microprocessor to display different information. The display can be set to show the time, times for taking pills from different compartments, whether pills have been taken on time, if a pill has been missed or skipped, when the last pill has been taken, etc. When a time set for taking a pill arrives, an alarm, typically a light and/or sound alarm, alerts the user as to the compartment holding the pill to be taken.

Abstract: A Method for playing a game on a game board divided into a plurality of horizontal rows bearing the first letter of an alphabet and segmented into a plurality of rectangles by a plurality of vertical columns labeled with one, or a combination of, a multiplier and a color zone which intersect the rows. Each player receives a defined number of letters having a letter value from the letters of the alphabet being used. The players in order play the game by positioning their letters on the board adjacent to the first letter of the alphabet or adjacent to a prior formed word to form a new word. The point scores for the new word formed are calculated by summing the points for the individual letters of the formed word and multiplying them by the designated multiplier intersecting the last letter of the word, Additional points and bonus tiles are awarded for longer words ending in colorized zones.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing structures from worn out tires and a parking stop made by that process. Sidewalls are cut from the tire leaving a circular strip, which is cut transversely to produce an elongated approximately rectangular strip. Spaced slits are cut into the long edges of the strips to form slats suitable for use in manufacturing structures. Two slats are bonded together in a face-to-face arrangement to form a unitary pair of bonded slats. Additional pairs of slats are then bonded to the first pair of slats. All slats are bonded with similar sides in contact; that is, tread side to tread side or inside to inside. The resulting beam can have adjacent corners removed to provide a parking stop configuration. Preferably, the slats are bonded with an elastomer or mechanical fasteners such as ring nails or staples. A thick elastomer, having a thickness of at least about ⅛ inch may be coated over the beam. Beams may be combined to form guard rails, walls, panels, etc.

Abstract: A device for removing air and all airborne contaminants from a laser surgery site, such as an eye surface undergoing laser surgery. Laser surgery creates a plume of smoke, vapor and other contaminants that are adverse to the health of the surgeon and other operating room staff. The device includes a tubular chamber having an upstanding wall which is sized to fit over and around tissue at the surgery site. A first annular channel in the wall is exposed along a lower end of the chamber and is connected to a first tube for extracting air. This will hold the chamber in place by the vacuum between tissue and channel. A second annular channel in the wall is connected to a second tube for extracting air to a full vacuum from the second channel. Small holes or slits communicate between the chamber interior and the second channel so that air is pulled from the chamber through the holes and out the second tube. A raised edge is provided along part of the chamber upper edge.

Abstract: A lens assembly particularly suited to use with high resolution digital cameras suitable for incorporation in compact portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones, portable digital assistants and the like. The lens assembly includes a distal meniscus lens element formed from glass, and first and second, aberration correcting, aspheric lens elements formed from plastic, such as an acrylic, and positioned proximal to the meniscus lens element. An aperture stop plane is provided just in front of the front group. A fixed aperture stop or a combined variable aperture and shutter device may be positioned at the aperture stop plane.

Abstract: A hinge has first and second hinge members interconnected by an axle that allows relative rotation between them. Each hinge member has screw holes allowing the hinge member to be connected to a leaf or a frame. The screw holes of one hinge member are protected by a cover that can only be removed when the hinge members have a specific relative disposition. This provides a security feature.