Abstract: A sports glove that improves a wearer's ability to grasp an object having a generally cylindrical handle while maximizing the amount of handling force the wearer's hand applies to the object. The sports glove includes any conventional glove having a palm portion and a resilient and compressible pad that is attachable to the palm portion of the glove. The compressible pad includes a generally planar glove attachment surface and a generally convex palm engaging surface opposite the glove attachment surface. The glove attachment surface of the pad is attached to the inner surface of the palm portion of the glove so that the palm engaging surface faces the palm of the hand. The pad has a generally tear drop shape that allows the pad to fit into the mid-palmer space of the hand within the palmer limit of the first web space of the hand, the palmer limit of the finger pads over the second, third, and fourth metacarpals of hand, the palmer limit of the hypothenar pad and the palmer limit of the thenar pad.

Abstract: A method for extracting and reclaiming metals from scrap CdTe photovoltaic cells and manufacturing waste by leaching the metals in dilute nitric acid, leaching the waste with a leaching solution comprising nitric acid and water, skimming any plastic material from the top of the leaching solution, separating the glass substrate from the liquid leachate, adding a calcium containing base to the leachate to precipitate Cd and Te, separating the precipitated Cd and Te from the leachate, and recovering the calcium-containing base.

Abstract: An improved combined clutch and brake apparatus is disclosed having a pressure disk positioned on a hub between a brake thrust disk and a pneumatic cylinder. The present invention is configured to allow the apparatus to be efficiently serviced. The brake thrust disk forms an outer surface of the invented combined clutch and brake apparatus. A movable piston positioned in a casing of the pneumatic cylinder forms an external face of the invented combined clutch and brake apparatus. This arrangement allows failed sealing collars sealing the piston to the casing to be efficiently replaced. Readily accessible screws also allow clearances between the pressure disk and the brake thrust disk and between the pressure disk and a clutch thrust ring to be efficiently maintained at optimal levels via stepless adjustment from either side of the invented combined clutch and brake mechanism or from both sides.

Abstract: An exercise device that allows the user to extend each leg separately from a sitting position. A pair of upwardly curved tracks (20) are affixed to horizontal base members (10) by the rear support members (16) and to vertical base members (12) by the top support members (18). Tracks (20) extend upwardly toward the forward end of the invention. The two foot plates (31) are affixed to tracks (20) by the foot plate attachments (30) to move forward and rearward. A pair of foot supports (32) are affixed to foot plates (31), wherein they can adjustably fit to a human being's feet as the legs are extended. Embodiments include different options for supplying resistance to the movement of the foot supports, including the use of hydraulic cylinders (42) or straps (36). Other embodiments include a means for carrying the device and for collapsing it for easy storage. It can easily be used in many environments including at a desk or on a sofa.

Abstract: An improved offset swivel bath and shower chair apparatus that can be folded in a manner which makes movement or transport of the device reasonably easy. The apparatus is placed in a bathtub with a shower facility. The device is adjustable to adapt and secure the apparatus to tubs of various widths. An offset swivel mechanism allows an user to bring the chair into a position where the leading edge of the seat extends beyond the edge of the bathtub so that a person of limited mobility can easily lower himself into a seated position at the edge of the bathtub. The offset swivel chair affords an easy rotational arc of the seat into the center of the bathtub.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the production of a strand of reinforced graphite-foil yarn which is the basis of the braided graphite-foil yarns. To produce the reinforced graphite-foil strands what is needed is apparatus for a tapered, cone shaped circular die having a specific geometry suitable for curling the fiber and adhesive coated surface inward upon itself, so that the curled ribbon will adhere to itself when compressed into the final protrusion die forming a finished fiber reinforced composite strand of expanded graphite flake having suitable tensile strength, flexibility, and toughness to permit braiding, weaving and other processing making it commercially useful wherever a dry, lubricous, strong, flexible material is desirable.

Abstract: A method of producing direct reduced iron from pellets, lumps and fines of iron oxide. A mixture of iron oxide raw material is introduced to an apparatus which separates the lumps and pellets from the fines. The lumps and pellets are then introduced to a shaft furnace for direct reduction to iron. Fines are conveyed to a series of fluidizable beds which allows intimate contact with reducing gas to facilitate the direct reduction of the iron oxide fines to metallized iron.

Abstract: A method of charging a discharged battery by creating a level direct current carrier and a riding alternating current charging vector which rides on the level direct current, the alternating current having a repeating waveform comprising two phase displacements per wavelength.