Abstract: The invention is a masonry tool that is a framing square with a retractable straightedge, where the framing square can be fitted to a level. The major components of the invention are a foldable flat straightedge, a mounting bar and housing which seats a notched disk that rotates on an axial shaft that is joined to the straightedge, a finger activated switch that moves a spring loaded slideable pin that clicks into a notch on the disk corresponding to an angle, and fastening components and elements for longitudinally affixing the mounting bar and housing to the end of the level. The retractable straightedge, when unlocked, can be rotated from a retracted position to a reversibly locked right angle position, and vice versa.

Abstract: A universal carpal tunnel device for supporting the hand in a neutral position to alleviate and prevent the carpal tunnel syndrome. The device includes a pad for placement against a wearer, a base attached to the pad, a stay disposed between the pad and base, and an adjustment strap for attaching the device to the wearer. The pad or the base can be provided with a recessed channel for receiving the stay. The pad, base and stay form a palmar section of the device which extends over the heel of the hand and terminates prior to the palmar fold of the hand so to not unnecessarily restrict movement of the wearer's hand and digits, and a main section for engaging the forearm of the wearer. The palmar section also has a sufficient width for preventing opposition between the thumb and the fifth digit of the hand. The device laterally has first and second sides which are mirror images of each other so that the carpal tunnel device can be used on either the right or left hand.

Abstract: The invention is a head covering that is particularly suited for use when participating in aquatic sports activities, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, and jet skiing, where the fabric is selected for its quick drying ability and stretchability, therein enabling excellent conformability to the body. Well known fabric brand names include Spandex, Lycra, and nylon or blends thereof. The head covering helps retain body heat, protect against sunburn, keep hair pulled away from a diver's mask, restrains hair in the back of the head, and makes divers on the surface more visible to boat crew. The head covering has a compartment/pouch which can optionally be disguised as to substantially form a hidden pocket. The fabric of the head covering is preferably brightly colored, stylish and decorative, and may be associated with a designer.

Abstract: The invention is a gutter cap for ducting rainwater to a rainwater gutter, while simultaneously deflecting debris. The invention is particularly suitable for retrofitting pre-existing aluminum gutters. The gutter cap can be installed with minimum tools and with no disruption to the existing gutter. The gutter cap is comprised of a sloped cover, which uses the attraction of water to bend water around a hooked edge as it drains across the sloped cover and ducts it into the trough. The cover, which forms a roof over the gutter's trough, is mounted with mounting blocks that snap on the cross-struts supporting the gutter, and these mounting blocks interlocks with the hooked edge of the cover. An opposing longitudinal edge on the cover is attached to the fascia board of the roof using a few screws or nails.

Abstract: A pneumatic or manual impact operated nailer requires fasteners in a clip, typically of about 100 fasteners. The invention provides uniform well-bonded fasteners in a clip for use in a pneumatic or manual nailer, the clips being adhesive-free. In addition, this invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing such adhesive-free clips by press-forming the fasteners, placing them in proper orientation in a fixture on a rotatable turret rotating the turret to a spot welding location, spot welding the fasteners, and rotating the turret to a clip unloading station. The clip product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A Hall element comprises a region having a non-zero Hall constant, a first contact for supplying an operating current to the region, a third contact for conducting the operating current from the region, the first and third contacts defining a direction of the operating current within the region, a second and a fourth contact for tapping a Hall voltage, and a conductor pattern connected to the first contact or to the third contact and substantially surrounding the region laterally or being arranged above or below the region. The conductor pattern has the effect that the intrinsic field of the operating current through the Hall element is suppressed outside the Hall element such that the Hall element effects an at least reduced offset in adjacent Hall elements. In addition thereto, the arrangement of the conductor pattern has the effect that effects of the current return on the Hall voltage generated by the Hall element itself are also at least reduced.

Abstract: In a method of producing a trench insulation in a silicon substrate a first silicon-oxide layer is deposited on a front surface of a sequence of layers including the silicon substrate. Then the first silicon-oxide layer is structured so as to define a mask for a subsequent production of a trench. A trench is etched with a predetermined depth in the silicon substrate making use of the mask and filled with a silicon oxide. Then a first polysilicon layer is conformally deposited on the first silicon-oxide layer and on the oxide-filled trench. The first polysilicon layer is removed in such a way that a polysilicon cover remains on the oxide-filled trench, and the first silicon-oxide layer is removed.

Abstract: The invention is wheel cover shield apparatus for masking a wheel or a wheel cover during the application of a spray foam cleaner of tire gloss. The apparatus includes a flanged concave round base that has an ergonomic apical non-slip handle and a planar sectional outer flange with an engaging locking means. The apparatus also includes at least one substantially planar ring for a given diameter wheel. Each ring is interchangeable with the base and has a variable width annular plane with an outer fillet edge and a coextensive inner flange. The inner flange has an engagable locking means. The engagable locking means has two to eight receptacles with a raised ridge or depression on the inner flange. The engaging locking means has two to eight sockets with a depression of raised ridge.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for producing beneficiated titanium oxides using a modified rotary hearth furnace, that is a finisher-hearth-melter (FHM) furnace. In the method the refractory surface of the hearth is coated with carbonaceous hearth conditioners and refractory compounds, where onto said hearth is charged with pre-reduced agglomerates. The pre-reduced agglomerates is leveled, then heated until molten, and then reacted with the carbon and reducing gas burner gases until any residual iron oxide is converted to iron having a low sulfur content. Fluid slag and molted iron forms melted agglomerates. The fluid slag is rich in titanium. The melted agglomerates are cooled, and then the melted agglomerates and the hearth conditioners, including the refractory compounds, are discharged onto a screen, which separate the melted agglomerates from the hearth conditioner.

Abstract: In a method of examining the surface structures of a sample or of modifying the surface structures of a sample by means of a beam impinging on the surface structure of the sample, gas is supplied discontinuously, preferably in a pulsed mode, at least in the area of impingement of the beam on the surface structure of the sample.

Abstract: A downward offset barbell type walking beam compositively balance oil pump, in which at the rear end of the walking beam is mounted a downward offset barbell type balancing device consisting of a shoe plate, a cross shaft and balancing pieces, retains most of the structure of the conventional walking beam oil pump, and has a compact structure, a wide range of moment change, an advantage of saving electricity to a degree of more than 40 percent, and is safe and reliable for operation. The present invention can be applied to the renovation of variety of conventional walking beam oil pumps, used in oil fields, outphase crankshaft oil pumps and walking beam compositively balance oil pumps for the purpose of energy-saving or of promotion of the capacity for oil extraction of the above-mentioned oil pumps.

Abstract: In a method for estimating a non-linear characteristic of an amplifier, an input signal is provided, a reference signal is determined based on the power of the input signal, the input signal is amplified using said amplifier in order to produce an amplified signal, a measurement signal is determined based on the power of the amplified signal and respective samples of the measurement signal are associated with respective samples of the reference signal. A gain value of said amplifier for each sample is determined from the respective samples of the reference signal and the measurement signal. An operating range of the amplifier is divided into a plurality of power sections and an averaged gain value is produced for each power section. Thereafter, a measure of the deviation of the gain values associated with a power section from said averaged gain value is determined. Then, averaged gain values are rejected which have a measure of the deviation which exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A Platinum temperature sensor comprises a ceramic substrate and a platinum thin-film resistor applied to said ceramic substrate, a ceramic cover layer and a connecting layer generated from a ceramic green layer by pressure and temperature treatment. The ceramic cover layer is connected with the ceramic substrate in such a way via the connecting layer that the platinum thin-film resistor is sealingly encapsulated with regard to the environment.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for iron-making/steel-making using a modified rotary hearth furnace, that is a finisher-hearth-melter (FHM) furnace. In the method the refractory surface of the hearth is coated with carbonaceous hearth conditioners and refractory compounds, where onto said hearth is charged with pre-reduced metallized iron. The pre-reduced metallized iron is leveled, then heated until molten, and then reacted with the carbon and reducing gas burner gases until any residual iron oxide is converted to iron having a low sulfur content. Nascent slag separates from the molted iron forming carburized iron nuggets. The nuggets are cooled, and then the iron nuggets and the hearth conditioners, including the refractory compounds, are discharged onto a screen, which separate the iron nuggets from the hearth conditioner.

Abstract: A method of removing silicone oils from waste water generated by a silicones manufacturing plant including the step of centrifuging the waste water to concentrate silicone oil contaminated solids while removing the silicone oils. The silicone oil contaminated solids are then dried in a continuously mixed sludge dryer to remove more silicone oils from the sludge to form a sludge product which comprises at least 10% water and a low silicone oil concentration.