Abstract: A laser measurement system indicates the difference between an actual position of a vehicle frame reference point on a vehicle frame and a normal position employing a rotating laser scanner; an electro-optical detector and a host computer. A positioning arrangement is also provided for positioning the electro-optical detector at a known distance from the reference point. In operation, the host computer queries the scanner and detector via a communication link, calculates the actual position of the reference point, and displays the difference between the position of the vehicle reference point on the vehicle frame and the normal position.

Abstract: A vehicle side-view mirror water removal arrangement is easily retrofitted to vehicles having an existing source of compressed air and a side-view mirror with a reflective surface. The arrangement includes a valve having an input port connected to the existing source of compressed air and an output port, the valve being movable between open and closed positions to control the flow of compressed air from the existing source of compressed air to the output port of the valve. A conduit's proximal end is connected to the output port of the valve with its distal end located at the side-view mirror for conducting the compressed air from the output port of the valve to the side-view mirror.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing carcasses of dead poultry randomly scattered throughout a poultry house are disclosed which reduce the amount of time and labor required to remove dead poultry during an entire growing session.

Abstract: A prescreen filtering method and algorithm based upon Attributed Relational Graph (ARG) techniques are employed in a node-by-node matching to individually determine a best alignment of the sets of minutia of a pair of search and file fingerprints. First, the directional components of each and every different pair of minutia from the two sets are compared to ensure that they are within a given angular tolerance, which is selected to allow for a reasonable variation in possible rotational misalignments. After this directional alignment tolerance criteria has been passed, a Distance Matrix (DM) score is generated for each passed [u,v] minutia pair by performing a virtual alignment of the [u,v] minutia pair in location and direction, and then by comparing the distances and relative orientations between each of four pairs of minutia neighbors in each of the four local quadrants, which represents how well each different [u,v] minutia pair match each other.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for promoting interest in a specific website on the Internet are disclosed wherein the article of manufacture, such as a book, is distributed in incomplete form with instruction that the missing part of the article of manufacture is obtained by accessing the website being promoted.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying impedance matching gel to an ultrasonic transducer head of an imaging device for application to a patient. The apparatus comprises: a reservoir for containing the impedance matching gel; a heater for heating the impedance matching gel in the reservoir to a predetermined temperature; a conduit for conveying the impedance matching gel from the reservoir to the ultrasonic transducer head; a pumping arrangement for supplying the heated impedance matching gel from the reservoir, via the conduit, to the ultrasonic transducer head for application to the patient; and a low gel sensing system for indicating when the amount of gel in the reservoir drops below a predetermined quantity to prevent overheating of the gel.

Abstract: An illuminated, folding, foot peg having electronic circuitry for controlling the illumination of the foot peg and an electrical connection arrangement adapted to prevent fraying of the electrical connection during repeated folding of the foot peg. The foot peg having a top for placement of a foot, a bottom and front and rear sides; a foot peg mount for pivotally mounting the foot pet to the vehicle so that the foot peg is foldable from an operational position to a folded position; an illumination device located on at least one of the front and rear sides of the foot peg; vibration damping material supporting the illumination device at the foot peg; and electrical wiring for connecting the illumination device to an electrical system of the vehicle, the electrical wiring having an insulating coating. Sheathing surrounds the electrical wiring at least at the foot peg mount, for preventing fraying of the coating on the wiring to protect against short circuiting of the wiring.

Abstract: An improved animal leash is disclosed that improves a handler'control over a leashed animal and is easily attached to and quickly released from an animal in a manner that safeguards against unintentional unleashing of the animal. The improved animal leash comprises: 1) a rigid or semi-rigid shaft; 2) two hand grips, a pistol grip being located at a distal end of the rigid shaft and a hand grip located at the proximal end of the rigid shaft; 3) a quick release and attachment connector connecting an animal collar fastener to the rigid shaft to the proximal end of the rigid shaft; 4) a release button at the pistol grip for releasing the quick release connector from the shaft; and 5) a safety at the hand grip at the proximal end of the shaft for preventing the inadvertent release of the connector if the push button is pressed.

Abstract: Protective packaging for electronic equipment includes an expanded foam body with cavities for components, air ducts, and the like. An outer EMI bag surrounds the equipment containing foam body. The assembly is enclosed within a deformable exterior case which includes front and rear covers, air filters, or fans. The cases are modular and stackable. Integrally formed connectors electrically couple adjacent cases together. The connectors couple the EMI bags together to form a common shield.

Abstract: An ornamental jewelry catch is disclosed having opened and closed positions for removably connecting ends of a piece of jewelry.

Abstract: A flat roof drainage system is disclosed which utilizes a low point column head which allows the roof to be drained at the center of a structural member located at the low point of the roof. More specifically, the low point column head is a structural extension of a building column and is adapted to permit the attachment of support beams at the column head as well as the placement of a roof drain at the center of the column head so that the roof drain can be place directly at the lowest area of the roof to eliminate standing water.

Abstract: A hand held, fluid driven film applique tool is disclosed for applying a film having an adhesive backing to a surface having a protrusion. The applique tool comprises a tool head including a hollow cylinder having an open end for receiving the protrusion and a closed end, the hollow cylinder being surrounded by an annular surface which is relatively flat and smooth. An elastomeric plug is slidably received by the hollow cylinder, the plug having a head portion forming the closed end of the hollow cylinder and a fluid pressure surface to which is applied a fluid under pressure to drive the elastomeric plug toward the open end of the hollow cylinder. A spring is provided for biasing the elastomeric plug away from the open end of the hollow cylinder and a switch is included for connecting a source of fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure surface of the elastomeric plug. Further, a handle is furnished for holding the tool.

Abstract: A seaming iron is disclosed for use in carpet repairs requiring a replacement patching plug to be fitted into a cut-out opening in a carpet and attached to carpet surrounding the cut-out opening by hot-melt adhesive seaming tape positioned under the carpet and around a periphery of the cut-out opening.

Abstract: A grill cleaning apparatus is disclosed for cleaning a grill, the apparatus comprising: a container for storing and soaking the grill in a cleaning solution, the container having an openable top, a pair of side walls, a bottom extending between the side walls and a pair of end walls extending between and interconnecting the side walls; motor mounts within the container for removably receiving and holding a motor for circulating a cleaning solution within the container; a brush having a head with bristles and a handle; and a slide arrangement for sliding the brush along one side of the container and over the grill when stored within the container.

Abstract: A film applique tool is disclosed for manually applying a film having an adhesive backing to a surface having protrusions. The tool comprises a tool head having a hollow cylinder for receiving the protrusion, the hollow cylinder being surrounded by an annular surface which is relatively flat and smooth. A handle is provide for manually holding the tool, as well as a switch for connecting the hollow cylinder to a source of fluid under pressure. In operation, tool head is placed over the protrusion so that the hollow cylinder receives at least the protrusion and the film overlying the protrusion and fluid pressure is applied to the film by connecting the hollow cylinder to the source of fluid pressure to stretch and press the film firmly against both the protrusion and an area of the surface surrounding the protrusion to assure that the film is flatly and completely applied at the protrusion and to the surface in the area surrounding the protrusion.

Abstract: An ergonomic seating unit is disclosed for promoting active sitting and eliminating fatigue resulting from extended sitting. The seating unit comprises a substantially egg-shaped, fluid-filled, deformable balloon forming a flexible, mobile seat which conforms to a shape of a user when sat upon, and a main frame for loosely containing the flexible balloon within the main frame, the flexible balloon being freely removable from the main frame when the seating unit is unoccupied and being movably wedged in place by the main frame when the seating unit is occupied.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the topical therapeutic composition of the present invention, the composition comprises a combination of sulfur and Vitamin E in a range of about three parts of Vitamin E to one part sulfur to about equal parts of sulfur and Vitamin E. Preferably, the sulfur is in powder form, for example, sublimed sulfur, prior to mixing with the Vitamin E. The Vitamin E comprises either natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) or synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol) or a blend of both natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) and synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a low cost, elevated-temperature resistant part with a serrated surface and elevated-temperature structural properties similar to (within fifty percent (50%)) a superalloy material comprising the steps of: forming a master tool having the desired serrated surface; electro-forming the elevated-temperature resistant part by depositing three alloying elements comprising nickel, cobalt and manganese onto the master tool in the amounts of about 60%-70% nickel, 40%-30% cobalt and 0.05%-0.10% manganese; and separating the elevated-temperature resistant part from master tool.