Abstract: The present invention relates generally to small arms bullets and relates in particular to frangible bullets and ordinance which fragments following penetration of a variety of obstacles prior to encountering the intended target zone. The disclosure relates specifically to small arms bullets which have a high likelihood of fragmentation after target zone penetration causing a significant crush cavity following passage through obstacles including clothing, glass, building materials and other structures. The disclosed bullet design is produced in a simple and inexpensive process, provides high accuracy and fragmentation and penetration in a 5 to 15 inch target zone, at either sonic or subsonic velocities, following penetration of shielding obstacles. The bullet disclosed is of a weight and design which will permit operation at sonic or subsonic velocities, without jamming, in civilian and military small arms including automatic weapons.

Abstract: A firmness measuring method and device for non-destructive testing of objects (such as fruits) is disclosed. The device comprises the following components: a means to affect the size and/or shape of the object(s) through application of a compressive force (such as increased liquid, fluid, or mechanical pressure); or an expansive force (such as decreased liquid, fluid, or mechanical pressure); a means to measure or infer the volumetric change of the object(s) caused by application of the force; and/or measurement of surface deformation; an analyzer to utilize the volume change and/or amount of deformation of the surface caused by the applied force to infer the firmness of the object(s); a controller to coordinate the application of force, the measurement of object(s) response and the inference of firmness or firmness. Inference of firmness may also use additional information on the object(s) such as harvest date, manufacture date, weight, variety, chemical concentration, or water content.

Abstract: A discontinuity at the surface of tubing which intercepts a stream of fluid flowing along the surface of the tubing causing the fluid to form drops and causing the drops to fall at an intended location. The invention addresses in particular the installation of drip irrigation systems in hillside applications where drip irrigation tubing may not be level. Heating and cooling of the drip irrigation tubing causes the tubing and drip emitters to rotate. The water from the emitter which is rotated to face away from the area where irrigation drip is to be applied emerges as a stream and flows along the surface of the drip irrigation tubing until it encounters a slope which causes a drop to form. The failure of the water to form drops and fall at the position of the drip emitter and rather to flow along the tubing results in a loss of irrigation to the particular plant serviced by an emitter. Plants are thus subject to stress and reduced production.

Abstract: A shield is disclosed for use in preventing water from splashing from a toilet bowl when using a plunger in attempting to unplug a clogged toilet or toilet drain. The shield is a resilient single piece construction having at the outer rim a flat portion providing a positioning surface against the upper rim of a toilet bowl; the central portion is dome shaped presenting a concave surface to the inside of a toilet bowl; intermediate the positioning surface and the dome is an annular rim extending downwardly from the positioning surface toward the toilet bowl interior and adjacent to the interior of the upper rim of the toilet bowl and thence upwardly to form the dome. An aperture is positioned generally centrally in the dome with the aperture accepting the handle of a toilet plunger; the aperture forming a frustrum or truncated conical passage way, for the toilet handle, extending downwardly from the dome.

Abstract: A remote controlled welding and cutting carriage, with an automated positioning arm, to facilitate welding and cutting of flat and curved surfaces including plate and pipe without the use of track, band or similar carriage positioning or guidance mechanisms. Multiple motor driven precision ground magnetic wheel sets align and propel the carriage across a surface. Precision maintenance of magnetic wheel position is facilitated by use of spring steel axles which resist distortion from impacts. A separate magnetic wheel set alignment adjustment is provided to correct magnetic wheel set positioning. The system of motor driven magnetic wheel sets permits the carriage, or carriages, to transport cutting and welding materials required for welding and cutting around the complete circumference of a pipe or other surface regardless of orientation or slope.

Abstract: A traction device for wheels focusing on irrigation system wheels and the manufacturing process for making the traction device. Multiple traction device segments are joined to encompass a tire/wheel unit of an irrigation system tire/wheel drive system generally about the circumferential perimeter. The traction device segments are engaged by the tire/wheel unit at its circumferential perimeter causing the traction device segments to rotate as the tire/wheel unit rotates. The traction device segments have a surface which is interposed between the tire/wheel unit, at its circumferential perimeter, and the muddy ground of the irrigated field increasing the surface area of contact and decreasing the likelihood of the tire/wheel unit becoming stuck or mired in mud. A square of sheet metal is sheared at the corners along one diagonal with the two shear line forming the skirt edges of skirts. A pad is intermediate the skirts which is press formed with tread forms matching tread patterns of the tire/wheel unit.

Abstract: A golf putter is disclosed having a face that tends to stay square to the swing path as a result of an increased static moment about the putter shaft. The increased static moment is a result of the tail section of the putter head having a mass greater than the toe section.

Abstract: An identification system including a device for locating land and construction survey traverse control points, other survey sites or any location marking the position of a place or thing comprised of a read only or read/write radio frequency transponder enclosed within a durable watertight container including a stake which may be driven into the earth, a read/write reader assembly and, a portable computer. The radio frequency transponder may be written to or read by a non-contacting radio frequency read/write reader assembly. The reader assembly connected to a portable computer through a data interface means such as RS232 or RS422/485. The stake or other container may be buried under any non-metallic material or otherwise not visible as long as it is within the operating range of the reader assembly. Each radio frequency transponder will have a unique identification code imprinted in its memory and, on the read/write transponders, may have additional information written into its memory.

Abstract: An apparatus or apparatus system for vibration control, by harmonic optimization technology, of vibrations in the cantilever or barrel, portion of a device from which projectile is fired or launched along the centerline of the cantilever. More particularly this invention relates to rifles, where the rifle barrel is a cantilever portion, and methods and apparatus for increasing the accuracy of firing projectiles. The invention is principally directed to a method and apparatus including a mass device affixed to a flexible cylinder extension at the muzzle end, inertial mass devices, having combustion pressure reduction features, affixed intermediate the muzzle end and the cartridge chamber, and a spring suspension system between barrel and rifle stock affixed proximal to the cartridge chamber. This system decreases the angular dispersion of barrel vibrations at the muzzle resulting from the firing of projectiles through such barrels.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a therapeutically active compound with antiseptic and osmotic characteristics for treatment or therapy for burns and open wounds experienced by animals and man and in particular to the treatment of thermal burns on humans by use of spray, mist, dropper or saturated bandage application of the solution disclosed. The compound in solution form composed of colloidal silver, helichrysum angustifolium or helichrysum italicum oil and raw honey emulsified with water soluble lecithin by agitation.

Abstract: A tool used to penetrate ductile sheet metal as the initial penetration in preparation for the attachment or installation of ducting and piping and particularly to forming the initial penetration in sheet metal sheet or ducting from which an opening is made for the attachment of lateral, feed, supply or return duct pipe in heating and air conditioning systems and other process or manufacturing systems employing sheet metal in the system construction. The tool has a shaft with a handle, a top edge and a blade edge with a penetrating point extending from the blade edge. An anvil is affixed to the top edge. A sheet metal workpiece is struck by the tool with the penetrating point causing a penetration in the sheet metal surface in preparation of attachment of ducting or other heating, ventilation and air-conditioning or process systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and aids in the process of handling paper products including page turning, paper and card sorting, paper separating, obtaining a paper coffee filter from a stack of filters and other actions requiring the separation of, moving of or obtaining of a paper or paper sheet product from among a group of such products. Additionally, the present invention will have applications, in particular for individuals with limitations in the use of fingers, hands and arms, related to the lifting of other light weight products. Other applications relate to the anchoring or fixing of certain products to particular surfaces thus providing, for example, eyeglass, pencil, pen and key holders.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to small arms bullets and relates in particular to frangible bullets and ordinance which fragments following penetration of a variety of obstacles prior to encountering the intended target zone. The disclosure relates specifically to small arms bullets which have a high likelihood of fragmentation after target zone penetration causing a significant crush cavity following passage through obstacles including clothing, glass, building materials and other structures. The disclosed bullet design is produced in a simple and inexpensive process, provides high accuracy and fragmentation and penetration in a 5 to 15 inch target zone, at either sonic or subsonic velocities, following penetration of shielding obstacles. The bullet disclosed is of a weight and design which will permit operation at sonic or subsonic velocities, without jamming, in civilian and military small arms including automatic weapons.

Abstract: This invention provides dice with integers assigned to die faces in such manner to permit fair and mathematically simple betting odds in the game of craps. Using the dice of this invention the probabilities of "pass" and "don't pass" outcomes are equal, and fair payoffs on winning "place" bets and "point" bets for each of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 are integer multiples of the amount bet.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressure assisted flush toilets that comprises an air tight enclosed flush tank, a feed valve, a volume control device and a flush valve. The flush tank is normally empty when it is not in use. A push on the feed valve starts a flush cycle by feeding the flush tank with pressurized supply water. The incoming feed water fills the flush tank and at the same time compresses the entrapped air therein. When the tank is filled to the desired volume, the volume control device triggers to close the feed valve and opens the flush valve. Then the pressure of the compressed air in the flush tank discharges the water to the toilet bowl. The discharging water stream from the flush tank cleans the toilet bowl. After the flush the flush tank remains empty until next use.

Abstract: A bi-directional Joule-Thomson device comprising two nearly identical heating containers which are connected via tubing to a cooling head. The cooling head is contained within a low temperature vacuum cryostat. Each of the small diameter tubes enters a chamber in the body of the cooling head. The chambers are connected by a small diameter orifice. Heat exchangers at ambient temperature and/or thermoelectric devices are used to cause the temperature of the gases entering and leaving the heating containers and cryostat to be at or near ambient. Within the cryostat, the small diameter tubes are thermally connected so that the cold gas flowing outward will cool the hotter incoming gas. The power for operation is supplied through two heating elements (one in each of the nearly identical heating vessels). This device will continue to perform at reduced power even if one of the heating elements fails.

Abstract: The present invention relates to atmospheric control in commodity storage buildings and in particular to the air flow floor vents installed during construction of concrete floors and employed in the control of flow and or circulation of air or atmosphere from under-floor plenums via vents around fruits and or vegetables, including in particular fresh potatoes, stored on concrete or other floors following harvest and until sale and or processing.

Abstract: A system or method of providing a plurality of power take-offs or power interfaces for low amperage electrical portable work and entertainment devices, including 6 or 12 volt direct current devices directed in particular to the power take-off in automotive vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, boats and airplanes, providing power to portable work and entertainment devices such as portable televisions, cellular telephones, computers and other such devices. The improved system or method provides a plurality of receptacles, an electrical connector of a size which is more convenient than the connector accommodated by the vehicle cigarette lighter receptacle, and which is of such structural integrity as to resist deterioration or breaking of wiring.

Abstract: An improved framework is disclosed supporting a dome above an outdoor dome covering such as an outdoor swimming pool or other outdoor structure. The improved framework provides additional structural support by the inclusion of a circumferential row of rafter-braces connected by four-way connectors and interspersed with a plurality of biased rafter-braces. The biased rafter-braces are composed of a first tube having an open end sized to receive a second tube and to allow slidable and rotatable movement therebetween. A helical compression spring is disposed within the first tube to secure the first and second tubes together so that they provide a telescoping function by urging the first tube into a first four-way connector tube and the second tube into a second four-way connector tube over a range of distances between four-way connectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to construction line reels used in building construction for layout of true lines between two points and relates in particular to a construction line reel which accommodates more than one gauge of line, which permits line tension control as a means of precluding line tangling and twisting and spool or reel backlash as release or reeling in occurs, permits reeled in line to form tightly and evenly on the spool, increases the ease and speed of reeling in line providing a construction line reel configuration which is easy to hold and control and which may be stored in a nail pouch or coveralls or hooked to a tool belt. This invention also relates to kite flying and will provide storage and control of kite string and control of kites.