Abstract: A composite letterhead/envelope form is provided which can be fed through a printer for imaging both the letterhead and the envelope in one pass. The form includes a letterhead of substantially a standard size which is releasably attached to a flap of a separately fabricated envelope. After imaging, the letterhead is readily removed from the envelope, folded, and then stuffed into the pocket of the envelope. A flap of the envelope seals the pocket of the envelope. The letterhead may be of heavier stock than the envelope.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an elongated deterrent strip for mounting to an inanimate object to discourage birds and other pests from resting on that object. The strip comprises a base of electrically non-conductive material. The strip in lateral cross-section has peripheral edges normally lying in a plane and a raised concave center portion. The base has spaced notches along each edge to provide flexibility to the base, whereby the base may be bent both out of the plane and within the plane. The strip further comprises two electrically conductive wires secured to and extending along the upper surface of the base, over the notches. The wires are spaced so that pest's feet will contact both wires when perched on the base. The wires are connectable to an energy source so that the bird or other pest's feet will short the wires when it is perched on the strip, giving a mild shock to the pest to discourage it from continuing its perch on the strip.

Abstract: A ball controller (10) is in the form of a rigid mat having a central cavity (12) for the reception of a golf ball (11) for checking the diameter of a golf ball (11), the ball controller (10) having sectionally (13, 14, 15) differing wall thicknesses (a, b, c) in the radial direction of the controller (10) and preferably having an optimal thickness in a radially innermost, annular portion (15) around the cavity (12). The cavity (12) has a cylindrical inner face (14a) having an axial dimension (1) of 3 mm minimum.

Abstract: The snuffer is constructed of three elements, i.e. a tubular member, a sleeve which fits within the tubular member and a cap which secures the sleeve in place. The sleeve has an inside diameter to slidably receive a lighted cigarette or the like. The cap has a bore through which a cigarette is to be inserted into the sleeve and from which an end of the cigarette is able to project for ease of removal for re-use. Multiple sleeves are provided to accommodate differently sized cigarettes or tobacco products.

Abstract: The hollow cannula is made with a smooth tip to avoid sharp corners on the inside diameter or outside diameter in order to avoid scraping or scoring of a slit or pre-pre-pierced septum during passage through the septum. The cannula may be employed in various types of embodiments including swabable valve connectors.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for compressing a binary code includes converting an initial flow of data through serial multiplication of values of bits of a signal to be coded, receiving an a coding function, and summing all products of the serial multiplication for a predetermined period of time. The method further provides that discrete values of the coding function are used as the coding function, the coding function is a piecewise continuous function in a form of a Gaussian pulse with a frequency fill, computations of a Duamel sequence are used during conversion of the code, and the initial data and discrete values of the coding function are used as arguments of the sequence.

Abstract: The suction tube employs a fluid absorber in the suction line in which a compressed cellulosic sponge mass is provided for absorbing an amount of fluid, for example 1.5 cc of fluid without any significant increase in resistance to air flow. The compressed sponge mass is secured in place within the tubular housing with a gap formed between each end of the sponge mass and an end cap of the housing to avoid blockage of air flow.

Abstract: The internal combustion engine has a plurality of cylinders which are arranged in an annular series about a common central drive shaft. Each cylinder includes a pair of opposed pistons which are movable towards and away from each other while defining a combustion chamber therebetween. Each piston is connected to a piston rod which causes rotation of a cam guide device secured to the drive shaft. At least one cam guide device is provided with an annular flange which subdivides a pressure oil chamber at the end of the drive shaft into two sub-chambers. Pressure oil can be delivered to one or the other of the sub-chambers in order to move the cam guide device axially thereby changing the compression ratio in the combustion chamber between the two pistons.

Abstract: An electronic lighting device for use as a signal or illuminator. Light is created by a light emitting diode element which is encapsulated in a light transmitting medium. A curved exterior lens with a first radius of curvature is a first reference plane and a second and smaller radius of curvature in a normal plane cooperates with the location of the light emitting diode element to create a light beam with a controlled beam pattern which is elongated in a defined or first reference plane. The intensity of the projected light beam is maximized through the efficient collection of created light.

Abstract: A single blank is used to make an expandable envelope construction having four side edges which can expand as the envelope construction is filled to capacity. The blank is provided with horizontal and vertical score lines and fold lines which permit the sides and bottom of the construction to collapse inwardly while the pocket enlarges in thickness and decreases in height and width. The blank has side flaps with rounded comers at the ends which are overlaid by the back panel and closure panel in an unsecured manner to maintain the envelope in a sealed condition when expanded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hull construction for a vessel, especially a drilling and/or production vessel for hydrocarbons. The invention also relates to the application of the hull construction according to the invention. The invention is especially related to designing hulls for single hull ships which are provided for carrying our operations at sea, and especially vessels which are used for drilling petroleum wells, and for intervention and maintenance of this type of well. With the invention, the aim is to provide a hull shape for a vessel which makes the vessel especially well suited for realising these types of well operations in deeper waters and at sea, and so that the vessel can be operative even under difficult weather conditions which are created by waves, ocean currents and winds.

Abstract: The drive arrangement for the two-cycle engine employs a multi-lobe cam and piston rods which are reciprocated in a rectilinear manner. A roller is mounted on each piston rod to contact and be driven by the multi-lobe drive cam off the drive shaft of the engine. Each lobe of the drive cam is of non-symmetrical shape so that ignition is timed to take place prior to the full extension of the piston rod into an associated combustion chamber.

Abstract: The internal combustion engine has a plurality of cylinders which are arranged in an annular series about a common central drive shaft. Each cylinder includes a pair of opposed pistons which are movable towards and away from each other while defining a combustion chamber therebetween. Each piston is connected to a piston rod which causes rotation of a cam guide device secured to the drive shaft. Each cam guide device has a curved cam surface having portions in phase-displaced relation to the curved cam surface of the other cam guide device as well as portions in mutually-phased relation. The cam surfaces each have a rectilinear portion to define a stationary combustion chamber for combustion between the pistons of each cylinder. The cam guide devices also have portions to permit opening of the exhaust ports prior to opening of the air scavaging ports of the cylinder.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining at least one of the coefficient of lift and the coefficient of drag of a golf ball for a given range of velocities and a given range of spin rates from launch. A method is also described for simulating the flight of a golf ball in a computer. A ball is launched at a selected velocity, spin rate and launch angle. Calculations are made of the x and y coordinates of the ball during flight and the coefficients of lift and/or drag are calculated mathematically in dependence on the launch velocity, spin rate, angle and calculated x and y coordinates. Repeated launchings are made to obtain a plurality of mathematically calculated values of the coefficient(s). Thereafter, an aerodynamic model for the flight of the ball is mathematically determined in dependence upon the mathematically calculated values of at least one of the coefficients relative to the velocity and spin rate.

Abstract: The system for determining the carry and/or lateral deviation and/or flight time of a driven golf ball uses a grid of geophones to sense the time of impact of a driven golf ball. The geophones are buried in the ground so that the impact is sensed via sound waves travelling through the ground. A computer receives a signal from each sensor indicating an impact and determines the time at which the impact was sensed by each sensor and screens out all but the six shortest times of impact. This information is then used to mathematically calculate the point of impact within a square of geophones corresponding to the recorded times. A plot of the flight path of the golf ball can be displayed on a display monitor based upon the carry and the flight time. The calculated flight time and carry are compared with a known standard to determine conformance with the standard.