Abstract: A hand held stabilizer holder for hand held cameras comprises a first frame having a hand grip and a pivot mount spaced from the hand grip; a second frame pivotally mounted to the first frame at the pivot mount, and a camera mount on the second frame disposed below the pivot mount so that the camera remains in its orientation upon pivoting of the holder.

Abstract: A hand held support for hand held cameras includes a first frame having a hand grip and a pivot mount spaced from the hand grip; a second frame pivotally mounted to the first frame at the pivot mount, and a camera mount on the second frame disposed below the pivot mount and adjustable to position the center of gravity of the camera relative to the pivot so that the camera remains in the desired level orientation upon pivoting of the support. An additional feature included adjustable weights on the frame and alternatively on the camera to adjust the center of gravity of the camera relative to the pivot axis of the inner frame.

Abstract: A speaker mounting system includes a first bracket member for attachment to a support structure, a first pair of conductor contacts on the first bracket member for connection to a pair of speaker conductors, a second bracket member for attachment to a speaker and for detachably attaching to the first bracket member, and a second pair of conductor contacts on the second member for connection to the first pair of conductor contacts on the first bracket member and to pair of speaker conductors on the speaker.

Abstract: A system for producing a library of oligomer comprising at least two monomers in a positionally determined array comprise a plurality of synthesis supports, a first plurality of support carriers wherein each carrier has a uniform array of distinct support holding positions for the synthesis supports; means for contacting each array of synthesis supports with a different monomer to provide a first chemical transformation of the synthesis supports; a second plurality of support carriers wherein each carrier has a uniform array of distinct support holding positions for receiving the chemically transformed synthesis supports contained in the first plurality of support carriers; transfer apparatus for transferring a selected row or column of synthesis supports from each of the first plurality of carriers to each of the second plurality of carriers to enable the supports in the second to undergo at least a second chemical transformation; and whereby each support position in each carrier identifies the chemical comp

Abstract: A portable multi-pocket organizer for a carrying case of the type having a primary shell of pliable material formed of a pair of substantially identical primary half shells connected together for hinging along a common side and forming a primary receptacle, a multi-pocket assembly of pliable material that removably stores within the carrying case, the multi-pocket assembly device includes a rectangular pocket back panel having a front face and a back face, at least two open mesh pockets on the front face of the pocket back panel, and the open mesh pockets have openings oriented in a common direction, a removable auxiliary case in each open mesh pocket, each case formed of a primary shell of pliable material, the primary shell formed of a pair of opposed half shells connected together for hinging along a common side and forming a receptacle, each said primary shell having an outer fastener so that the outer fastener provides a means for opening and securing each auxiliary case.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage system includes at least one storage disk having a data surface of concentric radial tracks and at least one burnishing track, a drive for rotating the disk; and a slider having an air bearing surface for air support of the slider over the data surface, wherein the burnishing track is a dedicated track for burnishing the slider.

Abstract: A golf putter having a replaceable sole insert for varying putter head weight distribution along the length of the face. The putter has relatively thin face and sole central regions, with much thicker and heavier heel and toe regions. The central region of the sole is cut out. The cut out area has two opposite parallel recessed edges extending away from the back of the putter towards the face. An insert is configure to fit in the cut out area, with edges of the insert engaging the recessed edges to retain the insert in place. The sole may be flat or radiused, and the insert may have a lower surface corresponding to the sole. A neck connects the putter head to a shaft receiving hosel. The hosel has an outer end that is cut at an angle corresponding to the upper surface of the putter.

Abstract: A device and associated method useful for determining whether a disk has a chipped edge. The preferred device includes a laser that radiates a laser beam to the disk in the vicinity of its edge. The preferred device also includes a radiation detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation from the laser after the radiation has been transmitted, reflected, retracted or scattered by the disk. A chip in the vicinity of the edge of the disk will direct the electromagnetic radiation differently than an intact disk edge. Therefore, the radiation detector can utilize changes in the detected electromagnetic radiation in order to determine whether the edge of the disk is intact or whether it has a defect, such as an edge chip.

Abstract: A system for securing a tendon to a bore hole surface in a femur and a tibia, the system including a bone anchor having a flexible body with a distal end having an aperture to receive the tendon, and two legs forming a concave relief extending from the aperture to a split end, with the concave relief forcing the tendon into direct contact with the femur bore hole surface. An anchor insertion instrument is used to insert the anchor into the femur bore hole, the instrument having a pair of spaced apart pins to hold the bone anchor. A tibia fixation device joins the tendon to the tibia bore hole and has a generally cylindrical body with an open proximal end and at least two rounded legs formed by at least two slits extending from a distal end. At least one opening is located adjacent to the open proximal end for receiving the tendon. A clamping screw and spiked washer are used to lock the tibia fixation device and tendons into the tibia bore hole.

Abstract: A piston and compression ring combination with a piston having a generally cylindrical configuration for mounting in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, an annular groove adjacent the top of the piston; and a piston ring having an upper inwardly directed flange adapted to rest on top of the piston, the ring having a lower inwardly retaining foot adapted for fitting into the ring groove in the piston. Such combination for the purpose of diminishing ring crevice volume, improving performance and reducing engine emissions.

Abstract: An arthroscopy organizing apparatus comprises a generally rectangular box like housing having a front and a back and an upper surface defining a planar support surface, a line holder mounted on the support surface at the back and comprising a resilient elastomeric panel member divided by a plurality of slots into a plurality of resilient holding members defining line receiving and holding areas between adjacent holding members.

Abstract: A flexible plastic license plate-like panel for bonding to a motor vehicle with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The panel has a main, approximately rectangular, area on which the conventional license numbers and letters are printed, with an area above or below that area for purchaser personalized information provided. The panel has a central extension extending beyond the top of the approximately rectangular area for stickers showing information such as state identification, or month, year of expiration, etc. One of the front and back surfaces of the panel is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. Where the adhesive is on the back, the panel will be bonded to the vehicle bumper or other exterior part. Where the adhesive is on the front, the panel will be bonded to the inside surface of a window, to be visible from outside the vehicle. A security strip may be formed by using a strip having a different tack across the adhesive coated surface.

Abstract: An instrument removal tool includes a hollow tube defining a lumen having a bottom end, a top end, and a cutout spaced from the bottom end; the hollow tube having an outer diameter sized to be received in the root canal, an inner diameter sized to admit an instrument into the lumen, and a wall width at the bottom of the tube sized to allow the bottom end of the hollow tube to pass over the top of the instrument such that at least the top of the instrument is received in the lumen of the tube, and an elongated shaft sized to be received in the hollow tube from the top end of the tube; the shaft having a length sufficient to extend beyond the cutout in the hollow tube, the shaft having a bottom end and a top end; the bottom end of said shaft being tapered and having a rounded end to urge a top end of the instrument into the cutout; the shaft and tube cooperating to grasp the instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to move a vehicle seat away from a vehicle dashboard during or immediately prior to a collision. The apparatus comprises a vehicle seat coupled to a slideable platform. A vehicle collision detector communicates with the slideable platform so that when a vehicle collision condition is detected the slideable platform is triggered to move the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A laser-based method and apparatus for corneal surgery. The present invention is intended to be applied primarily to ablate organic materials, and human cornea in particular. The invention uses a laser source which has the characteristics of providing a shallow ablation depth (0.2 microns or less per laser pulse), and a low ablation energy density threshold (less than or equal to about 10 mJ/cm2), to achieve optically smooth ablated corneal surfaces. The preferred laser includes a laser emitting approximately 100-50,000 laser pulses per second, with a wave-length of about 198-300 nm and a pulse duration of about 1-5,000 picoseconds. Each laser pulse is directed by a highly controllable laser scanning system. Described is a method of distributing laser pulses and the energy deposited on a target surface such that surface roughness is controlled within a specific range.

Abstract: A shopping caddy system including a multi-compartmented caddy and a plurality of collapsible bags that fit into the compartments of the caddy. The caddy is preferably collapsible so that its end panels and intermediate dividers form a stack. The end panels of the caddy can preferably folded downward to provide extra support when the endmost caddy compartments are not occupied. The caddy and bags are preferably sized and shaped to allow close engagement between the caddy and the bags when the caddy is in the open position and the collapsible bags are in the open position.

Abstract: A microwave lens is constructed of a homogeneous body of closed cell rigid polyurethane foam with aluminum flakes dispursed throughout and having a configuration defining an axis and opposed lens surfaces. The method of the invention includes selecting a mold having a cavity of the appropriate configuration, preheating the mold, and filling the mold with a mixture of low density polyurethane foam components and fine aluminum flakes evenly dispersed throughout the foam structure allowing the mixture to cool and form a body of the appropriate configuration.

Abstract: A Ka-band orthogonal hybrid fin-line mixer includes a two-piece housing forming an orthogonal hybrid-T junction having a fin-line mounted within the waveguide E-plane at the output of the orthogonal hybrid-T junction with one-half of the fin-line substrate mounted within the top waveguide housing and the other half inserted within the bottom waveguide housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ingenious portable foldable chair, constructed of moulded plastic or the like, provided with a seat having therein a hollow thermally insulated compartment. Said compartment may be lined and may be provided with a locking seat compartment access panel or door which provides sealing of said compartment and access to perishable foodstuffs, canned or bottled beverages, ice, fishing bait, or the like.

Abstract: A frame, a drive mechanism for rotating a mandrel, at least two spindles mounted to the frame, a tensioner, and a belt extending between the first and second spindles may be used to roll pre-preg strips or similar sheets of composite materials around the mandrel. The belt over the spindles, and the spindles guide the belt through changes in its direction of travel. The mandrel is mounted in the drive mechanism in contact with the belt, which changes its direction of travel around the mandrel. The lower surface of the belt bears against portions of the spindles, and the mandrel contacts the upper surface of the belt. As the drive mechanism rotates the mandrel, pre-preg sheets are fed between the mandrel and the belt and are thereby wrapped around the mandrel. The belt presses the pre-preg sheets against the mandrel. The wrapped mandrel may then be removed from the apparatus and cured in any suitable manner known in the art to produce a composite tubular article.