Abstract: Devices and methods for removing dew from grassy areas, such as golf courses. One embodiment comprises a plurality of beaded lines comprising lead weights which are disposed within an outer synthetic rope sheath. The ends of the flexible elongated member comprise means for attaching the elongated member to at least one and preferably two separate tractors. Dew is removed by connecting at least one of the aforesaid devices to at least one tractor and dragging the device across the grassy area.

Abstract: A protective sheath for covering the needle of a winged needle after use in a medical procedure. The protective sheath is slidably disposed on a tube having a hollow needle at one end and a pair of outwardly projecting flexible wings adjacent the end of the tube with the needle. The protective sheath has a hollow, generally tubular shaped body having a forward end oriented toward the needle and a rearward end oriented away from the needle. The sheath body has at least one longitudinally extending slot commencing at the forward end thereof and extending toward the rearward end for slidably receiving the wings therein to allow at least part of the sheath to be slid past the wings to cover the needle. A guard is provided at the rearward end of the sheath extending radially outwardly from the sheath and at least partially annularly around the sheath.

Abstract: A workholding device for holding a workpiece securely for machining. One embodiment comprises a V fixture. Embodiments of the present invention are designed to be versatile and to provide the ability to accomplish other tasks beyond workholding, for example, enabling the punching of parts, the dressing of diamond wheels, sharpening drills of a wide range of sizes, and enabling deep hole center drilling.

Abstract: An oxygen dispenser for dispensing substantially pure oxygen or highly oxygen enriched air. The dispenser has an oxygen concentrator or an oxygen/oxygen-enriched air-containing cylinder in fluid communicatin with a dispenser outlet via pipework, a flow control valve to control flow of oxygen or oxygen-enriched air to the dispenser outlet, the flow control valve being under the control of a controller. The dispenser unit further having a card reader for a mag-stripe, swipe card, smart card or similar or a receiver for credit tokens or other data credit input mechanisms whereby credit units may be input to the dispenser controller to dispense oxygen or oxygen enriched air.

Abstract: An adjustable fastener includes a male part and a female part, both of which are made of soft pliable, sewable plastic. The female fastener part has three spaced apart openings. Each opening has a broad portion and a narrow portion. The male fastener part has a base with an upstanding riser with a flange at the end of the riser. The flange is dimensioned to fit into the broad portion of each opening in the female fastener part and the riser is dimensioned to fit snugly into the narrow portion of each opening in the female fastener part. The narrow portion of each opening in the female fastener part is rectilinear in shape and the riser is also rectilinear in section. Thus, when the riser is in the narrow portion of an opening in the female fastener part, rotation of the male fastener part relative to the female fastener part is prevented. The back side of the male fastener part is provided with parallel grooves which enhance gripping when releasing the fastener.

Abstract: A crimping tool according to the invention includes a cylindrical C-5 carbide rod having a plurality of laser cut pyramid points on one end. An adapter sleeve is also provided for attaching the tool to an existing pneumatic press. The pyramid pattern on the end of the tool provides several unexpected benefits. First, the points engage the eyelet and prevent the tool from slipping off the eyelet during the crimping operation. Second, the crimps produced by the tool have a greater surface area than the conventional crimps, exerting more pressure on the wick core without shearing fibers. The pressure exerted on the wick is 25-35% greater than a conventional crimp. Further, the carbide material wears much slower than the conventional crimping tools. This assures a consistency in crimping over a long period of time. An exemplary embodiment of the crimping tool according to the invention is approximately 1.625 inches long and approximately 0.090 inches in diameter.

Abstract: A double-faced reversible color effect fabric is produced on a double bed weft knitting machine with three yarn feeding systems. The first yarn feeder feeds yarn of a first color for the front of the fabric. The second yarn feeder feeds yarn of a second color for the rear of the fabric. The third yarn feeder, according to the invention, feeds a stretchable yarn which serves as an intermediate to interlock between the stitches formed on the front bed and the stitches formed on the rear bed. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the double-faced reversible color effect fabric is produced with a six step/six course knit and tuck knitting process whereby the produced fabric has no air pockets between fabric layers and has no visible tuck marks or mesh openings. The methods of the invention can be used to form a double-faced fabric with or without a motif.

Abstract: A fuel line coupling system for coupling a fluid fuel transportation tanker to a fuel supply tank and subsequently to a fuel destination depot tank, the system including a supply tank fuel transfer coupling component; a tanker fuel transfer coupling component to couple with the supply tank's coupling component for transfer of fuel to the tanker; and a depot fuel transfer coupling component to couple to the tanker fuel transfer coupling component for delivery of fuel from the tanker to the destination depot tank.

Abstract: A bicycle protector which comprises a cushioning cover adapted to be draped over a wheeled bicycle to cover at least the bicycle frame from the right and left hand sides and having fastening means, to secure the cover in place by attachment to or around the bicycle or a part thereof, the cover being filled in use with a resilient cushioning material to protect the bicycle frame from damage in storage or transit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying drying air to a printed substrate during each pass of a print head over the substrate. Preferred embodiments of the present invention direct heated air onto the printed substrate and then draw that heated air away from the proximity of the substrate with a vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system for assisting the user in the diagnosis of vehicle repairs. The system includes a computer, software program, dat storage medium, CRT and user input devices which permit the user to select from displayed menus. The user can select various sounds to be produced so as to match the sound produced by the system with that the user's vehicle is making. The system seeks to minimize the amount of time the service repairman must spend in diagnosing the problems with the user's vehicle.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing access port includes a port and nozzle assembly where the nozzle has a plurality of radial outlets defining a pattern of dispersal for a fire extinguishing agent. According to a presently preferred embodiment, the port and nozzle assembly is dimensioned to be mounted in an existing mounting hole (e.g. a switch mounting hole) of an aircraft electrical panel with the nozzle residing in the rear of the panel and the port residing on the front of the panel. A plurality of different nozzles are provided for different electrical panels, each nozzle having a different pattern of dispersal. A fire extinguisher access port kit includes a plurality of threaded nozzles, each with different dispersal patterns, a plurality of threaded ports which mate with the nozzles, and a plurality of different length threaded tubes which mate with the nozzles and the ports.

Abstract: A candle wick die plate includes an aluminum subframe with a split stainless steel die station. The die station has a lower member and a plurality of removable upper members. The die holes are aligned with their diameters collinear with the division between the upper members and the lower member. According to the presently preferred embodiment, each upper member is associated with a single die hole, half of which is defined by the upper member and the other half of which is defined by the lower member. Each upper member is preferably provided with an insulated handle and the lower member is preferably provided with a plurality of clamps for clamping the upper members in position. The upper and lower members are preferably provided with mating pins and holes for rapid alignment.

Abstract: Methods for optically encoding data in a compact space include arranging a plurality of dots within a circle. According to the invention, the location of the dot within the circle defines the meaning of the dot. According to two embodiments of the invention, the dots are connected by lines and a starting point is indicated for decoding the dots in sequence. According to another embodiment, the dots are decoded from left to right. According to another embodiment, a plurality of circular arrays are stacked to conserve space.

Abstract: A method for reversibly inactivating thermostable DNA polymerase or ligase, which method comprises reacting a mixture of the thermostable DNA polymerase or ligase with a dicarboxylic acid anhydride, wherein the reaction is carried out using a dried DNA polymerase or ligase in an anhydrous aprotic organic solvent, the dicarboxylic acid anhydride being also substantially anhydrous, whereby the reaction results in essentially complete inactivation of enzyme activity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structure for assembling auxiliary spectacles with main spectacles by means of magnetic clips, in which the auxiliary spectacles are not easily separated from the main spectacles after the auxiliary spectacles are attached to the main spectacles. The structure has: at least a magnetic clip including a first magnetic portion and an assembling arm integrated with the first magnetic portion, the first magnetic portion containing a first magnet, the assembling arm having a first assembling hole formed through the assembling arm, the magnetic clip being assembled with the main spectacles by means of an assembling screw; and at least a magnetic attachment member having a first end, at which a second magnetic portion is disposed, and a second end integrated with the auxiliary spectacles, the second magnetic portion containing a second magnet, so that the auxiliary spectacles can be attached to the main spectacles by means of an attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet.

Abstract: A bag opening apparatus and method for use in a bag filling and packaging machine using flat bags allow a bag to move to a subsequent step while being surely maintained in the state of having been opened. At a mouth opening step, the mouth portion of a bag is opened by using suction cups serving as a mouth opening device. Next, an abutting member of a bag bottom deforming device is moved upward to abut on the bottom of the bag, thereby deforming at least a part of the bottom inward of the bag, while restraining movement of a lower portion of the bag with retaining plates of a bag movement restraining device.

Abstract: A modular assembly for creating formwork for casting vertical concrete structures is characterized by elongated wall elements which are disposed in edge to edge relationship in two facing rows and which are simultaneously retained in edge to edge relationship and in facing relationship by connecting members. Retaining elements slidably engage connecting members and wall elements in diagonal relationship. Connecting members include engagement means for cooperating with notches in rigid panels which are disposed against the interior surfaces of flat walls formed by the formwork.