Abstract: The average strength of a pull plug weld is increased and weak bonding eliminated by providing a dual included angle at the top one third of the pull plug. Plugs using the included angle of the present invention had consistent high strength, no weak bonds and were substantially defect free. The dual angle of the pull plug body increases the heat and pressure of the weld in the region of the top one third of the plug. This allows the plug to form a tight high quality solid state bond. The dual angle was found to be successful in elimination of defects on both small and large plugs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding an article to be painted coated with a stand. In one embodiment the stand comprises (a) a first leg, (b) a second leg, (c) an upper connecting member attached to the first and second legs at an upper elevational position, (d) a base connecting the first and second legs at a lower elevational position, (e) at least part of the upper connecting member being insertable in a hardware opening of the article, and (f) the base extending on at least two sides of the article.

Abstract: A flat-panel display comprises a projector (21-23) illuminated by a collimate light source such as an infra-red laser, a waveguide (1) which ejects rays at a distance along the axis of propagation related to their angle of injection into the edge of the waveguide, an input slab (3) for magnifying the projected image in the width dimension in the plane of the panel perpendicular to the axis of propagation, and a phosphor output screen which converts the infra-red light to the visible. The use of monochromatic light within the waveguide reduces dispersion problems, and the use of a triad of projectors, each injecting at a different angle, makes registration relatively simple.

Abstract: The invention provides a protective case for stringed musical instruments, comprising a base part and a top part. A plurality of soft, cushioned support members, located in the base part and the top part, holds the instrument when positioned in the closed case. The position of these support members limits the possible contact of the body of the enclosed instrument with the interior of the case to the lateral rim of the back, the ribs, and the lateral rim of the soundboard. Possible contact between the most vulnerable parts of the instrument (i.e. the center portions of the back and the soundboard) and the interior of the case is eliminated, resulting in a substantially reduced likelihood of damage to the instrument during storage and transportation. Several alternate embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flash recovery timer and warning device is a hand-held electronic device using a bright flash to create a temporary glare-type vision blur to the eye to be tested and a target and timer to determine the amount of time required for the eye to recover after the flash. The device has a voice chip that, in addition to the timer display, warns that the vision recovery time is unusually flash recovery times are recorded and stored in the device. Other clinical applications may be useful.

Abstract: A description is given of a combustion retardant for polymer materials in the form of a new complex compound of the ammonium salt of amide of alkylphosphonic acid with ammonium chloride, and also of processes for producing various polymer materials using the said combustion retardant.

Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having a trough (13) in an upper surface (5) thereof. Reactant (15) is supplied to the trough (13) by way or a feed (4), the disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) spills out of the trough (13) so as to form a film (17) on the surface (5). As the reactant (15) traverses the surface (5) of the disc (3), it undergoes chemical or physical process before being thrown from the periphery of the disc (3) into collector means (7).

Abstract: A spool design for fishing reels is discosed, allowing for the reversible separation of the spool into different parts for the easy removal of old fishing line and wherein a specially configured aperture is exposed upon separation of the spool parts, allowing for the introduction of one end of the line into the interior of the spool. The line can be attached to the inside of the spool, providing for a secure fastening of the line without exposure of the knot to the exterior of the spool.

Abstract: A method of assisting production of an oil and/or gas well involves reducing the pressure at the top of a well and aid in oil and gas production. If any gas exists in the produced fluid, gas expansion at the resulting reduced pressure will reduce the fluid density in the production pipe, thus further assisting fluid production. If some secondary production enhancement is in use (balance beam, downhole pump, gas lift, surfactant, etc.), this invention will increase the efficiency of the secondary lift. If supplemental gas is introduced anywhere along the production pipe as a “gas lift” method of secondary production, this supplemental gas expansion at the resulting reduced pressure will reduce the fluid density in the production pipe, thus further assisting fluid production.

Abstract: A tobacco product is formed by rolling moistened tobacco leaves about a cylindrical form casing and allowing the leaves to dry to form a shell. After the form casing is removed a consumer can fill the shell with crushed tobacco leaves of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing building foundations by segmented underpinning. More specifically, a method and apparatus is provided for repairing building foundations using interlocking segmented underpinning piles which are reinforced in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transmission mechanism with a differential mechanism for an automotive vehicle to drive four wheels instead of two differential mechanisms of prior art disposed on the front axle and rear axle. The transmission mechanism of the invention is of a compact structure and a relatively less cost of manufacturing, and makes a clearance between the chassis of the automotive vehicle and the ground increased. The performance of the automotive vehicle equipped with the transmission mechanism of the invention can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transmission mechanism with a single differential mechanism for an automotive vehicle. The transmission mechanism of the invention is of a compact structure and a relatively less cost of manufacturing, and makes a clearance between the chassis of the automotive vehicle and the ground increased. The performance of the automotive vehicle equipped with the transmission mechanism of the invention can be improved.

Abstract: Composite tanks are desirable for aerospace applications since they are much lighter than comparable metal tanks. Various polymeric compositions satisfy the requirements to make a Lox compatible tank.

Abstract: The combined walking cane and lift assist device of the present invention is used to help or assist a person to stand up from a sitting position or sit down from a standing position. The cane and lift assist device can be used to assist a user to stand up from a sitting position or sit down from a standing position. The apparatus can include a cane shaft having an upper end and a lower end, a first, upper handle attached to the upper end of the cane shaft, a second, lower handle attached to the shaft below the first, upper handle, and a resilient tip attached to the lower end of the cane, wherein the lower handle is rotatable up to 180 degrees with respect to the upper handle, so that the upper and lower handles can be vertically aligned when the user is using the device as a cane, and the lower handle can be offset up to 180 degrees with respect to the upper handle when the device is used to assist the user when moving between a sitting position and a standing position.

Abstract: A secured debit card package having an embedded value and being adapted to be sold from open and unprotected retail shelving. The secured debit card package comprises a debit card, formed as from a first material bearing a card identification number, and packaging means formed as from a second different material securing the debit card thereto, the packaging means defining a window through which the card identification number is visible, a magnetic stripe disposed on the packaging means, the magnetic stripe bearing an encoded representation of a card identification number borne by the debit card, the stripe being positioned to be scanned by a terminal for reading the encoded representation from the packaging means and for transmitting the encoded representation to a remote processing center for testing of the representation to determine whether the debit card should be activated. A method for providing security for the embedded value of a debit card is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heel for a shoe includes a first relatively flat surface for contacting the ground when one is walking while wearing a shoe having the heel and a second relatively flat surface for contacting the ground when one is dancing and wearing a shoe having the heel. A pair of shoes can have one or two such heels. Preferably, there is a lower-friction portion on the second relatively flat surface. The second relatively flat surface allows one to relatively easily spin while dancing, as compared to dancing with shoes having normal heels.

Abstract: A method of excavating a surface layer of soil is disclosed that uses an excavator with a grab having two bucket halves with cutting edge. In a first excavating position, the grab is held in a first orientation as seen in projection on a horizontal plane and inserted into the layer of soil in an open position of the bucket halves until their cutting edges reach a first predetermined level while maintaining the first orientation. While maintaining that level and first orientation, the bucket halves are moved to a closed position during which movement their cutting edges move towards each other through a substantially straight path so as to excavate a first rectangular portion of the layer of soil. The grab is then lifted and moved to a discharge position horizontally spaced from the excavating position and emptied there to make further transport of the excavated soil possible.