Abstract: A delayed-pulse photonic time division multiplexer which provides a parallel digital data to photonic serial conversion is disclosed. Modifications which provide wavelength division multiplexing are also included. A series of input pulses of photonic energy are directed into an output as sync pulses. The input pulses are also directed into a group of n optical modulators to read parallel digital data that has been loaded into the modulators. Modulator outputs are delayed by digit-transmission-time intervals and directed into the output as serial data between the sync pulses. Input pulses are also used to trigger the loading of the next data set into the modulators during the time that the previous data set is being transmitted in serial. The invention can send serial data at the maximum speed of optical components while using data from slower electronic components.

Abstract: An insert for a loose-leaf binder is provided with a perforation near one inside corner at a proximal end of the insert to receive one ring of a loose-leaf binder. The insert is thus positioned with respect to the rings of the binder, and retained by the one ring. In one embodiment, the insert is provided with a slot formed along the inside edge of the insert to receive at least one other ring of the binder. A first web between the perforation and the slot has a length less than the distance between adjacent rings of the binder. A second web at a distal end of the insert is sized likewise to fit between adjacent tings of the binder. Upon insertion into a binder and securement by the tings thereof, the insert holds the tings in the perforation and the slot. The perforation can be positioned to receive any ting, while the slot receives one or several adjacent tings within the length of the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying bicycles on a vehicle includes a trunnion fitted to a receiver or other mount secured to a vehicle. A base extends from the trunnion longitudinally away from the vehicle to carry a post having top and bottom supports extending away for supporting bicycles. One or more trays may extend laterally across the lower support with respect to the base. Each tray may be adapted to support the rear tires of two bicycles. The upper support may be an arm having adjustable blocks for mounting the open (free) ends of the tines of the forks of the bicycles. Each block is slotted to receive and position a skewer passing through a fork. The skewer may be positionable along a length of a block, to adjust to the length of a bicycle. The blocks may be mounted in a different orientation (e.g. upside down) to further adjust for bicycle length. Trays and blocks may be arranged to offset every bicycle from every other bicycle in three dimensions to avoid interference of handlebars and pedals.

Abstract: A quick-release mechanical knot device for use in securing objects together having a novel means for quickly and safely releasing the mechanical knot device from the body of a rope or tether regardless of the amount of tension or load strain acting on the rope. The device comprises a semi-rigid elongated stock member having at least two circular orifices formed at opposing ends of a curvilinear intermediate portion. The first and second orifices are substantially perpendicular to the linear length of the stock member and formed with a substantially parallel and concentric axis to one another. A leading end of a rope is inserted through the first and second circular orifices of the stock member and wrapped around a stationary or movable object to form a hitch. The leading end of the rope is then placed between the curvilinear intermediate portion of the stock member and the portion of the rope passing between the first and second orifices to form a capture for the portion of the rope therebetween.

Abstract: An internetwork including a plurality of local area networks may include wireless and hard-wired local area networks. The internetwork may also include wide area network links between routers. The system includes routers between networks, which may be bridged networks. Certain routers are configured as home routers. Home routers bind two addresses for each mobile node on a given network when that node logs-in with a home router. Mobile nodes log-in with a home router that assigns a virtual address that does not change throughout a session. Each time, a mobile node roams to another network across a router boundary, the virtual address remains the same and all packets directed to the mobile node are received by the home router which advertises that it can reach the mobile node. As the mobile node roams, it reports back to the home router a local address to which the home router forwards all packets directed originally by correspondent nodes to the virtual address.

Abstract: A disposable liner is fitted against the inside surface of a sweatband of a cap or hat. The liner functions to absorb moisture and oils, and to eliminate odor. The liner wicks moisture away from a user and may hold moisture away from the hat. The liner may wick moisture to an evaporation region to be evaporated. The evaporation region may be separated from the hat by a cover layer to prevent wicking into the crown of the hat. The liner may be configured to adjust the size, and thus the fit of the hat on the head of the user. To secure a hat on the head of a user, the liner may include a compressible, foamed, polymeric core. The core may be treated with an antibacterial agent and a deodorizing agent for eliminating odors. To one side of the core is attached an adhesive layer for securing the to the sweatband of the hat. The adhesive is selected for firmness yet easy removal and disposal of the liner. The adhesive may be heat-sensitive.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synthesizing natural base steroidal hormones and more especially estrogens and progesterone and estrogen-like and progesterone-like compounds and their derivatives which are derived in the form of phytohormones from herbaceous plants and formulated to provide a broad spectrum of estrogenic and/or progesterone activity for influencing physiological processes and biological functions. In particular, phytohormones (i.e. phytoestrogens and/or phytoprogesterone) are synthesized from herbaceous compounds selected from a group consisting of plants having a propensity for simulating estrogenic and/or progesterone hormonal activity that, when entering the bloodstream of a biological organism, either by means of oral ingestion, parenteral injection, or topical application, have a tendency to enhance, supplement and/or maintain estrogen and/or progesterone hormonal levels by means of replacement therapy within a biological organism.

Abstract: An autogyro has a teetering semi-rigid rotary wing with rigid rotor blades. The angle of attack (blade pitch) of the rotor blades is fully adjustable in flight continuously over an operational range, and varies along the blade length. A prerotator rotates the rotor blades up to takeoff speed at minimum drag, no lift and optimum engine efficiency. Engine power is disconnected from the rotor blades and their angle of attack is changed for optimum lift to facilitate smooth vertical takeoff. Rotor blade pitch is likewise adjusted during vertical landing. In flight, rotor blade angle of attack is varied to adjust autorotation, lift and drag at any flight airspeed. On the ground, the rotary wing is braked to prevent rotation.The autogyro may roll, pitch, or yaw, with complete independence of blade pitch with respect to all other relative motions. The pedals have disproportionate forward and backward motions. The autogyro has retractable gear capable of fail-safe gear-up landing.

Abstract: An apparatus for restraining a child or adult in a chair, shopping cart, high chair, stroller, carriage, wheelchair, or the like, has a plurality of straps adapted to cross the body of the restrained person. A fastener is attached to the free end of each strap. Each fastener is attachable to members of the chair. Fasteners may be made adjustable, or a separate adjuster may be included on the strap. The apparatus may be made with three, four or five straps to restrain the waist, chest, head and legs of a seated person against movement away from a seatback more than a selected distance.

Abstract: An instrumented therapy cord including a load cell transducer, a resistive stretch cord and a microprocessor control module having internal memory capacity and programming means for assessing, monitoring and controlling rehabilitation treatment programs. Operably attached to a handle member and preferably incorporated within a housing unit, the microprocessor control module interfaces with the load cell transducer. A first end of the resistive therapy stretch cord is operably coupled to the load cell transducer by a permanent or quick-release coupling means. A second end of the resistive therapy cord is removably connected to a second handle or stationary body.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier is attachable to a hitch receiver secured to the rear end of a vehicle. A trunnion insertable into the receiver may extend rearwardly (with respect to the vehicle) to support an upright connected at a lower end to the trunnion. A lower arm may extend from the trunnion to be substantially parallel thereto, or even co-linearly therewith to support a tray positioned to extend substantially horizontally and laterally (substantially at a right angle to the lower arm). The upright, may support a top arm extending rearwardly away from the vehicle from a top end of the upright. A fork mount may be attached to extend laterally on each side of the top arm to extend away from the top arm in the same direction as the tray extends from the lower arm. A bicycle may be supported on a rear wheel in the tray, secured by the tines of a front fork to the fork mount, after removal of the front wheel. A second bicycle may be mounted in mirror-image fashion opposite the first bicycle.

Abstract: In the preferred mode, an apparatus is disclosed to carry out a vehicular humidification process which includes the steps of bubbling pressurized hot air (17)(e.g., trim air) upwardly through a plurality of tubes (34) submerged in a body of water, evaporatively combining the inlet air (17) and water (8) in a venturi (34b) which has its divergent walls at a predetermined angle (8) and its exit above the water level (16), mechanically separating the excess droplets in a baffle (60), in-line filtering (26) the humid air (17b) and discharging the filtered air into a duct leading to a compartment (22) to be conditioned (e.g., the flight deck of an aircraft).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cooling plastic profiles, comprising: a trough for receiving a cooling medium through which the profile can be guided; at least one inflow opening for delivering cooling water into said trough; at least one outflow opening for leeding cooling water out of said trough; a device arranged as a self-sucking water pump for producing a pressure below atmospheric in said trough whose suction nozzle is in connection with the outflow opening for cooling water.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cooling plastic profiles, comprising: a trough for receiving a cooling medium through which the profile can be guided; at least one inflow opening for delivering cooling water into said trough; at least one outflow opening for leading cooling water out of said trough; several guiding means arranged in said trough as separating walls which subdivide the trough into several sections in the longitudinal direction of the profile with first openings for calibrating the profile, and with further openings for producing a turbulent flow of the cooling water circulating between said inflow opening and said outflow opening.

Abstract: A heat conducting apparatus for wiper blades including a wiper arm assembly and a wiper blade which can be removably attached to the wiper arm assembly by means of a mounting member operably interacting with a plurality of blade retaining members. Integrally formed within the body of the wiper blade is an internal conduit substantially extending the linear length of the wiper blade from a first end to a second end thereof. Housed within the internal periphery of the internal conduit and extending therethrough is an electrical resistant heating element. Preferably, the heating element is rotatably wound in a plurality of cylindrical coils to provide sufficient electrical resistance without requiring heavy insulation or resistors to monitor the heat output temperature of the heating element.

Abstract: An apparatus for shielding the keel and/or bow of a watercraft is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment comprising a protective cover member having an elongated body substantially tapered in cross-sectional thickness from a midsection to at least two opposing sides. Protective cover member is preferably configured having one or more elongated channels formed therein. Preferably, the elongated channels are integrally formed in an exterior surface of the protective cover member and longitudinally disposed substantially parallel to the linear length of the protective cover member from a first end to a second end thereof. The protective cover member is preferably formed having an opposing contacting surface comprising a fastening means preferably disposed thereover for securing the protective cover member over the keel and/or bow of the watercraft.

Abstract: A programmable controller apparatus and method for irrigation systems including at least one removable control module interfacing with internal circuitry of the programmable controller for activating and operating a plurality of watering valves. A housing unit is provided for the control module and the internal control circuitry of the programmable controller to prevent water contamination and unauthorized tampering. The removable control module interfaces with the internal circuitry of the controller to provide variations in programmable watering sequences for individual watering stations. The control module, in addition, comprises multiple programming keys and switches that provide interaction between the electronic programming and manual programming features which function in combination to provide easier programming options for the irrigation controller.

Abstract: An improved vehicle tire deflator that is a foldable and can be deployed by pushing it or pulling it to an extended attitude across at least one full traffic lane. The deflator includes a plurality of rocker arms that are each pivotally coupled to base supports, forming a frame that is collapsible and when extended, includes a stop arrangement for holding the rocker arms apart. The rocker arms each include a plurality of actuators that incorporate spaced center holed and countersunk spike base bosses, each boss to accommodate an end of a hollow spike and attached resilient grommet fitted therein.