Abstract: The present invention is a method of using a durable, cylinder-like device that is inserted within the main cylinder part of a kingpin lock. One preferred embodiment, of several, has an outside diameter in close tolerance to the inside diameter of a kingpin lock device. In addition, the holder is easily insertable into the kingpin lock device. A round hole is located within the wall of the holder such that the hole in a cylinder wall of each kingpin lock device aligns with the hole in the holder. The diameter of the hole in the holder is sufficient to allow a metal tongue to be inserted from the kingpin lock device through the hole in the holder. Then a key in the lockpin device is removed leaving the lock device secured to the holder. In addition, the holder has a metal plate perpendicularly welded to the cylinder part. The surface could be the underside of a trailer or box or in a storage compartment behind the cab of a tractor.

Abstract: An electronic programmable system including a membrane switch chordboard with a printed chord arrangement affixed to the chordboard. A chord arrangement is written for each different stringed instrument. The chordboard also has a plurality of <olenoids provided for each stringed instrument. These solenoids act as pressers for each instrument string. As each membrane on the outer surface of the chordboard is pressed, an electronic circuit is closed activating a solenoid driver. The programmable system then retrieves programmed notes or chords from a software module's look-up table. Next, the system activates a solenoid plunger. This plunger then presses against a string. The player then strums or picks the strings. A player can maintain the sound of a chord by maintaining finger pressure on the preferred membrane. A software program is written for each type of stringed instrument.

Abstract: The present invention is a separable driver-compressor combination with minimal modifications to incorporate a high production block design. One block is used for the driver engine which is appropriately modified to operate using various fuels. The other block is modified to incorporate crossheads and cylinders with several unique sealing and connecting features. The drive mechanism between the engine and the compressor has several embodiments providing a driver engine to compressor selectable speed ratio and optimizing operating performance. The compressor design incorporates a modular cylinder assembly construction technique. The dampening mechanism dampens out vibration energy eliminating the need for large mass compressor packages required by current design practice. This unique dampening system results in a smaller and lighter compressor package which will transmit extremely low levels of vibration to the base support structure without any performance penalties.

Abstract: A novel centralizer system adaptable to virtually all known rock and soil anchoring applications. Most preferably made from a petroleum based material, the primary components to the centralizer include a plurality of straps and two collars at opposite ends of the straps. The straps are easily and manually inserted into slots in each of the collars. Each collar may be molded to provide slots for three or more straps. The collars are molded with grout passages between slots thereby allowing more than the required amount of grout to be fed through the centralizer. On a least one strap are molded two lock hold pins distally located along an outer edge of the strap yet before the point where the strap is inserted into each collar. A separate yet component tool is manually and virtually simultaneously placed over both lock pins. The tool is a narrow band of material punched with a plurality of holes and placed over both lock hold pins.

Abstract: A novel box construction is provided having a numerous sealing features therein to provide a waterproof and sift resistant container. A first sealing feature is a pouring spout of three or four plies, the first and second plies of which provide a way for opening the spout. The construction of the spout also allows improved sealing because of its snap open and close feature. A second sealing feature uses transverse scoring of numerous panels and flaps with the scoring formed at the juncture between adjacent panels and flaps during manufacture and before assembly. A third sealing feature is the application of heat activated contact glue in several different patterns, including surrounding the spout with a glue border, applying "L"-shaped glue patterns on the perimeter of one panel, adding a glue border around almost the entire perimeter of one panel, and finally, applying glue on entire bottom panels and dust flaps.

Abstract: A box having a spout with sealing features to provide an improved moisture resistant and sift resistant container. A first sealing feature is a pouring spout of three layers, the first and second layers of which provide a way for opening the spout. The construction of the spout also allows improved sealing because of its snap open and close feature. A second sealing feature uses transverse scoring of numerous panels and flaps with the scoring formed at the juncture between adjacent panels and flaps during manufacture and before assembly. The scoring provides a sealing feature consisting of male and female characteristics with the male scoring mating securely into the channel of the female scoring during assembly. A third sealing feature is the application of hot melt glue in a generally rectangular pattern close to the perimeters of the top panel and the bottom panel.

Abstract: A belt for stabilizing an implanted peritoneal dialysis catheter exiting from the abdomen of a user and having a valve at one end. The belt includes a body of elasticized fabric designed to encircle the patient, two fasteners with hook and pile features, and a receptacle. In addition, a relatively small adhesive-backed member, having adhesive on its inner surface and having a pile member on its outer surface, surrounds a portion of the catheter tubing at a point near where the tubing exits the user. One of the two fasteners secures and stabilizes the tubing to the belt body by pressing against the pile outer surface of the adhesive-backed member and subsequently is secured to itself. The second fastener is used to further secure the tubing against the belt body at a distance from the one fastener. The receptacle, or envelope, integral to the belt body, is used to securely hold the valve end of the catheter against the belt body. The method of using the present invention is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a specified amount of heat on a test specimen, a portion of a specimen, or multiple specimens, under space-like conditions. This system includes a vacuum chamber in which one or more test specimens are placed. This chamber is evacuated to the necessary vacuum. One or more external sources of high intensity light is used for providing the necessary temperature. One or more reflectors are used for concentrating the high intensity light. A fiber optic light guide is used for receiving concentrated light from the reflector. A port in the vacuum chamber wall is used so that the second end of the light guide can extend into the chamber so that light exiting the second end impinges on a selected area of the test specimen. A positioning apparatus is used for locating the second end of the light guide within the housing adjacent to vary the test specimen area subjected to the light.

Abstract: A method of making a composite structure, such as an aircraft wing, which has a foam core and at least one outer layer of fiber reinforced resin material. A shaped foam core is prepared by compressing a rigid, closed-cell foam to the desired shape in a closed mold under heat and pressure. A sheet of flexible open-cell foam is impregnated with a thermosetting resin. A sheet of dry fiber reinforcement material is placed on one or both sides of the impregnated foam sheet. The resulting sandwich is wrapped around the foam core and the assembly is placed in a corresponding tool cavity. The tool is heated to the curing temperature of the impregnating resin. As the temperature rises, the foam core expands, exerting pressure on the impregnated foam sheet, forcing resin into the fiber reinforcement, wetting all the fibers and forcing air out of the material. As the resin cures, void-free, strong skins are formed integral with the core foam.

Abstract: The threaded split-bushing fastener assembly has been designed for high temperature applications such as on hypersonic vehicles. The fastener assembly consists of a pin (with a standard countersunk head at one end and a tapered end at the other end), a tubular threaded split-bushing, a nut, and a washer. Installation is accomplished by inserting the pin in the parts to be fastened, then slipping the washer and split-bushing on the tapered end of the pin and finally screwing the nut onto the split-bushing. Tightening of the nut allows preloading of the fastener assembly.

Abstract: A method of improving the flowability and reducing voids in liquid synthetic thermosetting resins precursor compositions used to pot structures such as a honeycomb core or electronic parts and assemblies. Up to about 0.50 weight percent of a suitable titanate coupling agent is mixed with the liquid resin precursor, preferably in a vacuum or an inert atmosphere, any necessary hardener is added later to the premixed resin with the agent, then the resin is poured into a mold holding the structure to be potted. The titanate coupling agents have the general formula: ##STR1## where: R is an alkoxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aralkyl group having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms or a substituted derivative thereof;M is zirconium or titanium; andR is independently an aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkyl or alkeno group having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms.