Abstract: A refrigerant composition for use in a vapour-compression refrigeration apparatus as a replacement for currently used refrigerants R22 and R12 comprises a mixture of pentafluoroethane (R125), tetrafluoroethane (R134a), a hydrocarbon selected from isobutane (R600a) and propane (R290), and optionally octafluoroethane (R218). The composition contains no chlorine atoms and is non-depleting to atmospheric ozone; but specific compositions have pressure-temperature relations substantially the same as R22 and R12 thereby allowing their use as direct replacements therefor in existing refrigeration apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning the visual characteristics of a surface includes an illumination system which scans a beam of light across the surface for reflection therefrom. The reflected beam is split into two parts. A first part goes to a control sensor which generates a control signal in response to the spatial distribution of the intensity of the reflected light. A second portion of the reflected light goes to a measuring sensor. A field mask is disposed in the beam of reflected light and operates to restrict the cross-sectional area of the beam which impinges upon the measuring sensor. Positioning of the field mask is controlled by a driver responsive to the control signal produced by the control sensor. In this manner, the field mask may be positioned so as to select only specularly reflected light for measurement.

Abstract: An extension cord retaining device for preventing accidental disengagement of male and female extension cord adapters. A first planar shaped member includes a flattened body portion and a first pair of angularly extending and spaced apart gripping members. A second planar shaped member includes a pair of spaced apart and axially extending legs which receive the flattened body portion of the first planar member in a coplanar fashion and a second pair of angularly extending and spaced apart gripping members which are arranged opposite the first pair of gripping members. An upper plate and a lower plate sandwich the first and second planar shaped members and fasteners secure the stacked arrangement together.

Abstract: In systems wherein signal compression is performed using matched filters or transforms, as in the case of radar, multiple extrapolations are used to resolve beyond the limits of defraction. In one example, development of the method begins with a complex, uniformly weighted SAR or inverse SAR signal represented by a rectangle function. After performing an FFT, adaptive sidelobe reduction is carried out followed by an inverse weighting and truncation, after which the original signal is used to replace the center portion of the extrapolated signal. The signal is again transformed and sidelobe reduced, and inverse weighting and truncation are again performed, followed by the original data replacement step. The extrapolation procedure may be repeated end times, extrapolating each time by a factor K for a total extrapolation factor of K=k.sup.n.

Abstract: Device for monitoring the valve lift of a pneumatically or hydraulically driven valve, the valve body of which is actuated by a pressure spindle (16), specificelly a diaphragm valve where a drive spindle (20) and pressure spindle (16) are effectively connected. Two trip cams (38, 40) separated by the distance (a) are mounted on the drive spindle (20) to activate two limit switches (34,35) that act as position indicators for the two valve positions, whereby one trip cam (38, 40) is assigned to one limit switch (34, 35). The automatic positioning of the trip cams (38, 40) during the initial actuation of the valve is accomplished by a crossbar (36) that acts as a driver and is located between trip cams (38, 40). The trip cams (38,40) are mounted on drive spindle (20) by moveable clamps.

Abstract: A fishing tool equipped with a number of useful features including a fish hook sneller. The tool comprises a support body with a hook holding mechanism provided at one end of this body adapted to engage a section of a hook. A line holder has first and second spaced apart arms with the first arm being longer than the second and generally parallel thereto. These arms are connected together and slidable in the support body between an outer position in which both arms project from the side of the support body and an inner position wherein the second arm does not project at all or substantially from the side of the support body and the first arm is flush or slightly protruding. The first arm is provided with a line catching member at one end thereof so that a line looped around this arm will not slip off when the arms are slid to the inner position. In a preferred embodiment, the line holder is generally U-shaped with a connecting section extending between ends of the two arms.

Abstract: A system is provided for use with an automotive vehicle having a normally disabled ignition system. The system includes a reader, such as a fingerprint reader or retina reader, to identify the driver. The output from the reader is compared to corresponding physiological data stored in memory to determine if the driver is authorized to operate the vehicle. Optionally, a timer is employed to permit operation of the vehicle only during preset prescribed time periods.

Abstract: A water surface glide sailboat utilizing wind power propelling is disclosed wherein the sailboat includes a flat bottom float mounted on a beam at a joint having an axis parallel to the keel line of the sailboat so that the floats are further capable of rolling about the axis. The sailboat can be further equipped with a steering gear including a controlling stick connected to the joint so that the sailboat crew can control a flat bottom float and restrain the fluctuation of the flat bottom float to keep the parallel condition against water surface regardless of the heel of the boat and thereby decreasing the water resistances.

Abstract: The template of the present invention is utilized in conjunction with a rotating cutting tool such as a router bit to form a self-mating, repeating, interlocking pattern in the edge of a work piece. The template has a body having an elongated edge having a plurality of notches formed therein. Each notch has two sides and an innermost edge, the notches being spaced along the elongated edge at equal intervals. Each notch has at least one S-shaped side which has an outer curved portion and an inner curved portion, the radius of the inner curved portion being equal to three times the radius of the outer curved portion. The rotating cutting tool is spaced apart from the elongated edge of the template by a distance equal to the radius of the outer curved portion of the S-shaped side wall so that, as the cutting tool is guided along the edge of the template, an interlocking, self-mating pattern is formed in the work piece edge.

Abstract: Methods and devices for enabling simplified bootstrap hydraulic systems for use in bootstrap hydromechanical and electrohydraulic vehicular power steering systems are disclosed. A simplified bootstrap control valve is provided wherein the control valve's load circuit is not interdicted in any way. The simplified bootstrap control valve comprises a four-way control valve having input slots formed in an open-center manner, intermediate slots formed in an open-center manner, return slots formed in a closed-center manner, and a passage for picking off the pressure value present in the intermediate slots. The pressure value present in the intermediate slots is utilized for regulating pumping apparatus providing fluid to the simplified bootstrap control valve such that pressure value present in the intermediate slots is substantially maintained at a preselected value. A simplified servo motor-positive displacement pump assembly of integrated construction is also provided.

Abstract: Small, lightweight metal cans such as coffee or peanut cans are easily recycled but are frequently not recycled or reused. One secondary use of these metal cans is for painting applications such as trim painting. The accessory disclosed herein enables metal cans of the aforementioned type, typically having a continuous bead around the apex end of the can, to be easily utilized for such painting applications. The reusable accessory comprises a handle having an upper and lower end and a grippable portion disposed between them. A lid is hingedly attached to the upper end of the handle, the lid having an upper and lower surface, the lower surface having at least one continuous lip suitable to engage the bead of the can. Additionally, the lid has a cutout through which a paint brush may pass which is particularly configured so as to enable a paint brush to hang suspended in the can from the lid. The can is secured to the handle by a variety of mechanisms.

Abstract: To provide a therapeutic dose of an aqueous slurry of activated charcoal to a poisoning victim, an opaque straw is coated internally with a viscous flavoring solution and the slurry is sucked up from an opaque container using the straw. The use of natural and/or artificial sweeteners in the slurry masks the gritty particles and improves the taste.

Abstract: A method of ultrasonic welding of plastic members to form a high strength interconnection between the members in the form of a low profile electrical plug. High-frequency (ultrasonic) energy is transmitted by the ultrasonic welding apparatus to compatible plastic parts of the low profile electrical plug. At the intersection of the two parts, a combination of applied force and surface and/or intermolecular friction increases the temperature until the melting point of the thermoplastic is reached. Upon removal of the ultrasonic energy, a bond is produced between the plastic parts, effectively affixing them together in the desired fashion. Typical systems used for ultrasonic welding contain a high-frequency power supply (20-40 kHz). Energy from the power supply is directed into a horn dimensioned to be resident at the applied frequency. Upon contact with the workpiece, the horn transmits the energy into it.

Abstract: A filtering appliance for cleaning cooking oil in a food fryer is designed and dimensioned for single-handed portable use in "hand-gun" fashion. The appliance has an elongate casing means with a hand grip at one end adjacent a pump-and-motor assembly. An intake nozzle conducts oil to be cleaned to a cartridge style filter made by stacking annular elements cut from a commercially available filter material of fibrous mat forming matrix holding particulate filtering media. The filter is axially spring loaded to accommodate yielding of the filter material. The appliance discharges into the food fryer through a duct outside the casing means. Thus, the oil is recirculated to achieve cleaning.

Abstract: The active, galactose binding site of proteins associated with metastatic tumor cells has been identified and sequenced (SEQ. ID. NO:1). The polypeptide comprising the active site may be used as an immunotherapeutic agent. Identification of the site makes possible an in vivo diagnostic assay for metastatic cells as well as therapeutic methodologies and materials.

Abstract: A dispensing cartridge is provided for viscous liquids, such as sealants. The cartridge includes an elongated tubular cylindrical housing defining an elongated interior chamber having a cylindrical interior wall. A dispensing nozzle is formed at one end of the housing and this dispensing nozzle has an opening open to the housing chamber which is less in cross-sectional size than the cross-sectional size of the housing chamber. A substantially semi-spherical wall portion extends between the cylindrical wall of the housing and the nozzle opening while at least one reinforcing rib extends outwardly from an outer surface of the semi-spherical wall portion. This reinforcing rib not only reinforces the semi-spherical wall portion of the housing but also enables the cartridge to be used in a standard caulking gun.

Abstract: A protective cover for a telephone mouthpiece and earpiece having a protective cover member with slots therethrough and deflector bars recessed below and spaced from the protective cover member. Openings are formed at the internal edges of the slots and the deflector bars. A skirt depending from the protective cover member has locking tabs located on the inside of the skirt to permit the attachment of the protective cover over the telephone mouthpiece and earpiece, and a detachment flange extending normal from the skirt for removal of the protective cover from the telephone. A portion of the cover member is cutaway to ensure an accommodating fit over the telephone mouthpiece and earpiece.

Abstract: A rotating guard rail assembly formed preferably of steel tubing and sheathed in a polymerized material such as plastic. The assembly generally comprises a vertical stanchion sheathed in plastic and having a rotating jacket assembly mounted about the exterior of the stanchion. The jacket is free to rotate about the stanchion thereby acting as a cornering or pivoting device to redirect a moving object upon impact of the guard rail assembly.