Abstract: A spacing apparatus for use in mounting an engine cooling fan of a racing vehicle to a drive structure, typically the water pump drive shaft, is made from a spacer body to which a fan hub quick-releasably attaches. The spacer body has a base with a shaft extending therefrom having a reduced perimeter section over which the fan hub mounts. When the fan hub is in place, engagement rods may be inserted in the fan hub to retain the fan hub on the shaft. The engagement rods may be easily and quickly removed without risk of burn to the mechanic to allow quick release of the fan hub on which the fan blades are mounted.

Abstract: The invention provides a 6-day Daphnia reproductive bioassay for detecting and confirming the presence of a toxic substance in an aqueous sample, and/or for screening the substance as an endocrine disrupter. According to the assay, a test sample is brought into contact with at least three adult, oviporous Daphnia of a single clone under conditions of crowding and suboptimal growth conditions to cause stress and stimulate sexual reproduction. The preferred clone for use in the assay is Daphnia galeata-mendotae Wingra clone CDF-1. The bioassay is based upon the measurement of five endpoints that convey quantitative information about the biological activity of the substance: survivorship, numbers of female offspring, numbers of male offspring, number of resting eggs, and number of offspring that display developmental deformities. Also provided are kits for use in conducting the bioassay.

Abstract: A plate for mounting a plunger on each panel is mounted on the inwardly facing surface of each end of each panel. One or more plungers are positioned on each plate and each plunger has a first end biased in a first position within the groove of the track.

Abstract: A safety device comprising an ice spike having a mounting piece strapped to the forearm of the wearer with a spike support plate attached to the mounting piece by a hinge. An opener is biased to position the spike support plate in an open position and the spike support plate is held in a closed position using a hook and loop fastener. When the spike support plate is in the open position, a spike attached to the spike support plate is positioned by a spring or the equivalent such that its pointed end points outwardly from the spike support plate. The ice spike provides a person who has fallen through a hole in the ice with a device capable of gripping the slippery edges of the hole such that the person can extricate himself from the hole.

Abstract: Right and left coronary catheters that are designed to be used in a transradial coronary catheterization are provided. The catheters have a proximal end, an extended body portion, and a shaped distal end with two curved portions and a tip. When advanced into the ascending aorta, the curved portions of the distal end cooperate with the aorta to engage and maintain the tip of the catheter within the selected coronary ostium during a coronary procedure. Also provided are methods of inserting the catheters into a right or left coronary artery by a transradial approach, and using the catheters in a diagnostic or interventional procedure to selectively deliver an imaging dye or tool to the coronary artery of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides an articulating, artificial fishing lure made of three interconnected body elements. A middle body section interfits with and is pivotally connected to a front body element and to a rear body element. The lure can include multiple interlinking middle body sections to increase the length of the lure. An articulated joint element formed from a slot in one body element and an interfitting extension member in the adjacent body element joins the adjacent body elements together. The joint elements enable the body sections to move in relation to each other in both a vertical and horizontal direction to simulate the swimming motion of a bait fish. The front and rear body elements pivot about the middle body element such that the pivot axis of the front/middle sections is at an angle to the pivot axis of the rear/middle sections when the body elements move vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for enhancing learning in a person by the administration of a mixed-floral odorant. The odorant can be used as an adjuvant to improve learning and as an aid in education, and for rehabilitation of patients diagnosed with pathologically-induced learning disabilities.

Abstract: A bridge mandrel for use as part of the rollers used in flexographic printing presses. When used as a part of the printing roller, the bridge mandrel allows the use of inexpensive printing sleeves to which the flexographic printing plates can be attached. When used as part of the inking roller, the bridge mandrel provides a durable and cost effective design. The bridge mandrel is made from a cylinder and two bearing sleeves that mount the cylinder to a standard mandrel. When the bridge mandrel is used as a printing roller, the thin printing sleeve mounts to the cylinder by means of an extension of the conventional compressed air mounting system. The ability to use inexpensive thin printing sleeves greatly reduces the cost and time expenditure normally associated with changing the printing rollers in flexographic printing presses.

Abstract: A martial arts practice device that includes a standard and a means for supporting the standard in a substantially vertical position. The invention provides a system of inter-fastened pads to mount a striking pad to the standard. The standard has a front side and two lateral sides. An elongated pad is positioned on the standard so that its two longitudinally oriented cushions cover the two lateral sides of the standard. The two longitudinally oriented cushions define an opening through which the front side of the standard is accessible. Several protective pads are mounted to the longitudinally oriented cushions to cover the opening and fix the elongated pad to the standard. At least one striking-pad plate is mounted on the standard and each such plate is used to mount a striking pad to the standard. The striking-pad plate has a fitting for receiving a flexible member. Each striking pad has a central bore with a fabric collar around the top of the central bore.

Abstract: A method is provided for inducing or enhancing penile erection through the delivery of odorants for inhalation. The administration of odorants provides an increase in blood flow to the penis, and a therapeutic aid to stimulate sexual activity and alleviate male vasculogenic impotence.

Abstract: A modular food dehydrator utilizing a heater blower assembly located on a top surface of a dehydrator module. The heater blower assembly includes a motor driven fan, a heating element and an air distribution portion for directing heated air across the support surfaces. The heater blower assembly is preferably releasably attachable to the dehydrator module. In a first embodiment, the dehydrator module has a central opening extending generally vertically through the support surfaces in fluid communication with the heater blower assembly for directing heated air radially outward across the plurality of support surfaces. The dehydrator module preferably includes outlet vents on an outer perimeter surface for exhausting the heated air. At least one outlet vent is preferably located between each of the plurality of support surfaces.

Abstract: A composite is provided for forming a sealing strip for use in a suction roll of a papermaking machine that has extended usability and wear. The composite is a blend of a nitrile rubber, graphite, carbon black, and polytetrafluoroethylene, optionally with a phenolic resin. The sealing strip has polytetrafluoroethylene evenly distributed over the contact surface and when installed into a suction roll provides a reduced frictional surface.

Abstract: A mechanism for extending and retracting a cosmetic pomade that has a base with a raised portion and a shelf, at least one aperture positioned near the shelf, and a middle portion having a plurality of slots. The mechanism also includes a cup for holding the cosmetic pomade. The cup is positioned within, and has protrusions for engaging the slots of, the base. A spiral guide member is positioned coaxially with the base. The spiral guide member has a helically-shaped track and a substantially smooth portion or extension. An insert is positioned within the base. The insert has at least one radially projecting tab that extends through the at least one aperture positioned near the shelf of the base to contact the substantially smooth extension of the spiral guide member. Preferably, the insert includes two or more tabs and each one of them is made from a flexible material having a relatively low coefficient of friction relative to the material of the spiral guide member.

Abstract: A coupon inserter assembly receives a continuous supply of coupons in the form of a web where the forwardmost coupon is attached to the following coupon along a weakened web portion. The inserter assembly includes a pair of intermittently rotating feed rollers and a pair of continuously rotating delivery rollers. An activation sensor is located at a dispensing location or a conveyor carrying receiving products for receiving coupons. When the activation sensor senses a receiving product, a signal is sent to a clutch-brake to activate the feed rollers. The feed rollers then feed the web into the delivery rollers. When a deactivation sensor located beyond the delivery rollers senses the presence of the forwardmost coupon, a signal is sent to the clutch-brake which stops the rotation of the feed rollers. Because the delivery rollers continue to pull the forwardmost coupon, the two coupons separate along the weakened web portion.

Abstract: A system for use in conjunction with an implantable automatic atrial defibrillation system is provided for delivering a defibrillation shock to the atria of a patient without inducing ventricular fibrillation, and a method of using the system. The system provides delivery of an atrial defibrillation shock synchronized only to beats during heart rate deceleration. With the present system, an atrial defibrillation shock is delivered after the passage of a minimum safe shock interval that is based upon a preset, predetermined minimum R--R deceleration interval length within a range of about 30-250 milliseconds.

Abstract: A method and system for multiple pass welding that includes a welding torch mounted on the arm of an industrial robot. The robot has a data processor with a memory and the coordinates of a first path are inputted to the data processor and are stored in the memory. The welding torch is then moved along the first path by the robot to make a first weld of a workpiece (or workpieces). A second weld of the workpiece is made by moving the welding torch along a second path which is offset from the first by a predetermined positional increment. The positional increment is established by positional coordinate increments which are inputted to the data processor by a robot user before or after the first weld has been made. The user may also input a weld torch angle increment to change the angle of the welding torch with respect to the first path. Subsequent welding passes are made by moving the welding torch along additional paths which are also offset from the first path.

Abstract: A therapy device for conducting rehabilitative exercises that includes a base having a receptacle. A standard is capable of being positioned in the receptacle in a substantially vertical position and has a plurality of adjustable arms slidably mounted on it. A locking mechanism is used to secure the standard in the vertical position. Each arm has means for being slidably mounted to the standard and a locking mechanism for fixing the arm at a height along the vertical, longitudinal axis of the standard. Each arm also includes a fastening means for removably securing occupational therapy exercise items, such as hooks, rings, and other items. The base of the therapy device include a slot for receiving the standard and may be shaped and sized to resemble an attache or brief case and to include a handle and one or more bins for holding occupational therapy exercise items. The bin may be compartmentalized and have a lid to secure exercise items therein.

Abstract: A front-loading bread making machines for making two loaves of bread simultaneously. The bread maker utilizes bread pans with a pseudo-overrise which emulate the shape of conventional bread and facilitates handling of the bread pans. The bread pans have a high pan surface area to opening ratio which decreases rise and bake time.