Abstract: A kinematic speed controller for a vehicle requires the constant deliberate movement of a rotary apparatus which is physically independent from the vehicle drive system. It does not require substantial operator muscle power since there is no direct mechanical connection between the kinematic controller and the vehicle drive system. The rotary apparatus which controls the vehicle speed may be a foot pedal and crank assembly. Additionally, the invention may include a variable degree of resistance to the rotary input device to enhance operator control or to provide muscle exercise for the operator if desired. Furthermore, the invention may include the variable setting of the relationship between the speed of the rotary input device and the amount of power provided to drive the vehicle and hence the speed of the vehicle. The components of the invention may be arranged to visually simulate a bicycle-type mechanical chain drive.

Abstract: Accelerated dechlorination of soil and water contaminated with chlorinated solvents is achieved by stimulating anaerobic microorganisms and thus increasing the rate of biological mineralization of the solvents. This is accomplished by a treatment process consisting of colloidal suspension of iron powder, polylactate ester such as glycerol tripolylactate, xylitol pentapolylactate, and sorbitol hexapolylactate, chemical oxygen scavengers in solution with essential nutrients, and vitamin stimulants such as B2 and B12 delivered via compressed gases N or C02 so as not to oxygenate an environment targeted for anaerobic processes. The treatment stimulates naturally occurring microorganisms while oxidizing dissolved phase target compounds via the surface action of the iron particles resulting in the breakdown of chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene, carbon tetrachloride and their daughter products.

Abstract: A pneumatically controlled intubation mat includes laryngoscope-mounted controls. A body supporting mat is positioned beneath the patient undergoing endotracheal intubation and is dimensioned to extend beneath the patient's torso and head while in a substantially upward-facing prone position. An inflatable bladder is positioned between the base and the mat board which is adapted to elevate the mat board with respect to the base as the bladder is inflated and thereby expands. An expandable headrest is affixed to a top surface of the mat board and is positioned for placement beneath the patient's head. The headrest further includes a head support air bladder which is operative to elevate the patient's head as the head support bladder is inflated and the headrest thereby expands. A source of compressed air is in fluid communication with the torso support bladder and the head support bladder by way of an air distribution manifold.

Abstract: A pick-and-place type circuit board mounting bracket is surface-mounted, or alternatively, soldered with reinforcing posts that occupy one or more through-holes in the circuit board. The mounting face of the bracket is offset with respect to its mounting base to allow the face of the bracket to be sub-flush, flush, or extend beyond the edge of the circuit board. The front surface of the bracket is preferably perpendicular to the bottom surface and a longitudinal threaded bore extends through the main body to provide attachment means for affixing structures to the bracket. The posts which extend downwardly through the circuit board may have at least one planar side surface or a single rectangular post may be employed. The length of the posts is preferably less than the thickness of the circuit board for surface mount applications or long enough to extend through the circuit board for wave soldering.

Abstract: An air intake assembly for a motorcycle provides increased air flow to the carburetor by increasing the intake area of the ducting and placing it out in the air stream facing forward so that a ram air effect is achieved. Increased intake area is provided by dual velocity stacks arranged in an over-and-under vertical orientation positioned directly adjacent the side of the engine to minimize the width of the motorcycle. A compact aesthetically-pleasing assembly is provided which can also increase performance.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of hiccups, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for the treatment of hiccups involving galvanic stimulation of the Superficial Phrenetic and Vagus nerves using an electric current.

Abstract: A fastener for attaching two panels and having aligned apertures consists of a fastener which utilizes a retainer, a through-shaft, a rubber sleeve, and an end cap. The shaft extends through the retainer and a rubber sleeve is fitted around the shaft being retained axially by cap which is attached to the end of the shaft. The pre-assembled fastener is attached to a first panel preferably by clinch-type attachment. Cam surfaces on the underside of a head of the shaft and inside the retainer cooperate such that when the head of the shaft is turned, the shaft is withdrawn from the retainer compressing the rubber sleeve between the end cap and a base of the retainer. This causes the rubber sleeve to bulge and apply a clamp load against the backside of the second panel. Thus the two panels are captured between the expanded area of the rubber sleeve and the base of the retainer.

Abstract: A pressurized delivery system for in-situ delivery of sub-soil remediation compounds to underground contaminated matter includes a liquid diaphragm pump connected to an inflow source of water, the pump being also in fluid communication with a plurality of bioslurry tanks connected in parallel, the bioslurry tanks each having a drain. Valve means are located between the liquid diaphragm pump and each of the bioslurry tanks for controlling either the alternate or simultaneous flow of fluid from the pump to each of the bioslurry tanks. A second liquid diaphragm pump having an inlet port for receiving the combined flow of the bioslurry tanks has an outlet in fluid communication with a system discharge port. The system further includes a source of compressed gas in fluid communication with the discharge port. A discharge rod is connected to the discharge port for delivery of remedial fluids to underground soils.

Abstract: A tool for installing blind threaded inserts utilizes an expanding mandrel to engage the threads of the insert being installed. The expanding mandrel is an externally threaded assembly having a plurality of movable segments separated by axially-extending radial slots. The slot width is chosen such that when the mandrel is in a collapsed state the external diameter of the mandrel will pass through the minor diameter of the insert's internal thread. The segments are movable radially between a collapsed state, the condition of the mandrel segments when they are in their inward most position of minimum diameter, and an expanded state, when the mandrel segments are moved outwardly to their position of maximum diameter. The mandrel of the invention also extends and retracts axially to compress and thereby install the deformable insert.

Abstract: A golf grip-training device includes a main body having attachment means for securement to a golf club by snap-fit in the area of the golf club grip where a golfer's hands are placed. The attachment means is preferably a collar which receives the club shaft. A deformable grip element is affixed to the main body by a living hinge and further includes a gap between the grip element and the main body. A tactile sensory stimulator is affixed to the main body and located within the gap whereby excessive deformation of the grip element causes the stimulator to project beyond the grip element and into contact with at least one of the golfer's hands. The grip element may further includes an aperture through which the stimulator extends when the grip element is excessively deformed.

Abstract: A rocking footplate alerts an athlete such as a golfer or a baseball player to the occurrence of improper rear foot weight placement. The footplate is placed under the athlete's rear foot and includes upper and lower plates which are joined by a hinge having an axis of rotation which is aligned with the center of the foot. The bottom of the device includes spikes which engage the ground to provide a stable base for the hinged top plate. The top plate is in the anatomical shape of a foot to aid proper foot placement on the device.

Abstract: A tricycle-type wind-propelled toy land vehicle includes a sail with reliable tangle-free boom control. Both the disposition of the boom and the front wheel steering is actuated by a radio frequency remote control system. The vehicle further includes a skid plate surrounding the front wheel to prevent tip-over. The front wheel is steered by a worm gear drive which is self-locking. Boom control is provided by a guided cable system or, in an alternate embodiment, a direct gear drive to rotate the mast. In yet another embodiment, boom control is provided by a sliding leaf spring which passes underneath the boom and attaches to a track on the underside of the boom.

Abstract: A stapler having a detached base supporting an anvil and a first magnetic element, and a stapling assembly for ejecting staples from a magazine port. The stapling assembly supports a second magnetic element positioned for magnetic coupling to the base to align the anvil with the magazine port. Accordingly, the staple-driving stapling assembly and detached anvil-supporting base are not mechanically coupled. Instead, the stapling assembly and base are magnetically couplable. The magnetic coupling feature eliminates throat depth limitations and allows for staple placement at any desired location on a sheet of any size. An alignment guide may be provided to visually indicate an approximate location where a driven staple will be placed. The base and stapling assembly may be provided with friction pads for limiting movement of any sheets therebetween while stapling.

Abstract: A foil sheet of semi-rigid laminated material provides a disposable adhesive pad which includes adhesive on portions of opposing top and bottom surfaces. On a portion of the top side an adhesive is covered by a peel-off label that preferably includes advertising. The remainder of the top surface is substantially a fictionless foil surface. The opposite bottom side is also provided with an adhesive on a portion of its surface. The foil is a medical metal foil that is insoluble in saliva, prophylactic paste, and water. The device is substantially planar, however two wings may be formed along foldlines which provide sidewalls that extend upwardly from the top surface and contain a dental material such as a cleaning paste, holding it on the foil portion of the pad.

Abstract: In order to provide multiple resolution capabilities in an encoder device with the fewest number of parts, a single circuit board platform is provided with multiple chip buses electrically connected in parallel. Each bus is located adjacent a different code disc track wherein the code disc includes multiple concentric tracks of different resolution. The chip buses are compatible with either a surface mounted or a plug-in mounted encoder module assembled to a printed circuit board platform having alternate disc track read locations provided by separate encoder module bus ports. To change resolution the encoder module chip is simply moved from one bus to an alternate resolution bus on the PC board that lies adjacent a different code disc resolution track. In one embodiment, the PC board is mounted to the housing and the electric motor and the code disc is mounted on the rotary motor shaft in order to provide shaft angle position for electrically controlling the operation of the motor.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for producing a particulate reactor substrate according to the invention includes the steps of first roll-stamping small, raised dimples into the fabric substrate to control its coiled density. The dimpled fabric then undergoes high temperature firing for hardening and degreasing, and then water quenching to harden the metal which improves heat tolerance. The treated metal weave is then aluminum oxide shot-blasted to etch the fabric surface for improved ceramic coating adhesion and to increase surface area. Next, the fabric is coated with a wet slurry of an undercoating (“wash coat”) prior to spooling and pressing the fabric into individualized cartridges that are held tightly wound by an encircling sleeve. Next, the sleeved spools are oven-fired and then the fired spools are impregnated with the catalytic precious metal. The impregnated sheathed spools are finally oven-fired again and “canned” into an outer enclosure.

Abstract: A dental implant impression confirmation system utilizes one or more telescoping crossbrace members. Each crossbrace links one coping to an adjacent coping. The ends of the telescoping crossbraces include tubular eyelets or collars which each attach to a coping by snap-fit. The crossbraces further include articulated joints at each end to accommodate attachment between copings which are not parallel. The crossbrace members are preferably composed of a semi-rigid material such as plastic which permits resilience of the confirmation system to allow for the withdrawal of the copings from the implants while supplying sufficient rigidity to enhance the accuracy of the impression.

Abstract: A test port and bleed valve is combined in a unitary main body of a device. A split core test plug is positioned within a hollow valve stem. The seal at the bottom of the valve stem engages a valve seat to provide a releasable airtight seal. At the top of the valve stem, rotating the stem so that it axially moves toward and away from the valve seat to open and close the valve to bleed gas from the vessel or piping system. A bleed port is located through the sidewall of the main body of the device so that it is in fluid communication with the working medium of the vessel or piping. The top of the stem includes a removable cap and retainer to cover an aperture in the top of the stem through which a test probe can be inserted.