Abstract: A material and method for the decomposition/dissociation of water into hydrogen and oxygen is disclosed. The material comprises an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury, and aluminum combined with a catalytically effective amount of an alloy comprising nickel and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, and bismuth.

Abstract: Ink metering apparatus comprising a resilient surfaced roller urged into indented relation with a printing plate; a source of ink positioned to apply an excess of ink to the portion of the resilient roller surface which has applied ink to the printing plate; and a resilient metering member having a hard, smooth, polished, highly developed, flexible edge resiliently urged by adjustment screws into pressure indented relation with the resilient roller surface. The flexible polished edge is resiliently and adjustably urged into pressure indented relation along the length of the resilient roller surface by forces of sufficient magnitude to deform the flexible polished edge along the length thereof such that the edge and the roller surface conform with each other and cooperate to form an orifice which is adjusted to the imperfections of the metering member and the resilient roller surface to form a continuous uniform film of ink on the resilient roller surface.

Abstract: A material and method for the decomposition/dissociation of water into hydrogen and oxygen is disclosed. The material comprises an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury, and aluminum combined with a catalytically effective amount of an alloy comprising a metal selected from the platinum metal family and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted carriage and elevating apparatus comprising a support frame secured to the vehicle. A link frame is pivotally secured to the support frame and a post frame is pivotally secured to the vehicle. A carriage which is movably secured to the post frame and to the link frame. Actuating apparatus is secured between the support frame and the carriage and is adapted to move the carriage from a lower inclined position extending rearwardly of the vehicle to a substantially horizontal elevated position wherein the center of gravity of the carriage is positioned above the vehicle and between the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A shock absorbing column assembly (10) is provided for attachment to a structural member (12) of an offshore platform. The assembly (10) utilizes a series of shock absorbing elements which cooperate together to absorb shock exerted on the assembly by adjacent vessels. Two shock cells (34) and (36) support the vertical column member (30) in a position spaced away from member (12). Column member (30) is connected to the extending arm of the shock cell by shock absorbing connectors (52) and (54). An outer protector (90) is resiliently connected around the outside of the column (50).

Abstract: A cylindrical drill pipe protector (10) having a skeleton (34,36) with inner (40) and outer (42) layers of rubber bonded to the skeleton.

Abstract: A closure for the filler neck on a vehicle gas tank having a closure body with a central passage and an upper surface having a vent groove formed therein. The vent groove has a first end communicating with the hollow portion of the closure body and a second end adjacent the periphery of the closure body. A cap is secured to the closure body and a resilient gasket is secured between the cap and the upper surface of the closure body such that a convex surface formed on the cap engages the upper surface of the gasket adjacent the vent groove in a closure body to deflect a portion of the gasket into the groove to seal the vent groove. The gasket is sufficiently resilient to permit passage of fluid through the vent groove when a pressure differential exceeding a predetermined magnitude exists between the first and second ends of the vent groove such that pressure within the tank is vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Device to determine the weight of an object by moving the object at a predetermined velocity into a probe, a sensor associated with the probe to indicate the change in momentum to determine the weight.

Abstract: A forearm exercising device having a support frame and a grip secured to one end of a shaft rotatably secured in said support frame and a crank arm secured on the opposite end of said shaft. A cylinder such as a shock absorber operably secured to the shaft controls the rate of movement of the shaft and the grip or crank arm to which the user applies his arm regardless of the force exerted thereon. An upper arm support and restraint member is adjustably secured to align the medial axis of the forearm with the axis of rotation of the shaft which the user is gripping such that movement is controlled as the user moves his hand through supination and pronation. A forearm support platform is secured such that the hand and wrist extend beyond the edge of the platform when gripping the crank arm to restrain forearm movement as the hand moves through palmarflexion and dorsiflexion in moving the crank arm at a controlled rate of speed.

Abstract: A fireplace damper position indicator for indicating whether the damper to the flue is open or closed to prevent building a fire with a closed damper or leaving the damper open allowing air to escape from the room. The device briefly is a magnetic holder to attach to the fireplace lintel and a hanger pivotally secured to the holder to connect to a sign. The sign has indicia indicating "open" on one side and "closed" on the other side such that when the fireplace damper is open the sign is turned to read "open" indicating the damper is open.

Abstract: A leg exercising device comprising a general frame having an L-shaped seat for supporting the body and a leg gripping frame pivotally secured to the general frame such that the axis of rotation of the leg gripping frame is aligned with the knee of the user. The leg gripping frame has resilient pads which allow the leg to pass therethrough such that the leg is padded from the frame as it moves in both directions. A power cylinder is pivotally secured between the general frame and the leg gripping frame to provide a resistance to pivotal movement of the leg gripping frame about the axis of rotation in both directions.

Abstract: A method of stimulating production from an oil well capable of primary production of an oil bearing strata, comprising the steps of injecting liquid carbon dioxide down the bore of the oil well at a pressure sufficient for gaseous carbon dioxide, formed by the evaporation of the liquid carbon dioxide, to permeate through the strata and react with connate water to make carbonic acid. The well is then shut in for a period of time enabling the carbonic acid to react with the rocks in the strata to increase the permeability of the strata and thereby stimulate production from the oil well.

Abstract: A device for exercising the hip and upper leg muscles comprising a support frame with a body support member and leg gripping members rotatably secured to each side of the support frame adapted to grip the leg just above the knee. The axis of rotation of the leg gripping members is adapted to be substantially aligned with the axis of rotation of the ball and socket joint between the upper leg and the hip. A cylinder to control the rate of movement of the leg is pivotally secured between the support frame and each of the leg gripping members to control the rate of movement of the leg gripping members and legs.

Abstract: An arm and leg exercising device adapted to strengthen arm muscles and hip abduction and adduction muscles comprising body support members secured to a frame to support the human body such that the median axis of the human body is substantially parallel to the central axis of the body support members. A pair of padded leg support members, adapted to engage the side of the legs, and a member controlling the rate of movement are secured to the body support members to control movement of extremities of the leg support members in a lateral direction between a first position wherein the feet of a user are adjacent the median axis of the body of the user to a second position wherein the extremities of the leg support members are spaced from the median axis of the body.

Abstract: An improved seal apparatus for a rotary machine including a rotary internal combustion engine. The machine generally comprises a rotor rotatably disposed in a circular working section in a hollow machine housing, a divider valve, and for an internal combustion engine a compression-expansion valve being rotatably secured in the housing and in sealing engagement with the rotor to divide the working space in the housing into an intake space and an exhaust space. The rotor of the machine has a piston formed thereon and the improved seal apparatus includes a plurality of seal bars in recesses between recessed connecting runners in the piston perimeter surface and urged into sealing relation with the inner wall of the housing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conditioning the surface of the strings of a racquet such as used in tennis and other racquet sports. The method comprises a first step of applying a first primer coat of adhesive to the strings in the central portion of the racquet by spraying it through a template. The first coat of adhesive is applied to both sides of the strings and after drying a second coat is applied thereto. A granular substance, such as white quartz fractured to the size of 1/50th of an inch having a general cubical-shape, is sprinkled over the second coat of adhesive while damp. After the abrasive settles in and dries, a final sealing layer of adhesive is sprayed over the quartz crystals and second coat. This process both coats and locks the strings together at the intersections to lengthen strike-life and also forms a rough frictional surface on the strings to provide better ball control and create a better spin on the ball when hit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a thin film of newsprint ink to a printing plate, the apparatus comprising a metering roller in rolling pressure indented relation with a transfer roller having an oleophillic surface. The transfer roller is in pressure indented relationship with a form roller which transfers a thin film of ink to the printing plate. An excess of ink is supplied to the nip between the metering roller and the transfer roller to produce the thin film of ink which may be further conditioned by an ink storage roller prior to entry of the film of ink into the ink transfer nip between the transfer roller and the form roller. By controlling the relative speeds between the form roller and the transfer roller, slippage occurs which meters a thin film of ink onto the form roller for transfer and application to the printing plate.