Abstract: A gumming roll preferably for use with apparatus for applying gum to blanks and pertains has gear driven rollers and the rollers are in skidding contact for returning excess adhesive to an adhesive pan without substantial foaming of the adhesive. The gumming apparatus speed of operation is greater than the conventional apparatus in which adhesive foaming is a problem.

Abstract: A solid-state lasers and method of operating the laser is described having a microwave-driven (MWD) visible excimer fluorescence source for exciting a solid-state laser. The laser of this invention provides an efficient, compact, and tunable solid-state laser preferably for use with tunable vibronic laser crystals. Further described is an excimer lamp that has the capability of provided illumination at varying wavelengths. In one embodiment an excimer is selected in a desire to maximize light absorption in plants. This is accomplished by tuning the lamp to provide an output compatible with plant chlorophyll.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus preferably for applications in which a floor covering is to be removed and/or installed, has a lever arm and support that provide portions of two interconnected linkages. An interchangeable bracket is raised and lowered by the lifting apparatus. The bracket is provided with single-sided and double-sided portions that insert into a partition member to raise the partition when the bracket is raised by the lifting apparatus. A rachet arm is provided by a spring-biased stop member and a serrated portion. The rachet allows the lifting assembly to support the weight of the partition without constant attention, thereby allowing the workers to perform either the removal or installation of a floor covering without an inordinate amount of partition movement.

Abstract: An infinite heat sealing assembly preferably for heat sealing a thermoplastic heat-shrinkable plastic film, has a heat sealing assembly for cutting and sealing a seam in a film or layers of film without regard to the length of the seam. The heat sealing assembly includes a heated blade and a plurality of belt conveyors for conveying the film with a desired tracking through the assembly. An adjustable angle blade and slotted film support ramp result in improved sealing of heavier gauge films by increasing the dwell time of the film on the heated blade.

Abstract: An article of footwear made to vibrate by either of two types of vibrating motive members and associated with the structure of the shoe to transmit the vibrations generated to the foot of the wearer. Two vibrating motive members are described, a motor having an off-center shaft-mounted weight and pulsating-type motor.

Abstract: A sealing assembly attachment, for use in preparing envelopes which will apply a gum to a top flap, place a piece of release paper over the gummed flap, fold and crease the top flap and deliver the envelope to be stacked and counted. The sealing assembly attachment generally consists of a transfer cylinder to transfer envelopes into the sealing assembly attachment, a vacuum cylinder within the sealing assembly attachment to transport envelopes from the transfer cylinder and through the sealing assembly attachment, a gum pattern applicator to apply gum to a top flap of the envelopes while being transferred by the vacuum cylinder, a release paper applicator after the gum pattern applicator to place release paper over the gum applied to the top flap, a flap fold cylinder used in cooperation with the vacuum cylinder to fold and crease the top flap; and a delivery disk to transfer the envelope from the sealing assembly attachment to a delivery table to be stacked.

Abstract: A learning board preferably utilized for teaching both mathematics and non-mathematical subjects. The learning board comprising a playing surface with multiple receiving areas, a plurality of board pieces, a plurality of solution lists, and a plurality of indicia on the learning surface, the board pieces, and the solution lists. The plurality of indicia including question, answer, verification, number, solution, and indicator means. The learning board including a means for almost instantaneously verifying correct answers while substantially disorganizing the board pieces with respect to the subsequent exercise through the correct solution of an exercise.

Abstract: A holster for holding a weapon within the holster against the forced removal of the weapon from the holster. The holster includes a projection associated with a biased weapon holding mechanism for engagement of a trigger guard.

Abstract: An improved method of heat transfer between a first substantially homogenous fluid passing through the inside of a heat exchange tube, and a second fluid on the outside of the heat exchange tube includes the step of passing the first fluid through a compound turbulator inside the tube. The compound turbulator includes a twisted strip surrounded by a helical coil that is closely spaced from the walls of the tube. Passing the first fluid over the compound turbulator generates a high level of turbulence in the first fluid in the region adjacent the tube wall, facilitating heat transfer to the second fluid on the outside of the heat exchange tube. The augmentation of heat transfer to the second fluid can also be accomplished through the use of a helical coil installed on the outside of the tube.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus preferably for applications in which a floor covering is to be removed and/or installed, has a lever arm and support that provide portions of two interconnected linkages. An interchangeable bracket is raised and lowered by the lifting apparatus. The bracket is provided with portions that insert into a partition member to raise the partition when the bracket is raised by the lifting apparatus.

Abstract: A gumming roll preferably for use with apparatus for applying gum to blanks and pertains has gear driven rollers and the rollers are in skidding contact for returning excess adhesive to an adhesive pan without substantial foaming of the adhesive. The gumming apparatus speed of operation is greater than the conventional apparatus in which adhesive foaming is a problem.

Abstract: A wheelchair seating system preferably for use with an inflatable cushion device such as that incorporated herein by reference includes a base suitable for containing the components necessary to provide for either manual or automatic inflation and deflation of the lower cushion incorporated in the seating system and the upper cushion upon which a user sits.

Abstract: A gumming roll preferably for use with apparatus for applying gum to blanks and pertains, has rollers in skidding contact for returning excess adhesive to an adhesive pan without substantial foaming of the adhesive.

Abstract: A variable height support structure is provided for use in combination with a solid object dispenser such as a pill or capsule dispenser. The height of the support structure is varied by the use of asymmetrical cam designed to move the support structure surface in discreet units. The apparatus allows a dispenser to fill blister packs with pills or capsules of various shapes and thicknesses without dispenser component reconfiguration or modification or replacement.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier for carrying one or more spare tires with an on-off road utility vehicle. The spare tire carrier is of the type for mounting to the roll bar present in on-off road utility vehicles to prevent roll over and/or occupant damage. The spare tire carrier accommodates various sized spare tire and wheel combinations and can be attached to all of the different sized commercially manufactured roll bars utilized in on-off road utility vehicles of this type. Additionally, the spare tire carrier is rotatably mounted on the roll bar thereby permitting the spare tire to be carried either inside the passenger or cargo areas or outside the on-off road utility vehicle as conditions dictate. The spare tire carrier comprises a base, a base arm, a platform, and a platform arm.

Abstract: A modular magnetic card read/write apparatus for installation in an associated mechanism is constructed from modular read/write assemblies. The module construction allows for assembly of different length card read/writers by adding additional modules to fit longer or shorter card paths imposed by the particular application and the associated mechanism. Modular read/write assemblies further provide the option of multiple head readers at various positions to allow reading of more than one card track without modification to the apparatus.

Abstract: A liner fastener arrangement for retaining a liner including bags with or without handles. The liner fasteners are retained relative to the container for providing removable liners.

Abstract: An improved smoke detector in combination with a fan assembly for reducing the likelihood of smoke detector activation by ambient smoke, has a fan with a timer controlling the fan's motor to automatically shut off the fan either when the time has expired or if the timer fails.