Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrochemical analysis of liquids, including molten materials, using laser-induced plasma spectroscopy. The apparatus preferably comprises a high power pulsed laser focused on the surface of a liquid stream flowing in a measurement cell, and an optical spectrometer-detector assembly, which receives, detects and analyzes the radiation emitted by the high temperature plasma thereby excited. The measurement cell, and optional pump, establish a steady flow of liquid, thereby permitting the laser to repeatedly sample a fresh unperturbed surface, representative of the liquid volume, while also ensuring that bubbles and waves formed in the liquid are removed from the focal volume. Gas (usually air) blown above the liquid prevents aerosols and matter ejected from the sample responsive to the incident energy from interacting with subsequent laser pulses, and from accumulating on the optics.

Abstract: An ink jet coating composition comprising a blend of silicas, a blend of super and/or fully and partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols, and a cationic resin is provided, where ink jet recording materials prepared from such compositions demonstrate a balance of properties including improved imaging performance and good water resistance.

Abstract: An inflatable tube ski vehicle with steering mechanism comprises an inflated, torus-shaped tube or bladder and a ski insert disposed in the central opening of the bladder. The ski insert may be dish-shaped, or it may partially wrap around the top and/or bottom of the bladder. In either case, the ski vehicle has a steering/braking mechanism comprising left and right lever arms pivotally attached to and extending down through the ski insert. To turn, a rider simply pulls on one of the lever arms, causing a lower portion of the lever arm to extend past a bottom of the insert. To brake, both arms are pulled simultaneously. Because the ski vehicle is round and because the weight of the vehicle and rider are largely uniformly distributed over the center of the vehicle, a pivot or fulcrum point occurs directly under the rider's seat, affording a significant degree of control.

Abstract: A shelf dolly comprises a caster-footed pedestal base and a lifting sleeve slidably connected to the pedestal base. A shelf-leg coupling adapter, provided for removably coupling the lifting sleeve to a shelf leg, is connected to the lifting sleeve. Additionally, the shelf dolly is equipped with a jack for raising and lowering the lifting sleeve with respect to the pedestal base. To raise a shelf leg, the shelf dolly is positioned next to the leg. The lifting sleeve portion of the shelf dolly is coupled to the shelf leg using the shelf-leg coupling adapter. Subsequently, the shelf dolly's jack is operated, causing the lifting sleeve to move upwards, and the shelf leg, coupled to the lifting sleeve, to lift off the ground. To move a shelf, a shelf dolly is attached to each shelf leg.

Abstract: A low-smoke, highly flame-retardant and flexible dual layer insulation system, which demonstrates improved cut-through resistance, is provided. The inventive insulation system, which is suitable for use as an outer covering for wires or conductors, comprises a cross-linked, highly flame-retardant and halogen-free first insulating layer and a tough, flexible second insulating layer.

Abstract: An adjustable gage comprises a centerline hub and a swing gage. The hub includes a body with position jaws adjustably attached thereto, and a central post. The gage comprises a pair of parallel slide bars and front and rear blocks slidable along the slide bars. A movable, spring-biased probe is slidably connected to the front block via a rail and carriage bearing apparatus. The probe is operably connected to a probe-movement indicator. The rear block has a fixed probe. Both probes have end roller bearings. In use, the part to be measured is placed within the position jaws, previously adjusted to the approximate inner or outer diameter of the part. Then, the gage is placed over the post, with the roller bearings coming into contact with the part, and the gage is rotated. The probes track along the part, with any variances in part diameter showing up on the indicator.

Abstract: A vortex generating golf ball dimple for producing a turbulent boundary layer on the surface of a golf ball during its flight is a composite of a plurality of overlapping smaller concave sections. Preferably, the dimple is a plurality of peripheral spherical sections overlapping a central spherical section to form a ridge-like polygon. The polygon, the top edge of which lies below the outer edges of the dimple, acts as a vortex generating structure within the dimple concavity for producing the turbulent boundary layer. Each pair of opposite or near opposite sides of the polygon has a common cross-sectional shape or structure. The aerodynamic characteristics of the cross-sectional structure are such that the turbulent boundary layer is formed about the dimple at even relatively low velocities without any unnecessary interference being produced at high velocities.

Abstract: A method of covering, embedding or burying magnetically encodable regions, invisible to the naked eye at least on one side, in a magnetic/metallic security device begins by providing a security device carrier substrate having an imaged metallic region. A foil film is provided on a release coated carrier film. One or more magnetic regions are provided on either the foil film layer or the carrier substrate. Patterned, flat, or roller heated dies are used to contact and bond the foil film to the security device carrier substrate in at least those regions of the magnetic regions thereby producing a security device having covered, embedded or camouflaged magnetically encodable regions.

Abstract: An ink jet coating composition comprising a blend of silicas, a blend of super and/or fully and partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols, and a cationic resin is provided, where ink jet recording materials prepared from such compositions demonstrate a balance of properties including improved imaging performance and good water resistance.

Abstract: An interactive security blanket for children comprises two fabric sheets sewn together to provide a blanket body. One of the sheets preferably has a colorful children's pattern or design, while the other is provided in a complimentary solid color. Additionally, a plurality of spaced-apart ribbon loops, or “tags,” are attached to the four edges of the blanket body, and extend out therefrom. The lengths of ribbon comprising the tags are looped from and back into the seam between the pieces of fleece, and are firmly attached at that seam. The tags are provided in a variety of colors, patterns, and textures, e.g., they may be wide, thin, silky, textured, bright-colored, pastel, shiny, solid, and/or provided with fabric prints suitable for children. The tags function as a means for providing sensory stimulation for children via the children's passive (ocular) or active (tactile) interaction with the pillow or blanket.

Abstract: A wall-mounted locking system for firearms comprises a wall-mounted base plate having hinged primary and secondary latch doors. A breech hook is connected to the base plate. The primary latch door carries a locking mechanism, which is dimensioned to pass through a hole or cut-out provided in the secondary latch door. Additionally, a barrel ring or muzzle hook is wall mounted above the base plate. A firearm is held against the base plate via the breech hook, which engages the firearm's ejection port and prevents the firearm from being loaded with ammunition. The barrel ring or muzzle hook prevents the firearm's barrel from being moved laterally. The firearm is secured via closing the latch doors and locking the lock.

Abstract: A marking device for a CNC machine tool or the like comprises a tubular body capped at either end with top and bottom plates. A main shaft extends down through the top plate along the central axis of the body, and is rotatably held in place by upper and lower bearings. A cylindrical cam having one or more cam lobes disposed on an underside thereof is attached to the main shaft within the body. A guide extends through the bottom plate and slidably supports a spring-biased stylus, an upper, anvil end of which normally tracks along the underside of the cam, and a lower, marking point end of which normally lies just within the guide. When the main shaft is rotated, e.g., by being operably connected to the machine tool's spindle, the cam also rotates, causing the cam lobes to strike the anvil and drive the stylus axially downwards through the guide and into a part or work piece. To create a complex pattern, the machine tool sets the spindle to rotate at a constant rate.

Abstract: An inertia-resistant preventer mechanism is provided for use in a firearm safety enhancement system to reliably and selectably prevent or to unblock a firing mechanism of a firearm. The inertia-resistant preventer mechanism includes a first solenoid having a moveable blocking rod with a first actuation response speed. The blocking rod is normally interposed in the firearm to prevent activation of the firing mechanism and is selectably activated to unblock the firing mechanism. A second solenoid is also included, having a second blocking rod with a second actuation response speed equal to or faster than the response speed of the first solenoid. The second blocking rod of the second solenoid is normally interposed at an angle to the first solenoid to block the first blocking rod of the first solenoid against accidental unblocking caused by inertia and relative movement of the firearm.

Abstract: Rechargeable cells employing mercury- and lead-free zinc-bismuth alloys as negative active materials are provided. Such cells demonstrate low after-cycle gassing, improved cumulative discharge capacities and initial discharge performances comparable to that of rechargeable cells that employ leaded zinc powders as negative anode materials.

Abstract: A pulse wave velocity measuring device generally comprises first and second photoplethysmographic transducers or probes electrically operably connected to a computer. The transducers are positioned on a patient's back to record pulse waveform information at two locations along the descending thoracic aorta. Additionally, the patient's ECG is recorded. Once the pulse waveforms and ECG waveform are recorded, noise or artifact ridden data is excluded, and the pulse waveforms are signal averaged using the ECG data points as fiducial references. Then, the signal averaged pulse waveforms are analyzed (again, with the ECG data providing fiducial points) to determine the foot of each waveform and the foot-to-foot transit time between the two transducers. Pulse wave velocity is then determined by dividing the distance between the transducers by the foot-to-foot transit time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous paper product impregnated with at least one chemical species. The porous paper product can be in the form of sheets, or compressed pellets. The porous paper can be prepared from a variety of sources, including wood pulp, kenaf, flax, or hemp. The chemical species impregnating the paper react and/or diffuse out of the paper to accomplish a variety of desired results. For example, diffusion of a volatile biocidal chemical out of pores in the paper create a no-growth zone on and immediately surrounding the impregnated paper. In this manner the impregnated paper can provide a sterile environment for activities such as food packaging/storage, the treatment of illness/injury, or waste disposal.

Abstract: A magnesium-based casting alloy having good salt-spray corrosion resistance and improved creep resistance, tensile yield strength and bolt-load retention, particularly at elevated temperatures of at least 150° C., is provided. The inventive alloy comprises, in weight percent, 2 to 9% aluminum and 0.5 to 7% strontium, with the balance being magnesium except for impurities commonly found in magnesium alloys.

Abstract: A vortex generating golf ball dimple for producing a turbulent boundary layer on the surface of a golf ball during its flight is a composite of a plurality of overlapping smaller concave sections. Preferably, the dimple is a plurality of peripheral spherical sections overlapping a central spherical section to form a ridge-like polygon. The polygon, the top edge of which lies below the outer edges of the dimple, acts as a vortex generating structure within the dimple concavity for producing the turbulent boundary layer. Each pair of opposite or near opposite sides of the polygon has a common cross-sectional shape or structure. The aerodynamic characteristics of the cross-sectional structure are such that the turbulent boundary layer is formed about the dimple at even relatively low velocities without any unnecessary interference being produced at high velocities.

Abstract: A system of plastic plant trays is disclosed for conveniently transporting, displaying and removing (for planting) young plants or seedlings. In the preferred embodiment, each tray comprises a plurality of cells for removably housing the plants; unique pull-out tabs for gently lifting plants atop them from individual cells; and a color-coded handle that identifies the price of the plants. By pulling up on a dangling end of a tab, a gardener can lift and later extract a plant with minimal damage to its roots or flowers.