Abstract: A high strength, tarnish resistant composition of matter includes approximately 90 percent Ag, 3 to 5 percent Pt and 7 to 5 percent Cu. In a preferred embodiment, the composition of matter includes 90 percent Ag, 3 percent Pt and 7 percent Cu. In another preferred embodiment, the composition of matter includes 90 percent Ag, 5 percent Pt and 5 percent Cu.

Abstract: An expert system for the analysis of organizational conflict handling procedures to determine the absence or presence of predetermined rules and a preferred path for conflict resolution uses a computer system and computer instructions installed on, or linked to, the computer system containing predetermined rules for the resolution of organizational conflicts. Information is gathered for analysis of existing organizational conflict handling procedures for review via a predetermined conflict resolution analysis template that specifies a preferred path for conflict resolution across four boxes (options), and with the same preferred path template used to evaluate processes within each of the four boxes. The predetermined conflict resolution template yields recommendations, in accordance with the preferred path for conflict resolution, for modification of the existing internal organizational conflict handling procedures and the generation of new organizational conflict handling procedures.

Abstract: An air folder adjuster (10) includes an air supply (12) and air supply tubing (14) connected to air supply (12) at end (16). The opposite end (18) of air supply tubing (14) is connected to one or more air nozzles (20). In a printing press utilized for folding documents such as books, air folder adjuster (10) is positioned so that air nozzles (20) direct compressed air from air supply (12) downward onto the head (26) of document (24) on either side of chopper arm (34) during the folding process thus ensuring that the document (24) lies flat, square, and untouched during the folding process and thereby allowing the elimination of chopper brushes altogether.

Abstract: In filters fabricated on a birefringent electrooptic substrate (28), a tunable electrooptic add-drop filter apparatus (10) includes two input single mode waveguides (44) and a first beam splitter (24) connected to the waveguides (44). A polarization converter (42) is connected to the waveguides (44) after the first beam splitter (24) wherein each polarization converter (42) includes more than one set of spaced apart, spatially periodic, strain-inducing pads (18). Electrode(s) (30) are provided in proximity to the polarization converter (42). A second beam splitter (24) is provided connected to the waveguides (44) after the polarization converter (42). Finally, two output single mode waveguides (48) are connected to the second beam splitter (24).

Abstract: A soluble, moving, sound producing bait apparatus and method (10) includes, according to one embodiment of the invention, a water soluble completely biodegradable medium (12). A water soluble reactant (14) is dispersed within medium (12). According to one embodiment, water soluble reactant (14) includes CO2 charged sugar crystals (16). When introduced to water, medium (12) dissolves as do sugar crystals (16). As sugar crystals (16) begin to dissolve, the trapped CO2 escapes at the weakest point creating shattered pieces (18) of sugar crystals (16) and producing an audible sound (20). In addition to the creating sound (20), the reaction of the water soluble reactant (14) with water causes movement (22). According to another embodiment of the invention, a fish attractant (28) is added to medium (12).

Abstract: In vehicles (16) with a trailer receiver (14), a carrier apparatus (10) includes a hitch connect (12) suspended from the trailer receiver (14). A support (20) is attached to the hitch connect (12). A ramp (22) is attached to the support (20). According to one aspect of the invention, ramp (22) includes upper ramp (24) and lower ramp (26). In another aspect of the invention, a trailer receiver brace (58) is connected to the trailer receiver (14). According to another aspect of the invention, a part (30) of support (20) forms a portion of ramp (22).

Abstract: A support apparatus and method includes, for a surface with an edge, an unbound base resting on the surface with an edge. An angled face is connected to the unbound base. The connection of the angled face creates an edge receiving notch and the edge receiving notch is conformed to receive the edge of the surface and support and extend the angled face beyond the edge of the surface.

Abstract: In a system for transmitting intensity modulated light waves (20) over an optical fiber (18), an optical data transmission apparatus (10) includes a cw laser (12) conformed to emit light at substantially a single frequency. A phase modulator (14) is connected in series with the cw laser (12), wherein the phase modulator (14) is conformed to cause the light from the cw laser (12) to vary in substantially a quadratic manner as a function of time during a time interval T. An intensity modulator (16) is connected in series with the phase modulator (14), wherein the intensity modulator (16) is conformed to transmit or block the light from the phase modulator (14) in accordance with an intensity modulation scheme for transmitting binary data, such that the transmitted light consists of pulses (22) of temporal width T during which the phase of the light varies in substantially a quadratic manner as a function of time.

Abstract: A two-port guided wave tunable filter in a birefringent electrooptic and/or acoustooptic substrate material includes two 3-port, symmetric Y-branch beam splitters connected by two waveguide sections in which phase-matched polarization coupling occurs, with an input port and an output port. The optical path difference between the beam splitters is half an optical wavelength, and the polarization coupling regions between the beam splitters are relatively displaced by an odd integral multiple of half the spatial period of the perturbation responsible for the coupling. In one embodiment, an electrooptic tunable filter, the polarization coupling in the waveguides is caused by a spatially periodic strain-inducing film and tuning results from an applied electric field. In another embodiment, an acoustooptic tunable filter, polarization coupling results from a surface acoustic wave and tuning is accomplished by changing the acoustic frequency.

Abstract: An improved fluid control valve includes a valve body with an inlet and an outlet. A sealing member is connected to the valve body conformed to seal the inlet and form a pressure chamber. A push rod is connected to the sealing member and a sleeve is provided which encompasses the push rod. A piston, forming an equalization chamber, is connected to the sleeve and to the push rod so that when the piston moves in one direction the sealing member is moved in the opposite direction until camover when both move in the same direction.

Abstract: A multireflector fiber optic filter apparatus, wherein the transmittance and reflectance spectra are periodic in frequency, the apparatus comprising an etalon with N equally spaced reflectors wherein the transmittance and reflectance spectra of said etalon are periodic in optical frequency with a period given by the formula: &Dgr;&ngr;FSR=c/(2ngL), where c=the free space speed of light; ng=the group refractive index for the light propagating in the medium between the reflectors, L=separation between said reflectors, and N is an integer=3,4,5, . . . In a further aspect, an optical circulator is connected to the etalon and an optical fiber is connected to the optical circulator for reflected output.

Abstract: A portable external cover apparatus and method includes, in a vehicle with at least one window, a central connection section. A securing device is connected to the central connection section for securing the central connection section to the vehicle. A reinforcement device is provided in the securing device for preventing removal of the securing device from the vehicle. At least one cover extension is connected to the central connection section for covering the at least one window. A collapsible, shape maintaining rim is attached to the cover extension.

Abstract: A mold apparatus and method for creating designs on the interior of molds includes a resilient form with an exterior and an interior, with a design formed on the exterior. A rigid support member is removably attached to the interior of the resilient form. A mold pattern, conformed to removably receive the rigid support member and the resilient form in combination, completes the basic elements of the invention. In one aspect of the invention, a passageway in the rigid support member is provided for introducing a gas between the rigid support member and the resilient form. In another aspect of the invention, a vacuum application device is provided for applying a vacuum to the interior of the resilient form.

Abstract: An assembly, composed of long foamed tubing, with a soft inner surface and a smooth outer surface, so configured that it covers and minimizes the problem of snare points on equipment in contact with a protective covering tarpaulin. Protective tarpaulin are generally made of fabric or synthetic sheets. They can be made waterproof by impregnating them with various water proofing agents as well as being coated with a variety of natural or synthetic coatings such as acrylic or synthetic rubberized latices. Synthetic tarpaulins can be reinforced with a fiber matrics, if needed and used for example to cover pleasure boats, construction equipment, flatbed trucks, construction sites, airplanes, cars and trucks, where one wishes to protect from environmental exposure. Yet in spite of these intentions, these sheets exhibit significant defects in that they can be readily ripped and torn on the sharp and protruding edges of the equipment that they are intended to protect.

Abstract: In packaging for shipping material (26), a universal pack (10) for accommodating materials (26) of different sizes, includes a precut form (12) conformed to form a box (32) with more than one discontinuous side (14), a discontinuous bottom (16), one continuous side (18) and a continuous top (20). More than one extension (22) is connected to discontinuous bottom (16) and connectors (24) are attached to the more than one extension (22). Material (26) is inserted into box (32) and extensions (22) are secured around material (26) so that material (26) is secured against movement both side to side and front to back.

Abstract: An integrated scoop apparatus and method, in a container with a circumferential upper edge and a base, includes an integrated raised portion connected to the circumferential upper edge above the circumferential upper edge. An access port is provided in the integrated raised portion and conformed to accommodate a user's hand. In a further aspect of the invention, a support device is connected to the base of the container.

Abstract: A case locking system (10) includes two pairs of independently movable split levers (16). Split levers (16) are connected to top (12) and form more than two separate latches (20 and 22) movable between an open position and a closed position. Latch receivers (34) are connected to bottom (14) and are conformed to independently receive and retain each separate latch (20 and 22). In a preferred embodiment, two pairs of independently movable split levers (16) form four separate latches (20 and 22). In a further preferred embodiment, locking ramps (36) are connected to bottom (14) for automatically opening latches (20 and 22) when the top (12) is placed on to the bottom (14). In a further embodiment, alignment guides (56) and alignment posts (48) are utilized to automatically position latches (20 and 22) and latch receivers (34) when the top (12) is placed on the bottom (14).

Abstract: An interlocking collar element (10) apparatus and method includes a collar element (12) with a base section (14), the base section (14) including a first end (16), a second end (18) and a mid section (20). An attachment end (22) is connected to the first end (16), the attachment end (22) including a transverse locking arm (24). A receiving end (26) is connected to the second end (18) of the base section (14), the receiving end including a transverse locking bar (24). A projection (32) is attached to the mid section (20). In other aspects of the invention, a plurality of interlocking collar elements (12) are connected together to form a collar.

Abstract: A method for obtaining the average ambient air pressure outside of a building places a pressure sensor on each major outside wall of the building or around the outer circumference of a one sided (e.g., round) building. The pressure reading from each pressure sensor is obtained and the pressure readings are added together to obtain a total reading. The total reading is divided by the number of pressure readings making up the total, the result being the approximate average ambient air pressure outside of the building.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling remote interactive systems includes a client, a client computer, and a client server for a computer network. A bidirectional data stream of information about a remote interactive instrument/game is provided on the server. A communication socket, creating a connection-oriented communication path between the client computer and the server is provided for enabling transfer of the bidirectional data stream between the client computer and the server. A detachable header is provided on the server which describes and identifies the data stream, separate and apart from the bidirectional data stream, and provides access to the bidirectional data stream by the client.