Abstract: Methods and devices for tailoring the functional relationship between the shift ratio of a CVT and the radial force (FR) into the cam surfaces of a CVT's helix. Such tailoring may effect downshifting, and the separation of the design of the upshift function from the design of the backshift function. Such tailoring may be effected by schemes that include the use of a helix with other than a constant distance from the rotational axis to the touch point (touch-point radius), a touch-point radius that is a monotonic function of the shift ratio, or a touch-point radius that is a meandering function of the shift ratio.

Abstract: A low cost, low skill method, and system produced by the method, of providing fluid drainage for a cast concrete footing, including placing a drainage mat against and along the inside of the outside-form-wall; attaching one end of a through-conduit in fluid communication with the drainage mat and extending the other end flush with the inside of the inside-form-wall; placing concrete between the forms; allowing concrete reasonably to cure; removing the forms; attaching conventional drainage to the exposed end of the through-conduit; and backfilling the foundation.

Abstract: A portable shelf for mounting on an existing, conventional, wall affixed towel bar using only friction and gravitationally induced forces. The shelf is capable of holding sundry articles customarily found in a bathroom while also providing a bar that may be used to hold towels. The shelf is preferably formed from two brackets pierced by multiple rods preferably of uniform cross-section. More than two brackets may be used resulting in a shelf that has enhanced stiffness. The brackets have a side appearance resembling the capital Greek letter gamma with a vertical back that conforms to the wall, a top that is pierced by multiple rods lying in a horizontal plane, a bottom pierced by at least one rod that is spaced from the wall, and a front that extends downward from a point in front of the towel bar to a point that is behind the towel bar and closer to the wall. The shelf's width may be adjusted by sliding the brackets on the rods.

Abstract: Walls of expanded polystyrene, concrete-receiving forms (referred to as insulated or insulating concrete forms or ICFs) need to be vertical while they are being filled with concrete and while the concrete is curing. An apparatus with a vertical member and a brace member is such that one person can erect it and use it to adjust walls of ICFs so as to be vertical or plumb. The apparatus is capable of being readily used with the forms of any manufacturer by being provided with asymmetrical brackets for detachably attaching the vertical member to a wall firmly, but not rigidly. The apparatus provides a support for a platform, or scaffold, for a person to stand on while guiding the concrete pouring and while plumbing the wall. The vertical member extends upward from the ground and is held firmly against the wall with asymmetrical brackets. The brace member extends from the vertical member at a pivot with the other end of the brace member attached to the ground or floor.

Abstract: Continuously variable speed drives (CVT) have improved performance over all shift ratios using an improved flyweight (camweight) that enhances power transfer for higher shift ratios (slower vehicle speeds) without compromising efficiency or performance at smaller shift ratios. Prior art CVTs characteristically have some belt slippage, and attendant power waste and excess wear, when operating with higher shift ratios. The prior art deficiency is due to a tendency of the prior art flyweights not to cause sufficient side forces (axial forces) on the belt at higher shift ratios. The present invention preferably supplements conventional flyweights with a massive shoulder that is a supplemental mass concentration placed near the flyweight's center of rotation, and at an obtuse angle from the center-of-mass (COM) of a conventional flyweight, such that the resultant centrifugal forces effect a desirable axial force. Embodiments are disclosed that allow adjusting the degree of improvement.

Abstract: An improved nipple, used with a percussion cap to ignite the propellent of a muzzleloader without significant ejecta from the nipple (back-flash), is disclosed. A check valve, preferably using a spherical actuator that is loosely retained within the valve chamber, is used to preclude back-flash. Use of a check valve and use of a relatively mild percussion cap (compared to primers) revealed a set of new problems that are solved by the disclosed device. Difficulty in removing spent caps, because of the lack of cap removing back-flash, was solved by flash chamber structure within the nipple adjacent to the cap. A tendency for the protective membranes of percussion caps to lodge within a nipple not having back-flash was cured by the use of an actuator retainer that directs the actuator to the side of the valve chamber during ignition. Ignition was improved by the use of a flash jet orifice and by the use of a directing actuator retainer.

Abstract: The invention comprises processes for the production of useful fluid or grease from curable silicone compositions or silicone rubbers, preferably reclaimed or scrap silicone rubber. The processes involve the application of energy in such a manner that a un-curable silicone grease or liquid that contains essentially all of the original material is produced from curable silicone compositions and grease or liquid is produced from silicone rubbers. Suitable energy forms include thermal and mechanical. The fluid or grease produced by the processes are useful as raw materials for the manufacture of silicone products such as: antifoam compounds (defoamers), greases, conformal coatings or rubbers. The materials produced by these processes were unexpectedly found to have exceptional antifoam properties without requiring the addition of other materials or further processing.

Abstract: The invention comprises processes for the production of useful fluid or grease from curable silicone compositions or silicone rubbers, preferably reclaimed or scrap silicone rubber. The processes involve the application of energy in such a manner that a un-curable silicone grease or liquid that contains essentially all of the original material is produced from curable silicone compositions and grease or liquid is produced from silicone rubbers. Suitable energy forms include thermal and mechanical. The fluid or grease produced by the processes are useful as raw materials for the manufacture of silicone products such as: antifoam compounds (defoamers), greases, conformal coatings or rubbers. The materials produced by these processes were unexpectedly found to have exceptional antifoam properties without requiring the addition of other materials or further processing.

Abstract: The coupler has, in several embodiments, a compliant-link having flexible or pivoted fingers that engage a groove in the inside of a lower link in at least three places. The groove appears much like a bearing race. The compliant-link is retained inside of an upper sleeve that is attached to an upward-extending post. The lower (engaging) link is attached to a downward-extending post. The fingers are able to disengage from the groove under spring action and thus a sufficient applied moment will cause disengagement. Disengagement does not cause anything to break. Assembly, or reassembly, of the coupler may be performed without extra parts or tools. In several of the embodiments, the decoupling moment may be manually adjusted using less moment than the resultant decoupling moment. The decoupling moment is essentially independent of azimuth. The coupler is particularly suited to being used with rural type mailboxes, and warehouse buffers and supports.

Abstract: The invention comprises processes for the production of useful fluid or grease from curable silicone compositions or silicone rubbers, preferably reclaimed or scrap silicone rubber. The processes involve the application of energy in such a manner that a un-curable silicone grease or liquid that contains essentially all of the original material is produced from curable silicone compositions and grease or liquid is produced from silicone rubbers. Suitable energy forms include thermal and mechanical. The fluid or grease produced by the processes are useful as raw materials for the manufacture of silicone products such as: antifoam compounds (defoamers), greases, conformal coatings or rubbers. The materials produced by these processes were unexpectedly found to have exceptional antifoam properties without requiring the addition of other materials or further processing.

Abstract: A portable, hand-operated hoist that is particularly suited for use by persons afield in woods or rough terrain is disclosed. In its preferred embodiment, a housing contains a length of fabric ribbon urged to remain in the housing by a spring, an orifice for through communication of the ribbon, and a locking device (of over-center type) for selectively preventing movement of the ribbon. An end of the ribbon is outside of the housing, attached to a hook, and prevented from entering the housing by the size of the hook. A holder is on the outside of the housing for detachably retaining the hook when it is not in use. A clip is also on the outside of the housing to facilitate detachably attaching the hoist to the user's apparel.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of an impulse stabilizer for reducing the effects of a mechanical impulse produced by apparatus including archery bows or air-rifles comprises a sealed elongated housing containing along its axis from one end to the other: a first cushion; a first mass that is elongated, contains an axial hole, is surrounded with one or more bushings, and that only loosely fits within the housing; a coil type spring under compression; a second mass that is the same as the first mass except that its length, density, or hole cross-section area may be different; and a second cushion. The voids within the housing are essentially filled with a fluid such as hydraulic fluid. The dimensions are such that, at rest, the spring urges both masses against their adjacent cushions.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing and a method of playing the ball type game called "Buntball" is disclosed. The game is characterized as being suitable for play by persons of differing skill, gender, or age and of being safe to play indoors or outdoors. The apparatus comprises a rectangular playing field without walls or ceiling, a homeplate in front of the playing field, a bat, and a ball. The playing field includes four subareas, and is preferably sixteen feet wide and twenty-four feet deep. Homeplate is preferably twelve feet away from the playing field. The bat and ball are preferably hollow and the ball is preferably perforated with small openings. The players are equally partitioned into two teams, each having at least one player. One team is positioned on the playing field with the goal of catching balls bunted thereto by a batter on the other team.

Abstract: The invention communicates a resonant volume with a conventional resonant exhaust system of a two-cycle engine such that the one decibel band-width of the resonant volume includes the peak RPM of the unmodified two-cycle engine.The preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprises a quarter wave tube of optimal dimensions that is closed at one end and attached to a conventional resonant exhaust system within an optimal zone.The process or method comprises the steps necessary to design the optimal length and cross-section area (or band-width) of the quarter wave tube and its placement on a conventional resonant exhaust system. From a suitably detailed graph or tabulation of power versus RPM for an unmodified engine, two critical RPM values are determined. The effective speed of sound within the exhaust system is estimated.

Abstract: An improved elbow used to attach accessories such as stabilizers to archery bows is disclosed. The elbow comprises: an extended arm having a threaded-end capable of being attached to the bow (facilitated in the preferred embodiment by a nut) with the other end having a spherical bevel surmounted by a flat-portion, a saddle shaped wrist capable of receiving the threaded end of the accessory and encompassing the arm, and a hinge coupling the arm and wrist. The hinge uses a special pin that passes loosely through the arm and tightly through both sides of the wrist, and that also functions as a spring. The elbow has two modes of use: an extended mode, when the attached accessory and arm are in line and the attached accessory is essentially parallel to the arrow; and a folded mode, where the attached stabilizer is pivoted down or up.

Abstract: A hand-held jig for confining a bagel, or like object, while it is being sliced by a knife blade and a method of using the jig are disclosed. The jig comprises two identical structures that are joined together by a specialized hinge. The two structures are mirror images of each other and each comprises a circular cage (for loosely surrounding the rim of a bagel) that is attached to the hinge on one side and to a radially extending handle on the opposite side, and clamps in front of the cage for retaining and gripping the bagel and preventing its movement. The hinge is composed of material not injurious to a knife blade when it strikes the hinge, and is so constructed as to be fixed with respect to one of the structures and yet allow rotation of the other structure with respect to the hinge.

Abstract: A process for keeping Zebra mussels alive for extended periods of time in a laboratory environment is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the process involves securing live, wild Zebra mussels from one of the Great Lakes and submerging them in an aerated, water-containing vessel. An agitated mixture of water and compressed, freeze-dried brine shrimp is added once a day to the vessel.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool for maintaining hunting arrows is disclosed. The tool is a sharpener capable of sharpening broadheads, a wrench capable of tightening or loosening broadheads screwed onto an arrow, and a dresser capable of dressing the fletched end of an arrow so that the arrow effectively will receive a nock. The tool has an elongated body with integral longitudinal ridges to enhance its appearance and to facilitate gripping, and is preferably molded of ABS plastic in two pieces. The sharpener and wrench are at the bottom, and the dresser is at the top of the tool. The sharpener comprises a shallow channel running diagonally across the face of the bottom, normal to the axis of the tool, with a plurality of small hard rods imbedded in the sides of the groove. Sharpening is effected by movement of the edge of a broadhead along the shallow groove.

Abstract: A bow pod for holding an archer's bow in an upright position comprises an upwardly open socket for holding the bow-end and a higher mounted, open sided groove or hook for holding the bowstring at a point below where the arrow is nocked. The socket may be attached to the ground with one or more bottom protruding spikes or may be attached to a structure such as a tree stand. The preferred embodiment utilizes a socket with a triangular cross section containing an essentially cylindrical cavity providing clearance for the end pulley or eccentric cam of a compound bow, and a single ground engaging spike. The groove of the preferred embodiment is roughly 260 mm above the socket, has its opening inclined away from the bow-limb, and is pivotally attached to the socket by a metal cylinder. The preferred embodiment also provides means for compactly stowing the parts of the device and means for attaching a string bobbin tracking device.