Abstract: A basketball training aid for improving a player's shooting accuracy. The aid is a removable rim that is placed over a regulation basketball goal to reduce the inside diameter of the goal. The players can then practice with a smaller goal and thereby improve both accuracy and concentration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming the locking bend on a Pittsburgh type seam used in joining the sections during assembly of box-shaped sheet metal ducts. The apparatus provides a means for securely holding the duct without the use of a mandrel to permit the sheet metal along the seam to be bent over by a forming roller moving along the seam so as to complete the joint and lock the seam.

Abstract: A duct joining system having two L-shaped connectors for each duct corner. Each connector has two substantially perpendicular legs forming a corner region and has an inside and an outside surface with the outside surface of one L-shaped connector abutting the outside surface of the other L-shaped connector when the ducts are joined. An irregularly shaped opening is formed in the corner region of each L-shaped connector in alignment with the opening in the abutting connector. A tab having an enlarged head and a stem is integrally formed with and extends inwardly from the peripheral edge of each of the openings. A score line is formed at the base of the stem of each tab on the outside surface of the connector to allow the tab to be bent outwardly about the score line so that the tab can be inserted through the opening in the abutting L-shaped connector and than bent over to lock the connectors together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating soil contaminated with hydrocarbons by breaking up the soil into discrete particles and passing the particles through an open flame to cause the volatile substances in them to vaporize and burn. The apparatus is preferably portable and provides for continuous processing of the contaminated soil on-site so that it can be immediately returned to the ground free from contamination.

Abstract: A finger exercise device which allows a user to move his/her fingers against resistance while allowing the user to perform different types of finger movement, such as flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, etc. The device also provides a finger exerciser that will allow the user to exercise an individual finger or a combination of fingers and which will allow the user to select the degree of resistance placed on the finger movement. By use of a pulley system that provides for even distribution of load on active fingers, and a weight unit that provides variable resistance, finger exercise is performed by placing fingertips in finger rests located in slots and moving the fingertips outwardly or inwardly against the resistance of the weight unit.

Abstract: Infrared lasers are used to deposit diamond thin films onto a substrate. In one embodiment, the deposition of the film is from a gas mixture of CH.sub.4 and H.sub.2 that is introduced into a chemical vapor deposition chamber and caused to flow over the surface of the substrate to be coated while the laser is directed onto the surface. In another embodiment, pure carbon in the form of soot is delivered onto the surface to be coated and the laser beam is directed onto the surface in an atmosphere that prevents the carbon from being burned to CO.sub.2.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling agricultural pests in soil by the use of microwave energy. By using an agricultural-type implement for the controlled application of microwave energy to the topsoil prior to the planting of crops, germination of weed and other seeds is inhibited and insects are destroyed. Use of microwave energy has no residual effects, thereby practically eliminating any adverse effects on the environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging and spectroscopy in which a combination of pulsed radio frequency fields and gradient magnetic fields, called pulse sequences, are used to acquire data from a sample's nuclear spins. Using the principles of the invention, these fields are manipulated so as to yield data points that cover a multidimensional space in a regular fashion. Information is then reconstructed from this data by performing an inverse discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT) on the data set. Many varieties of pulse sequences can be used, such as spinwarp imaging, half-Fourier techniques, echo-planar techniques, and chemical shift imaging. The invention may be used for two, three or four-dimensional studies where the dimensions may be any combination of the three spatial dimensions and the signal frequency. In two dimensions, hexagonal sampling patterns are the most efficient, providing an efficiency gain of 13.4%.

Abstract: A system for supplying milk or other liquids to individual drinkers from which animals can drink on a need basis by actuating a valve in the drinker that allows the milk to flow into the drinker. In the system, each drinker is positioned so that milk is continuously circulated through the drinker any time the circulating pump is running. This not only keeps the milk from becoming stale, but it also prevents the drinkers from becoming clogged and permits the entire system to be cleaned in place.

Abstract: A hand-held grease gun that is battery-powered and fully portable. The grease gun uses a disposable cartridge filled with grease that is under pressure exerted by a spring loaded plunger. Grease from the cartridge is discharged into a chamber containing a piston to draw the grease from the cartridge into the chamber and discharge it through a nozzle whenever the trigger is actuated by the user.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming box-shaped sheet metal ducts with Pittsburgh-type seams. The improved method is a continuous process in which the sheet metal is fed from an uncoiler, and after straightening and notching, the leading edge is fed into a single apparatus that performs all of the remaining forming functions. In this single apparatus, the leading edge of the material is formed into the male portion of the Pittsburgh seam, after which the box is formed and then the female portion of the Pittsburgh seam is formed and the material sheared to complete the box section. Using this improved method eliminates the moving of separate parts from one station to another, thereby improving the efficiency of the forming operation and the quality of the resulting box section.

Abstract: A method for making an armrest or the like used in vehicles where the armrest is affixed to the vehicle door and also serves as a grab-handle to enable the passenger to pull the door closed. The method is an injection molded vinyl process that utilizes a two-piece insert in the main body of the armrest which allows foam to be introduced into the upper portion and inboard side where the user's arm rest. This method produces a more comfortable armrest that also is more visually pleasing and one that can be produced at a lower cost than known armrests of this type.

Abstract: An instrument for facilitating the accurate trephination of donor corneal tissue. The instrument can easily accommodate different sizes of trephines and provides for proper and accurate positioning of the donor tissue to ensure a proper central cut of the tissue. The instrument utilizes an integral base and stand that supports a moveable piston which drives the trephine through the tissue carried by a cutting block supported on the base.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool for installing the corners of transverse duct systems. The tool has powered jaws that, when placed over a standard corner piece and one of the flanges of the duct, will first clamp the corner piece in place on the flange and then crimp the flange over the corner piece to complete the installation. Both operations of clamping and crimping are accomplished with a single stroke of the operating rod of an air cylinder.

Abstract: A chiropractic massage table for producing therapeutic massage in a specified area of a patient's spine. Three pair of tandemrollers are mounted on the periphery of a rotatable support which travels along a defined path beneath the surface of the table. The rollers are also mounted so as to float upwardly and downwardly against resistance thereby adjusting the pressure of the rollers to conform to the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral curvatures of the patient's spine.

Abstract: An angiographic catheter is described with a valve covering the end-hole on the distal end. The valve will allow the catheter to be passed over a guidewire but will prevent an injected fluid (e.g., a contrast medium) from being discharged from the end hole. The valved-end catheter has side-holes near the distal end that provide for lateral discharge of the fluid thereby preventing the creation of an end-hole jet and the resulting undesirable effects of the jet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting or storing in a compact and efficient manner large objects, such as vehicles, whose shape and/or composition do not lend themselves to a high density arrangement. Using automobiles as an example, the apparatus uses trays to support the ends of the automobiles, the trays riding on open rails that are positioned at different levels to permit nesting of automobiles of different sizes and shapes. Some of the rails may be pivoted or be equipped with switches and gates, and the upper rails may have a wider gauge than the lower rails. With this arrangement, and by proper selection of carrier trays to correspond to the gauge of the rails at a particular level, damaged or otherwise undriveable vehicles can be loaded and transported as well as vehicles that are driveable.

Abstract: Vibration-causing-motion in combination with semihydroponics is used to accelerate plant growth at a faster rate than other current systems. The system of the invention utilizes a frequency of 45 to 500 cycles per second, and includes the use of weights to produce the necessary amplitude for the desired vibration. The system of the invention also may utilize a timing device which cycles on and off throughout the day, every day, to apply the desired amount of motion to the plants over a given period of time. The semihydroponics employed utilizes layers of soil, air and water combined at times with moving water and isolation of the plant roots in soil to minimize root rot.

Abstract: Removeable cutters are mounted at each end of a rotary lawn mower blade, which cutters can be removed and reinstalled with replacements easily and quickly without the use of tools. The replaceable cutters are each held in place by a positive locking arrangement, including a safety lock that is manually released by the user. During operation of the mower, the centrifugal force of the rotating blade further locks the cutters in place so that it is virtually impossible for them to become separated from the blade. The replaceable cutter unit also may include an air deflecting vane that aids in creating a suction action to pull the grass to an erect position and enhance the discharge of the grass clippings.