Abstract: A substantially tubular rigid golf club shaft made of a composite of structural fiber laminate in a resin matrix, the shaft comprising a grip portion, a medial portion and a head attachment portion,the grip portion having a upper grip end and a lower grip end and being constructed and configured for a grip to be mounted on said grip portion that covers the exterior surface of the grip portion and extends substantially the entire length of said grip portion from said upper grip end to said lower grip end,the medial portion having a upper medial end adjacent to the lower grip end and extending a lower medial end adjacent to the head attachment portion,the head attachment portion having a upper head attachment end and a lower head attachment end with the upper head attachment end adjacent to the lower medial end, the head attachment portion constructed and configured for a golf club head to be mounted on said head attachment portion,a step transition in the exterior surface of the shaft that abruptly increases t

Abstract: A snow bracket is disclosed comprising an elongated body with a snow retention end and a roof attachment end. The snow retention end has a snow barrier means constructed and configured to inhibit sliding of snow from a roof to which the snow bracket is attached. The roof attachment end is bent into a barb with a point extending toward the snow retention end, the point adapted to be held in a roof batten to inhibit the tendency of forces of the snow load on the snow bracket to straighten out the end.

Abstract: A process for removing lead from drinking water discharged from a drinking water outlet comprising:(a) directing the water through a first matrix comprising a calcium mineral of between 10 and 100 weight percent of a solid calcium phosphate mineral which is slightly soluble in water, the remaining portion being a solid calcium carbonate mineral which is slightly soluble in water, such that there is sufficient contacting between the water and the first matrix to introduce sufficient phosphate ions into the water to form lead precipitate and reduce the lead concentration in the water to below 15 parts per billion,(b) directing the lead depleted water from step (a) through a second matrix, the second matrix comprising a mineral that when in equilibrium with the water reduces the phosphate ion concentration to 60 mg/L or below.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for solvent extraction where the heavy and light phases are directed counter-currently into vertical mixing zones created by high-strength gas jets injecting gas up through the liquids to create an emulsion plume between the two liquids. The gas jets are at certain intervals along the countercurrent flow paths of the liquids with settling zones on either side of each the mixing zone. The phases disengage in the settling zones, flowing from the mixing zone in opposite countercurrent directions. The system has minimal backmixing, no moving parts, and good contact between phases.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for reducing super cooled fog which involves the introduction of liquid carbon dioxide in a horizontal line along the ground under the fog from a moving vehicle.

Abstract: A method for calculating the average molecular weight of individual molecules in a sample, where the molecules in solution associate to form clusters. Data sets of apparent molecular weight of the sample versus concentration of the sample in the solvent are generated. The basic principles and technology in generation of the data is the well understood action of a solute upon the solvent vapor pressure above the solution. By observing the effect of a sample solute on the temperature/vapor pressure properties of a solvent, it is possible by known methods to determine its molecular weight. When dealing with a solute material that tends to form clusters, however, the molecular weight found is an apparent molecular weight, i.e. the average molecular weight of all of the particles, which are the clusters and any unassociated molecules, if any. To determine the true molecular weight, a method employing the determined apparent molecular weights, referred to herein as the BRD method, is used.

Abstract: A device for restraining movement without completely prohibiting movement is disclosed. Two coupling devices connected by a extensible material form the physical restraint device. One of the coupling devices may be coupled to a patient while the other may be coupled to a fixed object. The length and extensibility of the extensible material connecting the coupling devices determines the amount of movement allowed between the user and the fixed object. A variety of lengths and strengths of the extensible material may be used and interchanged. Because of the flexibility and extensibility of the material, the physical restraint device may also be used as an exerciser for the person being restrained. A recessed pin locking device is located within each coupling device. Access to each pin locking device is through a hole located in the coupling device. An object such as a pen or a pin must be inserted into the hole in order to release the locking device.

Abstract: A composite ski pole is formed of fiber reinforced plastic laminates laid up around an inflatable bladder, and placed in a female mold. The bladder inflates to compact the laminates to substantially eliminate voids and form a smooth, hollow ski pole with a structurally strong and stiff skin. The molds may use compound shapes such as differing cross sections or longitudinal bends.

Abstract: A cable ski binding comprised of a toe iron having a boot sole support and boot toe lateral movement side restraint surfaces, a toe bail for clamping the top surface of the toe end of the sole extending out from the toe end of the boot to the sole support plate, a cable for securing the boot between the said lateral side restraints and under the said toe bail, a dual purpose heel assembly having a heel lever for securing the cable to the heel of the boot and a rocker means with two opposing elongate members, one of which acts against a spring and the other having a near horizontal surface aspect and attached to the rear most end of the cable loop. Sufficient stress on the cable causes the rocker to rotate and thus allows for the effective lengthening of the cable relative to the length of the boot while being continuously opposed by an increasing torque applied to the rocker by the spring through the moment arm of the former elongate member.

Abstract: A surface of specific reactivity is formed by adsorbing a modified block polymeric surfactant of the Pluronic-type, i.e., containing pendant poly(ethylene oxide) blocks attached at an end to poly(propylene oxide) center blocks and with specifically reactive groups at the unattached ends of the poly(ethylene oxide) blocks, upon a hydrophobic surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a beverage cup for warming beverages that is made of thermally and electrically insulating material, such as injection molded low-melting point plastic, and has an integral heater element that warms the beverage. Also disclosed is a system for retracting the power cord of the cup.

Abstract: A composite ski pole is formed of fiber reinforced plastic laminates laid up around an inflatable bladder, and placed in a female mold. The bladder inflates to compact the laminates to substantially eliminate voids and form a smooth, hollow ski pole with a structurally strong and stiff skin. The molds may use compound shapes such as differing cross sections or longitudinal bends.

Abstract: A wet/dry filter system that is mounted on the top of an aquarium allows flexible flow control to and between the wet section and the dry section.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the remediation of soil is provided with a plug flow of soil and counter-current wash of water. The contaminant-containing soil with water is first treated to disengage the contaminant from the soil and form a liquid phase containing water and contaminant. The treated soil and liquid phase is continuously introduced into a wash zone at a first end of the wash zone, and the soil and the liquid phase are conveyed in successive and discrete portions through the wash zone between the first end of the wash zone and a second end of the wash zone to provide an essentially plug-flow of the soil through the wash zone.

Abstract: A polyolefin composition is disclosed comprising polyolefin with a synergistic antioxidant composition of a phenolic oxidation inhibitor and synergist capable of reacting with the phenoxyl radicals to form a phenolic group and regenerate the phenolic oxidation inhibitor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the synergist also acts as a metal-complexing agent capable of complexing with trace transition-metal-ions contaminants in the polyolefin.

Abstract: A two-stage process for producing acetylene and calcium chloride from calcium carbide and water has two successive reaction steps. In step Number 1, calcium carbide is charged into an entrained flow-type reactor vessel containing water. The reaction which follows proceeds to about 60-90% completion. The entrained reaction products and the unreacted feed material are carried over to a secondary reactor to complete the reaction, and the acetylene gas is drawn off. Calcium hydroxide product is removed from the reactor and reacted with hydrogen chloride to form calcium chloride. Heat generated by the exothermic reactions of water with calcium carbide and HCl with calcium hydroxide is used to dry the calcium chloride product and improve its value. In the presence of excess water, the calcium carbide-water reaction is effectively a first order, irreversible reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an archery alignment device for a bow with a tensioned bow string drawn by an archer comprising a mount adapted to mount the device on the bow, a reflector attached to the mount such that when the device is mounted on the bow, the reflector is adapted to reflect an image of at least a portion of the archer and an image of at least a portion of the string to the aiming eye of the archer while the archer is in shooting position. An archer reference point is on the reflector that is discernable by the archer by a distinctive feature in the reflected image of the archer. An alignment point is proximate to the reflector, which is adapted to align with the archer reference point. A string axis is on the reflector in substantially vertical alignment, which is discernable by the archer by a distinctive portion in the reflected image of the string. A surface reference is adapted to be aligned with the string axis and is defined by a distinctive feature proximate to the reflecting surface.

Abstract: A sewing machine cabinet for mounting a sewing machine and for housing and storing the machine when not being worked, which provides a drop platform interiorly of the cabinet below the top working surface thereof for lowering the machine into the interior of the cabinet maintaining the sewing machine in an upright position not tilting. The cabinet is well adapted to open-arm sewing machines. A hinged top cover when opened lifts the sewing machine up out of the interior of the cabinet by leverage action on a pivoting link attached to a guided sliding support arm which is attached to drop platform which supports the sewing machine and is guided by a rack. The rack is provided by one or a pair of guide columns. The hinged top cover when opened 180.degree. acts as a brake and lock for the moving drop shelf.

Abstract: A valve suitable for lawn and garden irrigation with a fluid inlet and two fluid outlets and a means for switching the flow of water from one outlet to the other based upon a predetermined flow of water. A plurality of valves may connected in series to irrigate several garden areas by connecting the inlet of each valve with the second outlet of the previous valve, except the inlet of the first valve which communicates with a water source.

Abstract: A weir valve is disclosed with a solid ceramic weir insert. Optional ceramic pieces are used to line the bore and bonnet opening to protect the exposed inner surfaces of the valve body from fluid in the valve.