Abstract: A portable rifle vise usable from a standing, sitting, or prone position is disclosed. The device is easily disassembled for storage or transportation.

Abstract: A trolling device comprising an elongated body, an adjustable planar guide fin, and an adjustable rudder. The guide fin and rudder are adjusted to optimize trolling performance on either the port or starboard side of a boat.

Abstract: A portable exercise apparatus for push-ups and body presses. Longitudinal adjustments accommodate a wide range of physical dimensions of users, and multiple lateral adjustments allow a wide range of lateral adjustments in a compact space. Independently adjustable foot and hand supports allow the user to select a longitudinally or laterally inclined attitude for the user's body during an exercise routine.

Abstract: Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are particular suitable for measuring strain. However, a single parameter measurement is difficult to implement, since cross-sensitivity to temperature compels the use of an additional temperature reference, e.g. a strain-inactive FBG. The development of a passive athermal fiber Bragg grating strain gage is thus of particular interest since it renders optional the measurement of temperature, benefiting large scale system design and performance. In view of this need, a package for fiber Bragg gratings that enables strain measurements to be performed while canceling temperature sensitivity is disclosed. The proposed design is based on a structure composed of two parts, which can be made of the same material, having a defined length ratio that allows the adjustment of the temperature sensitivity to zero, providing athermal operation of the strain gage.

Abstract: A mechanical carpenter's pencil having an integral sharpening guide providing a reference surface to which the lead may be trimmed for sharpening. The pencil user may use a knife to trim the lead flush with the sharpening guide surface or may abrade the lead on a convenient surface until the lead is flush with the sharpening guide surface. After trimming, the lead is advanced to expose the freshly sharpened point and is ready for precision marking.

Abstract: A thin film analyzer capable of static and dynamic measurements is disclosed. The apparatus collects and analyzes spectral reflectance data as a function of time. It is especially useful for measuring the changing thickness of a transparent, organic thin film as it is dissolved by a solvent. The measurements can be made with small quantities of solvent, on the order of one milliliter, in small, localized areas on a coated substrate, thereby allowing multiple, independent measurements on each substrate with minimal consumption of solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for stretching a human body in a substantially horizontal attitude. The apparatus places the body under a predetermined tensile load, uniformly distributed over the length of the body. The apparatus applies the loading force gradually in order avoid shock loads on the body. The apparatus may be operated easily and safely by the user, without assistance from another person.

Abstract: The present invention provides a paint masking article that is easy to apply and reusable. It is suitable for use on any ferromagnetic surface but is particularly well suited for body repair work on automobiles. The paint masking article comprises a flexible sheet of paint masking material, a flexible magnetic strip, and means for securing the magnetic strip within a folded edge of the paint masking material. Methods for making and using the paint masking articles are also provided.