Abstract: A bicycle locking mechanism is provided including a tubular member which may form part of a bicycle frame, such as the tubular seat post, for example, and an elongated, collapsible, securing element for securing the bicycle frame to an object such as a post or bicycle rack. The elongated, collapsible, securing element has first and second ends and is collapsed in size to a length which is no greater than the length of the tubular member. The securing element fits substantially within the tubular member, when not in use, and is of sufficient length when withdrawn from the tubular member to wrap around an object for securing the bicycle frame thereto. A hinge pin assembly is provided for attaching the first end of the securing element to the tubular member. The securing element may be an elongated, interconnected, linkage assembly or it may consist of a flexible cable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tool for removing and replacing the operating nut on a subterranean gate at the bottom of a valve tile. The tool comprises an elongated shaft having a handle at its upper end and a bifurcated member affixed to its lower end. The bifurcated member is configured to fit easily underneath the operating nut for lifting the nut off of the valve stem. A tubular slide is mounted on the shaft and is adapted to impact against a slide stop located below the handle. A rest is provided on the shaft for holding the tubular slide in spaced apart relation from the slide stop. A nut retaining member is adjustable mounted to the lower end of the shaft for holding a new operating nut on top of the bifurcated member during the replacement operation.

Abstract: An apparatus with a tire that is capable of castering 360 degrees replaces the rear wheels of a front wheel powered automotive vehicle to give drivers an educational experience that simulates the effects excessive speed has upon entry into curves and turns. The rear wheels can remain locked in a non-castering position, whereby the vehicle will perform in a conventional manner. However, under the control of an instructor, the lock can be removed to free the casters, causing the rear of the vehicle to move in the opposite direction from the steering input to simulate a rear wheel skid. When the vehicle on which the invention is mounted is being driven in a straight path the freely castering rear wheels will trail in a straight path. When there is a change in lateral position, such as that which occurs when entering a curve or making a turn, the rear castering wheels will continue to travel in a straight direction causing a lateral acceleration resulting in a rear yaw.

Abstract: A in-line extrusion die is disclosed including a cylindrical mandrel and a die bushing surrounding the mandrel and forming therebetween a passageway leading to an extrusion orifice. The mandrel is mounted to one side of a spider plate and a tailcone is attached to the other side thereof. A die body containing a melt chamber surrounds the tailcone and forms a conical passageway therebetween. A thermocouple is mounted at the apex end of the tailcone for measuring the temperature of the melt as the melt flows from the melt chamber and through the conical passageway. The spider plate contains a plurality of openings which communicate with both passageways and allow the melt to pass through the plate and thence to the extrusion orifice.

Abstract: A novel and improved rechargeable, lithium-ion battery system is composed of a plurality of individual electrochemical cells having positive and negative electrodes disposed in opposite face-to-face arrangement with a porous separator containing electrolyte therebetween, and wherein the positive and negative electrodes of adjacent cells are disposed in contact respectively with opposite sides of a common current-collecting element forming a unitary bipolar structure. The negative electrode comprises a layer of carbon adhered to one side of the current-collecting element while the positive electrode comprises a layer containing a lithium transition metal oxide or sulfide compound adhered to the other opposite side of the element. The unitary bipolar structures containing the positive and negative electrodes of adjacent cells include outer peripheral, electrically-insulating seal members, preferably in the form of plastic insulating rings, which are joined together in a sealed stacked array.

Abstract: An extrusion die apparatus for extruding a multiple layer tubular product including a plurality of annular die elements mounted co-axially one behind the other on a mandrel forming annular thickness control passages between the die elements and the mandrel. The die elements have inner and outer conical surfaces inclined rearwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The die elements are nested together with the outer conical surfaces of one die element facing the inner conical surfaces of an adjacent die element. The inner and outer conical surfaces form conical passages which communicate with the annular thickness control passages and a plurality of helical grooves are provided on the outer conical surface of each die element. A binary divider system is provided for distributing a molten thermoplastic material from an inlet to a plurality of outlets communicating with said grooves on each die element.

Abstract: A gas fed catalytic heater is employed as a heat source in the thermoforming of shaped articles from a sheet of thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic sheet is fed from a continuous supply roll past an array of gas catalytic heaters in a heating section in order to soften the sheet prior to entering a mold for shaping the articles. A closed loop temperature control system is provided for controlling the pressure and hence the volume of gas entering the catalytic heaters and thus the emitted infrared radiation to automatically maintain the temperature of the thermoplastic sheet at a predetermined set value. The control system includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the sheet, a temperature controller for comparing the actual temperature of the sheet against a preset temperature and for producing an output signal that is proportional to the difference temperature and a gas modulating valve which is responsive to the output signal for adjusting the flow of gas to the catalytic heaters.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a letter opening device comprising an elongated tubular handle, a removable tubular cap and a generally L-shaped cutting guide including a cutting blade and a blade holder. The cutting guide is affixed to the forward end of the tubular handle and has an elongated nose portion which is adapted to fit underneath the flap of an envelope to be opened. The elongated nose portion has an elongated groove for receiving the sharp tip of the cutting blade. The blade holder is pivotally mounted to the cutting guide and can be moved to easily replace the blade. An elongated safety shield is slidably mounted inside the tubular handle for shielding the blade when the letter opening device is not in use. The shield has an actuating member attached thereto for moving the shield within the tubular handle.

Abstract: An electrophoresis cassette is provided including a thin, flat, rectangular, molded plastic front plate which overlies a thin, flat, rectangular, molded plastic back plate in opposing spaced apart relationship, the front and back plates being separated from each other by a thin, narrow, generally U-shaped embossment formed on the opposing surface of the back plate and extending along the two opposite side edges and the bottom edge of the back plate. A liquid-tight seal formed by an ultrasonic weld extends continuously along the embossment and joins the plates together, the plates defining therebetween a narrow gap for holding a gel medium. An elongated narrow groove is provided within the non-opposing surface of each plate and extends in substantially coinciding relation with the groove in the other plate across the bottom of the plates at a point just above the seal, the grooves forming at the bottom portion of the cassette a tab which can be easily broken off to expose the gel medium within the gap.

Abstract: A basketball return device for enhancing individual shooting practice time is provided which is safe and easy to install and which effectively returns all successful basketball shots to the shooter at any preselected location on the basketball court. This device attaches to a standard basketball goal including a metal ring and a nylon or chain net, for example, and is composed of a mounting ring and a retaining member. The mounting ring and/or retaining member are attached to the rim or net by a plurality of elongated, self-supporting adjustable hooks. A curved chute adjustably attaches to the mounting ring and guides the basketball back to the shooter.

Abstract: An electrophoresis device comprising a pair of electrically-insulating, liquid impermeable sheets disposed in spaced apart relationship to one another and a gel membrane disposed between the sheets acting as an electrophoresis medium, the gel membrane having a substantially flat surface thereon disposed below an edge of the sheets defining together with the sheets an elongated slot of predetermined thickness, wherein at least one liquid impermeable, elastomeric, compliant member, such as a solid cylinder or tube, is disposed within the slot and forms at least one sample well above the gel membrane.

Abstract: An automatic transmission is provided for driving a rotating wheel having an axle mounted onto a support frame and especially a bicycle frame. The transmission comprises a power input means such as a dual crank-pedal mechanism attached to the frame for receiving power input along with a drive shaft. A plurality of driving elements are mounted for rotation freely about the drive shaft and have engagement means such as sprockets on the surface thereof, one of the driving elements being a lead driver connected to the drive shaft for driving rotation in one direction along with the drive shaft, the driving elements being located at successively greater distances along the shaft from the axle with the lead driver being the farthest from the axle. A drive plate is coupled to the rotating wheel and has on its surface a plurality of concentrically arranged engagement means such as holes which mate with the sprockets on the driving elements for transmitting rotational power from the drive shaft to the drive plate.

Abstract: A forwards facing rowing apparatus wherein the usual pair of sweep hinges is replaced by a single, common axis, sweep hinge system mounted to and rockable with the oarlock mainframe and wherein a blade feathering mechanism including a coupling device such as a pair of swing gears is employed at the oarset including a handle loom and a blade loom, one of the gears being driven from a rotating handle at the in-board end of the handle loom while the mating gear drives or rotates the blade at the outer end of the blade loom. Each gear may be affixed to a rotatable member such as a torque shaft extending along the handle and blade looms and connected at opposite ends to both the handle and blade, respectively. Alternatively, the handle and blade looms may be rotatable members and one of the pair of gears may be attached to each member.

Abstract: A cover assembly for ceiling registers connected to the air ducts or the trunk line of a central air conditioning system. The cover assembly is designed to prevent heat and moisture from entering the trunk line through the register or any wall sleeves, gaps and openings. The cover assembly is comprised of a flat rigid material of sufficient size to cover the opening of a ceiling register. The cover has a peripheral seal that presses against the rim face of the register by a fastening device. The fastening device attaches to the ceiling register to secure the cover to the ceiling register with an air tight seal.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for injecting dry lightweight particulate material into a stream of catalyzed resin. The dry lightweight particulate material is stored in a fluidizing tank. The fluidized dry particles are conveyed from the tank under a controlled vacuum created by a low pressure venturi pump. An anti-static conveying tube delivers the dry lightweight particulate material to an adjustable delivery tube which terminates with a nozzle. The nozzle delivers a low velocity controlled spray pattern which coincides with the stream of pressurized resin. The nozzle is positioned at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the resin stream and injects the dry lightweight particulate material into the stream. Within the venturi pump and opposite to the main low pressure, low volume inlet, is a second pressurized inlet. This inlet directly controls the degree of vacuum, thereby precisely determining the amount of dry lightweight particles delivered to the resin stream.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fixture for accurately boring a hole in a workpiece which comprises a base member and a clamping means for mounting the fixture on top of the workpiece. A guide block is mounted in the base member for movement along a path extending across a surface of the workpiece. The guide block has an elongated boring guide hole extending therethrough in a direction towards the workpiece for guidingly receiving a boring bit. A scale or other similar means is affixed to the guide block for accurately locating the boring guide hole at a selectable, predetermiend position relative to the workpiece. One or more set screws or the like are provided on the base member for securing the guide block in place once the boring guide hole has been properly located. A series of detents or holes may also be provide on the guide block to receive the set screws and thereby aid in locating the boring guide hole.

Abstract: A method of storing an enclosed entombment casket in the chamber of an above-ground burial crypt is provided wherein a compact, lightweight casket enclosure made from a thermoplastic resinous material which is impervious to gases and liquids and which is chemically resistant to the highly corrosive liquids used in the embalming process, notably formaldehyde, is first placed into the crypt chamber and positioned so that it will be completely contained inside the chamber with an open end located close to but spaced from the entrance opening of the chamber. The enclosed entombment casket is then inserted into the casket enclosure through its open end which is then closed and sealed by a gas and liquid impermeable cover made from the same thermoplastic resinous material. The cover is provided with a generally U-shaped sealing channel disposed around its outer periphery which is adapted to receive in an abutting relationship the peripheral edges of the casket enclosure which surround the open end.

Abstract: A gas conditioning system for reducing the electrical resistance of finely-divided fly ash particles entrained within a flue gas stream resulting from the burning of low sulfur coal and for enhancing the removal of the fly ash particles by electrostatic precipitation wherein an acid conditioning agent, e.g., sulfuric acid, is passed through a vaporizing coil mounted within an enclosure defining a mixing chamber downstream from the coil and is vaporized by a stream of hot air passing over the coil and into the mixing chamber. The vaporized acid exits the coil and mixes with the hot air in the mixing chamber and the resulting mixture is injected into the flue gas stream so that the acid vapor can condense on the fly ash particles.