Abstract: A low resistance splice for electrically connecting the ends of two superconducting cables and a method for making the splice. Two cables formed from superconducting material are positioned in close proximity, either overlapping or axially aligned and extending in opposite directions away from the splice. At least one strand of superconducting material is wrapped over both cables in a pressure relationship assuring good electrical contact between cable ends and strands. Solder is melted and applied to hold the strands against the cables. Where the cables overlap, solder may be used at the overlap interface to add mechanical strength. The strands may be in the form of a helical winding around overlapping cable ends or in the from of a braided tube surrounding and pressed against either overlapping or axially aligned cables. In the axial embodiment, the cables with the strand wrap may be pressed into a slot and the slot filled with solder to hold the cables and strands in position.

Abstract: A method of constructing metal picket fences and components for use in building fences. Basically, panels are constructed by punching holes in frame tubes with a pyramidal punch to form holes with inwardly extending metal tabs. Pickets are pressed into the holes to form fence panels that are fastened to posts. An angled, self-locking pin system is provided to lock picket ends in frame tube holes to prevent the pickets from being removed. Straps can be fastened to the posts with fence panels fastened to the straps in a manner permitting accommodation of inter-post tolerances and ground slope changes. Blind fasteners can be used to fasten the straps to the posts and panels so that the fasteners cannot be easily removed. Several different embodiments of blind fasteners and post or surface mounting brackets are described.

Abstract: A device for scraping an obscuring coating from a game ticket, such as a "scratcher" type lottery ticket. A housing has a slot sized to receive a lottery ticket. Inside the housing a scraper blade is positioned above the slot and a rotatable table below the slot. A ticket pushed into the slot will rotate the table away, then will pull the table back toward the slot when the ticket is pulled outwardly. The scraper blade is spring loaded against the ticket to scrape away the coating as the ticket moves out of the slot without damaging the ticket. The table is adjustable to optimize operation.

Abstract: An interlocking lock system for mortarless wall or other structure assembly in which a plurality of blocks are laid up in courses in a staggered relationship. Only two different block configurations are required, the first, or long, blocks having a length at least twice the block height and the second, or short, blocks having a length up to half the length of the first blocks. Each of the blocks has a pair of upright sidewalls having flat top and bottom surfaces and generally parallel outermost side surfaces and has at least two spaced transverse walls. Protrusions on the inner surfaces of the sidewalls extend from a base generally coplanar with the block bottom surface to a tip extending above the block top surface and configured so that the tips and bases interlock when the blocks are laid up in staggered courses. Further interlock arrangements are provided so that the long blocks will interlock when positioned either parallel along walls or perpendicular at corners.

Abstract: A protective sheath for forklift tangs to protect plastic pallets and other structures from impact damage from contact with tang ends. The sheath extends over the tang and carries a bumper at the distal end which abuts the distal end of a tang. The bumper is formed from resilient, energy absorbing material and includes at least two transverse walls generally parallel to the tang end, with a free air space between the members. An insert bonded to the tang that extends into a corresponding sheath recess limits slippage of a pallet on the sheath. A clamp surrounding the proximal end of the sheath and the tang, between two spaced sheath ridges, securely holds the sheath and bumper onto the tang.

Abstract: A curvilinear peristaltic pump for pumping liquids through a resilient tube. The pump includes a curved concave platen against which a resilient tube is placed. A multi lobed cam is positioned adjacent to the platen and tube. A plurality of pump fingers are mounted between the tube and cam in a manner permitting radial movement of the pump fingers. As the cam rotates, the fingers are pressed toward the tube sequentially so as to pump liquid through the tube. The lobe end presses the tube sufficiently to occlude the tube and prevent back flow without over pressing and damaging the tube. A transverse pinch finger is provided on each pump finger, extending from the tube pressing face of each pump finger. At the tube occluding position, the pump finger nearly occludes the tube and the pinch finger completes occlusion without pressing the tube beyond the fully occluded position. A fixed or slidable spring pressed pinch finger may be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging superconducting magnet coils using the Seebeck effect of thermoelectric materials. Superconducting magnet coils are wound from a superconducting material, such as niobium-titanium, and placed in a cryogenic dewar to cool the coil below the critical temperature at which the coil becomes superconducting. The coil can be charged by providing a suitable thermocouple junction outside the dewar and a reference thermocouple junction inside the dewar and connecting the junctions to the coil in a manner providing charging current flow to the coil in accordance with the Seebeck effect. This method is particularly desirable for use with lightweight magnet systems for use in such applications as magnetic levitation systems for trains, space applications, etc. where the present heavy switching power supplies are undesirable.

Abstract: A backside shield assembly for use during plasma arc welding. Two elongated closed boxes are supported in a selected spaced apart distance suitable for positioning the boxes on opposite sides of the backside of a weld line. Each box includes an inlet tube for an inert gas that generates a first side of the box and communicates with an elongated tube running along the inner surface of the first side. Perforations are provided in the elongated tubes. The balance of the interior of each box contains a flow diffusing material. The second box side, opposite the first side, is perforated. In use, the assembly is placed inside a conventional welding chill bar channel with the boxes on opposite sides of a weld line. The second surface is spaced slightly from the panel to be welded. An inert gas is directed through the inlet tubes, elongated tube perforations, diffusing material and out through the second side perforations.

Abstract: A reversible high energy capacity battery and method of making that battery. A cathode is formed by packing a mixture of from about 10 to 90 weight percent finely divided sulfur and from about 90 to 10 weight percent finely divided graphite about an electrically conductive electrode, preferably in a porous enclosure. This cathode and a reactive metal anode are placed in a case of suitable configuration which is non-reactive with other components. An electrolyte is prepared by mixing particles of an ion exchange resin system including a polyalkyl sulfide, a resin substrate and agent selected from the group consisting of H.sub.2 S, HS.sup.-, S.sub.2.sup.- and mixtures thereof in a polar solvent, such as water. Buffering agents, conditioners and complexing agents may be added to the electrolyte to improve battery life and performance.

Abstract: A combined dual channel electromuscular stimulator for directing electrical pulses into the skin and a dual channel electromyograph for detecting electrical signals generated in muscles. The electromuscular stimulator includes electronic circuitry for generating electrical pulses, controlling the pulse rate and intensity and controlling various pulse characteristics. The pulses are administered by skin contacting electrodes. The electromyograph includes skin contacting electrodes for receiving input signals from the skin and electronic circuitry for receiving detected signals without interference with the stimulator output signals, amplifying, filtering and displaying the input signals. A control panel includes switches and controls for varying the various system parameters.

Abstract: An improved starting system for internal combustion engines using gaseous fuels such as hydrogen, natural gas, propane, butane and the like. In an engine using liquid fuel injection for normal operation, a sensor for the catalytic converter is provided to sense a "cold converter" condition of the sort which occurs when the engine has not been operated for some time. When starting is initiated, the gasoline introduction system is disabled and introduction of the gaseous fuel in initiated. Rapid engine start promptly occurs, even under very cold ambient conditions. Once the engine has started and has run for a period to warm the catalytic converter to a selected temperature the gaseous fuel introduction system is interrupted and the gasoline system is enabled and provides the fuel thereafter. Catalytic converter temperature is preferably measured at the catalytic material, although measurement of exhaust gas temperature at the converter or downstream thereof is often effective.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encapsulating a payload in a shroud and mounting the resulting assembly on a launch vehicle. An encapsulation cell is provided for containing a payload to be encapsulated in a shroud. That cell is maintained at a "clean room" level of cleanliness. A shroud having a cleaned and sealed interior is placed on the roof in a vertical orientation. A seal arrangement seals between the shroud near its lower end and the roof, creating an airlock. The roof panels below the shroud are opened and the payload is lifted into the shroud through the opening and secured in the shroud. The opening is then closed, the seal retracted and the assembly of payload and shroud moved to a bay where it is mated to a space launch vehicle. This cell and encapsulation system eliminates the need to clean the shroud exterior and any need for a very large clean room cell to house the payload, shroud and lifting device.

Abstract: A light cone switch for use in an optical switch system that includes an optical fiber having a first end into which light is directed and a second end that emits light along a diverging path. A light reflector is positioned along this path and is movable toward and away from the second fiber end along the fiber axis. More light is reflected into the fiber when the reflector is near the second end than when it is moved away from that end. A light detector at the first fiber end receives light reflected into and through the fiber and reacts differently to the receipt of high and low light levels. Typically, these different received light levels can be used to turn electrical lights on and off, start and stop motors, control variable devices such as dimmers, etc.

Abstract: An improved golf club head and set of clubs using progressively sized heads. The club head, of the sort generally referred to as "irons" has the usual striking and opposed back faces, an upper edge, a sole, a heel adjacent to the hosel and a toe opposite the heel. A slot of selected depth is provided across the back, extending diagonally from the upper heel area to the lower toe portion, so as to provide a thin central region and two thicker regions at the intersection of toe and upper edge and at the intersection of heel and sole. The resulting head has a diagonal balance along a line extending along the major axis of the normal elliptical pattern of ball impacts against the striking face, which results in a larger and more desirably oriented "sweet spot".

Abstract: A holder for supporting magnetic cylindrical tools of varying diameter such as wrench sockets, drill bits, etc. in order. A member having a series of recesses having shapes corresponding to the tools to be held is backed by an elongated magnet. In one embodiment, the .member is a non-magnetic material and the magnet is made up of a plurality of transverse magnetic regions, having alternately north and south pole regions on the surface toward the recesses, with the lines between adjacent north and south regions aligned with the centerline of the recesses and a narrow non-magnetized region separating each pair of adjacent magnetic regions. In a second embodiment, the member is formed from a magnetic a U-shaped sheet with the recesses formed in opposed sidewalls.

Abstract: A system for removing dust generated by rotary hand tools such as grinders and sanders. A shroud is installed over the grinding or sanding head in communication with a vacuum exhaust system to draw away dust, chips and the like. The shroud includes a generally circular base having a peripheral skirt on one side to surround the grinding or sanding disc and a collar arrangement on the other for attachment to a cylindrical tool housing. The collar may be an axial partial tube section that is clamped to the housing. Collar flexibility allows use with housings over a range of housing diameters. Alternatively, the collar may be one or more brackets slidably mounted on the base. The brackets are adjusted to contact the housing and are clamped to the housing and, if necessary, are fastened to the base. Removable and adjustable exhaust tubes are provided to accommodate different desired vacuum hose directions and different vacuum hose diameters.

Abstract: A kit tools for use in repairing bent leads on fine pitch surface mount electronic components and a method of repairing such bent leads. The kit basically comprises a plate having a precisely flat surface and a template having a plurality of recesses corresponding to the lead pattern on a component to be repaired. The template is secured to the plate surface, such as by tape extending across tabs extending from the template. A means such as a vacuum pen is used to lift and move the component without touching the leads. A variety of probes, tweezers and the like are used to bend leads back to proper positions. The component may be placed directly against the surface when checking and correcting lack of lead coplanarity and linearity. Grossly bent leads may be corrected with the component on the surface, while precise positioning is accomplished with the component in the template, since fine adjustments can be made and the minor non-alignment can be easily observed and corrected.

Abstract: A method and kit for precisely placing fine pitch surface-mount electronic components onto printed circuit boards. An alignment substrate having a pattern of solder pads and holes or transverse edges corresponding to the pattern of solder pads and holes or edges on a printed circuit board is secured to a base by registration pins fastened to the base and inserted into contact with said holes or edges. Generally, the alignment substrate is preferably another circuit board identical with the board to be bonded to the electrical component. A template having a pattern of recesses corresponding to the component lead pattern is secured over the alignment substrate. A component is placed on the template with leads in the recesses. The component is lifted away, a printed circuit board is placed over the template and the component is lower onto the board. The board with component in place can then be removed for soldering.