Abstract: A fixation and retraction system utilizing base components to which shielded magnet components attach in order to locate movable fixation and retraction components or other operating theater devices, such as surgical drapes. Use of rare earth magnets permits system components to be attached quickly, easily and securely in almost an infinite number of configurations.

Abstract: A guidebushing assembly for use with an electric router. A guidebushing holder clamps to the router base, and a guidebushing is secured within the holder and used for cutting an inlay by reference to a female pattern. An appropriately shaped and sized recess is cut by reference to the female template while contacting the template with a tapered sleeve secured to the guidebushing. Movement of the guidebushing and sleeve along the axis of rotation of the router cutter permits adjustment in the size of the recess cut by reference to the template.

Abstract: An electrical resistance ceramic heating element comprises: a) three or more ceramic legs comprising regions of the element in which at least the majority of the electrical heating occurs (hot zones), at least one of the legs being effectively entirely a hot zone and at least two of the legs each comprising a hot zone and a cold zone; b) a number of leg terminal portions less than the number of legs, for connection to a power supply; and, c) ceramic bridging portions providing electrical connectivity between the legs.

Abstract: A bench plane jointer fence having a fence body secured to the side of any conventional ferromagnetic bench plane by two rare earth magnets mounted in the fence body and by the cooperation between a fence registration surface that bears against the sole of the plane and a repositionable stop screw. The fence is usable to facilitate planing of a workpiece edge square to an adjacent workpiece reference surface and may utilize a one-piece fence body. Planing of a workpiece edge at angles other than square to an adjacent workpiece reference surface is possible by pivoting a lower portion of the fence relative to an upper portion or, in the case of a one-piece fence body, by attachment of an auxiliary fence having a wedge-shaped cross section.

Abstract: Modular flooring systems and methods using at least one free-lay support module. The free-lay support module includes a baseplate and a frame member having a first arm and a second arm that meet and form an angle. Replaceable wear surface modules with or without a backing structure fit within the baseplate. The top of frame partially overlays the replaceable wear surface modules that my be carpet, carpet tile, vinyl flooring, wood flooring, wood parquet flooring or a variety of other materials. In still another embodiment, this invention provides for a free-lay support module that is self-contouring or self-leveling. In yet another embodiment this invention provides a replaceable wear surface modular flooring structure utilizing floor grid members having a “horizontal arm” and a “vertical arm”, each of which are in the form of an open U-shaped channel.

Abstract: Absorbent structures that form superabsorbent polymers in situ. The structures include an absorbent material and a fibrous material containing an activating agent. The fibrous material releases the activating agent upon stimulation with an activator, which causes the polymer to become a superabsorbent polymer. The absorbent component is desirably a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer. The absorbent structures form a superabsorbent composition in situ. Methods of making the activating agent containing fibrous material are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to filtration media having nanocrystals of metal oxides, such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide or mixtures thereof, encapsulated in or impregnated into a binder matrix.

Abstract: A highly mobile, compact creel (20) that utilizes frames (22) for holding yarn packages (30) (or bobbins) for feeding yarn (33) to a tufting machine (58). Each frame (22) includes holders (60) affixed to the frame (22) for holding yarn packages (30) facing front (24) and back (26), a header (32) attachable to the frame (22) for directing yarn (33) from the yarn packages (30) to the tufting machine (58), and anti-static flexible tubing (50) for leading yarn (33) from the holders (60) to the header (32). The header (32) provides for aligning all the yarn ends in the same plane to join them to ends already threaded into the tufting machine (58).

Abstract: A plastic trim strip for use with high pressure plastic laminate (HPL) modules or other decorative modules used on access flooring. The strip is extruded polyvinyl chloride or other polymeric or other material such as decorative metals such as brass or aluminum. The cross sectional shape of the strip is generally rectangular with a rectangular tab that: (1) protrudes from one of the narrow edges of the rectangle, (2) is thinner than the height of the strip and (3) has one surface flush with the bottom of the strip. A portion of the edge of the HPL or other floor covering with which the strip is used, and having the same shape as the tab, is router or otherwise removed from the floor covering. The protruding tab of the trim strip is then “captured” within this rabbet with or without adhesive, thereby securely engaging the trim strip when the floor covering is installed on or bonded to the access flooring structure.

Abstract: A jig having a guide block and a repositionable clamp for use with a saw for hand cutting tails and pins on the ends of boards to form a dovetail joint. The guide block has four planar sides that are joined to form a substantially square tube, the ends of which define guide faces that form an oblique angle with any plane orthogonal to the planar side of the guide block. A pair of magnets within the body of the guide block, each covered by a low friction pad firmly engage the saw and keep it in contact with the guide faces throughout the cutting operation. The guide block also has two orthogonal wing surfaces for positioning the guide block against a face of a board to orient the guide faces either: (a) square to the end of the board and at an angle to its faces, or (b) square to its faces and at an angle to the end of the board. The repositionable clamp is secured to the guide block for clamping it to the board in either of the two alternative positions.

Abstract: A router table fence having three nesting aluminum extrusions or spars, two of which lie under a longer third spar. By positioning the inner ends of the two lower spars adjacent to a router cutter protruding through a router table, it is possible to provide a fence, particularly when the lower spars are used with wood facings or sub-fences, that can be adjusted to closely surround the cutter. Lateral movement of the fence assembly adjusts the amount of cutter that contacts a workpiece manipulated past the cutter while contacting the fence. The cross sectional shapes of the spars are identical and are generally square, with structure that permits the upper, longer spar to rest on top of, and be attached in a manner permitting it to slide against, the lower two spars. T-shaped slots in each face of the spars accept fasteners that connect the spars together and also accept fasteners for a variety of accessories, such as hold-down devices and shields.

Abstract: A video camera mounted on a parking enforcement patrol vehicle and connected to a computer near the operator. The system is driven along a patrol route where parked vehicles are governed by a posted time limit. The system enforces the local parking regulation by automatically determining whether or not each parked car has been parked longer than the posted time limit. Violations are detected by applying a License Plate Recognition algorithm to the images. Each license plate number is time-tagged, geo-referenced and entered into a local database. When the patrol vehicle re-traces the patrol route after the posted parking time limit has expired, the database is searched to flag vehicles that were observed at the same location during the previous circuit and therefore in violation of the parking regulations. When the system detects a parking violation, it prints a parking citation that the operator affixes to the offending parked vehicle.