Abstract: A thin electrically conductive wire wound into a conical coil 1 with leads from the small and large ends of the coil. The coil is filled with powdered iron 11, and is mounted in a thin-walled, completely non-conductive, leadless carrier 21 for ease of assembly onto a circuit board 15. The small end 4 of the coil is positioned precisely on a micro-strip 17 on the circuit board to provide maximum bandwidth. The coil is held by the carrier at an angle such that the large end of the coil is displaced from the circuit board by a distance D of at least half the radius of the large end of the coil. Attachment of the leads from the small and large ends of the coil to respective contacts on the circuit board is done with minimum lead length, minimum conductive material, and without the use of metallic pads on the carrier, to yield the highest possible frequency response.

Abstract: A piston (1) slidably mounted in a case (14), with an actuator cable (22) routed around a first cable guide (15) on the brake case, thence beside the piston to a second cable guide (6) on the end of the piston, which redirects it 180 degrees to return beside the piston to a cable end holder (12) on the case. The actuator cable runs parallel to the piston on both sides, transferring twice its tension to the piston. A cam (60) is provided for full control of the brake gain relative to the tension of the main cable from the hand lever. This adapts the brake to a given hand lever, and provides both fast braking response and high power via a variable gain curve on each stroke. Floating pads are provided for automatic toe. All brake position adjustments relative to the rim are easy and are independent of each other. Quick means are provided for changing the tire and pads, and these operations do not reset the brake position adjustments.

Abstract: A boat carrier 1 having a transverse frame 2-2a with adjustable width for a range of boat widths, a gunwale clamp 10 at each end of the frame, a seat 11 in the middle of the frame, and a wheel 5 attached to each end of the frame by a strut 6-6a. The strut is pivotally attached to the frame by a pivot attachment 7 that is lockable vertically downward, vertically upward, or horizontally. A user can clamp the frame transversely between the gunwales of a boat at the longitudinal balance point of the boat. The wheels can be locked downward, and the boat can be rolled on land by a single person without lifting a significant weight, and can be launched into water. When afloat, a person in the boat can pivot the wheel struts to a horizontal position, placing the wheels beside the boat where they serve as bumpers and stabilizing outriggers. The wheels can optionally be locked upward for rolling the boat inverted on land. The wheel struts telescope to a desired wheel extension to set the boat carrying height.

Abstract: A pair of pants that is easily separable at the crotch into right and left leg portions. Each leg portion is selected from a set of various styles to flexibly create a custom mixed or matched style for a given wearing of the pants. A closure system is provided for quick and convenient separation and re-combination of the leg portions while also providing secure use of the pants.

Abstract: A ski boot remover 1 of minimal size that can be attached to a floor or alternately attached to a portable base plate 6. The remover has a horizontal engagement lip 2 and left and right mounting flanges 4. The lip 2 is spaced above the bottom of the flanges by a enough distance to admit the rear binding plate of a ski boot. When the remover is placed on a floor this distance becomes the distance from the floor to the lip. With the flanges attached to a floor, the rear binding plate 11 of a ski boot is slipped under the lip, and the foot is lifted to remove the boot. For portable use, the mounting flanges are attached to a base plate in such a way that the bottom surfaces of the flanges are coplanar with the bottom surface of the base plate. A user holds the base plate against the floor with the ball of one foot 12 while using the engagement lip to remove a ski boot from the other foot.

Abstract: A multi-chambered balloon formed from a single rectangular plastic sheet, with an inflated shape approximating a vagina with adjustable tightness and a seamless opening. Manufacturing steps are minimized and simplified to one cutting operation, one valve insertion, and three seams. This minimizes cost, allowing a sex aid that is disposable for maximum cleanliness.

Abstract: A semi-active variable stiffness control (SAIVS) device, which can change its stiffness continuously and smoothly between a maximum and minimum stiffness. It comprises four spring and telescoping tube elements arranged in a rhombus configuration with pivot joints at the vertices. A control rod powered by a DC servomotor reconfigures the aspect ratio of the rhombus under computer control. This aspect ratio determines the stiffness of the device, and is continuously variable using little power. The SAIVS is installed as a connection between structural elements, and varies the connection stiffness smoothly by changing its configuration in response to a control algorithm in the computer. The algorithm obtains accelerometer and displacement input as feedback to optimize the result. Thus it maintains the structure in a non-resonant vibration state under dynamic disturbances such as earthquakes and windstorms.

Abstract: A laser sight with automatic angle compensation for bow hunting from tree platforms, comprising a box with open front and back ends attached to a bow handle. A laser pointer is pivotally mounted in the sight box. A cam operated by a pendulum moves the laser pointer to compensate the laser beam direction for different shot distances by detecting the vertical angle of the bow. The higher the bow is aimed, the lower the laser beam is aimed relative to the bow to compensate for the greater drop of the arrow over greater distance. A second pendulum in the sight box operates a peep pin for use with a conventional peep sight on the bowstring. The peep pin maintains an angle via its pendulum that guides the archer's line of sight to the laser spot, allowing the archer to visually acquire the spot quickly even during daylight. The laser beam and peep pin are coordinated via adjustments that are independent of each other and independent of cam or pendulums.

Abstract: A mounting device that quickly releases one end of a wheel barrow axle for wheel removal. In a first embodiment, the existing axle end cups (32) are reused. This embodiment comprises a sheath (5) bolted to the barrow frame rail (37) in place of an axle end cup. The fastening plate (34) of the original cup is held in the sheath by a compression spring (6) around the axle between the cup and wheel hub (39). To release the cup from the sheath, the cup is manually pushed toward the wheel against the spring force. A second embodiment replaces an axle end cup with two plates (11, 12) that are hinged together, defining a cup between them, and which pivot apart upon removal of a spring clip (21) to release the axle.

Abstract: Sunglasses and a sun visor attached to a headband in an opposed configuration, such that only one or the other accessory is used at a given time. The alternate accessory is carried behind the head where it serves to close the circle of the headband. This secures the device on the user's head during vigorous activity and in windy conditions such as encountered in beach sports, cycling, boating, skate-boarding, etc.. The user wears either the sunglasses or visor forward, thus protecting the eyes with the sunglasses, or allowing full ventilation for the eyes on hot days by using the visor. In addition to its practical uses, the unique appearance of the device provides a marketable attraction.

Abstract: A dummy cartridge is placed in the firing chamber of a revolver. A machine screw in the front of the cartridge is then turned to extend forward partly into the barrel, preventing both firing of the gun and rotation of the cylinder. The screw is turned by a key inserted through the barrel from the muzzle. The key can be stored separately from the gun, so the gun owner, knowing its location, can quickly unlock the gun, but an intruder cannot use the gun. All chambers in the revolver cylinder except one can be loaded with live ammunition, so the gun can quickly be used for self-defense after unlocking. However, if the gun is locked without live ammunition, none can be added to any chamber until the gun is unlocked, which is ideal for firearm display applications. The dummy cartridge has means to prevent its turning in the chamber, so the key will turn the screw instead of the cartridge. The key fits closely within the barrel to center the key tip and align it with the screw head for immediate coupling.

Abstract: A telescope eyepiece comprising a series of single-element lenses in a combination that cancels chromatism. A negative field lens produces chromatism that is partly cancelled by an intermediate positive lens. The resulting red and blue focal points behind the intermediate lens are exactly matched by the same focal points for parallel rays assumed to originate from behind the eye lens passing forward, thus creating an achromatic system that cancels the remaining chromatism. An additional one or two intermediate positive lenses may be added to increase the field of view and reduce the curvature of field. The eyepiece designer can set the distortion of the system to zero, or can adjust it in a range from minor pincushion to minor barrel distortion as desired. Spherical aberration is corrected by the selection of curves for the field lens. Astigmatism is corrected by the spacing of the field lens from the next intermediate lens.

Abstract: A clamp for holding a fish hook for sharpening, comprising a flat horizontal base (1), a first vertical plate (2) fixed to the base, and a second vertical plate (3) mounted against the first vertical plate by two bolts (7) with wing nuts (8). The base and vertical plates are preferably made of plastic. A horizontal groove (5) is cut in both vertical plates to receive the eye (9a) of a fish hook (9), allowing the shaft of the hook to fully contact the facing surfaces of the vertical plates. An optional second groove (6) in both plates receives the eyes of smaller hooks, so that both large and small hooks are automatically held at a convenient angle for sharpening. A sharpening stone (10) with a V-shaped channel (11) is preferably attached to the base with Velcro.

Abstract: A ventilation hood (1, 2) for cooking stoves (20) comprising a generally U-shaped shell having an upper portion (2) and a lower portion (1), the upper portion being transparent, and the lower portion being highly heat resistant. The shell is open in the front, covered transparently at the top, and is tall enough to allow convenient access to the cook top (21). It transmits illumination to the cook top from available lighting above the hood. It catches fumes rising from the cook top, guides them to a conventional exhaust fan inlet (23) at the back of the cook top, and blocks any spatter projected from the cook top toward the sides, back, or upward.

Abstract: A control rod (20) through a hollow axle (30) has a lever-operated cam (2) on one end which pushes a follower (8) against a first safety drop-out (50). On the opposite end of the control rod is an adjustment nut (15) surrounded by a safety interlock slide (11). When the cam is loose, a compression spring (19) urges the safety slide inward toward the second drop-out (50) where it is retained by a conventional safety tab or lip (51). The compression spring imparts enough tension on the control rod to pull the cam follower against the first drop-out, thus retaining the axle in the drop-outs despite a loose cam. To release the axle, first the cam is opened, then the slide is pulled outward with the fingers while the thumb pushes the adjustment nut inward, as with a hypodermic needle. Installation of the axle is the reverse of these steps, ending with closing the cam, with no need to readjust the nut.

Abstract: A system of three tanks and associated fluid communication lines and valves added to a conventional septage pumper/hauler truck to carry a supply of lime slurry and inject it into the septage hauling tank 1 in measured doses. Air vacuum or pressure is used for moving the fluids between tanks without fluid pumps. The three tanks of the invention include a lime slurry carrying tank 3, a lime slurry dosing tank 7, and a water tank 5 for flushing the system. Compressed air 37 is applied to each of these tanks as needed to push the fluid contents through the connecting pipes. An air vacuum that is normally provided to the main tank 1 for loading septage is also employed in the invention to load tank 3 with lime slurry. By manipulating the valves in an appropriate sequence, the dosing tank is filled from the lime slurry carrying tank, then the slurry in the dosing tank is injected into the septage carrying tank simultaneously with septage for mixing.

Abstract: A horizontal tube 1 having a mark 6 for the left foot position, and having a sequence of preferably three marks 3-5 for the right foot position for three ranges of club numbers. A shaft 10 is inserted transversely through the tube via one of three horizontal transverse holes 7-9 corresponding to the ranges of clubs indicated for the right foot. The shaft is tapered from end to end, and stops in a transverse hole at a position depending on the diameter of the hole. This position is designed such that the shaft extends forward a distance appropriate for ball placement for the given range of clubs. For adjustment, the user need only move the shaft to one of three holes. This configures the device for both the lateral and longitudinal placement of the feet relative to the ball, with minimal distraction and concentration.

Abstract: A triangular guide placed horizontally on the ground between a golfer and a golf ball (11), having a base side (1) parallel to the desired trajectory line (14) for the ball, and left and right sides (4, 5) attached to the base side, converging to a front apex (6) pointing toward the ball. A golfer stands with the thighs, shoulders, and hips aligned with the base of the guide. On the back-swing, the golfer aligns the left forearm with the right side of the guide. On the follow-through, the golfer, aligns the right forearm with the left side of the guide. Labels on the guide remind the golfer of the use of the guide, and of certain aspects of the swing. A ball position indicator (20) may be attached to the practice aid to provide practice in ball placement relative to the golfer.