Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing and/or training persons, particularly athletes, with regard to reaction time, peripheral vision, foot speed, agility and (in some cases) strength of hand punch/speed or impact. In addition to testing and training persons, the method & apparatus can improve response and/or reaction time to verbal/audible stimuli. Testing and training can be applied in similar fashion to individuals, or groups of individuals, e.g. part or all of a sport team, under direction of a coach or of a testing operator/technician. An initiating stimulus (illumination of a light signal or motion of a ‘mounted” ball) provides a start signal to test subjects, who respond to the stimulus, as by touching or striking a blow to a target. Either of these actions will initiate one or more conditions which occur in a predetermined pattern, e.g. to start a timer which is halted by sensing the touch or blow.

Abstract: An axicon is disclosed comprising a generally cylindrical body having an exterior surface 31, preferably a cylindrical surface. A first outwardly reflective lens surface 32 and a second inwardly reflective lens surface 35 are formed at opposite ends of the body. A light input beam from a suitable source is directed into one of those surfaces and through the axicon to the other of those surfaces, and the beam is transformed by the axicon into a beam(s) exiting such other surface. The shape and angular extent of the exit beam will depend, in part, on the selected position of the first surface with respect to the optical axis of the axicon and/or the second surface. The axicon is an optical grade unit, preferably unitary, which can receive light of a specified pattern through a first surface, redirect and modify the light, and output light of a different pattern though a second surface.

Abstract: A tool is provided for use in removing pliable surface compounds from a container and efficiently transferring the compound to a tray or the like. The tool comprises a handle having a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends. The tool also includes a blade secured to the first end of the handle and having first and second adjacent sections. The first section of the blade defines a generally planar controlling section and the second section of the blade defines a generally planar working section, wherein the plane of the second section extends at an acute angle relative to the plane of the first section. The second section defines a contoured edge of predetermined curvature corresponding to the curvature of the container such that the blade can be used to remove surface compounds from the container.

Abstract: In a machining sequence a flow of coating fluid is applied, such as through a nozzle, to wet at least the cutting surface of a tool to be engaged with a part to perform a machining operation thereon. The fluid is applied quickly and dried or cured to form an adherent coating layer on the tool. Propylene glycol is an example of a suitable fluid. After the tool is wetted an energy source is placed in appropriate proximity to the wetted tool The energy source is energized to heat the tool, thereby raising its surface temperature sufficiently to dry the coating layer. This process, and the apparatus performing it, can be incorporated into the machining operation and the tool coating can be refurbished in situ, on a regular basis, before or after a machining operation as appropriate.

Abstract: A method and an instrument are provided for checking and adjusting the accuracy of an alignment device which transmits a collimated (e.g. laser) light beam that serves as an alignment reference. That beam generator defines a precise reference for purposes of alignment of various other forms of apparatus, often over great distance. The checking and adjusting instrument (which is totally passive) provided by this invention is precisely attached to the alignment device, temporarily, and receives the reference beam of light from the device. The instrument displays an indication of misalignment of the beam, and also aids in correcting same.

Abstract: A method of releasing the door lock of an automotive vehicle is disclosed, using as a prying tool a wedge of dense plastic material and an elongated rod-like probe with a short tip, at the end of the probe to be inserted, extending generally perpendicular to the length of the probe, and a handle at the other end of the probe to facilitate manipulation of the probe. By inserting the prying tool into the gap between a door and its door frame on the vehicle body, at a location opposite the door hinges, and using the tool to pry out a portion of the perimeter of the door sufficiently to achieve access to a resilient weatherstrip between the door and door frame, to release pressure locally on the weatherstrip sufficiently, it s possible to insert the probe past the weatherstrip, at the locality where pressure is released on the weatherstrip, into the interior of the vehicle without damaging the weatherstrip or the door or the door frame.

Abstract: Correction is provided for a curved or skewed scan output from a penta assembly in an instrument that scans a beam in a predetermined fashion. The penta assembly has first and second beam directing surfaces supported at a predetermined angle to each other. A laser beam source directs a beam along a path preferably coinciding with the scanning axis of said mount toward the first surface, and a first optical element converges the input beam to a spot on that first surface. Then the reflection or redirection of such spot is transmitted onto the second surface, and finally the redirected beam from that second surface is transformed into a collimated output beam from the penta assembly. This is accomplished using simple passive optical elements, e.g. convex lenses or optical equivalents, which are readily incorporated into the penta assembly.

Abstract: A novel insert assembly for use in snowboards and other sporting equipment provides for embedded insert location, regardless of the properties of the insert material per se, and without requiring either expensive equipment or a complex location process. This is achieved by positioning a small inexpensive magnet on or within the insert cavity, or placing a plug-like magnet in the open threaded end of the inserts. After the board assembly is complete, a magnetic material such as iron powder is dusted on the surface of the board to react with the field lines created about each insert, revealing the insert location. Then, the board can be drilled to pierce the insert cap, and facilitate removal of any plug in the insert. It is also possible to provide, through powdered metal technology, an insert material which itself will produce the desired magnetic field of sufficient intensity at the dusted surface of the board.

Abstract: The transfer nest for an endless conveyor belt of reinforced flexible rubber-like material, optionally with cogs or teeth on its underside, a series of such nests fitted into holes in the belt. The nests are attached to the belt solely at their opposite edges on lines extending transverse to the belt. The belt with attached nests, having end shells trapped therein, is moved stepwise through progressive conversion tooling for making shells into completed can ends. Shells are positively seated into the nests by moving the shells through a discontinuous entrance rim, preferably defined by the upper parts of a circular array of independent flexible stepped (preferably L-shaped) fingers which support the shells which are each trapped in a nest as the nests are transferred through the conversion tooling. Completed ends may be carried around the end of the conveyor upper flight, and the ends can be ejected from the nests.

Abstract: A golf putter has most of its weight in the upper half of the putter head so the hitting force against a ball is directed horizontally, reducing lift on the ball and causing the ball to roll sooner. A rectangular slot is formed through the center of the putter head, immediately behind the putter face, and is the same width as the diameter of a golf ball so the edge of the ball and the sides of the rectangular slot are integrated by the player's eye to create an alignment used to aim the ball to the hole. The putter shaft and hand grip are stiff to minimize bending action upon contact with the ball. The present grip on the shaft has a generally square cross-section, allowing for a better and consistent fit in the player's hand. The putter preferably incorporates a solid brass head, and also is designed with most of its weight in its upper half to produce a high center of gravity, while conforming to USGA rules.

Abstract: An improved active vibration control system using feedback and pseudo-feedforward sensor inputs is provided for solving the problem of random and repetitive active vibration control and noise cancellation in a system. In a first embodiment of the invention, an artificial neural network is used for learning the dynamics of a structure and for providing output signals that follow the state variables of the structure. In one implementation of the neural network, a plurality of neurons obtain biasing inputs derived from sensor inputs, as well as inputs from the other neurons in the network. Further, each neuron obtains a feedback input from itself. Each input to a neuron is weighted using a weighting function derived on-line. The neural network supplies structure parameters and state variables to an optimal controller which derives and provides a control signal to the actuators so as to counteract vibrations and/or noise sensed in the system.

Abstract: A vibration isolator assembly, such as a vehicle drive train mount, incorporates a heat shield which protects the elastomeric parts of the isolator assembly from high temperature radiation which could degrade the elastomeric parts.

Abstract: A resealable can end is provided including a neck member and hat member which can be sealed onto and removed from the neck member of the end, and is capable of containing product under pressure if desired. This end can be added, as by a conventional seam, to a metal container body to obtain resealing containment of partial contents retained in the container, and to provide an improved mouth construction (or pour opening) for better pouring and for comfortable direct drinking from the container. Also disclosed are improved methods of and apparatus for making such a resealable hat and-neck type-of container end.

Abstract: A passive target device has as its principal element an optical axcicon having an optical axis which is intended to be aligned with a reference beam. The axicon has a geometric center line coincident with its optical axis and includes at least one facet which will form a reference image when the optical axis is aligned with the reference beam, such image being symmetrical in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. This optical axicon is mounted in a holder, such as a tubular body, having an inlet window and a output or display window, and is adapted to be supported a distance away from the source of the beam, which may vary from less than one meter up to several hundred meters. Different forms of optical elements may be utilized with the axicon, the elements employing one or more like facets arranged symmetrically about the optical axis.

Abstract: A resealable can end is provided including a neck member and hat member which can be sealed onto and removed from the neck member of the end, and is capable of containing product under pressure if desired. This end can be added, as by a conventional seam, to a metal container body to obtain resealing containment of partial contents retained in the container, and to provide an improved mouth construction (or pour opening) for better pouring and for comfortable direct drinking from the container. Also disclosed are improved methods of and apparatus for making such a resealable hat and neck type of container end.

Abstract: A router and other cutting tools with a fixed center such as drills, shapers, milling machines, etc., used for cutting wood, metal or other materials, is provided with a fence mechanism for either a table or the base of a portable tool, for rapid and easy settings of the fence with respect to the center of the cutting tool. This is accomplished by a pivot mounting of the fence on a table or on a portable tool base, with respect to a block pivoted to the table or tool base, wherein the center of the pivot for the block and the center for the pivot for the fence are on opposite sides of the cutting tool and located on a line which passes through the tool center and the respective pivot locations. The desired spacing of the fence to the tool can be achieved using accurate spacers between the fence and the block, even with the tool being mounted in place.

Abstract: A continuous seal type lithographic dampener is fitted with a one-piece metering roller which has a continuous surface coating of flame sprayed (as by plasma arc) chromium oxide particles providing a porous surface which is filled with a pore occluding sealer. The resulting cylindrical surface is than ground to a finish in the order of 20 to 30 micro inches. A finish coat of sealer is applied to the surface of the roller. The resultant metering roller is highly wear resistant and hydrophobic, having a surface energy in the order of 30 to 40 dynes/cm.