Abstract: An apparatus that indicates whether an object has been exposed to a predetermined critical temperature T. The apparatus housing has a reservoir portion and a capillary tube portion in fluid connection with the reservoir portion. A first fluid is contained within the reservoir portion. A second fluid is contained within the capillary portion. A barrier is located intermediate the first fluid and second fluid. The barrier prevents the first and second fluids from intermixing until the apparatus is exposed to the critical temperature, and then allows at least a portion of the second fluid to mix with the first fluid when the apparatus is exposed to the critical temperature. An observable characteristic of one of the fluids irreversibly changes when the apparatus is exposed to the critical temperature. The housing completely encapsulates the fluids and barrier within the housing and prevents evaporation of the fluids and barrier from the housing.

Abstract: Rotatable hand supports for performing advanced pushups on a floor or ground surface. The main handle of the supports has a grip portion constructed to be grasped by a user. The base has a bottom portion adapted to contact the floor, a top portion rotatably connected to the bottom portion, and a bearing assembly supporting the top portion on said bottom portion. A support connects the handle to the top portion of the base and supports the handle at an elevated position relative to the base and above the floor. A hand clutch extends from the main handle and can be squeezed to perform hand-grip exercises simultaneously with a pushup exercise.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump with a bi-component diaphragm pump housing. The housing has a top component and a bottom component that connect along first and second complimenting connection interfaces and form an interior pump chamber, an exterior pressure port, an exterior vacuum port, and fluid communication channels connecting the exterior ports with the interior chamber. The first and second connection interfaces are oriented transverse to one another. The components of the pump are self-locking and can be assembled without the use of tools.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher unit that can be grasped and operated with a single hand. The unit includes a single-hand fire extinguisher and a holder for releasably supporting the fire extinguisher on a vertical surface. The fire extinguisher has a cylindrical canister housing, a flexible internal pouch containing fire suppressant, means for externally pressurizing the pouch, a valve for regulating the flow of fire suppressant from said pouch, and a spray head connected to the valve for actuating the valve between open and closed positions and for directing the flow of fire suppressant from said pouch. The holder has an elongate base, means for mounting the elongate base to a vertical surface, and a clamp fixed to each end of said elongate base.

Abstract: A pipette dispenser unit having a hand-held pipette dispenser having a pipette connector and a handle, a source of positive and negative air pressure in fluid connection with said pipette connector, and a foot-operated controller for regulating the flow of air between said air pressure source and said pipette connector. A method of metering fluid through a pipette by connecting the pipette to the pipette dispenser, holding the dispenser with one hand, and controlling fluid flow through the pipette by operating the controller with at least one foot.

Abstract: A pipette gun and holster apparatus having a remote source of positive and negative air pressure. The holster supports the pipette gun above a work table with the pipette connector oriented generally, vertically downwardly. The holster has a base which may be fastened to a vertical wall. A mounting bracket is fixed to and extends transverse to the base. The bracket has a bottomless socket constructed and arranged to receive and removably hold the pipette gun by inserting the pipette connector into the socket. A switch deactivates the remote air pressure source when the pipette gun is parked in the holster and energizes the remote air pressure source when the pipette gun is removed from the holster. A method of metering fluid using a pipette gun and holster apparatus. The holster is removable fastened to a vertical surface next to or proximate a horizontal work table top.

Abstract: A device for displaying and serving individual-serving-size food items, such as bite-size appetizers. The device has a pedestal, a head fixed to and supported by the pedestal, and spikes for releasably fixing a plurality of the individual-serving-size food items on the head. The pedestal comprises a base and an upwardly-extending support member having an upper end fixed to the head and a lower end fixed to the base. The base includes a receptacle for containing and serving a complimentary accouterment to the appetizer such as a dipping sauce or marinade. The receptacle is removable from the base for filling, emptying and storing the food item contained therein. Preferably, all of the components of the device can be disassembled for cleaning and compact storage.

Abstract: A folding, straight-line, workpiece guide for a saw having a base, a saw blade extending vertically through the base, and a feed path relative to the saw blade. The workpiece guide comprises an elongated table which can be collapsed into a folded configuration or set up and locked into a working configuration. A carriage is constructed and arranged to support multiple elongated workpieces and to slide along the foldable table. The foldable table has multiple chassis sections pivotally connected to one another, adjustable legs, connectors for connecting the table to the base of the saw parallel to the feed path of the saw, and a guide track for guiding the carriage along the table when the table is in the working configuration.

Abstract: A single-hand apparatus for opening and closing the cap of a microcentrifuge tube. The apparatus comprises an elongate base having means on one end for mounting the base on a laboratory ring stand and means on the other end of the base for allowing a technician to hold the microcentrifuge tube in one hand and to open and close the cap without requiring a second hand.

Abstract: A control valve actuated by a low-pressure/low-flow-rate control fluid. The valve housing has a control-fluid channel, a second-fluid channel, and a piston which is movable between open positions and a closed limit position. The valve has a piston head seat located intermediate the control-fluid channel. The seat has a shape which compliments the piston head so that the control fluid can flow through the control-fluid channel when the piston is in an open position. The valve has a piston stem seat located intermediate the second-fluid channel. The piston stem seat has a shape which compliments the free end of the piston stem so that a fluid seal is formed in the second-fluid channel when the piston is in the closed limit position and so that a second fluid may flow through the second-fluid channel when the piston is in an open position.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable, hair-growth stimulator fixed to and disguised within a fashion hat. The scalp stimulator includes a vibrator capable of being powered by a portable direct current power source. Agitators are connected to the vibrator and are immersed within a vibration medium which is contained in a pliable bladder. The stimulator can be worn inconspicuously by a patient with great freedom as to time, manner, and place.

Abstract: A combination tie-down and locking device for a motorcycle having a plurality of forks. The device has a cut-resistant shackle for clamping around the fork of the motorcycle, a flexible, cut-resistant tie-down strap having one end securely fixed to the shackle, a quick-connect chain link for tensioning the strap and releasably connecting the free end of the strap to a trailer, and a lock for releasably locking the free end of the strap to a trailer. A method of tying down and locking a motorcycle to a trailer includes the steps of providing a pair of combination tie-down and locking devices, tightening the devices on each of the forks of the motorcycle, locking the device on each of the forks of the motorcycle, tensioning the tie-down strap and connecting the free end of the tie down strap to the trailer, and locking the free end of the tie down strap to the trailer.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding and polishing without visible flaws a variety of different size and shape full-lead crystal workpieces. A conveyor supports the workpieces and runs through the apparatus housing. A workpiece calibrator is located proximate the entrance end of the housing. A plurality of grinders having an abrasive grinding surface within a range of coarseness are located downline of the calibrator. A plurality of polishers are located downline of the grinders. Control means raises and lowers the calibrator, grinders and polishers relative to the belt conveyor and the unfinished surface of the workpiece supported thereon.A method of automatically making a finished full-lead crystal ornament using an automated machine having a housing, conveyor, a plurality of motor-driven grinding heads, and a plurality of motor-driven polishing heads.

Abstract: A tool and method for aligning multiple shaft segments which are coupled together to form a single rotating shaft. The device comprises a cylindrical bar having an annular, axially-extending outer surface, rotating means on a first end of the bar, and engaging/disengaging means fixed on the second end of the bar. The bar is temporarily inserted through a bolt hole in the collar of the first shaft and partially through an aligned hole in an adjacent coupling of the second shaft until at least a portion of the engaging/disengaging means is positioned within the bolt hole of the second collar. The engaging/disengaging means engages the second collar so that a turning force from the first shaft is transmitted to the second shaft. The engaging/disengaging means also disengages from the second collar by rotating the bar after rotation of the shaft is ceased.

Abstract: An adjustable golf club having means for adjusting the balance of the club and means for adjusting the alignment angle of the club. A club head is attached to the connection end of the shaft by connecting means at a connection point along the heel-to-toe axis and at a line-of-play alignment angle and a heel-to-toe alignment angle. The connecting means includes a slide fixed to the connection end of the shaft and a socket in the top portion of the club head. The balance of the club can be adjusted by linearly moving the slide along the heel-to-toe axis in the socket. The line-of-play alignment angle of the shaft can be adjusted by rotatably moving the slide in the socket. After the club is adjusted, the slide is secured in the socket by locking means to prevent the club from deviating from the desired adjusted configuration during play. A method of putting a golf ball with the above provided adjustable putter. The adjustable putter is provided to the golfer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which can measure and control the absolute phase angles of individual coherent Frequency-Division-Multiplexed (FDM) carriers which have been combined to form a composite signal. User-specified phase relationships for the carriers are predetermined to produce an optimum peak factor (peak power to average power ratio) of the composite signal for a given application. In the preferred embodiment, phase relationships chosen to minimize peak factor can dramatically reduce the presence of intermodulation distortion products which can be detrimental to present communication architectures, such as Community Antenna Television (CATV).