Abstract: A device for transferring medical patients from one table, bed, or gurney to another is disclosed. The device includes a slide board which is slid beneath the patient while the patient is on the gurney. The slide board is then connected to a winch which rests on a cart and can be activated in a controlled manner. The action of the winch pulling the slide board in a horizontal fashion makes the transfer of the patient simple and easy. The cart is designed to be mobile, but includes hooks for fixing the cart to the floor so that it may withstand the stress induced by the retraction of the winch cable.

Abstract: A device for impregnating a paper web with a molten polymer to produce a paper with improved resistance to oil and grease are provided. The device includes, as part of an on-machine process, an ordinary paper web composed of cellulose or synthetic fibers, a polymer applicator, a hot reel, and a winding reel. The web, which is created through a series of processes located upstream of the subject invention, first encounters the polymer applicator, which deposits a quantity of molten polymer onto the surface of the web. The web is next transferred to a hot reel, which maintains the temperature of the molten polymer above its melting point and thereby facilitates wicking of the molten polymer into the web. After the web passes the hot reel, it is wound onto a winding reel, where additional wicking occurs until the molten polymer cools to a temperature below its melting point.

Abstract: A cable-driven animated bird replica comprises a decoy housing 12 having the overall configuration of a bird's body, the decoy having a pair of bird wing members 14 extending laterally of the housing and rotating on a common axis, a flexible cable 16 having a first end 122 attached to the housing and in operative communication with the bird wing members, and a second end 124 rotatably attached to a foot pedal 18 such that hands-free rotation of the bird wing members can be controlled from a location remote from the housing without the use of electric power.

Abstract: Deaminatively generated carbocations to initiate addition polymerization are disclosed. The high reactivity of the carbocation allows initiation of polymerization with virtually all alkenes, alkynes, alicyclic and aromatic monomers, regardless whether multisubstituted or conjugated. In addition, the carbocation initiates a polymerization reaction that generates an extremely high molecular weight polymer. In particular polystyrene of viscosity average molecular weight of approximately 106 was obtained.

Abstract: A urine absorbent pouch for male incontinence which completely surrounds the patient's penis, thereby minimizing the patient's exposure to wetness. The pouch is constructed from a piece of material which has a hole portion and a continuous portion, the hole portion containing a hole which is adapted to receive a patient's penis. A plurality of sealing means are located along the edges of the hole portion so when the sealing means are sealed onto the continuous portion, there is minimal contact between the sealing means and the patient. Additionally, a urine absorbent pouch for male incontinence can be created from a commercially available baby diaper by cutting a hole in the diaper and attaching additional sealing means to the portion of the diaper with the hole.

Abstract: The apparatus includes three 1.5 volt D-size batteries and two electric motors with arms and/or shafts extending to the head and tail area. The apparatus is mounted inside a commercial duck decoy and provides vertical head movement and propulsion with resulting water splashing and rippling actions when the decoy is afloat. These motions enhance the attraction of the decoys to flying waterfowl.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the manufacture of individual pipe sections of a pipe formed by a product pipe having at least one channel running along the product pipe. Surrounding the product pipe and the channel is a pipe jacket filled with an insulating mass which exhibits a flowability only in the processing condition. The channel running along the product pipe is formed by the outline of a core of material in place during addition of the insulation.

Abstract: An improved system and method of automating the integration of different Energy Management Systems (EMS) electrical power grid databases into a single power grid database. This method imports proprietary EMS raw data from various vendors' formats into a Common Information Model (CIM) with specific connectivity extensions and produces an electrically connected power systems database that can be viewed or edited. Direct network topology conversion from one EMS vendor data format to another is also supported. Two generated databases can then be selectively integrated and maintained to produce a fully populated network topology without disclosing EMS vendor specific proprietary information. The new, possibly larger, database can then be added to yet another database that is similarly processed.

Abstract: A drain alert device for detecting an overflow condition in a drainage system having a drain conduit, wherein wastewater is received through an inlet of the drain conduit, is provided, comprising an overflow conduit extending horizontally from the drain conduit below the inlet. The overflow conduit leads to an overflow detection device which includes a vessel having an internal volume sufficient to contain an amount of overflow wastewater. A buoyant member having an elongated, substantially vertical, overflow indicator resides within the vessel, and the overflow indicator is guided by a guide tube extending above the vessel. Thus, the overflow indicator reveals the extent of an overflow condition by protruding through the guide tube in response to the level of wastewater within the vessel. The vessel further includes a drain port having a threaded coupling capable of receiving a conventional flexible hose so that the appliance may be operated despite obstructions in the drain conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the thermal capacity of overhead power lines is disclosed. The apparatus includes two rods of similar diameter and material properties to the line to be rated. One of the rods has a heater inside that dissipates a known amount of energy approximately equal to what the line loses during operation at the static rating. The rods are oriented parallel to the line and the temperature of each is measured. Using this information and standard equations governing the cooling of power lines, a very accurate, real-time reading of the line's thermal capacity is generated.

Abstract: A passive warning system for communicating vehicular deceleration and other information through a warning light. A microprocessor-based warning system according to the invention accounts for variations in vehicular speed in generating a warning signal having an intensity level and a blinking rate related to the rate of deceleration of the automobile, the ambient driving conditions and the speed of the automobile. The microprocessor is also programmed to measure speed variations more frequently as the speed of the vehicle increases, allowing information to be communicated in a timely manner. In one embodiment of the invention, the microprocessor is programmed to maintain the highest intensity warning signal activated for a predetermined period of time in order to inform other vehicles of an earlier speed reduction.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of wastewater is provided. The basic device includes a wastewater inlet, a connecting means and a bioreactor. The bioreactor is a substantially water-tight compartment which has its bioreactor inlet fluidly connected to the connecting means which is fluidly connected to the wastewater inlet. Inside the substantially water-tight compartment is controlled porous media inoculated with nitrifying aerobic bacteria. Additionally, many applications will require a plurality of bioreactors to be able to handle larger loads of wastewater. The plurality of bioreactors are connected in series by a plurality of bioreactor connecting means, each bioreactor connecting means fluidly connecting one bioreactor's outlet to another bioreactor's inlet. Effluent enters the plurality of bioreactors through first bioreactor's inlet and exits the plurality of bioreactors from the last bioreactor's outlet.

Abstract: A clothes hanger extender which attaches to standard plastic clothes hanger so as to be able to adjust for different sized garments. The channel end has a hollow interior with a substantially elliptical cross section. The first portion of the channel, the channel locking portion, has a locking portion width which is smaller than the channel end's interior diameter. The second portion of the channel, the channel transition portion, connects the channel locking portion with the channel adjustment portion to make a continuous channel. The last portion of the channel is the channel adjustment portion. The channel adjustment portion allows the clothes hanger extender to slide over a standard plastic clothes hanger. The channel adjustment portion alternatively terminates at the shoulder end, or is the shoulder end, depending upon whether the shoulder end is a separate component.

Abstract: A novel chromatograph is provided. The chromatograph includes an analytical column which is a channel with a rectangular cross-section. Integrated with the chromatograph are a sample collection channel and a restriction channel. The column, sample collection channel, and restriction are all part of a single unitary microstructure. The microstructure is manufactured by irradiating and etching a material subject to synchronized x-ray radiation. The device will either be made of the actual etched material, or the etched material will be used as a mold or model to fabricate the chromatograph. A method of using the device is also disclosed.