Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a process for separation and resolution of particles suspended in, or molecules dissolved in, a sample mixture or solution using electrical field flow fractionation (EFFF). Fractionation of individual components in the mixture/solution is obtained by the interaction of particles/molecules with an electric field applied perpendicular to the flow direction, and externally to the fractionation channel. The plate electrodes are electrically isolated from the sample and carrier within a thin, non-permeable, insulating coating on the inside surfaces electrodes. This coating forms a barrier between the solution phase and the electric circuit used to generate the working electric field. The flow channel is formed by sandwiching a shaped insulating gasket between the two parallel plate electrodes. The side walls of the channel are defined then by the inside walls of the shaped, insulating gasket.

Abstract: A brake control device prevents movement of a vehicle, when an unsafe condition exists, by automatically applying the parking or other brake. The brake control system may prevent movement should the unsafe condition exist within, on or around, a towed device such as a trailer, a trailer-house or other recreational or non-recreational equipment. The brake control system may set a brake or parking device on the towed device whenever the towed device is disconnected from the motorized vehicle, or whenever equipment on the towed vehicle is extending outward or is otherwise un-stowed in a position unsafe for traveling, whether or not the towed vehicle is connected to the towing vehicle. Interface connections from the towed device to the powered towing vehicle may include wireless, electrical wire, fiber optics, analog, digital, or others.

Abstract: A garment that attaches to the body of a personal recreational vehicle, preferably covers substantially all of the wearer's body, and traps heat generated and lost by the vehicle engine. The garment is preferably large enough to allow the wearer to sit or stand and turn as necessary without restraint. It may also equipped with a zipper in front that allows the wearer to vent heated air or to exit the garment and vehicle without detaching the garment from the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the garment is removably attached to a storage container attached to the vehicle behind the driver/wearer. The bottom hem of the garment is attached to the body of the vehicle in order to better trap heat and to keep the garment in place. The apparatus for attaching the garment to the vehicle preferably is strong enough to remain attached despite high winds and/or high vehicle velocity.

Abstract: A latch mechanism secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The latch mechanism offers relatively-proximal anchoring of a residual limb in a hard socket, rather than the conventional distal attachment, resulting in ease of donning and doffing of the socket by an amputee. The proximal attachment feature requires no clearance in the bottom of the socket “well” as no part of the latch mechanism is located between the distal end of the residual limb and the bottom inside of the well. The latch mechanism is disposed entirely along the side of the limb and the side of the socket, and extends from the liner on the limb a short distance inside the socket before exiting to the outside of the socket for locking onto the socket side surface. Even though the latch mechanism extends through an aperture in the wall of the socket, a tight gel suction wrap or other seal around the aperture still allows for a reliable suction fit.

Abstract: Embodiments of an punch machine and a quick-change die assembly are shown and described. The die assembly may be quickly installed and removed from the punch machine, without bolting or unbolting of either machine housing or the die assembly itself. The die assembly is slid into the machine through a hole in the machine housing and into a position which mates part of the die assembly with the push-bar. A clamp, with a handle outside the machine, is then pivoted against the die assembly. The push-bar is adapted to be self-supporting without being bolted to the die assembly, keeping the push-bar in place without manual adjustment and alignment. The die assembly preferably includes a die, pin retainer, and punch pins, and preferably includes a flexible, pivotal, or hinged pin strap to secure the pins to the retainer.

Abstract: A ski-snowboard device has a support board for the user and a plurality of ski pairs mounted to the underside of the board. The ski-snowboard has a steering and suspension system, connecting the skis in each pair, to provide paired steering and independent suspension. Each steering and suspension system preferably comprises two pivoting generally-V-shaped arms connecting the board to the skis, wherein the V-shaped arms are spaced apart at their top end connections to the board, and each connect to different portions of rocker members that hold the skis. The V-shaped arms pivot relative to the board, and the rocker members pivot relative to the arms and also relative to the skis. Shock-absorbing/biasing systems cushion vibrations and tune the suspension and steering. Thus, the skis move right and left, move to their inside edges, and swing forward and rearward, to properly steer the ski-snowboard right and left and up and down terrain, for enhanced handling and control by the user.

Abstract: An adjustable horse owner's and farrier's stand includes a plastic base having a large generally flat base and an upright portion upending from the base, and a hoof platform adjustably locked in the base. The hoof platform height may be adjusted continuously rather than incrementally for precise and accurate positioning of a hoof. One hoof platform includes a diverging U-shaped cradle, with a firm but cushioning, shock-absorbing material on its top side for holding the hoof and absorbing the concussion of nailing and hoof maintenance. Preferably, the firm but cushioning material is a flexible strap slung across the cradle to form a hoof-receiving sling spaced above the surface of the cradle. Interchangeable hoof platforms may be provided, such as an alternative platform with a flat surface to receive the bottom of a hoof.

Abstract: Embodiments are shown and described of an automatic feeder for handling and inserting media, such as paper, into a hole punch machine or other media processing apparatus. The preferred feeder may accomplish a sequence of steps and preferably includes the apparatus, programming, and methods to accomplish the steps, which preferably handle the paper or other media substantially vertically. A generally vertical pile of paper is advanced forward perpendicularly to the plane of the paper sheets, and then a front portion of the pile is picked by a stabber pushing up in-between the sheets. The picked stack of papers is moved vertically downward into a punching die assembly, and then is ejected laterally to a tray. The picking assembly is designed for a high degree of accuracy. The invented feeder system preferably includes features that allow loading and unloading of the feeder without shutting down the feeder or shutting down the hole punch.

Abstract: In self-adjusting vertical tube fencing, a rail and a method of assembling the fencing are provided. The rail comprises an elongated channel with a top wall and two side walls, each of the side walls being of substantial U-section with an outer part connected to the top wall and an inner inturned part, the top wall having a series of apertures through which respective tubular fence members are fitted. The inturned parts have a notch which can accommodate a fixed peg carried by a fence member. The inturned parts also have an extension adjacent the notch, the extension being provided to permit rotation of the fence member about its longitudinal axis during assembly so that the peg can engage the notch.

Abstract: This invention is a tool combining the function of a string line or chalk line anchor and a plumb bob. This combined tool is comprised of a dart-like body having a longitudinal axial bore. A sharpened spike is clamped within the longitudinal bore. The amount of the spike extending from the body may be adjusted to accommodate the variety of material hardnesses encountered at the work site. In addition this tool has the added functionally of being able to easily and quickly replace a damaged or broken spike.

Abstract: The present invention is a floor vinyl repair technique and tool. According to the present invention, the prior art repair technique is practiced, except a special domed-disc spacer is placed between the patch and the damaged piece to be removed before the cut through both layers with the knife. This way, the replacement patch is elevated slightly above the damaged piece. This slight elevation allows for a slight increase in the perimeter of the patch, and offsets the slight stretching of the patch during the cut, thereby resulting in a more exact fit between the patch and the surrounding, original undamaged vinyl when the patch is installed.

Abstract: The invention is a process and reactors designs for simultaneous ultraviolet light/ultrasound(UV/US) treatment of halogenated organic compounds contaminants in water. The reactors are preferably circular cylindrical reaction vessels that accept a central ultrasonic horn. UV light is provided by lamps placed generally parallel to the reactor walls. Or, UV light may be centrally provided in an immersion well near the ultrasonic horn. This way, simultaneous UV/US energy may be effectively provided to the reactors for the remediation of toxic compounds in the water in the reactors. Also, this way, compact and portable reactors may be constructed to permit mobile applications of the UV/US processes.

Abstract: There is provided a method of a modification of a message in a communication system and a device for execution of the method. After receiving a message, the message being delivered into a receiver communication unit through data communication means and stored in a storage unit, there is a password allocated to the sender, the password being allocated with respect to available information about an identity of the sender, and the password is delivered back to the transmitter communication unit as acknowledgement message and serves the sender as a key for obtaining an access to functions of modification and/or deleting a message stored in the receiver communication unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of a bicycle riding training system are disclosed. The system includes a crank assembly that is removable from the bicycle without disruption of the sprocket and chain. The invented system comprises coaxial shafts that rotate preferably together in a hub bearing assembly. The coaxial shafts preferably include an external shaft within the bearing retainer cups of a bicycle frame bottom hub assembly and an internal shaft that connects to the crank arms. The internal shaft preferably is made of two parts that connect at a midpoint within the external shaft using a bolt, screw or other connector. Removing the connector permits withdrawal of the internal shaft while leaving the external shaft and sprocket assembly intact. An additional feature of the connector in the internal shaft is that it may serve to expand or otherwise tighten the internal shaft inside the external shaft, and thereby fix the internal shaft to the external shaft.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a heating wrap for placement against an injured/painful area of a person's body and an analgesic cream being placed between the heating wrap and the injured/painful area. The invented cream is formulated specifically for use with a heating wrap to be heat-compatible. The added heat from the heating wrap enhances the permeability of the skin and the tendency of the cream to permeate into the skin. The cream preferably includes an ingredient pharmaceutically categorized as an analgesic agent and an ingredient pharmaceutically categorized as an anti-inflammatory agent. Preferably, the cream does not include ingredients at levels that irritate human skin at the elevated temperatures of the heating wrap, that is, at about 110-140 degrees F. wrap temperatures. The heat wrap may be a pad that includes a flexible sleeve for receiving and surrounding the pad, plus a set of straps for holding the pad or pad/sleeve combination on the body area that is to be treated.

Abstract: The present invention is an adjustable-length stock for a shoulder fired weapon, which preferably includes an extendible shoulder piece installed on a shortened gun stock. The extendible shoulder piece preferably includes a butt plate for placement against the shoulder of a user, and a telescoping connection between the butt plate and the shortened gun stock. The connection may have at least one support rod and preferably two support rods telescopically sliding within their respective support tubes. After adjustment, the stock is locked at the selected length, thereby fixedly holding a desired length. The preferred two connections between the butt plate and the gun stock are vertically-distanced as much as possible, in order to stabilize the butt plate. The system preferably also uses a bipod for forward support of the weapon while being used by the adolescent. This system may be used to teach adolescents how to fire such a weapon.