Abstract: A free-floating, integrated, solar operated water heater appliance, for heating the body of water includes a flotation device for buoyantly supporting the appliance in the body of water. A water heater element, fueled by solar energy, heats water pumped through the heater element by an integral pump, driven by solar energy. A solar energy reflector/container supports the heater element and concentrates solar energy onto the outer surface of the heater element. A parabolic dish reflector concentrates solar energy onto the inner surface of the heater element. Water is circulated through the heater element and returned, in elevated temperature, to the body of water.

Abstract: An improved stuttering treatment program provides for a multi dimensional diagnostic procedure for identifying the problems associated with stuttering. A simultaneous attitude modification phase and a speech fluency enhancing techniques phase define a supervised, hands-on exercise portion of the program which is intended to advance the level of speech of a stutter afflicted person to speech fluency. Upon completion of attitude modification and speech fluency enhancing exercises, which raises the patient to speech fluency, a self-discipline phase of the program is provided where the patient supervises himself during speech exercising, monitors and analyzes exercise effect and reports his analysis to speech professionals. The self-supervised exercise is up-dated and communicated to the patient, for preventive maintenance of speech fluency.

Abstract: A serving utensil, used for serving food on a salad bar, is attached to a retractable tether device. The retractable tether device is coupled to the under surface of a sneeze shield extending over the food on a salad bar, effectively elevating the retractable tether device and the serving utensil above and/or over food on the salad bar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for fabricating a dry cell storage battery from a plurality of dry cells by soldering a battery strap to terminals of adjacent dry cells in a battery pack. A resistance heat solder apparatus is provided for soldering a joint defined by an end portion of a battery strap and a terminal of a dry cell, so that adjacent dry cells in the battery pack are in physical and electrical contact. Terminal probes, connected across the secondary coil of a step-down transformer, are used to make contact with the joint to be soldered for applying a voltage across the joint. Terminal probes have contoured tips. A preferred embodiment provides terminal probes which are contoured to be a mirror image of the contour of the joint where the particular terminal probe makes contact with the solder joint. Application of a voltage across the joint provides a collimated current flow path through the joint. An intense heat is created within the joint by the current flow.

Abstract: A differentiator for a vending machine includes a drive motor which drives a threaded shaft. A carrier with a port adapted to receive the threaded shaft defines the base of the differentiator with the head of the differentiator pivotally mounted on the base. A biasing spring between the base and the head urges the head into an angular orientation. A surface which supports a stack of items marketed by the vending machine provides an environment in which the differentiator works. The differentiator is mounted under the support surface. The support surface includes a slot therein. The differentiator is mounted so that differentiator head, on the differentiator base is positioned in the slot of the support surface. One end of the angularly oriented head extends above the support surface, through the slot and, when carried forward by the base, separates an item from the stack of items supported on the support surface.

Abstract: Dry cells are combined in both physical and electrical combination to fabricate a battery. A dry cell strap defined by a solid copper core with a skin or cover of chrome steel bonded to the copper core, is soldered to terminals of adjacent dry cells using induction heat developed by an oscillator/generator operating in the R F frequency range of frequencies. The parts of the dry cell terminal and cell strap which are soldered together are inserted into alignment with the coils of a coil which generates a magnetic field for inducing a heat creating current in the parts aligned with the coils. Virtually immediate temperature elevation throughout the parts in the coil is achieved and soldering is accomplished without applying excess heat to any one part thereof. Heat elevation in the parts to be soldered, is kept to a minimum. The increment of time during which the temperature of the parts is elevated is minimized.

Abstract: A cell connector bar or strap for connecting or coupling electric cells, both electrically and physically, is provided with a heat-sink for dissipating heat generated by the cells when charging rechargeable cells and during rapid discharge of the battery formed by the coupled cells. The heat-sink, in its preferred structure is a plurality of heat dissipating elements, such as extending fingers, extending from the body of the cell connector bar.

Abstract: A combination spirometer or peak flow meter and nebulizer system is provided. Utilization of common elements, on a time sharing basis is accomplished by the combined instrumentation. The sharing of a common chamber by a peak flow meter and a nebulizer system is controlled by valves operated in response to phases of the respiratory process of a patient. With this combination vaporized medication is provided to a patient for inhalation during the inhale phase of the respiration cycle and the effectiveness of the inhaled medication is monitored by measuring the rate of flow of the breath exhaled during the exhale phase of the same respiratory cycle.

Abstract: A track lighting and fixture system provides for applying a primary power supply directly to conduits extending along the length of the track. One or more electricity converters, such as AC to AC converters, each of which change the primary power into a secondary power which has characteristics which differ from the characteristics of the primary power, are connected, both physically and electrically to the track, providing a varity of outputs of secondary power. Lighting fixtures and electric accessories, each requiring electric power having characteristics that differ from each other and each of which differ from the characteristics of the primary power may be used in the same track lighting and fixture system.

Abstract: A first global position signal receiver (GPS receiver), at an undefined location, receives first global position signal data (GPS Data) from global position satellites, in orbit above the earth. The first signal data defines a first location for the first receiver, however, the location defined is inaccurate, with respect to the actual location of the first receiver. A second GPS receiver, spaced from the first GPS receiver, at a second undefined location, receives second GPS Data from the satellites. The second GPS Data defines a second location for the second GPS receiver, the location defined being inaccurate with respect to the actual location of the second receiver. The first GPS Data and the second GPS Data are applied to a computer programmed to combine both signal data mathematically and to calculate the difference between the two GPS Data. The difference between the two data defines a distance and a direction between the first defined location and the second defined location.

Abstract: A global position satellite receiver (GPS receiver) is located in a fixed, undefined location on or in the vacinity of a golf course. The distance and direction between the fixed GPS receiver and a pin on the green of a hole on the golf course is measured using conventional distance and direction measuring apparatus. This is a first measured leg. A mobile GPS receiver, with computer, is on the golf course. A golf ball is on the fairway of the hole. The fixed GPS receiver receivers first global position satellite signals (GPS Data) from global position satellites in orbit above the earth, the first GPS Data defining a location for the fixed GPS receiver. The mobile GPS receiver receives second GPS Data from the global position satellites which defines a location for the mobile GPS receiver. Both sets of GPS Data are identically contaminated and both location definitions are unreliable, in accuracy.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying the identity of a person while the person is performing a seemingly unrelated act. The position of a person's hand in contact with a sensing surface, while holding an object and/or performing a task, such as using a writing instrument to write one's signature or a computer mouse in association with a computer, for example, is distinctive and consistent and will serve to verify the identity of a person, when data defining such contact is compared with a standard defined by previously determined data from the same person. Sensing devices, such as pressure or electrical transducers or other sensors can be located in or on a sensing surface to determine the parameters of contact between the person's hand and the sensing surface. Alternatively, a touch-sensitive screen, such as used in conjunction with a computer, may be used for sensing a person's hand contact.

Abstract: An improved golf tee includes a stem and connected head. The head includes a substantially flat upper portion with a beveled shoulder defining the periphery of the flat upper portion. A plurality of spaced holes are in the beveled shoulder. The axis of each hole generally follows the line of retains a group of bristles which extend above the upper surface of the head, forming a brush ring above the head of the tee. The brush ring extends upwardly and outwardly from the beveled shoulder defining a soft golf ball lie. The ring brush golf ball lie is adjustable, constant and portable.

Abstract: A protective garment for protecting portions of an extremity of the body includes a longitudinally openable, modified tubular-like body with a cuff connected to each end of the body. One of the two cuffs is circumferentially closed and the other cuff of the two cuffs is circumferentially openable. A pull is provided, on the closed cuff, for manupilating the open garment. A zipper connected along the longitudinal opening of the body and the opening in the circumference of the openable cuff is provided so that the body and the openable cuff may be closed. Each cuff is fabricated from a stretchable material for securing the garment to the extremity.

Abstract: A filter apparatus of the dynamic mass granular filter type, for filtering contaminants from a liquid includes a vessel which contains a first chamber, a second chamber and a conduit pipe which connects the two chambers. The first chamber includes a sump defined by vertical walls and a flat bottom, and supports a dynamic filter bed of granular filter material. The second chamber receives a portion of the mass of granular filter material drawn from the filter bed in the sump and a portion of the liquid, in a flow of liquid through the conduit pipe and cleans and returns the portion of the mass of granular material to the dynamic filter bed through an opening in the second chamber, the size of which is adjustable from a position remote from the vessel. A filtrate recovery chamber, positioned within the dynamic filter bed, has perforated side walls for passing filtrate into the recovery chamber. The side walls are parallel with the movement of the filter materials passing the filtrate recovery chamber.

Abstract: A global position receiver receives navigation signal from navigation satellites, in space, from a fixed location on a golf course, the location defined in stable location data. Location data derived from the navigation signals defines the fixed location in unstable location data. The stable location data and the unstable location data are compared for generating an error signal. A mobile global position receiver, on a fairway of the golf receives concurrently transmitted navigation signals from the navigation satellites from an undefined location. Location data derived from the navigation signals by the mobile unit defining the location of the mobile unit in unstable location data is combined with the error signal generating stable location data defining the undefined location of the mobile unit on the fairway. The distance and direction of a golf ball from the mobile unit, are measured.

Abstract: A filter apparatus of the dynamic mass granular filter type, for filtering contaminants from a liquid includes a vessel which contains a first chamber, a second chamber and a conduit pipe which connects the two chambers. The first chamber includes a sump defined by vertical walls and a flat bottom, and supports a dynamic filter bed of granular filter material. The second chamber receives a portion of the mass of granular filter material drawn from the filter bed in the sump and a portion of the liquid, in a flow of liquid through the conduit pipe and cleans and returns the portion of the mass of granular material to the dynamic filter bed through an opening in the second chamber, the size of which is adjustable from a position remote from the vessel. A filtrate recovery chamber, positioned within the dynamic filter bed, has perforated side walls for passing filtrate into the recovery chamber. The side walls are parallel with the movement of the filter materials passing the filtrate recovery chamber.

Abstract: An attache case size, portable rack is fabricated from spaced, vertical supports and spaced shelves, for holding containers. A key entry system is provided which may be used to codify the material stored in the container. A multiple lock locking system of two-element locks, with one lock element of each two-element lock mounted on the rack and the second lock element of each two-element lock mounted on the container functions to define discrete container parking spaces on the rack. The same lock elements that define a container parking space combine with lock elements on the container for locking the container in the parking space defined by those lock elements.

Abstract: Roofing systems are herein disclosed which lend themselves to simplified installation techniques and provide enhanced energy conservation over conventional roofing systems of comparable appearance. The system of this invention is based, in substantial part, upon the use of a large (typically 4'.times.8') panel of cellular structural foam as a replacement for ceramic and/or cast concrete roofing tiles ("Barrel" and "Bermuda" style tiles). In the preferred embodiments of this invention, a closed cell structural formed panel is molded or cut to simulate an array of roofing tiles. The simulated foam tile panel is further provided with a refractory (fireproofing) finish, such as stucco, or its equivalent. A finish coating is, thereafter, applied to the refractory coating to enhance water repellency and, thus, serve to further weatherproof the roofing panel. The finishing coating can be applied prior to or subsequent to installation of the foam tile panels.