Abstract: A trimmer head for a line trimmer includes an automatic line feeding mechanism. The trimmer head accepts a spool of cutting line and spins extended line to trim, for example, unwanted vegetation in lawns. Upon actuation of the automatic line feeding mechanism, damaged or broken cutting line is replaced with additional cutting line from the spool. The mechanism is actuated remotely (electrically or manually) and eliminates the requirement to bump the trimmer head on the ground thus reducing wear and tear on the trimmer.

Abstract: A door hinge mask completely protects a door hinge during painting, is reusable, can be used on a hanging door easily and allows movement of the door during the painting process. The device includes two portions used in combination; one portion for protecting the hinge plates and a portion for protecting the hinge cylinder. The hinge plate protector is made from a flexible material and removably attaches to the hinge plates using a magnetic material. The hinge cylinder protector is also made from a flexible material and removably attaches to the hinge cylinder using a magnetic material. The two portions used in combination completely protect the door hinge during painting.

Abstract: A portable spittoon is a sanitary, discrete method for disposing of tobacco juice or other secretions. The spittoon includes a container (26) and a lid (14). The lid (14) includes an opening (30) into which the secretions are placed and a funnel portion (32) for transferring the secretions into the container (26) when actuated and sealing the funnel when not actuated. The seal and funnel design act to minimize the risk of spillage from the container. The container can further include a window (28) such that the user can monitor the contents of the container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for tracking a fleeing vehicle comprising a frangible tracking projectile and a launcher to propel and attach the tracking projectile to the fleeing vehicle. The launcher is a handheld or vehicle mounted pneumatic gun that uses high pressure gas to fire the projectile at the fleeing vehicle. The tracking projectile comprises an outer plastic casing that holds a GPS receiver, a radio transponder and a power source in an adhesive mixture. When the tracking projectile strikes its target, the plastic casing shatters allowing the adhesive substance to attach the GPS receiver, radio transponder and power source to the fleeing vehicle.

Abstract: This invention is a specialized tool to install bearing cups on trucks and other large vehicles. Typically, conventional means to install bearing cups would be to use a device that includes striking the device with a hammer. Such an installation tool could damage the trucks wheel hub or the bearing cup. Other means exist utilizing complex, hard to use, mechanical devices. This invention is a simple, non-impact type bearing cup installation tool utilizing a rod, specialized cap tools, and a wrench. With just a few simple turns, the bearing cups are installed effortlessly and safely.

Abstract: A ergonomic customizeable user/computer interface system for wireless computer control. A hand-attachable user interface device transmits control information upon activation of switches on the interface device. A base interface device receives the transmissions, decodes the information and provides control signals to the computer. The interface system allows for security authorization control and multiple computer or LAN operations with each user interface device. Greater functionality is provided by the use of personality modules in the user interface device for different modes of operation.

Abstract: A port for anchoring a cannula is provided. The port consists of a sealing cap removably attached to a threaded cone top. The threaded cone top is threaded onto a cone section from which a plurality of arms extend. The arms include a system for retaining a thread such as a suture. For use in laparoscopic surgery, a cannula is inserted into the port, the port is secured to the cannula and the cannula/port assembly is secured to the surgical site using sutures and a suture retaining system on the port.

Abstract: An aquatic device for skimming across the surface of a body of water is provided. The device includes a centrally located body section, a bridge extending from the body section, a grip handle having an outer side wall, which extends from the bridge and is located about the periphery of the device and a convex bottom surface. The body may be curved over its entire upper surface or may be flat across its upper surface and may include a downwardly and outwardly ramped perimeter. The bridge is thin enough to allow bending. The grip handle may be weighted for stability purposes and is designed to be grasped by a hand. The bottom surface is convex and meets the outer side wall at a sharp angle. The outer side wall is also convex. The device is constructed from materials such that it is heavy enough to overcome lift but light enough that it does not sink. The device may be made from one material having the required density or from two or more materials which act together to have the necessary density.

Abstract: A syringe having color demarcation features to enhance readability. Said syringe having a central body portion that is a barrel having a proximal and distal end along a central longitudinal axis that acts a reservoir for fluid inside the syringe. The side wall of the barrel is relatively transparent having volume demarcations in contrasting colors to increase the readability of the demarcations. A plunger and coupled seal member can be engaged with the proximal end of the barrel creating a liquid tight reservoir inside the syringe. The seal member can be made a contrasting color to further enhance the readability of the demarcations.

Abstract: A device for single-handed insertion of an intraocular lens into a patient's eye, having a barrel, a finger flange attached to the barrel, a plunger slidingly engaged with the barrel, a ring attached to the plunger, a projection extending from the plunger, along its length, for resisting bending in the plunger and transmission of torsion through the plunger and for assisting in preventing rotation of the plunger relative to the barrel, and a channel formed lengthwise along the interior of the barrel that engages the projection of the plunger. An alternative embodiment of the invention has a walled chamber, for receiving the lens, that forms an aperture to allow a trailing haptic of the lens to temporarily protrude outside the device.

Abstract: Because the thermal expansion coefficient ("TEC") of glass is small-to-negligible at low temperatures, traditional fiber Bragg grating ("FBG") sensors and long period grating ("LPG") sensors are not adequately sensitive to accurately measure cryogenic temperature changes. However, as demonstrated herein, the integration of a coating around an optical fiber (the coating having a TEC that is greater than that of the fiber alone) can allow the induction of additional thermal strain in the fiber. In this light, a new sensor for cryogenic temperature measurement has been invented that mechanically amplifies temperature transduction within fiber grating sensors. The invention has the benefit of being useful for measuring non-cryogenic temperature changes as well. The thickness of the coating can be optimized.

Abstract: A transducer has been invented that uses specially-oriented gratings in waveguide a manner that allows the simultaneous measurement of physical phenomena (such as shear force, strain and temperature) in a single sensing element. The invention has a highly sensitive, linear response and also has directional sensitivity with regard to strain. The transducer has a waveguide with a longitudinal axis as well as two Bragg gratings. The transducer has a first Bragg grating associated with the waveguide that has an angular orientation .theta..sub.a relative to a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that 0.degree.<.theta..sub.a <.theta..sub.max. The second Bragg grating is associated with the waveguide in such a way that the angular orientation .theta..sub.b of the grating relative to a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is (360.degree.-.theta..sub.max)<.theta..sub.b <360.degree.. The first Bragg grating can have a periodicity .LAMBDA..sub.a and the second Bragg grating can have a periodicity .

Abstract: Textiles are first manufactured to attain dimensional stability and durability and thereby withstand the rigors of industrial rental and commercial laundering. Then, the garments are dyed in a two-stage process to yield outstanding colorfastness, pilling resistance, dimensional stability and durability. Garments are yielded that, even after extensive use, may be overdyed to custom colors in custom-sized batches to extend the useful life of stained or otherwise discolored garments. By performing the dyeing and/or overdyeing portions of the process at a location near the end user of the textile, transaction costs related to transportation of goods are minimized, technical resources are efficiently utilized, and large inventories of dyed garments need not be maintained, thereby reducing inventory expenses.

Abstract: A method for bonding or joining plastic or metallic pipe using induced energy is provided. A susceptor is placed between the two pipes to be joined and a magnetic flux is induced onto the susceptor. The second pipe may be a coupling device. The magnetic flux may be induced by a tank circuit or an induction heating gun. The induction heating gun may be formed with a hinged heating head. The susceptor may be a perforated metal ring or a wire coil. The susceptor is coated with a material compatible with the pipes, for example, a plastic adhesive material, magnetic flux is an induction heating gun having a hinged heating head.

Abstract: A device for controlling pressure loading of a member caused by a fluid moving past the member or the member moving through a fluid. The device consists of a porous skin mounted over the solid surface of the member and separated from the solid surface by a plenum. Fluid from an area exerting high pressure on the member may enter the plenum through the porous surface and exit into an area exerting a lower pressure on the member, thus controlling pressure loading of the member. A transpirational control device controls the conditions within the plenum thus controlling the side force and yaw moment on the forebody.