Abstract: An elongated latch bar is slidably carried in a passageway through a bolt housing and is extendable into an aligned passageway of a keeper. The extended end of the latch bar carries a transverse cavity for receiving a cross-latch. The keeper carries the cross-latch in a suitable position to engage and lock the latch bar to the keeper when the latch bar when it is suitably inserted and positioned in the keeper. The cross-latch carries narrow operator that extends across the keeper passageway to an outside location and allows the cross-latch to be manually depressed. The latch bar has a forked end that creates a slot leading to the cavity. The slot is sized to allow passage of the operator but not the cross-latch.

Abstract: A fishing rod is strengthened with a metal reinforcement chosen from a metal coating deposited on a formed rod section and a metal wire in a substantially non-crossing arrangement, or a combination of these. In a base section of the rod, wire is wrapped in a single spiral direction so that the wire substantially does not cross itself. In a tip section, wire is arranged to follow the elongated section in a long spiral or substantially linear path, again not substantially crossing itself. The absence of crossing wires allows improved sensitivity and casting accuracy in the rod and eliminates the potential for crossing wires to separate when the rod flexes.

Abstract: A user anonymously acquires a first sequence of encryption key material. An encryption server, having a second sequence complementary to the first sequence, receives and forwards encrypted messages and monitors utilization of encryption key material by the user. As the key material is used, the server adjusts user accounts to exhaust the first sequence. Thus, the first sequence provides for secure, anonymous communication and, correspondingly, can serve as a payment media for conducting electronic transactions.

Abstract: An energy dissipative element (24) protects hard disk drives (22, 72, 92) from shocks and vibrations. A closed elastic envelope (48) houses a body of open cell foam (54), a volume of viscous liquid (56), and a compressible gas (64). Under compression or expansion of the foam (54), viscous liquid (56) flows through cell orifices and thereby dissipates energy resulting from external force applied against the elastic wall (48). The energy dissipative elements (24) are applied between a disk drive housing (22) and an outer case (26) to create a ruggedized portable disk drive module (20).

Abstract: An energy dissipative element protects hard disk drives from shocks and vibrations. A closed elastic envelope houses a body of open cell foam, a volume of viscous liquid, and a compressible gas. Under compression or expansion of the foam, viscous liquid flows through cell orifices and thereby dissipates energy resulting from external force applied against the elastic wall. The energy dissipative elements are applied between a disk drive housing and an outer case to create a ruggedized portable disk drive module.

Abstract: A therapeutic wrap is disclosed for applying a thermal pad to a human body portion. The wrap includes an elongated flexible strip of disposable and reusable material. The strip has first and second side surfaces, first and second end portions and a mid portion therebetween. A sheet of the disposable and reusable material is secured to the first side surface of the strip to form a pocket which has at least one end opening. The pocket is adapted to receive a prepackaged thermal pad therein through at least one end opening. Finally, a plurality of attachment elements are adapted to releasably secure the first end portion of the strip to any other selected surface portion of the strip in order to conform and secure the strip to a human body portion which requires thermal treatment.

Abstract: A seal puller tool head (10) has a blade forming an elongated, flat, metal shank (12) and a hook (16) that is disposed at one end of the shank, above a top face of the shank, such that it lies no more than partially in the plane of the shank. The hook is angled or offset above the shank for use in penetrating the interface between a sealed shaft and a shaft seal without scratching the shaft or requiring extreme lateral tilting of the shank to establish a hooked engagement on the inside face of the seal. The shank (12) is coated with cushioning or protective material to further avoid scratching the shaft, and a backside edge opposite the opening of the hook may carry a wear strip (42) as further protection. A base (14) is suitably configured to be engaged by a wrench, slide hammer, or lever for manipulating the hook in tight clearances. A fulcrum also engages the lever in variable position.

Abstract: An electrical input signal from a vehicle's safety system actuates an electronic switch to close a by-pass circuit that circumvents a manual control for hazard lights. As a result, the hazard lights are automatically activated in response to the input signal upon actuation from the safety system and without manual intervention.

Abstract: Dielectric rails (112) support an electrode stack (109) that is compressed between end pressure plates (118). The stack is composed of a dielectric spacer (46, 103) forming a central spacer opening, separating a pair of electrode plates (101,102) that each have a different configuration of openings. A first electrode plate (101) of the pair has a central aperture, while the second electrode plate (102) of the pair has peripheral apertures. A compression device such as a hydraulic cylinder (124) compresses the stack, sliding the plates and spacers together to form a pressure-tight reaction chamber (108). When the cylinder is released, any plate or spacer is readily removed from the stack for replacement or maintenance merely by lifting it off the rails. An electric potential can be applied to each electrode plate at a connecting ear (116), which may be a one of the rail guides (116).

Abstract: Railroad tank cars that have contained petroleum products are cleaned of asphalt residues by a closed cleaning system. An initial spray of terpene-based solvent is followed by a water rinse. The solvent extracts hydrocarbons from the asphalt residue. The solvent and hydrocarbon are separated by filtration, stratification, and distillation, allowing reuse of clean solvent and sale of marketable oil products. The rinse water is cleaned by filtration and evaporation of solvent residues, allowing reuse of the water. The asphalt solids such as residual inorganics are removed by filtration as a dry product suited for disposal in a landfill.

Abstract: A net matrix defines the shape of a ghillie suit and carries elongated strips of camouflage material in sufficient numbers and arrangement to define a three-dimensional camouflage layer. A band of flexible material is woven and sewn to the perimeter of the net in order to strengthen it and carry all substantial loads or rough handling. The band is shaped to define one or more handling loops along the perimeter, especially at corners. Mechanical fasteners are attached at spaced positions along the band for configuring the ghillie suit to a human wearer and adapting for use in a larger array. The fasteners also reinforce the handling loops where the band crosses itself. An optional liner attaches to the suit by a different fastening system but also duplicates the mechanical fasteners of the main suit.

Abstract: A plurality of I-beam segments is aligned end-to-end in a longitudinal series. An elongated flexible sheet is carried on each side of the aligned I-beam webs. A flexible lap plate interconnects juxtaposed pairs of I-beam webs and maintains the elongated sheets in a slidable relationship, such that the flexible sheets can move with respect to the webs when the track section flexes laterally.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the level of free-flowing particulate material in a storage bin comprises an electronic load cell fixedly positionable at the upper end of the storage bin and having a cable suspended therefrom in the storage bin. The lower end of the cable is adjacent the lower end of the storage bin so that the load of the cable alone causes of the electronic load cell to provide a first signal to a process controller indicative of an empty storage bin. The load of the cable plus the downward force of any particulate material in the storage bin on the cable causes the electronic load cell to provide a second output signal to the process controller proportional to the amount of particulate material in the storage bin.

Abstract: Treatment of pain syndromes utilizes a topical polypharmaceutical preparation of phenoxybenzamine, ketamine, gabapentin, nifedipine, carbamazepine, or combinations of them. Other suitable components are blockers of sympathetic alpha 1, 2 and other receptors, NMDA receptor blockers, GABA receptor blockers, AMPA receptor blockers, nitric oxide synthase receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACDP receptor blockers, prostaglandin and leukotriene blockers, substance P blockers, bradykinin and neurotenin as well as other peptide blockers, and TNF alpha blockers. Recommended delivery is by locating a predetermined neurodermal point and locating a gel patch over the predetermined neurodermal point. Iontophoresis then delivers the pharmaceutical agent from the gel patch.

Abstract: A pursuit vehicle carries a remote targeting device in a suitable position to identify a target area on an inflated tire of the pursued vehicle and a launcher for a projectile suited to puncture an inflated tire of a pursued vehicle, from a position trailing the pursued vehicle. The projectile launcher launches the projectile when suitably triggered. An electrically operated, remote triggering device selectively causes the projectile launcher to launch the projectile at the identified target area, puncturing and thereby disabling the tire of the pursued vehicle.

Abstract: A means and method for protecting a windshield from damage and therefore the development of cracks due to stone or other impact on windshields around the peripheral area. An impact resistant barrier is placed around the periphery of the windshield. The barrier is preferably a clear polymeric film, but could be opaque, rubber, plastic or metal. The barrier is placed on the glass surface and in contact adjacent to the windshield molding. The width of the barrier is selected to eliminate the higher incidence of damage to the peripheral area. The barrier can be combined with a sunlight blocking ingredient to reduce degeneration of urethane which is used in mounting the windshield to the vehicle. A kit can be assembled with the elements needed to place the barrier on a windshield. The barrier can be applied in fluid form which achieves a film. The barrier can extend not only over the front surface, but also over the edge surface and the back surface.

Abstract: A pressure signal from a differential pressure transducer is dynamically compensated for error, such as zero point drift, due to time passage or temperature change. A processor associated with a pressure transducer employs an algorithm to continuously monitor the pressure signal to determine when signal characteristics indicate zero signal level. Then the algorithm determines a current correction factor or updates a previously determined correction factor, and records the current correction factor in a non-volatile memory as a function of ambient temperature. When the signal characteristics indicate other than a zero signal level, such as when differential pressure is non-zero, the algorithm recalls from memory and applies the most recently determined correction factor for a corresponding ambient temperature. Suitable time intervals for determining a current correction factor are found by monitoring the process signal and seeking those time periods when the signal is both calm and quiet, i.e.