Abstract: A dual band antenna assembly is described to include a pair of dual band active radiating elements disposed upon a dielectric substrate. A pair of LC traps and conductor elements are electrically coupled to the radiating conductor elements to provide dual band resonance for cellular telephone and PCS device bandwidth ranges. Additional performance may be achieved with parasitic reflector and director elements. The multi-element directional antenna finds particular applicability for in-vehicle and wireless communication use.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable implantable endoprosthesis having elongate elements including hollow, cavity or porous portions adapted to accumulate by-product from the degradation of the bioabsorbable material and shortening the diffusion distance for water absorption and thereby relatively increasing the degradation of the structure.

Abstract: A stent graft for transluminal implantation includes a resilient tubular interbraided latticework of metal or polymeric monofilaments, a tubular interbraided sleeve of polymeric multifilament yarns, and an adhesive layer between the sleeve and latticework for bonding them together. The monofilaments and multifilament yarns are arranged in respective sets of axially spaced apart and oppositely directed helices, concentric on a common axis of the stent graft. The respective braid angles of the monofilaments and multifilament yarns are carefully matched to ensure that the latticework and sleeve behave according to substantially the same relationship governing the amount of radial reduction that accompanies a given axial elongation. According to a process for fabricating the stent graft, the latticework and sleeve are braided and thermally set independently, then bonded to one another by a silicone polymer adhesive applied evenly to the latticework in a liquid spray that also incorporates an organic solvent.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for selectively dispensing articles from an inner cavity of a bin. The apparatus includes a pick-up head having a plurality of spaced suction cups which is moveably supported by a positioning assembly. The positioning assembly locates the pick-up head at various positions relative to the inner cavity of the bin to retrieve randomly organized articles within the bin. The dispensing apparatus includes a vacuum control assembly which is coupled to a vacuum source for selectively applying a suction pressure to the suction cups of the pick-up head. The suction pressure attracts the articles stored in the bin towards the suction cups to retrieve an article from the bin to be dispensed. A sensing assembly is coupled to each of the suction cups to determine whether an article is attached to the suction cup. The vacuum control assembly is coupled to the sensing assembly to selectively apply and release suction pressure to the suction cups.

Abstract: A planar, compact, multiple-element directive antenna for a hand-held radio frequency transceiver, such as a cellular telephone or PCS device, is provided which has an active radiating conductor element, a dielectric spacing member, and a conductive ground plane. The operative conductive round plane may be provided solely by an existing one internal with the hand-held transceiver, such as a printed wiring board, a metal chassis, or a metallized plastic surface, or by a parallel small ground plane coupled capacitively or directly to the larger transceiver ground plane. The multiple-element directive antenna allows increased range, improved voice/data quality, increased battery life, reduced user exposure to radio frequency radiation, elimination of user antenna adjustments, and reduction of antenna susceptibility to damage.

Abstract: A display carton and motorized implement arrangement is disclosed. The display arrangement includes an operator carriable motorized implement and a display carton having display and access apertures. Ideally, in its packaged state within the display carton, the motorized implement is substantially assembled so that the end user may easily and efficiently utilize the implement without extensive subsequent assembly or set-up. The display carton has a main body and upper and lower body portions. The display carton substantially entirely contains the implement and allows the display arrangement to be stably maintained on a flat surface. The main body includes a front, rear, and side panels. The front panel includes a pair of display apertures to allow access to the retained implement at the point of sale. The front panel further includes a central panel portion, spaced between the pair of display apertures.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an encoder containing the intended integer number of registration markings (and spaces) per unit distance, over the correct length of that entire encoder. The method is practiced by producing a template having the desired number of registration indices at reasonably exact tolerances--but at widths and spacing less than or greater than intended for the registration markings, and therefore having an overall length less than or greater than that of the encoder--and using the template to project an image onto a substrate at a suitable scaling factor to form the encoder having the correct widths and spacing of the registration markings on that substrate. The template may be a wholly computer-generated and memory-resident virtual image, or may be imprinted upon a tangible intermediate medium and transferred to the substrate using a projection technique. The scaling process may be accomplished using mechanical, optical, or photochemical techniques, as well as combinations thereof.

Abstract: An ascending fishing lure comprising a conventional fishing lure body with an upwardly-angled bill--the fishing line being attached beneath the bill at a point between the base of the bill and the belly of the lure body--so that tension on the line causes the lure to move forward and ascend in a controllable manner. The bill may be a generally planar configuration, or comprise a Z-shaped, tiered, or other non-uniform configuration. The lure is preferably used with a counterweight on the line disposed in front of and beneath the lure.

Abstract: A portable barrier apparatus is disclosed in this specification defining a multi-sectioned barrier for protection against wind and sand in various outdoor environments. Additionally the barrier may assembled and used as a child or pet restraint enclosure, a privacy barrier, or a temporary personal effect storage site. The apparatus includes a connected plurality of flexible barrier panel members which may be supported in an upright manner with a plurality of pole members. The apparatus further includes a bag or similar device for transporting the barrier in an undeployed configuration. The invention provides that the bag can be independently utilized away from the barrier. The invention further provides an accessory enclosure structure which is attachable to the barrier.

Abstract: An external fixation system (10) comprising one or more rings (14), elongated members (16), extension fingers (18) with pin holders (52), wire holders (22), clamping assemblies (20), screws (24) or wire (26) for securing parts of a bone (12), and rod connectors (174). The extension fingers (18) are positioned axially and radially along the elongated members (16). The pin holders (52) move axially along and radially around the extension fingers (18), and are secured in place using a one-hand operation which also secures the screw (24) in place. The screws (24) are secured to the pin holders (52) from a point which may be positioned and oriented with full spatial articulation in three dimensions. The rings (14) are provided with openings (104) composed of intersecting apertures (106) to decrease the spacing between available locations.

Abstract: The stent comprises a flexible self-expandable braided tubular wall having a proximal segment having an outer diameter, and a distal segment having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the proximal segment. An intermediate segment is formed between proximal and distal segments, which forms a truncated cone of which the base is forming the proximal end of the intermediate segment and of which the top is forming the distal end of the intermediate segment. A covering layer is arranged within the tubular wall.

Abstract: A head cover or similar protective article for a sporting implement, particularly a golf club, is disclosed having a sound-generating device for producing sounds which are thematically linked to the decorative or artistic aspects of the cover. The sound generating device may emit music or other sounds (such as simulated voices) when activated by a switch. The sound generating device may be powered by a battery or photoelectric cell. The switch may assume a variety of configurations, and be positioned in a variety of locations on or remote from the head cover. The head cover may include an ornamental or configured portion which resembles or caricaturizes one or more renowned personalities, creatures, or entities. The particular emitted tune or other voice sound may be coordinated in theme to the personality, creature, or entity configured on a portion the head cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil anslysis system for determining various soil characteristics. Various soil characteristics may include moisture content, organic matter content and the presence of nitrogen phosphate, potassium and other elements. The soil analysis system includings a plurality of testing assemblies for determining soil characteristics. The soil analysis system further includes a soil testing device or probe which is operatively inserted into the soil to support the testing assemblies. Preferably, the soil analysis system is used in cooperation with a positioning system and a data collection system for recording soil characteristic data based upon the geographic location to which the soil characteristic data relates.

Abstract: A boom swing control device for controlling boom swing relative to a frame. Booms may be supported relative to a frame for application of material over a wide area. During an application process, the booms are subjected to various external forces which cause the booms to move or swing relative to the frame. The boom swing control device of the present invention includes first and second members operably coupled to the boom and the frame supporting the boom to control and dampen movement of the boom relative to the frame. The second member is moveably supported relative to the first member to move between an extended or excited position and a retracted normal operation position.

Abstract: An evaluation tool for viewing local and remote irregularities in a turf surface. The tool includes a body structure having first and second turf engaging surfaces for supporting the body structure upon the turf surface in first and second inspection orientations. The tool further includes a reflector element to provide a view of a local turf segment to a user viewing from above when the body is in the first inspection orientation and a view of a remote turf segment when in the second inspection orientation. Indicia may be provided upon the tool for indicating vertical distances.

Abstract: A portable barrier apparatus is disclosed in this specification defining a multi-sectioned barrier for protection against wind and sand in various outdoor environments. Additionally the barrier may be assembled and used as a child or pet restraint enclosure, a privacy barrier, or a temporary personal effect storage site. The apparatus includes a connected plurality of flexible barrier panel members which may be supported in an upright manner with a plurality of pole members. The apparatus further includes a back pack or similar device for transporting the barrier in an undeployed configuration. The invention provides that the back pack can be independently utilized away from the barrier. The invention further provides an accessory enclosure structure which is attachable to the barrier.

Abstract: An external fixation system (10) comprising one or more rings (14), elongated members (16), extension fingers (18) with pin holders (52), wire holders (22), clamping assemblies (20), screws (24) or wire (26) for securing parts of a bone (12), and rod connectors (174). The extension fingers (18) are positioned axially and radially along the elongated members (16). The pin holders (52) move axially along and radially around the extension fingers (18), and are secured in place using a one-hand operation which also secures the screw (24) in place. The screws (24) are secured to the pin holders (52) from a point which may be positioned and oriented with full spatial articulation in three dimensions. The rings (14) are provided with openings (104) composed of intersecting apertures (106) to decrease the spacing between available locations.

Abstract: A spin-welding apparatus utilizing a servo motor assembly has a closed-loop control circuit for rotating one part of the workpiece being welded relative to the other. In use, the servo motor immediately rotates the first part up to a set speed at which welding will occur, and a power cylinder moves the first part into frictional contact with the second part. Contact between the two parts is observed by a microprocessor interrogating a signal from the servo output corresponding to an increase in the load on the servo motor due to frictional drag between the parts, with "contact" being identified as surpassing a predetermined threshold error or variance value between the closed-loop system's input and output values. The microprocessor then counts a predetermined number of revolutions, and terminates rotation of the servo motor and first part.

Abstract: A backstop or target particularly suited for use in athletic applications such as baseball or golf, and which includes a frame from which a flexible net is suspended at its corners and connected to a plurality of linear displacement sensors. As the net is displaced due to the impact of a projectile such as a ball, tension is applied to the cords which in turn move the axially-moveable components of each linear displacement sensor. In one embodiment, the linear displacement sensors utilize a light beam and photoelectric detector to plot the time intervals at which equally-spaced indices on the axially-moveable component pass a predetermined point. This data is used to determine position, velocity, or trajectory of the projectile relative to the initial plane of the net using direct geometric and trigonometric calculations.