Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing very high crown and camber curvature in slider materials using a laser processing system which produces fluence which is variable in a controllable manner, by applying a laser beam to the flex side of the slider material and varying the fluence of the laser beam to optimize the curvature in the slider material. The fluence is variable by finely controlling the power output of the laser or by changing the spot size of the laser beam. The beam spot size can be changed by using a focusing lens to establish a focal plane and then varying the relative positions of the slider relative and the focal plane. An apparatus for producing high crown and camber is also disclosed, as well as a slider produced by the process of applying a laser beam to the flex side of the slider material and varying the fluence of the laser beam to optimize the curvature in the slider material.

Abstract: An inclining collapsible bed (200) including a mattress (214) and a support frame (218), including a number of frame members (32) where the upper ends of the frame members (32) are pivotally attached to upper connector assemblies (40), and the lower ends are pivotally attached to feet (38). The support frame (218) includes an inclining portion (206) having at least one inclining support member (208) and at least one angle retention mechanism (220), which is preferably an adjustable clip (222). The bed (200) is configured to optionally use an air mattress (14), which can be attached to the frame (214) so that the bed frame (218) is self-expanding in response to the inflation of the air mattress (14). Also an inclining collapsible bed frame (218).

Abstract: A mixing section (10,50,60) for mixing material in an extruder (8) having a barrel (32), The mixing section (10,50,60) includes a screw (14) having a central shaft (16), and a floating annular sleeve (12) located between the screw (14) and the barrel (32), and surrounding a portion of the screw (14). The sleeve (12) has mixing elements (28) protruding radially inward toward the screw (14). A portion of the central shaft (16) has mixing elements (18) protruding radially outward toward the sleeve (12). The mixing elements (18) on the screw (14) and the sleeve (12) create multiple regions of reorientation (2) in the material to be mixed which produce improved dispersive mixing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing very high crown and camber curvature in slider materials using a laser processing system which produces fluence which is variable in a controllable manner, by applying a laser beam to the flex side of the slider material and varying the fluence of the laser beam to optimize the curvature in the slider material. The fluence is variable by finely controlling the power output of the laser or by changing the spot size of the laser beam. The beam spot size can be changed by using a focusing lens to establish a focal plane and then varying the relative positions of the slider relative and the focal plane. An apparatus for producing high crown and camber is also disclosed, as well as a slider produced by the process of applying a laser beam to the flex side of the slider material and varying the fluence of the laser beam to optimize the curvature in the slider material.

Abstract: A low-voltage self-regulating heating device (200) for operation with supply voltages in the range of 0.1-12 volts having first and second layers (104, 106) of material, at least one of which is PTC material interposed between a first electrode (102) and a second electrode (108). Also a high-voltage self-regulating heating device (300) for operation with supply voltages above 240 volts having first and second layers (104, 106) of material, at least one of which is PTC material interposed between a first electrode (102) and a second electrode (108).

Abstract: A golf bag cart (10) having a frame (14), a handle (22), first and second rear wheels (18, 20), and first and second wheel struts (52, 54), to which the first and second rear wheels (18, 20) are rotatably mounted, the first and second wheel struts (52, 54) being pivotally mounted to the frame (14) by mid-frame pivots (68). A front wheel (16) and a front wheel mount (44) are included, the front wheel mount (44) being pivotally attached to the frame (14) by a lower frame pivot (40). The golf bag cart (10) is movable from an extended configuration (12) to a collapsed configuration (13), such that the rear wheels (18, 20) pivot about the mid-frame pivots (68) to move towards the front wheel (14). The front wheel (14) and the wheel mount (44) pivot about the lower frame pivot (40) so that the front wheel (16) moves towards the rear wheels (18, 20), as the golf bag cart (10) is being collapsed.

Abstract: A sleeping bag with a replaceable air mattress (10), where the sleeping bag (12) includes a top layer (20) and a bottom layer (22). The top layer (20) has a top layer opening edge (24) and a top layer sealed edge (26), and the bottom layer (22) has a bottom layer opening edge (28) and a bottom layer sealed edge (30). The top layer opening edge (24) and the bottom layer opening edge (28) are releasably fastened along some portion of their length by a first fastener (34) which is attached at a first attachment site (37). The bottom layer (22) further includes a second attachment site (38) for an upper portion (39) of a second fastener (40). The air mattress has a perimeter (15) and includes an inflatable portion (18) and a peripheral extension (16). The peripheral extension (16) includes a third attachment site (44) for a lower portion (41) of a second fastener (40). Upper (39) and lower portions (41) of the second fastener (40) releasably fasten the air mattress (14) to the sleeping bag (12).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for filling flexible receptacles or bags with bulk or particulate material is provided. In one aspect, an automatic sand bag filling apparatus is disclosed which includes a bulk fill channel which may be placed within the interior of each bag to be filled. The filling apparatus may have a metering device for providing the desired amount of bulk material to the fill channel. The fill channel may be moveable along a fixed path for engaging and advancing a series of interconnected bags. Articulating spreader bars may be provided to support the bag during filling. In one embodiment, the filling apparatus is mounted on a trailer assembly and includes a reservoir for storing the bulk sand. The sand may be transferred from the reservoir to the filling apparatus using augers, conveyors, etc. A preferred construction of a series of interconnected sand bags and a method of making a series of interconnected bags is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microstructure switch (10, 50) having a main body (13), a moveable switching element (17), one or more membranes (26, 52) which connect the moveable switching element (17) to the main body (13) and an actuator (30) which moves the moveable switching element (17) from a first position (72) to at least one activated position (74). The membranes may be either or both of a primary membrane (26) or a secondary membrane (52). A primary membrane (26) may be used as a temporary membrane (32) which serves to position the moveable switching element (17) until it is permanently positioned by a secondary membrane (52), or by an actuator (30). At this point the temporary membrane (32) is removed. Also an optical system (100) which uses various directing components (76) in conjunction with a microstructure switch (10, 50) to direct signals (92) to various channels (86).

Abstract: A collecting tool (10) for use with a refuse collection bag (29), including a frame (12) having a number of frame members (13) which are joined by connectors (17). A number of retainers (31) attach a refuse collection bag (29) to the frame (12). A handle (30) is detachably attachable to the frame (12), so that the frame (12) and the attached bag (29) can be manipulated to position the collecting tool (10) during refuse collection. A number of legs (28) are detachably attachable to the frame (12), the legs (28) acting to support the frame (12) and an attached refuse collection bag (29) in an upright position (52). One of the legs (28) may optionally serve as the handle (30) or may help support the frame in a free-standing position (58). Optionally, one of the retainers (17) is a snap ramp (34), including a flat ramp portion (36) which is reversible in direction so that the flat ramp portion (36) may serve as an inwardly disposed entrance ramp (54), or as an outwardly disposed entrance ramp (56).

Abstract: A collapsible table (10), having a framework (12) including a number of support members (14) which are joined together by connectors (21, 26) which allow movement such that the framework (12) is moveable from a collapsed configuration (70) to an extended configuration (36). A table surface (16) is attached to the framework (12). There is also at least one elastic element (31) which serves to maintain tension in the table surface (16) so that the table surface (16) is urged to resist sagging when the framework (12) is in the extended configuration (36).

Abstract: An apparatus for rotary cathode electroplating having a head assembly, a substrate/thief assembly having a thieving ring which includes a number of individually chargeable segments, and a secondary induction assembly including a secondary core and a secondary winding. A motor drives the substrate/thief assembly to rotate relative to the head assembly. A controller directs electrical charge to each of the individually chargeable segments of the thieving ring. An electrical storage device stores electrical energy which is to be supplied to the controller. A charging apparatus induces a magnetic flux which induces an alternating current in the secondary winding of the secondary induction assembly. A converter converts the induced alternating current to direct current, which is then stored on the electrical storage device.

Abstract: A heating element (10) having a first bus wire (12) and a second bus wire (14) and a plurality of flexible heating wires (16) which are connected between the first and second bus wires (12, 14), the flexible heating wires (16) which are connected between the within parallel zones (30), to make up modules (31), which may be attached together or cut to length so that the overall length of the heating element (10) may be varied thereby. The heating element may be self-regulating. Also a self- regulating regulating heating element (60) having a plurality of PTC heating elements (62) and at least one conductive pathway (68) which is interposed between two of the PTC heating elements, and forming a series circuit between said first and second bus wires (12, 14). Also a self-regulating heating device (100) having first and second layers (104, 106) of material, at least one of which is PTC material interposed between a first electrode (102) and a second electrode (108).

Abstract: An improved multi-well synthesis and filtration apparatus (10) includes a deep-well synthesis block (12) having a plurality of flowthrough wells (24) optionally fitted with filter disks (48) each of the wells (24) being integrally formed in the synthesis block (12), such that any material placed in the wells (24) is in immediate contact with the material of the synthesis block (12), an upper cover (14), a lower cover (16), and a pair of first and second sheet gaskets (18, 20). The first and second sheet gaskets (18, 20) are interposed between the upper and lower covers (14, 16) to seal inlet portions (38) and outlet spouts (40) of the wells (24). The upper and lower covers (14, 16) are independently releasable, and, with the gaskets (18, 20) form a gas tight seal, so that material is retained in the wells (24) when the lower cover (16) is removed, but the upper seal maintained.

Abstract: A tent with an exterior screen structure (200) having an inner tent structure (310), including an inner fabric enclosure (311) which serve as walls (328, 330, 332), roof (334) and floor (336) of the inner tent structure (310) and an outer tent structure (210) including an outer fabric enclosure (211). A single frame (212) supports both inner (311) and outer fabric enclosures (211).

Abstract: A collapsible bed (10) having an air mattress (14) and a support frame (18). The support frame (18) includes a number of frame members (32), which are joined by pivot assemblies (36), such that the support frame (18) as a whole expands outwardly from a central area (42), when a portion of the frame (18) is pulled outwardly. A second preferred embodiment is a self-expanding bed (100) having an air mattress (14) and an articulated support frame (18), which as a whole expands outwardly from a central area (42). The air mattress (14) is attached to the support frame (18) at a number of points, so that when the air mattress (14)is inflated and expands outwardly, the support frame (18) also expands outwardly. An electric air pump (60) is preferably included which may be activated by a remote control (64), so that the bed (100) is self-expanding.

Abstract: A magnetic induction device having at least one secondary induction assembly including a secondary winding is mounted on a rotary element. A magnetic flux is induced the secondary induction assembly, causing an induced secondary alternating current in the secondary winding of the secondary induction assembly. The secondary alternating current is converting to direct current and is stored in an electrical storage device.