Abstract: A slide gate sealing system including a seal mounting frame disposed between the longitudinal rails and the intermediate and horizontal end frame members of a slide gate frame, a ball seal disposed in the seal mounting frame and having a mounting tail with a mating surface, a seal retainer to control the deformation of the ball seal under pressure, at least one isolation dam on the mating surface of the ball seal, and a ramping mechanism affixed to the interior side of the horizontal end frame member.

Abstract: A wall-mounted touch screen information system includes a rugged housing with a hinged front cover. The housing is compact enough for wall mounting. A single board computer inside the housing is connected to a touch screen, a CCD camera, a card reader, and a spool printer attached to the front cover. A telephone handset is supported in a cradle attached to the side of the housing. The handset is connected to audio ports on the single board computer by an armored cable. A modem and Ethernet are provided on the single board computer for voice and network communications. A CD drive connected to the single board computer enables different software to be installed for performing a variety of communication, information retrieval, and financial functions. All the external components of the system are made of materials strong enough to withstand abuse and vandalism.

Abstract: A novel process of visual calibration of a computer display or the like in volves adjusting the appearance and relative appearance of targets and su targets displayed on the display. An objective method is provided for determining the precisely optimal brightness setting for CRT displays, which method is also applicable to the setting of the “Black Level” control on some FPDs. A precise method is provided to visually determine conformity of a display's tonality to a given standard tone curve, for example a gamma 1.8 curve, which is embodied in one of the preferred calibration target sets. The need to sense and therefore be able to control and to verify the correct gray balance of the entire tone scale of the display is met. The problem of verifying the similarity of the tone curve in the display profile and that of the actual calibration is solved.

Abstract: A traffic warning system which alerts approaching vehicle traffic to the approach of a train in a crossing. The system includes a plurality of surface mounted lights partially embedded in and placed across a roadway. Once activated, the flashing lights warn drivers of approaching vehicles that the train is approaching, and that caution should be exercised.

Abstract: A portable wash water containment apparatus having a flat ground cover portion surrounded by an integral berm formed from the ground cover material, said berm defines the area of the apparatus in which contaminated are contained. Dual ramp assemblies are provided to allow ingress and egress from the containment mat without damaging the berm or ground cover portions. A pump system is included to provide oil/water separation before discharging waste water into a sewer system. The containment mat may also be equipped with electrical heating elements to facilitate use in extreme cold temperatures.

Abstract: A mechanical annular hand held pipe bend calculator that enables a worker to calculate the angle of bend necessary for pipe given the distance between bends and the depth of offset or saddle; or to calculate the depth of offset or saddle, if given the angle of bend and the distance between bends; or to calculate the distance between bends, given the angle of bend and the dept of offset or saddle. The calculator also enables the worker to quickly calculate the amount of shrink or take up caused by having to bend pipe between two points.

Abstract: Ozone output in ion wind devices using one or more emitters (10) and an array of collectors (20) (accelerators) may be reduced through catalytic conversion of the produced ozone back to oxygen by using various materials placed in or downstream from the airflow, such as a manganese dioxide coating on the accelerator substrate elements. Precious metal or activated carbon coatings may also be used for the purpose of converting ozone to oxygen.

Abstract: A traffic warning system which alerts approaching vehicle traffic to an intersection stop requirement. The system includes a plurality of above-pavement, surface mounted lights, installed in a fashion similar to currently used road reflectors, and which are partially embedded in a roadway and placed across the roadway, e.g., adjacent to and parallel with the existing stripes or stop bars designating an intersection, and constructed so that they are impervious to vehicle traffic over them. Once activated, the lights flash in the direction of oncoming traffic, and emanate directly from the roadway, to warn drivers of approaching vehicles that a stop may be required at the intersection, and that caution should be exercised.

Abstract: A grow light having an exterior shell with an air inlet and a hot air exhaust outlet, and a specular interior insertable into the shell. The sides of the specular insert are spaced apart from the walls of the shell so as to form a double-walled housing having air cooling chambers and vents which facilitate the movement and exhaust of air heated by high intensity light bulbs.

Abstract: A ladder sack adapted for placement between the legs of a folding step ladder to provide an open platform on which to place tools or working materials while working atop the ladder, and a closed secured pouch to carry tools and working materials when the ladder is closed. The sack is formed from a rectangular section of fabric having hook and loop fasteners positioned along the sides of the sack that may be approximated to form a secured enclosure when the sack is folded end to end when the ladder is closed. When the ladder is reopened to its standing position the sack unfolds to provide easy access to the tools and working materials contained therein. The ladder sack includes straps and buckles at its ends for attachment to ladder rungs of varying sizes.

Abstract: A floating platform held in position or moored by lines or piles and providing a suitable landing for vessels for the loading and unloading of passengers and cargo. The floating platform has a configuration of buoyant elements that simultaneously support the platform and combine to reduce and minimize the effects that waves have upon the motions of the landing by distributing wave energy along the length and breadth of the platform in such a way that the energies cancel each other. The buoyant elements of the float are connected by rigid bridge structures that span open volumes which do not provide buoyancy. The distance between the pontoons, or floatation cells, regulates the amount of dampening provided by the system. The bridged gap between the buoyant pontoons is covered by a deck structure capable of supporting any designated design load. The complete deck surface of the landing has a continuous appearance, unbroken by the gap in the floatation cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously mixing food products or for continuous high temperature frying on a heat exchange surface. The rotation of an agitator (12) pushes the food product toward the discharge outlet (26) of the apparatus when the agitator is rotated in one direction, and toward the inlet (24) when rotated in the opposite direction. By rotating the agitator slightly longer in the discharge direction than in the inlet direction the product is conveyed gradually and continuously toward the outlet. During the rotation of the agitator in each direction the product is tossed and mixed to promote even frying.

Abstract: A system to assist a skier in locating an unattached ski in powder snow after a fall includes an audible alarm member which is mounted on the ski, and a remote hand-held activator member held by the skier. The skier can trigger the alarm by operating a switch on the remote activator. The sound emitted by the alarm will allow the skier to locate the direction and position of the lost ski.

Abstract: A lightweight flexible conduit particularly suitable for aircraft applications for shielding electrical wire and cable from electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference. The apparatus including an inner core of elastically deformable flexible tubing having an outside surface of helical corrugations, metalized fabric wrapped around the helical corrugations and post-formed onto the corrugated helix of the core by string, thread, or wire which pulls the fabric down into the base of the continuous trough of the corrugations, and a protective jacket. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an axial drain wire incorporated into the lamination and running the length of the conduit to provide lower ground path resistance.

Abstract: An improved squeegee with integral nozzle and wiping blade for the washing and grooming of animals, especially large animals such as horses and other livestock, includes a body portion, a valve to regulate the flow of water, a nozzle oriented to direct a spray of water generally perpendicularly downwards relative to the body, and an arcuate wiping blade. The arcuate shape of the wiping blade enables it to be oriented relative to the surface being cleaned so that the curvature of the blade conforms to the shape of the surface. The apparatus is connected to a supply of water such as a garden hose, such that when it is drawn across the animal's body, water from the nozzle wets the animal's coat, and the wiping blade then removes water, soap, and dirt.

Abstract: A method for defining a regular or irregular shape utilizes a template apparatus including a plurality of radially-adjustable corner members connected by length-adjustable straight edge members. The corner members include an angle scale to display the defined angle, while the edge members include a length scale to display the defined length of that edge.

Abstract: A finish carpentry nailing guard adapted for use in protecting workpiece surfaces from damage by hammers while driving nails and/or from nail pulling devices when removing nails, the guard comprising a unitary block having a centrally located aperture and/or slots. In its preferred embodiment the guard is transparent and fabricated from lexan or other hard plastic.