Abstract: A method and a device for selectively collecting a first kind of matter, material, or organism from plants and on plant life by exposing the plant life to an air current flowing between a blower outlet and a suction hood. Stimulus signals are directed toward the plant life such that the signals influence a second kind of matter, material organism to leave the plants and/or the second kind of matter, matter or organism is retarded from gathering on the plant life. In this way, the second kind of matter, material or organism is not exposed to the collecting air current.

Abstract: A Time-Of-Flight (TOF) mass analyzer is configured with a multipole ion guide in the ion path between the ion source and pulsing region of the mass analyzer, and enables trapping or transmission of ions from an atmospheric pressure ion source. The mass-to-charge (m/z) range(s) of ions transmitted through or trapped in the ion guide can be selected. Ions with stable trajectories can undergo Collisional Induced Dissociation (CID). During ion fragmentation, the ion guide potentials can be set to transmit or trap fragment ions produced by CID. The parent and fragment ion population can be delivered from the ion guide to the pulsing region of the TOF mass analyzer for mass analysis. After the first fragmentation step, the ion guide potentials can again be set to select a narrow m/z range to clear the ion guide in trapping mode of all but a selected set of fragment ions. M/z selection and ion fragmentation can be repeated a number of times with mass analysis occurring at the end of all the MS/MS.sup.

Abstract: A new structure for a colored gem, generally round or oval, in which a barrel cut is employed, but which has a center top edge and transverse boundaries which increases the thickness of the stone with additional facets provided to enhance reflection and overall brilliance.

Abstract: There is disclosed a percussion implement comprised of a bundle of a plurality of cylindrically-shaped rod members having outer rod members symmetrically positioned about a like-sized inner rod member held at one end in a close-packed relationship by a handle member and including a movable sleeve member positioned about the closely-packed bundle of rod members remote from the handle member and capable of manual axial movement thereabout to any position of the bundle of rod members to thereby achieve different sound quality and effects.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for displaying photo-realistic three-dimensionally projected views of real objects in real scenes and enabling the viewer to manipulate these objects and the scene with several degrees of freedom, such as rotation, zooming, or otherwise "handling" them as though they were physically manipulated.

Abstract: A storm sail for sailboats which replaces a larger bow sail. The storm sail has a smaller area than the replaced bow sail, has a luff forming a rectangular rigging band, which having a width compatible with the replaced bow sail ends in a free edge and has fastening reciprocal means between the free edge and the luff. The storm sail allows the fast and safe replacement of the bow sail and is used when strong winds require a smaller fore sail. When the intensity of the wind increases excessively, the replaceable bow sail is coiled around its own stay and the storm sail is made available, fastening it by its band over the coiled bow sail. When the emergency is over, the storm sail is untied and the bow sail is freed.

Abstract: A jewelry ring which comprises a ring section and a rod support section located above the ring section in which the rod support section includes rod support members at least one of which is hingedly connected to the ring section permitting the rod support members to be moved away from engaging the rod allowing a rotatable element to be inserted, placed on or removed from the rod and to lock the rotatable element in place when the movable support is moved into engagement with the rod.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the treatment of airway obstruction, sleep apnea and snoring, by tongue suspension for treatment of airway obstruction in a human subject, including the steps of inserting a bone anchor into the mandible of the subject, and fastening at least one suture to the bone anchor to suspend the tongue to the mandible. Preferably, the bone anchors used are surgical screws. The sutures are fastened to at least one surgical screw, and are preferably inserted in positions adjacent to the mandible's midline. Alternatively, suspension of the hyoid bone is accomplished.

Abstract: A novel greeting card is disclosed having metallic leaves secured with one or more mechanical hinges. Various forms of engravings, hinges, leaves and overlays may be provided. Interior leaves may be inserted as well. The greeting card constitutes a permanent or semi-permanent commemoration of a special occasion or event.

Abstract: An integrated light-speaker assembly suitable for connection into conventional electrical sockets. The combination includes an FM wireless receiver operating within a local area wireless transmission system. The speaker is mounted behind the light bulb, and when mounted into a conventional electrical socket, the assembly provides both sound and light, with the sound being provided by the local area wireless FM transmission system.

Abstract: A knee, elbow or other body part protector includes a playful, fanciful or novelty feature, figure or object that is not related to safety integrated therewith. A protective portion of the protector and the figure or object are integrated into the protector so as to provide protection or safety while also lending enjoyment, satisfaction or entertainment to the wearing of the protector. Such protectors are particularly attractive to young children to induce the children to wear them. The integration into the protector of the protective portion and the figure or object can be one of relative location or one in which part or all of the protective portion forms part of the feature or object, which can be defined graphically, by surface ornamentation and/or by one or more three-dimensional objects. Other parts of the protector, e.g., straps or an elastic sleeve, may be integrated into the figure or object.

Abstract: A motorized coin bank for sorting and storing coins of varying diameters comprising a coin receiver hopper for receiving unsorted coins; a plurality of coin storage containers for storing sorted coins; a straight ramped coin path located between the coin storage containers and the coin receiver, a drum-shaped separator, located in a plane which is perpendicular to the horizontal base of the coin bank and adjacent to the coin receiver hopper, for sorting individual coins one at a time from the receiver and depositing each coin in the straight ramped coin path such that each coin rolls edgewise along the ramped coin path; a plurality of coin apertures of varying size, each being sized to permit passage of only coins having a size less than or equal to a predetermined diameter.

Abstract: A novel medical stapler and screw inserter device is disclosed herein wherein the medical instrument is formed in a non-linear or "C" or "V" shaped conformation. The non-linear shape allows the physician to accomplish a per vaginal anchor or screw insertion into a patient's pubic bone, while locating the triggering hand outside of the vagina of the patient and employing a pulling force on the inserter/stapler, against the pubic bone of the patient. In addition, the weight of a patient's body may be used to counterweight the recoil effect to minimize stapler recoil during ejection of a staple from the stapler into a patient. Novel bone anchor screws and a related bone screw driver and a method of inserting it into the pubic bone through the vagina are also described for per vaginal bladder neck suspension procedures.

Abstract: A tray for displaying rings and photographs of the rings adjacent to the rings comprises a support upon which each ring is placed in a slot adjacent to the corresponding photograph of that ring. The support includes an internal cavity for storing a booklet, video cassette or other article.

Abstract: A multipole ion guide which begins in one pumping stage and extends continuously into one or more subsequent pumping stages has been incorporated into an atmospheric pressure ion source mass spectrometer system. Ions delivered into vacuum from an Electrospray, Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization or Inductively Coupled Plasma ion source are guided and focused into a mass analyzer with high efficiency using the multipole ion guide. The background pressure over a portion of the multipole ion guide length is high enough to cause kinetic energy cooling of ions traversing the ion guide length due to ion collisions with neutral background gas molecules. This ion kinetic energy cooling lowers energy spread of ions traversing the multipole ion guide length. The multipole ion guide DC offset potential can be used to adjust the mean ion energy and the ion guide a.sub.n and q.sub.n values can be set to reduce or expand the range of ion mass to charge which will be transmitted through the ion guide.

Abstract: A combination distraction device and methods of using are disclosed. The combination distraction device comprises a two component portion (an apical and a coronal component) and an expansion component for separating the two components once the device has been initially integrated into the bone. Internal threads of the apical and the coronal components are adapted to operatively cooperating with the threads of the expansion component such that the distance between the apical component and the coronal component is selectively varied. When assembled, the expansion component is advanced into the two separable components by rotating, for example, the expansion component in a clockwise direction. As the expansion component is advanced into the two component portion of the combination distraction dental implant, one end of the expansion component engages the end of the internal thread in the apical component, causing separation between the apical and coronal components thereby forming a gap.