Abstract: A support block for supporting and interconnecting multiple electrical connectors to form a "two-fer" electrical circuit splitter includes a first portion with a first thickness forming a first surface for holding a male electrical plug and a second portion of a second thickness extending from the first portion and forming a second and a third surface for holding respective ones of a pair of female electrical plugs. An aperture is formed in the second portion and extends from the second to the third surface to allow electrical connections to be made between the pair of female plugs. Secure electrical connections can thus be made via cable passages of the male and the female plug, as well as between the two female plugs through the aperture positioned therebetween. A projection is formed on the block near the third surface which projection fits within and substantially covers the cable passage in the second female plug.

Abstract: An adjustable damper for controlling air flow between portions of a building includes a plurality of vanes positioned in a frame opening, which vanes are selectively, simultaneously rotatable between open and closed positions. A reversible motor and an actuating linkage on one side of the damper drives a first vane axle about an axis, and a vane linkage on the opposite side, rotates the other vanes along with the first vane. The actuating linkage includes a shaft which is offset from the first vane axis, which shaft is turned by the motor between open and closed positions. A linkage arm pivotally connects the shaft and the vane axle and the linkage arm is bent at an angle such that, when the shaft is rotated to the closed position, the linkage arm is rotated to an over center position in which it securely latches the vanes in a closed position. The damper, motor and drive linkage fit within a single, integrated housing which can be secured within a wall opening from a single side thereof.

Abstract: A multiple peripheral interface to a computer serial port includes a microcontroller with an adapter serial port for coupling to a standard serial port of a common type of host computer or terminal, a plurality of peripheral ports having read/write configurable data lines for coupling to devices of a process, and a central processing unit interfaced between the adapter serial port and the peripheral ports and executing an adapter operating program to translate simple letter commands and numeric values received from the host computer to port configuration commands, port read commands, and port commands and to translate data read from the peripheral ports to numeric values for transmission back to the host computer.

Abstract: An apparatus for reinforcing a structural member such as a beam or joist comprises a cable which is secured under tension to anchor brackets mounted on opposite ends of a beam. The cable extends across a face of the beam and across and in engagement with a bearing bracket mounted to the face of the beam intermediate its ends. The cable engages a cable engaging member on the bearing bracket and bears upward thereon. The cable thereby bears a portion of the load applied to the beam intermediate its ends, resisting distortion of the beam and providing increased recovery ability. First and second tension adjustment mechanisms are securable to the beam to engage the cable on opposite sides of the bearing bracket respectively to permit the tension on the cable to be adjusted. At least one end of the cable may be secured to an adjustable anchor bolt on the respective anchor bracket to further permit adjustment of the tension on the cable.

Abstract: Synthetic derivatives or intermediates of xylomollin are identified which can be used as insect feeding deterrents. The identified derivatives or intermediates exhibiting antifeeding activity include glutaraldehyde and carbocyclic or heterocyclic dialdehydes wherein the aldehyde groups are positioned on adjacent carbons of the carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings. The active compounds also include the hemiacetal hemiacetal equivalents, the acetal hemiacetal equivalents and the vinyl ether equivalents of the dialdehydes.

Abstract: A method for a sponsor/vendor to provide customer on-line help support for consumer products such as software includes providing a prepaid Internet access account which is supplied with the consumer product. Upon accessing the Internet the customer is "hot-linked" to the domain of the sponsor/vendor where help queries can be input and help answers received, either in real time or in a time delayed fashion via E-mail. The sponsor/vendor can mandate a tour of the domain for marketing purposes prior to allowing access to on-line help services. Finally, registration of the customer is promoted since registration can be made an integral part of the log on procedure.

Abstract: A double pivoting tractor hood assembly includes a tractor hood, hood latch, and a mounting bracket assembly which is attachable within a tractor engine compartment. The bracket assembly includes a movable plate with a hinge mounting surface and a bracket latch. The movable plate, and the hinge mounting surface, is pivotable between a lower, latched position and an upper, elevated position. A hinge is attached between the hinge mounting surface and a top rear edge of the tractor hood. The hood can thus be moved to a tilted position when the hood latch is released, and then to an elevated position once the bracket latch is released. A pair of gas springs bias the hood toward the tilted position, and then the hood is biased toward the elevated position from the tilted position to allow unencumbered access to all components within the engine compartment.

Abstract: A rear view mirror apparatus has a housing which includes a faceplate. A first mirror is positioned within the faceplate. A second mirror, being convex, is positioned within the faceplate and is separated from the first mirror by a portion of the faceplate. A brake indicator light are also positioned within the faceplate.

Abstract: A composite panel construction suitable for use in furniture, and particularly for uses such as table, desk and cabinet tops includes, in a first embodiment, a single honeycomb layer sandwiched between a pair of plywood layers, with the honeycomb layer preferably made of polystyrene or a similar polymeric material. In a second embodiment, a composite panel includes a single plywood core with upper and lower honeycomb layers attached above and below the single plywood core. The plywood layers in both embodiments provide resistance to screw pull-out such that screws can be threaded into the panel from any desired position on the bottom of the panel and the exposed edges of the plywood layer(s) provide adequate surfaces for the attachment of decorative edging material to the panel.

Abstract: A method of fund raising for a non-profit organization by discounted collection on special issue checks includes collecting funds from members of the organization and depositing the funds in an account in a bank, issuing special checks backed by the funds to the members, use of the checks at face value by the members to purchase goods or services from the participating merchants, clearing of the checks back to the bank on which they are drawn, and payment on the checks to the named payee merchants at the face value minus a prearranged discount. The checks are MICR encoded with a discount value prior to presentation for collection. The discount is credited to the organization minus any service fees required by the bank or clearing process and a share of the discount to an intermediary company which negotiates cooperation of the bank and acceptance of the checks at face value and discounted collection by the merchants.

Abstract: A measuring device includes a generally tubular, flexible body with opposite ends and a longitudinally-extending bore. The body includes a plurality of measuring indicia at regularly-spaced intervals therealong. It can be selectively mounted on the body ends and have a predetermined length which corresponds to the measuring indicia spacing. An extension connector is also provided for connecting two measuring device bodies together. A centering assembly has a sleeve which receives the body and wings projecting radially outwardly therefrom for generally centering the measuring device within a pipe bore.

Abstract: A vehicle gun rack includes a base assembly mounted on the vehicle floor and having a plurality of compartments. An arm assembly includes an arm mounted on the base and a crossbar mounted on the arm. A pair of guns or other objects can be mounted on the rack with lower ends thereof received in compartments in the base and with upper ends thereof secured to the crossbar on each side of the arm assembly. The base compartments are adapted for holding various objects, such as beverage containers.

Abstract: A multi-purpose stadium includes a seating system which is reconfigurable between seating configurations corresponding to different playing fields, for example, football and baseball. Reconfiguration of the seating system is accomplished by removing removable seating sections, raising or lowering vertically movable seating sections, sliding or shifting horizontally movable seating sections and rotating groups of seating sections which form rotatable extensions of seating wings of a seating bowl formed by the seating system. The stadium includes a circulation system with concourses at various levels for providing access to the seating system. Bridges are provided for connecting parts of the concourses which are separated when the seating system is reconfigured.

Abstract: An improved, stakeless livestock trailer includes sidewalls and a front wall constructed of stacked and interlocked extruded tubular members. In addition to forming the walls, the tubular members also form the exterior framework of the trailer, allowing a modular floor system to be attached directly to the sidewalls. The tubular members themselves have a unique tongue and groove interlocking structure which allows an adhesive to be inserted therebetween and which provides interior voids for excessive adhesive to collect during assembly. An improved gooseneck design eliminates the large support I beams required by prior art gooseneck designs, thus increasing storage space and/or increasing the clearance of an overhead storage compartment.

Abstract: An interactive consumer product promotion method and match game includes a database which is accessed for an information screen displayed on an interactive electronic terminal, such as a personal computer, interactive television, in-store kiosk, etc. The displayed information screen typically includes a listing of popular consumer product categories, such as "Detergents"; "Cereals"; "Motor Oil"; "Cookies"; "Crackers"; etc. along with a matrix of spaces representing a match game such as Bingo or Keno. In each space in the displayed matrix a symbol is displayed. The game is played by comparing selected consumer product categories with preselected spaces on the matrix to detect matches and corresponding prizes. Coupons and/or rebate offers for products with the selected categories are downloaded for printing by the consumer.

Abstract: A slide-out mechanism for selectively extending and retracting a slide-out room through a slide-out room opening in a wall which automatically levels or aligns the slide-out room relative to the slide-out room opening in the wall comprises at least one stationary member, a retractable member slidably secured to the stationary member, and a threshold bracket for securing and supporting a front end of the stationary member on an upper surface of a portion of the wall defining a lower edge of the slide-out room opening. A support leg is preferably secured to a rear end of the stationary member for supporting the rear end thereof. The support leg is preferably height adjustable to permit leveling of the rear end of the stationary member relative to the front end.

Abstract: A pivoting tail light bar system is attached beneath the rear of the deck of a movable-deck trailer and includes a tail light bar which pivots upwards as it contacts the ground during tilting of the trailer deck. The tail light bar automatically returns from its upper position to a normal trailering position as the deck is returned from the tilted to a horizontal transport position. The pivoting tail light bar is attached to a pair of shock absorbing support arms which absorb impacts directed at the tail light bar from the rear of the trailer. In an alternative embodiment, tail lights are conventionally placed on the rear of the trailer deck and a pivoting bumper system is provided which pivots upwards to cover and protect the lights when the deck is placed in the tilted position.

Abstract: Mono- and di- substituted 1,2 and 1,4 benzoquinones and hydroquinones have been found to have significant feeding deterrent effect with reduced toxicity and irritating effect relative to benzoquinone and hydroquinone. Preferred substituent groups include tert-butyl and tert-amyl.

Abstract: A liquid waste disposal and canister flushing system includes a cabinet with a sink for receiving the canister and a subsink for receiving a lower portion thereof. The subsink is connected to a drain line. A plunger subassembly includes a stopper which functions as a drain valve for the canister. An injection jet is connected to water and cleaning solution sources and discharges diluted cleaning solution into the canister for flushing same. The injection jet engages the plunger subassembly for ejecting the stopper from a canister drain opening. A control system includes a programmable microprocessor which can be programmed to provide drain and flush cycles of predetermined duration. A method of liquid waste disposal and canister flushing utilizes the microprocessor for delaying the flush cycle until completion of the drain cycle. The control system can provide drain and flush cycles of predetermined durations.

Abstract: A movable-deck trailer is provided which includes a frame with front and back ends, a tongue assembly mounted on the frame front end and a deck mounted on top of the frame. A wheeled carriage is mounted on the frame between its front and back ends and includes a pair of walking beam assemblies adapted for pivoting with respect to the frame. Each walking beam assembly mounts multiple torque tube axle/suspension assemblies. The carriage is longitudinally movable with respect to the frame and deck. A multiple-vehicle, movable-deck trailer includes multiple deck portions, the rearmost being tiltable. A movable-deck trailer adapted for tilting under the influence of either gravity or hydraulic power includes a hydraulic piston-and-cylinder unit interconnecting a frame and a tongue assembly thereof. A movable-deck trailer with a deck adapted for raising to the height of a loading dock includes hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering same with respect to a frame.