Abstract: A backpack support apparatus includes first, second, and third poles and first, second, and third couplings that removably couple the poles to a backpack frame to form a tripod-like support configuration. The couplings hold the poles so that the poles angle away from the backpack frame advantageously for improved stability. In addition, the couplings hold the poles in a way enabling a user to remove the poles easily by lifting the backpack frame. The couplings may be part of the backpack frame, they may be attached to a backpack frame as original equipment, or they may be mounted as retrofit equipment on an existing backpack frame. The poles in one embodiment slide together to form a walking staff, and a separate hook attaches to the third pole to adapt it to use in mounting a bear bag over a tree limb.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for clamping first and second objects together includes a sleeve adapted to fit within a first bore in the first object, the sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a slit extending from the first end to the second end. Bolt-driven sleeve-expansion components operate to radially expand the sleeve within the first bore of the first object while applying force to the sleeve axially toward the second object. One embodiment includes a cylindrically shaped, longitudinally split sleeve of resiliently deformable composition. A conically shaped member and a bolt having a conically shaped head and a shank adapted to screw into the second bore cooperate as sleeve expansion components. The tapered head of the bolt faces a first tapered inner surface of the sleeve, and a tapered exterior surface on the conically shaped member faces a second tapered inner surface of the sleeve. The shank of the bolt extends axially through the sleeve and the conically shaped member.

Abstract: A method for inserting a valve in a line includes the step of providing a valve assembly having a valve body with two sections adapted to be assembled over an existing pipe and a gate adapted to cut through the pipe as the gate advances from an open position toward a closed position. The method proceeds by installing the valve assembly on the existing pipe with the gate in the open position and then moving the gate toward the closed position to thereby cut through the pipe. A rotatable-pipe-cutter version of a valve assembly constructed according to the invention includes at least one cutting tooth and the valve body is configured so that an operator can rotate the body on the existing pipe while the gate is advanced toward the closed position. A guillotine version, suited for use with pipes made of polyethylene and other sliceable materials, includes a gate with a cutting edge that slices through the pipe as the gate is advanced toward the closed position.

Abstract: A control system for a radio controlled model includes an onboard speed controller, an onboard receiver, and a separate transmitter unit having a throttle/brake trigger or other manually moveable member that an operator can move from a neutral position over a range of speed setpoint positions and a range of braking setpoint positions in order to input speed and braking setpoint information. At least one of the speed controller, the receiver, and the transmitter unit is programmed or otherwise arranged to produce a nonlinear speed controller response such that (i) the speed controller responds to an incremental increase in speed setpoint position of the moveable member near the neutral position with a smaller incremental increase in drive circuit duty ratio than when the speed controller responds to such an incremental increase in speed setpoint position near a MAXIMUM speed setpoint position (i.e.

Abstract: A chassis constructed according to the invention includes a main frame and at least two breakaway subframes on which are mounted the left and right front wheels and associated suspension components. The main frame narrows forwardly. It has a midsection and left and right sides that extend from the midsection to a forward end of the main frame, the forward end being less than one-half the width of the midsection, preferably a near point. The rearward portion of the main frame is preferably also pointed, with two additional breakaway subframes for the left and right rear wheels. Breakapart components hold the subframes on the main frame so that each subframe will separate from the main frame if it is subjected to an impact of predetermined characteristics. Breakapart linkage coupling components connect the steering linkage to the front subframes while shaft coupling components may be provided for coupling rotational drive components to the subframes.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuit having an input terminal, an output terminal, a power supply terminal, and a control node, includes first, second, and third transistors interconnected in a modified current source or current mirror configuration with first, second, and third resistors and a matching circuit to produce a desired bias current according to the magnitude of a control voltage coupled to the control node while producing an amplified output radio frequency signal at the output terminal from an input radio frequency signal coupled to the input terminal. Implemented with bipolar transistors, enhancement mode field effect transistors, or depletion mode field effect transistors, the circuit achieves two-stage amplification with simplified interstage coupling and therefore fewer components and less size and cost.

Abstract: A quick-change method for holding a workpiece on a worktable includes the step of providing at least one tombstone module (a workpiece support structure) for holding the workpiece, and a receiver assembly for removably holding the tombstone module on the worktable. The method proceeds by mounting the receiver assembly on the worktable, mounting the workpiece on the tombstone module, and removably mounting the tombstone module on the receiver assembly. In line with the above, an apparatus for holding a workpiece on a worktable (a modular tombstone assembly) includes at least one tombstone module for holding the workpiece, and a receiver assembly for removably holding the tombstone module on the worktable.

Abstract: A dental apparatus includes a tray that is shaped and dimensioned to fit over at least some of the teeth of a patient. The tray defines a tunnel through which to evacuate saliva from the mouth of the patient. The tray includes a connector portion for coupling a suction source to the tunnel, and the tray defines at least a first opening in fluid communication with the tunnel through which saliva may be sucked from the mouth of the patient into the tunnel for communication to the suction source. The apparatus may take the form of a fluoride treatment tray or an impression tray, including a bite registration tray, it may include multiple trays, and it may define additional spaced-apart openings in fluid communication with the tunnel to facilitate evacuation of saliva from a larger region within the mouth of the patient. Preferably, the connector portion is configured to receive an end of a conventional saliva ejector in a close fitting relationship in order to couple a commonly used suction source to the tunnel.

Abstract: This invention is a method and system for treating wastewater and for purifying and disinfecting drinking water. The treatment includes the addition of pressurized ozonated air to the pumped raw water stream by use of a venturi injector and then achieving well-mixed ozonated water by an in-line static mixer. This promotes the ozone reaction with pollutants in the raw water. The stream is then injected into the ultraviolet (UV) reaction chamber by a static impinger in the form of a conical spray nozzle. This breaks up the stream into a fine mist of one-micron diameter droplets falling down through the chamber. Air released from the droplets is suitably vented to keep the chamber pressure near atmospheric. At a lower plane in the chamber, a UV light source in the form of a uniform grid of essentially coplanar UV lamps irradiates the falling droplets to kill bacteria and viruses and also to catalyze the still ongoing ozone reaction.

Abstract: A leg pack is disclosed that includes a first pack have a size and shape suitable for lying along a leg of a user intermediate the waist and the knee, a waist securing arrangement for securing the first pack to the waist of the user, one or more leg securing straps for securing the first pack to the leg of the user, and auxiliary pack attachment fasteners for removably attaching a second pack to the lower portion of the first pack. Auxiliary packs may be provided for military, recreational, mountaineering, police, and student use.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater and for purifying and disinfecting drinking water. The treatment includes the addition of pressurized ozonated air to the pumped raw water stream by use of a venturi injector and then achieving well-mixed ozonated water by an in-line static mixer. This promotes the ozone reaction with pollutants in the raw water. The stream is then injected into the ultraviolet (UV) reaction chamber by a static impinger in the form of a conical spray nozzle. This breaks up the stream into a fine mist of one-micron diameter droplets falling down through the chamber. Air released from the droplets is suitably vented to keep the chamber pressure near atmospheric. At a lower plane in the chamber, a UV light source in the form of a uniform grid of essentially coplanar UV lamps irradiates the falling droplets to kill bacteria and viruses and also to catalyze the still ongoing ozone reaction.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the pH of a patient includes the step of providing a magnetic resonance system having a magnet with a bore configured to receive a portion of a finger of a patient without receiving a substantially larger portion of the body of the patient. The method proceeds by inserting the finger of the patient into the bore of the magnet and monitoring the pH level of capillary bed tissue in the finger with the magnetic resonance system. Preferably, the system is configured to monitor the spectrum of phosphorus-31 metabolites in the finger and produce information in the form of a normalized phosphorous integral ratio indicative of the spectral area in order to alert an operator of the occurrence of a condition in which the normalized phosphorous integral ratio is greater than one in the setting of decreasing pH, as indicative of capillary bed tissue shock--lactic acidosis.