Abstract: A pet domicile is mounted exterior to a house adjacent an exterior door of the house, the door having a pet operated pet door therethrough. A flexible tunnel connects the pet door to an entrance opening of the pet domicile, permitting the pet to access the domicile from the house and the flexible tunnel permitting normal outward opening of the exterior door of the house.

Abstract: An improved instrument for obtaining tissue samples for biopsies is adapted to permit accurate samples to be taken with one-hand. The instrument includes a housing which fits into the palm of the physician's hand and has a guide tube projecting from the forward end which the physician guides to a point from which a sample is required. A spring-loaded cannula is telescoped within the guide tube and a notched sampling stylet is telescoped within the cannula. The tips of the cannula and stylet project slightly from the distal end of the guide tube. An arming slide is provided which is moved forward by the physician's thumb, advancing the stylet into the tissue and cocking the spring-loaded cannula. The physician's thumb then operates a spring release trigger causing the cannula to snap forward, cutting the tissue sample in the stylet notch. The instrument is then withdrawn from the tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a neutral beam of oxygen or other gas for use in testing of materials and for heavy particle etching is disclosed. A beam of positively ionized gas is accelerated and filtered to produce a beam having ions of a selected energy. The beam is decelerated to an energy of the level required and directed toward a photo emissive surface at a grazing incidence angle causing electrons to be contributed to the beam thereby neutralizing part of the ionized atoms and molecules of the beam. The beam is directed through electrostatic deflection plates which separate out remaining ionized particles producing a neutral beam.

Abstract: An auxiliary carriage and lathe tool holder for a turning lathe is removably and slidably mounted on the lathe ways and includes a concave upper surface between the ways. The auxiliary carriage includes a tool holding slot in one edge thereof and a tool clamping bar. The auxiliary carriage is connected to the lathe tool carriage to permit longitudinal feeding of a tool held in the slot. The auxiliary carriage permits turning work of a greater diameter than possible with the lathe tool carriage.

Abstract: An anti-static glove is formed from a porous cloth-type material having the palm inner thumb, and inner finger surfaces covered by a cutout of thin anti-static polyvinyl chloride film. the glove may be used in handling vinyl phonograph records without causing buildup of static charges thereon. The cutout is attached by stitching or by adhesive.

Abstract: An auxiliary pad for attachment to the foot portion of a bicycle kickstand is molded in two pieces of polypropylene. A clamp section has a pair of opposing semicylindrical clamp elements and can be folded to clamp around the downwardly extending rod of the kickstand. A pair of semicylindrical shims is attached to the clamp elements and can be used if required. A pad section is provided having a ribbed underside and a pair of brackets to accept a pair of clamp legs serving to hold the pad section against the foot portion of the kickstand.

Abstract: An ultraviolet type flame detection system utilizes an UV detector for producing pulses from flame produced UV photons. A logic and clock circuit defines a sequence of windows. A counter is advanced by the clock and reset if no detector pulse occurs in a window. If detector pulses occur in each of a preselected sequence of windows, the logic circuit enables an alarm. When detector pulses cease, the logic circuit resets the system.

Abstract: A skylight system for providing an all plastic skylight in a barrel tile roof without the use of a curb. A sheet of plastic has a pair of longitudinal edges bent upward at a right angle to form a standing seam edge. A dome is formed in the center portion of the plastic sheet. The upper edge of the sheet is provided with a riser and is fastened to the roof sheathing adjacent an opening in the roof. A horizontal row of tiles rests on the riser. The lower edge is formed to match the contour of a horizontal row of tiles and is attached thereto. Anchor clips are attached adjacent the longitudinal edges of the opening and abut the standing seam edges. A plurality of step flanges also abut the standing seam edges to form a standing seam engaged by the anchor clips. The step flanges are formed to the contours of a vertical row of tiles and attached thereto. A batten strip is placed over the standing seam.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing carbonated beverages and the like from a container has a body portion adapted to replace a screw top cap of the container. The body portion includes a tube which will project into the ullage volume of the container and will vent to the atmosphere via a normally closed vent valve. A normally closed fluid valve is disposed in the body portion between a fluid chamber and a spout. In use the container having the body portion attached thereto is essentially inverted and supported in a stand. A dispensing lever attached to the body is depressed and sequentially opens the vent valve and the fluid valve permitting the beverage to flow through the fluid chamber, the fluid valve and the spout by gravity.

Abstract: A system for automatically monitoring the insulation leakage resistance of an electric motor for a short period prior to operation thereof having timing means for delaying application of the motor control voltage to the motor and for applying a high voltage direct current to the windings of the motor during such period. A sense resistor is connected between the motor frame and the high voltage supply ground, and the leakage current therethrough is monitored by a comparator. When the leakage current exceeds a preselected threshold, an alarm is initiated and operation of the motor is inhibited.

Abstract: An educational word game apparatus utilizes a board with a diamond shaped playing area formed in a checkerboard pattern. A pair of goals is provided and players more playing tiles over the checkerboard squares toward the goal according to a roll of a die. A large deck of word cards is provided with each card having a word on one side and the meaning thereof on the other side. At each roll of the die, a player draws a card and chooses to either define or spell the word. If the correct answer is given, the player may advance a playing tile. The first player to move a certain number of playing tiles to his goal is the winner. A goal may be the word ALPHABET and tiles having letters of this word are used to cover the corresponding letter when reached by a playing tile.

Abstract: A hinge pin and bushing assembly is provided for machine insertion into a barrel of a hinge leaf. The assembly is preferably molded in one piece from a resilient self-lubricating plastic and includes a bushing having a concentric bore, a hinge pin having an end connected to the bushing concentrically with the bore by thin webs. The other end of the hinge pin is attached concentrically to a cylindrical plug. The bushing portions of a pair of assemblies are inserted into opposite ends of the leaf barrel and compressive force is applied to the outer ends of the plugs thereby breaking the webs and inserting the hinge pins into the bushing bores.

Abstract: An aircraft controls simulator, for use with a computer programmed for aircraft flight simulation, having a yoke, a throttle control and a rudder control. A cabinet has a shaft extending therefrom attached to a simulated yoke control. The shaft operates an elevator potentiometer responsive to horizontal movement of the shaft and an aileron control responsive to rotation of the shaft. A throttle knob connected to a second shaft operates a throttle potentiometer. A foot operated potentiometer produces rudder control signals. A cable connects the potentiometers to the computer which utilizes the potentiometer positions to operate the flight simulation program.

Abstract: A system for learning a characterization of an object and thereafter identifying the presence and orientation of the object is capable of controlling a robotic system for grasping the object. In an off-line learning mode, a television camera produces a video signal from the object and a preprocessor develops a segmented line outline of the object in digital form. A computer is programmed to generate a mathematical "rubber band" or convex hull around the object outline formed from segmented lines and to store the x-y coordinates of the lines. The centroid of the hull is calculated and an R(.0.) function as the radius from the centroid to the hull with the maxima thereof is calculated for characterizing the orientation of the object. A truncated Fourier series of the R(.0.) function is generated and the coefficients stored. In an on-line characterization mode, the apparatus generates a characterization of an unknown object and compares it with the learned and stored values of R(.0.) and Fourier coefficients.

Abstract: A noise reduction system and method for reducing noise occurring during pauses in information bearing audio signals has an audio input connected to one input of a differential output circuit. A variable gain circuit has an input connected to the audio input and an output connected to the other input of the differential circuit. A dc control signal is derived from the incoming signals and controls the variable gain circuit to cause cancellation of a noise only signal during periods of no information bearing audio signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring structures and structural members for overloads has an elongated frangible closed ended tube containing a dense, visible liquid. The tube includes a central reduced cross-sectional area for forming a weak portion thereof. The tube is enclosed in a transparent shield and the tube and shield resiliently attached to the structure to be monitored. The frangible tube is designed to cause the weakened area to fracture when the tube and structure are exposed to a preselected level of an acceleration force, causing the liquid to be deposited in the shield as an indication of an overload.

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting green peanuts is moved along a peanut bed. A plant conveyor using an angled pair of back-to-back V-belts is arranged to cause the belts to grip the stem area of peanut plants and, as the belts move rearward and the harvester moves forward, the plants are pulled from the bed. Picking elements having a plurality of toothed picking combs move laterally beneath the belts, contacting the plant root structure and removing the peanuts therefrom. Means are provided for removing dirt from the roots, transporting picked peanuts to a storage bin and storing the peanuts therein.

Abstract: A pair of golf shoes is provided in which each shoe includes a sole and heel having an increased thickness along the outer edge thereof. The sole has a maximum thickness adjacent the ball of the foot and tapers to a uniform thickness at the toe, at the instep and along a centerline. The heel maximum thickness tapers to a uniform thickness along a centerline. The shoes cause a golfer to automatically assume the proper stance and weight distribution when addressing the ball, and to automatically shift the weight from the rear foot to the front foot during a swing.

Abstract: Adapters for insertion into golf shoes are provided to cause the golfer to automatically assume a proper stance and to properly shift the weight from the rear foot to the front foot during a swing. The adapters comprise a pair of insoles, each having a leather insole of uniform thickness and a resilient insole portion attached to the leather insole and covering a portion along the outer edge of the leather insole. The resilient portion produces a thickened area adjacent the ball of the foot and over the heel area along the outer edge of the leather insole.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing a vasectomy includes a hemostat-type instrument having a pair of jaws in which the jaws include grooves for spaced-apart ligating clips, a cutting block in one jaw having a pair of spaced-apart cutting blades and a receiver surface in the other jaw for receiving the cutting edges of the blades when the instrument is in a closed jaw position. A jig is provided which holds a pair of open ligating clips and a disposable cutting block. In use, the physician loads the jaws of the instrument by inserting into the jig and then isolates a vas deferens, placing it within the open jaws. The physician then closes the handles of the instrument causing the ligating clips to clamp the vas in two places and the blades to excise a segment of the vas between the two ligating clips.