Abstract: A flattened single or dual inlet boom tube exhaust pipe for use on race cars, such as stock cars which race on oval tracks, which mounts to the standard exhaust system pipes and to the lower frame or chassis of the car, and which routes exhaust gasses to one or both sides of the car while providing improved ground clearance between the exhaust pipe and the surface of the race track. The construction of the boom tube exhaust pipes comprise single or dual slightly flattened circular inlets which lead exhaust gasses into a flattened profile body constructed of formed sheet metal half shells, with the inlets at or above the lower plane of the body. One or more formed sheet metal structural ribs extend through the body and into the inlets and one or more spacer ribs support the half shells within the body. The boom tube exhaust pipes can be made with internal baffles or spiral acoustic traps so as to also be an acoustic muffler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a window for use in a supersonic or hypersonic target-tracking missile, the window being transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The window consist of several window layers which support each other and which are commonly supported, wherein the materials, the thickness and the arrangement of said window layers are selected to reduce mechanical stresses due to temperature during supersonic or hypersonic flight as compared to a continuously homogeneous window. In one embodiment the window layers are fixedly interconnected with their surfaces facing each other and consist of materials having different thermal coefficients of dilatation such that, with the temperature gradient occurring in said window during supersonic or hypersonic flight, substantially identical thermal dilatations are achieved in each of said window layers.

Abstract: A pool stick for training billiards players to not rotate the pool stick during a pool stroke. The pool stick comprises an elongate body and an endmost shooting tip. A guide portion of the body adjacent the shooting tip is laterally offset from the shooting tip and from the remainder of the body. When the pool stick is slidingly supported by a frontmost hand of the pool player on the guide portion and by a rearmost hand gripping the body opposite the guide portion, any rotation of the pool stick during a pool stroke occurs along an actual axis which extends from a pair of movable points, one in the rear body portion at the rearmost hand and one in the guide portion at the frontmost hand, which actual axis does not pass through the shooting tip. This allows a pool player to visually detect any rotational movement by observing lateral rotational movement of the shooting tip about such actual axis relative to the guide portion and to other references such as a billiard ball.

Abstract: A mercury retorting apparatus, a retorting system, and a method for continuous removal of mercury from dry, semi-granular, and sludge materials contaminated with mercury without shutting down the system for removal of accumulated liquid mercury, water, and dust particles. The retorting apparatus comprises a powered screw feed assembly having a feed tube with a closely fitting feed screw therein. The screw feed assembly feeds the material from the lower portion of a hopper configured to contain a quantity thereof into a rotatably powered retorting tube in which a vacuum is drawn. The material forms a seal within the powered screw feed assembly against vacuum loss in the retorting tube during operation thereof. A first rotatable seal between the feed tube and retorting tube prevents vacuum loss therebetween. An elongate electric kiln encloses the mid-portion of the retorting tube.

Abstract: A water spray device for connection to a standard garden hose, having an adjustable incrementally lockable trigger mechanism for controlling the flow of water from a standard spray nozzle or extension spray wand attached thereto. The spray device includes a housing which can be in the form of a pistol grip that is connectable at a lower end to the garden hose and at an upper end to the nozzle or wand. A water passageway extends through the housing with a trigger chamber formed at the front of the housing with an actuator pin receiving hole connecting therebetween. A trigger having an upper notch is pivotally disposed within the chamber with a spring loaded trigger lock which fits within the notch linearly slidably mounted to the housing.

Abstract: A fin protector for a wind surfing board or similar item includes two sides secured together to form a pocket or receiving opening for the tip of a fin to be protected. Anti-scratch standoffs or spacers extend from the sides into the fin receiving opening to space the sides from the fin as the tip of the fin is inserted. The fin is inserted into the pocket far enough to flex the sides apart enough so that the sides, through the spaces, press against the fin and hold the protector on the fin. The standoffs or spacers may take the form of hooks of hook and loop fastening material with pieces of the hook material secured to the sides of the fin receiving opening so the hooks extend into the opening, or may take the form of ridges extending from the sides of the fin receiving opening into the opening.

Abstract: In a device for the passive friend-or-foe discrimination of targets, in particular of airborne targets, wherein a target to be identified is observed by a video camera, the video camera is mounted for rotation about two mutually orthogonal axes and is aligned with the target by a servo or follow-up device controlled by target radiation.

Abstract: A sandwich product is made by sealing the peripheral portions or edges of two slices or layers of bread together to form a substantially sealed pocket between the layers with filling material in the pocket. The sealing takes place without heat, and prevents cheese, sauce, or other filling ingredients from running out of the product upon heating of the product. Markings may be pressed into the product which form subpockets and restrict the flow of filling ingredients between subpockets. Score lines may also be formed to divide the product into multiple pockets which may be easily separated into separate pieces of the product.

Abstract: An exercise machine which simulates snow skiing so as to especially develop the muscles of a person particular to snow skiing. A tubular support frame pivotally supports a pair of elongate foot support arms the front end of which are pivotally connected to the frame for multiple axes rotation. The rear end of the foot support arms each have a foot pedal which support the user in an elevated position. A pair of generally vertical pivot arms are pivotally connected at an upper end of each to the support frame with the lower end of each connected to a respective foot support arm. The pivot arms are interconnected by a tie bar for coordinated movement thereof. The movement of the foot support arms is simultaneously about multiple axes comprising lateral horizontal and upward vertical components wherein the foot support arms trace a conical path and the foot pedals trace generally upwardly directed arcuate paths with the foot support arms tilting inwardly to simulate edging of skis.

Abstract: A method of introducing treatment agents comprising medicine or nutrients into a tree, involving the boring of holes above ground into the trunk of the tree. Homogeneous plugs of solidified polyethylene glycol (PEG) with such treatment agents mixed therein are molded and inserted into the holes in the tree trunk and sealed with wax. The dissemination time of the treatment agent into the tree trunk is controlled by selection of the PEG's used, with higher molecular weights PEG's taking longer to dissolve and disseminate the treatment agent into the transpirational flow of the tree being treated than the lower molecular weight PEG's. The method leaves no foreign material such as plastic casings or cartridges within the tree trunk after treatment.

Abstract: A sink mounting device includes a weld bracket, a movable clip member and a hanger assembly used to movably couple the clip member to the weld bracket. The weld bracket is secured to a side portion of a sink bowl and the movable clip is used to engage an overhanging portion of the underside of the countertop. The clip includes a base having an axially positioned through-opening, an elongated arm member which extends longitudinally in a direction axially from the base, a projecting finger, which extends laterally from the end of the arm remote from the base, and includes a locating flange which, when the sink mounting device is operated, engages the hanger assembly, weld bracket and/or sink bowl at a limit position to prevent further rotation of the movable arm about the axis.

Abstract: Devices for manually removing and disposing of blood sampling needles after use, with a minimum of manipulation and without manual contact with any contaminated part. The manual needle removal devices disclosed are incorporated into the lids of needle disposal containers. After insertion of the used needle assembly into the device, only rotary motion is needed to unscrew it to allow it to fall into the container.

Abstract: The method and system of the invention provide especially for continuously obtaining and analyzing, on a real time basis, sweat from a selected area of skin on the body of a person, especially a neonate, being diagnosed for cystic fibrosis, by causing sweating of the selected area of skin, by placing an electrically positive iontophoretic electrode device of a set of said devices over the selected area of skin preferably within a previously placed receiving and holding device which, following the induction of sweat and removal of the electrically positive iontophoretic electrode device, receives a sweat-sensing electrode device that continuously sends electrical signals to sweat analysis circuitry for providing a digital readout of the ionic composition of the sweat. The receiving and holding device insures recovery and utilization of essentially all of the sweat being produced by the selected area of skin.

Abstract: A compact electronic keyboard having full-size keys arranged in the standard QWERTY or DVORAK pattern but with a reduced width of the keyboard due to the elimination of the standard modifier keys normally positioned at opposite sides of the alphanumeric keys. The function of such modifier keys are incorporated into some of the alphanumeric keys, or modifiable character keys, the function of which is controlled by means of separate portions of a split, thumb-operable spacebar below the lower row of alphanumeric keys. Such portions are the space key and the special key. The space key incorporates the standard shift function and can control the function of the modifiable character keys by simultaneous pressing of the space key and the desired modifiable character key. The special key can control the function of the modifiable character keys in a similar manner, but which can remain activated for a preset period of time such that simultaneous pressing of a modifiable character key is not necessary.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus is provided for the analyzing of data files derived from fluorophore emissions detected during observation of fluorophore labeled nucleotide polymers such as is done during the sequencing of bases in nucleotide polymers. The analysis steps of the method depend upon a key step of quantifying features of the emission peaks whereby subsequent steps as base calling can be performed and whereby individual emission spectra within the data files of two or more samples can be automatically synchronized, compared, and differences detected and signaled. The quantified peak information provides for the use of fuzzy logic and the assignment of truth values or scores to be assigned to the base calls. optimally, individual peaks within the data file are corrected by distortions, the peaks enhanced, and the overall data file information augmented to further improve the accuracy of the analysis of the data and reduce manual labor requirements.

Abstract: A single bolt coupling for the attachment to the end portion of a pipe having a circumferential groove or shoulder in such end portion includes a coupling which receives the end portion of the pipe therein and a circumferential open ended resilient ring associated with the coupling body which expands to allow passage of the groove into or out of the coupling and contracts to hold the groove in the coupling. The coupling is provided with a screw vise mechanism to expand the ring so that a pipe end can easily be inserted into the coupling. After insertion, the ring is allowed to contract to hold the pipe in the coupling. The coupling with its ring can also couple plain ended pipes, the ring contracting tightly around the pipe to hold it in place by friction between the pipe and ring.

Abstract: A combination of screening structure for a composite usually food material made up, for example, of a relatively soft flesh component to be recovered and of relatively hard components usually disposed of as waste, and of dual material conveying and discharging screws having overlapped and intermeshed helical flights as discharge structure for the relatively hard components which provide a running series of compartments for receiving, carrying, and discharging such relatively hard components as well as providing useful back pressure on the composite material travelling along and against the entry face of the screening structure. Termination of the overlapping relationship of the helical flights of the material conveying screws within a discharge area for the relatively hard material carried by such compartments facilitates discharge of such relatively hard material.

Abstract: Flexible loop assemblies for use variously as key chains, paper ring binders, or as jewelry and a connector for use in such loop assemblies. The connector includes elongate cylindrical mating male and female connector halves each having respective end bores into which opposite ends of a flexible member of monofilament or multi-filament metal or plastic are secured. The male connector half includes a generally cylindrical front plug with a radially-inwardly compressible lock ring of slightly larger uncompressed outer diameter than that of the plug. The plug closely fits into a mating cylindrical socket bore in the female connector half which radially compresses the lock ring during insertion of the plug therein. An annular lock ring groove inside the socket bore is configured to receive the outer portion of the lock ring which lock ring radially expands therein to removably retain the male and female connector halves together.

Abstract: An earring includes a pin adapted to pass through a hole pierced in an ear or other body part. The pin has an enlarged, decorative end thereon which rests against one side of the ear with the pin extending through the hole in the ear, and a clutch which fits over the opposite end of the pin and rests against the opposite side of the ear to hold the earring therein. The clutch includes a spring for receiving the pin therein and having a reduced inside diameter intermediate turn thereof which is stretched by the pin as it passes therethrough. There is at least one circumferential receiving groove in the pin to receive and hold the reduced inside diameter spring turn. Thus, the clutch may be positioned so that the reduced inside diameter turn is received in one of the at least one grooves. This resists movement of the clutch along the pin. With multiple grooves the grooves are positioned along the pin so that for each groove, the earring comfortably fits a different size ear.

Abstract: A fin protector for a windsurfing board or similar item includes two sides secured together to form a pocket or receiving space for the tip of a fin to be protected into which the tip of the fin is inserted. The fin is forced into the pocket far enough to flex the sides apart enough so that the sides press against the fin and hold the protector on the fin. One side preferably extends beyond the fin receiving opening so as to guide the bottom of the fin into the opening when the protector is placed on the fin.