Abstract: An LED lamp utilizes AC power and bi-directional LED chips to provide dimming capabilities. The dimming capabilities of the lamp reduce the junction temperature of the LEDs on the bi-directional LED chips and thus prolong the life expectancy of the LED lamp.

Abstract: A sealing fastener, such as a sealing rivet, is disclosed for sealing engagement with a workpiece. The sealing fastener has a head and a shank extending from a lower surface of the head. An aperture passes through the head and shank, and a mandrel and collar fit within the aperture. A sealing member, such as an O-ring is disposed between the collar and the mandrel. The head of the sealing fastener may also have a groove formed therein and may have a sealing member disposed at least in part in the groove. In use, the rivet is placed through an opening in the workpiece, and a lower portion of the shank is collapsed so to form a lower head and so that the upper and lower heads engage the workpiece. The sealing member is compressed between the collar and a wall of the aperture, and the collar and mandrel are placed in locking engagement to maintain the sealing member in a compressed state.

Abstract: A low profile antenna positioning system is disclosed which has a carriage, an antenna, a first member pivotally secured to the antenna and slidably secured to the carriage and a second member pivotally secured to the antenna and pivotally secured to the carriage. The antenna is movable through a wide range of elevation angles and maintains a relatively low profile as it moves back and forth between an elevation angle of from approximately 15.degree. to approximately 69.degree.. In that regard, an upper portion of the antenna moves downwardly and rearwardly in a linear path and a lower portion of the antenna moves upwardly in an arcuate path as the elevation angle increases. Similarly, the upper portion of the antenna moves upwardly and forwardly in a linear path and the lower portion of the antenna moves downwardly in an arcuate path as the elevation angle decreases. The carriage may be pivotally secured to a base for movement about an azimuth axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for connecting a weight to a decoy. The cord has a deformable, resilient tab disposed on one end of the cord that is sized to allow passage of the tab through an eyelet on the decoy when the tab is compressed but to restrict passage of the tab through the eyelet when the tab is not compressed. A bead may be provided near the other end of the cord to retain a weight on the cord by restricting passage of the bead through a hole in the weight. An aperture may also be provided in the other end of the cord, preferably in the bead, to provide the flexibility of permitting a single cord to connect the weight to the decoy or to permit two or more cords to be strung together to connect the weight to the decoy. A clasp may also be provided in the end of the cord opposite the tab to provide for tangle resistant storage of the decoy, cord and weight.

Abstract: A loudspeaker is disclosed in which an enclosure is provided with a horn. A driver and vent are provided in side walls of the horn, spaced from a central axis of the horn. The vent is aligned so that when the central axis of the horn is horizontal and a central axis of said vent does not lie in a vertical plane containing the central axis of the horn, the central axis of the vent intersects the vertical plane containing the central axis of the horn. The driver, preferably a woofer, may also be aligned so that when the central axis of the horn is horizontal and a central axis of said driver does not lie in a vertical plane containing the central axis of the horn, the central axis of the driver intersects the vertical plane containing the central axis of the horn.

Abstract: A battery system and method of operation are shown. The battery system utilizes a microparticle fuel slurry containing microparticle spheres surrounded by active electrochemical material. In the operation of the battery system, the microparticle spheres are attracted to battery-cell electrode plates and held there by a magnetic field. The core of the microparticle spheres and battery-cell electrode plates may be permanently magnetic or ferromagnetic in nature. The magnetic field may originate from permanently magnetic materials or be induced using magnetic field windings or the like. The battery system may be recharged by replacing spent microparticle fuel slurry with unspent slurry. In some applications, such as when used to power an electro-motive vehicle, a reserve of unspent microparticle fuel slurry may be stored on-board the vehicle and used to periodically replace spent microparticle fuel slurry during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing an end board from a pallet are disclosed which use a surface for supporting a pallet, a plurality of arms pivotally secured to the surface, a restraining bar pivotally secured to the surface and a power source operatively connected to the arms and restraining bar for rotating the arms and restraining bar from a first position for receiving an end board of a pallet to a second position for prying the end board from the pallet. The surface will typically be a table, and the arms and restraining bar may be pivotally secured to the table by one or more sides that are pivotally secured to the table, so that the arms and restraining bar rotate about the same axis relative to the table. This axis of rotation of the arms and restraining bar may be disposed between front and rear ends of the table and above the table surface, so that the arms may extend substantially horizontally between the front end of the table and the axis.

Abstract: Automated hydroponic plant growing apparatus, for providing an equal supply of nutrient solution, at a controlled rate, to plants in each of a plurality of individual growth chambers, with provision of flow irrigation of each plant in each chamber. The apparatus provides for fully powered, pressurized flow of nutrient solution through separate lines to each growth chamber, and provides for automatic maintenance of equal levels of nutrient solution in the various chambers of the system, having return flow lines for return of any excess accumulation of nutrient solution from any one growth chamber to the central distribution chamber. Through provision of pressurized flow of nutrient solution to the growth chambers, the system avoids any need to rely even in part on gravity flow of nutrient solution, and so may be used with all components located on a single level, e.g. all resting on a common floor.

Abstract: An aircraft ice detection and de-icing system is disclosed in which an aircraft is positioned remotely from a laser beam generator, a beam of radiant energy is reflected from a mirror so that the beam impinges upon and creates a footprint upon a surface of the aircraft and the mirror is manipulated to move the footprint about the aircraft surface. The beam has a wavelength that is preferentially reflected by the aircraft surface and absorbed by ice, snow and water, so the beam heats and removes ice, snow and water from aircraft surfaces as the beam's footprint is moved thereabouts. A remote thermal monitoring system may also be used to monitor temperatures at the aircraft surface for detecting regions experiencing temperature rises at relatively increased rates as the regions are treated with the beam, thereby indicating the presence of ice, snow or water. A visible light may also be used simultaneously to track and indicate movement of the footprint of the treating beam about the aircraft surface.

Abstract: A water meter box bottom is disclosed for fastening a meter setter upright and centered within a water meter box. The water meter box bottom has a raised, contoured base, and vertical legs affixed to each side of the base. Nuts and bolts extending between the legs, pull the vertical legs together to secure the meter setter in a vise like grip. Inlet and outlet pipes may be supported by additional vertical legs positioned at outer perimeters of the meter box bottom.

Abstract: A hook setting fishing buoy is disclosed having a container with an inner compartment, a spring secured within the compartment and movable between a tensioned position and an untensioned position, a line operatively connected to the spring so that the spring may provide a hook setting force to the line when the spring moves from the tensioned position to the untensioned position and a catch connected to the buoy to releasably retain the spring in a tensioned position until a force is applied to the line. A signal, such as a light, may be operatively connected to the spring to indicate when the spring has moved to the untensioned position, and the spring and signal may be secured to a card that is removably disposed within the compartment.

Abstract: A composition and method are disclosed in which a solution comprising zingiber officinale, dioscorea and a salt are administered to a soft palate and uvula of a host. The solution preferably includes chamomile and a suitable delivery agent that will preferably hold the active ingredients in solution. The solution is preferably administered in the form of a throat spray or nose drop and may also include a flavoring agent.

Abstract: A stump cutting or grinding apparatus and method are disclosed which utilize a pump for attachment to a power takeoff of a tractor, a cutting or grinding device for attachment to a backhoe arm of the tractor, a motor connected to the cutting or grinding device, a plurality of lines for circulating hydraulic fluid between the pump and the motor and a plurality of lines for passing a portion of the hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic system of the tractor. Passing a portion of the circulating hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic system of the tractor enables the tractor to cool and filter the fluid and eliminates the need for a separate tank or reservoir that would otherwise be needed to contain and treat fluid being circulated between the pump and motor. A scoop may be attached to the cutting or grinding device for moving or removing rocks, dirt or debris from around the stump.