Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting two strand ends such as those found on jewelry pieces such as necklaces, chains and bracelets. The method and apparatus involve fastening the two strand ends using a connecting member attached to one strand and a receiving member attached to another strand end, wherein the connecting member may be removably fastened to the receiving member using a predetermined sequence of simple movements and rotations.

Abstract: A method for creating and managing a lease agreement includes providing predetermined financial information regarding a potential tenant and a potential landlord to a lease control intermediary, evaluating the information to determine the acceptability of the financial risk associated with the potential tenant, creating a service product in the form of a guaranty directed to periodic lease payments from the lease control intermediary to the landlord for a predetermined amount defining a guaranty limit with the guaranty limit corresponding to a predetermined time period with the guaranty obligation becoming active upon failure of the potential lessee to pay periodic lease payments; providing a lease agreement for execution by the landlord and tenant and the lease control intermediary and depositing periodic lease payments received either from the tenant or made by the lease control intermediary according to the service product into an account held by the landlord, the payments having a management fee removed t

Abstract: An aftercooler apparatus that is connected to a turbocharger and to a reciprocating engine has a primary and a secondary saturation chamber, and a drying chamber. Turbocharged air from the turbocharger is directed into the primary saturation chamber. The incoming air is initially mixed with and cooled by water located at the bottom of the primary saturation chamber before being directed through a diffusion screen. The air exiting the diffusion screen enters the secondary saturation chamber where intense bubbling and foaming increases the air-water contact area to further cool the air and form an air-water mixture approaching the temperature and moisture level of saturation. The air-water mixture is then directed into the drying chamber where a majority of the moisture is removed from the air through the use of centrifugal force. The now cooler moist air is directed toward the engine intake manifold, whereby the moisture in the air stream acts to reduce the NOx formation during the combustion process.

Abstract: A system for remote data acquisition and centralized processing and storage is disclosed called the DataTreasury.TM. System. The DataTreasury.TM. System provides comprehensive support for the processing of documents and electronic data associated with different applications including sale, business, banking and general consumer transactions. The system retrieves transaction data such as credit card receipts checks in either electronic or paper form at one or more remote locations, encrypts the data, transmits the encrypted data to a central location, transforms the data to a usable form, performs identification verification using signature data and biometric data, generates informative reports from the data and transmits the informative reports to the remote location(s). The DataTreasury.TM. System has many advantageous features which work together to provide high performance, security, reliability, fault tolerance and low cost.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for creating and managing a lease agreement includes a lease control computer (14) including means (18,22) for analyzing and processing predetermined financial information regarding a potential tenant (T) and a potential landlord (L) on behalf of a lease control intermediary, means (24) for evaluating the information to determine the acceptability of the financial risk associated with potential tenant creating a service product in the form of a guaranty (30) directed to periodic lease payments from the lease control intermediary to the landlord (L) for a predetermined amount defining a guaranty limit with the guaranty limit corresponding to a predetermined lime period with the guaranty obligation becoming active upon failure of the potential lessee (T) to pay periodic lease payments: providing a lease agreement (32) for execution by the landlord (L) and tenant (T) and the least control intermediary, and means for depositing periodic lease payments received either from the tena

Abstract: An aftercooler apparatus that is connected to a turbocharger and to a reciprocating engine has a primary and a secondary saturation chamber, and a drying chamber. Turbocharged air from the turbocharger is directed into the primary saturation chamber. The incoming air is initially mixed with and cooled by water located at the bottom of the primary saturation chamber before being directed through a diffusion screen. The air exiting the diffusion screen enters the secondary saturation chamber where intense bubbling and foaming increases the air-water contact area to further cool the air and form an air-water mixture approaching the temperature and moisture level of saturation. The air-water mixture is then directed into the drying chamber where a majority of the moisture is removed from the air through the use of centrifugal force. The now cooler moist air is directed toward the engine intake manifold, whereby the moisture in the air stream acts to reduce the NOx formation during the combustion process.

Abstract: A method for coating objects with silicone that includes the steps of preparing the silicone material; applying the silicone material onto a surface that is resistant to adhesion to silicone, such as an acetate film layer or the inside surface of an open air mold; allowing the silicone material to sufficiently cure to allow for bonding to an object; pressing the object against the silicone material; allowing the silicone material to bond to the outer surface of the object; and then removing the object from the surface resistant to adhesion to the silicone material.

Abstract: A wrench for rotating a fastener having a number of corners on a periphery thereof and method of making same is disclosed. The wrench includes a gripping member having an opening defined by an inner surface complimentary to the periphery of the fastener whereby the fastener may be axially received by the gripping member. The inner surface defines the plurality of circumferentially spaced shoulder portions wherein alternating shoulder portions engage a corresponding corner of the fastener. The shoulder portions define areas therebetween. Stopper portions are located in alternating areas between shoulder portions. The wrench has a first angular position where the stopper portions engage in upper surface of the fastener for restricting the passage of the fastener therethrough and a second angular position where the stopper portions do not engage the upper surface of the fastener thereby permitting the passage of the fastener therethrough.

Abstract: A modular bank teller station wherein a single teller can provide banking service to a plurality of banking customers, including a frame having a plurality of interconnected wall members attached thereto to define a bank teller control area isolated from a plurality of customer receiving areas. A communications system is provided for visual and audible communication between the teller and the customer. For transaction of banking business a tray system is provided which will allow the transfer of bank transaction material between the teller and the customer while keeping the tray access openings covered in the absence of a tray.

Abstract: Reversal of reduced intestinal mucosal mass and absorptive function in patients by the administration of low doses of exogenous HGF either systemically or intraluminally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing rails for structural defects, the rails being associated with a railroad track include providing and using a first rail traveling vehicle for movement along a segment of rails followed by a second rail traveling vehicle for disposition behind the first rail traveling vehicle along the rails for testing with the first rail traveling vehicle having a first digital computer and a first analog computer and the second rail traveling vehicle having a second computer for display of data associated with the rails. A first modem assembly is provided in the first vehicle with a second modem assembly being provided in the second vehicle in communication with the first modem whereby data may be exchanged between the rail traveling vehicles. During testing, the first rail traveling vehicle transmits complete digital and analog rail structural and defect location information data to the second computer for analysis and action by the operators of the second vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricle of a brain includes an inner rigid tube and an outer flexible, elastic tube. The proximal end of the flexible tube has perforations to admit fluid into the elastic tube lumen in which the fluid is conducted to the distal end where the fluid exits into the remainder of a drain system, such as a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The rigid tube contains an elbow bend intermediate the ends. In one form of the apparatus, the rigid tube has a first tubing nipple near one end and a second nipple intermediate the first nipple and the elbow bend. The first nipple extends outside and beyond the distal end of the flexible tube. The second nipple can be used to fasten the flexible tube to the rigid tube. The fastening method can employ a circumferential ligature as with suture thread or with a novel non-elastically deformable sleeve type of compression fitting.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved process for recycling waste polymeric material comprising a mixture of waste polymeric material wherein the waste polymeric material includes from about 0 to 40 percent aliphatic polyamide material; granulating and densifying the chopped mixture into fragments at least about 100 times smaller than the size of the waste polymeric material; and extruding the ground mixture at a temperature that does not exceed the temperature at which the largest portion of polymer based material decomposes.

Abstract: A system for remote data acquisition and centralized processing and storage is disclosed called the DataTreasury.TM. System. The DataTreasury.TM. System provides comprehensive support for the processing of documents and electronic data associated with different applications including sale, business, banking and general consumer transactions. The system retrieves transaction data at one or more remote Locations, encrypts the data, transmits the encrypted data to a central location, transforms the data to a usable form, performs identification verification using signature data and biometric data, generates informative reports from the data and transmits the informative reports to the remote location(s). The DataTreasury.TM. System has many advantageous features which work together to provide high performance, security, reliability, fault tolerance and low cost. First, the network architecture facilitates secure communication between the remote location(s) and the central processing facility.