Abstract: An arm rest for use with a fishing pole supports a user's forearm while fishing and broadly comprises a mount adapted to releasably attach to the butt end portion of the fishing pole and a forearm cradle. The forearm cradle is pivotally disposed on the mount and is operative to move between a stowed position wherein the forearm cradle extends along a longitudinal axis of the fishing pole and a deployed position wherein the forearm cradle extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis to elevate the user's forearm above the butt end portion. A selectively actuable locking mechanism engagedly retains the forearm cradle in the stowed position and disengages from the forearm cradle to permit the forearm cradle to pivot between the stowed and deployed positions. A finger slide actuates the locking mechanism between the locked and unlocked positions. A spring may also be interconnected between the forearm cradle and the mount to resiliently urge the forearm cradle into the deployed position.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for covering and protecting the forward surface of the fuel tank mounted to a motor vehicle. The protective device is adapted for a motorcycle framework, which may include a fork assembly in the vicinity of the mounted fuel tank. The apparatus has coverings, which may be flexible material, sized and adapted to cover the exposed areas of the forward surface of the fuel tank. The apparatus comprises several embodiments configured to cover different selected portions of the fuel tank with connecting assemblies to accommodate the motorcycle frame and fork assemblies where the fuel tank is attached. A first connecting assembly spans a portion of the forward surface of the fuel tank and interconnects the first and second cover portions when mounted to the tank. A second connecting assembly extends rearwardly from the covering sections to operatively engage a portion of the motorcycle. Each of the cover portions is generally triangular in shape having two linear sides and an arcuate side.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stencil adapted for use in transferring an image to a substrate where the image is formed by an ensemble of individual features for a predetermined image. The stencil comprises a sheet of flexible material and a plurality of holes formed through the sheet. The holes are organized in hole sets such that the holes in each such hole set outline a respective individual feature. The hole sets together define the pre-determined image to be transferred. The present invention also includes a kit for use in transferring an image to an outer surface area of a vegetable. The kit comprises a stencil adapted for use in transferring an image to the surface area of the vegetable, a tool adapted to cut first portions of the vegetable, a marker including a marking medium, a set of instructions, and a package that receives the stencil, tool, marker and set of instructions. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a method of forming an image in a fleshy shell of a vegetable.

Abstract: A locking device includes a shackle member and a key operable locking head that may be fastened onto a latch portion of the shackle member. The locking head has a housing and a rotatable retainer and a lock core in the interior of the housing. The lock core is mechanically coupled to the retainer, and both the retainer and the lock core are axially oriented with respect to an axial opening in the housing. The latch portion is axially insertable through the axial opening when the lock core is in an unlocked state and has a latch head which becomes fastened by the locking head when the retainer is rotated by the lock core into a locked state. A seal is supported by the housing proximately to the axial opening and acts to seal against a seal surface on the latch portion. The shackle member can be a linear portion with a stop portion, such as a knob, or alternatively, a cable member.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to procedures and apparatus for monitoring incoming signals to detect the presence of selected target signals contained within the universe of signals received. More particularly, the present invention is directed to monitoring audio signals to detect selected ultrasonic and sonic signals in an ambient environment. Thus, the present invention is even more specifically directed to leak detectors and bearing wear indicators and methods for detecting sound signals which either travel in the air or are present in solids.

Abstract: A method of acylating C-2' O-protected-10-hydroxy taxol selectively at the C-10 hydroxyl position over the C-7 hydroxy position thereof to produce C-2' O-protected taxol is accomplished first by dissolving C-2' O-protected-10-hydroxy taxol in an acceptable ether solvent therefor, such as tetrahydrofuran. A lithium salt, preferably lithium chloride, is added. A trialkylamine base or pyridine is next added, followed by the addition of an acylating agent, such as acetyl chloride. The resulting solution may be quenched, for example with ammonium chloride, to eliminate excess of the acylating agent. This solution may then be diluted with ethyl acetate to form an organic phase and an aqueous phase, with the organic phase being washed and thereafter reduced. Recrystallization and column chromatography may be employed to purify the C-2' O-protected taxol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seaming a lid onto a container body by moving the body with a lid placed thereon in a linear fashion by allowing free rotation of the conveyed container body and lid against a linear seaming element is disclosed.

Abstract: A jaw retention device operative for use by a dental patient to urge the patient's lower jaw into an open position thereby relieving stress on the jaw muscles during dental procedures. The device includes a hand held object connected by an elongated flexible member to a mouth piece. The mouth piece is preferably constructed of a plastic material having sufficient flexibility to permit the mouth piece to bend and release from the lower teeth when the flexible member is subjected to a selected threshold tension.

Abstract: A door latch actuator operates a latch bolt assembly of a door. The door latch actuator employs a spring latch plunger and a dead latch plunger mounted in a housing that has a latch cavity sized to receive the spring latch bolt and the dead latch bolt pin. The spring latch plunger engages and retracts under the pressure of the spring latch bolt, and the dead latch plunger engages the dead latch bolt pin. A drive operates the plungers to first withdraw the dead latch plunger to allow the dead latch bolt pin to move to an enabling position for the spring latch bolt. Next, the drive advances the spring latch plunger and thereby the spring latch bolt in moved to a release position and the door may be opened. The drive is preferably a rotary drive using a motor driven crank and pin system. Sensors are provided to detect the position of the system. The method of the invention encompasses the operative steps of this door latch actuator, and the method can include timing steps.

Abstract: A keyboard with a cursor control device and a palm support which supports the palms while allowing the fingers to be placed in the typing position. The palm support is connected to the cursor control device which allows the user to maintain the fingers in the typing position while controlling the position of the cursor on the display screen with palm movements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring pressure between the surface of a body part and a contact surface employ a plurality of pressure sensors disposed in a matrix array between the contact surface and the body part. The sensors produce analog force signals proportional to pressure, and a monitor receives the analog signals and produces output signals, preferably digital, having pressure data corresponding to the pressure at each sensor. A computer processor receives the output signals from the monitor to create a force profile for the sensor array. The sensors may be scanned as a read event in variety of manners, including periodic, continuous and triggered scanning. Where triggered scanning is desired, one or more switches act to initiate a read event. This monitoring apparatus and method is used, for example, to fit prosthetics, to monitor bed-ridden and wheelchair-bound patients, to reduce pain and sores caused by uneven distribution of pressure and to monitor pressure between a cast and a person.

Abstract: A lock box assembly is mountable to a vehicle to receive an item to be protected and to affix a license plate thereto. The lock box apparatus comprises an elongated housing formed by an anchoring plate and a door and having an interior sized to receive the protected item. The anchoring plate has a pair of anchoring holes that are alignable with installation holes on the vehicle so that the anchoring plate may be mounted to the vehicle. The door is pivotally mounted to the anchoring plate between a closed position enclosing the interior and preventing access to the protected item and an opened position exposing the interior and permitting access to the protected item. The door is provided with a pair of door holes registerable with cooperative holes in the license plate so that the license plate may be affixed thereto.

Abstract: A chemical compound having the formula: wherein R is an alkyl group and M.sup.+ counterion is an alkali metal, and a process of making the same.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer measures optical absorption of light by a sample received in a sample cell. An array of optical elements disperses the light over a spectral pattern, and a fiber optic beam splitter splits light at a selected spectral band into a reference component and a test component. Detectors measure the intensity of the reference component and the test component after the test component passes through the sample. The fiber optic beam splitter includes a plurality of strands arranged with first ends terminating in a common circular area. Opposite ends of peripheral strands are collected into a first set that transmits the test component while the remaining strands for a second set that transmits the reference component. Preferably, there is a single, central, large strand surrounded by smaller strands. Two emitters are provided for light of two different types, such as visible and UV. The optical array forms a collimated beam having an inner core of one type of light and an outer shell of the other.

Abstract: A storage unit includes frame pieces that attach to a support structure. A first rail assembly has first rails disposed on the frame pieces so that facing channels define a storage region. A drawer is positioned in the storage region when in a stored state. A second rail assembly includes second rails each having a second channel. The second channels receive first wheels that are on the first rail assembly while the first channels receive second wheels that are disposed on the second rail assembly. The drawer may be advanced out of the stored state to an extended state and then into a pivoted state wherein it is perpendicular to the stored state. The rails may be immovably fixed to the frame pieces and the drawer, respectively. The drawer may be mounted underneath the support structure. Arcuate guide fingers guide the engagement and disengagement of the first wheels from the second channels when the drawer is moved between the extended and pivoted states.

Abstract: Security box apparatus is adapted for use with a conventional license plate mounting structure of a vehicle which includes a plurality of spaced apart installation holes. The security box apparatus is adapted to affix a license plate thereto to secure a protected item and comprises a housing member, a door, a locking structure and a license plate mounting assembly. The housing member is provided with a plurality of anchoring holes alignable with the installation holes so that a mounting fastener may extend through these holes to securely fasten the housing member to the license plate mounting structure. A recess is formed in the housing member and the door is sized and adapted to be received in this recess to enclose the interior and the protected item. The door is movable between a closed position wherein access to the interior is prevented and an opened position wherein access to the protected item is permitted.

Abstract: An efficient protocol for the synthesis of taxol, taxol analogs and their intermediates is described. The process incudes the attachment of the taxol A-ring side chain to baccatin III and for the synthesis of taxol and taxol analogs with variable A-ring side chain structures. A rapid and highly efficient esterification of O-protected isoserine and 3-phenylisoserine acids having N-benzyoloxycarbonyl groups to the C-13 hydroxyl of 7-O-protected baccatin III is followed by a deprotection-acylation sequence to make taxol, celphalomanninne and various analogs, including photoaffinity labeling candidates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a protective device that is adapted for use with a container in order to inhibit ingress of unwanted materials through a handhold opening in a wall of the container. The method includes a first step of advancing a first strip of material in a longitudinal direction from an upstream location to a downstream location. As this first strip of material is advanced, it is longitudinally scored after which a second strip of material is secured to the first strip of material such that the second strip is sealed around a discrete consecutive portion of the scoring. Thereafter, an adhesive material is applied to a side surface of the first strip opposite the second strip. The joined first and second strips are then cut into individual units with portions of the first and second strips in each unit being sealed completely around the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A glide head device for attachment to a flexure and for operation with a test system to detect a presence of asperities on a moving surface includes a slider constructed as a rigid body that is adapted to be suspended from the flexure and a transducer operatively associated with the slider. The slider's rigid body includes an air bearing surface operative to be oriented in facing relation to the moving surface when in an operative state and a sidewall margin area adjacent the trailing edge which is microfinished to a selected Ra value, such as 200 angstroms. A glide head assembly and a test device incorporating such a glide head device are also provided.