Abstract: A lock assembly for attachment to an enclosure door. The enclosure door has a lock assembly receiving opening specifically created to receive the lock assembly. The preferred lock assembly includes a lock case assembly having a bolt that can be moved between at least two positions; a lock actuating assembly interconnected with the lock case assembly such that the lock actuating assembly can actuate a change in the position of the bolt from one position to another; and a mounting plate having an interior side and an exterior side. The lock actuating assembly is preferably secured to the mounting plate on the exterior side and the lock case assembly is preferably secured to the mounting plate on the interior side. In alternate embodiments, the present invention provides a mounting plate, an enclosure door including a lock assembly and a method of securing a lock assembly to an enclosure door. A method of securing a preassembled electronic lock assembly to an enclosure door is provided.

Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck. In alternate embodiments, a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is provided. The sealing gasket comprises an elongated member made of a deformable, somewhat resilient, polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of a polymeric material, which is preferably somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. A cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed and a second lumen which has two converging surfaces which converge at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.

Abstract: A block for use in constructing a retaining wall having a bottom with a non-planar portion which creates a gap between the bottom surface and the top surface of a lower course of similar blocks when the block is placed thereon is herein disclosed. The non-planar portion permits the block to rest on a lower course of blocks and provides a space where small amounts of rubble and dirt may exist without interfering with the stacking of the blocks. The non-planar portion of the block reduces the unit weight of the block without significantly affecting the structural integrity of the block. The block's bottom surface may further comprise a plurality of grooves and a gutter constructed and arranged with respect to the non-planar portion so as to define a bearing surface therebetween.

Abstract: A fluidized bed pyrolytic carbon coating apparatus (1) is provided for coating substrate surfaces with pyrolytic carbon. The preferred coating apparatus (1) includes a fluidized bed reactor (10) having a reactor chamber (22), a gas feed inlet (24), an exhaust gas outlet (26), a source (12) of process feed gas and a gas line (14) through which the process feed gas can pass from the source (12) of process feed gas to the gas feed inlet (24) and into the reactor chamber (22). The gas line (14) includes an actuator (20) having a timing circuit (37) which acts to vary a rate of flow of process feed gas through the gas line (14) into the reactor chamber (22) such that the rate of flow into the reactor chamber (22), cycles regularly and consistently over a period of time so as to create a pulsating gas flow and a pulsation effect upon the fluidized bed within the reactor chamber (22).

Abstract: An apparatus and system for allowing customers to purchase boutique or specialty items directly from a supplier or wholesaler. The items for purchase are those conventionally available only through retailers such as local boutiques or specialty shops. An example would be salon quality hair care products. The system allows a customer to visit a website on a computer network, such as the Internet, and place an order for the product by providing information on which products are desired for purchase, the mailing address to which the products are to be sent, payment type, and optionally selecting a local retailer the customer enjoys frequenting to which the profits are to be directed. The supplier then processes the order and sends the customer the desired products, charging the customer normal retail prices. The supplier protects its business relationships with the local retailer by crediting the retailer for some or all of the profit the retailer normally would have received had it made the sale of the product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing lightweight particulates during processing of a primary material. The apparatus includes a classification tank having an inlet, an outlet and a plurality of settling stations located therebetween. A slurry of fluid and particles is introduced into the inlet and directed towards the outlet. As the slurry traverses along the classification tank, particles come out of suspension at the settling stations according to weight and to a lesser degree, density. The composition as well as the quantity of particles at the settling stations is periodically inspected. If particles deposited at a particular settling station are more or less the same size, and if they have accumulated in sufficient quantity, they are discharged to a flume which directs them to preselected collection areas.

Abstract: An improved bicycle dropout frame member for simultaneously mounting a plurality of accessories such as panniers, baskets, trailer hitch and trailer, luggage carrier, wheel fender, etc. to a bicycle frame is disclosed. The improved bicycle dropout may include one or more mounting studs for releasably receiving accessory support legs. The central body may also include a bore for receiving a towing hitch apparatus to enable a rider to tow a trailer behind the bicycle incorporating the improved bicycle dropout frame member of the present invention.

Abstract: A structure and arrangement for improving the accuracy and efficiency of an angular rate sensing gyroscope is herein disclosed. Voltage pick-off conductors are applied to an area of the surface of a resonating element of an angular rate sensing gyroscope that is subject to substantially zero stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. Actuator conductors are similarly applied to a resonating element at a location bounded by areas of the resonating element subject to substantially uniform levels of stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. A method for improving the voltage response of a piezoelectric resonating element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A door closing mechanism for pulling a door tight to a frame to which the door is mounted comprises a latch arm assembly having a latch arm pivotally secured to a panel of the door and pivotable between a first, open position and a second, latched position. An activating mechanism is operably connected to the latch arm assembly by a connecting apparatus and actuates the latch arm between its first and second positions. A latch member is secured to the jamb in which the door is mounted and is arranged and constructed so that when the latch arm is moved into its second, closed position, the latch arm engages the latch member and exerts force upon the latch member in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the door so as to cause the door to contact the door frame over substantially its entire height.

Abstract: A tonneau cover apparatus for attaching a flexible cover about a cargo box of a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck. The apparatus preferably includes, a support frame removably attached about the perimeter of a cargo box of the vehicle, an elongated end plate attached to an end of the flexible cover, an end plate engagement member attached to the support frame, a latching member movably attached to the support frame, and a locking member movably attached to the end plate. The end plate and the end plate engagement member are preferably provided with complementarily shaped surfaces which enable the end plate to engage with and swing around or pivot with respect to the support frame into and out of a fixed, stretching position where the flexible cover may be alternatively tensed and relaxed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an immunostimulating agent that may be applied to various surgical devices to promote rapid healing and the ready acceptance and integration of the surgical devices with the body tissues at the surgical site.

Abstract: A control mechanism for controlling the flow of a particulate material through a conduit and comprises a bladder mounted within the conduit that is inflatable between a first, deflated state and a second, inflated state. In its first, deflated state the bladder allows the particulate material to flow freely through the conduit, and in its second, inflated state the conduit is substantially blocked by the inflated bladder and no particulate material may pass. An alternate embodiment of an exteriorly mounted control mechanism comprises a stopper that is moved between a first, open position away from an open end of the conduit and a second, closed position in which the stopper is in sealing contact with end of the conduit.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the hydrophobicity of a hydrophobic polyolefin textile material over time and use. The method includes providing a solution having a pH level between 3.5 and 5.9, subjecting the hydrophobic polyolefin textile material to the solution, and drying. The processed hydrophobic polyolefin textile material maintains hydrophobicity with a contact angle with water of at least 90 degrees permanently. The processed hydrophobic polyolefin fabric can be used in a monolayer or bilayer configuration. The processed hydrophobic polyolefin fabric improves the water vapor transfer through the processed fabric because the processed hydrophobic polyolefin fabric does not saturate, wick or swell with liquid perspiration thereby reducing water liquid attached to fabric pores which increases the volume of space for diffusion of perspiration vapor from the skin, through the fabric, to the outside ambient air. The result is a drier, more comfortable processed garment.

Abstract: A modular endforming mechanism for modifying an end of a thin-walled malleable tube is herein disclosed. The modular endformer comprises a gripping module having a collet means for grasping a tube inserted into the gripping module. The gripping module may be coupled to one of an expansion module and a reducing/flaring modular. The expansion module is constructed and arranged to actuate a sizing mandrel, which is inserted into the interior of the end of a tube to expand the diameter of the end of that tube. A forming insert works in conjunction with the sizing mandrel to limit the expansion of the tube diameter under the influence of the sizing mandrel.

Abstract: Wound closure methods and apparatus are provided which utilize blood fluid by activating the clotting cascade of blood fluid outside the body within a substantially enclosed sterile container then introducing the blood fluid to the wound site to complete clotting. Methods and apparatus for providing ways of inhibiting anti-coagulating agents and slowing fibrin clot degradation are also disclosed. Kits for practicing the invention singularly or in combination with and/or associated with preferred procedures are also disclosed. The present invention provides improved methods of creating hemostasis or control of bleeding at the site of wounds, particularly wounds created in arteries during procedures employing percutaneous access. The invention preferably includes the steps of acquiring an aliquot of a patient's blood, i.e.

Abstract: Wound closure methods and apparatus are provided which utilize blood fluid by activating the clotting cascade of the blood fluid outside the body within a substantially enclosed sterile container then introducing the blood fluid to the wound site to complete clotting. Methods and apparatus for providing ways of inhibiting anticoagulants and slowing fibrin clot degradation are also disclosed. Kits for practicing the invention singularly or in combination with and/or associated with preferred procedures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A weather resistant commodity stockpile and collection pond covering system made up of a plurality of sheets joined together in waterproof seams. A plurality of flexible cords are tightly encapsulated and fixed in each sheet at spaced apart locations within thermally welded prayer seams and utilized for retention of the cover system and the hanging of ballast bags. The peeling stresses on the prayer seams are transferred as shearing stresses to lap seams formed by welding choker strips to the cover sheets on either side of each prayer seam. Side cords encapsulated in edge seams along side edges of adjacent sheets are abutted together and secured by flexible ties to form joints between sheets. Those joints are made waterproof by edge flaps attached to the sheets which are extended over each joint and sealed to the face of an adjoining sheet.

Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck is provided. In alternate embodiments a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is also provided. The sealing gasket of the present invention comprises an elongated member made of a deformable and a somewhat resilient polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of one of a number of polymeric materials which are the somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. The cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed, and preferably a second lumen which has two converging tear surfaces which converge to join at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow of a particulate material from a fill tube of a container filling system is herein disclosed. The rotary flow control device of the present invention includes a stationary plate having flow openings formed therethrough and a rotating plate having similar flow openings. The stationary plate is secured to a distal end of the fill tube such that particulate materials flow from the fill tube will pass through the flow openings of the stationary plate and become somewhat compacted. The rotating plate is adjacent the stationary plate and rotates with respect to the stationary plate so as to shear off masses of particulate materials extruded through the stationary plate in a controlled manner. Preferably the rotating plate will be coupled to the shaft of an auger where the shaft of the auger extends through the stationary plate.