Abstract: The present invention is addressed a formulation curable in the presence of an amine and containing one or more of a polyol or polymercapto resin, a polyisocyanate cross-linking agent, optionally a organic vehicle, and a tin catalyst complex. The present invention comprises the catalyst complex being formed from a metal catalyst and a complexing sulfonic acid in an equivalent ratio of complexing sulfonic acid to metal catalyst of greater than 2:1. Such curable formulation may be compounded into a coating, an adhesive (including a structural adhesive), a caulk, a foundry binder, or the like. Besides having excellent shelf life, long periods of open time are experienced with the novel catalyzed formulation. However, upon exposure to an amine, the catalyst complex becomes activated and then is effective to catalyze the NCO--OH reaction or the NCO--SH reaction to effect cure of the formulation.

Abstract: A position-independent fluid trap for separating at least a portion of a first fluid of a first density entrained within a flow stream of a second fluid of a second density flowing through a fluid circuit. The trap is connectable within the fluid circuit to a first length of tubing defining an inlet line and to a second length of tubing defining an outlet line, and includes a housing enclosing an interior chamber having a geometric extent of a given volumetric capacity. An inlet port is provided to open in fluid communication with the interior chamber and to be couplable to the inlet line. An outlet tube is provided to extend from a proximal end couplable to the outlet line to a distal end disposed within the housing and opening in fluid communication with the interior chamber. Within the interior chamber, the first and second fluid are separated at an interface into a first and second fluid component according to the relative densities thereof.

Abstract: A probe instrument which is formed having a unitary housing with indented switch actuating surfaces intended for surgical procedures employs internally disposed piezoelectric switching components within an elongate internally disposed switch receiving channel. The forward end of the instrument supports a crystal containing detector assembly with a preamplifier and associated leads which extend within a detector signal channel spaced from the switch receiving channel and protected therefrom by a shield wall. The piezoelectric components are held in preloaded association adjacent outwardly disposed switch actuating surfaces by a dual wedge switch support assembly. An elongate cable is permanently attached to the rearward end of the housing component through the utilization of a medical grade silicone seal and relief component.

Abstract: A bird feeding station is described which is formed principally from commercially available PVC plumbing fittings and pipe. Because of the overall light weight of the station, it may be supported from a patio block or the like. The system is modular, being able to accommodate a variety of feeder arrangements as well as seed dispensing arrangements. This modularity also provides an opportunity for configurations which are bird species specific due to a configuration which is achieved. By virtue of the use of PVC pipe, the stations are easily cleaned by the user inasmuch as they inherently incorporate somewhat straight-through passageways providing the functions of seed reservoir and seed dispensing.

Abstract: A positioning system for moving an ophthalmic examination chair used in conjunction with an associated instrument stand between a forward position spaced a predetermined distance from an eye examination target and a rearward position providing access to the instrument stand by a patient in a wheel chair. A lower base is provided as extending along a longitudinal axis between a forward end and a rearward end, and as having an upper and a lower surface and a widthwise extent configured as being receivable between the wheels of the wheel chair. An upper carriage, having a bottom surface and a top surface configured to receive the examination chair thereon, is supported on the upper surface of the base for movement between the forward and the rearward end thereof along the longitudinal axis to position the examination chair at the forward and the rearward position.

Abstract: A trailer attachable to an all terrain vehicle (ATV) and being particularly suited for use in off-road environments. The trailer has a main frame assembly and two wheels each supported from an independent axle support assembly having a substantially open gap extending therebetween. Each axle support assembly includes a skid component slidably engagable with off-road obstacles. Extending under and outwardly from the main frame assembly is a hitch arm having an end portion couplable to the ATV. The hitch arm includes a skid portion also slidably engagably with off-road objects. Both passengers and cargo may be simultaneously transported from a container housing. This container housing is supported upon the main frame assembly and defines a rearwardly extending cavity for cargo and a seat for passengers. A front shield extends vertically from the main frame assembly and provides a protective safety wall between passengers and the ATV.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring the level of a VOC or other vapor contaminant emitted in a gas stream or the like being vented at a specified pressure from an emission source. A medium of a bed of solid particles is provided within a vessel having an inlet and an outlet which is effective for separating the contaminant from the gas stream. The inlet pressure of the vessel is maintained at the specified pressure of the gas stream being vented from the emission source. The separated contaminants are concentrated in the medium which exhibits an increase in mass corresponding to the amount of the contaminant that was contained in the gas stream.

Abstract: A guide instrument for cannulating a biliary duct with a flexible catheter, and a method of using the same as part of a laparoscopic cholangiographic surgical procedure. The guide instrument is provided as having a grasping forceps component formed of an elongate shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between a first and a second end. A pair of jaws are positioned at the first end of the shaft and are mutually pivotally coupled thereat for movement between an opened and a closed orientation for selectively grasping the duct. An actuator positioned at the second end of the shaft is coupled in a drive relationship with the jaws for moving the jaws between the opened and closed orientations. An elongate, generally cylindrical guide tube is slidably supported along the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft and is formed as having an internal catheter channel therethrough.

Abstract: Intended for use in a pathology laboratory, the apparatus includes a multi-segment crystal array over which is positioned a platform supported receiving region with a pattern carrying indicia emulating and in registry with the pattern of the crystal array segments. The tissue carrying a radiolabeled locator is positioned on the receiving region and the photon emission count values for each segment are compiled and displayed at a computer monitor or as a print-out in conjunction with crystal segment identification. Observation of the count values by a pathologist then shows the location over a segment of highest count value at which locator is more likely to be concentrated. Sectioning then is carried out at that location.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for switching between two input sources to a television receiver and/or video recording device. Switching may be carried out with a conventional remote control otherwise dedicated to the video recorder or television receiver by holding down a control button thereof for at least a predetermined interval of time, for example two seconds. Five RF diode switches along with solid state logic components are employed to respond to the remotely developed switching signals for carrying out TV receiver and VCR source selections by the viewer. The pre-existing television or VCR operational status is not affected by the remote controllers where an ongoing channel selection simply is reinforced or a function of the remote controller is elected which has no undesired effect upon that ongoing operational status.

Abstract: A transportable drop hammer for impacting a ground surface adapted to be removably coupled to a driven host transport apparatus having lifting arms. An upstanding frame is couplable to the host transport apparatus and is provided as having a stabilizing foot portion attached to the frame for contacting the ground surface. A mast is mast attached to the frame and is disposed substantially vertical to the ground surface. A weight assembly, having a ground confronting face portion and at least one bearing surface engaging the mast, is operable between a ground position impacting the ground surface and a drop position. For selectively raising the weight assembly to a predetermined drop position, a manually controlled lifting apparatus is provided which actuable to release the weight assembly for its substantial free fall from the drop position to the ground position.

Abstract: A motor mount assembly is provided for supporting an outboard motor upon a float tube of the type having a backrest pocket, and generally consists of a thrust transfer member, first and second suspension members, and a motor mounting block. The thrust transfer member is dimensioned in correspondence with a pocket cavity within the backrest pocket for insertion and retention therein. Attachable to the thrust transfer member are the first and second suspension members which are couplable with the motor mounting block assembly. The motor mount assembly is securely attachable to the float tube for receiving and supporting the outboard motor.

Abstract: The inventive method for measuring the mass of the gas component and the mass of the water vapor component of a gas/water vapor source stream flowing in a conduit under reduced pressure comprises storing a correlation of relative saturation of water in said gas and the output electrical signal of a relative humidity sensor. Next, a correlation of the flow rate of the gas component of a flowing gas/water vapor reference stream and the output electrical signal of a temperature-compensated flow sensor as a function of water vapor density is stored. A correlation of maximum water vapor saturation in the gas as a function of temperature also is stored. An electrical signal of a temperature sensor in contact with said source stream then is generated. An output electrical signal of a relative humidity sensor in contact with said source stream also is generated. An output electrical signal of a temperature-compensated flow sensor in contact with said source stream further is generated.

Abstract: A packaging container is disclosed which is adapted for accessibly displaying an article packaged therewithin. The container is provided as having a floating deck portion with an opening therethrough for receiving the base of an annular article, and a retainer assembly extending from the lid of the container downwardly into the article. The retainer assembly and floating deck portion cooperate to retain the article laterally within the container while allowing for the direct visual and tactual inspection of the article by a potential purchaser.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water-resistant, aqueous base-dispersible article which comprises a pulp-filled binder, one of which is an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylated (e.g. acrylic) polymer soluble in base, the other of which is water-resistant. Accordingly, the pulp can be water-resistant while the binder is base-dispersible or the converse can be true. Cellulosic and polymeric pulp are ideally suited for filling an base-soluble acrylic polymer. Water-soluble resins can be incorporated into the article for controlling the properties for special purposes. The method for forming such an article comprises yet another aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention broadly is addressed to the marking, labeling, or tagging of hot metal or hot coils at elevated temperature with human readable and/or machine readable (e.g., bar code) characters. To this end, the present invention broadly is directed to a label which can be secured to hot metal stock (e.g.., coil stock) which is at a temperature of up to about 1200.degree. F. The label is formed from a sheet of metal having a face and a back. The sheet face is coated with a layer of paint that is resistant to temperature of the hot metal stock and receptive to being thermally transfer printed. The metal sheet label is of a thickness so that the paint layer can be thermally transfer printed using conventional markers designed for paper or films. Alternatively, this paint layer can be marked upon using conventional dot matrix (wire) printers with carbon ribbon.