Abstract: A ceiling fan hanger ball is provided with features to permit universal acceptance of downrods there from.

Abstract: A method for lining a gun barrel with a material selected to reduce the rate of erosion and corrosion from the rounds of ammunition fired through it includes the steps of forming a rod of the lining material, hammer -forging a barrel blank to the rod, and then drilling out a bore in the rod. The liner extends from the muzzle end of the barrel almost to the chamber end but stops short to abut a step formed in the barrel just forward of the chamber. The chamber is machined, reamed, and chrome-plated. Preferably measures are taken, such as by applying pressure to the rod during forging, to assure that the rod is placed in full engagement with the step and held in full engagement with the step in order to avoid the formation of a gap between the liner and the step.

Abstract: A fire control system with a decocking lever that operates to decock the hammer and also as a safety. The fire control system also has a magazine safety to complement the decocking lever's dual functions. The magazine safety is in the “safety on” position when a magazine is not fully seated in the magazine well and in the “safety off” position when the magazine is fully seated. In one embodiment, rotating the decocking lever by lifting one of the thumb tabs applies the safety if the hammer is cocked and rotating the decocking lever in the other direction causes the sear to release the hammer but catch it before it reaches the firing pin. In an alternate embodiment, the decocking lever can be used as a safety regardless of whether the hammer is cocked or not. Further rotation lower a cocked hammer.

Abstract: An improvement to the current-carrying components of a lamp includes two filaments connected to two different electrodes and one common electrode, and a switch for directing current through the secondary filament upon the failure of the primary filament. Normally, the current flows through the primary filament. The switch in one embodiment is a wire that does not conduct when the primary filament is operational but conducts on the failure of the primary filament to shunt the current to the secondary filament. The wire is an oxide metal wrapped around two of the three electrodes inside the glass envelop of the lamp. When the primary filament fails, the open circuit voltage breaks across the oxide layer to weld the wire to the electrodes and bypass the primary filament.

Abstract: Transparent sheets of acetate carrying a band of adhesive on the reverse side adjacent to one edge can be used for making notes on text and illustrations. Preferably provided in a tablet of plural, stacked sheets and most preferably provided in a kit form with erasable markers adapted for marking on acetate, the sheets may be applied to a whole page of text or to a drawing. The markings can interact with the text and drawings because the underlaying surface is visible through the sheets. Thus, the user may make annotations exactly where and how desired.

Abstract: A golf training device to help maintain the proper synchronous relationship between the movement of hands and hip rotation during a golf swing. In the event that the movement of the hands and hip rotation of the user are out of synchronization, the training device provides feedback to the user. The training aid device basically comprises a strap that secure a sheet to the rearward leg of the user. A trapezoid shaped panel is mounted to the sheet, which provides the user with a reference as to the proper positioning of a user's hands and the shaft of the golf club during address, and which provides a tactile feedback signal to the user, if the user's backswing is improper or if the user's hip rotation and movement of the user's hands are out of synchronization, by making contact with at least one of the user's hands.

Abstract: A buoyant fishing lure having a relatively long narrow body with a rotating tail fin. The lure assumes a vertical position when it is stationary in the water. When drawn through the water the lure sounds and looks sufficiently like a live bait that a game fish will strike without hesitation.

Abstract: A membrane filtration for removing floating substances and salts from a liquid, uses vertically positioned capillary or tube membranes which are suitable for performing nano or hyper-filtration. Repeatedly and consecutively the following steps are performed: a) a permeate is produced without discharge of concentrate for a predetermined period of time; b) then a gas, for example air, is guided along side the membrane, at least almost without discharge of permeate and without discharge of concentrate; c) and finally a concentrate is discharged without discharge of permeate. During step a) and step c) use can be made of a combined supply of liquid and gas. An apparatus for performing this method is described as well.

Abstract: Described is a collapsible cart for transporting items from a first surface to a raised surface. The collapsible cart comprises a platform, for carrying items thereon, wherein the platform comprises a front edge and a back edge. A collapsible front leg is attached to the platform. The collapsible front leg comprises an front upper leg and a front lower leg. Connected to the front upper leg and to the front lower leg is a spring biased to rotate the front lower leg towards an extended position relative to the front upper leg. A front release mechanism persuades the collapsible front legs to be withdrawn towards the platform. A collapsible rear leg is also attached to the platform. The collapsible rear leg comprises a rear upper leg, a rear lower leg and a spring connected there between biased to rotate the rear lower leg towards an extended position relative to the rear upper leg. A rear release mechanism allows the collapsible rear leg to be withdrawn towards the platform.

Abstract: A single-side coated light-sensitive silver halide photographic film material has been disclosed, having on one side of a subbed support, one or more light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer(s) overcoated with an outermost protective layer; and, at the other side of said support, a backing layer, covered with a protective outermost layer, characterized in that at least said backing layer is provided with a layer wherein, besides a cross-linked or cross-linkable first binder an organic component free from cross-linking upon reaction with a hardener is present as a second binder having a low molecular weight.

Abstract: A power supply for an electrostatic air filtration unit includes an input stage, an isolation stage and an output stage. The isolation stage electrically isolates the output stage from the input stage. The output stage includes an output amplifier driven through the isolation stage by the oscillator. The output stage further includes a voltage regulator to inhibit the output voltage from exceeding a predetermined maximum voltage. The output of the power supply is insensitive to over-voltage swings in the input power to inhibit spark-over induced damage to the power supply. The power supply is encased in a resin to extend the operational life of the power supply by inhibiting tampering and intrusion of water, and enhancing resistance to corrosion and microbial damage.

Abstract: A radiographic film material has been described for recording medical diagnostic images of soft tissue through exposure to light, emitted by a single intensifying screen, after having been subjecting to exposure with X-rays, emitted from an X-ray generating device with a tube voltage of 20 kV to 40 kV, and processing, including development, fixing and drying, within a time of 120 (and more preferably 90) seconds or less, wherein said film is comprised of a transparent film support, front and back major faces and an image-forming portion for providing, when imagewise exposed by light emitted by said intensifying screen and processed, an average contrast or gradient in the range from 3.0 up to 4.5, measured over a density above fog in the range of from 0.25 to 2.

Abstract: The present invention is a disposable apparatus for the rapid, low-volume solid phase extraction of analytes from a variety of sources. The apparatus of the present invention is configured as a pipette tip and contains a loosely confined stationary phase. The mobility of the stationary phase particles enables rapid mixing and equilibration with a sample solution during agitation. The analyte may thereby be extracted in less time with less solvent, removing the need for a separate concentration step.

Abstract: A high contrast photographic material is disclosed containing a new type of hydrazine compound characterized in that said hydrazine compound comprises a redox moiety capable of developing an exposed silver halide crystal. Preferably the photographic material is a graphic arts material for pre-press applications. The developed photographic material shows high gradation, and excellent dot quality and exposure latitude.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rapid screening of layered materials, for a useful property. In the method at least two layered materials are applied on one single substrate. Preferably the materials are applied by coating from a coating composition and are multi-layered materials having at least two distinct layers.