Abstract: A system for the operation of a number of commercial washing machines and automatically feeding liquid chemicals to the washing machines. The system has chemical reservoir pods with a pressure sensor and an output valve on each. The chemical pods are supplied with liquid chemical by refill pumps. The quantity of chemical in a chemical pod, and the quantity of chemical dispensed from each chemical pod is calculated from information received by a controller from the pressure sensor to determine when to open and close the valve. A further pressure sensor is provided in the supply pipe to each washing machine to verify and measure flow quantity of water and chemical to the machine.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit particularly adapted to recharging NiMh batteries utilizes a thermistor to develop a control voltage corresponding to the temperature of the battery being charged and compares such voltage to an accurately measured battery terminal voltage. At a preset condition of a combination of the two voltage readings, the charging circuit converts from charging at a relatively high and fast charging rate to a relatively slow rate corresponding to a trickle current passing around a SCR through which the fast charging current normally flows. The circuit components are selected such that the battery achieves a charge of substantially 95% capacity before switching to the relatively slow rate and enables display of a state of charge indicating that the 95% capacity charge has been achieved and without any “popping” or cyclic ON-OFF effect.

Abstract: A device for sharpening ski edges and the like which is useful in sharpening both the side and bottom edges of skis is disclosed. The device is operable easily by an individual, is portable and allows a bevel to be sharpened into the edge where desired quickly and easily.

Abstract: A device is provided to assist in the cutting, mitrering, chamfering, and similar operations of ceramic and other tiles. The device can be readily attached to, and subsequently removed from, a cutting implement, such as an angle grinder or a circular saw or jig saw. The device includes an elongate L-shaped member (1). Approximately mid-length of the member (1), there is a slot (2). A first shaped, rigid arm (3) is fixed at one of its ends (4) to one end (5) of the elongate member (1) by rivets (6). Near the other end (7) of the arm (3), there is a hole (8). A second shaped, rigid arm (9) is fixed at one of its ends (10) to the other end (11) of the elongate member (1) by rivets (12). Near the other end (13) of the arm (9) there is a hole (14).

Abstract: A method and product made thereby is provided in which a brush block is assembled with brush bristles by the method of fusing. The brush is formed with a substrate brush block that has a filler or reinforcing fiber embedded therein, according to a first preferred embodiment. The bristles of the brush are formed into tufts. An attachment end of each tuft of bristles is melted and pressed into a melted tuft cavity formed in the brush block. Upon cooling, the tuft is fixedly welded to the brush block with mechanical attachment. The bristles may be of the same or of a different polymer than the brush block. According to a second embodiment of the invention, brush bristle tufts are assembled to a substrate fibrous mat by the invention method of fusing. An attachment end of each bristle tuft is melted and pressed into intimate contact with the fibers of the mat that are kept at ambient temperature or partially melted. Upon cooling, the tuft is fixedly welded to the mat.

Abstract: A computer system and computer-implemented process for determining availability of rental property is disclosed. The computer implemented process includes inputting and storing data representing multiple sets of attributes for each of a plurality of rental property addresses and creating a plurality of records, one for each set of attributes for each of the plurality of rental property addresses. The process further comprises combining the plurality of records into one searchable master table, and periodically updating the plurality of records by inputting updated data for one or more of the multiple sets of attributes for the plurality of rental property addresses. To search for property availability, the user inputs one or more search parameters based on one or more desired attribute sets from the multiple sets of attributes to build a search query to search the master table for records of available rental property addresses. Matching rental property is displayed.

Abstract: A fold out bench type boat seat assembly is attached to the bulkhead of a boat. The seat assembly comprises two sections: a backrest that is fixedly attached to the bulkhead, and a seat unit that is movable from a vertical stored position against the boat bulkhead to a horizontal seating position the major portions of which are detachable from the bulkhead when not needed.

Abstract: A gas grilling apparatus includes a mechanism for raising and lowering its gas burner grilling element while keeping it level. An associated deflector tray for the gas grilling apparatus enables the gas burner element, when in its most vertical position, to be used to cook food over direct flame while and when in its lower vertical position, to cook the food by radiant heat. The mechanism for raising and lowering the gas burner element comprises a pair of upper and lower interconnected parallel arms which are pivotally connected to the gas burner element.

Abstract: A bag holder is provided in the form of a hoop which receives a bag and holds the top of the bag open at all times, thus allowing a person to deposit trash or other articles therein without having to repeatedly open the top of the bag. The bag is placed within the hoop with the top lip of the bag draped over the hoop rim, and the bag is held in place by a number of spring clips.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and storing a boat above the water in the well of a floating dry dock is made up of a frame onto which the boat can be driven under its own power and which pivots on a rear bar mounted across and away from the entrance of the well. After being loaded on the frame, the boat and frame are tilted such that the frame is made to bear on a second bar located further away from the well entrance. A method of forming the apparatus and a kit containing the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spectrophotometric method and apparatus for determining the degree of oxygen saturation of the hemoglobin in the blood within a body part utilizes differences in light absorption based on differences in extinction coefficients at different wavelengths. Oxygen saturation is determined by utilizing absorption at three or more wavelengths of radiation preferably in the near red and infrared region (NIR) of the spectrum, specifically tailored to two or more components to be detected by the radiation. The first (reference) wavelength is preferably chosen to be at an isosbestic point for the two components, commonly the oxygenated and deoxygenated forms of hemoglobin. The absorption at the isosbestic point is subtracted from the absorption at the other wavelengths. Using these differences in absorption, the amount of each of the components encountered by the light may be determined without determination of pathlength, which would be required to determine the concentration.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for simulating strategic planning and operations uses an operations control language (OCL) which has the characteristics of: (a) a target expression, (b) a condition expression, (c) an integer hierarchical priority level, (d) at least one penalty expression, and (e) a value expression. The OCL is a high level programming language for describing operating policies for simulation models, such as those used in water resources management. The OCL of the invention is written into a simple text file. The OCL has syntax, keywords and Boolean and arithmetic operators.

Abstract: An electrical box support is provided having a set of struts telescoping one within the other to accommodate the length for attachment to studs of different spacings. Each strut has a face suited for mounting an electrical box and has a series of inwardly directed, uniformly and relatively closely spaced detents. The detents serve both for releasably locking the length of the support and for guiding the entry of screws used to attach the box to the support. Each strut has an end tab adapted for bending to mount to the studs in a position established so that a mounted electrical box appropriately meets the surface of a wall board to be installed. Bending in a controlled straight line is accomplished by the formation of discontinuous score lines. A second embodiment of the invention is formed with two struts having end tabs and a third strut having no end tabs and engaging the other two struts. Either one or both of the struts with end tabs can be moved to change the length of the assembly.

Abstract: An electrical box support is provided having either a single strut accommodating a constant stud spacing or a set of struts telescoping one within the other to accommodate the length for attachment to adjacent studs of different spacings. Each strut has a face suited for mounting an electrical box. An end tab formed at each of outer opposite ends of the support is adapted for bending so as to be able to mount an electrical box appropriately matching the surface of a wall board to be installed. Bending of the tab along a controlled straight line is accomplished by the formation of discontinuous score lines formed along each of several bend lines and which permit, when necessary, the end tab to be straightened and rebent without fracturing the metal forming the end tab.

Abstract: The present invention provides an effective compactor apparatus and method for crushing empty recyclable containers. The compactor has a housing for containing the container to be crushed with a plunger that is able to be moved downwardly and rotated within the housing. The combined downward and rotational movement serves to achieve a maximally compressed container. The compressed container is ejected from the housing by further extension of the plunger.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for determining vane wear in rotary vane pumps that operate using slideable vanes. A view port is formed in an end of the pump housing. The view port is dimensioned such that a width of the port represents a predetermined amount of vane length loss. The view port is positioned in relation to the slots such that an end of the vane not in engagement with the wall of the pump will appear in the port only after a predetermined amount of vane loss occurs, and relative to the slots and the vanes to allow a determination of vane length for each vane when the vane is in engagement with the wall.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for the purification of air in a nail salon by removing particles and fumes close to the point at which such pollutants are generated. In a first aspect of the invention, a nozzle connected to a vacuum source by a hose is supported on an articulated arm so as to be positionable immediately above a workbench surface and the hand of the customer. With the vacuum source activated, the nozzle collects small dust particles and fumes. The articulated arm is fitted with a moveable weight to stabilize the arm in a selected position. A further vacuum inlet is provided at the workbench surface to receive heavier particulate matter, such as nail and cuticle clippings. In a second embodiment of the invention, a hood with hand holes is mounted on the workbench surface for collecting dust and particles from clipping and grinding of nails. The hood has an upper vacuum inlet for collecting dust particles as well as fumes.

Abstract: A system for the operation of a number of commercial washing machines and automatically feeding liquid chemicals to the washing machines. The system has chemical reservoir pods with a pressure sensor and an output valve on each. The chemical pods are supplied with liquid chemical by refill pumps. The quantity of chemical in a chemical pod, and the quantity of chemical dispensed from each chemical pod is calculated from information received by a controller from the pressure sensor to determine when to open and close the valve. A further pressure sensor is provided in the supply pipe to each washing machine to verify and measure flow quantity of water and chemical to the machine.

Abstract: A full-support brassiere that can be removed without the need to first remove outer garments such as a blouse. The Fall-Away Brassiere is designed with shoulder straps for support and comfort. The release of a single fastener, releases both the back band and the shoulder straps, allowing the brassiere to fall-away from the wearer's body. The wearer can then slip the brassiere out from under her blouse.