Abstract: This invention results from the realization that a multiple conductor cable connector can be made more compact than previously available connectors by using a more narrow contact for each conductor in the cable, can be made more convenient by enabling all conductors contained in the cable to be connected with a single user motion, and can connect to cable without damaging the mechanical or electrical integrity of the cable conductors. This invention is an electrical connector for connecting multiple conductor cable, ideally flat flexible cable. The inventive electrical connector has a base for holding multiple contacts. The contacts should be positioned substantially in parallel with each other and are located at least partially within the base of the electrical connector. Each contact has at least one cutting edge. The cutting edge is preferably a part of the contact with a sharp edge capable of removing insulation from flat flexible cable.

Abstract: The invention is an electrical connector that provides a connection system that releasably connects the circuit paths of a flexible conductive circuit to a printed circuit board having a corresponding row of contacts, without the need for soldering, crimping or welding operations, or extensive preparation of the flexible circuit before connection. One embodiment has at least one spring contact formed in a cover; at least one rotatable cam; and a base with a circuit alignment window for initial alignment of a flexible conductive circuit introduced into the connector. The cover and base snap together to house the rotatable cam(s).

Abstract: A method and apparatus that uses control of a chaotic system to produce secure digital chaotic communication. Controls are intermittently applied by a transmitter-encoder to a chaotic system to generate the 0 and 1 bits of a digital message. A new control/no control bit stream is thereby created in which a 0 indicates that no control was applied and a 1 indicates that a control was applied. The control/no control bit stream and a prepended synchronization bit stream are transmitted, using conventional transmission technologies, from the transmitter-encoder to an identical receiver-decoder. A chaotic system in the receiver-decoder is driven into synchrony and is subject to intermittent controls based on the control/no control bit stream, thereby causing it to generate the digital message.

Abstract: A voltage threshold circuit for the power factor correction stage of a power conversion system is provide. The circuit features a voltage threshold circuit with a comparator for (i) comparing a predetermined threshold voltage to the output voltage of a power factor correction stage of a power conditioner and (ii) outputting a signal if the output voltage is at least equal to the predetermined threshold voltage. The presence of the signal decreases the predetermined threshold voltage, thereby effectively changing the output voltage above which the comparator continues to output the signal.

Abstract: An antenna comprising a pair of bent monopole elements (a doublet) that are fed in a manner that results in elevation coverage from the horizon to horizon and dual polarization. Two orthogonal bent monopole doublets provide hemispherical coverage with horizontal and vertical polarization. Combining the doublet terminals through a processing circuit will provide polarization diversity and/or angle diversity capability.

Abstract: Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant, over 500 times more powerful than Vitamin E and 10 times stronger than other carotenoids such as zeaxanthin, lutein, canthaxanthin and beta-carotene. Astaxanthin has also been shown to enhance and modulate the immune system and diminish the damaging effects of UVA sunlight. Disclosed is a method for retarding and ameliorating fever blisters (cold sores) and canker sores. The method comprises administering a source of astaxanthin in a therapeutically effective amount to prevent, retard and ameliorate fever blisters and canker sores. The astaxanthin may be administered orally, topically, or in a combination of oral and topical dosage.

Abstract: The present seal (10) is a disc of a rigid but deformable plastic, the top surface of which is cylindrical, and the bottom of which has a circular groove (12) containing a flexible sealing mechanism (15). This seal is suited for use in a ganged rotor valve (22) having two or more levels of independent fluid passageways through the rotor along the length thereof. Each level will usually have two independent L-shaped passageways (34, 35). The seal (10) of this invention fits into the rotor about each of the ends of the passageways (34, 35) to seal the passageway between the rotor and the valve body (22).

Abstract: A phosphate mineral based reactive barrier system. Phosphate minerals are known to be sinks for heavy metal contaminants. The reactive barrier prevents the release of contaminants from waste materials, sediments or dredged materials via reaction with the contaminants at the interface between the barrier and the waste material, sediments or dredged material. The barrier is comprised of a phosphate mineral material where the form of the phosphate mineral is variable but primarily insoluble. This barrier is placed below, around, and/or on top of the contaminated materials such that the contaminated materials are completely enveloped, capped, or contained by a grout curtain. The barrier can be in a (i) slurry form, (ii) blended matrix form with other inorganic agents, or (iii) composite form with a geotextile or geofabric. These methods of construction can be used singly or jointly. In some cases, pH control may be used to optimize the chemical reactions within the barrier system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating density images of an object through the 3-dimensional tracking of protons that have passed through the object are provided. More specifically, the 3-dimensional tracking of the protons is accomplished by gathering and analyzing images of the ionization tracks of the protons in a closely packed stack of scintillating fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an orthopedic saddle seat cushion, and method for cushioning, to prevent the coccyx of a rider from touching the saddle, to prevent or eliminate lower back discomfort or injury. The cushion allows a substantial area of the rest of the buttocks-seat of the rider to contact the saddle which permits the rider to feel the saddle and thus maintain good control of the animal being ridden. The saddle seat cushion is a circularly shaped outer ring of material that contains a mechanism for inflating the ring, which comprises an inflation tube for putting a gas, or any combination of gases, such as normal air, into the ring to inflate the ring, and an air plug for retaining gas in the ring. There is a fastening mechanism to secure the cushion to the saddle.

Abstract: Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant, over 500 times more powerful than Vitamin E and 10 times stronger than other carotenoids such as zeaxanthin, lutein, canthaxanthin and beta-carotene. Astaxanthin has also been shown to enhance and modulate the immune system. Disclosed is a method and treatment for retarding and ameliorating carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and tenosynovitis. The method comprises administering a source of astaxanthin in a therapeutically effective amount to prevent, retard and ameliorate carpal tunnel syndrome and tenosynovitis.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a one-piece unit for retrofitting back-lit incandescent or compact fluorescent, LED, and EL signs with electroluminescent (EL) panels, or for fitting new signs with EL panels. The EL unit comprises an EL lamp attached to a diffuser, a connection module which may have built-in surge protection and which is connected to first and second electrical connection leads, or traces, of the EL lamp and heat wrapped in place by heat shrink tubing to ensure a stable connection, and at least two electrical connection lead wires extending from the connection module for attachment to one or more power sources. The connection module is selected based on the AC and/or DC voltage of the power supply in the location to be fitted or retrofitted. Another embodiment of the invention is a kit which may include the EL unit, wire nuts, adhesive mountings, and instruction sheets.

Abstract: A multi-functional, compound apparatus that functionally provides at least one additional axle and wheels, that can be used with or without a trailer being towed to enable a vehicle to carry extra weight, extra long loads, and/or to tow a trailer heavier than the tow vehicle could otherwise safely tow is disclosed. The apparatus provides the additional payload carrying and towing capacity while maintaining the driving and steering capability of the tow vehicle, and removing the majority of the weight of the load from the rear portion of the tow vehicle. The apparatus may be used as a load bearing and distributing trailer hitch, or simply as a load bearing member to increase the payload capability of a carrying vehicle, or may be adapted to be used as a trailer itself.

Abstract: A collinear electronically tunable helical antenna system includes at least one helical antenna coil; a center conductive tube disposed axially through the open center space of the coil, which may contain bias and control lines and feed lines. The antenna coil is short circuited to the center tube near the base of the coil, forming a tunable choke. Sections of the coil are shorted to electrically shorten the coil, thereby tuning the antenna and choke. Each antenna coil is powered via feed lines that emanate from the antenna base and which run through the conductive tube from below the antenna base. Sections of coil may be shorted by a pair of oppositely poled diodes forming a PIN diode switch connected across a section of antenna coil. A bias voltage that controls the switch is supplied to the switch, via bias lines which run within the antenna coil and exit the antenna coil at a point symmetrical between each pair of oppositely poled diodes.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus for music synthesis is provided. A chaotic system is driven onto a periodic orbit by a compressed initialization code. A one-dimensional, periodic waveform is then produced from the periodic orbit. A variety of periodic orbits produces a variety of sounds, which sounds approximate the sounds of different musical instruments. By sampling the amplitude of the periodic waveforms over time, a digital version of the sound is produced. The frequency and duration of a note to be synthesized are produced by sampling the periodic waveform at the proper rate to produce the desired frequency and then repeating the waveform to produce a note of the required duration.

Abstract: A high energy direct circuit stored energy connector precisely aligns and interconnects conductors of "flexible circuits" directly to mating contacts on printed circuit boards. The connector uses the flexible circuit conductors themselves to aid in alignment and eliminates the need for precise control of the outside dimensions of a flexible circuit's dielectric backplane or a precisely located alignment hole. The connector is a zero insertion force (ZIF) type, and is a high density surface mount. The connector comprises two major components: a connector housing and a circuit interconnection spring assembly. The housing is configured with a device for forming a direct flexible circuit conductor to printed circuit board mating contact interconnection. The circuit is retained in position by a multi-function spring assembly rotatably position able with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A toothbrush providing a radiation source of selected optical range, having the radiation source built into a cavity in the handpiece of the toothbrush. The brush head may be transparent and the bristles may be transparent. Various combinations of scattering, transparent and reflective properties of the brush head, the type of radiation source, and bristle transparency allows selected influence directly on different field and tissues of the oral cavity. Radiation wavelength is selectable to provide treatment to both the soft tissue of the oral cavity and to the teeth. Selected radiation penetrates the pulp of the tooth to stimulate and enhance calcium transport to the dentine and enamel of the tooth to prevent and treat cavities.

Abstract: A system and method for supercharging an in-line engine is disclosed. The system comprises a "bolt-on" supercharger system that is attachable directly to an existing installed engine without significant modification of the engine. The system includes an intake manifold fabricated preferably from aluminum and appropriately sized to the particular engine and available space, and which is removably attachable to the stock intake manifold of an engine in flow communication with the stock intake manifold; a supercharger removably attachable to, and in flow communication with, the fabricated intake manifold, by use of an adapter plate; a bypass valve assembly attached between and in straight line flow communication with a carburetor or fuel injected system and the supercharger. The bypass valve is joined to the carburetor by a bypass adapter ring, and allows an air-fuel mixture from the carburetor to bypass the supercharger and go directly into the fabricated intake manifold when the system is not in a boost mode.

Abstract: A stable work bench (1) that is easy to adjust in height regardless of the load on the platform (8) has an upper platform (2) and a lower base element (3), a frame that is variable in height and arranged between the platform (2) and the base element (3), each end of which frame has an upright first leg (4) and a second leg (5) disposed parallel thereto and at a horizontal distance therefrom that supports the underside of the platform (2), which legs (4, 5) are pivotably connected by a lower arm (6) and an upper arm (7) parallel thereto to produce a deformable parallelogram (4-7), and with a drive system to raise and lower the platform (2) of the work bench (1) by changing the angle between the parallel arms (6, 7) and the upright first leg (4).

Abstract: A system and method to deter the theft of paper currency comprising a currency pack assembly containing coded electronics and an ignitable chemical pack. There is a coded teller sentry unit located near the cash drawer in which the currency pack assembly is stored. The currency pack assembly contains a coded transmitting/receiving apparatus that signals the coded teller sentry unit when the currency pack assembly is removed from the cash drawer. The coded teller sentry unit is connectable to a silent alarm and may trigger the silent alarm upon removal of the currency pack from the cash drawer. The coded teller sentry unit is also connectable to surveillance equipment such as cameras, and activates such equipment automatically upon removal of the currency pack assembly from the cash drawer. There is also a coded door control unit located near the egress to the building which detects when the currency pack assembly has left the building.