Abstract: A spot densitometer system comprising a viewing assembly, a photodetection apparatus optically connected to the viewing assembly, and a computer interface electrically connected to the photodetection apparatus. The viewing assembly comprises a flat spectrum lamp, condensing lens, film handler, focusing lens comprises a photomultiplier tube optically connected to the viewing assembly, a monochromator electrically connected to the photomultiplier tube, and a control unit electrically attached to the photomultiplier tube and the monochromator. The computer interface comprises an analog to digital card and signal processing software, which convert analog electrical signals from the photodetection apparatus into useful output formats such as color density, relative exposure, and log relative exposure. The position of the film emulsion whose density is being measured may be adjusted vertically and horizontally.

Abstract: A deadbolt extender which automatically extends a deadbolt when the door upon which it is mounted is closed. The deadbolt extender comprises a tongue body reciprocating within a tongue body track, a deadbolt reciprocating within a deadbolt track, and a release mechanism releasably engaged with the tongue body. A tongue attached to the tongue body retractably engages a spring-loaded deadbolt latch. The tongue body track diverges from the deadbolt track, so that when the tongue body is at an extension end of the tongue body track, the tongue is retracted out of the way, and the deadbolt may be operated conventionally, using a conventional deadbolt drive mechanism. The deadbolt extender will not extend the deadbolt automatically upon door closure unless first cocked, thereby eliminating unwanted "lockouts".

Abstract: An instantaneous gas water heater comprising a control panel, a heat transfer section, and a blower section. The control panel includes an electronic controller, a gas solenoid valve, and a means to prove the operation of a blower. The heat transfer section comprises an inner jacket enclosing a combustion chamber and an outer jacket enclosing the inner jacket. The combustion chamber contains an ignition means, a combustion means, and a baffle. In the preferred embodiment the combustion means was a powered burner comprising a venturi tube with venturi tube holes, and a woven ceramic fabric mantle containing the venturi tube. The baffle is made up of a spine, consecutive ribs attached to the spine, spine holes in the spine disposed between the ribs, and rib holes in the ribs, the rib holes being disposed in consecutive ribs on alternating sides of the spine. The blower section includes a blower communicating with the combustion chamber through a gas/air mixing chamber.

Abstract: A chair aid comprising a pair of back beams and a pair of soar supports rotatably attached to a pair of seat beams, a seat with a seat cutout attached to the pair of seat beams and a back attached to the pair of back beams. A pair of leg supports is slidably and rotatably attached to the seat. A head rest is slidably attached to the back. The angle between the pair of seat beams and the pair of seat supports may be fixed by means of leg straps attached the pair of seat beams and the pair of seat supports, the length of the leg straps being variable by means of leg strap holes and leg strap buckles. The angle between the pair of back beams and the pair of seat beams may be fixed by means of a pair of back supports rotatably attached to the pair of seat beams, a dowel attached to the pair of back supports, and at least one notch board comprising notches attached to the seat, the notches being sized to frictionally admit the dowel.

Abstract: A practice ball comprised of mutually perpendicular X-, Y- and Z-members. A plurality of wings interconnect the X-, Y- and Z- members. The shape of said wings skeletally defines the shape of the practice ball. The wings and reduced weight of the practice ball provide for a shorter trajectory for the practice ball than the equivalent standard ball (golf, tennis, etc.), thereby allowing smaller playing fields to be used. The practice ball may be manufactured by means of an injection molding process, and produces a pleasant whirring sound in flight.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optimizing power factor in single phase and three phase installations. Capacitor circuits are interruptably connected with busses by means of switches. Leads electrically connected to the busses are attached to the load leads. The correct capacitance to optimize the power factor is determined experimentally by closing the switches, singly and in combination, until the power factor is in the 95-98% range. A power factor meter is used to determine power factor.

Abstract: A can pour system comprising a can, a lid, a cap and an agitator. The lid comprises a lid tongue sized to frictionally mate with a can female groove, and a lid spout having a spout aperture and a spout male thread. The cap comprises a cap female thread sized to mate with the spout male thread. The agitator comprises an agitator shank and an agitator wing.

Abstract: A folding chair with integral transportation tube comprising a seat removably attached to a transportation tube and a base. The seat is a folding seat comprised of a pair of folding seat supports and a seat bottom and seat back attached to the seat supports. The transportation tube and base support the seat in the chair configuration. The seat folds to fit into the transportation tube with the base for transportation.

Abstract: An artificial fingernail remover and brush cleaner comprising an upper housing attached to a lower housing, and a container removably attached to the lower housing. A door is sandwiched between the upper housing and the lower housing, and is free to reciprocate, covering and uncovering access to the inside of the container as it does so. A spring urges the door into the closed position, thereby preventing evaporation of the container contents. The door may be retained in the open position by rotating a door handle rigidly attached to the door. The door perimeter incorporates brush notches whereby a brush may be immobilized to soak in the solvent in the container without deforming its bristles.

Abstract: A folding windbreak and shade screen comprising a plurality of sections attached by means of hinges. The folding windbreak and shade screen is secured in place in the dam configuration by means of ground stakes slidably disposed within lower housings attached to the sections. The ground stakes may be locked into upper housings in order to stack one folding windbreak and shade screen in the dam configuration atop another folding windbreak and shade screen in the dam configuration. The folding windbreak and shade screen may be installed in an arch configuration by means of arch stakes slidably disposed within arch housings, and a variety of guy lines.

Abstract: A radio alarm clock with removable cassette player/recorder is powered by a rechargeable battery which is recharged when the removable cassette player/recorder is installed on the radio alarm clock. The radio and the cassette player/recorder may be played independent of the clock. Five wakeup modes are disclosed: tone only, radio only, cassette player/recorder only, tone then cassette player/recorder and radio then cassette player/recorder. The cassette player/recorder may be removed from the radio alarm clock so that it may be used as an electronic memo pad; the messages dictated to it during the course of a day may be replayed the following morning when the alarm clock activates the cassette player/recorder. When installed on the radio alarm clock the cassette player/recorder plays back through the larger radio alarm clock amplifier and speaker.

Abstract: A solution injector for underground sprinkler systems comprising an intake pipe connected with a bypass pipe at a system inlet pipe "T", a tank, and an outflow pipe connected at one end to the tank and at the other to the bypass pipe. The intake pipe is connected to the tank through an intake valve and an intake hose, and the solution injector further comprises a bypass valve installed on the bypass pipe between the system inlet pipe "T" and the system outlet pipe "T".

Abstract: A flame suppressant marinating grill overlay and method of use having raised outer edges, gutters and ridges, said ridges being disposed between said gutters. The ridges contain holes. The flame suppressant marinating grill overlay is placed over the cooking surface of a conventional barbecue grill, food is placed on top of the flame suppressant marinating grill overlay and the conventional barbecue grill is operated as usual. The gutters collect accumulated food juices which serve to marinate the food being cooked and prevent the food from drying out. Excess food juices may escape through the holes contained in the ridges. The flame suppressant marinating grill overlay also serves to protect the food being cooked from burning due to flareups.

Abstract: A bag with storage pocket which converts into a beach towel comprising a bag front wall attached to a beach towel and a flap. The flap further comprises a zippered storage compartment. One or more shoulder straps are attached to the bag with storage pocket which converts into a beach towel in order to provide hands-free transportation of the items contained in the bag with storage pocket which converts into a beach towel and the storage compartment.

Abstract: An educational medical mannequin comprising head, neck, torso, arms and legs. Alternate embodiments of the educational medical mannequin may comprise, in any combination, a tracheostomy opening, injection zones disposed at various locations, nitro patches, a J feeding tube, a stoma, a supra pubic catheter opening, a wound, a decubitus site, a vein with phlebitis, an edematous hand, a breathing sound generator, and kidney location indicia. Additional equipment that may be used in combination with the educational medical mannequin include an intravenous assembly, a catheter and a hypodermic syringe. The educational medical mannequin is used for training nurses and lay persons in various medical procedures.

Abstract: A folding wirecart convertible into float and handtruck is comprised of a body rotatably attached to a base. The folding wirecart convertible into float and handtruck is equipped with main wheels and a handtruck handle whereby said base may be used as a cargo floor to transport a load. Additionally, the folding wirecart convertible into float and handtruck has a float handle and swivel wheels whereby the folding wirecart convertible into float and handtruck may be used in a float configuration. A float load support bar and a float load holder may be employed to facilitate the transport of long items in the float configuration. Axles with set screw collars sized to accommodate standard wire spools allow the folding wirecart convertible into float and handtruck to be used to dispense wire; removable wings augment the wire spool support capacity of the folding wirecart convertible into float and handtruck and may also be used as the floor of the float.

Abstract: A reversible frictional brake for use with rope or the like is disclosed comprising a brake section rotatably attached to a housing. Rope is threaded between rollers, end links, snap links and an axle in the brake section. The reversible frictional brake for use with rope or the like is suspended by means of a loop attached to the housing. The frictional relationship between the rope and the rollers, end links, snap links and axle brake the travel of the rope through the brake section, thereby allowing a single rope handler to lower heavy weights and individuals attached to the rope in a controlled fashion. After a lowering operation, the brake housing may be simply rotated relative to the housing, thereby readying the reversible frictional brake for use with rope or the like for the next lowering operation.