Abstract: A form for concrete strike-off includes a pan adapted to float on a plastic concrete surface, a rigid straightedge, and a support. The straightedge is coupled on one end to the pan and the support is coupled to the opposing end of the straightedge with the straightedge thereby defining a reference elevation for concrete strike-off operations.

Abstract: A hydrotherapy system has a rigid tank filled with a liquid. At least one acoustic wave is impinged on the tank's exterior walls where it is coupled to the liquid for transmission therethrough. The acoustic wave interacts in the liquid with at least one of (i) a reflection of the acoustic wave from one of the tank's interior walls, and (ii) at least one other acoustic wave that was generated and impinged on another of the tank's exterior walls.

Abstract: A cable lock coupling is part of a surfboard locking system. The coupling includes a housing, a pin, a ring and jaws. The pin is slidably fitted in the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The ring is coupled to a first end of the pin, is sized/shaped to slidably fit only in a first portion of the housing, and is able to receive a cable lock's cable therethrough when it substantially protrudes from the housing when the pin is in the first position. The jaws, coupled to a second end of the pin, are free to open when the pin is in the second position, and are forced to close when the pin is in the first position. The cable portion of a cable lock is passed through the ring protruding from the housing when the pin is in the first position.

Abstract: A camel and ship separator support system uses a pontoon having length and width dimensions being commensurate with that of a standard ISO shipping container. A plurality of recesses span the height dimension of the pontoon with pairs of the recesses located at opposing portions of the pontoon with respect to the width dimension thereof. H-shaped leg assemblies are coupled to the pontoon at the pontoon's recesses. Each leg assembly extends beyond the height dimension of the pontoon while remaining within the length and width dimensions of the pontoon. A support assembly is fitted between and coupled to adjacent leg assemblies. Fenders can be coupled to the leg assemblies to thereby form a camel or ship separator.

Abstract: A tamping device and method of compacting ballast beneath the intersection of a railroad track's tie and rail utilize a pair of tamping units, each of which terminates in a tool blade. When a pair of tamping unit's first and second tool blades are in ballast on either side of the track's tie along one side of the rail, the first and second tool blades are moved in respective counter rotational first and second orbital paths such that forces generated in the ballast by the blades cooperate to compact the ballast beneath the intersection of the tie and the rail.

Abstract: A receiver system and audio processing method for use therewith are provided. The system includes pairs of receivers with each pair receiving broadcasts on a unique broadcast band. A decoder converts the received signal to a character representation thereof. A user selects a broadcast band and frequency as well as search criteria. One of the receivers is tuned to the user-selected frequency and outputs the program associated with the received broadcast signal to an audio output device. Simultaneously, the broadcast band associated with each of the remaining receivers is scanned with the character representation of each of these broadcast signals associated therewith being compared with the search criteria. A match with the search criteria is identified to allow the user to uncouple the tuned receiver from the audio output device and couple a designated one of the receivers that produced the match to the audio output device.

Abstract: A system is provided for the collection of measurements for use by a surface profiling processing scheme. A movable platform is equipped to: (i) generate a measurement of inclination of a surface when the platform is and stationary thereon, (ii) generate measurements of surface curvature as the platform traverses the surface, (iii) monitor distance that the platform traverses during a measurement run, (iv) generate a signal each time the platform traverses a predetermined amount of distance during a measurement run where the signal is such that the user is alerted to stop the platform, (v) collect measurements of curvature while the platform traverses the surface, and (vi) collect measurements of inclination at the starting position, stopping position, and each time the platform is stopped during the measurement run.

Abstract: A system is provided for facilitating the temporary hanging of at least one object from vinyl or aluminum siding while maintaining the integrity of the siding during and after the use thereof. The system comprises a hanger and a removal tool. The hanger has an upper portion designed to non-destructively be engaged between two rows of siding. The lower portion of the hanger provides the means to support the hanging of at least one object therefrom. The removal tool is designed for non-destructive cooperation with the upper portion of the hanger when the hanger is installed between two rows of vinyl or aluminum siding.

Abstract: A utensil grip system is made from a strip of material defined by a first longitudinal portion terminating in a first free end, a second longitudinal portion terminating in a second free end, and a join region positioned between and coupled to each of the first and second longitudinal portions. The first longitudinal portion is shaped to define a first adjustable-size ring while the second longitudinal portion is shaped to define a second adjustable-size ring. The join region is shaped to offset the first adjustable-size ring with respect to the second adjustable-size ring. The grip region of a utensil is fixedly coupled to the join region.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of processing a digital image that is initially represented by digital data indexed to represent positions on a display. The digital data is indicative of an intensity value Ii(x,y) for each position (x,y) in each i-th spectral band. The intensity value for each position in each i-th spectral band is adjusted to generate an adjusted intensity value for each position in each i-th spectral band in accordance with ? n = 1 N ? W n ? ( log ? ? ? I i ? ( x , y ) - log ? ? [ I i ? ( x , y ) * F n ? ( x , y ) ] ) , i = 1 , … ? ? , S where Wn is a weighting factor, “*” is the convolution operator and S is the total number of unique spectral bands. For each n, the function Fn(x,y) is a unique surround function applied to each position (x,y) and N is the total number of unique surround functions. Each unique surround function is scaled to improve some aspect of the digital image, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of processing a digital image that is initially represented by digital data indexed to represent positions on a display. The digital data is indicative of an intensity value Ii(x,y) for each position (x,y) in each i-th spectral band. A classification of the image based on its dynamic range is then defined in each of the image's S spectral bands.

Abstract: A health monitoring system for use with a child car seat has sensors mounted in the seat to monitor one or more health conditions of the seat's occupant. A processor monitors the sensor's signals and generates status signals related to the monitored conditions. A transmitter wirelessly transmits the status signals to a remotely located receiver. A signaling device coupled to the receiver produces at least one sensory (e.g., visual, audible, tactile) output based on the status signals.

Abstract: A method is provided for the fabrication of a protective coating for a crucible with channels being formed in the coating. A material is adhered to the outer wall of the crucible to form a pattern thereon. The outer wall of the crucible along with the pattern of material adhered thereto is next coated with another material. The material used to form the pattern should extend through the outer material coating to define at least one port therein. Next, the crucible with its pattern of material and outer coating material is heated to a temperature of transformation at which the pattern of material is transformed to a fluidic state while the crucible and outer coating material maintain their solid integrity. Such transformation could also be accomplished by using a solvent that causes the pattern of material to dissolve.

Abstract: A stand includes a track mounted to a columnar member such as a tree trunk. The track substantially or completely encircles the columnar member. A seat is mounted to the track for movement thereon. A platform is mounted to the columnar member beneath the seat. The seat and platform are designed to move in concert with one another about the columnar member by a user sitting on the seat with his feet resting on the platform.

Abstract: A movable platform is provided for use with a surface profiling system. The platform eliminates all errors associated with wheel inconsistencies. A frame is supported above a surface by, among other supports, three supports arranged in a linear alignment that defines a direction of travel for the frame. The three supports are defined by a front support, a rear support and a center support centered between the front support and rear support. The center support is a floating support capable of substantially vertical movement. At least two of the front support, rear support and center support are wheels configured to roll in the direction of travel defined by the three supports that are linearly aligned. These wheels are coupled to one another for synchronizing rolling movement thereof on the surface.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to continuously signal a utility's usage. A first device measures usage of the commodity in order to, for example, project usage over the course of a billing period and provide a first value indicative the projected usage. A second device allows a user to input a second value indicative of a threshold or budgeted level of usage. A processor generates a status value based on the difference between the first and second values. One or more of a plurality of different color indicators are displayed at any given time based on the status value. For example, three colored indicators (e.g., red, yellow and green) can be arranged to resemble a traffic signal where green can be indicative of a level of utility usage that is within budget, yellow can be indicative of utility usage that is approximately at budget, and red can be indicative of utility usage that is over budget.

Abstract: A power sharing system is provided for powering a plurality of loads using line voltage and a rechargeable source. Each load can be coupled to either the line voltage or the rechargeable source by means of a power source selector switch coupled to each load. A programmable controller is coupled to each power source selector switch to control a position thereof to maximize usage of the rechargeable source based on power requirements of the loads. The power sharing system can also recharge its rechargeable source during prescribed “off peak” times, and can provide power to the loads during times of power outages.

Abstract: A mission responsive ordnance of the present invention arranges a plurality of projectiles in a bundled configuration. The bundled configuration is defined by the projectiles and a bundling means which, together, form a combination that bears loads generated when the bundled configuration strikes and penetrates a target. Unbundling means, coupled to the bundling means, can be operated to selectively render the bundling means inoperative before the target is struck so that one or more of the projectiles are released from their bundled configuration.

Abstract: The present invention controls the polar ejection angle of fragments in a fragmenting warhead. The warhead's detonators are initiated non-simultaneously to produce corresponding detonation waves in the warhead's explosive material. The detonation waves interact to control the polar ejection angle of fragments formed when the warhead's casing ruptures. Specified times of detonation for each of the detonators can be selected/adjusted after the warhead is deployed.

Abstract: An adjustable sight assembly for attachment to a firearm is provided. A base with a recessed portion has a plate that loosely fits within the recessed portion. A windage adjustment assembly cooperating with the base and a first end of the plate i) effects side-to-side movement of the plate within the recessed portion of the base, and ii) defines a pivotal coupling of the plate to the base at the first end thereof. A second end of the plate moves along an arc when the plate is pivoted about the first end thereof. An elevation adjustment assembly cooperating with the base and the second end of the plate effects elevation of the plate's second end. A sight is pivotally coupled to the plate such that the sight can lie against the plate when not in use and can be rotated approximately 90° to extend vertically from the plate when in use.