Abstract: The present invention relates to vibration analysis and in particular, but not limited to, the derivation of multiple types of vibration signals from one vibration signal for vibration analysis. In the preferred method of the invention the vibrations of an object are measured using at least one vibration sensor, wherein the vibration sensor converts vibrations into an electrical vibration signal. The electrical vibration signal is digitized based on a first frequency, wherein the first frequency is selected from a plurality of possible frequency values. A first type of vibration signal is derived from the digitized vibration signal. A second type of vibration signal is then derived from the digitized vibration signal based on a second frequency. The second frequency is rationally determined from, and lower than, the value selected for the first frequency. The invention also provides apparatus for deriving multiple types of vibration signals from one measured vibration signal for vibration analysis.

Abstract: An animal collar system including an animal collar, a housing mounted to the animal collar and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit is enclosed in the housing and a built-in-test circuit is electrically connected to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: An device for covering an elongated medical probe such as a vaginal, rectal, ultra sound or the like type probe. In the preferred embodiment the sheath is tubular and includes a nose and an open end through which the medical probe is inserted. Preferably the sheath is packaged by mounting it on a flexible carrier in a partially elongated position. An adhesive material releasably secures the sheath to the carrier such that the nose of the sheath is inverted and defines a folded nose opening to facilitate positioning the sheath over the tip of a conventional medical probe.

Abstract: A stackable chair that is capable of being ganged with a further like chair in side-by-side relationship, including an upper frame adapted to receive and support a seating platform, and a backrest platform for supporting a user seated on the chair. The upper frame is attached to a lower frame having a left and right sides, each said having a pair of leg members connected underneath the lower frame, each of the leg members having a lower end to engage the supporting surface for the chair, and having an upper end. The right legs connect to a right frame member attached to the lower frame right side. The left legs connect to a left frame member attached to the lower frame left side. A left side and a right side coupling support extend respectively on top of left and right frame members. The left side coupling support includes a left extension having a coupling hook extending outward.

Abstract: A lighting system for use with a vertical growing column (10) for optimally growing a plurality of plants in an indoor environment and enhancing the tonnage per unit area or per unit volume of product harvestable from plants positioned in these columns (10). The lighting system for use with a vertical growing column (10) includes a vertical growing column (11) having a plurality of modular planting units (12), a lighting system (104) and an apparatus (108) for carrying the lighting system (104). Each of the modular planting units (12) includes a center column (14) having a pair of lateral receptacles (16) projecting from opposed sides of the center column (14) and a mounting flange (18) extending downwardly from a lowermost portion of the center column (14) for being received within an uppermost portion of a center column (14) of another planting unit (12).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for disabling and disposing of a single-use hypodermic syringe from re-use by severing the syringe barrel above the syringe needle and collecting the severed portion of the barrel, including the syringe needle directly in an associated, puncture-resistant receiving receptacle. The apparatus includes a severing means having an opening for receiving at least that end of the syringe having a needle attached thereto and a syringe stop for delimiting the passage of the syringe into the opening and stabilizing the syringe in the opening as the syringe barrel is severed from the syringe above the syringe needle, and a collection receptacle having an open end adapted for receiving the severing means and for collecting the severed portion of the syringe barrel including the syringe needle directly therein.

Abstract: A heat pack including apparatus for triggering the crystallization of a supercooled salt solution in the heat pack, wherein the supercooled salt solution is sealed within a flexible package. The apparatus comprises a solid trigger device, and a packet having at least one wall. The solid trigger device and crystals of the salt of the supercooled salt solution are located in the packet and the packet is sealed to at least one of the walls of the flexible package. Thus, the packet is in intimate positional relationship with the supercooled salt solution. The solid trigger device is forced to pierce the packet and deliver salt crystals from the packet to the supercooled salt solution thereby triggering crystallization of the supercooled salt solution and producing heat.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle for travel through a conduit. The robotic vehicle includes forward and rear housings each having a hub portion, and each being provided with surface engaging mechanisms for selectively engaging the walls of the conduit such that the housings can be selectively held in stationary positions within the conduit. The surface engaging mechanisms of each housing includes a plurality of extendable appendages, each of which is radially extendable relative to the operatively associated hub portion between a retracted position and a radially extended position. The robotic vehicle also includes at least three selectively extendable members extending between the forward and rear housings, for selectively changing the distance between the forward and rear housings to effect movement of the robotic vehicle.

Abstract: A hazardous waste containment vessel, and a method for its use, for safe, permanent disposal of hazardous waste in deep ocean pelagic sediment. The hazardous waste containment vessel is dropped into deep ocean water, descends through the water and penetrates the deep ocean pelagic sediment, thus burying the hazardous waste containment vessel in deep ocean pelagic sediment. The hazardous waste containment vessel has an elongated laminar walled container having first and second ends. The first end tapers to an apex having an angle selected to enhance penetration of the deep ocean pelagic sediment by the hazardous waste containment vessel. A dense filler material is carried within the elongated laminar walled container and isolates at least one hazardous waste containing drum member that is suspended within the dense filler material, from the interior layer of the elongated container member and from additional drum members suspended within the dense filler material.

Abstract: A method for setting and regulating the position of webbing in a printing press using pre-marked makeready tape (10) having a top side (12) defining at least a first mark (22) and a second mark (10) spaced apart a distance equal to a whole multiple page length of printed matter and a bottom side (14) having an adhesive compound disposed about a substantial portion of the bottom side (14). The method involving the steps of threading the pre-marked makeready tape (10) along the path of the continuous web (18), aligning a mark (22) on the pre-marked makeready tape (10) near the former (48) with a mark (22) on the former (48) in the folder (42), and adjusting the compensator (40) to align a mark (22) on the makeready tape (10) near the impression cylinder (28) with a mark (30) on the impression cylinder (28) of the printing unit (26).

Abstract: A maple-seed simulating autorotating flyer. The flyer is provided with a spherical shock absorbing nose section and a wing section having a substantially straight leading edge, a curved tail, a spine conformed to said leading edge and tail and a curved trailing edge. The wing is constructed of a substantially planar sheet of a lightweight, semi-rigid fabric of uniform thickness. The weight of the nose, the length and width of the wing are configured so as to impart aerodynamic characteristics to the flyer such that when thrown upward, the flyer will autorotate during descent. The flyer is used in accordance with the method of the present invention, wherein the maple-seed simulating autorotator is thrown upward from a designated throwing area. A plurality of scoring targets, each having a designated point value, are randomly positioned around the throwing area. The thrower is awarded the number of points assigned to the scoring target that is hit by, or closest to, the autorotating flyer upon landing.

Abstract: A stairset for the fabrication of a spiral stairway on-site, and a method for the assembly of the stairset. This stairset includes a central support to receive spacers to position a plurality of stair tread units at a selected separation (riser height), the stair treads extending horizontally outward. Further, components for a banister (handrail) are a plurality of segments, being a selected number for each stair tread unit, that are threaded upon a cable. The cable is provided on at least one end with means for tensioning, with final tensioning after general assembly of components (post-tensioning). A plurality of balusters are attached to, and extend downwardly from, at least a portion of segments of the resultant banister to be fastened to distal ends of the stair tread units. Specifically, the same number of balusters join the selected number of banister segments for each stair tread.

Abstract: An ornamental flag having a silhouette image and an improved flag suspension assembly. The flag has a substantially continuous border and an image therein. The image is provided with a substantial area of cut-out about its perimeter thereby presenting a silhouette of the image. A loop is provided along a substantial portion of the lower edge of the flag's width and/or length for receiving a flag pole thereby allowing the flag to swivel about the pole. In order to prevent the flag from sliding down the flag pole, a grommet having an internal elastomeric O-ring is positioned on the pole adjacent the inward edge of the flag. The O-ring preferably has an interior diameter slightly less than the exterior diameter of the pole such that the O-ring engages the flag pole in a tight frictional fit, but is slidable along the length of the flag pole.

Abstract: A system (10) for transferring digital data from one data bank to another. The system (10) is designed especially for transmitting audio/video signals in digital format from a central processing center (16) to a plurality of cable networks for viewing either instantaneously or in the future. The system (10) incorporates four processing units: a central processing unit (16), a transmission processing unit (18), a receiving processing unit (20), and a master processing unit (22). The central processing unit (16) includes a scripter computer (24) for receiving a video signal (26), converting it to a digital signal (30), and storing the digital signal (30). The transmission processing unit (18) includes a transmission computer (34) and associated transmission hardware (36). The transmission computer (34) will attach a checksum to the end of each packet of information to be sent, along with any other identifying and scheduling information related to that particular file.

Abstract: A gas vent and burner monitoring system for monitoring a gas burner vent appliance. The system includes an alarm, a first sensor proximate the burner and a second sensor proximate the draft hood. Each sensor detects the occurrence of an event and the respective sensor activates the alarm when the event occurs.

Abstract: A spider web clearing device for clearing spider webs from the path of an all-terrain vehicle. The spider web clearing device includes a flexible elongated member having an upper end and a lower end, wherein one end defines a distal end that is free to flex. A prong member is disposed on the upper end of the elongated member and an attachment assembly is carried by the lower end of the elongated member for mounting the elongated member to the bumper of an ATV. A stop member is carried by a clamp assembly in order to reduce whipping motion induced by impact of branches on the spider web clearing device. The spider web clearing device is mounted on the ATV in a manner that places the elongated member forward of the rider. In one embodiment, a single spider web clearing device is mounted proximate the center of the front bumper. However, in the preferred embodiment, a spider web clearing device is mounted on each end of the bumper or rack at the front of the ATV.

Abstract: A breakaway hose coupling device (10) for releasably joining two fluid dispensing devices in fluid communications, and for selectively disengaging the dispensing devices in response to a disengaging force in excess of a preselected value being exerted on the coupling device. The coupling device (10) includes first and second valve assemblies (12, 14) for being secured on, and being placed in flow-though communication with dispensing devices and for selectively terminating the flow of fuel from such dispensing device. The first and second valve assemblies including first and second valve housings (16, 18) each having a valve mechanism mounted therein for selectively terminating the flow of fluid through the valve assembly. The device also includes a plurality of shear pins (48A-C) mounted in the second valve housing (18), and at least one stop member (50) carried by the first valve housing (16) for engaging only certain shear pins when the valve housings are engaged in selected relative rotational positions.