Abstract: A method of reflow soldering a row of electrical component leads to a printed circuit board using a heater bar is disclosed. The method involves the steps of, firstly, moving the heater bar to a position above the location of the leads and allowing the heater bar to rock within its plane to float into proper position, and secondly, then clamping the heater bar, supplying voltage to heat the heating element portion of the heater bar, and applying soldering pressure. Corresponding apparatus is disclosed, in which the heater bar is adapted to rock within its plane. The heater bar has a support arm projecting upwardly from the heating element portion. A carriage includes a channel which accommodates the support arm and is somewhat larger in the horizontal dimension in the plane of the heater bar, thereby allowing the heater bar to rock. A clamping bar is movable into the channel for clamping the heater bar via the support arm.

Abstract: An arch structure is prefabricated from compression segments, the structure generally comprising one or more arch arcs with end anchor elements. Each arch segment comprises a trapezoidal frame structure fabricated from short lengths of sawn lumber, and fastened at the corner junctions of the respective individual members to form the respective arch segment element. The arch radius is determined by segment geometry. The arch segments are assembled in combination with one or more elongated pre-stressing elements and the pre-stressing elements tensioned to a sufficient extent, relative to the geometry and applied load to be born by the arch, that, in combination with other inter-element mechanical fastening means such as nails or bolts the arch elements are maintained substantially under compression across the abutting segment end faces. The arch is generally pin jointed at its ends, and frequently at the center thereof, to preclude the development of local bending moments at the base and apex of the arch.

Abstract: An action for an upright piano which emulates or simulates the action of a grand piano is provided. In the action, a back check lever is positioned above the back of the key, and a grand piano whippen is positioned above the back check lever. The grand whippen acts on a knuckle provided on a catcher arm integrally connected with the hammer shank at a substantial angle. Depression of the key produces upward movement of the back of the key, the back check lever, and the grand whippen, in turn producing rotation of the catcher arm which drives the hammer towards the string. The catcher arm has a catcher at its forward end and the back check lever has a back check for catching the catcher after the hammer has rebounded from the string. A vertically-acting gravity-activated damping action is provided. The hammer action is mounted independently from the damping action, and a shifting lever connected to a foot pedal permits lateral shifting of the hammer action with respect to the strings.

Abstract: A novel trigger mechanism for a crossbow is disclosed, in which a relatively large mechanical advantage is employed to obtain reduced trigger pressures in comparison with trigger pressures in the prior art. The mechanism has two main components, namely a trigger and a catch, pivotally mounted in a case which is in turn mounted in the crossbow stock. The trigger has a trigger arm extending downwardly from the trigger pivot point and out of the case, and a sear arm extending forwardly and having a rearward-facing sear surface. The catch is installed with its pivot point slightly above the plane of a bowstring entry area in the case, and thus slightly above the plane of the bowstring. The catch has a bowstring-retaining hook portion extending forwardly from the catch pivot point, and a catch arm extending downwardly from the catch pivot point and terminating in a forward-facing sear surface, which is engaged by the sear surface of the trigger sear arm when the crossbow is armed.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing around an insert in a molded part to avoid the escape of flash including a mold cavity cooperatively defined by at least two mold blocks, at least one of the mold blocks having at least one insert opening communicating with the cavity. A plunger chamber is substantially co-axial to the insert opening and communicates with the cavity via the insert opening, the plunger chamber having generally greater radial dimensions than the insert opening, thereby defining a generally inwardly-directed flange with respect to the walls of the plunger chamber. The surface of the flange remote from the cavity constitutes a seating surface within the insert opening. A resilient seal is fitted within the plunger chamber against the seating surface in proximity to the insert. A plunger is positioned within the plunger chamber for relative movement generally towards and away from the cavity to compress the resilient seal against the seating surface.

Abstract: A tree step is disclosed, including a substantially L-shaped step member of constant cross section. The upright portion of the L-shape is provided with an aperture adapted to hang over a lag screw. The aperture is elongated, with its lower aspect being wide enough to allow it to be passed over the head of the lag screw, and its uppper aspect being somewhat narrower and unable to pass over the head of the lag screw. In the preferred embodiment, at least one and preferably two anchoring lugs project inwardly from a lower portion of the upright portion of the L-shape, each lug having a contoured lower surface and a somewhat pointed upper surface. The upright portion of the L-shape extends somewhat below the horizontal portion, with an integral strut provided between the horizontal portion and the downward extension of the upright portion. The lower portion of the aperture is shaped to match the head of the lag screw.

Abstract: A container for holding and culturing a lens is disclosed, comprising a transparent base member, a transparent lens carrier supported laterally in the base member and having a central aperture, and a transparent cover engaging the base member for enclosing the lens carrier within the container. The base is circular in top view, and in sectional elevation is in the form of a flanged U-shape, forming a well. The lens carrier is a circular plate with a central aperture. The lip of the aperture tapers downwardly in order to support the outer rim of the lens to be tested. The cover has an annular flange and a raised center section with angled sidewalls. The sidewalls have two flat sections offset from each other by 90 degrees, which act as viewing ports. The lens to be studied is centered in the aperture in the bottom of the lens carrier. The lens carrier is ordinarily provided with passage holes to permit the free passage of the culture medium from one side of the lens to the other.

Abstract: A beachfront wave energy dissipation structure is disclosed. The structure has a plurality of vertically stacked parallel plates having two lateral edges, a shore-facing edge, and a water-facing edge, and a plurality of columns disposed between and connecting the plates. The columns are laterally and longitudinally distributed so as to impede free passage of waves between the plates. The shore-facing end of the bottom-most one of the plates preferably is supported at an angle in the range of 10 degrees to 30 degrees from the horizontal, so that the structure can be positioned with the plates angling upwardly away from the water. The plates reduce in longitudinal dimension from the bottom to the top of the stack, and are arranged in step fashion rising in the direction away from the water-facing edge.

Abstract: This marine propulsion unit has a main shaft for connection to a drive shaft, and a helical screw along the main shaft. A duct surrounds the main shaft and screw thereby creating a ducted area. The ducted area has a water inlet near its proximal end and a water outlet near its distal end, the ducted area being tapered from inlet to outlet, whereby water is accelerated through the ducted area to provide propulsion. A number of secondary inlet ports are disposed along and pass through the duct into the ducted area, for drawing in water to minimize cavitation along the ducted area. In an alternative embodiment, there is also a second duct coaxial with and surrounding the first duct, thereby creating a second ducted area. The second ducted area has a water inlet near its proximal end and a water outlet near its distal end, the ducted area being tapered from inlet to outlet.

Abstract: A friction welded part having a sealed flash trap is disclosed, along with a method for producing such parts. The friction welded parts have a hollow cylindrical part and a second part to which the hollow cylindrical part is friction welded. There is an internal flash trap in the region of the weld, and the hollow cylindrical part is pinched inwardly or a conical flange on the flash trap is deformed outwardly so as to seal the flash collecting portions of the flash trap from the hollow portion of the hollow cylindrical part remote from the weld. The method involves the conventioanl steps of rotating the parts with respect to each other under pressure, stopping the rotation, and exerting high pressure to form the weld. In accordance with the invention, the hollow cylindrical part in the region adjacent the flash trap is then forced inwardly or a flange of the flash trap is forced outwardly so as to effect the seal.

Abstract: A method for in vitro evaluation of focal length changes in a lens is disclosed, involving the steps of projecting parallel laser beams through the lens at at least two points, examining the convergence of the beams after exiting the lens to determine the focal length of the lens, and after a period of time, repeating these steps and comparing the focal length. Preferably, a scanning laser is used so that a number of beams pass through different spots on the lens, so that the spherical aberration of the lens may also be determined and compared over time. Apparatus is disclosed for carrying out the method, comprising a carousel plate having a number of spaced holes for receiving lens containers. A carousel drive servo motor rotates the carousel from lens container position to lens container position. A helium-neon laser is mounted horizontally on an X-Y table, and the laser beam is deflected upwardly through a lens held in a lens container.

Abstract: A male contraceptive preparation is disclosed. The contraceptive preparation consists essentially of 1,2,3-trihydroxypropane in solution in a suitable carrier such as distilled water or saline solution. The method of contraception comprises injecting the contraceptive preparation into the testes. The 1,2,3-trihydroxypropane has been found to act as a potent inhibitor of spermatogenesis, resulting in long term infertility, with no apparent effect on libido, secondary sex characters, mating behaviour and hormone levels. There are no observed side effects and no observed effects on other aspects of reproductive and hormonal biology.

Abstract: A mechanical displacement amplifier is disclosed in which a displacement amplifying spring member essentially in the shape of a shallow V is positioned between a reference point structure and a displacement member so as to buckle in response to movement of the displacement member towards the reference point structure. A dimple is provided adjacent the buckling point of the spring member to prevent it from straightening entirely. A thermostat embodying the mechanical displacement amplifier is also disclosed, in which a push rod between a microswitch and the buckling point of the spring member actuates the microswitch. A temperature adjustment dial positions the reference point structure, and a temperature sensing unit is the displacement member.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of gelatin pharmaceutical capsules is disclosed, in which microwave drying is used. The drying section of the machine has two upper tunnels and two corresponding return tunnels beneath them, through which pin bars carrying the hot moist gelatin capsule halves pass. Microwave transmitters are positioned above the upper tunnels to transmit microwave energy towards the capsule halves for drying. Inlet ducts along the outer sides of the upper tunnels supply cool, dry air which flows through apertures in the tunnel side walls and across the tunnels to an exhaust duct. The return tunnels also have a conditioned air system, supplied through ducts above the return tunnels having apertured bottom plates, for fine tuning the temperature and moisture content of the capsules prior to final processing operations.

Abstract: 44A clip for securing a handle shaft in a shaft-receiving opening in a tool is disclosed. The clip comprises a central portion and a tab portion integral with the central portion to project through a radially-directed slot in the structural portion of the tool which surrounds the shaft-receiving opening. One or the other of the central portion or the tab portion is configured for positioning on the interior of the structural portion of the tool which surrounds the shaft-receiving opening, and the other on the exterior. A flange depends from the central portion. The flange has an elongated aperture through which the handle shaft passes. The edge of the aperture remote from the central portion, preferably provided with teeth, is angled and biased towards the handle shaft to anchor it. Instead of the apertured flange, a tongue depending from the central portion and angled and biased towards the handle shaft may be used.

Abstract: A male contraceptive preparation and a contraceptive technique are disclosed. The contraceptive preparation consists essentially of 1,2,3-trihydroxypropane ("THP"; glycerol) in solution in a suitable carrier such as distilled water or saline solution. In accordance with the contraceptive technique, the contraceptive preparation is injected into the testes. The THP has been found to act as a potent inhibitor of spermatogenesis, resulting in long term infertility, with no apparent effect on libido, secondary sex characters, mating behavior and hormone levels. There are no observed side effects and no observed effects on other aspects of reproductive and hormonal biology.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapid cooling of bottles, cans or other containers of liquid or of solid materials is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a top-opening cabinet which has a tub for holding liquid and a refrigeration unit for cooling the liquid in the tub. A plate having an opening is placed across the tube and a bag is positioned in the opening so that it extends into the liquid. The bag is made of a thin, flexible, water impervious material and it is sealed across the opening in the plate so that direct access to the liquid is prevented. The container is placed in the bag which then substantially conforms to the shape of that part of the container lying below the surface of the liquid. The container's contents are cooled without the container ever coming into direct contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A pacifier holder is disclosed, substantially in the shape of a "Y". The upper arms of the Y-shape have VELCRO (TM) hook and pile sections or other suitable fasteners at their distal ends to permit them to be attached to each other behind the infant's neck to position the holder around the infant's neck with the base leg of the Y-shape hanging in front of the infant, on his or her chest. The base leg is provided with VELCRO hook and pile sections or other suitable fasteners near its distal end so that a loop may be formed to engage the ring which typically is provided as part of a pacifier.

Abstract: A door jammer device for preventing opening from the outside of a inward-opening door is disclosed, comprising a substantially U-shaped member having a shorter arm, a longer arm, and a base. Screw means are installed though a threaded hole through the longer arm towards the shorter arm, for attaching the member to the door by clamping the door between the screw means and the shorter arm. A jamming member is pivotally attached to the longer arm and angles downwardly away from the U-shaped member to engage the floor. Thus, a door may be locked by tightening the screw means to clamp the device to the outside edge of the door near the floor, such that the jamming member engages the floor. The jamming member has downwardly protruding teeth at its floor-engaging end, and angles downwardly at an angle of approximately 15 to 20 degrees from the horizontal.

Abstract: Structures which improve the high frequency performance of bipolar discrete or integrated transistors through minimization of base contact size and hence collector-base capacitance (and collector-substrate capacitance, if integrated), are disclosed. The transistor comprises at least one elongate emitter arm and substantially minimum-dimension base contacts positioned one facing each side of each emitter arm at at least a minimum dimension from each emitter arm. A base diffusion area is positioned under and is minimum-dimensionally larger than the outer perimeter of the areas bounded by all of the smallest imaginary triangles each including a base contact and a facing emitter arm. Specific examples are described, namely a so-called "lozenge" structure, for relatively narrow emitters, a "cross" structure for wider emitters, and a "T" structure.