Abstract: A system and process includes a computer that is operatively connected to an area network, such as to the Internet. A database of MLS properties that are for sale is maintained that is accessible to the computer. Real estate agents must subscribe in order to use the system and are then included in the database. Clients may be either prospective buyers or sellers of the MLS properties. Each client is required to complete a client commitment form whereby the client elects to have a currently subscribing real estate agent represent them before they are allowed access to the information and services provided. Current client files are also included in the database. Real estate agents are given the full functionality that is offered to the clients in that they may view any of the client's files and activities and they are also allowed to post upcoming MLS properties that are to be offered for sale and to FAX property defects that are made available only to other real estate agents.

Abstract: A method and product for removing sulfur compound molecules from gasoline or diesel fuel includes exposing the gasoline or diesel fuel to a plurality of molecularly imprinted polymer beads (MIPS) that have receptor sites on the surfaces thereof that include imprints that match the physical shape of at least a portion of a sulfur compound molecule. A quantity of the sulfur molecules align with and adhere to some of the receptor sites and, accordingly, they are removed from the gasoline or diesel fuel producing a remediated or sweetened gasoline or diesel fuel. According to one embodiment, the MIPS are contained in an enclosure having a plurality of openings large enough to permit the solution to pass through and small enough so as to prevent the MIPS from passing through. According to another embodiment the MIPS are applied (i.e., coated) to the inside surface of a conduit and the gasoline or diesel fuel is forced or allowed to flow through the conduit thereby removing some of the sulfur molecules therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for the focusing of incident light includes a base assembly that is adapted to support a primary mirror. The primary mirror includes an outside circumference and an inside aperture. An upright member is attached to the base assembly at a first end thereof at a first location that is disposed inside the aperture and at a second location that is disposed outside the primary mirror. The upright member includes a second end that is distally disposed with respect to the first end. The second end is adapted to receive a turret that includes a secondary mirror and is adapted to pivot between two positions. An IMU is attached to the base assembly proximate the primary mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing a bird's head includes a first member and a second member that are pivotally attached and which are adapted to pivot about an axis. An inner arcuate recessed area is provided on an interior side of each member intermediate a second end and a first end. The arcuate recessed area is adapted to receive a bird's head with a bill or beak of the bird extending beyond the arcuate area. A ridge or protrusion protrudes from at least one member so that it initially makes contact with the bird's head when the first and second members are urged together. This concentrates the force that is applied to the head and also prevents the bird from moving out of the apparatus. The members are then urged together and the bird's head is crushed thereby instantly killing the bird.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing cutting tool bits rapidly on milling machines, lathes, drills and other types of rotary power tools includes a first portion that is attached to the rotary power tool and retained thereto. A second portion includes the tool bit attached thereto. The second portion is inserted longitudinally toward the rotary power tool and into a bottom of the first portion after a slide has also first been longitudinally displaced in a direction toward the rotary power tool. A plurality of balls are displaced outward, the balls preferably being ball bearings, thereby permitting an upper conical taper of the second portion to bear against an inside taper of the first portion. The slide is released and urged by an inner spring in an opposite direction forcing the balls to engage with an upper edge of a circular recess provided in the second portion, thereby retaining the second portion in position.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the friction of an electrical cable ring and a ground surface has a one-piece continuous shell with a gap at one end. The apparatus is grasped at its ends at the gap and is pulled apart to increase the size of the gap sufficient to allow it to fit over a longitudinal length of an electrical cable at any preferred location of the electrical cable. The apparatus includes a length of double sided self-adhesive tape extending along its inside length (ID) that is used to adhere it to an exterior surface of the electrical cable. A plurality of the cable rings are used. Modified versions of the cable ring are disclosed that include a tie-wrap in a recess and two identical halves that mate together and an embodiment that includes a smaller inside diameter than the outside diameter of the electrical cable. A method of making the apparatus and a method of welding a pair of ends together are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as a pad and for placement intermediate a rail and a railroad tie includes a plurality of geometrical recesses that extend into the pad, either at a normal longitudinal axis or at an angle other than normal. An elastomeric material is used to form the pad. The recesses may include any geometric shape in plan at the surface of the pad. If desired, a tiered structure, is provided for any of the recesses. According to a modification, any of the recesses are modified to include a longitudinal axis that is not normal. The modified recesses include any geometrical, polygonal, circular, or oval shape in plan at the surface of the pad.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for patients requiring repositioning of misaligned teeth who typically undergo orthodontic treatment to move the teeth into corrected positions. The orthodontic methods typically require lengthy procedures involving the application of light forces to the teeth to effect movement as accomplished by braces or other appliances. The apparatus and method includes the administration of a needle corticotomy to select regions that have been identified as absent any landmarks to avoid. The method is accomplished without the use of freeze-dried and bovine bone and without a mucoperiosteal flap procedure, resulting in low medical risk and providing a simplified and less time consuming procedure as compared to the prior art, and furthermore wherein the method effects a significant reduction in the time required to complete an orthodontic case while also significantly reducing the discomfort and recovery time for the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing window shutter slats or louvers converts rotary motion by a knob or electric motor into rotary motion of one of the slats. The apparatus is attached to a frame structure that is included with the window shutter and which surrounds the slats. A connecting rod that is pivotally attached to all of the slats pivots all of the slats an amount that is nearly equal to that of the one slat. The knob includes a first shaft that is attached to a drive gear in an enclosure which turns a driven gear. The driven gear is attached to a second shaft which is adapted to turn a pin end of the one slat. The motor is adapted to rotate one of the slats directly. Retrofit use and use in newly manufactured shutters is described. The apparatus can also be used to pivot open the shutter with respect to a pair of hinges that pivotally attach the shutter to a surrounding support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a precision dado in a board includes a base member. The base member includes an adjustable clamp that surrounds a guide fence and which can move along the length of the fence. The fence is clamped to the board where desired for each dado. The base member includes a central area that is adapted to receive a dado guide bushing which is attached to a router having a router bit. The central area allows limited movement of the bushing and the router bit in the dado guide perpendicular to the fence. This allows the router bit, which is smaller than the width of the dado, to fully cut the dado in two passes. Setup of the dado guide to accommodate the width of a shelf to be inserted in the dado is described as is the precise location of the dado guide with respect to the board.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a level of empathy between two people includes four sets of questions for each query posed, a first set being how a first participant feels about a topic, a second set being how the first participant thinks a second participant would answer the same question, a third set being how the second participant feels about the topic, and a fourth set being how the second participant thinks the first participant will answer the same question. A “weighted” numerical range of possible answer selections are provided for each question from each set. The first set is compared with the fourth set, the second set is compared with the third set to determine an empathy index for each query for each of the participants. The process is repeated for a plurality of questions that are averaged to also provide an overall empathy index and also various group indices.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing a food and beverage includes a substantially flat stock, for example, cardboard or fiberboard that is folded into a three-dimensional apparatus. When formed, the apparatus includes a first compartment for holding a food and a beverage extension section adapted for holding a beverage. Certain of the sections include panels that interlock. A reinforcing member is provided to add strength to the beverage extension portion. A pair of thumbholes are provided in two of the sections and a pair of slots are provided for securing a pair of eating utensils, for example, a fork and spoon. The unused thumbhole is adapted to receive a napkin.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with motorcycles is adapted to cooperate with an opening that is provided in a fairing, fuel tank, cowling, trunk, saddlebag or other accessory item of the motorcycle. A frame structure of the apparatus includes a front face plate and two side members that are in a parallel spaced apart relationship with respect to each other. Each of the two side members is attached to an opposite side of the face plate and perpendicular with respect thereto. The face plate includes an opening that is closed when a hinged door is pivoted into a first closed position. Various methods of securing the apparatus in the opening are disclosed, some of which do not modify, mar, or otherwise damage any portion of the motorcycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for the independent control of the amount of heat produced by a right and a left side heated hand grip includes a control panel with various input buttons and a pair of LEDS that each indicates a relative power setting of one of the heated hand grips. A microprocessor receives input instructions from the input buttons and provides a first pulsed DC output having a desired duty cycle to one of the heated hand grips and a second pulsed DC output having either the same or a different duty cycle to a remaining one of the heated hand grips, thereby controlling the amount of heat produced by each respective heated hand grip. This improves comfort. Reverse polarity protection, a return to previous power settings, including a remembrance of a differential between the two heated hand grips, and automatic shutoff when battery voltage reaches a predetermined value are described.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing the legs of a tripod includes a center member that is placed inside and proximate the legs preferably about mid-length. The center member includes three perimeter assemblies that each cooperate with a corresponding leg member. The center member is secured to each leg by the leg member which is either attached to each leg or which passes around each leg and is then secured to each perimeter assembly. When each perimeter assembly is tightened, the center member is urged upwards where it pushes all of the legs outward while each leg member prevents one of the legs from moving outward. Accordingly, each leg is placed in a tension that increases its stability and hence the stability of the tripod.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a router that is adapted to secure a guide bushing to a base of the router includes a modified retaining nut that includes a plurality of extensions that extend radially away from the nut. Each extension includes a threaded hole that is adapted to receive a set screw. The retaining nut includes interior screw threads that cooperate with outside screw threads of the guide bushing. The guide bushing is disposed on one side of a hole provided in the base of the router and the retaining nut is lightly tightened secure the guide bushing in a recess provided in the router base. The set screws are then tightened and bear against the router base sufficient to urge the retaining nut away from the guide bushing thereby placing the screw thread of both under tension, while simultaneously engaging with the router base sufficient to retain the retaining nut in position relative to the router base.

Abstract: An apparatus for the control and alignment of a sensor on a moving vehicle is provided that includes a gimbal ball supported by an outer axis structure and adapted to pivot about an outer elevation axis and about an outer azimuth axis. The outer axis structure is mounted to a vehicle. An inner axis structure includes a cardan shaft that is provided in the ball and is used to support a payload. An inner elevation axis passes through the cardan shaft. The payload is moved about inner pitch inner roll and inner yaw axes over a limited range of motion by the use of a plurality of permanent magnet wide-gap motors that are disposed on the plane of the cardan shaft and maximally away from the yaw axis in the ball. The motors are adapted to each urge the payload to move in two perpendicular axes, depending upon the current that is applied through conductors which pass through a flux field. Control circuitry is used to energize the motors in any desired combination to produce motion in roll, pitch, or yaw.

Abstract: An apparatus for the aeration of a fluid prior to its consumption includes a container that is adapted to house a quantity of the fluid. A bottom end of a conduit that is open at both ends is attached to the container and is disposed in the fluid. A second opposite upper end of the conduit is disposed above the bottom end and is placed in the mouth of a user. Fluid is drawn up through the conduit by the creation of a partial vacuum when the user sucks on the upper, drinking end. An air infusion opening is provided in the conduit near the upper end above a normal maximum fluid elevation level. The infusion opening allows for ambient air to simultaneously enter into a fluid stream that is being drawn up through the conduit, thereby aerating the fluid prior to its entry into the mouth. If the fluid is especially hot, the ambient air also helps to cool the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for the protection and transportation of cargo includes a planar bottom, four upright sides that are hingedly attached to the planar bottom and a top member that preferably is detachable. The four upright sides includes flexible corners that permit them to fold down on top of the planar bottom. The top is then secured over the collapsed upright sides for storage of the apparatus. To use the apparatus, the upright sides are raised, the cargo is placed on top of the planar bottom intermediate the upright sides, and the top is secured in position over the cargo and the top edges of the upright sides.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding an umbrella includes a longitudinal shaft with a lower and an upper end. The lower end is adapted for insertion into the ground. A pivoting lever is used to urge the lower end into the ground by stepping on it. The upper end is adapted to receive and retain a lower end of the umbrella. An intermediate support is provided between the upper and lower ends and is used to steady the apparatus, for example, in the wind.