Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polishing substrate is disclosed. The method includes disposing into a mold a reaction mixture of dibasic acid and a hydroxylated polymer, and applying a pressure and a temperature to the reaction mixture that are sufficient to cause polymerization and substrate formation in the mold. The dibasic acid is preferably adipic acid. Before pressure and temperature are applied to the reaction mixture, the reaction mixture is capable of being fortified with a polishing agent and/or a filler for controlling modulus and/or the coefficient of expansion.

Abstract: A generally wedge-shaped mud box with a bottom wall has a mud outlet orifice through which mud will flow. An edge of the wedge-shaped box has a rectangularly shaped cover rotatably attached so as to be rotatable between an filling position and an operating position. A releasable biasing structure biases the cover toward a bottom wall of the box so as to force mud contained in the box toward the outlet orifice. A mud gun, including a hollow body with an inlet and an outlet orifice, is releasable attached to the outlet orifice of the box. When air under pressure is introduced into an air inlet of the gun, mud entering through the inlet orifice is forced out through the outlet orifice of the gun. A nozzle chassis is affixed to the gun with a plurality of different nozzles movably attached thereto, and each nozzle is movable between a stored and an aligned position so that only one nozzle of the plurality of nozzles is aligned with the outlet orifice of the gun at a time.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an electrically pumped, long-wavelength vertical cavity surface emitting laser includes epitaxially growing a stack of alternate layers of a first material and a second material on a compatible substrate. A long wave-length active region is epitaxially grown on the stack and a lasing aperture and current confinement volume are defined in the long wave-length active region. A first mirror stack is formed on the long wave-length active region and portions of one of the first material and the second material are removed to form a high reflectivity second mirror stack.

Abstract: A tape dispenser for receiving a roll of tape and dispensing tape including a frame having a back end and a front end, a spool carried by the frame intermediate the back end and the front end, a retaining arm coupled to the back end of the frame and biased toward the spool for restraining the roll of tape. A flat feed is carried by the frame at the front end for receiving the tape and dispensing the tape in a flat configuration, and a corner feed is carried by the frame at the front end adjacent the flat feed, for receiving the tape and dispensing the tape in a folded configuration.

Abstract: A handguard system for use on a rifle having a barrel and a receiver, the hand guard system includes a barrel nut having an inner surface with a threaded portion adapted to threadably engage the receiver for securing the barrel to the receiver and an outer surface, and a tubular handguard having an end. The tubular handguard is receivable about the barrel and is received about the barrel nut, engaging the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for using a novel combination of assays to detect minimal activation of the coagulation response for determining whether a patient whose initial clinical evaluation indicates chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and related conditions can be treated using anticoagulant therapies. If activation of the coagulation response is detected, the present invention further includes treatment of CFS, FM or related condition using anticoagulant therapies.

Abstract: A combination gutter protector and safety device for use with a ladder which is leaned against the upper part of a structural wall that is equipped with a rain gutter under the eaves. The device is secured to the fascia board of the wall in a longitudinal plane adjacent to or substantially even with the plane of the open top of the gutter in such position that it protects the gutter against deformation when the ladder is put in place. The device also serves to provide a contained recess for holding the ladder against slippage and, if desired, locking the ladder against theft. The structure of the device accomplishes the above purposes without occupying any part of the channel of the gutter and thus does not interfere with the free flow of water, leaves and other debris in the channel of the gutter.

Abstract: This invention relates to height adjustable extensions of in-ground containers for embedded container light supports in airport runways. The apparatus has a first and second telescoping tube, each having a wall terminating in a flange. The flange on its upper end is for the reception of a light fixture, and the flange at the bottom end has bolt holes registering with the flange on the upper end of the in-ground container. There are a plurality of tapped bores in the wall of the outer tube. Set screws in the tapped bores are adapted to bear on the inner tube. The method of extending the height of the lighting fixture container comprises these steps: providing the apparatus as described above, positioning the telescoping tubes at a required height position; tightening the set screws to temporarily preserve the height position; pouring cementitious material around the positioned tubes; and allowing the cementitious material to set to hold said tubes in place.

Abstract: A handguard system for use on a rifle having a barrel attached to a receiver by a barrel nut, including an adapter ring and a tubular handguard. The adapter ring is receivable about a barrel nut and changeable between a rotatable configuration where it is rotatably about the barrel nut, and a fixed configuration wherein it is fixed to the barrel nut. The tubular handguard is receivable about a barrel and has an end received about the adapter ring with only the end of the tubular handguard fixedly secured to the adapter ring.

Abstract: A bidet, douche and enema system including a supply line couplable to a water source, a manifold having an inlet coupled to the supply line by an inlet valve, a nozzle assembly coupled to the manifold by a first conduit and a second conduit and a selection assembly coupling the first conduit and the second conduit to the manifold. The nozzle assembly includes an annular nozzle having a plurality of apertures formed therein coupled to the first conduit and a nozzle coupled to the second conduit. The selection assembly permits selection between elements of the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A shield for covering and preventing undesirable disengagement of a fastener including a female element having opposing notches, the female element for receiving the outwardly biased prongs of a male element. The shield includes a pair of opposed side rails for receipt about the sides of the fastener, for overlying the notches in the female element. A coupling member holds the opposed side rails in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship. Engagement members coupled to the pair of opposed side rails, engage the female element of the fastener.

Abstract: A clamping miter box including a base having a surface, a plurality of holes positioned in a pattern in the surface of the base, and a cam peg including a shaft sized to be rotatably receivable by a selected one of the plurality of holes and a cam portion coupled to the shaft for rotation therewith. The cam portion for engaging the item to be clamped.

Abstract: A high-speed optical data link includes a system circuit board, a first ASIC coupled to convey electrical information to and from up level data management circuits, and a second ASIC electrically coupled to the first ASIC. A fiber optic module mounted on the system circuit board including a receiver, a transmitter and the second ASIC. The receiver includes a photo-diode positioned to receive optical signals, a trans-impedance amplifier electrically coupled to the photo diode, and a post-amplifier electrically coupled to the trans-impedance amplifier and to the second ASIC. The transmitter includes a laser positioned to convey optical signals to a remote optical receiver and a laser driver electrically coupled to the laser and to the second ASIC.