Abstract: A compact electrochemical cell utilized for the detection of numerous toxic gases. The cell includes working and counter electrodes, surrounded by a liquid electrolyte, all of which is enclosed behind a gas permeable, hydrophobic membrane. The working electrode may be a single electrode or may be composed of multiple glassy carbon electrodes arranged in a planar electrode array. The counter electrode is either spatially separated from the array or comprises one or more electrodes in the array. The electrolyte composition varies with the type of gas to be detected and can be aqueous, partially aqueous, or substantially non-aqueous. The electrolyte includes an alkali metal halide. A fixed potential applied between the working and counter electrodes is sufficient to initiate electrochemical reactions in the presence of the gas to be detected without interfering reactions of the electrolyte or air.

Abstract: An improved golf club stand that enables a golf club to be inverted and supported above the ground in a substantially vertical position is provided. In a first embodiment, the stand includes a sleeve secured in the handle of the club and a spike. The spike is tapered at a first end and is configured at a second end to be detachably coupled to the sleeve. In a second embodiment, the spike is retained in the handle of the club. The sleeve has a slotted open end that prevents the spike from being dislodged from the sleeve and enables a portion of the spike to pass therethrough. The disk end of the spike also prevents the spike from completely passing through the slotted end. The sleeve is configured to prevent the spike from retracting fully into the sleeve and drop into the club's shaft. When inserted in the ground, the invented stand aids with keeping the grip of the club dry and unsoiled.

Abstract: A punch tool and method for removing one or more wheels from an axle is provided. The punch comprises an elongated member having a first end configured for receiving a nut therein. The first end has an aperture dimensioned to prevent angular rotation between the aperture and the nut. The aperture has an inner periphery with a bore formed therethrough. The bore extends from the aperture towards a second end of the punch. A desired wheel to be removed is located. A plurality of lugs comprising a stud, an inner cap nut, and a nut, secure the wheels to the axle. The first end of the punch is disposed over a nut coupled to a cap nut, for coupling the punch to the nut. The cap nut may extend through the aperture and into the bore. The diameter of the bore prevents the punch from damaging the cap nut. The second end of the punch is struck with a heavy implement. The implement causes force to be applied to the nut from the punch along the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A circuit component assembly and a method for forming the assembly as an annular body in a laminate, preferably between a trough-hole or via and a surrounding conductive layer in a PCB are disclosed, the circuit component assembly including one or more resistors/conductors, inductors and dielectrics/capacitors or combinations thereof, outer and inner peripheries of the circuit component preferably having substantially constant radii permitting simple determination of operative electrical characteristics for the circuit component from (a) the inner and outer radii, (b) an effective thickness for the circuit component and (c) its electrical characteristics determined by the material formed in the annular recess, the circuit component body preferably being formed from a liquid precursor forming conductive interconnections for the circuit component assembly at its outer and inner perimeters.

Abstract: A muscle memory basketball training aid and method is provided. The training aid includes a pair of base assemblies and a rectangular frame detachably coupled to the base assemblies. The frame includes a pair of shooting bars and a pair of end bars detachably coupled to the shoot bars. A pair of extension members are detachbly coupled to the base assemblies and to the frame. A locking device is provided that enables longitudinal adjustment of the extension members relative to the base assemblies, for adjusting the height of the frame assembly relative to the base assemblies. The locking device enables each extension member to be adjusted independently of the other, so that the frame assembly may extend obtusely above the base assemblies, to accommodate plural users of different heights.

Abstract: A foundation pier for supporting a movable dwelling, such as a mobile home or commercial coach is provided. The pier provides enhanced seismic and wind force absorption properties over prior art piers. The invented pier includes a base plate having a threaded shaft affixed thereto. A plurality of webs are spatially positioned about the shaft at predetermined intervals. A support member has a first end threadably coupled to the shaft for adjusting the height of the pier. Couple members detachably couple to second end of the support member for attaching the pier to a support beam of the movable dwelling to prevent movement between the pier and the dwelling. A clamp member is affixed to the plurality of webs. The clamp member couples to the support member for preventing movement of the support member relative to the shaft and the clamp member. Environmental forces applied to the support member are transmitted from the clamp member and distributed through the plurality of webs to prevent the pier from collapsing.

Abstract: A fluid replacement apparatus for use with a portable body heating and cooling system is provided. The apparatus includes a frame with a support portion configured for supporting a reservoir of the portable body heating and cooling system. A heat exchange mechanism is retained in the frame. The heat exchange mechanism includes a thermostatically controlled receptacle for maintaining fluid circulating through the receptacle at a desired temperature. A cover member covers the reservoir to releasably couple the fluid replacement apparatus to the portable body heating and cooling system. The cover member includes a pump for circulating fluid between the heat exchange mechanism and the reservoir of the portable body heating and cooling system. Return and supply tubes extend between the cover member and the heat exchange mechanism. The supply tube is coupled to the pump land to a receptacle of the heat exchange mechanism for circulating fluid from the reservoir to the receptacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing operation of a filter system supplying filtered fluid to a process system characterized by varying demands for filtered fluid, a pump being operable at a varying flow rate for supplying inlet fluid to the filter system and developing a supply of outlet filtered fluid for the process system, a selected parameter of the process system indicative of its demands for filtered fluid being sensed in order to generate representative feedback data and regulating operation of the filter system pump to supply inlet fluid to the filter system at a rate determined by the feedback data whereby the filter system operates at a variable rate in proportion to the varying demands of the process system. Operation of the filter system pump is preferably regulated by adjusting either its operating speed or volumetric stroke.

Abstract: A rotary kite suitable for rotation in a direction perpendicular to the wind flow is provided with a symmetrical wind receiving surface supported by a frame and open at the ends thereof permitting the passage of air currents therethrough with at least two air vents and at least two internal vanes to cause rotation.

Abstract: A device for controlling an articulating outboard motor bracket is provided. A mounting bracket is affixed to an inner side of a boat's transom. The mounting bracket includes a pair of mounting plates that extend above a top edge of the transom. A lever arm has a first end that is pivotally affixed to the mounting plates. A lever member has an arcuate region that extends from a first end toward a second end thereof. The first end of the lever member is pivotally coupled to the lever arm. The lever member couples to the lever arm at a point proximal to an arcuate portion of the lever arm. A pair of coupling plates pivotally couple the lever member to the lever arm and hold the lever member in axial alignment with the lever arm. A pair of connecting plates pivotally connect a second end of the lever member to a lifting member on the articulating bracket. The lever arm is rotated toward the articulating outboard motor bracket, to lower the bracket into an operating position.

Abstract: A thumb pick for a stringed instrument is provided. The thumb pick includes a thumb engaging portion for coupling the pick to the user's thumb. The engaging portion comprises a bottom portion and an arcuate portion that extends above the bottom portion. The arcuate portion and bottom portion substantially encircle the thumb when the pick is coupled thereto. The bottom portion comprises a planar surface lying within a thumb plane that extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the thumb. A pick portion is adjacent to the bottom portion and lies generally within a pick plane. The pick portion is dimensioned to engage a string of a musical instrument when the pick is coupled to the thumb. An intermediate portion integrally couples the bottom portion to the pick portion. The intermediate portion is located adjacent to the end of the arcuate portion to engage the thumb when the pick is coupled thereto.

Abstract: A fruit concentrate composition is blended from a hydrolyzed starch of at least 40 D.E., preferably about 50-70 D.E., more preferably about 55-65 D.E. and a fruit concentrate having about 0% insoluble solids, the blended composition having at least about 70%, preferably about 80-95%, more preferably about 90-95% simple carbohydrates, and about 3-20%, preferably about 3-10%, more preferably about 6% complex carbohydrates, on a dry weight basis, with a resulting dual functionality in food formulations for achieving both nutritive sweetening and fat substitution as well as a number of other benefits. The composition is preferably formed by hydrolyzing a starch source to the above D.E. value, blending it with a fruit juice concentrate to form a fruit concentration composition having the above components and reducing water content of the blend to at least about 77%, preferably to about 77-80% soluble solids, the composition having substantially 0% insoluble solids.

Abstract: A thermal pad for use with a portable body heating/cooling system and method of use wherein the system includes a reservoir for hot/cold fluid, supply and return tubes for connecting the reservoir with the pad, pump means for continually circulating fluid between the reservoir and the pad and suitable controls, the thermal pad comprising a single corrugated tube including connectors for connection with the supply and return tubes, the single corrugated tube being folded on itself to form at least parallel passes providing a treatment surface for the pad, a cover extending transversely of the tube passes opposite the treatment surface, strips for securing the ends of the tube passes to the cover and straps for securing the pad in place on the treatment area.

Abstract: A circuit board and method of forming a circuit board with signal and receptor pads arranged on layers spaced apart in a Z direction with a dielectric layer therebetween, parameters of a resulting AC signal transmitting circuit resulting wherein:capacitive reactance is defined by the equation (I) ##EQU1## where F is frequency and C is capacitance; inductive reactance is defined by the equation (II)X.sub.L =2.pi.FLwhere F is frequency and L is inductance;capacitance is defined by the equation (III) ##EQU2## where A is the effective mutual area of the signal and receptor pads, D is Faraday's constant, E is the dielectric constant, and .tau. is the thickness of the dielectric layer; andinductance is defined by the equation (IV)L=0.005 ln (4h/d).mu.H/in.where ln indicates the natural logarithm for the value 4h/d, where h is the distance above a ground plane, and d is the equivalent diameter of a conductor;wherein capacitance and inductance are established in equations I and II with X.sub.C and X.sub.

Abstract: An apparatus is described as a source of a plasma with a variety of applications. Of particular interest is gas abatement whereby the toxic or environmentally harmful effluent from a process chamber is converted to harmless and stable products by passing through this plasma source. The plasma is produced in a gas by cooperation between a magnetic field of the proper strength and microwave energy of the proper frequency. The microwave field enters a chamber through a window of microwave transparent material to encounter a magnetic field formed by a permanent magnet placed on the opposite side of the chamber and designed such that the direction of propagation of the microwave field is parallel with the magnetic field lines in the center of the chamber. For the purpose of gas abatement the plasma source is located downstream from a processing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is described as a source of a plasma for remote, or downstream, processing with a variety of applications. The plasma is produced in a gas by cooperation between a magnetic field of the proper strength and microwave energy of the proper frequency. The microwave field enters a chamber through a window of microwave transparent material to encounter a magnetic field formed by a permanent magnet placed on the opposite side of the chamber and designed such that the direction of propagation of the microwave field is parallel with the magnetic field lines in the center of the chamber. A gas or gas mixture is introduced to the chamber and the plasma effluent is guided by gas pressure gradients to a workpiece located downstream from the source chamber. With the proper choice of gases, pressure, and power the workpiece or substrate can be effected by deposition of a thin film, etching of the substrate surface, or otherwise modifying the surface or body of the workpiece.

Abstract: A device for separating the yolk and albumen of an egg is provided. A housing includes an inner chamber and an outer chamber. A lid member is detachably coupled to an upper edge of the housing. The lid includes an annular member positioned above the inner chamber and a plurality of slots disposed adjacent to the annular member communicating with the outer chamber. The annular member is sized for retaining the yolk and for causing the albumen to overflow the annular member with the slots allowing the albumen to flow downwardly into the outer chamber. A lever is pivotally coupled to the annular member. The lever has a bottom portion abutting a bottom edge of the annular member for enabling dispensing of whole yolk retained in the annular member into the inner chamber without breaking the yolk. A funnel is detachably mounted on the lid. The funnel has a bottom opening positioned above the annular member for directing the egg to the annular member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed employing electron cyclotron resonant (ECR) heating to produce plasma for applications including but not limited to chemical vapor deposition and etching. A magnetic field is formed by magnets circumferentially arranged about a cylindrical and symmetrical chamber with microwave power injected perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the chamber for preventing line-of-sight communication of resulting energetic electrons with a specimen being treated. The microwave power is distributed uniformly around the circumference of the chamber by applicators formed by one or more pairs of annular sectors, each of which comprises a slotted wave guide antenna, and coupled to an external source of microwave power by a hybrid coupler. A magnetic field free region produces uniformity of plasma distribution in a plasma stream approaching the outlet. The above characteristics are maintained for the plasma stream over substantial transverse dimensions larger than the specimen.

Abstract: A repair kit intended to be used in repairing (in the form of a plug type device) a hole in various types of wall construction and primarily hollow core doors. This repair device is comprised of a specially designed disk so as not to allow the disk to fall into the wall cavity, and a piece of dowel rod. The disk and dowel rod may be made of a multitude of substances, giving special consideration to factors such as bondable surface area, and weight versus mass. The disk is designed to plug a hole in a wall or door, after following some simple wall or door preparation. The disk is held in place by a bonding material such as, spackle or drywall type taping compounds for wall repairs. When used for the repair of a door, it is best to use a wood glue. Once in place the disk surface is covered with plaster, Spackle, drywall compound or whatever material is appropriate for the surface being repaired.