Abstract: A method of and device for testing for conditions, particularly moisture conditions, in root canals and for drying the root canal. In accordance with the method, a small pointed implement in the nature of a rolled piece of paper having pH indicator on the tip thereof is inserted into the root canal. The pH indictor, by change of color, will present information as to whether or not any moisture is present in the canal and, secondly, whether or not the moisture is a positive pH or negative pH.

Abstract: A drive system for a digitizing scanning apparatus of the type which scans an image, such as a light transmissive document in the nature of an x-ray or the like, and enables generation of digital signals representative of that image. The drive system is uniquely designed with three main drive rollers and a pair of idler rollers operable in combination therewith for driving the light transmissive document in such manner that there is a relatively constant drive force on the document which is independent of document thickness and which also allows for a uniform driving movement without any shatter or vibration in the document, which would otherwise distort and materially interfere with proper screening and digitizing of the document.

Abstract: A sprinkler head assembly comprised of a base located at the upper end of a riser tube and which base carries a screen allowing for distribution of water. In accordance with the present invention, a control valve is located directly at the sprinkler head assembly. In one embodiment, the sprinkler head assembly may constitute a shrub or stationary head connected to the upper end of the riser tube. In this embodiment, the control valve would be preferably located in the body of the base of the stationary sprinkler head. In another embodiment, the sprinkler head assembly constitutes a pop-up sprinkler head and the control valve would be located in the pop-up shaft forming part of that sprinkler head. In still another embodiment of the invention, a retrofit coupling or adapter may be provided and which would be located between a riser tube and a sprinkler head forming part of that assembly. In this case, the adaptive coupling would include the control valve.

Abstract: An optical instrument which allows for perspective viewing of an anaglyphic image with minimal optical distortion. In one embodiment, the instrument relies upon anaglyphic lenses with one lens being formed of a first primary color and a second lens comprised of at least one other primary color. In one aspect, either one or both of the lenses has a diopter strength greater than a conventional filter. In another aspect, one of the lenses has a diopter optical strength greater than that of the other and which thereby reduces distortions which may otherwise arise. Thus, one lens will have a lower diopter than the other. In another embodiment of the invention, a lens density difference between two lenses are used. One lens has a greater density then the other lens within a specified amount. The color variance between two lenses is also specified.

Abstract: An improved high performance aluminum connecting rod and a method of manufacturing such a connecting rod which is capable of carrying particularly high compressive loads with a substantially reduced deformation resulting from such high compressive loads in high performance engines. The connecting rod is made of an extruded bar stock forging made of an aluminum alloy material which is forged and machined to make the connecting rod. The connecting rod has a substantially increased compressive yield strength as well as a substantially increased tensile yield strength. This increase in the compressive yield strength of the connecting rod effectively prevents bending of the connecting rod beam, elongation of the wrist pin bore, and a marked deterioration in the roundness of the bearing housing bore.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress capable of being folded or rolled into a small compact unit and unfolded or unrolled to a relatively flat or partially contoured body supporting condition. The mattress is comprised of an inner foam core of the type capable of being rolled or folded. An outer flexible and foldable fabric cover surrounds the foam core. Moreover, air spaces are formed in the foam core to allow a self-inflating when a valve on the mattress is opened. The mattress is air impervious and will remain inflated when the valve is closed. This construction also allows a deflating when the mattress is compressed and the valve is again opened. The mattress is characterized in that the major part of the upper surface area is provided with a plurality of closely spaced apart recesses formed in both the cover and the foam core and thereby define corresponding raised portions or projections between each of the recesses.

Abstract: An inline skateboard capable of being propelled by leg motion of a rider and which includes a platform supporting the rider along with a front wheel truck and a rear wheel truck. Each of these wheel trucks carry a single wheel. Moreover, the wheels are capable of slight turning movement transversely with respect to the platform and provide a high degree of maneuverability and turning capability. The wheels on each of the trucks are offset with respect to a pivot axis for each of the trucks. In addition, the axis of rotation of the front wheel is displaced rearwardly of the front pivot axis and the axis of rotation of the rear wheel is displaced forwardly of the rear pivot axis. Further, the angle of displacement of these pivot axes with respect to the axis of rotation is the same.

Abstract: A composite material includes a highly aligned discontinuous fibers. The material comprises a plurality of substantially aligned warp fibers which have been woven about a plurality of weft filaments, each warp fiber having a series of crossover points with adjacent warp fibers. A plurality of matrix polymer filaments are associated with the warp fibers, the polymer matrix filaments having been treated such that each warp fiber adheres to the matrix polymer filament at at least the crossover points such that the warp fibers are attached to each other at the crossover points. A series of preselected patterned cuts are made in at least some of the warp fibers. The invention is also for a method of making a composite material with discontinuous fibers.

Abstract: A lock with sensor comprises a housing defining a chamber and a latch mechanism located within the chamber of the housing. The latch mechanism is movable relative to the housing between a retracted position wherein the latch mechanism is substantially within the housing and an extended position wherein the latch mechanism extends at least partially outside of the housing. A sensor mechanism is provided and has a fixed switch portion located within the chamber and a movable switch activator portion, the switch activator portion being mounted so as to move with the latch mechanism and thereby activate and deactivate the switch portion respectively.

Abstract: A controlled self operating vacuum cleaning system which comprises a stationary housing for the storage of a mobile vacuum cleaner apparatus and where the housing is provided with an automatically openable and closable closure allowing exit and entry of the mobile vacuum cleaner unit. The mobile unit is driven by an internal drive motor which is powered by one or more batteries carried by the mobile vacuum cleaner unit. At preestablished times and preestablished time intervals, the closure of the housing will automatically open providing for ingress and egress and the mobile vacuum cleaner unit will exit and randomly clean the carpet of a certain specified area for a predetermined time period. The mobile vacuum cleaner unit is provided with obstacle detectors for causing the mobile unit to move beyond an obstacle, if it contacts an obstacle, as well as detectors for detecting the edge of a staircase and the edge of a carpet to cause the mobile unit to remain on the carpeted area.

Abstract: A composite material includes a highly aligned discontinuous fibers. The material comprises a plurality of substantially aligned warp fibers which have been woven about a plurality of weft filaments, each warp fiber having a series of crossover points with adjacent warp fibers. A plurality of matrix polymer filaments are associated with the warp fibers, the polymer matrix filaments having been treated such that each warp fiber adheres to the matrix polymer filament at least the crossover points such that the warp fibers are attached to each other at the crossover points. A series of patterned cuts having preselected characteristics are made in at least some of the warp fibers. The invention is also for a method of making a composite material with discontinuous fibers.

Abstract: A remotely controlled electronic display sign which operates with a plasma display and which provides for humidity control and the like allowing the sign to be used in various environments. The sign is essentially self-contained and includes those components necessary for enabling a display of desired material from a remote control source. A controller in or associated with the sign is accessible either electrically, or through satellite transmission or other wireless transmission from the remote source which allows the display of the sign to be changed at will. Thus, an operator at a remote source may, with the aid of a pre-prepared graphic design, transmit that design to the controller at or associated with the sign for display of that graphic information.

Abstract: A pedal board for releasably retaining a plurality of foot pedal operated sound effect generators used in conjunction with musical instruments, such as guitars. The pedal board comprises an upper plate having a surface constructed to releasably hold a plurality of foot pedal operated sound effect generators. The pedal board is provided with an internal wiring harness and external jacks for connection of the sound effect generators in a desired array and which enable connection to the musical instrument as well as to an auxiliary sound generating component used with the musical instrument.

Abstract: An improved process for fabricating photovoltaic charging circuits including the steps of: 1. fabricating a circuit board by conventional techniques with photovoltaic piece mounting pads, islands, and traces suitable for interconnecting photovoltaic pieces in series with a LED and the cells of the rechargeable battery; 2. fabricating a suitable solder screen; 3. using the screen to apply solder dots to the piece mounting pads and the LED mounting pads; 4. using a pick and place machine to automatically place the pieces, conductive side up, onto the piece mounting pads and the LED onto the LED mounting pads; 5. heating the assembly to cause soldering of the rears of the pieces to the piece mounting pads and the LED to the LED mounting pads; and 6. electrically connecting the conductive sides to the islands.

Abstract: A rigging cable cleaning device primarily, although not exclusively, adapted for use on sailboat rigging cables, such as main sail cables, lanyard cables, and the like. The rigging cable cleaning device comprises an outer flexible fabric cover and an inner cleaning pad which can be folded or wrapped about a sailboat rigging cable. Holes with grommets are located on the ends of the outer fabric cover for receiving a releasable locking mechanism to thereby hold the cable cleaning device on a rigging cable. In this way, the device can be physically moved up and down or along the cable for cleaning same. The cleaning pad is removably attached to the inner surface of the fabric cover so that one type of cleaning pad can be substituted for another.

Abstract: A video Keratometer/Pachymeter comprising an array of illuminated points disposed in concentric circles around the optical axis of a television camera for definition of corneal surface contour by a method similar to the well know Placido, except that the isolated point ring format provides unambiguous back ray trace information to eliminate errors inherent in the prior art, in combination with a projected pattern of discrete points to elicit Tyndall images for definition of both anterior and posterior corneal surface by triangulation using multiple television cameras viewing the reflected and Tyndall images, substraction of a view of the eye with neither pattern superimposed as well as each pattern in sequence for isolation of the data containing points from the general clutter of background pictorial information.

Abstract: A vehicle theft prevention and recovery system is activated by a pager upon receiving a telephonic signal from a pager service, in response to a call from a vehicle owner or operator, to activate anti-theft means including a warning to a thief in the vehicle, means for disabling the vehicle engine, and visual and audible alarm signal devices to identify the vehicle as stolen. The means for disabling the vehicle engine preferably disables the engine after a predetermined count-down warning to any occupant in the vehicle. In addition, the theft prevention and recovery system includes a light display on the exterior of the vehicle to warn outsiders of an impending vehicle disoperation. In addition, an embodiment is disclosed in which radar can be used from another source as, for example, a law enforcement vehicle, to trigger the operation of the vehicle disablement.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument having an elongate neck and a body which may have a resonant cavity at one end and a head at the other end thereof. Strings extend across the neck and, when vibrated, generate musical sounds. The invention relies upon fingerboards which are removable so that one type of fingerboard may be substitutable for another type of fingerboard in order to generate sounds of different timber or of different qualities. Thus, fretted fingerboards are substitutable for non-fretted fingerboards. Moreover, and in a preferred embodiment, the fingerboards are inserted onto the neck of the instrument and can be slid into and out of interlocking elements from one longitudinal side of the neck of the instrument. In one embodiment of the invention, dovetail projections are formed on the neck of the musical instrument and corresponding notches or grooves are formed on the underside of the fingerboard to permit an interlocking arrangement of the fingerboard on the neck of the musical instrument.

Abstract: An improved high performance aluminum connecting rod and a method for manufacturing such a connecting rod are disclosed, the connecting rod being capable of carrying particularly high compressive loads with a substantially reduced deformation resulting from such high compressive loads. In the preferred embodiment, the connecting rod of the present invention is made of an extruded bar stock forging made of an aluminum alloy material which is forged and machined to make the connecting rod. The connecting rod of the present invention has a substantially increased compressive yield strength as well as a substantially increased tensile yield strength. This increase in the compressive yield strength of the connecting rod of the present invention effectively prevents bending of the connecting rod beam, elongation of the wrist pin bore, and a marked deterioration in the roundness of the bearing housing bore.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the readability of rapidly displayed text and with rapid apprehension, at a rate which is greater than the maximum unaided reading capability of that subject using the method. The method comprises a rapid and sequential moving of the words of text through a window on a screen of a computer monitor. In accordance with the method, the words are allowed to pass through or be displayed in the display window, one word at a time, and at a rate in which the time for display which is based on the number of characters in a word is related to and a function of the total amount of time required for all of the words in a segment of the text to be displayed. A time for display of each word of average character length is the same, and that certain words in a segment will be displayed for a longer period of time than other of the words. Usually, the words which contain more characters will have a longer display period.