Abstract: A register for use in conjunction with kraft recovery boilers or bark-fired boilers utilizes a pair of shaped damper foils to reduce turbulence and induce laminar flow of air from an associated windbox through a port in the boiler. The foils are mounted for constant minimal separation from an exit nozzle to reduce transitional discontinuities which induce turbulence. A curved plenum is also provided to reduce internal turbulence within the plenum.

Abstract: An anti-corrosive material used to protect buried conduits from microbiologically-influenced corrosion, or “MIC”. The material preferably comprises a low, medium, or high density polyethylene sleeve having a bactericide impregnated therein such that said bactericide can migrate within the polymer matrix to contact the conduit surface and thereby prevent MIC therein. The material may further comprise a barrier layer of high density polyethylene between the bactericide-containing layer and the environment. The bactericide is able to migrate through the low or medium density polyethylene but the rate of migration of the bactericide is considerably slowed through the high density polyethylene. Thus, the bactericide is substantially prevented from entering the surrounding environment, but rather, is trapped within a “protection zone” adjacent the conduit surface to provide extended protection against microbiologically-influenced corrosion.

Abstract: A machine for injection molding of plastic articles comprising a rotatable wheel having a plurality of molds mounted along the periphery thereof with spacers mounted therebetween, wherein each mold comprises two opposing sections pivotally attached to each other such that the mold opens radially towards the periphery of the wheel. The periphery of the molds and spacers are machined to a precise radius to collectively form a continuous circle. Each mold comprises a plurality of cavities wherein each cavity communicates with the exterior of the mold along the periphery thereof through an opening formed at the mold parting line. A stationary injection nozzle is machined to precisely conform to the periphery of the circular structure and to ride along the surface thereof as the wheel is rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus for promoting uniform sand distribution into a mold flask in a foundry process, comprising a fixed distribution plate mounted subjacent a hopper and a slide distribution plate slidably mounted subjacent the fixed plate, wherein the slide plate has a repeating series of apertures therethrough with each aperture series corresponding to one aperture through the fixed plate. Each aperture series comprises a plurality of apertures having different diameters wherein the largest aperture diameter is substantially equal to the uniform aperture diameter through the fixed plate. Accordingly, the slide plate is movable between a plurality of open positions such that as different flow rates are desired through the distribution plates, the appropriate sized apertures through the slide plate are fully aligned with the apertures through the fixed plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for exercising and improving the muscle tone of the feminine pelvic floor muscles utilizing an elongated vaginal insert having enlarged rounded ends and a substantially reduced cross-sectional middle portion. The ends of the apparatus are of different sizes in order to facilitate different levels of exercise, thus giving the apparatus a disproportional hourglass shape.

Abstract: A improved apparatus for decelerating a piston and impacting rod assembly within a single stroke foundry impactor utilizing a non-metallic deceleration piston slidably positioned within a pressurized deceleration chamber mounted proximate the end of the bore containing the impactor piston and impacting rod assembly. The deceleration piston is biased towards the impactor bore by pressurization of the deceleration chamber, such that upon a stroke of the impactor, the residual kinetic energy of the piston and impacting rod assembly is absorbed by the biased deceleration piston.

Abstract: A game call having an externally actuated mechanical sound adjustment member for varying the sound emitted from the game call. The game call has a housing rotatably engaged with a reed assembly, such that rotation of the reed assembly relative to the housing causes a sound adjustment member to exert a varied force upon a sound producing reed. The insertion of the sound adjustment member into the housing additionally functions to secure the reed assembly to the housing by partially restricting rotational movement of the reed assembly relative to the housing, such that a retaining member positioned in an annular groove on the reed assembly cannot rotate to engage an exit channel, thereby detaching the reed assembly from the housing.

Abstract: An abutment lock utilized with an implant anchor which has a substantially smooth axial bore which may have longitudinal guide grooves formed therein. The abutment element has an insertion end which is also substantially smooth and which terminates in an oblique lower surface. A bore through the abutment allows a threaded bolt to engage a wedge nut having a cooperatively formed oblique surface and a plurality of guide protrusions such that rotation of the bolt urges the nut against the abutment oblique surfaces thereby urging the smooth surfaces of the nut and abutment into intimate surface to surface contact with the cylindrical wall of the anchor. The relatively large surface area in compressive contact between the abutment and the anchor resists movement between the components.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating foreign matter from fiber tufts includes an air duct in which fiber tufts are pneumatically conveyed into the system via a high speed air stream. The air duct provides an air stream that conveys the fiber tufts with trash on to a revolving cleaning cylinder having teeth to engage the fiber tufts at a velocity that is sufficient to prevent agglomeration of the fiber tufts on a cylinder. The fiber tufts and trash thereby engage a separating means without agglomeration of the fiber tufts. The fiber tufts and trash further engage a streamer plate and grid bars to separate the trash from the fiber tufts such that the clean fiber tufts are distributed to a lint flue. The apparatus may further include a perforated cylinder in close proximity with the revolving cleaning cylinder that allows air to flow there-through, but that prevents penetration of the perforated cylinder surface by the desired fiber tufts.

Abstract: An identification system utilizes a plastic housing which is appropriately sized to hold either a key or a coin as well as an information sheet on which the user may place selected indicia referring to the key or to himself. Each embodiment utilizes a living hinge closure attachment to secure the key or coin and information sheet within the housing. Utilizing the housing and indicia for identifying the key minimizes the excess material and connections thereby simplifying the identification and storage problem, yet because the use of the housing with the key slightly increases the size of the key head, it provides a slightly greater moment arm for turning the key in a lock and gives a slightly larger gripping surface to be employed when so turning the key. These factors are significant when dealing with children and with elderly people who may not have the physical strength and dexterity required for some small headed keys.

Abstract: A flip top housing apparatus for side saw and topping saws used with a tree processing apparatus. The apparatus comprises a bottom section which attaches to one side of a plurality of hinges and a top section which pivotally attaches to the opposite sides of the hinges such that the top section is selectively moveable between a processing position atop the bottom section, shielding the saw blade from the surrounding environment during tree processing, and the transport position adjacent the bottom section, for allowing the housing to avoid low clearances during the transporting of the tree processing device. A lock comprising a handle portion, which fixedly attaches to the top section, and a receiving portion, which fixedly attaches to the bottom section, allows one to fasten the top and bottom section together during the processing position.

Abstract: An illuminator for a fishing lure utilizes a non-conductive tube in which a pair of electrical contacts are disposed in one end in spaced apart relation and in which a rod having a tapered end is slidably retained. When the tube is horizontally disposed or when the tube is vertically disposed with the contacts in the superior position, the rod does not make contact with both contacts; however, when the tube tends toward the vertical position with the contacts in the lower position, the rod tapered end engages both contacts simultaneously. A small light emitting diode and small battery complete the circuit such that the diode acts as an illuminator while the tapered end is engaged with the contacts.

Abstract: A head and upper body support system comprising three distinct supports: a head support and two upper body supports. The head support has a concave face contacting surface to receive the forehead of an individual therein. Each upper body support has an inclined lower portion to support and gradually lift the abdomen of the individual and an upper portion to support the corresponding shoulder, axilla (underarm), and side of the upper body. The upper portion of each upper body support has an arcuate groove formed in the side thereof to contour the axilla, which prevents the support from pressing against the breasts or chest of the individual or impeding the expansion thereof during breathing.

Abstract: A sand art machine uses a plurality of storage bins for colored granular material, each bin having a discharge orifice and an metering valve connected to the orifice for each bin. The metering valve is connected at a dispensing station above a screen on which a receptacle is positioned such that stray sand passes through the screen into a reclaim hopper from which it can be returned to the supply bin. By using a plurality of variously colored sands a decorative art form in a transparent receptacle is easily fashioned and saved.

Abstract: A go-kart construction uses a unibody construction wherein the body serves as a part of the suspension as well. The molded body is made from a flexible yet resilient material such as fiberglass or a suitable plastic such that it has sufficient flexion about a longitudinal axis to allow some twisting deformity without sagging when a passenger is supported in the vehicle. The forward suspension is mounted only to the forward portion of the molded body and includes a transverse member on which vertical bearings for the steerable guidance wheels are mounted, however, the transverse member is connected to the flexible body only by a pair of longitudinally extending members which are freely rotatably connected to the transverse member at their forward ends.

Abstract: A cavity block and method for manufacturing such a block utilizes a computer assisted machining tool to form a composite cavity in a plurality of cavity block segments such that the segments can be separated after the machining of the cavity and paired in horizontal abutment rather than vertical abutment to reorient the lure or article about a new axis after the cavity has been created.