Abstract: Apparatus for stabilizing a two-legged ladder against lateral and rearward movement. Telescoped tubular pole assemblies are attached at one end to opposite side rails of the ladder with a quick disconnect universal pivot. Special support and retainer blocks are provided for facilitating the transport of the assembled ladder and telescoped assemblies on the top of a vehicle.

Abstract: A frost hook attachment for fixed attachment of connection between a quick-coupler on the outer boom of a back-hoe and the back-hoe bucket, wherein force from the back-hoe boom is transmitted from the quick-coupler to the frost hook and thence to the bucket to which the frost hook is attached, the bucket and frost hook rotating in unison about the main pivotal axis of the bucket.

Abstract: A graphic material display device having a baseball bat-like shape. A centrally located shoulder and a second shoulder located adjacent one of the ends are connected by a web portion and support a transparent, hollow, cylindrical tube. Graphic material placed adjacent the web portion and within in the tube may be viewed through the tube. A sleeve selectively locks the tube in position or permits the tube to be removed to change the graphic material.

Abstract: A portable, manually operated apparatus for filling fluid into a fluid container, the container having a check-valve port for discharging fluid and for receiving fluid. A base member has first and second spaced-apart bores, and a third bore connecting the first two bores. A manifold has fluid supply and return passages connected respectively to the first and second bores. A fluid pump connected to the manifold supply and return passages is adapted, when actuated, to supply fluid under pressure to the fluid supply passage.

Abstract: A shooting rest comprising a pair of elongated rods having a preselected cross section and a multi-function clamp means comprising a special elastic yoke for receiving the rods and holding the rods with the longitudinal axes thereof in a plurality of preselected angular relationships. The yoke means further permits the holding of the rods at a plurality of preselected locations along the longitudinal axes of the rods.

Abstract: A non-destructive and non-invasive method for monitoring a selected characteristic of a fabricated semiconductor sample while inside a fabrication chamber and during the fabrication process, where selected materials are deposited on a planar surface of a wafer substrate in a fabrication chamber, employs one or more viewports in the walls of the fabrication chamber. A focused electromagnetic wave is generated external to the fabrication chamber, and directed through a viewport to impinge upon a selected portion of the planar surface of the wafer substrate at an oblique incident angle relative to the planar surface of the wafer substrate. In turn, a reflected electromagnetic wave emanating from the planar surface of the wafer substrate is detected. A signal processor then determines a reflection coefficient as a function of a selected characteristic of the focused electromagnetic wave and the reflected electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: A Germanium junction field effect transistor (Ge-JFET) is fabricated in a manner to produce low noise and which is particularly suitable for a cryogenic detector. The Ge-JFET in accordance with the present invention comprises a germanium base material on which a phosphorous implanted channel region is implanted thereon. A boron cap layer overlies the channel region. On the cap layer are separately spaced drain and source ohmic contact regions, and a gate ohmic contact region therebetween. The drain and source ohmic contact regions are separately spaced arsenic implant regions and a phosphorous implant region. The gate ohmic contact region is a BF.sub.2 implanted region.

Abstract: A graphic material display device having a baseball bat-like shape. A centrally located shoulder and a second shoulder located adjacent one of the ends are connected by a web portion and support a transparent, hollow, cylindrical tube. Graphic material placed adjacent the web portion and within in the tube may be viewed through the tube.

Abstract: An electrical connector for securing an electrical connection between a conductor and a wire or cable, comprises a first plate, a second plate below the first plate, a hinge attaching the rear portion of the first plate to the rear portion of the second plate, and a wire securing means attached to one of the plates. The first and second plates have tabs attached to their forward portions, and each plate has at least one hole therethrough, the holes being sized to receive a conductor. The hinge allows the forward portion of the second plate to be moved relative to the forward portion of the first plate. Means are provided for biasing the two plates to a closed position, where the holes on the first and second plates are not aligned. In the open position, the holes are aligned. When a conductor is extended through the holes in the open position, the bias means biases the plates toward the closed position to firmly retain the conductor.

Abstract: A safety syringe having a cylindrical hollow barrel member of semi-elastic material has a seal and stop device at the distal open end and a first restraining stop device axially spaced a preselected distance from the distal open end. A cylindrically shaped needle carrier is initially positioned within the barrel member between the stop device, the needle carrier having a centrally located recess device at the proximal end thereof for receiving and holding a male piston extension device. A piston rod having a piston is provided for drawing fluid into the barrel and forcing fluid out of the barrel through a longitudinal bore in the needle carrier and through an elongated hollow needle attached to the needle carrier. The piston has a male extension at the distal end for engagement with the female recess of the needle carrier.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for monitoring the carrier lifetime characteristic of a fabricated semiconductor sample during the fabrication process, where selected materials are deposited on a planar surface of a wafer substrate in a fabrication chamber, employs one or more viewports in the walls of a fabrication chamber, thus avoiding any alteration of the fabrication process. A focused electromagnetic wave is generated external to the fabrication chamber, and directed through a viewport to impinge upon a selected portion of the planar surface of the wafer substrate at an oblique incident angle relative to the planar surface of the wafer substrate. In turn, a reflected electromagnetic wave emanating from the planar surface of the wafer substrate is detected. A light source, also external to the fabrication chamber, generates light directed at the wafer substrate through a viewport. The light is intended to have wavelength components capable of generating hole-electron pairs in the wafer substrate.

Abstract: A two-level IR detector imaging array of high fill-factor design. The upper microbridge detector level is spaced above and overlie the integrated circuit and bus lines on the substrate surface below.

Abstract: A disk spindle motor having a permanent magnet central shaft. A pair of annular, non-magnetic combination thrust and journal bearings having truncated-conical outer surfaces are spaced apart on the shaft. The bearing coact with complementary surfaces of the hub of a motor rotor. Shaft end caps connect the shaft to base means and have radially extending shoulders which define annular gaps with the rotor and function as ferrofluidic seals.

Abstract: In a microbolometer infrared radiation sensor, a detector material (VO.sub.2) having a high thermal coefficient of resistance to increase the sensitivity of the apparatus.

Abstract: A microstructure design for high IR sensitivity having a two level infrared bolometer microstructure, the lower level having a reflective metal film surface such as Pt, Au, or Al to reflect IR penetrating to that level, the upper level being separated from the lower level by an air gap of about 1-2 microns which allows the reflected IR to interfere with the incident IR and increase the sensitivity to a higher level.