Abstract: A training device for a putting stroke in the game of golf. A base and sidewalls form a track which defines the path of the stroke. A guide attached to the putter head fits within the track and prevents the putter head from binding in the track and thus directs the putter head along the track causing the golfer to keep proper wrist alignment and to build muscle memory when properly stroking the ball. One version of the track permits the width of the track to be adjusted to accommodate putters having different sized heads. Further, a portion of the track may be adjusted to train a putting stoke having a slightly curved backswing.

Abstract: A damaged formation is stimulated by igniting a propellant adjacent openings in the wellbore in communication with the damaged formation. Substantially immediately thereafter, low density foam is injected adjacent the openings and circulated to the surface for the removal of debris released from the formation. A tubing string has a foam discharge port at a distal end and a foam injection port at surface. The tubing string extends sufficiently above the wellbore at surface to enable lowering of the tubing string and foam discharge port to below the openings for enhanced removal of debris.

Abstract: A method and system allows periodic access the wrong way through one or more one-way valves installed in a fluid flow stream. Fluid can flow through the bypassed valves or through the tools used to bypass the valves such as those of a reciprocating production pump. A stab tool cooperates with a valve to unseat a ball from a ball seat so as to bypass the ball and pass through the ball seat. The stab tool can be conveyed by tubing for discharge of fluid through ports in the stab tool. In another aspect of the invention, a rod installed within a pump between a reciprocating uphole valve and a downhole valve is arranged so that when the pump is closed, the stab tool at the rod's lower end passes through the downhole valve and a projection at the rod's upper end passed though the uphole valve the pump is partially closed. Fluid can be pumped in reverse through the pump fluidize debris.

Abstract: A portable chair which, when assembled, supports a user in the prone position and comprises inter-fitting parts allowing the chair assembly to be reconfigurable, adjustable, collapsible and easy to transport. Two side panels are pivotally connected at a straddle edge into which a seat member slidably attaches for supporting the panels in a stable splayed open position. Optional and additional support members inter-fit through corresponding openings in the side panels. Elbow and arm rests removeably attach to the side panels. The hinged connection allows the side panels to rotate between a collapsed to a parallel, closed position to the open position. The various seat member, support members and arm rests removeably attach to an inner wall of the collapsed side panels for easy transportation as one unit.

Abstract: Ammunition, such as shotshells used in waterfowl hunting, have indicia applied to substantially all of the external surface to reduce glare normally a problem in conventional ammunition. The indicia, such as a camouflage pattern, is applied either through the use of inkjet printing directly on the shotshell surface or through the application of a heat transfer sleeve to which the indicia has been previously applied. The process of applying the camouflage pattern may be incorporated into the manufacture of the ammunition or may be operable as a standalone process used for pre-manufactured ammunition.

Abstract: A bench-top pill counter accurately and automatically counts a wide variety of shapes and sizes of pharmaceutical pills and capsules, having a variety of coatings. A rotating bowl, periodically shaken during rotation, is combined with a fixed, flared spiral guide ramp causing pills to distribute individually on an annular ledge in the bowl. The pills are dispensed from the bowl onto a sloped slide and counted at the bottom of the slide by an optical counter. The micro-computer determines an optimum speed and shake algorithm for the bowl, based on the characteristics such as the size and shape of the pills, so that the pills distribute individually and only one pill at a time passes the counter.

Abstract: A self-aligning bracket for use in mounting a planar surface such as a roof to a fixed structure such as a bank of fuel cylinders mounted to the roof of a vehicle frame. The bracket provides a locating block on a saddle mount which co-operates with a depression formed on the inner surface of the roof to align fasteners depending from the roof with a coupling fastener on the bracket. The coupling fastener is laterally moveable within an oversized hole in the bracket and engages the locating block to permit co-rotation. An anchor is attached to an end of the coupling fastener so that when the roof fastener is actuated in the coupling fastener, the anchor is drawn towards the coupling fastener, tightening the locating block, coupling fastener and anchor to the saddle mount, preventing further lateral movement.

Abstract: A desanding vessel is inserted in a high velocity fluid stream containing entrained particulates. The vessel comprises an upper freeboard portion having a large cross-sectional wherein the fluid stream velocity drops and particulates fall from suspension. Preferably the fluid stream is introduced offset upwardly from an axis of a horizontally oriented cylindrical vessel, released particulates falling to accumulate in a lower belly portion. The freeboard portion is maintained using a depending flow barrier adjacent the vessel's outlet which sets the depth of accumulation in the belly portion. A cleanout enables periodic removal of accumulations.

Abstract: A tool is provided for preventing the rotation of a downhole tool or rotary pump stator, the tool comprising a tubular housing and a jaw which is biased radially outwardly from the tool to engage the casing wall for arresting tool rotation and providing significant stabilization of a rotary pump. In doing so, the tool housing moves oppositely to rest against the casing opposite the jaw. The tool housing and the downhole tool are thereby restrained and stabilized by the casing wall. The tool's jaw is released by opposite tool rotation. Preferably, the jaw is biased outwardly from the tool housing to a casing-engaging position by a torsional member, housed along the axis of the hinge of the jaw. The tool is released from the casing by opposite tool rotation which increasingly compresses the jaw toward the housing, twisting the torsional member into torsion, which then acts to urge the jaw outwardly again. Overextension of the jaw during assembly is prevented using cooperating stops in the jaw and the housing.

Abstract: A self-retaining cementing wiper plug has two or more steel or carbide tipped holddown fingers or slips extending radially outward from the plug for engaging the inner surface of the casing and preventing the plug from moving uphole over time and potentially interfering with other downhole apparatus such as a pump.

Abstract: A system is provided for unloading accumulated liquids and enhancing the recovery of gas from a reservoir having diminished pressure. An annulus between a tubing string and casing is isolated by a packer and continually pressurized with a slipstream of compressed gas while the well continues to produce. A unique valve positioned in the tubing string is shuttled between a production position in which production fluids are permitted to bypass the valve to the surface and a lift position in which the bypass is blocked and an unloading port is opened to vent high pressure annulus gas to the tubing string above the valve, lifting accumulated liquids with it. Preferably, the valve is actuated to the lift position by the impact of a plunger dropped from a lubricator at the wellhead, when the pressure in the annulus has reached a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus and method for treatment of system of conduits and lateral sub-conduits comprising a remotely controlled robotic vehicle which navigates main conduits which delivers a series of tools to locations within the conduit. The mule's tools comprise a variety of devices including a tape head and a transport housing for a second remotely controlled robotic vehicle, or mouse which can be deployed for traversing and treating sub-conduits. Further, a method to install one or more small diameter flexible elongate members, such as conductors or sheathes to the inside of the system of conduits comprises advancing an elongate member through the conduit system with the mule or mouse, anchoring the elongate member and then taping the elongate member with the taping head while retreating out of the conduit. Preferably the tape is pre-shaped to minimize wrinkling upon application and more preferably, greater security and tape bonding strength is achieved by spraying over the tape and elongate member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for remote administration of a PC-server and which enables remote keyboard input, even during re-boot sequence of the PC-server. The apparatus comprises an adapter emulating video of a display adapter to convert display data, including boot-level data at the console, for serial transmission to a remote user. Further, the microprocessor converts input commands from the user to a form compatible with the PC-server input interface such as scan codes for a keyboard input interface. Additionally, the method and apparatus of the present invention makes it possible to route textual data to a speech synthesizer at the boot level.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for distance measurement to a remote surface using high frequency modulated transmitted and reflected laser beams and phase-shift calculations. To improve phase-shift resolution, the reflected bean is further modulated, before detection, at a high frequency similar yet different from that of the transmitted beam so as create a resulting detector signal having at least a lower frequency signal which is easily detected by a response limited detector. The lower frequency signal retains the phase-shift information and thus enables determination of the phase-shift information with stable, inexpensive low-frequency optical detectors. Three-dimensional mapping can performed wherein one or more apparatus employ a plurality of detectors or a scanner producing a plurality of sequential reflected beams, each of which results in a plurality of phase-shift information for an area on the surface.

Abstract: A nasal or full-face mask and headgear system for improving pediatric compliance of ventilation therapy, including CPAP or BiPAP, and sized for pediatric use is provided. Each mask has a shallow concave rigid shell bearing the visage of a caricature. Unique caricatures are predetermined to represent different sizes of masks. Further, headgear is provided in keeping with the caricature theme and having additional aspects such as ears, removably attached to it. Each mask has an inner inflatable cuff to improve fit and an outer replaceable cuff to facilitate cleaning as well as fitting. The headgear is attached to the mask at three contact points using straps having key slots attached to ends of the straps and raised buttons on the mask shell. The straps are adjustable for length using Velcro™ and are not adjusted each time the system is placed onto the patient, improving positioning of the mask when the patient is asleep or resistant.

Abstract: A jet barrel adapted for use in a spa jet housing having a rotor rotatably supported on a spindle pin aligned along a longitudinal axis in the bore of the jet barrel. The spindle pin is supported at upstream and downstream pivot points. An offset nozzle extends from a conical base of the rotor, an inlet to the rotor being aligned with an outlet from the jet barrel's bore. As water exits the jet barrel bore into the rotor, the rotor and spindle pin are caused to co-rotate. Hard water deposits, sufficient to prevent rotation do not readily build around the pivot points.

Abstract: A composite wall panel having continuous upper and lower hollow horizontal chases and spaced hollow vertical chases formed throughout the panel to permit passage of electrical wiring and the like. The chases have protective barriers to protect the wiring from penetration and damage due to mechanical fasteners used to manufacture the panel and to construct load bearing walls using a plurality of manufactured panels. Further, the panel has a continuous header to provide structural rigidity and to permit rapid manufacturing of the panel without the need to frame openings, such as doors and windows, at the time of manufacture. Openings are cut in the panels and finished after the walls are constructed.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for detection of viable and potentially hazardous biological particles in a population which may be dispersed in fluid flow. The particles are characterized as biological and viable by contacting particles with laser light from a laser diode and then looking for the emission of fluorescence which is typically emitted from bacteria or bacterial spore. Biomolecules which are representative of viability are now known to be excited in range of 320 nm and longer. The resulting apparatus is economical, compact and has low-power requirements enabling portable operation. Preferably, the laser diode is combined with an aerodynamic particle sizer to separate particles for sequential contacts, or with additional timing lasers for establishing particle size.

Abstract: A portable, fully enclosed compact disc storage apparatus or unit is provided which stores a multiplicity of discs, without risk of damage to their written surfaces. The storage unit comprises a two-part toroidal shaped housing, a circular magazine for supporting the discs, engaged on their unwritten edges by pairs of raised projections limited in height to that of the unwritten portion of a disc. A user-actuated lever engages the bottom of the discs and lift them from the magazine and out of the housing through an access slot. An indexing knob and notches means aligns a disc with the access slot and prevents unwanted rotation of the magazine relative to the housing between disc access and removal. A series of numbers are formed on the outer circumferential flanged edge of the magazine to aid in cataloging and identifying the magazine's contents.