Abstract: The ulnar support splint is formed of a continuous spiral having a first end, a midpoint and a second end. The splint can be made of a semi-rigid material being molded to the user's hand. The splint provides lateral support to a user's fingers through at least three points of contact, including the ulnar medial side of at least one finger, the web space between the user's thumb and metacarpophalangeal joint of the user's index finger and the user's wrist distal the user's ulnar styloid. A method for providing lateral support to the fingers using the splint applies pressure at the least three points creating counterbalancing pressure points.

Abstract: A cylindrical personal protection device is disclosed having an aerosol cylinder with a nozzle, a light and a removable safety cap. In an embodiment with dual cylinders, the cylinders contain a deterrent spray and a glowing liquid. A trigger proximate the cylinders expells the contents of the cylinders where they are mixed prior to explusion. A body section has a battery receiving area and an alarm. The electronics connect the battery receiving area, trigger, alarm and light. The electronics activates the light and alarm, in response to activation of the trigger, causing them to pulse simultaneously. The cylinders and the body portion are removably connected to one another. A safety lid prevents activation of the trigger.

Abstract: A graduated gear assembly provides for controlled movement between a stationary support surface and exterior contact surface. The assembly contains two discs are supported by a roller shaft affixed to the support surface. The first disc has a contact surface and an opposing receiving surface containing bearing retaining area. The first side of the second disc contains a recessed bearing receiving area to receive the female portion of the bearing. The opposing second side has a plurality of recessed arcs each containing a receiving area and a sphere receiving ridge. A plurality of spheres are immovably affixed to the support surface and a handle is rigidly affixed, and moves with, the discs, which rotate as a single unit. The unit is rotated to a first position wherein the spheres are within the recessed arcs and a second position wherein the spheres are within the sphere receiving areas.

Abstract: The administration of the PAF antagonists BN 52021 and SR 27417, in combination with cyclooxygenase antagonist indomethacin are disclosed as effective in inhibiting the secretory effects caused by Cholera toxin.

Abstract: The method of processing merchandise discounts by providing a computerized membership system is disclosed. At least one provider's computer has a database for the storage and retrieval of information. The database stores demographic information regarding merchants, manufacturers, and consumers in predetermined files. A communication system, such as a cash register, provides real time communication between members and the provider's computer. The consumer and merchandise identification codes are stored in the database, including the identification code of merchandise subject to a price discount. Discounted merchandise is displayed through media advertisement and/or notification proximate the merchandise. The consumer selects merchandise to purchase. The consumer membership card, containing the consumer's identification, and product code of the merchandise is scanned. The merchandise identification code is scanned and compared with the stored product identification codes of the discounted merchandise.

Abstract: The fuel filter assembly for filtering and removing water from a fuel under pressure includes an outerhousing, an inner sleeve member, an annular space between the outerhousing and the inner sleeve member, and filtering media for filtering the fuel. The filtering media is positioned within the sleeve member. The fuel inlet is at the upper end of the outer housing and provides fluid flow between the outer housing and the inner sleeve. The fuel inlet and annular space are positioned and dimensioned to provide a downward, non-circumferential, substantially laminar flow in the annular space. The inner sleeve member extends downwardly to a position below the bottom of the filtering media. The downwardly flowing fuel and contaminants must turn 180 degrees and flow upward through the filter media to the outlet. The slow moving denser components settle out in the accumulation chamber. The accumulation chamber is the region within the lower end of the outerhousing, below the filter media and the annular sleeve.

Abstract: A basketball game area for recreation consisting of multiple zones, each having at least one hoop and backboard combination, multiple shooting indicators, and obstacles which can be free standing, and/or affixed to the hoop or backboard. The location of the obstacle in relation to the indicator changes the trajectory required to shoot the ball into the hoop. The placement of each indicator increases the difficulty in placing the ball through the hoop. The game rules provide the order of proceeding through the courts and proceeding through the sequential shooting indicators within each of the courts. The first player proceeds to the first courts, attempting to shoot the ball through the hoop, avoiding the obstacle, scoring points for placing the ball through the hoop. The players continue shooting one at a time until all players have taken a shot at the first basket from each of the indicators and then continue to proceed through the courts.

Abstract: A cathodic arc cathode is provided with an insulating ring in close proximity to the underside of the cantilevered edge of the target, and with no other conducting surface exposed in the coating system. An electrical connection is provided to opposite ends of the cathode through two or more low resistance resistors with high temperature coefficients of resistance. For all cases of cathodic arc deposition, the system causes the arc to reliably remain on the cathode surface and move randomly, thereby assuring uniform cathode erosion on large or small planar or cylindrical cathodes, which can be produced at low cost.

Abstract: A convenient, non-optical method for scanning probe microscopy tip-to-sample distance control based on the impedance change in a shear-force dither piezo. This is accomplished by determining the tip-sample distance by measuring the impedance change in a shear-force piezo-member. A Wheatstone type bridge can be utilized to regulate the tip-sample separation. Alternatively, an electrical bridge, having an output, regulates the tip-sample separation relative to the bridge output by driving the piezo/tip with a sine wave and combining said sine wave with a phase-referenced wave of equal amplitude at a 180.degree. phase shift. The electronic bridge detects impedance changes of about -100 dB across loads with impedance phases between -90.degree. to +90. Power dissipation is determined by measuring changes in electric impedance that a dither piezo presents to an oscillator.

Abstract: The sling of the instant invention is carried or supported by an abdominal belt, such that the weight of the leg of the user is carried by the hips and/or back of the user. The foot is supported in a portion along the vertical line of the body or forward of the vertical line of the body, relative to the body line when the user is not walking. In use, the person will support the body on the good leg, swing the crutches forward and the move the upper body forward until the body is supported by the crutches. The sling is essentially, a U-shaped member, with the bottom of the U forming a cradle for the foot. The upper ends of the sling, that is, the elongated legs of the U, are attached to the abdominal belt. The attachment mechanism can also consist of looping the free ends of the sling over the abdominal belt and securing the ends of the sling to a midsection or lower section of the sling legs, by fastening means, such as VELCRO brand hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: The siphoning device, with measuring indicators, is used for liquid--liquid separation. The body member has an outlet with an open tip; the outlet can have a peripheral rim with notches proximate the open tip. A two-way liquid valve contoured to approximate the contour of the interior of the outlet, controls liquid flow out of the body and permits flow into the body. A stem portion affixed to the liquid valve extends through and beyond the open tip of the outlet. Pressure on the stem places the valve in an open position and permits liquid to be discharged. An air pump interacts with the body to expel air and draw in the liquids. Generally the air pump is a flexible bulb with a one-way air valve to restrict air flow into the hollow body while permitting air flow out. The hollow body can be in two parts which are removably connected to one another. The travel of the liquid valve within the hollow body is limited by stops.

Abstract: A engine kill switch system has a transmitter and receiver which are linked through specific transmitted codes within a frequency. The receiver is mounted directly on the boat and wired to an engine kill switch, maintaining the switch in the closed position as long as a signal is received from all of the activated transmitters. Once the transmitter signal is unintentionally deactivated, the receiver shuts down the engine. A range adjustment allows the separation distance between the transmitter and receiver to be changed, dependent upon the size of the boat and end use. A strobe and audio warning can also be attached to the receiver and activated simultaneously with, or as an alternative to, the deactivation of the engine. Automatic transmitter activation and deactivation can be provided through storage ports tied to the receiver. The transmitter is a battery powered remote device carried by a user. The transmitter has a programmed unique code recognized by the receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a magnetic material for use in an ultrahigh density magnetic recording medium and to the medium itself. The method general includes the steps of vaporing a ferromagnetic lanthanide rare earth, growing clusters of the ferromagnetic lanthanide rare earth at a temperature below the temperature at which the ferromagnetic lanthanide rare earth forms locked-moment clusters, filtering superparamagnetic clusters from locked-moment clusters, and collecting the locked-moment clusters. Preferably, the ferromagnetic lanthanide rare earth is a ytterbium rare earth. Advantageously lanthanide alloys, mixtures of lanthanide rare earths and alloys of a mixture of lanthanide rare earths can be used. The filtering employs a gradient magnetic field to separate superparamagnetic clusters from moment-locked clusters. The gradient field magnet separates the superparamagnetic clusters which deflect by a large amount from the locked-moment clusters which deflect by a small amount.

Abstract: A complete energy management system for lead-acid batteries. The system is designed for deep discharge batteries in traction vehicle type applications such as electric wheelchairs, electric vehicles, golf carts, or industrial equipment, where more efficient use of lead-acid batteries during both the charging and discharging cycle is needed. This system utilizes current measurements, open circuit voltage measurements during the recovery from charging or discharging, and an adaptation calculation to account for variations in physical battery characteristics, battery treatment, battery environment, and battery aging.

Abstract: A slitting machine for cutting rolled material is disclosed which is maintained in position through use of a support frame. A support cylinder is unmovably connected to the support frame at one end. An expansion rod is centered within the support cylinder with one end extending through the frame and affixed to a lever. A rigid sleeve, preferably having a slick surface, is over the support cylinder. A motor is incorporated with a receiving channel receive the support cylinder is attached to the support frame. A flexible expansion ring is placed in contact with the motor, to allow it to revolve with the motor. A bearing and washer, with diameters greater than than the base leg of the rigid sleeve are placed between the connector affixed to the expansion rod and the support cylinder. The lever is equipped with a gear which, when the lever is placed in a locked position, shortens the distance between the connector and the support frame. A cutting device is movable horizontally along a blade support rod.

Abstract: A bag for rapid washing and drying of small articles consisting of a main pocket and multiple small, individual pockets. Approximately one half of the individual pockets are located on one side of the main pocket with the other pockets located on the opposite side. The individual pockets are off-set and non-overlapping from their counterpart on the opposite side, thereby preventing more than two thicknesses of articles being in the bag. The off-set placement of the pockets provides "open" areas on each side of the main pocket. The bag can also be provided with a hanging loop which allows the bag to be hung for drying or storage reasons.

Abstract: The invention isolates a water laden nutrient gel around, or accessible to, an individual seed sufficient to provide for a known quantity of growth. The seed is first encased in a gel being an elongated plug reaching directly to the moisture horizon with or with a surface pool consistent with the specific root pattern requirements of the seed. The gel and seed combination is placed into the ground with a portion of the gel being proximate the moisture horizon to form an artificial root system. As the seed germinates to form a plant, the roots of the plant extend along the artificial pathway formed by the gel to the moisture horizon. The gel consists of water and nutrients required by the seed to grow. The gel can contain a hydrophillic material, to draw water from the moisture horizon along the gel to the root. The gel can contain micro-tubular capillaries to wick water from the moisture horizon to the developing plant root.

Abstract: The fence-line grass barrier, is a substantially impermeable, flexible member. A series of score-lines are positioned along the flexible member at regular intervals, along the length of the flexible member. The score-lines are stamped into the flexible member to facilitate separation of regions within the score-lines from the barrier member. The score lines or other distance indicators are positioned along the length of the barrier thereby indicating the placement of the fence posts. The score lines have peripheral configurations which correspond to the peripheral configuration of fence posts, such as round, half-round, and square. The barrier has a width substantially greater than the width of the fence, thereby extending beyond the fence and preventing vegetation from growing under and around the fence. The score-lines separate from the flexible member under pressure, thereby forming a hole having a shape which conforms to the shape of the fence post.

Abstract: A humidifier for use with a hot air furnace has an upper and lower housing removably connected to one another. The upper housing has a heating element and sensor, water refill inlet, and a control circuit connected to the heat sensor and inlet. The lower housing contains a water vessel and a water level sensor secured the lower housing to receive the water vessel. The water sensor registers the minimum and maximum water weight and is connected to the control circuit. A bacteria resistant, semi-flexible removable liner fits within the vessel for the removal of built up mineral residue. Preferably the water sensor is an elliptical beam load cell with an open center surrounded by a rim and a pair of tab ends opposite one another. At least one bridge is machined within the rim to increase sensitivity. A strain gage registers strain changes and an electronic connector transfers the changes to the control circuit where they are converted to the current weight.

Abstract: An emergency locator light can be located based on an optimum viewing of the light, rather than being limited by hard wiring limitations. The apparatus responds to dialing of a predetermined emergency telephone number, such as 911. A light switching mechanism is provided for activating the emergency light upon receipt of a signal code from a signal code generator. The signal code is transmitted when the system detects the dialing of a predetermined emergency number. The apparatus detects the transition from either on-hook voltage to off-hook voltage or off-hook voltage to on-hook voltage, or both, in order to set and reset the dialing monitor unit. The apparatus, when set, detects the dialing of the emergency phone number. Upon detection of the emergency number a signal code is transmitted to the light switching member. The signal can be transmitted by a wireless transmitter, such an RF or microwave frequency transmitted.