Abstract: A sub harmonic mixer has improved electrical performance in a small package size. The mixer has a low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate. Coupled lines are located within the substrate and connected to an LO port, an RF port and an intermediate frequency port. Three capacitors are formed within the substrate. Vias extend through the substrate. A diode package is mounted on the substrate.

Abstract: A double balanced mixer includes a local oscillator balun, a radio frequency balun and four diodes. The local oscillator balun has a transmission line, a half wavelength transmission line and a quarter wavelength transmission line mounted on a printed circuit board. The radio frequency balun has a transmission line, a half wavelength transmission line and a printed circuit line mounted on a printed circuit board. The four diodes are mounted to the printed circuit board and connected between the local oscillator balun and the radio frequency balun.

Abstract: The saddle pads have a lower covering layer of a comfort fabric formed from a passive performance fiber. In use this layer lies against the back and sides of a horse and acts to wick perspiration from the horse. The perspiration is then absorbed by the cushioning layer which consists of a polymeric foam backing. The foam backing is, in turn, covered by another hydrophilic layer, which in one embodiment is synthetic sheepskin and in the other is a cloth cover. The saddle pads are constructed with a withers relief gusset.

Abstract: A directional coupler for low frequencies that is small and can handle high power levels. The directional coupler includes a pair of circuit lines having an input port, an output port, a forward coupled port and a reverse coupled port. The circuit lines are located proximate to each other such that they are electromagnetically coupled. A low pass filter is connected to the forward coupled port. The low pass filter shifts the operating frequency of the directional coupler.

Abstract: A unison gauge for indicating levelness of a string set of a grand piano is described. The gauge has a contact block adjustably engageable with the lowermost tangential aspect of the string set. Battery powered indicators provide an indication for each string. With the piano action withdrawn from the piano case, the base of the device rests on the key bed below the piano hammer strike area of the string set and holds the contact block mounted thereon on an extendable mast. The contacts of the contact block are in a plane parallel to the key bed. The contact block is under slight spring tension when engaged with a string set being monitored and, upon compression of the spring readily slides along the key bed to the next string set. A method of use of the unison gauge is also provided.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator that can rapidly change frequencies over a wide range is disclosed. The voltage controlled oscillator has a transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector. An output port and a power supply port are connected to the collector. A high pass filter is connected between ground and the base of the transistor. A tuning element is connected between the high pass filter and ground. The tuning element includes a pair of varactor diodes. The varactor diodes have their cathodes connected together at a first node. A series combination of a resistor and inductor are connected between a tuning port and the first node. A capacitor is connected between the first node and the emitter.

Abstract: A handbag for housing a cell phone/Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and containing a compartment for personal items is disclosed. The housing provisions include circuitry between inner lining and outer shell of handbag interconnecting various compartments therewithin, including backup battery compartment and a touch-operated screen (operable from the exterior). The handbag also has modular outlets to physically connect and integrate the cell phone/PDA system and an antenna to facilitate wireless connection.

Abstract: A high-span anchoring system is described for a cavity wall incorporating a wall reinforcement combined with a wall tie which together serve a wall construct having a larger-than-normal cavity. Further the various embodiments combine wire formatives which are compressively reduced in height by the cold-working thereof. Among the embodiments is a veneer anchoring system with a low-profile wall tie for use in a heavily insulated wall. The compressively reduced in height wall anchors protrude into the cavity through the seams, between insulation strips, which seams seal thereabout and maintain the integrity of the insulation by minimizing air leakage. Further, the eye wires extend across the insulation into the cavity between the wythes, and each accommodates the threading thereinto of a wire facing anchor or wall tie with either a pintle inserted through the eye or the open end of the veneer tie. The veneer tie is then positioned so that the insertion end is embedded in the facing wall.

Abstract: A backer rod adapted for insertion into a construction joint having a polymeric foam body of closed-cell construction and a foraminous skin with both open and closed cells. The backer rod, when compressively inserted into a construction joint, is impervious to hot and cold sealants alike and maintains the seal integrity during the extremes of expansion and contraction. The backer rod is usable over the temperature range of ?70 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The backer rod hereof is a continuously extruded closed-cell foam body that is degassed by a secondary extrusion. The skin portion is formed by heat treating the exterior of the polymeric foam body so as to create microperforations therein.

Abstract: A retractable/disposable craft knife with a unitary blade and flexible beam assembly is described. The knife includes an elongated housing which, with the blade and flexible beam assembly inserted therein, holds the assembly under flexural tension. The interior wall of the elongated housing forms a guideway for the unitary blade and flexible beam assembly and provides for the positive alignment of the blade and flexible beam assembly. The blade and flexible beam assembly moves back and forth along the guideway. The craft knife hereof is shown with a safety latch and in another embodiment with a transparent housing. Ergonomics features are discussed.

Abstract: A metal-foil-containing flashing laminate is disclosed which laminate is for flashing cavity walls. The laminate has at least one layer of an elastomeric composite over which is placed a hot melt adhesive layer, a metal foil lamina, and another hot melt adhesive layer. In this embodiment the metal foil is encapsulated by the adhesive layers. In application this laminate used with a release paper forms a peel-and-stick product and is suitable for surface mounting. Also to the basic laminate an additional elastomeric composite layer is placed above the metal foil lamina sandwiching the foil and forming a through-wall mountable product. A termination bar for use with surface mounted flashing with a polymeric foam coating is also disclosed. The peel-and-stick flashing may be lap-mounted at the seams between adjacent strips without caulks or sealants.

Abstract: Wall anchor constructs and anchoring systems employing the same are disclosed. Each anchor is a sheetmetal construct utilizable with various wire formative veneer ties. In the wall anchor structures, the junctures of the legs and the base of the wall anchor are located inboard from the periphery of the wall anchor base. With the surfaces of the leg base and the anchor base coplanar, the leg insertion point is, upon installation, sealed thereby. This sealing precludes penetration of air, Moisture, and water vapor into the wall structure. Various embodiments showing wall anchor configurations with suitable veneer ties are provided.

Abstract: A metal foil/scrim flashing laminate is disclosed, which laminate is for flashing cavity walls. The laminate has at least one layer of a modified polymeric coating which is disposed by roll coating onto the central metal foil. In all the embodiments, the metal foil lamina is sandwiched between either layers of the modified polymeric coating or between a coating layer and a hot melt adhesive layer. In application the laminates are used with a release paper to form a peel-and-stick product and is suitable for surface mounting. An embodiment of the metal foil/scrim flashing with adhesive is shown for field installation with sealants and mystics.

Abstract: A folded wall anchor and an anchoring system employing the same are disclosed. The anchor is a folded sheetmetal construct utilizable with various wire formative veneer ties. The folded wall tie enables the junctures of the legs and the base of the wall anchor to be located inboard from the periphery of the wall anchor. Upon installation with the surfaces of the enfolded leg and of the base coplanar, the leg insertion point is sealed thereby. This sealing precludes penetration of air, moisture, and water vapor into the wall structure. Various embodiments showing wall anchor configurations with suitable veneer ties are provided.

Abstract: A form-fill-and-seal (FFS) packaging machine is described wherein a zipper is attached to the package simultaneously with the sealing operation at the sealing and evacuation station. The attached zipper is thereafter welded in place at the zipper welding and cutting station. A zipper blank feeder and a channel-forming die with an impulse sealer are integrated into the sealing die of a packaging machine forming a combination work station. The zipper is installed at an existing work station and shares the existing lifting device. This enables the retrofitting of an FFS packaging machine to include a zipper attachment function without changing the footprint thereof. The combination work station forms a channel for the zipper blank between the thermoformed web and the lidstock. While the sealing die is providing a seal about the lid, the impulse sealer in the channel-forming die attaches the zipper to an initial attachment portion of the packaging film.

Abstract: A high-span anchoring system is described for a cavity wall incorporating a wall reinforcement combined with a wall tie which together serve a wall construct having a larger-than-normal cavity. Further the various embodiments combine wire formatives which are compressively reduced in height by the cold-working thereof. Among the embodiments is a veneer anchoring system with a low-profile wall tie for use in a heavily insulated wall. The compressively reduced in height wall anchors protrude into the cavity through the seams, between insulation strips, which seams seal thereabout and maintain the integrity of the insulation by minimizing air leakage. Further, the eye wires extend across the insulation into the cavity between the wythes, and each accommodates the threading thereinto of a wire facing anchor or wall tie with either a pintle inserted through the eye or the open end of the veneer tie. The veneer tie is then positioned so that the insertion end is embedded in the facing wall.