Abstract: A novel putting device is provided having a handle comprised of two relatively broad and flat surfaces for gripping the device, wherein the flat surfaces of the handle are positioned parallel to the striking surface of the device. A novel method of putting using the device is also claimed, wherein a golfer may grasp the handle by pressing the flattened palms of his or her hands against the flat surfaces and swing the device ("putt") by simply moving his or her wrists back and forth, such that the device swings like a pendulum. In an alternative embodiment, a weight assembly may optionally be added to the upper handle end of the putting device to shift the weight center and adjust the overall "feel" of the device to meet the individual golfer's needs.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor drive circuit is provided which utilizes the piezoelectric elements as oscillators and a Meacham half-bridge approach to develop feedback from the motor ground circuit to produce a signal to drive amplifiers to power the motor. The circuit automatically compensates for shifts in harmonic frequency of the piezoelectric elements due to pressure and temperature changes.

Abstract: A multi-workstation device is provided which includes a vertically-oriented pole and a workstation assembly mounted thereto. The workstation assembly includes a sleeve mounted around the pole, a plurality of arms affixed to and extending radially outward from the sleeve, and a plurality of horizontally-oriented work surfaces affixed to the arms. In a preferred embodiment, the workstation assembly is vertically adjustable and circumferentially rotatable relative to the pole, and the device also includes a vertical lock and a circumferential lock for locking the workstation assembly to the pole in a desired vertical and circumferential position. The device optionally also includes a seat assembly or a workbench assembly, a light assembly, a winch assembly, a power supply, and an air supply.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive timing assembly for a toaster appliance includes a single bimetallic element having a first portion connected to a support bracket, which in turn is mounted on a mounting bracket for pivotal movement relative to the mounting bracket. A spring is positioned between the mounting bracket and the support bracket to bias the support bracket toward the mounting bracket. A stop is mounted to the mounting bracket which locks the support bracket in a fixed position when actuated by the toaster carriage assembly at the beginning of a toasting cycle. The bimetallic element has a second portion which operatively activates the toaster lock release assembly at the end of a toasting cycle. The bimetallic element also has a third portion which operatively allows the support bracket to reposition at the end of a toasting cycle so as to provide virtually immediate initiation of the next toasting cycle providing substantially the same toast color as the previous toasting cycle.

Abstract: A bread stick rack for portable bread ovens fits within the baking well of a home kitchen appliance type portable bread oven. The rack is readily insertable and removable from the bread oven and has a plurality of individual bread stick molds. In use, rolled strips of dough are placed in each of the stick molds and then oven heated through its bake cycle so as to bake the sticks within the mold and conform them to the mold configuration. After baking, the rack is removable from the oven and the individual bread stick molds removable from the rack so as to shake or knock out the bread sticks from their individual molds.

Abstract: The present invention is a hydrogen getter and method for formulating and using the getter. This getter effectively removes hydrogen gas typically present in many hermetically-sealed electronic applications where the presence of such gas would otherwise be harmful to the electronics. The getter is a non-organic composition, usable in a wide range of temperatures as compared to organic getters. Moreover, the getter is formulated to be used without the need for the presence of oxygen. The getter is comprised of effective amounts of an oxide of a platinum group metal, a desiccant, and a gas permeable binder which preferably is cured after composition in an oxygen-bearing environment at about 150 to about 205 degrees centigrade.

Abstract: An optimized electroless copper plating technique suitable for plating electroless copper upon ceramics.

Abstract: A baseball or softball glove constructed to maintain the ball-catching pocket and to facilitate closure of the glove having an inverted V-shaped notch generally located at the center of the heel. The inverted V-shaped shaped notch assists in the opening and closing of the glove by creating a flex line extending up from the apex of the inverted V-shaped notch generally midway between the sides of the glove and through the ball-catching pocket.

Abstract: A protective joint guard for use in contact sports particularly adapted for providing maximum protection and mobility over jointed body parts. The protective guard comprises a multiplicity of identical graduated interlocking rigid segments connected directly to one another by a pivot fastener and stop pin connection. The protective joint guard can be used as the joint portion of protective wear such as a leg guard by simply connecting a thigh guard and shin guard to opposing ends of the multiplicity of segments, in which case the protective joint guard is used to protect the knee from impact. The thigh guard, shin guard and joint guard are all made of a rigid material each having interior and exterior shells. To provide protection against contact with the interior shell, and to provided added cushion and comfort for the wearer, a first pad is detachably affixed to the interior shell of the thigh guard, said first pad extends the entire length of the joint guard.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus which supports a user in a semi-recumbent position and provides an arm pull/arm press assembly and a leg press assembly whereby the arm pull/arm press and leg press assemblies may be used simultaneously or independently of one another. The arm and leg press assemblies are each operable against variable air resistance means, and preferably against independent variable air resistance means such that the amount of resistance to the leg press exercise may be different or varied from that of the arm pull/arm press exercise.

Abstract: Novel cementitious systems comprised of gypsum, calcined clay, and clinker consisting essentially of hydraulic calcium silicates are disclosed which have the following properties: (1) a water demand of less than about 33% nc; (2) one-day strengths of at least about 1000 psi; and (3) low alkali functionality. By increasing the amount of calcined clay, the resulting cementitious system will sequentially gain the following properties: (1) alkali non-reactiveness; (2) alkali resistance; and (3) low chloride permeability. Novel methods of preparing the novel cementitious systems of this invention are also disclosed. The novel methods not only reduce production costs by decreasing fuel and raw material consumption, but they also allow the cement producer to proactively address significant environmental concerns related to the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A shin and ankle guard for attachment to a baseball or softball batter's leg to protect the shin, ankle and upper foot from foul tips and pitched balls has a rotatable ankle portion to protect either the inside portion or the outside portion of the ankle depending on the batter's needs. This allows both right-handed and left-handed batters of the same team to use the same guard.

Abstract: An adjustable baseball batter's and catcher's helmet automatically adjusts and grips wearer's heads of differing sizes. The helmet has a rigid shell with shock absorbing foam pads secured to the interior of the shell. An elastic band or strap extends horizontally within the helmet and has a mid-portion secured to the back of the helmet. Arms of the elastic strap diverge forwardly and end in attachments under the front portions of the side pads of the helmet. The V-shaped elastic band snugly cradles and forwardly biases the helmet on the wearer's head and tends to space the helmet from the wearer's head at the sides and rear areas. The catcher's helmet is known as a half-hat, and in combination with a catcher's mask, provides the same function as the batter's helmet. The helmet is believed particularly useful in youth baseball leagues which have limited budgets and time to individually fit helmets to players' heads.