Abstract: A wooden dowel for insertion into aligned bores of two pieces of wood that are to be connected to each other. The dowel comprises a cylindrical piece of wood and a coating of water soluble glue covering the external surfaces of the cylindrical piece of wood.

Abstract: A passenger powered, rotatable, amusement ride comprises a multisided, peripheral frame having the general shape of a convex polygon, with the frame having at least 5 sides and a number of apexes equal to the number of sides in the frame wherein the apexes alternate with the sides around the periphery of the frame. The frame has an open interior space bounded by internal surfaces of the sides of the frame. The frame is mounted to rotate like a wheel about a substantially horizontal axis through the central portion of the frame. A passenger is seated within the open interior space of the frame at an inside corner forming one of the apexes of the frame. A second passenger can be seated within the open interior space of the frame at an adjacent inside corner of the frame such that the second passenger faces the first passenger.

Abstract: A method disclosed for studying the interaction in solution of two molecules of the type such as a ligand and a receptor that are capable of reacting or binding with each other. The method comprises preparing an aliquot of a solution containing the first of the molecules. The second of the molecules is then added to the aliquot. A fluorescently labeled molecule is added to the aliquot, wherein the fluorescently labeled molecule is also capable of reacting or binding with the second of the molecules. A porous matrix that is optically transparent is immersed into the aliquot containing the two molecules being studied and the fluorescently labeled molecule, wherein the second molecule and any fluorescently labeled molecule bound thereto is sterically hindered from permeating the porous, optically transparent matrix, while any unbound fluorescently labeled molecule permeates the matrix.

Abstract: A hand truck which includes an automatically adjustable toe plate. The toe plate is attached to the frame of the hand truck in a slidable manner by means of a coil spring. A load placed on the toe plate causes it to move downwardly a predetermined distance. The coil spring may be sized for a particular use depending on the bulk and weight of objects placed thereon such that a predetermined object placed on the toe plate will cause its movement downwardly a predetermined distance in order that the top of any object or stack of objects located on the hand truck is at a level above the ground which is convenient for an operator thereof to load and unload the hand truck without the necessity of bending in order to place objects onto or remove them from the hand truck.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and procedures for electrical field-flow fractionation is disclosed. A test sample is injected into the liquid carrier stream flowing through the flow channel of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a thin flow channel having a top, a bottom, and two side walls, with a fluid carrier inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. The top and bottom walls are formed such that at least the inner surfaces thereof that face the flow channel are made of an electrically conductive material so that the inner surfaces thereof form electrodes as well as opposite, broad boundary surfaces of the flow channel. A voltage differential is applied to the electrically conductive inner surfaces of the top and bottom walls. The carrier fluid flowing through the channel can be deionized or distilled water as well as water containing a red-ox couple such as quinone/hydroquinone.

Abstract: Core biopsy needle units used with automated biopsy guns are disclosed. The needle units comprise an elongate solid needle having a notch formed adjacent to the end of the needle. A hub is securely attached to the other end of the needle. An elongate cannula is received over the notched end of the needle such that the needle slides longitudinally through the cannula. A second hub is securely attached to the first end of the cannula, and engagement means are formed in the hub on the needle. The hub on the needle and the second hub on the cannula are adapted to be received in respective receiver cavities of an automated biopsy gun, with the engagement means in the hub on the needle making firm, releasable, interlocking engagement with corresponding engagement means associated with the receiver cavity in which the hub on the needle is received.

Abstract: In a chain link fence having a plurality of elongate slats woven through the links of the chain link fabric, an improved system for retaining and locking the slats in the chain link fabric comprises (1) an elongate rail woven between consecutive links of the chain link fence such that the rail lies adjacent to mutually respective, aligned, first ends of the elongate slats, and (2) engagement members formed integrally with the mutually respective first ends of the elongate slats, with the engagement members including interlocking means which make interlocking engagement with the elongate rail when the respective first end of the elongate slat is abutted against the elongate rail.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a decorative, essentially planar sheet of material having a design applied to one side, with the design being viewed through the sheet from the opposite side. A foreground component of the design is produced on a first resilient roller, and the first roller is rotated about its cylindrical axis. A second resilient roller rotates adjacent to the first resilient roller to form a nip with the first cylindrical roller. The planar sheet is fed through the nip formed between the first and second resilient rollers so that the foreground component of the design on the first resilient roller is transferred to the opposite side of the planar sheet. A background component of the design is produced on a third resilient roller, and the third roller is rotated about its cylindrical axis. A fourth resilient roller rotates adjacent to the third roller to form a nip with the third roller.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for a fishing float tube of the type formed by a pneumatic tube having a seat in the mid portion thereof which supports a person seated in the seat when the tube is floating on a body of water. The improvement comprises apparatus to be used in combination with the float tube for mounting a sonar device on the float tube above the water line when the float tube is floating on a body of water. In addition, the apparatus accommodates mounting of a sonar transmitter below the water line. The sonar device is mounted so as to be visible by the fisherman using the float tube and allows the fisherman to determine optimum areas for fishing.

Abstract: A dental model and articulation system are disclosed. The dental model comprises cast mold material formed around an elongate pin or rod. A longitudinal, tapered pin or rod is embedded in the model during pouring of the casting material. The pin or rod extends longitudinally through the base of the model beneath the teeth impressions of the model. The longitudinal axis of the pin or rod lies in general parallel alignment with the line of teeth in the model. The pin or rod can be removed from the model, and the model can be cut into several sections or dies. These sections or dies can then be reassembled back on the pin or rod in the precise, true relationship that existed in the model prior to the model being cut into sections. The extending ends of the pins or rods can be removably attached to a flexible member such that models of the upper teeth and lower teeth of a person's jaws can be moved in lateral or protrusive movement and back to centric occlusion.

Abstract: A hand held and hand operated device for compacting and crushing an aluminum beverage can is disclosed. The device comprises an elongate handle that is grasped by the user's hand. An aluminum can is held in a gripper element at one end of the handle. The free end of the aluminum can extending from the gripper element is then pounded against a solid object in a manner similar to pounding one's clenched fist against a table top thereby crushing and compacting the aluminum can.

Abstract: An elongate shoring device capable of supporting a high longitudinal loading with the ability to yield uniformly in a direction along the longitudinal dimension of the shoring device when the longitudinal loading on the shoring device exceeds a preset magnitude. The shoring device comprises an inner elongate tube which is received within an open end of an outer elongate tube for longitudinal, telescopic movement within the outer tube. A storage compartment having a variable volume is formed by the inner and outer tube when the inner tube is received through the open end of the outer tube, with the volume of the storage compartment decreasing as the inner tube moves in its longitudinal, telescopic movement into the outer tube. A solid, non-compressible material is contained in the storage compartment, and a relief opening is provided in communication with the storage compartment.

Abstract: In a chain link fence having a plurality of elongate slats woven through the links of the chain link fabric, an improved system for retaining and locking the slats in the chain link fabric comprises (1) an elongate rail woven between consecutive links of the chain link fence such that the rail lies adjacent to mutually respective, aligned, first ends of the elongate slats, and (2) engagement members formed integrally with the mutually respective first ends of the elongate slats, with the engagement members comprising a pair of separate, distinct, spaced apart barbs positioned adjacent to the respective side edges of the slat. The barbs make interlocking engagement with the elongate rail when the respective first end of the elongate slat is abutted against the elongate rail.

Abstract: A procedure for determining particle size and particle size distribution data from sedimentation field-flow fractionation comprises carrying out a calibration run in which a sample of particles of known density and size is injected into a liquid carrier stream flowing through a field-flow fractionation channel. The acceleration G acting on the calibration sample during the calibration run and the density difference .DELTA..rho. between the particles of the calibration sample and the liquid carrier of the calibration run are known. Retention time or retention volume of the particles of different known sizes are measured during the calibration run. The retention times or retention volumes are used to develop a calibration relationship expressing retention time or retention volume as a function of particle size. In a test run, a test sample of particles is injected into the liquid carrier stream flowing through the channel. The density difference .DELTA..rho.

Abstract: A tissue sampling device comprises an inner rod and an outer cannula. A primary piston is attached to a hub on the proximal end of the rod, and a secondary piston is attached to a hub on the proximal end of the cannula. The primary and secondary pistons are coupled to an actuator including a double locking mechanism and a pair of springs. The springs engage the primary and secondary pistons, and the locking mechanism holds the pistons in a cocked position. Upon triggering, the primary piston moves in response to the spring associated therewith. This moves the rod a corresponding distance causing a predetermined length of a sampling notch at the distal end of the rod to extend from the distal end of the cannula and penetrate tissue in the sample target area. Following the movement of the primary piston, the secondary piston is released from the locking mechanism, and the secondary piston moves in response to the spring acting thereon.

Abstract: A safety system used in motor vehicles for raising the outboard side of a passenger seat upon side impact of the vehicle by another object. The system comprises a sensor for detecting impact of the side of the vehicle by another object. The sensor activates a trigger mechanism that in turn activates a device for raising the outboard side of the seat. The outboard side of the seat, in addition to moving upwardly may also move inwardly in an arc toward the longitudinal center portion of the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: Dowel shooting apparatus comprising a dowel feed component for feeding dowels one at a time from a bulk supply of dowels to a flexible tube that is connected to a dowel shooting gun. The dowel feed component advances dowels in the flexible tube and a receiving unit is provided in the shooting gun for accepting dowels one at a time and positioning the dowels in an ejection chamber in the shooting gun. A striker is provided for ejecting the dowel from the chamber upon activation of the trigger of the shooting gun. A glue system is also provided for injecting or spraying a proper amount of liquid glue into the cavity in which the dowel is to be driven just prior to the ejection of the dowel from the chamber of the dowel gun. The dowel gun further has a nose cone having a positioning lug extending therefrom with the positioning lug being used to align the nose cone with the cavity.

Abstract: A continuous flow FFF process for the separation of samples of particles which uses a modified channel structure to reduce the relaxation effect, reduce sample adhesion to the wall, and where possible eliminate the stop-flow procedure and thus greatly increase the speed and stability of operation, said modified channel comprises a thin channel whose thickness is reduced at the inlet end for a substantial distance beyond the inlet, such as the conventional triangular or near triangular piece, and then broadened out at the outlet end of the channel.

Abstract: A segmented underlay is disclosed for use in installing a title floor of a shower. The underlay comprises a set of identical planar, rigid members which when laid side-by-side in a circuitous fashion form an underlay having a continuous surface which slopes substantially uniformly from the perimeter of the underlay to the center of the underlay.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for electrochemical cells of the type comprising at least two bipolar electrodes, with a space occurring between adjacent electrodes which contains a liquid electrolyte. Improvement include forming improved plates for the electrodes from a thermoplastic polymer containing carbon black, wherein the electrodes are formed by dissolving the polymer in a suitable solvent, mixing carbon black with the solvent solution of the polymer, evaporating the solvent from the polymer solution containing the dispersed carbon black, pulverizing the resultant mixture of polymer and carbon black to form a powder, and pressing the powder at an elevated temperature into the improved plates. There is further disclosed, improvements in the formation of electrochemically active material on the plates of the bipolar electrodes, as well as improved separators for positioning between the bipolar electrodes and improved means for sealing the spaces between bipolar electrodes.