Abstract: An insulating housing for exposed pipeline valves, the housing having a base member which remains attached to the pipeline or pipeline connecting flanges and a removable cover member, where the base member is suspended above the ground and does not extend above the pipeline, so that access to the pipeline valves is maximized when the cover member is removed.

Abstract: A support frame for a flexible plastic bag which can support the bag in an open-mouthed manner both upright and sideways, the frame having a pair of legs and pivoting leg/handle, the frame being polygonal and composed of a base member, a pair of end members connected perpendicularly to the base member, a pair of angle members connected at an angle less than 90 degrees to the end members, and a top member connected to the angle members, where the top member is less than half the length of the base member to define a pair of corners which act as tensioning members against the lip of the bag when the leg/handle is pivoted to a position parallel to the frame to prevent the bag from being forced off the frame.

Abstract: A high strength, high creep resistant, boron-doped, silicon carbon fiber having no boron nitride coating, originally formed by sintering, is produced by exposing the fiber to a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature equal to or preferably elevated above the sintering temperature and also exposing the fiber to a carbon monoxide-containing atmosphere at a temperature sufficient to remove boron and boron nitride. The nitrogen atmosphere step may be performed before or after the carbon monoxide-containing atmosphere step. The resulting, uncoated SiC fibers have tensile strengths greater than approximately 2.0 GPa and Morscher-DiCarlo BSR test creep resistance M values greater than approximately 0.75 at 1400 degrees C. for one hour in argon. The method is applicable to non-sintered fibers as well, in which case the nitrogen exposure is carried out at between approximately 1750 to 2250 degrees C. and the carbon monoxide exposure is carried out at between approximately 1600 to 2200 degrees C.

Abstract: A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for producing three dimensional parts using layer-by-layer deposition of support powder and part compositional powder, where the deposition is accomplished using electro-photographic powder deposition technology to create a three-dimensional green part. Each successive loose powder layer is deposited directly onto the previously deposited powder layer, which has been compacted or fused to its underlying layer. After all powder layers have been deposited the green part is further processed such that the part compositional powder is fused to create a high-density part while the support powder is easily removed.

Abstract: A prefabricated panel and assembly of such for forming walls and roofs of buildings is formed with interior reinforcing rods, U-shaped anchor members embedded on the edges of the panel and secured members of mechanical fasteners embedded on opposing edges of adjacent panels, where the reinforcing rods embedded in the concrete body also pass through the anchors and the secured fastener members. An unsecured fastener member is connected to the secured member and tightened to join adjacent panels.

Abstract: A lounge chair having an adjustable upper support section for either prone or seated use, where the upper support section is provided with a face opening and attachment means to removably attach a face pad, an abdominal/torso pad and a lumbar/breast pad. The upper support section may be inclined past horizontal and is supported by an upper end member of the frame. A pair of adjustable shoulder pads may also be attached to the upper support section. Preferably the face pad is thinner than the abdominal/torso pad and has a U-shape with the lateral sections being thicker than the bridging section.

Abstract: An automatically inflatable air bag for protection of vehicle occupants during collisions, the bag having an exterior or forward compartment and interior or rearward compartment, where the exterior compartment is inflated first.

Abstract: A process for forming a uniform, boron nitride coating on a boron-doped, refractory carbide body, and in particular on a sintered, boron-doped, silicon carbide fiber, where the body is exposed to a nitrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature equal to or greater than the densification or sintering temperature. The coated fibers exhibit no loss in strength properties and show improved creep resistance.

Abstract: A lightning detector system which includes a radio frequency (RF) detector assembly which receives input from an antenna and a line sensor in order to sense signatures of compromising events such as lightning strikes or transient line events caused by power grid loss, transformer breakdown, switching surges or load induced events. A central processing unit (CPU) isolates the equipment from the power grid and simultaneously causes AC current to be supplied to the equipment only from storage cells. The CPU and detection devices are continually powered by power from the storage cells rather than directly from the AC power grid. The system also incorporates a timer or counter device, such that the system will convert back to AC power from the grid if no subsequent triggering event occurs within a preset time period.

Abstract: A nestable, single deck member pallet having a pair of sheet members separated by a perimeter frame member and multiple ring support members positioned in apertures cut into the deck member, hollow leg members connected to the ring members, and vibration damping material substantially filing the interior space of the deck member.

Abstract: Silicon carbide (SiC) fibers, or SiC bodies such as coatings, thin films, substrates or bulk objects, which have been sintered with boron containing additives to promote densification and pore removal, are further treated to remove a substantial amount of the residual boron from the SiC fibers. The SiC fibers, subsequent to the sintering steps and either before or after cooling, are exposed to a carbon monoxide (CO) containing atmosphere at elevated temperatures from approximately 1600-2200.degree. C., but more preferably from approximately 1700-2000.degree. C., with treatment times ranging from seconds to hours to days depending on the chosen treatment temperature. The resulting SiC fibers show a significant reduction of residual boron content, a reduction of greater than 90% in some cases, while retaining high tensile strength. Fibers with less than 0.1 wt % residual boron have been obtained.

Abstract: A warning sign, having a vertically elongated housing mounted onto shelving with the housing extending a short distance laterally and perpendicularly from the face of the shelving, the housing preferably having advertising or other indicia positioned on opposing face members and a pocket which receives a pivoting warning arm, where the warning arm is hidden within the pocket in the vertical position but can be pivoted into an exposed horizontal position to extend laterally from the shelving to warn customers of hazardous conditions in the aisle. The sign is mounted with a hinged bracket having a non-vertical pivot axis, such that the sign will automatically resume a neutral position perpendicular to the shelving if it is pushed or pulled to either side.

Abstract: A bubble making device which is powered solely by the wind or forced air, the device having a fan which is rotated by the wind which in turns operates a pumping assembly to deliver bubble forming fluid to a plural number of rotating wands, the wands also being rotated by the rotation of the fan. The bubble forming fluid is applied directly to the wands by a brush or wiper applicator, and any excess fluid is recaptured and returned into the main receptacle. The device is light-weight and virtually spill-proof.

Abstract: A wooden baseball bat made of plural wood sections bonded together to form a unitary member. The bat is composed of a longitudinally extending central member which is cross-or X-shaped in cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis, the central member defining four quadrants which are filled with longitudinally extending wedge-shaped members, with the external surface of the bat being circular in transverse cross-section and defining a barrel, handle and knob portion, with the barrel and handle generally tapering so as to diminish in diameter toward the knob. The central member is formed of plural wood pieces arranged such that the grain extends generally radially outward on each arm. Each of the wedge-shaped members is likewise cut and arranged such that grain plane extends generally radially outward. Preferably the central member is made of hickory wood and the wedge-shaped members are made of ash wood.

Abstract: A replacement sleeve ferrule which enables connection of a hose to a metal tube having one or a pair of preformed annular bead locks, the ferrule having a tubular extension member sized to fit over the bead locks which is then staked to the tube to secure the ferrule onto the tube, such that a hose can be joined to the tube in known fashion by crimping the sleeve ferrule onto the hose.

Abstract: A gem stone mounting which is able to receive any of a number of different cut gem stones, the mounting having a base member with a bore to provide an open area for the back of the stone, a sloped forward wall having an annular receiving channel, in which is seated an annular sizing member circular in cross-section and formed of a resilient and compressible material, and threading which mates with the threading of an engagement cap member having a large central opening to expose the face of the stone, where the sizing member adapts to the particular gemstone and prevents contact between the back of the gem stone and the base member.

Abstract: A parts distribution apparatus having a funnel hopper to receive parts dropped from above and a flexible distribution chute to deliver parts through a discharge opening into a storage hopper, where said distribution chute is rotated to vary the discharge location, with the distribution chute being pulled across the top surface of the pile of parts deposited within the storage hopper so that the discharge opening remains on the top surface regardless of the height of the top surface within the storage hopper.

Abstract: A clothes or coat hanger having an article-receiving member, generally triangular or V-shaped, connected to an extension member, where the extension member has a plural number of hook members, or a plural number of extension members and single hook member, for mounting the hanger onto a horizontal support rod. The hook members or extension segments are joined to each other and to the article-receiving member by connector members. The connector members separate such that individual hook members or extension segments can be removed from the extension member to shorten the hanger. Preferably, the connector members are constructed to automatically separate when a predetermined maximum weight limit is exceeded.

Abstract: An insulating housing for exposed pipeline valves, the housing having a base member which remains attached to the pipeline or pipeline connecting flanges and a removable cover member, where the base member is suspended above the ground and does not extend above the pipeline, so that access to the pipeline valves is maximized when the cover member is removed.