Abstract: A board comprised of a wood structure having a first surface, a second surface, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and opposing ends. Sound attenuating elements embedded within the wood structure and stiffening elements positioned within the wood structure to coincide with the location of floor joist to which the board will be secured. The boards further forming a ceiling/floor structure by laying a single set of the boards adjacent to each other and securing them to the floor joists.

Abstract: A system for carrying and changing pre-rigged fish hooks comprising a fish hook carrying device including a flexible support structure having a hook retainer end and line retainer end. The hook retainer end includes a fish hook retainer and the line retainer end includes a plurality of sleeves. Each separate sleeve is for accepting a weight attached to the line of a different pre-rigged fish hook. Each separate weight provides a constant downward straightening force on the line to which it is attached when the carrying device is flexed by a fisherman. The system may further include pairs of indicia, one on the hook retainer and one on a corresponding sleeve, to aid a visually impaired fisherman to keep the line of each pre-rigged fish hook untangled along the support structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a kit for converting a bicycle to a snow bike. The kit comprises an upper member, a lower member and a ski. The upper member is configured for attachment to the wheel dropouts of the bike. The upper and lower members are joined together by a first resilient pivot. The lower member and the ski are joined together by a second resilient pivot. Both the first and second resilient pivots rotate about axes parallel to the axis of the wheel dropouts.

Abstract: A structure comprising a softwood-ceiling/hardwood-floor formed of a single set of adjacent boards. Each of the boards including a hardwood layer bonded to a softwood layer, the board having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge having a tongue, the second edge having a groove, the first edge having a first chamfer on the softwood layer, the second edge having a second chamfer on the softwood layer. All boards securely attached to carrying beams that span the walls between two levels within a building.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an automatic washer system mounted within a maple sugar evaporator above the rear flue pan for removing niter and sediment built up during the boiling of sap. The evaporator comprises a furnace, a steam hood, a pan and a nozzle for washing the pan. The steam hood extends over the furnace. The pan is mounted to the furnace and under the steam hood. The nozzle is mounted over the pan. Cleaning fluid is sprayed from the nozzle to clean the pan by an automated process.

Abstract: A structure for connecting cremation ashes comprising a first vessel, a second vessel, first cremated remains, second cremated remains and a link. The first vessel holds the first cremated remains. The second vessel holds the second cremated remains. The link connects the first and second cremated remains. The link further connects the cremated remains to a living being when contact is made by the living being to the link. The structure is meant to provide a way for living beings to connect physically and spiritually with deceased loved ones.

Abstract: A fireplace comprised of a burning chamber having an opening to a room and a vertically lifting door having a top edge, a bottom edge and opposing side edges. The door narrows in width from the top edge to the bottom edge to provide a keystone-shaped door. A frame is fitted in front of the burning chamber. The frame includes guide tracks configured to accept the edges of the door. A drive mechanism is provided to raise and lower the door within the guide tracks. The guide tracks may further incorporate a high temperature gasket to prevent airflow and promote energy efficiency when the door is closed.

Abstract: A structure for connecting cremation ashes with living plants comprising a plant and at least one from the group consisting of cremated remains in a cavity of the plant and a link located in a cavity of the plant, the link connecting with the cremated remains. The structure may further comprise a vessel for holding the cremated remains and a memorial structure connected to the link. The structure is meant to create a living memorial for the deceased.

Abstract: A structure for connecting cremation ashes comprising a first vessel, a second vessel, first cremated remains, second cremated remains and a link. The first vessel holds the first cremated remains. The second vessel holds the second cremated remains. The link connects the first and second cremated remains. The link further connects the cremated remains to a living being when contact is made by the living being to the link. The structure is meant to provide a way for living beings to connect physically and spiritually with deceased loved ones.

Abstract: An illuminated pop-up candy comprising a housing, cap, moveable candy, moveable illumination system, and switching mechanism. The candy is able to translate and rotate along the length of the housing by the application of pressure to either the candy or the illumination system. The illumination system is switched on and off by touch or translation of the illumination along said housing.

Abstract: A common-path, point-diffraction, phase-shifting interferometer uses a half wave plate having a diffractive element, such as pin hole. A coherent, polarized light source simultaneously generates a reference beam from the diffractive element and an object beam from remaining portions of the light going through the half wave plate. The reference beam has a nearly spherical wavefront. Each of the two beams possesses a different polarization state. The object and reference beams are then independently phase modulated by a polarization sensitive phase modulator that shifts phase an amount depending on applied voltage and depending on polarization state of the incident light. A polarizer is then used to provide the object and reference beams in the same polarization state with equal intensities so they can interfere to create an interferogram with near unity contrast.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrated assembly for gathering information and transferring it to a surface. The assembly comprises a housing, a base resiliently connected to the housing, one or more sensors mounted to sense a parameter and a marker positioned so a mark is produced on the surface when the housing is pressed toward the surface. The marker is capable of marking a plurality of different types of marks. Each type of mark provides different information derived from the sensor. A selector is capable of selecting among the plurality of different type of marks to provide a unique mark specific to a type of information detected.