Abstract: A clarifier basin in a wastewater treatment system includes a sludge collection manifold structure which allows individual visual inspection and monitoring of sludge flows from individual sludge removal tubes, representing different sludge collection zones in the basin. The width from front to back of each clarifier arm is maintained to a minimum by providing a baffle adjacent to the outflow of each sludge removal tube. This defines a separate sludge flow for each sludge removal tube, although the flows are integrated beyond the baffles in the common channel. The benefits of high velocity sludge flow, minimal arm width and individual monitoring and sampling outflow from each removal tube are maintained, while providing an arrangement which is structurally sound, minimal in weight and less costly than many previous clarifier systems.

Abstract: A hot melt carpet seaming tape and a method of installation are effective to minimize seam peaking at carpet joints. A seaming iron used in the installation has a grooved base plate and connected liquid channels which accomplish seam welding of carpet backings at the seam. As the two carpet edges come together behind the iron, the backings are seam welded by the liquid adhesive in a butt joint, adding significant strength to the seam in the carpet. The carpet seaming tape has a narrow hot melt adhesive strip, preferably less than two inches wide. When the carpet seaming tape is used in conjunction with seam welding (seam sealing), with hot melt adhesive applied between the edges of the carpet backings, the assembled carpeting when stretched will not tend to peak significantly at the seam.

Abstract: A method for securing a ribbon (76) to a balloon (80), having a body (84) which is in use inflated through a neck (86) is described. The method comprises the steps of retaining the body of the balloon in first retaining means (34), retaining said ribbon in second retaining means (42) spaced-apart from said first retaining means, drawing the neck of said balloon away from said first retaining means and guiding the neck around said second retaining means until the neck encircles said second retaining means and said ribbon retained in said second retaining means.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for a vehicle comprises a first branch or sub-circuit and at least one second branch or sub-circuit. The first branch or sub-circuit includes the vehicle battery, an electrical generator to be driven by the vehicle's engine or transmission and for charging the battery, a starter motor to be driven by the battery for initiating engine operation, and a number of electrical components operable at voltages equal to or greater than the battery's nominal output voltage. At least one of the second branches or sub-circuits includes a number of other electrical components (e.g. lamps) that are susceptible to damage if the voltage supply thereto is too high, this second branch or sub-circuit being connected to the first branch or sub-circuit via an element, e.g. a diode, providing a substantially constant voltage drop.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing RF current delivered to a plasma includes an RF conductor along which the current is delivered to the plasma and which is divided into two parts along part of its length so that substantially equal currents flow in each part. A sensor device is inserted into the gap between the two parts of the conductor and includes first and second inductive loops disposed one on each side of the gap such that when an RF current flows along the RF conductor the magnetic flux surrounding the conductor which is generated by the RF current couples with the loops respectively in opposite directions relative to the sensor device. If a stray magnetic flux normal to the current direction couples with the loops in the same direction relative to the sensor device it will induce voltages in the loops which respectively add to the voltage induced by the RF current in one loop and subtract from the voltage induced by the RF current in the other loop.

Abstract: A construction laser tool which projects a plumb beam is provided with a marking template, movable and separate from the tool's housing but securable to the housing, for transferring a point on a floor to the laser beam or, in another case, for transferring the beam to locate a point on the floor. The template has a marker such as a hole to receive a pencil, and the marker is positioned under the laser tool housing, on the vertical line of the plumb beam where the floor point of interest cannot be seen, when the plumb beam is projected at a point on the ceiling. To accurately mark the floor point, the user holds the template in place on the floor and moves the laser tool away to gain access to mark the point. The reverse procedure is used to align the plumb beam over a known point on the floor. Several arrangements involving sliding templates are disclosed.

Abstract: A back supporting and exercising cushion has upper and lower pneumatic chambers with an orifice or adjustable flow valve between the chambers for controlling shifting of air between the two chambers. With the back support device positioned in a chair or car seat, for example, the lower chamber is situated against the lumbar region of the back while the upper chamber presses against the mid-thoracic region. When the user shifts his posture, the chambers continually accommodate the changes by inflating one chamber while the pressure deflates air out of the other chamber. The ability to change posture frequently decreases fatigue in the low back while driving, for example, and provides neurological stimulation in the joints of the spine, which can help balance activities of the muscles in the back and decrease pain.

Abstract: Improved gas distribution and mixing is achieved in a gas/liquid mixing basin particularly for aerobic or anaerobic sewage digesters. In addition to a draft tube positioned generally centrally in the aeration or anaerobic basin and served by one or more gas-releasing diffusers, the system of the invention includes peripheral draft tubes surrounding the central draft tube, each tube having at least one gas diffuser within. The circulation of liquid and gas bubbles from the larger, central draft tube is supplemented by circulation from the peripheral draft tubes. In particular, "dead areas" or less active areas of the liquid, which are not sufficiently reached by gas-mixing from a single draft tube in many basin configurations, are reached by circulation from the peripheral draft tubes and such dead areas are virtually eliminated.

Abstract: A bonded multi-component filter medium preferably contains at least two active components, namely, activated carbon adsorbent and a blend of at least two organic polymer absorbents. The medium is prepared by adding a selected quantity of carbon of a preselected size to a mixer, then wetting the activated carbon with a water-based aliphatic resin binder adhesive, preferably also with a surfactant, thus eliminating the static charge on the carbon, then adding hydrophobic absorption bonding polymers to the mixer, then thoroughly mixing the hydrophobic absorption bonding polymer with the carbon in preselected proportions, until both the carbon particles and the polymer particles are effectively coated with the binder adhesive. After thoroughly mixing, the medium mixture is preferably poured into filter cartridge forms, and then air-dried at room temperature and low humidity, to cure the aliphatic resin adhesive binder.

Abstract: A plastic shield for a tile saw includes two vertical side panels, a back panel and a top panel, which in one embodiment are dismantlable separate panels. The components are quickly assembled together via slotted edges or connecting extrusions and when dismantled stack flatly within the water tray which is included as part of the tile saw apparatus. The tile saw shield is configured to allow normal use of the tile saw, without encumbering the user. It contains water from spraying out of the tray, to the extent that the tile saw can be used in an interior setting. In a second embodiment the shield is made of a flexible canopy with three sides and a top, supported by a bent rod frame which itself is secured in releasable fashion to fixed structure of the tile saw apparatus.

Abstract: A securement device provides for efficient, releasable attachment of an electronic device or other article to the human body, such as on the lap or at any other appropriate anchor point. The securement device, which prevents the electronic device from slipping or dropping, features an encircling strap and coacting strips of hook-and-loop fastener material. Through the hook-and-loop strips, the strap secures itself around a limb or limbs or other appropriate anchor point while also holding the device. A first variation enables the user to secure one or more articles such as a laptop computer on the lap using a non-elastic strap which encircles both legs at the thighs. A second variation enables the user to secure a smaller device such as a palmtop computer or cellular telephone to a single thigh or to an arm. This version can make use of an elastic strap of generally greater width and shorter length.

Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt of heavy duty construction has a solid top with closely fitted together interdigited link ends or projections on the modules for minimizing dropping of particles, liquids, etc. from conveyed objects through the belt. The link ends extending in both directions from the belt are sharply tapered, generally triangular in shape so as to expose large gaps between the link ends and a large proportion of each connecting rod when the belt modules travel around a sprocket, making the gaps and the connecting rods more easily cleaned. The spacing between adjacent link ends is wide, minimizing the number of link ends and thus the number of gaps for cleaning. In addition, the link ends and the connecting rods are relatively heavy in dimension, providing for high tensile strength in the conveyor belt. The belt is driven by engagement of sprocket teeth between the generally cylindrical barrels of the link ends, at the underside of each module.

Abstract: An improved snowshoe includes a frame at least partially covered by a membrane, a front claw, and biased mounting means for pivotally attaching the front claw to the frame at an offset relative to a neutral frame plane. The biased mounting permits the user's foot to pivot the front claw downward increasing friction with the underlying terrain, but also urges the snowshoe to pivot toward an angle restoring the offset when the snowshoe is lifted. This results in the back of the snowshoe being urged downward, minimizing snow throwing by the snowshoe back, without producing dragging. At the same time, the front of the snowshoe is urged upward, tending not to trip the user. The biased mounting means preferably includes at least one resilient strap attached to the frame and, at the strap center, to the front claw. The preferred embodiment includes a rear cleat mounted to the upper membrane surface, and including at least one wall projecting downward through the membrane.

Abstract: A video headset is worn comfortably on the head of a user, supported by a pair of spaced apart straps extending over the top of the head and across the lower back of the head. The rear strap may be counterweighted. A pair of headphone type speakers are supported on pivoted arms from a frame of the headset, so as to be swingably adjustable to accommodate ear position. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of LCD video displays are positioned above the level of the user's eyes, each with a beam splitter positioned in front of the eyes to reflect a portion of the light from the video screens to the user. The partially transmissive beam splitters allow the user to see through to the ambient scene beyond, increasing the comfort of the user in viewing the video. A transparent shield preferably is positioned forward of the video optics, with an adjustment under the control of the user for controlling the brightness of the ambient light.

Abstract: A modular containment system, primarily for secondary containment of potentially hazardous materials, includes a series of interconnectable berm members which can be interlocked together to form virtually any desired containment perimeter. A sheet of flexible plastic material is laid over the containment area, and extends over the shoulders of the perimeter structure as a liner for the containment area. The liner is secured to the top of the perimeter structure, such as by a snap-in tube arrangement. For high stability of the perimeter structure, the modular berm members are hollow, formed of plastic material, to be filled with water or sand, as well as having a low, wide profile.

Abstract: A vibration absorbing device for a speaker enclosure is tuned upon installation to the speaker enclosure to achieve maximum attenuation of vibrations in a selected frequency range. The vibration absorber, which includes a series of vibration damping plates separated by spacers, is positioned at varying degrees of overhang on a mounting plate on a panel of the enclosure until attenuation of the desired frequency band is maximized. Then the absorber is secured to the speaker enclosure with an appropriately sized permanent mounting plate.

Abstract: A snowshoe has a front claw and shoe harness assembly including a molded, conclave footpad. The footpad has front-to-back concavity so as to cradle the ball of the user's foot, helping the user locate the foot properly and preventing slippage fore-and-aft and rotationally relative to the snowshoe. In preferred embodiments, the contoured footpad is of a rubbery, somewhat compliant material to further promote friction and cradling of the ball of the shoe.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the authenticity of an item such as an original work of art, an art print, valuable jewelry or other valuable items utilizes images of one or more unique patterns of features, preferably at a microscopic level, as one or more "signatures" of the item. The image of this unique signature is recorded and stored electronically as data representing the unique pattern. The data are registered with identifying text and stored in a secure storage location, to prevent unauthorized duplication or use of the stored data. Following this registration and storage, an item presented as authentic can be examined microscopically at prescribed sites on the item where the original images were taken. Comparison is made at one or more of the sites, and a decision is made as to whether the item exhibits substantially identical features to those originally registered, so as to be the same authentic item. Comparison can be made electronically or visually/microscopically.

Abstract: A wine closure replaces the traditional cork and foil and includes a gasket/stopper which engages into the neck of the bottle. Encasing the finish and upper neck of the bottle is a plastic outer closure cap, generally cylindrical, with a top center disc which is adhered to the top of the stopper. A circle of frangible elements at the periphery of the disc provide for breakage of the disc away from the sleeve, causing it to remain with the stopper when the plastic cap is opened. Coarse, short-length threads are formed on the outside of the container neck, spaced appreciably below the finish, to be engaged by internal thread lugs of the plastic cap. On initial unscrewing of the cap, the disc breaks away from the remainder of the cap. A small vertical clearance is provided in the engagement between the internal cap structure and the gasket/stopper, so that the cap does not begin to lift the gasket/stopper until static friction against the elastomeric gasket/stopper has been overcome.