Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a body part utilizes an external splint to form a brace. The splint includes an elongated sheath connected and an elongated support piece placed in the interior of the sheath. The support piece is formed of a stiff material and is shorter that the sheath in length so that it can move relative to the sheath. The support piece is preferably formed of a composite material. One or more splints may be used to form a brace. Here, a mounting piece secures the splint(s) and mounts on the body part. A casing may be used over the brace. Alternatively, the splints can be formed in the casing. The method then involves the steps of supporting the body part with the splint(s) and brace described above.

Abstract: A locking device includes a shackle member having a shank and a latch portion at one end and a stop at the other end. A locking head mounts in a locked state on the latch portion but is removable when unlocked. A sleeve is carried on the shank but is removable. The sleeve and the shank together define a size conversion structure for the shackle. When the sleeve is on the shank, the shackle has one operative thickness to closely fit one size aperture, but when the sleeve is removed, the shackle has another, smaller operative thickness to fit a smaller aperture. A retaining member may be employed to resist removal of the sleeve. Two or more sleeves may be used to fit more than two apertures. These can be separately mountable onto the shank or may be nested on the shank, one inside of the other.

Abstract: A nitrile compound is prepared by treating a solid supported amide to dehydrate it and cleave it from the support in one operation. The preparation involves acetylation of the amide compound in the presence of a base at a temperature of less than 100° C.

Abstract: A bird feeder includes a feed container with a sidewall portion that diverges upwardly from a mouth. A framework nestably receives the container and has first and second support members extending around the container in parallel planes. The first and second support members are interconnected by rigid bars that may be curvilinear in shape. The container mouth attaches to a base that has a passageway with an outer opening that is thus placed in communication with the containers interior. A hanger assembly is used to suspend the feeder from a support. The base may have a plurality of passageways each with an outer opening that are spaced apart from one another. The rigid bars may be decorative, and decorative images may also be disposed on the framework. A method of feeding birds with this feeder is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing a solution having optical isomers to obtain a (2R,3S) target isomer: wherein P1 is H or a hydroxyl protecting group, R1 is H, an alkyl group, an olefinic group or an aromatic group, and R2 is H or R3CO, where R3 is an alkyl group, an olefinic group, an aromatic group, an O-alkyl group, an O-olefinic group or an O-aromatic group, provided that R1 is not H when R3 is Ph and P1 is H. The method includes passing the solution through a chromatographic stationary phase, such as S,S Whelk-O, that has a greater affinity for one of the target isomer and an optical isomer thereof. A portion of the solution with the target isomer is then collected. The solution may be a racemic mixture of (±)-N-CBZ-3-phenylisoserine ethyl ester.

Abstract: An insect collection device (10) comprises an elongated housing (20) extending in a downstream direction between first (22) and second (24) ends about a housing interior. A partition (36) separates the interior (26) into an upstream region proximate the first end (22) and a downstream region proximate the second end (24). The partition (36) is constructed to permit airflow between these regions, while impeding passage of insects therebetween. A movable closure (50) is disposed on a first end portion (33) of the housing to move between a closed position and an open position to create an entryway into the upstream region. A compression chamber (70) is disposed on a second end portion of the housing (20) and moves between compressed and uncompressed positions to urge the closure into the second/open position such that insects in a vicinity of the first end (22) are drawn into the upstream region for collection. A methodology for capturing insects is also provided.

Abstract: A trailer hitch uses a draw bar to interconnect tractor and trailer vehicles. The draw bar includes an elongated shank with a transverse throughway. A resilient cushion is disposed in the throughway. A passageway is associated with the throughway to receive a hitch pin such that longitudinal motion of the shank is resiliently resisted by the cushion. The cushion may be disposed in a rigid casing to form a cartridge that inserts into the throughway, and the passageway may be provided by a reciprocating slide member in the casing. Cushions may be employed in the casing to resist motion during both braking and acceleration. Cartridges having differing performance may be interchanged in the system. A method employing such structures is described.

Abstract: A door latch actuator and methodology actuates a mortise-type dead latch that has a spring latch to reciprocally engage and disengage the door latch actuator, and a dead latch pin to operate movement of the spring latch. The actuator's housing has a cavity to receive the spring latch and dead latch pin when the door is fastened, and a reciprocally movable spring latch plunger and dead latch plunger mounted therein. The spring latch plunger's head portion selectively engages the spring latch at different locations when the door is fastened. A striker assembly has arrangeable strike elements defining a strike surface for the dead latch pin and portals for the spring latch for different spring latch and dead latch pin arrangements. The actuator also includes a drive to reciprocally drive the dead latch plunger and advance the spring latch plunger.

Abstract: A children's kit for illuminative decoration of the exterior shell of a pumpkin, without requiring a carving knife. The kit 10 consists of packaging 12, light pegs 60, a pattern sheet 30, a tool 100, and light 25. The light pegs 60 are a light transmissive material that can be colored and have a length at least equal to the pumpkin shell thickness. Each light peg 60 has a first end that is convergent to pierce the exterior shell wall and is operative to collect light, a shaft portion to transmit light to a second end with an enlarged peg head. The enlarged peg head protrudes above the shell surface and is operative to disperse light. The pattern 30 locates the light pegs 60 on the pumpkin shell, with the tool 100 used to drive the light pegs 60 through the pumpkin shell. The light 25 is placed inside the open interior of the pumpkin to illuminate the light pegs 60.

Abstract: An illumination device especially adapted for internally illuminating a decorative object wherein the decorative object is associated with a particular seasonal holiday, festive, or celebratory event. The device includes a dome shaped housing that is sized and configured to mount inside the decorative object. The housing has concavities with reflective surfaces and electric lights that are disposed in the concavities. Electric current is supplied to the light for illumination of the interior of the decorative object. The illuminative object has the optional capability to flash the electric lights to mimic the flickering of a burning candle and employ the use of fiber optics for special lighting effects.

Abstract: The skin friction drag acting on a surface of an article travelling at high speed such as a vehicle at supersonic or particularly hypersonic speed can be reduced by introducing a fuel into the boundary layer under conditions of the fuel introduction to ensure combustion in the boundary layer. The fuel is injected through orifice(s) or a slot provided at the surface so that the fuel enters the passing fluid with a major component of the direction of injection being parallel to the local flow direction. The fuel is injected at supersonic speed, e.g. at a speed of about Mach 1.5 or higher. The invention is applicable to scramjet engines with the fuel being injected around the entire internal circumference of the wall of the scramjet engine, upstream of the commencement of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus useful for detecting and measuring flow of a fluid along a flow path. In a method according to the invention, the temperature of a flowing fluid is altered at a selected location for a selected duration so as to generate a pulse in the fluid moving in a downstream direction along a flow path, and the fluid is monitored at a sensing region to detect the pulse passing therethrough. An apparatus according to the present invention may comprise a conduit, a sensor element disposed therein, an energy source proximate to the conduit, and a controller operative to generate an on signal and an off signal respectively operative to activate and deactivate the energy source. The present invention also relates to a liquid chromatography device having a fluid flow detecting and measuring apparatus according to the present invention.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus and method includes a table with a cushion on its perimeter and centrally located target area. The target area includes an elongated barrier to prevent passage of a ball and a primary target formed as a bay having opposed side walls and an open mouth to receive a ball. The target array in one embodiment includes a base rail and transverse end rails. A plurality of primary targets are located in spaced relation along the base rail with regions between the primary targets defining secondary targets. The primary targets accept different integral numbers of balls that may be launched from a tee area against the cushion to score points. Guides having converging walls direct incident balls toward the mouths of the primary targets. A mallet is used to strike each ball of a player's ball set during play.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical compounds that are useful in the production of taxanes. The chemical compounds according to the present invention have a generalized formula: wherein R1 is +NH3X− where X is deprotonated organic acid such as deprotonated trifluoroacetic acid, and wherein R2 may be acetyl or hydrogen, and P1 may be hydrogen or a hydroxyl protecting group, such as benzyloxymethyl.

Abstract: Apparatus for winding a tape medium is disclosed to include a winding hub, a drive operative to rotate the hub, a rigid packing arm and a support member for the packing arm. The packing arm rides on the surface of the tape pack and may be linear or arcuate and may be off the wind axis of the hub. A first end portion of the packing arm may also overlap the hub. The packing arm may be formed of a non-ferrous material, such as a ceramic, and it may be biased into contact with the tape pack surface. A longitudinal groove can be provided to collect debris. A plurality of packing arms equiangularly spaced relative to the hub may be employed. The packing arm can be supported on the frame of the apparatus or it can be mounted in a cartridge that provides a supply of tape.

Abstract: An image projecting apparatus is provided to project a real image of an object to be displayed while obscuring the object from view by an observer located exteriorly of the image projecting apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing (12) having an interior and a view area (14) for the real image. First and second reflective surfaces (40, 50), such as mirrors, are disposed in the housing. The first reflective surf (40) must be concave of a variety of geometric shapes. The second reflective surface (50) may be concave or, alternatively, planar. A masking member is interposed between the object and the view area. The second reflective surface can define the masking member. The first and second reflective surfaces are arranged at an acute angle to each other.

Abstract: A safety saw may be used by a child and includes a handle and a forwardly extending blade. The handle has a first portion, a second portion and a waisted portion between the first and second portions. The minimum diameter of the waisted portion is no more than fifty percent (50%) of the maximum diameter of the second end portion. Preferably, the first and second portions have equal radii. The blade has teeth only on one lateral edge, and a distal tip extends forwardly along the longitudinal axis of the blade to a rounded end. The distal tip has a length at least twice the width of a tooth, and it is devoid of any teeth. The leading edge of each tooth is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis while the trailing edge is oblique to the longitudinal axis at an angle of about 50° to 60°. The height and width of the teeth may be the same; alternatively, the width may be twice the height.