Abstract: A stationary washer in a motor is positioned on a shaft intermediate the motor rotor and a bearing. The shaft extends through the washer, rotor, and bearing. The stationary washer is free to move laterally and to tilt to insure that it remains in alignment with the bearing when the shaft tilts from its preferred normal orientation.

Abstract: An extractor tool for removing and replacing a plumbing fixture, such as a leaking, rusted tub shoe flange with or without cross hairs, includes a shaft having left-handed threads over most of its length and a frusto-conical wedge near one end terminating in a plurality of axial lugs forming a castle around an axial recess, the other end of the shaft being flatted to receive a wrench. A plurality of separate, arcuate shaped, shoes are slidably positioned around the threaded portion of the shaft and are maintained there by a flexible o-ring forming an expandable body having a central bore portion and at least the inner end adjacent the frusto-conical wedge of the shaft formed with a tapered circular recess. A washer and nut are assembled on the shaft from the threaded end. Both inner ends of the shoes may be formed with the tapered circular recess to make them reversible. The outside surfaces of the shoes and lugs may be knurled for added gripping.

Abstract: A shower head operates under low water pressure. The shower head utilizes a unitary ball. The ball includes a vaned member integrally formed in a passageway through the ball. The vaned member includes a plurality of spaced apart helical arms coterminating at an intermediate rounded spherically shaped surface which evenly distributes water intermediate the helical arms. Water from the vaned member discharges into a large vortex chamber and from the vortex chamber through a smaller venturi-like aperture which accelerates the water past aeration ports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a plurality of optical circuits provides a single broadband light source and means for splitting the light produced by the broadband light source in order to produce a plurality of light beams each of which is directed to a selected one of the plurality of optical circuits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a tennis court or other surface removes water from the tennis court and heats the surface of the tennis court to facilitate evaporation of water from the court.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enable the immune system of an infant to distinguish between ABBOS protein sections and p69 protein sections and reduces the risk that an infant will develop diabetes. The method cleaves protein-to-protein bonds in bovine serum albumin to reduce the similarity between the bovine serum albumin and pancreatic beta cells to minimize the likelihood that an infant will develop bovine serum albumin antibodies which will attack and kill the pancreatic beta cells.

Abstract: A system for correlating the route of travel of an emergency vehicle with a railroad crossing by, when the crossing is blocked, sensing the presence of a train and communicating between the railroad crossing, police stations, fire stations, and an emergency vehicle dispatch center.

Abstract: A radiator utilizes laminar flow to more efficiently cool a liquid coursing through the radiator. The radiator spaces a pair of cores a sufficient distance apart to produce laminar flow between the cores.

Abstract: A waveform baffle is interdigitized in a roller apparatus for applying fluids to substrates.

Abstract: A method for producing grips cuts a strip of material to form at least two columns of grips. Each column includes a plurality of grips end-to-end. Each grip formed in the strip of material is of equal shape and dimension. The sides of each grip are shaped such that the edge of one column can be nested with and coincide with the edge of another column to permit both edges to be cut simultaneously without producing any wasted material between the edges. Each grip includes lines of weakening, includes at least one point with a pair of sides, and includes a pair of edges which are adjacent the sides of the point. When each grip is folded along the lined of weakening, the pair of edges adjacent the point separate and expose the point.

Abstract: A drug dispensation method and apparatus significantly reduces the likelihood that a nurse or other health care personnel will inadvertently administer the wrong drug to a patient. The method and apparatus identify a classification and a characteristic of a drug.

Abstract: A vertical machining center is retrofitted to permit the automatic machining of a plurality of like unfixtured parts loaded into the vertical machining center on a tray.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the risk that dust and other allergenic contaminants will accumulate on the leading edge of the blade of a ceiling fan. The apparatus reduces the risk of harm to an individual struck by the leading edge of a ceiling fan.

Abstract: A doorbell response system in used in a dwelling including a telephone line and a telephone. The doorbell response system includes a doorbell, doorbell button, speaker, microphone, dialer to initiate the dialing of a telephone number, connection between the microphone and speaker, a system for eliminating the dial tone in the telephone line for a selected period of time so a person can communicate over the microphone and speaker, a system for dialing a number when the dialer is activated, a battery for the doorbell and doorbell button and telephone, and a trickle charge from the telephone line to the battery.

Abstract: A process for greatly improving the DC drift problem associated with LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 substrates. The process immerses the substrates in a heat bath comprised of a strong acid and then subjects the substrates to cyclical annealing.

Abstract: A method produces surprising results by increasing the yield of a plant. The method includes the step of foliarly applying crystalline birefringent raw starch granules. The granules are applied under selected temperature, moisture, and sunlight conditions and during a selected period of time prior to row closure.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively polishing an elevated area of the surface of a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus makes a topographical map of the surface of a semiconductor wafer to identify a high area on the surface; positions polishing apparatus over and in contact with the elevated area; and, moves the polishing apparatus and/or the wafer to polish selectively only the elevated area of the wafer surface.

Abstract: A currency transfer system provides for the transfer of currency between two countries in which different languages are spoken. The system includes a pre-printed envelope including imprinted indicia indicating a preselected currency amount, an envelope identification number, and a security code. The system also includes a remote terminal, a host computer, and a dispensing terminal. The remote terminal transmits the preselected currency amount, the security code and the envelope identification number to the host computer. The host computer authorizes the dispensing of the preselected currency amount by the dispensing terminal on receipt from the dispensing terminal of the security code.

Abstract: A bearing sleeve and method for manufacturing the same enable a bearing to be placed in a captive position in the sleeve by inserting the bearing into a slot in the sleeve and then slidably rotating the bearing to the captive position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a safe deposit box stored in a vault. The safe deposit box includes a customer lock and a bank lock, each of which must be opened to access the box. Apparatus is provided to permanently maintain the bank lock in an open position and to enable a customer to enter the vault without requiring the assistance of a bank teller.