Abstract: A transportation system including a solar energy collecting monorail structure formed with a photovoltaic surface layer having a solar energy converting means for converting the collected solar energy to electrical energy. A power distribution means for distributing stored energy to transit vehicles being propelled along the monorail structure or distributing excess energy to a remote power utility source. The monorail structure includes means for propelling a transit vehicle according to magnetic principals associated with transverse flux motors. The system also includes a computer controlled, elevation compensating monorail structure extrusion machine comprising a fabrication chamber which continuously fabricates the monorail structure along a monorail construction right-of-way.

Abstract: This invention discloses a mobile intensive care patient handling apparatus that includes a specially designed framework member, a pallet member for supporting the framework member while in a commerical aircraft, framework restraint brackets to secure the framework to the pallet member, pallet restraint brackets to secure the pallet member to seat rails provided on commercial aircraft, said framework member is provided with an undercarriage adapted for containing life sustaining medical equipment and further adapted for being secured to both the framework restraint brackets and a conventional ambulance's patient cot restraint brackets. The patient handling apparatus can be designed according to any aviation authorities' design requirements including, structural design requirements for emergency landing conditions, structural design requirements for gust load factors, hardware fastening, structural bonding, size and shape design requirements.

Abstract: The kit apparatus of the present invention includes a tye-dye instruction manual for instructing a user how to tye-dye an article of clothing. The manual contains a variety of illustrated tye-dye patterns including a finished product state for selection by a user, at least one article of clothing for being tye-dyed and tye-dyeing supplies for tye-dyeing the article of clothing. The tye-dyeing supplies include: soaking solution for soaking the article of clothing prior to dyeing, dyestuff material for preparing a dyeing solution, glove means for safe handling of the soaking solution and dyestuff material, a plurality of rubber bands for banding the article of clothing to create dye diffusion regions according to a tye-dye pattern selected from said illustrated tye-dye patterns, and a squeeze dropper applicator for applying said dyestuff material to said article of clothing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a reconfigurable optical interconnect apptus that redirects an optical beam through embedded holographic elements of a substrate-mode hologram to connecting information processors or to photonic switching devices. The apparatus includes a substrate-mode hologram, including a polarization insensitive input hologram member, one or more embedded polarization sensitive hologram members that couple transmitted diffracted or non-diffracted light to respective optical receivers. The optical receivers further couple the light out of the substrate-mode hologram or to cascaded similar apparatus. The method includes processing an incident beam of polarized light through a controlled polarization modulator, through an optical information encoder, such as a spatial light modulator, then further processing the polarized light through the substrate-mode hologram. The apparatus has advantages of being compact and expandable into larger systems.

Abstract: This invention discloses a vehicular step bench apparatus stabilized through coupling accessories provided for detachable connection to various portions of a vehicle to gain a safe access to elevated areas of a vehicle. The coupling accessories are mechanical attachments that effect a restraining relationship with a front and rear bumpers and wheel members of a vehicle to prevent tilting or tipping towards or away from the vehicle. The mechanical attachments include portions of chains, pivotal stop arms and other mechanical attachment structure. The foot support area is further made safe through the use of a foot traction aids in the form of friction pads adhesively attached to the foot support surface. The step bench apparatus is made portable through foldable structure provided beneath the foot support area for easy storage in a carrying case.

Abstract: This invention discloses a dice word game set of twenty-four identical six-sided dice. Each side of each die is marked with a unique letter of a six-letter target word, so that the die contains all letters in the target word, which in the preferred embodiment is the word "HEARTS". Each player is given six dice, one for each letter in the target word. The player rolls one die, attempting to roll the first letter in the target word. If the roll is successful, the die is added to a completion set, which partially spells the target word, and the player attempts to roll the next letter in the target word. When a player has completed spelling the target word, he wins the game. Because the dice are identical, the game set is inexpensive to produce. Because the target word is given and known, the game is easy to play, requires a minimum of mental exercise, and is relaxing. Because the dice are rolled one at a time, the odds of winning are sufficiently great to make the game interesting to play.

Abstract: A tool for manually adjusting the viewing angle of said rear view mirror provided on the passenger side of vehicles. The tool is elongated for spanning the distance from a driver side of a vehicle, past the passenger side to an external rear-view mirror. The tool includes a tool end that conforms to the shape of the mirror housing enables a user to firmly enclose the housing and exert mechanical forces via the grip end to pivotally adjust the mirror to a desired viewing angle.

Abstract: A surface, subsurface continuous feed moisture maintenance system for microscopic volume irrigation utilizing a preset flow rate valve, provided in a single preset flow rate stage or multiple preset flow rate stages, a moisture actuated sensor valve and a plurality of permeating, moisture distribution tubes. The preset flow rate valves are selected and set according to plant moisture needs in the geographical area being irrigated. The moisture actuated sensor valve gradually opens or closes water flow to the system according to soil moisture level conditions and thus prevents over watering and conserves on water resources. The moisture permeating action of the distribution tubes complement the preset flow rate of the valve and the moisture actuated sensor valve to maintain the subsurface at a constant moisture level.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ported reflex speaker enclosure for use in the automotive audio systems industry. The ported reflex speaker enclosure is a design that factors the audio and thermal design considerations as found in the automotive operating environment as well as factoring the audio and mechanical mounting considerations as found in the automobile audio systems. The ported reflex speaker enclosure is primarily intended for six (6) by nine (9) inch standard speaker chassis used in automotive audio systems that typically are found as non-enclosed suspended speakers in the trunk compartment of automobiles.

Abstract: A unit for providing an interface between analog input signals and a digital data processing system bus includes a plurality of sample-and-hold circuits coupled to the analog input signals, a multiplexer for selecting a particular sample-and-hold circuit, and an analog-to-digital converter for providing a digital signal related to the amplitude of a selected portion of the input signal. A control circuit provides control signals for controlling the operation of the sample-and-hold circuits, the multiplexer, and the analog-to-digital converter circuit. The control circuit can receive and store signals from the data processing system and use such signals to control the operation of the interface unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high pressure mixing and spray nozzle apparatus generally comprised of three modules. The high pressure nozzle produces a more definite stream with less flair through the use of a linear compressed shock wave. The high pressure nozzle requires less fluid and less pressure for a proper spray. The three modules can be used alone or in different combinations to produce the desired results.

Abstract: A microclean plastic bottle and handle system in which the bottle and handle are separately fabricated and joined at an appropriate time during the use of the bottle is disclosed. The bottle has an internal surface transverse cross section which is circular at each increment of its height between the bottle bottom and the top opening in order to minimize the possibility of creating contaminant-receiving crevices. The contours within the bottle are such that the interior is devoid of any inside corner exceeding about 60 degrees to further limit the potential for forming tiny crevices capable of containing microparticles of contaminating matter which are not readily removed by an interior washing process. An integral shoulder ring extends circumferentially about the bottle neck to serve as a detent for securely affixing the subsequently emplaced handle to the bottle. The handle includes a generally cylindrical bottle neck engaging portion and a yoke portion having three sides.

Abstract: A unit for providing an interface between analog input signals and a digital data processing system bus includes a plurality of analog input channels, sample-and-hold circuits, and an analog-to-digital converter. An optical isolation circuit couples the output of the analog-to-digital converter to a dual-port RAM. The gain of each analog input channel is programmable, as is the address of each input channel in the RAM. Thus the channels can be read in any desired order, and different input voltage ranges can be programmed for each channel. The RAM can be read by an external data processing system via a digital system bus.

Abstract: A trailer assembly including a cab, a first trailer hitched to the cab, a second trailer having a dolly hitched to the first trailer, and a third trailer having a dolly hitched to the second trailer. Each dolly has a framework with a front hitch and has a wheel assembly fixedly connected to the framework. The wheel assembly has an axle and four wheels and leaf springs. The dolly has a thrust bearing unit with a bearing axis. The thrust bearing unit has a bottom race fixedly connected to the framework and has a top race angularly displacable relative to the bottom race about the bearing axis. The top race has a pivot plate with a horizontal pivot axis. The pivot plate has trunnions with pivot pins for pivoting of the pivot plate about the horizontal pivot axis relative to the top race. The pivot plate has a hinge groove for connecting to a hinge pin under the overlapping trailer. The thrust bearing unit has brake means, operated by a driver in the cab by controlling a fluid meter.

Abstract: An improved water precipitator which provides a water supply over an extended surface area of land in a high temperature region by condensing water on piping chilled by a refrigerant circulating within the piping.

Abstract: A transportation system including a solar energy collecting monorail structure formed with a photovoltaic surface layer having a solar energy converting means for converting the collected solar energy to electrical energy. A power distribution means for distributing stored energy to transit vehicles being propelled along the monorail structure or distributing excess energy to a remote power utility source. The monorail structure includes means for propelling a transit vehicle according to magnetic principals associated with transverse flux motors. The system also includes a computer controlled, elevation compensating monorail structure extrusion machine comprising a fabrication chamber which continuously fabricates the monorail structure along a monorail construction right-of-way.

Abstract: This invention discloses a firefighting track driven apparatus for use in rugged terrain. A crawler track driven tractor vehicle pushes a front platform vehicle and pulls a rear platform vehicle. The front platform vehicle travels on steerable crawler tracks, and is equipped with communication device, directionally controlled lamp system and a water cannon for spraying a fire extinguishing substance. The water cannon is mounted on a telescoping and rotating boom, and has a swiveling nozzle, for accurately aiming the fire extinguishing substance to burning material in difficult places such as treetops. The front platform vehicle has a cab which protects an operator, who operates the boom and cannon and steers the tracks. A reeled firehose arrangement feeds the cannon, and may be lengthened with extension sections to accommodate the telescoping boom.