Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning and rinsing of disk-shaped objects, such as silicon wafers, high precision lenses and the like. The cleaning and rinsing may take place in a single chamber, that is sequentially filled with cleaning solution, rinsing solution, and the like. In an important aspect of the invention, chemical cleaning solutions are dumped to containers and recycled for the use. Moreover, a cleaning solution composition may be monitored, and the concentration of solution can be adjusted automatically, or make-up chemicals may be added, as necessary. The apparatus has a relatively small footprint and maybe surrounded with an enclosure that may be kept at lower than atmosphere pressure to prevent escape of potentially hazardous contaminants into the environment. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the handling of wafers to be cleaned is carried out robotically, most preferably using a robot with at least two end-effectors, each adapted for a specific function.

Abstract: An improved voltage reference circuit relies on electrically adjustable analog devices fabricated on a common substrate. The circuit has two electrically adjustable matched transistor pairs. A first matched transistor pair includes an adjusting transistor and a differential pair transistor. A second matched transistor pair also includes an adjusting transistor and a differential pair transistor. Each of the matched transistor pairs share an insulated gate or electrically connected insulated gates. Geometrical and electrical matching occurs as between the two adjusting transistors and between the two differential pair transistors. The two differential pair transistors are electrically connected at the source terminals to form a differential circuit. A feedback loop, which includes an amplifier, a fixed resistor and a current source complete the circuit.

Abstract: An illuminated rock and method having the external appearance of a rock and having a light source inside which transmits light through openings in the rock to an outside viewer. Preferably, the light passes through a diffusion screen so as to obscure the actual light element from view, while allowing sufficient light to pass through the design. It is preferred that the design be in the form of a street number, with the illuminated rock being placed proximate a front portion of a home so that the street number may be viewed at night.

Abstract: A traffic sign warning light is used for providing a visual signal of the traffic sign. The traffic sign warning light has a body section for supporting the traffic warning light on a traffic sign. Lighting units are coupled to the body section. The lighting units provide a visual warning of the traffic sign.

Abstract: A combination bolo tie and neck tie has an interchangeable neck cord for supporting the combination bolo tie and neck tie around a neck of a wearer. An interchangeable neck piece is coupled to the interchangeable neck cord. An interchangeable neck tie is coupled to the interchangeable neck piece. A holding bar is coupled to the interchangeable neck piece for securing the interchangeable neck cord to the interchangeable neck piece. A neck tie holder is coupled to the interchangeable neck piece for coupling the interchangeable neck tie to the interchangeable neck piece. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to the interchangeable neck tie for holding the interchangeable neck tie to the interchangeable neck piece and for adjusting a length of the interchangeable neck tie.

Abstract: A three-wheeled roller skate and method therefore, including a substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle, two heel end wheels rotatably coupled to an axis, and a toe end wheel smaller in diameter than the two heel end wheels positioned in front of and spaced apart from the toe end of the skater's foot, allowing a user to maximize both stability as well as speed.

Abstract: A locking, hand-held holiday light storage and dispenser device, comprising a base, a rotating tube coupled to the base, and a locking mechanism adapted to lock the rotating tube in position relative to the base in order to permit the storage and dispensing of holiday lights in a tangle-free manner.

Abstract: An independent leadframe transport system for use with an integrated-circuit processing unit. The independent leadframe transport system for use with an integrated-circuit processing unit, comprises; a main drive unit having at least one tool-drive, a stack unit coupled to the main drive unit, and a leadframe transport carousel coupled to the stack unit and positioned proximate to the at least one tool-drive. The stack unit is translationally coupled to the main drive unit so that the leadframe transport carousel may be selectively positioned within the at least one tool-drive in an in-tool position and without the at least one tool-drive in an out-tool position. The leadframe transport carousel has coupled thereto a plurality of leadframe for holding a leadframe from an on-load buffer, through the process area, to the off-load buffer.

Abstract: A vertically ascending flying vehicle and method. The flying vehicle consists of a body, which may be in the shape of a saucer or an airfoil, and an engine located above the body. The engine generates thrust downward onto the top of the body. That thrust causes the body to vertically ascend. To permit horizontal flight, the engine may be rotatable, so that it may alternatively provide vertical or horizontal thrust as desired.

Abstract: An aquatic exercise device and method therefor dimensioned to be retained between a person's thighs while swimming. By swimming with the aquatic exercise device in between a swimmer's thighs, a swimmer is able to contract his or her leg muscles against both a horizontal as well as vertical form of resistance. Through this method, the aquatic exercise device enables a swimmer to more fully build leg strength.

Abstract: A golf swing training device and method that is designed to improve a golfer's swing plane, alignment, balance, swing tempo and ball placement skills. The device includes an alignment shaft to act as an aid in aligning the golfer relative to the target and to develop proper balance and ball placement skills, and a template shaft and template for helping a golfer to swing at a desired angle and thus to improve the plane of the golfer's swing.

Abstract: A cabinet for mounting to a wall or ceiling with downward extendable and retractable shelving assembly is provided. The cabinet includes a housing having an open bottom. Disposed within the housing is a shelving assembly having a plurality of shelves. A novel combination of a tension gas spring and telescoping drawer glides are used for mounting the shelving assembly to the housing. When items are needed from the cabinet, the shelving is pulled down until all the shelves are exposed. When access is no longer needed, a light tap to the bottom of the shelving assembly causes the tension gas spring to smoothly retract the shelving assembly back into the housing.

Abstract: A dual nested plunger transfer molding system. The dual nested plunger transfer molding system, comprises: a transfer plunger having a piston chamber internally, co-axially, positioned, integral within the transfer plunger; and a co-axial plunger slidably and co-axially coupled to the piston chamber. The co-axial plunger comprises: a co-axial plunger piston end, and a co-axial plunger drive end at the opposite end from the co-axial plunger piston end. The dual nested plunger transfer molding system further comprises a piston disc coupled to the co-axial plunger drive end, the piston disc cooperating with the piston chamber to form a slidable pressure boundary within the piston chamber.

Abstract: A dental floss dispenser having the external appearance of an automobile. The dispenser includes a cavity accessible by inverting the dispenser, which cavity receives a spool of dental floss. The dental floss is then dispensed through an opening in the cavity, which opening exits in the engine compartment of the automobile. The engine compartment may be opened for accessing the dental floss, and then closed after use, so that the floss is not visible to an observer.

Abstract: A substantially stocking-shaped photograph album and method therefor, comprising a base portion, at least one substantially stocking-shaped leaf coupled to the base portion, and at least one sleeve coupled to the substantially stocking-shaped leaf, wherein the sleeve is dimensioned to receive a photograph in order to provide a way to store and display photographs in a festive photo album. Preferably, an audio device can be activated to play a melody while viewing the pictures.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing a resistance integrated coupler adapted to be coupled between a data bus and a terminal device. The system and method includes the steps of calculating a desired resistance of a set of data-bus windings, wherein the desired resistance is substantially (1.5×Zo), wherein Zo is a selected data bus cable nominal characteristic impedance; winding the set of data-bus windings to form a first part of the resistance integrated coupler using a specified amount of high resistance wire, the specified amount of high resistance wire having a total resistance substantially equal to the calculated desired resistance; and winding a set of terminal device windings to form a second part of the resistance integrated coupler. The resistance integrated coupler is constructed substantially in accordance with the guidelines of MIL-STD-1553B.

Abstract: A tool drive apparatus and method are provided which are particularly well suited for the processing of semiconductor chips on leadframe strips. The tool drive apparatus includes at least one press having a tool-receiving space, a top and bottom tool received in the tool-receiving space, and a drive unit coupled to the at least one press for asynchronous substantially vertical movement of the top tools in adjacent presses. The drive unit includes a rotatable main shaft carrying up to six cam discs each of which may be associated with a press. This arrangement permits the processing of more than one process area on a leadframe strip in the same press cycle in one tool at a time enabling the tools to be placed closer together to shorten the processing line. The tool drive apparatus may also include a latch assembly which, when activated, creates a larger tool-receiving space for repair and maintenance of the tool in one press without affecting other presses in the processing line.