Abstract: A fire-retardant composition for application to vegetation, to suppress the spread of wildfires of the type which includes a fire-suppressing salt in a liquid carrier, has a minor amount of xanthan gum incorporated therein to improve the stability, corrosivity or adhesion of the composition.

Abstract: An improved method for robotic placement of electronic parts having depending electrical leads on a circuit board. A part is selectively abstracted from a supply in which the parts are arranged with the leads pointing upwardly, and the part is re-oriented during movement to the circuit board such that the leads are pointing downwardly when the part is emplaced on the circuit board with the leads extending through pre-drilled holes in the board.

Abstract: A device for sealing an aperture in the wall of a cavity including a tubular elastic membrane which extends from inside the cavity through the aperture to the exterior. A deformable cap closes the inner end of the tubular membrane. The membrane is radially tensioned, e.g., by an annular ring formed in the outer end of the tube to seal the membrane against the edges of the aperture.

Abstract: A medication supply holder and dose organizer for assisting a patient in taking timed dosages of multiple medications. This device includes a base member of temporarily storing bulk quantities of separate medications and a plurality of timed-dose medication holders which also include an erasable marking surface for displaying prescription information. Means are provided for carrying a plurality of these timed-dose holders in at least two operative positions, the first of which indicates the next dose to be taken and the second of which is a position to which the holder last used is moved to expose the next holder in sequence.

Abstract: An engine bed for locating an inboard engine in a powerboat hull and for transferring static and dynamic engine loads to load-bearing stringers formed integrally in the stern portion of the hull. The engine bed includes a transverse beam extending between the stringers under the forward motor mounts of the engine. Longitudinal flanges, formed integrally in the beam ends are rigidly secured to the stringers by through-bolts. The forward motor mounts of the engine are rigidly fixed to the beam at points spaced inwardly from the flanges.

Abstract: A stringer cap assembly for mounting a power boat engine includes an inverted L-shaped stringer cap, the top of which is shaped and dimensioned to lie along the top load-bearing surface of a stringer formed integrally in a power boat hull. A vertical stud is carried by and extends upwardly from the stringer cap to attach a motor mount. The cap assembly is through-bolted to the stringer.

Abstract: A system for testing space weapons includes a weapons platform and at least one target which are positioned in space, means for precisely determining the positions of the weapon and the target both with and without the cooperation of the target, a control and assessment system for receiving and processing weapon and target status and position data, generating command signals to the weapon and for generating, displaying and assessing weapon effectiveness data and a data communication system for maintaining communications between and among the weapon platform, the target and the test control assessment system.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for mounting a spare tire on the rear of a van-type vehicle having double rear doors. The assembly includes a horizontal tire support bar mounted transversely on the door, a wheeled carriage movable along the tire support bar and a spare tire/wheel assembly mounted on the carriage.The spare tire can be conveniently moved on the wheeled carriage toward the side of the van (to permit opening the other double door) or toward the inner edge of the door on which it is mounted (to permit the tire to clear the rear corner of the van when the door is fully opened).

Abstract: A multi-story building structure in which steel elements, secured together in steel-to-steel contact form the bearing walls and transmit the entire static and seismic loads of the walls and floors thereabove.

Abstract: A marine propeller shaft/key assembly in which a keyway formed in the shaft is provided with a perpendicular rounded forward end wall. The key, which transmits rotational forces between the propeller and the propeller shaft, is provided with a rounded perpendicular forward end which matingly engages the forward end of the keyway. The rounded perpendicular end of the keyway forms a stop which precludes axial forward movement of the key in the keyway.

Abstract: A protection subroutine with a unique reference code is emplaced in a protected software package. The package also contains a validation program. The protection subroutine and validation program connect with an ESD and both the ESD and the program communicate with a secure computer. Upon receipt of inputs of the software serial number and reference code and the ESD identifier, the computer generates a validation code which causes the protection subroutine to command execution of the protected software by its hose computer.

Abstract: A vehicle for transferring multiple payloads from the trajectory of an earth-launch vehicle to another trajectory. The vehicle includes an engine module, to which one payload is directly attached. A carrier member extends forwardly, enclosing the first payload, which is detachably secured directly to the support frame and adapted to carry the second payload in tandem with and forward of the first payload. Cantilever and linear loads are transmitted directly by the second payload to the support frame of the engine module. The second payload, the carrier member and then the first payload are sequentially separated from the engine module after achieving another, e.g., geostationary, orbit. The vehicle may have dual-mode capability in which it can carry a single, relatively larger (heavier) payload or two, relatively smaller (lighter) payloads.

Abstract: A data processing system includes means for verifying the authority of data-entry devices to input data and the authenticity of such data. The system includes a central data-processing computer, a plurality of data-entry devices connected to the central computer for providing input data, a central security system, connected to the central computer for identifying the data-entry devices and verifying that such devices are authorized to input data, and a programmable external security device connected to at least one of said authorized data-entry devices. The external security device is programmed by the central security system to exchange user-identifier and user transaction-related data with this data-entry device and with the central security system.

Abstract: Apparatus for peroral treatment of morbid obesity includes a collapsible intra-gastric appliance which can be temporarily deformed to pass through the esophagus and cardiac opening of the stomach and to autogenously assume a normal shape after it is received in the stomach to stimulate neuro-receptors in the sub-mucosa of the gastric fundus. Means are provided for detachably connecting the appliance to the lower end of an elongate, semi-rigid inserter rod which is passed through an aperture formed in the appliance to effect the detachable connection. Downward pressure on the inserter rod forces the collapsed appliance through the esophagus and cardiac opening into the stomach and slight upward force of the inserter rod is thereafter applied to detach the rod from the appliance.

Abstract: A floor-mounted muscle exercise machine shaped and dimensioned for home use includes a floor-supported frame, a force-applying bar pivotally mounted on the frame, a body support bench tiltably mounted on the frame below the force-applying bar, a muscle-force resisting assembly and a single cable which connects the force-applying member to the muscle-force resisting asembly.The muscle force-resisting assembly includes a torsion spring and a single cam-shaped pulley which rotates co-axially with the transverse axis of the torsion spring, both enclosed in a suitable housing attached to the fame. A single cable connects the force-applying bar to the muscle-force resisting assembly. Movement of the bar by muscle force causes rotation of the pulley against the resistance provided by the torsion spring.

Abstract: A process for refining brass and cuprous chloride includes contacting solid cuprous chloride with molten brass scrap which converts the zinc in the brass scrap to a zinc chloride fume and which reduces the copper values in the cuprous chloride to molten elemental copper. The zinc chloride fume, containing minor quantities of cuprous chloride, is condensed and reduced by contact with aluminum scrap to convert aluminum in the scrap to an aluminum chloride fume and forming a molten zinc-copper-aluminum alloy product. If desired, the aluminum chloride fume can be oxidized with steam to yield an aluminum oxide product and by-product hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: Morbid obesity is treated by implacement in the fundus of a hollow shaped appliance. The appliance is formed of semi-rigid skeleton members and is collapsible to a dimension and shape which can be inserted into the stomach through the esophagus and cardiac opening. Upon release of the collapsed device in the stomach, it autogenously re-assumes its normal uncollapsed shape.

Abstract: A method of playing a bowling game comprising the steps of requiring each player to deliver at least one of a preselected number of balls in each of a plurality of frames, counting the number of balls delivered by each player in each frame and the number of pins remaining standing at the end of the frame, adding these numbers together to determine a frame score, recording each player's frame score, adding each player's frame scores to determine the total game score, and comparing the player's game scores to determine the winner of the game.