Abstract: The combination pendant clasp of this disclosure is suitable for a necklace or bracelet. It provides a positive locking clasp which is manipulated in front of the wearer. The pendant clasp has two principle members, both of which may be decorated with precious stones, and may symbolize a relationship between individuals. Placement of the clasp in the front of a necklace or bracelet avoids the chance that the clasp will become inadvertently and unnoticed open and the jewelry lost.

Abstract: The inventive apparatus is a convenient, unobtrusive appliance for providing support in the prevention of injury due to personal computer keyboard use. In particular, the inventive apparatus supports the entire arm and further assists the keyboard user in that it allows the shoulder muscles to remain relaxed, and the knuckles, wrists, and forearms to maintain the same plane during keyboard usage. Further, the inventive apparatus is designed to support and maintain good posture at the keyboard. The inventive apparatus is worn by a user on the user's upper body and it receives it support from the wearer's waist and upper back, while avoiding contact at the wearer's shoulder and neck. It supports both arms and the upper body without encumbering the wearer of the apparatus. The inventive apparatus supports the wearer's upper body movements by acting as a suspension system in that it absorbs the damaging energy that so often is the initial cause of repetitive stress injury to keyboard users.

Abstract: The wall hydrant is automatically draining, providing freeze resistant, and includes protections against contamination of a building's potable water supply from the backflow of water in an attached hose. In particular, a dual check hose connection backflow preventer provides protection against back pressure from a hose fill of water which is elevated 10 feet. In addition, protection is provided from back siphonage due to a reduction of pressure in the potable water system within the building. Finally, a biased open atmospheric vent is located between the two independent checks to further assure the protection against backflow from the hose to the potable water system.

Abstract: The method uses a physical phenomenon of dispersion of the optical rotation for identification of the spectral characteristics of light Polychromatic linearly polarized radiation passes through the environment that rotates a polarization plane of its spectral components, depending on their wavelength. After a subsequent passage through the analyzing polarizer, a dependence of the light intensity S(&phgr;) on the angle &phgr;, that the analyzing polarizer forms with the polarization plane of the analyzed light, is measured. S(&phgr;) is in a mathematical relationship with the spectrum of the analyzed radiation I(&lgr;), where &lgr; is a wavelength. S(&phgr;) allows for the determination of the spectral characteristics of the analyzed radiation. In devices based on the above principle, the collimated polarized beam of the analyzed radiation passes first through the optical element that exhibits a dispersion of the optical rotation, i.e.

Abstract: A heel elevating foam cushion is used to relieve heel pressure ulcers in patients confined to bed. The cushion elevates the lower legs and thereby supports the feet without any contact with the feet. Bolsters or palisades on either side of the cushion prevent the legs from falling from the bed, while allowing normal movement of the legs associated with cleaning of the patient, medical treatment of the limbs, etc. The surface of the cushion is covered by a waterproof covering. The cushion may be in a single use or multiple use configuration. A compression process is used to reduce the volume of the cushion by a factor of approximately eight, thereby allowing the convenient storage of cushions without the requirement for extensive storage facilities. The cushion finds application in treating persons with heel or foot pressure ulcers, in treatment of persons after orthopedic surgery, and in recovery from venous surgery for insufficient circulation in the lower limbs.

Abstract: A safety utility razor knife is normally maintained in a locked closed condition which protects the user or carrier from accidental injury by the blade. No action on the part of the user or carrier is required to lock the protective hood over the blade. The hood pivots into the open position, exposing the razor blade, when the knife is in use, and automatically self-locks the safety hood immediately after use, requiring no action or adjustment on the part of the user. The knife is designed for easy and convenient use in cutting cartons, and other materials, including but not limited to dry wall, floor coverings, and insulation, etc. The hood is unlocked by the user's thumb by moving a slide forward. The amount of blade exposed may be determined by a hood stop on the shoulder of the knife, or as regulated by the depth of cut cam action dial. This insures that only enough blade is exposed for the task at hand, i.e.

Abstract: This hauling tarpaulin can be deployed, loaded with refuse, moved and unloaded by a single person. A stored tarpaulin rolled about a mandrel is easily unrolled and filled with lawn refuse. The mandrel holds the tarpaulin flat on the ground despite wind. When the hauling tarpaulin is filled with refuse, the hauling line is pulled, causing the mandrel to rise up on its legs, and the sides to rise, forming a boat-shaped structure which engulfs the refuse. The hauling tarpaulin then is pulled by the hauling line to the refuse collecting point. At the collecting point the tarpaulin is restored to its flat form and the waste material unloaded.

Abstract: The advisory speed meter is used to determine the advisory speed for a highway curve or to provide data for use in determining the advisory speed for a highway curve. The meter determines and records the maximum lateral horizontal acceleration experienced by a vehicle and occupants while traversing a highway curve. The meter has been extensively tested on rural curves and on entrance and exit and connecting ramps between all types of highways. The process for determining an advisory speed for a curve is described. The advisory speed meter provides accurate, reproducible data for use in determining advisory speeds for highway curves.

Abstract: The pneumatic power system of this invention is a process that measures at very high resolution the pressure and/or rate of flow profile at various points throughout the pneumatic circuitry of a piece of pneumatic equipment in a manufacturing environment. Candidates for this process must use compressed air to move, lift, convey, actuate or otherwise influence the manufacturing process. The signature profile allows for high resolution measurement and recording of pressure and/or rate of flow changes throughout the process when the equipment is fully adjusted and tuned to produce product at maximum efficiency and quality. Once optimum adjustments are obtained, the pneumatic profiling process records the pressure profiles throughout the system and uses the model profile as a benchmark to compare all subsequent profile data.

Abstract: A method of maintaining as well as restoring the condition of weathered asphalt shingles and strips which are applied to flat roofs, pitched roofs, or vertical walls. The process involves applying resaturant neat or as a water emulsion. Suitable resaturants include fatty acid methyl esters, petroleum distillates, and water emulsions thereof. The process restores the suppleness and softness of the weathered shingles or strip and adds about three years to the lifetime of the roof. The process may be repeated for additional lifetime extension.

Abstract: A flexible heater or cooler which includes a flexible, conformal, thermally conductive container filled with thermally conductive material. A thermal element within the container or in contact with the outside of the container provides heat to the container or removes heat from the container. The thermal element is powered by a low voltage direct current electrical source. A sensor for determining the temperature of the thermally conductive material is also included. The thermal element, electrical source, and sensor are in communication by connectors with a solid state continuous temperature controller. In operation, the electrical source provides power to the thermal element, thereby heating or cooling the thermally conductive material within the container. The temperature in the container is determined by the sensor and the controller controls the power delivery to the thermal element in response to the setting on the controller and the temperature in the container.

Abstract: Five examples of the system for waterproofing an outside deck, thereby improving the usefulness of the space below the deck, are disclosed. Both inflexible and flexible panels are used. All panels may be made of fire retardant materials. Examples of both types of panels are installed at the time the deck is constructed and fit between the joists. They consist of panels which may be used in conjunction with each other in order to protect decks of varying widths. The other examples are added to previously constructed decks. One example includes a clip strip which is attached to the bottom of the joists and panels which are attached to the clip strip. A trim piece completes the installation. A second example involves the flexible panel with provisions for connection to a mounting bracket installed between the joists. Another example involves a flexible panel which may be installed by the homeowner along the bottoms of the joists.

Abstract: A tethered top is provided with a construction by which it can be accelerated, controlled and/or manipulated using a tether that remains attached to one end of the top, top body, or spindle. The tether can optionally be used as a pull string to be wrapped around top or spindle to impart acceleration to the top. The tether remains attached to at least one end of the top via at least one low friction housing connector but does not substantially retard the top's rotation, either when spinning on a surface or as supported in the air by the attached tether, low friction housing connector, and/or spindle.

Abstract: The RAID system disclosed here uses arbitrated fiber channels or switch fabric to connect multiple host computers and storage array controllers (SAC). Each SAC is designated a primary SAC for an array of storage units, which it normally serves as controller, and as a secondary SAC for another array of storage units. A primary SAC, secondary SAC, and array of storage units is termed a storage unit set. When the primary SAC or associated host computer fails, the failure is detected by an interface chip, which causes the secondary SAC to assume the identify of the primary controller. Using system configuration information from the DASDs, the secondary SAC then controls the storage units of the storage unit set along with the storage units of which it is primary SAC. With this configuration, there is no need for switch apparatus between the storage arrays and there is no interference because dual ported storage units are used.

Abstract: Five examples of the system for waterproofing an outside deck, thereby improving the usefulness of the space below the deck, are disclosed. Both inflexible and flexible panels are used. All panels may be made of fire retardant materials. Examples of both types of panels are installed at the time the deck is constructed and fit between the joists. They consist of panels which may be used in conjunction with each other in order to protect decks of varying widths. The other examples are added to previously constructed decks. One example includes a clip strip which is attached to the bottom of the joists and panels which are attached to the clip strip. A trim piece completes the installation. A second example involves the flexible panel with provisions for connection to a mounting bracket installed between the joists. Another example involves a flexible panel which may be installed by the homeowner along the bottoms of the joists.

Abstract: This invention is a prefabricated very strong in wall support for universal fixtures mounted on a wall. Fixture support connectors or arms extend from the support and hold up the fixture. The in wall support is rigidly bolted to the floor so the support bears all the weight of the fixture and transmits the weight directly to the floor. The support is manufactured to accommodate standard fixtures. The height of the mounted fixture can be varied by moving the brackets which hold the fixture support connectors up and down. Brackets can be mounted on both the front and back of the support, thereby allowing the mounting of a fixture on both sides of a wall using a single support.

Abstract: This invention is a flexible heater or cooler which includes a flexible, conformal, thermally conductive container filled with thermally conductive material. A thermal element within the container or in contact with the outside of the container provides heat to the container or removes heat from the container. The thermal element is powered by a low voltage direct current electrical source. A sensor for determining the temperature of the thermally conductive material is also included. The thermal element, electrical source, and sensor are in communication by connectors with a solid state continuous temperature controller. In operation, the electrical source provides power to the thermal element, thereby heating or cooling the thermally conductive material within the container. The temperature in the container is determined by the sensor and the controller controls the power delivery to the thermal element in response to the setting on the controller and the temperature in the container.

Abstract: In order to provide redundancy of host computers and storage array controllers, and thereby protect operation of a RAID system against host computer or storage array controller failure, two single RAID subsystems are conventionally provided in a conventional active-active configuration. This means each storage array controller has electrical access to each disk in its array as well as each disk in the other controller's array. The resultant interference between the controllers in accessing the disk channels causes the active-active system to normally function at approximately 130% of the speed of a single RAID system, rather than the optimum 200% of the speed of a single RAID system. The system of this invention, FULL-SPEED ACTIVE-ACTIVE redundant RAID system, contains a normally open switch or repeater which allows access by each storage array controller only to that controller's array of disks when both host computers and storage array controllers are operating normally.

Abstract: The recreational vehicle disclosed here is a ski bike with four skis which is steerable using a handle bar. Both the front and rear skis have suspension systems which have shock absorbers. Brakes on each from ski serve to slow the bike and to assist in steering the bike, and a rear brake is used to slow and stop the bike.

Abstract: This invention is a software-based method for facilitating the recovery of a RAID storage system from the simultaneous failure of two or more disks (catastrophic failure). It involves the identification of the logical address and length of the failed areas of the failed disks and the writing of this information into a bad region table which is replicated on each disk. This makes it easier and less expensive to identify the problem areas and make the necessary repairs.