Abstract: The present invention is a device for producing collimated electron beams. The device comprises a gated field emission array having at least one emission tip and a grid electrode having a grid opening disposed above the emission tip in a first direction. The device also comprises an integrated planar lens electrode for producing a focusing effect on electron beams emitted by the emission tip. The planar lens electrode has a lens edge disposed aside at a distance from the grid opening in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Preferably, the planar lens electrode is an integrated layer with the gated field emission array on a substrate. The grid electrode and the lens electrode can be on the same layer and separated by a gap of vacuum. The planar lens electrode can be above the grid electrode, separated by an insulative material. Similarly, the planar lens electrode can be below the grid electrode, and separated by an insulator material.

Abstract: A child seat belt clip having a housing containing preferably two block-type pinch clamps to secure a lap and shoulder belt slid into a housing. Depression of preferably a latch or lever acts to rotate the clamping blocks about their respective axle, allowing the clamping blocks to be rotated up and out of the way for easy insertion or removal of the lap and shoulder belt into or from a slot in the housing. Release of the latch allows springs wound around each axle to rotate the clamping blocks back, and in tight contact with the lap and shoulder belt, thereby securing the lap and shoulder belt against the wall of the housing. Increased force against the clamped belt acts to tighten the clamp against the belt, reducing the possibility of slippage of the lap and shoulder belt through the seat belt clip.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for preventing the penetration of vehicles by narrow objects such as guardrail ends or portions of a guardrail end treatment during a collision. In one embodiment, portions of an ET-2000 guardrail extruder terminal are adapted for improved operation during impacts by attachment of a penetration guard. The penetration guard may also be affixed to other guardrail end treatments or even other suitable highway objects to create an improved safety apparatus. The penetration guard includes a frame and is affixed to the impact head of an ET-2000 guardrail extruder terminal. The frame is greatly collapsible when impacted from a substantially end-on direction. However, when impacted from a direction other than substantially end-on, the frame is substantially non-collapsible and maintains its integrity. The frame includes an outer housing which defines a central opening. The housing is preferably formed of a unitary outer of sheet metal which surrounds the central opening.

Abstract: A rack apparatus for storing at least one wakeboard (27,29) in a skiboat having a vertically extending tow pylon (12), comprising: a collar assembly (20) being adapted to support the rack and wakeboards from the vertically extending pylon (12), a plurality of spaced apart lower support arms (23) connected to collar assembly (20) and adapted to support at least one horizontally oriented wakeboard (27) thereon, a plurality of spaced apart upper support arms (25) connected to collar assembly (20) and adapted to support at least one horizontally oriented wakeboard (29) thereon, and a plurality of resiliently extensible and flexible attaching members (30) or attaching straps (31) connected to lower support arms (23), the flexible attaching members (30) being constructed of a length sufficient to wrap around at least one wakeboard (27,29).

Abstract: A workstation has a work surface with a front edge which a user faces in a front facing position at the workstation. A first inner side edge extends from one end of the front edge at a first angle to the front edge and on one side of the front facing position, and a second inner side edge extends from an opposite end of the front edge, at a second angle and on an opposite side of the front facing position. First and second outer bounding edges, have first ends connected to each other at an angle of about 70-110 degrees, each of the first and second outer edges having opposite second ends. A first outer side edge is connected between the second end of the first outer bounding edge and the first inner side edge and a second outer side edge is connected between the second end of the second outer bounding edge and the second inner side edge.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved water based drilling fluid containing a controlled cross-linked polymeric fluid loss control agent. The novel polymeric fluid loss control agent of this invention exhibits improved thermal stability and other enhanced drilling fluid additive properties. The controlled cross-linking of the polymer of this invention results from the addition of specific amounts and types of cross-linking agents.

Abstract: A grid (250, 280) is disclosed which can be used as part of a salt platform (10, 50, 80) to support salt in an ion exchange water softener. The grid is preferably formed of ABS plastic and has a border portion (252) and bands (254, 256) without holes (274) formed therethrough for strength. When the grid is used as part of a salt platform having vertically oriented members (12-24) with open upper ends, cap portions (258-270), without holes formed therethrough, are used to cover the upper ends of the members.

Abstract: Responsive to an incoming call made to a primary telephone number subscribing to a call transfer calling service feature, a first switching node queries a data base to retrieve at least one transfer-to secondary number. The first switching node then signals other switching nodes in the telephone network to set up an outgoing legs to each secondary number telephone. The signals transmitted by the first switching node further direct each of the other switching nodes in the network to inhibit the initiation of any call transfer service features associated with the secondary number telephones. The signals may further include a transfer service indicator and a counter identifying the number of prior call transfer which have occurred in connection with the originally received call. If the counter exceeds a given preset threshold, the other switching nodes reject further transfer of the call.

Abstract: Micro-mechanical flappers for use as an electronic display technology and methods related to the fabrication thereof are disclosed. These methods are consistent with standard silicon based semiconductor processing used to make integrated circuits. One embodiment shows how cross-talk or flapper-to-flapper interference is minimized using a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) to compensate for this undesirable effect. Also disclosed is the construction of a micro-mechanical flapper that uses a combination of two springs, viz. a leaf spring and a torsion spring, to reduce maximum bending stress and to lower operating voltage. Also, the spring construction is made such that axial stability is improved over a single leaf spring approach and a light shield is integrated onto the flapper assembly so that the overhead stationary electrode is simply a supporting glass plate with a transparent conducting layer over its surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a composite work from a single two-dimensional work having an image thereon. A flat backing member is provided having generally the same shape and size as the two-dimensional work. The work and the backing member are bonded together to form a work piece. The work piece is cut to define a geometrically shaped center section and a separate perimeter section, thereby breaking the image of the two-dimensional work regardless of individual sculptural components of the work so that each of the sections displays the respective portion of the broken image. The center section and border section are then assembled such that the continuity of the image formed by the sections is broken.

Abstract: A method of administration of vitamin C to ensure that a continuously-saturated level is produced in the body of a taker. A dose of about 500 mg taken approximately every 12 hours produces a continuously-detectable level of vitamin C in the urine of an average healthy person, which corresponds to a sufficiently high pool of ascorbic acid in the body to provide anti-oxidant protection. The minimum dosage and regimen found to be effective are respectively substantially higher than the U.S. recommended daily allowance and more frequent than administration rates previously used in clinical trials. Also claimed are kits that permit individuals to monitor for elevated urinary excretion of useful substances which are water soluble, excreted in urine, and non-toxic at physiologically beneficial levels, such that optimal dosages and regimens can be determined.

Abstract: Present invention provides a new class of polymeric materials having utility in the formation of self assembled polymer layers on a pretreated metallic substrate. The polymeric materials are copolymers and terpolymers of styrene and styrenic derivatives containing a reactive group selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, thiol acetoxy, thioacetoxy, thiocyanate, thiolmethyl, thioacetoxymethyl, carboxy, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a precision optical distance measuring device which can be used to determine both external and internal target geometries. The beam from a frequency modulated laser diode is split into reference and target beams. A closed loop control system modulates the amplitude of the reference beam to maintain a balance between the power in the target return beam and the reference beam. This enables the sensor to operate with targets of widely varying reflectivity and across a broad range of angles of incidence of the target beam to the target. The reference and target return beams interfere at a detector producing a beat wave. The beat frequency is linearly related to the distance of the target from the sensor. The frequency of the beat wave is determined to high precision, thus giving the position to high precision.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for the automatic folding of toy balloons. A series of folding plates are provided along a path of travel and a vacuum conveyor provides traction force for the balloon as it slides across the folding plates. The folding plates interfere with the path of travel of the balloon causing the balloon to fold side-to-side. Tucking blades fold the balloon lengthwise to complete the folding operation.

Abstract: A poultry feeder system is described having a driven auger mounted in a distribution pipe. A plurality of poultry feeders depend from the distribution pipe and are supplied with poultry feed via the distribution pipe. To vary the flow of the poultry feed from the auger pipe to the feed pans of the poultry feeders, a flow variation device or insert is provided to control the flow of poultry feed through a poultry feeder tube of one or more feeders. The flow variation device comprises an elongate body connected to an engagement device to engage the flow variation device within the feeder tube. In one aspect, the elongate body is adapted to have a first diameter at one end and a second diameter at the other end, where the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. Preferably, the device has a conical shape. Alternatively, the engagement device comprises an annular ring at one end and the elongate body is substantially cylindrical.

Abstract: The invention is a solid catalyst having acid strength H.sub.o less than -18. Such catalysts are characterized by the ability to react with very weak bases, such as butane, at relatively low temperatures, for example temperatures in the range from 20.degree. to 200.degree. C. The catalysts have exceptionally high activity for various hydrocarbon conversion processes, for example, because of their exceptionally high acid strength.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for passively determining the depth and thickness of a subterranean geologic formation bearing hydrocarbons, e.g., oil and/or gas, or commercially important ore deposits, e.g., precious metals. The apparatus has an antenna to pick up extremely low frequency signals naturally emanating from the Earth's surface. In a preferred embodiment, the received signal is amplified and filtered. The signal is then modulated onto a carrier wave. The modulated signal is then filtered to eliminate one of the sidebands, for example, the lower sideband. An oscillator generates a tuning frequency which is then beat against the filtered, modulated signal in order to tune to a particular frequency. The oscillator sweeps through the range of frequencies, e.g., in the upper sideband portion of the filtered, modulated signal.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock includes a combination lock having a dial with no markings thereon. Rotation of the dial drives a generator which produces electrical pulses. The voltage pulses serves as a power source for the electronics of the lock. The lock also includes a security feature to disable the lock if the combination dial is stopped between dial rotations for a period of time which indicates dialing by an automatic dialer.