Abstract: The invention discloses a metal positioning device. The device comprises a bottom section with a front end having a downward facing lip, a second back end having a handle, a side wall on both sides of said bottom section, said side walls running the length of the bottom section and a plurality of apertures formed along a longitudinal axis of said bottom section, said apertures being dimensioned to receive and allow passage of a lever bar therethrough. The invention further discloses a method of using the metal positioning device. The invention decreases the time needed to position metal sheets and eases the job for workers.

Abstract: A method for preparing a porous metal article using a powder metallurgy forming process is provided which eliminates the conventional steps associated with removing residual carbon. The method uses a feedstock that includes a ferrous metal powder and a polycarbonate binder. The polycarbonate binder can be removed by thermal decomposition after the metal article is formed without leaving a carbon residue.

Abstract: A motion detecting device that, upon sensing motion, actuates an eclectic variety of illuminations to a proximal area of a fixture for providing functional and aesthetic benefits. The sensitivity of the motion detecting device is adjustable, and once actuated, powers on at least one light stream and or sound emanation device. Each light stream is positioned to illuminate a specific area on the fixture, or in proximity to the fixture. In various embodiments, the resultant illumination allows a user to better proximate the distance from a toilet seat, the perimeter of a toilet, the quantity and direction of water dispensing from a sink, and other similar uses. The motion detecting device may further include a light sensor to prevent illumination when light is detected, and a timer to turn off the illumination device after it has been activated for a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A metal powder slip composition includes a metal powder, a polycarbonate binder, and a liquid carrier. The slip composition can be debound after slip casting without generating residual carbon. The slip composition can be formed into a porous metal layer on a porous substrate object, the porous metal layer having low residual carbon content, without requiring a step of removing residual carbon. A corresponding method of making a porous metal layer is also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing a porous metal article using a powder metallurgy forming process is provided which eliminates the conventional steps associated with removing residual carbon. The method uses a feedstock that includes a ferrous metal powder and a polycarbonate binder. The polycarbonate binder can be removed by thermal decomposition after the metal article is formed without leaving a carbon residue.

Abstract: An underreamer is provided in which the cutting elements are retracted into the tool body during run in, extensible for the performance of cutting operations, and retractable into the body of the tool afterwards.

Abstract: A video content system includes a server module, a video content network coupled to the server module, and a digital set-top terminal coupled to the video content network. The digital set-top terminal in turn includes a processor; an interface coupled to the processor and the video content network; and a memory module. The memory module has at least a partitioned hard disk with a first partition containing digital video programming received over the video content network, and a second partition containing supplemental resources.

Abstract: A method and system for a programmable television services client device that enables a user to navigate to an individual television service and is coupled to a programmable television services server device is provided. The client device comprises a memory for storing data. The client device also includes an interactive program guide contained in the memory that displays program information received from the headend server device. The memory of the client device stores configuration information for a plurality of initial guide arrangements. One of the initial guide arrangements is denoted in the configuration information by either the subscriber or the system operator at the headend as the selected guide for implementation at any given time. The client device also includes a processor that is responsive to the interactive program guide and the configuration information and causes the client device to display program information according to the selected initial guide arrangement.

Abstract: The expandable shelf of the invention is formed of several telescoping tubular assemblies that are supported in parallel to one another between a pair of end plates. The tubular assemblies may be press fit into the end plates. The end plates are mounted to opposed walls. A center bracket is provided to supportably mount between the end plates for embodiments having long or flexible tubes. In another embodiment, one end plate is mounted to a wall and a second end plate is supported on a floor-mounted column. A further embodiment includes support plates that are mounted to wall surfaces and further receive the end plates to support the expandable shelf. An additional embodiment includes a solid surface platform that is adjustable in length to mount onto the expandable shelf.

Abstract: For use in closing a cylindrical passageway through a working member in which the passageway is defined in part by a reduced diameter internal circumferential sealing surface and an internal locking groove, a completion plug having a plug body with a cylindrical external surface receivable within the cylindrical passageway of the working member and having an external circumferential sealing surface dimensioned to radially compressibly engage the working member internal circumferential sealing surface. The plug body has on its cylindrical surface an external locking groove. A locking ring is received in the working member internal locking groove and simultaneously in the plug body external locking groove and serves to lock the plug body within the working member.

Abstract: A method of plugging a pipeline includes the steps of welding onto the exterior of the pipeline (10) first (12) and second (14) spaced apart collars, each having a sealing face (26,26A) in a plane perpendicular the pipeline (10) axis. A containment housing (34,36) is affixed by welding to the collars (12,14) to fully encompass a section of the pipeline (10) between the collars (12,14). A tapping (60) machine is then removably attached to an open top of the containment housing (34). Using the tapping machine (60) a short length of the pipeline (10) is cut and removed from between the collars (12,14) leaving two open exposed pipe ends (78,80). First and second seal elements (92,94) are positioned between the collars (12,14), Each having a forward sealing face. The seal elements (92,94) are forced apart from each other into sealing engagement with the collar sealing faces thereby closing the open, exposed ends (78,80) of the pipe (10).

Abstract: This invention provides a hybrid fiber optic framing projector of high optical efficiency that emits no UV (ultraviolet) or IR (infrared) energy in the projected beam. A preferred embodiment includes a light source on an optical axis at the primary focus of an ellipsoidal cold mirror reflector. The ellipsoidal reflector focuses visible light from the light source to a conjugate focus through a dichroic hot mirror and then into a heat-absorbing, UV-absorbing glass rod. The glass rod transmits light by total internal reflection as an optical fiber from the conjugate focus to the focal plane of a collimating lens. A confocal reflector has a spherical radius about the light source, that radius being equal to the distance from the primary focus to the conjugate focus.

Abstract: This application provides a fiber optic system including a projector of improved efficiency with a light source on an optical axis at the primary focus of an ellipsoidal reflector. The ellipsoidal reflector focuses visible light from the light source to a conjugate focus through a dichroic hot mirror and into a glass rod disposed between the conjugate focus and a fiber optic light guide. A confocal reflector has a spherical radius about the light source, said radius being equal to the distance from the primary focus to the conjugate focus. The proximal end of the glass rod is positioned on the optical axis in a hole through the confocal reflector at the conjugate focus, whereby rays from the light source that fall outside the hole in the reflector are reflected by the spherical confocal reflector back to the light source to be re-reflected as additional light focused onto the conjugate focus and through the glass rod to one or more fiber optic light guides.

Abstract: The expandable shelf of the invention is formed of several telescoping tubular assemblies that are supported in parallel to one another between a pair of end plates. The tubular assemblies may be press fit into the end plates. The end plates are mounted to opposed walls. A center bracket is provided to supportably mount between the end plates for embodiments having long or flexible tubes. In another embodiment, one end plate is mounted to a wall and a second end plate is supported on a floor-mounted column. A further embodiment includes support plates that are mounted to wall surfaces and further receive the end plates to support the expandable shelf. An additional embodiment includes a solid surface platform that is adjustable in length to mount onto the expandable shelf.

Abstract: The expandable shelf of the invention is formed of several telescoping tubular assemblies that are supported in parallel to one another between a pair of end plates. The end plates are mounted to opposed walls. A center bracket is provided to supportably mount between the end plates for embodiments having long or flexible tubes. In another embodiment, one end plate is mounted to a wall and a second end plate is supported on a floor-mounted column. A further embodiment has a removable end plate that is mounted to a wall surface and then the balance of the expandable shelf device is mounted to the removable end plate and the opposite end plate mounted to a second wall surface. An additional embodiment includes a solid surface platform that is adjustable in length to mount onto the expandable shelf.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and device for above-ground plant growth, and air root pruning which provides significant advantages over known methods of conducting above-ground plant growth and air root pruning.

Abstract: A device for reducing radiation from an antenna of a portable telephone, includes a main body having an outer body with a central bore, and an antenna gripping member mounted in the bore and having an antenna receiving opening for receiving the antenna of the telephone; a radiation reducing lead shield mounted to an outer surface of the main body and extending only partially therearound for reducing electromagnetic radiation from the antenna to a person using the telephone; a cover body in surrounding relation to the main body and the radiation reducing shield, and including a cover opening in alignment with the antenna receiving opening; and indicia on the cover body for indicating an orientation of the main body on the antenna such that the radiation reducing shield is positioned on a side of the antenna which is opposite from the earpiece speaker.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and device for above-ground plant growth, and air root pruning which provides significant advantages over known methods of conducting above-ground plant growth and air root pruning.