Abstract: An apparatus and method for an inspection apparatus for inspecting a component. The inspection apparatus including a robotic arm. A micro-XRF instrument having an instrument head coupled to the robotic arm. A seat supporting the component within a scanning area during inspection; and a computer in communication with the robotic arm and the micro-XRF instrument.

Abstract: A variable valve train module has a valve control block positioned on a cylinder head of the engine. The valve control block has a first block and a second block and variable valve train components. These components include at least one valve, a rocker arm, a brake, and a pump configured to receive input from a camshaft. The components are positioned with respect to the blocks such that the first block receives a first portion of the pump and the second block receives a second portion of the pump.

Abstract: A variable valve train module has a valve control block positioned on a cylinder head of the engine. The valve control block has a first block and a second block and variable valve train components. These components include at least one valve, a rocker arm, a brake, and a pump configured to receive input from a camshaft. The components are positioned with respect to the blocks such that the first block receives a first portion of the pump and the second block receives a second portion of the pump.

Abstract: The time organizing clothes hanger involves a system for hanging garments, which also keeps track of when a garment was last worn or when a garment is to be worn or when a garment is due to be laundered. The time organizing system utilizes sliding panels that connect into and slide along sliding channels located on the clothes hanger. The sliding panels keep track of and indicate a particular day, month, and current status of use of the respective garment. The shape of each hanger includes a specific day of the week that is incorporated into the design. The hanger also includes adjustable clips located along a bottom edge, which enable garments to be clipped there under, and of which the clips do not use a fixed jaw to secure the garments.

Abstract: A main ellipsoidal drive element is provided including a buoyant internal chamber. The main ellipsoidal drive element defines a main ellipsoid axis, a minor ellipsoid plane, a first ellipsoid end portion, a second ellipsoid end portion, and an outer ellipsoid surface. A drive engagement element is mounted to the first ellipsoid end portion and selectively transfers rotational drive to the main ellipsoidal drive element around the main ellipsoid axis. A plurality of roller elements are mounted around a minor ellipsoid periphery of the main ellipsoidal element. Each of the roller elements are orientated to provide friction reduced rolling in a main ellipsoid axis direction and traction perpendicular to the main ellipsoid axis direction.

Abstract: A main ellipsoidal drive element is provided including a buoyant internal chamber. The main ellipsoidal drive element defines a main ellipsoid axis, a minor ellipsoid plane, a first ellipsoid end portion, a second ellipsoid end portion, and an outer ellipsoid surface. A drive engagement element is mounted to the first ellipsoid end portion and selectively transfers rotational drive to the main ellipsoidal drive element around the main ellipsoid axis. A plurality of roller elements are mounted around a minor ellipsoid periphery of the main ellipsoidal element. Each of the roller elements are orientated to provide friction reduced rolling in a main ellipsoid axis direction and traction perpendicular to the main ellipsoid axis direction.

Abstract: A contact lens including a single component lens sized and dimensioned for placement on a cornea of an eye. The single component lens includes a first base curve for the back surface of the single component lens, wherein the first base curve is associated with the first sub-axis; a second base curve for the back surface, wherein the second base curve is associated with the second sub-axis; a third base curve for back surface, wherein the third base curve is associated with the third sub-axis; and a fourth base curve for the back surface, wherein the fourth base curve is associated with the fourth sub-axis. The first base curve, the second base curve, the third base curve, and the fourth base curve are selected to form a shape for the back surface of the single component lens that conforms to a measured shape of the cornea.

Abstract: A vehicle detector for detecting a moving vehicle traversing a predetermined roadway includes a coil antenna for detecting electromagnetic radiation inherently generated and emitted by the vehicle as it traverses the predetermined path and producing a first signal. A low noise amplifier receives and amplifies the first signal and outputs an amplified first signal to a differential full wave amplitude modulation envelope detector and produces a second signal. A high pass filter having a predetermined cutoff frequency is connected to receive the second signal and output only third signals having a magnitude proportional to the electromagnetic signal being detected. A converter circuit converts the third signals to a digital signal, the converter circuit including a switching comparator having a source of a stable voltage reference level and outputting a fourth signal.

Abstract: A toy aircraft includes a main body portion having a central hub member and a plurality of wings. Each wing of the plurality of wings is equally spaced about a central axis of rotation. The toy aircraft further includes a power source carried by the aircraft, at least one motorized propulsion unit interconnected with the power source, and at least first and second propeller assemblies interconnected to the at least one motorized propulsion unit. The first and second propeller assemblies each include a plurality of blades arranged for rotation within a substantially horizontal plane. A preferred construction of the propellers includes a propeller shaft and a plurality of blade portions equally spaced about an axis of rotation defined by the propeller shaft. Each blade portion is formed from foamed polystyrene. A preferred construction of a control system for controlling the flight of the toy aircraft includes a handheld remote control unit and a receiver circuit positioned on the toy aircraft.

Abstract: A financial transaction card adapted for use in reading externally stored information includes a substantially non-foldable rigid base and a strip for carrying machine readable information, The rigid base comprises a magnifying lens.

Abstract: A vehicle speed monitoring system has a pair of parallel piezoelectric sensors or pressure transducers carried in closely spaced relation by a common elastomeric carrier such that the distance D between the sensors is maintained constant. A time measuring circuit connected to the sensors measures the time between peak voltages induced in the piezoelectric sensor transducers which is used to calculate and display vehicle speed. A weight is secured to or embedded in the carrier to cause the carrier to hug the roadway and be immune to lifting because of air currents and turbulence.

Abstract: A financial transaction card adapted for individual use in reading information stored externally to the card, having machine readable information contained thereon identifying the user and the issuing institution for transacting business at locations remote from the issuing institution, includes:a. a rigid substantially rectangular base comprising a substantially transparent material and having a top surface and a bottom surface;b. machine readable information carried on the base for identifying the user and the issuing institution; andc. a magnifying lens produced by formation of fresnel contour lines on the top surface of the base and in non-interfering relationship with the machine readable information.

Abstract: A credit card includes an integral magnifying lens positioned in the non-data area on the credit card for permitting magnification of the credit card transaction form at the point-of-sale. The placement of the lens assures that the machine readability of the magnetic encoding strip and the embossed indicia associated with the card is not impaired. The magnifying lens incorporates a fresnel-type contour lens mounted in a window provided in the credit card base.

Abstract: A portable version of the common Skee-Ball game which includes the improvements of: a ball return track which is non-dependant upon gravity for the return of the ball to the player of the game; a runner extending from the ramp to the play area of adjustable length; an electronic score recorder and score display; a ball stop for limiting the ball from leaving the ball return track and a ball return track which is adjustable in length.

Abstract: A disc brake provides an adjustment mechanism to dispose a pair of friction elements in close proximity to a rotor by limiting the amount of retraction of the friction elements from the rotor. The adjustment mechanism has more than one rate of extension so that large clearances between the rotor and friction elements are reduced to a predetermined running clearance with few brake applications. In particular, a pawl engages a toothed member upon a brake application to rotate the toothed member, thereby extending an extensible member which limits retraction of the friction elements to a predetermined running clearance after a brake application. Keys on the pawl are engageable with the toothed member. These keys are radially disposed to each other so that different rates of rotation are provided for the toothed member thereby varying the rate of the extension of the extensible member.