Abstract: A joint spacer for an orthopedic procedure including a first plate, a second plate, a coupling device, and a spacer insert receiving portion. The first plate includes a first bone facing surface and a first inner surface. The second plate includes a second bone facing surface and a second inner surface facing the first inner surface. The coupling device couples the first plate and the second plate together. The spacer insert receiving portion of at least one of the first inner surface or the second inner surface is configured to receive at least one spacer insert between the first plate and the second plate to space the first plate and the second plate apart a distance corresponding to an optimal interval between bones of a joint.

Abstract: A joint spacer for an orthopedic procedure including a first plate, a second plate, a coupling device, and a spacer insert receiving portion. The first plate includes a first bone facing surface and a first inner surface. The second plate includes a second bone facing surface and a second inner surface facing the first inner surface. The coupling device couples the first plate and the second plate together. The spacer insert receiving portion of at least one of the first inner surface or the second inner surface is configured to receive at least one spacer insert between the first plate and the second plate to space the first plate and the second plate apart a distance corresponding to an optimal interval between bones of a joint.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a piston ring includes the step of forming a gap seal from an elongated member on one side and an "L-shape" on the other side; compressing the ring to close the gap seal and move the two ends into a nesting position; welding a wire across the outside surface of the ring to hold it in that compressed condition; placing a plurality of such compressed rings onto a mandrel; and tightly clamping them in axially aligned positions. The surfaces of the clamped rings are then ground into a cylindrical surface which simultaneously removes the wire and the weld. The nested ends including the elongated member and the "L-shaped" member nest together when compressed into a cylinder.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a piston ring includes the step of forming a gap seal from an elongated member on one side and an "L-shape" on the other side; compressing the ring to close the gap seal and move the two ends into a nesting position; welding a wire across the outside surface of the ring to hold it in that compressed condition; placing a plurality of such compressed rings onto a mandrel; and tightly clamping them in axially aligned positions. The surfaces of the clamped rings are then ground into a cylindrical surface which simultaneously removes the wire and the weld. The nested ends including the elongated member and the "L-shaped" member nest together when compressed into a cylinder.

Abstract: An ornithopter aircraft has at least a fuselage and four rigid wings which are tandem mounted, in pairs, on opposite sides of the fuselage, in what might be called a "dragonfly configuration". The forward wing in a first of the tandem pairs on one side of the fuselage beats upwardly simultaneously with the diagonally opposed rear wing in the tandem pair on the opposite side of the fuselage, while the remaining two wings are beating downwardly. Then, the wings reverse their direction of travel. The previously upwardly moving wings beat downwardly while the previously downwardly moving wings beat upwardly. The pitch of the wings are varied throughout the beat to produce lift on the downstroke and minimum air resistance on the upstroke, considering the forward speed of the aircraft or the lack thereof. The pitch of the wings are set at the sink angle of a glider wing flying at the same speed.

Abstract: A porting system for two-cycle internal combustion engines has two exhaust ports located on diametrically opposed sides of the cylinder. A pair of intake or by-pass ports are symmetrically positioned on each side of the two exhaust ports. The flow of fuel mixture is laminar and has a pattern which is inward and slightly upward from each intake port. As incoming streams collide, the gas flows upwardly and forms two mushrooms. Then, the flow is downwardly along the cylinder axis. The downward flow divides into two streams flowing radially outwardly from the center of the cylinder and out the two exhaust ports. With this flow pattern, there is a minimum of mixing of intake and exhaust gases, and as compared to the prior art, more unburned gas is retained in the cylinder to improve power output and reduce fuel consumption.

Abstract: A small internal combustion engine especially--but not exclusively--for model aircraft is made at an extremely low cost. A crankcase and a fuel tank are made of two casted pieceparts which nest together. The two pieceparts include matching openings which are aligned to provide an air intake and a manifold leading from the fuel tank into the interior of the crankcase. A crankshaft is journaled to rotate within the crankcase. A connecting rod is made from a generally "Y" shaped leaf spring. The stem of the "Y" is mounted on a throw on the crankshaft for producing a reciprocal motion within a cylinder. The tops of the "Y" shaped connecting rod are shaped to form diametrically opposed dimples. A cup-shaped piston has diametrically opposed, internal abuttments formed by a hole drilled through the piston skirt. The dimples on the connecting rod snap into the opposing holes inside the piston.

Abstract: The invention provides a drive train system for a motor which can be bolted onto a conventional bicycle frame. The drive train has a pair of spaced parallel swing arms having two parts integrally joined at an apex and pivoting at the apex about the centerline of a crankshaft in the motor. The swing arms are fitted with an integral torque bar and an axle shaft, extending between the parallel swing arms. A relatively large diameter drive roller, with a special cleated surface geometry, is mounted on the axle shaft and driven from the motor shaft by way of gears, a chain or a belt. As the swing arms move in an arc, the center distances from the crankshaft to the axle shaft are always maintained constant. This enables the engine to be rigidly mounted in a symmetrical position over the bicycle wheel. A contact pressure between the cleated roller and the wheel is achieved by elongated coiled springs extending from the swing arms to a bicycle frame member.