Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for determining the melting point of a sample material utilizing an infrared thermometer to measure the indicated temperature of the sample material while under pressure as such sample material is being heated. Upon melting, the sample material is substantially displaced from the field of view of the infrared thermometer by the force of the applied pressure, resulting in a spike in the sensed temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for floating such apparatus in the air, such apparatus having at least one cell containing air and a fluid. The fluid in one embodiment is heated to create steam which, in turn, makes the cell lighter than the surrounding air, thereby providing lift to the apparatus.

Abstract: A therapeutic stimulatory massage device for receipt therein of a body portion, such device containing a thixotropic fluid medium subject to selective increase in viscosity and increase in pressure at such areas of increased viscosity. Also, other therapeutic modes can be incorporated into the device of this invention.

Abstract: A three-layered metallic semiconductor strip in the form of a thermocouple with self-contained heating and cooling means when an electrical current is applied thereto to cause the controlled expansion and contraction of selected layers to move the strip to accomplish work.

Abstract: A dampening bearing support member having a plurality of bearings disposed between an object and a base with rheological fluid disposed around the bearings and structure to retain the rheological fluid in such position, with the rheological fluid being under the control of the user at times when it is desired to stiffen the rheological fluid and limit or prevent movement of the bearings and the object in relation to the base.

Abstract: A display device and method for producing a three-dimensional visual effect having a viewing area with a front and a depth with a rotating spiral screen disposed within the viewing area with the screen facing the front of the viewing area. A plurality of independently controlled light-producing elements are disposed on the spiral screen. Computerized image programs control the activation of selected of the plurality of light-producing elements in a desired pattern. The rotating spiral screen can also be a television screen.

Abstract: A telephone interface system for the transmission and reproduction of an audio performance, particularly a musical performance, at separate locations utilizing an amplitude modulated carrier frequency is disclosed. The system serves to both transmit a performance at one instant location to one or more remote locations and to receive and reproduce a similar performance from the remote location(s) transmitted to the instant location. The performer(s) at a first location each hear the audio output of the performance(s) at the other location(s) as though such other performer(s) were actually present at the first location and vice versa.

Abstract: A tri-clad metallic semiconductor strip with self-contained heating and cooling to cause the controlled expansion and contraction thereof to more the strip to accomplish work.

Abstract: A method of processing refuse wherein layers of resin-coated pulverized refuse are cross-blended, compressed, heated, recompressed, shaped and cured to form useful structural members.

Abstract: A palette dispenser having an aperture in the center thereof in which aperture is attached the nozzle of a container of paste-like or viscous material which material is squeezed out of the container through the nozzle and onto a palette base. In its storage mode a cover member is positioned over the aperture with downward pressure to flatten the material and spread it toward or beyond the outer edge of the cover member to form a layer of such material under or around the cover member for preventing the drying of the remaining material under the cover member near the aperture in the palette base. Supports are provided to dispose the palette base at various angles. Further embodiments of the dispenser can accommodate a plurality of containers of material and provide an enlarged mixing area of the palette base.

Abstract: A method of creating a hollow sphere within a chamber including the steps of depositing a coating on a conductive fluid spherical mass at zero gravity, solidifying the coating, and removing the interior conductive fluid mass from the sphere to form a hollow sphere. In alternate embodiments the hollow sphere can be formed from, or coated with, a polymer.

Abstract: A moving mirror apparatus for scanning a light beam, such apparatus having a mirror associated with a support member able to be repulsed by a superconductor, the mirror/support member being suspended above a superconductive material with a plurality of field coils positioned around the periphery of the support member, each of the field coils being independently operable to attract the support member to cause quick, frictionless movement of the mirror to reflect the light beam to different positions, depending upon which of the field coils is activated, by attraction of the support member to the activated field coil overcoming the repulsion of the superconductive material. The apparatus can be contained within a transparent vacuum chamber in certain embodiments and can in other embodiments have independent beam movement in conjunction with the reflection of the beam by the mirror.

Abstract: A display device for producing a three-dimensional real image having a viewing chamber with a front, a back and a depth with a movable screen disposed within the chamber with the screen facing the front of the viewing chamber. Light-producing elements create an image on the movable screen with structure to rapidly move the screen within the chamber. Also disclosed is an embodiment utilizing a rotating spiral screen.

Abstract: A roll mill having a pair of thick, solid, heated rollers made of refractory material to heat materials to be mixed therebetween to a temperature in the range of approximately 500 degrees C. to 4000 degrees C.

Abstract: An illuminated clipboard for use by a seated individual in dark surroundings with structure to attach the clipboard to a leg of the user, such clipboard having a light-emitting body in one embodiment with means to illuminate therethrough utilizing a sheet of illuminated material disposed thereunder and a translucent roll of film or paper on a spool which is passed from a storage roller to a take-up roller over the active writing surface of the light-emitting planar surface in immediate contact therewith such that indicia or writing thereon is visible to the user by backlighting from the underlying illuminated planar body.

Abstract: A helical motion dampener to dampen the movement of an attached object, such dampener having a flexible container holding electro-viscous fluid with two electrodes therein such that when electric current passes between the electrodes within the electro-viscous fluid, the fluid becomes more viscous to limit the range of movement of the container and the attached object.

Abstract: A tri-strip memory metal actuator is disclosed using first and second oppositely arcuate strips of electrically conductive or semiconductive memory metal, each bound respectively to opposite sides of a straight central strip of electrically conductive material to form, when current is applied therethrough, a Peltier junction causing one of the arcuate strips to heat and return to its memory metal state while the other of the arcuate strips cools and bends along with the central strip to the arcuate shape of the heated strip which bending is reversible when current is applied in the opposite direction and which actuator, if no current is applied, is maintained in the straight position of the central strip.

Abstract: A suture assembly made of bioabsorbable material is disclosed having a central body member with a plurality of elongated lateral members in a plane extending perpendicularly on each side therefrom and interconnected to the central body member by elastic connectors, each lateral member having a plurality of barb members extending at an acute angle therefrom, for the lateral members to be inserted laterally into two sides of a cut in body tissue, stretching the elastic connectors so that after insertion the two sides of the cut are joined at the incision junction around or above the central body member and are retained securely and non-withdrawably in the body tissue by the barb members on such lateral members, with such lateral members and attached body tissue being pulled toward the central body member by the contracting action of the elastic connectors. Also disclosed is a method for utilizing the suture assembly of this invention.