Abstract: An apparatus for testing a fluorescent light bulb is disclosed. The apparatus includes a circular housing including a pair of contact receptacles operable to receive two conductive elements of a fluorescent light bulb. A lamp housing is coupled to a portion of an outside surface of the housing and extending away from the housing and sized to receive a low-voltage lamp. A power source is coupled between the contact receptacles and the low-voltage lamp and operable to illuminate the low-voltage lamp when an electrode of the fluorescent light bulb is coupled to the contact receptacles.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a fluorescent light bulb is disclosed. The apparatus includes a circular housing including a pair of contact receptacles operable to receive two conductive elements of a fluorescent light bulb. A lamp housing is coupled to a portion of an outside surface of the housing and extending away from the housing and sized to receive a low-voltage lamp. A power source is coupled between the contact receptacles and the low-voltage lamp and operable to illuminate the low-voltage lamp when an electrode of the fluorescent light bulb is coupled to the contact receptacles.

Abstract: A portable tennis backboard that can be made to be foldable and formed by two vertical modules.

Abstract: A method of providing a hermetically sealed enclosure for a highly moisture sensitive electronic device including depositing an electrical conductor on the substrate which provides an electrical connection with the electronic device and depositing an electrically insulating thin layer over the electrical conductor; providing a low melting point indium metal or alloy in the form of a wire having diameter ranging from 1 mil to 10 mils on the electrically insulating thin layer on the substrate so that the wire is situated around the periphery of the electronic device; placing an ultrasonic horn over the cover plate so that ultrasonic energy can be delivered through the cover plate to the wire and applying a pressure between 20 and 100 psi; and providing an acoustic wave to melt the wire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for embossing plastic web materials, for instance, low density polyethylene film, have a movable, first embossing element having a plurality of male dies associated with a heat transferable member and a stationary, second embossing element having a plurality of female dies. The temperature of the heat transferable member is controllable so that the male dies can deform a range of deformable plastic materials. The stationary, second embossing element is alignable relative to the first embossing element and unheated so that the female dies are maintained at about ambient temperature during embossing.

Abstract: A method of providing a hermetically sealed enclosure for a highly moisture sensitive electronic device including depositing an electrical conductor on the substrate which provides an electrical connection with the electronic device and depositing an electrically insulating thin layer over the electrical conductor; providing a low melting point indium metal or alloy in the form of a wire having diameter ranging from 1 mil to 10 mils on the electrically insulating thin layer on the substrate so that the wire is situated around the periphery of the electronic device; placing an ultrasonic horn over the cover plate so that ultrasonic energy can be delivered through the cover plate to the wire and applying a pressure between 20 and 100 psi; and providing an acoustic wave to melt the wire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for embossing plastic web materials, for instance, low density polyethylene film, have a movable, first embossing element having a plurality of male dies associated with a heat transferable member and a stationary, second embossing element having a plurality of female dies. The temperature of the heat transferable member is controllable so that the male dies can deform a range of deformable plastic materials. The stationary, second embossing element is alignable relative to the first embossing element and unheated so that the female dies are maintained at about ambient temperature during embossing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method for cutting a non-planar workpiece. The apparatus includes an anvil having a non-planar surface for closely engaging an underside of the workpiece. An ultrasonic horn has a non-planar cutting surface closely receiving a topside of the workpiece, wherein the cutting surface and the support surface have complementary non-planar shapes. The ultrasonic horn resonates at a predetermined frequency effect cutting of the workpiece. If the workpiece has a heat fusible component, the workpiece can also be seamed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method for cutting a non-planar workpiece. The apparatus includes an anvil having a non-planar surface for closely engaging an underside of the workpiece. An ultrasonic horn has a non-planar cutting surface closely receiving a topside of the workpiece, wherein the cutting surface and the support surface have complementary non-planar shapes. The ultrasonic horn resonates at a predetermined frequency effect cutting of the workpiece. If the workpiece has a heat fusible component, the workpiece can also be seamed.

Abstract: Webs (12, 14) to be spliced are provided with end edges (24, 26) which are positioned with an overlap (38), covered by a metal buffer strip (60) and joined by application of ultrasonic energy (54, 62, 64).

Abstract: An improved downhole pump includes a pump body connected to the lower end of tubing extending inside a well. Pumping is effected below the standing valve by a plunger reciprocating within a slidable barrel. In one embodiment, the ported barrel is magnetically responsive to stroking of the plunger to define a closed volume on the upstroke and a vented volume on the downstroke, whereby gas lock is eliminated. In another embodiment, the barrel is mechanically responsive to the plunger.