Abstract: A golf club has a first shaft coupled to a club head, a second shaft configured to slidably engage a portion of the first shaft, a grip coupled to the second shaft, and an adjustable length shaft assembly received by the second shaft and configured to allow a portion of the first shaft to slide in relation to the second shaft in a first configuration, and to restrict a portion of the first shaft from sliding in relation to the second shaft in a second configuration. The grip is restricted from rotation about the first shaft or the second shaft as the first shaft slides in relation to the second shaft.

Abstract: A multi-fiber cable assembly includes a pigtail segments spliced to a trunk segment using multiple mass fusion splices. The splices are disposed within an encapsulation at a common axial location. A flexible conduit extends from one end of the encapsulation to protect bare fibers of the trunk segment. A protective sheath extends from the opposite end of the encapsulation to protect the pigtail segments. The conduit and sheath are axially fixed to the encapsulation.

Abstract: A submersible, high-voltage electrical connector that includes a female connector and a male connector. The female connector has an interior chamber and a conduit configured to connect the interior chamber to an evacuation pump. The male connector is configured to fit within the chamber of the female connector. The conduit of the female connector is further configured to, when the male connector and the female connector are mated, substantially evacuate any liquid from the chamber of the female connector.

Abstract: A cooker has a pan of circular configuration with an open upper end receiving a circular lid and a bottom having apertures therein. A disk shaped drip tray disposed below the pan and having upstanding lugs thereon is selectively moved between raised and lowered positions using opposite latching mechanisms which adjustably couple the drip tray to the pan. In the raised position, the drip tray engages the bottom of the pan and the lugs on the drip tray extend into and close the apertures in the pan. In the lowered position, the lugs are removed from the apertures, permitting greases, fats and similar substances to drain through the apertures and onto the drip tray. The latching mechanisms permit separation of the drip tray from the pan for separate cleansing thereof such as by placing in a dishwasher.

Abstract: A novel Internet advertising system and method is provided in which a targeted advertisement is embedded into a multimedia presentation. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the targeted advertisement is chosen from a group of advertisements and is inserted into the presentation to an individual user based on the specifications of an advertiser. In another preferred embodiment, in addition to targeting the advertisement to an individual user, the advertisement embedded into the multimedia presentation is provided with a hyperlink to a website chosen by the advertiser.

Abstract: A massaging apparatus which utilizes an array of air inflatable bladders. The array is to be located in conjunction with a portion of the body of a human. The array can be mounted within a housing such as a flexible belt-type of device or can comprise a rigid stand-type of device within which is incorporated one or more pockets in order to accommodate a human appendage such as a foot. A separate inflation apparatus is associated with the array which is to supply and extract pressurized air to and from the inflatable bladders. The inflation apparatus utilizes at least one opposed piston assembly so that when one piston is supplying pressurized air to certain bladders the other piston is extracting pressurized air from certain other bladders thereby achieving a sequence of alternating pressurizing and depressurizing which produces a desirable massaging effect on the human body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for interfacing a capillary with a detector is disclosed. In particular, a capillary that is used in a capillary electrophoresis technique is interfaced with an off-column detector that is destructive of the sample or that will otherwise create adverse affects on the operations of the capillary electrophoresis. By way of example only, a nitrogen chemiluminescent detector using pyro-chemiluminescent techniques is discussed. An interface between the separation and detection systems is essential to prevent interference between the two systems. The interface apparatus and method are achieved by creating a closed connection between the two systems within which the pressure and sample flow rate can be controlled. Pressure control is achieved through the introduction and venting of gas into and from the integrated system. Interference between interfaced systems is then prevented by equalizing the pressure in the interface apparatus with the head pressure on the inlet end of the capillary.

Abstract: A system for reducing volatile organic compounds, particulates and carbon monoxide in exhaust from a wood products dryer is disclosed. The dryer exhaust is combined with waste wood or biomass fuel and partially combusted in a rotary gasifier, then fully combusted in a secondary combustion chamber. Hot flue gasses form the secondary combustion chamber are used to heat the conduits carrying the exhaust from the dryer, to heat oil, and to preheat air input to the dryer.

Abstract: A flare burner comprises a stack conduit, a plurality of gas distributing conduit extending radially from the stack conduit, and a plurality of gas supersonic gas nozzles connected to the gas distributing conduit. The stack conduit supplies flare gas to each of the gas distributing conduits, with gas communication therebetween. In one embodiment, the nozzles are directly connected to gas distributing conduit and in another embodiment the nozzles are connected to the gas distributing conduits via vertically extending burner conduits. The gas discharged through the supersonic nozzle flows at a supersonic velocity. The length of the burner conduits attached to the same gas distributing conduit becomes progressively shorter as the burner conduits are positioned further away from the stack conduit.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for accumulating and conveying hot ash produced by an incinerator are provided. The method is comprised of the steps of continuously conducting hot ash from the incinerator to a closed oscillating housing which includes first and second compartments. The compartments are connected by an internal door for sealingly isolating the first compartment from the second compartment, and the second compartment has an ash discharge door connected thereto for sealingly isolating both the first and second compartments when the internal door therebetween is open. The oscillating housing is continuously operated in cycles whereby the ash conducted to the first compartment is accumulated therein and conveyed over the floor thereof to the second compartment, and the ash received in the second compartment is conveyed over the floor thereof and discharged therefrom without air infiltration from the housing to the incinerator taking place.