Abstract: Interlocking construction blocks of a type that can be used as part of a system for building various structures, such as walls. An individual block provides positive intermeshing with other blocks abutting thereto and positive interlocking with other blocks stacked thereon, forming a joint that allows the abutting blocks to be held together without the need for mortar. Interlocked blocks are capable of providing a barrier against horizontal water seepage along the joints from one side of the interlocked blocks to the opposite side. The blocks provide a relatively light-weight structural unit while still providing good structural strength against horizontal and vertical loads. The blocks may be formed at least partly of recycled waste material(s) and/or may themselves be made of materials that can be easily recycled, thereby providing an environmentally friendly construction material that may have a reduced carbon footprint compared to other construction block systems.

Abstract: A valve assembly for an exhaust system includes a conduit, a valve flap disposed within an exhaust passageway for controlling exhaust flow through the exhaust passageway, a shaft supporting the valve flap in the exhaust passageway for rotation about a pivot axis, and a mass damper disposed external to the conduit and coupled to the shaft. The mass damper includes a longitudinal segment coupled to the shaft. The mass damper also includes a first damping mass that is disposed proximal to a first end of the longitudinal segment and is linearly movable along a centerline axis to a first distance with respect to the pivot axis. The mass damper further includes a second damping mass that is disposed proximal to a second end of the longitudinal segment and is linearly movable along the centerline axis to a second distance with respect to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A valve assembly for an exhaust system includes a conduit, a valve flap disposed within an exhaust passageway for controlling exhaust flow through the exhaust passageway, a shaft supporting the valve flap in the exhaust passageway for rotation about a pivot axis, and a mass damper disposed external to the conduit and coupled to the shaft. The mass damper includes a longitudinal segment coupled to the shaft. The mass damper also includes a first damping mass that is disposed proximal to a first end of the longitudinal segment and is linearly movable along a centerline axis to a first distance with respect to the pivot axis. The mass damper further includes a second damping mass that is disposed proximal to a second end of the longitudinal segment and is linearly movable along the centerline axis to a second distance with respect to the pivot axis.

Abstract: This invention discloses composite two faced picture, document and/or other artwork frames, each composed of two separate frames with panes permanently installed on elastomeric pads and fitted to allow pane to pane resilient contact with two sets of displayed material and mats clamped back to back between panes for alternate viewing of either side. Each pair of composite frames are opened and closed quickly and easily, by the user, for frequent changes of displayed material. A variety of methods of opening closing, hanging, or setting up for display, all designed for quick and easy operation, by the user without assistance or tools, are presented.

Abstract: A hand splint includes a conically shaped grip portion having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends each include a tool/implement holder in each of which a tool/implement may be removably inserted and held.

Abstract: An adjustable nose-rest mechanism for bi-focals that allows ready one-hand and variable adjustment of the nose rest elevation relative to the lenses in order to vertically position the lenses (rather than tilting of the head) for ease of viewing computer screens and the like. The mechanism generally includes a boss attached or hooked onto the bi-focals, said boss comprising a hollow sleeve aligned vertically. An elongate slider is slidably carried in the boss, and a nose rest is attached at the lower end of the slider. A set screw is threaded frontally into the boss and is tightenable against the slider. The slider can be adjusted along a continuous range of elevations and locked into any of said positions by tightening the set screw, thereby facilitating adjustment of the nose rest. A mechanism for temporarily attaching a singularly adjustable nose-rest to any standard bi-focals, comprising an internally threaded tube, adjusting yoke, and spring support member.

Abstract: The present invention provides catalysts and processes for the fluorination of hydrohalomethanes. In particular, the invention provides a process for the fluorination of hydrohalomethanes using hydrogen fluoride and a Lewis Acid catalyst. More specifically, catalysts and a process for the fluorination of dichloromethane are provided.

Abstract: A vibration dampener for reducing vibration transmitted between an airboat engine and a downstream propulsion component and further for reducing a noise level created by an airboat includes a dampening plate constructed of an elastomeric material that has vibration-dampening characteristics. Sandwiched about the perimeter of the dampening plate is an outer pair of annular connecting plates connectable to the engine flywheel. Sandwiched about the dampening plate, within and in spaced relation from the outer pair of connecting plates, is an inner pair of connecting plates. The inner pair is connectable to a drive shaft leading to an airboat transmission. The vibration dampener serves to increase efficiency and part wear characteristics significantly.

Abstract: A drill fixture for holding and aligning a bead like object, such as a pearl, relative to a drill bit for accurately drilling a bore in the object includes an elongate main body having a base at one end and a clamping member threaded on its opposite end. A pair of like elongate drill guide bushings are respectively mounted in the base and clamp member in opposed coaxial alignment with each other. The opposed ends of the bushings project into an externally accessible recess in the main body and, by actuation of the clamp member, an object to be drilled may be clamped between concave seats on the opposed ends of the bushings in axial alignment with drill guide bores extending through the bushings. The bushings are formed of a relatively firm resilient material to firmly clamp the object without marring the surface of the object.

Abstract: A power driven reciprocatory machine tool employs an endless belt trained in tension around spaced end pulleys to transmit reciprocatory movement of a drive attached to one run of the belt to a tool carrier clamped to the opposite run of the belt. The moving elements attached to the opposite runs of the belt counterbalance each other to minimize vibration generated by stroke reversal. In one application, the tool carrier mounts a relatively thin saw blade between spaced upper and lower arms which is employed to saw finely detailed edges on a workpiece manually guided to the blade on a stationary horizontal work table. Clamp means which are tightened by the tension of the blade couple the blade to upper and lower arms of the tool carrier, one of the clamp means being mounted on its arm by a manually adjustable blade tensioning device.The saw, tool carrier and drive may be rotatively adjusted about a horizontal axis to cut inclined or beveled edges on a workpiece supported on the stationary horizontal table.

Abstract: A highly compact, bench mounted, fast cycle, high tonnage and soft punch type of hydraulic press designed to form thin metal blanks into a wide variety of artifacts such as jewelry. The under surface of the piston incorporates a counterbore containing a resilient urethane forming pad which, under very great pressure applied by the piston, imparts very fine detail, laterally as well as vertically, to the blank being formed into or over the die as the counterbore tightly envelopes the die. A rapid manually operated die shuttling device which provides for one die to be un-loaded and loaded as the blank of the other die is being pressed, and a rapid manually operated hydraulic valve actuating device, in combination with the piston's very short pressing stroke, effect a fast and safe operating cycle.