Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating register boxes, improving penetration sealing, improving airflow and reducing the labor costs to install ceiling registers is disclosed. A collar plate assembly that interfaces with flexible or metal air ducts is provided with at least one spring indentation ring in the collar portion of the assembly to accept two or more locking springs. These locking springs are used to attach the ceiling register to the collar plate assembly. The collar plate assembly uses mounting rails that attach the assembly to either ceiling or wall supports. After the ceiling or wall material is applied, the circular area inside the collar is cut-out to provide access. A trim ring is inserted in the cut-out that attaches between the collar and the ceiling or wall to eliminate air leakage and provide an essentially smooth flow of air from the supply duct into the inside of the structure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling fire ants. A method is disclosed for controlling colonies of fire ants in the environment. The method includes first providing a stimulating source that, when activated, will attract fire ants to contact the stimulating source and become agitated to a point that ants from a common colony will attack each other. Thereafter, the stimulating source is activated to cause the fire ants to cluster around the stimulating source, become agitated, and attack each other. The stimulated fire ants then are urged into a tightly confined space to exacerbate the attack reaction.

Abstract: Flow control valves (19) are provided and interfaced with the HVAC ducts (14) at the efferent ends (16) in adjoining rooms of a structure. A flow control command device (29), mounted on the wall of the structure (25), is provided to control the flow of air through the HVAC ducts (14) in response to flow control commands. Flow control commands are transmitted by wireless means to the command decoder (22) and converted to flow control signals. A flow control signal bus (21) is provided to connect the flow control signals to the flow control valves (19). A master thermostat (32) is connected directly to the HVAC system (10) and in series with a slave thermostat (30). This series thermostat connection causes control of the HVAC system (10) to be determined by the thermostat located in the room that receives the higher air flow.

Abstract: A plurality of force sensors (20) are provided each having parameters and an output with the force sensors (20) disposed at specific predetermined pressure points between the human hand and an object to which a force is to be applied. A conversion device (28) is also provided for converting the outputs of the force sensors into outputs discernible to humans. The parameters of the force sensors vary proportionally with the amount of force applied to the force sensors (20). These force sensors (20) may be disposed in a substantially abutting relationship with the object to which the force is to be applied, the force sensors (20) may be disposed in substantially abutting relationship with the human hand, the force sensors (20) may be attached directly to the human hand or the object to which the force is to be applied or force sensors (50) and (52) may be attached to a glove (50) which fits over a portion of the human hand.