Abstract: A device for holding a cigar relative to a supporting object, the device including a receiver adapted to receive the cigar with a loose fit and a clamp for releasably attaching the receiver to the supporting object to hold the cigar at a desired location and in a desired orientation, preferably in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A field antenna comprises an antenna assembly and an optional mast assembly. The antenna assembly can comprise two antenna portions coupled to a feedcone assembly as a single foldable unit. The mast assembly can comprise a unitary telescoping mast. The field antenna can be part of an antenna kit that can be disassembled and packed in a transit bag for storage and transport. The antenna assembly can be used as a field antenna alone, or can be selectively mounted to the mast assembly or a vehicle.

Abstract: An antenna comprises a lower section, an upper section, and a junction connecting them to each other. The junction has a key and a keyway to permit joining them only one way. In one embodiment, a whip assembly is joined to a mount assembly by a keyed junction.

Abstract: An antenna assembly has a lower break assembly and an upper break assembly. Both have a center fed transmission line within a conductive tube, and both are mutually connectable for connecting the transmission lines to each other at a junction. When connected, the lower break assembly and upper break assembly form one pole of a center-fed dipole radiator without significant signal loss through the junction.

Abstract: A multiband antenna system includes a multiband antenna adapted to receive signals in a given frequency range, such as CB, and a trap to isolate signals in the tire pressure monitoring frequency ranges so that when it is mounted to the exterior of a vehicle in conventional manner, it will optimally receive signals sent from tire pressure monitors in the wheels. The system includes a multiplexer circuit that connects to tire pressure monitoring apparatus and isolates the tire pressure monitoring frequencies from CB frequencies. The antenna and multiplexer circuits are capable of simultaneously handling other frequencies as well such as AM/FM.

Abstract: A marine antenna array includes a contoured antenna assembly having a cowling that houses more than one antenna. Where more than one contoured antenna assembly is required to accommodate all antennas needed on a boat, each contoured antenna assembly is identical in appearance.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement for use over a metallic surface in motor vehicles is adapted to improve reception in the AM frequency range. An FM loop includes two conductor sections separated by a capacitor. An AM probe extends from one of the conductor sections near an antenna feed line connector and isolates AM signals by an L-C circuit between the probe and the connection to the conductor section. Omnidirectional reception is achieved by a coplanar WB probe, FM probe and AM coiled loop between them, mounted to a substrate.

Abstract: A tunable antenna system includes an antenna, a tuning mechanism, and a key that relates points of adjustment in the tuning mechanism to different installations of the antenna. The antenna can be tuned for a given installation by applying the key to the antenna without specialized knowledge or equipment. The system also includes a set of tunable antennas, each being tunable within a different range of electrical lengths. The number of antennas in the set is sufficient to cover a total range of electrical lengths for a given set of installations. Fewer antennas are needed to provide a tuned antenna for each installation.

Abstract: A multiplexer circuit adapted to receive standard cellular telephone signals and PCS signals without user intervention comprises two filter circuits. The first filter circuit presents a high impedance to signals outside the standard cellular frequency range from one antenna and the second circuit presents a high impedance to signals outside the higher PCS frequency range from a second antenna. A cell phone adapted to receive both frequency ranges will automatically detect the appropriate signal.

Abstract: A multiplexer circuit adapted to receive signals comprises two filter circuits. The first filter circuit presents a high impedance to signals outside a first frequency range and the second circuit presents a high impedance to signals outside a second frequency range. Isolation matching circuits enable transmission and reception of one of the signals in the first or second frequency ranges without degradation or interference with the other range. An embodiment allows transmission and reception of satellite Orbcomm frequencies over a standard AM/FM antenna without effect on the AM/FM signal.

Abstract: An antenna mount for supporting a whip antenna on a ground vehicle has an upper part and a lower part, the upper part supports the whip antenna and has an upper mounting ring and the lower part extends through an outer shell of the vehicle has a lower mounting ring, one or more intermediate rings are disposed between the upper ring and the lower ring and incorporate a cavity for containing a GPS antenna.

Abstract: An antenna mount for supporting a whip antenna on a ground vehicle has an upper part and a lower part, the upper part supports the whip antenna and has an upper mounting ring and the lower part extends through an outer shell of the vehicle has a lower mounting ring, one or more intermediate rings are disposed between the upper ring and the lower ring and incorporate a cavity for containing a GPS antenna.

Abstract: An AM/FM/CB/cellular telephone antenna includes a first frequency self-resonant circuit at a position above the lower end of the antenna such that the electrical length of the lower section of the antenna is equivalent to one-quarter wavelength for a frequency in the FM frequency range and a second frequency self-resonant circuit disposed below the first frequency self-resonant circuit. The first self-resonant circuit presents a high impedance in the FM frequency band and the second self-resonant circuit presents a high impedance in the cellular frequency range. The entire length of the antenna is equivalent to one-quarter wavelength in a frequency in the CB frequency band. The antenna wire is wound around a fiberglass core, and the FM self-resonant circuit is formed by a tightly wound, coiled section of the wire together with a thin-walled brass tube extending over the core in the area of the tightly wound section.

Abstract: A coffee maker for use in a vehicle such as a commercial aircraft. The coffee make accepts a sealed can of ground coffee. The can is pierced from the side by a pair of can-piercing spikes by actuating the can against the spikes. The can is drawn by a hydraulically operated cylinder mechanism powered by the water pressure of the aircraft's potable water supply. Hot water is injected into the can through a passage within at least one of the spikes and the hot water is circulated within the can thereby brewing the coffee. Brewed coffee exits the can along the sides of one or both of the spikes and is channeled down into a reservoir located below the can. The brewed coffee may be filtered before and/or after the flowing into the reservoir. A desired volume of coffee may then be drawn from the reservoir.

Abstract: An AM/FM/CB/cellular telephone antenna includes a first frequency self-resonant circuit at a position above the lower end of the antenna such that the electrical length of the lower section of the antenna is equivalent to one-quarter wavelength for a frequency in the FM frequency range and a second frequency self-resonant circuit disposed below the first frequency self-resonant circuit. The first self-resonant circuit presents a high impedance in the FM frequency band and the second self-resonant circuit presents a high impedance in the cellular frequency range. The entire length of the antenna is equivalent to one-quarter wavelength in a frequency in the CB frequency band. The antenna wire is wound around a fiberglass core, and the FM self-resonant circuit is formed by a tightly wound, coiled section of the wire together with a thin-walled brass tube extending over the core in the area of the tightly wound section.

Abstract: A combined AM/FM/cellular telephone antenna system comprises a coaxial cable with an upper portion of the inner conductor of the coaxial cable and an adjacent section of the coaxial cable together forming a cellular telephone dipole antenna. The coaxial cable forms a transmission line connecting the cellular dipole antenna to cellular telephone equipment. The outer conductor of a portion of the coaxial cable below the cellular dipole antenna serves as the AM/FM antenna. The combined antenna is encaged in a fiberglass housing and mounted on a metallic base having an upper shell and a lower shell. The upper shell is electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable forming the antenna and the lower shell is connected to a ground plane. A coaxial cable having a center conductor connected to the upper shell and an outer conductor connected to the lower shield provides connection to AM/FM receiver equipment.

Abstract: A beverage water heating supply system. A tank stores water while heaters heat the water. The heated water is distributed through a manifold assembly, which has a multiplicity of components, to a coffee brewer water and a hot water spigot which are controlled by independent solenoid valves. The water is filtered before entering the tank and is filtered a second time before leaving the tank to enter the manifold assembly. The tank employs a combination temperature sensing and water level detection circuit probe to prevent over heating and heating when the tank is not full. The manifold assembly includes a pressure release valve, a blowout port backup pressure release valve, an automatic vent valve, a brewer water pickup, a lower hot water pick up, and a pressure compensating flow control for the brewer water. The manifold is quickly connected to and disconnected from the tank with a bayonet type connection without removing any of the connections to the manifold.

Abstract: A television antenna is constructed of a flat plate antenna comprising a plurality of concentric, rectangularly shaped loops formed of conductive material and disposed on a substrate. Each loop forms an antenna for signals in a predefined frequency band within the TV frequency spectrum. An additional loop is disposed within the plurality of concentric loops and is adapted for receiving signals in the FM frequency range. Each of the loops has four sides having an electrical length equivalent to one-quarter wavelength at a center frequency within a frequency band and each side of each antenna loop is connected to a side of another antenna loop and to one of a pair of antenna output terminals. The sides of each loop are formed by conductive strips deposited on a dielectric substrate which is particularly adapted for installation adjacent a dielectric roof panel or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for the preparation of pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acids by the continuous oxidation of substituted quinolines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for providing a repeatable business process capability in an object oriented computing environment. Business process information, including a set of object-action messages and the logical sequence in which the messages are executed is captured in business process objects. The business process objects are generated, modified and invoked through the user-workplace interface.