Abstract:
Provided are articles, kits, and methods for teaching a person how to tie a bow tie. A practice bow tie includes an elongated piece of flexible material with indicators on the front and rear surface of the bow tie. The indicators, also provided in a kit, define a portion, fold line, or step that aid a user in tying a bow tie to achieve a satisfactory appearance.
Abstract:
A solar cell simulator that is cylindrically symmetrical to test photovoltaic devices that are flexible. A particular embodiment would be made from plexiglass or similar acrylic material. The present invention produces a spectrum that simulates the spectral distribution of solar light that we observe on the Earth's surface. The simulator would be comprised of a tubular pulsed light source, a pulsed power supply, a tubular light spectrum filter, an IV electrical measurement station, a cylinder-shaped module holder to place the flexible large-area module during the measurement. All cylinders share the same central axis. This maintains radial uniformity of all light intensity and can be used for electrical measurements (IV curves under illumination) of flexible large-area PV modules.
Abstract:
A windshield wiper adaptor system that fits hook, bayonet and small and large pin wiper arm styles is disclosed. A bracket semi-permanently snap fits to a spring steel flat strip wiper frame. Adaptors fit to the bracket. The bayonet arm adaptor uses an easily molded slot to provide the detent for holding the arm. A resilient element presses the bayonet arm from below. The hook/bayonet adaptor pin, and pin arm adaptors, are held in the bracket by a barbed resilient arm attached to the pins. A further extension on the resilient arm of the pin arm adaptors engages the pin arm annular groove. Deflecting the arm causes the barb to engage the bracket while the same motion engages the pin arm groove. The adaptors could also be used in a convention frame where the bracket is not applicable.
Abstract:
A manually powered fastening tool which stores and instantly releases the energy of a spring such that it may force a staple or other fastener into an object by an impact blow is disclosed. An actuating lever engages a plunger in an upward motion against a spring bias and in a sideways direction in a release motion. An arcing motion of the lever causes an element of the lever to rotate and slide rearward from the plunger and disengage from the plunger, thereby allowing the lever to slide sideways off an angled surface of the plunger. The plunger, once released and under spring bias, strikes a staple and drives the staple out from the tool into the object.
Abstract:
An improvement in the process of constructing an integrated circuit structure in which a photoresist layer is applied to an integrated circuit structure followed by plasma etching of the structure is disclosed which comprises exposing the photoresist material to light, preferably UV light, prior to the etching step whereby the surface of the structure beneath the photoresist will be smooth after the etching step and removal of the photoresist.
Abstract:
A lid assembly that can be placed on a pan having a bottom surface that is configured for placement on a burner of the stove top with one or more foods to be cooked supported above an inner bottom surface of the pan by a rack. The lid assembly covers the pan and thereby encloses the one or more foods to be cooked and the rack within a cavity defined by the pan and the lid assembly. An air flow generator mounted on a shaft that extends through a cover portion of the lid from a motor disposed on an opposite side of the cover portion rotates the shaft to produce airflow within the cavity. The lid assembly cooks foods in less time and using less energy than normally required with a conventional oven.
Abstract:
The invention provides a process for introducing a three-dimensional configuration of micron to sub-micron size in a polymeric substrate comprising applying a catalyst for the selective removal of sub-unit parts of the polymer to at least one predetermined area of the polymer substrate via a pipette with a nano-sized orifice.
Abstract:
A stepless ratchet one way clutch mechanism, which provides an improved ratchet tool, is disclosed. A drive head is rotatably fitted into a cylindrical recess in a wrench housing. The drive head includes a partially triangular shape with three flat sides equally spaced around its circumference. A latch is positioned between each flat side and the internal wall of the recess. A selector mechanism provides a rotational bias to the three latches about the rotational axis of the drive head. The drive head may rotate in the wrench in the same direction that the selector is turned. The drive head is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction by wedging the latches between the drive head and the cylindrical internal wall of the recess. The selector bias may be switched either way. When the bias is switched, the latches rotate slightly about the drive head and corners of the drive head contact spaced apart segments of each latch. The selector bias originates within a recess of the drive head while a thin disk links the bias to the latches. A flange of the drive head securely holds the drive head in position and prevents wobble of the drive head. A friction surface is at the latch and internal wall interface. The friction surface may include a "V" groove and rib, a hard, textured surface, or very fine teeth and splines.