Abstract: Athletic footwear including a pair of resilient ankle braces which are supported to the sole, inner lining and a separately bound calf support collar of an athletic shoe. The braces are configured of a deformable polymer and include apertures shaped to accommodate protruding ankle bones. Curved lower ends of each brace mount to the heel region of the sole. Formed pockets or restraint means support the braces to the shoe liner. A separately mounted, cushioned collar restrains the upper brace end to the calf. In other constructions, one or more cushioned brace portions may be supported between the shoe and foot. In still another construction, a two-piece, hinged polymer brace is considered.

Abstract: A boat support framework including an elevating cradle supported between a plurality of cable and pulley containing lift towers via a plurality of roller bearings in engagement therewith. A cable take up axle includes separate cable drums and cables to each lift tower and is controlled from a handwheel or winch operated articulating drive arm and multiple endless chains coupled therebetween. Hinged frameworks pivotally coupled to cross frame members of a base frame and the cradle articulate to support the cradle over the range of lift travel.

Abstract: An improved short distance, battery powered, amplitude modulated RF transmitter for transmitting encoded security data. An oscillator stage provides a control crystal and filter which are feedback coupled between the emitter and base of a transistor to oscillate at the fifth overtone of the fundamental crystal frequency. A filter tuned to the third harmonic of the overtone frequency selects the carrier frequency which is coupled via a resistive attenuator to an amplifier/filter stage, before the carrier is amplitude modulated with encoded security data. The improved transmitter circuit compensates for crystals exhibiting variations in series resistance and provides increased output power and improved frequency stability to temperature and over time. A foil antenna stage is augmented with the plates of the battery power supply to further improve performance.

Abstract: A hydrating additive and improved cat litter including same which solidifies upon contact with liquids to encapsulate pet waste matter. The litter comprises a mixture of granulated clay particles, finely ground wheat based particulates and a fragrance carrier. In a preferred mixture, quantities of semolina are included with a moisture released masking fragrance consisting substantially of an attractant oil which is impregnated into ground, corn cob.

Abstract: A method for aligning multiple printing plates on a single piece of printing plate stock, whereby all plates register to one another and one or more printing press cylinders. The method includes the steps of (1) punching image and cylinder registration indices on the stock; (2) imaging a plurality of regions on the stock defining separate printing plates; (3) forming slitting indices relative to the defined plate regions; (4) forming a cylinder registration bend along at least one edge of the stock; and (5) slitting the stock into a plurality of printing plates. In one process, elongated image registration apertures, cylinder registration bends and notches and V-shaped slitting notches are successively provided to all plate regions to assure alignment of the printing plates to each other and the press cylinders.

Abstract: Apparatus for randomly manipulating and distributing one or a plurality of game pieces such as dice, marbles, coins or the like. In one construction, the game piece is contained within a closed housing having a plurality of apertures formed through side and end walls to support selectively positioned obstruction pieces which may be positioned by the players in a random or predetermined pattern to provide a plurality of passageways through which the game pieces must pass. In another construction, an open ended housing includes a game piece receiving portion, a player selectable directing portion and a randomizer portion including a plurality of obstruction pieces. In another construction, one or more coins may be semipermanently contained within the housing. In still other constructions, the housing is constructed in halves, each of which contain integral obstruction pieces which define a plurality of passageways to a plurality of permanently contained game pieces.

Abstract: A soft-tissue correctional aide supported at the hips and shoulders and including a plurality of resilient straps which mount to shoes or other anchoring appliances containing mating fasteners. The straps are trainable about the hips and legs to the anchor fasteners to provide a relatively constant correctional bias, yet permit normal body movement. A length adjustable belt anchors the assembly to the waist and a pair of length adjustable suspenders anchor the belt to the shoulders. The straps mount directly to the belt or to one or more sleeves supported along the belt.

Abstract: An annular, elastomer bulkhead gasket for sealing pipe fittings at concreate structures. A tubular body portion includes an annular casting flange having a three-quarter radiused peripheral edge which radially projects from an outer surface. A half radiused annular bead projects from an inner surface to seal around a fitted pipe. The gasket is securable to an annular flange of a conically tapered mandrel which is securable to a casting form wall. The mandrel retains and supports the gasket in compresed relation between the casting form walls during the pouring of the bulkhead.

Abstract: A dielectric inset mountable within a conical horn antenna for focusing an impinging electromagnetic wave front as a planar wave front at an attached wave guide. In one construction a homogeneous inset having an ellipsoidal forward surface and conical aft surface is fitted into a double flared conical antenna including a cylindrical, hybrid mode matching section. In various alternative compound constructions, materials of differing dielectric constants and geometrical shapes are arranged to facilitate a size and weight reduction of the inset and focus the incident wave front relative to the wave guide. In other embodiments, still lower density materials, including suspended metallic particulates are used.

Abstract: A molded, lead bodied fishing lure including a relatively large surfaced, concave blade portion. In various constructions, the lure comprises a stamped metal blade insert which supports multiple hooks and includes multiple hook and line receiving mountings. In other constructions, the body includes movement enhancing contours; supports multiple blades or blades providing multiple zones of concavity or blades arranged to form a sound chamber for rattle members; supports live bait holders or various attractors; and permits standup presentations.

Abstract: An apparatus for warming medical instruments, such as a stethoscope, includes a wall mountable, multi-walled, vented housing having a front access opening closed by a hinged translucent panel and an open bottom. A reflective, flexible metal liner having a lower portion overlying the open housing bottom reflects radiant heat from an electric lamp heat source in the housing toward an instrument to be heated vertically positioned in a support formed in the lower portion of the liner and aligned with a slot in the lower portion leading to the access opening. The heat source is thermostatically controlled.

Abstract: Water treatment apparatus including an iodine resin purification bed suppported in a walled structure and mounted upstream of an active carbon filtration bed. In one disposable cartridge construction, a replacable, toroidal sediment filter surrounds the purification chamber which concentrically projects from the upstream end of a larger diameter active carbon bed. In another construction, the purification bed includes a directionally permeable, replaceable, pointed housing which insertably mounts within the carbon bed. In another construction a portable housing contains a purification bed within a surrounding carbon bed, and receives water from faucet coupling means and includes a nozzle. In still another personal construction, a purification cartridge mounts between a pressurizable collector and canteen.