Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of stock option accounts each for a plurality of participants. The system invokes a particular option plan defined in the system that governs the transaction choices available to each participant. The governing option plans are defined by the sponsoring company in terms of grant, vest and expiration date for the option contracts, and are defined in the system via a database of option holding information for each participant and an axiomatic rule system defining the criteria under which a given participant can exercise given options under the particular plan. The system implements the plans for multiple client companies providing several distinct modes for option exercise by the participant.

Abstract: A piece-bouncing game wherein each player seeks to propel a play piece to make it bounce on a playing surface and then travel in a trajectory which causes the piece to land on a flat platform. The player scores a point in the game only if the piece lands and remains on the platform. The game consists of a cylindrical dish having a flat base on which is anchored an array of plugs, the play pieces being mountable on the plugs. Each play piece is formed by a circular collar having a membrane lying across its central plane and provided with a center hole. In the storage mode of the game, in which the play pieces are stored within the dish, each plug is plugged into the center hole of the piece mounted thereon. In the active mode of the game, the pieces are taken off the plugs and the dish is inverted and placed on the playing surface whereby the base of the dish is then raised above the playing surface to serve as the platform.

Abstract: A drive system for transferring a work load suspended from a hoist from one work processing stage to another in a series of stages. Included in the system is an X-linear motor which causes the hoist to travel along a horizontal path running from stage to stage, and a Y-linear motor causing the hoist, when at a selected stage, to travel in a vertical path to lower the work load into the stage for processing and then raise the load so that it can travel to another stage. Power for the X-motor is supplied by an external source, but power for the Y-motor which is electromagnetically coupled to the X-motor is inductively derived from the X-motor, thereby obviating the need for a power cable for the Y-motor.

Abstract: A system for producing blocks of open-cell, flexible polyurethane foam material and for conditioning each freshly-manufactured block to impart thereto optimal flexible foam properties. The system includes means to pour the flowable constituent of the foam material to be manufactured into a production station at the inlet of a conveyor, the constituents interacting to create on the conveyor a block of open-cell flexible foam material which is then wrapped in a plastic film casing that exposes the leading and trailing end of the block so that the encased block is open ended. The conveyor transports the wrapped block toward the rear end of a gate in a conditioning station having a port therein whose front end is coupled by an air duct to a suction fan.

Abstract: A helmet having substantially semi-looped pull members and the like which are mounted on inside pads and used to pull out the inside pads from a head protecting cap portion while the helmet is worn on the head of a helmet wearer, and a method of removing the helmet. According to this helmet, the inside pads are pulled out from the head protecting cap portion by pulling the pull members with fingers or the like, thereby removing the head protecting cap portion from the head of the helmet wearer with a relatively small force.

Abstract: A hang tag having an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device is provided by using a conventional hang tag substrate, such as paper, securing the EAS device therein, and folding the substrate onto itself and securing it with a permanent adhesive. Preferably the substrate is accordian folded. With the EAS device permanently secured and hidden in a fold, the article is more amenable to consideration by the consumer, and the EAS device is unobtrusive.

Abstract: The invention provides a razor having a retaining mechanism assembly adapted to receive more than one blade with one of the blades being capable of lateral movement beyond the confines of the retaining mechanism assembly into a straight razor configuration. The retaining mechanism assembly has components for retaining and aligning the blades both within and beyond its confines. The retaining mechanism assembly has a pivotally attached handle to allow ergonomic adjustments to the shaving angle.

Abstract: A system useable in a jet aircraft having installed therein a pressurized oxygen supply which feeds oxygen into the interior of the plane when it flies at high cabin altitudes, the system indicating the changing status of the supply as oxygen is drained therefrom. The system includes a pressure transducer coupled to the supply and means associated with the transducer to determine the lapse rate at which the pressure of the supply is reduced as oxygen is drained therefrom to yield a first signal representing this pressure lapse rate, and to concurrently determine the lapse rate at which the number of liters of oxygen in the supply is reduced as oxygen is drained therefrom to yield a second signal representing the liter lapse rate. These signals are applied to a microprocessor in whose data base is entered the total oxygen inventory of the supply and the oxygen demand of the plane in which the supply is installed.

Abstract: A chair ergonomically designed to cause its occupant to assume a sitting posture that acts to distribute the load imposed by the sitter's upper body weight so as to relieve stress on the musculature of the lower back, thereby obviating lower back pain. The seat of the chair is slidable along a track that is upwardly inclined at a fixed angle relative to the structure on which the chair is supported. Hinged to the seat is a backrest that is supported at the rear of the chair. When an individual sits down to place his buttocks on the seat, he then slides the seat along the track until the backrest assumes an angle with respect to the seat at which it is comfortable to the sitter, and the seat is then latched to maintain this orientation.

Abstract: A multiple dog leash which makes it possible for a single individual to concurrently control at least two dogs that differ in size and therefore require leashes of different length. The multiple leash includes an elongated strap that passes through a coupling ring and is folded thereover to define two leash sections whose relative lengths depends on the site of the fold; a leash handle being linked to the coupling ring. Each leash section terminates in a connector that can be coupled to the collar or harness of a dog. Slidable along the two leash sections is a sleeve that acts to maintain these sections in parallel relation. Also slidable on the two sections between the sleeve and the connectors is a lockable clamp which after the strap is adjusted to create two leash sections having relative lengths appropriate to the dogs to which these sections are coupled, is then locked to maintain this relationship.

Abstract: An orthopaedic device for the gradual correction of angular and longitudinal defects of elongated bones, comprising at least one first clamp for a first group of screws insertable in a proximal portion of a bone, and at least one second clamp for a second group of screws insertable in a distal portion of the bone, a longitudinal guide bar positioned externally of the limb to be corrected for slidably supporting the clamps; at least one of the clamps is selectively orientable about a substantially transverse axis for carrying out angular corrections of the bone. There are provided a compression/distraction device movably coupleable with the clamps for carrying out longitudinal corrections of the bone. The orientably clamp is adjustable angularly in a predetermined geometric plane, as well as adjustable transversely for the group of bone screws carried by the clamp parallel to themselves for compensating the lateral movement induced by the angular correction.

Abstract: A readily movable cafe chair that is multi-functional and therefore useable by its seated occupant in various ways. The chair includes a back section formed by a sculptured panel defining a flat figure whose head merges with a body region having outwardly swelling hips from which extend widely spaced legs between which is a crotch zone. Joined to the back section is a front section having a lobe-shaped seat whose front end is supported by a pair of front legs which are spaced from the rear legs and are coupled thereto by a fork. The arcuate rear end of the seat is attached at its apex to the crotch zone of the back section. The sides of the lobe-shaped seat curve inwardly toward the crotch zone to create free spaces adjacent the rear legs of the chair. Thus the occupant may seat himself in a direct mode facing forwardly, or in a reverse mode facing rearwardly. The occupant when seated with his back against the back section can safely back-tilt the chair.

Abstract: A wet electrostatic scrubber unit for extracting from a polluted air stream particulate matter entrained therein, whereby emerging from the unit is an environmentally acceptable air stream. The unit includes a treatment station having a cylindrical duct through which is blown the polluted air stream. Coaxially disposed within the duct is a water delivery pipe having nozzles along its length from each of which is projected a radial beam of water. The radial beam collides with the inner surface of the duct to create a turbulent mist which is intercepted by the polluted air stream flowing through the duct. The velocity of the radial beam is such as to cause it to collide with the duct surface with sufficient force to triboelectrically generate negative ions. These cause the mist to acquire an electrostatic charge to capture the contaminates entrained in the polluted air stream. The negative ions also react with oxygen in the air stream to produce ozone that oxidizes the particulate matter captured by the mist.

Abstract: A baffle mountable on the tube of a fluorescent lamp which in the absence of the baffle yields a harsh and glaring light. The baffle is formed of a long strip of fabric material having a row of holes therein through which the tube is threaded to cause the strip to assume the shape of an undulating shade which conceals the lamp. The felt strip is preferably constituted by a pressed, non-woven felt fabric whose fibers are reflective of light and absorbent of sound or a similar flexible absorptive material. Light rays emitted by the lamp are intercepted and dispersed by the shade, thereby diffusing the light and softening the illumination. Ambient sounds impinging on the undulating shade are absorbed thereby to reduce the noise in the room in which the lamp is installed.

Abstract: A rudder for a sailboat or other vessel formed by a lightweight core having the combined shape of the blade and the stock of the rudder, and a fiber-reinforced resin skin enveloping the core and conforming thereto to create a monocoque structure in which the skin bears the major portion of the torsional and bending stresses to which the rudder is subjected when in use. The pre-cast foam-plastic core of the rudder is formed by a blade section and a stock section having a root received in a slot in the blade section, the stock section being wrapped with a layer of reinforcing fibers before being combined with the blade section. To produce the rudder, the pre-cast core is placed in the cavity of a mold lined with reinforcing fibers which wrap the core inserted therein.

Abstract: A portable automatic code symbol reading system having a laser scanning engine mounted upon the hand of its operator to provide hands-free automatic laser scanning capabilities. The automatic code symbol reading system includes a battery power supply aboard its hand-mounted housing, and a power-conserving control subsystem for conserving the consumption of electrical power during automatic portable laser scanning operations. The control subsystem of the present invention has a plurality of control centers which control the operation of the system components in accordance with preselected system control operations. Each of the control centers is responsive to control activation signals generated by certain of the system components upon the occurrence of predefined conditions. Certain of the control centers are capable of overriding other control centers to provide diverse control capabilities.

Abstract: A new fundamental structure that is simply and inexpensively formed offers a wide variety of functional attributes. The structure is formed from thin film sheet stock by pressure induced formation of select arrays of depressions and raised portions. The patterns formed provide an approximate minimal surface. Composite structures created by selective arrangement of the deformed sheets provide a highly functional arrangement of passageways and support lattice. These structures have low density, high strength, and select fluid carrying and heat exchange capabilities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing object-transparent invocation operates in conjunction with a data processing system having a memory, a sender and at least one method capable of performing a function to advantageously deliver a message to the at least one method capable of performing a function, thereby (i) delivering the message without requiring the sender to have specific knowledge of the identity, address, name or existence of the at least one method capable of servicing the message, (ii) delivering the message to the at least one method capable of servicing the message, and/or (iii) delivering the message to the at least one method capable of servicing the message, without the use of identity, address or name information provided by the sender.

Abstract: An animal feedlot management system for uniformly delivering assigned feed rations to feedbunks associated with animal pens in a feedlot, in which discretion and direct control over the various suboperations of the feed ration assignment and delivery process are distributed among the individual operators in the system while the feedlot manager is capable of indirectly monitoring the performance of the various suboperations through use of a satellite based global positioning system.

Abstract: An electronic stimulation system for treating a patient suffering from a tinnitus disorder in which the patient hears ringing or other sounds originating in the ear. The system includes an electrodynamically-actuated diaphragm and probe assembly acting as an applicator to which is applied a complex signal in the sonic range to cause the probe to vibrate in accordance with the signal and the diaphragm to audibly reproduce the signal. The probe is placed at a site on the patient in proximity to the cochlea of the inner ear whereby the probe vibrations are transmitted to the cochlea to stimulate this organ and thereby alleviate the tinnitus disorder. Because the patient who hears the internally-generated tinnitus sounds, also hears the reproduced complex signal he is able to adjust the generator of the complex signal so that its frequency components act to mask the frequencies of the tinnitus sounds.