Abstract: A planar support pad for a spa comprising at least two individual planar sections of rigid plastic foam, each of the sections defined by broad top and bottom surfaces in parallel, spaced-apart arrangement and bounded by at least two peripheral edges, a rounded or beveled surface formed on at least one of the edges of the section for spreading the force of incidental contact therewith from a solid object over a broad area to reduce damage to the foam from the contact, and tape used adjacent at least another edge of the section for permitting joining one the section to another the section in contiguous assembly.

Abstract: A modular carrier ring for a motorcycle wheel hub assembly comprising a flat plate including a central flange forming a center bore therein for placement over the wheel hub, the central flange having a plurality of spaced-apart first through-holes formed therein for matching assembly with a like plurality of spaced-apart second through-holes formed in the wheel hub, the first through-holes and the second through-holes arranged for receipt therein of threaded fastening means to hold the flange tightly against the wheel hub, the central flange having a plurality of spaced-apart shallow apertures formed therein, in sequentially spaced arrangement with the first through-holes, for matching assembly with a like plurality of shallow apertures formed in the wheel hub for receipt therebetween of non-threaded anchor pins, a plurality of spaced-apart cross-arms extending outward from the central flange terminating in an anchor ring, and a plurality of tabs extending outward from the anchor ring each of the tab having f

Abstract: Finger-actuated device for cutting slender articles at a distance, including a first end including an anvil and a cutting edge articulated about a common axis and arranged to temporarily accept a slender article therebetween, a second end including a handle and a finger-actuated trigger, an elongated rigid shaft holding the first end remote to the second end and, means actuated by the finger-actuated trigger along the shaft to cause the cutting edge to pivot forcibly into contact with the anvil.

Abstract: This invention is a visual inspection machine for a surface mount passive component (chip) made up of a rotating circular loader wheel inclined to the horizontal and including an upper exposed wheel surface against which an inventory of chips is placed for loading and a rim in which a plurality of cavities, of a size and shape to accept a single chip therein in an upright position, are formed, each cavity defined by a pair of spaced-apart cavity side walls, a rear cavity wall, and having a corner chamfer leading down thereinto from the wheel surface located on the side wail of the cavity in the direction of rotation of the loader wheel, a first vacuum station connected to the loader wheel for providing vacuum power in each cavity for retaining each chip in a cavity for a first inspection, a first inspection station, external the loader wheel, for viewing a first side surface of the chip during its location in the cavity on the loader wheel, a transfer wheel defined by an outer marginal edge, the wheel arrange

Abstract: A steerable toy comprising a rigid, elongated footboard defined by an upper surface and front and rear terminal ends and horizontally supported slightly above ground level by a pair of spaced-apart small diameter wheels flexibly journaled thereunder inboard from the rear terminal end to support a rider in standing position, the front end supported above the ground by a large diameter wheel pivotally attached through an articulatable junction connected through an A-frame to the front terminal end of the footboard and steerable with a handle bar assembly in communication with to the wheel and, a flat portion of the footboard aft of the small diameter support wheels pitched upward at an angle to the footboard for stepping on by the rider to pitch the skateboard upward at the small diameter support wheels during certain maneuvers.

Abstract: An emergency supplemental power supply for outage protection of critical electric equipment load powered from a commercial power grid, including a first Variable speed drive, a second Variable speed drive, a first asynchronous motor powered from the first Variable speed drive for turning a fly-wheel attached thereto to ramp-up and maintain a level of expendable kinetic energy in the fly-wheel, the fly-wheel coupled to a first synchronous alternating current generator for driving the generator in a no-load, standby condition, a second asynchronous motor coupled to a second synchronous alternating current generator, in combination, and interposed the second Variable speed drive and the critical electric equipment load, a prime mover including a coupling between the prime mover to the second asynchronous motor/second synchronous alternating current generator combination, and, a computer processor interconnected all elements for maintaining the frequency of alternating current output from the first synchronous al

Abstract: A deep ocean, mid-water farming apparatus, for propagating bi-valves, kelp and sea weed comprising a plurality of air-containing tanks arranged in a frame and including a lower frame element and an upper frame element, a device for anchoring the tanks in deep water and including connectors to connect the anchor to the lower frame element for holding the device in deep water, a plurality of upwardly directed elongated tubular substrates, on which to grow the bi-valves, the substrates arranged about a vertically-oriented center strut, each substrate defined by a first, lower terminal end, for connection to the upper frame element, and a second, upper terminal end, spaced-apart from the first end and, a top hat centered about the strut for connecting to the upper ends of the tubular substrates for holding them in a fixed configuration thereabout.

Abstract: An apparatus for achieving remote guarding of an area with adjustable effect on unauthorized entrants, comprising an operator station including a signal receiver with television display, radiant energy selection control, and energy level controller, a first sensor means placed about the area for detecting the presence and movements of entrants to the area, the visual effects of later radiation directed toward them, and generating signals in response thereto, a source of radiant energy including at least one transmitter of the energy for broadcasting the energy into the area, upon selection of the type of radiant energy from the selection control, and of a level controlled by the energy level controller, the radiant energy of a nature and intensity capable of varying in strength and duration as to cause different observable effects on intruders present in the area who do not leave the area upon command, second sensor means placed about the area for detecting the onset of and intensity of the radiant energy bro

Abstract: A carbon-air fuel cell defined by an enclosed heat insulating container, a cathode supported in the container and arranged to form an air space about the inside thereof, an anode basket positioned inside the cathode, spaced-apart from the container, and containing therein a charge of carbon, a charge of molten electrolyte, in the form of a hydroxide that is selected from the group consisting of Aluminum, Calcium, Cesium, Potassium, Sodium, Rubidium, Strontium and mixtures thereof, filling the space between the cathode and the charge carbon; and, a bubbler for passing an oxygen-containing stream of gas through the cathode into the molten electrolyte where the oxygen ionizes and diffuses through to the anode basket into contact with the carbon to produce an electrical charge at the anode basket.

Abstract: In a machine for testing and sorting miniature electrical inductors of the type having spaced-apart, opposed first and second metal-terminated ends, wherein the machine includes a feed station having an inlet, an outlet and adapted to receive bulk quantities of inductors, a rotatably mounted transport wheel the wheel having an outer rim portion that includes a plurality of separate, spaced-apart compartments adapted to receive inductors from the feed station whereby each of the compartments has a central axis that is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the wheel, a test station including testing apparatus, and a sorting station operatively connected to the testing apparatus whereby an electrical inductor that is within the sorting station can be directed by a transfer means into one of at least two receiving means based on the testing performed at the test station, wherein when an electrical inductor is located in one of the compartments of the wheel.

Abstract: A multiple-piece musical instrument stand comprising a base including first and second legs extending outward at an acute angle from interconnection therebetween, the legs adapted to rest fully on a planar surface, a first stem of terminal length having one end adapted for inter-fitting with the interconnection of the legs and extending upward therefrom at an acute angle to the plain of the base, a second stem defined by a connecting end for connection to the distal end of the first stem and continuing upward at the same acute angle as the first stem and an instrument yoke extending outward from the second stem member attached thereto adapted to temporarily receive therein the head member of a stringed instrument so as to retain the instrument therein with the weight of the instrument hanging freely downward and above the base to support the instrument within the acute angle formed between the yoke and the base.

Abstract: The invention is a process of simulating rough bark on an artificial tree comprising the steps of coating the artificial tree surface with a thin layer of plastic foam and exposing the foam to a blast of concentrated heat sufficient to collapse part of the foam structure.

Abstract: An improved vise of the type comprising an elongated base defined by opposed, spaced-apart end edges and spaced-apart side edges, including a planar upper surface, and adapted to be mounted on the work surface of a machine that performs machining operations; an elongated first jaw fixedly mounted at one end of the base and having a jaw portion extending a short distance above the upper surface thereof; an elongated second jaw moveably mounted on the planar upper surface of the base, spaced-apart from the fixed jaw and parallel thereto, having a jaw portion extending a likewise short distance above the plane; opening/closing means passing underneath the planar upper surface and received in the second jaws in captive movement with the first jaw for drawing the jaws together and forcing them apart, and including a handle for turning the shaft means with respect to the jaws; the improvement comprising a plurality of elongated, floating jaw members, each member defined by a smooth base for sliding movement over th

Abstract: A paint container lid with integral, self-supporting paint roller tray including a planar lid surface defined by a peripheral border and including means for attaching the border in a sealing relationship to the upper boundary of a paint container, a first opening formed in the lid surface defined by a peripheral edge, a cover for the first opening having a planar first surface and an opposite, textured second surface, the cover pivotally attached along a portion thereof to the lid, means to attach the cover to the lid, the cover capable of first and second configurations with the lid, in the first configuration, the planar first cover surface is arranged in co-planar relationship with the planar lid surface when the cover is placed flat over the opening with the planar first cover surface facing upward, in the second configuration, the textured, second cover surface is arranged facing upward at an acute angle with the lid, the cover slanting toward the first opening, to act as a paint roller tray, and a suppo

Abstract: To facilitate the testing of small electronic components, an improved test probe and transport wheel assembly are disclosed. The basic form of the probe features a fixed support body onto which a movable base is secured by at least one resilient structure. Secured to the movable base are a number of leads that may be moved through complementary tunnels in a fixed guide block toward the side-located terminals of an electronic component to be tested. The transport wheel assembly includes a wheel that has a number of peripherally-located compartments for receiving the electronic components. Each of the compartments includes a metal base. Also disclosed is a metal roller that is designed to press on an end of a component during testing. The metal base of each compartment and the metal roller facilitate electrical connection to the component's end-located terminals by side-located leads from the test probe.

Abstract: Stencils to be used with a solder paste stencil printing process and apparatus in which the stencil plate having a porous figure printing area may be used for single component solder paste application. The printing operation is performed by alignment of the stencil pattern figure over the appropriate component and substrate pads. The stencil holder assembly is attached to the related solder paste stencil printer and held in place by downward force. Solder paste is dispensed over the stencil plate pattern allowing gravity flow of the paste material into the stencil pattern pores. Excess paste material is squeegeed level to the top surface of the stencil plate and the plate lifted from the substrate surface leaving solder paste in the configured pattern.