Abstract: The invention relates to a baseball teaching device that allows to develop striking skills of a player by emulating a force with which a ball travels before being hit by a player. The device has a frame mountable on a horizontal surface, an upright pole extending from the base and a baseball support arm extending traversely to the pole when the device is in use. The baseball support member is a flexible resilient plate that offers the necessary resistance to a striking force exerted by the player when the baseball is hit by a bat. An optional resilient insert is embedded into the body of the plate to increase resistance to the striking force by making the plate less flexible.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for removing burs from an internal wall of a pipe for the purposes of forming a smooth, protrusion free internal wall surface. The assembly has a drive motor with a rotating shaft which carries a cutting tool member on the free end of the shaft. A plurality of cutting blades extending from the exterior surface of the cutting tool member cut off the burs while the cutting tool member is advanced through the length of the pipe.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaner for instruments is provided with at least one tank suitable for holding the medical instruments and a cleaning solution therein. A source of ultrasonic waves, such as ultrasonic transducers, is mounted on the exterior of the tank and is connected to a source of electrical power. The cleaning tank has a bottom plate with a drain opening connectable to a municipal sewage line, allowing to drain the cleaning solution along with impurities discharged after the cleaning cycle has been completed. In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning solvents are recycled via a Y-type connector into a second high-pressure hose and then into a storage receptacle with a cover. The alternative embodiment is designed for industrial applications only, where contamination does not pose a risk.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sun protective shield worn with a headgear to protect face of a wearer from ultraviolet radiation. The shield is flexible, air permeable and optically transparent so as not to impede breathing or vision of the user. The shield has a first set of securing tabs adjacent the top edge of the shield for securing to a piece of headgear, and a second set of securing tabs for retaining the shield in any of a plurality of folded positions. The second set of tabs engages with the first set of tabs when the shield is partially or fully folded, covering the entire face of the user or only a part thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument and more particularly to a system for repairing damaged bone structure. A hand-held instrument is formed with a plurality of channels allowing connection of the instrument to a source of laser beam, to a television monitor, to a vacuum suction tube, to a connector for delivering medication or bone sealant to the treatment area. A foot pedal allows a dentist or physician to control delivery of the electrical, mechanical, and vacuum forces to the damaged area, as well as examine and monitor the treatment procedure on a television monitor.

Abstract: A device for releasing of a frozen screw pressed against a contact surface uses a compression disc pre-loaded to an anticipated amount of deflection prior to mounting between the contact surface and the screw. The disc has an insert formed from a granulated material mixed with a water soluble binder, allowing to wash out the insert and cause collapse of the disc, so as to break the connection between the contact surface and the screw.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vending machine for dispensing of a single copy of a printed publication, such a newspaper or a magazine. The vending machine has a metering brake mounted adjacent a dispensing channel for separating a single copy of a publication from a stack of publications that are retained in a housing of the vending machine. The metering brake allows to achieve a uniform speed of movement of both sides of the folded newspapers, or magazines moving along a bearing plate and effective separation of the single copy from the stack of papers.

Abstract: A retainer for horizontally suspended flexible material, such a headliner of a car, has an elongated support bar and one or more retainer pins engaged within one or more openings formed in the support bar. Each of the retainer pins has an arcuate portion with a sharp end that is adapted to penetrate through the flexible material and move the arcuate portion in a hook-like manner into engagement with the suspended flexible material. The support bar which has been securely engaged with the pins is moved into contact with the outer surface of the flexible material, preventing it from sagging and retaining it in a generally taut position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety blood collecting device adapted to prevent accidental puncturing of attending medical personnel by an infected blood collecting needle. The blood collecting device has a forward conical portion which is provided with a vein aligning groove to allow convenient positioning of the needle guard in relation to the vein of the patient for precise injection of the needle. One or more resilient depressible locking tabs are carried by the needle guard and extend through corresponding aligned openings formed in the casing to lock the needle guard in an extended position covering the needle. When the locking tabs are depressed and an inward pressure is exerted on the forward end of the needle guard, the needle guard can be moved against the tension of a coil spring inside the casing and uncover the blood collecting needle to allow withdrawing of the blood from the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates a decorative shoe shield suitable for detachable positioning on an article of footwear and for securing thereto by shoelaces. The top surface of the shoe shield is adapted for receiving decorative indicia imprinted thereon. A plurality of openings formed in the body of the shoe shield or in fastener strips securely connected to the flexible body allow securing of the shoe shield to the shoe by shoelaces. The fastener elements can be formed as separate L-shaped or hook-shaped members securely attached to the shield body, or as unitary strips secured along side edges of the body, or formed directly in the body of the decorative attachment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure source calibrator which allows testing and calibrating of a pressure gauge or other device mounted in a particularly difficult-to-access area. The calibrator is lightweight, portable and operates with an external source of pressurized fluid, such as a cartridge containing pressurized fluid. A variable pressure chamber formed within the calibrator body is connected to a master gauge and to a pressure gauge to be calibrated, while pressure in the chamber is regulated by a vernier adjustment knob extending into the chamber. The calibrator provides for the use of an optional pre-pressurization process for preventing thermal instability of the pressurized fluid admitted into the calibrator body. Pre-pressurization is carried out by admitting warmer outside air into the variable pressure chamber by one or more pistons moving within one or more piston chambers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for storing lengths of cables, chains, or conduits wound on a spool. The assembly has a stationary portion that supports a motor and a removable portion that supports a spool for receiving a length of a cable, chain or conduit. The motor is operationally connected to a sprocket wheel, which forms a part of the stationary portion, and when the sprocket wheel is moved into engagement with the chain fitted on the spool, the rotating force is transmitted to the spool, allowing winding of the cable, chain or conduit thereon. Any number of removable portions can be used for winding of a predetermined length of cables, chains, or conduits using the same stationary portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to baseball equipment, and more particularly to a baseball bat which is provided with an audible signal generating element. A sound module is mounted inside the handle portion and is designed to generate a pre-selected audible signal in the form of a speech sound when a striking portion is oriented above a handle portion. The sound is generated by a sound producing unit which forms a part of a sound module mounted within the handle portion. The sound producing unit is activated by movement of an element within the sound module when the movable element closes the circuit allowing activation of the sound producing unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to vending machines for dispensing of a single copy of a printed publication one-at-a-time. The vending machine is self contained, is provided with a power source, a driving motor and a control unit for operation of the vending machine. An inclined platform plate mounted within the vending machine carries a plurality of media units, while a push plate forces the media units toward a dispensing channel located adjacent a forward edge of the platform plate. When a single copy of the media unit moves through the dispensing channel, a light sensor sends a signal to the control unit which causes reversal of movement of the push plate, thereby preventing accidental dispensing of the next copy of the media unit by gravity. After an entire inventory of the media units resting on a platform plate has been dispensed, a limit switch sends a signal to the control unit allowing vending of a display copy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for severing tubular members, such as piles of an offshore platform. The device is incorporated into a platform pile as one of the sections of the pile and is deployed below a mudline during installation of the pile. A shaped charge mounted in that section remains unloaded during the useful life of the platform. An explosive material is delivered into the shaped charge through conduits immediately prior to severing the pile when the platform needs to be removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an explosive charge assembly for cutting tubular members, particularly underwater. The assembly is lowered into the tubular member to a distance where the cut is to be performed. A shaped charge carrier has a pair of parallel circular plates, a casing unitary connected to the plates and a truncated shaped charge liner. An inflatable bladder surrounding the casing expands to create a stand off distance between the wall of the tubular member and the shell of the assembly. A plurality of centralizer members allow to adjust position of the shell in the tubular member prior to detonation.