Abstract: A collapsible book rest is formed of panels that are variously interconnected by means chosen from hinges, tracks, slots, ledges, and the like that allow the panels to be deployed to form a first, supporting structure. The panels include a rear panel, front panel, top panel, bottom panel, left panel and right panel. A slidable stabilizer panel is extendable and retractable from the bottom panel. The front and bottom panels of the supporting structure define a recess that accommodates an individual's abdominal shape, and the slide stabilizer defines a similarly shaped front edge. The book rest is collapsed by variously disconnecting and folding over the panels.

Abstract: A head-positioning aid for treating or preventing plagiocephaly and torticollis is formed of a soft, compliant beanie-style cap. A soft and pliable deflector is attached to the beanie cap and extends downward from near the apex to near the lower edge of the cap. The cap is applied on an infant's head in an orientation to place the deflector at any required position about the circumference of the head. The cap and deflector are united by themed indicia designed to bring family acceptance of the cap to promote acceptance and thereby support long term usage, as may be required.

Abstract: A component mat combines with similar mats to form a vehicle tracking pad assemblage, with juxtaposed ends joined by mechanical interlock. Optional turnout mats are interlocked to sides of the component mat. A top mat surface carries a finish formed of an array of upstanding mud removal elements of effective height. Mud removal element heights may be uniform among spaced apart elements or may vary among juxtaposed elements. The intermat interlock may carry the top finish to establish continuity over the junction. Suitable mud removal elements include cylinders, pyramids, ribs, and simulated rock patterns.

Abstract: A container bodymaker gearbox (20, 130) drives rams (60, 66) linearly by use of a hypocycloid drive that controls operation of a rotating and orbiting output shaft (40) by synchronizing the rotating and orbiting motion such that a tracking point at a predetermined radius from the shaft 40 tracks a straight line. A coaxial sleeve (124) is spaced around shaft (40) and carries an annular crank hub (140) on bearings (142). The crank hub (140) is eccentrically mounted on the sleeve (124) with the hub centerpoint positioned to track the straight line tracking point. A rotary ring (166) mounted around the periphery of the crank hub (140) supports diametrically opposed connections (176) to rams (60, 66). The ring (166) and rams (60, 66) translate on the straight-line path determined by the centerpoint, with the hub (140) rotating as required within the ring (166) to cancel rotary motion of hub (14) from the translational motion of the ring (166).

Abstract: A deflector panel or series of such panels are temporarily attached above the containment plate of a grain sweep auger to redirect potentially avalanching grain forward to the auger blade. A front side hook structure holds a predetermined portion of the deflector panel over the top of the containment plate at a forward angle. A rear side clamp on a sliding junction secures the forward angle and adapts the shield to fit auger assemblies with differing distance relationships between the containment plate and stiffening tube. A longitudinal series of deflector panels with interpanel gaps are attached to a sweep auger assembly along the length of the containment plate. A gap-filling bracket closes the gaps and supports the panels in longitudinal alignment.

Abstract: A floor plate is suitably sized to receive a wheelchair and also supports a base frame along rear and side edges. Prepositioned brackets on the floor plate secure the base frame using quick-connect fasteners. Opposite side portions of the base frame carry elevated, horizontal, tubular, side housings that telescope over elongated exercise bars. A fastener secures each exercise bar in a housing at a variably selected degree of insertion. An upright tube at the rear of the base frame has an open top forming a socket. An upright standard engages the socket and carries an overhead bar supporting a transverse crossbar over the center of the floor plate. The ends of the crossbar, the front ends of exercise bars, the front end of the floor plate, and various other locations on the base frame carry C-shaped attachments for clip-on resistance members. The attachments are sized to serve as handgrips.

Abstract: A reloading machine is configured to check the length of shell cases of selected caliber against a length specification for the caliber. A shell case entering a workstation tool strikes a sleeve by end-to-end contact, raising the sleeve in direct proportion to any excess length of the shell case. A detector monitors how high the sleeve is raised and triggers a signal if the height indicates the shell case is too long. Length detection is derived from a powder measure assembly by monitoring the raised height of the powder body. Length detection is derived from a powder level check assembly by introducing an intermediate sleeve between the powder check die and check rod assembly. The intermediate sleeve is sized to engage a shell case of the selected caliber, at least when the shell case exceeds the specified length. The raised height of the intermediate sleeve allows determination of case length or identification of shell cases of excess length.

Abstract: At least two gases combine to form a detonable mixture that is detonated near an avalanche start zone. Each gas is separately supplied at a pressure above ambient pressure so that the pressure differential drives the gases through a mixer and to deploy as a detonable cloud in open air near the start zone. An igniter is located in communication with the detonable cloud near its discharge point from the mixer so that the igniter will be in communication with the cloud near the end of a predictable time interval. A controller releases the gases to initiate the mixing and deployment of the gas cloud and measures the interval. At the end of the predictable time interval, the controller fires the igniter to detonate the explosive gas mixture in open air.

Abstract: A disc shaped, unitary body with a flat top surface mates against a tripod head. An upper side annular surface defines a fanned array of threaded bores on radial axes for receiving and supporting extension rods leading to suction cup fasteners. A lower side surface of frusto-conical contour, converging downwardly, depends from the upper side surface and defines a fanned array of threaded bores on axes angled outwardly and downwardly. A bottom face is a planar ring that defines vertical bores distributed around the ring. A central cavity wall is configured as an upwardly tapering conic frustum, connected at its lower end to an inside edge of the bottom wall. The cavity wall defines a fanned array of threaded bores on axes angled inwardly and downwardly. The top of the cavity wall defines a countersink.

Abstract: An oral appliance for treating sleep apnea and bruxism is formed of a maxillary tray and a mandibular tray. The maxillary tray carries a maxillary bite pad projecting downwardly toward an opposed mandibular occlusal surface. The mandibular tray carries a mandibular bite pad projecting upwardly toward an opposed maxillary occlusal surface. The maxillary bite pad is posterior to the mandibular bite pad such that upon sufficient relative posterior movement of the mandibular tray, the maxillary bite pad engages the mandibular bite pad and limits posterior movement of the mandibular tray. At least one surface, chosen from the anterior face of the maxillary bite pad and the posterior face of the mandibular bite pad, defines a guide plane disposed at an upward and forward slant. The maxillary bite pad and the mandibular bite pad are engageable at the guide plane for advancing the mandibular tray along the guide plane upon vertical closure between the trays.

Abstract: A multimedia player is used in conjunction with a grave marker to pay tribute to a decedent. A main body portion of the player supports an opaque solar panel portion that also provides a barrier protecting a video screen on the main body portion of the multimedia player from sunlight damage. The solar panel is hinged as a door over the screen and has a wireless interface to a memory card player of the main body portion. The solar panel provides a recharging voltage via the wireless interface to the electronics module to recharge a lithium ion battery that powers the multimedia player. A flash memory reader contains the tribute on a memory card of any format.

Abstract: A base plate (10, 50) broadly separates suction cups (12) on the bottom face of the base plate for attaching the base plate to a vehicle. A camera-mounting stud (14) extends from the base plate to mount a camera. The keeper plate (16) captures the enlarged head of a camera-mounting stud (14) under a dome (18). Multiple rivets secure the keeper plate to the top face of the base plate, reliably sandwiching the stud head against loss. A camera can be mounted on the threaded shaft of the stud, and the suction cups secure the base plate to a vehicle. Elongated extension rods (26) and swivel rods (30) separate the camera from the base plate. Flexible tethers connected to the camera can restore three-point stability to reduce camera movement while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: The drive housing (26) of a bodymaker (20) carries a major ring (32) in stationary position and a planetary ring carrier (36, 46) for rotation on the central axis of the major ring. The planetary ring carrier (36, 46) carries a minor planetary ring (34) in internal engagement with the major ring (32) for rotation on its own axis in rolling orbit against the inside circumference of the major ring (32). A crank (54) is connected to rotate with the planetary ring and provides a journal (56) positioned at the circumference of the planetary ring (34) for drivingly engaging a ram (60). The diameter of the planetary ring (34) is one-half the diameter of the major ring (32), establishing a straight-line path of movement for the journal (56) along an axis (X-X) parallel to a selected diameter of the major ring (32). A frame (22, 72) supports ram (60) in suitable position with respect to drive housing (26) for straight-line reciprocation on the axis (X-X) parallel to the selected diameter.

Abstract: A coiled blank defines two elongated parallel bands and a parallel web separating the bands. Opposite ends of the web form diagonally opposed spacer strips arranged such that, when the blank is coiled to bring the ends of the web into juxtaposition, the opposed spacer strips define between themselves an open triangle having a base lying along an edge of one of the bands. Preferably the triangle base lies along the band of greater thickness in the coiled configuration. A second embodiment provides three parallel bands and two webs. When the second blank is coiled, the second web also forms an open triangle with exposed base between opposed diagonal end spacer strips at its juxtaposed opposite ends.

Abstract: A user anonymously acquires a first sequence of encryption key material. An encryption server, having a second sequence complementary to the first sequence, receives and forwards encrypted messages and monitors utilization of encryption key material by the user. As the key material is used, the server adjusts user accounts to exhaust the first sequence. Thus, the first sequence provides for secure, anonymous communication and, correspondingly, can serve as a payment media for conducting electronic transactions.

Abstract: An energy dissipative element (24) protects hard disk drives (22, 72, 92) from shocks and vibrations. A closed elastic envelope (48) houses a body of open cell foam (54), a volume of viscous liquid (56), and a compressible gas (64). Under compression or expansion of the foam (54), viscous liquid (56) flows through cell orifices and thereby dissipates energy resulting from external force applied against the elastic wall (48). The energy dissipative elements (24) are applied between a disk drive housing (22) and an outer case (26) to create a ruggedized portable disk drive module (20).

Abstract: Resilient clamps assemble modular sections of a serpentine conveyor belt at peripheral positions of mated interface walls and retain the walls in sealing, face-to-face contact while the belt moves through a laterally bending pathway. The clamps provide opposed latchkeys that register into boltways or recesses in the mated walls to lock the modular sections into fixed positions with respect to one another.

Abstract: Adjustable stops are mounted on a rotating rod, and one pivot arm of a linked pair extends into an interference position such that one stop will strike it. The linkage draws the second arm into interference position if the first arm is displaced from it. Each pivot arm will brake the stop if struck from one direction and will be displaced, drawing in the other pivot arm, if struck from the opposite direction. The pivot arms react oppositely to being struck from each respective direction of rotation. Thus, continued rotation of the rod in one direction results in a stop striking a pivot arm suitably to brake the stop, with the permitted arc of rotation determined by relative adjustment of the stops.