Abstract: A candle holder has a base, an upright attached to one edge of the base and a candle support extending from the upright over the base. Suction cups are provided on the upright for mounting. Feet near the suction cups prevent the holder from rocking. One of a series of figures which are preferably shaped as holiday symbols is fitted into the upright. The figures preferably are removable from the upright.

Abstract: A system for filling orders, such as prescriptions for patients, comprising a device for holding packages. Each package has the same type of contents being held in a predetermined location by the holding device. Each package has an identity which defines the contents therein. The holding device has a plurality of predetermined locations corresponding to a plurality of different types of contents. Additionally, the system is comprised of a device for supplying packages to the holding device. Also, there is a device for picking a package from the holding device that is identified in the order for the purpose of restocking the holding device. The picking device is in communication with the holding device and supplying device. In a preferred embodiment, the contents of each package is a single dosage of medicine.

Abstract: An improved Roman shade has a series of parallel, generally U-shaped ribs which grip the shade fabric at selected intervals to provide a series of cascading transverse pleats. Each rib is formed by a pair of legs connected together at a proximate end to form a top and abutting one another at their distal end to define a fabric receiving cavity therebetween. At least one cord carrier is attached to the top or one leg of each U-shaped rib and connected to a spacer cord.

Abstract: A portable nursing center has a plurality of selectively locked patient drawers carried in a housing. Each of said drawers are movable between a given open position and a closed position each drawer sized and configured for holding pharmaceutical items which have been prescribed for a specific patient. A nurse enters a predetermined access data and other data, using a keyboard or bar code reader which may be removable from the nursing center. Entry of correct data causes the unit to selectively unlock the appropriate patient drawer or on demand drawer while maintaining other drawers in a locked condition. Whenever the patient is given medicine or otherwise treated the nurse enters or receives information pertinent to that treatment. The unit has a transmitter/receiver to transmit and receive such patient information.

Abstract: A bullet trap entertainment system for use in target shooting is disclosed. The bullet trap entertainment system may include a plurality of sensors for counting the number of accurately shot bullets and determining the velocities of the bullets, and measuring the energy transmitted in quantifiable units. The bullet trap entertainment system further includes a central processing unit for calculating a score of each user of the system and a user interface for displaying the scores. The bullet trap entertainment system may also include a collector for de-energizing and collecting the bullets entering the system.

Abstract: A pipe coupling device for holding a metal pipe having a selected diameter within a range of a nominal diameter plus or minus a specified tolerance is also useful for easily determining if any pipe is within specifications. A split metal ring having a diameter equal to the nominal diameter for the metal pipe and a transverse split having a width equal to the specified tolerance is placed around the pipe. A flange having a tapered cylindrical bore having diameter such that the diameter plus twice the thickness of the split metal ring equals the nominal diameter of the metal pipe plus the specified tolerance is fitted over the split metal ring. If the pipe is undersized it will slip through the split metal ring. If the pipe is oversized the flange will not fit completely over the metal ring surrounding the pipe.

Abstract: A method of measuring fluid flow through a conduit first finds a null position then rotates the probe 90.degree. from the null position to be aligned with the true flow direction of the field. The null position is found by incremental movement of the probe through selected angles. At each position a differential pressure reading is taken. These readings are then compared to determine subsequent incremental movements to identify an approximate null position. The true null position is found from the approximate null by applying at least squares fit to differential pressure readings taken within a range, preferably +/-5.degree., around the approximate null. The probe is then rotated 90.degree. from the null position. A plurality of differential pressure readings are taken and the square root of each such reading is found. An average of those square roots is multiplied by a predetermined constant to find the flow rate.

Abstract: A cord shroud used in cooperation with a window shade assembly and the like of the type having a bottomrail and a headrail, with a cord lock attached either internal or external to the headrail. The window blind assembly further having at least two lift cords, each of which are connected at one end to the bottomrail, pass through the headrail and cord lock, and have an opposite end that is accessible to an operator. The cord shroud is fashioned of an elongated, flexible ribbon having a first end connected to the headrail and a second end that is accessible to the operator. The cord shroud further has a plurality of apertures disposed along the length of the ribbon, through which the lift cords pass. The ribbon has a length sufficient to fit over substantially all of that portion of the lift cords, which is exposed when the window is open. The apertures may be holes provided through the ribbon or loops or rings attached to the ribbon.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a conversion kit whereby building or plant signs illuminated by incandescent bulbs or fluorescent tubes may be converted to electroluminescent illumination. The kit includes an electroluminescent panel and an opaque sign mask, The opaque sign mask is adapted to overlie the electroluminescent panel and the sign indicia of the mask are in the nature of stencil like cutouts to allow the light emitted by the underlying electroluminescent panel to pass only through the indicia cutouts.

Abstract: An automatic filling micropipette is formed from a tubular body having an open end, and being closed or having a piston at an opposite end. The tubular body is sized to permit liquid to flow into the tubular body by capillary action. An aperture is provided in the sidewall, the aperture having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the open end.

Abstract: A tube for collection, separation and dispensation of a two-phase fluid is provided with a elongated rigid tubular container having a fluid entry end a closable end and a float. The float retained within the tubular container is positioned between the light phase and the heavy phase of the fluid on centrifugation thereby separating the two phases. In dispensing the light phase, the float moves to and engages the fluid entry end thereby preventing the heavy phase from escaping out of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method detects surgical objects within the human body where the apparatus includes the surgical object utilized in surgical procedures including a marker made of a selected nonmagnetostrictive, soft magnetic material which will emit known specific selected harmonic frequencies when exposed to an alternating electromagnetic field. That emission will cause a change in the alternating electromagnetic field which can be correlated to the presence of only the selected nonmagnetostrictive, soft magnetic material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vertically aligning a structure. The vertical alignment device has a main body with a front face, a back surface, two side surfaces, and a top reflective surface with an edge and a cross hair extending from the edge; a planar member having a cross hair and being attached to the top surface; and horizontal level. The method of vertically aligning a structure substantially comprises the steps of positioning the vertical alignment device against the structure to be vertically aligned, moving the alignment device such that the top surface cross hair is in alignment with the planar member cross hair when looking into the top reflective surface, manipulating the structure such that both the top surface cross hair and the planar member cross hair are in alignment with the center line of the structure when looking into the top reflective surface, and positioning the main body such that the level indicates that the main body is horizontally level.

Abstract: A bracket is provided that is rigid and can be attached to a solid surface. The bracket allows a vinyl fence post to be fitted over and locked in place thus avoiding the necessity of pouring concrete into the post to provide a rigid post. The bracket has a base plate with bolts or anchor bolts that connects to a solid surface, an elongated member extends up from the base plate and has a cross-section to provide a sliding fit within a fence post. An expansion mechanism is provided at the top of the longitudinal member with tapered sides extending from within the longitudinal member to a larger cross-section than within the longitudinal member, and a tensioning bolt between the expansion basket and the bracket to force the expansion basket within the longitudinal member and expand the bracket to grip a fence post positioned over the longitudinal member.

Abstract: A timer device utilized both as an individual snooze-timer and in a conventional alarm clock having a snooze mode which allows for the selection of an uninterrupted snooze time period. The length of the snooze time period is selected by the user and is preferably up to 90 minutes. The individual snooze-timer device includes a housing having a display unit and a button-type switch, a central processing unit, a clock, and a memory. Preferably, the central processing unit, clock and memory are contained in a single microprocessor chip.