Abstract: A toy missile resembling a humanoid figure, the missile including a plastic film casing confining an inflated balloon, which causes the casing to assume a ball-like form. Printed on the front face of the casing is the head and torso of the figure. Hinged to the upper zone of the casing and extending therefrom is a first pair of plastic film pockets in each of which is entrapped a compressible filler to define the arm and hand appendages of the figure. Hinged to the lower zone of the casing and extending therefrom is a second pair of plastic film pockets in each of which is entrapped a compressible filler to define the leg and feet appendages of the figure. When a player grasps one of the appendages and then whirls the missile and lets it fly, the ball then rotates in the course of flight, causing the appendages to stretch out from the ball to stabilize the flight pattern.

Abstract: A cartridge housing a cubist puzzle game having a set of polycube pieces and a deck of playing cards associated with the set. Each polycube piece is formed by at least three like cubes joined together in a common plane in various ways to define the geometry of the pieces. When these piecess are intermeshed in a common plane, they then form a rectangular pad. When otherwise interfitted, the polycube pieces then create multiplanar cubist figures whose configuration depend on how the pieces are interfitted. Each playing card displays on one face a reproduction of a particular cubist figure which constitutes a puzzle in that the relationship between the interfitting pieces is not apparent in the reproduction. The opposite face of the card displays this relationship and, therefore, a solution to the puzzle. The cartridge is provided with a rectangular frame divided into a first open compartment for accommodating the pad of pieces and an opposing second open compartment for accommodating the deck of cards.

Abstract: An alkaline oral hygiene composition which when brushed or otherwise applied to surfaces of the teeth and adjacent gingival tissue functions not only to clean and whiten the teeth but also to prevent the formation of plaque, to neutralize acids causing tooth decay and to remove from the surfaces extraneous material which discolor the teeth. Included in the composition is at least one alkaline metal compound powder having minimal abrasivity which imparts to the composition an overall pH in excess of 9 whereby when used in the acidic environment of the oral cavity, retains its alkalinity to counteract the activity of pathogenic bacteria causing plaque and to neutralize the production in the oral cavity of acids causing tooth decay. The alkaline composition also saponifies foreign material attached to the teeth surfaces so that these materials which discolor the teeth can be washed away.

Abstract: A cosmetic compact formed by an open container having stored therein a facial powder, and a hinged cover to close the container, the cover having a mirror mounted on its inner wall which when the cover is swung open to assume a predetermined obtuse viewing angle, the user holding the compact can then observe her face while applying powder thereto. The hinge includes a pair of spaced gudgeons projecting from the rear wall of the container and bridged by a pivot pin, each gudgeon having formed on one side a stop positioned between the corresponding end of the pivot pin where it joins the gudgeon and the rear wall. At the rear of the cover at a right angle thereto is a pair of resilient jaws formed by parallel front and back plates which snap-fit into the space between the gudgeons to clamp onto the pin. When the cover is swung open to assume the predetermined obtuse angle with respect to the container, the leading edge of the front plate then abuts the stops and the cover is thereby maintained at this angle.

Abstract: A container adapted to store a beverage and, when empty, to function as a playball. The container includes a spherical shell formed of a flexible synthetic plastic material having a tubular neck projecting therefrom on which is received a screw-on cap. The neck is retractable into the shell whereby the neck then assumes a re-entrant form and the cap is then frictionally held therein flush with the shell. In a storage mode of the container, the shell is filled with a beverage and is sealed by the flush cap. To switch to an active mode, the shell is squeezed and the resultant internal pressure produced by the beverage causes the cap to pop out and project the neck so that the cap can be unscrewed to dispense the beverage. In the play mode, the shell is empty and the air therein is sealed by the cap which is depressed to be again flush with the shell, the container now being a pneumatic play ball.

Abstract: Lensless safety sunglasses formed of fabric material die cut or otherwise contoured to define a soft, breathable frame having a pair of eye openings and temple pieces extending from opposite ends of the frame adapted to go around the head of the wearer to hold the frame, in the manner of a face mask, against the eyes of the wearer. Laminated to the fabric frame and overlying the eye openings is a fabric scrim which acts as a light-permeable screen to reduce the intensity of light passing through these openings, thereby preventing glare without however interfering with vision.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for detecting and indicating cranial movements in a human subject whose brain case is composed of a plurality of articulated bones which define the cranium. The system includes infrared reflector elements placed on selected bones of the cranium and infrared video cameras directed at the cranium emitting infrared light during a test period that is reflected by the elements and picked up to produce in an image analyzer associated with the cameras a two or three-dimensional image providing information regarding relative motion between the reflector elements. This information is supplied to a computer programmed to reconstruct the perceived motion as a diagram illustrating cranial movements during the test period.

Abstract: A modulated steam cooker in which food to be cooked is received in an oven chamber having an access door associated with a door switch, steam being fed directly into the oven by a steam generator having an electric heater immersed in a pool of water. The heater is connected through the door switch to a power source whereby the generator is powered only when the door is shut. The pressure of steam draining from the oven is sensed by a pressure-responsive switch interposed between the heater and the power source, the pressure switch intermittently interrupting the power supplied to the heater only when the sensed pressure exceeds a predetermined level somewhat above atmospheric pressure, thereby modulating the generation of steam supplied to the oven as a function of the quantity and temperature of food therein to effect efficient cooking of the food. Mounted on the steam generator is a spray head supplied with water only when the door is opened.

Abstract: A centering sleeve and overflow ring assembly adapted to facilitate proper installation in a hole drilled in masonry of a stud for fastening a fixture or other object to the masonry. Deposited in the hole is a charge of a flowable bonding agent which when cured then anchors in place the stud inserted in the hole. The ring is preferably formed of a flat, tearable material and is seated on the masonry in registration with the hole. The sleeve which is snugly nested in the upper end of the hole includes inwardly-directed centering means that engage the stud inserted in the hole to maintain the stud centered therein while providing a flow passage between the stud and the sleeve. When the inserted stud plunges into the charge of bonding agent, the agent then rises in the hole and passes through the flow passage in the sleeve to overflow onto the ring. After the overflow accumulated on the ring cures and hardens, it can then be discarded by tearing off the ring.

Abstract: A self-drilling anchor installable in a wall by means of a screwdriver, the anchor being adapted to receive a threaded fastener serving to hold a fixture against the wall. The anchor includes an externally-threaded shank section having a head engageable by the screwdriver and a longitudinal bore threadably to receive the fastener. Integral with the shank section and extending axially therefrom is a drill section having at least one cutting member and guide means therefor, whereby as the anchor is turned in to the wall by a screwdriver, the cutting member then bores a round hole therein whose bank is engaged by the guide means to ensure circularity of the hole. And as the anchor continues to turn, the shank section enters and taps the hole until its head engages the outer surface of the wall to complete the anchor installation.

Abstract: A display which when illuminated by a light source is adapted to present selectively to an observer colors and images that depend both on the angular position of the observer and on the angular position of the light source relative to the display. The display includes a substrate on which is coated an opaque base layer having a color image printed thereon. Coated over the base layer is an intermediate layer of transparent material having interference pigment particles dispersed therein which impart goniochromatic properties to this layer, the color seen by the observer depending on said angular positions. Overlying the intermediate layer is a retroreflectivity layer formed by transparent beads whereby light reflected from the base layer or from the intermediate layer, as seen by the observer, passes through the retroreflectivity layer to enhance the brilliance of the colors or images presented to the observer.

Abstract: A free-standing frame for a photo, a printed painting or any other sheet having decorative or informative data to be displayed. The frame is formed by a pair of superposed flexible plastic panels, at least the face panel being transparent, the sheet to be displayed being sandwiched therebetween. Threaded through holes in the panels is a cord which in the flat state of the frame has overlying the face panel a pair of parallel vertical cord sections on either side of the sandwiched sheet, and a pair of parallel horizontal cord sections behind the rear panel joining the ends of the vertical cord sections to define an endless cord rectangle which serves to loosely hold the panels together. When the rear cord sections are hooked together at their centers and converge to create a holding node, the resultant flexing of the panels which are then under tension acts to compress the sheet therebetween to maintain its frame position and to more effectively display the sheet.

Abstract: A structural laminate in which an end-grain balsa core panel is sandwiched between and adhered to facing skins that cover the edges of the panel as well as its opposing faces. To make it possible for facing skins that cannot be sharply bent to conform to edges of the panel, these edges are bevelled to impart a gentle slope thereto. Bevelling is effected by means of a high-pressure die whose angled face has a staircase formation defined by a series of right-angle microsteps. When the die is forced against a right angle edge of the core panel to be bevelled with a pressure exceeding the compressive strength of the balsa, each microstep then imposes pressure in a direction parallel to the axes of the cluster of internal balsa cells engaged by the microstep to more or less collapse this cluster to an extent depending on the staircase position of the microstep, thereby densifying the internal structure of the balsa at the edge of the panel without disintegrating this structure.

Abstract: A leash-controllable dog harness and leash assembly adapted to inhibit a dog from straining against a leash held by an individual walking the dog. The harness includes a shoulder junction having a pair of slide openings therein overlying the dog's shoulder intermediate its left and right forelegs, each having a crotch leading to a sensitive pit, a chest junction lying adjacent the dog's chest intermediate its left and right forelegs, and a pair of harness straps extending between the shoulder and chest junctions on opposite sides of the dog to conform the harness to the body of the dog. Left and right restraint straps extending from the chest junction pass through the corresponding foreleg crotches and then through the opening in the shoulder junctions to terminate in a link coupling the harness to the leash.

Abstract: A pistol and toy dragon figure assembly in which a pistol concealed in the figure is operable to cause the dragon to appear to be breathing fire and to be emiting roaring sounds. The pistol includes a barrel and a hand grip provided with a trigger. Housed in the pistol is a battery-operated electronic unit which is switched on when the trigger is pulled, the unit having a flashing light generator optically coupled to the barrel and an integrated circuit in which roaring sounds are digitally stored and converted into analog signals which are fed to a miniature speaker. The body of the dragon has an open cavity therein to receive the pistol, the barrel of which is socketed in the head of the dragon in line with its open jaws. When a player grasps the hand grip of the pistol, he then appears to be holding the dragon, and when the player pulls the trigger, red light flashes simulating fire are then emitted from the jaws of the dragon, the fire being accompanied by roaring sounds.

Abstract: A wall hanger adapted to display an array of compact discs which together constitute a collection of recordings. The hanger includes a backboard mountable on the wall and a layer of sponge-like compressible material laminated to the face of the backboard. Adhered to the face of the layer is a panel of flexible material provided with an array of circular wells in each of which is snugly nested a respective compact disc having a matching diameter whereby the disc is normally retained in the well. To remove any disc on display so that it can be played, the operator has only to press the panel region surrounding the disc with his fingers, thereby compressing the corresponding region of the layer and causing the disc which overlies an uncompressed zone to pop out of its well.

Abstract: A collapsible canteen having deposited therein a charge of water-soluble flavor crystals such that when the canteen is erected and water is poured therein, the crystals are then dissolved to produce, in situ, a soft drink. The canteen includes square top and bottom walls, the top wall having a projecting neck to receive a removable cap. Also included are a first pair of opposing side walls that are inwardly foldable in half whereby when the canteen is collapsed, the folded in first side walls are then sandwiched between the top and bottom walls, and a second pair of opposing side walls that are outwardly foldable in half and are each provided with a triangular gusset that is joined to a side wall in the first pair of side walls, whereby when the canteen is collapsed, the gussets are then folded into the folded out second pair of side walls to define a pair of outstretched wings, the wings being then folded under the bottom wall to create a square-shaped pack.

Abstract: A water-pistol and stuffed animal figure in which a pistol concealed in the figure is operable to cause water to spit out of the mouth of the figure. The pistol includes a hand grip provided with a trigger, a water reservoir in the form of a cartridge clip insertable in the grip, and a pump which draws water from the reservoir and pumps it into the barrel of the pistol from whose nozzle the water is ejected when the trigger is pulled. The animal figure includes a head having an open mouth and a body having an internal cavity which is open at its underside and communicates with the head. The pistol is received within the cavity with its barrel socketed in the head of the figure and its nozzle aligned with the open mouth whereby when a player who grasps the grip with his hand then appears to be holding the figure, and when he then pulls the trigger, water is ejected from the mouth of the figure who then appears to be spitting.

Abstract: An emergency lorgnette making it possible for a user having defective eyesight to see reasonably well regardless of the nature of the defect. The lorgnette is molded of transparent synthetic plastic material to define a strip having formed at one end thereof a handle and along its length in alignment with the upper edge of the strip, first and second pairs of lenses in staggered relation, whereby the left eye lenses of the two pairs which are adjacent each other are spaced from the right eye lenses of the two pairs which are adjacent each other. Indented in the lower edge of the strip are first and second notches, each of which is adapted to receive the bridge of the user's nose when the lorgnette is held by its handle adjacent the eyes of the user. The first notch is placed midway between the left and right eye lenses of the first pair, the second notch being placed midway between the left and right eye lenses of the second pair.

Abstract: A platform on which is mountable a doll resembling a figure skater, the platform serving as a stage simulating a skating rink. Housed within the platform in a finger-actuated mechanism operatively coupled to the lower end of a shaft extending through an upright bearing anchored on the stage. The upper end of the shaft which is slidable in the bearing is clamped to one leg of the doll to support it above the stage. When the mechanism is actuated by a finger on one hand of the player, it then causes the shaft to rotate and thereby spin the doll. When the mechanism is actuated by a finger of the other hand, it then acts to raise the shaft and thereby lifts the doll above the stage. The player, therefore, by concurrently causing the figure skating doll to spin and lift, simulates a figure skating movement.