Abstract: A spherical enclosure constituting a composter made up of identical triangular pieces which are all detachably interconnected. Any of the pieces can be partially detached so that it can be swung to open position for insertion of materials into it, and removal therefrom. The pieces constitute the entire structure, the device not having any other structural pieces, either interior or exterior.

Abstract: A method for teaching microsurgical operation techniques, the teacher demonstrating the operation technique to be taught on an operation model, whereby the operation field is observed by the teacher through a microscope and recorded by at least one video camera, whose signals are presented by a monitor or by a video projector on a large screen projector. For instructing several students, a multiple student-station laboratory is provided whereby for each student a like operation model with a microscope, and at least one video camera are arranged, and the signals generated from the video camera are transmitted to a distributor, which presents the signals of each video camera from each student station on a multiple field monitor, which is observed by the teacher and whereby there is furthermore means for oral communication between the student and the teacher.

Abstract: A manually movable lift truck having a base with a self-contained power plant therein and a column rising therefrom. The column includes a hollow post with a rotatable featureless shaft therein. A flexible chain has an outer end connected with a lift fork, and runs upwardly and then down into the interior of the post. Miter gears and a sprocket are mounted at the top of the post, and the chain runs over this sprocket. The portion of the chain between the sprocket and lift fork is the only active portion thereof, and the remaining portion remains loose and free.

Abstract: A desk mat for a desk or other piece of furniture. The mat includes a plurality of layers of wood, which are by nature biodegradable. The top layer is a veneer and is of wood in its natural condition. The other layers include a cork layer and a chip board layer, but the veneer is continuous and integral wood. A glue, which is practically degradable, glues the layers together, and the finished mat is coated with a finish coating. The coating protects the layers and enables the finished mat to be bent or curved without cracking or other debilitation of the mat.

Abstract: A suit that covers the entire body of the infant. A band is applied to suit, in the front, at about the location of the solar plexus, with handles in the back. An adult can grab the handles with one hand and lift the infant out of danger. The band can be separate from and secured to the suit, or instead, may be part of the suit. Also the band may be continuous or made up of thin, spaced strips.

Abstract: A plurality of sections placed in a stack to form a stool. The stool can be put in the well of the automobile between the front and back seat. Certain of the sections can be left in the well, and others on the back seat for the child to sit on and place his feet on the sections of the well. The sections are temporarily held together against lateral displacement by various devices. In all of the forms the device has an opening for receiving the hump in the floor of the automobile. In another form, the device is somewhat in the appearance of a table forming a first section, and a second section stacked with the first section.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake for bicycles consisting essentially of a brake lever fastened on the steering column of a bicycle which works on a master piston movably arranged in a master cylinder, wherein the chamber in the cylinder is filled with hydraulic fluid, which is conducted by way of a hydraulic tube into the chamber of a working cylinder, in which a main piston is movably arranged, which works on the brake shoes of the bicycle. Along with lower manufacturing costs, there is easy interchangeability and a good reliability in servicing the brake. A single working cylinder is fastened above the fork of the bicycle and the main piston is connected with a control head, over which a traction cable is directed, which works on the usual brake shoes.

Abstract: A manually movable lift truck having a base with a self-contained power plant therein and a single column rising therefrom. The column includes a single hollow post with a drive transmitting screw shaft therein and a ball carriage on the shaft. A flexible chain has an outer end connected with the lift fork, and runs upwardly and then down into the interior of the post. The chain is drivingly connected with the ball carriage.

Abstract: A main member of soft plastic material and a second member of hard plastic material, chemically compatible and thermally bonded together. The second member is partially slitted having a ring element embedded in the main member, and segments distributed circumferentially around the ring. The segments can be swung radially to facilitate insertion into a hole, and they spring outwardly to grip the panel in which the grommet is mounted. In one form the second member is entirely slitted, and thereby made up of separate segments or fingers.

Abstract: A power circuit has an AC portion connected with a main AC source and a DC source portion including a magnet and battery constantly connected in parallel. Back-to-back SCRs control a rectifier between the AC and DC portions. A DC control circuit includes a pulse transformer controlled by a capacitor charged by DC pulses at a rate controlled by a manual setting. Upon discharge, the capacitor energizes the pulse transformer and thus turns ON the magnet and battery. Upon disconnecting the load, the battery is automatically charged at about 4 amperes. Safe and unsafe indicators are connected across the battery, and upon drop of battery charge, digital control elements in the control circuit control those indicators to correspondingly indicate safe or unsafe conditions.

Abstract: A casing having an arcuate tool bit at its front end. The tool bit oscillates, having opposite points entering into the bone alternately. The tool bit is driven by a rocking lever, and the lever is driven by a hammer driven by a motor with a flywheel. The arrangement provides a percussion thrust against the lever by the hammer in each of opposite directions.

Abstract: A single, molded one-piece member, having a bottom recess for receiving the levers of a plurality of switches, on which a tie bar is mounted. The member is flexed to spread the walls of the recess, and when it is released, a locking lug moves under the tie bar, holding the lock out in place. A tie wrap is placed under the tie bar and around the adjacent elements of the member locking the member in place. A first form has two such recesses, of different sizes. An alternate form has a single recess, and a cover which is closed down over the base, enclosing the tie wrap. An auxiliary lock can be used for locking the cover. A supplementary locking element may be selectively placed in the recess for accommodating switch levers of different sizes. Another form includes a thumb screw adjustment means for positively holding the locking lug under the tie bar.

Abstract: The bag has a frame of rigid pieces secured together in three-dimensional shape, and panels are secured thereto forming a bottom side wall, end wall, and a pair of top closure panels, the latter being angled forming a gable roof type top. The panels are of limited flexibility enabling them to be bent about long radii. A bottle cooler and an electric warmer are provided, a large central space accommodating a large quantity of diapers forming great heat insulation between the bottle cooler and bottle warmer. The bottle warmer includes and electric cord normally held in a pocket and extendible to the exterior for plugging into a house socket or cigar heater socket in an automobile. The top panels have small sections that can be opened without opening the complete top panels enabling the bottles to be withdrawn and inserted vertically.

Abstract: Game for a plurality of players, including a game board having a path made up of a plurality of squares, and playing pieces are moved along the path according to numbers produced by dice thrown. Beginning signals are given by a color light (traffic light) member. Similar color lights are indicated on certain squares, constituting instructions to the players. The squares also contain additional, written instructions. The playing pieces are figures of adults and children, family members, either in 3-D or flat picture form. The game includes cards of different colors, green and red, to correspond with colors of the color lights, separate and detached from the playing board, that include additional instructions to the players. A check list includes identification of the players and the playing pieces represent members of a family of each the players; this check list includes boxes for the scores of each of the playing pieces and thus of the players.

Abstract: A tray is positioned in the car trunk, mounted on extendible links, and movable from a lower position on the floor of the trunk to an upper position at the open top of the trunk. In the preferred form it is driven by the battery of the car, but as an alternate, may be hand powered. The tray has a tail gate that can be opened facilitating putting articles in and removing them from the tray. An alternate form includes a basket mounted on a platform and is extendable rearwardly out of the trunk when it is in its upper position.

Abstract: A swing clamp detachably clamped onto the frame of a vertical artist's canvas structure. A hand bridge releasably mounted on the clamp, and movable relative to the art surface, for resting the hand thereon, and also for detachably holding a pallet. The hand bridge can also be used, independently, in placing it above a horizontal art surface, for resting the hand. A pallet can be detachably mounted on the hand bridge and slid therealong and also rotated thereon. The pallet can also be used independently for holding by the hand, by means of a handle entirely under the pallet board.

Abstract: Separate parts slidably fitted together, that have opposed and interfacing cavity surfaces forming a cavity therebetween. The device is fitted to ganged switches, with the switch levers, and tie bar, positioned in the cavity. a screw draws the parts together, with the cavity surfaces that form the cavity, gripping the switch levers and bar therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for demagnetizing and magnetizing a chuck, having circuitry for connection with a 3-phase 4-line AC source, and including a power circuit and a control circuit. The power circuit leads directly from the source to the chuck, without transformers and capacitors. The three phases of the AC are individually impressed on the chuck, at corresponding angles, and rectifiers rectify the current at each phase. The circuitry will accommodate a single chuck, or selective ones of multiple chucks (e.g., nine). The voltage provided by the source is of a predetermined value (e.g., 230 V) and voltage of a greater value (e.g., 290 V) can be applied for demagnetizing. Solid state controls are provided, the individual phases of the current, for controlling greater and lesser voltages, and for putting a single chuck, or selected ones of multiple chucks, in circuit.

Abstract: A single, one-piece molded plastic article that includes a base and cover on opposite sides of hinge means, for a wall switch, and for a wall socket, both of the kind having a cover plate held on by a screw. The base is secured to the cover plate of the switch by the same screw holding the cover plate itself. The device includes three forms. a) A first form has a hole in the base and in the cover, the cover closing down on the base, with the actuating lever of the switch extending through those holes, and the actuating lever is thereby held against movement. b) The base has apertured lugs with locking holes therethrough, that are extended through the holes in the base and cover; supplementary locking means is positioned in those apertures. c) For use with a wall socket, the base has insulating prongs extended into the socket, and the base and cover have locking lugs for cooperating with supplementary locking means when the cover is in closing position.