Abstract: Injection molded sections of decorative edging for use in lawn and garden applications are provided with an alignment feature to facilitate proper orientation on insertion. The edging has an arcuate upper surface which makes proper alignment difficult. This difficulty is exacerbated by the fact that the sections may be angularly positioned relative to an adjacent section through a 60.degree. arc. The alignment feature may be etched onto the surface or molded on the surface by a modification to the mold and is positioned between 1/3 and 2/3 of the way from the lower edge to the upper surface of the edging section. The alignment feature is driven to a point just below the surface of the ground.

Abstract: A multiple-piece removable helmet can be disassembled on the wearer's head so that, in the event of a medical emergency, the front portion can be removed to afford access to the face of the wearer for administration of first aid and to facilitate the diagnosis of the extent of the injury. A neck brace can be attached and the injured can be lifted out of the back portion of the helmet. Apparatus for removably attaching the two halves include, in various embodiments, screws, adjustable tension cables, buckles, and spring fingers on one half engaging in indentations in the other with the fingers being secured in place by screws.

Abstract: A rigid bar of material is fastened to a circuit board to increase its stiffness. The bar is preferably a high modulus plastic such as liquid crystal polymer. Flexible fingers which surround a central opening are formed integrally with the bar and pop into throughbores in the circuit board. Each finger has at least one arcuate protrusion and, preferably several, which can engage the bottom of the circuit board. A rigid pin which may be made of steel is slid into the central opening and has an interference fit therewith to hold it in place to prevent flexible fingers from moving inwardly so the stiffener is held fast to the circuit board.

Abstract: A steering mechanism includes a flexible drive element configured as a segment of drive belt which engages the toothed drive pulley attached to the lower end of a steering post. The ends of the belt segment art attached to a drag link which translates rotational oscillatory motion imparted by the steering wheel or handlebars into linear lateral oscillatory motion. Each end of the drag link is attached to a lever arm of its respective spindle by a connecting linkage which translates the linear lateral oscillatory motion back into rotary oscillation of the spindles and their attached steered elements. The steering mechanism is located above the power unit of the vehicle so it is more easily serviced. Further, the reduction in the number of parts and wear points reduces the need for servicing of the steering mechanism.

Abstract: An auxiliary handle assembly useful with load-lifting hand tools. The assembly includes a cylindrical sleeve with an external thread, the sleeve being received over the end of the primary handle before its operating member is attached thereto. An auxiliary handle is connected to the sleeve by an attachment nut which has a single turn thread which engages the external thread of the sleeve. The sleeve and primary handle turn freely relative to the attachment nut to permit dumping of the load carried by operating member. The load application point of the auxiliary handle can be moved up and down the primary handle by relative rotation between the attachment nut and the sleeve to optimize the lifting capabilities of the modified tool for a particular user.

Abstract: A potty chair resembling a miniature toilet uses features of appearance and a handle for producing a simulated flushing sound, to attract a toddler, familiarize her/him with the device and remove barriers to its usage. A dual phase reward system including a displayable trophy and a storage cubby hole for prizes such as candy, stickers, and toys, encourage the child to use the device and accelerate the completion of potty training.

Abstract: A continuous loop foot strap is connected to a bungee cord by an O-ring. An opposite end of the bungee cord is looped through a flexible handle and back through a clamping device. A push button actuator permits the size of the handle loop to be adjusted to adjust the overall length of the device to a) enable a different user to adjust the device for her/his needs, b) alter the configuration for use in a different exercise, or c) increase the resistance force afforded by the device as repetition of the various exercises results in strengthening of various muscle groups. Illustrative exercises are discussed.

Abstract: A drill bit configured for maximum bone penetration harvests and morselizes bone fragments from a harvest site for use in reparative bone grafting. A suction port on a removable harvest cap enables the bone fragments and irrigation fluids to be drawn into a distal end of a cannula portion of a collection reservoir. A filter screen mounted within the chamber of the collection reservoir enables the irrigation fluids to be removed while the bone fragments are retained in the reservoir. A retention plug can be inserted into the distal end of the cannula to allow the removable cap and drill to be removed. The reservoir can be transported to a reparation site, the retention plug removed and a plunger inserted into the open upper end of the collection reservoir to deliver morselized bone fragments out of the distal end of the cannula to the site to be restored.

Abstract: A soft-bodied doll bearing a resemblance to a caricature of Jesus. The doll includes a voice simulator which preferably has recorded thereon phrases from Jesus' actual ministry as recorded in God's word, the Bible. A responsible adult can use the Jesus doll to teach young children about Jesus' historic life, His ministry, His teachings and His love for His children. Alternatively, the voice simulator can have recorded thereon simpler phrases which reflect Jesus' character and love for His children. The doll includes an actuator for the voice simulator contained within a body portion of said doll which may be manually activated to speak one or more of these phrases. In one embodiment, both sets of phrases are included in the doll on separate voice simulators with a switch permitting the supervising adult to transition the doll from use with a young child to one who is capable of understanding Jesus' actual teachings when the child's vocabulary and mental faculties dictate.

Abstract: A support stand for positioning a precision gauge for checking the dimensions of an article. The base is stable having three supporting feet and being heavier than many such support bases. The base is tapered with finger grooves to fit well into the user's hand and provides an adjustment screw which rotates about a horizontal axis so reaction forces are directed downwardly into the support plate rather than creating a shearing, destabilizing force. The adjustment screw has as large a diameter as practical to reduce the magnitude of the tangential force needed to produce rotation and its rotation reacts a nub against the substantially vertical support post to tilt it, and the precision gauge supported thereby. An L-shaped bracket can be inverted to provide increased flexibility in measuring different size articles. Squareness checking rails are provided on the front and back surfaces to enhance the flexibility of using this support stand.

Abstract: A see-through display case has a plurality of compartments for storing, displaying and transporting a plurality of collectibles. Each case has an open front face which is closed by a clear plastic cover hinged to the front edge of the top surface. A case may be attached to vertically adjacent cases by means of a pair of tongue and groove interlocks integral to both the top and bottom surfaces and to laterally adjacent cases by a tongue on one case and a groove on the adjacent case to form a unit of interconnected cases. Each of the interlocks is activated by sliding a first of the adjacent cases front to back relative to the other adjacent case. An array of cases as large as two by two can be transported using an attachable handle which can be connected to the uppermost, centrally positioned pair of tongue and groove interlocks.

Abstract: A hose storage device has a tub shaped base and a hemispherical top that is attached to the base by a clamshell hinge. The storage device can be anchored in place in a yard by U-shaped stakes that are inserted through pairs of openings. The storage device is decorated to appear like a fanciful character statue, a galapagos tortoise, for example, so that it can remain in the yard as a lawn or garden decoration. A center post in the tub provides a bearing surface for a reel which includes a handle to facilitate coiling and fixtures to which the hose can be connected so that it need never be removed from the reel. A downwardly extending nipple provides a place to connect a short length of hose to a spigot, a clearance passageway being afforded by an inwardly extending reinforcing rib in the tub.

Abstract: A stackable group of containers permit transport of up to 21/2 cups of cereal, at least 5 oz of fruit, at least 10 teaspoons full of sugar, up to 12 oz of milk which is kept chilled for up to 8 hours by a freezable cup, each is a separate compartment. The three principle components include an insulated compartment, a cereal bowl unit, and a cereal container, each element nesting within the next successively named element. The cereal bowl unit has individual compartments for fruit and sweetener which threadingly engage other members of the bowl unit, the unit itself threading onto the cereal container. A single serving transport can be created using the cereal bowl unit and a bowl liner which alternatively snaps onto the top of the insulated compartment, when used, or the cereal bowl unit to form the single serving transport. When the full stackable group is used, a tote bag with a draw string can be used for carrying convenience and providing added thermal insulation.

Abstract: A prosthetic suspension unit for cushioning shocks in a prosthetic is provided. The unit includes a cylindrical sleeve attachable to a first prosthetic member; attachment member attachable to a second prosthetic member; a slide bearing allowing the attachment member to slide axially relative to the sleeve; an energy storage member cooperating between said attachment means and the sleeve; a piston positioned to slide within said sleeve and engage an axial end of the energy storage member; and anti-rotation mechanism cooperative between said sleeve and the attachment member for preventing relative rotation therebetween.

Abstract: Lawn edging is made in discrete, rigid one foot sections each with an integral water conduit with sprinkling orifices, each section having an integral male fitting at one end and a female fitting at the other. The two fittings are oriented in a vertical direction and define a pivot axis for adjacent edging sections. The conduit is generally trapezoidal in shape and has a flat upper surface which serves as a force-receiving surface. A special section has a hose attachment to permit distribution of water in one or both directions from the special section. A bottom section is divided into subsections with each section having insertion facilitating elements including v-shaped points and a sharpened leading edge and removal inhibiting elements including teeth formed on a v-shaped tangential flange.

Abstract: A mount for isolating a vibrating member from its support. An elastomeric element is made up of four components that are preferably bonded to the inclined outer surface of an inner member and the inclined inner surface of an outer member. One of the inner and outer members is bifurcated and drawing the two halves into mating engagement results in the elastomeric components being preloaded simultaneously in compression and shear. The elastomeric element is preferably formed with portions which snub movement in each of three orthogonal directions. The dimensions of the pair of elastomeric components above or below the vibrating member may be different than the other pair since the greater compression strain on one pair of components will make its stiffness characteristics more critical to determining the effective stiffness of the mount.

Abstract: A toddler carousel is formed by providing a rotational base member with a mountable seat such as a pony. Preferably, the seat is mounted in the center of the carousel and can be rocked by the toddler. The rotational base is rotated relative to a stationary base by a motor and, by virtue of bearings positioned between the rotational and stationary bases. Alternatively, the seat may be mounted adjacent the periphery of the carousel to provide the toddler with a more conventional carousel-type ride.

Abstract: A self-drilling, self-tapping screw for use in repairing broken bones. The screw is made of a high strength material selected from the group consisting of titanium alloys, chrome cobalt, and high strength resinous polymer. The screw has threw segments: a tip region, a body region and a head region. The tip and body regions have a retention thread formed over substantially their entire lengths. The tip has an included angle .alpha. in the range between 45.degree. and 50.degree.. The head region is specifically designed to maximize the torque it can withstand and minimize the amount of material removed in formation of the recess. The head has a generally frusto-conical shape with an included angle of between 90.degree. and 120.degree. to prevent pull through while minimizing the head's profile. The retention threads on the tip region and the body region have similar shapes and pitches with the pitch on the tip region being slightly smaller than the pitch on the body region.