Abstract: The amplitude of a swing powered by an electric motor is controlled by detecting a peak voltage induced in the motor coil by the swing motion when the motor is not being powered and comparing the detected voltage with a one of a set of pre-measured reference values of peak voltages obtained at corresponding amplitude settings to provide a signal to a motor controller which adjusts the power supplied to the motor to bring the swing amplitude to. The motor controller supplies a PWM signal voltage to power the motor and adjusts the voltage on-time to bring or restore the swing to the selected amplitude.

Abstract: A hinge has two leaves (11?), (13?) connected by a hinge pin (42?) retained in alternate sleeves (17?), (19?) on the facing edges of the two leaves, with limited axial movement of the hinge leaves relative to one another along the pin. A spring (46?) biases the leaves towards one end of this movement, where sleeves (19?) on one leaf (13?) have slots (74, 84) at one axial end and sleeves (17?) are axially preceded by flanges (76) which, according to the angular opening of the hinge, either abut the ends of the respective sleeves (19?) or enter one or other of the slots (74, 84). When the flange (76) abuts the sleeve end, the hinge is free to rotate, but when the hinge reaches an opening angle at which spring pressure causes the flange (76) to enter one or other of the slots, the hinge is locked. It can be released by manually sliding the locked sleeves (17?), (19?) apart against the spring pressure.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for displaying on a map a definitive image of precise locations of multiple mobile objects such as vehicles in a lot. The lot is mapped digitally to display precise locations of sub-areas of different types, such as parking and movement slots and their raw, approximate distances from vehicles are determined from approximate coordinates of vehicles obtained remotely. A data base of vehicle and sub-area types is established and a vehicle placement matrix is determined providing probabilities of respective sub-areas being occupiable by respective vehicles derived from business environment rules based on compatibilities of respective vehicle types with respect sub-area types. Raw, approximate distances of vehicles from sub-areas are divided by the probabilities to provided adjusted distances, sub-areas ranked by least adjusted distances and the respective vehicles placed in their top ranked sub-areas for more accurate display of location on a GUI.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a disposable fuel cartridge for use in fireplaces that self regulates the shape, height, width, depth and burn time of the flames produced when the fuel inside the cartridge, such as alcohol gel, is exposed to ambient air and ignited, where the cartridge makes efficient use of fuel so as to produce a desirable, generally rectangular flame pattern without the need for any additional components, such as rectangular “fuel cells” or rectangular damper lids placed over the “fuel cells”.

Abstract: A masking tape assembly has first and second tapes with sticky front faces secured, back-to-back, in overlying relation by a folded hinging tape adhered between them adjacent the first edges so that first edges of the tapes and the fold are aligned. A protective tape covers the adhesive on the second tape. The assembly is mounted on one of two portions of a surface to be painted with the first edges aligned on the border between the portions, paint is applied to the other portion extending also over the aligned first edges; the protective tape removed and the second tape pivoted into adhesion with the other portion. The first masking tape and hinging tape are removed exposing the one portion and paint applied to the one portion to extend over the edge of the second tape, then removed so that the painted portions meet in a clean border.

Abstract: A method and system automatically providing responses to a recipient stores data relating to the recipient in a data store, the data being gatherable from one, some or all of written communications, mail, telephone, the Internet, servers, telephone voice, data and text messages, and other files and data sources. An initial automatic communication is formed, and passed to a modifying console for possible modification to form a final communication. Modifications can include: doing nothing; deleting material; adding new material; adding material of predetermined fixed content; adding material of predetermined alterable content; and altering material. The final communication can be provided on one, all or some of the Internet, servers, the telephone system in the form of text, voice and data messages, and as mail for posting or mailing. The final communication can be in a selectable language, for a selectable jurisdiction and in a selectable idiom.

Abstract: A continuity tester for a lamp, coaxial, plug connector has a receptacle connector with first and second coaxial, annular receptacle contacts at a same axial spacing apart as power and ground contacts of the lamp connector for electrical engagement when plugged therein and, a probe contact engageable with only the power contact. First and second LEDs connect to a battery via first and second parallel circuits. A biasing resistor in the second circuit ensures that battery power is provided to only the first LED when a battery circuit is completed only by electrical engagement of the first contact and the probe contact with the power contact of the male coaxial connector to signal absence of a short circuit and to only the second LED when a circuit is completed also by engagement of the second tester contact with the ground contact of the lamp connector to signal a short circuit.

Abstract: A doorway mounted body exercise apparatus has upper and lower horizontal bars bridging the doorway and carrying respective pulleys and, a rearwardly protruding weight set supporting arm which can be swung between either lateral side to the rear of the doorway to accommodate left and right hand hinged doors and can be retracted into the doorway to permit the door to be completely closed while still mounted. Different cabling arrangements enable the weight set to be used as a counter weight for body weight assistance or additional resistance. An upper frame carrying the upper bar is collapsible for removal and storage or to enable a person to walk through the doorway. The lower bar is hinged at one end to the jamb for swinging up against the jamb so as not to obstruct the doorway when not in use. Footpads on the upper frame enable exercising while hanging upside down.

Abstract: A graphical user interface, for use in generating a definition of an automated response mechanism to be used in automatically communicating when a response occasion occurs, comprises screens (272, 282, 288, 316, 322) which present, in two side by side columns (286, 284, 290, 292), a list of selectable items and a list of those items which have been selected, items being transferrable from one column to the other. Selected items are implemented in the automated response. Selectable items include the media (284, 286) for the communication, criteria definitions (310, 320, 312) to be fulfilled or not for an item to be used, fixed (302) text and variable data (304) items in selectable idioms and languages for each medium, and for use when different criteria are fulfilled, and place holders for defining the physical locations in the one or more media responses of items used.

Abstract: A recessed lighting fixture has a housing sidewall with a lip around a bottom aperture and a vertical T-slot receiving a locking assembly mounting the housing in an opening in a ceiling with the lip around a lower edge of the opening. The locking assembly has a support member with a lower strut portion and an upper attachment portion pivotally connected to a latching member. The strut portion has legs inserted through the slot so that edges of opposite walls and an axial end of a channel section base provide a U-shape line contact with the ceiling upper surface and upper teeth engage friction surfaces on opposite outside edge portions of the slot. The latching member has a handle carrying a tongue wedged between the legs by pivoting to engage locking feet with friction surfaces on opposite inside edge portions of the slot retaining the lighting fixture in the ceiling.

Abstract: A sliding tile puzzle in which a series of rectangular tiles having exposed upper surfaces marked with indicia are packed together in a square planar array for lateral sliding movement in the planar array into a vacant space to change the relative positions of the tiles in the array thereby altering the indicia sequence. Tile turntables are mounted in four corners of the array so that tiles can be slid laterally thereon and are connected by gears to a handle shaft which extends perpendicularly below the array and which can be pushed axially upwards and twisted to raise the corner tiles above the plane of the array and rotate them for return to the array in a changed angular position. Upward movement of the shaft also raised a locking plate into engagement with adjacent tiles to prevent movement thereof.

Abstract: A modular downlight assembly having a channel shaped back housing for mounting in a ceiling cavity and formed with a series of identical apertures receiving, respectively, when mounted in the cavity, selected similar individual downlight modules. Each module has a mounting plate with a power supply mounted on an upper back face received, concealed from view, in an aperture and a lamp housing pivotally suspended from a turnable on a lower face by a scissor linkage for extension and retraction out of and into the housing channel. A protractor for indicating rotational direction is marked on the lower face of the mounting plate. Meshed gear teeth are provided on endmost links of the two linkages of each scissor link, synchronizing their movement. Selected links have movement limiting flanges extending into paths of movement of adjacent links and of the lamp housing limiting extension, pivotal movement and rotation.

Abstract: A basket assembly has an open top base container, a strap form handle having attachment clips at opposite ends snap-fitted into apertures on opposite wall portions of the base container adjacent the rim to upstand in bowed condition from the rim; a product/gift display board and, fasteners for attaching the handle to the display board so that the display board extends vertically above the rim. The handle has outrigged hooks adjacent the attachment clips for hooking over the container rim to stabilize the handle on the container and shoulder portions with board mounting protuberances locating a lower edge of the display board resting on the shoulders. The fasteners have clasp portions for receiving intermediate portions of the handle as a snap fit and are integrally molded with board anchoring portions which receive securing posts to anchor the handle to the display board.

Abstract: The apparatus inserts a participant realistically into familiar background media to provide similar results to a completely original movie with multi-camera studio production and editing. An automated and simplified studio has multiple cameras and traditional studio devices such as teleprompters and controlled lighting presented to the consumer as an entertainment product. Previously produced, familiar media are modified to create the background video source and synchronous audio track. The participant is inserted via chroma key and the multiple cameras are used to create traditional establishing shots intercut with close-ups. These are controlled through a video switcher to create a real-time, finished recording that is stored on a digital server for later playback.

Abstract: A balloon illumination and inflation device has a tubular housing assembly comprising a balloon neck attachment at one end, an inflation mouthpiece at an opposite end; an air valve adjacent the mouthpiece, a lamp mount adjacent the one end to direct light into the attached balloon; an internal battery mount and a switch to connect the lamp to the battery circuit for illumination of the balloon interior. The switch is formed by first and second tubular housing members relative rotatable to close the air valve means and simultaneously to connect the battery circuit to the lamp.

Abstract: A seasonally decorative cover for a mailbox has a three dimensional one-piece arched cover body decorated with seasonal symbols and messages and an underside formed with an arcuate recess for snugly receiving the top and opposite sides of the mailbox, so that the cover body can be mounted straddling the mailbox. One version is made of foamed polyurethane and another version is inflatable, having a skin of P.V.C. An anchoring eye for tethering a balloon is formed from the skin material at the top of the body and further anchoring eyes are formed at the bottom of each side for receiving cover securing ties passing under the mailbox.

Abstract: An ant sculpture is formed by removing a block of nutritious gel having with a network of ant tunnels from a formicarium container; placing the block in an p.v.c bag that serves as a release liner; and stuffing the bag containing the gel block back into the container. The tunnel network is then filled with a transparent epoxy resin which is permitted to harden in the tunnel network; the bag containing the gel body with set epoxy removed from the container and, the gel is then separated so that the hardened epoxy forms an ant sculpture replicating the network of ant tunnels. The epoxy resin is Bisphenol A epoxy resin.

Abstract: A filtration portion 11 constituting a filter element 3 is composed of a first filtration material 9 wound around the outer periphery of an inner tube 8 and a second filtration material 10 wound tightly around the outer peripheral surface of the first filtration material 9, and gas comprising oil mist is passed inside the filtration portion 11 from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface thereof. As a result, a filter with good oil mist separation efficiency can be provided in which oil mist can be trapped and caused to condensate into oil drops with the first filtration material 9 and the oil drops can be grown with the second filtration material 10 and separated from the gas.

Abstract: A portable, universal, anti-theft device having inner and outer tubular housings mounted together telescopically. Both housings have open front, axial ends and the rear end of the outer housing is closed. Opposite wall portions of inner and outer housings are formed with pairs of intersecting camming slots receiving locking pins. A locking handle on one housing can move the housings in opposite axial directions to cam the locking pins between an open, gas pedal inserting position, in which the locking pins are cammed apart, permitting the open front end of the housing assembly to be advanced, in enclosing relation, over the gas pedal by the gas pedal passing between and behind the pins and, a closed, gas pedal immobilizing and concealing position in which the pins are cammed together engaging in front of the gas pedal, immobilizing and concealing the gas pedal wholly within the housing assembly.