Abstract: A protective cover for vehicles is disclosed, wherein a flexible material having a magnetic base portion with a resilient top portion laminated thereto is cut in segments to conform to a portion of an exterior body surface of a vehicle. More than one segment is placed adjacent to each other in side by side relation to provide a protective cover for a vehicle. The vehicle may be any known type of vehicle, and the protective cover may be cut to cover any portion of the vehicle where protection is desired. Indicia may be disposed upon at least one segment of the protective cover, and the resilient top portion is preferably visually distinct from magnetic base portion for ease of assembly. A plurality of spaced grooves are provided across the magnetic base portion of each segment so that moisture may pass beneath the flexible material, while the segments are removably secured to the vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable, quick acting balanced beam latching apparatus for a fluid tight door, hatch or scuttle mounted in an aperture in a bulkhead, wall or deck onboard ships, aircraft and other liquid or gas tight structures. A box frame is secured in an aperture in the bulkhead, and a fluid tight door is pivotally secured to one side of the box frame by suitable door hinges. A plurality of rotating dogs are pivotally secured to retract within the box frame in the retracted position, and to extend through apertures in the box frame when in the extended position. A plurality of balanced beam linkage members are rotatably secured to the rotating dogs. A plurality of connecting rods are rotatably secured to the balanced beam linkage members, and to each other. An operating link is pivotally secured at one end to a central connecting rod, and pivotally secured at the opposite end to an operating crank arm which is secured through an aperture in the door frame.

Abstract: An improved vertical lift conveyor for moving articles between different heights, in a generally rectangular path of travel, utilizing at least one cantilevered platform. A first drive is rotatably secured to a support structure, and a second drive of equal length, is rotatably secured to the opposite side of the support structure, in parallel, vertically offset alignment. The first and second drive are secured to side supports by a plurality of rotating devices which define a generally rectangular path of travel. Channel are aligned with the first and second drive and secured to the support structure. First and second mounting brackets are secured on opposite sides of the cantilevered platform, in vertically offset alignment. The first and second mounting brackets are preferably adjustably secured for ease of alignment at asssembly. First and second horizontal pins are secured to the respective first and second drive in alignment with the first and second mounting brackets.

Abstract: The present invention discloses illuminated jewelry which is adapted for use as an earring, lapel pin broach, tie clip, cuff link, etc. A light source, such as an LED, is molded with a non-conducting, light transmissive material, which is preferably faceted to provide multiple reflected images of the illuminated light source. A power source, such as a small battery, is held by a retainer which provides electrical contact with one terminal of the power source. A lead finding is pivotally secured to the retainer at one end, and is secured at the opposite end to the light source. A lead post is secured to the light source, and positioned to contact the opposite terminal of the power source to energize the light source when the retainer is moved to a closed position. When the retainer is moved to an open position, the circuit between the power supply and the light source is broken. A biasing means is disposed between the retainer and the lead finding, to urge the illuminated jewelry open and closed positions.

Abstract: A game apparatus for two or more players, comprising a playing board having horizontal ranks and vertical rows forming an array of playing squares, with four sets of playing pieces, each set having distinct indicia disposed upon the front face of the playing pieces, with a border surrounding the array of playing squares on the playing board, and four distinct indicia similar to the indicia on the front face of the playing pieces disposed on the border of the playing board adjacent to each rank and row. There are at least as many playing pieces as there are playing squares in the array, with extra playing pieces withdrawn from play prior to the start of each game. Each player selects six playing pieces, and places one playing piece anywhere on the playing board, selecting a new playing piece from the drawing pile upon completion of each turn. Play alternates between players, until all the playing pieces have been played, without matching any indicia on any of the adjacent squares or adjacent border indicia.

Abstract: This invention relates to a combination comforter and sleeping bag, having top and bottom fabric portions each sized to substantially cover the top and end portions of a single bed. The top and bottom fabric portions are removably secured about their sides and bottom portions. Indicia in the characterization of the body of a person, animal, creature, monster, alien or thing is disposed upon one side of the top fabric portion. A head portion is removably secured along the top side of the bottom portion, with indicia in the characterization of the head of a person, animal, creature, monster, alien or thing dipicted upon the body portion. Preferably the head portion includes an audio device with battery, switch and speakers disposed in the head portion. The head portion may also include at least one visual light source with battery and switch. Where both an audio device and visual light source are included in the head portion, a common switch and battery source may be employed.

Abstract: A dental floss dispenser is disclosed, which may be adapted for insertion into an existing cavity found in pump type tooth paste dispensers, or the dental floss dispenser may be used separately without modification. The dental floss dispenser has a housing formed of a base, a circumferential wall extending from the base, and a cap secured to the circumferential wall. A chamber is thus formed between the base, the circumferential wall and the cap for rotatably receiving a dental flose spool therein. The cap has an aperture therethrough, and a hinged portion which may be raised or lowered; a knife blade is secured to the hinged portion in spaced relation from the aperture, and the dental floss is drawn through the aperture and closely received between the knife blade and the hinged portion, and biased to cut the end of the dental floss.

Abstract: A break apart stand for supporting plastic bags comprising two elongated base portions in parallel alignment having a hooking end disposed at each distal end with an aperture disposed in each hooking end, and opposing upright supports having a bottom portion and side portions extending from the bottom portions. Each of the upright bottom portions having a raised pin to be closely received within the aperture disposed in the hooking end of the elongated base portions.

Abstract: The heater dump assembly comprises an inlet port; an exhaust port; and a bypass port disposed between the inlet port and the exhaust port. The bypass port may be selectively sealed with a closure assembly to route the exhaust gasses from the exhaust manifold to a muffler to reduce engine noise, or the closure assembly may be removed to allow exhaust gasses to bypass the muffler to reduce back pressure and improve engine performance. The closure assembly may be installed upon the bypass port and sealed thereon with less than one rotation of the handle. Alternately, the closure assembly may be removed from the bypass port with less than one reverse rotation of the handle.

Abstract: A protection circuit for a battery charger for safely charging a battery from a remote electrical power supply is disclosed. The protection circuit includes a power control means responsive to input from the remote power supply; an overload sensing means responsive to the power control means and to the negative polarity of the battery; a main switching means responsive to the overload sensing means and to the power control means wherein the main switching means controllably limits current output in the presence of a slight overload condition, and deactuates the battery charger in the presence of a large overload condition.

Abstract: A staple insertion apparatus is disclosed for sequentially inserting a plurality of staples through a selected material, into the ground. A housing having a top, bottom, and sides, with first and second open ends, forms a chamber therebetween. The chamber is sized to receive a plurality of staples selected from four to 12 inches in length. The staples are inserted into the chamber from the second open end. A staple advancing member biases the staples towards the first open end. A vertically disposed tubular member is secured to the housing above the first open end of the chamber. An elongated drive member is slidably disposed at least partially within the tubular member. A staple retaining member positions the forewardmost staple beneath the elongated drive member. A foot actuation member is secured to the drive member.

Abstract: A lighted contact switch comprising: a non-conductive housing; a conductive biased spring member in electrical contact with a first terminal disposed in the housing base, and adapted to provide electrical contact with a second terminal disposed in the housing base when the biased spring member is depressed; an actuator positioned adjacent to the biased spring member; and a cap adapted with opposing tabs sized to engage and secure the cap to the actuator at assembly. The lighted switch includes opposing lamp terminals disposed at one end within the actuator sides, and extending at the opposite end through apertures in the housing base, the lamp is releasably secured between the lamp terminals and may be independently illuminated by electrical communication with the lamp terminals extending from the base. Graphics, lettering or numbering may be marked upon a translucent insert secured to the cap to identify the switching function. For non-lighted use, the switch may be assembled without the lamp.

Abstract: A pre-reacted resistor paint is disclosed, wherein a base metal powder, such as SnO.sub.2 is coated with a resinate solution, such as Co and Mn resinates and fired in a reducing atmosphere to form a pre-reacted conductive powder for subsequent mixing with a glass frit and a screening agent to blend a pre-reacted resistive paint, for subsequent screening onto a substrate and firing in an inert atmosphere to form a base metal resistor therefrom. Two mixtures of resistive paint are disclosed. The first resistive paint exhibiting a sheet resistivity in the range from 5,000 through 20,000 ohms per square; and the second resistive paint exhibiting a sheet resistivity in the range from 50,000 through 300,000 ohms per square. The first and second resistive paints may be blended to provide a base metal resistive paint exhibiting a sheet resistivity in the range from 5,000 through 300,000 ohms per square, with a TCR within .+-.200 ppm/.degree.C.

Abstract: A thick film resistor paint is disclosed, wherein a base metal powder, such as tin oxide powder, is coated with a resinate solution, such as an Mn resinate solution, and the resinate coated powder thus formed is prefired in a reducing atmosphere to form a pre-reacted conductive powder. The pre-reacted conductive powder is then mixed with a glass frit, an oxide of hafnium, and a screening agent to form a thick film resistive paint having a sheet resistivity of from 500,000 ohms to 5 megohms per square. The resistive paint is subsequently screened upon a substrate and fired in an inert atmosphere, preferably at 900.degree. C..+-.20.degree. C., to form a thick film base metal resistor exhibiting a combined TCR within .+-.200 ppm/.degree.C. The glass frit is preferably a tantala glass frit.

Abstract: The adjustment of the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of a thick film resistor by laser annealing is disclosed. The thick film resistor is fired for a controlled time and temperature sufficient to burn off the organic material in the resistive paint, and to provide an initial adjustment of the (TCR), but prior to obtaining the desired (TCR) range. The resistor is then laser annealed to controllably adjust the (TCR) of the resistor within the desired (TCR) range. The fixture used to hold the substrate during laser annealing is preferably controllably heated to avoid thermal shock to the resistor during laser annealing. A microprocessor is preferably used to monitor the (TCR) during the laser annealing process. At least one of the laser scan speed, laser beam diameter, laser beam power, and number of annealing passes are used to controllably adjust the resistor (TCR) to within the desired (TCR) range.

Abstract: Base metal resistive paints, resistors made therefrom and method for making the resistive paint are disclosed. The base metal resistive paints comprise 20 to 25% tantala glass frit and 75 to 80% tin oxide, ground to a particle size of ten microns or less; and well mixed with 25 to 35% screening agent for subsequent screening upon a suitable substrate, and firing in an inert atmosphere at a peak temperature of about 900.degree. C. The tantala glass frit preferably comprises 5 to 25% tantatum oxide. The tin oxide is preferably preheated at 450.degree. to 600.degree. C. in the presence of a reducing gas, prior to mixing with the tantala glass frit. The screening agent preferably forms no carbon residue when pyrolytically decomposed in an inert atmosphere during firing.

Abstract: A multi-speed, full duplex modem is disclosed for transmitting and receiving analog signals over a telephone network in communication with a remote modem. The analog signals are converted to digital data for processing by a signal processor and a microcomputer. A bi-directional bus is disposed between the signal processor and the microcomputer for selectively transferring multiple bits of data in either a transmit or receive direction. One or more of the multiple bits of data are restricted to convey bus direction data in one of the transmit and receive directions, and not restricted in the other direction. The full duplex modem allows simultaneous transmission and reception of analog signals over the telephone network, at one of the multispeed data rates selected for compatability between the full duplex, multispeed modem and the remote modem.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating composite porcelain substrates employing alternating layers of wire cloth and porcelain green sheet material is disclosed, wherein those alternating layers are compressed toward one another at a somewhat elevated temperature and then kiln fired at a further elevated temperature to form a glazed porcelain surface for receiving further electrical circuitry, for example, of the microelectronic type. Such a composite porcelain substrate has good thermal properties of high conductivity and low coefficient of expansion as well as good electrical insulating properties and mechanical strength. In particular its thermal expansion properties are well matched to many surface mounted devices that may be placed on the substrate thereby reducing the likelihood of thermal damage of device connections. The substrate cost is very low in comparison to the currently available alternatives.

Abstract: An alternate action push-push switch is disclosed, having a housing with a dielectric bar portion; a plurality of conductive terminals; a plurality of conductive spring contactors having an inclined segment in proximity to the dielectric bar portion and a contact segment in proximity to the terminal contact portion; at least one push member slideably disposed at least partially within the housing; an alternate action switch mechanism having a closed loop cam slot, a cam follower, and a resilient spring disposed between the housing and the push member, to provide unidirectional travel of the cam follower in the cam slot as the push member is alternately biased between first and second operating positions. More than one push member may be used to supply multiple switching configurations. A protrusion on a first push member may be adapted to actuate an adjoining second push member, while allowing the second push member to be operated independently of the first push member.

Abstract: A method for preferentially etching a piezoelectric material is disclosed wherein a portion of the piezoelectric material is controllably subjected to a concentrated thermal energy source with a force sufficient to alter the crystalline orientation of the piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material is then treated with a suitable echant for a controlled duration, wherein the portion of the piezoelectric material altered by the concentrated thermal energy source is etched at a different etching rate than the unaltered piezoelectric material, to preferentially etch a controlled anaglyphic planar configuration upon the piezoelectric material.