Abstract: A device which is designed for use by athletes to protect against and prevent injury to the knees, lower extremities, ankles and feet, without restricting mobility or efficiency. The apparatus includes a dynamic system of components which are worn by the athlete during the athletic event and, in a preferred embodiment, includes elastic, corset-like tights or leggings which have secured thereto at least one pair of cable assemblies, one for each leg, which extend from the hip area to the foot area. Each cable assembly includes a flexible, non-elastic cable which is wrapped about the leg at least one full turn between the hip and the foot. Means are provided for securing the lower end of the cable to the athletic shoe of the wearer, and means are also provided for tensioning the cable to any desired degree. The tensioned cable assemblies protect the limb complex unit from angular and torsional stresses incurred during the athletic event.

Abstract: A set of testing tools for modular telephone systems of the type which employ a telephone having a base, a terminal block, a line cord interconnecting the base and terminal block, a handset, and a receiver cord interconnecting the handset and base. The connections between the line cord, receiver cord, base and terminal block are effected by known miniature jacks and plugs. The present invention provides a testing tool equipped with substantially identical miniature jacks and/or plugs and permits the house cable to be identified and the presence of dial tone, ground and battery to be checked without requiring the terminal block to be removed from the wall. The testing tools also permit trouble to be localized in standard desk, wall, Princess.RTM. and Trimline.RTM. telephone sets without having to dismantle same.

Abstract: A rolling loader designed particularly to be mounted on the rear bumper of a pickup truck for facilitating the loading of heavy objects onto and off of the bed of the truck. The loader includes a heavy, steel pipe having a pair of ball bearing assemblies fitted within each end thereof. A pair of L-shaped brackets have their horizontal plates fastened to the top surface of the bumper. A solid shaft is secured to the vertical plate of each bracket and extends through a central aperture formed in each ball bearing assembly so as to define a horizontal axis for the tube. The brackets are mounted to the bumper so that the rear most and top most portions of the tube extend respectively beyond the rear edge of the bumper and the level of the bed of the truck.

Abstract: A humane animal trap which features an adjustment capability that permits a certain degree of selection of the type of animal which the trap will hold. In a preferred embodiment, the trap includes a snare in the form of a loop. When the trap is triggered, the loop is withdrawn into a housing. The final size of the loop, and hence the degree of pressure exerted by the loop, as well as the size of animal which may be trapped by the loop, may be adjusted by adjusting the degree to which the loop is withdrawn into the housing. The two ends of the snare which form the loop are preferably secured to a spring-loaded piston, whose final resting point in the generally tubular housing, after being sprung, may be adjusted by, for example, a pin secured transversely within the tubular housing in the path of travel of the piston.

Abstract: An ice chest included in a container which is suitable for mounting upon a rear rack or carrier on a motorcycle. The container includes a second, separate compartment for containing dry goods which is positioned adjacent the ice compartment for maintaining such goods in a cooled condition. The ice compartment houses a removable tray which supports beverage containers adapted to be kept cold within the chest. The ice compartment and dry compartment include separate covers and locking or closure means. A fresh water compartment is also provided within the ice compartment and has an externally accessible faucet extending through the side wall of the chest. Drainage for the water resulting from melting ice is also provided for, and the rear of the chest has a padded back rest mounted thereon for the rider of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A new and improved ski device capable of operation over water, snow, ice, artificial surfaces, or the like. The unit utilizes a seat design articulated to a single runner in a fashion analogous to the spacing of foot bindings in an ordinary ski. The unit features a stremlined chassis, an anti-sway linkage, improved shock-absorbing means, and a pair of auxiliary foot-mountable short skis for stability, control, and added performance.

Abstract: An improved rail clip and support assembly therefor which, in essence, locks the rail clip against longitudinal movement. A locking member is added to one end of a conventional rail clip fastener and, in a preferred form, comprises a downwardly extending end portion adapted to be guided into an aperture formed in the underlying support. A ramp may be provided in the aperture for facilitating removal of the locking end. Alternatively, the rail clip design may incorporate a looped portion for receiving a removal tool to facilitate separation of the clip from its support.

Abstract: A surgical tool which may be utilized either for compression or distraction of a fractured bone. The tool includes a threaded shaft having a pair of cap members secured to each end thereof. Projecting from one of the cap members is a short pin which is preferably angled either towards or away from the other cap member. An internally threaded sleeve is mounted on the shaft between the cap members and includes a knob having a knurled outer surface for permitting the sleeve to be manually adjusted in either direction along the threaded shaft. Another pin-supporting member is removably mounted about the sleeve and has another short pin projecting from one surface thereof. The two pins are positioned within pre-drilled holes on each side of a fractured bone that is to be compressed or distracted.

Abstract: A mechanical arm wrestler for arm wrestling against a mechanical arm having a strength variable at will is disclosed. The arm wrestler comprises a base, a fluid cylinder mounted on the base, a crank arm pivotably mounted on the base, a rod pivotably connecting the crank arm to the rod of the fluid cylinder, a latch for releasably holding the crank arm in the ready condition, an air pump and pressure meter for providing a preselected pressure in the fluid cylinder, and toggles mounted on the crank arm which actuate a dump valve when either the mechanical arm wrestler or the individual wrestling against it has won the game.

Abstract: A multi-conductor flat transmission cable which includes a plurality of parallel signal conductors each of which is insulated with a low loss, high velocity of propagation material. The insulations surrounding a send and return conductor pair are joined by a homogeneous integrally formed EMF window web formed of the same material as the insulations. The thickness and length of the window webs are selected to control the electromagnetic interference between the conductor pair, as well as the impedance and capacitance. Individual, uninsulated screen conductors may be positioned between adjacent signal conductor pairs to further minimize EMF interference. The insulated signal conductors, their EMF window webs, and the uninsulated screen conductors are encapsulated by an upper and lower outer layer of insulation formed of a material having a velocity of propagation different from the signal conductor's insulations.

Abstract: A hickory wood cooking plank for broiling or baking meats, fish, poultry and the like, in conventional home ovens. The design features a unique, aluminum support stand provided in the form of a pair of L-shaped aluminum elements which are adapted to be respectively fitted within a pair of longitudinally extending grooves inwardly formed on the side edges of the cooking plank. The aluminum stand serves the dual function of supporting the cooking plank and dissipating the heat from the plank to prolong useful life. This permits high temperature broiling in a conventional oven to char the hickory plank which, in turn, imparts a hickory flavor to the food placed thereon for cooking.

Abstract: A power splitter is disclosed for dividing radio frequency (R.F.) power applied to an input terminal equally among n number output terminals, where n.gtoreq.2 and is an integer, irrespective of the impedances at the input or at the output terminals. The power splitter utilizes n number .lambda./4 inner conductors disposed in a .lambda./4 housing, which provides a common electromagnetic shield. The input terminal is formed by connecting together the first end of each inner conductor, the first ends being present at a first opening in the housing. The second ends of the inner conductors, which are all present at a second opening in the housing, are connected together outside the housing by (n-1) number .lambda. lines so as to form an electrical wheel. Each end at the second opening is an output terminal of the power splitter. A power combiner is disclosed for summing at an output terminal R.F. power applied to n number input terminals, where n.gtoreq.

Abstract: A rotary index device which is particularly adapted to be mounted on the dashboard of a motor vehicle. The device includes a cylindrical inner member which is rotatingly mounted within an outer cylindrical casing. The inner member has one of a plurality of different information-bearing code sheets secured to the peripheral surface thereof, and the outer casing has a through aperture extending longitudinally along the entire length thereof through which at least one line of the information may be viewed. A magnifying lens is selectively positionable over the through aperture for magnifying the information and facilitating viewing thereof by, for example, the driver of the vehicle. The outer casing may be angularly adjustable with respect to the viewer by a pivotal connection to a mounting bracket which preferably includes an adhesive on the undersurface for securing same to the dashboard of the vehicle.

Abstract: A computerized unit organ relay which utilizes computer hardware and software to interconnect the pipes of the organ with the organ console in such a fashion that the proper pipes are activated in response to the key-stop combinations designated at the console. All of the keys of the various keyboards, and their associated stops, are connected through appropriate input ports to the data processing device which, in a preferred form, comprises a programmed microcomputer. The computer software acts on the input data from the keys and stops to calculate which of the pipes should be activated in response to actuated keys and stops. This information is stored in a continuously updated array and is read out of the computer memory, via appropriate output interface devices, to activate the corresponding pipes of the organ.

Abstract: A technique and device for correcting front end misalignment resulting from bent or twisted front axle assemblies which may be performed without dismantling the front end of the vehicle. The apparatus includes means for laterally clamping the axle assembly and means for applying a bending force to the axle at a position laterally displaced from that of the clamping means. A base assembly is utilized to support the axle at its normal height after the wheel has been removed. A novel breast plate is utilized to support the base of a horizontally disposed hydraulic jack which provides the desired camber correction. Preferred embodiments are particularly designed to be utilized with Volkswagen automobiles.

Abstract: A bale loader designed for use in combination with a pickup truck. The loader features a frame assembly which slides easily into and out of the bed of the pickup truck and which may be secured thereto and removed therefrom without the need for special tools. The bale fork portion of the loader is designed to be utilized either in connection with the pickup truck frame assembly or with a standard three-point tractor hitch. The base of the bale fork is pivotally mounted to the rear portion of the frame assembly. An adjustable mast extends vertically from the center post of the bale fork and has a pulley connected to the top portion thereof. A winch motor is attached to the forward portion of the frame assembly and drives a spool having a cable which engages the pulley for selective pivoting of the bale fork.

Abstract: The classification of small particles is performed by utilizing the oscillation of particles as they pass through electric fields. The apparatus utilizes vertically spaced sieve electrodes which are at the same or at a different potential as a particle charging device. The particle charging device transfers particles to an attracting electrode at a point located directly opposite the particle transfer zone. In this manner, oscillating particles are dropped between two vertical sieves and classification is accomplished as the particles move to the screen by virtue of their oscillation.