Abstract: A display apparatus (20) includes a blower (44) which provides a pressurized flow of air to lower air inlet openings of tubular nozzles (35) which protrude upwardly from a collection platform (21) to thus propel lightweight beads (56) from an upper bead discharge opening of a bore (41) through each nozzle into arc-shaped trajectories which simulate flowing water. Each nozzle (35) has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart openings (58) through the cylindrical wall (57) of the nozzle, adjacent to the platform, for drawing into the bore of the nozzle by a venturi effect beads (56) which have fallen onto the platform. One or more illumination sources (63) spaced radially apart from the nozzles (35) illuminate the airborne beads (56).

Abstract: A micro-manipulator machine for harvesting and cryofreezing crystals for cryogenic storage and subsequent analysis includes a micropositioner mechanism for converting motions manually input to a position control knob to fractionally-scaled motions of a follower mechanism which includes a tool head support arm and tool head that releasably holds a filamentary polymer cryoloop for immersion into a liquid crystal growth media and extraction of a liquid drop containing a selected crystal from the media. A first automatic actuator mechanism orbits the tool head support arm, tool head, cryoloop, liquid drop and harvested crystal from a harvesting location to a retrieval location when the micropositioner input control arm has been moved manually away from the crystal harvesting location by the operator after extracting a crystal drop, and a second automatic actuator mechanism pivots the toll head into a flowing stream of a cryogenic gas to freeze the liquid drop and crystal.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing one or two personal transport vehicles such as motorcycles or ATV's in an upright position on a support surface such as the bed of a truck or the ground includes a pair of elongated straight handlebar struts telescopically adjustable to a length fixable by a first key lock. Each strut has an upper hook lockable by a second key lock to a handlebar of a personal transport vehicle, and a lower hook securable within a perforation through an anchor member such as a truck bed component or an elongated, perforated channel member, by a third key lock. The apparatus includes an elongated cross-lock arm telescopically adjustable to a length fixable by a cross-lock arm key lock. Each cross-lock arm has at one end thereof a swivelable hook for engaging a structural member of a personal transport vehicle, and at the other end a fixed hook for engaging a perforation through an eye plate protruding from the strut, the longitudinal position of which eye plate is adjustable on the strut.

Abstract: A mirror for facilitating appearance related functions includes a circular ring-shaped frame holding therein back-to-back reflective mirror plates having different magnification factors, e.g. 1× and 5×, each plate having a circular central imaging reflective area and an outer concentric light transmissive window area. Continuously rotatable pivot joints support the frame between opposed arms of a yoke protruding upwardly from a stanchion and base for placement on a table, or an arm and wall bracket for mounting on a wall, enabling the frame to be rotated to interchangeably orient 1× and 5× mirror plates in a forward facing use position. A ring-shaped, printed circuit board with circumferentially spaced apart light emitting diodes (LED's) protruding radially outwards of an outer circumferential edge of the board is located between inner facing surfaces of the mirror plates.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to adhesive strips for reversibly resealing open bags, such as food bags. More particularly, the preferred strips comprise a decorative motif and/or a textured surface, which may be provided in a dispenser.

Abstract: A basketball shooting training aid for releasably limiting to a predetermined maximum length the span distance between a basketball player's shooting or launch hand and guide hand comprises a pair of elastic wristlet bands secureable around opposite wrists of the player. Each wristlet has protruding outwardly therefrom a flexible, longitudinally elongated stalk which has at the outer end thereof a coupler releasably engageable with the other coupler. In a preferred embodiment, each coupler includes a permanent magnet having a longitudinally outwardly extending magnetic field of opposite polarity to that of the opposite coupler, thus enabling the couplers to automatically engage when outer ends of the stalks are brought sufficiently close to each other, e.g., about 2 inches, and to automatically disengage when a tensional parting force of a predetermined value, e.g., about 6 pounds is exerted on the couplers by drawing the wrists apart.

Abstract: A man-pack portable, multi-band ultra-high frequency turnstile-type SATCOM radio antenna for transmitting and receiving radio signals between terrestrial locations and an orbiting earth satellite includes a cylindrically shaped antenna superstructure base which has an elongated mast extending forward from a front transverse end wall of the base, and circumferentially spaced apart pairs of radiating elements which extend radially outwards from the mast, each opposed pair comprising in combination an electric dipole antenna which is electrically connected via coaxial cables disposed longitudinally through the mast to zero and ninety degree ports of a hybrid antenna matching network located in the base and having an input port electrically connected to a coaxial antenna base connector located in a rear transverse end wall of the base.

Abstract: A display apparatus for providing entertaining visual aesthetic effects utilizes pressurized flowing air to propel lightweight beads into the air in arc-shaped trajectories which suggest the paths of water droplets from a water fountain. The beads are propelled upwardly from tubular bead discharge nozzles which protrude upwardly from a collection platform. Each nozzle has therethrough a bore which has a lower entrance opening for receiving pressurized flowing air, and circumferentially spaced apart bead entrance notches which penetrate the tubular side wall and a lower transverse end wall of the nozzle adjacent to the collection platform. Beads which have been propelled into the air and fallen back onto the platform are drawn into the nozzle entrance opening by a venturi effect, thus providing a recirculating levitated beads fountain display.

Abstract: An apparatus for alternatively disinfecting an object surface and a liquid comprising a hollow handle base graspable in a human hand, an electrical power source contained within a hollow interior space of the handle base housing for supplying electrical power to an ultraviolet lamp, a lid including a lamp support bulkhead, and an ultraviolet lamp mounted to the lamp support bulkhead. A tubular cover shell is releasably attachable to the lamp support bulkhead. The cover shell has an upper wall which is opaque to ultraviolet radiation and a lower wall which has therein an aperture which is transmissive to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A clamping device for coupling optical devices in coaxial, tandem alignment includes a front clamp assembly that has elastically deformable split collar halves tightenable onto a front optical device by a screw tightenable into bores disposed transversely through a pair of arms extending radially from the split collar halves. A rear optical device support protrudes rearward from the front clamp assembly, and has a releasable fastener such as a screw or dovetail joint for supporting a rear optical device in coaxial alignment with the front optical device. Preferably, the arm is mounted to the front clamp assembly by means of a pivotable joint which is latchable in a first, rearward position, and a second, forward position in which the rear optical device is positioned along the side of the front optical device, so that the front device may be used independently of the rear device.

Abstract: A tubing cutter apparatus including a rotary cutting mechanism having an open area for receiving a length of tubing and a cutting blade for engaging the tubing may be driven by a rotary power source such as a handheld power tool or a self-contained drive motor. The apparatus includes a gear system for rotating the cutting mechanism about the tubing and a coupling mechanism for coupling the rotary power source to the gear system. A clamp comprising a slotted tubular plate spring protruding from a handle case of the apparatus in longitudinal alignment with the open area of the cutting mechanism enables the apparatus to clampingly engage a length of tubing to be cut by pushing flanged edge walls of the slot against the length of tubing, which may be in a location with limited accessability, such as within the wall of a structure.

Abstract: A tremolo mechanism for varying the pitch of the strings of a musical instrument to create a vibrato effect includes a plurality of separately adjustable bridge segments, one for each string, which are mounted onto a pivotable plate and adjustable longitudinally to vary tension and hence frequency of a string, vertically to adjust the height of a string above the instrument, and laterally to align the strings horizontally with the instrument body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pacing human exercises includes a sequence of pre-recorded, repetitive humanly perceptible signals in which a first, accented signal pulse, such as the first beat in a four-four measure of musical time, establishes a repetitive rhythmic tempo to thus provide timing track signal for synchronizing various phases of an exercise. The rhythmic pulses, which are preferably provided by a percussion instrument such as a drum and accompanied by musical tones, are accompanied by instructions verbalized by an exercise trainer in synchronization with the timing track signal. The perceptible signals are preferably audible and are optionally accompanied by or replaced by visibly perceptible signals such as flashing lights.

Abstract: A fishing rod with elastic sling bait launcher utilizes potential energy stored in a pre-tensioned elastic cord to propel a fishing lure or bait attached to one end of a fishing line forward from the rod tip without requiring casting motion of the rod, the other end of the line unwinding from a reel attached to said handle. The sling launcher includes a U-shaped yoke which is secured to the rod shaft at adjustable distances forward of the handle and reel. The elastic sling has an elastic member consisting of an elongated length of elastic cord or a tension spring attached at opposite ends thereof to upper ends of a pair of laterally opposed, upwardly protruding yoke arms.

Abstract: A vacuum broom apparatus for removing particulate debris from surfaces such as those of floors includes a housing which has an upper wall from which protrudes a vacuum inlet tube connectable to a vacuum power source. The housing includes a shroud which protrudes downwardly from the upper wall and peripherally surrounds a broom which protrudes downwardly within the shroud through a bottom opening thereof. One or more vacuum nozzles which communicate with the vacuum inlet tube are positioned adjacent to the broom. Optionally, a front wall of the shroud is elastically flexible to thereby effect an air dam between a lower edge of the front wall and a floor surface against which it may be pressed.

Abstract: An anti-slosh device for attenuating oscillations of liquids in tanks caused by movement of vehicles in which the tank is located comprises an elongated flat, rectangularly, shaped, uniform thickness strip of a liquid impervious material such as polyethylene or polycarbonate which is formed into a string of arcuately curved loops. One embodiment of the device has located at opposite ends thereof spirally-shaped, quasi-helical end loops which form a figure-8 shape, and a center loop disposed obliquely between the end loops. A two-loop version of the device has two end loops but no center loop. The anti-slosh device is used to reduce the duration of undesirable oscillations induced in a liquid in a tank by placing a plurality of the devices in the interior of a tank, as by inserting a plurality of the devices through a fill tube or other access port of the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for bidirectionally translating and positioning loads under tension includes a linear hydraulic actuator suspendible from a hoist such as a crane and is useable to support, raise and lower heavy loads in precisely controllable small incremental distances. The apparatus utilizes a strain-gauge type load cell positioned between an upper end of the actuator and an upper anchor connector eye suspendible from a crane. A digital display device operatively coupled to the load cell provides an accurate indication of static weight of a load supported by a load connector eye attached to a lower end of a piston rod protruding from the actuator, and accurate and immediate indications of any load weight deviation resulting from contact of a load with an obstruction while being raised or lowered. A pressure relief valve is provided to enable flow of hydraulic fluid from the actuator cylinder to a fluid reservoir to prevent inadvertent over-pressuring of the cylinder.