Abstract: An adjustable stepladder is provided including a first set of rails, having a plurality of rungs coupled therebetween, and a second set of rails, also having a plurality of rungs disposed therebetween, slidably coupled with the first set of rails. A single support leg is hingedly coupled with one set of rails and may include a telescoping structure. The support leg may include a base having a plurality of feet wherein the base is integrally formed with a structural member of the support leg. In another embodiment, a removable base may be coupled to a structural member of the support leg such that differently configured bases may be attached to the support leg. The stepladder may, thus be adjustable in terms of height as well as in terms of a support base which will be in contact with the ground or other supporting surface when the ladder is in use.

Abstract: An extensible, self locking platform includes a first assembly having a first plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending members and a second assembly having a second plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending members. The first and second assemblies are longitudinally, slidably coupled with each other. The platform may also include one or more catch devices. In one embodiment, at least one catch member is pivotably coupled to the first assembly with an associated stop member. The stop member is configured to maintain a rotation of the at least one catch member at less than a full revolution such that when the catch member is being abutted against an elevated support structure and the platform is being laterally displaced relative thereto, the catch member will also abut the stop member and prevent further displacement of the platform relative to the elevated support structure.

Abstract: A storage container for elongated pieces of jewelry, such as necklaces and bracelets, having a base member, a cover attached to the upper surface of the base member, and a plurality of jewelry support rods also attached to the upper surface of the base member and positioned within the cover. The distal end of each upwardly depending jewelry support rod has a hooked configuration and the cover is removable from the base for display of the jewelry upon the support rods. The cover is also rotatable upon the base member with an opening therein to provide easy access to all jewelry stored therein without removal of the cover. It is also contemplated for the base member and the cover to be configured and decorated as a object d'art or a lamp to conceal and safeguard the jewelry while the cover is positioned upon the base member. Applications may include, but are not limited to, both the displaying of elongated pieces of jewelry and its safeguarding from damage and loss.

Abstract: In a jack that receives a "make with break" plug or jack, there is provided a "make without break" plug. The jack has a circuit with a set of contacts that are normally closed. The circuit is opened by displacing one of the contacts out of contact with the other contact. With the make without break plug, only a minimal displacement of the jack contacts occurs. The plug minimizes the displacement of the jack contacts by limiting the physical size of the plug. A preferred embodiment utilizes a reduced radius to form a notch in the plug. This notch receives the jack contacts with little or no displacement of these contacts. Another technique used to minimize the displacement of the jack contacts is to limit the amount of force exerted by the plug against the jack contacts. The plug itself is provided with displaceable and pliant contacts. Less force is required to displace the plug contacts than is required to displace the jack contacts.

Abstract: A computer display system includes a display screen capable of flipping between portrait orientation and landscape orientation and includes a method for repositioning and resizing display windows in response to flipping between such oprientations of the display screen. The windows are moved and resized according to a set of rules to yield displays which take advantage of the new orientation. Where the computer display system includes coordinated, multiple display screens, images controlled for display on fixed-orientation display screens do not change as a result of a flip between orientations of a variable-orientation display screen.

Abstract: A computer video display acceleration system and method is disclosed for increasing the speed with which modifications can be made to video memory. This system and method uses a video buffer section in system memory with high priority access by a central processing unit which can use the buffer space to make changes rapidly in the stored video information. Once the changes are completed, the data stored in the buffer is written as a block of data to video memory without requiring additional video memory read cycles.

Abstract: A process for depositing a coating on a filament, which comprises heating the filament and passing the heated filament through a deposition chamber containing gases which on contact with the hot filament deposit the coating; characterized in that said gases comprise chloroform and a hydrocarbon having I to 6 carbon atoms, a carbon coating being produced.

Abstract: Thioureas of the general structure Ary1NHC(S)-NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 are useful as antidiarrheal, antimotility or antisecretory agents. Particularly useful are those wherein Aryl is 2-methylphenyl and NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 is NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH.

Abstract: Thioureas of the general structure ArylNHC(S)-NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 are useful as antidiarrheal, antimotility or antisecretory agents. Particularly useful are those wherein Aryl is 2-methylphenyl and NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 is NHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH.