Abstract: An aid is provided for dining in situations where a food holding receptacle (such as a plate) and a beverage container must be simultaneously supported by a single hand. The food holding receptacle is stably mountable on an upright beverage container. The user holds a lower portion of the beverage container in one hand and uses the other hand to take food items from the receptacle that is supported on the beverage container. In order to drink from the beverage container the user removes the receptacle from the beverage container and drinks from the beverage container. The food holding receptacle is stably mounted on the beverage container in loose-fitting relationship so the receptacle can be repeatedly mounted on and demounted from the beverage container in a facile manner. The food holding receptacle may also be used to stably support a beverage container following inversion of the receptacle.

Abstract: An aid for dining in stand-up and similar situations where a person may simultaneously support a plate and a beverage container by a single hand. The invention comprises a universal food holding receptacle that is stably mountable on upright beverage containers of widely diverse shapes and sizes. The user holds a lower portion of the beverage container in one hand and uses the other hand for other activities such as taking food items from the food holding receptacle that is supported on the beverage container. The food holding receptacle is stably mounted on the beverage container in loose-fitting relationship so that the receptacle can be repeatedly mounted on and demounted from the beverage container in a facile manner while dining. The same food holding receptacle may also be used, after turning upside-down, to stably support beverage containers of diverse shapes and sizes.

Abstract: This invention provides an aid for dining in stand-up and similar situations where a person must simultaneously support a plate or other such receptacle and a beverage container by a single hand. The invention comprises a food holding receptacle that is stably mountable (directly or by means of a connector unit) on an upright beverage container. The user holds a lower portion of the beverage container in one hand and uses the other hand to take food items from the food holding receptacle that is supported on the beverage container. In order to drink from the beverage container the user removes the plate from the beverage container and drinks from the beverage container in the normal way. The food holding receptacle is stably mounted on the beverage container in loose-fitting relationship so the receptacle can be repeatedly mounted on and demounted from the beverage container in a facile manner. The food holding receptacle of the present invention may also be used to stably support a beverage container.

Abstract: This invention provides an aid for dining in stand-up and similar situations where a person must simultaneously support a plate or other such receptacle and a beverage container by a single hand. The invention comprises a universal food holding receptacle that is stably mountable (directly or by means of a connector unit) on upright beverage containers of widely diverse shapes and sizes, taken one beverage container at a time. The user holds a lower portion of the beverage container in one hand and uses the other hand for other activities such as taking food items from the food holding receptacle that is supported on the beverage container. In order to drink from the beverage container the user removes the plate from the beverage container and drinks from the beverage container in the normal way. The food holding receptacle is stably mounted on the beverage container in loose-fitting relationship so that the receptacle can be repeatedly mounted on and demounted from the beverage container in a facile manner.

Abstract: A method for selectively removing a layer of electrolytically dissoluble metal from a substrate comprising providing a substrate bearing' on a major surface thereof a layer of electrolytically dissoluble metal, said metal layer serving; as a dissoluble electrode; providing at least a first counterelectrode and a second counterelectrode; positioning said counterelectrodes opposite said metal layer and spaced from said metal layer; in a first electrolytic step, interposing an electrolyte between said metal and said first counterelectrode and in electrical contact with said metal layer and said electrode and passing an electric current between said first counterelectrode and said metal layer, wherein said first counterelectrode is maintained cathodic to said metal layer, for a period of time until said metal layer has been removed from a first central region of said surface of said substrate opposite said first counterelectrode; in a second electrolytic step, interposing an electrolyte between said metal and sai

Abstract: A manually-operated tray assembly for facilitating the handling of transparencies on an overhead projector. The tray assembly comprises a dispensing tray for holding a stack of transparencies prior to projection, and a receiving tray for accepting the transparencies following projection. The transparencies are slid one-at-a-time from the dispensing tray to the platen of the projector, and following projection, from the platen to the receiving tray by a stroke of the user's hand. The `used` transparencies accumulate in the receiving tray in a neat orderly stack. The dispensing tray is preferably arranged at a sloping angle relative to the platen of the projector so that only one transparency at a time is transferred to the platen. The receiving tray is also preferably arranged at a sloping angle relative to the platen to facilitate the transfer of transparencies from the platen to the receiving tray.

Abstract: A design-making instrument consisting of a rotatable wheel to which a sheet of paper or other material is attached. The paper may be rotated manually, mechanically, or electrically. A pen or other drawing means is applied to the surface of the rotating paper and this produces colorful designs. If the pen is held stationary while the paper is rotated, a circle is produced on the paper, unless the pen happens to be right at the center of rotation, in which case a point is produced. If the pen is moved radially while the paper is rotating, a spiral is produced, the clarity of which depends on the relative speed of radial movement of the pen and the angular velocity of the rotating paper. A spiral where successive revolutions are closely spaced resembles a set of concentric circles. Using this instrument, concentric circles in different colors may be produced on a sheet of paper. Nonconcentric circles may be produced by changing the center of rotation of the paper between drawing successive sets of circles.

Abstract: A spinning member, such as a top, and an impeller are employed together. The spinning member has a gripping section on an upper portion thereof, while the impeller imparts rotational movement to the spinning member when the spinning member is at rest and when the spinning member is rotating without substantially interrupting the rotation of the spinning member. The impeller includes a brush disposed on a rotatable portion of the impeller and cooperatively engageable with the gripping section of the spinning member for imparting rotational movement thereto, and a driver for supplying rotational movement to the brush.

Abstract: A tracing instrument for producing symmetrical sketches includes a transparent or translucent base plate, an illuminating source for projecting light through the base plate, and a transparent top plate disposed on an opposite side of the base plate from the illuminating source, and being spaced apart from the base plate such that a narrow space is formed therebetween, and wherein the top plate forms a surface to support a tracing paper or the like for tracing thereon. Further, a mounting piece is provided which has at least a window therein and is insertable in the narrow space between the base plate and the top plate, wherein a seed drawing is positioned at the window such that light from the illuminating source passes through the window and seed drawing to form an image on the tracing paper for tracing. Also, a shifter is provided for shifting the mounting piece with respect to the tracing paper such that the image is projected onto different portions of the paper.

Abstract: A kaleidoscope composed of two or more mirrors housed within a tubular container, an eye-piece at one end of the tubular container for viewing the kaleidoscopic design, and a translucent or transparent screen located at the end of tubular container that is opposite the eye-piece. The screen is capable of being rotated, in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the kaleidoscope, about one or more axes. The screen is also capable of being translated in said plane. The screen is adapted to be written upon erasably with pens, pencils, paint, or the like. The screen is also adapted for adhesively holding translucent or transparent paper for the purpose of writing thereon. The tubular container contains a compartment for storing pens, pencils, and so on. This kaleidoscope allows one to produce symmetrical and beautiful designs from simple drawings and allows the user to cooperate interactively with the kaleidoscope.

Abstract: One or more tubular channels contain liquid, a fluent solid, or a mixture of liquid and solid particles. The channels limit the spatial extent of the contents and constrain the contents to flow in limited directions. The channels may consist of a closed loop through which the contents can flow as the kaleidoscope is rotated. The direction of flow can be reversed by reversing the direction of rotation of the kaleidoscope. The contents in different channels are preferably colored differently. The channels may exist side-by-side or may be intertwined. Multiple reflections in the mirrors of the kaleidoscope of the stationary or moving contents generate pleasant static or dynamic symmetrical designs. These designs can be reproduced at will. The nature of the design that is observed by rotating the kaleidoscope can be altered by changing the position of the object cell relative to the mirrors.

Abstract: A toy capable of combined rotational motion about an axle and translational motion in a vertical direction. Two parallel discs are connected through their centers and are maintained in a spaced-apart position, by an axle. The axle is non-circular in cross-section, and is supported by a tape which is inserted along the axle's longitudinal axis between the two axle-halves. The opposite end of the tape may be attached to a swivel which is in turn connected to a holding apparatus. In order to operate the toy, the end of the tape or the holding apparatus is held in the operator's hand and a down-and-up motion is imparted to the toy. The body of the yo-yo may alternatively be suspended from a string which is firmly anchored to the axle.

Abstract: A toy capable of combined rotational motion about a horizontal axis and translational motion in a vertical direction. Two parallel discs are connected through their centers by a single axle. The axle is supported from a string connected at a position between the two discs. The string is connected to one end of a tape. A swivel system is attached to the other end of the tape, and a ring for holding the toy is attached to the swivel system. The string may be anchored to the axle in a non-sleeping mode, or it may be looped around the axle allowing the yo-yo to sleep. In order to operate the toy, the user's finger is placed in the ring and an up-and-down motion is initiated.

Abstract: A toy capable of combined rotational and translational motion. Two parallel discs are connected through their centers by a single axle. The axle is supported from a string connected at a position between the two discs. Said string is of a twist-resistant type, offering a greater torsional resistance to twisting about the axis of the string than conventional yo-yo strings. The string may be anchored to the axle in a non-sleeping mode, or it may be looped around the axle allowing the yo-yo to sleep. In order to operate the toy, the end of the string opposite that which is connected to the yo-yo axle is held by the user, and an up-and-down gentle motion is imparted to the toy.

Abstract: A string-supported device capable of simultaneous rotation about its own axis, translational motion and orbital motion. An axle consisting of two segments, both axle-segments connected together, either directly or indirectly, and each axle-segment capable of rotating independently of the other axle-segment. Two discs are connected through their centers to each of the two axle-segments. Opposite ends of a single string are connected to each axle-segment, and the string is looped over a support member upon which it can readily slide. The support member is connected to a swivel system which is in turn connected to a ring. In order to operate the device the string is first wrapped in opposite directions around each axle-segment, and the body of the yo-yo is allowed to fall while the operator is holding the ring. An up-and-down motion of the yo-yo device is thus initiated.

Abstract: A toy having combined rotational motion about a horizontal axis and translational motion in a vertical direction. Two parallel discs are connected through their centers by a single axle. One end of a torsion resistant tape is attached to the axle, at a position between the two discs. A swivel system is attached to the other end of the tape, and a ring for holding the toy is attached to the swivel system. In order to operate the toy, the user's finger is placed in the ring and an up-and-down motion is initiated. The balance of the toy during operation is facilitated by the support provided to the axle along the width of the tape.

Abstract: A toy having combined rotational motion about a horizontal axis and a translational motion in a vertical direction. Three parallel discs are connected through their centers by a single axle. An inner disc is positioned between two outside discs leaving a gap on the axle between the inner disc and each of the outside discs. Opposite ends of a single string are attached to the axle at each of the gaps and the string is looped over a rotatably-mounted pulley. The pulley is held by a support member connected to a swivel system which is in turn connected to a ring. In order to operate the toy the user's finger is placed in the ring and an up-and-down motion is initiated. The balance of the toy during operation is facilitated by the use of a single string connected to the axle at two points, said string being looped over a support in a slidable manner.