Abstract: A container and closure assembly, affording a simple, quick, ergonomical, and reliable closing operation, provides an intermediate, partly open position that is reliably indicated. The distance of rotation of the closure relative to the container necessary for closing the closure is short, so that quick and simple closing of the container is provided. The closure is mounted to the container by a projection that is cooperatively received in a track. Either the closure or the container may be provided with the projection, the other being provided with the track. In a preferred embodiment, the track includes a protuberance that hinders the movement of the projection past a predetermined position along the track.

Abstract: A system for aiding emergency evacuation of people from a building, comprising a plurality of rails (51) with each rail (51) being associated with a direction indicator (54) comprising a tactile portion (66) which indicates the direction a person must move in to find an exit.

Abstract: A safety directional line for underground mining that can be adjusted during to conform with any local codes. The line is constructed from high strength polypropylene which is non-conductive. A flame retardant is added to the polypropylene to make it flame resistant. There are flame retardant and non-conductive directional indicator cones evenly spaced and positioned such that they are pointing along the axis of the line. The cones are placed on the line such that when someone is exiting the mine his hand slides along the slope of the cone and meets little resistance. In the event that the miner is traveling the wrong direction, his hand will meet the flat surface of the cone and come to a stop, indicating that he is traveling in the wrong direction. There is fluorescent tape on the cones to make it more clearly visible to one trying to exit the mine. The tape is formed in an X on the flat surface of the cone indicating that it is the wrong direction.

Abstract: A garment includes a garment shell defining a first waist section, an opposite second waist section, and a crotch section therebetween. At least one loop fastening element is attached to the first waist section. A plurality of tactile position indicators are operatively associated with the loop fastening element. The wearer can properly align and secure the garment on himself or herself by identifying the location of the tactile position indicators and releasably connecting portions of the second waist section to the loop fastening element. The invention is particularly useful with disposable absorbent articles worn by adults, and may alternately be employed with tape members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a textured tile for embedment in fresh concrete on a platform or walking surface comprising a generally planer element with an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface having a plurality of upper projections therefrom to provide a distinctive texture relative to the surface of the platform or walkway, said tile having two opposite side edges intended for alignment with corresponding side edges of other tiles, front and rear edges at least one of which faces oncoming pedestrian traffic. Vertical depending flanges are provided along said opposite side edges and said front and rear edges. There is a plurality of holes in said depending flanges and a series of projections depending from the lower surface of the generally planer element.

Abstract: A disk shaped element has a plurality of tactile sensed position indicators arranged along its' circumference. Each position indicator consists of a straight bar terminated at one end with a rod having a diameter greater than the thickness of the corresponding bar. Each bar extends outwardly from the circumference of the disk, and each rod extends outwardly from the circumference a distance greater than the corresponding bar. Each position indicator on the dial is oriented analogous to an hour hand position on a clock, with the rod providing a reference for the base of the hand.

Abstract: The guidance system of the invention includes at least two spaced, permanently magnetized regions that each produce a magnetic field. The two permanently magnetized regions can be provided at either side of another region that produces a magnetic field of less intensity than the permanently magnetized regions, and in one embodiment, the former region produces no magnetic field. The system may also include portable means for detecting the magnetic fields produced by the permanently magnetized regions, and that sensor may be mounted to a cane for use by a person. In another embodiment, the permanently magnetized regions contrast with either each other or the region that produces a magnetic field of less intensity, or have different surface characteristics, or both.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling devices or assemblies comprises a plurality of control elements located on a control surface. These control elements are provided with correspondingly assigned symbols for visually displaying the function of the respective control element and can be adjusted into at least two positions. In order to make reliable control easier, even under unfavorable light conditions, the control elements or an area directly adjoining them are provided with means for distinguishing the respective control element haptically. The control unit is suitable in particular for controlling a heating and/or air conditioning system in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A device of any material, shape, size, texture, style, color, configuration, and orientation that is affixed, secured, or is an integral part to a staircase handguide, to a handguide support or frame, or to a sidewall. The device provides anyone, ascending or descending the stairs, with a tactile cue that indicates the pedestrian's approach to a final step in a series of steps. A pedestrian senses the tactile indicator to determine when he or she is at the last step so as to change accordingly his or her walking or motion. This safety indicator is intended for the public at large. A pedestrian without sight, with impaired or limited sight, or with compromised sight (due to power outage, light-source outage, smoke-filled stairwell, temporary blindness, etc.) can negotiate stairs with greatly increased safety, speed, and confidence.

Abstract: A firehose coupling which helps fire fighters determine the direction to safety along a firehose. The preferred embodiment of the firehose coupling incorporates an elongated extension integrally attached to each lug of a male component of the firehose coupling, which extends a predetermined length beyond the perimeter of the cylindrical body of the male component only, in a direction diametrically opposed to the direction by which said male component is inserted to couple with said female component. These extensions are easily identified visually, directing the fire fighter away from the fire and towards the source connection of the firehose. Additionally, the lug extensions may have raised or printed indicia on their surface further assisting a fire fighter.

Abstract: A tactiovisual exit finding system is provided with a collection of tactiley and visually recognizable vees to direct occupants of structures, such as aircraft and public buildings, to the nearest appropriate exits. Since these vees are recognizable by touch and sight, they are effective at any level of visibility including the smoke-compromised equivalent of total darkness. These vees are incorporated into the main aisle and exit passageway floors of such structures where they are tactiovisually addressable by persons walking, crawling, or anything in between. The system also utilizes tactiovisually distinctive upholstery on the seats that flank exit passageways to further identify such passageways.

Abstract: A fire safety interior door marker including a plate with a front side and a rear side. The front side has a reflective surface area and a tactile surface area. The rear side of the plate is provided with an adhesive backing, normally covered by a release sheet, for securing the plate to an exit door or beneath a window Also disclosed is a method for visually and tactually indicating the location of an escape door or window for use during a fire in a building.

Abstract: A marking tile is disclosed, for use in conjunction with pedestrian platforms and walkways. The preferred embodiment of the tile has a plurality of buttons or longitudinal strips projecting upwardly therefrom to provide a distinctively textured upper surface. The upward projections are of a lower height adjacent each exposed edge than elsewhere on the tile. An integral flange, vertical or angled away from the vertical, projects downwardly from each exposed edge. The edges of the tile which are exposed to pedestrian traffic may have a downwardly angled portion such that the height of the upper surface of the tile at the exposed edge is substantially at the height of the lower surface of the rest of the tile, so that the edge may be installed flush with the platform or walkway if the surface of the platform or walkway is bevelled beneath the angled portion. The button surfaces and the surface of the tile between the buttons are provided with a plurality of small upward projections to texture the surfaces.

Abstract: A device which provides an escape route from a fire. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a directional fire hose which enables a person a person, even in a dark and smoke-filled environment caused by a fire, to follow the fire hose in a direction away from the fire and toward safety. In a second aspect, the invention provides a directional carpet which enables a person, even in a dark and smoke-filled environment, to escape from a burning house or building. The invention is particularly useful for volunteer fire-fighters, inexperienced fire-fighters, and crewmen on a seagoing vessel or platform at sea.

Abstract: A system for use by a pharmacist for dispensing pharmaceutical prescription drugs to visually or medically impaired users employing a plurality of sets of containers for receiving prescription drugs therein, each container having on the external surface a visual and tactile indicia in the form of at least one raised symbol, there being one raised symbol for each dosage requirement, the symbols being spaced apart whereby the number of symbols is easily tactilely and visually discernable and the shape of each raised symbol in each set being uniform and distinctive, the shape of each symbol in each set being correlatable with a specific prescription drug and each set including containers having from one to "n" raised symbols thereon where "n" is the maximum dosage rate.

Abstract: The subject invention is a direction indicating clamp for attachment to fire fighting hoses which indicate direction to exit the building. The invention consists of an elongated band fully or partially encircling the fire fighting hose with attached directional fingers protruding perpendicularly from the band. The clamp is placed upon the hose at prescribed distances thereby allowing the fire fighter to continue feeling along the hose and eventually to exit the building. Various embodiments of the invention encase the flexible clamp with soft rubber or a cloth material. In addition, the directional fingers may have a pointed end or may have raised letters indicating the exiting direction.

Abstract: An improved injection reservoir for medically implantable devices is disclosed, the improvement means for (a) verifying that the tip of the needle is actually in the injection reservoir prior to injection; and (b) reducing damage to the needle tip during the verification procedure. In the preferred embodiment flexible needle guard provides first contact with a needle entering the reservoir. Further pressure on the needle results in movement of the needle guard causing brushes attached thereto to slide against a roughened surface housed within the reservoir causing a mechanical vibration which can be either felt with the fingers via transmission up the needle or heard with a stethoscope placed on the skin in the vicinity of the reservoir. The surface of the flexible needle is coated with a layer of hard biocompatible elastomer to further reduce damage to the needle tip during position verification.

Abstract: A syringe for providing a tactile signal to a person who is directing a fluid to a vein of a patient, for local anesthesia administration where a specific infusion pressure should not be exceeded, and other uses where delivery pressure is critical. A biased pressure sensitive piston is interposed between the syringe plunger and an actuating thumb pressure element. When a preset pressure is reached in the syringe body, a projection reaches the thumb to alert the administering person that the preset pressure has been reached.

Abstract: A tile for positioning on walkways, crosswalks and other areas of pedestrian traffic for providing direction and warning to visually handicapped persons. The tile comprises a flat plate having a chamfered edge and including raised bumps coupled to a top surface of the plate and projecting upward therefrom to a maximum height of less than 8 millimeters. A flowable adhesive used at the chamfered edge provides for a tapered seal around the tile or for formation of an expansion joint between two contiguous tiles. The bumps are configured as truncated structure having a larger base and tapered to a top surface which bears the foot traffic. A bottom surface of the tile includes a uniform adhesive layer which enables attachment of the tile to a street surface. A system of tiles for assisting visually handicapped persons across the street is also disclosed and includes a combination of dot and bar tiles oriented to give direction to the pedestrian.

Abstract: Control knob for temperature control switch is provided with means for heating or/and cooling the same, whereby, by feeling of the temperature of the control knob with a finger tip, it is possible to instantaneously identify what the function of the control knob which the finger has toughed is, without turning the sight to a switch, and, even when the shapes and way of disposition of control knobs are identical with one another.

Abstract: A shower head attachment has a liquid detergent reservoir and facilitates a "soap," "rinse," and "off" cycle. The attachment has a body provided with a rotary valve having a transverse port. The port is alined, selectively, with a first or second longitudinal inclined passageway formed in the body forwardly of the valve. A third passageway of critical internal diameter communicates the first passageway with an opening formed in a depending neck on the body and acts as an aspirating passageway. A sleeve is secured within the opening and carries a depending feed tube. The feed tube extends into a reservoir or bottle of liquid detergent that is removably mounted on the depending neck of the body, externally of the sleeve. The sleeve has a valve seat above the feed tube, and a ball check valve is seated on the valve seat. The valve carries an external handle; and the ends of the handle carry depending cables, the ends of which are provided with respective tabs.

Abstract: A discharge valve assembly for a fire extinguisher container includes a housing defining a passageway providing communication between the container outlet and a nozzle. An elongated tubular valve stem is axially movable in the passageway between open and closed conditions with respect to a valve seat in the passageway, the stem projecting from the passageway for engagement by an actuating lever. An elongated indicating rod, shorter than the valve stem, is coaxially movable therein between extended and retracted conditions. A bias spring and the pressure in the container holds the valve stem closed, and the pressure in the container holds the indicating rod extended. A bias spring urges the indicating rod toward a retracted position. To check the pressure the indicating rod is manually depressed, the extent to which it returns to its extended condition being indicative of the magnitude of the pressure in the container.

Abstract: Comparison is made between an output from a temperature detecting element for detecting temperature of a control knob of a switch for controlling temperature, with a reference signal generated in association with a preset temperature of the control knob, and at least means for cooling or/and heating the control knob is driven on the basis of result of the comparison, whereby the control knob is held at preset temperature, so that the temperature of the control knob can be held at the preset temperature by a relatively simple control device.

Abstract: A tactile sensibility testing equipment used for those who have a poor eyesight or the blind is disclosed. The testing equipment includes a plate member having a raised pattern formed its surface to be discriminated through the tactile sensation, a mounting member on which the plate member is detachably mounted and a supporting member for rotatably supporting the mounting member. Various patterns can be provided and exchangeably used to test and train the blind or those who have a poor eyesight for tactile sensibility according to their tactual ability.

Abstract: A device for indicating engagement or operable condition of turn indicator blinker lights of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is provided with a gripping member adapted to be contacted by the driver of a vehicle, such as a grip of a handlebar of a motorcycle. A kinetic signal generator is response to the operation or engagement of the turn indicator blinker lights for generating kinetic signal on the gripping member as an indication of operation of the blinker lights.

Abstract: A concealable signaling, e.g., radio alarm, device worn on the person and actuated by concealed switch means that include mechanical detents. The engagement of the detents provides secret tactile information back to the wearer. The presently preferred embodiment is a miniature radio alarm transmitter concealed in a device which also serves as a belt buckle. The wearer distends his waist to actuate the transmitter. Tension in the belt moves an element through one or more detent engagements before it activates the transmitter. These detent engagements make transient changes in the belt tension which are felt by the wearer; these inform the wearer of impending activation, so preventing false transmitter signals or alarms.

Abstract: A hand held counter particularly adapted for counting cards during games of Blackjack. The counter includes two lever arms mounted for incremental rotation on a vertical axle in a cylindrical casing. The cylindrical casing includes a circular faceplate having two circularly arced slots. The lever arms are each spring mounted against notches in the cylindrical side wall of the casing and have positioning pins extending through a respective one of the slots. The lever arms may be incrementally rotated in an arc defined by the limits of the slot by using the thumb of the hand holding the counter to push the positioning pins. Position pins arrayed along the outer circumferences of the slots permit the user to tactilely identify the relative positions of the positioning pins of the levers and to thereby identify the counts being made.

Abstract: A plurality of blocks of resilient material are arrayed in proximity to each other. Each block has a predetermined amount of compressibility which is equal to the amount of compressibility of a model piece of meat which has been cooked to a known degree of doneness. In a preferred embodiment, four blocks will be labeled to indicate the corresponding degrees of doneness of four model pieces of meat which have been cooked to known degrees of doneness, and whose amounts of compressibility are equal to the amounts of compressibility of the blocks being labeled. In the preferred embodiment, the first block will be labeled rare, the second block medium rare, the third block medium well done and the fourth block well done. The degree of doneness of a cooked piece of meat can be measured by compressing the piece of meat and then compressing the blocks to determine which block has an amount of compressibility equal to the amount of compressibility of the cooked piece of meat.

Abstract: A tape cassette is provided with a recess or projection indicative of the front or rear side of the cassette, the playing time of the tape contained, the running speed of the tape or the like, which recess or projection is disposed along the peripheral edge of a window formed in a label applied to either surface or to both surfaces of the cassette and which can be utilized for tactile determination of the front or rear side of the cassette, the kind of the tape contained or the like by the blind.

Abstract: A railless walkway for blind and visually handicapped persons is constructed using foot plates fastened to the ground. By feeling humps made into the foot plates, the blind are guided along walkways without the use of rails or canes. Variations in the shape and/or number of humps provide additional information as to walkway directions, such as turns, steps, stairs, rest areas, and the like. The foot plates are fabricated out of permanent, solid material and are either incorporated in the walkway during its construction or are fastened permanently to the walkway if added later.

Abstract: A tape cassette is provided with a recess or projection indicative of the front or rear side of the cassette, the playing time of the tape contained, the running speed of the tape or the like, which recess or projection is disposed along the peripheral edge of a window formed in a label applied to either surface or to both surfaces of the cassette and which can be utilized for tactile determination of the front or rear side of the cassette, the kind of the tape contained or the like by the blind.