Abstract: A thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer/lignin blend, e.g., thermoplastic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer/lignin blend, is provided, whereas the blend comprises (i) an amount of thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer (e.g., acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer); (ii) an amount of lignin; (iii) an amount of compatibilizing agent, such as phthalic anhydride, capable of imparting improved ductility and impact strength to the resultant blend and (iv) optionally an amount of at least one additive to impart specific properties including, but not limited, to resistance to ultraviolet radiation, resistance to oxidation, flame retardance, color, surface friction, or surface static charge accumulation. Methods of improving impact strength and/or ductility of, for example, a thermoplastic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer/lignin blend and articles made therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: The instant invention is a multi-purpose, adjustable voting booth adapted to provide a single structure which is can be used as a standard sized voting booth as well as a voting booth that is usable by wheel chair bound individuals. The voting booth in accordance with the instant invention therefore, provides for a privacy booth that can be adjusted in a vertical, angular, or combination, manner. The voting booth is also adapted to be nestable with like shaped voting booths therefore eliminating the need for excessive storage.

Abstract: An impact-resistant furniture item includes a load-bearing structure (2), having a support function for the furniture item (1), and an elastic layer (11) associated to the load-bearing structure and co-operating therewith to achieve an absorption and/or a dissipation of energy following deformations of the furniture item. The elastic layer is superposed to an inner surface of the load-bearing structure and it is at least partially uncoupled therefrom so that the elastic layer can be deformed and slide relative to the load-bearing structure. A method for manufacturing the furniture item includes the steps of readying the load-bearing structure, readying anchoring element (16) on the load-bearing structure, and applying an elastic layer of polyurea on at least one inner surface (12) of the load-bearing structure, preferably by spraying, so that the applied polyurea is also laid on the anchoring element (16) and remains stably connected to the load-bearing structure by effect of the anchoring element.

Abstract: A computer kiosk comprises a desktop with a main cabinet located under the desktop. A display unit is set into an aperture in the desktop. A pair of pockets, is set into the desktop, one on each side of the display unit, for holding peripheral devices. A pair of bins is mounted under the desktop, adjacent to the pockets, for holding electronic circuits associated with the peripheral devices. This provides a flexible configuration for the kiosk. The main cabinet may be positioned between the bins, with the display unit housed in the main cabinet, or else the main cabinet may be positioned to one side of the bins, with the display unit housed in a separate cabinet positioned between the bins.

Abstract: A work station includes a lower work surface and a pair of tiered article support sections located above the work surface. The work surface defines a generally planar area along an inner edge thereof, and an inclined storage area which angles upwardly and outwardly away from the planar area for the storage of documents thereon. The tiered article support sections include a lower tier which extends vertically and includes an erasable marker board surface. Each lower tier supports an upper tier which defines an upper shelf or ledge for the storage of documents. A worker using this computer work station is able to readily store, view and access documents located either on the work surface or the article support sections to facilitate organization of work-in-progress.

Abstract: A mobile workstation capable of supporting various types of electrical or diagnostic equipment for use primarily in the health care environment comprising a work surface supported by a pedestal and a base. The base includes casters for easy portability of the workstation. The workstation further includes a height adjustment mechanism and a counterbalance. The counterbalance may be supported from the underside of the top of the work surface of the workstation for counterbalancing the weight of the equipment that may be carried on the work surface so as to provide versatility when adjusting the height of the workstation from a seated position to a standing position with minimal effort from the user.

Abstract: A furniture unit comprises a closed-front credenza that folds out to form an L-shaped desk. The unit comprises a stationary desk having a partially open front, with a kneehole opening forming at least a portion of the open front. A moveable return pivotally mounted at on one side of the desk comprises a vertical face panel and a work surface mounted at a rear side of the face panel. The return is pivotal between a closed position, wherein the face panel covers the open portion of the front of the desk and the return work surface is concealed behind the face panel, and an open position, wherein the face panel is pivoted outwardly from the front of the desk, exposing the kneehole opening in the desk. The return work surface extends forwardly from the desk alongside the kneehole opening when the return is opened. The face panel is configured so as to create the impression that the furniture unit is a credenza with no kneehole opening when the return is closed.

Abstract: An information kiosk serving as an interactive information source for multiple users including users in wheelchairs. The information kiosk includes eight modular units which are connected to one another to form a ring of modular units. The information kiosk provides both visually displayed and printed information to several of users at the same time in response to user input. The information kiosk includes a plurality of modular units which each include a cabinet structure containing a CPU, a touch screen and a removable printer cart for supporting a printer. The cabinet structure includes a first side wall, a second side wall and a door at the from of the cabinet structure between the first and second side walls for enclosing the removable printer cart. The removable printer cart includes a frame, a printer shelf mounted on the frame, and wheels attached to a base of the frame, for facilitating horizontal translation of the cart along a floor surface.

Abstract: A portable office unit has an enclosure including two hingedly connected shells. Each shell has a back, a top, opposing sides, and an open front. The shells are pivotable between a closed position in which the open fronts of the shells face each other, and a closed position in which the shells are in side by side relation, with the open fronts facing generally in the same direction. Each shell has a work surface mounted to swing between a vertical position in which the work surface extends generally vertically inside the shell, and a horizontal position in which the work surface extends generally horizontally from the open front of the shell.

Abstract: A handicapped vanity of the type including a counter and a sink positioned in the counter. The vanity further includes left and right cabinets positioned beneath the counter proximate the sink and each mounted for pivotal movement between a storage position in which a storage portion of the cabinet is positioned beneath the counter and an access position in which the storage portion is positioned forwardly of the counter on a respective side of the centerline of the sink. Each cabinet further includes an impact portion positioned directly beneath the sink in the path of movement of an approaching wheelchair so that the approaching wheelchair strikes the impact portions of the cabinets and pivots the storage portions of the cabinets to their access positions on opposite sides of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A work station and drawer module, preferably adapted for a corner, including a horizontal work or support surface and supporting connected upright panels to define an enclosure. A front panel of the enclosure includes a front opening for receiving a horizontally slidably mounted angular drawer. The drawer has a front facing panel which substantially covers the front opening when the drawer is closed. The upright drawer side panels are angularly oriented with respect to the front facing panel at an acute angle of in the range of about 30.degree. to 60.degree. and slidably supported within the work station drawer module and like units so that the drawer moves in a horizontal linear path at the acute angle to the front opening. The drawer may be structured to hold upright files, to support office equipment and for general storage.

Abstract: A work station (10) for use in a home, office, hotel or other area having a limited amount of space is disclosed. The unit (10) includes sections (12,14,16) movable between a closed position, wherein the unit looks like an armoire or entertainment cabinet, and an open position, wherein the unit is a complete work station with a desk top (24,26) and storage space (22,23,30) for a computer, printer, phone, chair, fax machine and files.

Abstract: A towel and towel holder combination for outdoor use in sports provides the user with a dry towel in spite of falling rain and water impinging against the holder includes a substantially upright towel holder that is closed at the top and open at the bottom and provides a protected space within for containing a towel to which there is access through the open end, the towel being attached to the holder and contained in the protected space, the holder being made of flexible water repelling material and the towel being water absorbent material on the inside of the holder so that when it is turned inside-out, the towel is exposed for use.

Abstract: A compact generally rectangular slim profile housing for a hand-held video display device or apparatus wherein the housing has front and back housing portions adapted for interfitting relation along marginal peripheral edges, and wherein the back housing portion has a concave surface enabling the housing to be nested or cradled on the user's thigh when in a sitting position so as to assist in stabilizing the video device without inhibiting manipulation of the controls and visual observation of a video screen exposed through the front housing portion.

Abstract: A portable cabinet is disclosed having wheeled housing with an internal storage compartment separated by midsection into an upper compartment including an open sink area, a glassware area and a supply area and into a lower compartment having a refrigerator area and food or bottled drink storage areas. The primary feature resides in a pair of pivotally mounted panels on the cabinet having a closed position of covering the upper and lower compartments respectively and having an unfolded or open position wherein the upper mounted panel is deployed as a counter and the lower mounted panel is deployed as a support for the upper panel when used as a counter.

Abstract: A work station for ergonometrically supporting a human operator in a seated position while the human operates equipment located on the work station. A chair (12) has a first portion (12b) contactable by a thigh of the seated operator and a second portion (12c) contactable by the operator's back. The chair (12) is rockable about a horizontal axis of a main pivot shaft (28). A carriage (14) is secured proximate the front edge of the first portion (12b) of the chair (12). A surface for supporting an input device (16) and a surface for supporting a visual display device (18) are attached to the carriage (14). As the seated operator rocks about the horizontal axis of the shaft (28), the spatial distance between the surface for supporting an input device (16) and the seated operator remain essentially constant, as does the spatial distance between the surface for supporting the visual display (18) and the seated operator.

Abstract: A bill paying machine is disposed between two operators to be used in common by them. The bill paying machine comprises a machine body and a door openably mounted on the front portion of the machine. Disposed inside the machine body are bill containers for holding bills therein, a drawing-out or paying-out device for paying out bills from the bill containers, and a transport device for feeding the bills to the front door. The front door comprises two paying outlets and a distributing device for receiving the bills from the transport device of the machine body and directing the bills to one of two paying outlets in accordance with an instruction by an operator.

Abstract: A cabinet for use with a visual display for eliminating reflections and glare with respect to an observer having a selected eyepoint is disclosed. The cabinet includes a housing 9 having means mounted to housing 9 for adjustably positioning a visual display having a viewing plane 30. The viewing plane 30 is oriented with respect to a nominal eyepoint 28 of an observer such that the viewing plane 30 is at a selected angle between 65.degree. and 30.degree. with respect to a line of sight extending from the selected nominal eyepoint 28. A support shelf 22 secured to housing 9 supports and locates a keyboard 24 at a viewing position juxtaposed to the visual display CRT 18 such that minimal eye motion is required for an observer to view both visual display 18 and keyboard 24. Also included is an adjustable light obstructing shield 16 having a front edge 26 and a light absorbing inside surface 44.

Abstract: A combination voting booth/speaker's lectern which is disposable, yet reusable is disclosed. The voting booth/lectern includes an upper shelf member and a lower support member both preferably comprised of cardboard, or other commonly used, semi-rigid, lightweight and inexpensive material. The lower support member is foldable into three sections which are generally vertically oriented, the top portions of which are insertable into a series of slots on the lower side of the upper shelf member. The upper shelf member includes four foldable sections, one of which is positioned upon and engaged by the lower support section by means of the aforementioned slots. The remaining three sections of the upper shelf member may be folded upon one another in forming a speaker's lectern or may be extended to a generally vertical orientation so as to form a semi-enclosed area providing the privacy required when the present invention is used as a voting booth.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a dental practice means having an improved construction wherein dental practice bases are lined up straight in rows to enable man's head models to be disposed at both sides of the means. The means is constructed in a smaller dimensions than the conventional ones, wherein instructors are able to fully communicate with their dental practice apprentices and observe the smallest motions of the apprentices' hands, and their way of using dental instruments. Further the dental practice apprentices are able to learn almost in the same manner as though they are practically making dental treatment to dental patients.

Abstract: A drawer handle can be removably mounted over a drawer front without fasteners or the like. The drawer front has a recessed region to facilitate opening the drawer, and the drawer handle can be snap-locked onto the drawer front to cover the recess and provide an optional means of opening the drawer. The drawer handle is of inverted U-shaped channel configuration including elongated front and rear flanges extending along a narrow base of the channel. The front and rear flanges can be spread apart to facilitate slipping the channel over the drawer front so the base of the channel rests on the upper edges of the drawer front, and the front and rear flanges overlie front and rear faces of the drawer front. The rear flange covers the recess in the drawer front, while the front flange is foreshortened relative to the rear flange and extends across the mid-point of the recess to provide a means for opening the drawer.

Abstract: An assembly for storing clothing or other articles is provided, especially adapted for use in nursing homes or the like by non-ambulatory residents. First and second wall panels are mounted to each other so that they are perpendicular. A storage structure defined by a right triangular prism is provided including a plurality of walls defining a storage area therebetween with the front wall having an access opening. A tambour door is slidable on a pair of tracks to selectively block and unblock the access opening in the storage structure. The storage structure is mounted to the wall panel so that the tambour door tracks are disposed in horizontal planes vertically spaced from each other, and so that the storage structure is spaced from the ground, along the entire extent thereof, a distance corresponding to the height of a toeboard of a wheelchair off of the ground.

Abstract: A casing comprising a shell which has a transverse cross section in the form of an inverted square bottom "U". The bottom panel closes a part of the space between the ends of the arm of the "U" opposite to the top of the "U" and a back panel closes part of the space between the arms of the shell. The bottom panel and back panel do not extend to their common boundaries and a compartment panel is engaged between the back panel and the bottom panel.

Abstract: Work station angular desk for an office machine, containinga center section having a substantially rectangular center work surface with a straight front access edge sufficiently wide relative to a person to provide an unobstructed work station area thereat and to accommodate an office machine, e.g.

Abstract: A desk having a knee space includes a stop secured to the desk in the travel path of the chair such that the seat engages the stop before the back engages the desk for protecting the back against being marred by the desk. The stop may be connected to the top wall of the knee space or extend between the side walls.

Abstract: A box-like housing has defining sides and a top wall all arranged to provide protection for an excavation worker in the housing from cave-ins of the walls of the excavation. The bottom of the housing is open and such housing has downwardly extending legs arranged to support it a spaced distance off the bottom of an excavation to allow the worker to dig out beyond the sides of the housing. Each of the legs has a ground engaging member to support the housing on the bottom of an excavation and an extension arranged to pierce the ground and anchor the housing against lateral movement. The housing has a lift connection for a powered lifting device on an upper portion thereof. Multiple doorways are provided with safety chains to hold them shut in the event of a cave-in. A seat for supporting a worker when the cage is being moved is suspended in the housing.

Abstract: A modular cabinet with mirror for use in beauty parlors having a generally chevron shaped counter top providing first and second counter top portions interconnected at one and end and extending at an obtuse angle to each other with a mirror mounted on one counter top portion and extending upwardly adjacent its rear edge at an angle of 120.degree. to the rear edge of the other counter top portion. Storage drawers are mounted below the other counter top portion for movement along a path paralleling the rear edge of the other countertop portion between a closed position and an end-out position in which part of the drawers extend outwardly of the end of the counter top.

Abstract: This invention is a revolving examination table apparatus to be used by, for example, optometrists during eye examination to place a desired instrument between the patient and the doctor. More particularly, the table apparatus includes (1) a main, circular support base assembly; (2) a revolving table top assembly rotatably mounted on the support base assembly; and (3) an electrical control and drive assembly operable to control rotation of the revolving table top assembly. A central portion of the support base assembly and the revolving table top assembly is cut out to receive a chair and person (optometrist) therein while the patient sits opposite therefrom with the table apparatus therebetween.

Abstract: A staging cabinet and tray combination especially for use with hamburger buns has an open front cabinet including solid metallic top, bottom, back and side walls abutting each other at right angles and having a plurality of horizontal ledges secured to the side walls at selected vertical intervals, the ledges on one side wall being at the same height as the corresponding ledges on the other side wall. Cooperating with the ledges are trays each supportable at a selected height in the cabinet by a pair of the ledges. Each tray includes a rectangular metallic sheet having downturned flanges along opposite side edges of the sheet, the flanges being slidable on the ledges and being bottom notched to reduce heat transfer and allow air flow. The rectangular sheet itself has ribs along the transverse front and rear edges, each rib having an inner wall upstanding from the sheet and then having an outer wall extending downwardly from the inner wall far enough to afford a gripping portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for selected audio-visual reproduction upon check actuation that consists of a viewing carrel providing comfort and privacy, and having in combination therewith, television playback apparatus, program selection control and money validator for enabling playback of a selected program. The television reproducing apparatus includes a video tape playback system functioning in coaction with a color television receiver as controlled by the money validator and playback selection control.

Abstract: A recessed handle assembly adapted for use in cases, panels and more particularly in electrical housing assembly units is disclosed. An aperture is provided in a wall of an electrical housing assembly unit. Into the aperture is placed a handle member which is preferably U shaped and is equipped with a pair of flanges. The flanges engage the exterior surface of the panel. A keeper member which also has a pair of flanges is mounted between the panel and the handle member. The keeper member is of such dimensions that it tightly fits between the panel and the handle member while the flanges of the keeper member engage the interior surface of the panel. The whole assembly is held together by a spring force which results from tight fit of the keeper member between the panel and the handle member. The handle assembly of this invention can be mounted into a panel in a very short time without the use of tools or mechanical skills.

Abstract: A display fixture of the etagere type having shelves arranged so that it can be trimmed with all the items of a complete clothing ensemble and which can also support a poster having a photograph of a model dressed in the clothing ensemble being displayed. The display fixture includes a base member and a top member of similar generally rectangular configuration which are connected by a plurality of wood uprights located at each corner of the base and top members. Additional uprights are located intermediate the corner uprights and are positioned on opposite sides of the fixture in alignment with one another and located closer to one end of the fixture than to the other end. The base and top members are each constructed of steel tubing of square transverse cross-section formed into a rectangular shaped ring. Stub portions located at the corners of the rectangular ring and intermediate stub portions extend at right angles to the plane of the rectangular ring.

Abstract: The portable booth is comprised of a front wall and two side walls, to thereby define a three-sided structure. The front wall has an opening and a shelf attached thereto adjacent the lower edge of the opening. The booth is collapsible and adapted to be used for in-store demonstrations of products, cooking techniques, etc.

Abstract: A service counter having several spaced apart service stations each of which allows a single person to service two customers. Each service station includes a pair of customer windows facing a common service person workspace positioned therebetween so that the person is equally accessible to both customer windows, yet adjacent customer windows at different service stations face away from each other to insure privacy. The service counter maximizes equipment efficiency by utilizing a single unit of relatively expensive equipment for two customer windows, and it maximizes the efficiency of service personnel by allowing a person to service one customer while another customer at the same service station is preparing to do business with the service person.

Abstract: A combination conference table and desk. One end of a desk top fits over and rests on a pedestal containing drawers. The other end of the table top resting on a centrally located leg. The pedestal end of the desk top has a generally rectangular shape and the other end of the table top is enlarged and has an extending curved configuration so that a plurality of persons may sit around the conference desk all in comfortable writing positions.

Abstract: A mechanized service bar and serving system consisting of a service counter adapted to accommodate a plurality of patrons at spaced serving stations therealong, and a carriage mounted for guided movement along a path adjacent to the service counter having an operating station thereon adapted to be occupied by a service attendant or carriage operator. The carriage is provided with an adequate supply of items to be served which are adapted to be dispensed by the service attendant. Movement of the carriage in either direction is controlled by the service attendant and suitable signal means are provided at the service stations for communicating to the service attendant, those stations at which service is desired. The carriage further includes a cash register for handling the purchase of dispensed items by patrons, and preferably further includes a platform for accommodating entertainment personnel as may be desired.