Abstract: A card storage and display device (20) includes a first sheet (22) which is attached to a second sheet (36). A first sheet (22) has a plurality of parallel slits (24) which are arranged in stair step fashion. First sheet (22) also has a corresponding plurality of tabs (32), also arranged in stair step fashion, wherein each slit (24) has an accompanying tab (32). The second sheet (36) has a plurality of openings (38) which align with and accept tabs (32) when first sheet (22) is placed on top of second sheet (36). When a card (500) is inserted in a slit (24), the lower corner (501) of card (500) abuts tab (32) and thus prevents further insertion of card (500) into slit (24). Resultantly, a portion of card (500) remains displayed to a user.

Abstract: A battery circuit, including a secondary battery, a storage capacitor, two switches and two voltage monitor circuits, detects a remaining capacity of the secondary battery and sends out data indicative of the remaining capacity to outside of the battery circuit. A first switch connects a secondary battery to a storage capacitor. A second switch connects the other end of the first switch to the storage capacitor and a load. A storage capacitor voltage monitor circuit measures voltage of the storage capacitor. The first switch is then turned ON and a current from the battery is transferred to the storage capacitor. At this time, the second switch is OFF. Then, the first switch is then turned OFF, and voltage of the storage capacitor indicative of the voltage of the secondary battery is measured. Then, the second switch turns ON and the current flows from the storage capacitor to the external load.

Abstract: A display rack (20) for license plate frames (500) includes a plurality of license plate frame receiving stations (24) which are arranged in side-by-side relationship. The stations (24) are separated by movable dividers (26) which may be laterally moved to change the relative width of adjacent stations (24). Display rack (20) also includes pegboard connectors (34) which are selectively movable along a frame member (21) to effect alignment with holes (504) in a pegboard (502) so that display rack (20) can be mounted on a sheet of pegboard (502).

Abstract: An apparatus (930) is shown for displaying a representation of the outline (44) of a wheeled vehicle in various poses with respect to a pictorial scene (38). The apparatus (930) comprises a pictorial scene (38) disposed upon a substantially planar background element (32). First and second spaced straps (58) serve as the vehicle's wheels (40) and (42) and are engaged by T-shaped slots (64) and (66) in outline (44) so that the vehicle may be selectively slidably moved along straps (58) thereby assuming a plurality of poses with respect to the pictorial scene (38) and the wheels (40) and (42). A third strap (999) is cut in the form of a person or advertised product into the background element (32) between the first and second straps. The vehicle is positioned between third strap (999) and the remaining portion of background element (32) so that third strap (999) holds the middle of the vehicle against the background element (32).

Abstract: A pencil (20) includes a threaded end (30). A threaded ferrule (24) surrounds an eraser (26), and threadably engages the threaded end (30). When the ferrule (24) is rotated, it screws down on the threaded end (30) thereby exposing an unused portion of the eraser (26). A stop mechanism (34) prevents the ferrule (24) from being unscrewed from the threaded end (30).

Abstract: A method for cleaning a vehicle (50) includes providing a can of compressed gas (20) having a nozzle (22), and an activating means for causing gas (26) to emanate from the nozzle (22); providing an absorbent member (36); providing a vehicle (50) having an inaccessible location (60) wherein moisture is disposed; pointing nozzle (22) in the direction of inaccessible location (60); activating the activating means causing gas (26) to emanate from nozzle (22) thereby extricating the moisture from the inaccessible location (60); and, using an absorbent member (36) to wipe off extricated moisture from the vehicle (50).

Abstract: Current flows from the secondary battery via the current mirror circuit to the regenerative capacitor. The current mirror circuit multiplies by a numerical constant the current flowing from the secondary battery and supplies the amplified current through the regenerative capacitor. When a voltage value of the regenerative capacitor reaches a predetermined maximum value, the current flows from the regenerative capacitor to the external load. The current flow from the regenerative capacitor continues until the voltage decreases to a predetermined minimum value. Immediately before the voltage of the regenerative capacitor reaches the predetermined minimum value, a terminal voltage of the secondary battery in an open state is measured. This structure enables a charging-and-discharging microcurrent from the secondary battery to be easily monitored, while simultaneously detecting a remaining capacity of the secondary battery.

Abstract: An automatic swimming pool cleaning system including a cleaner body intended to travel in a forward direction along a wall surface or on the water surface to substantially randomly traverse a swimming pool. The system includes a propulsion subsystem for producing a force to propel the body in a forward direction, a motion sensor for indicating when the velocity of the body, diminishes below a certain threshold rate, and a repositioning subsystem responsive to said motion sensor indication for producing a limited duration force to change the position of the body after which forward direction motion resumes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus powered from the suction side of a pump for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall and the upper surface of a water pool contained therein. The apparatus includes an essentially unitary cleaner body and a level control subsystem for selectively moving the body to a position either proximate to the surface of the water pool for water surface cleaning or proximate to the interior surface of the containment wall for wall surface cleaning. The cleaner body can have a weight/buoyancy characteristic to cause it to normally rest either (1) proximate to the pool bottom adjacent to the wall surface (i.e., heavier-than-water) or (2) proximate to the water surface (i.e.. lighter-than-water).

Abstract: A capture strap (20) for rescue harness (500) includes a strap (22) having a first metal connector (28) connected to one end and a second cooperating metal connector (30) connected to the opposite end. The first (28) and second (30) metal connectors may be removably connected together so that capture strap (20) may be locked around a person being rescued. Capture strap (20) has two spaced apart harness connectors (32) and (34) for removably connecting capture strap (20) to the rescue harness (500).

Abstract: A harness (20) for suspending a rescuer (500) by a line (502) includes an upright attachment (22) so that the rescuer may be suspended in a substantially upright position, an inverted attachment (40) so that the rescuer (500) may be suspended in a substantially inverted position, a seated attachment (46) so that the rescuer (500) may be suspended in a substantially seated position, and a back attachment (50), so that the rescuer (500) may be suspended in an angled forward facing position. Harness (20) also includes a longitudinally adjustable back strap (52) so that the suspension angle of rescuer (500) may be altered, and two spaced longitudinally adjustable front straps (76) which limit the degree to which the rescuer (500) can lean backward when in the seated position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus responsive to a positive pressure water source (10) for cleaning the interior surface of a pool containment wall (3) and the upper surface (7) of a water pool (1) contained therein. The apparatus includes an essentially unitary cleaner body (6) and a level control subsystem (124, 138) for selectively moving the body (6) to a position either proximate to the surface (7) of the water pool for water surface cleaning or proximate to the interior surface (8) of the containment wall for wall surface cleaning. The cleaner body can have a weight/buoyancy characteristic to cause it to normally rest either (1) proximate to the pool bottom adjacent to the wall surface (i.e., heavier-than-water) or (2) proximate to the water surface (i.e. lighter-than-water).

Abstract: A vise suitable for securely holding a workpiece relative to a machine table. The vise is comprised of an integral block of readily machinable material, e.g., soft steel, aluminum, or plastic. A slot extends into the block from a top surface toward a lower base portion. First and second jaw members, spaced by the slot, extend upwardly from the base portion. The top surfaces of the jaw members can be machined to form a cavity for receiving a workpiece. The cavity is bounded by clamping surfaces, respectively formed on the jaw members, which preferably conform to the workpiece outer profile surface. An inwardly directed clamping force is applied to the jaw members to engage the clamping surfaces against the workpiece outer profile surface. The inwardly directed force is produced by a collar extending around the upper region of the jaw members and cooperating with a screw extending into a blind hole in the outer surface of one of the jaw members.

Abstract: A brake early warning system for a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has (1) a steering column assembly (500) having a plurality of components, and (2) a vehicle broadcast system, which includes brake lights, a horn, and headlights. The brake early warning system includes a movement sensor (20) which is connected to the steering column assembly (500), and senses relative movement between two of the steering column assembly (500) components when a driver braces against the steering wheel (508) in an urgent braking situation. In such cases, movement sensor (20) senses relative movement, and generates a signal which activates the brake lights, horn, and headlights, thereby alerting any following driver, as well as others in the vicinity, that the vehicle has commenced rapid braking.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging a water stream for massaging a user's body characterized by a flexible limp slack membrane, preferably of terry cloth, mounted in front of a discharge orifice. In use, a water stream discharged from the orifice impacts against the rear face of the membrane while the membrane's front face is held against and massages the user's body. The kinetic energy of the stream deforms the limp, slack membrane and transfers through the membrane to provide a pleasing massage effect while minimizing the amount of unwanted splash. The apparatus may also include a continuous and/or pulsed shower outlet for selectively discharging a shower spray.

Abstract: A shoe (20) having a removable sole includes an upper (22) and a removable lower sole (34). The upper has an upper sole (24), a heel portion (26), and a toe portion (28). Upper sole (24) has a plurality of upwardly opening alignment holes (30). A lock tab (32) is connected to toe portion (28) and forwardly projects therefrom. The removable lower sole (34) has a heel portion (36) and a toe portion (38). A rearwardly opening slot (40) disposed in toe portion (38) is shaped and dimensioned to receive lock tab (32). Removable lower sole (34) has a plurality of upwardly protruding alignment pins (42) which are engageable with alignment holes (30) in upper sole (24). Lower sole (34) is held in place by inserting lock tab (32) into the rearwardly opening slot (40) in the toe and engaging connector (44) to connect heel portion (26) of upper (22) to heel portion (36) of lower sole (34).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting a fluid specimen, locally analyzing the specimen to qualitatively detect specified chemical components at concentrations above threshold levels, and providing machine readable test results for facilitating data collection and reporting. The apparatus includes an assaying device comprised of a cup for collecting a fluid specimen and a cap carrying at least one test strip for visually reacting to one or more specified chemical components in the specimen. The cap also carries an aliquot delivery mechanism for forcing an aliquot of the fluid specimen onto the test strip. The assaying device is preferably configured to interact with a reader device capable of reading the reaction of the test strip to produce a data output.

Abstract: A release binding (20) is shown for releasably attaching a ski boot to a telemark or cross-country ski (22). A load spool (50) having a circumferential groove (56) is attached perpendicular to the bottom of a standard toe plate (24) used to secure the toe of the boot. A release plate (40) having a planar load spring (44) inside is attached to the ski. The load spring has two sides (62, 64) attached together at both ends forming an elongated aperture. To assemble the boot on the ski, the skier orients the load spool through a hole (48) in the top of the release plate into the elongated aperture of the spring and pushes down. A pilot surface (60) on the load spool pushes the two sides of the spring apart until the groove is reached whereupon the two spring sides snap into the groove retaining the toe plate on the ski.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. In accordance with the invention, the SCU comprises a programmable unit capable of (1) transmitting commands to at least some of a plurality of implanted devices and (2) receiving data signal from at least some of those implanted devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system operates in closed loop fashion whereby the commands transmitted by the SCU are dependent, in part, on the content of the data signals received by the SCU.