Abstract: An object-oriented modular electronic component system comprises a plurality of self-contained operating modules, each having external mechanical and electromagnetic interconnecting devices. It includes a user module for performing a specific function, a database module for identifying the presence, location, and function of each of the operating modules of the system, a communications module for transmitting digital electromagnetic messages among the operating modules, a power supply module for providing electrical power to the operating modules, and a power bus device for delivering power from the power supply module to the operating modules. The communications module, the power supply module, the data base module, and the user module are all capable of being selectively operatively releasably connected, mechanically and electromagnetically. The modules are all electromagnetically disconnected in an inoperative mode and are electromagnetically connected in an operative mode.

Abstract: A system for carrying skis and ski poles either by hand or over the shoulder comprises an elongated strap assembly extending between fore and aft ski loops to freely receive the ends of a pair of skis in side-by-side relationship. An adjustment buckle interconnects first and second strap members and their associated fore and aft ski loops to selectively create a transport loop of reduced size for carrying the skis by hand or one of enlarged size for carrying the skis over the shoulder. Fore and aft loops may also be provided to receive a pair of ski poles. In one embodiment, the strap members extend away from the ski loops at locations adjacent the ring members and the strap members are threaded through the ring members to form the pole loops such that as the strap members are drawn in a direction away from the ring members, the size of the pole loops is reduced until the pole loops snugly engage the ski poles.

Abstract: An exercising system is provided to enable a user to obtain twice the exercise per unit time offered by a conventional jump rope. At the same time, the system of the invention provides the user with a construction as near to that of the conventional jump rope as possible. To this end, a pair of opposed mutually independent elongated tubular handles are mounted to a pair of hoop members over which the user jumps between their ends. The system is adjustable so as to accommodate a range of sizes of users and graduated indicia are provided on the hoop members to enable a user to achieve a desired size. Also, as with a conventional jump rope, the exercising system is width adjustable to the extent desired by the user.

Abstract: A self contained air movement system for air purification and infection control includes an elongated upright enclosed housing including a base module, sidewalls, and an upper module. A fan intermediate the base module and the upper module draws unclean air from a room containing the system through the base module, then discharges a purified air stream from the upper module. The base module includes a downward facing air intake opening spaced from the floor. A pair of pre-filters are disposed on the base module in stacked relationship for trapping relatively large particulate matter from the entering air stream. The upper module includes a discharge grille opening to the environment with angled louvers for guiding and re-directing the purified air stream from a downstream HEPA-type filter into an inclined stream, flowing proximate to and along the ceiling of the room in which the system is located.

Abstract: A physical rehabilitation system is provided for improving the capability of a user to support the weight of the user's body on the user's limbs. The system comprises a walker frame capable of gliding movement across a surface, upper limb holding members on the walker frame adapted for engagement by the hands or arms of the user, and counterbalance weights on the walker frame releasably attachable to the user's body for assistance in lifting the user's body to an upright position. The counterbalance weights may be adjustable according to the need of the user. The width of the walker frame, of the upper limb holding members, and the height of the upper limb holding members are all adjustable to accommodate the size of the user. While the user is provided with a range of freedom with respect to the counterbalance weights, a safety limit is provided for restraining and supporting the user in the event of a fall.

Abstract: A hand guard is provided for use in combination with locking pliers having mutually hinged main and operating handles which are movable between opened and closed positions. It comprises a protective sleeve for conformable reception enveloping the mid-sectors of the locking pliers. The protective sleeve includes first and second opposed spaced apart panels and upper and lower opposed spaced apart panels for receiving the main and operating handles therebetween. The protective sleeve is of resiliently stretchable material such that when the locking pliers are in the closed position, the upper panel conformingly engages the main handle and the lower panel conformingly engages the operating handle and the first and second panels are substantially planar, extending, respectively, between the upper and lower panels, and when the locking pliers are in the opened position, the first and second panels are drawn into a reformed configuration while biasing the operating handle toward the closed position.

Abstract: A modular wall construction system includes a box-like block form of expanded foam plastic material such as polystyrene having opposite, parallel, spaced apart sidewalls and endwalls extending between upper and lower surfaces and defining an internal cavity for receiving concrete slurry. A plurality of transverse bridge members maintain spacing between the sidewalls at spaced locations along the length thereof. Each bridge member includes a central web extending between opposed tongues which are slidably received in T-grooves formed in the sidewalls. A cylindrical boss member is integral with the central web and substantially equidistant between the opposed tongues and has an outer peripheral surface and a vertically extending bore for slidably receiving a vertical reinforcement bar.

Abstract: A process for treating a dyed, velvet fabric is disclosed wherein two-toned color effects between the pile and the fabric backing are achieved. The preferred fabric comprises a cellulosic (cotton or rayon) or synthetic fiber weave backing dyed preferably with a non-disperse dye, e.g. a direct dye, and pile composed of cellulose acetate fibers dyed with a disperse dye. The dyed fabric is contacted with a dilute caustic solution, e.g., sodium hydroxide, for a period of time sufficient to at least partially or totally hydrolyze the cellulose acetate of the pile fiber, which noticeably also reduces the color intensity of the pile while having little effect on the color intensity of the backing. This is followed by rinsing, neutralization and conditioning of the treated fabric.

Abstract: A raking tool comprises an elongated handle and a rake head mounted to a distal end of the handle. The rake head includes a support plate with a plurality of integral tines extending therefrom in mutually diverging directions between first and second edges laterally disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the handle. The rake head is asymmetrically disposed relative to the handle, the first edge being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle, the second edge being angularly disposed relative thereto. A first hand grip member is mounted at the proximal end of the handle and extends transversely thereof and a second hand grip member is mounted to the handle at a location spaced from the proximal end and extends in a direction angularly disposed relative to both the first hand grip member and the longitudinal axis. The support plate has a threaded mounting socket therein and the distal end of the handle is threaded for selective mounting engagement with the mounting socket.

Abstract: A board game defines a plurality of playing positions in the form of a gridwork including a plurality of discrete, electrically isolated, metal frames, each frame enclosing one of the playing positions and supporting a translucent coextensive window. Playing pieces, some being of different types, are movable between playing positions in accordance with a predetermined pattern dependent upon their type and influenced by the locations of other playing pieces. A regulating system selectively alters a sensible characteristic at each of the playing positions to thereby alter an attribute of a playing piece which lands on a certain one of the playing positions. This is done by successively illuminating each of the playing positions by means of one or more colored electric lamps or by providing no illumination at all.

Abstract: Wearing apparel for protecting the wearer against radioactive contamination is manufactured from single use disposable laminated material which comprises a first continuous layer of non-macerating hypoallergenic cellulosic material for contact with the wearer's skin and a second continuous layer of cellulosic material exposed to external contamination. The first and second layers are bonded together with a third contiguous layer interposed between them. The third layer is of a microporous adsorbent material allowing passage of body vapors from the wearer to the ambient region while restricting passage of liquid in the opposite direction. The laminated material exhibits a tensile yield strength of at least approximately 2,000 psi, a shear yield strength of at least approximately 1,000 psi, and an overall coefficient of heat transfer of at least approximately 2.75 BTU/hr.ft.sup.2 -.degree.F. The microporous adsorbent material may be activated charcoal or hydrated alumina silicate.

Abstract: A footing block system is provided for the foundation of a structure and includes a pair of elongated longitudinally extending opposed shells which define a cavity between them for the reception of concrete in slurry form. Each of the shells includes an upright portion having a base adapted to engage the subsurface and an integral transverse portion extending to a rim, the rims of the first and second shells being spaced apart and facing one another. Bridge members are engageable with the opposed shells for joining them a fixed distance apart, mutually interlocking members being provided on the shells and on the bridge members for slidable reception in a longitudinal direction while preventing substantial movement therebetween in a transverse direction. Wall forms are engageable with and supported on the transverse portions of the shells and define a second cavity for the reception of concrete in slurry form, the first and second cavities being in mutual communication.

Abstract: A cushioned gripping device is provided for attachment to the elongated handle of a tool. It includes a pad of foam-like resilient material dimensioned to substantially encircle the handle of the tool and to extend along a substantial length of the handle. The pad can be mounted by means of a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material in which instance, a releasable backing sheet may overlie the layer of adhesive material. A resilient sheet of rubber-like material may overlie the pad to extend the life of the foam-like material. In another instance, the device may be attached by means of hook and loop material. In another embodiment, the device may have a contoured outer surface to improve the ability of a person to maintain a grip. Also, the device may be tubular and cut longitudinally for reception on the handle of the tool. Yet again, the device may be generally planar and rectangular, having a width dimension generally equal to the outer periphery of the handle.

Abstract: A free weight lifting system utilizes a lifting bar with an inboard region to be gripped by a weight lifter and opposed ends which can receive and support one or more weights to be lifted. A first pair of spaced apart upright members are positioned in a first longitudinally extending plane and a second pair of spaced apart upright members positioned in a second longitudinally extending plane, the first and second planes being spaced apart and generally parallel. A first yieldable cord extends between the first pair of upright members and a second yieldable cord extends between the second pair of upright members. In one mode of operation, the lifting bar is positioned beneath the elastic cords. When it is raised by the weight lifter, an upper surface of the bar is engageable with the yieldable cords at spaced locations such that progressively increasing resistance is imparted to the weight lifter. In another mode of operation, the lifting bar is positioned above the yieldable cords.

Abstract: A system is provided for firmly attaching roof tiles to a building. The system includes an underlayment, a layer of adhesive overlying the underlayment and a plurality of ceramic slabs for mounting on the adhesive layer. Anchors are employed for securing the ceramic slabs in a contiguous manner to the adhesive layer. These anchors include a substantially planar first flange which is embedded within the ceramic slab. A web is fixed to the first flange and extends transversely away from the first flange and beyond the ceramic slab. A substantially planar second flange is fixed to the web at a location distant from the first flange and is embedded within the adhesive layer. The first and second flanges are generally parallel and are generally symmetrical relative to the web and are substantially coextensive. In another construction, the first and second flanges define first and second perimeters and the web is attached to both of the flanges at locations substantially central of the perimeters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for altering the properties of light sensitive material, for example, biological material, which has a plurality of randomly spaced light absorbing structures thereon. A beam of light, for example, from a laser, is directed, as by scanning, onto a site of the material to be influenced. In order to achieve changes in the properties of the light sensitive material substantially only at each light absorbing structure, the light beam is modulated with a pattern of successive pulses, the pattern being a plurality of pulses of selected duration, energy level, and repetition frequency. The light induced changes may be thermal, mechanical, or chemical in nature.

Abstract: A modular environmental mooring system generally of star shaped configuration accommodates a plurality of boats at circumferentially spaced, radially extending positions with respect to a central dock member. The central dock member is of generally annular configuration which includes a plurality of segments, each having a planar outwardly facing endwall and a pair of planar sidewalls lying in spaced apart angularly disposed planes. The segments are arranged with their sidewalls in a contiguous relationship. The boats float alongside a plurality of elongated finger dock members which extend radially outwardly from associated endwalls of the segments. Each segment and each finger dock member includes a plastic foam core member having planar structural sheet members which coterminously underlie and overlie the plastic foam core and are bonded to the plastic foam core.

Abstract: Portable golf ball teeing apparatus includes a large container providing a supply of golf balls, a fixed resilient tee at a location distant from the container, and a conduit extending generally between the container and the tee. The container is attached to an entry end of the conduit and a resilient spout is fixed to an exit end of the conduit and extends to a location just short of the tee. The conduit is angularly positioned on a platform supporting the conduit so that balls from the container are caused to descend by gravity towards the exit end and the height of the exit end above the platform is adjustable. A dwell opening defined by a circular lip somewhat smaller in diameter than a golf ball is formed in an undersurface of the conduit intermediate its ends to receive and temporarily hold a golf ball.

Abstract: Exercising apparatus is provided to enable a user to obtain twice the exercise per unit time offered by a conventional jump rope. At the same time, the apparatus of the invention provides the user with a construction as near to that of the conventional jump rope as possible. To this end, a universal connection is provided between handles held by the user and support members for a pair of hoop members over which the user jumps. The apparatus is adjustable so as to accommodate a range of sizes of users and graduated indicia is provided on the hoop members to enable a user to achieve a desired size. Also, as with a conventional jump rope, the exercising apparatus is width adjustable to the extent desired by the user. The apparatus is so constructed as to enable it to be readily assembled, then disassembled, as desired. In the disassembled condition, it occupies a minimum of space.