Abstract: A stroller having wide wheels for use on soft sand. A forward wheel is mounted midline supported by a forward frame portion that is hingedly connected to a rear frame portion on which are mounted spaced apart rear wheels so that another stroller's forward wheel will nest therebetween. The hinge connecting the frame portions enables folding them to be parallel to one another and unfolding to lie in a common plane but prevents rotation beyond that plane. A vertical strut hinged to the rear of the rear portion is attached to a diagonal strut hinged to the rear of the forward frame portion to secure the use position, and a handle is hinged to the diagonal strut. The various components fold to lie parallel to one another in a compact storage position. A fabric or mesh seat is mounted on the diagonal strut and a footrest on the forward frame portion.

Abstract: A flexible heat transfer device for heating or cooling a surface such as the skin has an envelope formed from two double walled sheets, Each sheet contains within the double wall a first high thermal capacity material such as a freezing gel that is flexible when frozen for good surface contact. The space between the double walls contains a second high thermal capacity material that may have different physical properties than the first material. This may be in the form of a removable pouch insert that may be heated or cooled separately. The device is more versatile in its applications and provides for more prolonged heating and cooling.

Abstract: A water craft or land vehicle is stabilized against rolling and pitching forces by a mass or masses rotating about a vertical axis. The mass or masses are distributed along the vertical axis so that the center of the overall mass lies on the roll and pitch axes so that resistance to roll and pitch is exerted without precession. The gyro is gimballed along two axes which coincide with the roll and pitch axes. A stop mechanism allows a free pitching and rolling through a small angle before gyro resistance is met. Hydrofoils may be extended and retracted under pitch and roll signals from the gyro for extra stability.

Abstract: An anchor for attaching a strap or belt to a panel is a one piece structure having a web attached to two flanges such that the flanges extend parallel to one another and spaced apart by a distance greater than the panel thickness. Each flange has a free end with a transverse aperture forming a loop to receive the strap therethrough. The panel has an arcuate slot near the edge. The free end of one of the flanges is passed through the slot to mount the anchor on the panel with the web within the slot and the loops beyond the edge of the panel to receive the belt in a fixed belt loop or an adjustable snubbing arrangement. The web has a curved inner margin to permit limited swivelling motion.

Abstract: A valve assembly senses the cumulative volume of hydraulic fluid that has passed to an actuator and senses and subtracts from that cumulative volume the volume of return fluid that has passed from the actuator. When the difference between the volumes exceeds a preset value, the system shuts off the flow to the actuator to prevent further loss of fluid from a leak. The assembly may employ separate sensors in separate pressure and return lines or a common line with a common sensor which reverses signal polarity when flow reverses. Target flowmeters with signal adding and subtracting circuits may provide the differential volume information.

Abstract: A method and device for distinguishing between yeast infection and other secretion-causing conditions makes use of the observation that secretions caused by yeast infection generally have a pH of less than about 4.5, whereas most other conditions cause less acid secretions. The device is for use by the woman having the secretions and does not involve introducing anything into the body nor does it require special skills or training. A material that indicates pH by a color change is mounted on a catamenial pad, pantyliner or the like worn on the body so as to be wetted by the secretions draining from the vagina. Observation of the color of the wetted material enables the user, by simple comparison to a color chart, to determine whether she has a yeast infection that is treatable by medicine available without medical prescription or whether she should instead see a physician because yeast treatment would be ineffectual and would delay proper treatment.

Abstract: A rack for tool bits has many apertures in its horizontal top panel for receiving the drill bits, turning tools, and the like. Each aperture may be provided with a soft plastic bushing to prevent damage to the tool edge. A back vertical panel depending from the top panel is provided with rack supporting mechanisms for removably supporting the rack on the vertical wall of a stationary machine tool. The supporting means may include magnetic elements or preferably keyhole shaped apertures in the back panel that cooperate with shouldered machine screws affixed to the vertical wall of the machine tool. A cork surface on a front vertical panel of the rack may be provided for tacking on memos.

Abstract: A carpet trimming tool precisely trims the edge of a carpet to fit against a carpet divider of the type having a linear channel upstanding from the edge of a thin flat flange fastened to the floor. The tool has a hand grip extending upward from a rigid base. Two elongate, straight parallel spaced apart legs extend downward from the base. A first leg has a foot adapted to slide on the carpet. The second leg has a foot adapted to slide in the channel. A carpet cutting blade is removably and adjustably mounted on the second leg so as to cut through the carpet a preset distance from the channel as tool is advanced, guided by the foot in the channel.

Abstract: A device for anchoring a threaded fastener in a drywall or blind hole is molded in one flat piece having two half cylinders joined by a thin frangible hinge. Each half-cylinder carries half of a threaded bore divided axially. When folded together the two half-cylinders form a cylindrical headed anchor with a continuously threaded passage extended part way to the hinge. A threaded fastener advances readily down the bore until the unthreaded portion is reached. The fastener, as it advances in that portion, forces the halves apart, rupturing the hinge and anchoring the device.

Abstract: A cellular phone type network tracks public safety workers and their vehicles for computer aided dispatching and automatic vehicle and personnel locating. A worker carried repeater unit communicates by radio with nearby cells, sending periodic identifying signals. The network locates the unit position by methods used for 911 caller locating. A vehicle mounted mobile data terminal with input and display is in short range wireless communication with the repeater unit to communicate therethrough with the network. A panic button on the repeater unit initiates rapid emergency signals to the network to both call for help and locate the worker/vehicle.

Abstract: A folding backrest has a rigid rectangular frame supporting a resilient fabric planar panel stretched thereon. A wedge shaped support structure folds flat against the fabric for storage and transport and unfolds to support the frame tilted up on the sand with either end of the frame against the sand to provide selectable high or low inclination angle on the supporting sand. The panel fabric may extend beyond the frame ends to provide a covering on the sand for sitting thereon.

Abstract: Screw fastener jaws for the driver head of an automatic screw feeding and driving apparatus are disclosed for driving screws in face frame drilled holes. A tubular mandrel communicates with a screw feeding passage and a screwdriver passage at a first end to feed screws into the channel and then drive the screws. Spring action moves a plate to close off the free end of the channel to capture the screw. The plate is wide enough to engage the workpiece surface on both sides of the slanted hole. As the mandrel is advanced into the slanted hole, the plate is forced away from the end of the mandrel, releasing the screw for driving into the workpiece.

Abstract: A system which monitors telephone lines includes the capability to detect abnormal line conditions of many varieties. Such detection capabilities include physical damage such as cut line, misuse such as leaving a handset off-hook for an extended period of time, and intentional abuse such as a wire tap. The system is flexible enough to automatically adjust to varying `normal` conditions. As an aid in providing reliable telephone communications, the system will generate immediate alarms upon detection of abnormal conditions and concurrently create a historical database. This database is used to review reliability and response times, identify hardware failure trends or repeated misuse, and provide system management reports so as to adjust to varying normal conditions without generating false alarms. The physical system contains circuitry to scan the incoming telephone lines.

Abstract: Apparatus transfers fuel from the pressurized fuel line of a fuel-using motor vehicle to another vehicle or fuel container through a flexible hose. A T connector or Y connector is installed in the fuel line. The branch is supplied with a shut off valve and a double end shut-off quick connect coupling to a flexible hose with a valved nozzle at its end. When the hose is detached for storage, the coupling upon opening automatically seals both free ends to prevent leakage in the engine compartment while the shut off valve provides extra security. A unique venting system for the detached hose is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle has two steerable front wheels and two rear wheels that are driven by fore and aft motion of a handlebar atop a pivotted column assembly. Rotation of the handlebar steers the front wheels through a closed loop pretensioned push pull wire cable. The steering and propulsion actions are independent of one another. The column assembly translatory motion is converted to rotary motion of a sprocket by a crank mechanism. The sprocket drives a chain and derailer mechanism connected to the rear axle through an overrunning clutch for coasting forward free of the column assembly. An adjustable friction drag interposed between the rear axle and the chain drive provides enough yieldable connection between the column assembly and the rear wheels to overcome problems associated with dead center of the crank mechanism.

Abstract: A practice molded rubbery swim fin has a foot retaining section with a heel and toe portion and a tapered blade section extending outward from the toe portion a distance of two to five inches. A number of apertures perforate the blade to reduce hydrodynamic resistance. Side stiffening ridges extend part way down the blade, leaving the distal end of the blade free to flex. This fin enables the swimmer to move fast enough to simulate the more vigorous kicking of racing without as much effort. The structure reduces stress on the swimmer in practice.

Abstract: An arrangement for easily and rapidly replacing a spark plug in a bore of a cylinder head includes a conductive cylindrical body that screws into the bore. It has a tapered internal passage that receives a replaceable plug with a tapered metal outer surface. A resilient sealing ring retained by the plug seals gas tight against the inner passage. An annular groove on the outer surface of the plug receives groove engaging elements or balls mounted in the body to lock the plug securely in position. A sliding locking sleeve surrounds the groove engaging elements and prevents the elements from moving out of the groove in a locked position. The sleeve may be manually reciprocated to an unlocked position in which the elements are free to move out of the groove so that the plug may be easily replaced. A spring biases the sleeve to the locked position.

Abstract: A connector system joins together long rods or tubes at various angles to form a wide variety of shelter frames for diverse applications as well as railings, racks, and the like. The diverse connectors required are assembled from modules of the invention which are bolted together in various combinations. The modules fasten at one end to the rods or tubes. The other end of the module terminates in an annular gear adapted to intermesh at an adjustable angle with one or more gears of other modules. Once bolted together the modules form a rigid connector. The modules may be unbolted and reused to form a connector of another configuration. The few module types required to form the many connector configurations reduces inventory and manufacturing requirements.

Abstract: A waste chute for a multistory building is made up of modules stacked one upon the other. Each module has a vertical section of waste chute enclosed within a fire safe room. The chute sections are arranged to nest together to form a continuous chute when the modules are positioned on one another. Each room is provided with a door providing access to the room. The chute section is provided with a self closing access door. An alternative embodiment of the invention provided a module for more than one story. The multistory module has a room for each story. By integrating the chute section with the chute room in a prefabricated module, the construction of a building is facilitated. The costs and complications of having multiple trades working on the chute system are avoided. The invention may be practiced with a system for collecting different types of trash in different receptacles beneath the chute. Prewired controls in the module at each chute access door select the receptacle beneath the chute.

Abstract: A system for imprinting stationery including envelopes, letters and cards with return addresses, sending addresses, letterheads and other indicia uses inexpensive self inking stamps. A horizontal rectangular top plate is provided with apertures through which the stamps pass when imprinting on a piece of stationery. The top plate is supported above a flat horizontal support surface on which the piece of stationery rests by a three sided fence which provides positioning stops for the stationery. The apertures are located at predetermined positions on the top plate so as to correctly position imprinting of sending addresses, return addresses and letterheads on stationery of various sizes. The positioning and registry is so well maintained that different colored stamps may be used in the same aperture to produce multicolor printing. By providing a system that produces high quality custom printed stationery as needed, the volume storage and expenses of preprinted stationery is avoided.